The historic 2008 US Presidential polls not only saw a Black making it to the White House for the first time, but also more women in the campaign trial.
This is the only election which saw a woman Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, and a number of women campaigning for their choice of candidates, including the wives of Democrat and Republican nominees.
Democrat Barack Obama, during his campaign, often invoked his grandmother Madelyn Payne's name, saying she had a "meaningful and enduring" impact in shaping his life. But, Payne could not hear the news which could have etched in her memory forever -- Obama has won the polls -- as she breathed her last just a day before the D-day.
Announcing his grandmother's death to the world in an election rally on Monday, the African-American remembered her as "one of those quiet heroes we have across America, who aren't famous ... but each and every day they work hard. They look after their families. They look after their children and their grandchildren." Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama played a vital role in their respective husbands' campaigns with the latter attending more rallies garnering support for her husband.
Palin, whose entry into the Presidential Race was seen as a breath of fresh air, energised the McCain camp with her charisma and strong-will power. But the magic did not last long as the Democrat camp roped in Obama's one-time rival and Senator from New York Hillary Clinton to campaign in favour of him.
Obama's wife played a major role in bringing on board the undecided voters to the Democrat fold by addressing a number of rallies ever since her husband clinched the party's nomination.
"I come here as wife who loves her husband and believes he would be an extra-ordinary President," Michelle had told an election rally.
The Democrat was sometimes accompanied by his two daughters -- Sasha and Malia, who stood next to him when he addressed his supporters.
Michelle also made it to the People magazine's list of the year's top 10 dressed women.
"Politics may be tougher than ever, but Obama has wowed along the campaign trail with confidence, in polished looks that bring to mind a famous former first lady," wrote
People in an apparent reference to Jacqueline Kennedy.
Hillary, during the Democratic National Convention, had asked millions of her supporters to back Obama in the race for the White House, saying the party's Presidential nominee "is my candidate and he must be our President".
