August 24, 2008
Posted: 06:10 PM ET

From

(CNN) – The McCain campaign has called him "The One" — but Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, is no longer #1 on Facebook, a popular social networking Web site.

On the same day that Obama revealed his choice of Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, Olympic darling Michael Phelps passed Obama in the number of "fans" or "supporters" associated with their respective pages on the site.

As of Sunday afternoon, Obama had roughly 1,383,000 "supporters" while Phelps, age 23, had more than 1,399,000 "fans."

Phelps' meteoric rise on Facebook was helped along by a congratulatory message many users saw when they logged into the site after the Baltimore swimmer captured 8 gold medals during the Beijing Games. The message contained a link to his Facebook page, where users could sign up as fans.

The Obama campaign's use of Facebook and other Web 2.0 and social networking technologies has been credited with building his base of supporters online — particularly those in the same age group as Phelps.

Though Obama now lags behind Phelps in terms of support on Facebook, the presumptive Democratic nominee is still far ahead of rival Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee. McCain currently has roughly 215,000 supporters on the popular social networking site.

Phelps did not respond to CNN's request for comment about overtaking Sen. Obama on Facebook.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Michael Phelps


Josh, Texas   August 25th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

Ironic, considering they're about equally qualified to be commander and chief…actually, Phelps probably has the edge there.

Keith   August 24th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

Who cares about Michael Phelps. He had his few days of fame and in due time his record will be broken just like Mark Spitz' was.

Ilona Hussein Proud Canadian   August 24th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

BARACK SUPPORTERS,

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I AM SO SICK OF CNN's NEGATIVE REPORTING AGAINST BARACK, that I have a suggestion for all of BARACK'S SUPPORTERS. LET US BOYCOTT CNN, UNTIL THEY GET THE MESSAGE, THAT WE ARE TOTALLY OUTRAGED ABOUT THE WAY THEY REPORT THE SO-CALLED "NEWS" ABOUT BARACK!

Seriously there are so many other sites with as good or better news coverage that WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE TOTAL NEGATIVITY OF JOHN KING, WOLF BLITZER, AND THE EVER OFFENSIVE LOU DOBBS!

Tit4tat   August 24th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

No Obama in 2008? Ok then…No HILLARY in 2012! Because of you PUMA's, she will NEVER get my vote.

Let's let the Republicans rule this country forever!

Michael   August 24th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

Celebrity is fleeting.

Obama slipping in the polls and on face book. Hillary people bailing on him after he snubbed her for VP. I'm taking bets that the stadium will be less than half full for his DNC acceptance speech.

Thats the life of a Rockstar, fans can be so fickle. His campaign is starting to look like a farewell tour.

VOICE OF REASON   August 24th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!! MICHAEL PHELPS GOLD CAME AT A PRICE. TRAINING, SACRIFICE AND PERFORMANCE UNDER INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE. OBAMA HAS HAD HIS GOLD SHINED UP TO A MIRROR FINISH BY A MARKETING CAMPAIGN. THE SAME SORT OF MEDIA ANTICS THAT MADE CHI-COM OLYMPICS LOOK LIKE THEY WERE FROM NEBRASKA. IVE NOTICED THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE MORE NOW THAN EVER BEFORE. WHILE WE STRUGGLE WITH HIGH ENERGY THE DESPOTS OF ASIA FOAM IN OUR MONEY. WHILE WE DROWN IN HIGH GROCERY PRICES BIG AGRA EXPLOITS CHEAP LABOR OF ILLEGALS THRU POLITICAL FAVORS. ASK OL SAXBY AND TEDDY. WHILE WE WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE INTEGRITY OF OUR ECONOMY THE BUSINESS CARD IN CHINA AND INDIA IS SHOVED UP OUR NOSES. NO,NO,NO,NO, OBAMAS FLIMSEY BAG BOY PERSONNA IS NO MORE THAN FOOLS GOLD. ITS AN ABSOLUTE SLAP IN THE FACE TO SIR PHELPS TO COMPARE HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT THIS SNAKE OIL SALESMAN. GET REAL WHEN YOU INCLUDE HEROES WITH HOWARD DEAN STOOGES.

Republican on the fence   August 24th, 2008 10:44 pm ET

I guess Cnn Doesn't like when you write about them they have been posting all my comments all night and when I call CNN on tis baseless reteric they bump me. Who is Bias, Cnn get some tuff skin

aware   August 24th, 2008 10:41 pm ET

Carpe Deum Michael! :)

Phelps worked very hard to attain his goal, and is obviously proud to represent his country! He deserves top billing!

Obama is fading as an American idol and as a credible candidate for president of the United States of America!

And, a convention extravaganza will not earn him kudos any more than the big trip/big Berlin speech did.

Obama's books plus the Corsi and Freddoso books plus the words of Obama, Michelle, their mentors and friends have given Americans quite a lot to chew on. The Obama family/camp are too late in trying to tackle an image already ingrained in the minds of Americans!

Obama never! :(

Dont waste your vote! Vote for John McCain 08 and Hillary Clinton 2010! :)

Leila   August 24th, 2008 10:39 pm ET

Republicans are just haters and can't deal with the fact that Obama is the best choice for president, who is actually for the people. congradulations to Phelps, but it shouldn't matter who is #1 on facebook. Vote Obama/Biden 08′ Young people everywhere lets make a difference and vote this election and show the older people that we care about our country's future. Lets get MOTIVATED!!!!!

Time TO GO NOW!!!   August 24th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

As of Sunday afternoon, Obama had roughly 1,383,000 "supporters" while Phelps, age 23, had more than 1,399,000 "fans."
1,399.000-1383.000 =16……Comparing an Olympic swimmer to a US presidential candidate?Patnetic!!!
Peter of Oregon – How many Facebook fans does Hillary Clinton or John McCain have CNN…OK CNN Don'T GO FOX NEWS ON US !!!
Shame on You CNN!!!

Sean   August 24th, 2008 10:33 pm ET

Chuck: Why do you have to be racial? People like you are the problem with this country. You want to claim it has nothing to do with race, but then you make comments like that and take away all doubt that you're just a racist.

Sean   August 24th, 2008 10:32 pm ET

Brandy, NJ: Why are you making up statistics?

NVH   August 24th, 2008 10:31 pm ET

tsk tsk tsk!!!! is everybody at cnn on information over load? or just bored?

Chuck   August 24th, 2008 10:28 pm ET

Wonder how Biden feels to be the "Token White Guy?"

barry c   August 24th, 2008 10:28 pm ET

he is better looking and more qualified at bringing home the gold,….
obama will be lucky to deliver bronze

clarity   August 24th, 2008 10:26 pm ET

dumb article comparing apples to oranges. I know it is just hours before the opening of the only convention that matters and there is not much to scribble about but this is ridiculous.

Nick - Arlington, VA   August 24th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

Bob (NC) August 24th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

All of Obama's young supporters who voted for "change" in the primary are now busy with other things and becoming less captivated since they've learned he's just another politician and nothing special.
——————————————————————————————————–
So then I guess he is only getting 20% in the polls to mccains 80? …no he is still ahead.

Charlotte   August 24th, 2008 10:23 pm ET

At least Phelps can hold his own head above water…

Chuck   August 24th, 2008 10:22 pm ET

Ya mean Obama needs to hire more flunkies to blog AND run up his numbers on facebook?

Oh My!!!

Wisconsin   August 24th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

So why is one PUMA site claiming they did the attack on an Obama office and you are reporting this?

Brandy, NJ   August 24th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

This is news? The real news is that Obama screwed up. He dissed Hillary. He had 75% of her voters at the end of June. Now after his VP pick he only has 66% of them and losing every day.

<- No vote 08

mel   August 24th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

McCain,do not have anything to say but be negative.Let
talk about issues McCain,this negative attacks don't really
matter. Please move on to something else okay. Talk about
what you going to do for america and not talk so much about
Iraq.

TN for Obama   August 24th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

Phelps / Obama

TWO GREAT AMERICANS ! ! ! ! !

Doris,Memphis,TN   August 24th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

Great! This shows that Americans love Obama and Phelps!
Two men that know how to WIN!

TJ Johnson   August 24th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

You can see the value of Facebook users' choices of dreamers and swimmers. Next week it will be a new movie star or dancer or a new 12-year old singer. Real strong citizens, Obama, as your supporters!.

Pat   August 24th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

Facebook, MySpace and the rest of the New World Order "social networking" sites are nothing more but an instrument for which HSA and the rest of the globalists to easily gather info on everyone. I wouldn't put any credence in what anyone quotes from those sites because of the jerks who join them. No wonder there are so many unemployed in the US.

Texas Trail Kitty   August 24th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

Micheal Phelps has replaced Obama because we Americans have notoriously short attention spans. People, young Michael may be the best darned swimmer to ever represent the US, however focus. We are trying to get rid of the Repubs before they completely destroy this country.

Evelyn at Sunny South Florida   August 24th, 2008 9:58 pm ET

Sorry CNN but this is not news. Are you guys running out of material? Or are you starting to give Obama the same treatment you gave Clinton? Hmmmm I wonder.

But just a word of what I have decided. Between Obama and McCain I am leaning towards McCain because he was in our armed forces and knows what it is to fight for our country. Every Every person I have known in the armed forces are so incredibly dedicated to this country in such a way that no one else can match such loyalty. Obama does seem to have that devotion. I can't vote for Obama and it's about time people stop obessesing with him. Good someone else is getting attention on facebook.

Jeffer65   August 24th, 2008 9:51 pm ET

I'd vote for Ralph Wiggum if I could over McCain. McCain should pick him for VP.

Les Spencer   August 24th, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Perhaps if Mr. Obama would have chosen the more logical, and more appropriate running mate maybe his popularity would have been double that of Mike Phelps. At least Phelps is swimming for the gold instead of searching for pearls in a puddle while being blinded by the mud. We can only hope that the delegates at the DNC Convention see the light and seat Hillary, the clear winner of the popular vote in the primaries, as Presidential candidate. While they're at it they might even seek to do away eith Super delegate system which unfairly places the rich and famous in a position to over-ride the Peaople's choice- Hillary Clinton.

Janice   August 24th, 2008 9:36 pm ET

Obama is so yesterday for the kids,

all the 13 yr old face book friends don't vote anyway.

Obama needs to try and run an adult campaign.

Mike Hunt   August 24th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Comparing an Olympic swimmer to a US presidential candidate?

I think a better, more newsworthy comparison would be between the mainstream media and the dinosaurs of yesterday.

What next? Comparing John McCain with Ralph Wiggum?

Michele   August 24th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

Is he a Democrat???

tedious898   August 24th, 2008 8:37 pm ET

I didn't drink the Kool-aid, Bob (NC)

Keep it up PUMAs and republicans. You can't take away what Obama and his supporters have accomplished. Is a shame you can't learn to appreciate someone reaching a "dream" or what otherwise would have been impossible for them or other African Americans no more that 10 years ago.

I give the good Senator credit – win or lose

Peter of Oregon   August 24th, 2008 8:35 pm ET

How many Facebook fans does Hillary Clinton or John McCain have CNN?

kyra   August 24th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

VOTE
OBIDEN 08!!!!

Bboy   August 24th, 2008 8:30 pm ET

Obama…

Ray from CA   August 24th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

Ok your stupid

he's not MUSLIM!

Bob (NC)   August 24th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

All of Obama's young supporters who voted for "change" in the primary are now busy with other things and becoming less captivated since they've learned he's just another politician and nothing special.

I didn't drink the Kool-aid   August 24th, 2008 8:23 pm ET

I guess the kids have a new cult hero. Maybe you should just quit now osama.

who wants a whiner?   August 24th, 2008 8:23 pm ET

Politics? At a football stadium? Well, I guess the election of our next President is more important than football…

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