Final answer:
The statement is true. President Obama's 2008 campaign had to address and overcome racial challenges and convince a diverse electorate to support him, culminating in his historic election as the first African American president.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false: one of President Obama's major challenges during his election campaigns was to convince many white voters to vote for someone that did not look like them.
The statement is true. During Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008, race indeed played a significant role. Obama had to address the challenges that came with attempting to gain the support of a diverse electorate, especially considering the United States' historical racial issues.
Racism and prejudice did factor into the decisions of some voters, reflected in the tactics of his opponents who sometimes played into racial fears.
Despite this, Obama's message of hope and unity, his charismatic campaigns that embraced social media, along with his ability to connect with young and new voters, allowed him to overcome these challenges.
He secured 44 percent of the White vote and won the election with 53 percent of the popular vote, becoming the country's first African American president and breaking racial barriers in political representation.