U.S. Elections 2008
Remarks on the Outcome of the U.S. Presidential Elections |
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Washington, DC November 5, 2008 SECRETARY RICE: Good morning. I asked Sean if I could open this briefing, and he said yes, that I could do that. I’m getting ready to leave for the Middle East, but I did not want this morning to pass without taking note of the extraordinary election last night. This was an exercise in American democracy, of which Americans across the political spectrum are justifiably proud.
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Barack Obama’s Victory Speech
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On November 4, Americans elected Illinois Senator Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. At the end of a very long Election Day, he addressed supporters at a park in Chicago. |
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John McCain’s Concession Speech
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On November 4, Americans elected Illinois Senator Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States. (See “Barack Obama Wins Historic Election Victory.”) In a concession speech that underscored the importance of the U.S. democratic process and the personal dignity and integrity of Senator John McCain, the defeated Republican nominee called on Americans to unite behind an Obama presidency in an address to supporters in Phoenix. |
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Final McCain-Obama Debate Most Contentious of the Three
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October 15, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington — In their final and most contentious debate October 15, the presidential candidates made direct appeals to American voters. Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Arizona Senator John McCain frequently criticized each other in the debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The debate dealt with not only domestic policy issues — the night’s designated topic — but also personal character. |
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Economic Issues Dominate Second Presidential Debate
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October 8, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington — With troubles in financial markets continuing to dominate world headlines, John McCain and Barack Obama spent more than half of their second presidential debate discussing economic issues October 7. The debate, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, was held in a town-hall format. Members of the audience, who were uncommitted voters, posed questions directly to the candidates. |
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Joe Biden, Sarah Palin Highlight Their Political, Personal Roots
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October 3, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington — In their first meeting and only debate, vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin described the roles each would play as the next in line to lead the United States. Palin, the Republican first-term governor of Alaska, said she and running mate John McCain “have had good conversations about where I would lead with his agenda. And that is energy independence in America and reform of government over all, and then working with families of children with special needs.” |
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No Clear Winner in First Presidential Debate
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September 29, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington — Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama outlined their visions for U.S. foreign policy and criticized each other’s positions on the Iraq war in their first debate, but neither candidate emerged from the exchange as a clear winner. The 90-minute debate, held September 26 at the University of Mississippi, was supposed to focus on foreign policy, but in light of recent financial problems in the United States, economic issues were a large part of the conversation. |
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Both U.S. Presidential Candidates “Profoundly Shaped” by Asia
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September 24, 2008 By Jane Morse Washington – U.S.-Asian relations under the next U.S. administration are unlikely to vary much based on whether Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain wins the U.S. presidential race in November, according to senior foreign policy advisers to both candidates. “We have two men running for president, both of whom have been profoundly shaped by Asia in very profoundly different ways,” says Frank Jannuzi, an East Asia specialist for the Democratic staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I think that bodes well for our country, given the preponderance of Asia looming large economically [and] strategically.” |
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Large Audiences Expected for Televised Presidential Debates
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September 23, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington – Polls show the presidential contest between John McCain and Barack Obama is extremely close, but upcoming debates could change that, political experts say. Debates give Americans a chance to compare the candidates as they respond to tough questions and react to unscripted moments on live television. |
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Republicans Say John McCain Will Listen to American Allies
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September 5, 2008 By Michelle Austein St. Paul, Minnesota — Throughout the Republican National Convention, party leaders stopped by the State Department’s Foreign Press Center to describe presidential nominee John McCain as one who will listen to America’s allies when formulating foreign policy. To be a better leader, McCain believes the United States needs to “listen to the concerns and be responsive to the concerns of friends and allies,” Kori Schake, deputy foreign policy adviser for the McCain campaign, told journalists. |
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John McCain Tells Republican Convention “Change Is Coming”
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September 5, 2008 By Michelle Austein St. Paul, Minnesota — After serving in the Vietnam War and then in the U.S. Congress for 26 years, Arizona Senator John McCain, who formally accepted the Republican nomination for president September 4, describes himself as a proven leader who can bring change. “I have a privilege given few Americans, the privilege of accepting our party’s nomination for president of the United States,” McCain said over an energetic crowd shouting “U-S-A.” “I accept it with gratitude, humility and confidence.” |
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Republicans Nominate John McCain for President
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September 4, 2008 By Michelle Austein St. Paul, Minnesota – At the Republican National Convention September 3, delegates formally nominated Arizona Senator John McCain to be their candidate for the presidency of the United States. State by state, delegates verbally cast their votes, allowing the Arizona delegation to cast the ballots that gave McCain the majority vote count needed to earn the nomination. Delegates cheered as they named McCain their presidential nominee. |
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Political Spirit Returns to Republican National Convention
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September 3, 2008 By Michelle Austein St. Paul, Minnesota -- The Republican National Convention began in earnest September 2, after the first day of convention activities were curtailed due to Hurricane Gustav. As political speeches and rallies resumed, party members focused on telling Americans that John McCain, if elected president, would put his country first. |
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Republican Party Quietly Opens National Convention
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September 2, 2008 By Michelle Austein St. Paul, Minnesota -- With little fanfare, the Republican National Convention opened September 1 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Political speeches, a trademark of the modern convention, were called off as Americans turned their attention to a hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast. |
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John McCain Chooses Alaska Governor as Running Mate
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August 29, 2008 By Jane Morse Washington -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain has chosen Sarah Palin, currently the governor of Alaska, as his running mate. Palin, who would be the first woman to run on a Republican presidential ticket, also would be the first Alaskan to appear on a national ballot. In 2006 she became the first female governor of Alaska after serving six years as mayor of Wasilla City, Alaska. |
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Former President Helps Democratic Party Unite Behind Obama
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August 28, 2008 Washington -- In the United States, political parties have long histories of raucous infighting, passionate arguments, bitter disagreements and, eventually, a coming together with renewed energy and sense of purpose. On the evening of August 27, former President Bill Clinton did his part to heal the divides in the Democratic Party left by a hard-fought primary season that saw a wide field of candidates narrow through the months to only two -- Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of the former president. |
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Democrats Formally Nominate Barack Obama for U.S. Presidency
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By Michelle Austein Denver -- Delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, with the help of Hillary Clinton, on August 27 formally nominated Barack Obama to be the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party. |
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Democrats Stress Barack Obama’s Willingness to Work with Allies
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By Michelle Austein Denver -- Party leaders and campaign surrogates for presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama stress the candidate’s multilateral approach to foreign policy, saying that the Illinois senator would improve America’s image in the world. “Our standing in the world and influence in the world has diminished,” Joe Lockhart, a press secretary during President Bill Clinton’s administration, said during a State Department Foreign Press Center briefing August 26. |
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Hillary Clinton Encourages Supporters to Back Barack Obama
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By Michelle Austein “Whether you voted for me or for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. … This is a fight for the future and it is a fight we must win.” |
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Opening Night of Democratic Convention Celebrates Obama’s Story
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By Michelle Austein Denver -- Thousands of Democratic leaders and delegates began the Democratic National Convention with a celebration for their party and Senator Barack Obama, the man they will nominate later this week as the first African-American presidential candidate of a major political party. “During our national convention, we will demonstrate to all Americans why we need Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the White House,” Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee said as he called the convention to order the afternoon of August 25.
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“Lion of the Senate” Calls Democratic Party to Action
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August 26, 2008 Washington -- In the American political process, the rhetoric of national conventions is focused on the future -- new ideas, new directions, new candidates. Yet invariably the success of those messages hinges on the ability of convention speakers to tap into the shared experiences and shared aspirations of the audience in the convention hall and in front of television screens across America. On Monday, on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy of Massachusetts gave the sort of speech that has been the lifeblood of U.S. political conventions since the days before piped-in music, light shows and slick video presentations. |
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Barack Obama Selects Delaware Senator Joe Biden as Running Mate
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August 25, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington -- Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has selected Delaware Senator Joe Biden to be his running mate, saying, “Joe won't just make a good vice president -- he will make a great one.” In a presidential-campaign first, thousands of supporters learned of Obama’s selection via text message -- which was sent at 3 a.m. EDT August 23.
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Candidate McCain Aims to Revitalize U.S. Global Standing
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By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. |
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Obama Emphasizes Multilateral U.S. Foreign Policymaking
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By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Washington -- The United States must bring the Iraq war to a responsible end and renew American leadership to meet new global challenges and capitalize on new opportunities, Democratic Senator Barack Obama says. |
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Presidential Candidates’ Foreign Policy Advisers a Diverse Group
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By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Washington -- Foreign scholars, journalists and government officials closely monitor the latest foreign policy pronouncements of American presidential candidates, but they also pay close attention to the candidates’ foreign policy advisers, who can influence strongly the course of a new presidency. |
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Vice Presidential Candidate a Political and Personal Decision
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By Michelle Austein Washington -- During the 2008 primaries and caucuses, record numbers of Americans cast ballots for the presidential nominees. But only one person’s vote matters when vice presidential candidates are being considered. U.S. vice presidential candidates are selected by the presidential nominees. The nominee might get help from others, but ultimately he makes a political and personal decision, Leonard Steinhorn, professor of communication at American University in Washington, told America.gov. |
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Presidential Spouses Play Important Role in American Politics
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By Kelly Bronk Washington -- One of the highest-profile jobs in U.S. government comes with no official duties, no paycheck and is awarded based on family connections. But first lady of the United States is a job with almost limitless possibilities. |
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Obama and Clinton Campaign Together To Unify Party
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By Michelle Austein Washington -- After months of competing for the presidential nomination, Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigned together June 27 to display party unity in the town of Unity, New Hampshire. Clinton encouraged voters interested in seeing the country move in a new direction to support Obama, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee.
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Clinton Concedes, Encourages Supporters to Back Obama
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 June 9, 2008
By Michelle Austein Washington -- New York Senator Hillary Clinton ended her campaign to become the first female U.S. president June 7, saying she fully supports her Democratic opponent Barack Obama. |
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Presidential Campaign Enters New Phaseas Primaries End
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By Michelle Austein Washington -- As the final Democratic primary voters cast ballots in South Dakota and Montana June 3, Illinois Senator Barack Obama told his supporters that, “because of you,” he is expected to become the first African-American presidential nominee of a major political party.
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How Will Candidates Explain Stances on Meeting Hostile Leaders?
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By Eric Green Washington -- Senator John McCain and the man he is expected to face in November for the presidency, Senator Barack Obama, are presenting contrasting philosophies on whether to negotiate with hostile foreign dictators and rogue leaders, with the question becoming which position will be more attractive to American voters, according to a leading political analyst. |
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Democrats Reach Compromise Plan for Michigan, Florida Delegates
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By Michelle Austein Washington -- After hours of debate in a Washington hotel May 31, members of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC’s) bylaws and rules committee approved a plan to give Michigan and Florida’s delegates half a vote each.
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Barack Obama Says Democratic Nomination “Within Reach”
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Washington -- Illinois Senator Barack Obama earned a majority of pledged delegates May 20, but this still leaves him about 370 delegates shy of securing the Democratic nomination. |
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Each candidate claims a Democratic primary victory May 6 |
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May 6, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington -- Primary voters in Indiana and North Carolina put Democrat Barack Obama closer to his party’s presidential nomination, despite a loss in the May 6 Indiana primary. With few nominating contests left and Obama’s lead growing, political experts predict it will be difficult for Hillary Clinton to earn the nomination. In a speech celebrating his victory in the North Carolina Democratic primary, Obama congratulated Clinton “on what appears to be her victory in the great state of Indiana,” |
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Clinton’s Pennsylvania Win Extends Democrats’ Nomination Race
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By Michelle Austein Washington -- After spending more than six weeks crisscrossing Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama each claimed success in the state’s Democratic primary April 22. New York Senator Hillary Clinton won the most votes and a majority of Pennsylvania’s 158 pledged delegates, but she still trails Illinois Senator Barack Obama in the overall delegate count. |
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Delegate System Aims to Give Nominating Power to the People |
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March 24, 2008 The system of appointing delegates to select party nominees is complex and has been revised over decades to ensure fairness. |
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John McCain Wins Enough Delegates To Become Republican Nominee
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05 March 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington -- After Americans in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont voted in primaries March 4, Arizona Senator John McCain earned enough delegates to become the presumptive Republican nominee for president. McCain received the majority of the votes in all four states and now has more than the 1,191 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination. He does not officially become the party’s nominee until delegates cast their votes at the Republican National Convention in September. |
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John McCain Wins Enough Delegates To Become Republican Nominee
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05 March 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington -- After Americans in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont voted in primaries March 4, Arizona Senator John McCain earned enough delegates to become the presumptive Republican nominee for president. McCain received the majority of the votes in all four states and now has more than the 1,191 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination. He does not officially become the party’s nominee until delegates cast their votes at the Republican National Convention in September.
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With Mitt Romney's Exit, John McCain Presumed Republican Nominee |
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08 February 2008 "I entered this race because I love America," Romney told participants in the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington on February 7. "And because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I have to now stand aside, for our party and for our country." |
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Democratic Race Could Continue for Weeks or Months, Experts Say |
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08 February 2008 Voters showed up in record numbers February 5 and handed important victories to both Illinois Senator Obama and New York Senator Clinton. Nationwide, Clinton narrowly earned more votes than Obama. But with the numbers so close -- with 14.6 million votes cast nationwide, Clinton earned about 53,000 more than Obama -- the Democrats' Super Tuesday race is being called a virtual tie by political experts. |
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With Mitt Romney's Exit, John McCain Presumed Republican Nominee |
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February 06, 2008 "I entered this race because I love America," Romney told participants in the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington on February 7. "And because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I have to now stand aside, for our party and for our country." |
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Presidential Candidates Gear Up for Toughest Challenge Yet |
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February 01, 2008 Washington -- Nearly 80 million registered voters will have the opportunity to cast their vote for a presidential nominee on February 5 -- the most ever on a single day in the history of primaries and caucuses. |
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Recent Primaries Narrow Field of Presidential Candidates |
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Washington -- Both Democrats and Republicans are closer to selecting a presidential nominee after primaries in South Carolina and Florida narrowed each contest to two-person races. Democrat Barack Obama won his party's South Carolina primary in a landslide January 26. Republican John McCain won the Florida Republican primary January 29, defeating Mitt Romney by five percentage points. |
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The Path to the 2008 Presidential Nomination |
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January 28, 2008 Washington -- According to the Green Papers, an organization that tracks the awarding of delegates, Arizona Senator John McCain is leading the race for the Republican presidential nomination. McCain got a big boost January 29 from winning the Florida primary. |
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Mitt Romney, John McCain Win Big Republican Races |
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January 22, 2008 By Michelle Austein Washington -- After a week with three nominating contests spread across the country, Republicans Mitt Romney and John McCain won their party's latest races. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton came off with another narrow victory. Following his second-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, most political experts believed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney needed a win to stay competitive. He earned such a victory in the January 15 Michigan primary.
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Hillary Clinton, John McCain Score Victories in New Hampshire |
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January 9, 2008 Washington -- New Hampshire voters showed up in record numbers and surprised many by casting their ballots for Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary January 8. Despite nearly every poll predicting a Clinton loss and media reports of her campaign staff in disarray, the New York senator won the Democratic presidential primary by about two percentage points over Illinois Senator Barack Obama. |
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Mike Huckabee, Barack Obama Win First 2008 Election Races |
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January 4, 2008 Washington -- Nearly a year after the 2008 U.S. presidential race began, Republican Mike Huckabee and Democrat Barack Obama are the first campaign victors after winning the Iowa caucuses January 3. In their celebratory speeches, Huckabee and Obama thanked Iowa caucusgoers, who participated in record numbers. Both candidates emphasized their campaign themes of change, and their victories suggest that Americans are looking for a nominee who will bring fresh ideas to the presidency. |
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