SPECIAL ISSUE
2008 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
ELECTIONS COVERAGE:
John McCain, Barack Obama Debate War Policies
Domestic issues dominate candidates’ discussions with African-American voters
(By Michelle Austein, Staff Writer)
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| Barack Obama talks about Iraq in a speech in Washington |
July 17, 2008, Washington -- As they campaigned in battleground states and reached out to minority voters, the presidential candidates seemed eager to prove they are prepared to deal with the lagging economy and ready to handle challenging security issues as commander in chief.
Speaking in Washington July 15, presumed Democratic nominee Barack Obama said that as president, he would end the war in Iraq, which “distracts us from every threat we face.”
“Iraq is not going to be a perfect place, and we don’t have unlimited resources to try and make it one,” the Illinois senator said, maintaining his position that U.S troops can be withdrawn from Iraq within 16 months and some of those troops can be used to fight the war in Afghanistan. (more)
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LATEST PUBLICATION:
Elections 2008: the General Election - PowerPoint Presentation
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Comprising 20 slides with 60 illustrations, the presentation outlines the U.S. electoral process from the close of the primary election season to Inauguration Day. Included are brief bios of the presumed Democratic and Republican nominees and explanations of delegates and super delegates; the role of conventions; election of a vice president; red, blue, and swing states; the electoral college; election day, and the presidential oath of office.
Please click here to download the English version in pdf format (3.53MB; 21 pages).
MEET THE 2008 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES:
 | John |  | Barack |
VOTING AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS:
A primary is a state-level election where voters affiliated with political parties choose candidates to represent their parties in the general election. A caucus is a local-level meeting of registered party members to determine support for a candidate.
Read more on the Early Primaries and Caucuses Shape Presidential Hopefuls' Odds
According to the Constitution, presidents are elected by the Electoral College, composed of electors from each state who represent the will of their state’s voters.
Read more information on the Electoral College.
The Constitution makes no provision for political parties. They developed on their own as the country grew, and by the 1830s were an established part of the political environment. Today, the Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties. They have dominated American politics since the 1860s, and every president since 1852 has been one or the other.
Read more on Political Parties in the United States.
Following problems with the 2000 elections, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), providing funds for states to modernize voting systems and calling for minimum standards in elections administration.
Read more on New Tools Encourage Americans To Exercise Right to Vote.
[Last update on July 11, 2008]
