2008 Presidential Election

The New Presidency Begins

2009-01-21T18:54:54Z

With yesterday's inauguration, the new presidency begins, and the 2008 Presidential Election is now REALLY a thing of the past. Its now time to archive this blog, and get ready for the next election. See you then, and thanks for all your interest and contributions!

For future visitors, we're working on a new blog called "Cyber Pulpit", looking at how new technology is changing the face of politics.

Archiving this Blog

2008-12-08T14:35:04Z

Since the 2008 Presidential Elections are now over (even though the debate about Obama's birth certificate continues!), this blog will soon be archived. That doesn't mean it will not be available, it will definitely still be available. What will happen instead is that all commenting capabilities will be disabled, and the site will be rendered statically rather than dynamically, as it is now. This change won't happen immediately, but on or around the date of the inauguration.

This change will reduce the load on our web servers, and improve the performance of the website. We hope that you have enjoyed this website, and that it will serve as a valuable reference in the future.

For ongoing coverage and discussions about blogging and politics, check out "Cyber Pulpit"!

Barack Obama = President

2008-11-05T03:57:46Z

Congratulations to the Obama - Biden campaign on winning the 2008 Presidential Election!!!

Voting Results

2008-11-04T21:29:01Z

We're all eager to see the voting results, especially those in the battleground states, like Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and a few others. This should be a very interesting day!

Its fun to see that retailers are picking up on the opportunity to make a marketing statement today - I've heard about a bunch of them like Ben and Jerries, but I experienced myself that Starbucks was giving away free tall coffees to those with voting stickers.

Without further ado...

In-Progress Voting Results

State	Candidate	Votes
Vermont	Obama	3
Kentucky	McCain	8
Oklahoma	McCain	7
Illinois	Obama	21
Connecticut	Obama	7
Massachusetts	Obama	12
Maine	Obama	4
New Hampshire	Obama	4
South Carolina	McCain	8
Tennessee	McCain	11
Maryland	Obama	10
New Jersey	Obama	15
Delaware	Obama	3
Pennsylvania	Obama	21
Alabama	McCain	9
Georgia	McCain	15
New York	Obama	31
Michigan	Obama	17
Minnesota	Obama	10
Kansas	McCain	6
Rhode Island	Obama	4
District of Columbia	Obama	3
Wisconsin	Obama	10
Wyoming	McCain	3
North Dakota	McCain	3
Arkansas	McCain	6
Ohio	Obama	20
West Virginia	McCain	5
Lousiana	McCain	9
New Mexico	Obama	5
Mississippi	McCain	6
Texas	McCain	34
Utah	McCain	5
Iowa	Obama	7
South Dakota	McCain	3
Nebraska	McCain	5
Virginia	Very close!
North Carolina	Very close!
Florida	Very close!
Indiana	Very close!

Candidate Totals

Candidate	Votes
Obama	207
McCain	141

Barack Obama Elected

The most recent results have catapulted Barack Obama into the winner's circle - Barack Obama is the next United States President! Congratulations!

Ballotpedia

2008-10-24T16:59:57Z

Here's a great wiki where you can look up what measures your individual states will be voting on November 4. It's good to go into the voting booth prepared with what you're going to be presented with. The language on the ballots can be very confusing, and when push comes to shove if you don't understand the wording you may end up voting for something you don't believe in.

Ballatopia - Find out what your state is voting on.

Colin Powell

2008-10-19T14:29:19Z

This is news! According to the Washington Post and ABC's "Meet the Press" - Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/19/colin_powell_endorses_obama.html

Why is this a big deal? Powell is a celebrated GOP member as well as an accomplished U.S. Army general.

More on the last Debate

2008-10-17T15:51:15Z

*Editorial*
I had the opportunity to watch the whole debate. I was very pleased they decided to allow the candidates to speak for approximately 9 minutes on each topic. It gave body to the conversation. You were able to hear the candidates articulate ideas, and their plans for our country. Unfortunately for John McCain he went on the attack. Which proved detrimental to his case. At points he was entirely incoherent and appeared near senile. At the end he was sticking out his tongue as he waved to the people. It was very strange behavior.I particularly enjoyed the question where the men were asked if they were willing to say to each other's faces what their campaign ads had been saying about their opponent. McCain went first and watching him squirm was painful.

Listening to Obama speak is like music, he is articulate, strong, and never hasty, which McCain proved himself to be the other night. Obama had plenty of opportunity to knock McCain off his feet.

For me the President is a communicator he or she must be capable of speaking reasonably and peacefully with many different people. Overall I think Obama is more fit for that task.

DJ-Ztrip has created a mix for the Obama campaign if you like music, despite your political views you should enjoy this.

Last Presidential Debate

2008-10-16T02:19:58Z

EDITORIAL!

Tonight was the last night of the presidential debates. I only caught the last few questions, but I was surprised at how aggressive John McCain was. Instead of talking about his ideas and their merits, he focused too much on why he thought Obama's ideas were bad.

Whether or not he was right, it ruined the debate for me, because instead of allowing both candidates talk about their ideas, McCain attacked, Obama defended. Too bad.

I really get the feeling that McCain has simply attached himself to some basic tenants of the recent Republican Party, and isn't coming up with his own ideas. I don't know if Obama has the answers, but I really feel like we need to try something new.

More thoughts on the VP debate

2008-10-03T16:41:31Z

After listening to last night's debate, I've decided I want Biden to be president. He was well spoken, experienced, and answered questions directly and succinctly. I especially appreciated how he broke down McCain's tax plan, something which I have been struggling to comprehend. If what he said is true, then health care is in a lot of trouble.I didn't feel Palin articulated herself as well as Biden, nor did I feel her repeatedly referring to herself and McCain as "Mavericks" helped her to support any of her arguments. I was fairly outraged, by many of her comments, and her unwillingness to answer questions directly. I could only presume that meant she did not understand the question or didn't know the answer, which was why she kept to topics she could answer.

When Biden suggested that as VP he would act as a consultant to the president, I really liked it. He has the experience which Obama lacks, and if it will be put to good use in the oval office then I think it will make for a stronger government.

I didn't get the impression that McCain would be using Palin in the same capacity, and I don't feel as though she makes McCain's ticket stronger. Furthermore the thought of her in the oval office in the event that McCain were to pass on, I find frankly speaking, terrifying.

VP Debate

2008-10-02T22:01:06Z

Tonight's the night: Palin versus Biden! Who will win? Does it matter? Stay tuned for details.

Here's my impression:

Biden - [McCain is the same as Bush]
Palin - [I'm American and understand the average voter, McCain is a maverick]

So far, about 30 minutes into the debate, I think both candidates are doing a good job. Palin seems a bit nervous, but I feel that's a sign of sincerity. Unfortunately, sincerity doesn't go too far in politics. Biden is cool, and is not coming off as condescending at all.

Debate Tonight

2008-09-26T20:04:11Z

I was relieved to hear McCain was going to be debating tonight. I have been looking forward to these debates since the candidates accepted the nominations, and selected their running mates. For me this will be an important step in helping to determine where my vote will go. I've learned through my adolescence that what is said in the debates is not about the empty promises each man makes on stage. It's about judging their character, feeling out who will better represent the United States of America, to the world and for Americans.

Most of their ideas and plans are empty rhetoric until they get into office, and then all bets are off. I freely admit that what I want to see is a statesman who can maintain poise under pressure, and who will help heal international relations. This is about making friends. Will the next president bring strife or salvation.In my experience it's not what you say, but how you say it, and a televised debate is a great way to see how they respond when confronted with adversity live in your home.I have my favorites, but I haven't made up my mind yet. What do others look for when they watch these debates?

I'm trying to find where the debates will be streamed live online (someone must be doing it). As soon as I do I'll post the link here.

UPDATE: A friend got me the link (Thanks Mel!). Myspace is working with commission of presidential debates. You can watch live streaming of the debates here. If you don't have a myspace account just select "continue as a guest".

Interesting Website

2008-09-26T19:45:29Z

I found this website today. It lets you estimate your taxes under the proposed plans of Obama and McCain. Pretty neat toy.

Bob Barr and Ralph Nader

2008-09-25T12:30:45Z

I saw Ralph Nader and Bob Barr on television recently commenting about the economy and the hotly contested $700 billion bailout package which the senate is now reviewing. It is cool to see that these smaller parties, through their tenacity, have inched their way onto the media platform. Many people often discount their efforts saying there is no way that they will win, but as far as I can tell, they aren't exactly vying for the win. It appears to me that they are merely working to give people another choice. Whether or not that is worth it is another topic altogether, but I'm sure both Barr and Nader are quite please with the exposure they've already received this election so far, with more likely to come before its over.

The Economy

2008-09-17T22:53:53Z

The United States economy is having a seriously tough time these days. Many banks are failing, the housing market is in the doldrums, and disastrous storms continue to wreak havoc on our nation.So nowadays, I have to wonder if McCain would have been better off if he chose Mitt Romney as his Vice President. What do you think?

Is the United States of America a Fortune 500 Company?

2008-09-16T19:25:56Z

I just read a headline stating that Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, claimed that Sarah Palin does not have enough experience to run a large company like Hewlett Packard. While I don't know what it takes to run a company like that, I have to agree. Though I'd also say that most of our recent presidents do not have what it takes to run a fortune 500 company. Maybe Mitt Romney, but he has never been president.

So I have to ask what the relevancy is here? Should the President of the United States of America be able to successfully run and operate a fortune 500 business?