POST ELECTION RESULTS

As most people know, Barack Obama won the Presidential 2008 election. I am personally, very content with the election results, because I felt that an Obama/ Biden administration was the correct choice for the United States. I feel that Obama will make a good president, because I think that he will make the right decisions for America. I support his tax plan, and his plan to gradually end the war in Iraq. Overall, I feel that Barack Obama will be a responsible, good leader for our country.

Even though, Obama won, and he was my choice for president, I would still rid the United States of the Electoral College System. This is because, I still believe that it is an outdated system, that does not work anymore, and is not necessary to the United States due to newspapers, television.... Although it helped Barack Obama win this election, even without it, he would have won just by the popular vote. The Electoral college has not worked cleanly in the past, without people getting upset. If we did not have the electoral college, people would not have to blame the system, they could realize that the candidate elected, is the one that the country wanted.

In my prediction on Monday, I predicted that all of the states leaning towards blue (democrats), were going to be blue, and all that were leaning towards red (republicans), would be red. When we reviewed the maps in class, my predictions were all correct except for Indiana. I had predicted that they would be going Republican, but they went Democrat.

My gallup poll research really did influence my final prediction, because when I saw that Obama was ahead of John McCain, I really felt like that would not change, and that Obama would win. Overall, I would just like to share that I am pleased with the election results, and good luck to Barack Obama with the next four years of his presidency.

Posted by Miriam :)

1. I am satisfied with the election results because I, myself voted for Barack Obama in the mock election. I thought that Obama's tax plan would benefit me and that it would help our economy. I also support him in wanting to gradually end the war in Iraq. I think Obama will be a great leader who will bring change to our economy and that is why I am satisfied with the results of the 2008 presidential election.

2. After seeing the electoral college in action I would still get rid of the electoral college. It may have worked for Obama like I wanted it to, but it still hasn't worked for other people in the past. Even though I was happy with the results of the election it still keeps some people from voting and keeps the candidates from visiting all of the states. All thought Obama won the election it doesn't change all of the reasons that I wanted the electoral college to be gotten rid of. That is why the electoral college should be banned.

3. I was not in school on Monday no I didn't make a prediction on which states Obama and McCain would win so I can't compare the real results to my map because I didn't make a map. One prediction that I did make was that I predicted that Obama would win the presidential election. In that prediction I correct. Obama won over 300 of the electoral votes where John McCain received less than 270.


4. My gallup polls did influence my prediction because in most of the polls Obama was ahead by the end. That is why I predicted that Obama would win the presidential election. For the gallup polls that I researched more men and women supported McCain by the end and by the end of the gallup poll more independent people supported Obama than McCain that is one of the reasons why I predicted that Obama would win the election.

By: Jackie

VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE REVIEW

I thought that the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate, that was held on October 2nd at Washington University in St. Louis. The moderator in this debate, was Gwen Ifill. The staging of this debate, was Answer Format. This debate was really interesting, because in both debates, the candidates talked almost equally about their views, their running mate's views, and the views together as a team. In the Vice Presidential debate, topics such as the Bailout bill, Polarization, health care, taxes, promises that were made, energy and climate issues, same-sex benefits, foreign policy, Iraq, and nuclear weapons. During the debate, the opponents were also questioned on their opinions on what more problems in the United States are.... Overall, I thought that this covered the issues that needed to be covered, and viewers had a great opportunity to learn about the vice Presidential candidates.

Posted by Miriam :)

CIVIL RIGHTS

Chuck Baldwin:

Within my research, I could not find a huge amount of information on what Chuck Baldwin believes about civil rights. Basically what I found was that, Baldwin believes that American's civil rights are being taken away from them, and that that is not fair. He believes that being patriotic, is not,"the love of Big Government or infatuation with Big Brother." Baldwin strongly believes, that American's should not be watched, listened to, monitored, taped, or stalked, by our own government. Baldwin believes, that rather than a "war on terror," America is having a "war on freedom." Basically, Baldwin believes that our freedom is being taken away. He has been appalled that Americans are "willing to embrace and accept this burgeoning police state." A Baldwin adminastration would try and stop this from happening.

Posted by Miriam

Bob Barr:

Bob Barr, is one of the presidential nominees for the 2008 presidential election. He is running for the Libertarian Party, although he used to be a Republican Representative. His running mate, (vice presidential nominee,) is Wayne Allyn Root. Bob Barr, has a quite definitive platform on Civil Rights. He says that the Patriot Act is a violation of civil liberties, and he is critical of restricting rights of homosexuals. Barr has favored the usage of Marijuana for medical reasons, and authored the Defense of Marriage Act. This means, that Barr wrote this Act, saying that Marriage should only be in the form of a man and a woman getting married, not a man and man, or woman and woman. Barr voted "yes," on banning gay adoptions as well, and has since then voted "yes" on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. Barr, overall, plans to continue defending American citizens' civil rights.

Posted by Miriam :)

IMMIGRATION

Chuck Baldwin:

Chuck Baldwin, is the presidential candidate for the Constitution Party, in the 2008 Presidential Election. Chuck Baldwin is running with Darell Castle as his running mate, (vice presidential nominee.) Baldwin is strongly opposed to illegal immigration, and is firmly objective to immigration amnesty, (granting pardon to illegal immigrants.) Baldwin has stated that ,"The Mexican government is deliberately and systematically working to destabilize and undermine the very fabric and framework of American society." This suggests that either Mexico is intentionally not producing as many jobs as needed driving their citizens over to the United Sates, or that they are telling certain people that they must come to the United States. I found this really interesting, because I have not heard that theory before. Throughout my research, I found this other statement made by Baldwin:"The Democrats basically want the illegals to continue to come across the border at will for the sake of getting votes," said Baldwin. "The Republicans, on the other hand, want the borders to remain open for the purpose of being able to obtain cheap labor. Regardless of the reason, neither major party has any desire to secure our borders." Baldwin has stated that he will support construction of a fence sealing our border, and that he would even agree to put military personnel surrounding the border. A Baldwin administration would cut off ALL money supply to illegal immigrants, and said that by doing this, it would ,"dry up." (illegal immigration.) Baldwin also stated that, "There will be no "path to citizenship" given to any illegal alien. That means no amnesty. Not in any shape, manner, or form. I would not allow tax dollars to be used to pay for illegal aliens' education, social services, or medical care. As President, I would end birthright citizenship for illegal aliens. There would be no "anchor babies" during my administration. All in all, Baldwin has made it clear through his statement, that if he becomes president, his administration will end illegal immigration completely.

Posted by Miriam

Bob Barr:

Bob Barr believes, that the United States must be strict, in securing our borders in the effort to stop illegal immigration. Barr stated that: "...it is the duty of the federal government to secure our borders from criminals, terrorists and those seeking to take advantage of the American taxpayer. " Bob Barr voted "no", on passing a bill, allowing more immigrant visas for skilled immigrant workers. Barr believes, that America must fight the "nanny state," that wants to "coddle even those capable of providing for their own personal prosperity. " Overall, a Barr administration, would be aggressive in securing American Borders, and would plan to eventually end illegal immigration, and limit visas for illegal immigrants that do pass the border.

Posted by Miriam :)

WEBSITE REVIEWS

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Obama's Website:

I went to Barack Obama's website today, and, I would like to share a review of it with you. Barack Obama's website, is easy to navigate through, and share's Obama's views on many issues(26). Barack Obama's website, has a top toolbar in which one can learn about Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama.... A second option on that toolbar, is a pull-down menu of issues, and when you click one, you can learn about Barack Obama's view on them, and what he will do about them. The third option to choose in the top toolbar, is media, where the viewer can look at clips for Obama. The fourth option in the toolbar, is action, where one can learn how to help campaign for an Obama/Biden administration.... The fifth and sixth final options on the toolbar, are people and states. These give viewers the option of learning how to vote in certain states, or information about a general group of people in the United States. Also on Barack Obama's website, it is easy to donate to Barack Obama's cooperation in the election. This website, is very appealing to people who are undecided in the 2008 election. The website allows them a lot of information about Barack Obama and his views. On Barack Obama's website, it is very easy to donate to his campaign. All you have to do, is go to the homepage, and click on the big box that says, "Donate." Once you get to the donating page, you can give money to the campaign, and have a chance to get a front row seat on election night. On Barack Obama's website, it is easy to find out how to volunteer, because on the right side of the page, you can volunteer to knock on doors, make phone calls, and find events that are happening in your area. Also, you can "Login To My BO" (my Barack Obama.)The candidate wants the reader of the website, to be impressed with the candidate, and want to vote for them. Barack Obama wants visitors to see him as a responsible,smart, and nice person who is ready to run our country. Overall, I think that Barack Obama's website is good to use if you are in need of information on him, and it is simple and easy to understand.

Posted by Miriam

McCain's Website:

http://www.barackobama.com/splash/magnetsignup.html

Overall, I thought John McCain's website was great. It was appealing to anybody who wanted to learn about his campaign or who wanted to help his campaign. I thought that if I wanted to donate to John McCain that it would have been very easy. When you go to the home page of John McCain's website in the bottom right hand corner there is a box that says "donate today." When you click on the box a new page comes up and there are questions that you have to answer to be able to donate. It is very easy to volunteer. In the Home page of John McCain's website there is a side column dedicated to you so that you may answer information and participate. Also, in the toolbar there is a box that says contribute: when you click on it opens a new window and there are questions you can answer so that you can volunteer. It was very easy to find McCain's views on issues. In the tool bar there is a box that says issues. When you put your cursor over the box a list comes up. You can choose one of the topics on the list and then you will get a page of what John McCain thinks is the problem and what he is going to do to fix it. It was extremely easy to find upcoming events on John McCain's website. On the Toolbar there is a block that says events, when you put your cursor over events you have two options. One option will give the reader a list of the upcoming events along with the dates that they will be on. The other option will take you to a page where you can organize an event or you can find an event close to your home It is very easy to find products on his website because on the toolbar there is a box labeled store. When you click on it you find a page full of John McCain and Sarah Palin merchandise that you can buy. I think that this candidate would like Citizens to see him as a hard working individual who plans on changing the economy for the better. I also think that he wants people to see him as someone who is tough and will fight for our country. I think he wants citizens to see him that way because when you first go to his site he shows you three videos that give the reader that impression. Other topics that you can find information on at John McCain's website are things about him and his family, news and media, his blog and action. All of these topics are very easy to find and that is why I think that John McCain has a great website.

By: Jackie

TV ADS

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Barack Obama TV Ad:

Analyzing Advertisements:

This advertisement gives me the information that John McCain was going to give a tax credit on Health Care. It also tells me that John McCain had a secret plan to tax health care for the very first time ever. The advertisement was negative. It was negative toward John McCain because the commercial showed you that if John McCain became president then we would have to pay more money and it was also negative towards him because it said that John McCain wasn't going to tell the public about his plan. This advertisement makes me feel that John McCain is going to tax my family lots of money and that he would be a bad choice for president. This advertisement does discuss important issues. It discusses health care and taxes. This advertisement does not show the personal life or personality of Obama because nothing about his life is revealed and the only time Obama was shown in the ad was when there was a short clip of him and there is a recording of him saying,"I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message." The advertisement seems like a true statement, but I wouldn't be able to know for sure because as it says in the commercial i couldn't find a word of it on his website. There not being anything about it on his website makes me think that maybe this statement wasn't true, but i can't know for sure. I do not think that this advertisement would change my vote if i were voting for McCain, but it would definitely make me feel more confident about voting for Obama if I were already voting for him.

Be Ad Smart:

The name of the candidate airing the ad is Barack Obama. He is running for president. The candidate does appear in the ad. When he appears in the ad it is a short video of him and there is a recording of him saying,"I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message." I did not learn anything about Obama's stand on issues. I did not learn anything about Obama's qualifications for office. Obama for America paid for the commercial. The ad tried to influence me to vote for Obama by making John McCain look bad. It made John McCain look bad by saying that he would make families like mine pay lots of money by taxing health care. The music wasn't very important it just made you feel down a little when McCain's secret tax plan was being revealed. The setting was not important to the ad because there was no setting. There were just different pictures. I think this ad was mostly aimed toward middle-class families because in the commercials it shows how much middle-class families would have to pay and that it would be harder for middle-class families if McCain became president. In the ad there were images of Obama, McCain and George Bush, McCain, troubled looking families, and McCain's website. The impression that I got from this ad was that McCain would make my family pay lots of money and that Obama would be the better choice for president. I think that is the impression that the ad's sponsor wanted us to get because it talked about John McCain very negatively.

By: Jackie

John McCain TV Ad:

I thought that this campaign ad, was particularly interesting, because, John McCain's views on immigration, have varied a little throughout the campaign, as he speaks with different groups of people. This ad shows that McCain would like Americans to except immigrants, and recognize them as "God's children." McCain would also like Americans to recognize, that Hispanic immigrants, are fighting in the war, just to further their path to citizenship. Overall, I think that John McCain wants Americans to realize, how grateful we should be, for everything we have, and that we should realize, that others want it too.

Posted by Miriam

GALLUP POLLS

http://www.gallup.com/poll/109687/Candidate-Support.aspx

This gallup poll shows that throughout the whole campaign, people have supported Obama overall, except in Sept. starting on the eighth, and ending on the fourteenth. Also, in August from the eighteenth to the twentyfourth, the candidates were tied with 45% each. Though more people have supported Obama throughout the polls, his percentage of people has gone up throughout the last five months, possibly due to the fact that more people have participated in the polls. Though McCain has had less support throughout the election, his percentage has fluctuated through the campaign. McCain had his beginning percentage of voters, then the percentage went up,and dropped again. Overall, people seem to be supporting Obama more.

Posted by Miriam

http://www.gallup.com/poll/108022/Candidate-Support-Gender.aspx

The poll shows that with females starting on June 9 Women prefer Barack Obama over John McCain by 9%. It fluctuates a little between a few numbers, but the whole time Barack Obama has a higher percentage of female voters than John McCain does. Starting on June 9 more male voters support McCain than people that support Obama. In the beginning McCain has 3% more voters than Obama. The numbers fluctuate a little between a few numbers, but McCain always has a higher percentage of voters than Obama until August 25 when both McCain and Obama have 46% of the voters. After that McCain has a higher percentage of voters than Obama until Oct. 6 where Obama has 49% of voters and McCain only has 44% of voters. The next week Obama still has more voters than McCain does, but McCain closed the gap a little bit so Obama only has 1% of voters more than McCain does. Overall with the men they generally support McCain until the end where Obama pulls ahead by a little bit. At the end Obama has more male and female voters which puts him ahead in the polls
By: Jackie


http://www.gallup.com/poll/109042/Candidate-Support-Political-Party.aspx

In this gallop poll it looks at the support for candidates by their political parties. Starting on June 9 more independent people supported Obama more than those supporting McCain. For the next two weeks more independent people supported McCain than they did Obama. Then on June 30 for the next to weeks more people support McCain. Then it bounced back and forth for five weeks. Then on August 11 it was even at 42% each. After that half the time more people supported McCain and and half the time more people supported Obama. At the end more people ended up supporting Obama more than those supporting McCain. Obviously more democratic people support Obama and more republican people support McCain during the entire poll. Most of the time more democratic people support McCain than republican people support Obama until the very end where Obama pulls ahead by a little bit. Overall this poll shows that Obama is ahead in the polls.

By: Jackie


http://www.gallup.com/poll/108055/Candidate-Support-Marital-Status.aspx

This poll was interesting to me, because I never thought that whether someone was married or not would matter in the deciding of who is president or not. In this particular poll, un-married people tend to lean towards voting for Barack Obama, while married poeple tend to lean towards voting for John McCain. While throughout the whole election married people tended to vote for John McCain, at the beginning, numbers were lower, then higher, then lower agian, still keeping votes for Obama under their own percentage. Even though throughout the whole election un-married poeple have tended to vote for Barack Obama, but through the election, the percentage of un-married people voting for him, has gone up.

posted by Miriam