Who Will be on Obama's Cabinet?

As of last week, speculations about possible Obama appointees to the President-Elect's Cabinet have begun to surface. Senator John Kerry, D-MA, has already shown interest in becoming the Secretary of State and has opted to leave his senatorial seat if Pres. Obama appoints him. Reports have also stated that Obama and his campaign advisors are scheduled to meet with a 17-member board of Economics to develop the President's new fiscal policies. Some surprise possible members would make Obama's Cabinet a bipartisan group, including Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-NE, as Secretary of Defense and Sheila Blair, Republican head of FDIC, as Secretary of the Treasury. There has also been some estimating of a soon to be open Supreme Court seat, with some buzz around a possible appointment of Cass Sunstein, constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago, or possibly Hillary Clinton.
Who would you put in Obama's Cabinet? What positions will be the most vital for a successful term for Obama?

What could McCain have done better?

As votes are finalized today, it seems the margain of President Elect Barack Obama's victory is growing. Winning important swing states early on, including Pennsylvania and Ohio, it seems Obama's campaign was nearly flawless. What was the biggest problem with the McCain-Palin campaign? Was the "maverick" Republican too moderate for staunch or more traditional Republicans across the map? Would any of the other early contenders for the Republican nomination given Obama a better run for the title?

"This is your Victory"

Last night, Senator Barack Obama was elected as our next president with 338 electoral votes compared to Senator John McCain's 163. He spoke last night at Grant Park in his hometown of Chicago and addressed the nation for the first time as President Elect.

Riding a Democratic tide that bolstered the party's presence in both houses of Congress, Obama snared about 62.5 million votes to McCain's 55.5 million, according to totals early Wednesday. According to exit polls, Obama crushed McCain among women voters (56 percent to 43 percent); voters under 30 (66 percent to 32 percent); African-American voters (95 percent to 4 percent); Latino voters (66 percent to 32 percent); first-time voters (68 percent to 31 percent); and voters making less than $100,000 a year (55 percent to 43 percent). As he claimed victory Tuesday night, Obama told supporters, "change has come to America. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said in Chicago before an estimated crowd of up to 240,000 people.

With Obama's win, he becomes the first African-American to win the White House.

Senate Races heat up

With just more than a week until election day, the presidential race is not the only one with high stakes for the parties. Polls show that there may be a Democratic majority in the Senate if the Republicans can not get victories in several incumbents' states.


Sens. Mitch McConnell and Elizabeth Dole are two top Republicans lawmakers who find themselves fighting to hold on to their Senate seats.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is in a competitive race in Kentucky.

They're also two reasons why Democrats are talking 60 -- the number of seats needed to secure filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

"We are feeling really good that we are going to pick up a successful amount of the larger number of seats and have a successful election. As for 60? It is possible," said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who runs campaign operations for the Senate Democrats.

Winning what's commonly called the "magic 60" would maximize the Democrats' ability to push through a Democratic agenda and would virtually prevent Republicans from blocking legislation on the Senate floor. See a map of the Senate seats in play »

There's been a lot of attention on McConnell's race in Kentucky because he is the Senate minority leader, and he's been re-elected four times. McConnell said this race is tougher than last time because, given his high-profile position, he's a bigger target and "the symbol of the other side."

Dole was elected to the Senate in 2002. Her early poll numbers were strong, but the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has spent a lot of money attacking her on two issues -- her effectiveness (or lack of it) in Washington and the little time that she has spent in the state over the past few years, according to The Rothenberg Political Report.

With just days left until the election, Senate Republicans acknowledge they still face a long road ahead.

*article on CNN.com

Election Day

Nov. 4 is a little under 2 weeks away, 11 days, 12 hours, and 55 minutes to be exact, and most polls show Illinois Senator Barack Obama with a lead of 5 to 9 points. With Karl Rove now on his staff, do you believe Arizona Senator, John McCain will be able to bridge this disparity and win the election? Recent years have shown us that polls are often not true indicators of the population, evidenced in Bush's 2004 electoral victory, and is 2008 the same? What should either party do to guarantee this election?

For your viewing pleasure:

MOCK DEBATE - College Republicans vs. College Democrats

Want to hear the positions of each presidential candidate? Want to support Barack Obama or John McCain? Or are you just interested in a night filled with heated debating about the most essential topics such as education, healthcare, and the economy concerning the upcoming election?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then this event is for you!!!

The Face-Off between the College Republicans and the College Democrats will be moderated by WBKO Newscaster Lauren Hanson. She will ask a variety of questions inquired by the student body. The issues discussed will have an immense influence on young people all across the United States. It is our generation's turn to speak up and become politically engaged!

Date: Tuesday October 21st
Time: 6:00PM
Location: DUC 340

Come out for a fun night filled with politics and come out to support your fellow Democrats or Republicans. Bring all your friends!

**Free Refreshments will be served**

**This event is sponsored by the Political Science Department and the Political Science Senior Seminar Students**

Candidate Video Debate

Watch these videos of the candidates for the 2008 presidential election.
Who is more appealing to you? Were you decided on your candidate before or after the debates began 2 weeks ago? Do you disagree with any of the policies your candidate promotes?

Democratic Candidate Barack Obama



Republican Candidate John McCain


Libertarian Candidate Bob Barr