The 2008 US Election - Assignment Example

The 2008 US Election Introduction The US government is composed of two political factions namely the Republicans and the Democrats. Before the 2008 presidential election, George W. Bush junior was the US president. Being that Senator MacCain was the Republican preferred candidate, George Bush Junior fully supported him despite lack of popular votes in the house of senate and representatives respectively. The essay is aimed at distinctively discussing the American election of the year 2008. The United States of America usually carry out elections after every 5 years. However, during the process there are a series of campaign strategies that must be undertaken to convincingly elect the ideal candidate with leadership capabilities. There are two main political factions within the US, mainly the republicans and Democrats (Newport, P. 250). Before each faction select their flag bearer there are preliminary elections where each faction select their party flag bearer whom would battle it out with the other candidates from the contesting parties (Census Bureau, 2009, P. 201). In the 2008 elections, the Democrats had a number of aspirants who included Barrack Hussein Obama, Joe Bidden and Hillary Clinton, the wife of the former US president Bill Clinton among others. On the other hand, the Republicans who were siding with the former president George Bush junior also carried out their preliminary nominations prior to the 2008 elections and selected Senator MacCain as their flag bearer among Senator Palin just to mention (McKinney, 2010, P. 248). After the preliminaries, both the presidential candidates had to choose their running mates who were to the vice president’s should their faction win election respectively (Piano, 2009, P. 107). The Democrats chose Joe Bidden as the running mate of their presidential candidate, Obama while the Republicans chose Palin as their presidential running mate under the leadership of Senator MacCain. Below is the picture of the preferred presidential running mates of Obama- Democrats- Joe Bidden and Sarah Palin of Republican’s, the Senator MacCain’s running mate (Census Bureau, 2009, P. 206). Fig. 1, Accessed from: http://dalje.com/en-world/top-10-moments-of-us-pre-election-campaign/200091on Nov 13th, 2011. Election On the election date, both the democrats and republicans prepared to their best with an aim of winning then election. However, as poll results tickled the tallying centers it was evident that the democrats were to carry the day with overwhelming win over their counterparts’ republicans (Campbell, 2008, P. 39). When MacCain, the republican presidential candidate realized that all was not in accordance with his expectations as the presidential aspirant he decided to concede elections prior to the announcement of the overall presidential votes creating a conducive atmosphere for the celebration to the democrats with their flag bearer President Barrack Hussein Obama a shoulder high (Newport, P. 252). During the celebration, Obama victory was celebrated by both the electorates and family members from both the US and Kenya where it is believed that Obama Senior who was a husband to Sarah Obama from Kogello village in Siaya district, Kenya where present. However, Kenyans too celebrated as they watched the incidents through telecast media. It was another history in the global politics being that a black American carried the day unlike the times of Martin Luther Kings’ both senior and Junior which were full of opposition and assassination. “I have a dream” by Martin Luther King junior in 1968 (McKinney, 2010, P. 251). Obama Health Scheme During the Obama campaign, the key issues which convinced the electorates were proposal of a broad health scheme that would take care of all ages from children to the old (Panagopoulos, 2008, P. 09). Through the provision of health insurance what would assist in settling hospital debts so that nobody would die at home due to inability to raise hospital fees. Other than that, the scheme included a better strategy for settling mortuary bills in case an individual passes on. This was a better strategy to most of the Americans who could not be able to raise such huge funds involved in the send offs (Piano, 2009, P. 109). However, Obama also proposed a scheme to take care of the old people so that they could be well taken care of in specialized homes as the youths and the energetic members of the community work towards improving the American economy. The creation of homes for elderly people was to assist in reducing time taken they take at home without anybody to care for them. They were also entitled to some sort of salary from the workers who were earning high income. This was an effort to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich to collectively pull the American economy upwards (Campbell, 2008, P. 42). When the field had been leveled for the two presidential candidates, Obama and MacCain the race became tougher with voters from both camps agitated in the efforts to carry the majority votes. With 90% voter turn out, America was ready for a change which they never knew whether the change was to be positive or negative but both the decided and undecided individuals were equally ready for the face off (Census Bureau, 2009, P. 210). Fig., 2,The US President, Barrack Hussein Obama. Obtained from: http://terrorism.about.com/od/issuestrends/a/BarackObama.htm on Nov. 13th, 2011. President Hussein Obama gained a lot of support following his immense win in 2004 to gain the Illinois senate seat on the democratic faction. However, the American youths and African Americans were in favor of Hussein Obama. In addition to that, the Obama campaign slogan that indicated that “Yes we can” symbolized a lot to the Americans wooing a lot of votes for president Obama. To ascertain that Obama was the ideal presidential candidate, the Americans relied so much on the opinion poll ratings for both presidential candidates of which Obama led with a narrow margin over the counterpart Senator MacCain (McKinney, 2010, P. 256). A twist for MacCain was realized especially when president Obama declared a total war against the terror groups that had caused American a lot of damage including death of innocent Americans for instance the terror attack that took place on September11th, 1998, which was sad not only for the Americans but also a great challenge to the America and the world at large. Such threats and attacks really derails the efforts of investors tom avail goods and services to the com on man and other traders in the global market hence most people were really eager to realize the change that was used in order to attract more votes (Newport, P. 255). However, with the longer period of deployment of the American soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan just to mention. The family members of the soldiers who were among the troops sent out to quill the warring troops in the respective countries especially the countries associated with the Muslim faith where it is believed that the troubling terrorists. President Obama mentioned earlier that he would assist in the fight against terrorists so that the American troops based in the war tone areas (Piano, 2009, P. 111). Towards the end of the campaign, the Americans aspired to encounter a live telecast of the interactive argument between the two aspirants in order to come up with a clear picture of the kind of leader who was just about to be elected. Through the discussion, the democratic candidate took the day with more points and reasons as to why he thought he would make a better president than the fellow aspirants (Campbell, 2008, P. 49). Through the elaborate and sensible campaign slogan indicating a sign of change that the Americans and non Americans could believe in, Obama managed to stand tall till the end of campaign defeating a candidate from the ruling party, Republican. This led to a decision of creating 500, 000 jobs per year so that the idling youths would get opportunity to participate in building the US economy (Panagopoulos, 2008, P. 12). However, in the efforts to clinch the top seat age was an issue, being that MacCain was old likewise to the outgoing president compared with Senator Obama by then who was still energetic and able to comprehend the kind of situation that the jobless youths were faced with not only in America but globally (Census Bureau, 2009, P. 212). Employment of the youths Considering the joblessness in US, the perception of youths about Obama administration was that hew would fulfill the dire need of the people living I America. This follows hardship experienced in the continent which led to high crime rates with increased cost of living causing many people to go without food. However, such situation was unexpected in America being that they fall among the super powers that are the global world lending states (Pomper, 2007, P. 201). Many people, perceive that life in America is cheap, which is not the case especially now when the rate of inflation has risen beyond imaginable values affecting the global marketing which impacts negatively to the other global countries who depends on the value of American Dollar (Holloway, 2009, P. 41). The election of Arizona senator John Mac Cain would have made history as the oldest president ever in the American history. Fig. 3 Obtained from: http://dalje.com/en-world/top-10-moments-of-us-pre-election-campaign/200091, Accessed on Nov, 13th 2011. American election is on such kind that the whole world is eying in order to make a distinct decision that would make or break lots of important events in the global perspective (Young, 2004, P. 110). However, the 2008 American election was well planned with all the relevant information and media vehicles ready to air the information to the global community so that the world would be aware of the latest updates in regard to the awaited event that attracted the interests of all global business community members (Panagopoulos, 2007, P. 25). . During the campaign launch, the last number of participants who ever got a chance to witness such events was rated at $1.75 Million people. Among the aspired first ladies included Cindy McCain, Michele Matt Demond, and New York City Mayor Mr. Mike Bloomerg and Michele Obama just to mention (Johnson, 2008, P. 105). With both Michele Obama and Cindy McCain in the campaign lead for their husbands, things got tough as both the republicans and Democrats got confused on whom to blame for the poor economy. Being that the incumbent president was a Republican then it is in order to say that for equally responsibility, both the democrats and their republican counterparts to equally be represented in the government so that they would pool together making America a place to call home. The pre election campaigns addressed most of the issues that affects the jobless and poor people who are unable to obtain a way of surviving despite McCain being the preferred and for fellow republicans (Piano, 2009, P. 120). However, the other issue that both the republican and democratic presidential candidates had to tackle of which they categorized as an upcoming catastrophes that requires a total support from all corners of the world so that the effects of global change would reduce. Other that that, there are proportions of implementing substantial information and awareness so that the jobless people in America would be recruited in both public and private duties in order to reduce dependability and better lifestyles for the effected (Campbell, 2008, P. 46). It was tough going the rough the US campaigns, However, Michele Obama campaigned expeditiously through to make a skillful campaign so that they would win the election that was held on Nov, 4th, 2008. The fight for state house was a struggle to take the burdens unto an individual’s hand while longing for a secure and peaceful country for the whole US citizens, global countries so that even the grand children are able to enjoy the fruits of their grate grand parents (Young, 2004, P. 112). However, McCain efforts were thwarted by the bad precedence by a fellow republican president George, W. Bush junior who promised and pledged to clear the rampant terrorist so that America would remain peaceful like any other country should the terror groups who have negatively impacted on the US, be arrested on day to face a series of charges against humanity (Tuman, 2008, P. 237). Fig. 4 Obtained from: http://dalje.com/tv/en/index.php?id=22189o56f1b96157df12, Accessed on Nov, 13th 2011. In the quest to wipe out terrorism, George Bush failed to tame the Al- shabaab, Taliban, Al- Queda and other terror gangs that have taken lives of Americans and other people from different countries including the American soldiers leaving behind the female, children and other relatives and friends in grief. Wanted to hand over the throne to a fellow republican; McCain (Campbell, 2008, P. 65) The US pre election campaigns took a different twist from the other election campaigns globally. Most of the candidates could afford to use aero planes instead of cars due to the vast areas to cover in order to be certain of obtaining a tangible number of voters within the continent (Robinson, 2009, P. 38). However, most of the election campaigns were televised as the campaign grounds were un able to cater for the population that could attend the campaign rallies especially for the two giants who faced off in the final vote cast; president Barrack Hussein Obama and Senator McCain, non of them decried of the escalating costs of campaigns (Hayward, & Craig, 2008, P. 71). Should McCain have won the election in the year 2008, it would have gone down in the history books as the oldest president ever elected in the United States. However, the Obama campaign was a unique kind of campaign being that he was an African American. Comparing the pre-election campaign period people were worried being that Martin Luther King Junior who was also a black American was assassinated in 1968 prior to elections which also went down in history about the racial discrimination that was present in America by then (McKinney, 2010, P. 260). In securing the US Obama tried to achieve much during the period when he was the Illinois senator for instance regulating the pollution from Chemical industries which was aimed at reducing the human risks concerns. However, he is also caring in regards to disaster preparedness so that not many people would fall victims incase a disaster strikes (Tuman, 2008, P. 240). Another issue that had to be taken care of during the campaign is the ability to stop the manufacture and testing of nuclear bombs. This was witnessed in a case where the Iranian Government swore to manufacture and test their nuclear bombs, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promise to pursue since his election to parliament in the year 2005 as the Iranian President (Campbell, 2008, P. 74). There are numerous other advantages that President Obama had over the other rivals in the presidential bid which are countless since his motive of being involved in the political arena. The fight for an amendment in the safety bill so that the bill would allow drinking of safe water. This on a wider perspective caters for the poor being that the rich are able to afford clean water at all times. In order to pull up the whole country, Obama used to organize for events that would bring together both the rich and the poor. This and more of the kind impacted heavily on the lifestyle of the common man hitherto the decision to elect him as their novice president with ability to fulfill his campaign pledges (Johnson, 2008, P. 108). War in Iraq Concerning the war in Iraq, only president Obama commented positively on the efforts and necessity of withdrawing the American troops from Iraq so as to create a rapport with the Iraq to solve the continuous threats of terror (Hayward, & Craig, 2008, P. 75). This followed a series of deaths that left many Americans lifeless at the expense of the few individuals who were not focused into stopping the was while no remarkable signs of progress could be identified in the efforts to end the thriller was against terror groups. Prior to the 2008 US elections Obama presented to the senate a bill to deescalate Iraq which was implemented in the act of the year 2007 (Panagopoulos, 2007, P. 27). All the information that was aired in the media had been posted in his website too so tat the fool information on his mission and vision to America would be. This stressed on his campaign slogan that state that “Yes we can”, which implied that through a better plan nothing would be impossible in the US despite previous attempt by the blacks to clinch the helm in US (Robinson, 2009, P. 34). Senator MacCain He perceived Obama group to be ill motive individuals without leadership ability, terming Joe as a plumber just to realize that things were not expected, when the perceived plumber became the vice president of the United States of America. In his statement during the campain the furious MacCain termed Obama as a pop star. As we know that pop stars only sing but the audience decides of which tune to dance. However, with the state machinery available and the support from the incumbent president by the George Bush Junior, MacCain had to concede early defeat to the pop star. This is a clear indecision of how the whites perceive that history repeats itself to an extent that things fall apart (Piano, 2009, P. 124). In amusement, Senator MacCain could not comment when Sarah Palin reiterated that no presidential candidate could see the American future apart from senator MacCain, this was demoralizing statement especially t the opponents. However, she continued to stress that she is able to see Russia from the windows of her home, buying expensive attire, this was a sign of show off to the opponents before election due to the surety they had, and being that their party was still in control of the US. Americans too can decide irrespective of the government in power (Johnson, 2008, P. 106). Conclusion Likewise to other countries and continents, Americans also have voices that are influenced by the interpersonal relations which vary from personalities. However, in order for an individual to be the American president it is adept to engage in developmental issues and be able to fulfill the obligations. Unless that is done, money will not be able to convince the people within a continent to vote for an individual. Unlike MacCain, Obama started developing his political career earlier just to be able to cater a good rapport with the electorates and perform their perceived objectives. Appendix Fig. 1, Accessed from: http://dalje.com/en-world/top-10-moments-of-us-pre-election-campaign/200091on Nov 13th, 2011. Fig., 2, The US President, Barrack Hussein Obama. Obtained from: http://terrorism.about.com/od/issuestrends/a/BarackObama.htm on Nov. 13th, 2011. Fig. 3 Obtained from: http://dalje.com/en-world/top-10-moments-of-us-pre-election-campaign/200091, Accessed on Nov, 13th 2011. Fig. 4 Obtained from: http://dalje.com/tv/en/index.php?id=22189o56f1b96157df12, Accessed on Nov, 13th 2011. References Campbell, James. (2008). 2nd Edi. The American campaign: U.S. presidential campaigns and the national vote. A&M University Press- USA, pp. 38- 94 Census Bureau. (2009). 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