Interactive Graphic: Swing States on the 2008 Electoral Map

The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade in 2000. The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote. To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia's mother. The day arrived when they were to make their speeches Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Everyone applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the podium. Her speech was concise. She said, 'If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream.' She sat down. The class went wild. 'Yes! Yes! We want ice cream!' I thought, she surely would say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn't sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it? She didn't know. The class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a land slide.

Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream, and 60% percent of America reacts like nine year olds. They want ice cream. The other 40% percent know they're going to have to feed the cow. By Judy Kissinger

Greed and envy are the heart and soul of Obama's campaign. Those rich people should "share the wealth". His views are in direct conflict with the 10th commandment (the same commandment for Jews, Christians and Muslims) "You shall not covet thy neighbor???s wealth." (You shall not covet your neighbor???s house; you shall not covet your neighbor???s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor) If you hire someone to break the law are you not just as guilty as the person who actually does the act? So if you elect someone to break a commandment are not just as guilty. My tax bracket is low enough that I pay almost no taxes. But I am too proud to take something that is not mine or something that I did not earn. I have been around a long tome, (I did help campaign for Adlai Stevenson), and the American electorate has become very greedy and envious in that time.
May Obama have all the political luck of Adlai Stevenson and Spiro Agnew
Pray for our country no matter who wins!

Oh yes, I've been told that I forgot to mention, I voted ffor Barrack Obama and Joe Biden about two hours ago.
Gleeson

For the first time in my adult life I voted Democrat.

OK, Some signs of intelligent life. I'm going to leave you all to it. But I'd like you all to do me a favor. Hit your "print " button, and then put the printout away. It might take 5 years, in other cases, 10, but someday, if you pull your print-out out, and read it, perhaps then you will be able to wear the apropriate measure of shame. Good luck, and good night.
Gleeson

To respond to mwesty...actually I am in that situation. No job since July, lost due to decrease in need for our company. Been looking since then. I have a degree and 8 years exerience, but I still am not blaming the financial world on the president. The financial world is governed by the wall street and its consumers. but, thats my belief.

I'm a 52 year old single mother of a handicapped adult son. I've been struggling for the past 6 years with no health insurance, no home of my own. I'm in college finishing my degree but in the meantime I'm working paycheck to paycheck with no benefits. Lots of people are now in part time positions with no benefits. It is breaking companies to pay for benefits. The world is not the same as the 1950's where we kept the same job, husband, house forever. It is an ever changing world. I'm struggling to change with it. It is normal to want a little help to get through the rough times. That is what we were paying taxes for in the first place, no?

For the first time in my adult life I voted Republican.

for the first time in my adult life I voted Republican. will it wash off.

Proud American 45 Yes I seen it on the news that Obama said his aunt must leave. It was all over the news do you not watch it.

I know nothing about Obama or mcCain other than first impressions and I like Obama. McCain seems sly and slippery just like Bush. Dont know if people will like this comment but to me if obama gets in its a tribute to Martin luther king, who "Had A Dream" all those years ago.

And why cant Americans just wake up and move on into the 21st century.....The U.S. is like a big oaf of a Neanderthal playing with tanks, high tech weapons and Big RED buttons........c'mon get on board with the rest of the world (communist countries excluded of course)

For the 34 yr old mother: yea some people are racist on both sides... that is no reason to say that all blacks are... actually, if u sit down and actually have a conversation with most of us (yes I am black) then you would understand that there are other reasons (besides his color) that we vote for him... I'd rather have Obama as my president than McCain simply because I dont need another Bush or even half of another Bush as my president. And no not all of the problems in America are his fault but you can bet majority of them are.
And to touch on this subject of abortion... Yes I am pro-life but America is facing more issues now that are way more important. . . And honestly, if abortion was banned in the US do you really (and i mean REALLY) think that everything would be resolved? No. That would result in more underground abortions resulting in more diseases and eventually result in more deaths.
And to choose your President, the man that will be running your country for @ least 4 years, simply because he has been a senator the longest is probably one of the most ignorant reasons I have ever known... I don't care who you vote for as long as there are good solid reasons why you do it....

Don't you get it? Bigger and bigger numbers every day have no insurance, are losing their homes, losing their jobs and retirement. It is about stopping that trend. It isn't about helping people keep what is theirs. Wait until you are the one without insurance, a job, and a house. I'll bet your tune will change then.

yea some people are racist on both sides... that is no reason to say that all blacks are... actually, if u sit down and actually have a conversation with most of us (yes I am black) then you would understand that there are other reasons (besides his color) that we vote for him... I'd rather have Obama as my president than McCain simply because I dont need another Bush or even half of another Bush as my president. And no not all of the problems in America are his fault but you can bet majority of them are.
And to touch on this subject of abortion... Yes I am pro-life but America is facing more issues now that are way more important. . . And honestly, if abortion was banned in the US do you really (and i mean REALLY) think that everything would be resolved? No. That would result in more underground abortions resulting in more diseases and eventually result in more deaths.
And to choose your President, the man that will be running your country for @ least 4 years, simply because he has been a senator the longest is probably one of the most ignorant reasons I have ever known... I don't care who you vote for as long as there are good solid reasons why you do it....

I really would like everyone to stop telling me to WAKE UP !!!!!!!!!! and GET REAL!!!!!!!!!! I've been wide awake, and reading actual BOOKS for more than 50 years. There are many others here, in the same position. To those of us who actually know whats going on here, in America, today, those of you who don't stick out like........lipstick on a pig. Follow ? If you're an idiot, we can tell. Please. If you think you're more patriotic than anyone else, you're probably an idiot. If you think you understand everything that's going on better than anyone else, you're probably an idiot. This could be a place for productive discussion, if there weren't so many idiots here. I for one, can't WAIT for tomorrow morning. This is really embarrasing, for America, ya know? You realize people can SEE this, right?
Gleeson

It doesn't matter who ends up winning the election tonight. Our country is still going to have economic issues, we are still going to have a major deficit in the budget, other countries are going to cause us to be in war with them, and the politics will continue as usual. Whatever way our supposed leader can get money from us Americans who are struggling enough they will. Either by gas inflation, higher taxes, jobs closing down instead of getting rebuilt, and the medical care insurence.