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[[Image:Gp_ppl_obama_mccain_flag-capitol.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Barack Obama and John McCain]] {{move|United States presidential election, 2008}}

[[Image:Gp_ppl_obama_mccain_flag-capitol.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Barack Obama and John McCain]] {{move|United States presidential election, 2008}}

The '''2008 United States Presidential Election''' took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/calendar/</ref> The primary season for both the [[Republican Party]] and the [[Democratic Party]] officially began on January 3, 2008 with the [[Iowa Caucus]]es and ended on June 3, 2008.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/calendar/</ref> The 2008 election cycle has seen a major shift to the primary election calendar, frontloading many primaries into early February.<ref>http://www.miamiherald.com/515/story/43160.html</ref> [[Barack Obama|Senator Barack Obama]] of [[Illinois]], the [[Democratic Party]] nominee, with Senator [[Joe Biden]] of [[Delaware]] as his Vice Presidential running mate defeated Senator [[John McCain]] of [[Arizona]], the Republican candidate, and his Vice Presidential nominee, [[Alaska]] [[Governor]] [[Sarah Palin]] in the general election.

The '''2008 United States Presidential Election''' took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/calendar/</ref> with Barack Obama being voted in as the next President of the United States.  [[Barack Obama|Senator Barack Obama]] of [[Illinois]], the [[Democratic Party]] nominee, with Senator [[Joe Biden]] of [[Delaware]] as his Vice Presidential running mate defeated Senator [[John McCain]] of [[Arizona]], the Republican candidate, and his Vice Presidential nominee, [[Alaska]] [[Governor]] [[Sarah Palin]].

Obama held a 5 to 7 point lead most of the summer, but faded steadily in August. After the selection of Palin, the first woman ever on a GOP ticket, McCain leapfrogged Obama in the national polls and held a slim 2.5 point lead in mid September. Until this point, nationwide polls all year had shown a massive defeat for GOP candidates for Congress. With the GOP running 10 points behind, the Democrats stood a good chance of gaining 5-9 Senate seats and 15-20 House seats. The surge in McCain's polls helped pull up the GOP numbers; by Sept. 12 the GOP deficit was only 3.6 points, indicating small losses.<ref>Poll results from [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/ RealClearPolitics]</ref> However, more recently the margin has once again widened to about 5 points.<!--This statement will become out of date!! Watch out and update it-->

The primary season for both the [[Republican Party]] and the [[Democratic Party]] officially began on January 3, 2008 with the [[Iowa Caucus]]es and ended on June 3, 2008.<ref>http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/calendar/</ref> The 2008 election cycle has seen a major shift to the primary election calendar, frontloading many primaries into early February.<ref>http://www.miamiherald.com/515/story/43160.html</ref>  

==First election without incumbents since 1928==  

==First election without incumbents since 1928==  

*RV refers to registered voters, LV refers to likely voters.

*RV refers to registered voters, LV refers to likely voters.

Most polling does not include third party candidates.  While that was an issue back in May when Barr attracted 6% of the vote in four way polling and Nader 4%<ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/will_third_party_candidates_tip_the_presidential_race</ref>, it has become a virutally non-issue with the election drawing near.  Third party candidates generally have much lower percentage of votes cast for them than they poll beforehand, and this election that especially seems to be true.

Most polling does not include third party candidates.  While that was an issue back in May when Barr attracted 6% of the vote in four way polling and Nader 4%<ref>http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/will_third_party_candidates_tip_the_presidential_race</ref>, it became a virutal non-issue as the election drew near.  Third party candidates generally have much lower percentage of votes cast for them than they poll beforehand, and this election followed that pattern.

Also, when possible, polling is reported without counting 'leaners'.  Leaners early on were favoring McCain, but they have also become less of an issue as the election has progressed nor does either candidate seem to have an advantage in this area with the shrinking number of people who still fit in this category.

When possible, polling is reported without counting 'leaners'.  Leaners early on were favoring McCain, but that become less of an issue as the election progressed.  As the election drew closer, most polls dropped leaners altogether.

Due to the nature of the presidential election where Presidents are elected state by state instead of total votes received nationwide, it is possible in a close race for a candidate to win the Presidency while losing the popular vote.  This is meaningful if the election is within a point or possibly two, but with Obama holding a greater lead than that, the electoral college is also favoring him.<ref>http://www.pollster.com/</ref><ref>[http://www.politico.com/convention/swingstate.html Politico's 2008 Swing State Map]</ref><ref>[http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/ FiveThirtyEight.com: Electoral Projections Done Right]</ref>

Due to the nature of the presidential election where Presidents are elected on a state by state basis instead of total votes received nationwide, it is possible for a candidate to win the Presidency while losing the popular vote.  This was meaningful if the election was within a point or two, but ultimately did not prove to be an issue in this election.

== McCain vs. Obama ==

== McCain vs. Obama ==