Changes

==Differences between 2008 and other elections==

==Differences between 2008 and other elections==

In 2008, [[CNN]]-[[YouTube]] held the first debate in which the questions asked of the nominees in each party came primarily from YouTube viewer-submitted videos. The debates received high ratings, however, CNN was criticized for not picking questions that were 'tough' or pertinent enough. One such example was during the Democratic Debate, when CNN chose to ask a question from a snow man, talking about [[global warming]]. During the Republican debate, some claimed that many of the questions were from Democratic supporters and were meant to embarrass the Republican candidates. For example, a question over whether or not homosexuals should serve in the U.S. military was asked by retired general and gay activist Keith Kerr, an adviser to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s campaign.  

In 2008, [[CNN]]-[[YouTube]] held the first debate in which the questions asked of the nominees in each party came primarily from YouTube viewer submitted videos. The debates received high ratings, however, CNN was criticized for not picking questions that were 'tough' or pertinent enough. One such example was during the Democratic Debate, when CNN chose to ask a question from a snow man, talking about [[global warming]]. During the Republican debate, some claimed that many of the questions were from Democratic supporters just meant to embarrass the Republican candidates. For example, a question over whether or not homosexuals should serve in the U.S. military was asked by retired general and gay activist Keith Kerr, an adviser to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s campaign.  

The internet also played a major role in the election, with then-Republican presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]] and Democratic candidate Barack Obama being very active on the internet.

The internet has also played a major role in the election, with then-Republican presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]] and Democratic candidate Barack Obama being very active on the internet.

===Young voters===

===Young voters===

In 2004, 64% of voters aged 18-29 were registered to vote.  In 2008, 75% of voters in that age group were registered.  This demographic usually favors Democrats.

In 2004, 64% of voters aged 18-29 were registered to vote.  This year 75% of voters in that age group are registered.  This demographic usually favors Democrats.

== Uncommitted Electorate ==

== Uncommitted Electorate ==

== General Strategy ==

== General Strategy ==

McCain's team wanted to convince the electorate of the long-term leadership and experience that John McCain had shown in two decades of government service while emphasizing the relative untested nature of Barak Obama.

McCain's team wants to convince the electorate of the long-term leadership and experience that John McCain has shown in two decades of government service while emphasizing the relative untested nature of Barak Obama.

Obama's team wanted to convince the electorate that Obama is the candidate of fresh ideas, while downplaying his relative inexperience compared to the more seasoned McCain.  When possible, McCain was lumped together with George W. Bush, an unpopular President.

Obama's team wants to convince the electorate that Obama is the candidate of fresh ideas while downplaying his relative inexperience compared to the more seasoned McCain.  When possible, McCain is lumped together with George Bush, an unpopular President.

    

    

===Republican Strategy===

===Republican Strategy===

With more limited funding than his Democratic rival, McCain had favored open town hall meetings to attract the greatest number of people.  He was focusing his advertising on swing states.  He also asked for open debates with Obama of the Lincoln-Douglas variety, where candidates can talk directly to each other, but this was not accepted by the Democratic camp which prefers the current structured format.

With more limited funding than his Democratic rival, McCain had favored open town hall meetings to attract the greatest number of people.  He is focusing his advertising on swing states.  He also asked for open debates with Obama of the Lincoln-Douglas variety where candidates can talk directly to each other, but this was not accepted by the Democratic camp which prefers the current structured format.

McCain highlighted his record of leadership, his service to his country and stressed that as President he could be counted on to keep America safe from outside threats.  McCain's strongest supporters were the elderly - the group that most wants stability.

McCain will highlight his record of leadership, his service to his country and stress that as President he can be counted on to keep America safe from outside threats.  McCain's strongest supporters are the elderly - the group that most wants stability.

McCain's choice of [[Alaska]] [[Governor]] [[Sarah Palin]] as his Vice Presidential nominee was a departure from what was expected and helped to show that he would go down paths that the Republican party had not done in the past.  McCain touted Palin's record of standing up to the Alaska Republican party when she resigned from an Ethics Commission in protest over a lack of ethics of fellow commissioners, as well as when she ran against, and beat, then-incumbent Governor [[Frank Murkowski]] in the Republican primary in 2006.  McCain touted her as a "maverick" to complement his own maverick image that he was trying to emphasize. Last, by choosing a female running mate, McCain hoped to pick up the votes of female voters disaffected with the perceived slight of Hillary Clinton by Obama.  Prior to the start of the Democratic convention, 30% of Hillary's supporters had still not backed Obama and there was a good deal of bad blood between the two.

McCain's choice of [[Alaska]] [[Governor]] [[Sarah Palin]] as his Vice Presidential nominee was a departure from what was expected and helped to show that he would go down paths that the Republican party had not done in the past.  McCain has touted Palin's record of standing up to the Alaska Republican party when she resigned from an Ethics Commission in protest over a lack of ethics of fellow commissioners, as well as when she ran against, and beat, then-incumbent Governor [[Frank Murkowski]] in the Republican primary in 2006.  McCain will continue to tout her as a "maverick" to complement his own maverick image that he is trying to emphasize. Last, by choosing a female running mate, McCain hoped to pick up the votes of female voters disaffected with the perceived slight of Hillary Clinton by Obama.  Prior to the start of the Democratic convention, 30% of Hillary's supporters had still not backed Obama and there was a good deal of bad blood between the two.

With the unfolding of the campaign season and watching the Democratic strategy and how it was playing out in the press and polls, the McCain campaign decided not to cede the moniker of change to Obama, but rather to take it upon themselves by emphasizing that McCain has a track record of change - while Obama does not.  The McCain campaign feels it needs to have the voters ask who can be trusted more to get the job done, and if that occurs, then they have the advantage.

With the unfolding of the campaign season and watching the Democratic strategy and how it was playing out in the press and polls, the McCain campaign decided not to cede the moniker of change to Obama, but rather to take it upon themselves by emphasizing that McCain has a track record of change - while Obama does not.  The McCain campaign feels it needs to have the voters ask who can be trusted more to get the job done, and if that occurs, then they have the advantage.