A look back at the 2008 election season
By Manny Casillas | Editorial Assistant
Obama, speaking at Ball State University in Muncie proclaimed to his audience that he wanted to turn Indiana blue this year. He may get his wish.
In 16 of the last 17 presidential races, Indiana has voted Republican, with Lyndon B. Johnson being the exception in 1964. By 2004, that notion appeared set in stone when President Bush won the state over Sen. John Kerry 60 to 39.
Long an ignored red state, Indiana is once again poised to play a significant role in the race.
So, how did we get here?
I. The Candidates
Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards announced his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election on Dec. 28, 2006. At this point, the United States would enter the most ground breaking presidential race in its long and rich history.
In January 2007 New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton announced her bid for the White House. The following month Illinois Sen. Barack Obama announced his candidacy and a few weeks later Arizona Sen. John McCain would announce his candidacy for president.
A long list of presidential hopefuls on both sides would throw their names in the race, everyone from former Gov. Mike Huckabee to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Even former Tennessee Senator and Law & Order actor Fred Thompson entered the race.
II. The Primaries
The long primary season was in place and the media was ready to name Clinton and McCain as the inevitable victors. But the primary process for both parties was anything but expected.
With 38 percent of the vote Barack Obama took the top spot in Iowa. Just days later, Clinton narrowly won the New Hampshire primary.
For the Democrats, Super Tuesday brought no clear victor, prompting Chris Matthew of MSNBC’s Hardball to quip ‘this could go all the way to Indiana.’
Edwards eventually dropped out of the race, leaving Obama and Clinton to battle. In the ensuing contests, Obama racked up 11 straight victories. Clinton took Ohio and Texas, then won Pennsylvania. But Obama gained a staggering victory in North Carolina and Clinton would take Indiana by a single point. By the time of the primaries in Montana and North and South Dakota, Obama would seal the nomination.
On the GOP side, things were even more of a roller coaster. First Mike Huckabee won in Iowa, then McCain took New Hampshire. Mitt Romney won in Nevada. By Super Tuesday, McCain had come out on top, becoming the presumptive Republican nominee.
III. The Running Mates
With the primaries for both parties at an end, focus turned to speculation over the candidates’ potential vice president choices. Anyone from Sen. Joe Lieberman to Obama’s rival Hillary Clinton was thought to be on the short list. Their choices could not have been more different.
Obama made his choice first, announcing in August that his running mate would be Delaware Sen. Joe Biden. Then McCain turned things up a notch, shocking everyone by choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the first woman to represent a presidential ticket for the Republican Party.
IV. The Issues
With the conventions for both parties under wraps, all the remaining candidates were free to fight it out.
In early September the US economy was struck a major blow. With Congress trying to sort out the mess, McCain and Obama were forced to face the issue with their supporters. The troubled economy would fuel the three presidential debates for the candidates, as well as the debate between Sen. Biden and Gov. Palin.
V. Where We Go From Here
Hockey moms, plumbers, William Ayers, Rev. Wright, mortgage crises and bailouts. It’s been two long years, and the race is finally down to only two. And come Nov. 4, the Hoosier state may truly break free of the stereotype of being red state all the way.
Voter registration has increased considerably in Indiana, yet it remains to be seen until Election Day whether Hoosiers will trump the dubious honor of having the lowest voter turnout of any state.
