Election Issues

The Republicans and Democrats dominate modern political races, and our technology-laden, “now” mentality often obscures the nation’s political history. But that history is worth remembering, because the innovative parties of our founding fathers, such as the Whigs and the Federalists, were the seeds of our current political parties. FindingDulcinea looks back at these precursors.

The days of beach reading are long past, the election looms and it’s time to catch up on what matters. You may not agree with what each author has to say about the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, the current or the future president, but at least you’ll get a wider understanding about the issues involved.

In 2000, George W. Bush was elected after winning more votes than Al Gore in the Electoral College, although Gore won the popular vote. Since then, the debate has raged over the Electoral College. Although it’s one of the oldest features of our voting system, detailed in full in the 12th Amendment of the Constitution and subsequent amendments, is it still relevant or fair?

From hanging chads to unreliable technology, accurate vote tallying and reporting remain major concerns of all politically minded citizens. What really goes on behind the curtain of the voting booth, and what's being done to ensure that your vote really counts?

In the build up to Sen. John McCain’s official acceptance of the Republican nomination for president, several supporters will speak on his behalf on Thursday, including Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, former Pennsylvania governor and ex-Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge and Governor Charlie Crist of Florida.

As the Republicans turn their attention to their party’s keynote speaker, Rudy Giuliani, and to vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, a number of other speakers will also present the GOP agenda at Wednesday’s convention in St. Paul. They include Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina and Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

Hurricane Gustav caused the Republican Party to delay the ceremonies associated with their national convention. As a result, the speaking lineup has seen some last-minute changes, with Sen. Joe Lieberman and former presidential candidate Fred Thompson filling in for keynote speaker Rudy Giuliani.

FindingDulcinea profiles Al Gore and Bill Ritter, two of the key speakers on Thursday, the final day of the Democrat National Convention in Denver.

FindingDulcinea profiles some of the key speakers at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, including biographical information and insight into why they will be speaking at the event.

Following Barack Obama’s decision to pick Joe Biden as his running mate, attention now shifts to the McCain camp. Although Tom Ridge, Meg Whitman, Bobby Jindal, Condoleezza Rice and Sarah Palin are still possibilities, three names appear to top McCain’s alleged shortlist: Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and Joe Lieberman.

FindingDulcinea profiles Tuesday's speakers at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, including Kathleen Sebelius, Lilly Ledbetter, Mark Werner and Deval Patrick.

findingDulcinea profiles Monday's speakers at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, including John Hickenlooper, Lee Hamilton, Maya Soetoro-Ng and Jerry Kellman.

Widely considered to be Senator Obama’s top choices for vice president, Evan Bayh, Joe Biden and Tim Kaine are three Democrats with distinct political identities and experience. Below are brief biographies, as well as pros and cons of each, as summarized by political pundits across the Web.

Senators Obama and McCain disagree over the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the Defense of Marriage Act and the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Learn more about their conflicting stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.

Both presidential candidates will fine tune America’s education system, but McCain’s approach allocates funds to school choice initiatives, while Obama plans to invest federal money in science, math and technology. Learn more about their stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.

Both candidates support comprehensive immigration reform. Obama will make it his top priority, while McCain plans to secure borders first. Learn more about their conflicting stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.

Senator McCain endorses conservative, “constructionist” judges, such as John Roberts, while Obama hopes to seat liberals, like former justice Earl Warren, on the Supreme Court. Learn more about their conflicting stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.

Both John McCain and Barack Obama believe that our current health care system is broken, however their respective solutions to the crisis have great substantive differences. John McCain offers a market-based solution while Barack Obama provides a government alternative. Learn more about their conflicting stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.

Both presidential candidates have recognized the need to address climate change and adjust the nation’s policies to prevent an energy crisis. Learn more about their stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.

Barack Obama has made his opposition to the Iraq War a signature of his campaign, while John McCain advocates maintaining a presence abroad until Iraq is capable of governing itself. Learn more about their conflicting stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of the key issues in the November election.

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain disagree over tax policies and on the role of the government in reviving the U.S. economy. Learn more about their conflicting stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.

John McCain and Barack Obama disagree on how to manage the United States’ presence in Iraq, counteract terrorism and handle foreign affairs. Learn more about their conflicting stances in findingDulcinea’s survey of key issues in the November election.