2008: John Kerry Presidency

[DylanSH99]

BREAKING: MCCAIN WINS SECOND DEBATE

The second presidential debate of the 2008 election cycle between incumbent President John Kerry and Senator John McCain was held on October 7th, 2008 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The debate was moderated by Tom Brokaw and focused on a variety of issues, including the economy, foreign policy, health care, and energy.

President Kerry and Senator McCain both presented detailed plans on how to address each issue, with Kerry stressing the need for government intervention and McCain advocating for a smaller government and more private sector involvement. The two candidates also sparred over the war in Iraq, with President Kerry arguing that the war was a mistake and that the US should begin to withdraw its troops and McCain advocating for a continued presence in the country.

When it came to economic policy, President Kerry argued for a stimulus package to help revive the ailing economy, while Senator McCain argued for a continuation of the Bush tax cuts. Both candidates also discussed energy policy, with Kerry advocating for a shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources and McCain arguing for an “all of the above” approach to energy that included a focus on drilling for domestic oil and gas.

In the end, the American people believed that Senator McCain was the clear winner of the second 2008 presidential debate. According to a CBS News poll, 62% of respondents viewed McCain as the winner, compared to 31% for Kerry. The poll also found that McCain was seen as more knowledgeable about the issues, more presidential, and more in touch with the American people than Kerry.

[DylanSH99]

BREAKING: FINAL DEBATE SPLIT

On October 15th, 2008, incumbent President John Kerry and Senator John McCain faced off in their third and final presidential debate. The debate was hosted at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and was moderated by Bob Schieffer.

The debate’s topics included the economy, foreign policy, health care, and energy. President Kerry focused on his record of accomplishments over the past four years, while Senator McCain emphasized his plans for the future.

The discussion on the economy was particularly heated. President Kerry advocated for stronger government regulation of the financial industry and increased taxes on the wealthy. Senator McCain argued for tax cuts and less government involvement in the economy.

On energy, President Kerry proposed a new energy policy that would create millions of jobs and reduce greenhouse emissions. Senator McCain advocated for offshore drilling and nuclear power.

When it comes to health care, President Kerry proposed a plan to make health insurance more affordable and accessible. Senator McCain argued for less government involvement in health care and proposed tax credits to help individuals purchase health insurance.

When the debate concluded, the American people were left to decide who they thought won. Most polls showed that President Kerry had the advantage, but some polls showed Senator McCain leading.

[John Forbes Kerrygold 🧈]

Very enjoyable so far! I'm predicting a narrow McCain victory.

[DylanSH99]

Very enjoyable so far! I'm predicting a narrow McCain victory.

Thank you so much, and thanks for the feedback! Stay tuned...

[DylanSH99]

FINAL POLL SHOWS MCCAIN WITH LEAD
John McCain: 52.3% (+7.2%)
John Kerry: 45.1%
Undecided: 2.6%

[DylanSH99]

6PM POLL CLOSINGS

INDIANA (11 electoral votes)
John McCain: 58.2%
John Kerry: 41.3%

KENTUCKY (8 electoral votes)
John McCain: 59.9%
John Kerry: 39.8%

Electoral Count (270 needed to win)
John McCain: 19 electoral votes
John Kerry: 0 electoral votes

[DylanSH99]

7PM POLL CLOSINGS

FLORIDA (27 electoral votes)
John McCain: 54.9%
John Kerry: 43.5%

GEORGIA (15 electoral votes)
John McCain: 60.0%
John Kerry: 39.9%

SOUTH CAROLINA (8 electoral votes)
John McCain: 59.1%
John Kerry: 40.1%

VIRGINIA (13 electoral votes)
John McCain: 54.3%
John Kerry: 44.8%

VERMONT (3 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 56.4%
John McCain: 42.7%

Electoral Count (270 needed to win)
John McCain: 82 electoral votes
John Kerry: 3 electoral votes

[DylanSH99]

7:30PM POLL CLOSINGS

OHIO (20 electoral votes)
John McCain: 54.4%
John Kerry: 44.8%

WEST VIRGINIA (5 electoral votes)
John McCain: 59.7%
John Kerry: 40.3%

Electoral Count (270 needed to win)
John McCain: 107 electoral votes
John Kerry: 3 electoral votes

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8PM POLL CLOSINGS

MASSACHUSETTS (12 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 59.4%
John McCain: 40.6%

MARYLAND (10 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 51.5%
John McCain: 47.3%

MAINE (4 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 50.6%
John McCain: 49.4%

MICHIGAN (17 electoral votes)
John McCain: 52.4%
John Kerry: 47.6%

MISSOURI (11 electoral votes)
John McCain: 56.4%
John Kerry: 42.2%

MISSISSIPPI (6 electoral votes)
John McCain: 62.2%
John Kerry: 37.5%

[DylanSH99]

8PM POLL CLOSINGS

MASSACHUSETTS (12 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 59.4%
John McCain: 40.6%

MARYLAND (10 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 51.5%
John McCain: 47.3%

MAINE (4 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 50.6%
John McCain: 49.4%

MICHIGAN (17 electoral votes)
John McCain: 52.4%
John Kerry: 47.6%

MISSOURI (11 electoral votes)
John McCain: 56.4%
John Kerry: 42.2%

MISSISSIPPI (6 electoral votes)
John McCain: 62.2%
John Kerry: 37.5%

NEW HAMPSHIRE (4 electoral votes)
John McCain: 54.5%
John Kerry: 45.5%

NEW JERSEY (15 electoral votes)
John McCain: 49.6%
John Kerry: 49.5%

ALABAMA (9 electoral votes)
John McCain: 65.2%
John Kerry: 33.7%

OKLAHOMA (7 electoral votes)
John McCain: 68.5%
John Kerry: 31.5%

PENNSYLVANIA (21 electoral votes)
John McCain: 51.5%
John Kerry: 48.5%

CONNECTICUT (7 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 52.7%
John McCain: 47.3%

SOUTH DAKOTA (3 electoral votes)
John McCain: 61.2%
John Kerry: 38.1%

TENNESSEE (11 electoral votes)
John McCain: 61.3%
John Kerry: 37.7%

TEXAS (34 electoral votes)
John McCain: 59.7%
John Kerry: 40.0%

ILLINOIS (21 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 50.9%
John McCain: 48.5%

WASHINGTON, DC (3 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 87.5%
John McCain: 12.0%

DELAWARE (3 electoral votes)
John McCain: 49.9%
John Kerry: 48.4%

Electoral Count (270 needed to win)
John McCain: 248 electoral votes
John Kerry: 60 electoral votes

[DylanSH99]

8:30PM POLL CLOSINGS

ARKANSAS (6 electoral votes)
John McCain: 59.0%
John Kerry: 40.2%

NORTH CAROLINA (15 electoral votes)
John McCain: 55.5%
John Kerry: 43.0%

Electoral Count (270 needed to win)
John McCain: 269 electoral votes
John Kerry: 60 electoral votes

[DylanSH99]

9PM POLL CLOSINGS

COLORADO (9 electoral votes)
John McCain: 53.3%
John Kerry: 45.5%

RHODE ISLAND (4 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 55.9%
John McCain: 43.7%

NEBRASKA (5 electoral votes)
John McCain: 69.0%
John Kerry: 30.5%

LOUISIANA (9 electoral votes)
John McCain: 59.0%
John Kerry: 40.7%

MINNESOTA (10 electoral votes)
John McCain: 51.0%
John Kerry: 47.8%

NEW MEXICO (5 electoral votes)
John McCain: 53.0%
John Kerry: 46.7%

NEW YORK (31 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 54.7%
John McCain: 44.8%

ARIZONA (10 electoral votes)
John McCain: 56.2%
John Kerry: 41.3%

WISCONSIN (10 electoral votes)
John McCain: 51.4%
John Kerry: 47.5%

KANSAS (6 electoral votes)
John McCain: 60.2%
John Kerry: 38.4%

WYOMING (3 electoral votes)
John McCain: 72.2%
John Kerry: 27.1%

Electoral Count (270 needed to win)
John McCain: 336 electoral votes
John Kerry: 95 electoral votes

BREAKING: MCCAIN ELECTED 45TH PRESIDENT, DEFEATS PRESIDENT KERRY


On November 4, 2008, Republican Senator John McCain achieved a shocking victory, becoming the 44th President of the United States by defeating the sitting President, Democrat John Kerry.

It was the culmination of a long and hard-fought campaign, marked by historic debates and unprecedented levels of voter turnout. McCain had promised to bring a new kind of politics to Washington, and he had won a substantial victory at the polls.

McCain's victory speech was delivered on a stage in Arizona, his home state, and was seen by millions of people around the world. He began by thanking the American people for giving him their trust and confidence. He then spoke of the challenges that the country faced, and of his commitment to leading the nation towards a brighter future.

"Our challenges are great, but our will is greater," McCain said. "We shall overcome these obstacles and continue our journey of progress and prosperity. I promise to lead this nation with honor, justice, and courage. I am grateful to have this opportunity to serve the American people, and I look forward to the work that lies ahead."

[DylanSH99]

BREAKING: PRESIDENT KERRY CONCEDES TO MCCAIN


President John Kerry conceded the presidential election to Senator John McCain. In his concession speech, Kerry praised McCain’s long and distinguished service to the United States, and expressed his hope that the country would rally together under the new president’s leadership.

“The outcome should be decided by voters, not a protracted legal fight. I would not give up this fight if there was a chance we would prevail," said Kerry. "But it is now clear that even when all the provisional ballots are counted, which they will be, there won’t be enough outstanding votes for us to be able to win."

Kerry went on to urge McCain to “lead all of us, Republican and Democrat, to a new season of progress and prosperity for all.” He also thanked his supporters for their hard work and dedication to his campaign.

Kerry’s concession speech was gracious and eloquent, and served to bring closure to a hard-fought campaign. He displayed an admirable level of respect and admiration for his opponent, while at the same time recognizing the importance of allowing the election process to play out in a peaceful and orderly manner.

[DylanSH99]

10PM POLL CLOSINGS

OREGON (7 electoral votes)
John McCain: 50.5%
John Kerry: 49.2%

UTAH (5 electoral votes)
John McCain: 76.6%
John Kerry: 22.6%

NORTH DAKOTA (3 electoral votes)
John McCain: 60.6%
John Kerry: 39.3%

NEVADA (5 electoral votes)
John McCain: 53.9%
John Kerry: 45.4%

IDAHO (4 electoral votes)
John McCain: 59.7%
John Kerry: 39.8%

MONTANA (3 electoral votes)
John McCain: 57.2%
John Kerry: 42.2%

IOWA (7 electoral votes)
John McCain: 49.9%
John Kerry: 49.0%

Electoral Count (270 needed to win)
John McCain: 370 electoral votes
John Kerry: 95 electoral votes

[DylanSH99]

11PM POLL CLOSINGS

HAWAII (4 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 50.8%
John McCain: 48.0%

CALIFORNIA (55 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 51.1%
John McCain: 48.5%

WASHINGTON (11 electoral votes)
John Kerry: 50.6%
John McCain: 49.4%

12AM POLL CLOSINGS
John McCain: 59.2%
John Kerry: 39.9%

Final Election Results:
John McCain/Mitt Romney: 67,863,361 (52.1%) (373 electoral votes)
John Kerry/Hillary Clinton; 61,525,141 (47.2%) (165 electoral votes)

BREAKING: GOP WINS HOUSE, SENATE; WILL CONTROL LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

[John Forbes Kerrygold 🧈]

What's the biggest reason Kerry lost with these margins? I have to think he just never recovered public trust after Edwards.

[DylanSH99]

What's the biggest reason Kerry lost with these margins? I have to think he just never recovered public trust after Edwards.

The Great Recession is what did him in. The American people were looking for a drastic change, and John McCain was the change they were looking for.

[DylanSH99]

BREAKING: KERRY, MCCAIN MEET AT WH


On December 15th, 2008, history was made as President-elect John McCain and President John Kerry met in the White House for their transition meeting. The two men, representing two very different political philosophies, had come together to ensure a smooth transition of power from one administration to the next.

President Kerry and President-elect McCain discussed a wide range of topics during their meeting, including the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, energy policy, healthcare, and the environment. The two former rivals also discussed their plans for the upcoming presidential inauguration and their respective visions for the future of the country.

The meeting between President Kerry and President-elect McCain marked a historic moment in American politics. It was a sign of the mutual respect that the two men share, as they worked together to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power.

[DylanSH99]

INAUGURATION DAY 2009: MCCAIN, ROMNEY SWORN IN

It was a historic moment for America. On January 20, 2009, John McCain and Mitt Romney were sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States.

John McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona, was elected President of the United States on November 4, 2008, defeating President John Kerry in a landslide. He was the first senator since John F. Kennedy to be elected directly from the Senate. McCain chose Romney, a Republican Governor of Massachusetts, to be his running mate.

The Inauguration ceremony was held at the West Front of the United States Capitol. McCain's inaugural address focused on the importance of bipartisanship and unity. He called for an end to the "partisan rancor" that had become so common in American politics. He also discussed his plan to make the United States a leader in the world and to protect the environment. He emphasized that America is a nation of ideals, not of party.