Video
Darrell M. West, September 04, 2008
Sarah Palin's Acceptance Speech
Sarah Palin, Alaska's governor and the GOP vice presidential nominee, addressed the Republican convention in a speech widely acclaimed by her audience, but delivered amid criticism about her length of executive service in government. Darrell West analyzes the content of her speech and the tenor of her performance—and concludes she did what she was supposed to do.
Political Conventions, Political Campaigns, U.S. Politics, Politics, Executive Branch
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William H. Frey and Ruy Teixeira, October 10, 2008, The Brookings Institution
In this analysis of what they term “the battleground states,” William Frey and Ruy Teixeira crunch the demographic and voting numbers to determine which voters will decide the 2008 presidential contest in Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William H. Frey and Ruy Teixeira, October 10, 2008, The Brookings Institution
In this analysis of what they term “the battleground states,” William Frey and Ruy Teixeira crunch the demographic and voting numbers to determine which voters will decide the 2008 presidential contest in Virginia and Florida. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William A. Galston, September 05, 2008, The Brookings Institution
On Thursday, Republicans wrapped up their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota with John McCain’s acceptance speech. He delivered an honorable but paradoxical acceptance speech, writes William Galston, pledging to end bipartisanship rancor in Washington while allowing his campaign to choreograph a convention filled with highly charged personal attacks against the Democratic nominee. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
E.J. Dionne, Jr., September 05, 2008, All Things Considered
Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's running mate has energized the Republican base. E.J. Dionne joined David Brooks on All Things Considered to discuss Palin’s impact on the 2008 election and how she changes the race. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael Fullilove, September 02, 2008, The Sydney Morning Herald
Michael Fullilove reflects on speeches at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in which many speakers focused on their own humble beginnings. Read More
VIDEO
Darrell M. West, September 02, 2008
Candidates typically gain popularity with voters immediately following their party conventions. But, as Darrell West explains, this “bump” in popularity is generally short-lived. This election cycle is no different and, he says, people won’t really know where the candidates stand until a few weeks after the Republican convention.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ron Nessen, August 31, 2008, The Brookings Institution
An old expression in politics asserts, “There is no such thing as a good surprise.” Ron Nessen says that John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate was a surprise; possibly, a rare good surprise. While the McCain-Palin ticket comes with a number of risks, argues Nessen, overall it provides the Republicans with more positives than negatives.
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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Hugh B. Price, August 29, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Senator Obama’s nomination is one for the history books, marking a key moment for African Americans and the country. Hugh Price reflects on the nomination, race relations, and the symbolism of a spectacle that evoked pride, awe and astonishment. The New Millenium, he says, has finally arrived. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William A. Galston, August 29, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Although Barack Obama's speech did not rise to the heights of his 2004 convention speech, writes William Galston, the nominee reached out to portions of the electorate that have been unresponsive to Obama's eloquence and high-flying idealism. He said, in essence, I share your values. Read More
VIDEO
Darrell M. West, August 29, 2008
Looking forward to the Republican National Convention, Darrell West thinks that there could be disagreements on some planks of the party’s platform. On issues like abortion and torture, Senator John McCain has broken with the Republican Party and taken a slightly more moderate stance.
VIDEO
Stephen Hess, August 29, 2008
Now that the confetti has fallen on the Democratic National Convention, the Republican one is now front and center. Stephen Hess outlines what Senator John McCain hopes to accomplish in Minneapolis.
VIDEO
Darrell M. West, August 28, 2008
Barack Obama has often addressed record crowds across the country. The Democratic Party’s nomination speech in front of 75,000 people at Invesco Field will signal that he’s thanking the crowds that nominated him, Darrell West says, not just the party insiders.
VIDEO
Stephen Hess, August 27, 2008
The 1952 political conventions in Chicago were the last ones in American history when delegates walked in to the convention hall and didn’t know who the presidential nominees were going to be. However, Stephen Hess says, they are still important events, because they offer political activists a chance to get together and “remind themselves why they’re Republicans and Democrats.”
VIDEO
Darrell M. West, August 27, 2008
From Chuck Norris to Bruce Springsteen, celebrities are prominent in this 2008 presidential election season. Darrell West says that both parties enjoy celebrities, with Democrats getting more Hollywood attention and Republicans pulling from among stock car racers and other athletes.
VIDEO
Darrell M. West, August 27, 2008
John McCain’s campaign released an ad showing video footage from the Democratic presidential primary of Joe Biden criticizing Barack Obama’s experience as a leader. Darrell West says that these kinds of attack ads will play a prominent role in the 2008 election and that he expects the Democrats to fight back.