Completely Distracted

Election 2008

The buzz right now is around Senator Barack Obama and former First Lady (and Senator) Hillary Clinton. I must say, as of right now, I’m preparing myself to witness history in the making come November 2008, though I'm not impressed by either right now.

Why this topic, well, lets see… I had the opportunity to visit the place where I grew up this past weekend. Yes, Civil Rights, Alabama. Some how, November 2008 became a topic of conversation, go figure. The more we talked the more it dawned on me that many people have only the slightest idea about what happens in the election process, let alone the true functions of the government – state and federal - and as a result only go to the polls for the “big ones”. To most this is common knowledge, and may very well feel insulted that I post this in such a general fashion; however I believe it to be still helpful, if even only as a refresher:

So, for now, let’s deal with The Presidency since it’s the next “big one”.

2008 Presidential Candidates Web Sites- Democratic Party

Senator Joe Biden

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

Senator Chris Dodd

John Edwards

Al Gore

Mike Gravel

Dennis Kucinich

Senator Barack Obama

Gov. Bill Richardson

2008 Presidential Candidates Web Sites- Republican Party

Senator Sam Brownback

Rudolph Giuliani

Gov. Mike Huckabee

Representative Duncan Hunter

Senator John McCain

Ron Paul

Tom Tancredo

Mitt Romney

Tommy Thompson

Fred Thompson

Please, feel free to add any more useful information, links or corrections.

The Presidential Election

I. Candidacy Requirements:
1. At least 35 years old
2. A natural born citizen of the United States
3. A resident of the United States for 14 years

II. Primary Election: The election in which a political party selects its nominee for the general election

III. Types of primary Elections:
1. Closed: only registered members of a party may participate.
2. Open: only registered voters may participate, regardless of party affiliation.
3. Run-off: the top two candidates from a primary where the ballot is unrestricted to one party advance to the general election.

IV. Other ways to select a candidate.
1. Caucuses: a general meeting of a political party’s supporters where a candidate is selected.
2. Conventions: generally held at the end of the primaries and caucuses, where the candidate chooses a running-mate, however, it has been known to choose the candidate here.

V. The General Election
Candidates go on the “campaign trail” to win the support of voters. Voters vote for the candidate of their choice.

VI. The Electoral College:
Currently the votes that are cast in November for the President are actually used to elect “Electors” from the voters’ state. These Electors cast the official vote for the offices of President and Vice President. Each state has allocated as many electors as it has Representatives and Senators in the U.S. Congress, thus given the most populous states more electors.

Next: The Federal Government.

// posted by Distracted @ 8:25 AM