Special Report | 2008 US elections - Mail & Guardian Online

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Obama, McCain battle in tense debate: Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama battled over the best way to help struggling US workers on Tuesday in a sometimes tense debate.
McCain feeds dark heart of conservatism: There is an ugliness and menace voiced at John McCain's rallies that he doesn't just tolerate but encourages, writes Michael Tomasky.
Hillary Clinton goes all out for former foe Obama: Hillary Clinton campaigned for Barack Obama on Monday, turning the populist fervour that enflamed their White House duel on to Republican John McCain.
McCain raises spectre of nuclear war: John McCain raised the spectre of nuclear war as he struggled to overcome rival Barack Obama's widening lead in the US polls.
McCain volunteer admits she made up attack: A John McCain campaign volunteer admitted she made up a story of being robbed and having the letter "B" carved into her cheek by an assailant.
McCain looking for traction in US campaign: John McCain, fighting for traction 11 days before the presidential election, said on Friday he has a tough battle against Barack Obama in Colorado.
Obama lead drops to five points in US race: Democrat Barack Obama's lead over Republican rival John McCain has dropped to five points, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll.
Obama bids to close the deal with voters: Barack Obama was on Monday set to present his "closing argument" to voters as his epic White House duel with John McCain entered its final week.
Obama, McCain spar over economy: White House frontrunner Barack Obama on Monday traded blows with John McCain over how to repair the stricken United States economy.
Obama's final TV blitz to focus on economy: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama launches an unprecedented television blitz on Wednesday to push his economic message on US networks.

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Did you know?

The 2008 election is particularly notable because it is the first time in US history that two sitting senators will run against each other for president.

The election will also be the first time an African American will be a presidential nominee for a major party.

Either candidate would become the first president born outside the continental US, as Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and McCain was born at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, a US naval base.

McCain would be the first president from Arizona, while Obama would be the third president elected from Illinois, the first two being Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S Grant.

If inaugurated on January 20 2009, McCain would be the oldest US president upon ascension to the presidency at age 72 years and 144 days.

Independent candidate Ralph Nader is running, as he did in 2000 and 2004, though he is not expected to be a major factor in the 2008 race.

The election is also notable for who is not running -- it's the first since 1928 in which neither an incumbent president nor vice-president sought his party's nomination.

On August 23, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware was announced Obama's running mate via an SMS to supporters. This was the first time in a campaign where an SMS was used

On July 23 2007, nine hopefuls for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination faced questions from viewers on YouTube, including a snowman asking about global warming and man with an assault rifle asking about gun control.

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