Jenna's Blog

In my 8th grade social studies class my teacher is having us put together a blog about the 08 election. Every Monday and Thursday we will have an assignment due relating to the election. There will be polls, political cartoons,and more! Feel free to add any comments of suggestion you have with my blog.
Enjoy! By Jenna

Economy

Senator McCain has many ideas and suggestions about the economy. First, he will keep the top tax rate at 35% and maintain the 15% on dividends and capital gains. Second, he wants to remake the laws about the governing of the future oil market. Third, is to bring drug prices down and make them affordable. His final idea is to engage in multilateral, regional, and bilateral efforts to decrease barriers to trade thereby building effective rules on global trades. Senator McCain has logical ideas that will help us if he is elected president.


Senator Obama has some different ideas when it comes to economy. First, is to make sure that companies do NOT get billion dollars in tax deductions when they operate overseas. Second, is to create a 10% universal mortgage credit to give homeowners who don't have tax relief. Third, is to make new federal policies and to expand existing ones. These has been proven to create new jobs for Americans. His final idea for the economy is to support entrepreneurship and job growth by making a network of public-private business incubators. Senator Obama also has logical answers that could also help our economy if he is elected president. By Jenna

Education

Senator McCain has quiet a few ideas about education in America. His believes that our schools should compete to be the most innovative, flexible and student centered. He believes that parents should have "schools choice" to send their child to the school that will educate them the best. He believes that an education is a fundamental essential right. John McCain will fight for the right that all students have access to all schools. Senator McCain ideas could help our schools if he wins the election.

Senator Obama could help our education with a few changes. One of his ideas is the "Zero to Five Plan" that will provide support to children and their parents. Also with "No Child Left Behind" Senator Obama will double the funding for the "Federal Charter School Program" to help make more successful charter schools. He also believes that expanding mentoring programs that will pair experienced teachers with new teachers to help them practice teaching. Senator Obama could also help our school if he is elected so we'll have to wait and see. By Jenna

Iraq

Senator McCain has very strong ideas about the war in Iraq. First, he thinks that it is essential to support the Government of Iraq until it becomes stable to support itself. Second, he thinks that the progress in the economy is important to sustain security in Iraq. Third, he believes that it is important to be honest with the citizens of America about the opportunities and risks that lie ahead. With these ideas I think it is possible to end the war if he is elected president.

Senator Obama has feels strongly about the situation in Iraq. First,he believes they need to be careful when getting out of Iraq because were careless getting in. Second, he thinks that any agreement (Status of Forces Agreement) should be negotiated in the context of a broader commitment by the U.S. Third, he believes that we should apply pressure on the Iraqi Government so they will work towards real political accommodations. Obama has always be against the war and if he is elected president he will end what he thinks should have never happened. By Jenna

Environment and Energy

Senator McCain believe that we need to improve the environment and the use of energy. First, he believes that alcohol-based fuels will hold a great promise as an alternate to gasoline. Second, he thinks we need to understand the role speculation that is playing in our soaring energy prices. Third, he believes in promoting and expanding the use of the domestic supply of naturals gas. If Senator McCain is elected president our world would be cleaner and more energy efficient.

Senator Obama believes that the environment and energy are a big problem in our nation. First, he believes that by providing short-term relief to Americans facing pain at the pump will help many families. Second, he thinks that in 10 years we will save more oil than we import oil from foreign countries. Third, he believes in by putting 1 million plug-in Hybrid cars on the road. These cars would have up to 150 miles per gallon by 2015. Senator Obama has some strong ideas that could help our environment and the amount of energy we use. By Jenna

Political Cartoon

This political cartoon shows where Senator Obama needs to go to win 270 electoral votes. The states that he choose were the ones with the most amount of electoral votes. For example California has 55 electoral votes and he wants to win them all! By Jenna

Mrs. Groskin read this cartoon

Political Cartoon

This cartoon is statting how we finaly can get out of Iraq. The problem is the different canidates have different ideas on when and how to take the troops out. So, not all the troops are happy.

John McCain-TV Ad

John McCain's ad is about the war and why he wants to end it. He can relate to the people in the war because he was a P.O.W (poisoner of war). This was a positive video about John McCain because it gave good reasons to vote for him. I liked what he said about the war because I want it to end soon and I think he can do that. This important issue that was discussed in this advertisement was about the Iraq War and how it needs to end. McCain's life was definitely exposed when he said he was in the war and saw people dieing everyday. I think this is true because he has a strong reason to end the war. This ad could change my vote because I want the war to end! What are your ideas about the war? By Jenna

TV Ads

This add has a lot of important information. For example it states how the candidates are going to try to help our economy. The McCain plan will put "3 trillion people" in debt which is just going to mess up everything. This video reflect positive and negative acts toward the candidates. This ad makes John McCain look REALLY bad and makes Barack Obama look so much better. This is making me not convinced about who I want to be elected president. This information is making me wonder if this is the truth. The important issues in this ad is how we are going to change our economy. For example the tax change and who is going to change the amount of taxes. With this ad doesn't reflect their personal life. I think it is a good idea to leave your life out because you don't know how people are going to twist that into something completely different. I don't think think this advertisement is true because all candidates want to do is ruin the opponent's reputation. This t.v ad would definitely changed my vote because it made Obama look like the good guy with better ideas than McCain. With this data I hope you can tell who the better candidate is in this ad or which candidate is fake. Whats your opinion? By Jenna

My Review on Obama's Website

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php Go to this website so you know what I'm talking about! :)

When I went to Obama's website the first thing that popped up was a page about giving donations and what you get back. For example if you give $30 then you get a T-shirt. There is not place to volunteer just to donate. On his website if you click or go over the icon Issues there is a big long list on all the issues that you can learn about. This site is definitely eye catchy because of the blue for Democrat and pictures of him. This is viewer friendly. It is also apealing to all people of all ages with all the pictures and icon.
By Jenna

My Review on McCain's Website

http://www.johnmccain.com/splash32615.htm Go to John McCain's website so you know what I am talking about.

McCain's website doesn't have a place to donate money or at least I didn't see one but there is place to buy T-shirts and bumper stickers. There is place on the side bar where you can join the campaign or make a call or vote. There is no place on the website that you can volunteer. It is very easy to find the issues and products. There is a icon on the home page that will bring you to find what you need. What I like about this website is it has a video or TV add about him that could draw people in. This website is appealing to everyone because it is easy to navigate, has many pictures of Sarah Palin and John McCain and is viewer friendly.
By Jenna

Gallup Poll

http://www.gallup.com/poll/109042/Candidate-Support-Political-Party.aspx

Go to this website to see the Gallup poll I am about to explain!

This Gallup poll is about how the candidates are doing in their party and who is voting for who. As you can see the majority of Republicans are voting of McCain because he is a Republican. Also the majority Democrats are voting for Obama because he is an Democrat. But the most important data is who the independents are voting for. For nine out of 17 recorded dates Obama had more independents voters on his side. For 7 other dates McCain had more independents voters on his side. On August 11-17,08 there was a tie between McCain and Obama with 42%. Gallup polls show how the candidates are doing and who has a good chance of winning.

How is your favorite doing? By Jenna

Gallup Poll

http://www.gallup.com/poll/108022/Candidate-Support-Gender.aspx Go to this website to see the Gallup Poll I am going to explain!



This Gallup poll is showing who which gender is voting for. If you notice most of the males are voting for McCain. In the Gallup poll 3 out of 20 dates, males did not like McCain. 16 out of 20 other dates males liked McCain. One of those 20 dates showed a tie between Obama and McCain with 46%. For Obama all females are on his side. For 20 out of 20 dates females all agreed with him. In this election you don't know what, to expect so look at these polls to get an idea about who's going to vote for whom. By Jenna

The Electoral College..(About the Election)

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/ Go to this website so you can see the states that went Obama and McCain.

As we all know red states are representing Republicans (McCain) and the blue states are representing Democrats (Obama). When you look the map you can see that Senator McCain won a lot of states with few electoral vote. For example he won Montana which only had 3 votes. These kinds of votes doesn't make a big impact in the election. But, on the plus side he did win Texas with 34 votes. Obama won major states like California, Florida, and New York. These states were the most important to win in the election At the end of the election Obama had 349 electoral votes and 62,680,702 popular votes. McCain only had 162 electoral votes and 55,542,743 popular vote. Good job Senator Obama! By Jenna

Reflection Post Election

I am not satisfied with the election results because I prefer McCain over Obama. I believe that Senator McCain has better ideas on our economy like taxes. For example he wanted to cut taxes for everyone and not just certain people (upper class). After this election I still think we should get rid of the electoral college because I don't think it is fair to all voters. What I mean by that is, if your state is Democrat but you are a republican then what is the point of voting when you know you favorite isn't going to win the votes. I think that everybody should vote no matter what states you live in. When I did my prediction on the map on where I think the votes are going to go, it turns I was off by a few states. For 4 out of 6 the swing states I got wrong because I made them red (McCain) instead of blue (Obama). The states where Colorado,Indiana,Virginia, and Florida. The other 2 swing states I made them blue (Obama). These states where Nevada and Ohio. My Gallup polls did influence my opinion because they all showed that Obama was going to win by a good amount. The only comment I have is....



This has been a long journey to get where we are now with our new president, Barack Obama. And now we have to realize what is going to happen in the future. Senator Obama will make some good and bad choices as a president, but is our job to support him with his ideas and methods to help our economy, help us with the war in Iraq, with health care...etc. We stand by him and respect him has our new president that is going to MAKE A CHANGE in our daily life! Congratulations and good luck with your new job Barack Obama.
BY Jenna