14 posts tagged “presidential”

Sean reveals the political races he will be following November 4th...

These are the political races I will be keeping a list and checking it forty times on Election Day 2008!

President

Barack Obama

The following states are on my tracking list for the race between Barack Obama and John McCain:

John McCain

Florida  Ohio

Virginia

Indiana  Missouri

North Carolina

North Dakota

U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate races I will be checking in on all night are:

Alaska: Sen. Ted Stevens (R) vs. Mark Begich (D) - Stevens was recently convicted on seven counts of making false statements during a federal investigation.

Georgia: Sen. Saxby Chambliss vs. James Martin (D) - Chambliss defeated former Sen. Max Cleland in 2004 by saying the triple amputee was un-patriotic. Cleland lost his legs and one arm in Vietnam.

Kentucky: Sen. Mitch McConnell vs. Bruce Lunsford (D) - McConnell is Senate Minority Leader.

Louisiana: Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) vs. John Kennedy (R) - Kennedy is unrelated to the Massachusetts Kennedys. Landrieu's re-election is in doubt because of the mass relocation of New Orleans Democrats from the state because of Hurricane Katrina. Her father was mayor of New Orleans and her brother Mitch is currently LA's lieutenant governor.

Minnesota: Sen. Norm Coleman (R) vs. Al Franken (D) vs. Dean Barkley (I) - Franken is former SNL cast member and writer.

Mississippi: Sen. Roger Wicker (R) vs. Ronnie Musgrove (D) - Candidates were roommates when in state legislature. Election is to fill the remaining 4 years of a term begun by retired Senator Trent Lott. Wicker was appointed in 2007. 

North Carolina: Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) vs. Kay Hagen (D) - Dole is wife of former Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kansas). Dole recently ran add claiming Kagen was supportive of a PAC sympathetic to aethism and alluded that Kagen did not believe in God.

Oregon: Sen. Gordon Smith (R) vs. Jeff Merkley (D) - Smith is a moderate Republican who has run adds showing his agreement with many of Obama's political proposals. He has supported ending the War in Iraq and domsetic partnership benefits for federal government employees. Smith is also the second cousin of two other candidates running for Senate - Mark Udall (D) in Colorado and Tom Udall (D) in New Mexico.

Festive Election Day Hat

U.S. House of Representatives Races

The House races I will be watching are:

Colorado 4th District: Rep. Marilyn Musgrove (R) vs. Betsy Markey (D) - Musgrove continually introduces the Marriage Amendment.

Connecticut 4th District: Rep. Christopher Shays (R) vs. James Himes (D) - Shays is the last Republican Rep. in New England.

Georgia 13th District: Rep. David Scott (D) vs. Deborah Honeycutt (R) - Honeycutt has raised a good amount of money in her challenge in a mainly Democratic district. She is an African-American woman who Scott accuses of hiding her party affiliation on fliers distributed by surrogates. Rematch from 2006 where Scott trounced her by 38%. She is within 5% in polling.

Idaho 1st District: Rep. Bill Sali (R) vs. Walt Minnick (D) - A heavily Republican District with an unpopular incumbent.

Maryland 1st District: Andy Harris (R) vs. Frank Kratovil (D) - Open Seat, Harris defeated current Rep Wayne Gilchrist's attempt at reelection. Gilchrist has endorsed Kratovil. This is Maryland's only Republican seat.  

Minnesota 3rd District: Ashwin Madia (D) vs. Erik Paulson (R) - Open Seat, Madia is an Indian-American Iraq Veteran.

Minnesota 6th District: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) vs. Elwyn Tinklenberg (D) - We donated money to Tinklenberg. Bachmann is infamous for her Hardball appearance where she called for the media to investigate Congress for those who were un-American as well as alluding to Obama being un-American by association.

North Carolina 8th District: Rep Robin Hayes (R) vs. Larry Kissel (D) - Rematch where Hayes won by 329 votes.

Nebraska 2nd District: Rep Lee Terry (R) vs. Jim Esch (D) - District (Omaha area) win for Democrat might mean the electoral vote for District might go to Barack Obama. Nebraska awards electoral votes to presidential candidate winning populare vote in each congressional district. Overall popular vote wins 2 electoral votes representing Senators. Nebraska has 5 electoral votes.  

Ohio 15th District: Mary Jo Kilroy (D) vs. Steve Stivers (R) - Open Seat

Virgina 2nd District: Rep. Thelma Drake (R) vs. Glenn Nye (D) - Mom's home district.

Virginia 5th District: Rep. Virgil Goode (R) vs. Tom Perriello (D) - Goode criticized Rep Keith Ellison, who is Muslim, in 2004 for using the Quran during his swearing in ceremony. Goode is now dealing with a controversy of having one of his offices being a fax contact for a gay-themed film. The 5th District is not known for its tolerence. Perriello also has raised a good amount of funds and is making a serious challenge.  

Governors

The governors races I will be watching are:

North Carolina: Pat McCrory (R) vs. Bev Perdue (D) - Open Seat, Perdue would be first woman Governor of NC.

Washington: Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) vs. Dino Rossi (R) - Rematch of race in 2004 that had Gregoire winning by 133 votes. 

Ballot Box

Ballot Measures

Arkansas Initiative 1: Ban on Same-Sex Couples Adopting Children

Arizona Proposition 102: State Constitution Amendment Ban on Same-Sex Marriage - Traditional Marriage is between a man and a woman only, no ban on civil unions or domestic partnerships.

California Proposition 8: State Constitution Amendment Ban on Same-Sex Marriage - Traditional Marriage is between a man and a woman only, no ban on civil unions or domestic partnerships. Reverses state Supreme Court ruling allowing same-Sex marriage and potentially threatens the dissolution of existing same-sex marriages.

Florida Amendment 2: State Constitution Amendment Ban on Same-Sex Marriage -  Traditional Marriage is between a man and a woman only, ban on civil unions or domestic partnerships.  Must receive 60% of popular vote to pass.  

The McFreeds would like to share some political humor with you... from the candidates themselves!

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama attended the Al Smith Memorial Fund dinner in New York last night and brought out the jokes and the barbs (although some are subtley present). This dinner has a tradition of being like the National Press Club dinner in Washington, DC - a time for politicians to poke fun at themselves. Enjoy this last joke between the two candidates that you will probably see in the next 18 days!

John McCain did a great job here. His Hillary Clinton schtick was great!  The man did host Saturday Night Live once after all!

Barack Obama does an OK job here but his jokes are not as well greeted by the dinner guests because it really goes after Wall Street. But wait until the last minute where he has a hysterical comment about "Who is Barack Obama?"

The McFreeds present...

The third debate between the presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain introduced us all to Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher. Below is the actual interchange between Obama and Joe. Listen and make your own judgements.

Here is a follow up interview with Joe "The Plumber" that captures his personal impressions of the debate and who he will vote for based on what he has heard so far. Again, make your own judgements.

Sean is all a titter...

This interview by CNN's Campbell Brown of John McCain Presidential Campaign Spokesman Tucker Bounds was an excellent one where the interviewer didn't let the answer given get away as acceptable. The McCain campign is apparrantly complaining about this interview now.  The best part is at minute 2:10 where Brown asks about what decisions Governor Sarah Palin made as head of the Alaskan National Guard. Sounds to me that the McCain campaign needs to be better prepared with this answer. This focuses on the facts rather than the tabloid and I applaud Brown on this line of questioning. To show what she is made of I think have Brown interview Palin would be a big gamble the campaign should take since she is a tough questioner.

Sean provides some perspective...

During my years in the political game (I was a paid Democratic political organizer in the field for 4 years and grassroots organizer for 5 years prior to that), I have learned to never underestimate opponents. This week, John McCain shocked the political establishment by selecting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate in the 2008 presidential election. So far criticism of her - without anyone truly knowing anything about her - has been that she is not qualified and lacks experience to be ultimately the President if something happens to McCain. Now I share these concerns with all of you and because of the social choices both McCain and she have linked themselves too The McFreeds will not be pulling the lever for McCain-Palin. However, despite the rhetoric I think Palin will impress us as a fresh face. I warn you all not to put her in a corner. She might not be the Dan Quayle many are putting her out to be.

This woman has run on the idea of "perspective" being her guide. Sure her state is small but its issues are just as great as our own. She has first hand knowledge of what it is to be a woman, a mother, a small business owner, a town mayor, a state commissioner, and a governor. She has the heart of a reformer more than McCain ever did. Anyone remember Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire?  Now she isn't as focused as Proxmire was, but she is one to stand up and point at corruption and attempt to kill it with daylight. She did this in Juneau on many occasions already. Yet she works across the aisle on issues of economic necessity as well. That drive is seen as naive in the Washington world as well as the world of other states for that matter. But she has put it in practice and won on it. Her track record indicates that she is not afraid of defeating Don Quixote's windmill. And that spirit shouldn't be so easily dismissed.

Here are a few clips that show me that Palin may surprise us with not only depth but of approachability. Enjoy!

Recent interview with Maria Bartiromo on CNBC's Closing Bell With Maria Bartiromo concerning energy policy. This shows how this woman thinks as well as showing some maverick nature on how the status quo isn't working. (LONGER INTERVIEW SEGMENT [10 mins] and Transcript):

Here is Governor Palin on being Vice-President and where if she was picked (the interview is from August 25) she would want to be. But listen to her method of talking about her perspective as a mother and an Alaskan in terms of energy independence and the Iraq War.

This clip of Palin on CNBC's Larry Kudlow show really shows her ability to carry a long interview and really answer things well. The sound and mouth movements are off on this but it is well worth your listen to cut through the noise and listen to her before the announcement for an extended period of time.

Finally, here is a clip to show Palin's sense of humor. She is really quick on the stump and someone willing to have jokes made at her expense. Remember with John McCain did Saturday Night Live?  I can really see how he picked her. Funny thing is that the name of this HYSTERICAL clip from Craig Ferguson's CBS late night show and his label of her is what I used to call Stefan when we first started dating! I even sent him this clip in July because I was looking at Craig Ferguson clips on YouTube after seeing him on the PBS 4th of July coverage with the Boston Pops! Ironic! [3:13 mins]

My point in this blog post in the end is do not let the media define a person in 30 second clips. Read up and watch clips of a person via the Internet or other traditional sources so you can either make a decision or strengthen your position on the 2008 Presidential race. This is not a time to just go immediately partisan. Each of the four people in this race believe in America and we shouldn't cheapen that with rhetoric. Let the issues decide and then pull your own lever. Perspective is important.

And in that interest, here is a link to a Washington Post article about Governor Palin and her husband Todd Palin concerning the investigation surrounding her involvement with the dismissal of former Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.  She claims his dismissal was due to his lack of action on issues related to the department. Others claim otherwise. This issue involves Monegan's reluctance to fire Palin's former brother-in-law Mike Wooten from his state trooper job. Wooten was suspended from his position independent of the allegations the Palin family provided. Monegan's successor resigned several weeks after being appointed because of previously unknown sexual harrassment charges that were pending against him. This article does a great job of getting the facts straight so you can make your own judgements.  Here is an article from KTVA in Anchorage on the probe by the state legislature and on the dismissal itself for a little local flavor.

The McFreeds share the following letter from Barack Obama with you...

Barack Obama

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the opportunity to welcome everyone to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club's Pride Breakfast and to congratulate you on continuing a legacy of success, stretching back thirty-six years.  As one of the oldest and most influential LGBT organizations in the country, you have continually rallied to support Democratic candidates and causes, and have fought tirelessly to secure equal rights and opportunities for LGBT Americans in California and throughout the country.  

As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law. That is why I support extending fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law.  That is why I support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, and the passage of fully inclusive laws to protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes and employment discrimination. And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states.

For too long, issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. This is no less than a core issue about who we are as Democrats and as Americans.

Finally, I want to congratulate all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks. My thanks again to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club for allowing me to be a part of today's celebration.  I look forward to working with you in the coming months and years, and I wish you all continued success. 

Sincerely,  
Barack Obama

Sean reports...

Dr James Dobson

Dr. James Dobson of Focus on The Family said the following on the radio yesterday in response to a speech (link to text) by presumptive Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama to the Call To Renewal's Building A Covenant For New America on June 28, 2006:

"He's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused theology."

Dobson, Tom Minnery, and Dr Bill Maier go on to talk about how Obama talks about the application of Bible teachings from Leviticus and Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. Both Dobson and Minnery talk about how the Levitical law no longer applies today because it was only meant to apply to the Israelites after they came out of the desert. And in the same breath they say that the principles - such as on the issue of same-sex marriage - still apply.

HUH?

Does that make any sense? Aren't these two then doing what they are accusing Obama of doing?

Dobson even says that he isn't a reverand and a Bible expert but then responds to Obama like he is. For me I thought faith was a personal gift to yourself; a tool guided by your personal covenant with God and your own intrepretation of his vessels/prophets dictating a higher power's word - be it the Jewish God, the Catholic God, the Protestant God, the Islamic God, Buddha, Vishnu, or what even being your faith recognizes (Not to leave other faiths or Jewish/Christian/other denominations/sects out, I do want to say I am condensing here). In the end it is all a personal interpretation of how to live one's life well with the people and environment around us.  My personal view in this instance is in deference to Jesus Christ's declaration of a Golden Rule in the Bible's New Testament, "Love thy neighbor as thyself."

I respect Dobson's right to give his opinion and have it heard. Many Christians utilize 1 Corinthians by Saint Paul as a counter to Levitical Law and maybe this is where Dobson and Minnery are coming from. But is it right to accuse people of hypocrisy and commit it in the same breath using his own interpretation? Funny how people don't even listen to their own voice sometimes.

For instance, Dobson and Minnery agree there are other faiths in America but since Christianity is the majority their views and morality should take precedence.

On the other side, Dobson and Minnery take presumptive Republican presidential nominee to task for not villifying same-sex marriage stong enough and supporting anti-gay marriage amendments on the state ballot in several states in November. So no side is left out in criticism from Dobson's moral view in this radio presentation.

It's funny to listen to someone feign that he isn't an expert than go on like he is and at the same time accuse someone of reinterpretation of the Bible while doing it in the same breath.

I will let you decide though in your own mind if Dobson is right or not. In deference to Dobson, here is a link to the full radio show. I am all for at least respecting disparaging views even though I think they are without real reason and hypocritical.

Sean says...

Respect for one's country is one thing, is wearing it really necessary? Does not wearing a flag pin or patriotic garb mean we are any less loving of our nation? When is symbolism too much?

I don't usually agree with CNN commentator and columnist Roland Martin but today he really hit the nail on the head. When are we as people going to let silly issues like this one go and concentrate on issues? Probably never, since we hold on to things we can understand and ignore things we don't. This is an easy issue that gets people fired up unlike poverty.. I mean some Boston Red Sox fans will never vote for a New York Yankees fan, but sometimes you have too.

But is not wearing something desecration or ambivilence? I don't think so. We all support our free will to make decisions, should we really be throwing rocks at glass houses on who is more of something? If we did that noone would get along. Is what we do to show our patriotism or any other personal feeling about our lives, loves, country, or religion anyone else's business as long as it does not harm or personally insult someone?

(CNN) -- When is the last time you watched a mindless movie that had no redeeming value for you intellectually, but all it did was make you laugh?

That perfectly describes the raging debate among voters and the rabid television and radio talk show hosts who love to yell and scream from the top of their lungs, "I'm an American, and by golly, you better show as much appreciation for this country as I do!"

But once you finish listening to these high-minded bloviators -- and yes, that includes the voters who have bought into this nonsensical issue -- ask yourself: Does it really have anything to do with anything?

I've watched this debate reach the levels of absurdity this year because journalists and commentators have raised the question to Sen. Barack Obama, "Why don't you wear a flag lapel pin?"

I really got a kick out of that one during the ABC debate last month because not one person on stage -- Sens. Hillary Clinton and Obama, along with moderators Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos -- bothered to accessorize their attire with a flag lapel pin.

Sen. John McCain has been traveling the globe as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, and this former soldier often doesn't wear a flag lapel pin.

It has become sort of like bird watching as I've surveyed elected officials on the local and national levels and looked them over like a hen-pecked mother or a foaming-at-the-mouth military drill sergeant, studying their attire and deeming them insufficiently American because of their lack of decency and respect by refusing to adorn themselves appropriately with a lapel pin.

So, after listening to radio callers and the folks that e-mail various TV shows, maybe we ought to expand this need to express our Americanism even further. Shouldn't we insist that our politicians all begin to sport red, white and blue socks in order to feel good knowing that they are walking as Americans? How about asking officeholders to sport the American colors as undergarments to show that their undying love for the country is so important, they want the flag pressed against their skin?

There have been times when the candidates -- especially McCain, who has beaten back skin cancer -- have worn hats on the campaign trail. I want to know, datgummit, why the people running for the highest office in the land didn't cover their head with an American flag baseball cap to express to the nation their love and affection for the U.S. of A.

Since it is clear that our nation is paralyzed and so not able to close our borders, feed the homeless, develop businesses in the inner cities and save people from having their homes taken by foreclosure due to ruthless mortgage companies, all because some folks don't wear a flag lapel pin, we need to lead a national movement to demand that Congress and the states make requiring officeholders to wear a flag lapel pin the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

See, if it is so important, then take it all the way. Don't make it optional. Don't leave it up to someone to choose to wear a flag lapel pin. Let's really show those politicians that nothing is more important to us than seeing them with the U.S. flag on our chest.

That's what zealots do. They take something so simple, so personal, so voluntary, and absolutely lose their mind, trying to force someone else to do as them, and everyone else be damned.

Folks, the first year I ever cast a ballot for political office was in 1988. And in the last 20 years, whether it was mayoral, school board, city council, or a statewide, congressional or presidential campaign, the thought of what was on a politician's lapel never entered into the equation as to whether they are worthy of office.

Those who will criticize me will say, "Well, Roland, if it's no big deal, then why not wear one?" And the reply is the same: "If it's no big deal, then why do you make it a big deal?"

Let me tell you something: When I'm on the golf course and I slip my wedding ring into my golf bag, the Rev. Jacquie Hood Martin is still my wife. When we shoot hoops and I remove my Texas A&M University ring from my right hand, I still love my school. The fact that I can no longer wear my 1987 class ring from Houston's Jack Yates High School doesn't mean I don't cherish the crimson and gold. And I may not be able to fit into the shirt I pledged in, but I will be a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. until the day I die.

I am an unapologetic Christian, but you won't see a cross dangling from my neck or a James Avery charm bracelet on my wrist. Why? Because my love of Jesus Christ is in my heart.

This debate is useless, tiresome and distracting. Why? Because if there are members of Congress who wear a flag lapel pin but refuse to shore up our borders, don't do enough to stop the flow of drugs into our neighborhoods, or don't help to eradicate the gaps between the haves and have nots, then are they truly fighting for the concerns of Americans, or playing on the emotions of people by what's on their lapel?

We're better than that. We're smarter than that. It's time that we make decisions based on substance, which is what we say we actually care about. But maybe we're just lying to ourselves about that, too.

Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and CNN contributor. Martin is studying to receive his master's degree in Christian communications at Louisiana Baptist University.You can read more of his columns at http://www.rolandsmartin.com/

The McFreeds, in the interest of equal time, post this speech from March 18, 2008 for your review...

This does not mean we are giving up on our support on Hillary Clinton, it means only that this speech is major enough to make available to our readers.

Sean and Stefan announce...

Hillary Clinton

Well after Sean endorsed John Edwards a few weeks back only to have him withdraw from the Democratic Party race and Stefan being undecided up to the very end, The McFreeds finally made their selection, and voted in the Maryland primary last night.  We both voted for Hillary Clinton.  It was a long and tortuous decision (Sean's mom noted that this is the first time since he discovered politics as a passion that he had not selected a candidate before going into the voting booth); but in the end we voted with our minds and not our hearts.

Clinton convinced us that she is the best person to tackle the hard facts of Washington DC, not with oration, but with her sleeves rolled up ready to work on Day One.  America needs a working President, not just a cheerleader.  Our faith in her comes from her grit and determination in tackling mountains over her entire life, not just career. As a leader and a woman, she has overcome so many things you cannot deny her respect for figuring out how to survive and take it all - good and bad - in stride. She has made some mistakes and learned from them. But it is her commitment that can never be questioned. If elected, she will always have health care, education, and the family checkbook on her agenda. She has been consistent in that mission and in her desire to bring all Americans together to make our nation work for everyone. This is why we made the decision we did and why we hope she will eventually win the nomination.

This is not to say this that this was an easy decision. Barack Obama would make a better president than any of the the Republicans running, including the remaining foes John McCain and Mike Huckabee. Obama is an amazing speaker and personality. It is no wonder his fresh words and his very picture of change as the first truly viable African-American, or any minority for that matter, (with all do respect to Jesse Jackson and Shirley Chisholm) to have a real chance at being our nation's president. But for us, he just hasn't sealed the deal. There is substance lacking here. And if he does win the nomination, his ideas will be scrutinized in the general election harder than now. Sure the website is impressive in words. Obama's mention of gay and lesbian issues on it and in his speeches is most welcoming. Clinton's lack of mention on her website is discouraging, but her public words cancel that out. We know both of these people will do what they can for us, but it is really up to the states to make the changes we need, along with a federal cheerleader to hold the nation's hand as we make that change. But we choose a President for the whole package and this round she won with both of us.

Barack Obama

Everyone wants a John F. Kennedy this year to sweep us into the wonder of a fairy tale; but lest we forget that even Kennedy had a tough fight to his election as well because of questions about his substance. Up until 2000, the 1960 election was the last election where it was too close to call. Richard Nixon was the candidate of substance that year. The whole reason Kennedy went to Texas that faithful day in November 1963 was to start his push for the 1964 election because it was going to be a tight one. But as it worked out, Kennedy's strong vision and Lyndon Johnson's initial brilliance at working the Congressional machine gave America the progress it needed to make major changes in how we dealt with ourselves. Unfortunately it took his death, Martin Luther King Jr's death, and his brother Robert Kennedy's death as well as many other martyrs to a greater cause of equality and economic championship for this to be accomplished.  But what if Kennedy lived? Would his vision have become a reality? Would he have compromised like he did in the first 2 years? We will never know. But this true look at history gives at least Sean pause when considering Obama. It is right to wonder if the emperor has new clothes when considering a President. And if anything Obama hasn't made his case in this first test to us.

Granted Obama won last night and this weekend, but whatever the media pushes does not silence the fact that it is still dead-even on delegate count. It will be on this division of opinion that the ability of our standard bearer to unify a party will make our choice either stronger or weaker when the time comes. We concede that who ever the nominee is for the Democrats will be our candidate in the general election, but our voice as well as others too should be heard to at least force Obama or Clinton to learn from why we didn't choose them the first time, not matter the size or % of the opposition. Because, if anything, we Democrats want to win in November, and we want to make sure we are united after the convention ends.

We are sure many of you will have opinons about our vote and our reasoning. Please be respectful as we are of your choice. Many of you showed us your passion and commitment to your choices up to this point and we are amazed at all of your dedication. Sean's friend Keith gave an impassioned plea in particular for Obama; Keith's trips to New Hampshire and South Carolina are truly something to be admired and celebrated. Stefan's brother, sister-in-law, and parents lobbied us hard on our vacation in Florida for Obama as well. Their arguments made it even harder to choose. And Sean's Mom and sister gave their own reasons for voting Hillary. We wish we could have mentioned you all that spoke including fellow bloggers (Quest and Wayward Son in particular) but the excitement about it all truly is encouraging that people are thinking and involving themselves in the right to vote in 2008.