Obama a year ago

One year ago, Obama was preparing for the long election road ahead. He was under some heat for some comments about the war (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091402254_pf.html). This seemed to be a very important at this time, and probably because the economy was not in the situation that we're currently seeing. Gas prices were almost an entire dollar lower than it is today (http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/wrgp/mogas_home_page.html). However, the war was not the only discussion taking place, and the media was not the only audience.

While he was doing nothing less than starting a movement, really grabbing the attention of a younger demographic than those that are usually tapped for a presidential election in America, he was also grabbing the attention of International officials. In addition to angering the Pakistan-American community in Chicago, he also moved top Pakistan officials into releasing a statement saying, "As the election campaign in America is heating up we would not like American candidates to fight their elections and contest elections at our expense." (http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32569005_ITM). Obama has been the center of controversy since he announced his intention to run, ranging from being a terrorist, to a terrorist fist bump, to not having enough experience. These controversies have done nothing but continued to fuel his popularity and energy.


A year ago, many Americans, myself included, never thought that this would be the year that a women or African American would have a serious chance at becoming the next president. At this point in the election, it seems inevitable and exciting. Obama is a man who went up against every possible challenge imaginable in an election (being a terrorist, being a minority, & fighting the 'Clinton Machine'), and thus far, been victorious. I did not foresee this current situation a year ago.

McCain a year ago

One year ago, John McCain was seen by the public to be an decorated POW & Vietnam War Veteran who was a little left from his Republican peers. He had been known as a maverick, making decisions based on logic and truth, but had began to be doubted by the public when defending President Bush and the Iraq war (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/10/AR2007071000759_pf.html). Some of that controversy was sparked when Bush said that having a timeline to be out of Iraq could not be done, and McCain supported that decision.

Also, at this time last year, the media was looking at the trouble that he was having fund raising, and really talking up Giuliani and Romney's campaign, as well. He was not a far right conservative, as Romney is, but also not as liberal as Giuliani. He was, however, without a doubt the expert on foreign affairs, and had the experience in Washington. Despite his experience with foreign affairs, and decorated war status, he was still making cuts to his campaign staff (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/us/politics/03cnd-mccain.html?ex=1184040000&en=ebc79dc2166baf13&ei=5099&partner=TOPIXNEWS).

He was still in the running, but was being slightly overshadowed, at least in the media by Mayor Giuliani and Governor Romney. Republicans thought that McCain would be a more moderate candidate. They may turn out to be correct, as there are several Hillary supporters who are voting Republican this election day. It's hard to imagine that a year a go, he was just trying to get the Republican nomination, and today those that were running against him are endorsing him; some in hopes of the VP seat, and others in hopes that Republicans stay in the oval office.