Election 2008: Outcomes and Implications presented by the Center for Politics and Governance and the Future Forum

The statements made here represent the speakers' own thoughts. Neither the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, nor any organization providing support for this effort necessarily endorses the views and statements included here.

Panel Discussion

Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2008

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The 2008 presidential election has already proven to be one of the most interesting and unpredictable in U.S. history. On the Republican side, frontrunners have faded to near extinction only to roar back and take the national lead. Still other candidates soared to a sizable national lead early only to flame out spectacularly and exit the race over the span of a few weeks.

The Democratic primary is so hotly contested that it may not be decided until the Denver convention- a phenomenon not experienced by either party in nearly four decades. Campaigns have played on ideas of change, ideas of history, and ideas of hope. Presidential candidates have touted policy and traded personal attacks. War, jobs, health care, race, and gender have all played key parts in the election thus far and it’s only March. No matter the outcome, this race will profoundly affect the nation for years to come.

This panel looks to examine the race in terms of its successes and failures and how it will impact government moving forward. What does the race mean for each party leading into the general election and--more importantly--what does it mean for the policies of a new administration in January 2009?