The Race Is On

We are only a few months away from the next Presidential Election, and the race is just starting to heat up. Last Tuesday night was the second of three debates between Barack Obama and John McCain. According to a poll by CNN, Obama came out of it as the victor. For anybody watching the debate at home, there was a clear distinction between the styles of both Senators. Barack Obama, who is a more charismatic public speaker, seemed to be more energized toward the entire audience, while McCain on the other hand, focused specifically on the person who asked the question in the town meeting style debate. McCain's main argument still deals with Obama's lack of experience as he demonstrated in this quote, "And in his short career, he does not understand our national security challenges.... We don't have time for on-the-job training, my friends." To watch the whole debate, click here.

With Obama's win at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, Obama is now ahead in CNN's National Poll of Polls with a lead of 48% to McCain's 44%. On CNN's Election Center, there is also an interactive link about the possible outcome given who wins which state based on the number Electoral College votes each state holds. To win the election, one must obtain 270 Electoral College votes. But as was the case in the 2000 election between Gore and Bush, the popular vote does not always get the most Electoral Votes. The third and final Presidential debate will be held on October 15, at 9:00 p.m. ET, at Hofstra University, NY.