The battle for America, 2008 : the story of an extraordinary election

The election of 2008 shattered political barriers, illuminated undercurrents of race, gender, and class, and ignited an extraordinary battle among some of the most formidable rivals ever to seek the presidency in Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. It was an election that played out against a backdrop of war, economic collapse, and deep pessimism about the future. Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson followed this campaign from the candidates’ first forays into Iowa and New Hampshire to the historic night of Obama’s victory celebration. They offer behind-the-scenes details of turning points like the stunning endorsement of Obama by Senator Edward M. Kennedy. They probe the strategic mistakes of the Clinton campaign and the story behind Obama’s breakthrough organization. They cast in new light McCain’s struggle for survival in the Republican primaries, his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate, and the economic meltdown that ensured Obama’s victory. Exclusive interviews with the candidates and their top strategists produce intimate portraits of Obama, Clinton, and McCain under stress throughout the longest and most expensive presidential campaign in American history. Balz and Johnson also move far off the campaign trail to listen to voters in battleground states express their deep anxieties about the darkening economic climate and the challenges facing the United States. This audiobook is a riveting account of how this election not only marked a new era in American politics but also offered a test of historic proportions at a watershed moment for our nation. The election of 2008 shattered political barriers, illuminated undercurrents of race, gender, and class, and ignited an extraordinary battle among some of the most formidable political rivals ever to seek the presidency in Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. It was an election that played out against a backdrop of wars, a shattered economy and deep pessimism about the future.Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson followed this campaign from the candidates’ first forays into Iowa and New Hampshire to the historic night of Obama’s victory celebration. They take listeners on a gripping journey through the epic battles for Iowa, Clinton’s dramatic comeback in New Hampshire, the racially tinged primary in South Carolina, the stunning endorsement of Obama by Edward M. Kennedy over the Clinton’s objections. They reveal the strategic mistakes of the Clinton campaign and the story behind Obama’s break-through organization. They cover McCain’s struggle for survival in the Republican primaries, Sarah Palin, and the economic meltdown that sealed Obama’s victory.Exclusive interviews with the candidates and their top strategists produce intimate portraits of Obama, Clinton, and McCain under stress throughout the longest and most expensive presidential campaign in American history. Balz and Johnson also move far off the campaign trail to listen to voters in battleground states express their deep anxieties about the darkening economic climate and the challenges facing the U.S. This audiobook is a riveting account of how this election not only marked a new era in American politics but also offered a test of historic proportions at a watershed moment for our nation. The Election Of 2008 Shattered Political Barriers, Illuminated Undercurrents Of Race, Gender, And Class, And Ignited An Extraordinary Battle Among Some Of The Most Formidable Political Rivals Ever To Seek The Presidency In Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, And John Mccain. The Election Played Out Against A Backdrop Of Wars, A Shattered Economy And Deep Pessimism About The Future. Journalists Dan Balz And Haynes Johnson Follow This Campaign From The Candidates' First Forays To Obama's Victory Celebration. They Reveal The Strategic Mistakes Of The Clinton Campaign And The Story Behind Obama's Breakthrough Organization. They Cover Mccain's Struggle For Survival In The Republican Primaries, Sarah Palin, And The Economic Meltdown. Exclusive Interviews With The Candidates And Their Top Strategists Produce Intimate Portraits Of Obama, Clinton, And Mccain Under Stress; They Also Move Far Off The Campaign Trail To Listen To Voters Express Their Anxieties About The Darkening Economic Climate And The Challenges Facing The U.s.--from Publisher Description. Dan Balz And Haynes Johnson. A James H. Silberman Book. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The election of 2008 shattered political barriers, illuminated undercurrents of race, gender, and class, and ignited an extraordinary battle among some of the most formidable political rivals ever to seek the presidency in Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain. The election played out against a backdrop of wars, a shattered economy and deep pessimism about the future. Journalists Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson follow this campaign from the candidates' first forays to Obama's victory celebration. They reveal the strategic mistakes of the Clinton campaign and the story behind Obama's breakthrough organization. They cover McCain's struggle for survival in the Republican primaries, Sarah Palin, and the economic meltdown. Exclusive interviews with the candidates and their top strategists produce intimate portraits of Obama, Clinton, and McCain under stress; they also move far off the campaign trail to listen to voters express their anxieties about the darkening economic climate and the challenges facing the U.S.--Source : éditeur In an account of an election during a most critical time, two political journalists cover the whole saga, from the earliest stages of the nominee's campaigns through a thorough analysis of what actually happened at the polls and why. Reprint. A best-selling book.