After a campaign destined to help redefine American politics, Sen. Barack Obama convincingly captured the U.S. presidency Tuesday, making him the country's first black leader.
Obama stressed the importance of the moment to around 70,000 supporters during an outdoor rally in Chicago's Grant Park, telling them that "change has come."
Blog: Obama's Victory Marks Transformative Moment in American Politics
October 30, 2008 Viewers Flock to Comedy Shows for Dose of Campaign Humor Sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live has seen its ratings soar in recent weeks as viewers have tuned in to watch skits about political candidates and campaigns. SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels and head writer Seth Meyers discuss political comedy. October 29, 2008 State Officials, Attorneys Prep for Possible Voting Problems With a rush of early voters going to the polls, state officials are preparing for a strong voter turnout and lawyers are amassing in battleground states in case problems occur. Legal experts weigh the situation. October 28, 2008 In Final Election Stretch, Newspapers Weigh In With Endorsements As Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain make their final cases to voters in critical states, newspaper editorial boards are weighing in with endorsements of the candidates. Editors from across the country detail which candidates their papers backed and why. October 24, 2008 Shields and Brooks Look at Election Strategy, Financial Crisis Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks take a look at candidates' campaign strategies for the final stretch of the election season and the search for answers to the global financial crisis. October 23, 2008 Candidates' Successes, Slumps in Polls Often Echoed by Media Coverage Results of a Project for Excellence in Journalism report indicate media coverage of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama often mirrors their standing in the polls. A media critic and journalists weigh the impact of the recent findings and the role of media coverage in the 2008 race. October 22, 2008 Impact of Race on Election Remains an Unknown Factor With Election Day near, questions over how race will impact voter choices in the first presidential election with an African-American candidate representing a major party remain a looming factor. Analysts discuss the role race has -- and has not -- played in the contest. October 21, 2008 Obama's Record Fundraising Widens Gap With McCain Barack Obama's presidential campaign hauled in $150 million in September, igniting debate over the viability of public financing. Political analysts examine the sources of the cash, funding strategies for John McCain and the impact on fundraising in future elections. October 20, 2008 Headed Toward Election Day, Candidates Hammer Messages Home in Battlegrounds After a recap of the latest news from the campaign trail, Gwen Ifill talks to political analysts Amy Walter and Stuart Rothenberg about key congressional races and how the electoral map is shaping up in the final weeks before the election. October 15, 2008 Contention Permeates Final McCain, Obama Debate The two candidates for the presidency engaged on the economy, health care, abortion and other issues in Wednesday night's third and final debate before the election. Political analysts and historians discuss whether either senator emerged victorious. October 15, 2008 Analysts Preview Final Presidential Debate Wednesday marks the final meeting of the two major presidential candidates in a debate, where they will discuss the relevant issues. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss what will be in play during the debate. October 10, 2008 Market Meltdown, Tone on Campaign Trail Top the Week's News Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and National Review Senior Editor Ramesh Ponnuru discuss the presidential candidates' plans for the troubled economy and how voters are reacting as Election Day draws ever closer. October 03, 2008 VP Debate, Battleground Strategies Top Campaign Headlines This week, Congress pushed through a massive financial rescue plan and vice presidential hopefuls faced off in a key debate. Analysts Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks weigh all things politics. October 02, 2008 Biden, Palin Take Spotlight in Highly Anticipated VP Debate Vice presidential candidates Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin will face off Thursday in their only debate -- a meeting political-watchers say could earn record levels of viewership. Reporters who have been covering Biden and Palin offer insight. September 19, 2008 Wall Street Upheaveal Puts McCain, Obama to the Test Wall Street's woes put the economy at the top of the campaign agendas of John McCain and Barack Obama this week as the two sought to shape their views on government regulation and other issues. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks examine reactions to the crisis. September 16, 2008 Presidential Contenders Call for Financial Industry Regulation Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama promised tighter government regulation of Wall Street Tuesday as they struggled to address the country's economic woes from the campaign trail. Campaign advisers debate the candidates' proposals to regulate the investment industry. September 15, 2008 Obama, McCain React to Wall Street's Turmoil Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama pushed their proposals to reform Wall Street Monday as the financial sector reeled from the demise of Lehman Brothers and the selling of Merrill Lynch. Political reporters discuss the latest campaign news. September 12, 2008 Shields and Brooks Weigh Facts, Fiction in Campaign Ads Recent campaign ads have been criticized by political fact checkers for distorting facts and spreading falsities. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the debate over truthfulness on the campaign trail. September 12, 2008 Candidates Sharpen Attacks as Campaigns Pick Up Speed As the presidential hopefuls race toward Election Day, the campaigns are taking an increasingly sharper tone both on the campaign trail and in television ads. Political reporters discuss the impact of the latest developments. September 08, 2008 Candidates Pitch Messages of Change in Battlegrounds The presidential candidates began their first full week of campaigning following their official nominations by visiting key battleground states Monday. Political reporters discuss the status of the campaigns and what lies ahead. September 05, 2008 Presidential Tickets Offer Women Voters More Choices Although female voters had been leaning Democratic so far in this presidential campaign, Gov. Sarah Palin has brought new appeal to the Republican ticket for socially conservative women. Two analysts examine issues that concern women and how these will influence their vote, especially for Hillary Clinton's former supporters. September 04, 2008 Before McCain's Speech, Shields and Brooks Weigh its Likely Impact Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks offer insight on the points Sen. John McCain will make and reflect on the Republican convention before the Arizona senator steps up to the podium. September 04, 2008 McCain's Running Mate Sarah Palin Makes GOP History Convention attendees and a panel of historians offer perspective on the significance of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's historic nomination and the challenges on the campaign trail. September 03, 2008 Shields, Brooks and Historians Mull Strengths of Sarah Palin's Speech At the close of the Republican convention's third night, analysts Mark Shields, David Brooks and a panel of historians evaluate vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin's speech and its effectiveness in shoring up support for the Republican ticket. September 03, 2008 Shields and Brooks Anticipate Calls for Unity at RNC Before the third night of the Republican convention, columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss what's likely ahead from speakers trying to rally the party. September 03, 2008 GOP Confronts Obstacles to Uniting Party for McCain During the GOP convention, the Republican party has worked to shore up its party unity and combat a fragmented image along conservative lines. Gary Bauer, a former Regan administration official and head of the "American Values" group, and former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift measure the effectiveness of the party's efforts. September 02, 2008 Joe Lieberman Says McCain Can Bridge Partisan Divide Independent Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, a long-time backer of Sen. John McCain, made the case for McCain's ability to work across partisan lines as a potential president at the GOP convention. Following is text of his speech to the RNC. September 02, 2008 Shields, Brooks and Historians Offer Insight on RNC's Day Two At the close of the Republican convention's second day, political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks and historians Michael Beschloss and Richard Norton Smith examine the strengths of the night's speeches and the rally for the GOP party in St. Paul. September 02, 2008 Fellow Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl and Campaign Manager Terry Nelson Discuss McCain Sen. John McCain's colleague from Arizona, Sen. Jon Kyl, and former campaign manager Terry Nelson provide insight on the candidate and the campaign. September 02, 2008 McCain Spokesman Defends Palin Pick and her Privacy Amid growing controversy surrounding the personal and professional life of Sarah Palin, Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for the GOP campaign, asserts her strengths as a running mate, her appeal on the ticket and her family's right to privacy. September 02, 2008 Shields and Brooks on RNC Lineup and the Bush Factor As the Republican National Convention resumes with its first full night of prime-time speakers, analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks assess the Sen. John McCain's vice presidential pick, the speeches ahead and the issues at play within the Republican party. September 02, 2008 GOP Delegates Bring Strong Convictions to Convention At the Republican convention in St. Paul, GOP delegates have been discussing the economic downturn and their support for Sen. John McCain's policies. The NewsHour speaks with delegates from Michigan about their viewpoints and with political experts about the delegates' differences, similarities to voters. September 02, 2008 'McCain-onomics' Put to the Test in Northern Virginia With the Republican convention underway in St. Paul, the NewsHour's economics correspondent Paul Solman speaks with Nancy Pfotenhauer, an adviser to Sen. John McCain's campaign, about the GOP presidential hopeful's economic policies and how they could impact everyday Americans. September 02, 2008 GOP Women Defend Palin, Object to Questions About Her Family The choice of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate has sparked a flurry of debate over balancing career and family and whether even raising such questions is gender bias. GOP Congress Heather Wilson and Mary Fallin give their insights on parenting and politics. September 01, 2008 Shields and Brooks Weigh Impact of Subdued RNC on McCain Campaign Hurricane Gustav's brush with New Orleans on the first scheduled day of the GOP convention has changed the dynamic of the event. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the convention's abbreviated first day and what lies ahead in the coming week. September 01, 2008 Experts Mull Historical Context of GOP's Convention Postponement The Republican Committee decided to delay convention events on Monday due to Hurricane Gustav -- a first in party convention history. Historians discuss the decision and its political significance in the context of past conventions. August 28, 2008 Ahead of History-making Speech, Writers Look at Obama's Career Ahead of Thursday's eagerly-anticipated speech during which Sen. Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination and become first black American to lead a major party into the fall elections, a panel of Chicago writers discuss the Illinois senator's career path. August 26, 2008 Shields and Brooks Assess Day Two of the DNC Ahead of Hillary Clinton's speech Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention, analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks weigh her role at the event and look ahead to Democratic vice-presidential pick Sen. Joe Biden's speech on Wednesday. August 25, 2008 Democrats Give Tribute to Senator Kennedy in Denver Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the dedication to Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and the state of the Democratic Party as Kennedy passes the torch to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. August 22, 2008 Obama's Likely Running Mate, New Attack Ads Top Campaign News Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the suspense over Sen. Barack Obama's announcement of his vice presidential running mate and the latest ad war between the Democrat and GOP rival Sen. John McCain. August 15, 2008 Marcus and Lowry Weigh Reactions to Georgia Crisis The Georgia-Russia conflict has put the foreign policy skills of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama to the test. Analysts Ruth Marcus and Rich Lowry weigh the candidate responses and other political news of the week. August 07, 2008 Ad Wars Heat Up as Campaigns Sharpen Tactics Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama are taking jabs at each other through a series of television ads, which are drawing attention on both the political and pop culture stages. Two analysts look at the themes and the spending behind the ads. July 30, 2008 McCain TV Ad Draws Scrutiny for Distorting Facts A recent ad run by GOP Sen. John McCain alleged that his rival, Sen. Barack Obama, chose to skip a chance to meet with wounded troops because media was not allowed -- claims that have since been disputed. The Washington Post's Dan Balz and FactCheck.org's Brooks Jackson discuss the debate over the ad. July 25, 2008 Shields and Brooks on Obama's Trip, McCain's Strategy This week on the campaign trail, Sen. Barack Obama conducted a high-profile overseas trip while GOP rival Sen. John McCain toured top election battleground states. Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks discuss the week in politics. July 25, 2008 Media Dodges Accusations of Bias in Campaign Coverage As Sen. Barack Obama tours the Middle East and Europe with network evening news anchors in tow, the campaign of GOP Sen. John McCain has criticized the news media's coverage of the race - alleging that Obama has unfairly received more favorable press coverage. Media experts examine the debate. July 23, 2008 Mideast Conflict Looms for Next U.S. President As the presidential hopefuls define their foreign policy agendas for the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will continue to present a unique set of challenges to the next commander-in-chief. Analysts mull the obstacles to ending the decades-long conflict. July 21, 2008 Obama's Trip Puts Focus on Candidates' Iraq, Afghan Plans Sen. Barack Obama is working on his foreign policy credentials by meeting with leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan this week. Policy advisers discuss how Obama and GOP Sen. John McCain are approaching the conflicts. July 03, 2008 Obama, McCain Work to Highlight Views on Key Trade Policies With the economy a top campaign issue, presidential hopefuls Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama are working to shape their stances on international trade and free-trade policies. Analysts discuss the candidates' statements and the impact of trade policy shifts. June 27, 2008 Shields, Brooks Take Up Campaign News, Court Rulings Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama campaigned with former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton at a rally Friday in Unity, N.H. and the Supreme Court issues a week of weighty decisions. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks examine the week's political news. June 23, 2008 Candidates Stump in Battleground Western States Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain took shots at each other over energy policy as they each toured Western states, hoping to drive home their message in what could be new battlegrounds this campaign season. June 19, 2008 In a Strategic Shift, Obama Opts to Forgo Public Financing Sen. Barack Obama said Thursday he will opt out of public financing during the general election. A legal expert and a political reporter examine how the move will impact the race and Sen. John McCain's funding options. June 16, 2008 Web Tools Help to Reshape '08 Campaign Trail A new report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project finds that a record-breaking 46 percent of Americans have used the Internet, e-mail or cell phone text messaging to get news about the campaigns. Analysts examine how new Web-based tools are expanding the campaign trail. June 12, 2008 U.S. Election Grabs Intense Interest Overseas The 2008 presidential election has sparked the world's attention, with some looking ahead to possible foreign policy shifts under a new administration, a new poll shows. Reporters from international media outlets gauge foreign reaction to the historic race. June 12, 2008 Shields and Brooks on the Obama-McCain Race With the lengthy Democratic primary campaign in the rear-view mirror, the focus turns to the presidential campaign showdown between Sen. Barack Obama and GOP Sen. John McCain. NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks answered your questions on all things politics. June 10, 2008 McCain and Obama Trade Jabs Over Economic Strategies Presumptive presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain offered contrasting approaches to mend a sluggish economy this week, with Obama emphasizing an active government role in providing assistance and McCain calling for lower taxes and spending cuts. June 10, 2008 Despite Divisive Primaries, Democrats May Still Benefit From Lengthy Contest As Sen. Hillary Clinton's concession speech echoed through Washington last week, pundits and analysts continued to debate whether the lengthy Democratic primary fight will help or hurt the party in the fall. June 09, 2008 McCain, Obama Aim to Redraw Electoral Map Presumptive presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama both claim that they can redraw the electoral map this year by courting voters from the other party's traditional base. Political analysts Stuart Rothenberg and Amy Walter discuss the 2008 electoral map.
