History

POLITICS OF HOPE promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pur- sue their full measure of happiness .” He proclaimed an agenda of “remak- ing America” by reviving and trans- forming the economy in ways that would provide better and less-expen- sive health care for all, foster envi-

THE ELECTION OF 2008 AND THE EMERGENCE OF BARACK OBAMA Having served two terms, Presi- dent George W . Bush was constitu- tionally prohibited from being elected again to the presidency . After a spir- ited preconvention campaign, the Republicans chose as their candi- date Senator John McCain of Ari- zona . A Vietnam veteran

THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND GEORGE W. BUSH’S SECOND TERM By mid-2004, with the United States facing a violent insurgency in Iraq, considerable foreign oppo- sition to the war there, and increas- ingly sharp divisions about the conflict at home, the country faced another presidential election . The Democrats nominated Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts,

BRIDGE TO THE 21ST CENTURY OUTLINE OF U.S. HISTORY 333 The final totals underscored the tightness of the election: Bush won 271 electoral votes to Gore’s 266, but Gore led him in the national popu- lar vote 48 .4 percent to 47 .9 percent . Nader polled 2 .1 percent and Bu- chanan .4 percent

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2000 AND THE WAR ON TERROR The Democratic Party nominated Vice President Al Gore to head its ticket in 2000 . To oppose him, the Republicans chose George W . Bush, the governor of Texas and son of for- mer president George H .W . Bush . Gore ran as a