Election Forum

Health Care in the 2008 Election:Senator McCain or Senator Obama–

How Will the Candidates Improve Health Care?

How Will the Election Affect Academic Medicine?

 Monday, October 20, 2008

4:00 p.m. 

Election Overview

October 20th, 2008

Ross A. Frommer

Deputy Vice President for Government & Community Affairs and Associate Dean

SenateSenate

Current Senate: 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, Current Senate: 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and 2 Independents. Effectively 51-49and 2 Independents. Effectively 51-49

35 Seats up for Election this Year, 12 35 Seats up for Election this Year, 12 Democrats & 23 RepublicansDemocrats & 23 Republicans

5 Open Seats, all Republican5 Open Seats, all Republican 11 Close Races, 1 Democrat, 10 Republicans11 Close Races, 1 Democrat, 10 Republicans 7 Others to Watch, 1 Democrat, 6 Republicans7 Others to Watch, 1 Democrat, 6 Republicans 17 Safe Seats17 Safe Seats

Senate

House of House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

Current House: 235 Democrats, 199 Current House: 235 Democrats, 199 Republicans (1 Vacancy). All Being ContestedRepublicans (1 Vacancy). All Being Contested

38 Open Seats, 6 Democrats & 32 38 Open Seats, 6 Democrats & 32 RepublicansRepublicans

67 Close Races, 21 Democrats & 46 67 Close Races, 21 Democrats & 46 RepublicansRepublicans

40 Other Races to Watch, 14 Democrats and 40 Other Races to Watch, 14 Democrats and 26 Republicans26 Republicans

328 Safe Seats328 Safe Seats

House of Reps.

GovernorsGovernors

Currently 28 Democrats & 22 RepublicansCurrently 28 Democrats & 22 Republicans 11 Governorships Being Contested 11 Governorships Being Contested 6 Democrats & 5 Republicans6 Democrats & 5 Republicans 3 Open Seats, 2 Democrats & 1 Republican3 Open Seats, 2 Democrats & 1 Republican 5 Close Races, 2 Democrats & 3 5 Close Races, 2 Democrats & 3

RepublicansRepublicans 2 Other Races to Watch, 2 Democrats2 Other Races to Watch, 2 Democrats 4 Safe Seats4 Safe Seats

Governors

State LegislaturesState Legislatures

99 State Legislative Bodies99 State Legislative Bodies Democrats Control Both Chambers in 23 Democrats Control Both Chambers in 23

States, Republicans in 14, and 12 Are SplitStates, Republicans in 14, and 12 Are Split 55% of State Legislators are Democrats55% of State Legislators are Democrats Contests in 85Contests in 85 Elections in all but 6 StatesElections in all but 6 States 78% of the 7382 State Legislative Seats 78% of the 7382 State Legislative Seats

Being ContestedBeing Contested Includes all 62 members of the New York Includes all 62 members of the New York

State Senate & 150 Members of the State State Senate & 150 Members of the State AssemblyAssembly

State Ballot InitiativesState Ballot Initiatives

152 Questions on the Ballot 152 Questions on the Ballot 36 States, Including New York36 States, Including New York 2 to Watch, Colorado 48 & Michigan 2 to Watch, Colorado 48 & Michigan

08-208-2

Other State and Local Other State and Local Offices/JudgeshipsOffices/Judgeships

Who Cares?Who Cares?

PresidentPresident

First Time Since 1952 That There Is First Time Since 1952 That There Is No Incumbent President or Vice No Incumbent President or Vice President on the BallotPresident on the Ballot

Dozen CandidatesDozen Candidates Over $1 Billion RaisedOver $1 Billion Raised 9 Million New Voters9 Million New Voters

Most Important IssueMost Important Issue

CNN/Opinion Research Poll: Sep. 19-21, 2008

SeptemberSeptember %%

The EconomyThe Economy 5858

Health CareHealth Care 1313

TerrorismTerrorism 1313

War in IraqWar in Iraq 99

ImmigrationImmigration 55

OtherOther 22

Obama vs. McCainObama vs. McCainAmong registered votersAmong registered voters

47% 47%49%50%49%51%49%53.0%

48% 44% 44% 45% 42% 43% 46%40%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

Obama McCain

ABC News/Washington Post polls: Sept. 8, 2008

Daily Tracking

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Obama McCain

Special ThanksSpecial Thanks

Robin Cook/Country BankRobin Cook/Country Bank GCA StaffGCA Staff Anke Nolting, Susie Stalcup, Anke Nolting, Susie Stalcup,

Rosemary KeaneRosemary Keane

VOTE!!!VOTE!!!

www.vote.nyc.ny.uswww.vote.nyc.ny.us www.eac.govwww.eac.gov