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, :00 p.m.
Election Overview October 20 th, 2008 Ross A. Frommer Deputy Vice President for Government & Community Affairs and Associate Dean
Senate Current Senate: 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and 2 Independents. Effectively Current Senate: 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and 2 Independents. Effectively Seats up for Election this Year, 12 Democrats & 23 Republicans 35 Seats up for Election this Year, 12 Democrats & 23 Republicans 5 Open Seats, all Republican 5 Open Seats, all Republican 11 Close Races, 1 Democrat, 10 Republicans 11 Close Races, 1 Democrat, 10 Republicans 7 Others to Watch, 1 Democrat, 6 Republicans 7 Others to Watch, 1 Democrat, 6 Republicans 17 Safe Seats 17 Safe Seats
Senate
House of Representatives Current House: 235 Democrats, 199 Republicans (1 Vacancy). All Being Contested Current House: 235 Democrats, 199 Republicans (1 Vacancy). All Being Contested 38 Open Seats, 6 Democrats & 32 Republicans 38 Open Seats, 6 Democrats & 32 Republicans 67 Close Races, 21 Democrats & 46 Republicans 67 Close Races, 21 Democrats & 46 Republicans 40 Other Races to Watch, 14 Democrats and 26 Republicans 40 Other Races to Watch, 14 Democrats and 26 Republicans 328 Safe Seats 328 Safe Seats
House of Reps.
Governors Currently 28 Democrats & 22 Republicans Currently 28 Democrats & 22 Republicans 11 Governorships Being Contested 11 Governorships Being Contested 6 Democrats & 5 Republicans 6 Democrats & 5 Republicans 3 Open Seats, 2 Democrats & 1 Republican 3 Open Seats, 2 Democrats & 1 Republican 5 Close Races, 2 Democrats & 3 Republicans 5 Close Races, 2 Democrats & 3 Republicans 2 Other Races to Watch, 2 Democrats 2 Other Races to Watch, 2 Democrats 4 Safe Seats 4 Safe Seats
Governors
State Legislatures 99 State Legislative Bodies 99 State Legislative Bodies Democrats Control Both Chambers in 23 States, Republicans in 14, and 12 Are Split Democrats Control Both Chambers in 23 States, Republicans in 14, and 12 Are Split 55% of State Legislators are Democrats 55% of State Legislators are Democrats Contests in 85 Contests in 85 Elections in all but 6 States Elections in all but 6 States 78% of the 7382 State Legislative Seats Being Contested 78% of the 7382 State Legislative Seats Being Contested Includes all 62 members of the New York State Senate & 150 Members of the State Assembly Includes all 62 members of the New York State Senate & 150 Members of the State Assembly
State Ballot Initiatives 152 Questions on the Ballot 152 Questions on the Ballot 36 States, Including New York 36 States, Including New York 2 to Watch, Colorado 48 & Michigan to Watch, Colorado 48 & Michigan 08-2
Other State and Local Offices/Judgeships Who Cares?
President First Time Since 1952 That There Is No Incumbent President or Vice President on the Ballot First Time Since 1952 That There Is No Incumbent President or Vice President on the Ballot Dozen Candidates Dozen Candidates Over $1 Billion Raised Over $1 Billion Raised 9 Million New Voters 9 Million New Voters
Most Important Issue CNN/Opinion Research Poll: Sep , 2008 September% The Economy 58 Health Care 13 Terrorism13 War in Iraq 9 Immigration5 Other2
Obama vs. McCain Among registered voters ABC News/Washington Post polls: Sept. 8, 2008
Special Thanks Robin Cook/Country Bank Robin Cook/Country Bank GCA Staff GCA Staff Anke Nolting, Susie Stalcup, Rosemary Keane Anke Nolting, Susie Stalcup, Rosemary Keane
VOTE!!!