1. Presidential
2008
Election

2. The elephant represents
the Republican party.
The elephant was created in 1874 by cartoonist Thomas Nast. He drew a donkey wearing a lion's skin. The donkey was scaring away the other animals at a zoo. One of those animals was the elephant and on the elephant was a label; “The Republican Vote.” That's how the elephant became the symbol for the republican party. Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.

3. The donkey represents
the Democratic party.
This name originated from a joke that was made about Andrew Jackson in his 1828 democratic campaign. His competitors called him a jackass (another name for a donkey). Rather then get upset, he viewed the donkey as a strong willed animal. After that, he used the animal on his campaign posters. Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave .

4. How did the Republican Party begin?
The Republican Party was first thought of in 1850's by anti-slavery activists.
Then, in 1856, the Republicans became a nationalized party. John Fremont was nominated for President. The first Republican in the white house was Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
(“About the Republican Party” , n.d.)

5. How did the Democratic Party begin?
The Democratic - Republican Party was identified as "The party of the common man". The party of the common man became the most dominant up until the 1820s– when it split into opposing fractions. It wasn't until 40 years after that it was called the Democratic Party.
(“How was the Democratic Party started?” , n.d.)

6. What does each party stand for?
Topics
Democrats
Republicans
Abortion 
Gay Marriage
War
Death Penalty 
Social Security
Raising Taxes
GHGE Reduction 
Yucca Mountain
Harvesting Cells

7. Barack Obama
&
Joe Biden

8. Cons
Pros
Obama would rather raise taxes for those earning more than $250,000 a year to shore up the system.
Barack Obama has proposed increasing the capital gains tax from 15% to 25%.

9. John McCain
&
Sarah Palin

10. Cons
Pros
Senator McCain said he remains open to private investment accounts for younger people.
( Social Security)

11. My Vote for the 2008
President
of the United States
is...

12. Republican
John McCain

13. Sources http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0881985.html
/2008/09/08/obama-and-mccain-offer-opinions-
on-social-security.html