Vote 2008 | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS

After Long Court Battle, Franken Wins Minn. Senate Seat

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:42:00 EDT

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Democrat Al Franken narrowly defeated Republican Norm Coleman in last year's U.S. Senate race. Analysts discuss the case and the significance of Franken's win.

Franken Wins Minnesota Senate Case in Court; Coleman Concedes

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:50:00 EDT

More than seven months after Election Day, the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota drew to a final conclusion on June 30, when the state Supreme Court backed Al Franken's victory and Norm Coleman conceded the race. Here is a recap of key developments:

Despite Court Ruling, Minn. Senate Seat Looks to Stay Empty for a While

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:45:00 EDT

Despite a Minnesota three-judge panel ruling this week that Democrat Al Franken won the most votes in last year's Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman, it could still be weeks or months before Minnesota's vacant Senate seat is filled.

Inmate Re-entry Programs Aim to Strengthen Family Ties

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:31:00 EDT

While campaigning for the presidency, one of the themes then-candidate Barack Obama touched on was the state of black families. The Obama team has voice support for programs like Hope House, which helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated fathers reconnect with their families.

Minn. Election Board Certifies Franken Ahead in Senate Race

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EDT

After a two-month recount process, Democrat Al Franken has been certified with more votes than Republican Norm Coleman for one of Minnesota's seats in the U.S. Senate, but legal challenges from Coleman could keep the race unresolved for weeks.

Franken Takes Lead in Minnesota Senate Recount

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:15:00 EDT

Democratic contender for the Minnesota Senate seat Al Franken took a 250-vote lead over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in the still undecided Senate race Friday, but thousands of ballot challenges remain unresolved.

Obama Campaign Fundraising Totals Near $750 Million, New Records Show

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:14:23 EDT

President-elect Barack Obama raised a record-breaking $745 million throughout his presidential campaign, the Federal Election Committee reported Thursday.

Chambliss Wins Ga. Run-off, Democrats Fall Short of 60 Senate Seats

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Republican incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss decisively won a second term in Georgia's Tuesday run-off, blocking Democratic efforts to reach 60 Senate seats.

Military Recruitment Called into Question Over Promises, Methods

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:45:26 EDT

With a low proportion of the nation\'s growing Hispanic population represented in the American military, recruiters are trying to enlist more Latino youth. Martin Terrones reports on controversial tactics surrounding the recruitment of high school students and promises of eventual citizenship for immigrant soldiers.

Stevens' Defeat Ends Long Political Career, Brings Democrats Closer to 60 Seats

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EDT

With a stunning victory in the Alaska Senate race declared late Tuesday, Democrats took another major step toward their target of reaching a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Embattled Alaskan political icon Ted Stevens trailed Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich by an insurmountable tally of 3,724 votes.

Newly Elected Senators Assess Priorities en Route to Capitol Hill

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:28:00 EDT

After Tuesday's election, a handful of newly elected U.S. senators will help reshape the Congress. Senators-elect Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. assess their goals and what influence they will have on the 111th Congress.

Historians Answered Your Questions on Obama's Win, 2008 Campaign

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:10:00 EDT

Sen. Barack Obama will become the country's first black leader after a campaign season that broke records and saw female candidates break new ground. Historians Richard Norton Smith and Peniel Joseph answered your questions on this historic election.

Democrat Merkley Unseats Smith in Oregon Senate Race

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:30:36 EDT

Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley has been projected the winner of Oregon's Senate race over incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith, bringing the Democrats to at least 55 seats in the Senate.

Obama Adds North Carolina to Victory Column

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:24:46 EDT

The Associated Press declared that President-elect Obama had won North Carolina after canvassing counties and determining that there were not enough outstanding provisional ballots to close John McCain's 13,693-vote deficit.

After Landmark Victory, Challenges Begin for Obama

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:42:00 EDT

President-elect Barack Obama rode to victory on a platform of change and unity. Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks mull the challenges ahead for the Obama administration and reflect on his victory speech.

Obama's Win Earns Emotional Reactions, Turns Page in History

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:21:00 EDT

The election of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama presents a new chapter in American history. After a look at how Americans across the country are reacting to the news, a panel of historians discusses the significance of the nation's first black president.

Exit Polls Indicate Key Data On Voters, Campaigns and Candidates

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:15:00 EDT

Pollsters Amy Walter of the Hotline and Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center weigh exit poll data from Tuesday's election and discuss who voted for each candidate and why.

Minn., Ore., Ga., Alaska Senate Races Still Unresolved

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:08:13 EDT

Fueled by a strong nationwide wave of support, Democrats in the Senate picked up five seats previously held by Republicans, expanding their control to at least 54 seats. But races in Minnesota, Georgia, Alaska, and Oregon have yet to be called, all involving Republican incumbents fighting to keep their seats.

Washington Gov. Gregoire Wins Re-election

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:28:34 EDT

In a rematch of their historically close 2004 election, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire defeated Republican Dino Rossi Tuesday night to gain a second term. With support from large numbers of voters who backed Democratic President-elect Barack Obama, Gov. Gregoire won re-election by a larger margin than expected.

World Leaders Hail Obama Win; Democrats Widen Leads in Congress

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:55:00 EDT

A day after Democrat Barack Obama's decisive presidential win, world leaders expressed their congratulations, calling the results "historic," and laying out their hopes for resolutions of problems in their regions of the globe.

AP Calls, Then Uncalls Minnesota Senate Race for Coleman

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:29:41 EDT

Incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., finished ahead of Democrat Al Franken early Wednesday in the final vote count, but his 571-vote margin falls within the state's mandatory recount law that triggers a recount any time the margin between the top two candidates is less than one-half of 1 percent.

Democrats Mark Major Gains in House, Senate

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:00:18 EDT

After winning the presidency, Democrats had even more reason to celebrate Tuesday night: major gains in both houses of Congress. In the Senate, Democrats snatched away at least five seats from the GOP, but fell short of the 60 they would have needed to win a filibuster-proof majority -- even with races in Minnesota, Oregon and Alaska too close or too early to call as of early Wednesday morning.

Obama's Victory Marks Transformative Moment in American Politics

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:29:30 EDT

On the heels of Sen. Barack Obama's speech claiming his historic win in the 2008 presidential race, which brought an epic and unprecedented campaign season to a conclusion, NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks, historians Peniel Joseph and Richard Norton Smith and analysts Amy Walter and Stuart Rothenberg examined the race's outcome. .

Reporter's Notebook: Ray Suarez and Judy Woodruff Wrap Up Election Night

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:48:51 EDT

The campaigns of Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain have come to a close and Obama has made history, becoming the first African American president-elect.

GOP Fails to Unseat Louisiana Sen. Landrieu

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:28:51 EDT

Headed into Tuesday's election, the GOP targeted one incumbent Democratic Senator whose seat appeared vulnerable for an upset, but Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu has prevailed over GOP challenger John Kennedy.

Perdue Holds N.C. Governor's Mansion for the Democrats

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:13:27 EDT

Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue narrowly defeated Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory to become the first female governor of North Carolina Tuesday night.

Fueled by Huge Turnout, Obama Wins Presidency

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:55:00 EDT

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 Earns a Slim Win in GOP Stronghold of Virginia

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:27:10 EDT

Virginia has been projected for Barack Obama, the first time the state has picked a Democrat in the presidential race since 1964, according to the Associated Press and other media networks.

Reporter's Notebook: Ray Suarez and Judy Woodruff Wrap Up Election Night

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:15:00 EDT

As the crowds at both the Democratic and Republican rallies disperse, Lee Banville, editor of the Online NewsHour, spoke to senior NewsHour correspondents Ray Suarez, who is in Arizona, and Judy Woodruff, in Chicago, to get their final thoughts.

Sen. Obama Projected to Win the Presidency

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:03:05 EDT

Sen. Barack Obama is projected to become the 44th president of the United States, according to the Associated Press, surpassing Senate veteran John McCain and the 270 electoral votes needed to claim victory.