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Election 2008 In-depth coverage of the 2008 presidential election, Democratic and Republican candidates, and primary elections and caucuses. Listen to audio and video reports from the campaign trail. Interactive features include a primary calendar and an interactive election map.

Election 2008

Music Interviews

Bettye LaVette's Journey To The National Stage

Fresh Air

If you've never heard of Bettye LaVette, the soul singer who belted out "A Change Is Gonna Come" with Jon Bon Jovi at the Inauguration Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Jan 18., you may be wondering why.

Bettye LaVette's Journey To The National Stage

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Politics

Analyzing The Text Of Obama's Inaugural Address

Fresh Air

Although many Americans heard Barack Obama's inauguration speech, they probably weren't listening for plyptotons and catachresis — but Geoff Nunberg was.

Analyzing The Text Of Obama's Inaugural Address

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Poetry

Natasha Trethewey: If My Mom Could See Us Now

Fresh Air

Natasha Trethewey won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for poetry for her book Native Guard. Her parents had an interracial marriage while it was still illegal in Mississippi, and Tretheway's poetry often draws on her childhood as a biracial child in the south.

Natasha Trethewey: If My Mom Could See Us Now

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Art & Design

Spreading The Hope: Street Artist Shepard Fairey

Fresh Air

Street artist Shepard Fairey created the iconic red, white and blue Obama illustration that became the unofficial poster of the campaign. Although his campaign poster never became official, Fairey has been commissioned to design the official poster for the inauguration.

Spreading The Hope: Street Artist Shepard Fairey

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Transcript: Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts while first lady Michelle Obama looks on. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Presidential Inauguration Of Barack Obama

Transcript: Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America -- they will be met," President Barack Obama said in his inaugural address.

Swearing-In And Inaugural Speech

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Politics

Chuck Todd Examines 'How Barack Obama Won'

Fresh Air

NBC's newly appointed chief White House correspondent talks with Dave Davies about his new book, How Barack Obama Won: A State-by-State Guide to the Historic 2008 Presidential Election.

Chuck Todd Examines 'How Barack Obama Won'

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Opinion

Politics

Political Junkie: Obama Selects His Team

In this week's edition of the Political Junkie, Matt Bai, writer for The New York Times Magazine, gives a rundown of this week's news in politics. Also: Lanny Davis, former special counsel to President Bill Clinton, talks about President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet and White House picks.

Political Junkie: Obama Selects His Team

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National

Obama Eyes Napolitano For Homeland Security

President-elect Barack Obama is considering Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Kent Alexander, who went to law school and served as U.S. attorney with Napolitano, talks about the her qualifications.

Obama Eyes Napolitano For Homeland Security

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Politics

Dean Explains The Democrats' '50-State Strategy'

Howard Dean, former presidential candidate and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, implemented the "50-State Strategy" to help the Democrats win big in 2008 — and it appears to have worked. This campaign approach doesn't write states off as "unwinnable."

Dean Explains The Democrats' '50-State Strategy'

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Opinion

Politics

Where Does The Republican Party Go From Here?

After George Bush's unpopular presidency and John McCain's decisive defeat, there is a battle underway for the soul of the Republican Party. Conservative leaders weigh in on how to reinvigorate the GOP.

Where Does The Republican Party Go From Here?

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Opinion

Stop-Lossing Capt. Rawlings

Making Sense Of The Election From Baghdad

While his family was at home watching the U.S. election results, Capt. Nate Rawlings was watching CNN on a military base in Iraq. He discusses his experience and his soldiers' reactions to Barack Obama's victory.

Making Sense Of The Election From Baghdad

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Election 2008: Congressional & State Races

Sen. Stevens Leading In Alaska

It doesn't look like the Alaska Senate race is going to be decided anytime soon. There are still tens of thousands of ballots to count. At this point, incumbent Republican senator Ted Stevens has a slight lead, despite his seven felony convictions.

Sen. Stevens Leading In Alaska

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News

Civil Rights Elder Sees Dream Come True

Dorothy Height began her civil rights career during the Great Depression. Since then, Height has become one of the country's most notable champions of equal rights. Now, at 96 years old, Height reflects on the election of the country's first African American president.

Civil Rights Elder Sees Dream Come True

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Politics

'Obama's Challenge': A Transformative Opportunity

Fresh Air

Robert Kuttner has reported on elections for more than 30 years. His new book, Obama's Challenge, looks at the Herculean obstacles the president-elect faces — and what it will take to tackle them.

'Obama's Challenge': A Transformative Opportunity

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Black Voters Reflect On Obama's Historic Win

In many states, black voters were a bedrock of support for Barack Obama. In Guildford County, home of the historically black North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, young black voters turned out in force.

Black Voters Reflect On Obama's Historic Win

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How Obama Mapped Out His Path To Power

President-elect Barack Obama has followed an extraordinary path that lifted him from the category of "flash in the pan" first-term senator to the Oval Office in less than four years. His well-organized campaign always seemed to know how to respond to crises.

How Obama Mapped Out His Path To Power

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Democrats Make Major Gains In Congress

Democrats made gains in the House and Senate for the second straight election, knocking off some prominent Republican incumbents and winning open seats that had been held by the GOP. But they came up short of the 60 Senate seats needed to end filibusters.

Democrats Make Major Gains In Congress

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