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
Senate






Current Senate: 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans,
and 2 Independents. Effectively 51-49
35 Seats up for Election this Year, 12 Democrats
& 23 Republicans
5 Open Seats, all Republican
11 Close Races, 1 Democrat, 10 Republicans
7 Others to Watch, 1 Democrat, 6 Republicans
17 Safe Seats
Senate
House of Representatives





Current House: 235 Democrats, 199
Republicans (1 Vacancy). All Being Contested
38 Open Seats, 6 Democrats & 32 Republicans
67 Close Races, 21 Democrats & 46 Republicans
40 Other Races to Watch, 14 Democrats and 26
Republicans
328 Safe Seats
House of Reps.
Governors







Currently 28 Democrats & 22 Republicans
11 Governorships Being Contested
6 Democrats & 5 Republicans
3 Open Seats, 2 Democrats & 1 Republican
5 Close Races, 2 Democrats & 3 Republicans
2 Other Races to Watch, 2 Democrats
4 Safe Seats
Governors
State Legislatures







99 State Legislative Bodies
Democrats Control Both Chambers in 23 States,
Republicans in 14, and 12 Are Split
55% of State Legislators are Democrats
Contests in 85
Elections in all but 6 States
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
State Ballot Initiatives



152 Questions on the Ballot
36 States, Including New York
2 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
Dozen Candidates
Over $1 Billion Raised
9 Million New Voters
Most Important Issue
September
The Economy
Health Care
Terrorism
War in Iraq
Immigration
Other
CNN/Opinion Research Poll: Sep. 19-21, 2008
%
58
13
13
9
5
2
Obama vs. McCain
Among registered voters
Obama
40%
44%
44%
45%
42%
43%
46%
2/2
8/
2
3/2
7/
1
5/2
6/
1
4/
1
3/2
00
8
00
8
2/2
3/
00
8
ABC News/Washington Post polls: Sept. 8, 2008
No
w
47%
00
8
49%
00
8
50%
00
8
49%
00
8
51%
48%
1/2
2/
49%
1/2
47%
53.0%
5/
1
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
McCain
Special Thanks



Robin Cook/Country Bank
GCA Staff
Anke Nolting, Susie Stalcup, Rosemary
Keane
VOTE!!!


www.vote.nyc.ny.us
www.eac.gov