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Washington: The 2008 general election will pit the best-organised nomination campaign in the history of modern Democratic politics against the battle-tested machinery of the Republican Party, with both Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain determined to shake up an electoral map that has been virtually static over the past two elections.
Democrats enjoy a highly favourable electoral climate at this start of the election, created by gloomy attitudes about the state of the country and economy, President George W. Bush's low approval ratings and negative perceptions of the GOP. But as Obama shifts his attention from his primary victory over Senator Hillary Clinton to his test against McCain, the electoral map nonetheless foreshadows another highly competitive race in November.
McCain and Obama offer a rare combination of nominees able to poach on the other party's turf. McCain will target disgruntled Clinton supporters; Obama will target disaffected Republicans. Women, Latinos and, especially, white working-class voters will find themselves courted by the parties. On issues, the differences are stark, beginning with views on Iraq but also including economy, now the dominant issue in virtually every region of the country.
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