Best-selling author Larry J. Sabato once again brings together the nation's most perceptive analysts and shrewdest observers of American politics to analyze our most recent election: the historic election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States. This revealing new book by Larry Sabato and his team of experts contains exciting coverage and trenchant commentary on the most stunning election of our time. Peeling back the layers of the political, social, and demographic trends that helped thrust Barack Obama into the Oval Office, the authors of this book toss aside conventional wisdom about 2008 and substitute thoughtful, deeper - and until now, ignored - interpretations of the events and environment that elected our new president. Features - Includes contributed chapters from some of the foremost analysts and scholars who had a front row seat for the campaigns and election, including Justin Sizemore, Rhodes Cook, Alan Abramowitz, Bruce Larson, Michael Toner, Diana Owen, Jeff Gulati, Michael Cornfield, Alex Theodoridis, and Susan MacManus. Each author presents different perspectives on the results, and the resulting mosaic gives readers a comprehensive outlook on the election. - Provides complete and engaging analysis of the most important issues and events leading to Barack Obama's election, including the political environment for Republicans, the impact of federal election law, state and party rules, the conventions, the impact of "traditional" and "new" media, and the use of new technologies. The authors avoid trendy, tired, and overused political commentary and instead focus on pragmatic research and analysis with practical applications for the reader. - Features original chapters written by Larry Sabato, a nationally renowned election scholar and commentator. - Connects the reader with additional sources of information and opinion beyond the content of the book. - Offers as much for the classroom as it does for the casual reader. Table of Contents Introduction Larry Sabato 1. Conventions: The Significance of an American Institution Justin Sizemore 2. The Election of Our Lifetime Larry Sabato 3. From Republican Lock to Republican Lockout Rhodes Cook 4. How Obama Won and What It Means Alan Abramowitz 5. The Congressional and Gubernatorial Candidates Bruce Larson 6. The Impact of Federal Election Law in 2008 Michael Toner 7. Media in the 2008 Election: 21st Century Campaign Diana Owen 8. The New Media Environment and the 2008 Election Jeff Gulati 9. New Technology and the 2008 Election Michael Cornfield 10. Did the Rules Decide? Alex Theodoridis Conclusion Susan MacManus About the Author Larry J. Sabato is the founder and director of the Center for Politics and the Robert Kent Gooch professor of Politics at the University of Virginia. He is the author of more than twenty books including Feeding Frenzy: Attack Journalism & American Politics, The Sixth Year Itch: The Rise and Fall of the George W. Bush Presidency, and A More Perfect Constitution: 23 Proposals to Revitalize our Constitution and Make America A Fairer Country.