Questions considered include: What were the impact of race and gender in this election cycle? How did fundraising during the "invisible primary" shape the nomination contest? To what extent did youth participation determine the outcome of the election? What effect did new media have on the campaign and voter turnout? What role did the economic crisis play in voters' choices? Was 2008 a year for partisan realignment of the electorate? This well-respected author team delves deeply into each area, armed with an array of thorough, yet student-friendly data, graphics, and figures. As with all books in the Change and Continuity series, the authors present election data from a variety of sources in a straightforward, accessible manner and make sure to incorporate and discuss the most recent research.