by W. A. Swan

Created on: February 08, 2008   Last Updated: March 19, 2008

The year 2008, while being already proven to become a mark in American history, may go down as the year when so many different scenarios would make history. It almost seems inevitable that 2008, and its' Presidential elections will make history. This has become the year that nobody thought would ever be seen. While so many things about the 2008 election are things that we thought would one day come, or knew would come about at some future date; I'm pretty sure that no one saw this year being so full of possible "firsts" or possible historical facts being played out.

1. This is the first election where a woman has taken a realistic run for President (Hillary Clinton)
2. This year is the first year to see a "First Lady" run for President (Hillary Clinton)
3. This year is the first time that an African American has taken a realistic run for President (Barak Obama)
4. This is the election with the oldest running candidate (Ron Paul at 72, with McCain being right behind him at 71)
5. This election is the first real use of the internet by a candidate to be elected

And no, Obama (45) won't be the youngest president. He would be the second youngest after John F. Kennedy (43) if elected; and the third youngest with Theadore Roosevelt (41) taking office at the death of William McKinley.

This year is full of things that "could" happen as well. And every one of them again will make the history books.

1. We could see the first woman President
2. This could be the year that a "First Lady" become President
3. We could have the first African American elected President
4. We could have the first African American "First Lady"
5. We could have the first ever "First Husband"
6. We could have this year see the oldest elected President (John McCain 71, Reagan was 69)
7. This could be the first time where a husband and wife switched roles as President and Spouse

This election is already providing, and could provide more, historical facts and figures.

1. This election will show the largest involvement by the "under 30" age group since the Vietnam War
2. This election will show the largest generation gap, and maybe gender gap, since the Vietnam War
3. The internet will have, and has already had, a major impact with who gets elected
4. This will be the first time that a single political party played the most important role in writing history with the Democrats having to nominate either the first woman or first African American to run for president

And here's a few more history making facts that "could" come to be, depending on who gets elected.

1. If Clinton, Obama, or McCain get elected President, it will be only the third time in history that a US Senator has been elected into the White House (the other two are Kennedy in the 1960's and Harding in the 1920's)
2. If all things stay as they are before the party conventions, this could be the first time since 1976 that the Nomination Conventions had more than a single person to nominate.
3. If Hillary Clinton gets elected, this will be fifth time in history that a member of a former Presidents family became President. (the Roosevelt's, William Henry and Benjeman Harrison, the Bush family, and the Adams family did this)
4. If Hillary Clinton gets elected, Chelsea Clinton will have been "First Daughter" twice.

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