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2008 United States presidential election in Texas Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The 2008 United States Presidential Election in Texas

Cheat Sheet:
The 2008 United States Presidential Election in Texas Study Guide

Election Overview & Historical Context

The 2008 United States presidential election in Texas, held on November 4, 2008, was part of the broader national election, and Texas contributed 34 electoral votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 2008 United States presidential election in Texas was indeed held on November 4, 2008, as part of the national election, and Texas was allocated 34 electoral votes.

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Texas represented the largest prize for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, as he won all 34 of its electoral votes.

Answer: False

Explanation: Texas represented the largest prize for John McCain, who won all 34 electoral votes, not Barack Obama.

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The two primary elections held in Texas for the 2008 presidential race were the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries and caucuses.

Answer: True

Explanation: Texas held both a Democratic presidential primary and caucuses, and a Republican presidential primary for the 2008 election.

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Texas has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since Jimmy Carter in 1976 and is consistently a Republican state.

Answer: True

Explanation: Texas has consistently voted Republican since 1976, with Jimmy Carter being the last Democratic presidential nominee to win the state.

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On what date did the 2008 United States presidential election take place in Texas?

Answer: November 4, 2008

Explanation: The 2008 United States presidential election in Texas was held on November 4, 2008.

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How many electoral votes was Texas allocated in the 2008 United States presidential election?

Answer: 34

Explanation: Texas was allocated 34 electoral votes in the 2008 United States presidential election.

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Which candidate secured all 34 electoral votes from Texas in the 2008 election?

Answer: John McCain

Explanation: John McCain secured all 34 electoral votes from Texas in the 2008 presidential election.

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What were the two primary elections held in Texas for the 2008 presidential race?

Answer: The Texas Democratic presidential primary and caucuses, and the Texas Republican presidential primary.

Explanation: Texas held both a Democratic presidential primary and caucuses, and a Republican presidential primary for the 2008 election.

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What is Texas's historical voting pattern in presidential elections since 1976?

Answer: It has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Explanation: Texas has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since Jimmy Carter in 1976, consistently aligning with the Republican Party.

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Campaign Strategies & Pre-Election Landscape

Prior to the 2008 election, news organizations widely considered Texas to be a swing state, indicating an uncertain outcome between the Republican and Democratic candidates.

Answer: False

Explanation: News organizations widely classified Texas as a safe 'red state' for the Republican Party, not a swing state, prior to the 2008 election.

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Pre-election polling in Texas for the 2008 election showed Barack Obama leading John McCain by an average of 52% to 41% in the final three polls.

Answer: False

Explanation: Pre-election polling in Texas showed John McCain leading Barack Obama by an average of 52% to 41% in the final three polls.

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Barack Obama's campaign raised more money in Texas than John McCain's campaign during the 2008 presidential election cycle.

Answer: True

Explanation: Barack Obama's campaign raised $20,424,500 in Texas, which was more than John McCain's campaign, which raised $17,990,153.

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John McCain and his interest groups spent significantly more on advertising in Texas than Obama and his interest groups during the 2008 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: Obama and his interest groups spent significantly more on advertising in Texas ($9,917,565) compared to McCain and his interest groups ($33,983).

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Both the Obama and McCain campaigns visited Texas three times during the 2008 presidential election.

Answer: False

Explanation: Both the Obama and McCain campaigns visited Texas twice, not three times, during the 2008 presidential election.

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According to news organizations, what was the general expectation for Texas in the 2008 presidential election?

Answer: It was classified as a safe 'red state' for the Republican Party.

Explanation: News organizations widely considered Texas a safe 'red state' for the Republican Party prior to the 2008 election.

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What did pre-election polling indicate about the candidates' support in Texas for the 2008 presidential election?

Answer: John McCain led Barack Obama by an average of 52% to 41% in the final three polls.

Explanation: Pre-election polling in Texas consistently showed John McCain leading Barack Obama, with an average lead of 52% to 41% in the final three polls.

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How much money did Barack Obama's campaign raise in Texas during the 2008 presidential election cycle?

Answer: $20,424,500

Explanation: Barack Obama's campaign raised $20,424,500 in Texas during the 2008 presidential election cycle.

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What was the fundraising total for John McCain's campaign in Texas for the 2008 election?

Answer: $17,990,153

Explanation: John McCain's campaign raised $17,990,153 in Texas for the 2008 presidential election.

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How did the advertising spending of the Obama campaign and its interest groups compare to McCain's in Texas?

Answer: Obama and his interest groups spent significantly more.

Explanation: Obama and his interest groups spent $9,917,565 on advertising in Texas, significantly more than McCain and his interest groups, who spent $33,983.

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How many times did both the Obama and McCain campaigns visit Texas during the 2008 election?

Answer: Twice

Explanation: Both the Obama and McCain campaigns visited Texas twice during the 2008 presidential election.

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Vote Totals & Margins of Victory

John McCain's margin of victory in Texas in 2008 was greater than that achieved by George W. Bush in either the 2000 or 2004 presidential elections in the state.

Answer: False

Explanation: John McCain's margin of victory in Texas in 2008 was notably less than George W. Bush's margins in both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.

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The 2008 election marked the first time since 1996 that the margin of victory in Texas for a presidential candidate was less than one million votes.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 2008 election was indeed the first instance since 1996 where the margin of victory for a presidential candidate in Texas fell below one million votes.

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Barack Obama significantly narrowed the Republican margin of victory in Texas in 2008 compared to John Kerry's performance in 2004.

Answer: True

Explanation: Barack Obama's performance in Texas in 2008 significantly narrowed the Republican margin of victory from 22.83% in 2004 to 11.77%.

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The total number of votes cast in the 2008 United States presidential election in Texas was 8,086,952.

Answer: True

Explanation: A total of 8,086,952 votes were cast in the 2008 United States presidential election in Texas.

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John McCain received 43.68% of the popular vote in Texas during the 2008 presidential election.

Answer: False

Explanation: John McCain received 55.45% of the popular vote in Texas, while Barack Obama received 43.68%.

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The Libertarian candidate, Bob Barr, received 0.69% of the vote in the 2008 Texas presidential election.

Answer: True

Explanation: Libertarian candidate Bob Barr received 0.69% of the vote in the 2008 Texas presidential election, making him the highest-performing third-party candidate.

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The voter turnout for the 2008 United States presidential election in Texas, based on the voting age population, was 59.5%.

Answer: False

Explanation: The voter turnout based on the voting age population was 46.8%, while the turnout of registered voters was 59.5%.

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John McCain's margin of victory over Barack Obama in Texas was 950,695 popular votes, representing an 11.75% difference.

Answer: True

Explanation: John McCain's margin of victory in Texas was 950,695 popular votes, which translates to an 11.75% difference.

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How did John McCain's margin of victory in Texas in 2008 compare to George W. Bush's previous performances?

Answer: It was notably less than Bush's margins in 2000 and 2004.

Explanation: John McCain's margin of victory in Texas in 2008 was notably less than George W. Bush's margins in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.

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What historical aspect did the 2008 election's margin of victory in Texas signify?

Answer: It was the first time since 1996 that the margin of victory was less than one million votes.

Explanation: The 2008 election marked the first time since 1996 that the margin of victory in Texas for a presidential candidate was less than one million votes.

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How did Barack Obama's performance in Texas in 2008 compare to John Kerry's in 2004?

Answer: Obama significantly improved upon Kerry's performance, narrowing the Republican margin.

Explanation: Barack Obama significantly improved upon John Kerry's 2004 performance in Texas, reducing the Republican margin of victory from 22.83% to 11.77%.

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What was the total number of votes cast in the 2008 United States presidential election in Texas?

Answer: 8,086,952

Explanation: A total of 8,086,952 votes were cast in the 2008 United States presidential election in Texas.

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What percentage of the popular vote did John McCain receive in Texas in 2008?

Answer: 55.45%

Explanation: John McCain received 55.45% of the popular vote in Texas during the 2008 presidential election.

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Which third-party candidate received the highest percentage of votes in Texas for the 2008 presidential election?

Answer: Bob Barr (Libertarian)

Explanation: Libertarian candidate Bob Barr received 0.69% of the vote, the highest among third-party candidates in Texas for the 2008 presidential election.

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What was the voter turnout percentage based on the voting age population in Texas for the 2008 election?

Answer: 46.8%

Explanation: The voter turnout based on the voting age population in Texas for the 2008 election was 46.8%.

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What was John McCain's margin of victory over Barack Obama in Texas in terms of popular votes?

Answer: 950,695 votes

Explanation: John McCain's margin of victory over Barack Obama in Texas was 950,695 popular votes.

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What was the turnout percentage of registered voters in Texas for the 2008 election?

Answer: 59.5%

Explanation: The turnout of registered voters in Texas for the 2008 election was 59.5%.

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Geographic Analysis of Results

The 2008 election was the last time, through the 2024 presidential election, that the Democratic candidate won Brewster County, Texas.

Answer: True

Explanation: Brewster County, Texas, last voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in the 2008 election, and has not done so again through the 2024 election.

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Kenedy County, Texas, last voted for the winning presidential candidate in the 2004 election, and would not do so again until 2024.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kenedy County, Texas, last voted for the winning presidential candidate in the 2008 election, not 2004, and would not do so again until 2024.

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Voters in the 'Bible Belt' region of Texas, particularly in rural areas, tend to support Democratic candidates due to their socially liberal views.

Answer: False

Explanation: Voters in the 'Bible Belt' region of Texas, especially in rural areas, tend to support Republican candidates due to their socially conservative views.

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John McCain's strongest support in Texas came from Eastern Texas, the suburbs of major cities, and three conservative regions including the Panhandle, Permian Basin, and South Plains.

Answer: True

Explanation: John McCain's strongest support in Texas was indeed concentrated in Eastern Texas, the suburbs of major cities, and the conservative regions of the Panhandle, Permian Basin, and South Plains.

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King County provided John McCain with his best margin of victory in Texas, but not in the entire country.

Answer: False

Explanation: King County, Texas, provided John McCain with his best margin of victory in the entire country, not just in Texas.

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Barack Obama was able to flip major urban counties such as Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties from Republican to Democratic in the 2008 Texas election.

Answer: True

Explanation: Barack Obama successfully flipped Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties from Republican to Democratic in the 2008 Texas election.

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Dallas and Harris counties had last supported a Democratic candidate for president in 1996 before Barack Obama's victory in 2008.

Answer: False

Explanation: Dallas and Harris counties had last supported a Democratic presidential candidate in 1964, not 1996, before Barack Obama's victory in 2008.

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A strong turnout of minority voters was a key factor that gave Barack Obama the edge in Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties.

Answer: True

Explanation: The strong turnout of minority voters was a crucial factor in Barack Obama's success in Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties.

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Obama performed strongly in Travis County and El Paso County primarily due to significant support from African American voters.

Answer: False

Explanation: Obama performed strongly in Travis County and El Paso County primarily due to significant support from Hispanic voters, not African American voters.

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Barack Obama won Tarrant County in the 2008 election, performing particularly well in the southern and eastern parts of Fort Worth.

Answer: False

Explanation: Barack Obama did not win Tarrant County, although he did perform well in specific parts of Fort Worth and Arlington within the county.

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John McCain won Texas's 30th congressional district with 81.69% of the vote, which was his highest percentage in any district.

Answer: False

Explanation: Barack Obama won Texas's 30th congressional district with 81.69% of the vote, which was his highest percentage in any district. John McCain's highest percentage was in the 8th congressional district.

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John McCain carried 21 of Texas's 32 congressional districts in the 2008 presidential election.

Answer: True

Explanation: John McCain carried 21 out of Texas's 32 congressional districts in the 2008 presidential election.

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John McCain did not manage to win any congressional district in Texas that was held by a Democrat in 2008.

Answer: False

Explanation: John McCain did carry one congressional district in Texas that was held by a Democrat, specifically the 17th congressional district.

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As of the 2024 presidential election, which Texas county did the Democratic candidate win for the last time in the 2008 election?

Answer: Brewster County

Explanation: Brewster County, Texas, last voted for the Democratic candidate in the 2008 election, as of the 2024 presidential election.

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When was the last time Kenedy County, Texas, voted for the winning presidential candidate, according to the provided information?

Answer: 2008 election

Explanation: Kenedy County, Texas, last voted for the winning presidential candidate in the 2008 election.

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Which of the following regions was NOT a stronghold for John McCain in Texas during the 2008 election?

Answer: The Rio Grande Valley

Explanation: John McCain's strongholds included Eastern Texas, suburbs of major cities, the Panhandle, Permian Basin, and South Plains. The Rio Grande Valley was an area where Obama garnered strong support from Latino-majority counties.

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Which Texas county provided John McCain with his best margin of victory in the entire country in 2008?

Answer: King County

Explanation: King County, Texas, provided John McCain with his best margin of victory in the entire country in 2008.

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Which major urban counties did Barack Obama flip from Republican to Democratic in the 2008 Texas election?

Answer: Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties

Explanation: Barack Obama successfully flipped Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties from Republican to Democratic in the 2008 Texas election.

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When had Dallas and Harris counties last supported a Democratic presidential candidate before Obama's win in 2008?

Answer: 1964

Explanation: Dallas and Harris counties had last supported a Democratic presidential candidate in 1964 before Barack Obama's victory in 2008.

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What factor contributed to Obama's strong performance in Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties?

Answer: A strong turnout of minority voters.

Explanation: A strong turnout of minority voters was a key factor in Barack Obama's strong performance in Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties.

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In which county did Obama perform strongly due to significant support from Hispanic voters, in addition to Travis County?

Answer: El Paso County

Explanation: Obama performed strongly in El Paso County, in addition to Travis County, largely due to significant support from Hispanic voters.

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Which congressional district in Texas did John McCain win with the highest percentage of the vote in 2008?

Answer: Texas's 8th congressional district

Explanation: John McCain won Texas's 8th congressional district with 73.76% of the vote, his highest percentage in any district.

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How many of Texas's 32 congressional districts did John McCain carry in the 2008 election?

Answer: 21

Explanation: John McCain carried 21 of Texas's 32 congressional districts in the 2008 presidential election.

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Electoral College & Concurrent State Elections

In the 2008 U.S. Senate election in Texas, incumbent Republican John Cornyn was reelected with 54.82% of the vote.

Answer: True

Explanation: Incumbent Republican John Cornyn was reelected in the 2008 U.S. Senate election in Texas with 54.82% of the vote.

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In 2008, Republicans gained three seats in the Texas House of Representatives, while Democrats unseated a Republican incumbent in the U.S. House.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 2008, Democrats gained three seats in the Texas House of Representatives and one in the Texas Senate, while Republicans unseated a Democratic incumbent in the U.S. House.

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Electors in the United States presidential election system are legally obligated to vote for their pledged candidate.

Answer: False

Explanation: Electors are not legally obligated to vote for their pledged candidate and can be 'faithless electors'.

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The electors from Texas met in their state capitol on December 15, 2008, to cast their votes for president and vice president.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Texas electors, along with those from other states, met on December 15, 2008, to formally cast their votes for president and vice president.

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All 34 members of the Electoral College from Texas were pledged to Barack Obama for president and Joe Biden for vice president in 2008.

Answer: False

Explanation: All 34 Texas electors were pledged to John McCain for president and Sarah Palin for vice president.

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Marcia Daughtrey, Virgil Vickery, Charlie O'Reilly, Brenda Zielke, and Mary Darby all served as electors for Texas in the 2008 Electoral College, pledged to the Republican candidates.

Answer: True

Explanation: These individuals were indeed among the electors for Texas in 2008, pledged to John McCain and Sarah Palin.

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What was the outcome of the U.S. Senate election in Texas during the 2008 cycle?

Answer: Incumbent Republican John Cornyn was reelected with 54.82% of the vote.

Explanation: Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn was reelected with 54.82% of the vote in the 2008 U.S. Senate election in Texas.

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How did the Republican and Democratic parties fare in the Texas state legislative races in 2008?

Answer: Democrats gained three seats in the Texas House and one in the Texas Senate.

Explanation: In the Texas state legislative races in 2008, Democrats gained three seats in the Texas House of Representatives and one seat in the Texas Senate.

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What is the primary role of electors in the United States presidential election system?

Answer: To formally vote for the president and vice president in the Electoral College.

Explanation: Electors are representatives chosen by voters to formally cast votes for the president and vice president in the Electoral College.

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Are electors legally bound to vote for their pledged candidate in the U.S. presidential election system?

Answer: No, they are not legally obligated, and can be 'faithless electors'.

Explanation: Electors are not legally obligated to vote for their pledged candidate and can choose to vote for someone else, becoming 'faithless electors'.

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On what date did the Texas electors cast their votes for president and vice president in 2008?

Answer: December 15, 2008

Explanation: The Texas electors met on December 15, 2008, to cast their votes for president and vice president.

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Who were the presidential and vice-presidential candidates to whom all 34 Texas electors were pledged in 2008?

Answer: John McCain and Sarah Palin

Explanation: All 34 Texas electors were pledged to John McCain for president and Sarah Palin for vice president.

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Presidential & Vice-Presidential Nominees

John McCain, the Republican nominee for President in 2008, was listed as being from Arizona.

Answer: True

Explanation: John McCain's home state was listed as Arizona in the context of the 2008 election.

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Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for President in 2008, was listed as being from New York.

Answer: False

Explanation: Barack Obama's home state was listed as Illinois, not New York, in the context of the 2008 election.

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Who was the Republican nominee for President in the 2008 United States presidential election in Texas?

Answer: John McCain

Explanation: John McCain was the Republican nominee for President in the 2008 United States presidential election.

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Who was Barack Obama's running mate in the 2008 presidential election?

Answer: Joe Biden

Explanation: Barack Obama's running mate in the 2008 presidential election was Joe Biden.

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From which state was John McCain listed as being from in the 2008 election information for Texas?

Answer: Arizona

Explanation: John McCain was listed as being from Arizona in the 2008 election information.

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