Michael Werz Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Washington DC and a Visiting Researcher at the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University. Organização: Nina Tiesler (ICS-UL), Pedro Magalhães (ICS-UL) APOIO: Fundação Luso Americana ABSTRACT The Two Year Campaign Remarks on the most unusual American Election since World War II Michael Werz, Washington DC Ever since the times of Franklin D. Roosevelt the American Democratic Party has been famous for its vigorous and often self-destructive political battles that broke out, when a presidential candidate had to be nominated. But in 2008 the race plays out in an entirely different and unexpected manner: political variations between the three main candidates Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, and John Edwards are negligible; but the perception of difference is enormous. The nomination process with its fascinating caucus meetings and primaries in states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina has not only created incomparable mobilization among Democrats. It has, at the same time, developed into a fascinating conversation about American society and its future. On the Republican side, the field of candidates is politically quite divergent. From foreign policy realist John McCain to Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee from Arkansas, the field represents virtually all currents within the Grand Old Party. Both American parties are facing the challenge of profound political reorientation after the end of the Cold War and the decline of bipartisan unanimity that characterized the years after the attacks of 9/11. Michael Werz, Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund in Washington DC and Visiting Scholar at Georgetown University's "Institute for the Study of International Migration" will discuss the historical and political implications of the unique election campaign that has begun a year ago and will last until November 4th of 2008.