In just a few hours, we'll finally know the name of the next president of the United States. That name's been a long time coming. The 2008 presidential election has spanned two years and $1.6 billion dollars. It's become a dominating presence in the national airwaves and everyday conversation, and its many twists and turns have resulted in some of the greatest electoral drama in American history.

Cornell quarterback Nathan Ford became the topic of conversation at the biggest watercooler in America. The senior signal caller got a shout-out on last Thursday's episode of The Office on NBC, courtesy of everyone's favorite intensely nerdy paper salesman, Dwight Schrute.

About eight hours before polls open in Pennsylvania, Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden addressed a large rally in South Philadelphia in his last stop on the campaign trail. "In less than 24 hours, we will know who the leader of the free world is," Biden said at the Marconi Plaza at South Broad and Bigler streets.

Tina Fey may do a great Sarah Palin impression, but that doesn't mean Saturday Night Live is the only way young people get their election news. This year, Penn students - and young people across the country - are more engaged in politics than ever before, and they are increasingly turning to online news sources for their political information.

With only four Undergraduate Assembly meetings left this semester, Sunday night's meeting was brief, with the body passing no new proposals. One of the first issues discussed was New Student Orientation, which may undergo some changes in the coming years.

The reaction was the same everywhere. From the bleachers, the Brown sideline and the press box, everyone in attendance at Penn's 34-27 loss to Brown on Saturday had just one question. Who's playing quarterback? The answer was No. 13, Keiffer Garton, a sophomore from Castle Rock, Co.

Penn - along with the rest of the nation - watched the cable news networks with bated breath this evening. And when the outcome of the presidential election were announced at about 11 p.m., Penn students - who voted overwhelmingly for Obama - took the streets in celebration. Hundreds have marched downtown and are converged on City Hall.

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania affirmed their commitment to expanding the school despite the economic downturn at their annual fall meeting last Friday. The group passed eight proposals that will pour millions of dollars into medical buildings, student housing and the University museum.

Inside the beltway and to politicians around the country, Peter Hart is a highly regarded Democratic pollster conducting surveys for NBC and The Wall Street Journal. But to some Penn students, Hart goes by a different name - Professor. This fall, NBC and the Journal are the principal clients for the Communications professor's polling firm, Hart Research Associates, and Hart has spent much of his time working on questionnaires and analysis and appearing on television to discuss the results.

Yes, we can, says Senator Barack Obama. But will we? With the recent projection that youth voter turnout could smash all previous records, Penn's political groups are spending their final hours making sure student turnout lives up to the hype. Penn Leads the Vote, Penn Democrats and the College Republicans will be all over campus today encouraging students to go to the polls.

Sitting in his Quad single one day last spring, Brian Mascarenhas was bored. So the soccer midfielder started drawing in Microsoft Paint and came up with a logo he really liked. A few months later, that design became the icon for Elev8ted Basiks, a startup clothing company "I had never really done any graphic art before," he said.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican nominee John McCain have some similarities and differences concerning their approaches to foreign affairs. Obama believes diplomacy is important to achieving international security , and he is willing to sit down with the leaders of all nations.

Penn students and activists for Asian Americans United battled City Council on Saturday over the proposed Foxwoods Casino in the Gallery at 10th and Market streets. City Council listened to hours of testimony, largely from opponents of the planned casino, who spoke of rampant gambling addictions in the Asian-American community and Chinatown's history of being threatened with expressways, prisons and stadiums.

McCain The McCain plan is based on "Four Pillars of Reform:" Affordability, Access and Choice, Portability and Security, and Quality. The senator says he will make health care more affordable by ensuring competition between insurance companies, drug companies, hospitals and doctors.

In these volatile economic times, it's important that Pennsylvania have an experienced Treasurer to handle the state's finances. Democratic candidate Rob McCord is that person. As a venture capitalist, expert on budget and regulatory issues, and business leader, McCord has the economic savvy necessary to bring jobs to Pennsylvania, prudently manage state assets, and pursue policies that will put the state back on sound fiscal footing.

Incumbent Chaka Fattah (D.-2nd District) is running against Republican Adam Lang in his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives. Fattah, 51, has held this House seat - which represents North and West Philadelphia, as well as Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County - since 1994.

Philadelphians will vote on several ballot initiatives to amend the city's Home Rule Charter. The first ballot initiative asks whether Philadelphia should merge the duties of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation into a newly created Department of Parks and Recreation.