While the choice of Senator John McCain’s Vice President was revealed and lapped up by many, United States President George Bush made a move to ensure his increased presidential powers continue while his nation remains in a "state of war".
A recent proposal by the American government affirms that Congress should "acknowledge again and explicitly that this nation remains engaged in an armed conflict with Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated organisations, who have already proclaimed themselves at war with us and who are dedicated to the slaughter of Americans".
With the seventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks looming, the new proposal echoes elements that are within a similar policy the Bush administration passed only days after the planes hit the World Trade Centres.
The New York Times speculates the proposal is the latest step the US government is taking to permanently allow its president to have the power to put people in detention, interrogate them and subject them to surveillance.
One bush critic spoke to the NY Times.
Bruce Fein, was a justice department official back in the Reagan administration days and disagrees with his current government's point of view.
"I do not believe that we are in a state of war whatsoever," Mr Fein said.
"We have an odious opponent that the criminal justice system is able to identify and indict and convict.
They’re not a goliath...Don’t treat them that way."