2008 Taiwanese United Nations membership referendum, Questions, Proposal 6
(Chinese text: 您是否同意我國申請重返聯合國及加入其它組織，名稱採務實、有彈性的策略，亦即贊成以中華民國名義、或以台灣名義、或以其他有助於成功並兼顧尊嚴的名稱，申請重返聯合國及加入其他國際組織？)(Pinyin: Nín shìfǒu tóngyì wǒguó shēnqǐng chóng fǎn liánhéguó jí jiārù qítā zǔzhī, míngchēng cǎi wùshí, yǒu tánxìng de cèlüè, yì jí zànchéng yǐ Zhōnghuá mínguó míngyì, huò yǐ Táiwān míngyì, huò yǐ qítā yǒu zhù yú chénggōng bìng jiāngù zūnyán de míngchēng, shēnqǐng chóng fǎn liánhéguó jí jiārù qítā guójì zǔzhī?)


2008 Taiwanese United Nations membership referendum, Campaign
Although the proposals referendums were both supported by one of the two major parties in Taiwan, they were both formally voter-initiated, rather than government-sponsored. While the KMT initiated one of the two referendums, it encouraged its voters to least boycott the DPP-initiated referendum, and expressed understanding if supporters chose to boycott both referendums. Although KMT officials such as presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou and chairman Wu Po-hsiung received ballot papers for the KMT-sponsored referendum, their family and other KMT officials, such as chairman emeritus Lien Chan refused to take ballot papers for either referendum.


2008 Taiwanese United Nations membership referendum, Campaign
Former president Lee Teng-hui did not take either ballot paper, which he said was because he "forgot" to bring the documentation, although reporters at the scene pointed out to him that he did not need documentation to vote. DPP officials, including president Chen Shui-bian, called on voters to vote in both referendums.


2008 Taiwanese United Nations membership referendum, Reactions
United States: The United States Department of State has stated that it opposed a referendum on membership in the United Nations. While it strongly supports Taiwan's democratic development and is not opposed to referendums in principle, it is against "any initiative that appears designed to change Taiwan's status unilaterally." In September 2007, Zogby International conducted an opinion poll on the support of this referendum, the result shows over 61% of Americans believe that the US government should support the referendum.


2008 Taiwanese United Nations membership referendum, Reactions
Japan: A Japanese company also conducted a poll on the same issue; the result shows over 74% Japanese support Taiwan's entry into the UN, and over 81% support the referendum. However, this referendum has not become a major political issue in either the United States or Japan.


2008 Taiwanese United Nations membership referendum, Reactions
China: China made relatively few comments on the issue. It argued that the referendum would "endanger peace and stability across the Strait and the Asia-Pacific region. ", and was "pinning hope on the Taiwan people" and will keep promoting cross-Strait exchanges to strengthen opposition to secessionist forces. It had stated that it appreciated the US opposition to the referendum. After the referendums were defeated due to low voter turnout, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China commented that the results showed the lack of popular support for independence in Taiwan. The Bureau also expressed optimism for the two governments to work together to maintain cross-strait peace and aid development in future.


2008 Taiwanese United Nations membership referendum, Reactions
President Chen Shui-bian accused both the United States and the European Union of caving into Chinese pressure over the referendum.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election
The 2008 Taiwanese legislative election was held on 12 January 2008 for members of the Legislative Yuan. It was the first Legislative Yuan election after the constitutional amendments of 2005, which extended term length from three to four years, reduced seat count from 225 to 113, and introduced the current electoral system.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election
The results gave the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Pan-Blue Coalition a supermajority (86 of the 113 seats) in the legislature, handing a heavy defeat to then-President Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party, which won the remaining 27 seats only. The junior partner in the Pan-Green Coalition, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, won no seats.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election
Two transitional justice referendums, both of which failed to pass due to low turnout, were held at the same time.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Legislature reform
For the first time in the history of Taiwan, most members of the Legislative Yuan were to be elected from single-member districts: 73 of the 113 members were chosen in such districts by the plurality voting system (first-past-the-post). Parallel to the single member constituencies, 34 seats under an Additional Member System were elected in one national district by party-list proportional representation. For these seats, only political parties whose votes exceed a five percent threshold were eligible for the allocation. Six further seats were reserved for Taiwanese aborigines. Therefore, each elector had two ballots under parallel voting.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Legislature reform
The aboriginal members were elected by single non-transferable vote in two 3-member constituencies for lowland aborigines and highland aborigines respectively. This did not fulfill the promise in the treaty-like document A New Partnership Between the Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Taiwan, where each of the 13 recognized indigenous peoples was to get at least one seat, and the distinction between highland and lowland abolished.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Legislature reform
The delimitation of the single-member constituencies within the cities and counties was a major political issue, with bargaining between the government and the legislature. Of the 15 cities and counties to be partitioned (the ten others have only one seat), only seven of the districting schemes proposed by the CEC were approved in a normal way. The eight other schemes were decided by drawing lots: "Taipei and Taichung cities and Miaoli and Changhua counties will adopt the version suggested by the CEC, while Kaohsiung city will follow the consensus of the legislature. Taipei county will follow the proposal offered by the opposition Taiwan Solidarity Union, Taoyuan county will adopt the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s scheme, and Pingtung county will use the scheme agreed upon by the Non-partisan Solidarity Union, People First Party, Kuomintang and Taiwan Solidarity Union."


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Impact of the electoral system
The elections were the first held under a new electoral system which had been approved by both major parties in constitutional amendments adopted in 2005, but which one political scientist has argued favored the KMT. The rules are set up so that every county has at least one seat, which gave a higher representation for smaller counties in which the KMT traditionally has done well. Northern counties tend to be marginally in favor of KMT, whereas southern counties tend to be strongly for DPP, and the single member system limits this advantage. The partially led to the result that the legislative count was highly in favor of the KMT while the difference in the number of votes cast for the KMT and DPP were less dramatic.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Impact of the electoral system
It was considered possible that the 2008 Taiwanese presidential election would be held on the same day as this election, but this was eventually not the case, with the presidential happening 10 weeks later, in March. Two referendums were held on the same date.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Results, Legislators elected through constituency and aborigine ballots
Liao Kuo-tung ( Kuomintang)Yang Jen -fu ( Kuomintang)Lin Cheng-er (林正二) ( People First Party)


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Results, Legislators elected through constituency and aborigine ballots
Chien Tung-ming ( Kuomintang) Kung Wen-chi (孔文吉) ( Kuomintang)Kao Chin Su-mei ( Non-Partisan Solidarity Union)


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Impact
With this election the KMT and the Pan-Blue Coalition have more than the two-thirds majority needed to propose a recall election of the President and if NPSU votes are counted with the pan-Blue coalition, more than the three-quarters majority needed to propose constitutional amendments.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Reaction from the government of China
The government of China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, remained largely silent on the election result. State media carried brief updates of results and passed no comment on either the referendum or the Kuomintang victory.


2008 Taiwanese legislative election, Reaction from the government of China
The government of China appointed 13 representatives for Taiwan to its own National People's Congress on the same day. These delegates are mostly descendants of Taiwanese who emigrated to the Mainland, or Communist supporters who fled Taiwan. Their positions are ceremonial as the PRC do not exercise effective jurisdiction over Taiwan.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election
The  12th President and Vice President election of the Republic of China (Chinese: 中華民國第十二任總統副總統選舉) was held on 22 March 2008. Kuomintang (KMT) nominee Ma Ying-jeou won with 58% of the vote, ending eight years of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rule. Along with the 2008 legislative election, Ma's landslide victory brought the Kuomintang back to power in Taiwan.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election
This was the fourth direct election for the President of the Republic of China. The two candidates were Democratic Progressive Party candidate Frank Hsieh and Kuomintang (KMT) nominee Ma Ying-jeou. The KMT ticket was officially formed as of June 23, 2007, with Ma announcing his choice for running mate to be former premier Vincent Siew. The DPP ticket was announced in August, 2007, with Frank Hsieh selecting former Premier Su Tseng-chang.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election
Unlike the 2004 presidential election, the political rhetoric of the campaigns tended to focus on economic issues and government corruption rather than national identity and the political status of Taiwan, with both candidates endorsing the status quo in the short term. But much like previous elections, this election was also marked with island-wide mass rallies and much political mudslinging.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election
The KMT ticket received a larger percentage and more votes than any other candidate in the previous three direct presidential elections. The election occurred as incumbent President Chen Shui-bian's popularity remained at record lows following mass rallies in September 2006 urging him to resign amid implications of corruption. Amid general economic malaise, as unemployment had risen under Chen's presidency and Taiwan's per capita GDP was surpassed by that of South Korea, Ma won on a platform of economic revitalization and a promise to improve cross-straits relations, in contrast to Chen's confrontational style, as "a peacemaker not a troublemaker".


2008 Taiwanese presidential election
The election occurred in the wake of the KMT's landslide victory in the 2008 legislative elections in which the Pan-Blue Coalition won a three-quarters majority in the Legislative Yuan. On the same day two referenda on joining the United Nations, the first supported by the DPP of President Chen and the second supported by the KMT, failed due to low turnout. Prior to the vote, the KMT had encouraged its supporters to boycott the DPP referendum, and expressed its "understanding" if supporters boycotted both.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees
Candidates were to register with their respective parties March 5–9, 2007, for a primary election. Selection of candidates for President in Taiwan, unlike most other nations, were weighed. The actual primary election results accounted for 30% of the final outcome while public opinion polls accounted for the other 70%. Final tallies were announced May 30, 2007.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Democratic Progressive Party
Leading candidates for the Democratic Progressive Party "Four Heavenly Kings" (a less literal translation in English that perhaps gives the meaning more clearly is the "Four Heavyweights") sans incumbent President Chen Shui-bian (who was barred from running due to term limits)—Frank Hsieh, Su Tseng-chang, and Yu Shyi-kun—and incumbent vice president Annette Lu. All three of the men had served as premier under Chen Shui-bian and as DPP chairman during part of the Chen presidency. In addition, Hsieh has been a popular mayor of Kaohsiung, Su has been county magistrate of Taipei County and Pingtung County, and Yu served as Secretary-General in the Office of the President.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Democratic Progressive Party
On May 6, 2007, the DPP primaries took place in all 24 cities and counties in Taiwan. There were 254,963 eligible voters, with voter turnout at 56.06%. Former premier Frank Hsieh emerged as the winner of the DPP primaries, winning 17 of 24 cities and counties with 62,849 votes, about 44% of the votes cast.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Democratic Progressive Party
Despite the fact that the primary results only account for 30% of the final outcome in determining the nominee, fellow DPP candidates Su, who got 46,994 votes; Yu, with 22,211 votes; and Lu with 8,666 votes, endorsed Hsieh before the second stage primary, based on opinion polls, was held, causing the DPP to cancel the second stage primary.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Democratic Progressive Party
The junior partner in the pan-green coalition, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, neither fielded nor endorsed a candidate. TSU Chairman Shu Chin-chiang seemingly endorsed Ma on September 19, 2007 when he referred to Ma as "our President-to-be." At the same time, several TSU legislators stated that they would support DPP candidate Frank Hsieh. In December, Lee Teng-hui, considered the "spiritual leader" of the TSU, rescinded his support of Chen in 2004, and urged citizens against voting for the DPP in upcoming legislative elections. While Lee openly denounced supporting the ruling DPP party, he stopped short of endorsing any party or candidate and waited until March 20, 2008 (two days before the election) to endorse Hsieh.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Kuomintang
Following the KMT's defeat in 2004 and before the 2005 KMT chairman election, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng were both considered leading candidates for the nomination. Ma's landslide victory over Wang in the 2005 KMT chairman election immediately made him the frontrunner. His position was furthered bolstered by the KMT's victories in the 2005 3-in-1 local elections. Ma Ying-jeou began his campaign before his announcement for candidacy, taking trips Europe and Japan in 2006, nominally to obtain business deals for Taipei, but covered widely by the media for his foreign policy remarks.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Kuomintang
He met with numerous politicians in Washington, DC, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick. Significantly, Ma Ying-jeou became the first head of a pan-Blue coalition party to state that declaring de jure Taiwanese independence was a legitimate choice of the Taiwanese people, though he qualified it saying that this was not a position of the KMT, after receiving much criticism from pan-Blue politicians. He also stated that Taiwan should form a common market with mainland China and establish direct transportation links.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Kuomintang
On February 13, 2007 Ma was indicted for misuse of official funds as Taipei Mayor and announced his candidacy as he resigned the KMT chairmanship. He was formally nominated as the KMT candidate on May 2, 2007. Wang did not run against Ma, who was virtually unopposed. Final approval of the nomination was passed by the KMT congress in June. Wang was an early frontrunner to be Ma's running-mate but declined the position absent of assurances from Ma of what responsibilities he would hold as vice president.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Kuomintang
Other leading candidates were Wu Den-yih, incumbent KMT general secretary; Jason Lin, CEO of Uni-President Group; and Tsai Ing-wen, a DPP member and former vice-premier. On June 23, 2007, Ma officially announced former premier and former vice-presidential candidate (in 2000) Vincent Siew as his running mate, praising Siew's economic experience and declaring the economy to be the central focus of his campaign.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Presidential nominees, Kuomintang
Neither the New Party nor the People First Party, junior partners of the KMT in the "Pan-Blue Coalition," fielded a candidate and endorsed the KMT ticket. PFP Chairman James Soong appeared at KMT headquarters once Ma's victory became apparent and pledged to dissolve the PFP to join the KMT.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues
Tens of thousands of Taiwanese waved banners and shouted political slogans March 16, 2008, as the island's rival parties rallied support ahead of the March 22, 2008 presidential elections, with the March 2008 violence in Tibet in the background and Taiwan's own relations with the China on the front burner. The Taiwan-wide events were meant to energize supporters in the home stretch of a race that has so far lacked the passion and commitment of presidential elections in 2000 and 2004.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Economy
Since selecting Vincent Siew as his running mate, Ma announced that the focus of his election campaign was the recovery of the Taiwanese economy. He said that the independence—reunification debate is a "fake issue" with no bearing on the general welfare of the Taiwanese people. He also labeled Siew as the would-be "chief architect" to revive the economy, because of Siew's solid economic background.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Economy
Ma proposed a common market with China; Hsieh said this would lead to job losses and importation of dangerous Chinese products, referring to lead-contaminated toys from Mattel and an excess of highly qualified workers from China.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Corruption
The investigations into alleged misuse of funds by members of both the KMT and DPP were another hot topic.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Corruption
President Chen Shui-Bian suffered a large loss in popularity due to corruption allegations concerning his family. The KMT attempted to capitalize on Ma's public image as a man of integrity, which stemmed from his investigations into vote-buying within his own party while he served as Justice Minister in the early 1990s. Ma resigned as Justice Minister in the mid-1990s and his political career was considered to be over due to what some thought was his zealous investigation of corruption.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Corruption
However, Ma Ying-Jeou was indicted on charges of misusing his mayoral discretionary funds, which was intended for funding personal expenses related to official duties. Ma moved half of the funds into his personal accounts, and his defense was that this practice was standard among government officials. Ma maintained his innocence and stated that the indictment amounted to political prosecution and he would not give up his run for presidency even if found guilty.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Corruption
DPP candidate Frank Hsieh came under investigation for similar charges in irregularity and misuse of funds while he served as mayor of Kaohsiung. However, different from Ma, Hsieh stated that if he was found guilty in his mayoral funds case, he would not continue running for president.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Corruption
On August 12, 2007, Ma was acquitted of misusing the funds, but one of his office clerks was found guilty and faced a year in prison for his own failures in administrative duties.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Status of Taiwan
As is common with Taiwanese elections, an important issue in the election is the future political status of Taiwan and maintenance of good cross-straits relations and avoidance of war with China (PRC). In general, the DPP favors Taiwan independence; the KMT, on the other hand, promotes the one-China principle and desires eventual unification of Taiwan with mainland China, as the KMT still regards the ROC as the sole legitimate government of China. The KMT's main objective is to establish a closer economic relationship with mainland China.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Status of Taiwan
It was widely recognized that no candidate could win without supporting the status quo of de facto autonomy and ambiguous legal status (as they did in 2004) in order to attract centrist voters. Also, in 2004, both mainstream candidates recognized eventual unification and independence as a possible option as a means to attract the center. The strategy of both sides, as was the case in 2004, was to persuade voters that it can best maintain the status quo and protect Taiwan from coerced unification by China.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Status of Taiwan
While the smaller, more radical TSU favors immediate moves to rename the country as Republic of Taiwan, the much more mainstream DPP under Chen Shui-bian has taken a more moderate position regarding independence during incumbency. At the same time the Chen administration has moved to promote a separate Taiwanese identity and give official recognition to Taiwan's de facto independence from the mainland such as by equating Taiwan with the Republic of China. The front-runners for the DPP nomination are all considered more moderate then Chen Shui-bian.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Status of Taiwan
The KMT party line is against one country, two systems, but supports dialogue with the Communist Party of China under the "1992 Consensus" which presumes one China, different interpretations. During the campaign, Ma articulated a three noes policy, no independence, no unification, no use of force. He has also stated that during his first term of office, he will not discuss unification, make no changes to the ROC constitution, and will not personally meet Hu Jintao.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Status of Taiwan
The DPP, in contrast, opposes recognizing One China (a prerequisite set by the PRC for negotiations), and no official talks have occurred under the Chen administration. The DPP also denies that there ever was a consensus in 1992. Both sides supports opening of the three links with mainland China, but with different focus on time and security. Difficulty comes from the PRC's refusal to negotiate unless the Taiwanese counterparty accepts the one-China principle under the 1992 consensus, which only allows the KMT to start three links in early incumbency.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Use of the name "Taiwan"
During the presidency of Chen Shui-bian, some state-controlled and state-owned firms have restored or added "Taiwan" to their names, such as renaming Chunghwa Post (Chinese Post) to Taiwan Post, the name it bore into the ROC period of rule on Taiwan; and Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, its originally planned name. The naming controversy of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the legality of the Central Government's name-change administrative order was another topic of heated debate. Some observers viewed the name changes as signs of reactionary desinicization, while others viewed the name changing as signs of Taiwan localization movement carving a separate identity for Taiwan's name. The issue was, like most others, split strongly between Pan-Blue and Pan-Green supporters.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Use of the name "Taiwan"
President-Elect Ma Ying-jeou pledged that he would revert the name changes of national landmarks, government organizations, and government-owned corporations conducted by the Chen Shui-bian administration. The Pan-Blue generally considered these name changes to be illegal because they were done through administrative orders, bypassing the Pan-Blue dominated legislature. Further examples of landmarks and organizations that were renamed are Chinese Petroleum Company and China Shipbuilding Corporation.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Green card issue
During the campaign, Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Frank Hsieh and DPP legislators questioned Ma Ying-jeou's loyalty to the Republic of China and to the people of Taiwan. Hsieh stated that Ma would not have become former President Chiang Ching-kuo's English secretary in 1977 if Chiang had known that Ma was in possession of a green card and his status as a US permanent resident.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Green card issue
Chiang instructed public servants not to keep a foot in both camps. Public servants working under him were not allowed to have green cards,


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Green card issue
When asked, Ma Ying-jeou stated that he and his family members did not have green cards. He later clarified that he once possessed one. He also stated that he had not violated any law by possessing a US green card and that he never intended to hide the fact he was once a US permanent resident. He also maintained that possession of a green card, as well as having the status as a US permanent resident, was not against any government regulations at the time.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Green card issue
Ma also stated that he believed that his green card was automatically invalidated when he applied for a US visa at the American Institute in Taiwan in 1985. Hsieh's questioning of his opponent's residency status extended to Ma's family members who carried US passports and citizenship, including Ma's US born daughter Lesley Weichung Ma. Ma's response was that


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Green card issue
[My family members] have US passports, but they love Taiwan very much. Obtaining a green card has nothing to do with the issue of loyalty. It is only a way to live or travel in the US


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Green card issue
Two TVBS political opinion poll conducted after Hsieh released his statement showed a slight dip in Ma Ying-jeou's support, but was well within the margin of error.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Hsieh office incident
Four pan-blue legislators attempted to enter the Hsieh election headquarters without permission, with the reason that they were there to investigate the claim that the government provided them office space for free. Hsieh's supporters surrounded them and blocked them as they tried to leave; fighting broke out. The pan-green called it an illegal search and said the pan-blue camp will carry out further similar actions if they controlled both the executive and legislature.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Hsieh office incident
The legislators were labeled the "Four Idiots"(四個笨蛋) by the media and suspended from the party. Ma apologized for their actions on six separate occasions.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Hsieh office incident
It is illegal to publish opinion polls in the ten days leading up to the election, but gambling syndicates changed their offering to "Ma wins by 200,000 votes" bets, down from "Ma wins by 500,000 votes" bets before the incident.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Chuang Kuo-jung's profanity incident
On March 16, 2008, standing for DPP candidate Frank Hsieh at a rally in Taichung, Chuang Kuo-jung, a deputy secretary for the Department of Education, called Ma Ying-jeou a "chicken" and further insulted his father and family. He mentioned a recent discovery by a magazine investigation that Ma's father Ma Ho-ling was proven to have slept with his foster daughter in the past. This drew the wrath of the Taiwanese public. With more investigations by broadcasting channels, the claims were deemed fake.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Chuang Kuo-jung's profanity incident
DPP officials felt that the wording used by Chuang was insulting and inappropriate, and therefore, publicly apologized for Chuang's uncalled for and profane remarks. His speech was ridden with distaste and foul language deemed inappropriate for broadcast television, and had to be censored by NCC. Chuang initially resigned from his post as secretary of the Ministry of Education without an apology. Minister Tu accepted the resignations, after reservations. The next day, Chuang issued a formal apology through media.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Chuang Kuo-jung's profanity incident
Chuang's behavior has consequences affecting his teaching position at the National Chengchi University. As of June 19, 2008, the faculty panel has decided not to renew his teaching contract for the following school year.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Issues, Impact of unrest in Tibet
Hsieh seized on the 2008 unrest in Tibet to shift the focus of the campaign away from economic issues and accuse Ma of wanting to make Taiwan a "second Tibet". Ma was more cautious, and said he didn't know who was responsible for the violence. Government ministers tried to help Hsieh by ominously comparing a reunified Taiwan with Tibet, and pressuring China to speak with the Dalai Lama. Ma himself tried to capitalize on the Tibet issue by suggesting a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Hsieh fired back that it would only hurt the Chinese Taipei athletes, and that that proved that Ma was a "cold-hearted person". But while there was speculation that Tibet could become a swing issue, the final vote went as predicted.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Opinion polling
Opinion polls were held by various news agencies and organizations in Taiwan during the election campaign. Before the election, the last of such polls was published on March 11, 2008 because, according to ROC law, opinion polls could not be published within ten days of the election. However, polls can still be taken during the ten days.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Opinion polling
Republic of China law also prohibits the publishing of any new opinion polling data in the last ten days leading up to the election.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Mechanics
The election was by direct popular vote; a simple plurality was required to win. According to the Constitution of the Republic of China, all citizens of at least 20 years of age who have held household registration in the "Free Area of the Republic of China" (Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, etc.) were eligible to vote. Under existing law, all voters travelled to their registered precincts to vote. Ballots were counted by hand at the precincts and the KMT declared victory less than three hours after the close of polls at 4:00 pm.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Mechanics
Because of KMT strategy of having people boycott the referendum, one major controversy, like in 2004 was the format of the polling, specifically as whether the referendum questions would be on the same or different ballots as the Presidency. While in 2004 the Central Electoral Commission allowed U shaped line in which people would first cast a ballot for President and then cast a separate ballot for each of the two questions, the Commission ordered voters to cast all votes at once on separate ballots. Voters who choose not to cast a referendum ballot simply declined to pick up the extra two ballots.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Results
Polls closed at 16:00 local time (UTC+8) on March 22, 2008. The final result, with all 14,401 precincts reporting, showed a landslide victory for the KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou over the DPP candidate Frank Hsieh, with 7,658,724 votes, 58.45% of the popular vote for Ma against 5,445,239 votes, 41.55% for Hsieh. Turnout was 76.33%, with 13.2 million votes from 17.3 million eligible voters. The CEC released the final results with 100% of precincts reporting.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Results
One local media commentator analyzed that their primary concern may be more economic than political, andquoted Bill Clinton's famous slogan, "It's the economy, stupid", as an explanation of the landslide victory for Ma. There was a sizeable number of Taiwanese who would prefer maintaining the status quo, a position favoured by Ma when he proclaimed that he would "not push for Taiwan independence or reunification with China if elected".


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Reactions, Domestic reactions
In various KMT headquarters throughout Taiwan, celebrations of the party's landslide victory took place. The largest event was located at the Main KMT Headquarters in Taipei. Former Chairman Lien Chan, Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, Chairman Wu Po-hsiung were presented and celebrated with the large crowd. At 7:30 pm, Presidential-elect Ma Ying-jeou came out and spoke about what is expected of his new government when it begins office on May 20, 2008.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Reactions, Domestic reactions
Many DPP supporters were very disappointed with the results of the election. Various DPP members went on stage at the party's Central Headquarters in Taipei and apologised to the Taiwanese people. Runner-up Presidential candidate Frank Hsieh stated that the result should be considered a blow to himself rather than a blow to Taiwan's young democracy. He pledged he would never again run for public office. The DPP leaders ended the day by bowing down to the crowd.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Reactions, Domestic reactions
After a press conference on March 23 where Ma stated that he will work to open up the Three Links and improve cross-strait relations, Taiwan's stock market saw a large rise. The accumulated index jumped 534 points to 9049. 1100 listed companies saw their share prices rise. Of these, financial stocks all rose to trading limit levels, with transportation companies, speculated to benefit from improved relations with mainland China, also quickly reaching price rise limits. Other sectors that saw strong rises include large conglomerates, real property, electronics and technology.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Reactions, PRC reactions
Consistently with its silence before the election, the PRC government refrained from commenting directly on the election results, and PRC media, which follows instructions on reporting from the government, has been very quiet as to the result of the elections. Also consistently with its behaviour before the election, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China commented on the failure of the two United Nations-related referenda held concurrently with the election, stating that the results showed the lack of popular support for independence in Taiwan. The Bureau also expressed optimism for the two governments to work together to maintain cross-strait peace and aid development in future. It is speculated that the mainland government would be pleased with the result.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Reactions, PRC reactions
While also refraining from commenting directly on the results, the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China prominently displayed the election results, including the photos and brief biographies of the winning candidates, on its website. This, speculated Hong Kong's Ming Pao, showed signs of positive interaction between the two governments in future.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Reactions, Other reactions
Singapore was the first country to send official congratulatory messages about the election results. It has since been the only country to do so together with the United States. China has thus far not responded to these messages.


2008 Taiwanese presidential election, Reactions, Other reactions
Most other countries chose to issue general statements without specifically congratulating anyone:


2008 Taiwanese transitional justice referendum
Two referendums were held in Taiwan on 12 January 2008, alongside legislative elections. One (officially numbered as Question 3) concerned transitional justice and the treatment of contentious properties acquired by the Kuomintang, whilst a counter-referendum (Question 4) was initiated by the Kuomintang on alleged corruption in politics. The referendum was considered to be a dress rehearsal for a more contentious referendum on support for Taiwan admission to the United Nations to be held in March.


2008 Taiwanese transitional justice referendum
Although a majority of voters voted in favour of both proposals, voter turnout was only 26%, well below the 50% required to make the results valid. The legislative elections had a turnout of around 58%.


2008 Taiwanese transitional justice referendum, Questions, Proposal 3
This question was officially championed by former premier Yu Shyi-kun.


2008 Taiwanese transitional justice referendum, Questions, Proposal 3
Do you agree that the following principles should be followed to legislate a ‘Regulation for the Disposal of Properties Inappropriately Acquired by Political Parties’, in order to return such properties of the Kuomintang to the people? : Kuomintang’s and its associate organization’s properties – outside of party dues, political donations, and public subsidies – should be presumed inappropriately acquired and returned to the people. Those already liquidated, the party should compensate at market value. (你是否同意依下列原則制定「政黨不當取得財產處理條例」，將中國國民黨黨產還給全民：國民黨及其附隨組織的財產，除黨費、政治獻金及競選補助金外，均推定為不當取得的財產，應還給人民。已處分者，應償還價額。)


2008 Taiwanese transitional justice referendum, Questions, Proposal 4
This question was officially championed by former finance minister Wang Chien-shien.


2008 Taiwanese transitional justice referendum, Questions, Proposal 4
Do you agree that legislation should be enacted to investigate the responsibility of leaders of the nation and their subordinates, when there is grave damage to the nation due to their wrongful intentions or grave failure in carrying out their duties? Further, do you agree that Commissions of Inquiry should be set up by the Legislative Yuan to investigate such matters; and that the departments of the government should co-operate fully without resistance, in order that the benefits of the people will be preserved? That the personnel criminally at fault should be punished and their illegal income be recovered? (您是否同意制定法律追究國家領導人及其部屬，因故意或重大過失之措施，造成國家嚴重損害之責任，並由立法院設立調查委員會調查，政府各部門應全力配合，不得抗拒，以維全民利益，並懲處違法失職人員，追償不當所得？)


2008 Taiwanese transitional justice referendum, Campaign
The Kuomintang urged voters to boycott both referendums to prevent them from reaching the 50% voter turnout needed to for validate the result, and there was much pre-election controversy over the format and structure of the balloting. Initially, the Kuomintang was in favor of a two-step balloting system where voters would vote for the legislative elections and then for the referendum, while the DPP was in favor of a one-step system in which voters would get all four ballots to vote. The final system was a one-step, two-table system in which voters would get the ballots at separate tables but would mark the ballot papers together.


2008 Tajik League
The 2009 Tajik League was the 17th season of Tajik League, the Tajikistan Football Federation's top division of association football. Regar-TadAZ retained their championship, having won the previous season.


2008 Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council election
Elections to Tameside Council were held on 1 May 2008. One third of the council was up for election, with each successful candidate to serve a four-year term of office, expiring in 2012. The Labour Party retained overall control of the council.


2008 Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council election, Results, Dukinfield / Stalybridge ward
Dorothy Cartwright defected from the Conservative Party to the Labour Party in December 2010.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 33rd season in the National Football League the 11th playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium, and the seventh and final under head coach Jon Gruden. Though the team finished with a winning record (9–7), they failed to defend their 2007 NFC South championship and did not qualify for the playoffs after finishing the year on a four-game losing streak. Just weeks after the conclusion of the regular season, head coach Jon Gruden was fired,a move that came as a surprise both to sports writers and Gruden himself. General manager Bruce Allen was also fired. It would also be Gruden's last time coaching until 10 years later, when he returned to coach the Oakland Raiders, whom he previously coached from 1998 to 2001.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The failure of the Buccaneers to return to the Super Bowl marked the 24th consecutive year in which the Super Bowl did not include the team in whose region the game was being played a feat that never has been achieved since the 49ers in 1984. The 2008 season marked a turning point in Tampa's history. From 2008 to 2020, Tampa Bay would not reach the postseason.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Offseason, Signings
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers resigned free agents Michael Bennett (cut November 12), Kevin Carter, Antoine Cash, Sammy Davis, Jerramy Stevens. On June 11, the team settled with estranged quarterback Jake Plummer for $3.5 million.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Offseason, Signings
Free agent acquisitions include former team player Warrick Dunn (Falcons) and Brian Griese (Bears).


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Summary
Tampa Bay's offseason gained attention when they expressed interest in free agent quarterback Brett Favre. After Favre signed with the Jets, tension was reported between head coach Jon Gruden and incumbent quarterback Jeff Garcia. Garcia was recovering from a preseason injury, but was still named the starter. After dropping the season opener, Garcia was benched in favor of Brian Griese.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Summary
Griese helped the team to victories in the next three games. With Garcia back as the starter for week 6, the Buccaneers went 6–1 over the next 7 games. At the end of November, Tampa Bay found themselves in first place in the NFC South. They tied a franchise best start of 9–3, were undefeated at home (6–0), and controlled their own destiny for a first-round bye in the playoffs.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Summary
The month of December, however, saw the Buccaneers season collapse. A humiliating loss on Monday Night Football against Carolina took away their hopes of a division title. Meanwhile, longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin announced he was leaving to join his son Lane at Tennessee. The defense began to struggle mightily, especially against the run. An overtime loss at Atlanta, followed by two home losses, dropped the Bucs to 9–7, and out of the playoffs. Less than three weeks later, head coach Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen were fired.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Preseason
NOTE: Due to NBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics, two of the Buccaneers' pre-season games were telecast on WTVT as WFLA broadcast the Olympics.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Preseason
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held Training Camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex from July 26 through August 14. They played four preseason games, and finished with a record of 3–1.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Preseason
During the month of July, and into the early stages of training camp, the Buccaneers were one of the teams in the running to sign Brett Favre (who ended his 6-month-long retirement). Favre ultimately signed with the Jets. Meanwhile, starting quarterback Jeff Garcia suffered a calf injury during the first week of camp. Quarterback duties were shared among five players for the preseason, with Garcia named the starter for the regular season. On the final day of cuts, Tampa Bay finally waived quarterback Chris Simms, who had played sparsely since injuring his spleen in week 3 of 2006.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
The Buccaneers began their 2008 campaign on the road against their NFC South foe, the New Orleans Saints. In the first quarter, Tampa Bay trailed as Saints QB Drew Brees completed a 39-yard TD pass to WR David Patten. The Bucs would respond with CB Phillip Buchanon returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Tampa Bay took the lead with kicker Matt Bryant getting a 37-yard field goal.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
In the third quarter, New Orleans would reply with kicker Martín Gramática getting a 34-yard field goal, yet the Buccaneers replied with Bryant nailing a 33-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Saints got their lead back with Brees completing an 84-yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson. In the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay would go ahead again as QB Jeff Garcia completing a 2-yard TD pass to WR Ike Hilliard. However, New Orleans regained the lead after Brees completing a 42-yard TD pass to RB Reggie Bush.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
Inside the final minute, Garcia drove the Buccaneers to the Saints 24-yard line. Facing 4th down & 6, Garcia threw an interception, and the Saints clinched the victory. With the loss, the Buccaneers began their season at 0–1 and lost on opening day for the third straight year.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay held their home opener facing their second division game, against the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Jeff Garcia was inactive due to an ankle injury. However, rumors persisted during the week that the relationship between head coach Jon Gruden and Garcia had broken down after a poor performance the week before, and after preseason distractions due to a nagging injury, and the team's rumored interest in acquiring Brett Favre. Back-up quarterback Brian Griese, who last played at Tampa Bay in 2005, started. Derrick Brooks, who also was nursing injury, was activated and started the game to keep his consecutive games started streak (209) alive.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
On the first drive of the game, Atlanta started at their own 23. On the third play of the game, Aqib Talib intercepted Matt Ryan, and returned the ball to the 19. Five plays later, Brian Griese connected with John Gilmore for a 5-yard touchdown.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Early in the second quarter, Tampa Bay started a 12-play, 81-yard drive at their own 19-yard line. On first & goal at the Atlanta 8-yard line, Earnest Graham rushed for an apparent 8-yard touchdown, but it was called back for a holding penalty. After losing ground and facing 3rd & goal at the 17, Warrick Dunn rumbled 17 yards, breaking several tackles for a touchdown. It was Dunn's first score since returning to the team. After a kickoff, Atlanta started their next drive at the 22-yard line.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After two incompletions, on third down, Ryan was intercepted by Sabby Piscitelli, who returned the ball to the 17-yard line. Matt Bryant capped off the turnover with a field goal, and a 17–0 lead. Atlanta finally got onto the scoreboard with 12 seconds remaining in the half, with a Jason Elam field goal.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Early in the fourth quarter, Atlanta trailed 17–6. Facing 3rd & 8 at their own 19-yard line, an unusual play occurred. Matt Ryan completed a 20-yard pass to Roddy White. White fumbled, and it was recovered by Sabby Piscitelli of the Buccaneers. Piscitelli then ran 3 yards and attempted a lateral to Cato June. The lateral was actually an illegal forward pass, and fell incomplete to the ground. Thought to be a live ball, it was recovered once more by Atlanta, meanwhile a flag for a personal foul by Tampa Bay was also on the field. After several minutes of confusion and discussion by the officials, they awarded the ball to Atlanta at the Tampa Bay 48-yard line. Atlanta continued the drive and managed a field goal, trimming the lead to 17–9.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Late in the fourth quarter, Earnest Graham iced the game with a 68-yard touchdown run, and a final score of 24–9.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
In the first quarter, both Tampa Bay and Chicago were fired up and committed several skirmishes. On the second play of the game, Brian Griese's pass was tipped and intercepted by Lance Briggs. The Bears capitalized on the turnover with a field goal. A field position battle saw the Bears kick another field goal, and hold a 6–0 lead early. After the early turnover, Brian Griese led the Buccaneers on an 8-play, 81-yard scoring drive. The drive was capped off by a touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
Early in the second quarter, Griese completed a pass to Maurice Stovall, but Stovall fumbled the ball with Chicago recovering at the 38-yard line. Attempting to score quickly, Kyle Orton threw deep to the endzone on the next play. The pass was broken up in the endzone, and bounced into the hands of Barrett Ruud for an improbable interception. The teams traded possessions twice, and the Bears found themselves driving across midfield with about 6 minutes left in the half. After a sack, Orton was again pressured, and threw a screen pass which was intercepted.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
Gaines Adams returned the ball 45 yards to the goal line, and after review, was awarded a touchdown. The Bears regrouped and drove to their own 44-yard line. On fourth down, a well-executed fake punt resulted in a 38-yard run by  Garrett Wolfe. The Bears scored a third field goal as time expired in the half, and Tampa Bay took a 14–9 lead into halftime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
After an interception midway through the third quarter, Chicago scored their first touchdown (and added a two-point conversion) for a 17–14 lead. With less than 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, hoping to put the game out of reach, a fourth field goal by Gould put the Bears up by ten points.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
Brian Griese drove the Buccaneers 63 yards in 12 plays, and set up a 35-yard field goal by Matt Bryant. The kick narrowed the deficit to 7 points. The Buccaneer defense held Chicago to a 3-and-out, and the Bears punted to Tampa Bay immediately after the two-minute warning. In just over a minute and a half, Griese drove the Buccaneers 81 yards in 11 plays. Jerramy Stevens caught a 1-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score and force overtime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
In the overtime period, Tampa Bay won the coin toss and received. They quickly drove to the Chicago 39-yard line, but an intentional grounding penalty stalled the drive. Chicago received a punt, but was unable to cross midfield. Brad Maynard punted, and pinned the Buccaneers at their own 7-yard line.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
Facing 3rd & 9 at their own 8-yard line, Griese passed to Jerramy Stevens for a short 2-yard gain. The drive, however, was given new life when a skirmish broke out and Charles Tillman of the Bears was called for unnecessary roughness. In seven plays, Griese drove the Buccaneers to the Chicago 44-yard line. With just over 5 minutes left in the overtime period, Griese connected with Antonio Bryant for a 38-yard pass, and a first & goal at the Chicago 6. Two plays later, Matt Bryant came on the field, and kicked a game-winning field goal.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 3: at Chicago Bears
Brian Griese set a franchise record for most pass attempts (67, fourth most in NFL history). His passing yards (407) was the third-most in team history.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay took the opening drive 58 yards for a touchdown, and the first score of the game. The remainder of the Packers' drives in the first half were largely unsuccessful. On the first play of the second quarter, Aaron Rodgers pass was tipped and then intercepted by Derrick Brooks. The turnover set the Buccaneers up on the Packers 32-yard line. Shortly thereafter, Brian Griese connected to Alex Smith to tie the score at 7.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Later in the second quarter, Green Bay faced 4th & 15 at their own 5-yard line. Derrick Frost punted from the back of the endzone, but the punt took a "Buccaneer bounce" and was downed at the Green Bay 41-yard line. The resulting good field position led to a Matt Bryant field goal, and a 10–7 lead. Earlier in the week, Bryant suffered tragedy off the field, with the death of his 3-month-old son Tryson. Four plays later, Rodgers was intercepted again, this time by Barrett Ruud. Before the end of the second quarter, Bryant kicked another field goal, and the Buccaneers led 13–7 at halftime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Tampa Bay took the second half kickoff, and drove to the Packers 17-yard line. A play later, however, Griese's pass was bobbled by Michael Clayton at the 5, and intercepted by Tramon Williams. After trading possessions, midway through the third quarter, Green Bay was at their own 40-yard line. Ryan Grant fumbled, and Jermaine Phillips recovered for a 38-yard Buccaneer touchdown.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
On the second play of Tampa Bay's next drive, Griese threw his second interception, which was returned to the 42-yard line. Aaron Rodgers threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings to trim the score to 20–14. Rodgers, however, appeared to injure his throwing arm on the play.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Early in the fourth quarter, Griese threw his second straight interception (and third overall), which was returned 62 yards by Charles Woodson for a touchdown. The Packers took a 21–20 lead with just under 14 minutes to go, while rookie back-up quarterback Matt Flynn took over for the next drive.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
With just over 8 minutes remaining, Griese led the Buccaneers on a 10-play, 58-yard drive, capped off by Matt Bryant's third field goal, and a 23–21 lead. Green Bay started with 2:26 remaining. On the drive's second play, Rodgers was intercepted by Gaines Adams. Earnest Graham iced the game with a 47-yard rush, followed by a 1-yard touchdown.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 5: at Denver Broncos
The Buccaneers traveled to Denver for the first time since 1996, and lost their second game of the 2008 season. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 227 yards and one touchdown.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 5: at Denver Broncos
After trading possessions twice to start the game, Tampa Bay drove 65 yards on 7 plays, taking the lead 3–0. On the next possession, Denver managed to tie the score with a 55-yard field goal.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 5: at Denver Broncos
Later in the second quarter, Denver made a 9-play drive, capped off by a field goal, and a 6–3 lead. Tampa Bay took over with 2:21 left in the half. Brian Griese drove the Buccaneers in 11 plays to the Denver 11-yard line. As time ran out in the half, Matt Bryant kicked another field goal, and the game was tied 6–6 at halftime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 5: at Denver Broncos
Tampa Bay took the second half kickoff, but was forced to punt. Josh Bidwell pinned the Broncos at their own 4-yard line. On the first play of the drive, however, Cutler connected with Tony Scheffler for 33 yards, and dug themselves out of the hole. The resulting good field possession allowed Denver to punt, and pin Tampa Bay at their own 11. Brian Griese threw an incompletion, and suffered an injured shoulder on the play. Jeff Garcia took over at quarterback.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 5: at Denver Broncos
With a short field, Denver drove 47 yards on only five plays, and took the lead again with a 10-yard touchdown pass by Cutler. They followed up with a field goal early in the fourth quarter, and held a 16–6 lead.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 5: at Denver Broncos
Late in the fourth quarter, Jeff Garcia drove the Buccaneers 90 yards in 13 plays. The drive was capped off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard. The touchdown trimmed the deficit to 16–13. Rather than an onside, Tampa Bay elected to squib kick, and Denver recovered. The Broncos managed two first downs, and ran out the clock to secure the victory.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Broncos, the Buccaneers went home for a Week 6 NFC South duel with the Carolina Panthers.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
Carolina received the opening kickoff, but their opening drive was short-lived. At their own 41-yard line, Jason Baker's punt was blocked, and LB Geno Hayes returned the ball 22 yards for a touchdown, which was the first time that Tampa Bay returned a blocked punt for a touchdown since December 2, 2001 against the Bengals. Later in the first quarter, Jake Delhomme was intercepted by Tanard Jackson at the Carolina 36. Jeff Garcia drove the Buccaneers in five plays for a touchdown, and a 14–0 lead.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
Carolina got on the board early in the second quarter, with a 20-yard field goal. The Panthers had 1st & goal at the Tampa Bay 3, and nearly suffered a fumble. After review, the ruling on the field (down by contact) was upheld, and the Pathers trimmed the deficit to 14–3.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
On the next drive, Garcia connected deep to Michael Clayton, and a Matt Bryant field goal put the Buccaneers up 17–3. After trading possessions, Carolina was pinned back at their own 6-yard line. Delhomme drove the Panthers into Tampa territory, but was intercepted in the endzone by Jermaine Phillips. The turnover came up short, however, as Bryant missed a field goal to end the half.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay took the second half kickoff. Josh Bidwell punted, and the ball appeared to be downed at the 1-yard line, but officials ruled a touchback. After a replay challenge, the ruling was overturned, and Carolina took over inside their own 1. The poor field position led to another Tampa Bay field goal, and a 20–3 lead. Carolina's next drive went 3-and-out, and a poor punt set up the Buccaneers up at the 41. Jeff Garcia drove the Buccaneers to the 1-yard line, including a 3rd down scramble at the 2. Earnest Graham capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
All of Carolina's fourth quarter drives came up empty, and Tampa Bay ran out the clock to seal the victory. The win snapped a 5-game losing streak to Carolina at Raymond James Stadium.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay appeared on NBC's Sunday Night Football for the first time, and hosted a primetime home game for the first time since 2003. At halftime, festivities were scheduled honoring retired player Mike Alstott.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle took the opening kickoff, but the Buccaneer defense forced a punt. Jeff Garcia led the Buccaneers to a 7–0 lead on their first drive after a 47-yard touchdown pass. Seattle's two other first quarter drives were 3 & outs.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Early in the second quarter, Garcia drove the Buccaneers to the Seattle 4-yard line. Ike Hilliard caught a pass, but was knocked out by a helmet-to-helmet hit. After a replay challenge, it was determined that Hilliard also fumbled the ball. Seattle took over possession, but the drive went 3 & out. Seattle's punt was received by Tampa Bay at their own 41. Garcia quickly drove the Buccaneers to the endzone, with Earnest Graham upping the lead to 14–0.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Justin Forsett returned the ensuing kickoff for Seattle all the way to the Tampa Bay 31. On the first play of the drive, however, Seneca Wallace was intercepted by Aqib Talib. The turnover led to a Matt Bryant field goal and a 17–0 lead. With just over 2 minutes remaining, Seneca Wallace fumbled the center exchange at the snap, and Tampa Bay recovered. As time expired in the half, Matt Bryant attempted a 47-yard field goal into the wind, but it fell short.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle earned good field position early in the third quarter, which led to an Olindo Mare field goal. On their next drive, Maurice Morris broke for a 45-yard rush. The Buccaneer defense stiffened in the red zone, however, and Seattle missed a field goal.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay dominated the fourth quarter, executing a clock-eating, 16-play, 9½-minute drive, culminating with a Matt Bryant field goal and a 20–3 lead. A late touchdown pass by Seattle trimmed the lead to 20–10, but an ensuing onside kick failed. Tampa Bay ran the clock down, and improved to 4–0 at home with the victory.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Tampa Bay traveled to Dallas, for what would be their final regular season game at Texas Stadium. Jeff Garcia passed for 227 yards and no interceptions, and the Buccaneer defense held the Cowboys to only 172 yards, but the team fell by a score of 13–9.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
With Tony Romo on the sidelines with a broken finger, former Buccaneer Brad Johnson started at quarterback for the Cowboys. Dallas' first three drives went 3-and-out, and Johnson's passing game sputtered. Meanwhile, Jeff Garcia twice drove the Buccaneers into the red zone, and two Matt Bryant field goals put Tampa Bay ahead 6–0.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Dallas got onto the scoreboard in the second quarter with a field goal. On the next drive, Tampa Bay drove 48 yards in 14 plays, but missed a 51-yard field goal. The Cowboys took the good field position, and drove into Tampa Bay territory. With 47 seconds left in the half, facing 3rd & 12 at the 49, the Cowboys' drive appeared to be halted. However, Ronde Barber was called for a horse-collar penalty, and the drive continued. Johnson capitalized on the penalty, and scored a touchdown pass to Roy Williams with 4 seconds left in the half.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Clifton Smith fumbled away the second half kickoff for Tampa Bay, setting up a field position battle in the third quarter. Each team added another field goal, and the score stood at 13–9 late in the fourth quarter. Garcia drove the Buccaneers 56 yards in 16 plays, to the Dallas 18-yard line. Facing 4th & 5 with 19 seconds to go, Garcia's pass fell incomplete, and Dallas held on for the victory.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
Tampa Bay got off to a slow start as Kansas City took the opening drive 69 yards for a touchdown. On Tampa Bay's first play from scrimmage, Earnest Graham fumbled and the Chiefs recovered. The turnover led to another Kansas City touchdown, and a 14–0 lead.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
Early in the second quarter, Tampa Bay drove into the red zone, and scored a field goal. On the following drive, the Chiefs executed a flea-flicker play and quarterback Tyler Thigpen caught an improbable 37-yard touchdown pass. Late in the second quarter, the Chiefs added a field goal, to stretch the lead to 24–3. On the ensuing kickoff, Clifton Smith scored a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown, the second such in franchise history. The Buccaneer defense held the Chiefs to a 3-and-out, and the offense took over with 1:08 to go. As time expired in the half, Matt Bryant's second field goal trimmed the deficit to 24–13.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
Neither team scored in the third quarter, and all drives ended in punts. Early in the fourth quarter, Jeff Garcia again drove Tampa Bay into the red zone. Clifton Smith caught a pass, but fumbled at the 13. Kansas City recovered at their own 10. On the very next play, Jamaal Charles fumbled away a pitch in the backfield, and Tampa Bay recovered inside the 3. In a trick play, Jeff Garcia handed off to Earnest Graham, who passed to Alex Smith for a touchdown. A two-point conversion failed, and the score trimmed to 24–19.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
With 3:34 to go, the Buccaneers drove to the Kansas City 3, and Earnest Graham appeared to be heading for a potential game-tying score. The ball was fumbled, however, and the Chiefs took over on a touchback. The Buccaneer defense forced a punt, and they took over with 1:50 to go. Jeff Garcia quickly drove the Buccaneers to a 25-yard touchdown, and a two-point conversion catch by Alex Smith sent the game to overtime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
In the overtime period, Tampa Bay won the coin toss. They drove to the Kansas City 15-yard line, and Matt Bryant won the game on a 34-yard field goal. The victory marked the largest comeback (from 21 points behind to win) in franchise history.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
With the win, the Buccaneers went into their bye week at 6–3.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Tampa Bay defense sacked quarterback Gus Frerotte five times, and kicker Matt Bryant scored four field goals, as the Buccaneers prevailed over the visiting Vikings. Running back Adrian Peterson was held to only 85 yards, and the Vikings lost two fumbles.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
On the second play of their first drive, running back Earnest Graham suffered an injured ankle, and sat out the remainder of the game. Both teams traded field goals, and the first quarter was tied 3–3.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Two costly Tampa Bay penalties set the Vikings up at the Tampa Bay 12. Three plays later, a touchdown gave Minnesota a 10–3 lead. On the following drive, Jeff Garcia drove the Buccaneers into Vikings territory. A roughing the passer penalty on Ray Edwards then gave the Buccaneers a 1st & goal at the 3-yard line. A field goal was the result.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota went on a long field goal drive, and improved their lead to 13–6 at the half.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay's defense took over in the second half. The Buccaneers took the second half kickoff, and Garcia methodically drove the offense into the red zone. At the Minnesota 17-yard line, a series of penalties disrupted the drive. A holding call on Jerramy Stevens pushed them back 10 yards. Antonio Bryant then electrified the crowd with an apparent 27-yard catch and run touchdown. The touchdown, however, was called back for holding. An offsides penalty on Minnesota set up 2nd & 25 at the 32. Garcia connected for a 31-yard pass to Stevens, and the Buccaneers ultimately tied the game at 13–13.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota's first drive of the third quarter saw them drive to their own 49-yard line. They went for it on a 4th & 1, but failed, turing the ball over on downs. Tampa Bay again drove into Minnesota territory, but Clifton Smith fumbled. The turnover came up empty, however, as the Vikings were forced to punt.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 11: vs. Minnesota Vikings
With 14:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay started a 13-play, 69-yard, drive of almost 9 minutes, capped off by a go-ahead field goal. Maurice Hicks fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, and Tampa Bay scored yet another field goal. Two drives in the final 4 minutes by the Vikings came up empty, a turnover on downs, and a fumble, and Tampa Bay held on to win 19–13.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 12: at Detroit Lions
In the first quarter, the Buccaneers started out flat, and found themselves trailing 17–0 to the winless Detroit Lions. After trading possessions to open the game, quarterback Daunte Culpepper led the Lions on a seven-play touchdown drive to go up 7–0. On the following drive, Jeff Garcia ran into running back Carnell Williams and fumbled the ball. Daniel Bullocks recovered the ball and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown. The Lions added a field goal late in the first quarter, and led 17–0.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Early in the second quarter, Jeff Garcia quickly moved the Buccaneers down the field for their first touchdown. The Lions went three-and-out, and the Buccaneers went on another touchdown drive to trim the deficit to 17–14. Less than two minutes later, Ronde Barber intercepted Daunte Culpepper at the Detroit 24. On the very next play, Garcia connected with Jerramy Stevens, and the Buccaneers took their first lead of the game at 21–17.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 12: at Detroit Lions
On their first possession of the second half, the Lions again went three-and-out. Nick Harris punted, and Clifton Smith returned the punt 70 yards for a touchdown. Later in the third quarter, Ronde Barber intercepted Culpepper for the second time, this time returning the ball for a touchdown. Culpepper was benched and back-up quarterback Drew Stanton stepped in. By the end of the third quarter, the Lions trimmed the deficit to 35–20.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Warrick Dunn broke off a 40-yard run, and a roughing the passer penalty put Tampa Bay in the red zone. An unnecessary roughness penalty, along with Garcia being tripped by him own man, however, forced the Buccaneers to settle for a fourth quarter Matt Bryant field goal.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 12: at Detroit Lions
With 8 minutes remaining, the Lions received a punt and Daunte Culpepper returned to the game. Culpepper's pass was complete to John Standeford, but he fumbled and Tampa Bay recovered. They did not surrender the ball again, and ran out the clock to seal the victory.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans took the opening kickoff, and quarterback Drew Brees drove the Saints to the Tampa Bay 30-yard line. On a 4th down and 1, however, they were stopped and turned the ball over on downs. At their own 41-yard line, Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia threw an apparent completion, but was intercepted by Jonathan Vilma. The turnover led to a Saints field goal. Midway through the first quarter, heavy rain began to fall.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay took their next possession to the New Orleans 21, and tied the score at 3–3. Late in the second quarter, Clifton Smith returned a New Orleans punt 42 yards to the 39-yard line. The good field position led to a second Matt Bryant field goal. Brees took over with just over two minutes left in the half. He quickly led the Saints on a six-play touchdown drive, and took a 10–6 lead into halftime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay's opening drive of the third quarter was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown run by Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, his first touchdown since returning to play a week earlier. New Orleans went three-and-out on their next drive, while Tampa Bay stretched their lead moments later with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Bryant. Looking to answer, Brees was intercepted in the endzone by Cato June.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
Early in the fourth quarter, Brees again drove deep into Tampa Bay territory. An apparent interception in the endzone was negated by a penalty, and the drive continued. With new life, Brees connected to Pierre Thomas, and trimmed the deficit to 20–17.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
After Tampa Bay was held to two three-and-outs, Josh Bidwell shanked a punt, setting New Orleans up at the Tampa Bay 49-yard line. A field goal tied the score at 20–20 with less than six minutes remaining. With 2:33 to go, Jermaine Phillips intercepted Drew Brees, and returned the ball to the New Orleans 17. Matt Bryant kicked the go-ahead field goal at the two-minute warning. With 1:45 left, Brees was intercepted by Phillip Buchanon to ice the victory.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
The win marked head coach Jon Gruden's 100th career NFL victory.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay visited division foe Carolina on Monday Night Football with first place in the NFC South on the line. The Buccaneers went 3-and-out on their first drive, while Carolina scored a field goal for the first points of the game. Late in the first quarter, Tampa Bay drove to the Carolina 22, but Matt Bryant's field goal bounced off the upright no good.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
In the second quarter, Jake Delhomme drove the Panthers into Tampa Bay territory. At the 19-yard line, Ronde Barber intercepted. The Buccaneers then drove to the Carolina 1-yard line, but their red zone woes continued. They failed to score a touchdown, and Matt Bryant instead tied the game at 3–3.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
DeAngelo Williams rushed for a 40-yard gain late in the second quarter, setting up a Jonathan Stewart touchdown run at the two-minute warning. Carolina took the lead into halftime 10–3.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
A penalty on the second half kickoff set Carolina up at their own 7. DeAngelo Williams again broke another long rush (28 yards), and Carolina crossed midfield. Jermaine Phillips made a "circus catch" interception, and the Buccaneers took over at the 47. Two plays later, Jeff Garcia connected to Antonio Bryant for a 50-yard touchdown bomb, tying the score at 10–10. After back-to-back "shootout" touchdowns, the score was tied 17–17 after three-quarters.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
In the fourth quarter, the rushing duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart steamrolled a weary Buccaneers defense. Two touchdowns early in the fourth put the Panthers up 31–17. Garcia attempted to mount a comeback, and led the Buccaneers on an 82-yard touchdown drive. After a blocked extra point, and a failed onside kick, Carolina took over with 2:28 remaining. Facing 3rd down & 4, DeAngelo Williams stymied the Buccaneers with a breakaway 36-yard touchdown run.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
Carolina racked up 299 yards rushing, and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC South division.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback Jeff Garcia, as well as Cato June, sat out of the game with injuries, and Brian Griese started for the Buccaneers. Penalties and defense dominated the game, a key matchup in the NFC South playoff race.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
Leading 10–0 in the second quarter, Matt Ryan threw deep to the endzone, but was intercepted by Aqib Talib. On Atlanta's nxt drive, Ronde Barber intercepted Ryan, setting the Buccaneers up at the 33-yard line. With 15 seconds remaining in the half, Brian Griese connected for a 20-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Bryant.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
Midway through the third quarter, Matt Ryan completed a pass to Jason Rader, who ran for the endzone. Before he crossed the goal line, however, Jermaine Phillips punched the ball from his grasp, and it was recovered in the endzone by Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers' ensuing possession, however, came up empty, as Griese himself was intercepted past midfield.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
The next five possessions by both teams resulted in punts. In an attempt to tie the score with 3:43 remaining, Matt Bryant's field goal sailed wide left. The Falcons were held to a 3-and-out, and lined up for a punt with 2:37 to go. Michael Koenen's punt was blocked, and Sabby Piscitelli returned it to the 22. After driving to the 9-yard line, the Buccaneers settled for a game-tying field goal, and forced overtime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
In overtime, the Buccaneers won the toss, but were forced to punt. With just over 4 minutes remaining in the overtime period, Jason Elam kicked a game-winning field goal for the Falcons.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay hosted San Diego, with both teams alive for playoff contention. With quarterback Jeff Garcia back in the lineup, the Buccaneers drove into San Diego territory early in the first quarter. At the 36-yard line, an Antonio Bryant fumble was recovered by San Diego. Philip Rivers quickly led San Diego down the field for their first score. On the ensuing kickoff, Clifton Smith returned the ball 72 yards to the San Diego 11-yard line. Four plays later, B. J. Askew tied the score at 7–7.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
Trailing 17–7 late in the second quarter, Tampa Bay drove to the San Diego 31, where Matt Bryant kicked a field goal with 22-second left in the half. A quick 25-yard pass by Rivers, however, allowed Nate Kaeding to kick a 57-yard field goal, and take a 20–10 lead into halftime.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay took the second half kickoff, and Garcia led the Buccaneers on a long scoring drive. After a scramble to the 7, Garcia scrambled once more for a 7-yard touchdown run. On their next possession, Garcia connected deep to a wide-open Antonio Bryant for a 71-yard touchdown. The third quarter ended with Tampa Bay leading 24–20.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
The fourth quarter saw Tampa Bay's hope fizzle. Two touchdowns by the Chargers, and a Garcia interception saw the Buccaneers trailing 34–24 with time running out. With less than 7 minutes to go, Garcia found himself scrambling again, this time for a 7-yard first down run. Quentin Jammer slammed into Garcia's helmet, and Garcia began to bleed visibly from him nose and forehead. Driving across midfield with just over 3 minutes to go, Garcia was intercepted by Antoine Cason, who returned the ball 59 yards for the game-icing touchdown.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
With the loss, their first home defeat of the season, the Buccaneers failed to secure a playoff berth. A win in week 17 against the Raiders, coupled with a loss by Dallas, would have been required for Tampa Bay to qualify for the playoffs.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
Tampa Bay concluded the 2008 regular season against the Oakland Raiders, coach Jon Gruden's former team, and the team they beat in Super Bowl XXXVII. Tampa Bay needed a victory, and a loss by Dallas to clinch a wild card playoff berth.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
The first quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to cross midfield. Early in the second quarter, Johnnie Lee Higgins returned a punt for Oakland to the Tampa Bay 40. Michael Bush scored a touchdown run, the first rushing touchdown given up by the Buccaneers at home, to give Oakland a 7–0 lead. Jeff Garcia followed up with a 10-play, 80-yard drive, including a 29-yard pass to Michael Clayton.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
Both teams started the third quarter with 3-and-out drives. Ont the next drive Jeff Garcia connected for a 25-yard pass to Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, then a 58-yard bomb to Clayton for a touchdown. Nearing the end of the third quarter, Tampa Bay again went on a long scoring drive, capping it off with a Matt Bryant field goal, and a 17–14 lead.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
With 12:25 remaining, JaMarcus Russell was intercepted by Sabby Piscitelli at the 5-yard line. Piscitelli returned the ball 84 yards to the Oakland 11. Two plays later "Cadillac" Williams was in the endzone for his second touchdown of the day.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
A pass interference call on Will Allen moved Oakland to the Tampa Bay 12-yard line, and led to a Raiders touchdown. Leading 24–21 with just under 10 minutes to go, Tampa Bay looked to run the clock out. "Cadillac" Williams rumbled for 28 yards, but fell with an apparent serious knee injury, the second of his career. Tampa Bay ultimately turned the ball over on downs at the Oakland 33. On the very next play, Michael Bush busted through the Buccaneer defense to score a go-ahead, 64-yard touchdown run. After a Jeff Garcia interception, and a late Oakland field goal, the Buccaneers fell to the Raiders 31–24, and thus once again the home team hosting the Super Bowl will not play in it, having failed to even make the post-season.


2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Game summaries, Week 17: vs. Oakland Raiders
With the loss, Tampa Bay's season ended at 9–7. Head coach Jon Gruden and General manager Bruce Allen were fired January 16, 2009.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season
The 2008 Tampa Bay Rays season was the 11th season in franchise history, and the first season in which they were known as the Tampa Bay Rays, formerly being known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. This was the third season with Joe Maddon managing the club. After being plagued by futility as the Devil Rays, amassing just a .398 winning percentage over their first 10 years as a franchise and finishing in last place nine times, the team finished their first season as the Rays with a 97–65 record to win their first American League East division title.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season
In the postseason, they beat the Chicago White Sox three games to one in the ALDS, and beat the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox in seven games in the ALCS to advance to their first World Series in franchise history. They would go on to lose to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, Spring training
The Rays, with their off-season acquisitions and continued prospect development, fostered high hopes both within the organization and from analysts for the team to perform well during the 2008 season. Their performance on the field during spring training justified those hopes. On March 23, they won their team-record 15th spring training game, and finished with a record of 18–8 with two ties and two cancellations due to rain, along with having the highest winning percentage of all teams in spring training.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, Spring training
There were lingering questions, however. Ace pitcher Scott Kazmir had been dogged with arm soreness all spring, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21. He was expected to be ready in early May. Ben Zobrist, who had been groomed for a super-utility role, suffered a broken thumb during the second week of spring training. Rocco Baldelli, after missing most of the 2007 season with a hamstring injury, was sidelined indefinitely due to chronic fatigue believed to be caused by mitochondrial disease, and placed on the 60-day disabled list just days before the start of the season.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, Spring training
Elliot Johnson, an infielder prospect on the 40-man roster who spent the previous season with the Durham Bulls, made headlines during a game against the New York Yankees when he crashed into Yankees prospect catcher Francisco Cervelli in a play at the plate. He was tagged out, but the collision led to Cervelli breaking his wrist. While the Yankee organization said the move was uncalled-for, most analysts claimed that it was a good baseball play. Johnson himself stated he never intended to hurt Cervelli.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, Spring training
The act is believed to have led to heightened tensions in their next game on March 12, leading to an incident where Yankees outfielder Shelley Duncan slid with his spikes high into Akinori Iwamura, leading to a fight between Duncan and Jonny Gomes. During the bench-clearing brawl, Melky Cabrera punched Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. Duncan, Cabrera and Gomes were suspended for three, three, and two games respectively. All three dropped their appeals, and had their suspensions reduced by a game.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, Spring training
Pitcher David Price, the #1 pick in the 2007 Amateur Draft, made his spring training debut on March 8 (prior to the Elliot Johnson incident), accidentally hitting Francisco Cervelli on the arm before striking out 2 to get through the inning. His fastball reached 99 mph on radar guns. After three appearances, he was officially assigned to High-A Vero Beach but was expected to advance quickly through the minor leagues.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, Spring training
The initial starting rotation for the Rays was James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine, Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, April
April turned into feast-or-famine for the Rays. The bullpen, which was derided as the worst in baseball in 2007, was the best in the league at the end of the month, with a 2.52 ERA. New closer Troy Percival saved 5 games, and did not allow a single run.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, April
Carlos Peña was bringing the lumber that made him a superstar in 2007, having six home runs in the first 20 games, but finished the month with 31 strikeouts, and had difficulty getting on base with a batting average of just .200. The bigger surprise has been Eric Hinske. Appearing in 25 games, he hit .293 with 6 home runs and 15 RBI. On April 22, against the Toronto Blue Jays in Orlando, he was a single away from hitting for the cycle, which would have made him the first Ray to ever accomplish such a feat. For the second year in a row, the Rays won a sweep during the home series at Champion Stadium.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, April
Evan Longoria was one of the last cuts in spring training, surprising Rays fans. He was called up on April 11 after their chosen third baseman, Willy Aybar, went on the disabled list. After six appearances, he was signed to a six-year, $15 million contract. His future seemed promising for the season, with a .250 average and 3 home runs in April.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, April
In one game against the Yankees, Longoria hit a home run that capped a 5-run inning to tie the game, and a few weeks later, he homered off of Josh Beckett of the Red Sox, which provided a cushion for the team to complete their first sweep of the Boston Red Sox in franchise history.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, April
James Shields, with the absence of Scott Kazmir, became the team's ace pitcher. In six starts, he went 3–1, with the one loss coming to the New York Yankees, opposite their ace Chien-Ming Wang. On April 27, he pitched his first complete game of his career in a game against the Red Sox, where he allowed only 3 batters to reach base. Just a few days after his career outing, he was named AL Player of the Week.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, April
After their sweep of the Red Sox, the Rays were 14–11, which was the latest the team had ever been 3 games over .500 in a season. In 26 games during the month, the Rays went 14–12, which marked the first time in franchise history that the team had a winning record for the month of April.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, May
After winning a series in Baltimore on May 1, the Rays were 16–12, the first time ever the team was 4 games over .500. Although they suffered a sweep to the Red Sox at Fenway Park immediately following, they bounced back with a series win against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre and a sweep of the Angels at Tropicana Field.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, May
After a win over the Yankees in extra innings Hank Steinbrenner, Senior Vice President and part-owner of the New York Yankees, expressed his frustration with his team at the time, saying that the Yankees "got to start playing the way the Rays are playing", and that he wished the Rays were in a different division. Hank also stated that he was happy for the Rays, but that he wished they played in the National League instead.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, May
Following a win on Memorial Day, the Rays became the first team in over 100 years to hold the best record in the league through Memorial Day after having the worst record in the league the year before. The last team to do it was the New York Giants in 1903.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, May
Closer Troy Percival was placed on the disabled list for precautionary measures following his removal from a game in which he felt tightness in his hamstring after striking out a batter and then falling to the ground. Percival threw several warm-up pitches but then left the game.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, May
Scott Kazmir set a new franchise record for the most wins in one month. Kazmir lost his first start of the season in Boston, but then won his next five starts following that loss, also sporting a 1.22 ERA in all six starts. Because of this, he was named American League Pitcher of the Month.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, May
The Rays finished May with a 34–22 record, the best record in the American League, leading the division by one game over the Boston Red Sox, and had their first winning record in the month of May (19–10).


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
Carlos Peña fractured his left index finger on June 4, and was placed on the disabled list. He returned to the team on June 26, wearing a protective padding outside of his left batting glove to help ease impact. Rays manager Joe Maddon stated that once the Rays finished interleague play, and returned to playing American League teams, he would consider putting Pena in the designated hitter role to help ease the workload on his left index finger, as the Rays were more concerned about his ability to throw the ball, more than having to swing the bat.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
On June 5 the Rays were involved in a benches clearing brawl at Fenway Park with the Boston Red Sox following a series of events leading up from the previous night's game. In the previous game, Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp attempted to steal second base, and slid into the base head first. Rays Shortstop Jason Bartlett who was covering the base on the play, knelt on his left knee while attempting to catch the throw from Catcher Dioner Navarro, which blocked the base and caused Crisp to make contact with Bartlett's leg, jamming Crisp's thumb. Crisp was safe on the play. Crisp stated that Bartlett's actions were "not something you do. You can do that, but that's shady. And he's not a bad dude, but that was shady. If you going to hurt me, I'm gonna come back and hurt you."


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
In the same game, Crisp reached base in his next at-bat, and attempted to steal second base once again. On this steal attempt however, Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura was covering the bag. Unlike his previous steal attempt, Crisp slid feet first, resembling the way a runner attempts to break up a double play by sliding into the player covering the base. Crisp was out on the play. Rays manager Joe Maddon engaged in a heated argument with Crisp upon Maddon making a mound visit, with Crisp being in the Red Sox dugout at that time. Joe Maddon said after the game's conclusion, "I was not pleased with the slide. I totally felt there was intent to hurt our middle infielder and that's what I was upset with. There's no place for that when you intentionally try to hurt somebody."


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
The next night, Rays pitcher James Shields hit Crisp below the waist on the first pitch in Crisp's first at-bat of the game. Crisp then charged the mound, punches were thrown by both players, and both teams' benches emptied onto the field. Shields and Crisp were ejected from the game, as well as Rays Designated Hitter Jonny Gomes.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
Following the brawl, suspensions were given to players on both teams. For the Rays, Shields was given a suspension of 6 games, and for their actions in the fight, Gomes and pitcher Edwin Jackson were given 5 game suspensions, left fielder Carl Crawford was given a four-game suspension, and Iwamura was given a three-game suspension. For the Red Sox, Crisp was suspended for seven games, and for their actions in the fight, pitcher Jon Lester was given a 5-game suspension, and first baseman Sean Casey was given a 3-game suspension.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
Both Crisp and Iwamura appealed their suspensions. On June 27, it was announced that Iwamura's suspension was upheld, while Crisp's was reduced to 5 games, no longer making him the longest suspended player of all involved. Iwamura was unhappy that his suspension was upheld so that he had to miss the first game of the next series against the Red Sox. Rays manager Joe Maddon stated that the decision "baffles" him and sought an explanation from the decision-makers. Both suspensions started the following day, and the decision caused Crisp to miss the next series against the Rays at Tropicana Field.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
On June 12, it was reported that Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon had made comments about the incident stating that in his opinion, it was "a bunch of bull what [the Rays] did. All I got to say is what comes around goes around, man. Payback's a bitch, I'll tell you what", and that "this thing isn't all settled and done."


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
Papelbon also said that things would be different at Tropicana Field the next time the Red Sox were there, as opposed to the last time in which the Red Sox were swept by the Rays for the first time in franchise history. In that series from June 30 to July 2, the Rays swept the Red Sox at home for the second time in the season, and Papelbon never pitched in the series.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
On June 19, the Rays swept the Chicago Cubs in a 3-game series. It was the first time in franchise history that the Rays had swept a team with the best record in baseball, as the Cubs entered the series with the best record in the league at 45–25.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, June
The Rays went 16–10 in June, improving to 50–32 overall and leading the division over the Red Sox by ½ game.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, July
Troy Percival was placed on the Disabled List once again on July 1, due to re-injuring his hamstring, this time after running to back up a throw to third base. Percival and Rays manager Joe Maddon had a brief argument over Maddon's decision to take Percival out of the game, but Percival eventually walked off the field and understood Maddon's concern.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, July
On July 2, the Rays completed a 3-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox, which was the first series between the two teams since their altercation in early June. It was the second home sweep by the Rays of the Red Sox in the season, and increased their division lead to 3.5 games over the Red Sox, as well as giving the Rays the best record in the league.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, July
Pitcher Scott Kazmir and Catcher Dioner Navarro were named to the American League All-Star team on July 6. It was Navarro's first selection, while Kazmir had been selected previously in 2006.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, July
Third baseman Evan Longoria was named to the American League All-Star roster on July 10. It was the first time the Rays sent three players to the All-Star Game. Longoria was voted into the roster by the All-Star Final Vote, where fans vote for one of five players for each league to be the final players selected for the All-Star Game. The chance to vote began on July 6 after the initial All-Star lineups were announced. Longoria was reported to have received over 9 million votes out of 47.8 million total votes cast. He won over Jermaine Dye, Jason Giambi, Brian Roberts, and José Guillén.


2008 Tampa Bay Rays season, Summary, July
Longoria also took part in the Home Run Derby, the first Ray to ever do so. He was quickly eliminated, hitting only three home runs in the first round, the least of any competitor.