Hail to the Chief Hail to the Chief "Hail to the Chief" is the official Presidential Anthem of the United States, composed by James Sanderson. The song's playing accompanies the appearance of the President of the United States at many public events. For major official occasions, the United States Marine Band and other military ensembles are generally the performers, so directives of the United States Department of Defense have, since 1954, been the main basis for according it official status. It is preceded by four ruffles and flourishes when played for the President. The song is also played during a former President's state funeral
Third-party and independent candidates for the 2008 United States presidential election Third-party and independent candidates for the 2008 United States presidential election This article contains lists of official third party or independent candidates associated with the 2008 United States presidential election. Third party is a term commonly used in the United States to refer to political parties other than the two major parties, the Democratic Party and Republican Party. The term is used as innumerate shorthand for all such parties, or sometimes only the largest of them. An independent candidate is one who runs for office with no formal party affiliation. Candidates who received, or ran for, the presidential nomination of