The Race for President 2008: Obama and Clinton

If you ever wanted to be president, 2008 is the year to run. It seems that everyone is tempting fate this next election and it can get confusing. I'm here to let you in on some of the major front runners. This is a great place to start if you want to get the facts straight on who's who. Over the coming months, I'll be bringing all the info to you about our country's possible future leaders, so bookmark my page. I'll also let you in on some key web sites that you'll want to venture to in order to find out more.

The first in this series will include information on the two foremost front runners who have announced their candidacy: Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. It is our duty as American Citizens to learn about the candidates running for presidential office and make an informed decision. Who should you support? Who should you vote for? Read on to help make that decision.

Senator Barack Obama, Democrat, Illinois

Born: August 4, 1961, Hawaii

Parents: Barack Obama, Sr. and Ann Dunham

Married to: Michelle, 1992

Children: Malia, 8 and Sasha, 4

Makes his home in: Chicago, Illinois

Barack Obama was sworn into the Illinois Senator's seat on January 4, 2005. He serves on the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and the Foreign Relations Committee, all located in Illinois. Obama is dedicated to public service and helping his fellow citizens. He has proven this by working as a civil rights attorney, promoting the Illinois economy, and supporting the growth of good paying jobs in his state.

Obama has seven years experience in the Illinois State Senate. In addition, he graduated from Columbia University in 1983 and Harvard Law School in 1991. At Harvard, he was the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review.

Most importantly, the issues he speaks about on his web site include: Strengthening America Overseas, Plan to End the Iraq War, Cleaning up Washington's Culture of Corruption, Meeting America's Energy Needs, Honoring our Veterans, Creating a Healthcare System that Works, Protecting Our Homeland, Strengthening Families and Communities, Protecting the Right to Vote, and Reconciling Faith and Politics.

For more info on Senator Barack Obama, please visit his presidency web site at www.barackobama.com. You can also visit his Official Senate web site at http://barack.obama.gov.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat, New York

Born: October 26, 1947, Chicago, Illinois

Parents: Hugh and Dorothy Rodham

Married to: Former President, William Jefferson Clinton

Children: Chelsea, 27

Makes her home in: New York

Senator Hillary Clinton was elected to the New York Senate in 2000 and has recently been re-elected with a 67% vote in 2006. Clinton serves on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Special Committee on Aging, and the Senate Armed Forced Committee. She also chairs the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. Clinton is devoted to making sure every American is able to exercise his right to vote and betting lives for children and their families. She has contributed to these goals by introducing the Count Every Vote Act of 2005 and supporting improved health care for families, especially children, which are in low income households.

Hillary Clinton is the first woman elected to a public office who has also been the First Lady of the White House. She graduated from Wellesley College and Yale Law School before marrying William Clinton in 1975.

Clinton's issues, according to her web site, include: Agriculture, Children and Families, Civil and Constitutional Rights, Economy, Education, Election Reform, Environment and Energy, Health, Homeland Security, Housing, Immigration, National Security, Foreign Policy & Iraq, Public Safety, Seniors and Social Security, Veterans, and Women.

To learn more about Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, please visit her presidency web site at www.hillaryclinton.com. You can also visit her Official Senator web site at http://clinton.senate.gov/.

According to Wikipedia, the following are candidates who have announced their campaign for presidency:

Democrats

• Senator Joe Biden of Delaware (Campaign Site)
• Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut (Campaign Site)
• Former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina (Campaign Site)
• Former Senator Mike Gravel of Alaska (Campaign Site)
• Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio (Campaign Site)
• Former Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa (Campaign Site)

Republicans

• Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas (Campaign site)
• John H. Cox of Illinois (Campaign Site)
• Representative Duncan Hunter of California (Campaign Site)
• Michael Charles Smith of Oregon (Campaign Site)

There are many other hopefuls, expectants, rumored-to-run parties, and more. We will find out more as November 2008 draws near. I'll be bringing you more information on the presidential candidates as time comes. Until then, bookmark my page so you'll know when there is more info on our country's possible future leaders!