The major candidates differ significantly on age, background, experience and policy. This guide is designed to help you make an informed decision on your pick.
Barack Obama, Democrat
AGE: 47; born Aug. 4, 1961, Honolulu
HOME: Chicago
EDUCATION: Occidental College; Columbia University, B.A. political science, 1983; Harvard Law School, J.D. magna cum laude, 1991
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: U.S. Senate, 2005-present; Illinois Senate, 1997-2004
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: President, Harvard Law Review, 1991; attorney; author
FAMILY: Wife, Michelle; two daughters
DEFINING MOMENT: Some call it The Speech — a 17-minute keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. Obama, then a Senate candidate from Illinois, walked on stage an unknown. He walked off a star. Commentators and politicians even touted him as a potential presidential candidate.
John McCain, Republican
AGE: 72; born Aug. 29, 1936, Panama Canal Zone
HOME: Phoenix
EDUCATION: U.S. Naval Academy, 1958; National War College, 1974
POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House, 1983-87; U.S. Senate, 1987-present; presidential candidate, 2000
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Former Navy pilot; Vietnam veteran; recipient of Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star
FAMILY: Wife, Cindy; four sons, three daughters
DEFINING MOMENT: McCain was shot down in North Vietnam 40 years ago. He broke his right knee and both arms while ejecting, then landed in a lake in Hanoi. Civilians and soldiers rescued him, but beat him badly. He was a POW for 5 ½ years at Hoa Lo prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton.
