US - presidential election '08
Who will be moving into the White House in 2009?
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Tuesday, 11, Dec 2007 03:18
As George Bush's government approaches its final year, and the Republican party gradually seeks to distance itself from the beleaguered president, America and the world's eyes are turning towards the future.
This election season marks the first time since 1928 that neither an incumbent president nor vice president has run for their party's nomination.
The main issues dominating this winter's presidential debates are the war in Iraq, abortion, immigration, healthcare, gay marriage and the environment.
A series of primary elections, state caucuses, and state conventions will result in each party choosing its presidential candidate.
February 5th 2008, dubbed "Super Tuesday" will be the decisive date, with over 20 states holding their primaries. By the end of this day it is likely that each party will have in essence chosen their candidate.
On November 4th 2008 all the states will elect the members of the electoral college, who will meet on December 15th and vote on the president and vice president.
The votes will be tallied before Congress on January 6th 2009 and the new president will be inaugurated on January 20th.
As in the past, the 2008 election will essentially be between the two main parties, with others like the Green Party, Constitution Party and Libertarian Party fielding candidates but standing little chance of success.
Democratic Party
Hillary Clinton - A marquee name for the Democratic Party, with a wealth of experience from being at her husband's side during his two terms as president.
The senator from New York is currently the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. She is good at fundraising, making earning the millions one needs to run a US presidential campaign look easy. In this the help of her husband Bill, a master fundraiser, has been invaluable.
Ms Clinton is a popular figure in the US and has a firm base of support, but her weakness is that she is seen as a divisive figure in politics. Die-hard Republicans truly despise her.
Barack Obama - The golden child of the Democratic Party and Hilary Clinton's main rival for the nomination. Young, charismatic and untainted by the political baggage that comes with being a Washington veteran, Obama, 46, is widely seen as a breath of fresh air.
And the Illinois junior senator is no mean fundraiser in his own right. He is led by Clinton only marginally in this respect.
But while his esteem is growing among the American public, there have been doubts cast about his lack of experience in the political arena.
If elected, Barack Obama would be the first black president of the United States.
John Edwards - John Kerry's running-mate in the ill-fated 2004 Democratic bid for the presidency. Number three in the polls behind Clinton and Obama and number three in the all-important fundraising stakes.
The charming ex-senator from South Carolina recently said that he is the candidate with the best chance to win the key southern and Midwestern states.
A legitimate candidate with a chance, but in reality is outshone by his two rivals.
Republican Party
Rudy Giuliani - The leading Republican candidate, "America's Mayor" is trading primarily on his name-recognition factor as the strong leader who led New York City through the 9-11 tragedy.
Ironically, a recent poll showed that the majority of voters in New York City are opposed to him.
Giuliani is a strong proponent of the war in Iraq and policies of Mr Bush.
Fred Thompson - Almost neck-and-neck with Giuliani in the polls, this former actor and Tennessee senator is basing his bid on the themes of "security, unity and prosperity".
Most Americans are more familiar with him as District Attorney Arthur Branch on TV's Law & Order than as a real politician. But the late-comer to the race has said he believes he can connect with the American working man.
He is strongly anti-abortion and national security is one of the mainstays of his campaign. His campaign staff includes several of the strategists that swept Arnold Schwarzenegger to victory in the California recall election.
John McCain - Though currently trailing in the polls, McCain is a popular figure who cannot be counted out.
He is well-respected on both sides of the political gulf, though this does him no favours with the GOP, who tend to regard him as a maverick. The Arizona senator is a decorated war veteran and is known for speaking his mind.
He ran unsuccessfully against Mr Bush in 2000, and should he be elected president, the 72-year-old would be the oldest in history upon election.
Joseph Corcos
Update - December 2007
Presidential candidates got a shock to the system last month when the New Hampshire presidential primary was brought forward to January 8th.
Ms Clinton, Mr Obama and the rest have been racing hard in the lead-up to the first caucus in Iowa on January 3rd, clashing in a series of presidential debates.
The former first lady may be nosing ahead in the financial standings but she will still have breathed a sigh of relief when Nobel Prize-winning former vice president Al Gore ruled himself out of the running on October 17th.
Clinton was criticised for backing a letter criticising Mr Bush's hardline attitude to Iran on November by Mr Obama.
She got her own back on November 20th by raising the contentious issue of his upbringing in a predominantly Muslim country - a little harsh given she had attacked John Edwards for "throwing mud" a few days earlier.
Fortunately Obama got a shot in the arm of sorts of November 26th, when TV presenter Oprah Winfrey was unveiled as the latest addition to his campaign team.
In the Republican race, immigration, gun control, religion and gay men dominated proceedings in a series of oddly humorous debates.
The left-field tone of one debate was exemplified by a gun control enthusiast who stood up brandishing two weapons and clad in ammunition belts.
"What's your opinion about gun control?," he asked. "Don't worry," he added, cocking one of the guns, "you can answer how you want."