Since President Bush’s re-election in 2004, the campaign for the next president kicked off.  We’ve had years to get to know the men who would be our 44^th president of the United States even though several recent campaign ads question what we really know about these men.  So for those that don’t know much about Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, I will give you an abridged summary of both candidates starting with the basics.  The next edition will feature each candidate’s stances on various topics such as the economy, taxes, and Iraq.

Barack Obama

Democratic Party

Current Office:  Junior Senator from Illinois - (Jan. 2005-Present)

Previous Political Experience:  Illinois State Senator – (Jan. 1997- Nov. 2004)

Other Work:  Lawyer

Lecturer on constitutional law at University of Chicago Law School

President of the Harvard Law Review

Alma Mater:  Harvard Law School; J.D. magna cum laude, 1991

                       Columbia University, B.A.

Family:          wife, Michelle Obama

                      Two daughters

John McCain

Republican Party

Current Office:  Senior Senator from Arizona – (Jan. 1987-Present)

Previous Political Experience:  US Representative from Arizona – (Jan. 1983 – Jan 1987)

Other Work:  Naval officer and aviator; 1958–1981, including service and imprisonment

in Vietnam.  Naval honors include Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Alma Mater:  US Naval Academy, 1958

Family:          wife, Cindy McCain

                      Seven children, four grandchildren

Sources:

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=o000167

http://www.barackobama.com/learn/meet_barack.php

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m000303

http://www.johnmccain.com/About/