Known for his powerhouse speeches and his relentless quest for change in America, Barack Obama has made himself a household name within only a matter of years. As the first African American to be a major political party’s nominee for President, Obama has broken many social barriers throughout his campaign for the Presidency. His experiences as an attorney, community organizer, and an Illinois Senator, have earned him the respect of his peers and countrymen; however, critics have been quick to highlight his minimal experience in national-level affairs and foreign relations. After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities.


             John McCain’s holds an extensive history in public service, serving as both a naval officer and Senior Senator from Arizona. He is most known for his courage and bravery during the Vietnam War, where he survived grave injuries and torture as a Prisoner of War. Throughout his twenty years in Congress, McCain has also gained a media reputation as a "maverick" for disagreeing with his party on several key issues. His work on bipartisan campaign finance reform through the McCain-Feingold Act showed his ability to rally individuals on both sides of the aisle towards a common cause. However, individuals have been quick to point out his older age and personal wealth, which may lead to a disconnect towards many of the current issues that face Americans today. McCain has outlined his main issues during his 2008 Presidential campaign as ethics reform in government, reducing the federal deficit, energy independence, and winning the war against the insurgency in Iraq.