The 2008 American Election is one of the most interesting of this year's news headlines, drawing attention from across the world.
What makes this election really attention grabbing are the names involved: Barack Obama, John Mc Cain, Sara Palin, Joe Biden, and initially, Hillary Clinton.
In the initial democratic race for the white house, the two contenders Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton are very interesting to watch.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary was vying to become the first woman president of the United States of America; she had a well organized and executed campaign that saw one of the toughest primary season in the democratic party history.
Hillary started off as the most likely nominee, promising to change the fortunes of America. Her policies were liked by many in the Democratic Party. However, when the race became very tight, she begun to lose ground to Barak Obama, who succeeded when most people thought he would not.
Mrs. Clinton, a former first lady and influential New York senator is a bestselling author, a mother to Chelsea and a wife.
She is viewed as a serious advocate for the welfare of American middle class families, an advocate of good healthcare for children and the rest of America.
Because of her long public service, she argued, during the primary season that she was better placed to handle America's economic problems, better place to handle foreign policy and many other American issues.
One of her greatest and strongest argument was that she was going to make a better commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States of America, arguing that, that was a very crucial element considering that the country was at war.
When it was clear that she had lost the primary, she did the noble thing, pledging support to her rival and arguing that he would make a good US president.
BARAK OBAMA
Barak Obama, if elected, will become the first African-American president of the US; and he has already made history by becoming the first African American to be a nominee for the US presidency in a major party.
When he was nominated as candidate, some blacks in America wept, in shock and happiness, because they never imagined they would live to see such day. They never thought such a thing could happen in their lifetime.
Obama, who is an attorney and community organizer, has been credited, by both supporters and critics as being endowed with great oratory skills. Many people argue that this has been among his most beneficial of his gifts.
He is only 47, and a first time Illinois senator.
Barak was born from a Kenyan father and an American mother. Through the years, he has maintained links with his Kenyan roots and he goes to see his grandmother at her village.
Mr Obama is a husband and a father.
JOHN McCAIN
If elected, John McCain will be the oldest first-term president in US history. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and he was once a prisoner of war there.
He is credited with wide experience in matters of foreign and security policy. He argues strongly that his democratic rival is not fit to be president because of inexperience, for being a first term senator.
John McCain is a husband, a father, and a grandfather.
He is an author with a good number of titles to his credit, including: ‘Why Courage Matters', ‘Worth the Fighting For: A Memoir, and other titles.
John McCain was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and other medals after his release as a Vietnam prisoner of war.
He is supporter of the Iraq war and he also supported the troop surge that saw general David Patreus afford to lessen the number and intensity of insurgency attacks in Iraq.
Born in 1936, he is a senator from Arizona.
SARA PALIN
Sara Palin, who is governor of Alaska was born in February 1964. She was a surprise pick for the vice-presidency by McCain as she is viewed as having little experience that can make her serve as vice president.
She is born again Christian who was born in a Catholic home. From childhood until later in her adult years, she attended church at Wasilla Assembly of God, which is a member of the Pentecostal Association of Churches.
She says that her decision making will be influenced by her Christian beliefs.
In case John McCain fails to serve his tenure of office, for whatever reason: then, Sara Palin will make history, as the first female president of the US.
She is a wife, and a mother.
JOE BIDEN
Joe Biden is a senator from Delaware who is credited with a lot of experience in matters of foreign policy. Most supporters and critics thought Obama had made a great decision in choosing Biden.
He is known for being firm and combative in his attacks against fellow politicians.
He was initially a contender against Obama in the primaries but back out earlier. Joe had also tried contesting the 1988 US presidency.
He has been a senator for Delaware since 1972.
He is a graduate of the Delaware University, an attorney and a very forceful speaker.
Joe Biden is a father and a husband.
