by Lacey Nix

Created on: September 21, 2008

If change is something you believe in, then the 2008 Democratic Party platform may have what you are looking for. Senator Barack Obama from Illinois is the democratic nominee for President of the United States. His running mate and democratic nominee for vice president is Joe Biden, a senior senator from Delaware.

Barack Obama's Background

Senator Obama is married to Michelle Obama and they have two beautiful little girls. He is the first African-American to be nominated for president in the major parties. He started his life in law and politics by graduating from Columbia and Harvard Law School. He was president of the Harvard Law Review while in school. After graduating he worked as a community organizer and practiced law as a civil rights attorney.

Entering Politics

He moved into politics in 1997 to 2004 when he became an Illinois Senator. During this time Obama also taught constitutional law at The University of Chicago Law School. Just before being elected to the United States Senate in 2004, Obama gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. This was the moment that put Obama in the spotlight. He was articulate, and gave an amazing speech. People in the crowd said he was electric.

Experience in the Senate

He was elected to the United States Senate in 2004. In the Senate he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also worked on legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel. He announced his presidential campaign in February 2007. Since that time Obama has focused his candidacy on withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as his top national priorities. He prides himself on voting against the war in Iraq.

The Campaign

Senator Obama's campaign raises millions of dollars from small donors. He decided not to accept federal money in his campaign so his donations are usually given by small donors, sometimes only $5 at a time. His campaign is run on the hope of change. His slogan is, "Change you can believe in".

Joe Biden Brings Experience

When he announced Senator Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate he added and incredible amount of national security experience to his ticket. Joe Biden was first elected to the senate in 1972, where he is still a sitting senator. Biden

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