America in context

The Candidates

Every presidential campaign is dramatic and historic, but as the fervor surrounding the 2008 election continues to build, U.S. voters and the rest of the world will want to consider the candidates' personal histories more closely. What sort of people rise to the top in the U.S. political system, what are their attributes, their sensibilities, and their strengths?

Writer and retired foreign service officer Domenick DiPasquale examines the lives of Barack Obama and John McCain, stressing each candidate’s readiness to lead the country, their long campaigns to become their parties’ nominees, and their aspirations and achievements as political leaders.

David Pitts, author of a book about President John F. Kennedy, introduces the vice presidential candidates, Joseph Biden and Sarah Palin. For greater context about the evolving role of the vice president, we include an excerpt from the article “Never Cared to Say Goodbye,” originally published in Presidential Studies Quarterly.

Kelly Bronk takes a look at the wives and families of Barack Obama and John McCain. Presidential historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony describes how several U.S. first ladies fulfilled a role that is highly visible — yet largely undefined — in their own unique style.

Michael Jay Friedman writes about the powers of the presidency, the duties of the president, and the limits of power in a divided system of government.

Also included are excerpts from Obama’s and McCain’s writings and speeches and their Facebook entries, a bibliography, and a filmography.

Two things about this election are certain: A new president of the United States will be sworn into office on Monday, January 20, 2009, and the peaceful transition of power, one of the most critical aspects of the democratic system, will prevail, whichever candidate is victorious.

http://www.america.gov/publications/ejournalusa/1008.html