Prepared for the Dec 2007 KRC retreat

2008 PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS AT A GLANCE

Who’s Running?

• 40 Republicans, 29 Democrats, 12 Libertarians, 11 Green, 6 Constitution, individual write-ins, etc.

• Myth: Barack Obama is the first African American presidential candidate.Past: Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Alan Keyes,

Carol Moseley Braun, and Lenora Fulani

• Myth: Hillary Clinton is the first woman presidential candidate.Past: Victoria Woodhull, Belva Lockwood, Margaret Smith, Shirley

Chisholm, Patsy Mink, Ellen McCormack, Sonia Johnson, Patricia Schroeder, Lenora Fulani, Elizabeth Dole, Carol Braun

FrontrunnersLeading Up To Iowa Caucus & NH Primaries

Republicans Democrats

Rudy Guiliani (23.1%) Hillary Clinton (43.1%)

Mike Huckabee (19.6%) John Edwards (12.5%)

Mitt Romney (14.1%) Barack Obama (24.6%)

John McCain (12.6%) Richardson or Biden (3.4%)

Calculated by Real Clear Politics as an average of several national polling results

ISSUES

Last month, for the first time since Sept 2006, more Americans mentioned some aspect of the economy as the most important problem facing the country than mentioned the war in Iraq. - Gallup

Dec. 6-9 Nov. 2-4 Oct. 12-14 June 22-24

Economy 29% 29% 22% 23%

War in Iraq 23% 28% 28% 31%

Health care 20% 18% 20% 17%

Illegal immigration 14% 10% 15% 15%

Terrorism 10% 12% 12% 10%

Other (vol.) 2% 1% 2% 3%

No opinion 2% 1% - 2%

Which of the following issues will be MOST important to you when you decide how to vote forpresident?

CNN Poll

Rudy Giuliani Republican Lawyer, Businessman, Consultant, former mayor of NYCCatholic

• Transform the way health insurance coverage is provided by using free-market incentives that will also reduce costs and improve quality.

• end illegal immigration, secure borders, and national ID• Must win the war on terror. Must stop playing defense. No timetable for

withdrawal from Iraq. Sanctions against Iran.• Maintain tax cuts• Energy independence• Funds Raised $11,253,552

Mike Huckabee Republican Business, Baptist Minister, former Governor of Arkansas Southern Baptist

• A “complete overhaul of our health care system,” to create a health system favoring market-based, consumer-based policies.

• Previously supported in-state tuition as Governor of Arkansas, now “no amnesty, no sanctuary, build a wall, secure our borders”

• Talks about energy policy primarily in economic and national security terms.• National ban on abortion• Iraq is WWIII, pullout depends on progress of civil war• Funds Raised$1,031,679

Mitt Romney Republican Businessman, former Governor of MAMormon

• Extend health care coverage to all Americans through market, not through taxes or government reforms.

• As Massachusetts Governor, vetoed in-state tuition & opposed giving DLs to undocumented; secure border, supports e-Verify, national ID

• Seek stability in Iraq in face of violent, radical jihadists. Sanctions & diplomatic isolation of Iran

• Develop nuclear or liquefied coal• Funds Raised $9,533,269

John McCain Republican Military officer, Arizona SenatorEpiscopalian

• Focus on health care for veterans. Provide access to affordable health care for all by paying only for quality health care, having insurance choices that are diverse and responsive to individual needs, and encouraging personal responsibility.

• Co-author of McCain-Kennedy immigration reform bill; co-sponsored DREAM• Supports a cap-and-trade system for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions;

opposes a carbon tax.• No plan for troop withdrawal. Bolster military presence near Iran.• Funds Raised$5,466,904

Hillary Clinton Democrat NY SenatorMethodist

• Affordable and high-quality universal coverage through a mix of private and public insurance. Co-sponsored ICHIA

• Co-sponsored Fence Act; supports CIR• Does not support immediate withdrawal from Iraq; states that if Pres. In 2002,

would not have started war. Prevent Iran from being nuclear power.• Cut carbon dioxide emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050; enact a

renewable energy portfolio • Funds Raised$26,082,347

John Edwards Democrat Trial Lawyer, Director of Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity Methodist

• Affordable and accountable universal coverage through mix of private and expanded public insurance.

• Co-sponsored DREAM; supports “earned citizenship”• Cap funding to mandate a withdrawal. Diplomatic relationship with Iran• Global warming "his highest environmental priority”; the first candidate to call

for an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide pollution below 1990 levels by 2050; Enact a renewable energy portfolio

• Raised$6,987,596

Barack Obama Democrat Illinois SenatorChristian

• Affordable and high-quality universal coverage through mix of private and expanded public insurance.

• Co-sponsored DREAM, CIR, Fence Act• Phased withdrawal with benchmarks from Iraq. Meet directly with Iran.• Carbon cap-and-trade program; support 80% reduction in carbon dioxide

pollution below 1990 levels by 2050; Enact a renewable energy portfolio • Funds Raised$20,419,020