Election 2008 - Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, War in Iraq, Health Care, Global Warming, Education, Abortion

Read a profile

Compare the candidates

NEW! Quick Poll

Do you think Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should run together?

Yes
No

See previous poll results!

See Their Weddings!

Let's Talk

What do you think about the 2008 candidates and the issues? Join the discussion at The Knot, The Nest or Wedding Channel

Find Your Polling Place

Election Information by State

Upcoming Primaries

5/6 Indiana, North Carolina

5/13 Nebraska (R), W. Virginia (D)

5/18 Hawaii (R)

See all primary dates

John & Elizabeth's Real Wedding

Quick Facts

Age: 55

Party: Democratic Party

Marital Status:
Married to Elizabeth

Wedding Date:
Saturday, July 30, 1977

Children:
Catharine "Cate", 25; Emma Claire, 9; Jack, 6

Education:
North Carolina State University, law degree from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Law

Birthplace:
Seneca, South Carolina

John Edwards

Officially dropped out of the race: January 30, 2008

Early years? John Edwards is a native South Carolinian -- his father was a textile mill worker and supervisor and his mother was a postal mail carrier. John became the first person in his family to go to college and he attended North Carolina State University.

Why politics? When he graduated from law school, Edwards began working as a personal injury trial attorney. After his 16-year-old son, Wade, was killed in a car accident in 1996, Edwards decided to pursue politics.

Political record? Edwards sought election to the US Senate and won in 1998. During his time in the Senate, he cosponsored 203 bills. Edwards announced his retirement from the Senate in 2004, and ran as a vice presidential hopeful in the 2004 presidential election.

Hot issues? Edward’s top priorities are health care reform, foreign policy, and eliminating poverty.

Issue	Position
Abortion	Supports abortion rights.

Education	Supports education reform that would raise teacher salaries and wants to enact a plan that would give students one free year of college in return for 10 hours per week of community service or part-time work.

Environment-Energy	Supports a treaty that would cap and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

Health Care	Wants to cover all Americans by mandating that employers either cover their employees or pay into a general fund. Wants to cover the uninsured by requiring that they buy insurance at an income-based price.

Immigration	Voted to implement a road map to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Wants to collaborate with Mexico to enforce better border control and to stop illegal trafficking. Wants an earned citizenship system for hardworking, law-abiding immigrants.

Iraq War	Voted for use of military force in Iraq, but now says it was a mistake. Opposes sending additional troops to Iraq.

Same-sex Marriage	Opposes same-sex marriage but supports equal rights for same-sex couples. Opposes a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage.

Taxes	Opposes the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts, and wants to eliminate tax cuts for oil companies and the wealthiest Americans.

Women's Rights	Wants to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act for parents and enact a Paycheck Fairness Act that helps combat discrimination based on gender.

Hilary for VP? "Just curious if you want her to run on the ticket..." read more on The Knot boards

Should Obama Pay Clinton's Debt? "Is it customary for a former member..." read more on The Nest boards

Views on Illegal Immigration? "I personally have no problem..." read more on Wedding Channel boards