Howard Dean (VT), the former governor of Vermont made his intentions to seek the presidency known in November 2002, well before the other candidates. After graduating from Yale in 1971 and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1978, Dr. Dean moved to Vermont. A campaign to preserve a bicycle path led him into politics and a second career in the Vermont state legislature and Lieutenant Governor's office. Dean took the highest office in Vermont in 1991 when the Governor died in office. As Governor, Dean claims to have provided health coverage to nearly 95 percent of Vermonters, stating he is making the hallmark of his presidential campaign. He also signed the civil unions bill, providing all the legal benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. Dean also gained notoriety for being a budget hawk and balanced Vermont's budget in each year of his administration and promises to do the same as president.

Dean first made news as a candidate for his outspoken opposition of the war in Iraq, and was quickly labeled unelectable by his opponents for his anti-war position. However, this stance played well to more liberal Democrats, particularly the younger and more Internet-savvy set. As a result, much of Dean's campaign this year has been driven by a comprehensive Web site and aggressive online fundraising drives. He led all Democratic candidates in the second quarter with $7.6 million raised and is now leading polls in the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire.



Senator John Kerry (MA) is the junior senator for Massachusetts. After graduating from Yale University, he joined the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy, he served as a Swift Boat Officer on a gunboat in Vietnam, where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. After completing his term in the Navy, he returned to the United States questioning the decisions of those with political power. He co-founded the Vietnam Veterans of America and became a spokesperson for Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

Several years later, he served as a top prosecutor in Middlesex County where he put the "Number Two mob boss in New England behind bars," says his campaign Web site. He is currently serving his fourth term in the Senate, where he sits on the finance and foreign relations committees.

During his time as Senator, Kerry's voting record proves that he believes that capitalism and democracy go hand in hand. He voted for increased gun control, expanded health care coverage and HMO "report cards," and against the criminalization of a woman's right to choose. He would like to see a "rule-based global trading system." He also states that there should be no special tax cuts for the rich. On his campaign Web site, Kerry states, "I'm running for President to make the country we love safer, stronger, and more secure. I'm asking every American to be a Citizen Soldier again committed to leaving no American behind."



Rep. Dick Gephardt (MO) is making his second bid for the Democratic nomination (he lost to Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1988). A graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Michigan Law School, Gephardt has been deeply involved in the politics of St. Louis for more than thirty years. He became House Democratic leader in 1989, a position he held until this year.

In Congress, Gephardt gained recognition for his commitment to the Democratic agenda, especially in the area of labor. His record on this issue is regarded as one of the most union-friendly, highlighted by his work to increase minimum wage and create jobs. Gephardt became a high-profile congressman during the Clinton years when he shepherded Clinton's budget through the House without any Republican vote. During the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Gephardt opposed Clinton for the potential loss of American jobs. Last year, he co-sponsored to the bill allowing President Bush to authorize military action in Iraq.

Gephardt's campaign is quick to mention that he still represents the same St. Louis neighborhood where he grew up. Like Howard Dean, he proposes a universal health care program. Over the summer, he won the official endorsements of more than ten large labor unions, including the Teamsters and United Steelworkers. Gephardt came in fourth place for second quarter fundraising and is currently running second to Dean in Iowa polls.



- Compiled by Benjamin Freed and Elyse Seener