John Edwards. (Photo: Courtesy of Office of Senator John Edwards)

John Edwards, Democrat
Age: 50
State: North Carolina
Current Job: U.S. Senator
Family: married to Elizabeth Anania Edwards and has three children

Strengths: He's ambitious, charming, and has a strong attention to detail that has impressed his more senior Senate colleagues. Like Clinton, he can relate to audiences—he knows his stump speech well enough that he can concentrate on looking folks in the eyes until they acknowledge him. He has a background that looks good for a politician: His father was a textile worker and his mother held various jobs, including one at the post office. Edwards is also an American success story, a self-made millionaire. He made his fortune as a trial lawyer (someone who sues wealthy corporations on behalf of citizens). His story: that he'll work for that little guy in America.

Weaknesses: His strength as a trial lawyer is also a weakness. Republicans say Americans can't stand lawyers. Also, Edwards doesn't have a military record to boast about. On television, some say that he looks too young to be presidential material.

Best Issues: Edwards's push to make more opportunities for normal middle- and lower-class folks to get ahead will win him support. He calls for more college scholarships, tax cuts for the middle class, and tax breaks for first-time homebuyers. At the same time, Edwards paints Bush as a supporter for the wealthy who is out to lower more taxes for the upper class. And Edwards has taken a centrist approach that would make it hard for Bush to paint him as too liberal. Edwards supports the death penalty but says it is an unfair system. He backs the Second Amendment, but supports practical gun laws. And Edwards backed the war in Iraq.