Barack Obama

Birthday: August 4, 1961

Family: Wife – Michelle Obama. Two daughters – Malia and Sasha.

Alma Mater: Occidental College, Columbia College (B.A.), Harvard Law School (J.D.)

Occupation: Lawyer; Community Organizer; Professor; Author; Illinois State Senator; U.S. Senator from Illinois; President of the United States (since 2009)

Abortion

Strongly supports abortion rights. Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide contraceptives to employees enrolled in employer health plans.

Gay Marriage

In spring of 2012, expressed support for legal recognition of same-sex marriage, which was a reverse from positions held on the issue in previous campaigns. Earlier in administration, successfully led repeal of military’s ban on gays openly serving in the armed forces, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Recognizes states’ rights in deciding their own legal recognition of civil unions.

Immigration

Promised immigration overhaul at beginning of first term, but has yet to pass any concrete bill. In June, issued directive allowing illegal immigrants who were brought here when they were children to be exempted from deportation. Plans to continue immigration overhaul push in second term.

Economy

At beginning of first term, passed $800 billion stimulus in order to help United States emerge from recession. Unemployment rate now stands at 7.8 percent, the same level it was when he took office, though significantly lower than a year ago. Pushed for American Jobs Act to help create millions of jobs throughout the country, though most of its key provisions fell flat in Congress. Carried out bailout of auto industry and continued financial regulations on Wall Street. Believes wealthiest Americans should pay a little more in order to alleviate the burden on middle class income earners.

Energy and Environment

Despite criticism from the right about lack of domestic energy exploration and expansion, all forms of energy production have increased during Obama’s first term. Supports idea that global warming is caused by human activity, has greatly expanded green energy industries in the United States, and has instituted many environmental regulations on various industries since taking office in order to make these industries more green. Hopes to cut U.S. oil imports in half by 2020.

Healthcare

Believes in working towards universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. Successfully passed Affordable Care Act during first term, which granted coverage to tens of millions of uninsured, and was upheld by the Supreme Court in the summer of 2012. Under Affordable Care Act, insurance agencies are barred from denying people coverage due to a pre-existing conditions, Medicaid will expand, tax credits will subsidize premiums, small businesses will receive help in offering healthcare plans to employees, and states have option to establish insurance exchanges to help grant coverage to uninsured in their state.

Education

Supports the idea of states opting out of Bush-era education reform plan known as “No Child Left Behind.” Wants to increase Pell grants and financial aid to college students through increased federal spending on education.

Foreign Policy

Sees nuclear-armed Iran as one of the most serious threats to United States and Israel, but supports military attack against Iran as only a last option, opting in favor of diplomatic and economic pressure. Opposes arming Syrian rebels with heavy weapons and instituting no-fly-zone over the country. Withdrew American troops from Iraq and expresses continued support for 2014 withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. Despite increased tension with Israel over its unwillingness to stop building illegal settlements on Palestinian land, military cooperation has expanded and Israel has received largest military aid from United States in history. Has taken China to International Court of Justice over unfair trade practices but has refused to identify China as a currency manipulator.

Joe Biden

Birthday: November 20, 1942

Family: Wife – Jill Biden, married in 1977; first wife and one-year-old daughter killed in car accident in 1972. Three children – Joseph III, Hunter and Ashley.

Alma Mater: University of Delaware (B.A.), Syracuse University (J.D.)

Occupation: Lawyer; U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973-2009); Vice President of the United States (since 2009)

Hailing from Scranton, Penn., Joe Biden grew up in a middle class, Irish-Catholic family and attended the University of Delaware where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science. He later attended Syracuse University’s College of Law. In 1973 he was elected U.S. Senator from Delaware and subsequently served until he became Barack Obama’s vice president in 2009.

During his time in the U.S. Senate, Biden served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which built up his foreign policy credentials. Initially supporting the war in Iraq, Biden eventually switched positions and sought to end the war during his last years in the Senate. Biden eventually became Obama’s running mate for the 2008 presidential elections and has served as vice president since 2009.