Biographical Sketches of the Democratic Candidates

Barack Obama

A person's childhood influences can affect their decisions and overall views in their future. During Barack Obama's teens, he admitted to using alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. This affected his political view of drugs. He knows how it feels and understands the consequences of drugs once you begin from experience and strongly disagrees.

Obama is a Christian who grew up with non-religious parents. His father was raised as a Muslim, but then became an Atheist. So he didn't really have any religous practice when he was young. His religious view changed when he began working with black churches in his twenties. He understood how important it was and it changed his view of education and how kids can choose to be taught creationism beside science and evolution because he thinks creationism is not any less important than evolution.



Joe Biden

Events that occur in someone's life affects their core of belief, emotional response and overall viewpoint. At age ten, Joe Biden moved New Castle County, Delaware, where he attended a Catholic prep school, Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware. He was not academically oriented, but athletically oriented. He graduated in 1961 and attended the University of Delaware and graduated 506th of the 688 students in 1965. He then attended Syracuse University of Law in 1968 and graduated 76th of 85. He described himself as lazy. His poor grades affected his political views of education and how he wants to change it so students can get a better education and teachers can get paid more to do a better job.

On February 1988, Biden almost died from two brain aneurysms, but survived. He almost experienced death and that affected his political view of pro-public health care.

Biographical Sketches of the Republican Candidates

John McCain

A person's history reflects on their core of belief, emotional response and overall viewpoint. John McCain's father, John Sydney McCain Jr. and his grandfather, John Sydney McCain Sr., were both admirals of the U.S. Navy. McCain followed their steps and was in the navy too. On October 26, 1967, during the Vietnam War on his 23rd air mission, he was shot down by the Vietnamese and broke both of his arms and a leg. He became a prisoner of war and was kept and tortured from 1967-1973. When they found out who his father was, they offered him several times to be released, but refused because it would've violated the U.S. military code of conduct and he didn't want to leave his soldiers behind. This illustrates how he's loyal to his country for refusing to be freed.

After five and a half years, he was freed along with his comrades. He had lost most of his strength, but still wanted to work in the navy, though it was not possible. His interest to politics came in 1976, when he was given the title of the Navy’s liaison to the U.S. Senate. This foreshadows his future career in politics which finally leads him to run for President.



Sarah Palin

The way a person grows up affects their future beliefs and the way they see things. Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd Palin had five children, Bristol, Willow, Piper, Track and Trig. She is pro-life and the fact that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, got pregnant and is going on with the pregnancy supports her belief.

Sarah Palin was born into Catholic family and attended the Wasilla Assembly of God from age 4 to 38. She now attends Wasilla Bible Church. This affected her decision of wanting to teach creationism and evolution in schools.