WASHINGTON: Leading candidates in the race for the November 2008 US presidential election are seeking to become the first woman, first black, first Mormon or oldest first-term president to occupy the White House.
Following are brief profiles of the main contenders:
Has pulled nearly even with front-running Clinton in recent polls in Iowa and New Hampshire but trails nationally.
REPUBLICANS: Rudy Giuliani, 63, is a former New York mayor and has tried to boost his candidacy by speaking repeatedly about his leadership during the Sept 11 attacks. Widely shunned by many conservatives because of his support for abortion rights, gun control and gay rights, but received endorsement from Christian evangelist Pat Robertson.
Has led most national polls but is behind in early primary voting states.
Mike Huckabee, 52, is a bass-playing former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister from Hope, Arkansas, the birthplace of Bill Clinton. Has used his religious beliefs and support for constitutional bans on gay marriage and abortion to boost support from conservative voters. Known for his wit, but criticised for lack of knowledge on foreign policy.
Has been a pro-business conservative and abortion foe. Supports the Iraq war and argued for additional troops to quell the violence. Slowed by staff turnover and overspending in early days of his campaign but now building support in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Mitt Romney, 60, is a Harvard-educated former Massachusetts governor.
Has tried to cast himself as a more conservative alternative, opposing gay rights and abortion rights although he once supported both. Romney, whose father sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1968, would be the first Mormon president. Has turned to negative advertising and mailings as his poll leads in Iowa and New Hampshire have eroded.—Reuters