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Meet the five contenders for the 2008 US Presidential race:
Hillary Clinton
Age: 60
Campaign cash: $118.3 million
Votes pledged: 232
Clinton factor: Name recognition a key advantage. Touts her White House experience as First Lady when Bill Clinton was president and her eight years in the US senate. Strong support among Labour unions and Hispanics. She rode high as national favourite until losing the Iowa and South Carolina primaries to chief rival Barack Obama.
Her husband's aggressive style on the campaign trail has alienated supporters. Daughter Chelsea accompanies her while campaigning to counter her image of cold intellectual.
Hillary voted to authorise Iraq war, says she voted based on her assessment at the time, but did not see her vote as an authority for pre-emptive war. She mobilises the highest negative voter reactions of any candidate.
Barack Obama
Age: 46
Campaign cash: $103.8 million
Votes pledged: 158
New wave: Born in Hawaii to a Kenyan father and a White American mother. Obama is viewed as charismatic and inspirational yet short on experience. Appeals to younger, centre-left voters yearning for change and a bridging of political divisions. Won the endorsement of the brother and daughter of John F. Kennedy.
Promises "a new kind of politics" to solve problems of ordinary Americans. Was first black editor of Harvard Law Review, later a social worker in Chicago. Obama was Illionis senator for eight years but was only elected to US senate in 2004.
Says he always opposed Iraq war, caused a stir by saying he would talk with leaders of US foes such as Iran and North Korea.
John McCain
Age: 71
Campaign cash: $42.1 million
Votes pledged: 97
War hero: Widely respected maverick US senator and war hero from Arizona who ran for president in 2000 and is now leading national polls after wins in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. Was tortured as prisoner of war in Vietnam. Strongly backs Bush's "surge" strategy in Iraq.
Has struggled to raise campaign money, but that could change with endorsements by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who dropped out of the race, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
At 72 on Inauguration Day, he would be the oldest president to take office. Top priority for him as president is winning the war against extremism.
Mitt Romney
Age: 60
Campaign cash: $90.1 million
Votes pledged: 74
Downturn: Romney did well in polls through much of 2006 until his losses in Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina. Touts business credentials as chief executive who rescued 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, made millions with private-equity firm.
Pin-striped, well-coiffed look. Governed left-leaning state of Massachusetts, now suspicious to evangelical voters for moving to the right on hot-button social issues such as abortion.
Mormon faith is wild card, he seeks to counter by saying it won't influence decisions as president. Talks tough on crime, national security. Advocates expansion of military by 100,000 soldiers and easier access by investigators to private data.
Mike Huckabee
Age: 52
Campaign cash: $9 million
Votes pledged: 29
'Authentic candidate': Southern Baptist pastor whose socially conservative views rallied evangelical voters and lifted him into the lead in Iowa, the first state to hold a
nominating poll.
Was governor of Bill Clinton's home state of Arkansas until January 2007. Says he's "more authentic" than rivals. Calls for radical tax reform, steps to curb illegal immigration and constitutional amendment against abortion. Lost 55kg after being diagnosed with diabetes in 2003. Plays bass guitar in his own rock band.
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