John Edwards, born June 10, 1953, in South Carolina, former U.S. Senator from North Carolina, candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2000 and 2004 Democratic vice-presidential nominee. As a presidential candidate, Edwards was famed for his populist message in his "Two Americas" speech and also for his optimistic, positive attitude. This was evidenced by his refusal to attack his opponents. In the primaries, Sen. Edwards had strong come-from-behind showings in the crucial states of Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Georgia. He also won the North Carolina caucus and the South Carolina primary. Edwards has kept his Federal Leadership PAC, the One America Committee, active to help Democrats across the nation win elections in the future. On February 5, 2005, Edwards spoke at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's fundraising dinner. On August 18, 2005, Edwards traveled to Waterloo, Iowa, to deliver an address to the Iowa AFL-CIO, a potential key supporter in the Iowa caucus. On December 26, 2006, Edwards formally announced his candidacy.
- U.S. Senator from North Carolina: 1999–2005.
- Director of the Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 2005–2006.
- Council on Foreign Relations.
Dennis Kucinich, born October 8, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio. Ohio Congressman, former Mayor of Cleveland, and 2004 Democratic primary candidate. Dennis Kucinich is known by many as "The Peace Candidate", having received the 2003 Gandhi Peace Award. Kucinich opposed the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act. Under Kucinich's plan, United Nations peace-keepers would go to Iraq if the Iraqi citizens desire their presence. The Congressman re-introduced legislation to create a United States Department of Peace via HR 808 on February 5, 2007. He is currently campaigning to end the war in Iraq by cutting off funding, if such measures are necessary. He is the only democratic candidate who voted against authorizing President Bush to invade Iraq. He is in support of peaceful diplomatic relations with Iran, and all nations. Kucinich has received many awards praising his courage and work for peace. On December 12, 2006, Kucinich announced his candidacy at an event at Cleveland's City Hall.
- Mayor of Cleveland: 1978–1979.
- U.S. Representative from Ohio's 10th congressional district: 1997–Present.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, born October 26, 1947, in Illinois, U.S. Senator from New York and former First Lady of the United States. Clinton announced the formation of her exploratory committee on 20 January 2007, with a post on her website. She has delivered several speeches which analysts say are intended to reach out to moderates. She has also been holding fundraising meetings, including meeting with women from Massachusetts, a key constituency of potential rival and 2004 nominee John Kerry; however, these activities are consistent with the lead up to a campaign for re-election to her Senate seat in 2006. Many Republicans appear to be hoping that Senator Clinton will run for President, presumably believing her to be a polarizing figure. If elected, Clinton would be the first female president. Clinton announced on January 20, 2007, that she will run in 2008 (the same day she announced the formation of an exploratory committee). She has filed the official paperwork for an exploratory committee.
- First Lady of Arkansas: 1979–1981 and 1983–1992.
- First Lady of the United States: 1993–2001.
- U.S. Senator from New York: 2001–present.
Barack Obama, born August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Senator from Illinois. A "draft Obama" movement began with his well-received 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address. Obama was the featured speaker at Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's annual steak fry, a political event favored by presidential hopefuls in the lead-up to the Iowa caucus. He was endorsed by talk show host Oprah Winfrey in 2006. Various recent opinion polls have seen Obama trailing only Hillary Clinton in several polls. If elected, he would become the first part African-American President of the United States. Obama announced on February 10, 2007, that he will run in 2008. He has filed the official paperwork.
- U.S. Senator from Illinois: 2005–Present.
Christopher Dodd, was born May 27, 1944, in Connecticut and is a five-term U.S. Senator from that state. Dodd was reported to be a likely contender for the Democratic Vice President slot on John Kerry's ticket in 2004. In May 2006, Dodd said he has "decided to do all the things that are necessary to prepare to seek the presidency in 2008", including hiring staff, raising money and traveling around the country in the next few months to enlist support. On Jan. 11, 2007, Dodd announced his Presidential candidacy on the "Imus in the Morning" radio show with Don Imus.
- U.S. Senator from Connecticut: 1981–Present.
- U.S. Representative from the Connecticut's 2nd congressional district: 1975–1981.
Mike Gravel, born May 13, 1930, in Springfield, Massachusetts. U.S. Senator from Alaska from 1969 to 1981 and an active candidate for Vice President in 1972. He is most known for playing a key role in ending the draft during the Vietnam War through the release of the Pentagon Papers and through staging a one-man filibuster for 5 months. He is also notable for advocating a guaranteed annual income, which he termed a "citizen's wage," of $5,000 per person, regardless of whether the person worked. On April 13, 2006, Gravel announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination. His policy announcements to date include support for direct democracy, FairTax and withdrawal from Iraq. Mike Gravel filed with the FEC in April according to various news sources. The FEC's site has listed his reports since July.
- Alaska State Representative: 1962–1966 (Speaker: 1965–1966).
- U.S. Senator from Alaska: 1969–1981.
Bill Richardson, born November 15, 1947, in Pasadena, California, Governor of New Mexico, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Secretary of Energy and U.S. Representative. After reportedly informing party leaders in February 2005 of his intention to run for president, on December 7, 2006, Richardson said "I am running" during his response to a prospective question about the 2008 presidential election by Fox News, however he later retracted the decision and said he would make an official decision by January. On May 21, 2007, he officially declared his candidacy. If elected he would be the first Hispanic American to hold Presidential Office.
- Governor of New Mexico: 2003–Present.
- United States Secretary of Energy: 1998–2001.
- United States Ambassador to the United Nations: 1997–1998.
- U.S. Representative from the New Mexico's 3rd congressional district: 1983–1997.
Joe Biden, born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator from Delaware and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, although he ceased active campaigning in 1987, before the first primaries. Biden first hinted that he might run in 2008 in a December 8, 2004, radio interview with host Don Imus, saying: "I'm going to proceed as if I'm going to run." Biden has repeatedly stated his intention to run, and did so as early as 21 March 2006. Biden's Federal Leadership PAC is "Unite Our States", which tracks Biden's public appearances and policy positions. On 7 January 2007, when asked by Tim Russert on Meet the Press "Are you running for President?" he responded, "I am running for President." He also said he plans to create an exploratory committee by the end of the month. On January 31, 2007, he officially signed the papers with the FEC to run for president.
- U.S. Senator from Delaware: 1973–Present.
Anyone who is a Democrat and lives in Pennsylvania and is ready for a change from the current leadership in Washington DC. Remember, I want you if you join United for a Better America as a PA Democrat!
House Democratic Candidates:
PA-04
Incumbent
Jason Altmire (D)
Congressman Jason Altmire is serving his first term in the United States House of Representatives. He represents Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, and Westmoreland Counties. He serves as Chairman of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Small Business Committee; as well as serving on the Education and Labor Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Jason has been a leading voice in Congress on veterans’ health care, economic development, education and health care reform. He is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, which is made up of moderate, pro-growth Democratic House Members. The New Democrat Coalition has built a reputation as the "go-to" group in Congress on the critical issues of economic growth, national security, personal responsibility, and technology development.
Jason is actively involved in his community and has served on the board of more than a dozen organizations in western Pennsylvania and received numerous awards, including the Northern Allegheny Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious 2005 Arcadia Award, given to one local businessman deemed to have achieved excellence in business and community service. He is also an alumnus of the Leadership Pittsburgh program.
PA-10
Incumbent
Chris Carney (D)
Congressman Christopher Carney was elected in 2006 to represent Pennsylvania’s 10th District.
After 9/11, Congressman Carney served at the Pentagon as an intelligence analyst and senior advisor on intelligence and counterterrorism issues. He coordinated counterterrorism activities in the Middle East and later worked on the integration of national-level intelligence products in the effort to destroy international terrorist networks.
A Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserve, Congressman Carney served multiple tours overseas and was activated for operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Southern Watch.
Currently in Congress, Congressman Carney serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he is the Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management; and the Committee on Homeland Security, where he is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight.