The Democrats appear to be in remarkable agreement on most issues. But perhaps one major difference is in the health care arena.

Obama's plan is universal in that it makes coverage available for everyone but it doesn't have a mandate that everyone be covered. Only those under age 21 are mandated to be covered, something his opponents cite as a weakness in his plan. Obama would also enact sweeping tax changes that he says would result in $85 billion in tax relief to workers, seniors and homeowners. Among those changes, senior citizens making less than $50,000 would not owe taxes. Obama won a Grammy award for best spoken word album for his 2005 recording, "Dreams From My Father." He is the eighth African American to run for president.

Barack Hussein Obama

• Political party: Democrat. • Political office: Member, Illinois state Senate 1997-2004; U.S. senator from Illinois, 2005 to present. • Professional experience: Attorney, law firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland (Chicago), 1993-2004. • Education: B.A. in 1983 from Columbia University; J.D. Harvard University, 1991. • Date of birth: Aug. 4, 1961. • Place of birth: Honolulu. • Current residence: Chicago. • Campaign Web address: www.barackobama.com