"This election needs to be about choices - big choices," says Gephardt. And no candidate offers a starker contrast to the policy choices of the current administration. On health care, Gephardt has promised to dissolve the Bush tax cuts to provide universal health care for all Americans. On trade, he calls for tough sanctions against foreign governments that violate human rights, labor rights and environmental standards.

A long-time Congressional ally of labor unions and working families, Gephardt promises to roll back NAFTA, block the FTAA and give U.S. workers the voice in the White House that has been missing for so long.

The physician turned politician gained early support with a strong stance against the war in Iraq and stoked his lead with the claim that he would make fair trade policies and job creation a top priority of his administration. An ambitious health care plan is another campaign promise, with insurance coverage available for every American at a projected cost of $88.3 billion annually. The winner of the first Paul Wellstone Award for "Support of Workers' Freedom to Form Unions," Dean also endorses changes to federal labor law to allow 'card check' certification and new civil penalties for companies that fail to bargain in good faith.

As part of his plan to revitalize the U.S. economy, Kerry proposes $1 billion a year in manufacturing conversion incentives to retrain workers and help factories convert their facilities in order to launch a fleet of energy efficient automobiles.

Sharpton supports a single payer health plan and he proposes constitutional amendments that guarantee health care, education and employment with the right to organize collectively.

As part of his economic platform, Sharpton says he would only support international trade agreements that include labor, environmental and human rights standards.

But it's not that he isn't trying. The frenetic campaigner is calling for a national health care plan that would eliminate the role of private insurers. To pay for the plan, Kucinich would impose a 7.7 percent tax on public and private employers, which he says would be less than they pay now.

To rebuild the economy and stimulate job growth, the Ohio Congressman proposes massive public works programs similar to Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. "Where the private sector fails to provide jobs, the public sector has a moral responsibility to do so."

On the subject of international trade agreements, Kucinich is equally blunt:"Free trade has been a disaster for our economy." Kucinich promises to repeal NAFTA, block the FTAA and withdraw from the WTO.

A strong supporter of free trade, Lieberman's positions are clearly centrist, typified by his reluctance to reject the Bush tax cuts outright and his refusal to embrace sweeping health care reform. Lieberman claims to be fiscally responsible, tough on crime, and strong on defense. His economic platform includes a range of tax incentives to stimulate the economy, including a 20 percent Investment Tax Credit. Lieberman would also end tariffs on high-tech products and make cyberspace a "duty-free zone."

Senator Lieberman's healthcare proposal differs from his rivals in size and focus. He claims his is the only plan that would cover all children who have no benefits and continue that coverage until they reach age 25.

Recently endorsed by the National Organization for Women and the National Women's Political Caucus, Braun expressed confidence that her flagging campaign has yet to take off.

Calling for large federal investment in schools and urban infrastructure as a way to stimulate jobs and the economy, Braun also believes investment in the environment and alternative energy can trigger large-scale job creation.

Edwards is also calling for a $10 million investment to improve the quality of medical care in small towns and rural areas. His 'telemedicine' proposal would provide equipment to give patients and rural hospitals access to sophisticated procedures not currently available.

The son of union parents, Edwards supports an expanded Family Medical Leave Act and labor law reform, including 'card check' recognition and penalties for corporations that violate workers' rights.

An unwavering ally of the health insurance industry, Bush's response to the crisis of 40 million uninsured Americans has been to defend the "right" of insurance companies to compete in a marketplace with as little regulation or oversight as possible.

As a second term president, George Bush could be expected to continue his efforts to block workplace health and safety initiatives while working to eviscerate long standing labor laws that protect collective bargaining and the right to overtime pay.

Additionally, the prospect exists for up to four new Supreme Court justices being appointed by this highly conservative ideologue.