From the first primary in January through Election Day in November, the 2004 presidential election will undoubtedly be full of surprises as nine Democratic hopefuls seek the chance to face President George W. Bush in his run for a second term.
From sitting senators to a former governor, from a four-star general to a civil rights advocate, the diverse Democratic class of 2004 aims for the White House.
Under fire: Democratic contenders target Wesley Clark, a party newcomer and its frontrunner according to polls, in debate.
The savior complex
Can the real Wesley Clark match the fantasy version imagined by peacenik Democrats? Much of it may depend on the retired general's ability to navigate the political battlefield. Full story Elections 2004
After coming into office in the bitterly contested 2000 presidential
election, George W. Bush heads into the 2004 race a markedly different
candidate. Full profile
Leading up to the 2004 election, the presidential race will get the most attention. But the stakes are also high in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate and statehouses across the country, where the GOP will try to bolster its slim advantages.