Statistically Speaking

With the Democratic and Republican national conventions in the past, the race for president of the United States has truly begun. Republican Party nominee John McCain and Democratic nominee Barack Obama officially announced their vice president candidates as Sarah Palin (R–Alaska) and Joseph Biden (D–Del.), respectively. With the election just over two months away, here’s a look at where things stand:

Number of candidates on ballot in at least one state: 13
Number of candidates on ballot in all 50 states: 2
Percentage of voters in favor of Obama as of Sept. 2 CNN/Time poll: 47
Percentage of voters in favor of McCain as of Sept. 2 CNN/Time poll: 45
Number of elections Ralph Nader has run in for the Green or Independent parties, including the 2008 election: 4
Number of years Biden has served in Congress: 25
Number of women who have ever run for vice president, including Palin: 2

Sources: (www.uselectionatlas.org), (www.time.com), (www.cnn.com)