Obama or Clinton: Which Candidate Can Best Take On McCain?

The Illinois senator is the strongest nominee because he has shown that he can learn from mistakes and respond to challenges with the best weapon America has: the truth. He has already had a presidential moment in this campaign. Faced with criticisms about his faith, Obama gave one of the most eloquent, brave and bracingly honest speeches I have ever heard a politician give. Instead of trying to say the right thing, he just tried to tell the truth, in all its unvarnished complexity. There is no greater sign of his respect for people everywhere than a refusal to insult their intelligence.

If there's a silver lining to eight disastrous years of George W. Bush, it's this: the next president has an unprecedented opportunity to break with the past—and reinvent America's politics at home and its image abroad. The next president can re-establish our faith in government and in ourselves. After all, we get to decide what to do with the moments history gives us. And I believe that we will use this one to make Barack Obama the next president of the United States.

Kerry was the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee.

GOV. ED RENDELL: 'What It Takes to Win'
I have no doubt that the best person to lead the democratic Party in the fall and, more important, to lead our nation starting Jan. 20, 2009, is Sen. Hillary Clinton. During the last 15 years, I've gotten to know Senator Clinton. I've seen her talents and her boundless work ethic up close. She is one of the smartest, most capable and competent individuals you will ever meet. I have met many presidential candidates and none of them, including Bill Clinton, has been as well prepared and ready to be president as Hillary is.

I know she has what it takes to win. After all, she's been in the national arena for more than 15 years. She faced tough Republican opposition and only came out stronger. Eight years as First Lady, two terms in the Senate—no one understands the demands and requirements to attain and execute the office of president more than Hillary does. And that's why she'll go toe-to-toe with Sen. John McCain in November.

Hillary is ready to be commander in chief. She has been endorsed by 35 of this nation's most-esteemed former admirals and generals, including two former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She knows and respects our men and women in uniform and has earned their respect as well. She has a comprehensive plan to end the Iraq War and will bring our troops home swiftly and responsibly, beginning within 60 days of taking office. And she has the experience and national-security credentials that will help us make the case against McCain: Hillary has served for five years on the Senate Armed Services Committee, standing up for our soldiers and veterans and holding the Bush administration accountable for its failures in Iraq. All this, as well as the fact that, as First Lady, Hillary represented our nation in more than 80 countries, gives her the ability to restore our leadership in the world. No one will ever doubt her readiness for that difficult task ahead.

Domestically, Hillary's seven years as senator have helped her form sensible solutions to our problems. Her health-care plan is balanced, workable, will contain spiraling costs and give all Americans access to affordable care. She, and she alone, understands that, to contain and even reduce costs, it is essential for all Americans to have health care. Currently, it costs every one of us who is insured $1,000 in premiums to cover the cost of providing health care to the uninsured, most often too little, too late.