A Gary Bauer Campaign Snapshot

One-on-one with Gary Bauer

Gary Bauer's campaign Web site

A former Reagan advisor and former head of the Family Research Council, Gary Bauer has been aiming his campaign message toward the religious conservative wing of the Republican party.

Countering a proposal from rival Steve Forbes, Bauer has introduced his own 16% flat tax program that would do away with the current graduated tax system.

Bauer finished fourth in the August Iowa Straw Poll and has been running on a pro-family platform.

His poll numbers have gradually improved through the months, but still place him distantly behind the front-runners.

A George W. Bush Campaign Snapshot

George W. Bush's campaign Web site

The current governor of Texas is the leading Republican candidate according to numerous polls. Having already won the Iowa Straw Poll and raised more money than his competitors, Bush's campaign continues to steam ahead.

Though popular in the polls, questions in the media about the governor's background dogged the early days of his campaign. First came questions of past drug use, which Bush originally refused to discuss. Next, a TV reporter gave Bush an unexpected pop quiz on world leaders. The governor was unable to answer some of the questions.

Since then, Bush has moved his campaign from the intense media spotlight to the debate stage, where competitors have tried to chip away at his strong lead. January polls suggest Bush's candidacy remains strong nationally -- but Sen. John McCain poses a threat in New Hampshire, where the Arizonan hopes to build some momentum.

Bush's stresses the need for tax cuts, he says, to prevent lawmakers from spending federal surplus dollars. He also pledges to rebuild the military and support free trade.

A Steve Forbes Campaign Snapshot

The Steve Forbes campaign Web site

This is Steve Forbes' second run for the presidency. But before his 1996 campaign, Forbes was better known for his publishing business than political ambitions. After generating some early support in for his candidacy 1996, Forbes won the Arizona and Delaware primaries.

Forbes has been the president and CEO of Forbes Inc. since 1990. As he did in 1996, Forbes is putting his considerable personal wealth behind his presidential bid.

Forbes' cornerstone issue has been taxes -- and he's used his campaigns to generate support for a 17% across-the-board flat tax to simplify the tax code.

One-on-one with Orrin Hatch

The Orrin Hatch campaign Web site

In his fourth term as U.S. Senator from Utah, Orrin Hatch is among the few candidates for the Republican nomination who has held elective office.

Hatch chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee helped push Reagan tax cuts through the Senate during the 1980s.

Hatch has not fared well in early polls, and finished last of the nine candidates in August's Iowa Straw Poll.

Hatch has concentrated most of his efforts in states with early presidential primaries.

One of his campaign slogans is "A Time for Substance."

One-on-one with Alan Keyes

The Alan Keyes campaign Web site

Previously the Ambassador to the U.N. Social and Economic Council, Alan Keyes ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in 1996.

Keyes, like fellow candidate Gary Bauer, generates much of his support from religious conservatives. Following several debates, January polls indicate Keyes is gaining in popularity, but still remains far behind Texas Governor George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain, the two front-runners.

Keyes placed seventh in a field of nine at August's Iowa Straw Poll. But he placed first in a similar straw poll in Alabama.

Keyes is staunchly pro-life, supports school prayer and pledges as president to abolish the Internal Revenue Service.

A McCain Campaign Snapshot

One-on-one with John McCain

John McCain's campaign Web site

Senator John McCain of Arizona has become the leading challenger to front-runner George W. Bush.

A former prisoner of war in Vietnam and in his third term as senator, McCain stressed foreign policy themes in his campaign.

McCain has also fought aggressively for campaign finance reform -- and made the issue part of his bid for the White House.

McCain did not participate in the Iowa Straw Poll, but January polls indicate that he is winning in New Hampshire, though losing rather significantly nationwide.