With the Iowa caucus just four weeks away, the eyes of the nation are focused on this Midwestern state. On Jan. 3, 2008, the first voices that represent the United States of America will speak.

Iowa, historically, has been viewed as the first major electoral event of the presidential nomination process. It has long represented the first stepping stone in winning the nomination of his or her respective political party.

"I'm excited to see who will come out on top in Iowa," said Susie Garcia, a first-year Business major.

This election's field of candidates is abundant with names, platforms and qualifications. Indeed, it is an unprecedented presidential election that features a woman, an African-American, and even a Hispanic, all with a fair shot at winning the presidency.

Both major political parties boast a superstar line of candidates. On the Democratic side, you have eight candidates that include Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson. On the Republican side, the eight candidates are Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Tom Tancredo and Fred Thompson.

Several key issues have ascended to the top of the American presidential-election agenda, including the Iraq War, health care and the environment. For over a year now, candidates have been in the limelight. The winners of the Iowa Caucuses will no doubt take their first solid step toward their party's nomination.

The war in Iraq has triggered the most political debate between both parties. According to the National Priorities Project, since the start of the war in Iraq, nearly $500 billion will have been spent in Iraq before the close of 2007.

"The Iraq war that was fabricated by the Bush Administration seems to be the most pernicious insult to the American public since the Hoover Administration default of the American banks," said Dr. Rafael Castillo of Palo Alto's English Department.

Each candidate has strategically mapped out his or her plan for success in Iraq, but with no easy solution in sight.

"After watching "Meet The Press" with Tim Russert, I get the impression most of these candidates are tired of answering the same questions. They usually give the same spin," said Castillo.

Health care is another key issue facing the candidates. With 47 million uninsured American workers and millions others just one pink slip away from losing their coverage, America's citizens are looking for a plan of action and fairness that is economically sound. America has long trailed smaller countries in providing not only adequate but affordable health care to all its citizens. Most candidates seem ready to tackle this problem, and it's the most important issue on today's agenda for Krystal N. Escamilla, a second-year Psychology major.

"I pay nearly $200 a month for healthcare," she said. "I'm looking for a candidate whose plan will offer more affordable healthcare to me as a student."

Eloy Tijerina, a sophomore Communications major, said that the environment is a big issue for him.

"Everybody wants to talk about their rights and the war, but with global warming, are we going to have a world to fight over in 100 years? It's an issue that we need to address now rather than waiting until it's too late."

Tiffany Nuñez, another sophomore Communications major, said that she is totally disgusted with the Bush Administration's environmental record.

"I think that their positions on the environment have to do with who has contributed to their campaign," she said. "They're not so much concerned with protecting our health and our future as they are with pleasing the people who paid to get them elected."

As the time nears for us to make a choice, we should make it our responsibility to make a well-informed decision. Every presidential nominee has a website. Each offers a look at the candidate's biography, past achievements and qualifications as well as their stance on key issues.

As the presidency of George W. Bush comes to a close, we must choose a leader who will not only honor the democratic process, but instill trust in the American public.

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