The running mates are Joe Biden and Sarah Palin.

Presidential candidates choose their running mates for a lot of different reasons. Usually they choose someone who they think might win voters that they otherwise might not get. Here you see the two choices for vice president. Joe Biden, who is 65, has been a U.S. Senator for Delaware for 36 years. He ran for president in 1988, and again this year, but dropped out of the race each time. Sen. Biden is a high-ranking Senator, and he is the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That committee deals with U.S. aid to foreign countries, as well as trade and treaties with other countries. He also serves on the Judiciary Committee, which confirms federal judges. Why do you think Barack Obama chose Sen. Biden as his running mate?

Sarah Palin, who is 44, has been the governor of Alaska for two years. She is the youngest person, and the only woman, ever elected governor of that state. Before being elected governor, Ms. Palin was the mayor of the city of Wasilla, Alaska. Before that she served on the Wasilla City Council. She has a journalism degree from the University of Idaho and is also the mother of five children including a young baby. Why do you think Sen. McCain chose her as his running mate? Which of these two do you think would make a better vice president? Why? What qualities do you think are most important in a vice president?