(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-13 10:15

WASHINGTON -- The US presidential nomination race is underway in a dead heat as four candidates from both parties go to battle Tuesday in the US heartland of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.

The following offers a glance at the policy priorities of the major candidates from both sides.

DEMOCRATS

Hillary Clinton

The senator from New York said her top three priorities are providing quality, affordable healthcare to all Americans, ending the war in Iraq, and strengthening the middle class.

Barrack Obama

The senator from Illinois said top of his agenda is to end the war in Iraq, a war "that should have never been authorized and never been waged."

Meanwhile, he will work to keep our country safe from terrorists and to restore American credibility around the world.

Second priority is providing universal healthcare to the 47 million Americans who currently do not have it.

Combating global warming and energy independence are also among his priorities.

REPUBLICANS

John McCain

The senator from Arizona said "winning the war on terror" is his top priority.

"While our ultimate victory is not in doubt, the length and intensity of this struggle remain to be determined," he once said.

Next on his agenda is reforming government and fighting corruption.

His other priorities include securing the borders, bringing spending under control, and keeping taxes low.

McCain also vowed to reform the healthcare system, but in a way different to the Democrats.

Mike Huckabee

The former governor from Arkansas said winning the war on terror, securing the borders and becoming energy independent are his three top priorities.