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We've heard his message of change throughout this election year, but what does change mean for Barack Obama?

The 47 year old Illinois senator decided to run for president to keep the American dream alive, pledging to fight for the interests of average American people and not for those of special interest groups.

"We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage; whether you can put a little extra money away at the end of each month so you can someday watch your child receive her college diploma," Obama said in his Aug. 28 speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Obama feels he is the most capable candidate in the election to fix the economy, a major issue in the election as working Americans earn lower wages and pay more for necessities such as food and gas. He claims he will cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families and stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas.

Over the past month, the government takeover of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and AIG, as well as the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the buyout of Merrill Lynch further fueled economic fears. Obama says he supports legislation to stop mortgage transactions promoting fraud, risk or abuse.

On the issue of energy independence, Obama says he will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by exploring alternative energy options such as natural gas, clean coal and safe nuclear power. He also plans to retool the auto companies to create more fuel-efficient vehicles and invest $150 billion in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Such investments in alternative energy, he says, will create five million new jobs at home.

He also hopes to fix the country's health care system, promising affordable and accessible health care for every American. His plan offers lower premiums for those with health insurance and a national health plan similar to the one available to members of Congress for those without.

As the father of two young daughters, Obama strongly advocates for better education. If elected, he says he will recruit thousands of new teachers, promising higher pay and greater benefits in return for higher standards and accountability.

"I don't want to send another generation of American children to failing schools," Obama said at a Democratic National Committee meeting in November 2007. "I don't want that future for my daughters. I don't want that future for your sons. I do not want that future for America."

In regards to foreign policy, Obama plans to renew tough and direct diplomacy with aggressive leaders from Iran and Russia. A vocal opponent of the Iraq War from its beginning in March 2003, he plans to end the war responsibly, but at the same time he wants to continue the fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

"As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home," he says.? In a campaign where partisan politics sharply divide the American people, Obama's goal is bringing together and inspiring the American people. He repeatedly stressed in his speeches that we are not a red (Republican) or blue (Democrat) America, but the United States of America.

But will inspiring the people be enough for Obama to win the election? You decide on Nov. 4.

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