Next U.S. president likely to be a lawyer

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The top three U.S. presidential candidates from both major parties hold law degrees, almost guaranteeing a lawyer in the White House in 2009.

On the Democratic side, Sens. Hillary Clinton, N.Y.; Barack Obama, Ill.; and former Sen. John Edwards, N.C., hold law degrees, while Republicans with legal backgrounds include former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Sen. Fred Thompson, Tenn., USA Today reported Thursday.

Of the 43 U.S. presidents who have served, 25 held law degrees. The American Bar Association said the proportion fell from 76 percent through the 19th century to 39 percent over the course of the 20th century.

However, some of the major candidates are citing their legal experience in their campaigns, USA Today said.

Edwards said his trial lawyer background makes him the ideal candidate to spar with "big insurance companies, big drug companies, (and) big oil companies."

Meanwhile, Obama's TV spots highlight his years practicing civil rights law and teach constitutional law in Chicago.

Thompson has been the only Republican to specifically draw from his legal background while campaigning.

"As an idealistic teenager, I could think of nothing more inspiring than the notion of representing a just cause against the most powerful forces in the country, including the government," Thompson said on his Web site.