Supporters of Republican vice presidential pick Sarah Palin argue her experience tops that of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Here's a look at some major achievements in the lives of both:

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1979

  Obama a backbencher on high school basketball team that wins state championship

1982

  Palin captain on high school basketball team that wins state championship

1983

  Obama graduates from Columbia University. Works for a business research company, then becomes community organizer in poor section of Chicago.

1984

  Palin wins “Miss Wasilla” pageant and places second in statewide beauty contest.

1987

  Palin graduates from University of Idaho, works in television sports and family fishing business.

1988

  Obama enters Harvard Law School.

1990

  Obama becomes first black editor of prestigious Harvard Law Review.

1992

  Obama runs Project Vote!, which registers 150,000 new voters in Chicago, then begins teaching law at University of Chicago.

  Palin wins city council seat in Wasilla, an Alaska town of about 5,500.

1993

  Obama joins law firm specializing in civil rights cases.

1995

  Obama publishes “Dreams from My Father,” a well-reviewed memoir about growing up in America with an absent African father.

1996

  Obama elected a state senator.

  Palin elected mayor of Wasilla.

2000

  Obama defeated in effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.

2002

  Obama speaks out against invading Iraq.

  Palin loses Republican primary for Alaska lieutenant governor

2003

  In biggest year of his legislative career, Obama passes legislation requiring police to record interrogations in murder cases, collect data on race of drivers they pull over.

  Palin appointed to Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

2004

  Obama delivers keynote address at Democratic convention, elected to U.S. Senate.

  Palin investigates conduct of a commission member, who ultimately resigns. She later files ethics complaint against state's Republican attorney general, who also resigns.

2006

  Obama publishes “The Audacity of Hope,” a book detailing his views on national affairs.

  Palin elected first female governor of Alaska.

2007

  Obama launches presidential campaign.

  Palin overhauls state ethics laws, pushes to build a natural gas pipeline despite opposition from oil industry.

2008

  Obama wins marathon Democratic primary against Hillary Rodham Clinton and raises record amounts of money

  Alaska legislators probe whether Palin improperly pressured officials to fire her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper.