August 30, 2008
Where candidates stand on the issues ...
Democrats | RepublicansDemocrats
Iraq
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Bring troops home starting with the first 60 days of the new administration.
Bring troops home starting with the first 60 days of the new administration.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Supports immediately drawing down 40,000 to 50,000 combat troops.
Supports immediately drawing down 40,000 to 50,000 combat troops.
Mike Gravel
Begin an immediate and orderly withdrawl of all U.S. troops that will have them home within 120 days
Begin an immediate and orderly withdrawl of all U.S. troops that will have them home within 120 days
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Immediately begin withdrawing troops engaged in combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month, complete by the end of 2008.
Immediately begin withdrawing troops engaged in combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month, complete by the end of 2008.
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Health Care
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Keep existing coverage or access the same private insurance options that their Members of Congress receive through a new Health Choices Menu.
Keep existing coverage or access the same private insurance options that their Members of Congress receive through a new Health Choices Menu.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Create new tax credits, expand Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program, and reform insurance laws.
Create new tax credits, expand Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program, and reform insurance laws.
Mike Gravel
Supports a universal health care voucher in which the government would issue health care vouchers based on projected needs.
Supports a universal health care voucher in which the government would issue health care vouchers based on projected needs.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Create a new national health plan to allow individuals without access to affordable insurance coverage to buy coverage similar to that available to members of Congress
Create a new national health plan to allow individuals without access to affordable insurance coverage to buy coverage similar to that available to members of Congress
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Taxes
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Supports permanently ending marriage penalty, extending the lower-income tax rates and providing a deduction for college tuition
Supports permanently ending marriage penalty, extending the lower-income tax rates and providing a deduction for college tuition
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Expand the Child Care Credit, triple the Earned Income Tax Credit for single adults and cut the marriage penalty.
Expand the Child Care Credit, triple the Earned Income Tax Credit for single adults and cut the marriage penalty.
Mike Gravel
Eliminate the IRS and the Income Tax and replacing it with a progressive national Sales Tax on new products and services.
Eliminate the IRS and the Income Tax and replacing it with a progressive national Sales Tax on new products and services.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Increase the number of working parents eligible for Earned Income Tax Credits, increase the benefit available to parents who support their children through child support payments and reduce the marriage penalty.
Increase the number of working parents eligible for Earned Income Tax Credits, increase the benefit available to parents who support their children through child support payments and reduce the marriage penalty.
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Immigration
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Supports the DREAM Act, which provides a path to citizenship through military service or higher education.
Supports the DREAM Act, which provides a path to citizenship through military service or higher education.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Supports hiring additional border agents, increased use of technology, establishing a path to legalization for those already here.
Supports hiring additional border agents, increased use of technology, establishing a path to legalization for those already here.
Mike Gravel
Supports a guest worker program and setting up naturalization procedures that would bring existing illegal immigrants into legal status.
Supports a guest worker program and setting up naturalization procedures that would bring existing illegal immigrants into legal status.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Supports new employment eligibility verification system and the Citizenship Promotion Act to ensure fair immigration application fees.
Supports new employment eligibility verification system and the Citizenship Promotion Act to ensure fair immigration application fees.
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Gay Marriage
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Opposes same-sex marriage, favors civil unions. Says it's a state issue.
Opposes same-sex marriage, favors civil unions. Says it's a state issue.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Opposes same-sex marriage, supports civil unions. Says states should decide.
Opposes same-sex marriage, supports civil unions. Says states should decide.
Mike Gravel
Supports same-sex marriage.
Supports same-sex marriage.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Opposes same-sex marriage, supports civil unions.
Opposes same-sex marriage, supports civil unions.
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Energy
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Supports a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy.
Supports a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Supports economy-wide limit on the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Supports economy-wide limit on the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Mike Gravel
Supports legislation that caps emissions and targets global deforestation.
Supports legislation that caps emissions and targets global deforestation.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Supports implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists.
Supports implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists.
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Trade
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Seeks to reopen North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental standards.
Seeks to reopen North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental standards.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Says human rights should be "central to our trade policy." Calls NAFTA and other regional trade agreements a "total disaster."
Says human rights should be "central to our trade policy." Calls NAFTA and other regional trade agreements a "total disaster."
Mike Gravel
Favors overhaul or repeal of NAFTA.
Favors overhaul or repeal of NAFTA.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Seeks to reopen NAFTA to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental standards.
Seeks to reopen NAFTA to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental standards.
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Abortion
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Supports abortion rights, but says "pro-choice" does not mean "pro-abortion." Has called abortion "a sad, even tragic choice to many, many women," and urged better sex education to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Supports abortion rights, but says "pro-choice" does not mean "pro-abortion." Has called abortion "a sad, even tragic choice to many, many women," and urged better sex education to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Supports abortion rights. Vows to "reverse the damage that has been done by President Bush's anti-choice agenda."
Supports abortion rights. Vows to "reverse the damage that has been done by President Bush's anti-choice agenda."
Mike Gravel
Supports abortion rights and favors "age-appropriate" sex education to reduce unwanted pregnancies.
Supports abortion rights and favors "age-appropriate" sex education to reduce unwanted pregnancies.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Supports abortion rights. Urges efforts to reduce teen pregnancy, "making it less likely for women to find themselves in these circumstances."
Supports abortion rights. Urges efforts to reduce teen pregnancy, "making it less likely for women to find themselves in these circumstances."
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Economy
Joe Biden
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Hillary Clinton
Proposes stimulus package of up to $110 billion, including $40 billion in tax rebates, a $30 billion fund to help states and cities deal with housing foreclosures, a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and a five-year interest-rate freeze on subprime mortgages.
Proposes stimulus package of up to $110 billion, including $40 billion in tax rebates, a $30 billion fund to help states and cities deal with housing foreclosures, a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and a five-year interest-rate freeze on subprime mortgages.
Chris Dodd
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
John Edwards
Wants to raise the minimum wage by 75 cents a year until it reaches $9.50 in 2012 and then index it to increases in average wages. Would create a "home rescue fund" to help families get out of a bad mortgage.
Wants to raise the minimum wage by 75 cents a year until it reaches $9.50 in 2012 and then index it to increases in average wages. Would create a "home rescue fund" to help families get out of a bad mortgage.
Mike Gravel
Favors "fair tax" plan to abolish IRS and institute national sales tax.
Favors "fair tax" plan to abolish IRS and institute national sales tax.
Dennis Kucinich
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Barack Obama
Wants to use $75 billion in tax cuts and direct spending to stimulate the economy. Would provide immediate $250 tax cut to workers and their families, and an immediate, temporary $250 bonus to seniors in their Social Security checks.
Wants to use $75 billion in tax cuts and direct spending to stimulate the economy. Would provide immediate $250 tax cut to workers and their families, and an immediate, temporary $250 bonus to seniors in their Social Security checks.
Bill Richardson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Republicans
Iraq
Rudy Giuliani
Supports keeping troops in Iraq.
Supports keeping troops in Iraq.
Mike Huckabee
Supports keeping troops in Iraq.
Supports keeping troops in Iraq.
Duncan Hunter
Supports keeping troops in Iraq.
Supports keeping troops in Iraq.
John McCain
Supports increasing troops in Iraq.
Supports increasing troops in Iraq.
Ron Paul
Supports withdrawing troops in Iraq.
Supports withdrawing troops in Iraq.
Mitt Romney
Supports increasing troops in Iraq.
Supports increasing troops in Iraq.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Health Care
Rudy Giuliani
Supports an income exclusion of up to $15,000 for those without employer coverage.
Supports an income exclusion of up to $15,000 for those without employer coverage.
Mike Huckabee
Opposes universal health care
Opposes universal health care
Duncan Hunter
Supports purchase of health insurance across state lines; would require hospitals to make their fee schedules readily accessible.
Supports purchase of health insurance across state lines; would require hospitals to make their fee schedules readily accessible.
John McCain
Supports purchase of health insurance across state lines; supports giving a tax credit to increase incentives for insurance coverage.
Supports purchase of health insurance across state lines; supports giving a tax credit to increase incentives for insurance coverage.
Ron Paul
Opposes legislation that increases the FDA's legal powers; supports legislation to expand the ability of Americans to use alternative medicine.
Opposes legislation that increases the FDA's legal powers; supports legislation to expand the ability of Americans to use alternative medicine.
Mitt Romney
Opposes universal health care; supports individual state-by-state health care reform.
Opposes universal health care; supports individual state-by-state health care reform.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Taxes
Rudy Giuliani
Supports making the current tax provisions permanent and reining in the growth of the Alternative Minimum Tax.
Supports making the current tax provisions permanent and reining in the growth of the Alternative Minimum Tax.
Mike Huckabee
Supports replacing current income tax with a flat tax or national sales tax.
Supports replacing current income tax with a flat tax or national sales tax.
Duncan Hunter
Supports Alternative Minimum Tax reform, opposes marriage penalty tax.
Supports Alternative Minimum Tax reform, opposes marriage penalty tax.
John McCain
Supports making Bush tax cuts permanent, opposes Alternative Minimum Tax.
Supports making Bush tax cuts permanent, opposes Alternative Minimum Tax.
Ron Paul
Supports dissolution of the IRS, supports making Bush tax cuts permanent, opposes marriage penalty tax.
Supports dissolution of the IRS, supports making Bush tax cuts permanent, opposes marriage penalty tax.
Mitt Romney
Supports making Bush tax cuts permanent; proposes lower tax rates for all individuals.
Supports making Bush tax cuts permanent; proposes lower tax rates for all individuals.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Immigration
Rudy Giuliani
Supports border fence construction; supports the Secure Authorized Foreign Entry Card to be uniform for all non-citizen workers and students.
Supports border fence construction; supports the Secure Authorized Foreign Entry Card to be uniform for all non-citizen workers and students.
Mike Huckabee
Supports border fence construction and hiring additional border agents.
Supports border fence construction and hiring additional border agents.
Duncan Hunter
Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants; supports border fence construction.
Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants; supports border fence construction.
John McCain
Supports guest worker program, increasing border security and border fence construction.
Supports guest worker program, increasing border security and border fence construction.
Ron Paul
Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants; supports increasing border security.
Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants; supports increasing border security.
Mitt Romney
Opposes amnesty for illgegal immigrants; supports increasing border security.
Opposes amnesty for illgegal immigrants; supports increasing border security.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Gay Marriage
Rudy Giuliani
Opposes gay marriage but also opposes constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Says New Hampshire's civil unions law goes too far.
Opposes gay marriage but also opposes constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Says New Hampshire's civil unions law goes too far.
Mike Huckabee
Opposes gay marriage.
Opposes gay marriage.
Duncan Hunter
Supports constitutional ban on gay marriage.
Supports constitutional ban on gay marriage.
John McCain
Opposes gay marriage, says states should control marriage law.
Opposes gay marriage, says states should control marriage law.
Ron Paul
Federal government should leave issue to the states.
Federal government should leave issue to the states.
Mitt Romney
Supports constitutional ban on gay marriage.
Supports constitutional ban on gay marriage.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Energy
Rudy Giuliani
Supports use of ethanol and bio-fuels, expansion of environmentally responsible access to the proven oil and natural gas reserves throughout North America, and increasing percentage of power that comes from nuclear energy.
Supports use of ethanol and bio-fuels, expansion of environmentally responsible access to the proven oil and natural gas reserves throughout North America, and increasing percentage of power that comes from nuclear energy.
Mike Huckabee
Supports a federal research and development budget that will be matched by the private sector to seek new products in alternative fuels.
Supports a federal research and development budget that will be matched by the private sector to seek new products in alternative fuels.
Duncan Hunter
Supports construction of new oil refineries, opposes moratorium on offshore oil drilling.
Supports construction of new oil refineries, opposes moratorium on offshore oil drilling.
John McCain
Supports immediate reduction in greenhouse gases and a ban on drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Supports immediate reduction in greenhouse gases and a ban on drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Ron Paul
Supports repeal of gas tax, opposes ban on drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Supports repeal of gas tax, opposes ban on drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Mitt Romney
Supports research to identify cleaner and more efficient sources of energy.
Supports research to identify cleaner and more efficient sources of energy.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Trade
Rudy Giuliani
Supports free trade, says North American Free Trade Agreement has been good for U.S.
Supports free trade, says North American Free Trade Agreement has been good for U.S.
Mike Huckabee
Blames China's currency manipulation and weak U.S. regulatory action for trade imbalance and imports of unsafe products.
Blames China's currency manipulation and weak U.S. regulatory action for trade imbalance and imports of unsafe products.
Duncan Hunter
Would put same charges on foreign goods that other countries put on American goods.
Would put same charges on foreign goods that other countries put on American goods.
John McCain
Opposes protectionism and says free trade is a way to open "closed societies" in the Middle East.
Opposes protectionism and says free trade is a way to open "closed societies" in the Middle East.
Ron Paul
Says current trade accords are not free trade but instead help special interests.
Says current trade accords are not free trade but instead help special interests.
Mitt Romney
Wants to renegotiate liberalized trade with China to stop currency manipulation that he says gives Chinese unfair advantage.
Wants to renegotiate liberalized trade with China to stop currency manipulation that he says gives Chinese unfair advantage.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Abortion
Rudy Giuliani
Supports abortion rights. Says abortion is "morally wrong" but that women should have the right to choose for themselves.
Supports abortion rights. Says abortion is "morally wrong" but that women should have the right to choose for themselves.
Mike Huckabee
Favors constitutional amendment banning abortion. Says the idea of different laws state by state is comparable to "the logic of the Civil War," when some states were free states and others were slave states.
Favors constitutional amendment banning abortion. Says the idea of different laws state by state is comparable to "the logic of the Civil War," when some states were free states and others were slave states.
Duncan Hunter
Supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion.
Supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion.
John McCain
Says Roe vs. Wade ruling should be overturned, with states allowed to make own laws on abortion -- leading, he hopes, to the end of the procedure. Urges support for "armies of compassion" helping women bring fetuses to full term.
Says Roe vs. Wade ruling should be overturned, with states allowed to make own laws on abortion -- leading, he hopes, to the end of the procedure. Urges support for "armies of compassion" helping women bring fetuses to full term.
Ron Paul
Sponsored bill to bar federal courts from interfering with state abortion bans.
Sponsored bill to bar federal courts from interfering with state abortion bans.
Mitt Romney
Would let states decide the issue. Opposes constitutional amendment banning abortion. When he ran for Massachusetts governor, said he would support abortion rights then in place. Later called that a mistake and now says he's firmly anti-abortion.
Would let states decide the issue. Opposes constitutional amendment banning abortion. When he ran for Massachusetts governor, said he would support abortion rights then in place. Later called that a mistake and now says he's firmly anti-abortion.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Economy
Rudy Giuliani
Promises not only to maintain the Bush tax cuts but also make new tax cuts. Would cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent and dramatically lower taxes on investment income.
Promises not only to maintain the Bush tax cuts but also make new tax cuts. Would cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent and dramatically lower taxes on investment income.
Mike Huckabee
Favors a "pro-growth, low-inflation policy" by the Federal Reserve. Wants to preserve and expand the Bush tax cuts. Favors "fair tax" plan to abolish the IRS and institute national sales tax.
Favors a "pro-growth, low-inflation policy" by the Federal Reserve. Wants to preserve and expand the Bush tax cuts. Favors "fair tax" plan to abolish the IRS and institute national sales tax.
Duncan Hunter
Wants to cut taxes and make tax system more fair.
Wants to cut taxes and make tax system more fair.
John McCain
Proposes to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent. Would allow first-year deduction, or "expensing," of investments in equipment and technology.
Proposes to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent. Would allow first-year deduction, or "expensing," of investments in equipment and technology.
Ron Paul
Wants to downsize the government. Would eventually close the Federal Reserve Bank, which he believes fosters debt by increasing the money supply.
Wants to downsize the government. Would eventually close the Federal Reserve Bank, which he believes fosters debt by increasing the money supply.
Mitt Romney
Proposes long-term strategy of cutting the capital gains tax to zero and making the Bush tax cuts permanent. Will unveil a short-term economic stimulus plan soon.
Proposes long-term strategy of cutting the capital gains tax to zero and making the Bush tax cuts permanent. Will unveil a short-term economic stimulus plan soon.
Tom Tancredo
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Fred Thompson
Dropped out of race.
Dropped out of race.
Sources: Candidate web sites, www.ontheissues.org
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