WASHINGTON (AP) — Here's where the 2012 Republican
presidential candidates stand on a selection of issues.
They are former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron
Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former
Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
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GINGRICH:
Abortion: Platform calls for conservative judges and no
subsidies for abortion but not for constitutional abortion ban.
Debt: As House speaker in mid-1990s, engineered passage of a
seven-year balanced-budget plan. It was vetoed by President Bill Clinton but
helped form a bipartisan balanced budget two years later. Supports
constitutional balanced budget amendment. Said that without a balanced budget,
the U.S. had no choice but to raise its debt limit in the deal that avoided a
default.
Economy: Repeal the 2010 financial industry and consumer
protection regulations that followed the Wall Street meltdown, and repeal the
2002 regulations enacted in response to the Enron and other corporate and
accounting scandals. Restrict the Fed's power to set interest rates
artificially low. Make work training a condition of unemployment insurance and
have states run it.
Education: "Dramatically shrink the federal Department
of Education, get rid of virtually all of its regulations." But supported
Obama administration's $4 billion Race to the Top grant competition for states,
which encourages compliance with national education standards, because it also
promotes charter schools.
Energy: Let oil and natural gas industries drill offshore
reserves now blocked from development, end restrictions on Western oil shale
development. In Alaska alone, "We could liberate an area the size of Texas
for minerals and other development."
Environment: Convert EPA into an "environmental
solutions agency" devoted to scientific research and "more energy,
more jobs and a better environment simultaneously." Supported tougher
environmental regulation early in congressional career.
Gay Marriage: If the Defense of Marriage Act fails,
"you have no choice except a constitutional amendment" to ban gay
marriage. Under the act, the federal government does not recognize same-sex
marriage and no state is forced to recognize a same-sex marriage validated by
another state.
Health Care: Repeal Obama's health care law if Republicans
win congressional majorities. Prohibit insurers from cancelling or charging
discriminatory rate increases to those who become sick while insured, an
element of Obama's law. Offer the choice of a "generous" tax credit
to help people buy health insurance or the ability to deduct part of the cost
from taxes, another feature similar to the existing law. Limit medical lawsuits
to restrain health care costs and let people in one state buy policies in
another. "Block-grant Medicaid and send it back to the states."
Previously supported proposals that people be required to carry health
insurance.
Immigration: In contrast to most rivals, supports giving
legal status to illegal immigrants who have sunk roots in the U.S. and lived
otherwise lawfully. "If you've been here 25 years and you got three kids
and two grandkids, you've been paying taxes and obeying the law, you belong to
a local church, I don't think we're going to separate you from your family,
uproot you forcefully and kick you out." Supports path to citizenship for
illegal immigrants' children who perform U.S. military service. Make English
the official language. Divert more Homeland Security assets to fighting illegal
immigration at Mexican border.
Social Security: Give younger workers the option of
diverting Social Security taxes to private retirement accounts.
Taxes: Cut corporate tax to 12.5 percent from maximum 35
percent, eliminate capital gains and estate taxes, let companies write off all
new equipment in one year. For personal taxes, let people choose whether to
file under the current system or pay a 15 percent tax, preserving the mortgage
interest and charitable deductions. Supported extending payroll tax cut.
Terrorism: Supports extending and strengthening
investigative powers of Patriot Act. Supports continued use of Guantanamo Bay
detention for suspected terrorists. Supported creation of Homeland Security
apparatus, because "we need some capacity to respond to massive
events." In 2009, said of waterboarding: "It's not something we
should do."
War: Initially criticized Obama for not intervening in
Libya, then did an about-face after the president had sent in U.S. war planes
to support the rebels fighting the government. "I would not have used
American and European forces." No cuts in defense spending except waste.
Supported Iraq war and opposed early timetables for withdrawal.
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PAUL:
Abortion: Says federal government should have no authority
either to legalize or ban abortion. Yet signed pledge to advance only
anti-abortion appointees for relevant administration jobs, cut off federal
dollars for clinics that perform or finance abortions, and support a ban on
abortions after the fetus reaches a certain stage in development.
Debt: Would eviscerate federal government, slashing nearly
half its spending, shut five Cabinet-level agencies, end spending on existing
conflicts and on foreign aid.
Economy: Return to the gold standard, eliminate the Federal
Reserve, let gold and silver be used as legal tender, eliminate most federal
regulations.
Education: Abolish the Education Department and end the
federal role in education.
Energy: Remove restrictions on drilling, coal and nuclear
power, eliminate gasoline tax, provide tax credits for alternative fuel
technology.
Environment: In 2008, said "human activity probably
does play a role" in global warming and part of the solution should be to
stop subsidizing the oil industry and let prices rise until the free market
turns to alternate energy sources. Now calls the science on manmade global
warming a "hoax." Says emission standards should be set by states or
regions, not Washington.
Gay Marriage: Says decisions on legalizing or prohibiting
should be left to states. Supports federal law allowing one state to refuse to
recognize the same-sex marriages of another state.
Health Care: Opposes compulsory insurance and all government
subsidies for health coverage. Favors letting people deduct full cost of their
health coverage and care from taxes. Says doctors should then feel an
obligation to treat the needy for free.
Immigration: Do "whatever it takes" to secure the
border, end the right to citizenship of U.S.-born children of illegal
immigrants, no social services for illegal immigrants, aggressive deportation
of those who overstay a visa or otherwise break U.S. law.
Social Security: Says younger workers should be able to opt
out of Social Security taxes and retirement benefits. "My plan explicitly
protects the elderly and the sick in the transition."
Taxes: Eliminate the federal income tax and the IRS.
Meantime would vote for a national sales tax, supports certain excise taxes and
certain tariffs. Favors massive spending cuts to defund close to half the
government and eliminate the need to replace the income tax at all. Supported
payroll tax cut.
Terrorism: Opposes the surveillance and search powers of the
Patriot Act. Says terrorists would not be motivated to attack America if the
U.S. ended its military presence abroad. "The Patriot Act is unpatriotic
because it undermines our liberty." Says: "Waterboarding is torture.
And it's illegal under international law and under our law. It's also immoral.
And it's also very impractical. There's no evidence that you really get reliable
evidence."
War: Bring all or nearly all troops home, from Afghanistan
and other foreign posts, "as quick as the ships could get there."
Opposed U.S. intervention in Libya. "We've been fighting wars since World
War II, technically in an unconstitutional fashion." Cut Pentagon budget.
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PERRY:
Abortion: Now supports constitutional abortion ban after
saying states should decide their own laws on such issues. Backed Texas law
that attempts to discourage abortions by making doctors describe the size of
the fetus' limbs and organs to the woman, and make available an image of the
fetus and the sound of its heartbeat to her, before she can have the procedure.
Debt: Was non-committal on the deal that avoided default and
raised debt ceiling. Proposes to cap federal spending at 18 percent of gross
domestic product, down from about 25 percent today, but no specifics on major
spending cuts other than from raising retirement age for Social Security and
Medicare benefits for future retirees. Favors constitutional balanced-budget
amendment. "No more bailouts." Freeze size and salaries of federal
civilian workforce until budget is balanced. Press Congress to cut lawmakers'
and president's pay by half.
Economy: Spur economy by repealing rafts of regulations,
Obama's health care law and the (Dodd-Frank) law toughening financial-industry
regulations after the meltdown in that sector. Create jobs in energy sector by
removing obstacles to drilling and production. Cut corporate taxes.
Education: Turned down federal education aid to Texas worth
up to $700 million because he saw it as imposing national standards on Texas
schools. Says No Child Left Behind law gave Washington too much power to
interfere with local government.
Energy: Proposes authorizing more development on federal
lands and slashing regulations to spur drilling in restricted areas and opening
off-limits waters and lands to production, including the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge and the Southern Atlantic and Alaskan outer continental
shelves. Opposes federal restrictions on natural gas production, including
hydraulic or nitrogen fracturing and horizontal drilling.
Environment: Manmade global warming is a "scientific
theory that has not been proven and from my perspective is more and more being
put into question." Proposes repeal of EPA's authority to regulate
greenhouse gases and elimination of all EPA programs to restrict carbon dioxide
emissions. Opposes restrictions on coal industry under the Clean Air and Clean
Water acts. Says environmental regulation and conservation are best achieved at
state level and EPA should be converted to a "research and advisory"
agency with no enforcement powers except when states ask for federal
arbitration of regional disputes. As governor, cut money for clean air programs,
cut the budget for Texas' environmental watchdog by a third and sued EPA to
avoid enforcing clean air laws. Signed law that requires Texas to consider the
effect of new regulations on the economy before passing them.
Gay Marriage: Now supports constitutional ban on gay
marriage after saying states should choose their own courses.
Health Care: Repeal Obama health care law. Raise eligibility
age for Medicare benefits, limit benefits for the wealthy and give people the
choice of receiving federal aid to help purchase their own insurance instead of
getting the direct benefits of the current system. Proposes turning Medicaid
over to the states with no-strings federal support. Texas has the highest
percentage of uninsured people in the nation. Signed a law that would allow
Texas — subject to federal approval — to band together with other states and
take over the role of providing health care coverage for the elderly, the poor
and the disabled.
Immigration: Opposes U.S.-Mexico border fence, which he
calls "idiocy," instead wants more border agents. Supports continued
U.S. citizenship for U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants. Illegal
immigrants can get in-state tuition at Texas universities if they meet other
residency requirements. Neither employers nor state agencies required to run
job applicants through a federal database to determine their legal status.
Illegal immigrants have access to services for drug treatment, mental health
and children with special health care needs.
Social Security: Proposes raising retirement age for full
benefits and restricting increases in benefits for the wealthy. Previously
branded Social Security a "disease" inflicted by Franklin Roosevelt,
now says system should be saved for future generations while younger workers
are given the option of building private accounts instead of paying taxes into
the entitlement.
Taxes: Let taxpayers choose between current system and 20
percent flat tax on income. Under the flat-tax option, mortgage interest and
charitable contributions would continue to be deductible. For each individual
or dependent, $12,500 in income would be exempt. Flat-tax plan would eliminate
taxes on Social Security benefits, inheritances, dividends and long-term
capital gains. Also proposes to cut corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35
percent.
Terrorism: Said it was "unprincipled" for
Republicans to vote for creation of the Homeland Security Department. Supports
continued use of Guantanamo Bay detention for suspected terrorists and
extension of Patriot Act. Would seek to privatize Transportation Security
Administration and decertify its unions. Said U.S. interrogators should
"use any technique that they can" short of torture, which he did not
define.
War: Alone among the candidates, has said he "would
send troops back into Iraq" to prevent Iran from infiltrating and taking
control of the country. Criticized Obama for announcing withdrawal of troops
from Iraq by end of 2011 and for president's timetable for withdrawal in
Afghanistan, but has not said how many troops should remain or for how long.
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ROMNEY:
Abortion: Opposes abortion rights. Previously supported
them. Says state law should guide abortion rights, and Roe v. Wade should be
reversed by a future Supreme Court. But says Roe vs. Wade is law of the land
until that happens and should not be challenged by federal legislation seeking
to overturn abortion rights affirmed by that court decision. Would not sign
pledge to advance only anti-abortion appointees for relevant administration
jobs, cut off federal dollars for clinics that perform or finance abortions,
and support a ban on abortions after the fetus reaches a certain stage in
development. "So I would live within the law, within the Constitution as I
understand it, without creating a constitutional crisis. But I do believe Roe
v. Wade should be reversed to allow states to make that decision."
Debt: Defended 2008 bailout of financial institutions as a
necessary step to avoid the system's collapse, criticized the bailout of
General Motors and Chrysler and said any such aid should not single out
specific companies. Cap federal spending at 20 percent of gross domestic
product, down from today's recession-swollen 25 percent. Stayed silent on
debt-ceiling deal during its negotiation, only announcing his opposition to the
final agreement shortly before lawmakers cast their votes. Instead, endorsed
GOP "cut, cap and balance" bill that had no chance of enactment.
Favors constitutional balanced budget amendment. Proposes 10 percent cut in
federal workforce, elimination of $1.6 billion in Amtrak subsidies and cuts of
$600 million in support for the public arts and broadcasting.
Economy: Lower taxes, less regulation, balanced budget, more
trade deals to spur growth. Replace jobless benefits with unemployment savings
accounts. Proposes repeal of the (Dodd-Frank) law toughening financial-industry
regulations after the meltdown in that sector. Proposes changing, but not
repealing, the (Sarbanes-Oxley) law tightening accounting regulations in
response to corporate scandals, to ease the accountability burden on smaller
businesses. "We don't want to tell the world that Republicans are against
all regulation. No, regulation is necessary to make a free market work. But it
has to be updated and modern."
Education: Supported the federal accountability standards of
No Child Left Behind law. In 2007, said he was wrong earlier in his career when
he wanted the Education Department shut because he came to see the value of the
federal government in "holding down the interests of the teachers' unions"
and putting kids and parents first.
Energy: Accelerate drilling permits in areas where
exploration has already been approved for developers with good safety records.
Says cap and trade would "rocket energy prices." Supports drilling in
the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Pacific outer continental shelves, Western
lands, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore Alaska; and supports
exploitation of shale oil deposits. Reduce obstacles to coal, natural gas and
nuclear energy development. Says green power has yet to become viable.
Environment: Spending a fortune to cut the emissions linked
to global warming "is not the right course for us." Has acknowledged
the scientific consensus that humans contribute to global warming: "I
believe the world is getting warmer, and I believe that humans have contributed
to that." But now says: "My view is that we don't know what's causing
climate change on this planet." Proposes to remove carbon dioxide from
list of pollutants controlled by Clean Air Act, and amend clean water and air
laws to ensure the cost of complying with regulations is balanced against
environmental benefit.
Gay Marriage: Favors constitutional amendment to ban gay
marriage, says policy should be set federally, not by states. "Marriage is
not an activity that goes on within the walls of a state."
Health Care: Promises to work for the repeal of the federal
health care law modeled largely after his universal health care achievement in
Massachusetts because he says states, not Washington, should drive policy on the
uninsured. Proposes to guarantee that people who are "continuously
covered" for a certain period be protected against losing insurance if
they get sick, leave their job and need another policy. Would expand individual
tax-advantaged medical savings accounts and let the savings be used for
insurance premiums as well as personal medical costs. Would let insurance be
sold across state lines to expand options, and restrict malpractice awards to
restrain health care costs. Introduce "generous" but undetermined
subsidies to help future retirees buy private insurance instead of going on
traditional Medicare. No federal requirement for people to have health
insurance. His Massachusetts plan requires people to have coverage, penalizes
those who don't, and penalizes businesses of a certain size if they do not
provide coverage to workers. His state has highest percentage of insured in
nation. On Medicaid, proposes to convert program to a federal block grant
administered by states.
Immigration: Favors U.S.-Mexico border fence, opposes
education benefits to illegal immigrants. Would veto legislation that seeks to
award legal status to some young illegal immigrants who attend college or serve
in the armed forces. Proposes more visas for holders of advanced degrees in math,
science and engineering who have U.S. job offers, and would award permanent
residency to foreign students who graduate from U.S. schools with a degree in
those fields.
Social Security: Protect the status quo for people 55 and
over but, for the next generations of retirees, raise the retirement age for
full benefits one or two years and reduce inflation increases in benefits for
wealthier recipients.
Taxes: No one with adjusted gross income under $200,000
should be taxed on interest, dividends or capital gains. Cut corporate tax rate
to 25 percent from a high of 35 percent. Opposes proposals to replace current
tax system with national sales tax because he says it raises taxes on middle
class while lowering them for rich and poor. Make Bush-era tax cuts, including
for the wealthy, permanent. Eliminate estate tax. Dodged on extending cut in
payroll tax, saying he doesn't like "temporary little Band-Aids" but
also he's not for raising taxes "anywhere."
Terrorism: No constitutional rights for foreign terrorism suspects.
In 2007, refused to rule out use of waterboarding to interrogate terrorist
suspects. In 2011, his campaign said he does not consider waterboarding to be
torture.
War: Has not specified the troop numbers behind his pledge
to ensure the "force level necessary to secure our gains and complete our
mission successfully" in Afghanistan. "This is not time for America
to cut and run." Said Obama was wrong to begin reducing troop levels as
soon as he did. Would increase strength of armed forces, including number of
troops and warships.
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SANTORUM:
Abortion: Favors constitutional abortion ban and opposes
abortion even in cases of rape because "I would absolutely stand and say
that one violence is enough." Previously supported right to abortion in
cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.
Debt: Freeze social and military spending for five years to
cut $5 trillion from federal budgets. Opposed the financial-industry bailout
and stimulus programs of the Bush and Obama administrations. Supports constitutional
balanced budget amendment holding federal spending at no more than 18 percent
of GDP, down from the current recession-swollen 25 percent.
Economy: Spur jobs by eliminating corporate taxes for
manufacturers, drill for more oil and gas, and slash regulations. Repeal every
Obama-era regulation that costs business more than $100 million a year.
"You may have to replace a few, but let's repeal them all because they are
all antagonistic to businesses, particularly in the manufacturing sector."
Education: Voted for sweeping No Child Left Behind education
overhaul, now says he regrets doing so. Wants "significantly" smaller
Education Department but not its elimination. Criticized early childhood
education programs as an attempt by government to "indoctrinate your
children."
Energy: Favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge and scaling back "oppressive regulation" hindering drilling
elsewhere. Eliminate energy subsidies in four years.
Environment: The science establishing human activity as a
likely contributor to global warming is "patently absurd" and
"junk science."
Gay Marriage: Supports constitutional ban on same-sex
marriage, not leaving decision to states. "We can't have 50 marriage
laws." ''Abraham Lincoln said the states do not have the right to do
wrong. I respect the 10th Amendment, but we are a nation that has values. We
are a nation that was built on a moral enterprise, and states don't have the
right to tramp over those because of the 10th Amendment."
Health Care: Would seek to starve Obama's health care law of
money needed to implement it, and to repeal it. Was a leading supporter of Bush
administration's prescription drug program for the elderly, which he now calls
a mistake.
Immigration: Supports border fence, opposes letting children
of illegal immigrants qualify for cheaper in-state tuition and says federal
government should not require states to offer any social services to illegal
immigrants. Favors making English the official language.
Social Security: Proposes immediate steps to lower benefits
for wealthier retirees, raise the age to qualify for full benefits and restrict
inflation increases in benefits. "We need to change benefits for everybody
now." ''We should absolutely do something about people who don't need
Social Security." Supports option of private retirement accounts instead
of Social Security taxes and benefits for younger workers.
Taxes: Triple the personal exemption for dependent children,
reduce the number of tax brackets to two — 10 percent and 28 percent — exempt
domestic manufacturers from the corporate tax and halve the top rate for other
business. "If you manufacture in America, you aren't going to pay any
taxes." Opposes any national sales tax.
Terrorism: Defends creation of Homeland Security Department
as an attempt to fix a "complete mess" in the domestic security
apparatus. Voted to reauthorize Patriot Act. Says airport screeners should
employ profiling; "Muslims would be someone you'd look at,
absolutely." Supports continued use of Guantanamo Bay detention for
suspected terrorists but says Americans accused of being enemy combatants
should have the right to go to court to challenge indefinite detention. Says
waterboarding has proved effective.
War: Says he would order that Iran's nuclear facilities be bombed
unless they were opened for international arms inspectors. Proposes freezing
defense spending for five years. Said in September 2011 that 20,000 to 30,000
U.S. troops should remain in Iraq. Says U.S. troops should withdraw from
Afghanistan "a little slower" than Obama is planning. In May, accused
Obama of "dithering" in Libya and creating a "morass"
because he let the international community take the lead. Opposes closure of
U.S. bases abroad.
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Associated Press writers Brian Bakst and Chris Tomlinson
contributed to this report.
Copyright 2012 The
Associated Press.