Barack Obama

Party: Democrat

Age: 51

Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science from Columbia University; law degree from Harvard University

Home state: Illinois

Previous political experience: member of the Illinois Senate (1997-2004), United States Senator from Illinois (2005-2008)

Family: wife Michelle (48); daughters Malia (14) and Sasha (11)

Campaign slogan: Forward

Stances on major issues

Economy: According to the White House, Obama aims for “an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.” Since the beginning of his term, he has voiced concern for creating and maintaining manufacturing jobs in the US, especially in the auto industry. He restated this value during the Democratic National Convention. He also plans to make incentives for US companies that bring jobs back to the states.

Birth control/Abortion: Part of Obama’s Affordable Care Act mandates that employers grant female employees access to free contraceptives. Churches are exempt from this mandate, but religiously affiliated institutions, such as hospitals and schools, are not. In regards to abortion, Obama believes it is a woman’s right to decide what to do with her body, and therefore wants to maintain the legality of abortion in all states.

Taxes: Obama has repeatedly stated his plan to end tax cuts for the wealthy, which includes any households with incomes of at least $250,000. His proposed Buffett Rule basically says that extremely wealthy people, such as Warren Buffett, should not have to pay a lower percentage in taxes of their income than anyone else in America. In July 2012, he asked Congress to “extend…tax cuts for the 98 percent of Americans” who make less than that for one year. The bill that included this plan failed to pass in Congress in August.

Health Care: Obama has attempted to reform health care with his ObamaCare plan, formally known as the combination of the “Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act”and the “Health Care for America Plan.” This plan requires every American to have health insurance by 2014 and prevents insurance companies from denying patients coverage for pre-existing conditions or dropping patients’ plans if they become sick. It will also allow anyone with income under 133 percent of the poverty level.

Gay Rights: During Obama’s term, the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was repealed, allowing homosexual men and women to openly serve in the military. In February 2011, Obama announced that his administration would no longer support the Defense of Marriage Act, which states that marriage is a legal union between one man and one woman. Then, in a May 2012 interview with Good Morning America, Obama said, “I have always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally.” In the same interview, he became the first American president to announce support for same-sex marriage during his term.

Education: According to the Wall Street Journal, Obama has “set a goal of cutting the growth of college tuition in half.” In moving towards this goal, he has proposed shifting federal aid programs to universities that make an active effort to keep their tuition and costs down. According to the White House, he has also initiated the Race to the Top: College Affordability and Completion challenge, which will reward states that work toward “education policies and practices” that benefit the students.

Energy: Obama wants to reduce the US foreign dependence on oil by lowering the oil imports. At the same time, according to the White House, his administration “has proposed the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger vehicle in US history.” By the year 2025, his proposition would require companies to make cars with an average of 54.5 miles per gallon.

Gun Laws: While Obama has signed laws allowing concealed weapons, according to Newsday, he has also “voiced support for a renewed ban on assault-type weapons.” However, he has never given a definite stance on the Second Amendment.

Immigration: Obama has encouraged Congress to pass the DREAM Act, which would allow children of illegal immigrants to obtain legal status and avoid deportation. The bill was originally introduced in 2001, but has failed to be enacted every year since. However, under executive action in June 2012, Obama passed a similar policy that allows children of illegal immigrants to work legally.

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Mitt Romney

Party: Republican

Age: 65

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University; Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration from Harvard University

Home state: Massachusetts

Previous political experience: Governor of Massachusetts (2003-2007)

Family: wife Ann (63); sons Taggart (37), Matthew (36), Joshua (32), Benjamin (29) and Craig (26)

Campaign slogan: Believe in America

Stances on major issues

Economy: Romney has proposed a five point plan for reinvigorating the economy: 1) taking advantage of the US supply of natural energies in order to become energy independent, 2) making sure schools provide children with the education they need to be successful working adults, 3) forming new trade agreements, 4) cut the deficit and form a plan for a balanced budget and 5) lowering taxes on small businesses.

Birth control/Abortion: Romney would like to repeal the mandate that requires employers to provide female employees with access to free contraception. While Romney is pro-life, he wants individual states to make their own laws regarding abortion. In August 2012, Romney told CBS News, “I’m in favor of abortion being legal in the case of rape and incest, and the health and life of the mother.”

Taxes: According to CNN, Romney plans to reduce individual income tax rates “by 20 percent a piece,” meaning “the top rate would fall to 28 percent and the bottom rate would fall to 8 percent.” In October 2012, he announced a potential plan of limiting income tax deductions to $17,000 per household. According to NPR, generally, Romney’s plan is to lower tax rates, while “eliminat[ing] loopholes so the amount of money to government collects stays the same.”

Health Care: Romney has stated his plans to start work on repealing Obama’s health care plan on his first day in office. According to mittromney.com, “In place of Obamacare, [he] will pursue policies that give each state the power to craft a health care reform plan that is best for its own citizens.” In June 2012, Romney said that he believes “the states have responsibility to care for their people in the way they feel best.”

Gay Rights: Romney has called for the preservation of “traditional marriage,” which he defines as marriage between one male and one female. He had said that his administration will support the Defense of Marriage Act, which upholds his “traditional” values.

Education: Romney wants to allow students and parents the choice to leave low-performing schools for higher-performing alternatives. He also wants to attract effective teachers by rewarding quality work and eliminating “unnecessary certification requirements that discourage new teachers.” In regards to higher education, Romney plans to the university system by simplifying the financial aid process and lower the federal money that only increases tuition and increases debt.

Energy: Romney aims to gain energy independence within the continent by the year 2020 by establishing the North American Energy Partnership. He will call on states to take full control of the energy resources within their borders.

Gun Laws: Romney supports the Second Amendment’s “Right to Keep and Bear Arms.” According to his campaign website, this amendment “is essential to…our free society.” In Massachusetts, he has supported legislation that advanced the “rights of gun owners” and initiated “The Right to Bear Arms Day” on May 7. However, he also emphasizes that people need to exercise this freedom lawfully by practicing “safe and responsible ownership and use.”

Immigration: Romney opposes “amnesty laws,” which pardon illegal immigrants’ violation of immigration laws, placing them on the same road to receiving citizenship as foreigners applying from the start. However, in October 2012, Romney said he will honor the deportation reprieves that Obama has granted. He has placed improving border control and “attracting the best and the brightest” immigrants to America as his top immigration priorities.