Political positions of Republican candidates, 2008

The Following is a table which gives a basic overview of the beliefs of a selection of the Republican presidential candidates (including undeclared candidates and candidates with exploratory committees.)

Color Coding

█ = Declared Candidates

█ = Candidates with Exploratory Committees

█ = Potential candidates (undeclared)

Candidate Breakdown

Abortion

Note: The NARAL Rating is a tool used by the "Pro-Choice" camp that gauges how "Pro-Choice" or "Pro-Life" currently elected officials are (logically, the most current ratings would not apply to candidates not currently in office). This measure is taken by a partisan organization and its limitations should be acknowledged as such.]
Hunter is adamantly pro-life, and believes that abortion should be banned through a Constitutional amendment. Has sought to implement the 14th amendment to humans in all states of life.
WROTE [http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h618ih.txt.pdf H. R. 618] , a bill seeking to implement the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to humans at all stages of life.|
0% (Pro-life)
"Our greatest obligation as elected leaders is to protect the American people, especially those who are incapable of protecting themselves." [ [http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/ca52_hunter/Right_Life_Release.shtml Hunter Reintroduces Legislation to Protect Unborn - Press release, January 22, 2007] ]
Is pro-life, with rape and incest exceptions.|
0% (Pro-life)
"I don't think a constitutional amendment is probably going to take place.... Just as I believe that the issue of gay marriage should be decided by the states, so do I believe that we would be better off by having Roe v. Wade return to the states." [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17222147/ McCain: Homosexuality not a 'defect' or 'sin'] ]
While originally supporting abortion, Romney became pro-life in 2004. Opposes constitutional amendment banning abortion. Says to let the states decide.||
"My own view is that abortion is not right. But states should be able to make their own decisions rather than have a single pronouncement by the federal government." [ [http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/138391.html Sacramento Bee, March 15, 2007] ]

"Life, from a scientific standpoint, begins at conception. I don’t know when the soul, if you’re religious, when the soul enters the body. My church doesn’t teach that by the way, doesn’t have an opinion on it. So I don’t know when it does." [ [http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/01/26/romney_transcript/ Governor Mitt Romney, speaking in Washington, January 26, 2006] ]

"I believe women should have the right to make their own choice." [ [http://newsbusters.org/node/4190 Rough on Romney: Wallace Forces Mitt to Admit Abortion Position "Evolved" | NewsBusters.org ] ]

Believes in passing a constitutional amendment banning abortion, while pulling in the power of the judiciary. Is in favor of legislation requiring parental notification when a minor seeks an abortion.
VOTED FOR the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.
Voted AGAINST human embryonic stem cell research. [ [http://ontheissues.org/House/Tom_Tancredo.htm Tom Tancredo on the Issues ] ]
0% (Pro-Life)
"As a devout Christian, father, and grandfather, I am a strong believer in the right to life for the unborn child. For years, activist judges have undermined life. As president, I would stop this by appointing strict constructionists as judges, reining in the power of the judiciary, and supporting constitutional amendments that respect life." [http://teamtancredo.org/issues.php#socialissues]
Opposes a human life amendment. [ [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/528aylls.asp?pg=2 From the Courthouse
to the White House ] ] Believes that Roe v. Wade should be addressed by good judges. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258222,00.html FOXNews.com - Transcript: Former Sen. Fred Thompson on 'FOX News Sunday' - FOX News Sunday | Chris Wallace ] ]
VOTED FOR the [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:SN1692: Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1999] .|
"The Roe v. Wade decision is bad law and bad medical science.""I believe that government should not interfere with individual convictions and actions in this area." [ [http://www.nationalreview.com/daily/nr070600.html National Review, July 06, 2000] ]

"I do not believe that the federal government ought to be involved in that process....I think when you get right down to the question that you’ve posed, should the government come in and criminalize, let’s say, a young girl and her parents and her doctor--which, as aiders and abettors, that would be involved--I think not." [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5a_Fpu_8KE WEDF-TV debate, Chattanooga, Tennessee] ]

* Ron Paul supports life and opposes abortion. He believes the states should be allowed to pass laws governing abortion.

Immigration

The ABI rating is a rating given by an organization called [http://www.betterimmigration.com/ Americans For Better Immigration] , that "lobbies Congress for reductions in immigration numbers." and gauges how politicians currently in office have voted in accordance with their position. This measure is taken by a partisan organization and its limitations should be acknowledged as such.] |
Studies national security and intelligence (China, North Korea, and Russia) for the American Enterprise Institute. [

* Ron Paul opposes the continued occupation of Iraq. He believe the military actions were not approved by Congress as a Declaration of War and are unconstitutional.

Sources