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US elections 2008

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Election issues guide

Find out where the main candidates running for the presidency stand on a range of key issues

Choose issues to compare:

Rudy Giuliani Republican	Iraq More on this issue	Iran More on this issue
The former mayor of New York hopes his role in 9/11 will boost his chances. Profile	Supports the war, saying Iraq has to be seen in the context of a broader threat to the US. Backs surge strategy, but has said some way to evaluate progress in Iraq is needed. Opposes any kind of timetable for withdrawal.	Says US has to be willing to use a military option to stop Iran from becoming nuclear. But wants to try escalating diplomatic pressure first, including tougher economic sanctions, with the aim of bringing about "regime change."

Mike Huckabee Republican	Iraq	Iran
Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor is rising fast in the polls. Profile	Would withdraw troops only when recommended by the US military commander. Believes the surge has been a success. Supports Turkish action against PKK. Against proposals to cut funding or set timetable on withdrawal.	Wants to use all resources of diplomacy before considering military action. Says "it was right to start with trying to bankrupt them before we bomb them" but ultimately the United States must do "whatever it takes".

John McCain Republican	Iraq	Iran
Arizona senator and Vietnam war hero would be oldest man to become president. Profile	Voted for 2003 invasion and says US forces should remain until Iraq is able to defend itself. Backed Mr Bush's troop escalation. Says withdrawal plans could trigger genocide in the region.	Would concentrate on trying to get a league of democracies to escalate economic sanctions against Iran. Refuses to rule out military solution if necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

Mitt Romney Republican	Iraq	Iran
Former Massachusetts governor has to convince voters to back a Mormon. Profile	Supported the initial decision to go to war but has criticised its handling. Backs the surge strategy and would maintain troop levels in Iraq. He favours talking to Iraq's neighbours.	Wants to tighten economic sanctions, impose diplomatic isolation on Iran, and get Arab states join the effort. But says the military option must remain on the table.

Rudy Giuliani Republican	Iraq More on this issue	Iran More on this issue	National security More on this issue	Climate change	Healthcare More on this issue	Illegal immigration More on this issue	Abortion More on this issue	Economy More on this issue
The former mayor of New York hopes his role in 9/11 will boost his chances. Profile	Supports the war, saying Iraq has to be seen in the context of a broader threat to the US. Backs surge strategy, but has said some way to evaluate progress in Iraq is needed. Opposes any kind of timetable for withdrawal.	Says US has to be willing to use a military option to stop Iran from becoming nuclear. But wants to try escalating diplomatic pressure first, including tougher economic sanctions, with the aim of bringing about "regime change."	Has made repeated reference to his experience leading New York after the 9/11 attacks. Argues that failure in Iraq will mean a greater risk of terror attack in the US. Wants tougher domestic security measures.	Accepts that human actions have contributed to global warming. Wants to pursue energy independence, as a matter of national security. Wants a government-led effort to develop new green technology.	Says the government needs to work with private markets and give people more choice, in order to improve quality and cut costs. Says Democrats' appproach would "turn it into socialised medicine," and reduce choice.	Opposed comprehensive immigration reform. Wants tamper-proof ID cards for immigrants and a hi-tech fence. Says illegal immigrants should not be given fast track to citizenship.	Backs a woman's right to choose. At the same time, says he hates abortion, and would appoint new judges sympathetic to anti-abortion movement. Supports Supreme Court decision to uphold a ban on partial birth abortion.	Emphasises his budget-cutting record as New York mayor and promises to take the same approach as president. He prefers tax cuts to spending cuts and claims they would boost economic growth.

Mike Huckabee Republican	Iraq	Iran	National security	Climate change	Healthcare	Illegal immigration	Abortion	Economy
Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor is rising fast in the polls. Profile	Would withdraw troops only when recommended by the US military commander. Believes the surge has been a success. Supports Turkish action against PKK. Against proposals to cut funding or set timetable on withdrawal.	Wants to use all resources of diplomacy before considering military action. Says "it was right to start with trying to bankrupt them before we bomb them" but ultimately the United States must do "whatever it takes".	Wants to fight a "smart war" using political, economic, and diplomatic weapons. Rejects Bush's "bunker mentality" as counterproductive. Wants to go after terrorists in Pakistan bypassing President Musharraf.	Wants to achieve energy independence by end of second term in office. Favours using all sources of energy, including nuclear, renewables, and biofuels. Says energy is a global security issue.	Says healthcare system is broken. Opposes universal federal healthcare plan. Would work with states and companies to move from an employer-based system to a consumer-based system, in order to control costs.	Opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants. Says they should not have sanctuaries or drivers' licences. Backs plan for tougher border controls, including $7bn for a new fence to boost national security.	Strong supporter of right-to-life movement. Wants Supreme Court decision Roe v Wade, which approved abortion, repealed and a constitutional amendment to protect embryos' right to life.	Wants to replace federal income tax with a national sales tax, which he calls a "fair tax", at a rate of about 23%. Republican opponents claim he was a big spender as governor. He says he balanced the budget.

John McCain Republican	Iraq	Iran	National security	Climate change	Healthcare	Illegal immigration	Abortion	Economy
Arizona senator and Vietnam war hero would be oldest man to become president. Profile	Voted for 2003 invasion and says US forces should remain until Iraq is able to defend itself. Backed Mr Bush's troop escalation. Says withdrawal plans could trigger genocide in the region.	Would concentrate on trying to get a league of democracies to escalate economic sanctions against Iran. Refuses to rule out military solution if necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.	A former Navy pilot who was a POW in Vietnam, he has been a leading voice in efforts to prevent the CIA resorting to "cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of prisoners".	Says climate change is real and devastating. Says US should consider joining with every other nation in the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, if China and India join in.	Has highlighted his record on supporting health care for military veterans. Wamts bipartisan agreement on long-term health care reform before the costs become unsustainable.	Co-sponsor of bill which offered an amnesty to illegal immigrants as well as tougher border controls. Says undocumented workers already in the US should be put on path to citizenship.	Says the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalised abortions - Roe v Wade - should be overturned. Would appoint sympathetic new judges and aid state efforts to boost adoption.	Would cut taxes on middle class families by abolishing the Alternative Minimum tax. Would keep Bush tax cuts, but decrease government spending. Wants to reform social security.

Mitt Romney Republican	Iraq	Iran	National security	Climate change	Healthcare	Illegal immigration	Abortion	Economy
Former Massachusetts governor has to convince voters to back a Mormon. Profile	Supported the initial decision to go to war but has criticised its handling. Backs the surge strategy and would maintain troop levels in Iraq. He favours talking to Iraq's neighbours.	Wants to tighten economic sanctions, impose diplomatic isolation on Iran, and get Arab states join the effort. But says the military option must remain on the table.	His record includes organising security for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics five months after 9/11. Has vowed to track down Osama Bin Laden as part of a global anti-terror strategy.	Wants US action to become more energy efficient and ultimately become energy independent. Would like to see a global deal but only when China and India join such an agreement.	Backed universal health insurance mandate while Massachusetts governor, but now says market reforms are the way to extend health coverage to all Americans.	Sees comprehensive immigration reform as an "incredible gift" to illegal immigrants. It would be unfair to given them citizenship, he says. Wants identity cards indicating work status.	Supported abortion rights while governor of Massachusetts but now says he was always personally opposed to abortion. Backs the Supreme Court decision on partial abortion.	Intends to encourage economic growth by keeping the tax base low and simplifying the tax code. He has called for greater responsibility in federal spending. Former management consultant.

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