Candidate Responses
Favors abortion rights
In a recent Democratic Presidential Debate, Obama said, "I think that most Americans recognize that this is a profoundly difficult issue for the women and families who make these decisions. They don't make them casually. And I trust the women to make these decisions in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy."
Obama supports civil unions but not gay marriage. He voted against the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
In a press release after the vote, he said, "I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a women. But I also agree with most Americans, including Vice President Cheney and over 2,000 religious leaders of all different beliefs, that decisions about marriage should be left to the states as they always have been."
Opposes same-sex marriage, but supports civil unions
"You know what I would do is immediately set up a civil union that is equal in federal rights so that all the states, all the rights that are conferred by the states are the same for gays and lesbians, same sex couples as for any other couple," he said on the Ellen Degeneres show. "In terms of marriage, what I would do is I would say each religious denomination can make their own decision."
Opposed use of military force in Iraq and voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. forces by March 2008. Supports capping troop levels at 130,000.
During an interview with Larry King, Obama said "We're going to have to secure our borders ... I think all Americans think that we should be able to regulate who comes in and out of this country."
Voted for 2006 bill offering legal status to illegal immigrants subject to conditions, including English proficiency and payment of back taxes and fines.
Says the U.S. should negotiate directly with Iran. Would keep military option open if Iran develops nuclear weapons.
Supports relaxing restrictionson federal financing of embryonic stem cell research.
Opposed extending 2003 tax cut through 2010. Supports scaling back capital gains and dividends tax cuts and cutting tax benefits for top one percent.
Obama’s health care plan focuses on making it more affordable for everyone. He would not mandate that all Americans get health insurance. He would offer plans similar to what federal employees receive and offer subsidies to allow those who don’t qualify for Medicaid the opportunity to buy in or purchase private insurance. Large employers would be required to pay for employees’ health insurance; while specific small businesses would be exempt.
He said he would pay for his plan by rolling back tax cuts enacted by Bush for those who make more than $250,000 annually.
