FattyDingDong on 05 November 2012
Who would you like to see win the election? Obama or Romney?
Here is everything you need to know about them.
OBAMA ROMNEY
| Political Party: | Democratic | Republican |
| Alma Mater: | Occidental College, ColumbiaUniversity (BA), Harvard Law School (JD) | Stanford University, Brigham Young University (BA), Harvard University (MBA, JD) |
| Position on the Economy: | Repeal Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. Lower taxes on manufacturing industry. Stimulus spending and tax cuts to grow the economy (short term). Cut spending and raise taxes on wealthy to reduce deficit (long term). | Make Bush tax cuts permanent. Lower corporate tax rate across the board to 25%. Cut taxes and regulations to encourage business. Cut "non-security discretionary [government] spending" by 5% to reduce deficit. |
| Position on Healthcare: | Signed the 2010 healthcare overhaul bill. Calls for patient protections like allowing coverage for pre-existing conditions, not letting insurerscancel policies when patients get sick, and requiring individuals to buyhealth insurance or pay a fine. | Created similar legislation in Mass. but believes it's not appropriate for all of USA and wants to repeal. Proposes encouraging individuals to purchase their own health insurancerather than via employers, and allowing insurance across state lines. |
| Position on Immigration: | Supports path to legalization for illegal immigrants that includeslearning English & paying fines; toughen penalties for hiring illegal immigrants; voted for fence along Mexican border. Issued exec order to not deport certain undocumented immigrants | Would make English the official language of the US and "turn off the magnets like tuition breaks or other breaks that draw people into this country illegally". In favor of promoting legal immigration. |
| Position on Iraq: | Opposed invasion from the beginning; opposed troop increase; ended military operations in Iraq(on previously negotiated Bush timeline). Made no effort to keep promise to exit in 2009. Troops moved to Afghanistan and Iranian border. | Romney says that keeping the U.S. in Iraq is the best option for minimizing casualties and maintaining a democratic government in Iraq. |
| Position on Iran: | Engage in direct diplomacy; tighten economic sanctions with international cooperation; military option not off the table. Failed to deliver on 2008 campaign promise to meet with the Iranian president without preconditions. | Tighten economic sanctions; Military option not off the table. |
| Position on Global Warming and Environment: | Supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions. Delayed decision on northern leg of Keystone XL pipeline due to environmental concerns. | Opposes cap and trade legislation. Supports Keystone XL pipeline. Exporting carbon emissions to China hurts US and planet. (Aug 2007), Humans contribute to world getting warmer. (Nov 2011), $20 billion package for energy research & new car technology |
| Position on Indefinite detention: | Publicly opposed but debate on Congressional floor revealed that his Administration asked for language excluding American citizens. | Would have signed NDAA as is. |
| Position on Military Intervention: | Publicly opposed wars and intervention but has recently admitted to expanding Afghan conflict into Pakistan. Says Congressional approval not required if UN gives approval. | Consult with lawyers on legality but believes President has the right to do what he believes makes the country safer. |
| Position on Gay rights: | Supports same-sex marriage; pushed Congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, allowing gays to serve openly in the military | Opposes same-sex marriage; supports legal unions; supports Don't Ask, Don't Tell but favors gays serving openly in the military(Govwatch 1994), supported ENDA to ban anti-gay employer discrimination |
| Position on Abortion: | Supports Roe v. Wade; criticized Supreme Court decision that upheld ban on partial-birth abortions. | Opposes Roe v. Wade; believes states should be allowed to ban abortions., 1994: Supported abortion rights but personally opposed, No punishment for women who have partial birth abortions, change of heart in 2005 when preparing to run for President |
| Full name: | Barack Hussein Obama | Willard Mitt Romney |
| Profession: | Lawyer, politician, author | Businessman, politician, author |
| Place of Birth: | Honolulu, Hawaii | Detroit, Michigan |
| Children: | Malia Ann (b July 4, 1998) and Natasha (known as Sasha) (b June 10, 2001) | Tagg (b. 1970), Matt (b. 1971), Josh (b. 1975), Ben (b. 1978), Craig (b. 1981) |
| Spouse(s): | Michelle Obama | Ann Romney (m. 1969–present) |
| Website: | http://www.barackobama.com | http://www.mittromney.com |
| Religion: | Christian (United Church of Christ) | Christian (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a.k.a. Mormon) |
| Residence: | Washington, D.C. | Belmont, Massachusetts |
| Running mate: | Joseph "Joe" Biden | Paul Ryan |
| Date of Birth: | August 4,1961 | March 12, 1947 |
| Books Authored: | Dreams from My Father: A story of Race and Inheritance; and The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts of Reclaiming the American Dream. | No Apology: The Case for American Greatness; and Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games |
I trust no one, not even myself.
