Where does your Presidential candidate stand on the Issues?
Patrick Michael Donohue
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Where the Candidates Stand
on 2016’s Biggest Issues
By WILSON ANDREWS and THOMAS KAPLAN
Republican presidential candidates rarely agree with Democratic candidates, but the American people are less easily pigeonholed. We compared adults’ responses in recent polls to candidates’ statements on gun control, immigration and more.RELATED ARTICLE
Immigration
Immigration has been a particularly contentious issue in the Republican primary, providing fodder for numerous attacks. Some of the candidates would pursue a path for undocumented immigrants to stay in the country legally, while others condemn granting what they consider amnesty.
Path to citizenship75%of Democrats agree44%of Republicans agreePath to stay9%15%Against legalizing
undocumented immigrants
No polling data available
Deport undocumented
immigrants12%37%
Gun Control
A string of high-profile mass shootings this fall reignited the nation’s long-running debate over gun violence. Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley have been vocal in pushing for new restrictions; Republicans have been more or less uniform in their opposition.
Tighten gun control laws76%of Democrats agree23%of Republicans agreeOppose new restrictions19%59%
Climate Change
Addressing climate change is a big priority for the Democratic candidates. While some Republican candidates acknowledge the existence of man-made climate change, they oppose regulations that they say would hurt the economy. Some other Republicans have expressed doubts about man’s role or even deny that climate change exists.
Support action on climate change74%of Democrats agree53%of Republicans agreeOppose regulations
No polling data available
Doubt man-made climate change22%60%
Syrian Refugees
After the terrorist attacks in Paris in November, the presidential field split largely along party lines over whether to allow Syrian refugees into the United States. Most of the Republicans opposed admitting them, though two candidates expressed support for allowing Christian refugees.
Allow Syrian refugees63%of Democrats agree27%of Republicans agreeAllow only
Christian refugees
No polling data available
Don’t allow refugees36%68%
Health Care
Republicans are staunchly opposed to the Affordable Care Act, the signature domestic policy achievement of President Obama’s administration. They want to get rid of it. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. O’Malley would keep most of the health care overhaul, while Bernie Sanders wants to move to a single-payer health care system.
Single-payer health care system44%of Democrats agree9%of Republicans agreeKeep most of
Affordable Care Act28%5%Get rid of Affordable Care Act11%60%
Abortion
The issue of abortion largely splits the candidates along party lines. Republicans have called for cutting off federal funds for Planned Parenthood. Those Republicans who oppose abortion are split over whether to allow exceptions in cases involving rape or incest.
Support abortion rights51%of Democrats agree16%of Republicans agreeOppose abortion rights33%43%No exceptions for rape or incest13%37%
Death Penalty
Over the past two decades, popular support for the death penalty has declined, and the number of people executed has also dropped in recent years. Some presidential candidates have voiced concerns about capital punishment, or outright opposition.
Oppose death penalty51%of Democrats agree20%of Republicans agreeLeave issue
to the states
No polling data available
Support death penalty39%71%
Taxes
The two parties want to follow different paths on taxes. Democrats want the wealthiest Americans to pay more. Republicans are focused on lowering taxes, though they disagree about whether to cut tax rates or more fundamentally overhaul how the country collects revenue.
Wealthy pay more84%of Democrats agree38%of Republicans agreeReduce tax rates
No polling data available
Support national sales or flat tax
No polling data available
What Candidates Are Saying
- Jeb Bush
- Ben Carson
- Chris Christie
- Hillary Clinton
- Ted Cruz
- Carly Fiorina
- Lindsey Graham
- Mike Huckabee
- John Kasich
- Martin O’Malley
- George Pataki
- Rand Paul
- Marco Rubio
- Bernie Sanders
- Rick Santorum
- Donald J. Trump
Topics
Tolerance