Welcome to Vote Match US

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: 14 November 2011.

What is the purpose of Vote Match?

Vote Match recognises that often it is not obvious in elections which candidate best represents your views. So it invites you to answer some straightforward questions and then lists for you the candidates in order of their closeness to YOUR views.

Vote Match has four aims:

• To be fun.
• To inform people about the policy differences between candidates
• To promote debate.
• To encourage people to vote.

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What have you achieved?

Previous versions of Vote Match (please see our homepage www.votematch.org.uk) have meant that Vote Match has developed a reputation for being an internationally reputable independent source of information about the policy differences between candidates.

Vote Match has also proven itself to be an internet phenomenon as well as a great way of improving turnout. Nearly 2 million people have used the various versions of Vote Match in just 3 years since it was first launched in 2008.

Please go to www.votematch.org.uk for more info.

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How does it work?

Users are asked if they agree or disagree with 20-30 statements (e.g. "Climate Change is a myth"). The website then matches the user's views with the responses to these statements provided to us by the candidates / parties standing in the elections.

It does not tell people how to vote! It merely gives them information as to the candidates' / parties policies on specific policy areas, in order to help them make their choice. Vote Match doesn't just give just you a result; it explains why your responses match, and gives you links to where you can go for more information.

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Are you saying I should vote for the party/candidate that Vote Match US says is my best match?

No. How you vote is entirely up to you!

We can't hope to cover every single issue on the survey, but we do hope Vote Match gives you pause for thought, especially if you don't get the result you were expecting.

We encourage you to take things further by visiting the candidates' websites, reading other guides to the election and exploring the issues.

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Is it politically biased?

Vote Match is a politically neutral project. Unlock Democracy is a non-politically aligned campaigns organisation with no campaigning interests in the United States

We always ask the candidates to answer the statements themselves and through our methodology we have taken great steps to minimise any unintended bias.

Ultimately, the best guard against bias is transparency. For this reason we publish how all the candidates have responded and/or our research and how the calculation is made.

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How are the party/candidate responses on Vote Match determined?

We sent all six candidates the statements and their answers in good time before our launch for them to review and change as appropriate.

In this instance we were unable to get the candidates to participate. We therefore answered the statements for them based on their policy speeches during the campaign and past quotes / voting records. This information can be found on the site.

If any of the candidates subsequently contact us after going live, we will be happy to change the answers where necessary providing they provide evidence that their position is different from that which we have on record.

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How did you select the statements used in the quiz?

For every Vote Match Unlock Democracy run a questions seminar to which a wide and diverse range of key stakeholders are invited e.g. Academics Journalists, bloggers, citizenship and outreach groups etc. Unlock Democracy also surveys members of the public online for their views through Twitter and Facebook.

Please see our credits page for those people who have in some small way have helped us with the quiz.

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How is my score calculated?

Vote Match works by comparing your responses to the statements with the responses of each of the candidates.

• For each statement where you and the candidate agree (e.g. you both either agree, disagree or are open minded about a statement), you score 0.
• For each statement where you and the candidate completely disagree (e.g. you agree and the candidate disagrees, or vice versa), you score 2.
• For each statement where either you or the candidate is open minded and the other either agrees or disagrees, you score 1.
• If you skip a statement, it is ignored and not included in the calculation

Finally, Vote Match calculates the maximum possible difference between you and the candidates, which depends on the number of statements you skip and the number of issues you rank as important or unimportant. The difference between you and each candidate is then subtracted from the total possible difference and turned into a percentage to give you your final score.

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Why don't you have any statements about the personality, competence or record of the candidates?

We are sceptical that a quiz could ever adequately take such issues into account. Personality is highly subjective and the public record of candidates can be potentially misleading - it is perfectly possible that an individual may have changed their mind in the interim.

These are all issues that the media is far, far better at tackling than a project like this. Instead Vote Match focuses on areas of policy which candidates have authority on. This is one of the main reasons why we do not suggest that you necessarily should vote for the candidate Vote Match suggests you are closest to. We encourage you to look into the issues in more detail and draw your own conclusions.

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How are you funded?

This version has been commissioned and funded by the Telegraph Media Group.

In respective of Vote Match past funders have included The Telegraph Media Group, The Guardian, TV3 and the Joseph Rowntree Reform trust Ltd.

Unlock Democracy, which runs Vote Match and underwrites it, is funded by a combination of individual donations and membership subscriptions, the revenue from its property holding company Rodell Properties Ltd and a number of grants from awarding bodies and institutions.

In the interests of transparency, Unlock Democracy has a policy to publish its full accounts online and to voluntarily declare any donation it receives, which is above the reporting threshold for political parties (£5,000). A full list of these donations can be found on our main website www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk

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How will you use my personal data?

Please refer to our privacy policy for details.

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What about the future?

Please get in touch. If there is an error we will rectify as soon as possible. You may however be surprised at some of the parties'/candidates answers.

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I think I have spotted a factual mistake.

Please get in touch. If there is an error we will rectify as soon as possible. You may however be surprised at some of the parties' answers.

How we answered the statements.

For this version we have not received answers from any of the candidates to our questions. We have therefore answered them ourselves based on research of positions and quotes through the campaign.

Please find below a list of selected quotes / positions taken by the candidates that we have found and partly based our answers on.

If any of the candidates subsequently get in touch and request in writing we change their answers we will happily do so.

Why have you not included all the candidates in the quiz?

We have only included those candidates who have been consistently polling above 2% in national polls. If however candidates polling below this number wish to send us their answers we will happily include them in the quiz.

The Department of Homeland Security should not have been created

• Romney: Disagree - Said DHS would survive but “probably needs streamlining”, reported by MSNBC, Aug 2nd 2007. [http://on.msnbc.com/tmOeSR]
• Perry: Agree - Wrote it was “unprincipled” to create it, from Fed Up! by Rick Perry [http://bit.ly/nowDiH]
• Cain: Disagree - Said “Let’s fix Homeland Security” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Said “I helped develop the model for homeland security. It hasn't been executed well.” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Paul: Agree - Said DHS is a “monstrous type of bureaucracy” that should not have been added after 9/11 during SC Republican debate, May 15th 2007. [http://nyti.ms/uqOcyh]
• Bachmann: Disagree - In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask her directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Santorum: Disagree- Said “We saw the problems created as a result of 9/11. And we put together a plan [The Department of Homeland Security] to try to make sure that there was better coordination.” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said “No longer can we compartmentalize intelligence. Those are the old days. Today we've got to share” during the Washington DC Republican debate, Nov 22nd, 2011. [http://bit.ly/zuo7Wy]

It was right for the US to take part in military action in Libya

• Romney: Agree - Said “I support military action in Libya.” on the Hugh Hewitt show, on Mar 21st 2011. [http://bit.ly/rBE63M]
• Perry: Agree - Wrote "The crumbling of Muammar Ghadafi’s reign, a violent, repressive dictatorship with a history of terrorism, is cause for cautious celebration.” in a statement, Aug 22nd 2011. [http://politi.co/sOJqzi]
• Cain: Disagree - Said “US intervention in Libya is inappropriate and wrong” during a Republican debate on twitter.com, July 21st 2011. [http://bit.ly/lW7kU5]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Said “Let me suggest this is a good example of a "gotcha" question. Two weeks earlier, I said we should go in covertly, use Egyptian and other allies not use American forces.” during the Republican debate in Ames IA Aug 11, 2011. [http://lat.ms/nFpCbF]
• Paul: Disagree - Wrote "This is not our fight." in an article for ronpaul.com, on Mar 14th 2011. [http://bit.ly/hofVW0]
• Bachmann: Disagree - Said “I believe that it was wrong for the president to go into Libya.” during the Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Santorum: Agree- Said “We could have been a source for good from the very get-go in Libya” during the Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said “I would have chosen from the beginning not to intervene in Libya.” in an interview With George Stephanopoulos on ABC News broadcast on May 20th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/wYOOsf]

Private firms should provide airport security, not the Government

• Romney: Disagree - Said current airport checks are “not a huge price to pay for our security” on the Jay Leno Show, Dec 2nd 2010. [http://bit.ly/tN9DEM]
• Perry: Disagree - In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Cain: Disagree - Called for airport security to show “common sense” in an interview with the Atlantic, May 25th 2011, no mention of privatisation to solve problem. [http://bit.ly/lNYdi6]
• Gingrich: Disagree - In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Paul: Agree - said “why should we assume that a bureaucracy can do better? And look at the monstrosity we have at the airports. These TSA agents are abusive[...] So the airlines could do that.” at the Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Bachmann: Agree - Proposed to “privatise the TSA” in a document called “Potential Spending Cuts and Estimated Money Saved” published on her Government website Jan 27th, 2011. [http://1.usa.gov/fm1S98]
• Santorum: Agree- Said “I voted to allow for privatization. I was not for this being a government function. I thought it could be a private function.” during the Washington DC Republican debate, Nov 22nd, 2011. [http://bit.ly/zuo7Wy]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said he dislikes the “fortress mentality its crates but makes no mention of privatisation, during the Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]

A national sales tax (Fair Tax) should replace all Federal taxes on personal and corporate income

• Romney: Disagree - Said “it lowers the burden on the very highest income folks and the very lowest and raises it on middle income people.” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]">http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]
• Perry: Disagree - Writes “No Federal Sales Tax or Value-Added Tax” in his ‘Cut, Balance and Grow plan’ taken from his website Nov 6th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/sth2DS]
• Cain: Agree - Part of 999 plan “Throw out the current tax code... [introduce] a 9% national sales tax.”, described during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Gingrich: Open Minded - Said "…the FairTax is a good idea but I’m not yet convinced it’s a doable idea…" in Manchester NH, on May 21st 2007. [http://bit.ly/ulQB7u]
• Paul: Agree - Said "I would support the fair tax over the current system” on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, January 29th 2009. [http://bit.ly/uRweIl]
• Bachmann: Disagree - Said it would give “Congress another pipeline of a revenue stream.” that once in place “you're never going to get rid of” during the Hanover NH Republican debate, October 11th. [wapo.st/roFIer]
• Santorum: Disagree- In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask her directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position.
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said “leave [tax] at 8%, 14%, 24%--those are the three rates that I think would work on the individual income side.” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]

Jobless benefits should be replaced with private Unemployment Savings Accounts

• Romney: Agree - Said if he would implement as system of “accounts from which people could withdraw funds.” during the Ames, IA debate, Aug 11th 2011. [http://lat.ms/nFpCbF]
• Perry: Disagree - In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Cain: Agree - Said “I have proposed the Chilean model. It’s been around 30 years, and it works.” (Chilean model uses account system) during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Proposed a different system in his “Contract with America”, requiring participation in training programs in order to receive unemployment benefits. [http://lat.ms/ng99Wf]
• Paul: Open Minded - Said “what I would like to do is to allow all the young people to get out of Social Security and go on their own. Now, the big question is, is how would the funding occur?” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]">http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]
• Bachmann: Disagree - In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask her directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Santorum: Disagree- In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask her directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Huntsman: Disagree- In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position.

The Department of Education should be abolished

• Romney: Disagree - Said “As I've been a governor [...] I see that the Department of Education can actually make a difference.” during SC Republican Debate, May 15th 2007. [http://nyti.ms/uqOcyh]
• Perry: Agree - "And I will tell you, it's three agencies of government, when I get there, that are gone: Commerce, Education and the -- what's the third one there -- let's see. (Laughter.)" - CNBC Debate, 09/11/2011 [http://bit.ly/sdRQzy]
• Cain: Open Minded - Said he doesn’t know if he would push for it to be completely eliminated, but he said, at least, “it would be dramatically smaller.” during a Daily Caller interview, April 27th 2011. [http://thedc.com/kkCrZi]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Said he would "personally like to see the Department of Education shrink to a research and reporting overview agency” as appose to abolishing it, during the Iowa Tea Party Bus Tour, June 25th 2011. [http://bit.ly/k7BgS6]
• Paul: Agree - ABC News reported that “Under a Paul presidency the departments of Energy, Education... would cease to exist.” on Oct 18th 2011. [http://abcn.ws/s6nqe0]
• Bachmann: Agree - Said she would “go over to the Department of Education, I'd turn off the lights, I would lock the door and I would send all the money back to the states and localities.” during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22nd 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Santorum: Disagree- Said “The education department would be substantially smaller than it is today” being interviewed by iowapolitics.com, Oct 3rd, 2011. [http://bit.ly/pLsH5k]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Stated “We must reorient the Department of Education, which has grown too large and powerful. Massively scaling down the department, and eventually removing it from Cabinet-rank” in an article for the Concord Monitor, published Jan 1st, 2012. [http://bit.ly/ytKY9R]

A national school voucher program would raise school standards

• Romney: Agree - USA Today reported that “Romney supports vouchers that would allow students from low-income areas pay for private-school tuition. “ [http://usat.ly/s8IHcc]
• Perry: Agree - Said “we ought to be promoting school choice all across this country. I think school — the voucher system, charter schools all across this country." during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22nd 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Cain: Disagree - Cain’s Website said “Unbundling education means localizing education- making those on the ground responsible for the teaching and learning that happens in our local communities” taken on Oct 20th,2011.[http://bit.ly/mjXPuQ]
• Gingrich: Agree - Said “we'd be far better off if most states adopted a program of the equivalent of Pell Grants for K through 12, so that parents could choose where their child went to school” during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22nd 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Paul: Disagree - Wrote “Vouchers invite bureaucratic control of their usage and are unfairly distributed.” in Liberty Defined, by Ron Paul. [http://bit.ly/vxMZvy]
• Bachmann: Agree - Club for Growth 2012 Presidential White Paper reported that “In 2011, Bachmann voted to re-establish the DC school voucher program... She’s introduced legislation to make foster children eligible for education vouchers.” [http://bit.ly/jXYMyi]
• Santorum: Agree- Stated that “We must empower all our children with scholarships if we are to achieve common good.”(p.365-366) in his book, It Takes A Family published Apr 30th, 2006. [http://bit.ly/xSqTTS]
• Huntsman: Agree- Said “I signed the second voucher bill in the United States” during the Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22nd, 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]

The Race to the Top education program is working

• Romney: Agree - Said RttT “encourages schools to have more choice, more testing of kids, more evaluation of teachers. Those are things I think make some sense." during an Q&A session on Sep 21st 2011. [http://bit.ly/oS1bjH]
• Perry: Disagree - Criticised Romney for “Being in favor of the Obama Race to the Top and that is not conservative." during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22nd 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Cain: Disagree - Criticised all federal programs, saying “get the federal government out of trying to educate our kids at the local level.” during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22nd 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Gingrich: Agree - Said he supported RttT “to encourage more development towards choice.” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Paul: Disagree - Criticised all federal programs, saying “If you care about your children, you'll get the federal government out of the business of educating our kids.” during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22nd 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Bachmann: Disagree - Said "I oppose the federal government’s involvement in local schools." during a Shane Vander Hart interview, June 23rd 2011. [http://bit.ly/rN0Ulq]
• Santorum: Disagree- Said “I oppose Race to the Top” while being interviewed for CaffeinatedThoughts.com, Oct 17th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/wovNXM]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said “We need to take education to the local level, where parents and local elected officials can determine the destiny of these schools.” during the Ames, IA debate, Aug 11th 2011. [http://lat.ms/nFpCbF]

The federal government should not subsidize ethanol production

• Romney: Disagree - Wall Street Journal reported that he told an Iowa voter “I support the subsidy of ethanol”, on May 27th 2011. [http://on.wsj.com/mQXFwJ]
• Perry: Agree - NY Times report him saying “Any government mandate that artificially props up a single industry to the detriment of millions of Americans is bad public policy”, on October 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/mRmJwq]
• Cain: Agree - States on his website that “we must allow all forms of energy the ability to develop in a free market system.” [http://bit.ly/joVXO2]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Said “ not supporting ethanol makes absolutely no sense” to a Growth Energy event in January 2009. [http://bit.ly/vuDn0p]
• Paul: Agree - Paul’s spokeman is reported as saying “Dr. Paul was against ethanol subsidies before it became politically advantageous”, on May 25th 2011. [http://thedc.com/tS1AEB]
• Bachmann: Agree - Told Fox Business Channel in 2011 "When it comes to ethanol... there's concerns about that because of the subsidies. [http://bit.ly/mu0kXv]
• Santorum: Agree- Said “I actually had proposed that we can phase out the ethanol subsidy, which is the blender's credit, over a five-year period of time.” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Huntsman: Agree- Said “I don't believe in subsidies that prop up corn, soybeans and ethanol." at a campaign event in NH on Jun 4th, 2011. [http://ti.me/jBuCez0]

Global warming is a myth

• Romney: Disagree - Wrote “I believe that climate change is occurring” in “No Apology” by Mitt Romney. [http://reut.rs/nY386R]
• Perry: Agree - Describes climate science as "all one contrived phony mess that is falling apart under its own weight." in Fed Up! by Rick Perry. [http://bit.ly/mTRm82]
• Cain: Agree - Wrote “My colleague Dan Sherrier called it what it really is, a scam” on economicfreedomcoalition.com on Dec 12th 2009. [http://bit.ly/uPZ5cr]
• Gingrich: Disagree - States that he and Nancy Pelosi “agree our country must take action to address climate change.” during a 2008 advertisment. [http://bit.ly/17ZAlx]
• Paul: Agree - Said “The greatest hoax I think that has been around for many, many years if not hundreds of years has been this hoax on... global warming.” on Fox Business, Nov 4th 2009. [http://bit.ly/23ytm]
• Bachmann: Agree - Huffington post report her saying "The big thing we are working on now is the global warming hoax. It's all voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax" on Aug 29th 2011. [http://huff.to/rm9sEb]
• Santorum: Agree- Said “I've never been for any scheme or even accepted the junk science behind the whole narrative.” on the Rush Limbaugh show Jun 8th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/yBLLAp]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Stated “I respect science and the professionals behind the science so I tend to think it’s better left to the science community” in an interview with Time, published May 16th, 2011.[http://ti.me/lXygyY]

The Environmental Protection Agency should be abolished

• Romney: Disagree - Said “Do I support the EPA? In much of its mission yes, but in some of its mission no.” in New Hampshire, July 2011. [http://bit.ly/pXbiW8]
• Perry: Disagree - NY Times reported a spokeswoman for Perry making a statement saying “If elected president, the governor’s energy priorities will be centered around scaling back the E.P.A.’s intrusive, misguided and job-killing policies”, on Sep 29th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/qd8zPa]
• Cain: Disagree - Said “I would put together a regulatory reduction commission for every agency starting with the EPA.” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]">http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]
• Gingrich: Agree - Said “"I want to replace, not reform EPA” during a CPAC speech on the Feb 10th 2011. [http://bit.ly/mP3Agf]
• Paul: Agree - States on his website that he wants to “Eliminate the ineffective EPA.” [http://bit.ly/iqkphy]
• Bachmann: Agree - Said "If we create a new department that is focused on conservation and get rid of the EPA, that would send a strong signal about what our priorities are.” whilst speaking in Sarasota on Aug 28th 2011. [http://bit.ly/nZi1Jy]
• Santorum: Disagree- Stated that he wants to “Cut EPA resources” on his campaign website. [http://bit.ly/z3pwxF]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Stated that he wants to “End the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Gross Regulatory Overreach”, but makes no mention of abolition, on his campaign website. [http://bit.ly/scI0S0]

People who have the money to buy health insurance but don't, should not receive government funded treatment

• Romney: Agree - Said “If somebody could afford insurance, they should either buy the insurance or pay their own way... they shouldn’t be allowed to just show up at the hospital and say, somebody else should pay for me” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Jan 30th 2008. [http://on.cfr.org/sXpXaD]
• Perry: Disagree - Told NBC News that “he was a bit taken aback by” cheers from audience members on statement, then said "We're the party of life. We ought to be coming up with ways to save lives." on Sep 13th 2011. [http://on.msnbc.com/o9G16w]
• Cain: Disagree - Said “they are not going to be without health care... Hospitals cannot turn you away.” during Situation Room interview, Sep 28th 2011. [http://bit.ly/v0KzVF]
• Gingrich: Agree - Said “I would prefer to see it come from charitable organizations.” during a CNN interview on Sep 13th 2011. [http://bit.ly/qhOwvB]
• Paul: Agree - Said “What he should do is whatever he wants to do, and assume responsibility for himself” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]">http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]
• Bachmann: Agree - Said "We have charitable organizations and there's universities who are willing to take care of people who are indigent" in NH on Oct 10th 2011. [http://bit.ly/q8X0gL]
• Santorum: Agree- Said people make poor decisions with respect to their health and their healthcare. And they don’t go to the emergency room or they don’t go to the doctor when they need to…And it’s not the fault of the government for not providing some sort of universal benefit.” at a campaign event in Sioux City, Iowa, Dec 6th 2011. [http://bit.ly/sYo7tk]
• Huntsman: Disagree- In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position.

The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) can best be repealed by executive order

• Romney: Agree - Said he would “put out an executive order granting a waiver from Obamacare to all 50 states.” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Perry: Agree - Said as President “that executive order will be signed and Obamacare will be wiped out as much as it can be.” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Cain: Disagree - Said to improve health care he would “First, repeal Obamacare in its entirety” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]">http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Wrote there is “no way to “improve” Obamacare” and “Repealing Obamacare and replacing it with common-sense health reforms” is what we need, from his website, on Aug 25th 2010. [http://bit.ly/jvjZxU]
• Paul: Disagree - Wrote “Congress should seize the opportunity to repeal the very worst aspect of this new legislation, namely the mandate” ronpaul.com, June 14th 2010. [http://bit.ly/9NwQ91]
• Bachmann: Disagree - Said “You can't issue an executive order and get rid of a bill that takes over one-sixth of the American economy.” during an interview on Oct 12th 2011. [http://fxn.ws/vybTgT]
• Santorum: Disagree- Said “We need to repeal it by doing it through a reconciliation process, and since I have the experience and know how to do that, we'll get it rid of it.” during the Hanover NH Republican debate, October 11th 2011. [wapo.st/roFIer]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said “It’s disingenuous to just say that you can waive it all the way. The mandate will be in place.” during the Hanover NH Republican debate, October 11th 2011. [wapo.st/roFIer]

There should be a fence along the entire US-Mexico border

• Romney: Agree - Said “we ought to have a fence…The whole fence, 2,600 miles? Yes.” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Perry: Disagree - Said “the idea that you're going to build a wall from Brownsville to El Paso and go left for another 800 miles to Tijuana is just not reality.” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]]
• Cain: Agree - Said “we must secure the borders by any means necessary" during the Ames, IA Republican debate, Aug 11th 2011. [http://lat.ms/nFpCbF]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Said “Now, you do not have to fence the entire border.” during an Iowa fundraiser on May 26th 2010. [http://bit.ly/rNir8q]
• Paul: Disagree - Said “Every time you think about the fence, think about the fences being used against us, keeping us in.” during Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Bachmann: Agree - Said she “would build a fence on America's southern border, on every mile, on every yard, on every foot, on every inch of the southern border.” during Orlando, FL Republican debate, Sep 22 2011. [http://fxn.ws/qgfAIq]
• Santorum: Agree- Said “I believe we need to build more fence.” during the Tampa FL Republican debate, Sep 12th 2011. [http://bit.ly/pNHGGy]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said "I hate the thought of a fence on the border. As an American, the thought of a fence to some extent repulses me” at a campaign event in NH on May 22nd, 2011. [http://bit.ly/wVcwqA]

Adults who have come to the US illegally should never be permitted to earn citizenship

• Romney: Disagree -Said “'If people would like to apply to become a United States citizen to get a green card, they are welcome to do so [...]But there should not be an advantage given to people who are here illegally to do so.” [http://bit.ly/v4v2RY]
• Perry: Disagree - Said “I think there is a path to citizenship for those young men and women who have served their country” on a campaign stop in Rock Hill, SC on Aug 20th, 2011.[http://bit.ly/trC56C]
• Cain: Disagree - Said we should "promote the path to citizenship that's already there, we have a path to citizenship for illegal aliens, it's called legal immigration" during the Republican debate in Ames IA Aug 11, 2011. [http://lat.ms/nFpCbF]
• Gingrich: Disagree - Said “it's very important to go back and look at how the Selective Service Commission worked in World War II, because it was local, practical decision-making, and people genuinely thought it was fair and it was reasonable.” during the Republican debate in Ames IA Aug 11, 2011. [http://lat.ms/nFpCbF]
• Paul: Agree - Wrote “Immigrants who can't be sent back due to the magnitude of the problem should not be given citizenship -- no amnesty should be granted. Maybe a "green card" with an asterisk could be issued.” in Liberty Defined [http://bit.ly/uWcDAT]
• Bachmann: Agree - A spokeswoman said Bachmann highlighted “her strong stance on immigration reform, which includes building a fence, enforce existing laws, no amnesty, and no magnets to lure illegals to this country.” [http://politi.co/rAGsbi]
• Santorum: Disagree- Said “We can have the discussion [based on] how long they've been here, whether they had other types of records” during the Simi Valley CA Republican debate, Sep 7th 2011. [http://nyti.ms/nChGJZ]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said " there would be some sort of legitimate pathway that brings them into some safer status and out from the shadows." when being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer on CNN, August 3rd, 2011. [http://bit.ly/ynqSVC]

There should be a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman

• Romney: Agree - Asked “constitutional amendment or state decision?”, replied "Constitutional" during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Perry: Agree - The Huffington Post report Perry as saying “I am for the federal marriage amendment", on July 30th 2011. [http://huff.to/qW1HPg]
• Cain: Disagree - Said “I wouldn't seek a constitutional ban for same-sex marriage” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Gingrich: Agree - Said "I think if that [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Paul: Disagree - Said "The federal government shouldn't be involved... I wouldn't support an amendment” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Bachmann: Agree - Said "I do support a constitutional amendment on marriage between a man and a woman” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Santorum: Agree- Co-sponsored a joint resolution proposing a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, on Jun 7th, 2006. [http://1.usa.gov/yx64o7]
• Huntsman: Disagree- Said “This is an issue more and more that should be driven at the state level." when being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer on CNN, August 3rd, 2011. [http://bit.ly/n0cxGo]

States should be free to legalize marijuana

• Romney: Disagree - Said “marijuana should not be made legal either for medicinal purposes or recreational purposes.” during a town meeting in NH on May 29th 2007. [http://bit.ly/uAUJbG]
• Perry: Agree - The Washington Post report a spokesman for Perry saying “if states want to allow doctor prescribed medical marijuana, it seems to him that under the 10th amendment, they have the right to do so.”, on Sep 26th 2011. [http://wapo.st/prAyRY]
• Cain: Disagree - In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Gingrich: Disagree - Reported as saying "Every place drugs are legalized the net effect is more people on welfare, more people who are dependent, more people with bad health care outcomes...”, on April 20th 2011. [http://bit.ly/g22Zc8]
• Paul: Agree - Advocated “removing it from the jurisdiction of the federal government and allowing the states to regulate it, like they would alcohol. “on the Kudlow Report, June 23 2011. [http://bit.ly/lnDPyK]
• Bachmann: Disagree - Voted ‘No’ on H.R. 3093: A bill that stops the Department of Justice from preventing states implementing their state laws regarding the distribution, possession, and cultivation of medical marijuana. [http://1.usa.gov/tQ2Hs]
• Santorum: Disagree- Said "No, I would think that would be an activity that is not consistent with American values." At the Ames Straw Poll in Ames IA, Aug 13th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/wEOktz]
• Huntsman: Agree- Said “I would let states decide that.” at a Town Hall in Exeter, NH, June 24th 2011. [http://bit.ly/zKxi0r]

There should be a constitutional amendment to ban abortion

• Romney: Disagree - said “where the majority of the American people would go is say let the states make the decisions.” on Fox News, Oct 1st 2011. [http://politi.co/rLVTae]
• Perry: Agree - Lifenews.com reported spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger saying “The governor has long supported overturning Roe v. Wade, and would support amending the U.S. Constitution, with the backing of Congress and the states, to protect innocent life.” Aug 1st, 2011. [http://bit.ly/obVolO]
• Cain: Agree - Asked if he would “propose to Congress appropriate legislation pursuant to the 14th Amendment to protect human life... even short of a constitutional amendment overturning Roe vs. Wade?” Replied ”Yes, I could support that.” during the Republican debate in Colombia, SC Sep 5 2011. [http://bit.ly/rthpK2]
• Gingrich: Agree - Answered “Yes.” to the same question as Cain during the Republican debate in Colombia, SC Sep 5 2011. [http://bit.ly/rthpK2]
• Paul: Disagree - Said “my bill removes the jurisdiction of the federal courts from the issue of abortion, if a state law says no abortion, it doesn’t go to the supreme court to be ruled out of order” at a Conservative Political Action Conference, Feb 7th 2008. [http://bit.ly/sGZKyv]
• Bachmann: Agree - “I would put forward a human life amendment.” during the Republican debate in Colombia, SC Sep 5 2011. [http://bit.ly/rthpK2]
• Santorum: Agree- Said “I support a constitutional amendment to ban abortion” at the Fox News Mike Huckabee presidential Forum, Dec 3rd, 2011. [http://bit.ly/xNyMHX]
• Huntsman: Agree- Said "I do support a right to life amendment," when being interviewed by Hugh Hewitt on Jun 17th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/l4KPJK]

Don't-Ask Don't-Tell should be re-instated

• Romney: Disagree -Said “ believe that “don’t ask/don’t tell” should have been kept in place until conflict was over.” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Perry: Disagree - In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position
• Cain: Disagree - Said “If I had my druthers, I never would have overturned "don't ask/don't tell" in the first place. Now that they have changed it, I wouldn't create a distraction trying to turn it over as president. Our men and women have too many other things to be concerned about rather than have to deal with that as a distraction.” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Gingrich: Agree - said “Well, I think it's very powerful that both the Army and the Marines overwhelmingly opposed changing it, that their recommendation was against changing it. And if as president--I've met with them and they said, you know, it isn't working, it is dangerous, it's disrupting unit morale, and we should go back, I would listen to the commanders whose lives are at risk about the young men and women that they are, in fact, trying to protect.” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Paul: Disagree - said “I would not work to overthrow it. We have to remember, rights don't come in groups. We shouldn't have gay rights. Rights come as individuals.” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Bachmann: Agree - was asked “[y]ou would try to go back? You'd try to reverse what they're doing?” and responded “I would” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Santorum: Agree- Said “It should be repealed.” during the Republican debate in Manchester NH Jun 13th, 2011. [http://bit.ly/j831KG]
• Huntsman: Disagree- In the light of our inability to contact the candidate to ask him directly, we have found no evidence to suggest that the candidate advocates this position.