Obama Vs. Romney – Debate for Presidency



Obama Romney
Favors restrictions on assault weapons and tightening enforcement within existing law; has signed “conceal and carry” permission for national parks and checked luggage on Amtrak trains into law. Gun Control Proposes tougher work within existing laws instead of new requirements; signed a ban on assault weapons into law while Governor of Massachusetts.
Supports the right of states to decide policy on same-sex marriage rights; administration no longer argues for the Defense of Marriage Act in court proceedings. Gay Marriage Would ban same-sex marriage with a constitutional amendment; agrees states can decide what rights and privileges are allowed in civil unions, including domestic partnership benefits.
Administration has deported a record number of immigrants; would like to offer young immigrants a path to citizenship through college attendance or enlistment in the military. Immigration Approves the construction of a border fence between the US and Mexico; willing to offer citizenship to illegal immigrants serving in the military; would like to punish employers that hire immigrants unable to prove legal status.
Believes in a woman’s right to choose, as guaranteed by Roe v. Wade. Abortion Has evolved to be anti-abortion, going so far as to call for Roe v. Wade to be reversed; unlike the Republican Party, is willing to allow for abortions in cases of rape or incest
Has moved to reduce gender discrimination in health insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act, which also provides full coverage of birth control; supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act to bring workplace compensation into balance. Women’s Rights Skirted the issue of equal pay when the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed; supported passage of the Blunt amendment to give a “conscience exemption” to full birth control coverage mandated by the Affordable Care Act to churches and religious institutions.
Passed a shift toward universal coverage with a personal mandate for insurance and expansion of Medicaid; requires insurance companies to provide policies without restrictions based on pre-existing conditions. Health Care Would repeal the Affordable Care Act in favor of allowing states to decide how to manage the uninsured; proposes medical savings accounts be expanded to include paying insurance premiums in addition to personal medical costs.
Proposes allowing Bush-era tax cuts for individuals making over $200k and couples earning more than $250k to expire; wants to push top two tax rates up to 39.6% and 36% while changing capital gains taxes; would ensure highest earners pay a minimum 30% tax. Taxes Plans on cutting tax rates by 20% across the board, for citizens and businesses, regardless of earnings; proposes a streamlining of deductions, credits and exemptions for high-earners; would maintain or reduce taxes on capital gains based on income.
Pushed for higher fuel economy for cars as well as regulations of heat-trapping gases and mercury pollution; spent on green energy (famously with now-bankrupt Solyndra); proposes increases in oil and natural gas drilling; would prefer tougher regulations on carbon emissions. Environment Says climate change may or may not be related to greenhouse gases; supports drilling off shore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; open to new technologies in coal-, natural gas- and nuclear-based power because green energy is unproven and not viable yet commercially.
Relaxed requirements of Bush-era No Child Left Behind law in favor of his own “Race to the Top” incentives for student testing and teacher evaluation; extended federal programs to help students and families pay for college. Education Would continue accountability standards of No Child Left Behind policies with less federal involvement; has supported the expansion of charter schools to provide additional options for parents
Has proposed tax breaks for companies keeping jobs and work in the US or bringing it back; would penalize those outsourcing jobs. Economy Wants decreased taxes and regulation coupled with increased trade; would repeal laws on accounting for banks and large corporations.
Signed off on increasing the debt limit multiple times; has proposed spending cuts and tax increases on couples earning more than $250,000 to help reduce the deficit. Debt Reduction Would use spending decreases to bring down debt and sign off on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Backs Israeli sovereignty based on the borders of the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict; leaves option for military strikes against Iran on the table should sanctions fail; has proposed stiffer penalties against China for unfair trade. Foreign Policy Promises increased military support to Israel; has championed a more forceful attitude toward Iran; threatened China with trade sanctions as a currency manipulator.

 

2012 Presidential Debate Schedule

Date October 3, 2012
Time 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Topic Domestic policy
Location University of Denver in Denver, Colorado
Sponsor Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
Moderator Jim Lehrer (Host of NewsHour on PBS)
Date October 11, 2012
Time 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Topic Foreign and domestic policy
Location Centre College in Danville, Kentucky
Sponsor Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan
Moderator Martha Raddatz (ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent)
Date October 16, 2012
Time 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Topic Town meeting format including foreign and domestic policy
Location Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York
Sponsor Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
Moderator Candy Crowley (CNN Chief Political Correspondent)
Date October 22, 2012
Time 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Topic Foreign policy
Location Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida
Sponsor Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
Moderator Bob Schieffer (Host of Face the Nation on CBS)

 

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