Candidate Responses
Opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother. Previously supported abortion rights as a 1994 Senate candidate. In an Op-Ed piece with the Boston Globe, he said "I believe that the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dicated by judicial mandate." And in an interview with the National Journal earlier this year, he said "I did change my view on abortion. And that happened, as you know, about two years ago ... And that is where I am. And I have no apology for the fact that I am pro-life."
Opposes recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions. Favors constitutional amendment against gay marriage
"I very much support efforts to avoid discrimination against gay people, I want an outpouring of respect and tolerance ... but marriage should be reserved to a mother and a father," he told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2007.
Opposes civil unions, although in the past had supported a Vermont-style civil unions law for Massachusetts
In a newspaper interview in 2007, his campaign issued a statement after New Hampshire passed a civil unions law, which said, "He is a champion of traditional marriage. As governor of Massachusetts, he has a clear record opposing same sex marriage and civil unions."
Opposes troop withdrawal and supported Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Also supported president's veto of Iraq war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008.
Supports border fence and stationing National Guard there.
"My view, you have to secure the border, number one," he said during a Republican presidential debate.
Criticized plans to offer illegal immigrants path to legal status. Legal status should be given only under existing procedures available to all non-citizens
Opposes direct negotiations. Supports economic and diplomatic isolation of Iran, rather than engagement.
As governor, vetoed legislation to expand embryonic stem cell research. Veto was overturned.
Supports 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. Favors making those tax cuts permanent and says taxes should be lower.
The former governor opposes federal mandates on health care and instead wants the states to use free-market ideas to ensure adequate access. This would include allowing states to use Medicaid dollars as they see fit. He would allow for health care deductions from income – including premiums, deductibles and co-pays. He also would reduce what he calls “free care” in emergency rooms for the uninsured
