Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Where the Candidates Stand on 2016’s Biggest Issues

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 citizenship
75% of Democrats agree
44% of Republicans agree
Path to stay
9%
15%
Against legalizing
undocumented immigrants
No polling data available
Deport undocumented
immigrants
12%
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 laws
76% of Democrats agree
23% of Republicans agree
Oppose new restrictions
19%
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 change
74% of Democrats agree
53% of Republicans agree
Oppose regulations
No polling data available
Doubt man-made climate change
22%
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 refugees
63% of Democrats agree
27% of Republicans agree
Allow only
Christian refugees
No polling data available
Don’t allow refugees
36%
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 system
44% of Democrats agree
9% of Republicans agree
Keep most of
Affordable Care Act
28%
5%
Get rid of Affordable Care Act
11%
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 rights
51% of Democrats agree
16% of Republicans agree
Oppose abortion rights
33% of Democrats believe it should be available, but under stricter limits
43%
No exceptions for rape or incest
13%
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 penalty
51% of Democrats agree
20% of Republicans agree
Leave issue
to the states
No polling data available
Support death penalty
39%
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 more
84% of Democrats agree
38% of Republicans agree
Reduce tax rates
No polling data available
Support national sales or flat tax
No polling data available

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