Ghost of WGH

Fred Thompson Current job: Actor -- most recently appeared on TV?s "Law & Order." ABC radio commentator Birth date: August 19, 1942, Sheffield, Alabama Family: Married Jeri Kehn Thompson (2001-present); divorced Sarah Knestrickin 1985. Religion: Protestant Education: Memphis State University, B.S., 1964; Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D., 1967 On the Issues: Abortion Opposes abortion rights. Says Roe v. Wade is a "bad law" and "bad medical science." Immigration Supports stricter enforcement of existing laws to prevent future influx of illegal immigrants. Opposes blanket amnesty programs, but willing to consider allowing some illegal immigrants to earn citizenship without being unfair to those here legally. Supports expanding visa program for skilled workers. Iraq Voted for use of military force in Iraq. Supports Bush Iraq policy, but says U.S. entered war with too few troops and wrong strategy. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage. Personally opposes civil unions, but says the issue should be left to states. Social Security Voted in favor of using budget surplus funds to create a private savings account program as a supplement to Social Security. Taxes Voted in favor of 2001 Bush tax cut law.

Ron Paul Current job: U.S. representative from Texas Birth date: August 20, 1935; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Family: Married Carol Paul; five children Religion: Protestant Education: Gettysburg College, B.A., 1957; Duke University, M.D., 1961 Campaign Web site: www.ronpaul2008.com On the Issues: Abortion Opposes abortion rights, but says that the issue should be decided in the states. Supports ban on procedure opponents call "partial birth" abortion. Says Roe v. Wade was "wrongly decided." Immigration Supported strict House immigration overhaul legislation that did not provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Iraq Voted against use of military force in Iraq. Supports withdrawing troops from Iraq, but opposed war spending bill which included a plan to withdraw most U.S. troops by March 2008. Calls for repealing authority given to the president in 2002 Iraq war authorization vote. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Says military victory in Iraq is "unattainable." Same-sex marriage Supports definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, but opposes any federal marriage definition. Says that states should not be forced to recognize another state's same-sex marriage law. Opposed House measure amending the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Social Security Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Proposes cutting payroll taxes and allowing workers to invest the money themselves. Says excessive government spending is the cause of Social Security insolvency problems. Opposes all taxation of Social Security benefits. Taxes Supported 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Supported extending tax cuts through 2010. Named House's "top tax cutter" by conservative Human Events magazine.

Mitt Romney Current job: Term as Massachusetts governor ended in January 2007 Birth date: March 12, 1947; Detroit, Michigan Family: Married Ann Davies (1969-present); five children Religion: Mormon Education: Brigham Young University, B.A., 1971; Harvard University, M.B.A., J.D., 1975 Campaign Web site: www.mittromney.com On the Issues: Abortion Opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother. Supported abortion rights as a 1994 Senate candidate. Immigration Opposes Bush-backed guest worker plan, saying it goes too far in expanding future immigration levels. Calls for a better system for employers to verify legal status of workers. Opposes allowing illegal immigrants to gain legal status apart from existing procedures available to all non-citizens. Opposes in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants. As governor, authorized use of state police for immigration enforcement. Iraq Supported Bush veto of Iraq war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008 at the latest. Opposes troop withdrawal. Supported the president's plan for additional troops in Iraq. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage. Opposes civil unions, though had supported a Vermont-style civil unions law for Massachusetts. Social Security Has suggested creating an independent panel to formulate a plan to reform Social Security. Taxes Supports Bush tax cuts.

John McCain Current job: U.S. senator from Arizona Birth date: August 29, 1936, Panama Canal Zone Family: Married Cindy Hensley (May 17, 1980 - present); Carol Shepp (1965-1980, divorced); Children: Bridget, 1991 (adopted from Bangladesh, 1992); Jimmy, 1988; Jack, 1986; Meghan, 1984; Sidney, 1966; Adopted sons from Carol's previous marriage: Andy, 1962, and Doug, 1959. Religion: Episcopalian Education: U.S. Naval Academy, B.S., 1958; National War College, 1974 Campaign Web site: www.johnmccain.com On the Issues: Abortion Opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother. Immigration Co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Iraq Voted for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was an early proponent of sending additional American troops to Iraq. Same-sex marriage Supports definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but opposes a constitutional amendment banning same sex-marriage. Says individual states should decide the issue. Says a federal marriage ban might be appropriate if courts overturned state marriage laws. Supports legal benefits for same-sex partners. Social Security Supports Bush plan to allow workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes to private retirement accounts. Taxes Voted against 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cut laws, but later voted in favor of extending tax cuts through 2010.

Duncan Hunter Current job: U.S. representative from California Birth date: May 31, 1948; Riverside, California Family: Married Lynne Hunter Religion: Baptist Education: Western State University, B.S.L and J.D., 1976 Campaign Web site: www.gohunter08.com On the Issues: Abortion Opposes abortion rights. Sponsored legislation which would define life as beginning at conception and apply constitutional protections to the unborn. Immigration Supported strict House immigration overhaul legislation that did not provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Opposes amnesty programs. Says stricter enforcement of the nation's borders is a national security issue. Iraq Voted for the use of military force in Iraq. Voted against war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supported Bush plan to increase the number of American troops, but would also require increased use of Iraqi forces. Has called for the administration to update Congress on war progress every 30 days. Says the United States is obligated to complete its mission in Iraq. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage and supports a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Social Security Says he is considering all options to reform the program and prevent impending insolvency. Taxes Supported 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Supported extending tax cuts through 2010.

Mike Huckabee Current job: Term as Arkansas governor ended in January 2007 Birth date: August 24, 1955; Hope, Arkansas Family: Married Janet Huckabee Religion: Baptist Education: Ouachita Baptist University, B.A., 1975; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1976-80 Campaign Web site: www.explorehuckabee.com On the Issues: Abortion Opposes abortion rights. Immigration Supports Bush-backed immigration plan that provides a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Believes some Republican plans to deport illegal immigrants are "unworkable." Iraq Has offered qualified support for Bush Iraq policy, saying the president has access to military and diplomatic information that is not publicly available. Opposes congressional resolutions that express opposition to the president's plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Opposes proposals to cut funding for the war. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage. Social Security Supports Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Taxes Supports a "FairTax" plan.

Rudy Giuliani Current job: Lawyer and consultant Birth date: May 28, 1944, Brooklyn, New York Family: Married Judith "Judi" Nathan (2003-present); Donna Hanover (1984-2002, divorced); Regina Peruggi (1968-1982, annulment). Children: stepdaughter Whitney (1986); Caroline (1989); Andrew (1986) Religion: Roman Catholic Education: Manhattan College, A.B., 1965; New York University Law School, J.D., 1968 Campaign Web site: www.joinrudy2008.com On the Issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights. Immigration Supports providing a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants, but not ahead of those in the system legally. Says that illegal immigrants must pay back-taxes, penalties and learn English and American history before gaining citizenship. Supports a high-tech fence at the U.S.-Mexican border. Supports short-term use of the National Guard to help secure the U.S.-Mexican border and long-term increases in border patrol personnel. Supports creating a tamper-resistant identification system to verify legal status. Iraq Opposes setting timetable for troop withdrawal. Supported Bush plan to send additional American troops to Iraq. Opposes congressional resolutions criticizing troop increase. Says failure in Iraq will lead to a broader regional conflict. Same-sex marriage Says marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman, but supports domestic partnerships and legal benefits for same-sex couples. Social Security Supports private retirement accounts as a part of Social Security, but not at the expense of guaranteed benefits. Taxes Supports Bush tax cuts

I'm going to attempt to just give an overview of all the candidates for the Republicans here. If there is anything that needs to be added for any of the candidates, well just add it.

Bill Richardson Current job: New Mexico governor Birth date: November 15, 1947; Pasadena, California Family: Married Barbara Flavin Richardson; no children Religion: Roman Catholic Education: Tufts University, B.A., 1970; Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, M.A., 1971 Campaign Web site: www.richardsonforpresident.com On the Issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights. Immigration Supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes improved technology, more border patrol agents and a plan to provide legal status for some illegal immigrants. Opposes building the 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border authorized by Congress. Opposes giving state troopers the authority to detain illegal immigrants. Iraq Calls on Congress to de-authorize the Iraq war. Supports withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2007 and redeploying them to Afghanistan and other international terrorism hotspots. Opposed Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most troops by March 2008. Opposed Bush plan to send additional American troops to Iraq. Voted against authorizing the first Gulf War in 1991. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage but supports legal rights and benefits for same-sex partners. Voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in Congress. Social Security Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Taxes As governor, supported and signed into law cuts in capital gains taxes and income taxes in his first term. Proposed a tax cut package that includes breaks for active-duty and retired military personnel, low-income families and small businesses. Opposed Bush tax cuts, saying that they were not offset by surpluses or additional revenue.

Barack Obama Current job: U.S. senator from Illinois Birth date: August 4, 1961; Honolulu, Hawaii Family: Married Michelle Robinson (1992-present); Children: Natasha (2001) and Malia Ann (1999) Religion: Christian; attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago Education: Columbia University, B.A., 1983; Harvard University, J.D., 1991 Campaign Web site: www.barackobama.com On the Issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights. Immigration Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Iraq Opposed use of military force in Iraq. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supports phased redeployment of U.S. troops. Opposed Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Supports civil unions. Social Security Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Taxes Opposed extending 2003 Bush tax cut law through 2010. Supports eliminating marriage penalty and extending child tax credit. Supports scaling back capital gains and dividends tax cuts and re-examining tax benefits for the top one percent of earners.

Dennis Kucinich Current job: U.S. Representative from Ohio Birth date: October 08, 1946, Cleveland, Ohio Family: Married Elizabeth Harper (2005-present); Sandra Lee McCarthy-Horn (1977-1986); Children: Jackie Religion: Roman Catholic Education: Case Western Reserve University, B.A. and M.A., 1973 Campaign Web site: http://kucinich.us On the Issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights, though previously opposed them. Immigration Supports legal status for some illegal immigrants with long-standing ties to the U.S. Opposed legislation authorizing a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Iraq Voted against use of military force in Iraq. Voted against war spending bill with Democratic troop withdrawal plan because timeline was nonbinding and because it continued to fund the war. Supports ending war funding. Opposed Bush plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Opposes additional war funding and has called for troop withdrawal. Proposes opening talks with Iran and Syria to assist in Iraq. Same-sex marriage Supports same-sex marriage. Opposes constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Social Security Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Says that the program is not in "crisis." Taxes Opposed 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Opposed extending tax cuts through 2010. Supports restoring tax rates in place during Clinton administration.

Mike Gravel Current job: CEO of the Democracy Foundation, lecturer Birth date: May 13, 1930, Springfield, Massachusetts Family: Married to Whitney Stewart Gravel. Children: Martin and Lynn. Four grandchildren. Religion: Unitarian Education: Columbia University, B.S., 1956 Campaign Web site: www.gravel2008.us On the Issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights. Immigration Supports creating a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Supports guest worker programs. Says the construction of a border fence along the U.S.-Mexican border is a cosmetic solution. Says that NAFTA agreement has worsened the problem, and that better trade policies can help reduce illegal immigration. Iraq Opposed use of military force in Iraq, saying invasion was against U.S. interests. Opposed Bush plan to send additional American troops to Iraq. Supports immediate troop withdrawal. Says "aggressive" and "skilled" diplomacy needed to end sectarian violence. Says non-binding congressional resolutions are ineffective and that Congress should instead demand an end to the war. Same-sex marriage Supports same-sex marriage. Social Security Supports investing money from the Social Security Trust Fund to improve solvency, and allowing workers to leave surplus benefits to their heirs. Taxes Calls for replacing the IRS and income taxes with a national sales tax and issuing funds to families living below the poverty line.

John Edwards Candidate status: Announced Filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC on January 3, 2007 Current job: Lawyer, former director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Birth date: June 10, 1953; Seneca, South Carolina Family: Married Elizabeth Anania (1977-present); Children: Jack (2000); Emma Claire (1998); Catharine ("Cate") (1982); Wade (1979-1996) Religion: Methodist Education: North Carolina State University, B.S., 1974; University of North Carolina, J.D., 1977 Campaign Web site: johnedwards.com On the Issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights. Immigration Supports legal status and citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Calls for working with Mexico to better control the border and stop illegal trafficking. Iraq Voted for use of military force in Iraq, but now says that was a "mistake." Supported war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Opposed Bush plan to send additional American troops to Iraq. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage. Opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Social Security Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Taxes Opposed 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Supports eliminating tax cuts for oil companies and the wealthiest Americans.

Chris Dodd Current job: U.S. senator from Connecticut Birth date: May 27, 1944; Willimantic, Connecticut Family: Married Jackie Clegg; two children, Grace and Christina Religion: Roman Catholic Education: Providence College, B.A., 1966; University of Louisville, J.D., 1972 Campaign Web site: www.chrisdodd.com On the issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights. Immigration Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Iraq Voted for use of military force in Iraq, but says his vote was based on inaccurate information provided to Congress. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Says Americans would be safer if U.S. never invaded. Proposed plan for Iraq that includes phased redeployment of troops over a 12-18 month period and improved recruitment and training of Iraqi security forces. Same-sex marriage Opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Social Security Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Taxes Opposed 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Opposed extending tax cuts through 2010, saying they primarily benefited the wealthiest Americans and increased the deficit. Supports tax incentives for businesses that invest in employee health care, pensions and innovations.

Hillary Clinton Current job: U.S. senator from New York Birth date: October 26, 1947, Chicago, Illinois Family: Married Bill Clinton (1975-present); Children: Chelsea (1980) Religion: Methodist Education: Wellesley College, B.A., 1969; Yale University Law School, J.D., 1973 Campaign Web site: www.hillaryclinton.com On the issues: Abortion Supports abortion rights. Immigration Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. Iraq Voted for use of military force in Iraq, but now says she would have voted differently "if we knew then what we know now." Supports de-authorizing the war. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Opposed Bush plan to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. Supports a phased redeployment and a cap on the number of American troops in Iraq. Same-sex marriage Opposes same-sex marriage but supports civil unions. Says states should ultimately decide the issue. Opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Social Security Opposes Bush plan allowing workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes into private retirement accounts. Taxes Opposed 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. Opposed extending tax cuts through 2010.