Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on immigration, abortion and other social issues

Social policies are a defining issue in this, or any, Republican race. With the GOP electorate increasingly focused on social issues in recent decades, their leaders' views have shifted in kind. Take a look at where each of the candidates stand. 

4. Mitt Romney

Molly Reiley/Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition's (RJC) 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates Forum in Washington December 7, 2011.

Immigration

Pledges to secure borders and crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers, supports giving green cards to highly educated workers who can meet employers’ needs.

Education

Pledges to keep the Department of Education and No Child Left Behind, unlike many of his contenders; is a proponent of school vouchers, English-language education, charter schools, standardized testing, and performance-based incentives for teachers.

Abortion

Position has evolved. As governor, vowed to protect abortion rights and warned that overturning Roe v. Wade would be a “serious mistake for our country.” Now says he opposes abortion and supports reversing Roe v. Wade. 

Health care

As Massachusetts governor, signed law seen as model for Obama’s reform act. Now vows to repeal the Obama law, enact market-based reforms, issue waivers to states to opt out of federal plans, discourage medical malpractice suits, and promote Health Savings Accounts and tax deductions for those buying own insurance.

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