Health Care

n Hillary Clinton

Supports spending up to $110 billion a year for mandatory universal coverage during her first term. Raise taxes on wealthy and use tax credits to make health insurance more affordable.

n John Edwards

Supports spending up to $120 billion a year for mandatory universal coverage in his first term. Raise taxes on wealthy and use tax credits to make health insurance more affordable.

n Rudy Giuliani

Supports income tax deduction of $7,500 per tax payer to defray insurance costs.

n Mike Huckabee

Supports spending more money on prevention and letting markets and states expand coverage.

n John McCain

Offers $2,500 tax credit to every taxpayer to help pay for insurance.

n Barack Obama

Does not support a universal health coverage mandate for adults but does support one for children. Willing to spend up to $65 billion a year to make universal coverage affordable. Raise taxes on wealthy.

n Mitt Romney

Wants to encourage states to expand affordable coverage. As a governor, signed a law aimed at providing universal coverage.

Education

n Hillary Clinton

Supports $10 billion for a universal preschool and replacing No Child Left Behind Act. $10,000 higher education scholarships per year of national service.

n John Edwards

Supports a universal preschool and revising – possibly replacing – No Child Left Behind Act.

n Rudy Giuliani

Vouchers for school choice.

n Mike Huckabee

Give states more authority to run education.

n John McCain

Supports vouchers for school choice and more community college aid.

n Barack Obama

Supports $18 billion plan for preschool and teacher compensation as well as a $4,000 college tax credit for community service.

n Mitt Romney

Supports No Child Left Behind Act.

Global Warming

n Hillary Clinton

Supports $150 billion, 10-year energy package for new fuel sources. Backed caps on greenhouse gas emissions.

n John Edwards

Supports $13 billion annual fund for renewable energy as well as greenhouse gas emission caps.

n Rudy Giuliani

Says he is unsure how much humans influence global warming, but will consider expanding nuclear power and alternative energy.

n Mike Huckabee

Supports an increase to 35 miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency standard by 2020 as well as emission caps.

n John McCain

Led Senate efforts to cap greenhouse gasses. Favors tougher fuel efficiency.

n Barack Obama

Supports $150 billion, 10-year program for “climate friendly” energy supplies. Also supports greenhouse gas emission caps.

n Mitt Romney

As governor, backed out of a pact to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

Gun Control

n Hillary Clinton

Voted for a ban on assault-type weapons and to require background checks at gun shows.

n John Edwards

As a senator, voted for a ban on all assault-type weapons.

n Rudy Giuliani

Says states should determine gun laws.

n Mike Huckabee

Opposes gun controls. Backs federal “right to carry” law that requires states to recognize other states’ concealed weapons permits.

n John McCain

Opposed a ban on assault-type weapons. Supports background checks for gun shows.

n Barack Obama

Voted to leave gun makers and deals open to lawsuits.

n Mitt Romney

As governor, favored strict gun control laws.

Source: Associated Press; Compiled by Paolo Cisneros