Abortion: Gingrich signed the Personhood USA pledge, which is a statement against abortion. His website states he is against taxpayer subsidies for abortion. Also, he voted in favor of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban in the House of Representatives.

Environment: His main environmental stances revolve around energy policy. He is against the ban on oil shale, and proposes using new oil and gas royalties to finance clean energy. Gingrich advocates replacing the Environmental Protection Agency with the Environmental Solutions Agency, which he said would use incentives and work with local government.

Jobs: Gingrich plans to reduce unemployment to 4 percent by eliminating capital gains tax, strengthening the dollar and balancing the budget. In order to balance the budget, he plans to “grow the economy” and “implement money saving reforms.”

Ron Paul
Healthcare: On his website, Paul states that he believes in “freedom, not force,” and would repeal the Affordable Care Act.

LGBTQ rights: Ron Paul said in congress, “while I oppose federal efforts to redefine marriage as something other than a union between one man and one woman, I do not believe a constitutional amendment is either a necessary or proper way to defend marriage.” He was a cosponsor of the Marriage Protection Act, which sought to ensure the right to recognize same-sex marriage remained with individual states, and states would not have to recognize any same-sex marriage under the laws of another state.

Abortion: Paul may differ from his “freedom, not force,” principal on this issue, saying that he would continue the “same pro-life solutions he has upheld in congress.” He has pledged to repeal Roe v. Wade.

Environment: Paul’s main energy stance is about drilling and energy. He is opposed to bans on drilling and proposes removing the 18-cent per gallon federal gasoline tax.

Jobs: Paul has vowed to cut 10 percent of the federal workforce. He is also a proponent of lowering the corporate tax rate in order to “make America competitive in the global market.” He published on his website a full budget of government spending under his administration.

Mitt Romney
Healthcare: Opposes Affordable Care Act.  He has vowed to issue an executive order on his first day to issue Affordable Care Act waivers to all states, and then plans to work with Congress to repeal the full legislation.

LGBTQ rights: His stance is not stated on his website. However, when he appeared on CNN he said he opposed same-sex marriage, but that he “would advance the efforts not to discriminate against people that are gay.”

Abortion: He currently has no official stance, but has stated widely varying views on the topic. On ‘Meet the Press’ in 2002, he said he would “preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose.” However, in an interview with Piers Morgan in 2011, he said, “I’m pro-life, proud to be so.” He admitted in the interview that his views have changed since he became governor.

Environment: One of his goals is to “support construction of pipelines,” and “prevent overregulation of shale gas development and extraction,” according to Romney’s website. He also wrote on his website that wind and solar energy have been a “failure,” in regards to economic viability.

Jobs: Romney has proposed a flatter tax rate, reducing regulation on environmental laws and smaller government under his jobs plan. He would “reverse executive orders issued by President Obama that tilt the playing field toward organized labor.”

Rick Santorum
Healthcare: He’s against the Affordable Care Act, stating that it is “job-destroying bureaucracy.” Santorum proposes reducing costs and strengthening patient-driven health plans.

LGBTQ rights: Santorum has criticized Obama’s “evolving” views on gay marriage. He vowed to maintain marriage as a right between only a man and woman.

Abortion: Firmly pro-life stance. He was recently quoted as saying women who have been raped should not have abortions and should “make the best out of a bad situation.”

Environment: Supports drilling, both on and offshore. He approves of the Keystone pipeline vetoed by Obama. He’s also against all tax-credits for energy efficient vehicles and technologies.

Jobs: Santorum plans to “create jobs,” according to his website. He does not cite where or when, but advocates for lowering the corporate tax rate by half.

Washington State Republican Party Caucus:
March 3, 2012

Q&A with Western Republican club president Nathan Candiotti

Has your club endorsed a candidate?

The College Republicans will not be endorsing a specific candidate. We will be supporting whoever wins the primary. We believe this election will be the most important election we will see in modern history. We are very content that this primary is not ending quickly because we want to know the candidates very well before we make such an important decision. A long-lasting primary like this will also help all of the candidates become stronger.

Why do you feel a Republican candidate is the best choice?

America can simply not survive if we continue to go in the same direction that we are going in now. If Obama is re-elected, the America that we now know of and recognize will become unrecognizable. Our country is currently dangling off a cliff, and there need to be many fundamental changes in order for this country to get back on track.

Do you think a Republican candidate can win?

Absolutely! It is becoming very clear this election will be unlike any other election that this country has seen. Anything is possible this year.
President Obama is in a very tough position right now because he is going to have a very rough time running on his record and explaining all of his broken promises. Therefore, he is going to have to make the case to the American people that he deserves a second chance and that he can be trusted. I believe the economy, lack of job growth, the unemployment rate, the Middle East, and the deficit are going to be some of his biggest challenges.
Americans are becoming very tired of continuously struggling every day to make ends meet, and I'm not sure how forgiving they will be during the election season when they are still in the same situation they were in four years ago.
I believe the way the media chooses to cover the election and the candidates will be a very large factor regarding who wins as well.