Compare the 2008 presidential candidates on issues that are particularly important to Christian voters. Although these are not the only crucial issues that Christian voters care about, they represent some of the hot-button topics that Christians will carefully consider in each candidates' platform.
• To see "faith snapshots" of each presidential contender and compare them on faith, beliefs and religious upbringing, visit this Complete List of the 2008 Presidential Candidates.
• UPDATE (10/16/08): Visit this page •">for an updated comparison.
John McCain - Republican
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Abortion: McCain supports the reversal of Roe vs. Wade and banning of abortion except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incest.
Death Penalty: Supports the death penalty.
Education: Supports "No Child Left Behind." He also supports vouchers for public and private education.
Faith-Based Programs: Supports faith-based initiatives.
Iraq War: Supports the war in Iraq and opposes a timetable for withdrawal of troops.
Marriage: Opposes a federal amendment to ban gay marriage. Believes each state should regulate marriage laws. Believes marriage should be limited to a man and a woman.
Stem Cell Research: Supports public funding of stem cell research on embryos left over from fertility treatments, but not on cloned human embryos.
Death Penalty: Supports the death penalty.
Education: Supports "No Child Left Behind." He also supports vouchers for public and private education.
Faith-Based Programs: Supports faith-based initiatives.
Iraq War: Supports the war in Iraq and opposes a timetable for withdrawal of troops.
Marriage: Opposes a federal amendment to ban gay marriage. Believes each state should regulate marriage laws. Believes marriage should be limited to a man and a woman.
Stem Cell Research: Supports public funding of stem cell research on embryos left over from fertility treatments, but not on cloned human embryos.
Barack Obama - Democrat
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Abortion: Obama supports abortion rights and opposes the reversal of Roe vs. Wade.
Death Penalty: Supports the death penalty.
Education: Obama supports "No Child Left Behind." He opposes vouchers and tax credits for private schools.
Faith-Based Programs: Supports faith-based initiatives.
Iraq War: Obama opposes the war in Iraq and supports immediate withdrawal of troops.
Marriage: Opposes a federal amendment to ban gay marriage. He believes marriage is between a man and a woman, but supports civil unions for same-sex couples.
Stem Cell Research: Obama supports loosening federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and supports federal funding of the research.
Death Penalty: Supports the death penalty.
Education: Obama supports "No Child Left Behind." He opposes vouchers and tax credits for private schools.
Faith-Based Programs: Supports faith-based initiatives.
Iraq War: Obama opposes the war in Iraq and supports immediate withdrawal of troops.
Marriage: Opposes a federal amendment to ban gay marriage. He believes marriage is between a man and a woman, but supports civil unions for same-sex couples.
Stem Cell Research: Obama supports loosening federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and supports federal funding of the research.
