March 4 is edging closer, and the state called the “Heart of it All” is predicted to become “it all” to at least one of the two political parties.

You’ve seen their faces on a daily basis. You’ve been bombarded with their campaign commercials and signs. You might even know how they like their coffee. But do you know where they stand on the issues?

Forget the talk about pant suits, here’s what really matters.

Hillary Clinton

Democratic Party Candidate

Hot Topics

Economy: Proposed a $70 billion stimulus package that would create an Emergency Housing Crisis Fund, extend and broaden unemployment insurance and invest in alternative energies for families and businesses.

Health Care: Everyone will be required to get health care, which will be subsidized by employers or the government. Roll backs on current tax cuts for households that earn more than $250,000 will help pay for additional costs.

Iraq: Wants to bring troops home starting during the first 60 days in office and appoint a high-level United Nations representative to work for peace in the country.

Immigration: Wants comprehensive immigration reform: strengthen the borders; oppose a guest-worker program; institute an employer verification system; find a way for those who are here to earn legal status.

Affordable higher education: Create a college tax credit of $3,500; increase the maximum Pell Grant; invest $500 million in community colleges; give $10,000 scholarships to those who participate in AmeriCorps for one year; make certain colleges more accessible to low-income students; make colleges accountable for costs with an online college cost calculator, a college graduation and employment rate index and truth in tuition disclosure.

Social Issues

Abortion: Pro-choice.

Same-sex marriage: Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional amendment banning it. Supports civil unions but says that should be a state decision.

Stem cell research: Supports federal funding for research.

Barack Obama

Democratic Party Candidate

Hot Topics

Economy: Proposed to put $75 billion into the economy through tax cuts or bonuses toward unemployed, seniors, homeowners and working families. Would extend and expand unemployment insurance. Plans to keep $45 billion in reserves to put into the economy if it continues to falter in the future.

Health Care: All children must have health insurance, but there would be no universal mandate to get health insurance. Would roll back tax cuts for households earning over $250,000.

Iraq: Plans to remove one to two brigades each month, and have all combat brigades out within 16 months. Won’t build any permanent bases in Iraq, but will keep some troops there to protect embassy and diplomats. Will keep troops in Iraq if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within the country.

Immigration: Supports additional security at the borders and cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants to pay a fine, learn English and have the opportunity to be citizens.

Affordable higher education: Create an American Opportunity Tax Credit which will make the first $4,000 of college free, cover two-thirds of tuition at an average college and make community college practically free. Plans to eliminate current financial aid application and use a system where families just check a box on their tax form and authorize their tax information to be used.

Social Issues

Abortion: Pro-choice.

Same-sex marriage: Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional amendment banning it. Supports civil unions.

Stem cell research: Supports federal funding for research.

John McCain

Republican Party Candidate

Hot Topics

Economy: Generate a pro-growth tax cut plan. Includes tax cuts for the middle class, keeping tax rates low, making it harder for Congress to raise taxes, cutting the corporate tax rate, rewarding saving and investing, allowing first-year deductions on equipment and technology deductions, banning Internet and cell phone taxes, and establishing a permanent tax credit to encourage innovation in business. Would make President George Bush’s tax cuts permanent.

Health Care: Opposes a federal mandate that everyone must have health insurance, and believes the system should be consumer based. Wants to provide tax credits to make health care more affordable for all.

Iraq: Plans to strengthen ground troops in Iraq and implement a new counterinsurgency plan. Would also call for international pressure on Syria and Iran.

Immigration: Secure borders (voted for a fence along Mexican border in the past), but also create a path to legalization for those here by making them learn English and pay fines.

Affordable higher education: Supports more federal funding of Pell grants and government low-interest loans. Puts focus on tax cuts for middle class families that will in turn help them save more for children’s’ education.

Social Issues

Abortion: Would support overturning Roe v. Wade.

Same-sex marriage: Says states should decide. Supports legal benefits for same-sex partners.

Stem cell research: Supports federal funding for research.

Mike Huckabee

Republican Party Candidate

Hot Topics

Economy: Plans to eliminate all federal income and payroll taxes. Wants to implement a “fair tax,” which is a 23 percent national sales tax on everything but education.

Health Care: Believes in a consumer-based system and opposes a federal mandate requiring everyone to get health insurance. Wants to make it more affordable through tax credits for low-income families and via costs controls such as making medical practices more liable and switching to electronic record keeping systems.

Iraq: Against a timetable for withdrawing troops. Supports a regional summit to make Iraq’s neighbors “militarily and financially committed to stabilizing Iraq.”

Immigration: Plans to generate stricter penalties for employers who hire undocumented immigrants. Set 2010 as deadline for Mexican border fence. Opposes and would never allow amnesty – undocumented immigrants would have to register, leave and return.

Affordable higher education: Provide to students who go in national service federally funded scholarships administered through the state. Supports scholarships for low-income students who succeed in high school.

Social Issues

Abortion: Would support overturning Roe v. Wade.

Same-sex marriage: Opposes.

Stem cell research: Opposes federal funding for research.

Ron Paul

Republican Party Candidate

Hot Topics

Economy: Believes economy will recover after ending Iraq war and balancing the budget. Wants to eliminate the income tax.

Health Care: Opposes a federal mandate that requires everyone to get health insurance, but plans to make medical expenses tax deductible.

Iraq: Opposes war and plans to withdraw troops immediately.

Immigration: Opposes a path to legalization and has voted for a fence along Mexican border.

Social Issues

Abortion: Anti-abortion, but believes states should decide such laws.

Gay marriage: Believes marriage is between a man and a woman, but doesn’t support a federal definition. Says states should make own laws regarding the issue.

Stem cell research: Opposes federal funding and says states or private markets should decide what to do with the issue.

Sources: Campaign Web sites

Contact public affairs reporter Jackie Mantey at [email protected].