The five candidates are going to battle it out on stage Thursday, so our opinion editor graded them on are their points of contention.
- Trump: Wants to deport illegal immigrants and their children, which is estimated to cost around $114 billion. He also wants to build a wall across the U.S.-Mexico border and make the Mexican government pay for it.
- Cruz: Does not want amnesty or any type of pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
- Rubio: Pessimistic about any type of immigration reform. Cares more about border security.
- Kasich: Understands that there are undocumented people who are law-abiding citizens, and wants a pathway for them to stay in the U.S.
- Carson: “I would secure the borders — north, south, east and west.” What the hell are you talking about?
- Trump: Went on the record saying he does not believe in climate change.
- Cruz: Believes that scientists “cook the books” with false data and believes climate change is a scam by “power-greedy politicians” to impose restrictions on American jobs.
- Rubio: Thinks addressing climate change would “destroy our economy” and denies it is caused by human activity.
- Kasich: Believes in climate change and is open to emission cuts, but doesn’t want to do much else.
- Carson: Thinks oil is a “God-given resource” and the economic benefits outweigh the environmental costs.
- Trump: Wants to repeal Obamacare and replace it with “something terrific,” but fails to explain what that means.
- Cruz: His 2013 filibuster of the Affordable Care Act in 2013 led to a government shutdown and cost American taxpayers $24 billion.
- Rubio: Believes in expanding mental health facilities, but also wants to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a market-based system.
- Kasich: Wants to repeal Obamacare, but expanded Medicaid in Ohio while governor, something only a few Republicans did.
- Carson: Not only wants to repeal Obamacare, but wants to privatize Medicare and Medicaid.
- Trump: Used to be pro-choice, is now against abortion except in cases of rape, incest or risk of the mother.
- Cruz: Tried to criminalize abortion, tried to shut the government down over Planned Parenthood and wants to overturn Roe v. Wade and is OK with companies denying insuring birth control.
- Rubio: Wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, but is vague about what specifically he wants to do to stop abortions from happening.
- Kasich: Opposes abortion except in cases like rape, incest or the mother’s life is at risk. Heavily criticized Ted Cruz for shutting down the government over Planned Parenthood.
- Carson: Wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, and has equated women doing what they want with unborn babies to slave owners and their slaves.
- Trump: Vehemently talks about bringing jobs back from overseas even though Trump Ties are made in China.
- Cruz: Wants to impose a flat tax and abolish the IRS to help job growth. Also opposes raising the minimum wage.
- Rubio: Voted against a bill allowing equal pay for women and is against raising the minimum wage.
- Kasich: Helped create jobs during Reagan administration as a congressman and has been successful creating jobs as governor of Ohio.
- Carson: Thinks the minimum wage should “probably” be raised, but thinks it will increase unemployment.
- Trump: Says it’s wrong for the federal government to profit off of student loan debt, but has no specific plan to fix it.
- Cruz: Has shared empathy for students with debt but voted against a bill that would have allowed student loan borrowers to refinance their loans at a lower rate.
- Rubio: Only Republican candidate who has introduced legislation to tackle student debt.
- Kasich: Passed legislation as governor of Ohio capping college tuition and expanded funding for higher education.
- Carson: Believes people need to work their way through college.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
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“GOP grades: Where does each candidate stand on the issues?” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar