Which Republican candidates want to pull troops out of Afghanistan? Who is for eliminating all capital gains taxes? Which candidate has been the U.S. ambassador to two countries? Ask no more, Janes! The candidate compare section of CJP will tell you all of that and more. We're starting with national security, taxes and the economy in week one, and will move on to any other topics that the Janes want broken down. Come back early and often, ladies. And remember that if democracy costs, right here us where you start paying. How can you vote on a candidate if you don't know where they stand on the issues? The updates below are current as of March 2012, with much more soon to come.

Meet the Candidates

	Born and Raised	Education	Work Experience	Family	FYI...
President Obama	Obama was born and raised in Hawaii, with a four-year stint living in Indonesia with his mother, until he returned to Hawaii to be raised by his grandparents. His parents separated when he was two-years old.	Obama began school at Occidental College, but graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was president of the Law Review.	Obama worked in public interest law in New York and Chicago, and worked as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago. He later became a constitutional law professor at University of Chicago Law School, served eight years in the Illinois State Senate and four years in the U.S. Senate.	Obama married Michelle Obama in 1992 and they now have two daughters, Malia and Sasha, who go to a private school in Washington, D.C. His mother, Ann, died of cancer in 1995, his father was killed in a car accident in Kenya, and his grandmother, "Tutie," diedtwo days before he was elected president.	Obama is a huge basketball fan, plays lots of golf, and in case you didn't know, sings a mean Al Green.
Newt Gingrich	Gingrich was born "Newton McPherson" in Harrisburg, Pa., just before his parents divorced. His mother then remarried Robert Gingrich, who adopted Newt when he was three. The family lived around the world, since his father was in the active duty Army. The Gingriches eventually settled in Columbus, Ga., where Newt went to high school.	Gingrich went to Emory University in Atlanta and got his Masters and Ph.D in modern European history from Tulane in New Orleans.	Gingrich taught history and environmental studies at West Georgia College for eight years before running for Congress in 1978. He served 10 terms and led the GOP takeover of the House after 50 years out of power. Gingrich was the Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, where he pushed the Contract with America, oversaw the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, and resigned before a cabal of unhappy Republicans in 1998. He went on to start a health care think tank and write 22 books.	Gingrich is married to Callista Gingrich, a former House staffer (and his third wife) with whom he had a lengthy affair before their wedding in 2000. Gingrich is very close to his two adult daughters, Jackie and Kathy, whom he speaks with every day.	Gingrich is a lifelong animal buff and has often said he would be a zoo keeper if he wasn't in politics, which is basically the same thing.
Ron Paul	Paul was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa. and eventually moved to Texas after med school and a stint in the Air Force.	He went to Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and Dook, sorry, Duke University for medical school. Yes, Ron Paul is a doctor.	After four years as an Air Force doctor, Ron Paul became an OB/GYN in Texas, where he delivered more than 4,000 babies. In 1976, he ran for Congress on a lark "to get something off my chest," but ended up winning, later losing, running again, and then serving more than 20 years in Congress. He will retire from Congress at the end of the year.	Paul has five adult children with his wife, Carol, whose family cookbook is a hit on the campaign trail. The Pauls just celebrated their 55th anniversary.	Ron Paul's middle name is "Ernest," which seems sort of perfect. Also, his son, Rand, is a U.S. senator who you will hear a LOT from in the future.
Mitt Romney	Romney was born outside of Detroit, Michigan, where his father was the chairman of American Motors and later became the governor of Michigan.	Romney began college at Stanford, moved to France for 30 months for a Mormon mission, and then finished school at Brigham Young University. He then went on to get a JD/ MBA at Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School.	After Harvard, Romney went to work at Bain & Co., a business consulting firm, and then founded Bain Capital, a venture capital firm where he made oodles of $$. He then went back to be the CEO of Bain & Co., and in 1999 took over the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. He served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and has been running for president in some capacity ver since.	Romney has five strapping adult sons and is married to the lovely Ann Romney, who was his high school sweetheart.	Mitt Romney's real name is "Willard," but a recent Vanity Fair poll showed 2% of Americans believe his name is "Mittens."
Rick Santorum	Santorum was born in Virginia and raised in Butler, Pa..	Santorum went to Penn State for undergrad, got his MBA from University of Pittsburgh, and his law degree from Dickinson Law School.	Santorum worked at a law firm until he ran for Congress in 1990. He served two terms in the House and two terms in the U.S. Senate.	Santorum and his wife, Karen, have eight children, including a son who sadly died just after he was born. The Santorums' youngest daughter, Bella, has a genetic disorder, Trisomy 18, which is described as a more severe form of Down Syndrome.	Santorum has single-handedly revived the future of the much-maligned sweater vest by making it his signature look on the 2012 campaign trail. Let's give that man a medal.

Taxes

	Individual Tax Rate	Corporate Tax Rate	Estate Taxes	Dividends and Capital Gains	FYI...
President Obama	The president has proposed making the Bush tax cuts permanent for all but those making more than $250,000 per year, raising the top rate from 35% to 39.6%.	Would reduce 35% tax rate to 28%. Would add tax breaks for manufacturers while increasing rates for oil and gas companies, private equity firms, and outsourcers.	In 2011, Obama negotiated with Congress to make the estate tax 35% (from a low of 0% an a high of 55%), with a $5 million exemption .	The president has proposed increasing taxes on dividends and capital gains from 15% to 20% for high earners.	The 2010 health care law added a 3.8% increase on unearned income for people making more than $250,000.
Newt Gingrich	All taxpayers can either keep their current tax rate or choose a 15% flat income tax.	Cut from 35% to 12.5%, permanently allow 100% expensing for businesses.	Gone	Gone	Gingirch has the most aggressive tax cutting plan of the four. Even if you pick the flat tax, you'll keep your child tax credit, mortgage interest deduction, and charitable giving deductions.
Ron Paul	Paul would abolish the IRS and all income taxes by repealing the 16th amdt. Until then, he would expand deductions to lessen individual tax burdens.	Cut from 35% to 15%.	Gone	Gone	Until he eliminates the IRS, Paul would eliminate taxes on tips, which may be where he's getting the youth vote?, as well as payroll taxes on the terminally ill and their caregivers.
Mitt Romney	In Feb., Romney proposed a 20% across-the-board cut for all tax payers.	Cuts 35% rate to 25%, would consider further cuts in exchange for eliminating loopholes.	Gone.	Romney eliminates capital gains and dividend taxes for people making less than $200,000 per year.	Romney's is the most progressive of the four GOP plans. Although he cuts rates for all taxpayers, he says he'll close tax loopholes for the top 1% of earners to maintain the current code's progressivity.
Rick Santorum	Santorum flattens the tax code from six brackets to two- 28% and 10%.	Cuts 35% rate to 17.5% and zeroes out taxes for manufacturers.	Gone.	Reduce from 15% to 12%.	Santorum eliminates all marriage penalties and triples the child tax credit to make it easier for one parent to stay home with their kids if they want to.

National Security

	General Position	Troops Stay or Go from Afghanistan	Position on Libya	Proposed Pentagon Budget	Relevant Experience...
President Obama	As a candidate for Senate, Obama said he was not against all wars, just "dumb wars," and promised to withdraw all troops from Iraq. On Dec. 17, 2011, he pulled the final combat troops out of the country. He has also significantly increased the U.S. role in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.	Unlike his opposition to the surge in Iraq, the president approved a massive surge of troops in Afghanistan to combat extremists in the country. He has increased the use of drones in Pakistan to kill Al Qaeda leaders and approved the successful mission to kill Osama bin Laden	Obama chose to take a supporting role in the Libyan rebellion with air power to supplement NATO forces. In October, Moammar Gadhafi was killed by Libyan rebels.	Has called for a $78 billion cut in defense spending for 2012, based on ending the war in Iraq and the country's need for deficit reduction.	Obama served for four years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is now the commander-in-chief.
Newt Gingrich	Gingrich has called for a more "honest" American role in national security, including a stronger defense of Israel in the Middle East. Criticizes the "confusion and incoherence" of the Obama Administration.	Supported the war initially and opposes any "precipitous" withdrawal from Afghanistan.	Gingrich called for a no-fly zone over Libya in March, but criticized Obama as "inept" when he committed U.S. forces to enforcing a no-fly zone.	Open to defense cuts. Says "it's clear there are things you do to defense that are less expensive."	As the former Speaker, Gingrich was third in line to the presidency and traveled extensively representing the U.S. government throughout his speakership.
Ron Paul	Paul opposes nearly all U.S. military action overseas and voted against the Iraq war. He also opposes most foreign aid, saying "you take money from poor people in this country and you end up giving it to rich people in poor countries." Also opposes Patriot Act and waterboarding.	Paul would bring American troops home from Afghanistan ASAP.	Paul opposed U.S. action in Libya.	Paul has called for major defense cuts and complains no candidates want defense cuts, only cuts to growth in spending.	Paul served in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves from 1963 to 1968 as a flight surgeon.
Mitt Romney	Romney strongly supports U.S. interventions overseas and has called for increased defense spending, shipbuilding, modernization of weapons and expansion of missile defense.	Supports war in Afghanistan at current levels until the U.S. can transition power to Afghan forces.	Supported U.S. action in Libya and criticized Obama for not acting sooner. Later criticized Obama for overstepping U.S. commitment for a no-fly zone. Later applauded death of Gadhafi.	Says the president should balance the federal budget with cuts to health care, not the Pentagon. Would reverse Obama cuts and set 4% floor of GDP for defense spending.	Romney does not have military or specific foreign policy experience.
Rick Santorum	Santorum says other candidates will have a hard time being to his right on national security. He is particularly focused on preventing a nuclear Iran and fighting terrorism, which he calls "a war on Islamist extremism."	Says President Obama is not in Afghanistan to win because he has suggested a timeline for departure.	Santorum called for airstrikes in Libya years ago, but harshly criticized Obama for not taking a leading role there and not acting more quickly.	Opposes any cuts to defense budget.	Santorum served for eight years on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He voted for the Iraq war.