The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, in

addition to the Republican Party. It is the party joining the U.S. Environmental center and
center-left. In the presidential election its candidates are supported by small left-wing
groups. It is the oldest party of U.S. and second oldest in the world.

Today it is a moderately liberal, that is, within the meaning of the U.S., left-wing, although
initially it was rather more conservative than Republican Party competitive. Conservatives
still have some influence, but mainly in the South.

With the party come the liberal politicians such as Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, John
F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Bill Clinton, but also conservatives such as Andrew
Johnson and Grover Cleveland.

The Republican Party is one of the two major parties of the United States, formed in
1854 from the transformation of Free Soil Party and the Whig Party. The main objectives
of the Republicans were: the introduction of a capitalist economy in the country and
tariffs to protect the domestic industry, and the reform of the banking system, the
construction of railways and the development of settlements. The party consisted mainly
of representatives of the middle class, entrepreneurs and farmers.

In modern elections, the party won the votes primarily of white Americans, from the
middle and upper classes. Party structure does not provide for permanent membership,
the program is set each time on the pre-election convention, which defines the party
candidates for president. Between conventions, the activity of the party is led by the
Republican National Committee, which is subject to constant party apparatus in every
state and county.

The most meritorious presidents from Republican Party are: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore
Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan.

According to the simplest definition, Democrats are an American center-left

and the Republicans - the center-right.

Comparison of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney:

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Position on the economy:

B.O.
Repeal Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. Lower taxes on
manufacturing industry. Stimulus spending and tax cuts to grow the economy (short
term). Cut spending and raise taxes on wealthy to reduce deficit (long term).
M.R.
Make Bush tax cuts permanent. Lower corporate tax rate across the board to 25%. Cut
taxes and regulations to encourage business. Cut "non-security discretionary
[government] spending" by 5% to reduce deficit.
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Position on Iraq:

B.O.
Opposed invasion from the beginning; opposed troop increase; ended military operations
in Iraq(on previously negotiated Bush timeline). Made no effort to keep promise to exit in
2009. Troops moved to Afghanistan and Iranian border.
M.R.
Romney says that keeping the U.S. in Iraq is the best option for minimizing casualties and
maintaining a democratic government in Iraq.
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Position on gay rights:

B.O.
Supports same-sex marriage; pushed Congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, allowing
gays to serve openly in the military
M.R.
Opposes same-sex marriage; supports legal unions; supports Don't Ask, Don't Tell but
favors gays serving openly in the military(Govwatch 1994), supported ENDA to ban antigay employer discrimination
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Position on abortion

B.O.
Supports Roe v. Wade; criticized Supreme Court decision that upheld ban on partial-birth
abortions.
M.R.
Opposes Roe v. Wade; believes states should be allowed to ban abortions. 1994:
Supported abortion rights but personally opposed, No punishment for women who have
partial birth abortions, change of heart in 2005 when preparing to run for President.