Gathering information about the candidates and where they stand on different issues can be a very tedious chore for most registered voters.

But with the Presidential election season underway, we have compiled a comparison of the major issues and how each of the top candidates stand.

-ABORTION-

Democrats
Hillary Clinton – Pro Choice
Barack Obama – Pro Choice
John Edwards – Pro Choice

Republicans
Mitt Romney – Pro Life
Fred Thompson – Pro Life
John McCain – Pro Life
Rudy Giuliani – Pro Choice

-AFFIRMATIVE ACTION-

Democrats
Hillary Clinton – Supports
John Edwards – Supports
Barack Obama – Supports

Republicans
Mitt Romney – Opposes
Rudy Giuliani – Opposes
John McCain – Supports
Fred Thompson – Supports

-DEATH PENALTY-

Democrats
Hillary Clinton – Supports death penalty
Barack Obama – Supports death penalty
John Edwards – Supports death penalty

Republicans
Mitt Romney- Supports death penalty
John McCain- Supports death penalty
Fred Thompson- Supports death penalty
Rudy Giuliani- Supports death penalty

-FREE TRADE-

Democrats
Hillary Clinton- Supports
John Edwards - Opposes
Barack Obama – Supports

Republicans
Fred Thompson – Supports
John McCain - Supports
Mitt Romney - Supports
Rudy Giuliani - Supports

-GUN CONTROL-

Democrats
Hillary Clinton – Supports Gun Control
Barack Obama- Supports Gun Control
John Edwards- Supports background checks and restrictions on assault weapons

Republicans
Fred Thompson – Opposes Gun Control
John McCain - Opposes Gun Control
Mitt Romney – Opposes Gun Control except assault weapons
Rudy Guiliani - Supports Gun Control

-SAME SEX MARRIAGES-

Democrats
Hillary Clinton - Opposes but supports civil unions
Barack Obama - Opposes but supports civil unions
John Edwards - Opposes but supports civil unions

Republicans
Rudy Giuliani – Opposes but supports civil unions
Fred Thompson - Opposes
Mitt Romney - Opposes
John McCain - Opposes