Obama's Positions on Social Issues

ABORTION: Obama supports Roe v. Wade because it affirms the principle “that government should not intrude on private family matters.” He says that it is appropriate to place limits on late-term abortions if those restrictions include an exception for the woman’s health. NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Obama a 100 percent score on his Senate voting record in 2005, 2006, and 2007. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

CONTRACEPTION: The president’s health care law requires employers and insurers to fully cover contraception. In the face of protests, the administration carved out an exemption for religiously affiliated hospitals and universities that places the cost of birth-control coverage on the insurer rather than the employer. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

SUPREME COURT: Obama believes that the courts should be “the refuge of the powerless.” As senator, he voted against President George W. Bush’s picks of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, saying that their records did not show them to be supportive of the powerless over the powerful. (UPI/Luke Sharrett/pool)

CHURCH/STATE: The president says that policymakers should not “leave their religion at the door,” but he has drawn a firm line on church/state separation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

GAY RIGHTS: Obama started his tenure by ordering federal agencies to extend benefits to same-sex partners of employees. He is ending his first term by unequivocally supporting gay marriage. He pushed Congress to repeal the ban on openly gay members serving in the military. He has called the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and refused to defend the law in court. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

GUN CONTROL: Attorney General Eric Holder sought a reinstatement of the federal assault-weapons ban in 2009, but there has been no movement on that front since then. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)