The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows Mitt Romney attracting support from 49% of voters nationwide, while President Obama earns the vote from 48%. One percent prefers some other candidate, and two percent are undecided.See the full report here. 

What are Romney and Obama’s points of agreement in the ongoing US presidential contest? Do voters really have a choice? Is there any difference any more between the Democrats and the Republicans? And why are many major issues being completely avoided in this campaign?Watch in Peter Lavelle's Crosstalk with Nicholas Caroll, Bruce Fein and Christoph von Marschall.

WikiLeaks releases nearly 40,000 emails from Stratfor on Obama and the DNC.

Obama: I don't believe government creates jobs - I believe free enterprise is the greatest engine of prosperity the world has ever known. I also believe everyone should have a fair shot, pay their fair share, and play by the same rules. Romney's 47% comment was targeted at retirees, students, and others who have paid their dues. Help from the government isn't a handout, it can ush the country forward.

Romney: Biggest misconception about me is that I don't care about 100% of the American people. My passion flows from the fact that I believe in God, and that we have a responsibility to take care of each other. As governor of my state I was able to get nearly 100% of our residents insured, and put our schools at the top in the nation.

Obama: Low-wage, low-skill jobs will not come back. I want high-wage, high-skill jobs. We must have the best science and research in the world. If we are not training engineers, we will lose the race, and companies will not come here.

Obama: We will create jobs by changing our tax code, but also by doubling our exports. We are already on track to do it. Romney talks about China, but his company invested in pioneers of outsourcing of labor.

Romney: Manufacturing has gone to China, which is now the largest manufacturer in the world. Many businesses think it's more attractive to leave than to stay in the US. I will make sure America is the most attractive place in the world for businesses. We also must make sure our competitors play by the rules – which China has not done. China has been a currency manipulator for years. Obama refuses to label them as so. I will do so on day one. Obamacare has been an extraordinary deterrent to hiring across the board

Romney on guns: I don't favor new regulations on guns. We must make enormous efforts to enforce the gun laws we have. We must tackle the culture of violence in the US.

Obama on guns: There have been too many instances of gun violence during my presidency. We must enforce existing laws and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. Weapons that were designed for soldiers do not belong on our streets. We are trying to reintroduce a ban on assault weapons, but we need to look at other sources of violence. For violence to be prevented, we must make sure our schools are working, and cooperate with faith organizations and others.

Romney on Benghazi attack: Obama is responsible for failure to provide security in Benghazi. Obama took fundraising trips during period immediately following attack on Benghazi embassy. Obama played politics instead of investigating Benghazi.

Obama on immigration: We have to deal with our border, and the flow of undocumented workers across the border is the lowest it's been in 40 years. We should only go after illegal immigrants who are criminals, not students and workers trying to feed their families.

Romney: This is a nation of immigrants, we welcome people from other nations. I want our legal system to be streamlined – you should not have hire a lawyer to get into this country legally. We should give green cards to talented people in other countries. We have to stop illegal immigration - illegal immigrants take the places of the 4 million people already waiting to enter the country legally. Kids of illegal immigrants should get a pathway to become permanent residents of the US.

Romney: If you re-elect Obama, you will get a repeat of the last four years. This is a president who has not been able to do what he said he'd do. Obama does not understand what it takes to get the economy moving again. Unemployment stands at 23 million Americans, with one in six in poverty
The president has tried, but his policies haven't worked. Obama is a good speaker, but his record shows he can't cut the deficit, reform Social Security.

Obama: Four years ago I said I would cut taxes for middle class families and businesses, and end the war in Iraq, and I did. We have gone after al-Qaeda's leadership like never before, and Bin Laden is dead. I committed to reign in Wall Street, and we passed the toughest financial reforms since the 1930s. We saved an auto industry that was on the brink of collapse. We will use the savings from ending wars to rebuild America and put people back to work. The commitments I've made, I've kept; those I haven't kept, we will get done in the second term.

Obama: Romney has invested in businesses that pioneered outsourcing labor to China. Romney invests in companies that build surveillance technologies for China to spy on its own people

Romney: My party has championed big business for too long - I will help small businesses. Small businesses say Obamacare keeps them from hiring more people.

Romney: We can get all the energy we need here in North America, without going to the Saudis and Venezuelans.

Obama: Romney feels comfortable having politicians make healthcare decisions for women
I said insurance companies must provide contraceptive coverage. Romney said employers should decide if women can get contraceptive coverage from their insurers.

Planned Parenthood provides vital non-contraceptive services to women across the country, and access affects their checkbooks and ability to work. These are not just women's issues, they are family issues and economic issues. We grow as an economy when everyone participates.

Romney: My cabinet in Massachusetts had the most women of any in the country. We have to be more flexible for women who work and raise children. The economy I bring to this country will bring so many jobs that businesses will be scrambling to hire women.

Obama: Women are increasingly the breadwinners in American families; we must fight for them. We are putting more women into college, which will ensure they can find jobs. We must not tolerate discrimination in any area of society

Romney: Obama's picture of my plan is totally foreign to actual plan. Obama has doubled the deficit, and blown up the national debt. Obama has the US on the road to Greece

Obama: Romney tax ideas will cost about $5 trillion. Romney wants to spend another $2 trillion on military policies the Pentagon isn't even asking for. Romney cannot give details when asked what his tax policy will look like. Romney only pays 14% on taxes, and will continue to – capital gains will not be taxes. Romney as an investor would not take the sketchy deal he is now selling as candidate. Romney plan will either blow up the deficit, or it will have to be paid for not only by closing deductions for the rich, but for raising taxes on everyone else.

Romney: Top 5% will continue to pay 60% as they do today. If we bring rates down, it makes it easier for small businesses to keep capital and hire more people. Last four years have been a disappointment - years with unemployment above 8%. We will open up trade in South America while getting tough on China when they cheat. 

Obama: My philosophy on taxes is simple: give middle class families – and those trying to break into the middle class – relief. I said I would cut taxes for small businesses, and have - 18 times. I will continue existing tax cuts, but we must combine tough spending cuts with more contributions from the wealthy. First $250,000 of income will see no change in tax status. Republicans in Congress holding 98% of population hostage to get tax breaks for the top 2%.

Romney: I want to bring tax rates down, simplify the tax code, and give middle-income taxpayers lower taxes. Middle-income families have been buried under this administration, prices up across the board. Rates down across the board, but limit deductions for people at the high end. Top bracket of taxpayers will continue to pay 60% plus, while middle class will get new deductions and credits.

Obama: I'm for pipelines and oil production, but not for ignoring green energy

Romney: Obama has made it impossible to even open a coal plant.

Obama on gas prices: We must make sure we control our own energy. We have hugely increased oil and gas production, coal employment. We must look to the future; we have already doubled fuel efficiency standards and clean energy production. Romney plans to let the oil companies write his policies. China and Germany are already making these investments - I will not cede jobs to those countries.

Obama: Romney has a one-point plan - make sure folks at the top play by a different set of rules. We have fought for four years to get out of the mess caused by Republicans

Romney: Obama policies have not put Americans back to work. My plan will bring 12 million new jobs to America - new graduates and the currently unemployed

Obama: Let's take the money we've been spending on wars in recent years and use it to rebuild the country - roads, schools etc.

Obama:  We want to bring manufacturing jobs back to this country. We will give incentives to companies that bring jobs to the United States. We must train Americans for the jobs we already have

Obama on unemployed college graduates: Each student's investment in higher education is critical to the country

Romney on unemployed college graduates: Make it easier to afford college, and make sure there's a job; Keep Pell Grants going, and help people afford school.

Barack Obama  - Incumbent Democratic President

BIO

Full name: Barack Hussein Obama II

Born: August 4th, 1961 (51 years old)

Place of birth: Honolulu, Hawaii

Spouse: Michelle Obama

Children: Two daughters; Sasha and Malia

Political party: Democrat

Running mate: Joe Biden (current vice-president of the United States, formerly Senator from Delaware)

Formerly: US Senator from Illinois (2003-2008)

Education: Occidental College (1979-1981), Columbia University (1983) – Bachelor of Arts; Harvard Law School (1991) – Juris Doctor, magna cum laude

Accomplishments: Repealed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ restricting gays and lesbians serving in the military. Presided over 2011 Iraq troop withdrawal. Pledged to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by 2014. Passed signature national healthcare plan. Ordered the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

Domestic Policy

Abortion: Pro-choice, supports ‘Roe v. Wade’ decision

Healthcare: Implemented ‘Obamacare,’ which includes a universal mandate that requires every individual to have health insurance or face increasing tax penalties.

Gun rights: Supports second amendment, but also supports gun control laws.

Taxes: Promised lower taxes for middle class, proposed new ‘Buffet Rule’ to raise rates to 30 percent minimum on households making over $1 million a year. Wants to cut corporate tax rate to 28%.

Spending: Criticized for spending by austerity-minded GOP members. Economic stimulus and bank bailouts dramatically spiked spending during 2009 recession. Wants to cut deficit by $4 trillion.

Foreign Policy

Iran: Continuing efforts at diplomacy, but warned that nuclear-armed Iran is not permissible. Refused to draw a ‘red line’ for military action.

Israel / Palestine: Expressed support for resuming aid to Palestinian Authority if they “renounce terrorism.” Supports two-state solution.

Russia: Sought cooperation on nuclear disarmament, expressed openness to Russia’s concerns on US missile shield being built in eastern Europe.

Syria: Demanded removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as only way to resolve conflict. No call for military intervention.

China: Promised to enact tougher new trade regulations on China.

Fast Facts

Religion: Devout Christian, right-wing conspiracy theories abound he is secretly Muslim.

Net worth: $11.8 million in 2010

First job: Ice cream scooper in Honolulu

Hobbies: Avid basketballer, watches and plays. Also golfs, reads, writes, dances, visits historic sites with family.

Favorite music: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Johann Sebastian Bach’s cello suites, The Fugees

Favorite movies: Casablanca, Godfather I & II, Lawrence of Arabia, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Favorite TV Show: SportsCenter

Favorite Books: Song of Solomon (Toni Morrison), Moby Dick (Herman Melville), Shakespeare's tragedies, Self-Reliance (Ralph Waldo Emerson), The Bible, Abraham Lincoln's writings

http://special-events.rt.com/US-presidential-election-2012-up-close/

Mitt Romney  - The GOP nominee and Obama’s main rival

BIO

Full name: Willard Mitt Romney

Born: March 12, 1947 (age 65)

Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan

Spouse: Ann Romney

Children: Five sons; Taggart, Matthew, Joshua, Benjamin and Craig

Political party: Republican

Running mate: Paul Ryan (US Representative, Wisconsin).

Formerly: Governor of Massachusetts (2003-2007).

Education: Brigham Young University (1971) – Bachelor’s degree in English; Harvard University (1975) – Juris Doctor / Master of Business Administration.

Accomplishments: Ran 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Co-founded Bain Capital asset-management firm in Boston, Massachusetts.

Domestic Policy

Abortion: Pro-life, supports reversal of Roe v. Wade.

Healthcare: Against socialized healthcare, vowed to “repeal and replace Obamacare.”

Gun rights: Opposes any form of gun control.

Taxes: Proposed an effective 20% cut on individual taxes, 25% cut on corporate rates

Spending: Plans to cut yearly spending by $500 billion by the end of first term, promised to cap spending at 20% of GDP.

Foreign Policy

Iran: Supports further UN sanctions, greater diplomatic isolation of Iran.

Israel / Palestine: Will ensure Israel “maintains its strategic military edge” and resist ‘anti-Israel’ policies in Turkey and Egypt.

Russia: Said Russia was America’s “number-one geopolitical foe,” accused it of “standing up for the world’s worst actors.”

Syria: Said US needs to “match Iran’s influence,” called for arming of rebel opposition.

China: Vowed to crack down on Beijing’s “cheating” currency manipulation.

Fast Facts

Religion: Mormon, served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church in France for two years

Net worth: Estimated between $190 and $250 million – he would be the wealthiest US President ever elected.

First job: Chauffeur for university physics department

Hobbies: Running, reading, skiing, horseback riding, waterskiing, watching movies.

Favorite music: Roy Orbison, The Beatles, The Eagles, Clint Black, Randy Travis, Johnny Cash

Favorite movies: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Henry V

Favorite TV Shows: Seinfeld, Modern Family, Friday Night Lights, Justified, 30 Rock, American Idol

http://special-events.rt.com/US-presidential-election-2012-up-close/

Gary Johnson  - The Libertarian Party candidate

BIO

Full name: Gary Earl Johnson

Born: January 1, 1953 (age 59)

Place of birth: Minot, North Dakota

Spouse: Dee Simms (1977-2005); Kate Prusack (fiancée, 2009 - present)

Children: Daughter, Seah; Son, Erik.

Political party: Libertarian

Running mate: James P. Gray (former presiding judge of Superior Court of Orange County, California).

Formerly: Governor of New Mexico (1995 to 2003)

Education: Bachelor of Science, University of New Mexico (1975)

Accomplishments: Founded Big J Enterprises in 1976 a door-to-door handyman, growing from one-person business into one of New Mexico's largest construction firms. Easily won consecutive terms as Governor of New Mexico.

Domestic Policy

Abortion: Strong supporter of civil rights, pro-choice.

Healthcare: Vows deep spending cuts, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Gun rights: Says relaxing concealed weapon laws the best way to deter gun violence.

Taxes: Advocates for small government and the institution of FairTax to abolish existing tax codes.

Spending: Promises to balance budget through 43% reduction to all federal spending, will immediately end the War in Afghanistan

Foreign Policy

Foreign aid: Johnson advocates massive cuts in foreign aid, claims only programs directly impacting US interests should be funded.

Iran: Does not think Iran poses a threat to the US.

Israel: Supports US-Israel military alliance, but also proposes that the US cut support and aid to Israel.

Fast Facts

Religion: Lutheran (Christian)

First job: Self-employed door-to-door handyman

Hobbies: Gary Johnson is an avid outdoorsman and fitness enthusiast. He has competed in several triathlons, marathons, and bike races.

Favorite music: Loves Top 40 radio, according to Facebook page

Favorite movies: Dr. Zhivago, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Departed.

Favorite TV Show: CSPAN “as background noise.”

Favorite books: The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand), Resurrection (Leo Tolstoy), The Road (Cormac McCarthy).

http://special-events.rt.com/US-presidential-election-2012-up-close/

Jill Stein - The Green Party candidate

BIO

Full name: Jill Stein

Born: May 14, 1950 (age 62)

Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois

Spouse: Richard Rohrer

Children: Two sons; Ben and Noah

Political party: Green

Running mate: Cheri Honkala

Formerly: Candidate for Massachusetts governor (2002); candidate for Massachusetts House, (2004); candidate for Massachusetts Secretary of State (2006); Elected member of Lexington town precinct 2 (2005-2009)

Education: Graduated from Harvard College in 1973; Harvard Medical School in 1979

Accomplishments: Co-founder, Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Communities (2003-2010); associate, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (1992-2006); co-author, In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development (2000)

On The Major Issues

Abortion: Pro-choice, believes women's access to family planning is first principle of reproductive healthcare.

Healthcare: Will provide healthcare for every citizen via ‘Medicare-for-all’ program.

Gun rights: Supports increased gun control, including assault weapons.

Taxes: Will enact progressive tax code with rate cuts for poor, working and middle-class families; raise taxes on richest Americans. Establish a 90% tax on bonuses for bailed-out bankers.

Spending: Proposed ‘Green New Deal’ – government-led investment in energy efficiency; low-carbon infrastructure development to create 25 million green jobs; break up large financial institutions; re-regulate international finance; require full disclosure of corporate subsidies; renegotiate NAFTA and other ‘free trade’ pacts; elimination of corporate personhood via constitutional amendment.

Foreign Policy

Iran: Says Iran does not threaten US, no proof they are building a nuclear weapon.

Israel: Believes US should equally support Israel and Palestine. Says occupation is “unacceptable.”

Russia: No Russia-specific policy, but is an avowed multilateralist. Says US can’t afford to police world.

Fast Facts

Religion: Jewish

Net worth: N/A

First job: Waiter

Hobbies: Writing, performing music, long walks with Bandita, her Great Dane.

Favorite musician: Victor Jara

Favorite movie: Avatar

Favorite book: Love in the Time of Cholera (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

http://special-events.rt.com/US-presidential-election-2012-up-close/