Continued: Election issues: The Senate Race

The campaign for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat has drawn a record amount of money -- and that has bankrolled a season of red-hot attacks.

But not here, not today.

On this page you'll find a rhetoric-free look at where the candidates stand on the issues.

No spin. No slow-motion, grainy, unflattering depictions of the candidates. Just issues, and only issues.

ABORTION

Dean Barkley, IP: Says he personally opposes abortion but does not believe Roe vs. Wade should be overturned. Says any government that can ban abortion can also claim the power to require it.

Norm Coleman, R: Opposes legalized abortion, with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the woman. Opposes federal funding for research in which human embryos are destroyed. But in 2005 sought "common ground" by advocating funding for stem cell lines where embryos had already been destroyed.

Al Franken, DFL: Supports abortion rights. Supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

COLLEGE TUITION

Dean Barkley, IP: Advocates programs to allow students to repay loans by committing to public service, such as new teachers agreeing to work in failing schools.

Norm Coleman, R: Has supported increases in Pell Grants. Sponsored legislation, which was passed, aimed at making college textbooks more affordable.

Al Franken, DFL: Proposes a tax credit up to $5,000 per student per year for up to four years for families earning up to $200,000 per year. Supports additional funding for Pell Grants.

ECONOMY

Dean Barkley, IP: Supported $700 billion federal bailout of Wall Street. Argues that the best way to improve the economy is to balance the federal budget and pay down the debt so that the dollar will strengthen. Also backs tax credits for "green economy" jobs.

Norm Coleman, R: Voted for the $700 billion rescue bill, saying the credit crisis needed immediate action, even if the legislation was imperfect. Says balancing the federal budget will reassure the markets and strengthen the dollar, thereby improving the economy.

Al Franken, DFL: Opposed the $700 billion bailout bill. Said it did not meet all of his conditions: independent oversight, robust regulation, aiding those facing foreclosure, curbing excessive CEO pay and giving taxpayers a stake in rescued companies. Proposes to make more credit available to small businesses through the Small Business Administration. Would repeal the 2005 bankruptcy law and would repeal tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs overseas.

ENERGY AND GAS PRICES

Dean Barkley, IP: Supports tax credits for solar and wind industries. Does not advocate a windfall profits tax on oil companies but is not philosophically opposed to it, either. If such a tax is approved, wants the money to go to "green economy" tax credits rather than rebate checks for taxpayers.

Norm Coleman, R: Voted against ANWR drilling. Joined bipartisan "gang of 16" [now 20] that advocated expanded off-shore drilling, more nuclear production and a greater commitment to conservation. Proposed a National Energy Infrastructure Trust Fund to develop new energy sources much as the U.S. developed a national transportation infrastructure in the 1950s. Would expand electricity transmission corridors to produce 20 percent of electricity from wind energy. Backed a 2005 law requiring, by 2012, the annual use of 8 billion gallons of renewable fuels such as ethanol.

Al Franken, DFL: Opposes ANWR drilling. Wants to remove tax subsidies for oil companies and use the money for alternative-energy research. Supports a windfall profits tax on oil companies. Calls for an "Apollo project"-like effort to develop renewable energy sources. Says there should be greater use of nuclear energy if waste can be disposed of properly. After the August 2007 I-35W bridge collapse, said he would consider a gas tax increase; when gas prices soared this year, he said a tax hike would be too burdensome and took the idea off the table.

HEALTH CARE

Dean Barkley, IP: Proposes lowering costs through "free-market competition." Would allow everyone to buy coverage through Medicare, thereby forcing private insurers to compete with the public sector.

Norm Coleman, R: Would give tax breaks for health insurance purchases. Guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions. Cap malpractice damage awards. Create tax-free savings accounts to pay for long-term care costs. Offer tax breaks to small businesses for employee health coverage, and create state and regional health insurance pools.

Al Franken, DFL: In the absence of federal action to provide universal health care coverage, proposes a single-payer insurance plan for children, and would require all states to provide universal health care for residents. States would receive federal funds to help meet the costs.

IMMIGRATION

Dean Barkley, IP: Backs guest worker program. Illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. would have to return home, and pay a fine and any back taxes owed in the U.S. before they would be eligible for a work permit and legal re-entry. Would "substantially increase" fines against companies that employ illegal immigrants.

Norm Coleman, R: Supports allowing illegal immigrants to work if they pay fines and any back taxes owed, learn English and are sponsored by an employer. To obtain citizenship, they would have to return home and then apply for re-entry along with everyone else.

Al Franken, DFL: Supports guest worker program and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who are working and have no criminal record. Says it's not practical to deport 12 million illegal immigrants.

IRAQ WAR

Dean Barkley, IP: Had made no public statements in the run-up to the war but says he probably would have supported it. Now favors setting a deadline, in conjunction with military leaders, for withdrawal. Says the U.S. has accomplished its stated goals of getting rid of Saddam Hussein, establishing democracy and eliminating "non-existent weapons of mass destruction." Says it's now time for Iraqis to decide what they want to do with their country.

Norm Coleman, R: Supported the decision to go to war. Initially questioned the increase in troops for the surge but now says it has worked. Opposes a set timetable for withdrawing troops; defers to military leaders on that. Says additional U.S. funding of Iraq's reconstruction should be in the form of loans to Iraq that would be repaid.

Al Franken, DFL: Initially supported the war but says he was "misled" by the Bush administration. Favors setting a withdrawal timetable. Wants to stop all U.S. funding for Iraqi reconstruction while the Iraqi government runs a surplus.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Dean Barkley, IP: Would make it legal.

Norm Coleman, R: Supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Al Franken, DFL: Supports legalizing same-sex marriage.

SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE

Dean Barkley, IP: Says that the financial underpinnings of these entitlement programs need immediate attention but that political fear is blocking obvious solutions. The solutions he cites include: indexing benefits to life expectancy, means-testing benefits, raising the Social Security tax, and reforming health care to reduce costs.

Norm Coleman, R: Supports letting workers under 55 invest a portion of their Social Security contributions in private accounts. Also would accept recommendations of a bipartisan commission on Social Security even if they didn't include private accounts. Voted for the 2003 Medicare drug plan bill. Supports allowing the government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.

Al Franken, DFL: Opposes private investment account options for Social Security contributions. Says that Social Security financing is not an immediate problem and that it can be fixed when necessary. Would repeal the ban that prohibits the government from negotiating for lower prices with drug companies.

TAXES AND SPENDING

Dean Barkley, IP: Would cap federal spending at current levels for four years. Doesn't want to change the tax code until spending issues are addressed. Would be willing to extend the Bush tax cuts for up to one year, but only if spending is controlled.

Norm Coleman, R: Supports making the Bush tax cuts permanent. Would freeze spending (excluding such things as entitlements, military and homeland security programs) until the budget is balanced. Would give the president line-item veto power over earmarks.

Al Franken, DFL: Would repeal Bush tax cuts for highest-income earners. Would expand the child-care tax credit to cover 35 percent of expenses for families earning up to $100,000. Proposes a $2,000 caregiver tax credit for an individual with substantial long-term care needs or for the caregiver. Would give a tax break to employers that provide family-friendly options such as telecommuting and child care.

OTHER

Dean Barkley, IP: Backs term limits. Would reduce drinking age to 18. Says war on drugs is a "miserable failure" and supports treatment rather than jail for addicts. Would offer public financing for federal candidates.

Norm Coleman, R: Teamed with then-Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., to pass amendment requiring the Pentagon to pay full expenses for Iraq troops' travel home while on leave. Would freeze congressional pay.

Al Franken, DFL: Would impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by former members of Congress. Would freeze foreclosures on primary residences. Would restrict credit card companies' ability to raise interest rates, and would increase regulation of payday lenders. Would increase availability of tax credits to farmers who erect wind turbines.

CANDIDATES' WEBSITES

Dean Barkley, IP: www.senatorbarkley.com

Norm Coleman, R: www.colemanforsenate.com

Al Franken, DFL: www.alfranken.com

RESEARCH BY STAFF LIBRARIANS ROBERTA HOVDE AND JOHN WAREHAM