SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ProCon.org has researched the U.S. presidential candidates and their pro, con, or not clearly pro or con views on 25 controversial issues ranging from abortion to global warming to medical marijuana to waterboarding, with dozens more topics in the works.

The results appear on the nonprofit organization's 43rd website, 2012 Election ProCon.org (http://2012election.procon.org). ProCon.org gives the public simple, nonpartisan, pro-con presentations in order to help readers decide for themselves: "Which candidate should be U.S. president in 2012?"

Statements from Barack Obama appear alongside nine Republicans including Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum.

ProCon.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, is America's premier online destination for free and nonpartisan research on controversial topics. It provides millions of readers with in-depth information on important social issues in order to stimulate critical thinking and educate without bias.

ProCon.org plans to add at least 50 more pro-con questions, several related research projects, new candidates (including third party and independent candidates), and more over the coming months.

The 2012 Election ProCon.org website already contains a presidential election history, glossary, debate transcripts, how to become president guide, Did You Know? facts, and more.

Some of the Did You Know? facts include:

1. Incumbents have run in 30 of the 55 presidential elections in U.S. history through 2008. The incumbent won 20 times (66 2/3%) and lost 10 times (33 1/3%).
2. Rick Perry and Mitt Romney have opposing views on only one of the 25 issues. Perry is "pro" to the question "Should Social Security be privatized?" while Romney is "con."
3. Barack Obama is "pro" while all nine Republicans are "con" to the question "Are the March 2011 health care reform laws good for America?"
4. Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico, is the only Republican "pro" to the question "Should abortion remain a legal option in America?"
5. Ron Paul, U.S. Congressman (R-TX), is the only Republican "pro" to the question "Is it appropriate to build the 'Ground Zero Mosque' near the World Trade Center?" Obama is also a "pro."

ProCon.org normally launches a new website when it is considered complete; however, it has made an exception with its 2012 presidential election website so that readers can learn more about the candidates and their views as upcoming primaries and caucuses get nearer.

For more information on the 2012 presidential election, visit http://2012election.procon.org.

About Us

ProCon.org (online at www.procon.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity whose mission is promoting critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship.  Information is presented on 43 different ProCon.org issue websites in subjects ranging from abortion, alternative energy, and medical marijuana to the death penalty, illegal immigration, and health care reform.

ProCon.org websites are free of charge and require no registration.  The websites have been referenced by over 400 media entities, cited 36 times by the governments of 11 countries (including 17 U.S. states and seven US federal agencies), and used in over 1,950 schools in all 50 U.S. states and 38 countries.

Media/Press Coverage of ProCon.org Includes: 60 Minutes, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, BBC, Bloomberg, Business Week, CBS News, CNN, CNBC, Contra Costa Times, Dallas Morning News, Esquire, Forbes, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, FOX News, The Guardian, Houston Chronicle, Huffington Post, Idaho Press-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Mother Jones, NBC News, New England Journal of Medicine, New York Times, Orange County Register, The Oregonian, Orlando Sentinel, PBS, Reuters, Shreveport Times, Slate, USA Today, Washington Post, Wired, and many others.

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