Meet the GOP Presidential Candidates

Meet the four Republican presidential candidates. — Candidate photos by Getty Images, flag and buttons by iStockphoto

With the presidential campaign finally in high gear — with the Iowa caucuses, the first contest of the season, behind us — four candidates remain in the field. This political season, more so than others in recent memory, is generating debates about programs that most matter to older Americans — Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — as well as such important issues as jobs, the economy, taxes and retirement security.

Where do the four GOP candidates stand on the key issues? Read our profiles of Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum to find out, and to learn more about them.

You can also watch video interviews with some current and former candidates that cover four of the key issues: Social Security, Medicare, jobs and the economy, and retirement security.

In November 2011, AARP invited the six GOP candidates who were polling at 5 percent or better in Iowa (as measured by recognized public opinion surveys) to participate in 20-minute interviews on the four issues. Four candidates (Michele Bachmann, Gingrich, Paul and Perry) accepted the invitation; two (Herman Cain and Romney) declined. The candidates were interviewed by Dave Price of WHO-TV, the NBC affiliate in Des Moines, on Nov. 4.

(Four candidates have dropped out of the race: Cain on Dec. 3, 2011, Bachmann on Jan. 4, 2012, Huntsman on Jan. 16 and Perry on Jan. 19.)

You can select segments dealing with the issues that most interest you or watch the 20-minute interviews in their entirety.

Also of interest: AARP’s voter education guide.