The devil's in the details: our guide to the candidates

With the Iowa caucuses (Jan. 3) and the New Hampshire primary (Jan. 8) just around the corner, you can't flip on the television, pick up a newspaper or log on to YouTube without encountering images of a weepy Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton trying to soften her edges or Rudy Giuliani perusing holiday tchotchkes at a barn in New Hampshire. The pundits are opining endlessly over minutia like whether the fact that John Edwards prefers campaigning in jeans or that Mike Huckabee used to be fat will help or hurt their chances in the presidential sweepstakes. And what of the impact of Oprah's endorsement of Barack Obama? We're guessing it's got more heft than Sen. Joe Lieberman's nod to candidate Sen. John McCain and Clinton's endorsement from Babs combined. Obviously, we're just as guilty of contributing to the media cacophony, especially given the fact that Massachusetts voters will be going to the polls on Feb. 5, about month earlier than we usually do.

For the past year, we've heard candidates parse, parry, flip-flop, backtrack and nip/tuck their positions on LGBT issues. The Democratic candidates have done this all the while promising to advance a pro-gay agenda: All of the Dem contenders support repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and parts, or all, of DOMA. With the exception of Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former U.S. senator Mike Gravel, who both support marriage equality, all of the candidates support civil unions. All have expressed support for federal benefits for same-sex partners, immigration equality, trans-inclusive ENDA and hate crimes bills, comprehensive sex education and increased HIV/AIDS funding. Meanwhile, the Republicans for the most part have tried to sugarcoat their anti-gay views with bland statements about tolerance. While it would appear that support for LGBT rights breaks down along party lines our attentions have turned up some little nuggets that might make you wonder.

For Democratic voters concerned about LGBT rights maybe it's time to look more closely at which candidates have actually been able to produce results and been willing to show leadership on the issues. Sure, all of the Dems want to do away with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but why haven't any of the sitting senators in the race introduced a version of a House bill to do just that? Mmmm.

For Republican voters concerned about LGBT rights, well, maybe there's a lesser evil somewhere in the pack.

Either way, our handy-dandy guide to the presidential contenders aims to give you a closer look at the candidates. Hope it helps you pick a winner.