THE CANDIDATES AND THE ISSUESTHE 1996 PRESIDENTIAL RACE HITS FULL STRIDE THIS WEEK WITH THE LOUISIANA CAUCUS ON TUESDAY. HERE ARE THE CONTENDERS' POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES.(MAIN)

Byline: Associated Press

BILL CLINTON:

Clinton -- ABORTION: Favors abortion rights and would not change law.

Clinton -- AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Supports affirmative action but directed federal departments to change any program that creates a quota or preference for unqualified people.

Clinton -- BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT: Opposes.

Clinton -- EDUCATION: Sponsored AmeriCorps program allowing students to pay off loans with community service. Expanded college loan program.

Clinton -- ENVIRONMENT: Expanded environmental protections but backpedaled on Western land reforms. Opposes GOP legislation that would base environmental decisions on cost assessments instead of health standards.

Clinton -- GUN CONTROL: Won ban on assault-type weapons and set waiting period for handgun purchases.

Clinton -- TAXES: In 1993, pushed through 4.3-cent increase in tax on gasoline and higher income taxes on wealthy to reduce deficit. One budget proposal would cut taxes by $96 billion over seven years.

Clinton -- WELFARE: Promises faster approval of reform experiments in states that want to set time limits on benefits, toughen welfare-to-work rules, require teen-age mothers on welfare to live at home and stay in school, and divert welfare money to employers who hire recipients. Washington would continue to have ultimate control.LAMAR ALEXANDER:

Alexander -- ABORTION: Opposes federal involvement and would give each state jurisdiction. Opposes constitutional amendment outlawing abortion.

Alexander -- AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Would curtail affirmative action programs. As Education secretary, barred race-based scholarships.

Alexander -- BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT: Favors.

Alexander -- EDUCATION: Wants to abolish Education Department, which he led during …