The president elect opposes abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman. He would sign legislation outlawing "partial birth" abortion, cut federal funds for family planning services and ban overseas aid for abortion services.
The issue of abortion became very important before the election because of similarities between the candidates on other areas. Al Gore supported abortion and a woman's right to choose.
18 October: Barbara Bush sent in to win swing on abortion
Defence
Mr Bush has pledged to increase defence spending and give military personnel better pay and conditions. On missile defence, he would pursue ambitious programmes to protect US and allies from rogue nations. He would retain the "don't ask, don't tell" approach to the issue of gays in the armed forces.
The US should, he says, make big reductions in its nuclear arsenal, unilaterally if necessary - regardless of what Russia does. Mr Bush believes that the US must build its infamous "son of star wars" national missile defence system, NMD, hotly opposed by Russia, China and all of Europe.
As a sweetener for the programme, however, he says that Europe and Israel would benefit from NMD's protection. It would be an allied matter and even Japan could be covered.
But some scientists believe NMD - based on missiles knocking out incoming missiles - may never work well enough to justify its $60bn (£40bn) costs. Mr Bush argues it will leave the US better protected against "rogue states" host of potentially missile-wielding new enemies (North Korea, Iran, Iraq).
25 May: Comment - Bush 's missile project is insane
8 November: Stay at home Bush no friend of foreign affairs
Environment
Mr Bush's election victory is a disaster for the planet, according to green activists. He opposes the Kyoto treaty, would give tax breaks for controversial ethanol use and supports state efforts to reduce pollution from coal-fired power stations.
He also supports opening the Alaska reserve to oil and gas exploration. Mr Gore supported Kyoto and would have protected Alaska and introduced tax breaks for environmentally friendly homes, cars and businesses.
Critics of Mr Bush say he seems to know little, and care less, about non-military global threats such as climate change, desertification, Aids, population growth, poverty in the developing world and third world debt.
20 November: Analysis: Unless the winner wakes up to global warming, we'll all be the losers
Taxes
Mr Bush's tax plans formed the centrepiece of his election platform. He proposes to cut $483bn of taxes over five years, which he says would simplify the income tax system eliminating one bracket. He would cut tax rates for all Americans, increase child credits and phase out the estate tax.
But Mr Bush's detractors say his tax plans are reckless and inflationary and could stop the American economic "miracle" in its tracks and ultimately trigger a worldwide recession.
Mr Bush's policies appear to be geared without discrimination in favour of the rich. Mr Gore promised less than half the amount of tax cuts as Mr Bush, with the Democrats being mainly subsidies to middle and working class families.
Mr Bush will start privatising social security, while Mr Gore would have spent $400bn on health care - insurance for the low-paid and free drugs for the elderly. Mr Bush says he will spend a quarter of that.
22 January: Bush stakes all on promise to half taxes
Healthcare
Mr Bush wants to reduce the number of people without insurance by subsidising their ability to buy private coverage. He would expand medical savings accounts and make the cost of long-term care tax deductible. Mr Gore had promised to move closer to universal coverage.
Mr Bush supports US military disengagement in the Balkans and still regards China and Russia as potential enemies.
He is seen by critics as allied to rightwing unilateralists or neo-isolationists, who undermine the UN, ridicule concepts of nation-building, cut the foreign aid budget, wage trade wars and block or emasculate international treaties.
Democrats say Mr Bush would besiege and bully out-of-favour countries with sanctions and threats, and that he believes European allies are not pulling their weight.
1 November: Would he do what he did in Texas?
Education
While Mr Gore favoured spending $115bn on educatio over the next 10 years - a 50% rise in an area traditionally left to states and localities - Mr Bush wants to rearrange school structures rather than spend anything like that kind of money.
He has, however, declared a passion for education investment. Congress, Mr Bush has said, should not balance the budget "on the backs of the poor".
24 July: Education, education, education
Guns
It is unlikely that Mr Bush will alter gun policies one jot. The vice president elect, Dick Cheney, is also against any ban on handguns. Mr Gore had promised a crackdown on handgun ownership, arguing too many were falling into the hands of children and criminals.
4 November: Gun lobby to spend $10m fighting Gore
Related stories
George W Bush profile - Guardian Unlimited
6 November: Winner could be he who does not take it all
4 November: Bush in his own words
27 October: Experts finger Bush as a big spender
20 January: Bush leads charge of death brigade
Useful sites
Vision for America - George W Bush's policies
George W Bush 2000 campaign homepage
Spoof site - George W Bush
