Campaign Trail Results: Game #1027660
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Barack Obama
- Running Mate: Joe Biden
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Mitt Romney | 276 | 64,795,365 | 50.06 |
| ---- Barack Obama | 262 | 63,397,721 | 48.98 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 921,187 | 0.71 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 328,675 | 0.25 |
Visits:
- Pennsylvania:4
- Florida:2
- Iowa:2
- New Hampshire:2
- Virginia:2
Answers:
- A recent Supreme Court decision affirmed an Arizona law allowing officers to check suspected illegal immigrants for proof of immigration status. Do you think this law is a good idea?This is an unconscionable violation of civil rights and will certainly lead to racial profiling.
- Should the United States have been so quick to drop its support for Hosni Mubarak in 2011, given recent events in Egypt?We should have been more active in brokering a compromise solution between Mubarak and the protestors.
- How do you view the practice of hydraulic fracturing (aka 'fracking') in the Dakotas and elsewhere?It would be irresponsible of me to speculate on this practice without a thorough understanding of the facts. One of the first things I will do after the election is to establish a bipartisan commission to fully investigate this issue, and to present its recommendations.
- Would you support posting active U.S. Army troops on the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigration and drug smuggling?I don't agree with that course of action. The Border Patrol is in place to do just that job.
- What is your position on gay marriage?Gay marriage should be protected at the federal level. The Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed.
- Do you support allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire for high-income households at the end of 2012?I support letting the cuts expire. It's time that wealthy Americans paid their fair share for the opportunities our society gives to them.
- What do you think we should do next in regards to Social Security?With minor changes like an increase to the retirement age and means testing after a certain benefit level, we can ensure the solvency of this program long into the future.
- The Affordable Care Act (i.e. 'Obamacare') will cap annual premiums, require minimum coverage levels, and outlaw discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. What do you think?I'm convinced that this program will work. This is a good compromise allowing private insurers to conduct business, while securing access to health insurance for more Americans. If anything, the increased transparency will reduce insurance costs.
- The maximum duration of unemployment insurance, with all extensions factored in, has been reduced from 99 weeks. Do you think this is appropriate in the current economic climate?That is nearly two years. We need unemployment benefits but these extensions were clearly out of control.
- Is it time for the federal government to cut spending, even with the economy growing at less than 2% annually?Yes it is. One of the biggest obstacles to private sector capital investment is the size and debt of the federal government. The current stagnation in the economy is evidence of this fact.
- Would you consider a default on some U.S. debt obligations if the financial situation of the country continues to deteriorate?We need to consider all options. A controlled debt writedown just might be the best way to reignite the world economy, which is suffering from an abundance of bad debt at the current moment.
- How do you feel about capitalism and the free market?We need greater cooperation between government and corporations. I'm not opposed to government investments and even ownership of key industries, where appropriate.
- How much attack advertising will your campaign use?A substantial amount. We cannot afford to let ourselves get rolled over by false and misleading claims from our opponent.
- Should large banks like Chase, Citibank, and Bank of America be broken up to reduce the risk of another financial crisis?We have passed the Dodd-Frank Act to analyze systemic risks to the financial system.
- Tell us how you feel about the Keystone Pipeline.Now isn't the best time to decide this. Perhaps in 2013 we can make a rational decision that is not influenced by politics.
- Your former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is currently engaged in a high-profile struggle with the Chicago Teachers Union. Do you hope that he succeeds?I think Rahm's demands are reasonable. We have to do something to improve education in Chicago.
- Some on the left thought that you were not very vigorous in your opposition to the anti-union policies of Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin. What do you have to say about this?I'm no fan of Scott Walker, but I thought the recall effort was taking things a step too far.
- Many people speculate that the Affordable Health Care Act is the first step on the road to socialized medicine. Can you address these concerns?These fears are absolutely unfounded. The increased transparency and accountability of a private insurance marketplace will actually serve to reduce health care costs.
- Elizabeth Warren is currently fighting the good fight in the Massachusetts Senate race. Would you be open to offering her a position in your Administration if she falls short there?Let's hope it doesn't come to that. She is a brilliant, talented woman and no matter what happens, there will always be a place for her in government.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Democratic Convention?I will talk about the myriad methods that the Republicans use to divide our country. I will remind everyone that Democrats are truly the party of the common person -- regardless of background or income level.
- Do you think Hillary Clinton would make a good Presidential candidate in 2016?Hillary Clinton is a wonderful, talented woman and I wish her all the best if she decides to pursue that course in four years.
- The 2012 Federal Highway Bill that you signed bars the use of federal funds for red-light traffic cameras. Do you agree with this provision?Of course I agree with this. I am a little uncomfortable with using federal funds for those types of cameras.
- Be perfectly honest. How do you like Mitt Romney as a person?Mitt Romney is a great American success story. His efforts over the years have been admirable. I just don't think he has the best policies in mind for America.
- What is your guiding foreign policy philosophy?Human Rights -- It's past time that we cut allegiances with dictators like the House of Saud and truly lived up to our ideals. I will only support or give aid to democratically elected leaders.
- In the most general terms, what will be your overall campaign strategy against Romney?We will attack Mitt Romney relentlessly. He has flip-flopped on key issues and he destroyed thousands of jobs at Bain Capital. He is out of touch with the American people, and he's attacking us for a health care plan that is nearly identical to his own plan in Massachusetts.
