Campaign Trail Results: Game #1065837

This Game:

  • Year: 1976
  • Player Candidate: Gerald Ford
  • Running Mate: Bob Dole
  • Difficulty Level: Normal
  • Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
  • Game Played:
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View overall results, or a specific state:
CandidateElectoral VotesPopular VotesPop. Vote %
---- Jimmy Carter38942,410,32751.70
---- Gerald Ford14937,918,95146.23
---- Other Candidates0902,8511.10
---- Eugene McCarthy0792,2630.97

Visits:

  • California:6
  • Texas:6

Answers:

  • What will your overall campaign strategy be this year?
    I am the President of the United States and we should exploit that fact. Show me presiding over the Bicentennial, meeting with Queen Elizabeth, and generally looking like a President. My record speaks for itself.
  • A lot of voters are concerned about honesty and integrity in our government. What can you say about yourself in this aspect, particularly in light of your pardon of Richard Nixon?
    I will let the cameras into the White House so the people can see for themselves. I'm a normal, approachable, friendly President. I didn't spend my whole life trying to run for the office.
  • Your Secretary of Agriculture, Earl Butz, will be quoted in next week's Rolling Stone as making some very crude and racist jokes. Some have suggested you fire him before the article is released. What are your thoughts?
    I agree. We can't have this kind of thing on the Ford Administration. He should leave immediately.
  • There is talk of a Presidential Debate for the first time since 1960. Is this something that you're interested in doing?
    I think this is a good idea, and we need something to shake this campaign up.
  • Betty Ford is out there making some pretty bold statements about sexuality, marijuana, and other topics. Conservatives want to know if you can have a quiet chat with her to tone it down a bit.
    My wife's public approval rating is something like 75%. I wish I had her touch with the media.
  • You have vetoed a significant number of bills in your two years as President. What was your reasoning?
    Congress is simply too liberal to be a useful partner in government right now. I hope that the American people will elect Republican congressman to be my partners over the next four years.
  • Some of your operatives want to attack Carter for the way he has equivocated on abortion, gun control, busing, labor issues, and so on. Will you approve a series of ads labeling him as a "flip-flopper"?
    The American people deserve to hear the truth. I support this strategy.
  • Your campaign has just received a big break in the form of a controversial interview that Carter did with Playboy, where he confessed to "committing adultery in his heart" and used some coarse language. Any thoughts?
    I will hold a press conference and remind people that we really don't know anything about this guy. What other hidden, perverse notions does he have?
  • You have selected Bob Dole as your running mate. Can you speak a little more about that?
    Bob Dole is a staunch conservative who really sets the tone for the direction I want to take.
  • General George Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has made some comments that Israel has become a "burden" to the national defense effort. Do you agree with this?
    I disagree strongly and believe that General Brown should be removed from this position for such comments. Israel is one of our most valued allies.
  • What is your position on the federal government making loans to states or cities in need of financial help? An obvious recent example is the $2.3 billion bailout of New York city.
    I couldn't really comment until I saw what the specifics of the case would be.
  • What is your position on a pardon of Vietnam War draft evaders?
    Of course this war was controversial, but I oppose any pardon for people who evaded their military service. This would not send the right message in a future crisis.
  • Do you support the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which states "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."?
    We already have too many grounds for the federal government to interfere in the economy. This would add another new set of regulations that we can't afford.
  • What is your opinion on the court-ordered busing of students within school districts, in a way designed to achieve racial balance in our schools?
    I believe that ways can be found to minimize forced busing while also remaining true to the Nation's ideals and our educational goals.
  • Do you believe that the United States can afford a reduction in defense spending?
    I don't support cuts, to be sure, but neither do we need increases. We have made great strides in reducing tension with the Soviet Union.
  • What is your opinion on abortion, and specifically the recent Roe v. Wade decision?
    I'm personally opposed to abortion, but I respect this decision and will not try to overturn it.
  • Do you have a position on the gun control issue?
    Gun control is ineffective in reducing crime rates. I think a better option would be to examine our sentencing guidelines, and make sure that we put criminals in jail.
  • What is your position on right-to-work laws? Would you support a national bill to repeal Taft-Hartley and do away with right-to-work?
    I go more the other way on this issue. I think that more states should be right-to-work. Unions dangerously distort the economy and the political process.
  • Should there be a ban on nuclear weapons testing?
    This is an issue I'd have to consider carefully, but perhaps if we got the Soviet Union on board I'd be open to it.
  • The United States started selling large amounts of grain to the Soviet Union, in 1973. What is your opinion on this policy?
    This policy is a win-win for us. It helps our own farmers prosper, and it is a public relations victory for the world to see the Soviet Union depending on American enterprise.
  • In 1972, George McGovern proposed replacing the income tax exemption with a $1,000 guaranteed minimum income, for every American citizen. Are you interested in this type of proposal?
    This kind of idea is way off the mark. We need to focus on reducing the size of government and lowering taxes.
  • Could we have done more to save South Vietnam in 1975, such as air strikes or a limited engagement?
    We did our best in Vietnam, but unfortunately things didn't turn out the way we wanted.
  • Do you support the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act?
    This Act has no basis in economic reality. If we could wave a magic wand and ensure 3% unemployment and 0% inflation with a balanced budget and no trade deficit, do you think we wouldn't have done it already?
  • Would you support a law for universal health care in this country?
    Absolutely not. Not only would this ruin the federal budget, but it would also eliminate competition and lead to substandard health care for the vast majority of Americans.
  • Where will you focus your efforts on the last day before the election?
    We will hit the West Coast hard, from Washington, through Oregon, down to California.