Campaign Trail Results: Game #1203328
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1976
- Player Candidate: Gerald Ford
- Running Mate: John Connally
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Jimmy Carter | 309 | 40,831,659 | 50.10 |
| ---- Gerald Ford | 229 | 39,002,272 | 47.86 |
| ---- Other Candidates | 0 | 884,096 | 1.08 |
| ---- Eugene McCarthy | 0 | 782,475 | 0.96 |
Visits:
- Texas:5
- Ohio:4
- California:3
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?A couple of bad jokes shouldn't ruin someone's career. Let's keep him on board.
- 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.I've tried to explain to her that we have an election coming up, and we don't need all this bad press, but she won't listen.
- 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?This is great. We need any good news we can get at this point.
- You have selected John Connally as your running mate. Can you speak a little more about that?Connally was a loyal Democrat for many years, but anyone can see how their party has lurched away from the mainstream. I think he can remind Americans that Republicans are the sensible, governing party in this country.
- 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?This is definitely something that deserves a reprimand at the very least. I don't agree with these views.
- 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.We have to consider each case individually. New York was a one time thing, and they also had to make significant reforms before this loan was approved.
- 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."?I don't really have a strong statement to make on this Amendment. This is an issue for Congress and the states to decide.
- 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 am opposed to these plans and believe that the courts have erred greatly.
- Do you believe that the United States can afford a reduction in defense spending?As President I will remain vigilant against the Soviet threat. Under no circumstances would I decrease our defense budget.
- What is your opinion on abortion, and specifically the recent Roe v. Wade decision?I will uphold the law as President, but I think it should be left to each state to decide. I would support an Amendment on this issue.
- Do you think that the tax cuts in early 1975 were the right economic policy for this country?This was a good policy. Our economy has rebounded considerably since early 1975, and millions of new jobs have been created.
- How can we best prevent another episode like the 1973 oil crisis, which paralyzed the country?We need to do anything we can, including reducing our consumption, working for peace deals, producing domestically, and stabilizing our relationships with oil-producing allies.
- 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.
- Do you think that the Panama Canal should be turned back over to Panama?Absolutely not. The United States built this canal and it is a central part of world commerce. Who knows what might happen if we put Panama in charge.
- 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.
- 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.
- What are your feelings in the Gregg v. Georgia case, recently decided, that allows capital punishment in the U.S.?This is a positive step forward for our criminal justice system. Certain crimes, like murder, demand such punishment if true justice is to prevail.
- Where will you focus your efforts on the last day before the election?The Midwest is critical. We'll hit as many states as we can between Iowa and Ohio.