Campaign Trail Results: Game #1222301
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 | 348 | 70,221,677 | 54.11 |
| ---- Barack Obama | 190 | 58,178,485 | 44.83 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 1,020,592 | 0.79 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 344,464 | 0.27 |
Visits:
- Ohio:3
- Pennsylvania:3
- Florida:2
- Colorado:1
- Minnesota:1
- New York:1
- Virginia:1
Answers:
- Some observers have argued that an embargo of Cuba makes little sense in a post Cold War environment. What do you think?I absolutely agree. The embargo against Cuba is a disgrace.
- 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?I don't want to comment on an issue that is best left to the voters of Arizona.
- Should the United States contribute funds to help stabilize the European Union's sovereign debt problems, in order to prevent a possible debt contagion?I support a bailout of the European Union if necessary. Waiting until this debt contagion causes a double-dip recession in the U.S. is not an option.
- How long should U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan?As long as it takes to ensure their transition to democracy. We cannot let the Taliban undermine us, or we may soon witness further terrorist attacks like those of 9-11.
- 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 The Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed.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.
- Michigan was one of the hardest hit states in the recent recession. Do you support higher taxes on foreign vehicles while that auto industry regroups in that state?Absolutely. We need to create an environment where American products can compete fairly with foreign imports.
- In general, do you think bilingual education programs are a good idea?Absolutely. It it discriminatory not to allow American students to learn in their native languages.
- Should all private insurance plans be required to cover contraceptives and birth control?This is a fundamental right for women. Birth control speaks to the heart of controlling one's own destiny in life, and using it has practical health benefits as well.
- 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.
- Do you think the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon could be a model for broader federal legislation on the issue?A huge portion of our health care costs are accrued in the final few days of life. We need to overcome our prejudices and bring a more open mind to this issue.
- Do you see any need for a United States Institute of Peace?This agency performs valuable research on how to avoid future conflicts. It will pay for itself many times over if it succeeds at that mission.
- Apple's use of cheap, Chinese labor via Foxconn has increased the visibility of labor conditions in that country. Do you think that China competes unfairly with the U.S. by denying basic rights to its workers?Any trade deals should be negotiated with a fair balance between American and Chinese interests. China is not doing enough to protect the rights of their workers, which gives them an unfair advantage in global trade.
- Should American workers have the right to invest their Social Security withholdings in private accounts?We definitely need to make some changes to the Social Security program, but this is going too far.
- 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.
- What actions do you support to mitigate the effects of climate change?We should have more laws and regulations to reduce our total carbon emissions. Sensible next steps include some combination of a cap-and-trade program domestically, as well as international agreements with other nations.
- Some theorists have suggested that the government create guaranteed jobs at the federal minimum wage, to help support the labor market. Is this something that you would consider?There are better ways to help the poor among us.
- 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.
- 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.
- Would you support an Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution to protect women's rights?Absolutely I would. We need to reaffirm our collective commitment to this issue.
- 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?Behind the scenes my surrogates have plenty of dirt to spread about Romney and the Republicans. As President, I will stick to a message of optimism and hope in my own campaign speeches.
- 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?Of course I am opposed to the policies of Scott Walker. The only reason I wasn't in Wisconsin on the day of his recall election was that I needed to campaign in more competitive states to maximize our chances of winning this fall.
