Campaign Trail Results: Game #1243756
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1844
- Player Candidate: Henry Clay
- Running Mate: Millard Fillmore
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Henry Clay | 195 | 1,358,358 | 49.25 |
| ---- James K. Polk | 80 | 1,313,929 | 47.64 |
| ---- James Birney | 0 | 85,743 | 3.11 |
| ---- John Tyler | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Answers:
- Do you believe that some revenue should be set aside from our tariffs to finance internal improvements, such as canals and roads?Only a very limited amount, for the most compelling projects. Otherwise the tariff should be for revenue purposes only.
- Martin Van Buren, Democrat and President until 1841, will be making a tour of the country to visit various friends and political figures. Will you extend the invitation for him to stay at your estate for a few days?This would be a strictly personal invite. We are friends. And besides, it might blunt some opposition to my candidacy from New York.
- What points will emphasize in your acceptance letter, as you accept the Whig nomination for President?I will strike a middle ground on the Texas question, supporting annexation so long as it doesn't lead to war with Mexico, or to significant opposition from any section of the country.
- What position will you take on the Texas annexation issue?This discussion has grown tiresome, but I will continue to advocate for a moderate solution on this issue.
- There have recently been riots and armed clashes between nativists and Irish immigrants in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Do you have any plans to condemn the Irish violence in these episodes?After a few days have passed and tempers have cooled, let us reemphasize our support for current naturalization laws.
- Cassius Clay, your cousin, has published a letter stating you are in accord with the abolitionist movement. How will you respond to this?We must put out a letter, clarifying that we only support abolition if slaveholders can be fairly compensated, with reasonable notice, and if freed slaves can be recolonized to Africa.
- There are a number of attacks which focus on your fondness for horse-racing, drinking, gambling, female conversation, and the like. Do you have a response to this?In anticipation of this attack, I've actually made some effort in the past year or so to scale back my amusements. I don't believe it is ever too late for a man to change their conduct.
- Do you plan to make any attacks against the Liberty Party, a radical abolitionist group that is fielding a third party candidate?Thomas Birney is a stooge of the Democrats, attempting to agitate emotions and divide our party. People ought to feel free to vote for him if they want to hand this election to James K. Polk.
- Do you still support the idea that the federal government should purchase the telegraph patent and manage the technology?I absolutely believe that the development of telegraph lines should take its place alongside canals, harbors, and railroads as a national prerogative.
- Was there really a bargain (a “Corrupt Bargain” to many) between yourself and John Quincy Adams which elevated him to the Presidency in 1825?I don't know how many times a man can deny an unjust allegation before fatigue sets in.
- Does it make sense to attack Northern Democrats as enablers and fellow travelers of the Southern slavery expansion?We should attack the Northern Democrats on their opposition to, or flip-flopping on, the issues of tariffs and internal improvements. They are on soft ground in that debate.
- Is there something you can do to give the Southern Whigs political cover from the incessant attacks that they are in league with an anti-slavery party?I am as much in favor of the annexation of Texas as Mr. Polk is. To insinuate otherwise is nothing but dishonesty writ large.
- What should your party's position be on the Tariff of 1842, which increased tariffs?The primary purpose of our tariffs should be revenue. But should a small amount of protection incidentally occur from our tariff policy, that is acceptable.
- What is your current position on the banking system?I stand for a national bank, broadly similar to the late Second Bank of the United States.
- Do you support an Amendment that would limit the President to a single term in office?I don't think that this is a necessary step, at this time.
- Do you support the lifting of the Gag Rule in Congress?Congress must function in an orderly fashion, without taking time out from its business to receive ill-conceived petitions. I support the Gag Rule.
- Aside from the issue of Texas, do you support the expansion of the United States in general? Into Oregon, other parts of Mexico, Cuba, etc.?I believe that the United States, in line with the “Manifest Destiny” ideal, should expand wherever feasible.
- Would you sign a law that lowered tariffs below the level needed to protect American industry from foreign imports?I would be forced to veto such a measure as President.
- Do you support any changes to our current naturalization laws?Only some very minor changes, like increasing the waiting period before new citizens may vote.
- Do you support any effort to establish a unified, national currency?I support a national bank, and one clear argument for the bank is the total chaos we've had with our currency since 1837.
- Do you agree with Robert Walker's letter, arguing that that slavery issue will be diluted by national expansion?We won't address Mr. Walker's letter directly, but we are in favor of annexation.
- Regardless of your personal feelings, would you sign an act which established an independent Treasury for the government's funds?I would prefer a national bank, but I would be willing to sign a bill which created an independent Treasury.
- What is your position on the Oregon boundary question?We need to be just as aggressive on this issue as we are anywhere else. “Fifty-four Forty or Fight!”
- Do you have any criticism of the authorities in Illinois, regarding their failure to properly protect Joseph Smith before his assassination in June?This is not an issue that we plan to address in our campaign.
- Is there a particular state where your party should concentrate its resources and most talented speakers as the election draws near?Virginia