Campaign Trail Results: Game #1250581

This Game:

  • Year: 1988
  • Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
  • Running Mate: John Glenn
  • 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 %
---- George Bush37747,139,22451.58
---- Michael Dukakis16143,145,13847.21
---- Lenora Fulani/Other0681,2350.75
---- Ron Paul0433,1030.47

Visits:

  • California:3
  • Ohio:3
  • Illinois:1
  • Michigan:1
  • Missouri:1
  • Montana:1
  • New Jersey:1
  • Pennsylvania:1

Answers:

  • How will you address the Iran-Contra scandal as you campaign for President?
    We will hammer on this theme, and particularly Mr. Bush's claim that he knew nothing about it. What kind of executive is he if he knew nothing about Iran-Contra?
  • What message will you most emphasize as you accept the Democratic Party nomination?
    I will take the attack to George Bush, who has all of the weaknesses of Ronald Reagan, with none of the strengths. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.
  • To what extent will you make your performance as Governor of Massachusetts a centerpiece of your campaign?
    We will strike a balance between emphasizing my own experience, along with making some attacks on George Bush.
  • How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?
    I grew up middle-class and intrinsically understand their concerns. Bush grew up as the millionaire son of a Senator, and has remained out of touch ever since.
  • Is it true that you are a “card-carrying” member of the American Civil Liberties Union?
    I don't share every belief that this group has, but I'm not going to cancel my membership because of some spurious insinuations from the right.
  • In 1977, you vetoed a law requiring teachers to begin the school day with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. What were you thinking?
    This is an attempt by Republicans to deflect attention from the unpopularity of their own candidate, Mr. Bush, and his elitist background and policies.
  • Do you believe that there should be federal funding for abortions?
    This is definitely taking things too far. The Roe v. Wade case is settled law, but federal funding for the practice is an entirely different matter.
  • The Bush campaign is attacking the Massachusetts prison furlough program, which included furloughs for convicted murderers. One such person, Willie Horton, killed again in Maryland. What is your response?
    Massachusetts has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. We need to turn the tables and attack Bush and Reagan relentlessly on the national crime rate.
  • The Bush campaign is attacking your opposition to the invasion of Grenada, and bombing of Libya. What is your response?
    We need to counterattack Reagan and Bush for the pointless increases in defense spending, which have destroyed the federal budget this decade.
  • The Bush campaign has repeatedly called you a “liberal” or “the liberal Governor”, and so on. Do you embrace the label of “liberal”?
    The Bush campaign continues to use dishonest language to scare the American people. I'm a pragmatist and a moderate Democrat. Bush is the real extremist in this race.
  • The Bush campaign is highlighting the pollution in Boston Harbor to counter your claims of a Massachusetts Miracle. How will you respond?
    I think it would make a good TV ad if we went to Texas and spoke with some of the people who have been put out of work by the oil crash there. Let's ask them how they feel about the Reagan economy.
  • Television advertising is coming to dominate the political campaign season. Where should the greatest emphasis be placed in your ads?
    Let's attack the Reagan deficit, Bush's performance as Vice President, and mix in some spots to defend against Bush's dishonest allegations on various issues.
  • To what extent will you campaign focus on your background as the child of Greek immigrants, and your rise through American society?
    I want to run a series of compare-and-contrast advertisements, comparing my own humble background with that of George Bush.
  • What is your opinion on the selection of Dan Quayle as George Bush's running mate?
    Dan Quayle is obviously unqualified to serve as President, should the need arise, and his selection is most certainly a red flag for the capabilities of George Bush.
  • What do you have to say about the selection of John Glenn as your running mate?
    John Glenn has served his home state of Ohio well for many years, and we are proud to have him on our national ticket.
  • What would you do as President to get the exploding crime rate in this country under control?
    We need more spending to counteract endemic poverty, and for drug treatment programs. We also need stricter gun control laws, and an end to capital punishment.
  • What is your position on capital punishment?
    I believe, if a state wishes to impose capital punishment, that it should have every right to do so.
  • Are you willing to rule out any further increases to the federal income tax, if elected President?
    I hope that this isn't necessary, but it would be irresponsible to rule anything out at the present time.
  • Are protectionist measures of some kind needed to counteract the dominance of Japan in foreign trade?
    We have taken too many steps to expand world trade without adequately protecting American workers from the consequences. I would definitely run a more protectionist Administration.
  • Do you support additional gun control measures at the federal level?
    I would only support limited steps on this issue, like a ban on “cop killer” bullets. Overall, I'm an opponent of increased gun control.
  • What will you do as President to reduce the federal deficit?
    We need to combine fiscal prudence with limited tax increases on our most prosperous citizens.
  • What measures should be taken to assist states, such as Texas, which have been hurt by the recent crash in oil prices?
    We need more funding for federal programs to mitigate the worst effects of this downturn.
  • Could more have been done to prevent the current farm crisis, which has devastated the upper Midwest?
    We could have stabilized this situation much earlier with aggressive intervention from the federal government. This is the type of thing I would have done if I were President.
  • Where will you spend your final day of the campaign?
    The Midwest. Especially Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.
  • Will you continue the tradition of debating your opponent in the month before the election?
    Let's do it.