Campaign Trail Results: Game #1269528
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Lloyd Bentsen
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
JohnDonihoo
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 280 | 45,361,071 | 49.88 |
| ---- George Bush | 258 | 44,648,411 | 49.10 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 511,961 | 0.56 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 418,214 | 0.46 |
Visits:
- Texas:5
- Florida:2
- Michigan:2
- Alabama:1
- New Mexico: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 am a capable, pragmatic leader who will bring the Massachusetts Miracle to bear on a national scale. We will move past Reagan's scandals and into the future.
- To what extent will you make your performance as Governor of Massachusetts a centerpiece of your campaign?Unlike George Bush, I have led the executive branch of government. I will make Massachusetts a centerpiece of my campaign.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?We oversaw the Massachusetts Miracle. Bush has remained out of the loop on key Reagan scandals, and lacked the judgment to suspend dealings with Noriega.
- 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 was in line with a 1943 decision from the Supreme Court. It seemed highly likely at the time that this law was going to be struck down by the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
- Do you believe that there should be federal funding for abortions?I support any federal effort to increase the health and well-being of women in America.
- 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?I supported both of these actions in general. I criticized specific aspects of their implementation. I'm interested to know why Bush would distort the truth on this.
- The Bush campaign has repeatedly called you a “liberal” or “the liberal Governor”, and so on. Do you embrace the label of “liberal”?I'm a liberal in the tradition of Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman and John Kennedy. Americans will appreciate that on election day.
- 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 focus on my record as a Greek immigrant who has risen to the highest positions in American life, along with my competence and liberal values.
- 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.
- To what extent will you attack George Bush's relationship with Manuel Noriega of Panama?I want to see us running ads on TV, criticizing this relationship. Along with Iran-Contra and Dan Quayle, this episode really brings up questions about Bush's competence.
- What do you have to say about the selection of Lloyd Bentsen as your running mate?Lloyd Bentsen has been involved in the government of this country since 1948. He is eminently qualified to advise our Administration from the first day.
- Your running mate, Lloyd Bentsen, is widely believed to have defeated Dan Quayle in the Vice Presidential debate. Will you come back to this moment in your TV ads or speeches?The selection of Dan Quayle as a running mate is deeply concerning, for what it says about Bush himself as much as anything.
- 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?Our first resort should be to negotiate with Japan and take steps to enhance the competitiveness of American industry. But I wouldn't take anything off the table.
- 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 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.