Campaign Trail Results: Game #132276
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Barack Obama
- Running Mate: Joe Biden
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: No
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Mitt Romney | 273 | 64,103,140 | 49.76 |
| ---- Barack Obama | 265 | 63,364,578 | 49.19 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 946,007 | 0.73 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 405,834 | 0.32 |
Visits:
- Ohio:9
- Florida:3
Answers:
- Should the government be doing more to stabilize home prices?For the most part, I don't think that's appropriate. There are some limited areas, like relaxing restrictions on foreign ownership, where we can still help out.
- 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 have been so quick to drop its support for Hosni Mubarak in 2011, given recent events in Egypt?We have allowed one of the last moderate regimes in the Middle East to be replaced by Muslim fundamentalists. This is an unconscionable betrayal of our ally Israel and will harm American security.
- In November 2011, Ohio voters rejected a law to limit collective bargaining power for public unions. Do public sector unions such as teachers' and police unions have too much bargaining power?Collective bargaining in the public sector is one of the primary contributors to our exploding state deficits, which must eventually be subsidized by the federal government. I agree that the practice should end.
- Should the United States contribute funds to help stabilize the European Union's sovereign debt problems, in order to prevent a possible debt contagion?There's no way that the United States should be shipping money overseas to support a European-model welfare state. That would be the height of lunacy.
- There is currently a large amount of drug violence in Mexico near the U.S. border. What would you do as President to help stabilize this situation?I hate to keep coming back to this, but we need a wall at the border and we need to greatly step up our enforcement efforts. Longer prison sentences and a stronger DEA will reduce drug trafficking.
- What is your position on gay marriage?I'm opposed this personally. I think that, you know, different states have different opinions on this matter and it's best left to them to decide on the issue.
- Should military women serve in combat roles?Separate is inherently unequal. There is nothing preventing women from serving in combat roles.
- Do you support allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire for high-income households at the end of 2012?We should keep the tax cuts as is for the foreseeable future. I don't think it's sound economics to rise taxes on this group.
- Would you sign a bill to make English the Official Language of the United States?You know, that's a theoretical issue that is unlikely to come up, and I think we should move along to a discussion of the issues that concern Americans the most, like the economy and getting everyone back to work.
- What do you think we should do next in regards to Social Security?You know, the projected shortfall that people talk of, we're not even talking about the Trust Fund making a net payout until 2033. Maybe there are some tweaks we can make to the program, but it is fundamentally sound.
- Would it help our economy if government employment was increased? Or would this divert valuable resources from the private sector?It's dangerous to rely too much on government as opposed to the private sector. We shouldn't be looking at government spending and employment to resolve these issues.
- What is your opinion on the 'gunwalking' tactics that led to the 'Fast and Furious' scandal?This is a specialized occupational question that can best be answered by the ATF and the Department of Justice.
- 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?That's ridiculous. Of course not.
- 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.
- What actions do you support to mitigate the effects of climate change?Even if climate change is real, it's impossible to determine how much of it results from human action. It's just as possible that the earth is warming of its own accord, and it makes no sense to disrupt our economy and potentially cause a depression until we have more information.
- Is there too much regulation of the American logging industry?No, I don't think so. The last thing we need is a return to the abuses of the past.
- Some on the left have criticized your reliance on drone strikes to project American interests, stating that they lead to unnecessary civilian casualties. What can you say to this?I think some people need to grow up and view our national security in a more realistic fashion.
- Christina Romer -- formerly the Chairperson on your Council of Economic Advisors -- stated in 2009 that unemployment would be less than 6% by 2012 if the stimulus package was enacted. What went wrong, and did the results of the stimulus have any bearing on her resignation?First of all, this had no bearing on her decision to leave the Obama Administration. Secondly, the economy was in much worse shape in early 2009 than anyone realized. Since that time we have repeatedly tried to pass additional stimulus measures and have been thwarted by House Republicans at every opportunity.
- 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.
- Some liberals say that you have done more to help Wall Street banks than hard-working Americans. Are you open to a more universal program of mortgage write-downs if housing prices continue to decline?The financial system is unstable enough without bringing a policy like this into play. I think it is well-intentioned, but it wouldn't necessarily be very helpful.
- 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.
- What is your guiding foreign policy philosophy?American Exceptionalism -- Providence has given America to the world as an inspiration, and we must vigorously defend the ideals of peace and freedom wherever they may be threatened.
- In the most general terms, what will be your overall campaign strategy against Romney?I will promise a fresh start in overcoming the gridlock in Washington. In my second term I will reach out to moderates and sensible Republicans to find common, pragmatic solutions to our most pressing issues.