Campaign Trail Results: Game #1336526
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Mitt Romney
- Running Mate: Paul Ryan
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Barack Obama | 332 | 65,631,552 | 51.14 |
| ---- Mitt Romney | 206 | 61,497,415 | 47.92 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 889,986 | 0.69 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 315,119 | 0.25 |
Visits:
- New Hampshire:3
- Florida:2
- Ohio:2
- Colorado:1
- Iowa:1
- Nevada:1
- Virginia:1
- Wisconsin: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 dislike Fidel Castro as much as anyone. We should keep the embargo but also look for other ways to democratize that country.
- Some involved with the space program have suggested sending astronauts to Mars, or even forming moon colonies. What is your take?I think that's a question for the free market to decide. I don't think it's appropriate for NASA or somebody to launch an expensive program just for the sake of it.
- Do you believe the federal government is doing enough to enforce laws against employing illegal immigrants?E-Verify is a good start, but too many companies don't use it. It should be mandatory for any employer hiring more than a few employees.
- 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.
- Do you have an opinion on net neutrality?Internet service providers should have a right to charge fair value for the service they provide. I'm not comfortable with anything that would regulate their ability to serve their customers.
- To what extent should offshore drilling be permitted in the Gulf of Mexico?We need this oil to put America on a path towards energy independence.
- 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.
- 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.
- We have now had 10 years to analyze the effects of the No Child Left Behind Act. Do you think it is time for a change?There is a danger of 'teaching to the test'. We do need some testing in place, but to do so on an annual basis is too frequent and interferes with good educational practice.
- 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?The tactic of 'gunwalking' led directly to the death of a Border Patrol agent. If we see people breaking the law, it makes no sense not to punish them. I would support the removal of Eric Holder as Attorney General.
- 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?This is the wrong way to reform the American health care system. We should be focusing on malpractice reform and on cutting red tape for private insurers.
- The maximum duration of unemployment insurance, with all extensions factored in, has been reduced from 99 weeks. Do you think this is appropriate in the current economic climate?Some economists estimate that the unemployment rate would be 1-2% lower if unemployment benefits were not so long in duration.
- Do you have any comment to make on the performance of Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve?No comment as of now. I will deliberate very carefully as to whether Bernanke should be reappointed, but for the moment it's not appropriate for politicans to address the performance of the Federal Reserve.
- 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?The U.S.-China relationship has destroyed middle class jobs for close to three decades. We need drastic changes including more protection for American manufacturing.
- Would you consider a default on some U.S. debt obligations if the financial situation of the country continues to deteriorate?Under no circumstances would the United States consider that as a course of action.
- 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.
- The Supreme Court will be deciding an affirmative action case this fall involving the University of Texas. Should colleges be allowed to consider the race of an applicant when deciding whether to admit them?I oppose discrimination in all of its forms. Colleges should be forced to admit based on the merit of their applications, in a color-blind fashion.
- Federal funding for Community Health Centers has more than doubled in the past ten years to over $2 billion annually. Is this an example of out of control government spending?Some money for these programs is fine. This particular one is definitely too large and should not continue to increase in size while the rest of our economy is struggling.
- What is the best way to make college more affordable for young people?Get the government out of higher education. Federal guarantees for student loans plus exorbitant funding for student grants combine to guarantee massive inflation in this area.
- In the past you have expressed varying opinions about abortion. Can you reassure the evangelical Christian movement that you are 100% pro-life in all circumstances?We have to be realistic. I am pro-life in most cases, but we also need exceptions for cases of rape and incest. I do agree, however, that taxpayers should never be forced to finance this practice.
- How does your insurance plan in Massachusetts differ from Obamacare?My plan was effective for Massachusetts because that state has better human capital. The United States as a whole has too much obesity, diabetes, and chronic illness to make collective insurance viable.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Republican Convention?I will emphasize the point that the Republican Party has a big tent. We are the party for anyone who tries to work hard and get ahead in America.
- 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 Obama?My surrogates have plenty of points to make about the failure of the Obama Administration. As the nominee, I will take the high road and stick to a message of optimism and American renewal.