Campaign Trail Results: Game #1366976
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Jesse Jackson
- Difficulty Level: Impossible
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- George Bush | 535 | 56,083,189 | 60.80 |
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 3 | 34,734,443 | 37.66 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 915,630 | 0.99 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 510,385 | 0.55 |
Visits:
- Mississippi:4
- Missouri:3
- Arkansas:2
- Alabama:1
- Iowa:1
- Kansas:1
Answers:
- 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?It's probably a little better to take the attack to George Bush. We will obviously give Massachusetts some mention, but it is not the main focus.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?We prefer to run a positive campaign, focusing on our own policies and beliefs.
- Is it true that you are a “card-carrying” member of the American Civil Liberties Union?I'm proud to be a member of the American Civil Liberties Union.
- 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.
- How will you address the Iran-Contra scandal as you campaign for President?We prefer to focus on issues of policy and economics in this election, and not on political scandals.
- 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?I have ordered a halt to this program, albeit too late in this case. We will immediately counterattack these charges with examples of federal furloughs gone awry under the Reagan Administration.
- The Bush campaign is attacking your opposition to the invasion of Grenada, and bombing of Libya. What is your response?We need to change the imagery on this issue. Let's do a photo-op of me riding in a tank.
- 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?It's important to remain above the fray and continue with the positive message of our campaign.
- 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?We would do better to focus on political views and attacks, rather than reemphasize my own heritage.
- What is your opinion on the selection of Dan Quayle as George Bush's running mate?We don't plan to focus on Dan Quayle much in this campaign.
- What do you have to say about the selection of Jesse Jackson as your running mate?Jesse Jackson was the second-highest vote-getter during the Democratic primaries, and we are proud to have him on the ticket to unite our party.
- Attack ads have developed a habit of showing you and Jesse Jackson shaking hands. Do you have any comment?I'm proud to stand for election with Jesse Jackson as my running mate. Let the so-called attack ads keep coming.
- What is your position on capital punishment?I believe that capital punishment is ineffective at reducing crime, and is not applied in an equal manner. I do not support the practice.
- Are you willing to rule out any further increases to the federal income tax, if elected President?Read my lips. There will be no new taxes under my Administration.
- Would you support a free trade zone, encompassing Mexico, the U.S., and Canada?I'm predisposed to support this measure, but of course it depends on the specific negotiations that would play out.
- 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?This is getting it completely backwards. American families have every right to defend themselves from America's crime epidemic.
- What measures should be taken to assist states, such as Texas, which have been hurt by the recent crash in oil prices?We need to form a comprehensive energy strategy and re-implement price supports for domestic oil production.
- Could more have been done to prevent the current farm crisis, which has devastated the upper Midwest?We need to increase the support for American agriculture by fighting for exports in our trade deals -- with the Soviet Union, Mexico, and elsewhere.
- 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?I'd prefer to avoid that kind of thing if we can.