Campaign Trail Results: Game #1391898
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Mitt Romney
- Running Mate: Marco Rubio
- 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 | 347 | 68,057,098 | 52.86 |
| ---- Mitt Romney | 191 | 59,382,092 | 46.12 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 987,091 | 0.77 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 334,357 | 0.26 |
Visits:
- Florida:5
- Ohio:4
- Pennsylvania:2
- North Carolina:1
Answers:
- 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?The proper authority for enforcement rests with the federal government. This law goes further than federal laws and even if constitutional, should be repealed.
- How do you view the practice of hydraulic fracturing (aka 'fracking') in the Dakotas and elsewhere?It would be irresponsible of me to speculate on this practice without a thorough understanding of the facts. One of the first things I will do after the election is to establish a bipartisan commission to fully investigate this issue, and to present its recommendations.
- 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?I support the hardworking teachers and firefighters of Ohio and elsewhere.
- 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?I will defer to military brass on this question. They should do whatever best protects American interests and the safety of our troops.
- Do you support allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire for high-income households at the end of 2012?Our most productive citizens need further tax cuts to stimulate business confidence, investment, and further job creation.
- Overall, are you satisfied with the trade relationship between the U.S. and China?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.
- Michigan was one of the hardest hit states in the recent recession. Do you support higher taxes on foreign vehicles while that auto industry regroups in that state?Most foreign companies also build their cars in the United States and employ thousands of Americans. This policy would be like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
- Should middle school students learn about contraception in health class, or will this simply encourage them to experiment?I'm going to defer to local administrators on that question. That's not something the President should be involved with.
- 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.
- Should Angela Merkel be doing more to preserve to Euro as the European Union's common currency?If Merkel fails in this mission, we all will be affected negatively. I have the utmost faith that she realizes this and will act accordingly.
- Would you consider a default on some U.S. debt obligations if the financial situation of the country continues to deteriorate?We need to consider all options. A controlled debt writedown just might be the best way to reignite the world economy, which is suffering from an abundance of bad debt at the current moment.
- What is your opinion on the Tea Party movement?Conservatives operate under the "big tent" philosophy. This is just one of many valued groups within the conservative umbrella.
- Would you advocate cutting Peace Corps funding to help address the deficit?This is a valuable component of our international presence. We should maintain the funding we have in place, which is miniscule in proportion to our overall budget.
- Should federal fuel taxes be slightly increased (they have been the same since 1993) to avoid another catastrophe like the Minnesota bridge collapse of 2007?There are better ways of funding our federal highway projects than with another increase to the gas tax, especially given how much prices have risen in the past few years.
- The most recent data (for 2010) on Pell Grants indicate that 60% of all college students receive one. In that same year, the program cost $36 billion. What changes, if any, would you recommend to this program?Students are the future of this country and they need all the help they can get to make it through college, especially considering how much tuition has been increased over the past few years.
- Some theorists have suggested that the government create guaranteed jobs at the federal minimum wage, to help support the labor market. Is this something that you would consider?This sounds like a political non-starter. It's an interesting idea but let's steer the conversation towards something more productive.
- Is there too much regulation of the American logging industry?We need some rational management of our nation's resources, but I think too often we err on the side of caution when it comes to utilizing our nation's timber.
- After episodes such as the 'flash crash' in 2010, would you support a small financial transactions tax, with the sole purpose being to target high-frequency trading systems?I'm confident that the Financial Stability Oversight Council, created by the Dodd-Frank bill, will be effective in preventing excessive risk in the financial sector.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Republican Convention?I will hammer on the theme that Obama has completely failed the United States as President. He has presided over the largest deficit increases and highest unemployment rate in almost a hundred years.
- 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.
- Do you have any plans to offer Sarah Palin a role in your Administration?I don't want to promise or not promise anything at this point. We will review all qualified candidates after we win this election in November.
- In the most general terms, what will be your overall campaign strategy against Obama?I will emphasize the conservatism of my views and my governing philosophy. I will remind the American people that I am strong on defense and that I'm pro-life, pro-free market, pro-business, and deeply religious.