Campaign Trail Results: Game #1419395
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Al Gore
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 290 | 45,950,622 | 50.08 |
| ---- George Bush | 248 | 44,968,334 | 49.01 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 423,979 | 0.46 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 410,195 | 0.45 |
Visits:
- Texas:9
- California:2
- Georgia:1
Answers:
- 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 believe in a liberalism that benefits all Americans. Bush subscribes to Reagan's divisive, winner-take-all economic policies which have made the middle-class poorer.
- Is it true that you are a “card-carrying” member of the American Civil Liberties Union?At one time I was a member of the ACLU, but I've been as concerned as any good American by some of the cases that organization has taken on in the past few years.
- 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?Where are the scandals from my administration in Massachusetts? I am clearly the more competent alternative in this election.
- Do you believe that there should be federal funding for abortions?I have an open mind on this issue, but it would depend on who needs the money and what case they can make during the federal budget process.
- 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?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?I want to run a series of compare-and-contrast advertisements, comparing my own humble background with that of George Bush.
- To what extent will you attack George Bush's background as the son of a U.S. Senator, and as an elitist in general?I'm skeptical about how someone with Bush's background of privilege could ever relate to middle-class Americans.
- 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.
- What do you have to say about the selection of Al Gore as your running mate?Al Gore was the third-highest vote-getter during the Democratic primaries, and we are proud to have him on the ticket to unite our party.
- What would you do as President to get the exploding crime rate in this country under control?We need to strengthen the power of the Drug Czar, and implement tough measures on repeat offenders. We also need programs to assist low-income families so that the children of today don't turn to crime in the future.
- 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?We have taken too many steps to expand world trade without adequately protecting American workers from the consequences. I would definitely run a more protectionist Administration.
- Do you support additional gun control measures at the federal level?I believe that we need to consider any measure to reduce our nation's crime epidemic, including new gun control legislation.
- 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?Texas and its neighboring states.
- Will you continue the tradition of debating your opponent in the month before the election?Let's do it.