Campaign Trail Results: Game #1476540
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Lloyd Bentsen
- 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 | 289 | 45,557,515 | 49.99 |
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 249 | 44,668,306 | 49.01 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 487,038 | 0.53 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 422,590 | 0.46 |
Visits:
- California:3
- Michigan:2
- Colorado:1
- Missouri:1
- Montana:1
- New Mexico:1
- Ohio:1
- Pennsylvania:1
- Texas:1
Answers:
- How will you address the Iran-Contra scandal as you campaign for President?We will hammer on this theme, and particularly Mr. Bush's claim that he knew nothing about it. What kind of executive is he if he knew nothing about Iran-Contra?
- 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?We will strike a balance between emphasizing my own experience, along with making some attacks on George Bush.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?I grew up middle-class and intrinsically understand their concerns. Bush grew up as the millionaire son of a Senator, and has remained out of touch ever since.
- Is it true that you are a “card-carrying” member of the American Civil Liberties Union?I don't share every belief that this group has, but I'm not going to cancel my membership because of some spurious insinuations from the right.
- 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 is an attempt by Republicans to deflect attention from the unpopularity of their own candidate, Mr. Bush, and his elitist background and policies.
- 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?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 counterattack Reagan and Bush for the pointless increases in defense spending, which have destroyed the federal budget this decade.
- The Bush campaign has repeatedly called you a “liberal” or “the liberal Governor”, and so on. Do you embrace the label of “liberal”?The Bush campaign continues to use dishonest language to scare the American people. I'm a pragmatist and a moderate Democrat. Bush is the real extremist in this race.
- The Bush campaign is highlighting the pollution in Boston Harbor to counter your claims of a Massachusetts Miracle. How will you respond?I think it would make a good TV ad if we went to Texas and spoke with some of the people who have been put out of work by the oil crash there. Let's ask them how they feel about the Reagan economy.
- 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.
- 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 Lloyd Bentsen as your running mate?Lloyd Bentsen has been involved in the government of this country since 1948. He is eminently qualified to advise our Administration from the first day.
- Your running mate, Lloyd Bentsen, is widely believed to have defeated Dan Quayle in the Vice Presidential debate. Will you come back to this moment in your TV ads or speeches?The selection of Dan Quayle as a running mate is deeply concerning, for what it says about Bush himself as much as anything.
- 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 is your opinion on the recent Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty?This is a huge leap forward between the United States and Soviet Union, and I hope to oversee additional arms control measures during my time as President.
- What measures should be taken to assist states, such as Texas, which have been hurt by the recent crash in oil prices?We need more funding for federal programs to mitigate the worst effects of this downturn.
- Could more have been done to prevent the current farm crisis, which has devastated the upper Midwest?We could have stabilized this situation much earlier with aggressive intervention from the federal government. This is the type of thing I would have done if I were President.
- 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?Let's do it.
