Campaign Trail Results: Game #719779
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1844
- Player Candidate: Henry Clay
- Running Mate: Millard Fillmore
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
- entersjack
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Henry Clay | 176 | 1,317,769 | 49.39 |
| ---- James K. Polk | 99 | 1,243,882 | 46.62 |
| ---- James Birney | 0 | 106,572 | 3.99 |
| ---- John Tyler | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Answers:
- Martin Van Buren, Democrat and President until 1841, will be making a tour of the country to visit various friends and political figures. Will you extend the invitation for him to stay at your estate for a few days?This would be a strictly personal invite. We are friends. And besides, it might blunt some opposition to my candidacy from New York.
- What points will emphasize in your acceptance letter, as you accept the Whig nomination for President?I support the annexation of Texas, so long as the admission of that state is paired with the admission of a free state. I will briefly mention that my positions on other issues are well-known and remain the same.
- What position will you take on the Texas annexation issue?This discussion has grown tiresome, but let me restate that I support the annexation of Texas.
- There have recently been riots and armed clashes between nativists and Irish immigrants in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Do you have any plans to condemn the Irish violence in these episodes?After a few days have passed and tempers have cooled, let us reemphasize our support for current naturalization laws.
- Cassius Clay, your cousin, has published a letter stating you are in accord with the abolitionist movement. How will you respond to this?We must put out a letter, clarifying that we only support abolition if slaveholders can be fairly compensated, with reasonable notice, and if freed slaves can be recolonized to Africa.
- There are a number of attacks which focus on your fondness for horse-racing, drinking, gambling, female conversation, and the like. Do you have a response to this?In anticipation of this attack, I've actually made some effort in the past year or so to scale back my amusements. I don't believe it is ever too late for a man to change their conduct.
- Do you plan to make any attacks against the Liberty Party, a radical abolitionist group that is fielding a third party candidate?Thomas Birney is a stooge of the Democrats, attempting to agitate emotions and divide our party. People ought to feel free to vote for him if they want to hand this election to James K. Polk.
- Do you still support the idea that the federal government should purchase the telegraph patent and manage the technology?I absolutely believe that the development of telegraph lines should take its place alongside canals, harbors, and railroads as a national prerogative.
- Was there really a bargain (a “Corrupt Bargain” to many) between yourself and John Quincy Adams which elevated him to the Presidency in 1825?I don't know how many times a man can deny an unjust allegation before fatigue sets in.
- Does it make sense to attack Northern Democrats as enablers and fellow travelers of the Southern slavery expansion?We should attack the Northern Democrats on their opposition to, or flip-flopping on, the issues of tariffs and internal improvements. They are on soft ground in that debate.
- Is there something you can do to give the Southern Whigs political cover from the incessant attacks that they are in league with an anti-slavery party?I am as much in favor of the annexation of Texas as Mr. Polk is. To insinuate otherwise is nothing but dishonesty writ large.
- What should your party's position be on the Tariff of 1842, which increased tariffs?We must rescind this tariff and replace it with something much lower. I support free trade and low tariffs.
- Do you believe that some revenue should be set aside from our tariffs to finance internal improvements, such as canals and roads?This is one of the key objectives of our current tariff policy, and I would support a strong infrastructure program as President.
- What is your current position on the banking system?I support our current free banking system, and I see no need for the Treasury to insulate its operations from the state-chartered banks.
- Do you support an Amendment that would limit the President to a single term in office?I don't think that this is a necessary step, at this time.
- Do you support the lifting of the Gag Rule in Congress?Congress must function in an orderly fashion, without taking time out from its business to receive ill-conceived petitions. I support the Gag Rule.
- Would you sign a law that lowered tariffs below the level needed to protect American industry from foreign imports?I would be forced to veto such a measure as President.
- Do you have any statement to make on John Calhoun's “Packenham Letter”, stating slavery to be a positive blessing, and justifying the annexation of Texas as a pro-slavery move?We will frame Texas as an issue of national pride and national expansion. I rebuke the idea of Calhoun that this is purely a Southern enterprise.
- Do you support any changes to our current naturalization laws?Only some very minor changes, like increasing the waiting period before new citizens may vote.
- Do you support any effort to establish a unified, national currency?Our current system is more democratic than any alternative that could be devised. Let the private banks issue currency in line with their own strength and prosperity.
- Do you agree with Robert Walker's letter, arguing that that slavery issue will be diluted by national expansion?I believe this letter to be disingenuous at best. Further expansion will reopen the debate on slavery rather than suppress it.
- After the unfortunate death of Abel Upshur in the Princeton explosion, John Calhoun succeeded him as Secretary of State. Was this a wise appointment by President Tyler?This is one of the most ill-conceived decisions I have seen in my lifetime.
- Regardless of your personal feelings, would you sign an act which established an independent Treasury for the government's funds?I support our current banking system, and would not support any ill-conceived attempts to centralize our finances.
- Do you have any criticism of the authorities in Illinois, regarding their failure to properly protect Joseph Smith before his assassination in June?Regardless of our personal feelings, it always concerning when a religious leader and Presidential candidate can simply be killed by a mob.
- Is there a particular state where your party should concentrate its resources and most talented speakers as the election draws near?New York