Campaign Trail Results: Game #726975

This Game:

  • Year: 1976
  • Player Candidate: Gerald Ford
  • Running Mate: Bob Dole
  • Difficulty Level: Normal
  • Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
  • Game Played:
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View overall results, or a specific state:
CandidateElectoral VotesPopular VotesPop. Vote %
---- Jimmy Carter38541,377,58450.71
---- Gerald Ford15338,510,04147.20
---- Other Candidates0909,4311.11
---- Eugene McCarthy0793,6620.97

Visits:

  • Wisconsin:9
  • Ohio:3

Answers:

  • What will your overall campaign strategy be this year?
    I'm an approachable, open guy with an open Administration. Let's emphasize my mainstream values and positions, and avoid extremist rhetoric or attacks on Jimmy Carter.
  • A lot of voters are concerned about honesty and integrity in our government. What can you say about yourself in this aspect, particularly in light of your pardon of Richard Nixon?
    I will let the cameras into the White House so the people can see for themselves. I'm a normal, approachable, friendly President. I didn't spend my whole life trying to run for the office.
  • Your Secretary of Agriculture, Earl Butz, will be quoted in next week's Rolling Stone as making some very crude and racist jokes. Some have suggested you fire him before the article is released. What are your thoughts?
    Let's have him leave the day that the article comes out. That way the connection is clear.
  • There is talk of a Presidential Debate for the first time since 1960. Is this something that you're interested in doing?
    I think this is a good idea, and we need something to shake this campaign up.
  • Betty Ford is out there making some pretty bold statements about sexuality, marijuana, and other topics. Conservatives want to know if you can have a quiet chat with her to tone it down a bit.
    My wife's public approval rating is something like 75%. I wish I had her touch with the media.
  • You have vetoed a significant number of bills in your two years as President. What was your reasoning?
    This is an issue that has been blown way out of proportion. In many of these cases, I've proposed my own alternative to a given bill, and Congress has acted on it.
  • Some of your operatives want to attack Carter for the way he has equivocated on abortion, gun control, busing, labor issues, and so on. Will you approve a series of ads labeling him as a "flip-flopper"?
    Maybe some limited spots, asking if we really know who Jimmy Carter is. Or attacking him on one of these issues. But let's not go overboard.
  • Your campaign has just received a big break in the form of a controversial interview that Carter did with Playboy, where he confessed to "committing adultery in his heart" and used some coarse language. Any thoughts?
    This is great. We need any good news we can get at this point.
  • You have selected Bob Dole as your running mate. Can you speak a little more about that?
    Bob Dole is a staunch conservative who really sets the tone for the direction I want to take.
  • Your running mate, Bob Dole, has made a comment that indicates he blames World War II and every other war of this century on Democratic Presidents. What are your thoughts?
    I am a World War II veteran myself, as are many other Republicans and Democrats. We love Bob Dole, but I think in this case he got a little carried away.
  • What is your position on the federal government making loans to states or cities in need of financial help? An obvious recent example is the $2.3 billion bailout of New York city.
    I couldn't really comment until I saw what the specifics of the case would be.
  • What is your position on a pardon of Vietnam War draft evaders?
    Of course this war was controversial, but I oppose any pardon for people who evaded their military service. This would not send the right message in a future crisis.
  • Do you support the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which states "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."?
    I don't really have a strong statement to make on this Amendment. This is an issue for Congress and the states to decide.
  • What is your opinion on the court-ordered busing of students within school districts, in a way designed to achieve racial balance in our schools?
    I am opposed to these plans and believe that the courts have erred greatly.
  • Do you believe that the United States can afford a reduction in defense spending?
    As President I will remain vigilant against the Soviet threat. Under no circumstances would I decrease our defense budget.
  • What is your opinion on abortion, and specifically the recent Roe v. Wade decision?
    I will uphold the law as President, but I think it should be left to each state to decide. I would support an Amendment on this issue.
  • How can we best prevent another episode like the 1973 oil crisis, which paralyzed the country?
    I'm a big supporter of domestic oil production. One thing we can definitely do is begin to drill in Alaska.
  • Do you have a position on the gun control issue?
    Gun control is ineffective in reducing crime rates. I think a better option would be to examine our sentencing guidelines, and make sure that we put criminals in jail.
  • Do you think that the Panama Canal should be turned back over to Panama?
    Absolutely not. The United States built this canal and it is a central part of world commerce. Who knows what might happen if we put Panama in charge.
  • Should there be a ban on nuclear weapons testing?
    This is an issue I'd have to consider carefully, but perhaps if we got the Soviet Union on board I'd be open to it.
  • The United States started selling large amounts of grain to the Soviet Union, in 1973. What is your opinion on this policy?
    This policy is a win-win for us. It helps our own farmers prosper, and it is a public relations victory for the world to see the Soviet Union depending on American enterprise.
  • Do you support the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act?
    This Act has no basis in economic reality. If we could wave a magic wand and ensure 3% unemployment and 0% inflation with a balanced budget and no trade deficit, do you think we wouldn't have done it already?
  • Would you support a law for universal health care in this country?
    Absolutely not. Not only would this ruin the federal budget, but it would also eliminate competition and lead to substandard health care for the vast majority of Americans.
  • What are your feelings in the Gregg v. Georgia case, recently decided, that allows capital punishment in the U.S.?
    I'm neutral when it comes to the death penalty. This is an issue for the states to decide.
  • Where will you focus your efforts on the last day before the election?
    The Midwest is critical. We'll hit as many states as we can between Iowa and Ohio.