Campaign Trail Results: Game #731159

This Game:

  • Year: 1976
  • Player Candidate: Gerald Ford
  • Running Mate: John Connally
  • Difficulty Level: Normal
  • Winner Take All Mode?: No
  • Game Played:
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View overall results, or a specific state:
CandidateElectoral VotesPopular VotesPop. Vote %
---- Jimmy Carter30442,822,90252.49
---- Gerald Ford23336,988,49645.34
---- Other Candidates1950,9101.17
---- Eugene McCarthy0815,7401.00

Visits:

  • Florida:1
  • Georgia:1
  • Illinois:1
  • Louisiana:1
  • Michigan:1
  • Nevada:1
  • New York:1
  • Ohio:1
  • Pennsylvania:1
  • South Carolina:1
  • Texas:1
  • Virginia:1

Answers:

  • What will your overall campaign strategy be this year?
    We barely defeated Ronald Reagan to win our nomination in the first place. We should take conservative positions and make sure we shore up our support in that area.
  • 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?
    I agree. We can't have this kind of thing on the Ford Administration. He should leave immediately.
  • 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?
    Congress is simply too liberal to be a useful partner in government right now. I hope that the American people will elect Republican congressman to be my partners over the next four years.
  • 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?
    I will hold a press conference and remind people that we really don't know anything about this guy. What other hidden, perverse notions does he have?
  • You have selected John Connally as your running mate. Can you speak a little more about that?
    Connally was a loyal Democrat for many years, but anyone can see how their party has lurched away from the mainstream. I think he can remind Americans that Republicans are the sensible, governing party in this country.
  • General George Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has made some comments that Israel has become a "burden" to the national defense effort. Do you agree with this?
    I disagree strongly and believe that General Brown should be removed from this position for such comments. Israel is one of our most valued allies.
  • 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.
    We have to consider each case individually. New York was a one time thing, and they also had to make significant reforms before this loan was approved.
  • What is your position on a pardon of Vietnam War draft evaders?
    It is time for America to move past this issue. I will issue an immediate pardon if I am elected President.
  • 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 oppose this Amendment, as many labor unions do, because it would jeopardize protections for female workers in areas such as working hours or tasks.
  • 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 believe that ways can be found to minimize forced busing while also remaining true to the Nation's ideals and our educational goals.
  • Do you believe that the United States can afford a reduction in defense spending?
    I don't support cuts, to be sure, but neither do we need increases. We have made great strides in reducing tension with the Soviet Union.
  • 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.
  • Do you think that the tax cuts in early 1975 were the right economic policy for this country?
    Maybe this contributed, but we also increased spending which certainly did its part to stimulate the economy.
  • How can we best prevent another episode like the 1973 oil crisis, which paralyzed the country?
    The crisis resulted from a regional war against Israel. We need to work towards lasting peace agreements to prevent this in the future.
  • What is your position on right-to-work laws? Would you support a national bill to repeal Taft-Hartley and do away with right-to-work?
    I go more the other way on this issue. I think that more states should be right-to-work. Unions dangerously distort the economy and the political process.
  • Should there be a ban on nuclear weapons testing?
    I believe we should implement an immediate moratorium on the testing of nuclear devices.
  • Could we have done more to save South Vietnam in 1975, such as air strikes or a limited engagement?
    We were trying to provide more aid to South Vietnam, but Congress would not approve additional expenditures. The results of that policy are clear.
  • 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 opposed to the death penalty overall, but I could support it for a few particularly heinous crimes.
  • Where will you focus your efforts on the last day before the election?
    We will focus on the Southwest, starting in New Mexico and Oklahoma, and finishing in Texas.