Campaign Trail Results: Game #737911
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1976
- Player Candidate: Gerald Ford
- Running Mate: Bob Dole
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Winner Take All Mode?: No
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Gerald Ford | 298 | 41,175,639 | 50.89 |
| ---- Jimmy Carter | 239 | 38,176,680 | 47.18 |
| ---- Other Candidates | 1 | 844,554 | 1.04 |
| ---- Eugene McCarthy | 0 | 721,757 | 0.89 |
Visits:
- Texas:3
- Arizona:1
- California:1
- Florida:1
- Michigan:1
- New York:1
- North Carolina:1
- Ohio:1
- Pennsylvania:1
- Wisconsin: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?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 the type of Republican that the entire party can get behind, and he has served his home state of Kansas well.
- 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.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?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 support the passage of this Amendment, and think it is a good thing for America.
- 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.
- Do you think that the tax cuts in early 1975 were the right economic policy for this country?Unfortunately these cuts were pretty limited. I would prefer larger tax cuts and a reduction in government spending.
- How can we best prevent another episode like the 1973 oil crisis, which paralyzed the country?We need to do anything we can, including reducing our consumption, working for peace deals, producing domestically, and stabilizing our relationships with oil-producing allies.
- Do you have a position on the gun control issue?I'm an opponent of gun control overall, but some common-sense measures like the 1968 Act are appropriate.
- 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.
- In 1972, George McGovern proposed replacing the income tax exemption with a $1,000 guaranteed minimum income, for every American citizen. Are you interested in this type of proposal?I think the current forms of tax exemptions and aid we have are sufficient. This would be another huge, costly, and complicated program to administer when we are trying to reduce our deficit.
- Do you support the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act?I'm all for some programs to provide jobs, but this Act has too many mandates and goals that are inconsistent with each other. We can't have a balanced budget, full employment, and low inflation at the same time.
- 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.
- Where will you focus your efforts on the last day before the election?The East Coast -- from Maryland and Pennsylvania to New York and Connecticut.