Campaign Trail Results: Game #747847
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Lloyd Bentsen
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
nicholasgatlin2000
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- George Bush | 499 | 50,119,470 | 54.65 |
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 39 | 40,549,113 | 44.22 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 571,824 | 0.62 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 465,782 | 0.51 |
Visits:
- Texas:3
- Washington:3
- Ohio:2
- Wisconsin:2
- California:1
- Michigan:1
Answers:
- What message will you most emphasize as you accept the Democratic Party nomination?As Governor of Massachusetts, I have led a capable, liberal administration of that state. I will take this to the national level and undo eight years of failure under Ronald Reagan.
- To what extent will you make your performance as Governor of Massachusetts a centerpiece of your campaign?Unlike George Bush, I have led the executive branch of government. I will make Massachusetts a centerpiece of my campaign.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?We prefer to run a positive campaign, focusing on our own policies and beliefs.
- 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 was in line with a 1943 decision from the Supreme Court. It seemed highly likely at the time that this law was going to be struck down by the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
- How will you address the Iran-Contra scandal as you campaign for President?We prefer to focus on issues of policy and economics in this election, and not on political scandals.
- Do you believe that there should be federal funding for abortions?I support any federal effort to increase the health and well-being of women in America.
- 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?The focus of this campaign needs to be our competence, and the scandals and extreme policy of the Reagan Administration. I trust that voters will see through this attempt to deflect attention from the real issues.
- The Bush campaign is attacking your opposition to the invasion of Grenada, and bombing of Libya. What is your response?We need to change the imagery on this issue. Let's do a photo-op of me riding in a tank.
- The Bush campaign has repeatedly called you a “liberal” or “the liberal Governor”, and so on. Do you embrace the label of “liberal”?It doesn't matter what the “label” is that we use. The important thing is the issues we will decide upon.
- The Bush campaign is highlighting the pollution in Boston Harbor to counter your claims of a Massachusetts Miracle. How will you respond?It's important to remain above the fray and continue with the positive message of our campaign.
- 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?My biography is an asset to our campaign, and I will not hesitate to emphasize it.
- What is your opinion on the selection of Dan Quayle as George Bush's running mate?We don't plan to focus on Dan Quayle much in this campaign.
- 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?We can't focus too much on the second-banana. Voters want to know why I'm better than Bush.
- What is your position on capital punishment?I believe that capital punishment is ineffective at reducing crime, and is not applied in an equal manner. I do not support the practice.
- Are you willing to rule out any further increases to the federal income tax, if elected President?Read my lips. There will be no new taxes under my Administration.
- Would you support a free trade zone, encompassing Mexico, the U.S., and Canada?I would oppose this measure without strong protections for the rights of American workers and employers.
- Are protectionist measures of some kind needed to counteract the dominance of Japan in foreign trade?Our first resort should be to negotiate with Japan and take steps to enhance the competitiveness of American industry. But I wouldn't take anything off the table.
- 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 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 need to increase the support for American agriculture by fighting for exports in our trade deals -- with the Soviet Union, Mexico, and elsewhere.
- 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.