Campaign Trail Results: Game #749404
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Barack Obama
- Running Mate: Joe Biden
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Mitt Romney | 325 | 66,990,468 | 51.90 |
| ---- Barack Obama | 213 | 60,825,486 | 47.13 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 930,716 | 0.72 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 325,390 | 0.25 |
Visits:
- Virginia:4
- Pennsylvania:3
- Florida:2
- Minnesota:1
- Ohio:1
- Wisconsin:1
Answers:
- Should the Confederate flag be removed entirely from the South Carolina statehouse grounds?The Confederate Flag is a symbol of slavery, racism, and rebellion against the United States. It's abominable that in 2012, any state could consider flying such a symbol.
- A recent Supreme Court decision affirmed an Arizona law allowing officers to check suspected illegal immigrants for proof of immigration status. Do you think this law is a good idea?I don't want to comment on an issue that is best left to the voters of Arizona.
- What can the U.S. do to assist pro-democracy protestors in Russia?I would encourage Vladimir Putin to continue his efforts to democratize Russia, so that there is less cause for future demonstrations.
- How long should U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan?The U.S. presence should be scaled down to the minimum necessary to prevent a Taliban takeover. Hopefully we can withdraw all of our troops within a couple of years.
- What is your position on gay marriage?Gay marriage should be protected at the federal level. The Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed.
- Is the United States too reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs?The answer is obvious. By continuing to rely on non-renewable energy sources, we place ourselves at greater risk for future energy shocks and we contribute to global warming.
- Do you support allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire for high-income households at the end of 2012?I support letting the cuts expire. It's time that wealthy Americans paid their fair share for the opportunities our society gives to them.
- Would you sign a bill to make English the Official Language of the United States?I wouldn't consider it. There are hundreds of languages spoken in the United States.
- What do you think we should do next in regards to Social Security?Talking about a bankrupt Social Security program is a right wing scare tactic. We could afford to increase benefits if we really wanted to.
- We have now had 10 years to analyze the effects of the No Child Left Behind Act. Do you think it is time for a change?This is a good program overall. Perhaps some minor details can be fixed, but without standardized testing there is no way to monitor the quality of our educational system.
- Michigan was one of the hardest hit states in the recent recession. Do you support higher taxes on foreign vehicles while that auto industry regroups in that state?Most foreign companies also build their cars in the United States and employ thousands of Americans. This policy would be like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
- Does it still make sense to provide military aid to Pakistan's government?Further aid should be directly tied to Pakistan's continuing progress towards openness and democracy.
- The Affordable Care Act (i.e. 'Obamacare') will cap annual premiums, require minimum coverage levels, and outlaw discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. What do you think?I'm convinced that this program will work. This is a good compromise allowing private insurers to conduct business, while securing access to health insurance for more Americans. If anything, the increased transparency will reduce insurance costs.
- Do you think the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon could be a model for broader federal legislation on the issue?A huge portion of our health care costs are accrued in the final few days of life. We need to overcome our prejudices and bring a more open mind to this issue.
- Do you see any need for a United States Institute of Peace?This agency performs valuable research on how to avoid future conflicts. It will pay for itself many times over if it succeeds at that mission.
- What is your opinion on the Occupy Wall Street movement?I don't approve of these tactics. These protestors need to grow up and work within the system.
- Should large banks like Chase, Citibank, and Bank of America be broken up to reduce the risk of another financial crisis?We have passed the Dodd-Frank Act to analyze systemic risks to the financial system.
- Without divulging a preference for any particular religious group, do you believe that America was founded as a Christian nation?Thomas Jefferson himself rebuked this notion in his writings. Now over two hundred years later, religious fanatics are trying to bring this idea back. This is part of a dangerous, long-term agenda to turn the U.S. into a sectarian state.
- Some on the left have criticized your reliance on drone strikes to project American interests, stating that they lead to unnecessary civilian casualties. What can you say to this?We are always mindful of the effect that these strikes may have on the local population. We only use them as a last resort, when targeting extremely dangerous individuals to the security of the United States.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Democratic Convention?I will give an honest speech about the challenges I was facing in 2009, what I did to address them, what I tried to do that was blocked by Republican obstructionism, and what jobs policies I will continue to push for in my second term.
- Do you think Hillary Clinton would make a good Presidential candidate in 2016?Hillary Clinton is a wonderful, talented woman and I wish her all the best if she decides to pursue that course in four years.
- Would you support an Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution to protect women's rights?Absolutely I would. We need to reaffirm our collective commitment to this issue.
- Be perfectly honest. How do you like Mitt Romney as a person?Mitt Romney is a great American success story. His efforts over the years have been admirable. I just don't think he has the best policies in mind for America.
- What is your guiding foreign policy philosophy?Pragmatism -- Our foreign policy right now is effective. We need to guide foreign nations towards democracy and open markets. Doing so will increase the world's prosperity and decrease the chance of future wars.
- In the most general terms, what will be your overall campaign strategy against Romney?I will pledge a new commitment to liberalism and economic revival. Our social programs and unions need to be protected. In those areas where Republicans continue to stand in the way of progress, we will look for other ways to get things done.