Campaign Trail Results: Game #756772
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1844
- Player Candidate: Henry Clay
- Running Mate: John Sergeant
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Henry Clay | 140 | 1,326,830 | 48.81 |
| ---- James K. Polk | 135 | 1,370,154 | 50.40 |
| ---- James Birney | 0 | 21,406 | 0.79 |
| ---- John Tyler | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Answers:
- Martin Van Buren, Democrat and President until 1841, will be making a tour of the country to visit various friends and political figures. Will you extend the invitation for him to stay at your estate for a few days?This would be a strictly personal invite. We are friends. And besides, it might blunt some opposition to my candidacy from New York.
- What points will emphasize in your acceptance letter, as you accept the Whig nomination for President?I stand opposed to any annexation of Texas. It will reopen settled questions and distract our nation from its important political issues, such as economic development.
- What position will you take on the Texas annexation issue?This discussion has grown tiresome, but let me restate that I oppose the annexation of Texas.
- Regardless of your views on the banking question, many accuse your running mate of being too closely tied to the Second Bank of the United States, and too inexperienced in government. What is your response?Let's continue to emphasize our platform and my own experience in government, which dates to the War of 1812.
- There have recently been riots and armed clashes between nativists and Irish immigrants in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Do you have any plans to condemn the Irish violence in these episodes?We should condemn the apparent lawlessness of the Irish arrivals, and ask whether we ought to reconsider our generous naturalization policies.
- Cassius Clay, your cousin, has published a letter stating you are in accord with the abolitionist movement. How will you respond to this?I'm not going to dignify this letter with a response.
- There are a number of attacks which focus on your fondness for horse-racing, drinking, gambling, female conversation, and the like. Do you have a response to this?In anticipation of this attack, I've actually made some effort in the past year or so to scale back my amusements. I don't believe it is ever too late for a man to change their conduct.
- Do you plan to make any attacks against the Liberty Party, a radical abolitionist group that is fielding a third party candidate?Thomas Birney is a stooge of the Democrats, attempting to agitate emotions and divide our party. People ought to feel free to vote for him if they want to hand this election to James K. Polk.
- Do you still support the idea that the federal government should purchase the telegraph patent and manage the technology?I absolutely believe that the development of telegraph lines should take its place alongside canals, harbors, and railroads as a national prerogative.
- Was there really a bargain (a “Corrupt Bargain” to many) between yourself and John Quincy Adams which elevated him to the Presidency in 1825?I don't know how many times a man can deny an unjust allegation before fatigue sets in.
- Does it make sense to attack Northern Democrats as enablers and fellow travelers of the Southern slavery expansion?We should attack the Northern Democrats on their opposition to, or flip-flopping on, the issues of tariffs and internal improvements. They are on soft ground in that debate.
- Is there something you can do to give the Southern Whigs political cover from the incessant attacks that they are in league with an anti-slavery party?I am opposed to radicalism from any region, and that includes anti-slavery radicalism. The Whig Party is a national party with a national program that will benefit all regions equally.
- What should your party's position be on the Tariff of 1842, which increased tariffs?We stand steadfast in support of this tariff. It is one of the few positive accomplishments of Mr. Tyler's so-called Presidency.
- Do you believe that some revenue should be set aside from our tariffs to finance internal improvements, such as canals and roads?This is one of the key objectives of our current tariff policy, and I would support a strong infrastructure program as President.
- What is your current position on the banking system?I stand for a national bank or an independent Treasury -- whichever can gain the most support. I would require any national bank to maintain a branch in every state.
- Do you support an Amendment that would limit the President to a single term in office?This is a necessary step against the overreach and abuse of power of the Executive branch.
- Do you support the lifting of the Gag Rule in Congress?We have no plans to address the Gag Rule during our campaign.
- Aside from the issue of Texas, do you support the expansion of the United States in general? Into Oregon, other parts of Mexico, Cuba, etc.?I am against the annexation of Texas. And just to show that this does derive from sectional prejudice, I am also against expansion into Oregon or other regions.
- Do you have any statement to make on John Calhoun's “Packenham Letter”, stating slavery to be a positive blessing, and justifying the annexation of Texas as a pro-slavery move?I disagree with John Calhoun across the board, which leads to my opposition to the annexation of Texas.
- Do you agree with Robert Walker's letter, arguing that that slavery issue will be diluted by national expansion?I believe this letter to be disingenuous at best. Further expansion will reopen the debate on slavery rather than suppress it.
- After the unfortunate death of Abel Upshur in the Princeton explosion, John Calhoun succeeded him as Secretary of State. Was this a wise appointment by President Tyler?This is one of the most ill-conceived decisions I have seen in my lifetime.
- Regardless of your personal feelings, would you sign an act which established an independent Treasury for the government's funds?I would prefer a national bank, but I would be willing to sign a bill which created an independent Treasury.
- What is your position on the Oregon boundary question?We need to negotiate a permanent agreement with Great Britain that grants some of all of the Oregon Territory to the United States.
- Do you have any criticism of the authorities in Illinois, regarding their failure to properly protect Joseph Smith before his assassination in June?This is not an issue that we plan to address in our campaign.
- Is there a particular state where your party should concentrate its resources and most talented speakers as the election draws near?New York