Campaign Trail Results: Game #757884
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Jesse Jackson
- Difficulty Level: Impossible
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- George Bush | 535 | 55,826,904 | 61.33 |
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 3 | 33,646,230 | 36.96 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 1,052,052 | 1.16 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 501,975 | 0.55 |
Visits:
- Iowa:3
- Minnesota:2
- New York:2
- Rhode Island:2
- Arizona:1
- Hawaii:1
- Massachusetts: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?It's probably a little better to take the attack to George Bush. We will obviously give Massachusetts some mention, but it is not the main focus.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?We believe in a liberalism that benefits all Americans. Bush subscribes to Reagan's divisive, winner-take-all economic policies which have made the middle-class poorer.
- Is it true that you are a “card-carrying” member of the American Civil Liberties Union?At one time I was a member of the ACLU, but I've been as concerned as any good American by some of the cases that organization has taken on in the past few years.
- 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?I have nothing to hide. I'm proud to protect the freedom of conscience that every American should enjoy.
- 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?This is definitely taking things too far. The Roe v. Wade case is settled law, but federal funding for the practice is an entirely different matter.
- 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?I have ordered a halt to this program, albeit too late in this case. We will immediately counterattack these charges with examples of federal furloughs gone awry under the Reagan Administration.
- 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”?The Bush campaign continues to use dishonest language to scare the American people. I'm a pragmatist and a moderate Democrat. Bush is the real extremist in this race.
- 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 George Bush as a creature of his political handlers, who lacks any deep-seated convictions or a record of governing competence.
- To what extent will you campaign focus on your background as the child of Greek immigrants, and your rise through American society?We would do better to focus on political views and attacks, rather than reemphasize my own heritage.
- 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 Jesse Jackson as your running mate?Jesse Jackson was the second-highest vote-getter during the Democratic primaries, and we are proud to have him on the ticket to unite our party.
- Attack ads have developed a habit of showing you and Jesse Jackson shaking hands. Do you have any comment?These types of attack ads are meant to distract from the real issues in this campaign. We won't dignify them with a response.
- What would you do as President to get the exploding crime rate in this country under control?We need to strengthen the power of the Drug Czar, and implement tough measures on repeat offenders. We also need programs to assist low-income families so that the children of today don't turn to crime in the future.
- What is your position on capital punishment?We need to do anything necessary to reduce the staggering rate of murder and violent crime in this country.
- 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.
- 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?This is getting it completely backwards. American families have every right to defend themselves from America's crime epidemic.
- What measures should be taken to assist states, such as Texas, which have been hurt by the recent crash in oil prices?Cheap oil is an overall benefit to our economy. I think the majority of voters will understand that this fall.
- Could more have been done to prevent the current farm crisis, which has devastated the upper Midwest?Unfortunately, the economics of farming cannot support the number of farmers who were borrowing money in the early 1980s.
- Where will you spend your final day of the campaign?California.
- Will you continue the tradition of debating your opponent in the month before the election?I'd prefer to avoid that kind of thing if we can.