Campaign Trail Results: Game #800113
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Jesse Jackson
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- George Bush | 490 | 52,776,728 | 57.15 |
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 48 | 38,608,506 | 41.81 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 485,802 | 0.53 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 479,708 | 0.52 |
Visits:
- California:7
- Louisiana:1
- Missouri:1
- New York:1
- Ohio:1
- Pennsylvania:1
Answers:
- Are you willing to rule out any further increases to the federal income tax, if elected President?My opponent will raise taxes, and so will I. He won't tell you. I just did.
- How will you address the Iran-Contra scandal as you campaign for President?We will hammer on this theme, and particularly Mr. Bush's claim that he knew nothing about it. What kind of executive is he if he knew nothing about Iran-Contra?
- What message will you most emphasize as you accept the Democratic Party nomination?I am a capable, pragmatic leader who will bring the Massachusetts Miracle to bear on a national scale. We will move past Reagan's scandals and into the future.
- To what extent will you make your performance as Governor of Massachusetts a centerpiece of your campaign?We will strike a balance between emphasizing my own experience, along with making some attacks on George Bush.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?I grew up middle-class and intrinsically understand their concerns. Bush grew up as the millionaire son of a Senator, and has remained out of touch ever since.
- 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 is an attempt by Republicans to deflect attention from the unpopularity of their own candidate, Mr. Bush, and his elitist background and policies.
- Do you believe that there should be federal funding for abortions?I have an open mind on this issue, but it would depend on who needs the money and what case they can make during the federal budget process.
- 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?I supported both of these actions in general. I criticized specific aspects of their implementation. I'm interested to know why Bush would distort the truth on this.
- The Bush campaign has repeatedly called you a “liberal” or “the liberal Governor”, and so on. Do you embrace the label of “liberal”?I'm a liberal in the tradition of Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman and John Kennedy. Americans will appreciate that on election day.
- The Bush campaign is highlighting the pollution in Boston Harbor to counter your claims of a Massachusetts Miracle. How will you respond?I think it would make a good TV ad if we went to Texas and spoke with some of the people who have been put out of work by the oil crash there. Let's ask them how they feel about the Reagan economy.
- 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?I want to run a series of compare-and-contrast advertisements, comparing my own humble background with that of George Bush.
- What is your opinion on the selection of Dan Quayle as George Bush's running mate?Dan Quayle is obviously unqualified to serve as President, should the need arise, and his selection is most certainly a red flag for the capabilities of George Bush.
- To what extent will you attack George Bush's relationship with Manuel Noriega of Panama?I want to see us running ads on TV, criticizing this relationship. Along with Iran-Contra and Dan Quayle, this episode really brings up questions about Bush's competence.
- 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?We will attack the Republican penchant for underhanded racist attacks which they have displayed in this campaign.
- What is your position on capital punishment?I believe, if a state wishes to impose capital punishment, that it should have every right to do so.
- 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?California.
- Will you continue the tradition of debating your opponent in the month before the election?Let's do it.