Campaign Trail Results: Game #803127
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:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 280 | 45,647,478 | 49.58 |
| ---- George Bush | 258 | 45,416,399 | 49.33 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 584,467 | 0.63 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 426,077 | 0.46 |
Visits:
- Texas:5
- Ohio:3
- California:1
- Michigan:1
- North Carolina:1
- Tennessee:1
Answers:
- 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?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?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?Where are the scandals from my administration in Massachusetts? I am clearly the more competent alternative in this election.
- 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?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?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”?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?We will point out that the Reagan EPA is chiefly at fault for the lack of funds and action in that case, and we'll attack Bush's dishonesty.
- 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?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.
- 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?The selection of Dan Quayle as a running mate is deeply concerning, for what it says about Bush himself as much as anything.
- 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 you willing to rule out any further increases to the federal income tax, if elected President?I hope that this isn't necessary, but it would be irresponsible to rule anything out at the present time.
- 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 believe that free trade measures destroy more American jobs than they create?I believe that free trade creates jobs. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't support it.
- Do you support additional gun control measures at the federal level?I would only support limited steps on this issue, like a ban on “cop killer” bullets. Overall, I'm an opponent of increased gun control.
- What measures should be taken to assist states, such as Texas, which have been hurt by the recent crash in oil prices?We need to form a comprehensive energy strategy and re-implement price supports for domestic oil production.
- 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.