Campaign Trail Results: Game #806465
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Al Gore
- 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 | 54,045,309 | 59.05 |
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 3 | 35,951,904 | 39.28 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 1,032,803 | 1.13 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 500,605 | 0.55 |
Visits:
- Utah:9
- Alabama:1
- West Virginia:1
- Wyoming: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?This was in line with a 1943 decision from the Supreme Court. It seemed highly likely at the time that this law was going to be struck down by the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
- 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 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?We would do better to focus on political views and attacks, rather than reemphasize my own heritage.
- To what extent will you remind voters that you served in the United States Army?I served honorably in the U.S. Army, but Bush was basically a war hero. We should focus on areas where we have more of an advantage.
- 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 Al Gore as your running mate?Al Gore was the third-highest vote-getter during the Democratic primaries, and we are proud to have him on the ticket to unite our party.
- 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 will you do as President to reduce the federal deficit?We need to combine fiscal prudence with limited tax increases on our most prosperous citizens.
- 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.