Campaign Trail Results: Game #849221
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Mitt Romney
- Running Mate: Tim Pawlenty
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Barack Obama | 347 | 67,562,678 | 52.04 |
| ---- Mitt Romney | 191 | 61,043,213 | 47.02 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 905,777 | 0.70 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 323,437 | 0.25 |
Visits:
- Florida:2
- Iowa:2
- New Hampshire:2
- Virginia:2
- Colorado:1
- Ohio:1
- Pennsylvania:1
- Wisconsin:1
Answers:
- Some observers have argued that an embargo of Cuba makes little sense in a post Cold War environment. What do you think?Are you suggesting that after fifty years of putting pressure on the Communist regime, when we're now so close to restoring democracy to that island, that we suddenly give up and let Castro win?
- Do you believe the federal government is doing enough to enforce laws against employing illegal immigrants?Not at all. Even companies that have been caught red-handed hiring illegals have gotten away with token fines. This happens all of the time in the meat processing industry, for instance.
- A recent Supreme Court decision affirmed an Arizona law allowing officers to check suspected illegal immigrants for proof of immigration status. Do you think this law is a good idea?I don't want to comment on an issue that is best left to the voters of Arizona.
- The water level of Lake Mead (the reservoir near Hoover Dam) has been steadily dropping in recent years. Should the Bureau of Reclamation regulate the use of this water more strictly?I'm very worried about the falling water levels in that area. If this continues, then we would eventually need to consider taking action.
- How do you view the practice of hydraulic fracturing (aka 'fracking') in the Dakotas and elsewhere?It would be irresponsible of me to speculate on this practice without a thorough understanding of the facts. One of the first things I will do after the election is to establish a bipartisan commission to fully investigate this issue, and to present its recommendations.
- To what extent should offshore drilling be permitted in the Gulf of Mexico?The drilling we have in place now is sufficient. What the fiasco with BP proves is that as we reach further and further down for more marginal sources, we increase the risk of accidents.
- What is your position on gay marriage?I'm opposed this personally. I think that, you know, different states have different opinions on this matter and it's best left to them to decide on the issue.
- Do you support allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire for high-income households at the end of 2012?We should keep the tax cuts as is for the foreseeable future. I don't think it's sound economics to rise taxes on this group.
- We have now had 10 years to analyze the effects of the No Child Left Behind Act. Do you think it is time for a change?I question the premise that the Department of Education should be providing funds in the first place. Education is a local concern.
- Would it help our economy if government employment was increased? Or would this divert valuable resources from the private sector?It's dangerous to rely too much on government as opposed to the private sector. We shouldn't be looking at government spending and employment to resolve these issues.
- What is your opinion on the 'gunwalking' tactics that led to the 'Fast and Furious' scandal?This is a specialized occupational question that can best be answered by the ATF and the Department of Justice.
- The Affordable Care Act (i.e. 'Obamacare') will cap annual premiums, require minimum coverage levels, and outlaw discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. What do you think?This is the wrong way to reform the American health care system. We should be focusing on malpractice reform and on cutting red tape for private insurers.
- Do you think the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon could be a model for broader federal legislation on the issue?A huge portion of our health care costs are accrued in the final few days of life. We need to overcome our prejudices and bring a more open mind to this issue.
- Do you see any need for a United States Institute of Peace?Can you name a single thing this agency has done? This just another example of how federal money is wasted on arcane projects in a time of fiscal crisis.
- Apple's use of cheap, Chinese labor via Foxconn has increased the visibility of labor conditions in that country. Do you think that China competes unfairly with the U.S. by denying basic rights to its workers?The U.S.-China relationship has destroyed middle class jobs for close to three decades. We need drastic changes including more protection for American manufacturing.
- Should American workers have the right to invest their Social Security withholdings in private accounts?We definitely need to make some changes to the Social Security program, but this is going too far.
- The budget for the Department of Housing and Urban Development was cut by nearly $4 billion in 2012. Do you think subsidized housing for the poor is a good place to begin reducing the federal deficit?We have to make difficult choices. I don't like this any more than most people, but small cuts are necessary to put us on a fiscally sustainable path.
- What is your opinion on the Tea Party movement?Conservatives operate under the "big tent" philosophy. This is just one of many valued groups within the conservative umbrella.
- This morning you went to an elementary school and read books to a class of second-graders. How did you enjoy yourself?It's always refreshing to spend my morning in a classroom full of America's future leaders and inventors.
- Tell us how you feel about the Keystone Pipeline.Now isn't the best time to decide this. Perhaps in 2013 we can make a rational decision that is not influenced by politics.
- How does your insurance plan in Massachusetts differ from Obamacare?My plan was effective for Massachusetts because that state has better human capital. The United States as a whole has too much obesity, diabetes, and chronic illness to make collective insurance viable.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Republican Convention?I will address the long-term danger that liberalism has to create an ossified, uncreative society. I will also emphasize the danger to our individual and collective rights that is inherent Obama's philosophy.
- What is your guiding foreign policy philosophy?Non-Intervention -- Most of our foreign troop deployments are relics of the Cold War. We need to stop occupying other nations and focus on fixing our problems here at home.
- Be perfectly honest. How do you like Barack Obama as a person?Barack is a decent guy. Our personal feelings for each other are not the issue. What's important are our differences of opinion on how to get the American economy moving.
- In the most general terms, what will be your overall campaign strategy against Obama?My surrogates have plenty of points to make about the failure of the Obama Administration. As the nominee, I will take the high road and stick to a message of optimism and American renewal.