Campaign Trail Results: Game #885833
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Mitt Romney
- Running Mate: Paul Ryan
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Mitt Romney | 295 | 64,823,524 | 49.86 |
| ---- Barack Obama | 243 | 64,009,849 | 49.23 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 868,045 | 0.67 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 315,401 | 0.24 |
Visits:
- Pennsylvania:7
- Ohio:2
- Virginia:2
- Iowa:1
Answers:
- 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.
- 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.
- In November 2011, Ohio voters rejected a law to limit collective bargaining power for public unions. Do public sector unions such as teachers' and police unions have too much bargaining power?That's an issue for the states to decide. You know, the federal government does not support collective bargaining for its employees, so it's not appropriate for me to comment on a state matter.
- What is your position on gay marriage?Under no circumstances should the sacred institution of marriage be undermined. The Defense of Marriage Act was passed specifially to address this 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.
- Overall, are you satisfied with the trade relationship between the U.S. and China?This relationship has its pros and cons. China should be doing more to live up to their end of our trade agreements, and they must stop manipulating their currency.
- Would it help our economy if government employment was increased? Or would this divert valuable resources from the private sector?Government employment should be cut drastically to help us balance the budget.
- Does it still make sense to provide military aid to Pakistan's government?I will undertake a full review of all military aid with a distinguished panel as soon as the election is over.
- 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 program will be a disaster. Not only is it an unconstitutional violation of personal freedom, but it will lead to a decline in American health care and will prove to be financially impossible to maintain without socializing the health care system.
- Is it time for the federal government to cut spending, even with the economy growing at less than 2% annually?Yes it is. One of the biggest obstacles to private sector capital investment is the size and debt of the federal government. The current stagnation in the economy is evidence of this fact.
- 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.
- Should taxpayers be forced to subsidize Planned Parenthood via federal subsidies?I will end federal funding for Planned Parenthood on Day 1 of my Administration.
- Should American workers have the right to invest their Social Security withholdings in private accounts?This is the first step that those who wish to abolish Social Security would like to implement. The integrity of Social Security should be preserved at all times.
- 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 Occupy Wall Street movement?I don't approve of these tactics. These protestors need to grow up and work within the system.
- The most recent data (for 2010) on Pell Grants indicate that 60% of all college students receive one. In that same year, the program cost $36 billion. What changes, if any, would you recommend to this program?Pell Grants and government aid serve to inflate the cost of college by a commensurate amount. This program does not benefit students in any way and serves as a boondoggle for administrators.
- Can you clear up any confusion with the Republican base about your beliefs on global warming?There shouldn't be any confusion at this point. I have repeatedly said that there is no evidence that global warming even exists.
- During your tenure, Bain Capital laid off thousands of workers at various companies that it purchased. Are you proud of your work at that company?We created numerous companies like Staples, which are American success stories employing thousands of people.
- Would you nominate any Democrats to your cabinet if elected?It's too early to say who exactly will be included in my Cabinet when I win this election. In all cases I will nominate the most qualified individual.
- The rhetoric from some Republicans towards immigrants from Mexico has been quite harsh. Can you distance yourself from such comments?I take a level-headed approach to this issue. It's unfortunate that certain people have decided to use inflammatory rhetoric. Those statements don't represent my views at all.
- Scott Brown is currently fighting the good fight in the Massachusetts Senate race. Would you be open to offering him a position in your Administration if he falls short there?We like Scott right where he is -- in the U.S. Senate. I'm confident that's where he'll be in 2013 as well.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Republican Convention?I will emphasize the point that the Republican Party has a big tent. We are the party for anyone who tries to work hard and get ahead in America.
- What is your guiding foreign policy philosophy?American Exceptionalism -- Providence has given America to the world as an inspiration, and we must vigorously defend the ideals of peace and freedom wherever they may be threatened.
- 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.