Campaign Trail Results: Game #906033
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Mitt Romney
- Running Mate: Rob Portman
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Barack Obama | 347 | 66,414,995 | 51.93 |
| ---- Mitt Romney | 191 | 60,245,744 | 47.11 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 894,962 | 0.70 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 328,292 | 0.26 |
Visits:
- Virginia:4
- Florida:3
- Colorado:2
- Ohio:2
- Iowa:1
Answers:
- What is your opinion on the detention center at Guantanamo Bay? Would you consider closing it after the election?It's a difficult issue, but given the dangerous nature of these detainees, the center should remain open.
- 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?The federal government has forced Arizona's hand by being too lax on enforcement for far too long.
- How do you view the practice of hydraulic fracturing (aka 'fracking') in the Dakotas and elsewhere?This is a generational shift in the world energy game in the favor of the United States. There are plenty of regulations in place to protect our drinking water, and we simply cannot afford to miss out on the benefits of shale oil.
- 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.
- How long should U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan?As long as it takes to ensure their transition to democracy. We cannot let the Taliban undermine us, or we may soon witness further terrorist attacks like those of 9-11.
- 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?This is a good program overall. Perhaps some minor details can be fixed, but without standardized testing there is no way to monitor the quality of our educational system.
- Michigan was one of the hardest hit states in the recent recession. Do you support higher taxes on foreign vehicles while that auto industry regroups in that state?Absolutely. We need to create an environment where American products can compete fairly with foreign imports.
- Do you support increased restrictions on handgun ownership?There should be increased safety requirements, and greater measures against illegal ownership by criminals. Sportsmen should be allowed to own handguns for personal use.
- 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.
- Do you have any comment to make on the performance of Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve?Ben Bernanke has been a disaster. The Fed's expansionist monetary policy caused this recession, and the continuance of that policy has delayed our recovery.
- Would you consider a default on some U.S. debt obligations if the financial situation of the country continues to deteriorate?Under no circumstances would the United States consider that as a course of action.
- Should the Social Security Trust Fund be purchasing U.S. Treasury bills? Should it be allowed to invest in other bonds and securities to potentially increase its rate of return? Or conversely, should the funds be held in a 'lockbox' to guarantee benefit payments?I think anyone who has managed money can tell you there is a place for U.S. Treasuries in any professional portfolio. Allowing the Social Security fund to invest in other securities opens a huge number of potential problems and conflicts of interest.
- 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'll have to make decisions like these at some point. It's better to do so now when we still have some control over the outcome, rather than waiting for a budget crisis to kick in.
- Are you satisfied with the provisions within the 2012 Federal Highway Bill that could salvage over two million jobs in the construction industry?Ideally we should be spending much more on our infrastructure. Doing so would increase overall employment and pave the way for future prosperity.
- How much attack advertising will your campaign use?A substantial amount. We cannot afford to let ourselves get rolled over by false and misleading claims from our opponent.
- Without divulging a preference for any particular religious group, do you believe that America was founded as a Christian nation?All of our founders with only a couple exceptions were deeply Christian individuals, and they frequently referenced the hand of providence in their political writings.
- What do you think the next steps should be in regards to Medicare?Medicare is a good program. We need to find some way of controlling costs and of more effectively managing care, but the overall program is sound.
- You are one of the wealthiest individuals to ever run for President. Does this make it harder for you to understand the concerns of the average American voter?Ann and I lived in a basement apartment and ate tuna fish. I wasn't rich until my success in business, which I make no apology for.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Republican Convention?I will hammer on the theme that Obama has completely failed the United States as President. He has presided over the largest deficit increases and highest unemployment rate in almost a hundred years.
- 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?We will attack Barack Obama relentlessly. He has gone back on his pledge to clean up our political system, he has destroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs in his first term, his values are out of touch with those of most Americans, and his health care reform is disastrous.