Campaign Trail Results: Game #908764
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 | 315 | 64,834,717 | 50.37 |
| ---- Barack Obama | 223 | 62,690,435 | 48.71 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 877,104 | 0.68 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 304,377 | 0.24 |
Visits:
- Pennsylvania:7
- Wisconsin:3
- Iowa:1
- Michigan:1
Answers:
- Some observers have argued that an embargo of Cuba makes little sense in a post Cold War environment. What do you think?I dislike Fidel Castro as much as anyone. We should keep the embargo but also look for other ways to democratize that country.
- 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.
- Does it make sense to dispose our nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada?I think that what we're doing now is fine. There is no point in revisiting this issue, since the Yucca Mountain plans have been scrapped in any case.
- 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.
- 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.
- Should military women serve in combat roles?I will defer to military brass on this question. They should do whatever best protects American interests and the safety of our troops.
- Is the United States too reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs?Fossil fuels and coal are the backbone of our energy supply. If we got rid of those, what would we have left? We have to be realistic and realize that our options are limited.
- 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?There is a danger of 'teaching to the test'. We do need some testing in place, but to do so on an annual basis is too frequent and interferes with good educational practice.
- What is your opinion on directing some Department of Education funding towards a school voucher program?In limited cases, such as those currently in place, there is a role for vouchers. But improving public education should be our primary focus.
- 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.
- In general, do you think bilingual education programs are a good idea?Only in limited circumstances. I would prefer not to see them at all but I can understand the need for some schools to implement this.
- 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 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.
- 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 think reduced penalties and increased treatment for drug users would help reduce the flow of drugs from Latin America?Perhaps there is a role for this, but our primary focus should be on targeting the cartels overseas and on providing military and economic support to any government that will assist us in that endeavor.
- 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.
- 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.
- If elected, what will you do to repeal Obamacare?I will offer an alternative health care reform plan which doesn't regulate private insurers to such an unrealistic extreme. I will work for malpractice reform as well, so that unnecessary litigation does not continue to drive up the cost of health care.
- How does your insurance plan in Massachusetts differ from Obamacare?My plan was a good plan for Massachusetts. Obamacare is bad because it forces an individual mandate on the American public.
- What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Republican Convention?My message will be a message of hope. After four years of economic blight the American people need to feel good about themselves, and they need to know that their efforts will be rewarded with material prosperity.
- 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.
- It has now been four years since the financial crisis plunged this country into a steep recession. Do you attribute current economic conditions more to Obama or to Bush?Barack Obama has presided over the highest unemployment rate and largest deficit increases in nearly a century. His management style has clearly been a total failure.
- In the most general terms, what will be your overall campaign strategy against Obama?I will reach out to moderates and conservative Democrats and attempt to build an all-encompassing coalition. It's time that America had a true leader in charge.