Campaign Trail Results: Game #990744

This Game:

  • Year: 2012
  • Player Candidate: Barack Obama
  • Running Mate: Joe Biden
  • Difficulty Level: Normal
  • Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
  • Game Played:
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View overall results, or a specific state:
CandidateElectoral VotesPopular VotesPop. Vote %
---- Mitt Romney33166,771,93351.55
---- Barack Obama20761,457,36947.45
---- Gary Johnson0924,9590.71
---- Jill Stein0368,5740.28

Visits:

  • Florida:5
  • Minnesota:2
  • Ohio:2
  • Colorado:1
  • Michigan:1
  • Pennsylvania: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.
  • 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?
    Yes. People will continue to move into the region and place an unsustainable burden on the water supply unless the price accurately reflects current and future scarcity.
  • Do you have an opinion on net neutrality?
    Net neutrality is essential to the internet as we know it. It must be maintained indefinitely.
  • How do you view the practice of hydraulic fracturing (aka 'fracking') in the Dakotas and elsewhere?
    Fracking poisons our drinking water and postpones the development of alternative energy sources. This practice should be outlawed.
  • 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?
    Gay marriage should be protected at the federal level. The Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed.
  • Do you support allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire for high-income households at the end of 2012?
    I support letting the cuts expire. It's time that wealthy Americans paid their fair share for the opportunities our society gives to them.
  • Do you support continued subsidies for the production of ethanol fuel?
    This program has proven itself to be a disaster. The sooner we forget about it the better.
  • What is your opinion on directing some Department of Education funding towards a school voucher program?
    This is a good idea and it should be expanded.
  • 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?
    I am a firm believer in free trade. This would not help anybody and it would further distort our economy.
  • Does it still make sense to provide military aid to Pakistan's government?
    Osama Bin Laden was living in a mansion that the government paid for with our money. It's time for this relationship to end.
  • 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?
    I'm convinced that this program will work. This is a good compromise allowing private insurers to conduct business, while securing access to health insurance for more Americans. If anything, the increased transparency will reduce insurance costs.
  • Should the DEA prosecute medicinal marijuana growers in states where that practice has been legalized?
    We might disagree with these laws, but it is the responsibility of the DEA to uphold them. I do think we can look into reducing the penalties, which should decrease the strain on our prisons and allow people a second chance to lead productive lives.
  • 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.
  • 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?
    This agency performs valuable research on how to avoid future conflicts. It will pay for itself many times over if it succeeds at that mission.
  • Would you consider a default on some U.S. debt obligations if the financial situation of the country continues to deteriorate?
    We need to consider all options. A controlled debt writedown just might be the best way to reignite the world economy, which is suffering from an abundance of bad debt at the current moment.
  • 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.
  • Would you advocate cutting Peace Corps funding to help address the deficit?
    This is a valuable component of our international presence. We should maintain the funding we have in place, which is miniscule in proportion to our overall budget.
  • Some theorists have suggested that the government create guaranteed jobs at the federal minimum wage, to help support the labor market. Is this something that you would consider?
    If we created jobs like this at a set minimum wage, it would benefit everyone. Private sector wages would increase and economic insecurity would be greatly mitigated for millions of people.
  • What will be the overriding theme of your nomination speech at the Democratic Convention?
    I will talk at great length about how we've drifted from the tradition of liberalism that was built by the likes of Roosevelt, Johnson, and Humphrey. I will reaffirm my commitment to this vision in my second term.
  • 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 Romney?
    I will promise a fresh start in overcoming the gridlock in Washington. In my second term I will reach out to moderates and sensible Republicans to find common, pragmatic solutions to our most pressing issues.
  • Some on the left thought that you were not very vigorous in your opposition to the anti-union policies of Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin. What do you have to say about this?
    Of course I am opposed to the policies of Scott Walker. The only reason I wasn't in Wisconsin on the day of his recall election was that I needed to campaign in more competitive states to maximize our chances of winning this fall.