Campaign Trail Results: Game #462725
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1988
- Player Candidate: Michael Dukakis
- Running Mate: Lloyd Bentsen
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
tommyknops
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- George Bush | 293 | 45,787,479 | 49.94 |
| ---- Michael Dukakis | 245 | 44,598,150 | 48.64 |
| ---- Lenora Fulani/Other | 0 | 880,254 | 0.96 |
| ---- Ron Paul | 0 | 416,865 | 0.45 |
Visits:
- Texas:6
- California:3
- Ohio:2
- New York:1
Answers:
- What message will you most emphasize as you accept the Democratic Party nomination?As Governor of Massachusetts, I have led a capable, liberal administration of that state. I will take this to the national level and undo eight years of failure under Ronald Reagan.
- To what extent will you make your performance as Governor of Massachusetts a centerpiece of your campaign?We will strike a balance between emphasizing my own experience, along with making some attacks on George Bush.
- How do you plan to attack the candidacy of George Bush, if at all?We oversaw the Massachusetts Miracle. Bush has remained out of the loop on key Reagan scandals, and lacked the judgment to suspend dealings with Noriega.
- Is it true that you are a “card-carrying” member of the American Civil Liberties Union?At one time I was a member of the ACLU, but I've been as concerned as any good American by some of the cases that organization has taken on in the past few years.
- In 1977, you vetoed a law requiring teachers to begin the school day with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. What were you thinking?This is an attempt by Republicans to deflect attention from the unpopularity of their own candidate, Mr. Bush, and his elitist background and policies.
- How will you address the Iran-Contra scandal as you campaign for President?Where are the scandals from my administration in Massachusetts? I am clearly the more competent alternative in this election.
- Do you believe that there should be federal funding for abortions?This is definitely taking things too far. The Roe v. Wade case is settled law, but federal funding for the practice is an entirely different matter.
- The Bush campaign is attacking the Massachusetts prison furlough program, which included furloughs for convicted murderers. One such person, Willie Horton, killed again in Maryland. What is your response?Massachusetts has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. We need to turn the tables and attack Bush and Reagan relentlessly on the national crime rate.
- The Bush campaign is attacking your opposition to the invasion of Grenada, and bombing of Libya. What is your response?We need to counterattack Reagan and Bush for the pointless increases in defense spending, which have destroyed the federal budget this decade.
- The Bush campaign has repeatedly called you a “liberal” or “the liberal Governor”, and so on. Do you embrace the label of “liberal”?The Bush campaign continues to use dishonest language to scare the American people. I'm a pragmatist and a moderate Democrat. Bush is the real extremist in this race.
- The Bush campaign is highlighting the pollution in Boston Harbor to counter your claims of a Massachusetts Miracle. How will you respond?We will point out that the Reagan EPA is chiefly at fault for the lack of funds and action in that case, and we'll attack Bush's dishonesty.
- Television advertising is coming to dominate the political campaign season. Where should the greatest emphasis be placed in your ads?Let's attack the Reagan deficit, Bush's performance as Vice President, and mix in some spots to defend against Bush's dishonest allegations on various issues.
- To what extent will you campaign focus on your background as the child of Greek immigrants, and your rise through American society?I want to run a series of compare-and-contrast advertisements, comparing my own humble background with that of George Bush.
- To what extent will you remind voters that you served in the United States Army?I will mention this aspect of my biography frequently, particularly in contrast with Dan Quayle.
- What is your opinion on the selection of Dan Quayle as George Bush's running mate?Dan Quayle is obviously unqualified to serve as President, should the need arise, and his selection is most certainly a red flag for the capabilities of George Bush.
- What do you have to say about the selection of Lloyd Bentsen as your running mate?Lloyd Bentsen has been involved in the government of this country since 1948. He is eminently qualified to advise our Administration from the first day.
- Your running mate, Lloyd Bentsen, is widely believed to have defeated Dan Quayle in the Vice Presidential debate. Will you come back to this moment in your TV ads or speeches?The selection of Dan Quayle as a running mate is deeply concerning, for what it says about Bush himself as much as anything.
- What is your position on capital punishment?We need to do anything necessary to reduce the staggering rate of murder and violent crime in this country.
- Are you willing to rule out any further increases to the federal income tax, if elected President?As President, I will do anything I can to cut income taxes further.
- Are protectionist measures of some kind needed to counteract the dominance of Japan in foreign trade?We have taken too many steps to expand world trade without adequately protecting American workers from the consequences. I would definitely run a more protectionist Administration.
- Do you support additional gun control measures at the federal level?This is getting it completely backwards. American families have every right to defend themselves from America's crime epidemic.
- What measures should be taken to assist states, such as Texas, which have been hurt by the recent crash in oil prices?We need more funding for federal programs to mitigate the worst effects of this downturn.
- Could more have been done to prevent the current farm crisis, which has devastated the upper Midwest?We need to increase the support for American agriculture by fighting for exports in our trade deals -- with the Soviet Union, Mexico, and elsewhere.
- Where will you spend your final day of the campaign?Texas and its neighboring states.
- Will you continue the tradition of debating your opponent in the month before the election?Let's do it.