Campaign Trail Results: Game #685251
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Mitt Romney
- Running Mate: Marco Rubio
- Difficulty Level: Normal
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
- pullomurphy
View overall results, or a specific state: 
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % | 
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- Mitt Romney | 301 | 64,986,621 | 50.20 | 
| ---- Barack Obama | 237 | 63,266,861 | 48.88 | 
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 872,844 | 0.67 | 
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 316,847 | 0.24 | 
Visits:
- Ohio:4
- Pennsylvania:4
- Colorado:2
- Florida:1
- Virginia: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.
- Do you have an opinion on net neutrality?Internet service providers should have a right to charge fair value for the service they provide. I'm not comfortable with anything that would regulate their ability to serve their customers.
- To what extent should offshore drilling be permitted in the Gulf of Mexico?We need this oil to put America on a path towards energy independence.
- 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?Our most productive citizens need further tax cuts to stimulate business confidence, investment, and further job creation.
- Will you launch an air campaign against Iranian nuclear sites if diplomatic negotiations continue to yield minimal results?Of course I will always act in the best interests of the United States. We are keeping all options on the table, but it's irresponsible at this point to go into further details.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The maximum duration of unemployment insurance, with all extensions factored in, has been reduced from 99 weeks. Do you think this is appropriate in the current economic climate?That is nearly two years. We need unemployment benefits but these extensions were clearly out of control.
- 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.
- 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.
- Will you wear an American flag lapel on your suit as you campaign?It baffles me how someone could be ashamed to display the American flag. It seems a little unpatriotic to me.
- 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.
- 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?Students are the future of this country and they need all the help they can get to make it through college, especially considering how much tuition has been increased over the past few years.
- Who are the real job creators in this country -- hardworking American citizens or Washington bureaucrats?American small business, obviously. I will be their champion as President.
- This morning you went to an elementary school and read books to a class of second-graders. How did you enjoy yourself?It's always refreshing to spend my morning in a classroom full of America's future leaders and inventors.
- What is the best way to make college more affordable for young people?Student loans should be disbursed with regard to a student's major and grade point average. This would encourage students to choose productive majors and would decrease the debt burden for graduates later in life.
- Can you clear up any confusion with the Republican base about your beliefs on global warming?I would be glad to. Even if the earth is getting warmer, it's impossible to say that human activity is the main driver. We've had these fluctuations over and over again during the geological history of our planet.
- 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?Obama has completely failed to energize our economy. His failed stimulus package and reliance on monetary easing have contributed greatly to our stagnation. On the other hand, I will add 10 million jobs in my first Administration.
- 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.