Campaign Trail Results: Game #736607

This Game:

  • Year: 1896
  • Player Candidate: William Jennings Bryan
  • Running Mate: Horace Boies
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
  • Game Played:
  • SheliaJRowell
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View overall results, or a specific state:
CandidateElectoral VotesPopular VotesPop. Vote %
---- William McKinley2266,725,87048.21
---- William Jennings Bryan2217,090,76750.82
---- John Palmer0135,1470.97

Answers:

  • Which of the following most closely matches your overall campaign message?
    We will focus on free-silver and especially on the issues affecting farmers. We will seek a reduction in private debts and an end to the monopolistic practices of the railroads. We will also fight for the lowest possible tariffs.
  • What do you have to say about William McKinley's campaign, at a high level?
    McKinley is a fanatical defender of an obsolete monetary system. He is a front-man for big business and the New York financiers.
  • The novelty of a personal visit from the "Great Commoner" could probably swing the West Coast states in your direction. However, it will take two weeks to travel and return via train.
    Will you divert your attention from the Midwest long enough to visit California, Oregon, and Washington?

    Let us bring our message to the citizens of the Pacific Coast. Winning these three states could swing the entire election.
  • You have very little chance of winning New York this fall, and nearly all of that city's newspapers are anti-Bryan. That doesn't mean you couldn't draw a frenzied crowd in New York City.
    Perhaps the media attention would be beneficial in building excitement for your campaign on a national scale?

    I will give one big speech in New York City to open my campaign. Even if winning that state is hopeless, we need the national press.
  • You have alluded to the need for less prejudice between the races. Senator "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman, of South Carolina, privately seeks your clarification.
    Can you reassure him that the federal government will respect the rights of the states under your Administration?

    We will respect the rights of the states. I call for greater understanding, but certainly not for an overthrow of the natural order.
  • What do you think of leaving the Midwest for a week and making a circuit of the crucial upper South states? (i.e. Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky)
    It's a shame that we need to even campaign in these beacons of the South. But if we have to, let us do it with effluence.
  • Without compromising on the silver issue, what can you say about McKinley to Bourbon Democrats to try and bring them back into the fold?
    McKinley will run a radical pro-monopolist Administration that should frighten any ordinary American.
  • In an unusual move, the Populist Party has supported you for President while nominating their own running-mate. The man is Thomas Watson of Georgia -- a known radical. What do you have to say about this bizarre situation?
    If they can get a Bryan-Watson ticket on the ballot, good for them. We will sort this issue out after we win the election in November.
  • Can you state your definitive position on the American monetary system?
    I support the free, unlimited coinage of silver at a fixed price ratio of 16-to-1 against gold.
  • What is your definitive position on the tariff issue?
    Tariffs should be limited to the minimum amount necessary to raise sufficient revenue for the federal government.
  • The United States is in the midst of a financial calamity, with masses of unemployed men on the streets. What will you do to revive business in this country?
    It's time we think about implementing a series of public works projects to occupy our excess labor force. This will improve business by placing more money in the hands of consumers.
  • Grover Cleveland sent federal troops to Illinois to end the Pullman Strike without the request of Governor Altgeld. Was this an overreach on his part?
    This was the act of a tyrant. Pullman was engaged in abominable business practices, and in the darkest hour Cleveland cast his lot with the company over the working man.
  • What is your opinion on measures that would aim to restrict the sale or production of alcohol?
    It is my dream to see a Prohibition Amendment passed before I die.
  • Grover Cleveland led the push to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1894. What are your thoughts on his actions during that period?
    I support the coinage of silver, and this action was a step in the wrong direction. It took money out of the system when we needed it the most, and is partly to blame for the depth of our current downturn.
  • Do you think that the calls for "free silver" represent a boondoggle for western mining interests? If such a program is put into place, regardless of your overall views on the silver question, should there be measures to make sure mining companies don't benefit disproportionately?
    The mining companies will not benefit any more or less than the American public will benefit from the free coinage of silver.
  • What do you have to say about the efforts of the "Sugar Trust" to shield itself from the effects of the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act?
    This is yet another example of how corrupt special interests use a pliant Congress to further their own concerns. Tariffs should be low for all commodities and wares.
  • Does the success of the tin-plate industry within the U.S. prove that protectionism stimulates industry?
    This is the type of cronyism that occurs when government selects certain industries for protection under a tariff act. I support low tariffs across the board.
  • Do you believe that workers should have the right to bargain collectively?
    This right should be as fundamental as any other right in a free economy. There will only be justice in this country when there is justice for the working class.
  • Should there be some regulation of working hours for children, particularly those under the age of 12 or 13?
    It agonizes me that we do not have this protection in place. Have we not seen children who are seven years old losing their hands in the cotton looms?
  • Some people have suggested implementing a minimum wage, under which people may not be employed. Do you think this would help increase wages or would it simply put more men out of work?
    There are individuals in this country working for less than a dollar a day. Only through desperation would a man ever consent to such an arrangement.
  • Would you support the abolition of tribal governments in Oklahoma, as a precondition for that territory to obtain statehood?
    Oklahoma must be admitted as a single state. The Indian tribal systems and bureaus are an obstacle to this goal, and they must be disbanded.
  • In general, is the Supreme Court too obstructionist in their rulings on economic issues? Would you appoint judges who would bring a new perspective to these issues?
    If we could manage it, I would increase the number of justices on the Court so that we can dissipate the influence of the reactionaries presently in control there.
  • Will you work towards international agreements to create a monetary system based on "bimetallism", i.e. a combination of gold and silver?
    This would be a worthwhile arrangement for the laboring classes across the civilized world. When I'm elected, however, we will allow the free coinage of silver regardless of what agreements are or aren't in place.
  • Do you approve of Grover Cleveland's handing of the federal budget over the previous four years?
    Grover Cleveland has vetoed more pieces of legislation than any President in our history, increased our deficit, and still found a way to provide J.P. Morgan with a financial windfall from the public purse.
  • There is one week left until election day. Every state is important, but where will you give an extra push with your personal campaigning to swing the final results?
    Indiana has always been the critical swing state. Let's spend most of our time there while also crossing over into Illinois and Kentucky.