Campaign Trail Results: Game #747195
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 2012
- Player Candidate: Mitt Romney
- Running Mate: Rob Portman
- 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 | 309 | 64,860,946 | 50.33 |
| ---- Barack Obama | 229 | 62,771,611 | 48.71 |
| ---- Gary Johnson | 0 | 931,225 | 0.72 |
| ---- Jill Stein | 0 | 314,239 | 0.24 |
Visits:
- Florida:2
- Pennsylvania:2
- Virginia:2
- Colorado:1
- Michigan:1
- Minnesota:1
- North Carolina:1
- Ohio:1
- Wisconsin: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.
- Some involved with the space program have suggested sending astronauts to Mars, or even forming moon colonies. What is your take?Perhaps down the line we would consider that. I think at the present moment there are more urgent priorities.
- 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?The federal government has forced Arizona's hand by being too lax on enforcement for far too long.
- 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.
- Does it make sense to dispose our nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada?As a sovereign state, Nevada has every right to reject this proposal. Nobody wants to live next to a toxic nuclear waste site.
- How do you view the practice of hydraulic fracturing (aka 'fracking') in the Dakotas and elsewhere?It would be irresponsible of me to speculate on this practice without a thorough understanding of the facts. One of the first things I will do after the election is to establish a bipartisan commission to fully investigate this issue, and to present its recommendations.
- 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 The Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed.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?Our most productive citizens need further tax cuts to stimulate business confidence, investment, and further job creation.
- Overall, are you satisfied with the trade relationship between the U.S. and China?I'm not very satisfied at all. Off the record, however, we cannot change much without risking a Chinese flight from our Treasuries and a possible trade war.
- What do you think we should do next in regards to Social Security?You know, the projected shortfall that people talk of, we're not even talking about the Trust Fund making a net payout until 2033. Maybe there are some tweaks we can make to the program, but it is fundamentally sound.
- 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.
- 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?This is entirely appropriate for an economy recovering from the worst recession since the 1930s. Additionally, there have been repeated jobs proposals in Congress, all of which have been sabotaged by Republican obstructionism.
- Apple's use of cheap, Chinese labor via Foxconn has increased the visibility of labor conditions in that country. Do you think that China competes unfairly with the U.S. by denying basic rights to its workers?The U.S.-China relationship has destroyed middle class jobs for close to three decades. We need drastic changes including more protection for American manufacturing.
- 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.
- Is there too much regulation of the American logging industry?We need some rational management of our nation's resources, but I think too often we err on the side of caution when it comes to utilizing our nation's timber.
- Would you consider military action in Syria if the impasse between Bashar Assad and the rebels there continues?I will do what is necessary to preserve freedom and human rights in Syria. It's impossible to say whether that means committing the U.S. military or not at this point.
- What do you think the next steps should be in regards to Medicare?There are plenty of ways we can strengthen this system by reducing the role of government within it. For example, younger Americans should have the option to invest in personal health accounts.
- Over half of all sexual harassment complaints filed in 2011 were dismissed -- an increase from previous years. Do you think enough is being done to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace?I'm very concerned about this issue. I would like to see our funding level increase for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, so that adequate resources are in place to pursue these claims.
- 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.
- To what extent will you speak about your religious faith (Mormonism) on the campaign trail?On occasion it makes sense to bring this up. Over the years I have helped out many in need through the Mormon Church, both with my time and through charity. We should make sure the American people know this about me.
- 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.
- Be perfectly honest. How do you like Barack Obama as a person?Barack is a decent guy. Our personal feelings for each other are not the issue. What's important are our differences of opinion on how to get the American economy moving.
- 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.