Campaign Trail Results: Game #945068
Play The Campaign Trail
This Game:
- Year: 1844
- Player Candidate: Henry Clay
- Running Mate: Theodore Frelinghuysen
- Difficulty Level: Impossible
- Winner Take All Mode?: Yes
- Game Played:
View overall results, or a specific state:
| Candidate | Electoral Votes | Popular Votes | Pop. Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- James K. Polk | 265 | 1,516,086 | 56.70 |
| ---- Henry Clay | 10 | 1,083,305 | 40.51 |
| ---- James Birney | 0 | 74,712 | 2.79 |
| ---- John Tyler | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Answers:
- Do you believe that some revenue should be set aside from our tariffs to finance internal improvements, such as canals and roads?Only a very limited amount, for the most compelling projects. Otherwise the tariff should be for revenue purposes only.
- Martin Van Buren, Democrat and President until 1841, will be making a tour of the country to visit various friends and political figures. Will you extend the invitation for him to stay at your estate for a few days?This would be a strictly personal invite. We are friends. And besides, it might blunt some opposition to my candidacy from New York.
- What points will emphasize in your acceptance letter, as you accept the Whig nomination for President?I will avoid any mention of Texas. The main focus of my acceptance will be an elucidation of my economic principles, including a national bank, a tariff, and internal improvemnets.
- What position will you take on the Texas annexation issue?This discussion has grown tiresome, but I will continue to advocate for a moderate solution on this issue.
- The background of your running mate, Theodore Frelinghuysen, has caused much distress among the Catholics of this country? Will you make any statements on this issue?Of course we denounce rioting and lawlessness, but we do support some attempt to change our naturalization laws.
- There have recently been riots and armed clashes between nativists and Irish immigrants in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Do you have any plans to condemn the Irish violence in these episodes?We should condemn the apparent lawlessness of the Irish arrivals, and ask whether we ought to reconsider our generous naturalization policies.
- Cassius Clay, your cousin, has published a letter stating you are in accord with the abolitionist movement. How will you respond to this?We must attack Cassius Clay's statements at once, for the dishonest falsehoods that they are. I am in no way an abolitionist in this debate.
- There are a number of attacks which focus on your fondness for horse-racing, drinking, gambling, female conversation, and the like. Do you have a response to this?There are a lot of places in America where men like that kind of thing. We will win the Yankee Puritan vote in any case.
- Do you plan to make any attacks against the Liberty Party, a radical abolitionist group that is fielding a third party candidate?Thomas Birney is a stooge of the Democrats, attempting to agitate emotions and divide our party. People ought to feel free to vote for him if they want to hand this election to James K. Polk.
- Do you still support the idea that the federal government should purchase the telegraph patent and manage the technology?I've supported internal improvements throughout my career, but telegraph lines are a different thing. I trust that private individuals can build these.
- Was there really a bargain (a “Corrupt Bargain” to many) between yourself and John Quincy Adams which elevated him to the Presidency in 1825?I don't know how many times a man can deny an unjust allegation before fatigue sets in.
- Does it make sense to attack Northern Democrats as enablers and fellow travelers of the Southern slavery expansion?My opposition to the annexation of Texas is known, but we could more explicitly tie that maneuver to the expansion of slavery.
- Is there something you can do to give the Southern Whigs political cover from the incessant attacks that they are in league with an anti-slavery party?I am opposed to radicalism from any region, and that includes anti-slavery radicalism. The Whig Party is a national party with a national program that will benefit all regions equally.
- What should your party's position be on the Tariff of 1842, which increased tariffs?We stand steadfast in support of this tariff. It is one of the few positive accomplishments of Mr. Tyler's so-called Presidency.
- What is your current position on the banking system?I support our current free banking system, and I see no need for the Treasury to insulate its operations from the state-chartered banks.
- Do you support an Amendment that would limit the President to a single term in office?I don't support an Amendment on this issue, but I will personally promise not to run for reelection.
- Do you support the lifting of the Gag Rule in Congress?We have no plans to address the Gag Rule during our campaign.
- Aside from the issue of Texas, do you support the expansion of the United States in general? Into Oregon, other parts of Mexico, Cuba, etc.?I am against the annexation of Texas. And just to show that this does derive from sectional prejudice, I am also against expansion into Oregon or other regions.
- Would you sign a law that lowered tariffs below the level needed to protect American industry from foreign imports?I would gladly sign such a bill into law.
- Do you support any changes to our current naturalization laws?Only some very minor changes, like increasing the waiting period before new citizens may vote.
- Do you support any effort to establish a unified, national currency?Only if we could establish one without chartering a new national bank.
- Do you agree with Robert Walker's letter, arguing that that slavery issue will be diluted by national expansion?We won't address Mr. Walker's letter directly, but we are in favor of annexation.
- After the unfortunate death of Abel Upshur in the Princeton explosion, John Calhoun succeeded him as Secretary of State. Was this a wise appointment by President Tyler?We don't have any plans to comment upon the Cabinet appointments of President Tyler.
- Regardless of your personal feelings, would you sign an act which established an independent Treasury for the government's funds?I support our current banking system, and would not support any ill-conceived attempts to centralize our finances.
- Is there a particular state where your party should concentrate its resources and most talented speakers as the election draws near?Virginia