American Nightmare - Finished w/ epilogue

[sentinel]

November 28th 2011
Eric Cantor wins a tough vote for Speaker in the Republican Conference and then is elected as Speaker by the House of Representatives. Democrats vote in bloc for Nancy Pelosi. A handful of Republicans vote for Peter King even against King’s wishes.

Final Vote in the Republican Conference for Speaker…
Cantor: 121
King: 119
After losing, King pledges to back Eric Cantor in the House although insiders say that the debate between both sides was bloody with King accusing Eric Cantor of adding to the rhetoric that got Congresswoman Giffords shot and the President killed. Cantor’s campaign for Speaker was based on a “return to Reagan-esque values” and keeping Republicans in power both “in Congress and in the White House.”
Republican candidates for President are still sitting on the sideline unaware of who they are campaigning against.
At a private Cabinet meeting…

“John, I speak for everyone here when I ask ‘What do you plan to do?’”

“We’re going to put the country back on track, back on sound fiscal footing…”

“John, you know exactly what I mean.”

“The Constitution and the laws of the United States have made me President. I plan to serve to the best of my ability.”

“Are you going to appoint a Vice President?”

“Yes. My aides will start looking into a selection soon.”

“You’re going to appoint a DEMOCRATIC Vice President, right John?”

“This meeting is over. Thank you.”

A few minutes later in the Oval Office…

“Mr. President, Secretary Clinton is right. I would recommend appointing a Democratic Vice President and then resigning. The people elected a Democratic President in 2008.”

“And the people elected a Republican House of Representatives by a large majority in 2010 –a clear backlash at the direction your people brought this country in. I plan to continue what the people asked for in 2010 and bring sound fiscal footing back to our country. If you don’t you can serve as my Chief of Staff..”

“Consider this my resignation.”

The next morning’s Wall Street Journal Headline: FIRST OBAMA AIDE TO GO: DALEY QUITS

Quote “The White House released a statement this morning stating that Chief of Staff Bill Daley, who was appointed by President Obama in early 2011, has quit after “irreconcilable differences with President Boehner.” The move itself is not surprising, Daley being a staunch Democrat, but no one expected him to leave this soon…”

President Boehner has quickly appointed Barry Jackson as his new Chief of Staff.

“Sir, thank you for letting me serve. I will be doing a staff shakeup very soon…”

“Ok, thank you…”

“Sir, are you okay? You seem a ltitle aloof today…”

“I’m fine, thank you Barry. That will be all.”

“Thank you Mr. President.”

“Margaret, could you try to get one of my children on the phone?”

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Boehner's making a huge mistake trying to "take the Presidency and run".

[sentinel]

November 30th 2011

New York Times Headline: BOEHNER GIVES PINK SLIP TO OBAMA SENIOR ADVISORS; BOEHNER TO STAY?

SUBHEADLINE IN WALL STREET JOURNAL: CANTOR TO BOEHNER: “APPOINT A REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENT!”


“John, what do you think you’re doing? You need to appoint a Democratic Vice President, get him or her confirmed, and then resign.”

“If you haven’t noticed Hillary, it’s Mr. President to you now."

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing? The people will hate this. You’re single handedly circumventing the will of the people.”

“The will of the people was to put Republicans in power last November, and I sit in this office not because I want to, but because I have to. I have to get the country back on track…”


Later on…

“Barry, you need to urge the President to appoint a Democratic Vice President.”

“I’ll let him know your concerns.”

“Are we on the same page Barry? What are you telling him to do?”

“Leader Reid, I assure you I know what I’m doing…”

“If you know what you’re doing then you’ll appoint a Democratic Vice President…anything else won’t get past the Senate…”

December 15th 2011

Gallup: “With the Republican campaigns waiting for some sign from the President, they’re still on hold as the caucuses and primaries fast approach.

Should President Boehner run for President in 2012?
Yes: 26%
No: 56%
Not sure/don’t know/no opinion: 18%

Do you approve or disapprove of the job that President Boehner is doing?

Strongly Approve: 9%
Approve: 39%
Disapprove: 30%
Strongly Disapprove: 22%

Is President Boehner a strong leader?

Yes:33%
No: 44%
Not sure/don’t know/no opinion: 23%

Gallup: With a 48% approval rating, an over 20% drop since he took office, President Boehner is nearing the end of whatever honeymoon he might have had…a plurality of voters do not see him as a strong leader…his lagging approvals are most likely results from the rumors of tension between the Cabinet and the President –and as well as tension between the Speaker, who was expected to be strongly backed by the President –and was not…the President is expected to name a Vice President soon…

December 24th 2011

NEW YORK TIMES HEADLINE: BOEHNER’S X-MAS PRESENT – NOMINATES  GOP GOV FOR VP, OBAMA CABINET RESIGNS EN MASS


“President Boehner today submitted his choice for Vice President to Congress – Republican Governor Robert J. Bentley of Alabama. Bentley was elected to Governor in 2010 with 58% of the vote...in defiance of the President’s nomination of a Republican for Vice President the entire Obama Administration Cabinet has resigned putting the confirmation of a new head to these positions in the Democratic Senate’s hands Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, speaking for the entire cabinet, said today that “President Boehner is ignoring the will of the people. The people elected a Democratic President in 2008 and expect a Democrat to finish out the term regardless of who is elected in 2012. We have plead with President Boehner to do just that and he has refused. It is why Chief of Staff William Daley resigned and it is why we have all resigned today.”

POLITICO: GOV CHRISTIE’S WIFE SAYS HE TURNED DOWN VP OFFER

NEW YORK POST: RUMOR: BUTCH OTTER TURNED DOWN VP OFFER

DRUDGE REPORT: BOEHNER OFFERS VP TO EVERYONE!

“Governor Bentley will not be confirmed in the Senate.” – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
“Governor Bentley will be confirmed in the House –with many more votes than needed…” – Speaker Eric Cantor

In the Oval Office...

"You still can't get a hold of my children?"

"Well, sir, I did get hold of one of them. I'm not sure you'll like the message."

"What is it?"

"He said they'll speak to you when you come home and stay home."

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I remember your previous TL with President Spitzer. Spitzer at least understood the problem and stepped down in favor of a Republican replacement, after he handled an emergency.

[sentinel]

I remember your previous TL with President Spitzer. Spitzer at least understood the problem and stepped down in favor of a Republican replacement, after he handled an emergency.

Yes, that was one of my first timelines, the original Spitzer one. He loses in the end too but he does manage to make the comeback.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Jesus Christ.

This is really great so far. I feel sort of bad for Boehner, actually. He really doesn't seem like he wants to be doing any of this, but he doesn't seem like he's doing anything morally strong either. He seems almost prostrate before his own sense of duty but with incredibly twisted priorities on a level that could serious damage the country.

Will be eagerly awaiting updates on this.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

From a purely human point of view, I do understand Boehner. His family life is destroyed, he's no longer a lord of the House, so for a professional politician like him resigning from the last thing left, the Presidency, is something just too hard to go through.

From a purely political point of view, he's making the worst mistakes imaginable by staying for an entire term and then offering the Vice Presidency to every possible random guy and ending up with "Brother Bentley", a freshman Alabama Governor and a nut.

I feel for a human being called Boehner TTL, but as of politician Boehner, he's just getting what deserved.

Sirnick, you're great writer. It's not just suspense, it also have a psychological depth

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I feel for a human being called Boehner TTL, but as of politician Boehner, he's just getting what deserved.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant by feeling only 'sort of' bad for him. Thank you for articulating it better than I could.

[sentinel]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

[Captain Chaos]

And looking forward to more.

The confirmation hearings for VPOTUS nominee Bentley (if any) will be acrimonious and make for great soundbites on CNN

[sentinel]

January 2012
The Republican campaigns restart, although a bit awkwardly given the absence of a Democratic nominee or a Democrat in the White House…

The FBI says it is finalizing its report on the assassinations. The report will say that the FBI has found no strong or compelling evidence that Lucas Charley was part of an organized plot to kill the President and Vice President and that Charley suffered from severe psychological issues.
Many Americans feel unsatisfied by the report –this feeling like there was more to it and that this horrible act couldn’t just be a random act of violence. Americans had heard Lucas Charley’s story but it was not a unique story in the Great Recession. Many Americans had lost their jobs and resorted to working below their pay grade –but they didn’t turn to violence.

President Boehner’s approval continues to fall –he is now overwhelmingly disliked by a majority of independents and Democrats. His support amongst Republicans is barely at a majority. 62% of adult Americans say that Boehner should have appointed a Democratic Vice President…18% think he did the right thing by appointing a Republican and the remainder have no opinion or are unsure.

Both domestically and internationally there are crises looming on the horizon that President Boehner has yet to address. The initial shock from the assassination, while still a horrible image in everyone’s mind, is beginning to wear off.

“The President needs to appoint a Democrat and then step down. This is nothing personal against Governor Bentley –but I will not vote to confirm a Republican Vice President.” – Senator John McCain, 2008 Republican Nominee for President.

January 4th 2012

President Boehner attends his first event outside the White House that isn’t a funeral a reporter yells “WILL YOU RUN FOR PRESIDENT?!” President Boehner stops, looks at the reporter and replies “You know what, I have nothing left to lose. Why not?”

Boehner’s Press Secretary quickly hears about the comment and approaches Chief of Staff Barry Jackson

“You need to walk him back Barry. He can’t run for President. He’s in such emotional turmoil –its obvious to everyone who works here, it’s obvious to the Press that come in and out of the White House –and the only reason they haven’t hit him on it is because they feel bad.”

“If the President wants to run for President then we’re going to help and guide him.”

“You hired me telling me that this was a temporary gig. You said it would last a few months –tops. I don’t want any part of the sh**t-storm that’s going to come.”

“If you feel you can’t serve…”

“Feel I can’t serve? HE CAN’T SERVE! Are you completely ignorant? You couldn’t find a Vice President, and now you’re having trouble finding anyone willing to be in the Cabinet. Take the hint. I quit”

A little while later Hillary Clinton sits down for a scheduled interview…

“Madam, thank you for your time. Finally I want to ask you –who do you think the President’s nominee for Vice President should have been?”

“First and foremost it should have been a Democrat because President Obama was a Democrat. I worked closely with him for three years and I know that he would have wanted it that way. President Boehner knew Barack’s wishes as well but he ignored them.”

“Any names in mind that would have been good?”

“Well, here’s one worth discussing –although I’m unsure if he’s eligible or not under the Constitution –but the 22nd Amendment allows someone to serve 10 years as President…less than half of one President’s term and two more elected terms as President…my husband would be a great choice to finish out President Obama’s last year in office. Not only does he have the experience to do it –it would be the safest thing anyone could do. You know exactly what you’re getting and he doesn’t need training wheels.”

“Who would you support for the Democratic nominee then in 2012?”

“Gosh, I don’t know but it would allow for a competitive primary.”

[Captain Chaos]

January 2011
The Republican campaigns restart, although a bit awkwardly given the absence of a Democratic nominee or a Democrat in the White House…

The FBI says it is finalizing its report on the assassinations. The report will say that the FBI has found no strong or compelling evidence that Lucas Charley was part of an organized plot to kill the President and Vice President and that Charley suffered from severe psychological issues.
Many Americans feel unsatisfied by the report –this feeling like there was more to it and that this horrible act couldn’t just be a random act of violence. Americans had heard Lucas Charley’s story but it was not a unique story in the Great Recession. Many Americans had lost their jobs and resorted to working below their pay grade –but they didn’t turn to violence.

President Boehner’s approval continues to fall –he is now overwhelmingly disliked by a majority of independents and Democrats. His support amongst Republicans is barely at a majority. 62% of adult Americans say that Boehner should have appointed a Democratic Vice President…18% think he did the right thing by appointing a Republican and the remainder have no opinion or are unsure.

Both domestically and internationally there are crises looming on the horizon that President Boehner has yet to address. The initial shock from the assassination, while still a horrible image in everyone’s mind, is beginning to wear off.

“The President needs to appoint a Democrat and then step down. This is nothing personal against Governor Bentley –but I will not vote to confirm a Republican Vice President.” – Senator John McCain, 2008 Republican Nominee for President.

January 4th 2011

President Boehner attends his first event outside the White House that isn’t a funeral a reporter yells “WILL YOU RUN FOR PRESIDENT?!” President Boehner stops, looks at the reporter and replies “You know what, I have nothing left to lose. Why not?”

Boehner’s Press Secretary quickly hears about the comment and approaches Chief of Staff Barry Jackson

“You need to walk him back Barry. He can’t run for President. He’s in such emotional turmoil –its obvious to everyone who works here, it’s obvious to the Press that come in and out of the White House –and the only reason they haven’t hit him on it is because they feel bad.”

“If the President wants to run for President then we’re going to help and guide him.”

“You hired me telling me that this was a temporary gig. You said it would last a few months –tops. I don’t want any part of the sh**t-storm that’s going to come.”

“If you feel you can’t serve…”

“Feel I can’t serve? HE CAN’T SERVE! Are you completely ignorant? You couldn’t find a Vice President, and now you’re having trouble finding anyone willing to be in the Cabinet. Take the hint. I quit”

A little while later Hillary Clinton sits down for a scheduled interview…

“Madam, thank you for your time. Finally I want to ask you –who do you think the President’s nominee for Vice President should have been?”

“First and foremost it should have been a Democrat because President Obama was a Democrat. I worked closely with him for three years and I know that he would have wanted it that way. President Boehner knew Barack’s wishes as well but he ignored them.”

“Any names in mind that would have been good?”

“Well, here’s one worth discussing –although I’m unsure if he’s eligible or not under the Constitution –but the 22nd Amendment allows someone to serve 10 years as President…less than half of one President’s term and two more elected terms as President…my husband would be a great choice to finish out President Obama’s last year in office. Not only does he have the experience to do it –it would be the safest thing anyone could do. You know exactly what you’re getting and he doesn’t need training wheels.”

“Who would you support for the Democratic nominee then in 2012?”

“Gosh, I don’t know but it would allow for a competitive primary.”

Don't you mean 2012?

[sentinel]

Yup. Whoops. Fixed.

[sentinel]

Night of January 4th 2012

John Boehner didn’t feel Presidential. He hadn’t slept well since before he became President. He missed his home, he missed his children. The emotional toll on this was destroying his mind. He couldn’t keep his mind off his late wife, and how his children were giving him the cold shoulder. At a time like this, children should need their father –but they didn’t need him. Even as President of the United States –arguably the most powerful man in the world and in the nation, he realized he was powerless to get close to the ones who could help him. He couldn’t think of anything else…in meetings with senior advisors he kept thinking about her –and his family. Maybe if he earned the prestige of the Presidency in his own right they would come back to him. If he couldn’t earn their love back as President then he was worthless. Boehner never realized how alone a person could feel. These were only some of the thoughts Boehner had as he tossed and turned and failed to sleep well or sleep at all…

Sometime later…

Aide 1: “Did you see the President today? He didn’t look good.”
Aide 2: “Stressful job, what do you expect?”

New York Times Headline on the morning of January 5th : BOEHNER TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

Wall Street Journal Headline: STOCK MARKET TUMBLES AS BOEHNER MULLS RUN

Washington Post Headline: DEMOCRATS IN DISARRAY – WHO DO THEY TURN TO?

New York Post: BOEHNER TO STAY, HARD-ON FOR PRESIDENCY

“Mr. President, we need your approval for confirmations for the Cabinet…we have some names…”

“Could you bring it by me later? I’m reading an old letter right now.”

“Certainly sir.”

January 6th 2012:

“George, there’s something wrong with this guy. We have to speak up.”

“There are times where the future seems as thick as the fog, you hope the mist will lift and reveal a path…Bill we need to help reveal a path for the President. We’re the only ones who may know anything close to how he feels.”

“You want to meet with him? I don’t even think he should be President.”

“We’ll have more credibility if we meet with him first.”

“Is your son going to come?”

“Might as well. Couldn’t hurt.”

“You’re not seriously contemplating replacing him though…right?”

“No, that was just Hillary running her mouth again.”

[sentinel]

Karl Rove on Fox: This President is obviously not fit to serve. My sources in the White House are telling me that he is emotionally distraught…there’s a reason he’s rarely been seen in public…the nation is leaderless right now…it’s a testament to the Obama Administration that the Executive Departments are running without a President or any Secretary’s.
Anchor: Couldn’t the Cabinet have invoked the 25th Amendment and removed the President?

Karl Rover: There would have been a nightmare Constitutional crisis. The Cabinet took the higher road by just resigning in my opinion.

Later…

Anchor: Governor Romney, what would you have advised President Boehner to do? Appoint a Democratic Vice President or Republican…something different?”

Romney: What happened to President Obama and Vice President Biden is a crime against the entire nation –let me say that first. I would have advised President Boehner to appoint a Democratic Vice President. Someone with experience who could be a caretaker for the Presidency for the next year.

Anchor: Any names in mind?

Romney: I’m not going to speculate on names –but appointing Governor Bentley was not the right move for the nation.

January 7th 2012

Associated Press: A meeting between former Presidents Bush, both Senior and Junior, Clinton and President Boehner will occur on January 8th 2012. The White House has not released the meeting and is not commenting.

January 8th 2012

“President Clinton, President Bush, President Bush, nice to have you here.”

“John, we have to talk” the most senior former President cut straight to the point “We can help you. We know how you feel, it’s a hard job.”

“You gotta turn to God –“ the younger Bush interrupted

“George.” The father said quickly and his son quieted up. Bill smirked.

“I’m handling this fine. We’re going to be moving ahead with our legislative agenda shortly.”
“You don’t have a legislative agenda, who are you kidding?” Bill interrupted.

“You don’t speak to the President like –“ Barry Jackson interrupted

“Who are you? Get out of here.” The eldest Bush snapped at the Chief of Staff
“It’s fine Barry, you can go.” Boehner spoke up
.
“Sir, it would be best if I stayed…” Barry said quietly but Boehner waved him off and Barry exited the room.

“John, you need help. You’re have almost zero public events, you have no Cabinet, your Vice President pick is a joke, all because you’re not well. You’re sick John.” Bill said bluntly.
“He’s right. We all agree that you need help. You need to be home with your family.” The eldest Bush chided in.

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. My family will help me when I run for President. You’ll see.”

“John, let me ask you something. When you’re in meetings what are you thinking about? You need to be focused to do this job.” The youngest Bush questioned the sitting President
“I can focus –“

“You’re full of it” Bill cut him off “This is going to damage your reputation, your party, and the nation.”

“Bill –“ the eldest Bush tried to cut off his successor

“The Presidency won’t fix your problems, it will just make your problems public and then it’ll be worse than ever. You can get out of this now.” Bill continued

“I can’t believe the three of you come here and speak to me like this. I bet you’d like me to appoint one of you three Vice President.”

“No, we don’t want –“ the eldest Bush tried to interrupt

“We’re done here.”

Outside the White House a few minutes later…
“What next?”

“We go public.”

“He’s out of his mind.”

“Not so hard, we need to push him to step down before this gets worse.”

“God forbid we have a catastrophe in the next few days, he can’t handle it.”

“If we say he’s incompetent to lead won’t our enemies take advantage of that?”

“Which is why we need to be rational about this.”

[sentinel]

Any thoughts on the last two updates or where this is going? I'll have another posted tonight (if not then tomorrow morning).

[mondale84]

Awesome!!! Keep it coming!!

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Okay, this is amazing. Keep it up.

[Simfan34]

Two words: poor Boehner. Unfortunately the VP isn't any better.

[sentinel]

Quick update.

----

January 9th 2012

“…It’s time for a Democrat to step up to the plate and to finish what President Obama started…we don’t have time to idly sit around. We need a leader in the White House. We need a Democrat to finish out President Obama’s term and if the Republicans are not going to let that happen then we’re going to take the next four years from them…today I announce my candidacy for President of the United States” –  Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley


Wall Street Journal Headline: Stock Market dropped 10% under Boehner

A bit later in January…

“Sir, we’re working on getting your name on the ballot in Iowa and New Hampshire…with the primary a month away, we’re close on time…”

“How am I polling?”

“Not as well as we liked but there’s room for growth”

Gallup: Mid January 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination Poll (National)
Romney: 27%
Perry: 23%
Bachmann: 15%
Paul: 10%
Cain: 7%
Huntsman: 6%
Boehner: 5%
Gingrich: 3%
Pawlenty: 3%
Santorum: 1%

Gallup: President Boehner’s Approval Ratings:
Approve: 39%
Disapprove: 52%

Gallup: “President Boehner’s popularity has deteriorated rapidly over the past few months.”

[MAINEiac4434]

This is truly phenomenal. I had an idea for an "Obama Assassination" timeline, during a campaign stop in Delaware in 2012. Joe Biden survived, but Obama and Beau Biden were killed. Obviously nothing came of it, and this was better anyway.

Please tell me Andrew Cuomo is running for president for the Dems.

[sentinel]

This is truly phenomenal. I had an idea for an "Obama Assassination" timeline, during a campaign stop in Delaware in 2012. Joe Biden survived, but Obama and Beau Biden were killed. Obviously nothing came of it, and this was better anyway.

Please tell me Andrew Cuomo is running for president for the Dems.

I'd like to see Cuomo run in reality, but he won't for 2012 in this timeline.

[MAINEiac4434]

This is truly phenomenal. I had an idea for an "Obama Assassination" timeline, during a campaign stop in Delaware in 2012. Joe Biden survived, but Obama and Beau Biden were killed. Obviously nothing came of it, and this was better anyway.

Please tell me Andrew Cuomo is running for president for the Dems.

I'd like to see Cuomo run in reality, but he won't for 2012 in this timeline.

Damn you! Just kidding, but seriously, why not? Martin O'Malley is rather underwhelming.

[sentinel]

This is truly phenomenal. I had an idea for an "Obama Assassination" timeline, during a campaign stop in Delaware in 2012. Joe Biden survived, but Obama and Beau Biden were killed. Obviously nothing came of it, and this was better anyway.

Please tell me Andrew Cuomo is running for president for the Dems.

I'd like to see Cuomo run in reality, but he won't for 2012 in this timeline.

Damn you! Just kidding, but seriously, why not? Martin O'Malley is rather underwhelming.

O'Malley is in his second term and was/is the DGA Chairperson. Plus he wants to run

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I hope I assume correctly O'Malley won't be a sole candidate, right?