2008 Election TL (Gameplay Thread)

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Romney makes a stop in Appleton, Wisconsin...

In 2002, the Salt Lake City Olympics were in ruins. I stepped in , turned things around, and we had one of the greatest sporting events in American history. Soon after I ran a campaign in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans over 2-1, and prevailed. My friends, I know how to run a strong campaign, and I have in the past. I also know that in order to have a strong nation, we must have a strong economy. As President Calvin Coolidge once said, "The business of America is business". Let's get America back on track, both economically and morally. Thank you, and God Bless!
- Mitt Romney

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Mitt Romney makes a stop in Superior, Wisconsin, where he jointly goes after Governor Warner and Governor Huckabee...

My friends, America needs a strong leader now more than ever. This nation cannot afford the liberal policies that would be implemented under a Warner administration. This party needs a strong nominee who will be able to defeat Warner. I have continuously been closer to 50% than my opponent, Governor Huckabee. I am confident we can win this election. But we must have a strong nominee in order to do so, and I am that candidate. Thank you, and God Bless!
- Mitt Romney

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Mitt Romney holds a rally just a few minutes south of Madison...

It's funny that Governor Huckabee is throwing baseless attacks my way. The fact is, he, not I, is the candidate who raised taxes 87 times as Governor, supported a college education to illegal immigrants, and pardoned more people than any other Governor in America. We need a leader right now who is soft on crime, not one who will let criminals run our streets! Madison, and America, deserve better than that.
- Mitt Romney


Jean Schmidt and John Boehner hold a joint rally for Romney in Cincinatti...

It's funny that Huckabee claims to be the conservative in the race. A real conservative wouldn't let criminals out on the streets. A real conservative wouldn't endanger our children's lives with sexual predators on the street. A real conservative would force criminals to pay their time, and that's exactly what Mitt Romney has done as Governor and will do as President!
- John Boehner

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Sean Hannity and Mark Levin hold a Freedom Rally in Madison, Wisconsin on behalf of Governor Romney. The same day, Ross Perot holds a town-hall debate for Romney.

Social issues are important, don't get me wrong. But the fact that Governor Huckabee has focused his entire campaign on them isn't encouraging to the middle class. We need a President who will fight for the middle and lower class, not one who will ignore them. We need a President who will appreciate and embrace the private sector, not shun them. We need Mitt Romney as our President, not Mike Huckabee!
- Ross Perot

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Mitt Romney begins running an ad in Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, and Rhode Island, similar to an ad he ran earlier in the primary season...

Romney: America is in trying times, with staggering unemployment numbers, higher taxes, and less and less families being able to send their children to college. My friends, decline can happen quickly, even to a great nation, and it's a sobering thought. In such a short time, we have watched how in a matter of months our debt can increase by 4 trillion. Liberty is the right to be free, in our conscience, in our mind, free in our decisions making. We have the pursuit of happiness. This was a radical concept: what I produce belongs to me, not the king, and not the government. These are the ideals that animated the founding fathers, and these are the same ideas that will be implemented under a Romney administration. However, I will be a sympathetic leader, and I realize that their our times when the government must intervene, for the sake of prosperity and well being. And when those times come, we will be ready. I ask for your vote, and if I am honored to serve as your President, I will do my best. I'm Mitt Romney, and I approve this message.

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Today, Wisconsin House and Senate Minority Leader's Jeff Fitzgerald and Scott Fitzgerald endorse Mitt Romney for President, as does former Gubernatorial candidate Mark Green.

The fact is, we need a President who will fight for us, and will improve this nation's economy as well as morality. Mitt Romney is the only candidate who can do both. Huckabee continues to campaign almost entirely on social issues, but it is crucial our nominee is well-rounded, and Huckabee has proved in his speeches that he is not. That is why I'm endorsing a much better alternative, Mitt Romney.
- Jeff Fitzgerald

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Governor Romney holds an interview on a local Wisconsin station...

Reporter: Governor, what do you have to say about the recent comments made by Governor Huckabee in Kenosha at a town-hall meeting?
Romney: Well, while Huckabee has mentioned economics a couple times, all he has been able to come up with is attacks on my campaign. The fact is, from his campaigning, he has offered very few economic solutions for America. Instead, he continues to attack my campaign on economics without offering any solutions himself. We need to be the party of solutions, not the party of no.
Reporter: Governor, you've stated it before, but what are the chief principles to your economic vision for America?
Romney: First off, I hope to completely eliminate the property tax as well as explore establishing a flat tax. I hope to continue the Bush tax cuts as well. We should be rewarding companies who make new hires, not increasing their tax burden. I also believe employers of small businesses shouldn't be required to provide health insurance to their employees.
Reporter: Thank you, Governor.

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Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards holds a rally in Texas on behalf of Romney...

I'm proud to cross the aisle and endorse someone with the leadership and integrity of Mitt Romney. I'm tired of my own party slacking off and not campaigning for this, and I fear for this nation under some of the socialist tax policies that would be implemented under a Warner or Huckabee administration. The sun will rise from Massachusetts in Texas on election day!
- Chet Edwards

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Mitt Romney makes multiple stops in Wisconsin with Minority leader Scott Fitzgerald.

Friends, I know we can win this race! We are constantly getting closer and closer to the nomination, which is an exciting thing. Wisconsin, I ask for your vote. Let's make America greater than ever before!
- Mitt Romney

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My friends, we now need around 100 delegates left before we clinch the nomination. Even sub-par performances in all remaining states will guarantee us the nomination! Tonight, I declare victory for conservatism! Americans have reason for hope again, because this this campaign is just getting started with excitement. We also won a huge victory in Hawaii tonight! Tonight, I call on Governor Huckabee to withdraw from this race. I have great admiration and respect for the man, despite the negative campaign we both have ran recently. But now is the time for this party to unity, and he must step aside.
- Mitt Romney

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Jean Schmidt comments on Huckabee's stay in the race at a station in Cincinnati...


It's really disappointing. I always thought Mike Huckabee was a good man who had the party's best interest at heart. Quite frankly, I no longer think that. Romney has a huge delegate lead, popular vote lead, and is about 100 delegates away from clinching the nomination. Huckabee has shown he has absolutely no integrity by staying in this race, and this has ruined any chances of him ever getting my support if he ever decided to run again. It's simply embarrassing for the party. I feel sorry for his supporters, as they're supporting such a pathetic candidate who can't even admit defeat.
- Jean Schmidt

At a rally up in Dayton, Ohio, Mitt Romney makes the following comment...

We asked Governor Huckabee to drop out of this race because it's time for this party to come together. Unfortunately, the Governor does not take defeat well and has chosen a route that will continue to divide the party. We'll let the people decide here in Ohio, and around the nation, on March 4th, whether or not Huckabee deserves to stay in this race. I look forward to clinching the nomination on March 4th. Thank you all, and God Bless!
- Mitt Romney

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Romney responds at a rally in Ohio...

Like I've said before, I'm accepting the fact that Huckabee has decided to further divide the party. I'm confident that I will clinch the nomination within the next few days. It's just sad that Governor Huckabee is risking losing his integrity, and people are being to question whether or not he has the party's best interests at heart. Damaging our presumptive nominee in February and March will not help us one bit.

Towards the future, I'm going to continue my message of hope and change. We have the winning campaign, and millions of Americans are getting on board. I look forward to facing Governor Warner in the fall.

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Mitt Romney announces a tour of Ohio, where he will be campaigning with Congressmember's Jean Schmidt, Michele Bachmann, Rob Portman, and John Boehner. They will be holding rallies in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, and Cincinatti, where Romney plans on addressing key concerns to Ohio voters, such as social security, medicare, and the economy.

After that, Romney will make several stops in Texas with Rep. Chet Edwards, Kay Granger, and Joe Barton in Houston, Austin, Haskell, and Wichita Falls, where he will heavily emphasize social issues as well as his experience in the private sector.

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At a rally in Providence, Rhode Island, both former Senator Lincoln Chaffee and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas endorse Romney...

It's time for the Northeast to rise again and bring common-sense values back to the White House. We're both confident of Mitt's capabilities, and I have enjoyed seeing him work. I look forward to voting for him, and hope all of you do too!
- Lincoln Chaffee

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Mitt Romney is the candidate for America! His experience in the private sector shows that he knows what this country needs to do to keep jobs in America and lower our unemployment numbers. And despite the fact that Huckabee thinks that knowledge is unimportant, it is, even more, arguably, then spending years as Governor, signing tax increases 87 times!
- John Boehner in Cleveland

The choice is clear: Vote for Mitt. If you believe conservative economic principles will get our economy going, vote for Mitt. If you also believe social issues are a deep concern and want a pro-life President, vote for Mitt. And if you think we should be deporting, not rewarding, illegal immigrants, by all means, vote for Mitt Romney!
- Jean Schmidt in Cincinnati

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John Boozman stumps with Romney in Texas...

I'm proud to be from the state of Arkansas where Mike Huckabee will be for the next four years! I know firsthand what the effects of a Huckabee administration are, and while they wouldn't be as terrible as a Warner administration, they certainly wouldn't put America in a bright future, specifically on economics. However, one candidate will give America a bright future, economically and morally. And that candidate is Mitt Romney!
- John Boozman

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On March 3rd, Mitt Romney's campaign manager makes a surprsing announcement...

I regret to inform you all that I will be stepping down as Governor Romney's campaign manager. A few days ago, my family learned that my wife is battling breast cancer. While I would love to continue leading this campaign to victory, my family must take precedence. I wish the Governor the best of luck, and can't wait to vote for him in the fall.

Speculation rises on who Romney will choose. Among those listed is Karl Rove. Later that evening, Mitt has a discussion with his wife, Anne...

Mitt: Wow, I think we can actually win this.
Anne: It looks so. Polling is good.
Mitt: That it is. I was honestly expecting us to be down in Texas by a bit, but we're slightly leading there. Both Ohio and Texas are purely based on turnout, while Rhode Island and Vermont are in the bag.
Anne: We need to have the Bush family campaigning heavily in Texas for you. They hold a lot of weight there. Maybe get Voinovich stumping more in Ohio as well.
Mitt: Of course, we also need Boehner out there more, though he's been a rockstar thus far.

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Former President George HW Bush and current President George Bush announce they will be touring Texas on behalf of Mitt Romney. They have planned stops in all major cities, including Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Wichita Falls.

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At a press conference in Cleveland, Ohio, Romney formally introduces his new campaign manager...

I'm proud to announce my new selection for campaign manager is Bob Paduchik. Bob served as the chief campaign manager for President Bush's 2004 reelection campaign in Ohio. He has worked various campaigns throughout the state of Ohio and also served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Many see this selection as a play to get more support from Ohio, which the Romney campaign hasn't denied. However, Paduchik is seen as a decent hire across the board.

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Mitt Romney holds a major rally in Columbus, Ohio, in front of the capital building...

Thank you all, thank you so much! It is a privelage and an honor to be here.

For years, Washington, and Columbus, have been plagued with corrupt politicians who have no interest in the people they serve, rather themselves. Our nation is spiraling out of control, with great deficits, lack of moral standing, and rising unemployment numbers. It's sad how quickly something like this can happen to a nation. My friends, it would only get worse under liberal leadership. We can turn the tides, and we will.

March 4th could change history forever. It could be a milestone to show that Republicans and Independents from all over the nation are tired of the same old Washington and are ready for change. I'm ready to bring that change, and a heavy dose of it.

I ask for your vote in the upcoming primary. Together, we can make America great!


Around the same time, Former President George HW Bush holds a rally with Congressman Conaway near Houston, Texas...

My friends, there is one candidate in this race whom I admire and respect. He has the passion, leadership capabilities, and commitment to serve as our commander in chief. I'm a big supporter of Mitt Romney, and have been from the getgo. I ask you all to vote for him on March 4th, and let's get America going again!
- George HW Bush


In Indiana, a teenager named Isaac hopes that on his birthday, March 4th, his candidate will clinch the nomination. His eyes are glued to the TV to see if Romney pulls it off...

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Mitt Romney makes a stop in Houston, Texas, where he is hoping a win in one of Republicans' strongest states will seal the nomination. He focuses heavily on his experience in the private sector and conservatism on social issues. He is accompanied by Congressman Barton and former President George HW Bush.

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Mitt Romney addresses a riled up crowd in Austin, Texas...

My friends, tonight marks the beginning of a better tomorrow! 4 years ago, very few took our campaign seriously. Yet tonight, we made history, and America has won big time! I thank voters in Rhode Island, Vermont, and Ohio...oh, and Texas (crowd roars) for their vote of confidence tonight, and I look forward to carrying the party banner in November. I thank Governor Huckabee for a good race as well. I know his supporters may be disappointed, and that's understandable. Right now, the alternative is grim, and we must have a conservative administration for the next four years. Thank you all, and God Bless!!!

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Romney announces a Northeastern tour. He has planned stops with Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Tim Pawlenty, Charlie Crist, Haley Barbour, and Kay Bailey Hutchison are seen as the leading candidates for VP.

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Mitt Romney announces a Western tour, with stops in California, Oregon, and Washington. After the trip, he leaves with his family to Hawaii where they spend a couple days at a resort. On his Pacific coast trip, he is accompanied by Meg Whitman, John Ensign, and former Gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi.