DC?

DC goes Democrat no matter what.  I doubt it would flip even if the Republican candidate campaigned there.  And it would be pretty silly to try - for 3 electoral votes I'd rather just hold down the fort in any of the 50 states.  It would be almost as useful as campaigning in Puerto Rico.

Truly unfortunate but even some house districts are less competitive than DC

Here's best case scenario for McCain:

McCain / Palin vs. Edwards / anyone.

Here's what happens.  The news about the affair breaks in late September or October.  Edwards refuses to step down and allow the DNC to pick a new nominee, saying he was chosen by the people of the Democratic Party to be their candidate.  He tanks all 3 debates with McCain.  Palin is prepped for the interview with Katy Couric.  Best case scenario for all Republicans.  For national Republicans, the GOP has a chance at taking back both houses of Congress.  Something like this is possible:

I have to say, I am enjoying this despite it's strong hackishness.

It's kind of meant to be hackish.  It's best-case scenario .

And thank you.

And what do you guys think of Cuban elections?  They're largely based off of another TL, if you have anyone better to suggest for the opposition leaders in Cuba, let me know!

Shortly after the midterms, Supreme Court Justice David Souter announced his retirement.  The President would be able to make his third appointment to the Supreme Court, all of which were made during his third term.  Justice Souter had originally hoped to wait for a Democratic President, or at least a Democratic senate, but neither of those looked possible in the near future (though he made sure that he was able to vote to strike down the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act; despite this, it was still upheld 5-4).  After careful consideration, President Bush appointed Priscilla Owen to replace Souter.  While several senate Democrats were vocal in their opposition, Democratic leadership thought it would be unwise to stake any political capital on the appointment, especially when they didn't have the numbers to fight it.  Owen was confirmed easily despite hardly any Democratic support.

Justice Priscilla Owen

In September 2007, Bush met again with now-former President Khatami, as well as newly-elected President Rafsanjani and PM Mousavi.  Khatami stepped down as mandated by the Iranian constitution after his 2 terms expired in 2005, opposing efforts to repeal the term limits.  He remained immensely popular in his country, and threw his support behind former President Rafsanjani in the 2005 elections.  Rafsanjani told Bush that he would like Iran to join the Concert of Democracies as soon as possible, and requested American assistance with his modernization program.  President Bush explained that joining the COD would take some time, perhaps several years, but that he would "ensure that our friends in Iran are accepted as soon as possible."  Bush agreed to a free trade agreement, and the senate would almost unanimoulsy agree to the Iranian-American Free Trade Agreement (IAFTA) on October 5.  That night, the Dow Jones would close above $14,000 for the first time in history.

The first Cuban Presidential elections were held in February 2008.  Despite polls showing a tightening race in the weeks leading up to election day, incumbent President Raul Castro was re-elected with 62% of the popular vote, with opponent Marcelino Miyares Sotolongo taking just under 35% of the vote.  Cuba is now a multi-party constitutional democracy, and Castro won with the endorsement of a coalition of left-wing political parties.  Sotolongo ran as the "Christian Democracy Party" candidate.  Despite Castro's victory, his Communist Party of Cuba actually sustained significant losses in the National Assembly elections (held every 2 years), becoming the minority party while Sotolongo formed a coalition government with the anti-communist political parties.  The Communist Party was the only party that did not join the coalition government.  President Bush called Castro, Sotolongo, and all party leaders to congratulate them on their victories, "not just electorally, but for democracy and freedom, and especially victory for the Cuban people."  Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg of the COD also called to congratulate the Cuban leaders, and informed all of them that they would be eligible for COD membership in the next expansion, scheduled for 2009.  President Bush's approval rating continues to hover in the mid 60s, receiving a 5-point bump the night of the Cuban elections.

Idk: Jim?

Justin Bieber RTP-CA(Retard Party) vs. Rebbecca Black AN-CA (annoying party)

Suicide.

Condoleezza Rice or Madeline Albright?

America was denied a third and fourth term of Hillary.    We would've been so much better off with her.

[Republicans: 71 (-1)Democrats: 25 (+/-0)Minnesota Independence Party: 2 (+1)*Progressives: 1 (+/-0)**Independent Republican: 1 (+/-0)***Incumbent Majority Leader: Bill Frist (R)Majority Leader-elect: John Kyl (R)]

The 2006 midterms marked a departure from the "six year curse," though many expected far greater Republican gains.

Republicans: 71 (-1)
Democrats: 25 (+/-0)
Minnesota Independence Party: 2 (+1)*
Progressives: 1 (+/-0)**
Independent Republican: 1 (+/-0)***
Incumbent Majority Leader: Bill Frist (R)
Majority Leader-elect: John Kyl (R)

*Incumbent Republican Senator Rod Grams retired, allowing for a truly interesting election in Minnesota.  Former Senator Dean Barkley, who was appointed by then-Governor Jesse Ventura to complete the term of the late Paul Wellstone, won election in a tight 3-way race.
**Senator Jim Jefforts of Vermont retired, endorsing Progressive Rep. Bernie Sanders in the election.  Sanders won easily in a race with no Democratic candidate.
***Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut won re-election against Democrat Ned Lamont.  The GOP did not field a candidate in Connecticut.
In NY, incumbent Governor George Pataki nearly upset Hillary Clinton, who scraped by to win re-election with 51.3% of the vote statewide.  Pataki remains immensely popular in New York, but refused to seek another term as governor.
In Florida, incumbent Senator Connie Mack III (R) retired, and Governor Jeb Bush, ineligible to seek a third term as Governor, ran for the open seat, defeating former astronaut Bill Nelson.

Gubernatorial elections, 2006:

Note: different candidates in the following states:
NY: William Weld secures the Republican nomination, and defeats Attorney General Elliot Spitzer to become the first person since Sam Houston to be governor of two US states.

House elections:
Republicans: 301 (-26)
Democrats: 104 (+15)
Progressives: 29 (+11)
Incumbent Speaker: Dennis Hastert (R)
Speaker-elect: John Boehner

President Bush refused to campaign during the midterms, though he agreed to do a commercial for his brother's senate campaign in Florida.  President Bush was determined not to finish his second term as a "lame-duck President", and would continue to focus mainly on foreign policy during the remainder of his presidency.

In September 2005 President Bush declared his intention for comprehensive immigration reform.  His plan was to tighten border security by completing the fence, make legal immigration faster and easier, and offer a workers visa program and path to citizenship for illegals currently in the United States.  His proposal was touted by Republican leaders such as John McCain and Trent Lott, and had fairly bipartisan support.  The Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (IRA) would pass both houses of Congress easily.  The worker's visa program, dubbed the "Red Card Program", would go into effect in 2006.  President Bush's approval rating continues to hover in the mid 60s.

The President met with his economic advisors to discuss one final domestic reform package before the midterms: stricter Congressional oversight for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Senator Peter Schiff also suggested tightening eligibility for loans in order to prevent a "housing bubble."  The President was increasingly relying on Schiff for economic advice, so much so that when John W. Snow announced his resignation, Bush appointed Schiff Secretary of the Treasury.  Bush would submit the recommendations to Congress for a bill establishing tighter regulations on Fannie and Freddie, which both men felt were necessary to keep the economy growing.

The midterms were approaching, but would be a fairly uneventful affair.  Major campaigning didn't begin until March 2006, and even then the public didn't pay much attention.  Turnout would be low from all parties, except perhaps eager Progressives.  The President hadn't used the historic Congressional supermajorities to do anything radical - in fact pretty much nothing had happened with regards to domestic affairs during Bush's second term.  The economy was doing well - fantastic in fact.  In April 2006, unemployment dropped to 3.5%, an all-time low for Bush's Presidency.  Some economists predicted that the national debt would be payed off earlier than 2010, exceeding many expectations after the Bush Tax Cuts in 2001.

But most of all, Americans liked George W. Bush.  He was the most popular president since his father during the Gulf War, and had the highest average approval ratings of any US President since John F. Kennedy.  Even without Progressives siphoning off Democratic vote, there was no reason for most Americans to cast a vote of no confidence in President Bush.  There was nothing to complain about.  He was one of the most internationally-respected American Presidents in history, with over 80% of Europe "confidence in President George Bush."  He spoke in Geneva regularly during the Concert of Democracies, and was widely praised in the international community.  Many statesmen said he had his father's flair for international diplomacy, but many said President George W. Bush exceeded even his father's skills in building and maintaining international relationships, citing Iran and Cuba as the two greatest accomplishments of Bush 43's presidency.

President Bush speaking at the Concert of Democracies in May 2006

Next, the midterms!

Yeah, that's what I meant... I love the pick of Rice as VP!

Rice isn't VP, but she is Secretary of State starting in 2001 .  Liddy Dole is VP

The first item on the Bush Administration's agenda was to meet with the other heads of state at the COD headquarters in Geneva, where the first COD Secretary-General would be elected.  In the first round of balloting, Jens Stoltenberg was elected the first Secretary-General of the Concert of Democracies, and would serve a four-year term.  Bush greeted this with avid support, believing it was necessary to select a Secretary-General without much political background while the COD was still in its infantile stages, and also felt that choosing someone from a politically neutral nation like Norway would help to grow the organization.  The world applauded his election, and leaders of international prominence such as Angela Merkel and Tony Blair immediately announced their support.

Next on the list was Cuba.  I had been briefed that the rumors about Castro were quite true; Fidel Castro was dying and his brother Raul was being groomed as his successor, though already had de facto control of the country.  I was informed that the Embargo was actually bleeding over $3 billion per year from US businesses which could be selling their products in Cuba.  It would benefit both nations to lift the Embargo.  So I invited Raul to the United States, and had a discussion with him similar to the one he had with Khatami.  All sanctions would be lifted if democracy and freedom of expression were introduced in Cuba.  Of course it would take some time for all of these reforms to be introduced and come into effect, and the sanctions would be softened over time in compliance with Cuban reforms.  Raul went back to Cuba feeling optimistic about US-Cuban relations.  Over the next few years Cuba would become liberalized, with a constitution being adopted in 2006, democratic elections being 2 months later for a national assembly, and presidential elections held in 2008, which Raul would win handily.

Okay, so Jerseyrules? Will you update please?

You mean the TL?  I just did like 5 updates tonight haha .  I might have one more in the works before the night is over though.

Wait, Dole is still alive? I thought I recognized him, but I didn't think it was him...

Dole is alive but Daniel Inouye of Hawaii died.

Jerseyrules, who is in that picture?

My sig?  It's Bob Dole saluting the late Daniel Inouye.  I just found out he died, and I found it on the Internet.  It cut me pretty deep so I had to put it in my sig.  It's a shame it got so garbled though.  Here's the article:

http://www.peachpundit.com/2012/12/21/american-heroes/

Now this is what should have happened! (minus the 75 Senate super majority, I don't think that's really plausible, even considering the Progressive Party as a spoiler)

Firstly, this is not meant to be a realistic TL.  It's just the result of an idealist thinking "now this is the way it ought to have been."

That kind of success will NOT last very long.  And a substantial amount of Republicans are moderates, even liberals.  Just keep that in mind

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Second Term of George W. Bush

Chief Justice Rehnquist administered the oath of office to a vibrant President George W. Bush on January 20, 2005.  President Bush was re-elected with a mandate, but this wasn't the reason for his glee.  He had just been briefed that the last American soldiers had left the Democratic Republic of Iran.  President Khatami's new Constitution had been approved by 97% of the Iranian people, and all aspects of the former Islamist regime had been swept away.  The age of freedom, and democracy, had arrived.  This was the theme of his second inaugural address.  While he normally wasn't a very eloquent or articulate speaker, today was truly an exception.  Many mark George Bush's second inaugural as the greatest speech of his career.

"America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one.  From the day of our Founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth.  Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave.  Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our Nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers.  So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world."
 
And later:

"Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world: All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors.  When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.  Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country."

Many historians see this as the segway to Bush's next foreign policy objective: Cuba.  But for now, the President and First Lady simply smiled and enjoyed the Inaugural Parade.

More to come.

Very cool stuff.  Which states did McCain lose, so I can make a map?

New York
California
Illinois
Vermont
Rhode Island
Maine
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Hawaii

Also I'm An Election Junkie: Edwards's affair would have taken place either way. Also, I'm assuming here Obama still won in 2004.

Unless Fitzgerald, the GOP candidate, runs for re-election, in which case it's possible Obama loses.

So Delaware and Maryland go Republican?  In that case, this would be your map:

Cant wait to see what happens next.

Looks like an awesome TL idea

This is a great timeline, if only Bush governed like this!

Thanks man!

Nice, what do the green represent?

Sorry the map wasn't co-operating; the green is for the Kucinich / Sanders "Progressive Party" ticket.

[President George W. Bush / Vice President Elizabeth Dole (R): 57.4% PV, 506 EVGovernor Howard Dean / Fmr. Senator Zell Miller (D): 28.7% PV, 19 EVRepresentative Dennis Kucinich / Representative Bernie Sanders (P): 13.4% PV, 13 EV]

The general election proceeded as one can expect.  Bush did little campaigning, leaving most of it to surrogates.  He agreed to the customary three debates, all of which included Kucinich.  Bush was seen to have won the first and third debate, while many believe Kucinich won the second.  Dean came off as a hothead and aggressive, if not somewhat insane.  Kucinich was seen as knowledgeable, intelligent, and a bold idea man, but much of what he said was eloquently picked apart by President Bush, particularly his criticism of the "Bush Tax Cuts" as a "Christmas Party for the rich" - Bush responded with facts and figures showing that the wealthy actually shouldered a heavier tax burden after the tax cuts than before (the upper 1% went from paying 62% of personal income taxes to paying 64%) and painted Kucinich as an out-of-touch ideologue, if an intelligent one.  The Bush Campaign successfully painted Dean as a madman who was out of touch with the majority of Americans, even oblivious to his own party's beliefs.  But by far the most interesting debate was the Vice Presidential Debate: Liddy Dole, Zell Miller, and Bernie Sanders slugged it out, but by the end of the night, Liddy had appeared ladylike, intelligent, and likeable with the two men spending most of the night attacking each other.  She showed herself to be a very capable candidate and debator, and established herself as the frontrunner going into 2008.

As for the presidential election, it turned out as expected:

President George W. Bush / Vice President Elizabeth Dole (R): 57.4% PV, 506 EV
Governor Howard Dean / Fmr. Senator Zell Miller (D): 28.7% PV, 19 EV
Representative Dennis Kucinich / Representative Bernie Sanders (P): 13.4% PV, 13 EV

2004 Senate elections:



Republicans: 72 (+14)*
Democrats: 25 (-15)
Progressives: 1 (+/-0)
Minnesota Independence Party: 1 (+/-0)
Independent Republican: 1 (+1)**
Incumbent Majority Leader: Bill Frist (R-MS)
Majority Leader-elect: Bill Frist (R-MS)

*The Repubicans lost a seat when, shortly after Kucinich announced his third-party campaign, Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont crossed the floor to become the first Progressive Party Senator.
**Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut was offered the chairmanship of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs if he caucused with the Republicans, so he crossed the aisle to sit as an "Independent Republican"

Different candidates from otl:
FL: Marco Rubio (R)
IL: Peter Fitzgerald (R)
CA: Pete Wilson (R)
NY: Rudy Giuliani (R); Schumer ran for re-election on the Liberal and Progressive Party lines and came in a close second place, but Democratic candidate Ed Koch split the liberal vote allowing for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to win election to the senate, if four years behind schedule.  The final results were 46-44-9%.
CT: Dodd retires due to low approvals; Peter Schiff (R) wins the open seat.
WI: Tommy Thompson (R)

House elections:

Republicans: 327 (+80)
Democrats: 89 (-94)
Progressives: 18 (+14)
Incumbent Speaker: Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
Speaker-elect: Dennis Hastert (R-IL)

Progressive Party House Leader: Bernie Sanders (P-VT) - Dennis Kucinich wanted to focus on his presidential campaign, and declined the post after the election, feeling that "it's time that a new generation of Progressives lead our campaign"
Diana Degette was chosen as Progressive Party Whip

[Florida:Dean: 49%Miller: 31%Kucinich: 19%]

Coming out of Super Tuesday, despite losses in California and Ohio (both which he damn well should've won), Dean finally had momentum on his side.  The media would then paint Miller as the Comeback Kid when he won the next slate of states (which he likely would) but Dean was determined to fight on.  He had Senator Bob Graham campaigning for him in Florida, and Governor Richards barnstorming in Texas, both of which would be critical.  In order to keep his winning streak alive he couldn't let Miller sweep the night, and he might have to consider making some offers to his two opponents in order to get them to bow out gracefully...

Florida:
Dean: 49%
Miller: 31%
Kucinich: 19%

Louisiana:
Miller: 65%
Dean: 34%
Kucinich: 1%

Mississippi:
Miller: 62%
Dean: 37%

Texas:
Dean: 54%
Miller: 46%

Kansas:
Kucinich: 36%
Dean: 35%
Miller: 29%

Illinois:
Dean: 47%
Kucinich: 32%
Miller: 21%

Alaska:
Kucinich: 76%
Dean: 18%
Miller: 6%

Wyoming:
Kucinich: 45%
Miller: 31%
Dean: 24%

Colorado:
Dean: 56%
Kucinich: 39%
Miller: 5%

North Carolina:
Miller: 46%
Dean: 43%
Kucinich: 11%

Pennsylvania:
Dean: 54%
Miller: 30%
Kucinich: 26%

Indiana:
Dean: 58%
Kucinich: 31%
Miller: 11%

Nebraska:
Kucinich: 35%
Dean: 34%
Miller: 31%

West Virginia:
Dean: 52%
Miller: 47%
Kucinich: 1%

Arkansas:
Miller: 54%
Dean: 46%

Oregon:
Dean: 67%
Kucinich: 21%
Miller: 12%

Kentucky:
Dean: 56%
Miller: 43%

Alabama:
Miller: 56%
Dean: 44%

South Dakota:
Kucinich: 53%
Dean: 47%

Puerto Rico:
Dean: 93%
Kucinich: 5%
Miller: 2%

Montana:
Kucinich: 53%
Dean: 47%

New Jersey:
Dean: 68%
Kucinich: 32%

It was any Democrat's worst nightmare.  The Democratic Party was in a state of chaos.  No candidate had a majority of delegates, and discussions began immediately with the other campaigns.  I had known all along this would happen though.  My goal was to win the Democratic nomination but that would be impossible.  One of two things would happen - Dean would pick Miller for VP, or maybe give Zell a place in the cabinet and/or allow him to choose Dean's VP.  Dean had supported Bush's tax cuts, and hadn't put forward a plan that would truly help the American middle and lower class.  There was no way a President Dean would be any different from a President Bush - hell he might be even worse.  Of course Dean had offered me the VP spot, but I had turned him down every time.  So I did what I had planned to do all along.  I declared that my delegates could support whoever they wished, because I was done with the Democratic Party.  I went on TV and announced that the Democratic Party had abandoned its principles, and that as a result, I would form a new Progressive Party aimed at creating a real discussion about the future of America, and true Progressive ideals.  I announced Bernie Sanders as my running mate the following day, and was promptly endorsed by Ralph Nader and his Green Party.  The battle for America had begun, and I was lucky enough to be chosen to lead the Progressive cause.

- Going Rogue by Dennis Kucinich

The day after Kucinich announced his third-party candidacy, Dean announced his running mate, Zell Miller, in order to "heal the wounds of a divided party."  The convention was rough - all of Kucinich's delegates staged a walkout and formed their own convention where they nominated Kucinich unanimously.  Of course it was all for show, but it still caused a stir in the news.  It also doomed the Democratic Party.  In that moment I knew we had won the election.

- Karl Rove

[Super Tuesday]

Super Tuesday

California:
Kucinich: 42%
Dean: 37%
Miller: 21%

Connecticut:
Dean: 56%
Kucinich: 43%
Miller: 1%

Georgia:
Miller: 67%
Dean: 29%
Kucinich: 4%

Maryland:
Dean: 49%
Kucinich: 42%
Miller: 8%

Massachusetts:
Dean: 57%
Kucinich: 41%
Miller: 1%

Minnesota:
Kucinich: 53%
Dean: 31%
Miller: 16%

New York:
Dean: 52%
Kucinich: 42%
Miller: 6%

Ohio:
Miller: 37%
Kucinich: 32%
Dean: 31%

Rhode Island:
Dean: 63%
Kucinich: 36%

Vermont:*
Dean: 56%
Kucinich: 44%

*The endorsement and massive campaign on Kucinich's behalf by Rep. Bernie Sanders helped nearly upset Dean in his home state, forced Dean to divert resources from other states in order to hold the line in Vermont, and catapulted Sanders to national prominence.

[Michigan:Dean: 54%Kucinich: 31%Miller: 25%]

Michigan:
Dean: 54%
Kucinich: 31%
Miller: 25%

Washington:
Dean: 46%
Kucinich: 45%
Miller: 8%

Maine:
Kucinich: 54%
Dean: 42%
Miller: 4%

Tennessee:
Miller: 67%
Dean: 31%
Kucinich: 2%

Virginia:
Miller: 71%
Dean: 25%
Kucinich: 3%

D.C.:
Dean: 97%
Kucinich: 3%

Nevada:
Kucinich: 54%
Dean: 43%
Miller: 2%

Wisconsin:
Kucinich: 51%
Dean: 46%*
Miller: 3%

*Though he lost the popular vote, Dean was able to secure more delegates than Kucinich.  Kucinich was helped in no small part by an endorsement from Senator Russ Feingold.

Hawaii:
Kucinich: 62%
Dean: 26%
Miller: 11%

Idaho:
Kucinich: 58%
Dean: 41%
Miller: 1%

Utah:
Dean: 57%
Miller: 31%
Kucinich: 11%

Going into Super Tuesday, the race was still competitive, and it was still anyone's guess who the nominee would be.  But it seemed that Miller had little appeal outside the south.  And it seemed unlikely he would endorse either Dean or Kucinich if he could not secure the nomination for himself (and for him to win a majority of delegates he would need to sweep almost every future primary).  But he remained a force to be reckoned with, and could prevent either candidate from securing a majority of delegates.

Very interesting timeline, sometimes I wonder if things would have been different without Cheney (and by extension Rumsfeld) to keep the neocons in power...

Thanks!  Yeah I figured since no ones ever done a TL like this I might as well give it a go.  Bush almost never appears in TLs with pods before his presidency as well, and is never depicted in a positive light.  I thought I should change that