2004 Presidential Election and Beyond: The Giuliani Years (GAME THREAD)

[Potus]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Owens: President Bush and I are alike in many ways. We both share the values that made this country great. We both believe that every child, rich, poor, white, black, raised by a single mother or a traditional, *every* child has a right to a great education. I applauded the President for his signing of historic tax relief, like I did as Governor. We both hail from states that require us to win a large amount of Hispanics and we both got re-elected in them. I agree with him that we must root out terror wherever it hides and fight the good fight. And we both believe in the sanctity of life. The only major difference between the two of us is the approach that we take to the War on Terror. I believe the fight is worth having, however I would move to a more effective intelligence and technology-based strategy.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Owens: My position on the war has been made clear. I believe that we must continue the war and expand its horizons to include terrorists across the globe. However, I do not believe that this requires us to put boots on the ground globally. We need to expand our intelligence agencies and increase their resources so that they may act against terror for effectively. And rather than putting our brave and loyal men and women in harm's way, let's expand the drone fleet. The terrorists can't shoot back at a hellfire missile. Listening to generals and redirecting ourselves to a strategy that saves money, fights terror, and, most importantly, saves American lives.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Owens: During my service as Governor, I have made many important executive decisions. These decisions have been made on all sorts of issues. I governed as an executive. All due respect to Senator Clinton, but she has never run anything. She has taken responsibility for one thing her entire public life, the trainwreck that was Hillarycare. The one thing that Senator Clinton has attempted to accomplish was a complete government takeover of healthcare and it ended as a devastating stain on the Clinton presidency. I've governed a state and been an executive, something that some people on this stage have never done. Not only was I governor of that *swing* state, but I was re-elected with the highest portion of the vote ever in the state of Colorado.

Senator Clinton is also just like every other Democrat running. Not a single one of them respects the right to life, the right to bear arms, the rights of individuals, or the values of the free market. We can talk all day about how weak of a leader the Former First Lady is, but that isn't the point. Americans will not support the same-old tax-and-spend, surrender the War on Terror, anti-life liberalism that we see in today's Democratic Party.

I also plan to follow President Bush's lead on reaching out and engaging minority communities. I pledge to dedicate the most resources any modern Republican nominee has ever dedicated to minority outreach if I am the nominee. We will make great strides with the Hispanic and Africa American communities.

[Potus]

OWENS FOR PRESIDENT

Dec. 14
-All out in Iowa
-Mega rally with all endorsers
-Speech to crowd of 7500 people
-Work room afterward, band plays

Excerpt from Speech

"We cannot, in times of adversity, rely squarely on the heavy handed power of the government. It must be our priority to strengthen the private sector, to create jobs, lift people out of poverty, and create a new age of prosperity. But prosperity without values is destructive. We must work to create not only a thriving business community, but a thriving society. Defending life, creating a stronger education system, and embracing charity will be a priority of mine in office. Together, friends, we will defend the greatness of America."

Dec. 15
-Alternating between surrogates to barnstorm entire state of Iowa
-Fundraising banquet for local party committee, stay for an endorsement vote
-Visit with coalition groups to organize door knocking campaign
-Accompany volunteers on door knocking campaign

Dec. 18
-More retail politics with whole team of endorsers
-Enhance local campaign infrastructure
-Organize neighborhood teams
-Townhall with voters

Question: Governor Owens, other, liberal, members of this field have raised doubts about your ability in the fall. What do you have to say to those concerns.

Owens: Well, the data contradicts that. We have the most highly organized, highly coordinated campaign in American history. Here in Iowa, we're organizing down to the neighborhood level. So, first of all, we've got an incredible campaign. Second, the national polling data is very much on our favor. We are behind exactly one democratic candidate and it's someone that every one knows whereas I don't have that kind of name recognition. We're going to win if I'm the nominee. I guarantee it.

Dec. 19
-Factory tours, talking about manufacturing
-Work at a soup kitchen in downtown Des Moines, discuss charities and poverty
-Barnstorm with surrogates specific demographics

Dec. 20
-Speech on reforming Medicare Part D
-Talk with seniors groups about bargaining for lower drug prices
-Discuss spending with Americans for Tax Reform and the need for spending cuts
-Balanced budget talk with supporters, take questions

Supporter's question on Medicare Part D

Question: Guv, Senator George Allen voted for Medicare Part D. Do you consider that a blakmark on his conservative record?

Owens: Great question. I've said this time and time again, entitlement spending is wha threatens our budget security for years to come. Medicare Part D was a massive expansion of entitlement spending. Senator Allen and I both call ourselves fiscal conservatives, the only difference is that I've lived it. As Governor, I cut spending, cut taxes, and implemented fiscally conservative policies.

Dec. 21
-Barnstorm rural Iowa
-Mega rally with all surrogates
-Meeting with big donors at campaign office
-Door to door with volunteers

Dec. 23
-Chamber Breakfast in Ames
-Remarks to Young Republican meeting at Iowa State
-Court the YR's of Iowa endorsement.
-Speech at rally about Medicare Part D, mention that Allen voted for it.
-Q&A with supporters

Dec. 24
-Rally with Veterans for Owens in Iowa
-Speak on the wars, promoting a more intelligence-based, drone warfare, etc.
-Rally with more hawkish supporters
-Rally with supporters, dinner with them

OWENS: I will get Osama Bin Laden in my first term.[/b] [/size]
Dec. 25
-Rally in Des Moines
-Rally in Cedar Rapids
-Rally in Ames
-Rally in Waterloo

Dec. 26
-Retail day
-Crisscross the state on a bus your starting in Northeast, moving southwest
-Use surrogates to cover missed area
-Remarks to local Republican committees

Dec. 27
-Finish state bus tour
-Townhalls with voters on the way
-Speak on electability to State Committee Members
-Spend time with family

MONEY

Localize the Money
         The Owens Campaign is taking a unique approach to ad spending. Rather than commanding ad spending from the top of the campaign, the ad spending will be aligned lore closely with the results of door-to-door surveys. The surveys are fed back into the state campaign. The national capital is investing 8 million in the state campaign. This maximizes the effectiveness of the ad dollar. Ads are approved by the national ad director, even though they are state targeted.

          The same approach is being taken in other targeted primary states.

Surrogate Message

Surrogates were on the ground in Iowa this turn. When they weren't with the candidate, they were off barnstorming on their own. The surrogates had a regimen of attacks they could use at rallies and speeches. All hit Allen on voting for Medicare Part D. They attacked Giuliani for his lack of respect for basic social conservative values. Attacks were centered on Allen, however. Naturally, the surrogates bolstered Owens campaign as well. They spoke positively of his true fiscal conservative record.

[Potus]

Owens Addresses Press After Extended Absence

OWENS: I know the questions you all are asking about me have nothing to do with my politics. I will once again reiterate that the issues that led to my withdrawal are deeply personal and my family appreciates privacy.

But my purpose for speaking today is political. In my hasty withdrawal, I endorsed Senator Allen. While I believe that Senator Allen is a model public servant and a solid conservative, I believe our party must take this opportunity. The Democratic field is an absolute circus and I believe our party ought to unite behind a single nominee as quickly as possible. On the day of this important election, I am asking all of our former supporters to cast their ballot for Mayor Giuliani. I am retracting my endorsement of Senator Allen and publicly backing Mayor Giuliani.

We must be a united party. Thank you.

[Potus]

Also, NHI, remember the Represent America ballot initiatives.

[Potus]

great, so I'm going to lose like I do every time

To be fair, Owens had 3% of Republicans by the time he departed.

It's a spiritual endorsement. Reassures conservatives that Giuliani is one of them.

[Potus]

First Lady Owens files for Divorce

Denver, CO- Earlier today, the First Lady of Colorado filed for divorce from sitting Governor Bill Owens. Owens, who mounted a very serious and credible campaign for the presidency, took a lot of time off on the trail and has been reportedly devastated by the divorce. The time spent with his family, many say, cost him a large amount of support. He has since endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President.

[Potus]

Where is Johnson getting all of this cash?!?

[Potus]

Kanawha County Teenage Republicans President Riley Keaton organizes a day of outreach, knocking on doors in Charleston. Statement:

"It's wonderful to have Vice President Giuliani in the Mountain State. Our volunteers are fired up and ready to get Rudy Giuliani elected President. We knocked on 400 doors today and made another 500 phone calls. We've got great volunteers and I thank Vice President Giuliani for stopping in."


OOC: Sorry, I had to. He's in WV!

[Potus]

NHI, I'm sure our third party participants would love to know the status of Represent America ballot initiatives. They should probably focus on those states to maximize their electoral vote.

Can you maybe implement a system by which forum members cans be Outside Spendin Groups?

[Potus]

Surrogate Schedule for Vice President Giuliani

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito

April 13th:
   -Fundraiser for Re-election in Eastern Panhandle
   -At fundraiser, additional check collection for "West Virginians For Giuliani"
   -Invitations for Tax Day rally, coordinated with state party

April 14th:
   -Constituent Services Day
   -Phone calls to constituents with pending paperwork at the Federal level
   -Barnstorm Democratic areas of Charleston
   -Invitations and phone calls to Tax Day rally w/state party

April 15th:
   -Tax Day Rally in Charleston
   -Tax Day Rally in Martinsburg

"Friends and fellow West Virginians,
      We're gathering here in Charleston to remind the people under the dome here in Charleston and the dome in Washington that we pay enough. We pay enough for a government that is still too big and doesn't put West Virginia first.

      I like President Bush and I think he's done a great job leading this country through times when we needed that kind of leadership. I supported his economic agenda that cut taxes for the middle class, small businesses, and job creators. He made the right call, and that call kept us out of a deep recession.

    We've made a lot of progress while I've been in Congress and President Bush has been in the White House. Taxes are down, the economy is strong, and we're keeping our country safe in the face of terror. We've done a lot right in our 4 years to make things better for you, the hardworking people of West Virginia.

     But, listen folks, we can't go back. If we want to keep a strong economy, we can't go back to the way things were. If you care about keeping our country safe, you can't vote to take us back. We've got to move forward. With strong leadership, a clear conservative vision, and a President who is ready to combat the forces of Terror.

     Joe Biden and Erik Wells don't understand that. Joe Biden wants to roll back President Bush's tax relief and raise taxes on middle class families. He's embraced an environmental agenda that is designed to bankrupt our energy industry without much environmental effect. Erik Wells is right there with him, raising taxes and growing government. We can't let that happen.

    So, how about I ask you? Do you want higher taxes? *NO!* Do you want more regulation *NO!* Do you want Erik Wells? *NO!* Do you want Joe Biden? *NO!*

    Let's go win an election, folks! Thank you very much!"

April 16th:
    -Visiting energy-producing parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania
    -Opposing Senator Biden's environmental agenda

You know, I'm always a little bit shocked at the Democratic nominee for President. He tries to come to Pennsylvania/Ohio and talk about how he understand your values. You hear the pitch every time the Democrats come to ask for your vote. They're for the worker, the common man, the poor, and so on. But Senator Biden is talking out both sides of his mouth.

He says he supports workers but turns around and embraces a dangerous, radical environmental agenda that kills energy jobs and manufacturing. If you want jobs to start shipping to China on a daily basis, the Biden environmental agenda is one way to do it.

Now, some people say Joe Biden doesn't actually believe what he says. They say that he just said that in order to get more votes in the Democratic primary against John Edwards. I think that's just as bad. What could be worse than stabbing the hardworking men and women of Pennsylvania/Ohio in the back for political reasons?

If he believes what he says, the policy will still destroy American energy and American manufacturing. If he was just saying it to get votes, then...I don't know about you...but I couldn't bring myself to vote for a guy who will dump me in the unemployment line for the sake of his own political career. I'll leave that choice up to you all.

April 17th:
   -Constituent Service Day

April 18th:
   -Barnstorm in Eastern Panhandle
   -Fundraiser with Defense Companies
   -Address local Republican Women's Club

April 19th:
   -Campaign in Southern West Virginia
   -Address political picnic

It's really great to be here, everyone. I'm gonna be brief because I know I'm hungry and I'm sure you all are too.

I've got to make something very clear. This isn't your grandaddy's Democratic Party. Good Democrats supported smart policies on the environment, not a radical, coal-killing environmentalist agenda.

I don't think Washington understands how hard what they do is on these coal communities. I don't think they want to. Senator Biden is just like that. He doesn't want to understand the fact that when a mine shuts down, the schools go without money, bus routes get cancelled, and the roads start to fall apart. Senator Biden isn't about putting coal first, he's not about putting West Virginia first.

So, even though I'm not on the ballot down here, Vice President Rudy Giuliani is. He's someone that I trust to protect our country, to protect coal, and to protect our way of life. We've got to make sure the next four years are not filled with anti-coal, environmentalist rhetoric that kills jobs and devastates communities.

April 20th:
    -Joint Rally in Morgantown, Fairmont, Wheeling, and St. Mary's with Joe Manchin

[Potus]

Oh good god. Father's Day. Either huge backfire or a withering, devastating attack.

[Potus]

Senator George Allen

November 1st
-GOTV bus tour across the state
-Record GOTV Robocall

Hello, this is Senator George Allen. Our country is at a crossroads. We can choose to surrender in the War on Terror and enact dangerous economic policies that threaten to push us into recession. Or, we can choose to win the War on Terror, secure our nation, protect American jobs. That's the choice you get to make. Vote Rudy Giuliani for President to protect our country and strengthen our economy.

November 2nd
-GOTV across Virginia
-Rally in Richmond

Folks, we've got to make a choice. I remember where I was on 9/11 and I'm sure you all do too. I remember the fear and the concern for the future. Would our country ever be the same? We were blessed with strong leadership in the White House. Leadership that kept our country united in our time of need and kept our country safe. But Joe Biden and the Democrats threaten that leadership. Rudy Giuliani is the kind of strong leader we need to keep our country safe and our future secure. We all need to go vote and vote Rudy Giuliani for President to make sure our country is safe and united under strong leadership.

[Potus]

Bob and Elizabeth Dole

November 1st
-GOTV Tour across North Carolina
-Record GOTV Robocall

Bob: Hi, this Bob Dole.
Elizabeth: And this is Elizabeth Dole, your United States Senator.
Bob: We're calling on behalf of our good friend Rudy Giuliani.
Elizabeth: Rudy is the kind of President that can keep our country safe and create American jobs.
Bob: That's right. Rudy Giuliani is the only candidate that can truly prevent another 9/11 through is strong leadership and concern for national security.
Elizabeth: So when you vote, vote Rudy Giuliani for President.

November 2nd
-GOTV in North Carolina
-Visit phone banks and thank volunteers.

[Potus]

OOC: Fantastic job, Mr. President-Elect. I'm very excited to see 4 years of Rudy followed by a campaign for re-election. I love the idea of participating in the 2008 game.

[Potus]

The Republican National Committee

Building a Lasting Majority

President-Elect Giuliani's historic victory in the 2004 presidential election is a major accomplishment. Republicans rallied behind a strong, visionary leader to elect a man who ready to keep our country safe and strengthen our country.

The RNC is proud to announced a new project, funded by former Giuliani contributors, designed to make the Republican Party competitive in every state. The American Majority Project will raise funds to engage in recruitment, outreach, and permanent year-round engagement. The RNC will also use this as a vehicle to support the President's agenda in the next four years.

The project is currently using the Giuliani 2004 database of donors, volunteers, and supporters to lay the groundwork for a permanent, ongoing operation. The first phase of the project is opening a new field office in the largest city of every state. An additional two offices will be opened in California and New York each.

[Potus]

Giuliani Defense Nominee Condoleezza Rice Appears on Fox News Sunday

Brit Hume: Up next, we have President-Elect Rudy Giuliani's nominee for the top spot at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense. Condoleezza Rice was national security advisor to President George W. Bush and was active in ending the Cold War. She was a key foreign policy advisor to President Bush. Here she is, Ms. Rice, good morning.

Condi: Good morning, Brit. Thanks for having me.

Brit: Ms. Rice, you are being nominated to lead the Pentagon and manage our Armed Forces during a time of conflict and war. What sort of vision do you have for the Pentagon?

Condi: Well, Brit, President-Elect Giuliani outlined his stance on the War on Terror during the campaign and I agree with him completely. We must win in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retreat isn't an option. The Secretary of Defense exists to help the President accomplish what he wants to accomplish. That's what I'm going to do.

Brit: That's great, but in terms of management, what do you see changing from a Rumsfeld Pentagon to a Rice Pentagon?

Condi: Right now, the President-Elect and I are working on a plan to change the way the Defense Department purchases the materials it needs. Acquisition reform has the potential to reduce billions of dollars in waste and direct it toward winning the War on Terror.

Brit: Are you saying that Secretary Rumsfeld's Defense Department is wasteful?

Condi: Absolutely not, Brit. Anytime you manage a department the size of Defense, there will be oversight and inefficiencies. Sometimes we need to take a breather and look at how things can be improved. Transition and the First 100 Days is a perfect opportunity to do that.

Brit: Joe Biden, Senator from Delaware and failed Presidential hopeful, questioned the diversity of the President's cabinet appointments. Do you believe the President's cabinet is sufficiently diverse?

Condi: Absolutely, Brit. President-Elect Giuliani is appointing the first woman and the first African American to be Secretary of Defense. The President-Elect is appointing the only Asian-American woman to ever serve on the Cabinet. To say that his appointments are not diverse is either an ignorant claim, or intentionally misleading.

Brit: Ms. Rice, a final question on substance rather than politics, where do you see Iraq at the end of United States involvement?

Condi: I, like President Bush and President-Elect Giuliani, see Iraq a stable, peaceful, prosperous democratic partner in the Middle East. The world changed when Baghdad fell. It gave millions of people living under oppression hope. Everyday, families around the world pray and pray and pray for the time when their children will know freedom and dignity. When Saddam Hussein fell, it gave them hope that that day isn't so far away after all.

Brit: Defense Secretary-Designate Condoleezza Rice, everyone. Thank you for coming on.

Condi: It was my pleasure, Brit. Thanks for having me.

[Potus]

The Surge

1. Change our strategy to be a population-centric counterinsurgency effort.

The first step in winning the war is changing our strategy. To continue doing the same thing we've done will only cost more Americans their lives and grow our national debt. We must make every moment in Iraq count. Shifting our strategy to focus on protecting the population, winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, and moving away from a seek-and-destroy model of engagement are critical to winning the war. American troops will allow Iraqi troops to lead and will train the Iraqi military to manage their own affairs. Our efforts in improving the security situation will be replaced with a take-and-hold method of warfare. We'll focus on capturing, securing, and holding large portions of the country.

2. Increase the troop deployment to Iraq to accomplish new mission.

The forces we have on the ground now are not sufficient to accomplish our new mission. The United States Armed Forces will increase the troop deployment by 35,000. These additional troops are enough to win the war. These surge troops will be trained to protect the population. Skills such as construction, engineering, etc. will be highly valued in these new recruits.

3. Increase the effectiveness and strength of our intelligence community.

It is the directive of our intelligence community to keep us safe. Winning the War on Terror will require an expansion of our foreign intelligence capacity. We must also authorize the intelligence community to act in any foreign country to root out terrorism. The President will authorize the Director of National Intelligence to centralize all counter-terrorism intelligence in a National Intelligence Directorate. The NID will have 5,000 specially trained troops for their use. These NID troops are trained to be experts in kill-or-capture raids on terrorist targets.

4. Broaden the scope of our intelligence community's efforts abroad.

Since the tragic events of 9/11, our nation has said we will draw no distinction between terrorists and their allies. In order to more effectively prosecute the War on Terror, the United States Intelligence Community will no longer recognize the national boundaries of the following nations when in pursuit of terror:

   -Bahrain
   -Cyprus
   -Egypt
   -Iran
   -Iraq
   -Northern Cyprus
   -Oman
   -Qatar
   -Syria
   -United Arab Emirates
   -Yemen
   -Pakistan

5. Implement a counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan.
Similar to Iraq, we must focus on winning the hearts and minds of the population in Afghanistan. Our strategy must shift to protect the people and improve the humanitarian situation as well as the security situation. Our new modus operandi is take-hold-develop, similar to Iraq. Implementation of this strategy will require 60,000 new troops to be deployed to Afghanistan.

6. Degrade access to funding, weapons, and support for terrorists.

Our efforts in the past have been largely successful in identifying and weakening terrorist support networks. With the expansion of foreign intelligence powers, we must also take a freeze-and-seize approach to terrorist assets all over the world. Alongside limiting terrorist financial assets, a new program of poppy eradication in Afghanistan is critical. Our country must step up its agricultural aid to Afghan farmers to complement Columbia-style drug eradication missions.

7. Develop a coalition to address weak Middle Eastern borders.

Terrorist networks have demonstrated their adaptability and flexibility. Their fluid, soldiers-without-countries nature allows them to take advantage of the weak border situation across the Middle East. Efforts to truly eradicate terrorist networks in one country should be complemented by an international commitment to securing national borders in the Middle East.

8. Reassure our allies and include them in the new strategic shift.

Our allies are champions of the Freedom Agenda. They understand the incredible importance of a foreign policy based on both national interest as well as national values. Securing their commitment and strengthening the coalition with new partners and a surge in resources is critical to effectively implementing the new strategy.

[Potus]

OOC: DeMint gonna comment on the War on Terror?

[Potus]

Secretary Rice to make rounds in press, climb Capitol Hill, and travel.

Defense Secretary Rice will be making rounds in the press to bolster public support for the new strategy in the War on Terror. Rice will do a full profile with the Washington Post and TIME magazine. Several Department staff will also be working with the press to increase support of the President's foreign policy.

Secretary Rice's trip to Capitol Hill will rally the nation's representatives to the cause of the Freedom Agenda. Secretary Rice will meet with the Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate. She will also meet with Senator Jim DeMint and the chairs of the Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Military, and Veteran's Affairs committees.

Secretary Rice will be visiting Iraq from August 19th to August 23rd. She will meet with numerous Iraqi officials and members of the political opposition. Meals will be spent with the troops. She will play the piano at a reception for Iraqi political and military officials. Condi will be traveling to the front lines to visit with troops and talk with community leaders in the Anbar province.


Using a portion of savings from defense acquisition reform, Secretary Rice is pleased to announce $350 million in economic assistance in Iraq with a particular focus on Anbar province.

[Potus]

OOC: Actually implementing the new strategy, it works very similarly to the way Petraeus worked in the real world. The surge is starting earlier than it did in real life. This is when the war isn't really devastatingly unpopular politically. This will mostly prevent a lot of the criticism of the War on Terror.

Surging in both Iraq and Afghanistan simultaneously will let us get out quicker. Cracking down on terror on all fronts rather than winning one then pivoting to the other is a more responsible strategy. The troop surge and new strategy will win the traditional war in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have no doubt about that.

On the intelligence front, this would essentially make the bin Laden raid of 2011 the modus operandi of the counterterror specialists in the US military. We don't care where they are, what country they're in. We go and get them with boots on the ground. Kill or capture raids will provide a much more robust source of intelligence and also seriously limit the command and control capabilities of terror networks.

The vision of the border controls is strengthening the enforcement of our allies. We could lean on the saudis to provide border security to nations on the Arabian Peninsula. Lebanon needs to secure it's border with Syria. By limiting terrorist movement in the region, that alone will severely damage their operational capacity. Movement and freedom to plan are the cornerstone of fluid terror networks. Removing those factors will weaken networks in the region.

[Potus]

OOC: Progress report on the Surge?

[Potus]

*Picture of President Giuliani, Secretary Rice as the sun goes down,  talking and looking out the window of the Oval.*

The Victors

How Rudy and Rice Are Winning The War on Terror

Excerpt:

I walked down the streets of Baghdad, Iraq. I was here not long ago, on this very street. On my last visit, I received an armed escort to this part of the city. This time, however, I can walk freely and safely down the street.

On my last journey, the street had been a face of the downtradden. Boarded up buildings and militiamen were staples of this part of Baghdad. The poverty and lack of opportunity bred radicalism and served as recruiting ground for extremists.

But on my most recent trip, life was different. Shops were open. Families walked to market stands to buy groceries. No one considered their safety before sleeping in a room with a window. There was peace. There was calm. There was prosperity.

Excerpt:

Hamida is a 16 year old student in one of the schools ran by the Coalition. She is strong, opinionated, and outspoken. She refuses to wear a veil and advocates for little girls to get an education.

"I could never be who I am under Saddam," she said. "Little girls," she says, "went from having lives of oppression under Saddam and seeing his face on television to seeing Secretary Rice."

US Secretary of Defense Condi Rice left a strong impression on Hamida's school when she visited. Rice had brought a lecture with her from her Stanford days and presented to the class on Women in History. She spoke of scientists and businesswomen. Powerful women, Hamida believes, are the future of Iraq.

The admiration for Rice was strong in Iraq. Government officials respect her strength and resiliency. She has been unwavering in the United States' devotion to Iraq and Afghanistan. This won her many fans in the government while the populace grew to support the United States as a whole.

Excerpt:
"We love Rudy!" exclaimed Ahmed, a merchant who recently opened a new store in the city of Mosul. "As someone who lived in prison under Hussein, it brings a tear to my eye knowing a manlike Rudy Giuliani will care about my children and grandchildren," he said.

The Iraqi populace seemed to support Giuliani greatly. The commitment to their democracy gave them reason to love the President. Even in the province of Anbar, Sunni Iraqis were developing a sense of nationalism and rising up against terrorists in their villages.

Anbar has long served as the base of the insurgency. This hotbed was a no-go zone for Coalition forces due to the Sunni population and their acceptance of militants. Since the expansion of involvement in Iraq, siding with Baghdad and the Coalition over Al Qaeda became very beneficial for the Sunni leaders in the province.

With victory in Anbar, Al Qaeda and other militants no longer have a command and control in Iraq. Rudy and Rice are winning in Iraq.

[Potus]

Reminder this round closes tonight. Round 3 will take place until September 2007 and from there we'll start the 08 part of the game.

I'll start taking submissions for candidates as of tomorrow.

Thanks everyone

Can we get a new thread for candidate recruitment and the 2008 game? Lock this one up and save it for posterity.