Election 2020: The Game!

[Wells]

Joni Ernst (R). I'll have my announcement by the end of tomorrow.

[Wells]

Joni For President 2020

Red Oak, Iowa   Early Summer



Announcement Speech Transcript

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[Wells]

Joni Ernst Campaign Schedule: September 14 - 20, 2019

September 14 - Ernst held a morning town hall in Milan, NH where she commented on many different issues. That afternoon she held another town hall in Berlin, NH where she also spoke on a wide variety of subjects, from Hillary Clinton to voting restrictions. That same day, the Ernst campaign opened a new campaign office in South Carolina. (HQ is in Des Moines, Iowa.)

"It just makes sense that a photo ID should be required to vote. There are too many cases of voter fraud to be acceptable in today's political climate, especially when elections are as close as they are. Just one or two false votes undermine the entire institution of democracy and just isn't fair to law-abiding voters who follow the rules."

September 15 - Ernst spent the morning visiting small businesses in Berlin, where she had short discussions with the owners about her economic plans, especially how she wanted to cut their taxes. That afternoon, Ernst appeared for a pre-recorded interview on the local TV stations in northern NH. She was grilled on her staunchly conservative social views but responded by mentioning values and morals and her childhood. She held a rally in Berlin that evening, where she highlighted her stances on crime, singling out BLM by accusing them of instigating violence against police. (The largest contributor to Berlin’s economy is correctional facilities.)

“For too long, we have idly stood by as these so called ‘activist groups’ encourage violence and scapegoat entire groups of people. The Ferguson Effect is a very real phenomenon, and I could not be more disappointed at Clinton’s apathy towards the very real dangers police officers face every day. We need a strong leader, who will stand behind our police officers and understands what it is like to put their life on the line for law and order. Let’s label Black Lives Matter as a terrorist group instead of an activist group and start correcting these anti-police feelings.”

September 16 - Ernst spent the morning with students and teachers at Gorham High School, New Hampshire, talking about her education and economic plans. She defended her positions on unions from one of the angry (female) teachers, but she connected well with the students. That night, she appeared as a guest on Hannity.

“The federal government should not be getting involved with things like education. Washington bureaucrats don’t know a thing about what children and young adults need in order to get ahead in life. Those who do are at the state and local levels of government. Under my presidency, we will end No Child Left Behind and the Common Core. Teachers, students, and even parents like me all agree that there is just too much uniform testing in the current system of education. The perfect antidote is the localizing of education in the United States.”

September 17 - Ernst arrived in Nashville, Tennessee at noon. One hour later, she held a fundraising party, where she made brief remarks about the free market and her upcoming tax plan. That evening, she held a rally in Nashville, talking with voters personally before it started. In her speech, she focused on her foreign and social policy stances, though she did mention her tax plan.

“I am proud to have served in uniform as a member of the National Guard. And my status as a veteran has influenced my policymaking in the Senate and you can surely bet that it will influence my policymaking as president. I will fight to make sure our men and women in uniform have the tools necessary to preserve our values and defend our nation. We must give them the very best training and equipment, establish missions with clear, attainable objectives, and ensure we have the best leaders.”

September 18 - Ernst spent the morning talking with factory workers in Nashville about how her economic plans would spur growth in the industry sector. One of the angry workers disagreed with her on unions, but she knew how to handle it this time. She held another fundraising lunch before heading to Springfield (TN), where she held a town hall where she was asked about values,  morals, energy, and healthcare, among other things.

“It’s time to put people back in charge of their health care, not Washington bureaucrats. The Affordable Care Act, which is anything but affordable, should be repealed and will be repealed on day one of my presidency. This disaster has added 1.2 trillion dollars in taxes to hardworking Americans. Businesses have seen their growth disappear. Patients have lost access to doctors. This is not right. I support a replacement that will put the free market in charge of healthcare. This plan will increase growth, decrease premiums, and let people see their doctors once again."

September 19 - Ernst visited Clarksville the next day, spending the morning going to restaurants and talking to voters about the issues important to them. That evening, she held a rally. In her speech, she outlined her foreign policy.

“We must work with our allies around the world to strengthen our security and their security, especially in Israel. We must counter ISIS and other international terrorist groups. We must deter the aggression of Russia and Iran and counter China’s rise. We, with other nations, must face these threats together to achieve global stability in an era with so many challenges.”

September 20 - Ernst flew back to her campaign headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. There, she prepared for the debate for one hour. She held another fundraising lunch. That evening, she gave a speech in Des Moines, focusing on her Senate achievements.

“I have sponsored legislation relating to the Kurds in Iraq and how they are an ally in defeating ISIS. We need all the help we can get in dealing with terrorist organizations, and I know that we are stronger when we are numerous and united. I have introduced bills that helped our veterans and expanded our military. As president, I would do the same.”

[Wells]

I just did it because everyone else was doing it

[Wells]

Joni Ernst Campaign Schedule: September 21-28, 2019
Putting America First

September 21 - Ernst continued to stay in Des Moines, holding another fundraiser, talking with potential voters, and filming for advertisements and preparing for the debate at campaign HQ. Her campaign had hired a caucus organizer who had worked on the Cruz campaign (in 2016) the previous week, and she coordinated with him. That night she gave another speech, this time in West Des Moines, and about her overall campaign platform, where she also praised Tim Scott (in an effort to pick up some support).

“Funding for NASA and space exploration is a priority for me. America is a truly wonderful country, and the fact that we have been world leaders in space exploration exemplifies this perfectly. But, space travel has really declined under the failed leadership of Obama and Clinton. We ended the space shuttle program. We haven’t sent people to the moon in years. I believe that if we collaborate with private space exploration industries we could change all of this.”

September 22 - Joni Ernst travelled to Adel, Iowa, where she held a town hall in the evening (after meeting with a small group of voters beforehand, where she supposedly attacked Rubio). In this town hall, she was asked many questions, mainly about her socially conservative views.

“You know, you are completely right.¹ It seems lately that there is so much bias and dishonesty in the media. They have been completely ignoring the disastrous mistakes of this current administration. And every time they report something bad about it, they spin it into something good. As president, I will cut all government funding for media and let the free market decide what media reports best. We need new media to spread truth in an unbiased way.”

September 23 - Ernst travelled to Panora next, where she met with the mayor. The meeting reportedly went well. She then held a town hall in the evening, with opening remarks about her disaster preparedness program (and her upcoming tax proposal). She was asked about many things in the town hall.

“I can’t believe I have to keep repeating this, but people should not commit voter fraud. Democrats have allied themselves with people who aren’t registered but vote anyway, the people who vote twice, and voting zombies. Voter ID laws are the single most effective way of curbing these types of fraud and ensuring fair elections. It’s common sense. Until then, however, I urge authorities to be very vigilant about this.”

September 24 - Ernst continued her tour of Iowa in Guthrie Center. There, she spoke in front of a small crowd about her general policy.

“I was very disappointed when the nation made its biggest mistake in decades in electing Hillary Clinton to the White House. Throughout her career, she has been dishonest, corrupt, and yet always gets away every time. But 2016 was worse. It showed that if you are dishonest and corrupt, you can still hold the most powerful office in the world. Now, I’d like to be wrong. This is one of those rare cases where I desperately hope I’m wrong. But it doesn’t look like I’m wrong. So, this November, let’s prove me wrong. Let’s stand up for the values we hold dear and kick Clinton out of the White House.”

September 25 - Joni Ernst visited Hamlin, Iowa next. There, she visited a barnstorm and gave a speech before holding a town hall that evening.

“Every single illegal alien is a criminal. They broke the law when they crossed the border illegally. And we don’t want criminals in America, do we? Do we want them working in our jobs? Taking up places at our colleges? As president, I will support the expansion, reform, and improvement of an H-1B system to protect and put American workers first. I will do the opposite of Hillary Clinton and protect our workers and borders.”

September 26 - Joni Ernst went to Audubon, Iowa where she held a town hall and talked with a few voters.

“On my very first day in office, I will repeal the disaster we know as Obamacare. On my second day in office, I will replace it. My plan will give the choice to Americans instead of Washington bureaucrats. Patients and doctors know their health needs best, so why would anyone else make the choice? We will look for patient-centered alternatives to healthcare. These will increase access to quality healthcare at an affordable price.”

September 27 - Joni Ernst held a press conference in Carroll, Iowa, where she unveiled her tax plan. That night, she held a rally, also in Caroll (and she praised Tim Scott again).

Joni Ernst’s income tax plan summary²

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September 28 - Ernst visited Denison, Iowa, where she held a small fundraiser in the morning and held a rally that evening.

“Hillary Clinton has accepted way too many migrants from countries where radical Islam is prevalent. We shouldn’t be too surprised when there are more and more terrorist attacks because she has single-handedly destroyed America’s safety through executive overreach. Under my presidency, we will not accept Muslim migrants from countries with the presence of ISIS. It’s the sensible thing to do.”


Joni's First Campaign Advertisement: Meet Joni (airs nationwide)

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1) In response to a town hall question.
2) This is just a summary, don't expect an entire plan laid out here.


Press Release on Tim Scott's (un)expected dropout:

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[Wells]

American Vision 2020

Several major Republican and conservative donors have joined together to create a standing organization to damage President Clinton's chances at re-election. The Republican primary is currently home to mostly acceptable candidates, though that could change. Should candidates jeopardize the ability of a Republican to defeat Hillary Clinton, resources could be diverted to the Republican primary.

OOC: Can we get a recap of Hillary's first term? Everything that happened, Supreme Court picks, how folks voted on that, etc. Basically write a wiki article for her first term.

So are you just jumping in the game and starting a Super PAC? I thought Clinton made that illegal.

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Joni Ernst Campaign Schedule: September 29 - October 5, 2019
Putting America First

September 29 - Joni Ernst arrived in Greenville, South Carolina, where she attended a church service and spoke in front of the church about (guess what!) values and morals. She held a fundraiser afterward, which was then followed by a rally, where she spoke in front of one of her largest crowds.
(response to stock market)
“The economy has been up and down all through Clinton’s presidency. It’s like a roller coaster ride that won’t end. The unemployment goes up and down and up again. The stock market does the same. This instability doesn’t assuage the fears of ordinary Americans. It’s making things worse for everybody. The most recent turn of events is a perfect example of this. But, it’s a fact that the economy is more stable and better overall under Republican presidents. Anybody who says otherwise is lying to you. Under my presidency, the economy will be fantastic. My economic plans will generate growth and employment. I will turn our economy over to the free market. I will cut taxes on the middle class and families.”

September 30 - Ernst spent the morning preparing for the upcoming debate. She then went to Simpsonville, SC, where she held a town hall and meet-and-greet with voters.

“It’s just shocking to me that Hillary Clinton is allowed to run. Everybody knows she’s a criminal, they’ve known for the past few years now. Between Clinton Foundation corruption to Benghazi, those terrible Benghazi attacks, and the FBI saying that what she did with those emails, 30,000 of them, was illegal but that she was too big to jail anyway, it’s just sad. It’s sad. I can assure you that I will be the exact opposite of Hillary Clinton in every way when I am in the oval office. I will be conservative. I will be honest. And I will be a real leader because we need honest conservative leaders in government.”

October 1 - Ernst visited Fountain Inn, SC to discuss the benefits her tax plan would have on the economy. She then held a town hall in Gray Court, SC, where she was asked about the Supreme Court (and other things).

“There are rumors flying around, from very credible sources, I might add, that Justice Anthony Kennedy is considering retirement. In an election year, I might add. We’ve been in this position before. As president, I will nominate conservative justices to the Supreme Court, respectable judges like Scalia or Clarence Thomas. Now, I don’t agree with Kennedy on all of his decisions, especially a lot of his more recent ones, though he is very nice personally, but I would hate to see Clinton nominate an activist social justice warrior who will make decisions based on politics instead of the actual Constitution in his place. It’s unthinkable.”

October 2 - In Laurens, SC, Ernst continued preparing for the debate. She then held a town hall that afternoon.

“Our police officers do a tremendous service to the country and I will always stand behind them and the amazing job that they do. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that is more honorable than serving your country as a member of the Armed Forces or your community as a member of law enforcement. As president, I will protect those who protect us, especially from these recent attacks, both physical and verbal on what they do. I cannot thank you enough for what you do for us.”
(She then had any soldiers/police officers/veterans in the crowd stand up and they were applauded.)

October 3 - In Clinton, SC, Ernst made a speech, and appeared for an interview with statewide news stations where she was asked about her economic and social policies. She was also asked about Rubio’s recent comments on her space program.

“I actually do agree with Rubio on many points, and he seems to have misunderstood me. I do think increased privatization and less regulation is the key to space exploration, but the government should also be doing something. I can’t remember any of the moon landings. And there’s something wrong with that. We need to feel inspired, hopeful, and optimistic about this country and the future, something I haven’t felt in more than a decade, and you can’t put a price on that. The American people deserve to feel patriotic. Let’s give it to them. My campaign and presidency will always be about putting America first.”

October 4 - Ernst spent most of the day traveling to Nevada (preparing for the debate on the plane), and when she arrived in Reno, she held a fundraising rally/meet-and-greet. There, she gave a foreign policy speech.

“The past twelve years have been tough on Americans, but it’s also getting worse abroad. Just recently, as you may have heard, North Korea is conducting military exercises right next to their border with South Korea. And the current administration isn’t doing anything about it. Now, tensions have been rising for months. For all we know, a war could break out at any moment. Where’s Clinton’s leadership? North Korea is testing nuclear missiles that they might use against one of our allies. What did Obama do to stop it? Nothing. Now, standing idly by when a friend is threatened goes against everything I’ve been taught, my values and morals. You can not accept this lack of leadership from a president. And if you make the right choice on Election Day, you won’t have to. We must stand up to countries who threaten peace by forcefully pushing peace onto them. That is the way America works, peace through strength. That’s the way it’s always worked, and that’s the way I will work as president.”

October 5 - Ernst appeared on a statewide talk radio station in Nevada, where she commented mainly about the biggest differences between her and Hillary Clinton. Afterward, she held a town hall in Washoe City, where she was asked who her favorite president was.

“My favorite president is Ronald Reagan. He was a president like no other. From the genius of his policies to his bravery in foreign policy, there are just too many nice things about him. My favorite things about Reagan were his anecdotes. He really knew how to tell a story. I could listen to him speak all day. There was no president like him before, and none have ever measured up since. I just hope that I can be almost as good as Reagan in the Oval Office.”

During the week Ernst's campaign opened up two new campaign offices in Nevada and one in Iowa.

[Wells]

I heard that this game's moderator has less time than usual to moderate this game and that this timeline is declining. But can I take over the moderation of this game in order to relaunch this timeline?

I think you could ask LLR or Ted Bessell? I want this to continue, though we have received requests to participate in a different 2020 game.

[Wells]

Joni Ernst Campaign Schedule: October 6-8, 2019
Putting America First

October 6 - Ernst returned to Reno where she barnstormed, held another rally, and another town hall. She commented on recent news events there.

“Tonight, I would like us to have a moment of silence for the attack on Rome and our thoughts and prayers are, as always with the victims. We are Rome! (moment of silence) This attack was perpetrated by the terrorist group ISIS. We must show ISIS and similar groups that, attacks like these, on freedom and our culture shall not stand. We must eradicate and eviscerate ISIS once and for all! As president, I will strategically take out specific ISIS targets while making sure that such events do not happen here in the United States of America. You should be afraid, with such dangers in the world under a horrible president, but under my presidency, you won’t need to.”

October 7 - Ernst flew back to Iowa for a quick press conference in Des Moines. She was asked about Comey’s Clinton comments, and responded with “Clinton has been a weak and corrupt leader, and this isn’t surprising. What is surprising is that people would vote for the person who let her off the hook.” She was also asked about the new economic report.

“The staggering number of lost jobs is astounding. We haven’t seen this many lost jobs since the early Obama presidency. But I’m not sure what we were expecting, considering the lack of strong leadership coming from the Clinton administration. What is surprising is that the unemployment rate isn’t higher. The Bureau of Labor Statistics could be getting pressure from the Clintons to sugarcoat the numbers like they did with Comey and the emails. But we can’t be sure. At any rate, the economy will be stronger if I get the chance to cut regulations and enhance infrastructure once elected president.”

October 8 - Joni Ernst arrived in Dallas where she spent the morning in a town hall, and the entire afternoon preparing for the debate. In the town hall, she was asked about the event in Pakistan.

“The failure of Clinton’s leadership and Obama’s Iran deal have crippled the situation in the Middle East. We should be doing everything in our power to ensure that nobody who doesn’t already have nuclear weapons gets nuclear weapons. The Iran deal will be shredded as soon as I am in the Oval office and we will begin dealing with the terrorists instead of making deals with the terrorists. This country needs a strong leader to ensure peace through strength and put American ideals first.”

October 9-12 will come after the debate.

[Wells]

Joni Ernst has decided that she isn't going to win and is dropping out to focus on her Senate campaign. She has said she isn't going to endorse until after the nominee has become clear. Also, I came up with a timeline idea and want to spend time working on it.