2012 Election TL (Gameplay Thread)

[feeblepizza]

Reporter: So Mitch - it's just been broken that Mitt Romney is endorsing you for President.
Daniels: Is that so?
Reporter: Yes. What's your reaction?
Daniels: Well, I've worked with Mitt. I think he's a really spectacular guy, I like him a lot, and he's done a lot of terrific things. Not only as Governor, but as the leader of his Free, Strong America PAC. I wish Mitt the best of luck, and I'm glad to welcome him onto to the team.

[ej2mm15]

Mike Huckabee formally announces that he will not run for president.

[Ⓐnarchy in the ☭☭☭P!]

Ron Paul begins heavy campaigning in his home state of Texas, as well as New Mexico and Arizona.

Furthermore, several grassroots rallies in favour of Paul are held in Oregon, Utah, and Idaho.

[Del Tachi]

Haley Barbour announces that he will temporarily suspend his campaign for the presidency until after the 2011 Mississippi Gubernatorial election in November. 

[Kaine for Senate '18]

President Obama gives a speech in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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[tmthforu94]

Jeff Bingaman holds a "Hearing the American Voice" town-hall meeting in Carson City, Nevada. He is introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Thank you all for having me. It's great to be here, and I thank Senator Reid for being such an excellent host.

In 2001, America started on a downward spiral. In just months, President Bush managed to wipe away the surplus left by Clinton. By the end of his second term, America was in heavy debt. Now, President Obama has been forced to spend us into even more debt to fix the many problems that President Bush left us! I'm deeply concerned about the future of this government. I'm a Democrat, and I'm a liberal. But that doesn't mean I support the reckless spending by both Bush and Obama administrations, and it doesn't mean I think having a mounting national debt is a good thing. It's time to give some money back to the people, reign in government spending, and get the government working for the people again.

Recently, President Obama made a stop in Santa Fe, New Mexico, my home state. Hopefully he spend lavishly there, like he has elsewhere, because New Mexico sure could use some help! (crowd laughs) I have a major concern when we have an administration that has spent so much government money on personal matters. Not just him, but his entire family. I sincerely hope that if Obama is re-elected, he spends less his second term across the board. It's simply embarrassing.
- Jeff Bingaman

[Kaine for Senate '18]

President Obama gives a speech in San Francisco, California, after being introduced (and endorsed) by Senators Boxer and Feinstein.

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[tmthforu94]

Continuing on his tour, Jeff Bingaman visits the state of Arizona, accompanied by his wife, Anne. They make multiple stops throughout the states, and hold their first rally in Tucson...

It's simply a blessing to see so many excited faces out there! I am the luckiest one of all though. I have been blessed to hear the stories of so many Americans over the past few days, and I'm very enthusiastic about taking those stories back to Capital Hill. I've learned that Americans are tired of the corruption that has plagued our national government, and are ready for common-sense solutions. It's time we reform our welfare system, secure our borders, and secure jobs here in America, not encouraging them to go overseas like Republicans have been doing.

Recently, Obama accused me of making this race personal by bringing his family into it. I'm sorry he took it that way, but what he's doing is wrong. Americans from all over are having to cut back. While many are bypassing their yearly vacation this summer, President Obama continues to spend. Americans are struggling due to the  the economic foundation both Bush and Obama have laid. I simply believe if everyone else is having to cut back, why shouldn't the President too?
- Jeff Bingaman

[feeblepizza]

Governor Mitch Daniels meets with Mitt Romney at his Los Angeles home to personally thank him for his support. Daniels then speaks on energy, the economy, and illegal immigration, the top three issues that Californians look for in a candidate.

[ej2mm15]

May 2011

Democrats
President Obama 68.6%
Bingamen 16.4%

Republicans
Daniels 32.1%
Paul 30.1%
Barbour 22.8%

Yellow Paul, Green Daniels, Dark Green Barbour


Colorado
Obama 57.3%
Bingamen 27.7%

Paul 32.9%
Daniels 29.5%
Barbour 22.9%

New Jersey
Obama 74.9%
Bingamen 10.1%

Paul 38.7%
Daniels 24.8%
Barbour 22.2%

Virginia
Obama 60.0%
Bingamen 25.0%

Daniels 33.9%
Paul 31.4%
Barbour 19.7%

General Election Polling

Obama 45%
Paul 44%

Obama 46%
Barbour 33%

Obama 44%
Daniels 39%

Paul 43%
Bingamen 33%

Barbour 38%
Bingamen 32%

Daniels 45%
Bingamen 32%

[tmthforu94]

This is CNN...

We are now reporting that Senator Jeff Bingaman from the state of New Mexico has begun planning a challenge to President Obama for the Democratic nomination. He has reportedly hired several notable Democratic strategists, and has apparently scheduled events in Virginia, Illinois, and Colorado in the coming days, all three being lead-off states.

[feeblepizza]

Former President George W. Bush appears in Texas for a rally in support of Mitch Daniels. Thousands gather to hear him speak. This is the beginning of his statewide "Tour for Daniels."

[tmthforu94]

This is CNN...

We now take you to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman is expected to announce that he will be challenging President Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination. On stage with the Senator is colleague's Barbara Boxer, Harry Reid, and Tom Udall. Former Governor Bill Richardson is also on stage...

I'd like to thank all of you for joining us here today. It means so much to me to officially announce my candidacy in New Mexico, the state I have served for in the United States Senate and the state whose primary I plan on winning on my way to becoming the next President of the United States!

The United States faces huge challenges, but we also have huge opportunities. I am running for President because these times call for a leader with a proven track record, and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to tackle our problems at home and abroad.

In 2008, I was a supporter of Barack Obama. I believed in the change he promised. However, this administration has been filled with disappointment after disappointment. America continues to suffer from high unemployment numbers, a growing deficit, an education system that continues to get passed by other nations, and a weak border. I believe the liberal policies touted by great leaders such as Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton do work. However, they must be implemented properly.

Out of control spending is not a solution, which our President seems to think. It is a growing problem. We cannot afford to let our children be placed in increasing debt, and at the rate we're going, they're going to be faced with tough decisions.

Some may ask why I'm running. President Obama is liberal enough, and polls have me down. Well here's your answer: I'm running because I am sick and tired of the political games being played in Washington. I'm tired of drinking the kool-aid. And I believe it is time for liberals to stand up to our incompetent President and say enough is enough! It's time for real liberal leadership, not what we've faced for the last few years. I'm running for President to be that leader, and I ask for your support. Thank you, and God Bless!

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Senators Warner, Feinstein, and Durbin all quickly come out in support of President Obama, who, upon hearing of Senator Bingaman's decision, gives a speech to Albany, New York:

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[tmthforu94]

The Jeff Bingaman campaign has released their upcoming schedule of events. The Senator looks to make serious inroads in the Southwest, where he hopes to emphasize Obama's liberal spending in hopes of winning over Libertarian voters.

Monday: Arizona, Nevada
Tuesday: Idaho, Utah, Colorado
Wednesday: Colorado, Kansas
Thursday: Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia
Friday: New Jersey, Delaware, New York
Satuday: Family vacation at Niagara Falls
Sunday: Pennsylvania, Ohio

[tmthforu94]

Senator Jeff Bingaman holds a rally in Boulder City, Nevada, where he responds to recent comments made by President Obama...

When Franklin D. Roosevelt sat down and envisioned America's future, I'm sure that he did not envision one that included a skyrocketing debt. The New Deal was brilliant, and brought America back to life. But President Roosevelt also understand that some cuts needs to be made, and spending had to be curved. I'm also sure Roosevelt didn't freely spend government money like Obama has been doing for personal expenses.

America can continue down the same path that President Bush and President Obama have taken us down. Or we can go down a new path, with smart liberal policies. Let's reform Obamacare at a fraction of the cost. There are great parts in that bill, and I'm proud to have voted for it. But some improvement can be made. Let's cut earmark spending out of our legislation, and ban lobbyists from being present when voting occurs. We have to get this nation working again for the people, not the government!

[tmthforu94]

At a rally in Boulder, Colorado, Senator Mark Udall joins the Bingaman campaign...

The fact is, I'm tired of wasteful spending. While I believe some spending is good, as well as the social programs that come with it, I think the way this government is spending is atrocious. It's not liberal, it's socialist. I'm ready for some real, common-sense liberal leadership in the White House. If people actually think the policies Barack Obama are implementing are liberal policies, our kind of people will die out really quickly. That's why I've decided to endorse a real liberal, Jeff Bingaman. He'll take America back to the days before Bush and Obama when we had a surplus. I ask Colorado to stand beside me in support of Bingaman.

[Ⓐnarchy in the ☭☭☭P!]

Ron Paul begins a Tour for Liberty, giving speeches and holding rallies in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan.

[ej2mm15]

June 2011

Democrats
President Obama 64.6%
Bingamen 20.4%

Republicans
Daniels 31.9%
Paul 31.1%
Barbour 22.0%

Yellow Paul, Green Daniels, Dark Green Barbour


Colorado
Obama 51.3%
Bingamen 33.7%

Paul 32.9%
Daniels 29.5%
Barbour 22.9%

New Mexico
Bingamen 47.5%
Obama 37.5%

Paul 38.0%
Daniels 36.9
Barbour 10.1%

Virginia
Obama 58.0%
Bingamen 27.0%

Daniels 33.9%
Paul 31.4%
Barbour 19.7%

General Election Polling

Obama 45%
Paul 43%

Obama 47%
Barbour 33%

Obama 45%
Daniels 39%

Paul 43%
Bingamen 34%

Barbour 38%
Bingamen 34%

Daniels 45%
Bingamen 33%

[tmthforu94]

The Bingaman campaign has announced that Maggie Williams, who served as Hillary Clinton's second campaign manager in 2008, will manage the Bingaman campaign.

I'm excited to work with Senator Bingaman on developing a winning strategy. Polls have us down by a lot, but I truly believe once we spread our message out, we can close that gap very quickly. If I didn't think we could win, I wouldn't have taken this task on.
- Maggie Williams

[tmthforu94]

Senator Jeff Bingaman plans a trip in the Southeast, where he hopes to gain support of conservative white Democrats (Clinton voters) with stops in the following cities...

Clearwater, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Alpharetta, Georgia
Birmingham, Alabama
Jackson, Mississippi
New Orleans, Louisiana
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Nashville, Tennessee
Lexington, Kentucky
Richmond, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Raleigh, North Carolina
Columbia South Carolina

[tmthforu94]

In Fayetteville, Arkansas, former President Bill Clinton has joined Senator Bingaman at a rally...

Today, I'm proud to endorse a great man. A man who has spent time touring this nation, and one who understands the concerns of the people. I'm ready to give this man a chance, as he's the only one fighting for it. Today, I'm proud to endorse Senator Jeff Bingaman. I believe his policies will get America back on track economically. I ask you all to stand with me. Thank you Arkansas!
- Bill Clinton

[Ⓐnarchy in the ☭☭☭P!]

Ron Paul's Tour for Liberty continues throughout Michigan and Illinois.

[feeblepizza]

Governor Daniels travels to Colorado, where he speaks on his economic policy.

[tmthforu94]

When I was elected in 2008, I promised to represent the people of Alaska and nothing else. And I believe I have. Sadly, I think President Obama has not represented America, rather he's represented himself and Washington lobbyists. This government is spending out of control, and on the wrong things. I loved the days of Clinton, Kennedy, and Roosevelt, and I want America to go back to those days. That's why I'm endorsing Jeff Bingaman for President.
-Senator Mark Begich