2016 Election Game - Game Thread

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

November 23, 2012, 11:23 AM. Capitol Building, Washington

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is making a statement on the 2016 campaign.

"Hello. To my constituents in Vermont, to the press here, and to everyone watching at home. The presidency of Barack Obama has been a success, but now we are faced with a great challenge. The Republican Party is seeking to undo everything we have done over the past 8 years, and it's not guaranteed that the current Democratic nominee won't concede to them. We need more. Not just a continuation of the president's policies, but more. We need to prosecute the Wall Streeters who got us into the mess of 2007. We need to make America fair again. We need someone who is truly committed to the principles of the Democratic Party. That's why I'm announcing today that I am officially entering the 2016 race as a Democrat. When Kirsten Gillibrand was in the House, she was not committed to our principles. However, throughout my career in Washington, I have. I will be the nominee in September, I will go beyond what we've done so far, and I will campaign as hard as I can to make sure that I can expand my commitment to every United State of America!"

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I thought we could only be in 2 states per week. Speaking of which:

Bernie Sanders: Schedule for 11/17-11/23

11/17: IA
Rallys in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City

11/18: IA

Rallys in Waterloo and Sioux Falls
Speech in Des Moines

11/19: IA
General campaigning in Davenport and Ames

11/20: IA
Rally in Bettendorf
Speech in Ames

11/21: IA
Speech in Cedar Falls

11/22: IA
General campaigning in Marion and Burlington

11/23: IA
General campaigning in Clinton, Ottumwa, and Fort Dodge

From rally in Des Moines:

"I have been committed to getting money out of politics for years, and let me tell you this: My campaign will not accept a single dollar from a corporation. I will only take money from you, the good people of the state of Iowa and of the United States of America. We can't have a multimillionaire like Mitt Romney buy anymore elections! Over the years, my opponent and her supporting PACs--of which I will have none--has taken in millions from Wall Street. Billionaires are the ones with the power in today's Washington culture, and I intend to change that! If I am elected President, I will do everything in my power to ban corporate spending in elections. I hope that you all can work with me to take America back. Thank you, and good night!"

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Ah. That makes much more sense. Thank you.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

An E-mail to Supporters from the Sanders Campaign:

Citizens:

A $5 million ad buy in Iowa and New Hampshire is going out this week, focusing on our principles as Democrats and my relations to those principles. I'd just like to ask you all to help us with that and keep the money flowing. We can't stand up to the special interests without you guys, and we can't get anything done without the end of special interests. I am asking you to do all you can to help me in my campaign for President this year and next. We need to take America back from the Republican agenda of class warfare for the rich and against the middle class. They've been doing it for over 30 years now, and only you can help us stop them.

Best wishes,

Bernie Sanders.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Hold on, what happened in the 2012 election? If we're going to make historical references, we should at least be consistent. Or has this been mentioned?

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Got it.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Are the primaries/caucuses in the same order as 2012? If not, what order are they in?

Also, does everyone have ballot access in all 50 states?

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

OK, thanks. Now:

Bernie Sanders: 11/24 to 11/30 (Entire week in IA)

11/24:
Rally in Ames
Speech in Waterloo

11/25:
General campaigning in Waterloo

11/26:
Speeches in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids
Appearance on the Daily Show

11/27:
Rallies in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque

11/28:
Speech in Clive
Rallies in Davenport, Sioux City

11/29:
Speeches in Iowa City, Marian, and Bettendorf

11/30:
General campaigning across state

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Bernie Sanders 12/1 to 12/8 (The Senator will campaign exclusively in Iowa unless otherwise stated)

12/1:
Speeches in Ames, Des Moines, Iowa City

12/2:
Announces support of former Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Rallies with Kucinich in Waterloo, Bettendorf

12/3:
Rallies in Marion, Clive
Speech on foreign policy

12/4:
Rallies in Fort Dodge, Clinton, Iowa City

12/5:
Speech on health care
Rally in Des Moines

12/6:
Rallies in Ames, Waterloo

12/7:
Appears on Face the Nation

Dennis Kucinich's endorsement:
We need a leader in the White House. We need someone who stands out from the crowd, someone who doesn't compromise their beliefs for the benefit of a select few. We need Bernie Sanders as President of the United States!

In addition, the Sanders campaign is announcing a $10 million ad buy in Iowa and New Hampshire entitled "Leadership".

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

An Announcement from the Sanders Campaign:

It appears that Sen. Sanders will suspend campaigning for most of December due to an illness in the family. The Senator's brother has contracted a severe illness, and the family will be retreating to Vermont to aid him. Sen. Sanders may or may not continue his campaign in January, depending on the situation.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Bernie Sanders ends his campaign and endorses Kirsten Gillibrand:

"Well, we got above 1%." *Laughter* "I cannot see a way to win this nomination with anyone but Senator Gillibrand. I congratulate her on her showing in Iowa and am telling you all, right now, to vote for her for President of the United States. Let's speed up the Progress Train!"