A Political Fable 2: A Good Day to Vote Hard

[Consciously Unconscious]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) was vice president while John Adams (Federalist) was president.  They weren't of the same party.

Other than that, great timeline.  You should continue it.   

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) was vice president while John Adams (Federalist) was president.  They weren't of the same party.

Other than that, great timeline.  You should continue it.   

Not to mention Lincoln and Johnson?

[badgate]

Thanks, guys. I didn't know that about Johnson...explains why he was such a douche about reconstruction though. And I tend to ignore the parties we had back in Adams/Jefferson times. The issue will be addressed in the next update in a funny way

[badgate]

IIX: Marking Time




Worst Week in Washington: Candy Crowley
CNN television host Candy Crowley had the worst week in Washington, when she embarrassingly claimed that the Ayotte/Taylor administration was the first cross-party administration in our history. Republicans, who have no love for Crowley because of her courageous fact checking of Mitt Romney in 2012, jumped on the small mistake and haven't shut up since. CNN, which in recent years has regained some of its reputation for not making stupid reporting mistakes, is again the laughing stock of cable news. So, well done, Candy. You had the worst week in Washington. Congratulations, or something.


PPP Presidential Match Ups


Democrats
Vice President Gene Taylor
Governor Tulsi Gabbard
Governor Julian Castro
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Senator Gavin Newsom

Republicans
Former Vice President Scott Walker
Yale Law Class of 2019 Valedictorian (with a minor in foreign relations and international law) Sarah Palin
Governor Shelly Moore Capito
Defense Secretary Lindsay Graham
Secretary of State Eric Cantor
Senator Pat Toomey



Gene Taylor 52%/Sarah Palin 41%/Not Sure 7%
Gene Taylor 48%/Scott Walker 49%/Not Sure 3%
Gene Taylor 47%/Shelly Moore Capito 40%/Not Sure 13%
Gene Taylor 51%/Lindsay Graham 45%/Not Sure 4%
Gene Taylor 48%/Eric Cantor 49%/Not Sure 3%
Gene Taylor 46%/Pat Toomey 40%/Not Sure 14%

---

Tulsi Gabbard 49%/Sarah Palin 40%/Not Sure 11%
Tulsi Gabbard 44%/Scott Walker 50%/Not Sure 6%
Tulsi Gabbard 47%/Shelly Moore Capito 44%/Not Sure 9%
Tulsi Gabbard 48%/Lindsay Graham 46%/Not Sure 6%
Tulsi Gabbard 49%/Eric Cantor 43%/Not Sure 8%
Tulsi Gabbard 47%/Pat Toomey 42%/Not Sure 11%

---

Julian Castro 50%/Sarah Palin 40%/Not Sure 10%
Julian Castro 48%/Scott Walker 49%/Not Sure 3%
Julian Castro 45%/Shelly Moore Capito 44%/Not Sure 11%
Julian Castro 47%/Lindsay Graham 42%/Not Sure 11%
Julian Castro 46%/Eric Cantor 46%/Not Sure 8%
Julian Castro 49%/Pat Toomey 45%/Not Sure 6%

---

Kirsten Gillibrand 53%/Sarah Palin 41%/Not Sure 6%
Kirsten Gillibrand 44%/Scott Walker 51%/Not Sure 5%
Kirsten Gillibrand 46%/Shelly Moore Capito 43%/Not Sure 11%
Kirsten Gillibrand 49%/Lindsay Graham 47%/Not Sure 4%
Kirsten Gillibrand 49%/Eric Cantor 45%/Not Sure 6%
Kirsten Gillibrand 50%/Pat Toomey 47%/Not Sure 3%

---

Gavin Newsom 48%/Sarah Palin 45%/Not Sure 7%
Gavin Newsom 41%/Scott Walker 53%/Not Sure 6%
Gavin Newsom 45%/Shelly Moore Capito 48%/Not Sure 7%
Gavin Newsom 47%/Lindsay Graham 46%/Not Sure 7%
Gavin Newsom 44%/Eric Cantor 47%/Not Sure 9%
Gavin Newsom 46%/Pat Toomey 41%/Not Sure 13%

[Consciously Unconscious]

Oh, it's ok.  You addressed it in a funny way. Poor CNN.  Just starting to regain some dignity when they screw it up.

[Sec. of State Superique]

I tought I would be going to see President Taylor but now I believe we are having President Walker

[badgate]

Texas Senate Special Election


April 13, 2021
Democratic Runoff Primary


Interim Senator Wendy Davis 51.089%
State Senator Sean Hubbard 48.699%
















Coming with another update soon, which will wrap up everything for 2021. Then tomorrow it's off to the races for 2022!

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Damn, I actually like Hubbard. He had the guts to run as a liberal for the Seante last year.

[badgate]

I like him a lot too. However, NOBODY IS EVER TRULY OUT OF THE GAME IN FABLE LAND

[badgate]

IX: The Minutia of Governance


Sunday, May 2, 2021


China President Liu Yuan: American GDI involvement would be "act of war."
Chinese President Liu Yuan sent a shot across the bow today, telling international press that interference in China or Taiwan by the American agency Global Democratic Initiative would be considered an "act of war" by Chinese leaders. Asia's military superpower, China has made few reforms away from its communist government as the world enters the third decade of the millenium. Since a storied G-8 summit late in President Barack Obama's second term, Japan has played good cop to America's bad cop on China. Obama and then-President of China Xi Jinping reportedly got into a heated shouting match when Obama pushed Jinping on continued hacking and cyberterrorism that the FBI knew to be of Chinese origin.

China was thought to be one of the major targets of President Kelly Ayotte's Global Democratic Initiative; many Americans hoped that the GDI could engage with China without impeding trade with the country. The Ayotte administration had no comment for this article.

Friday, May 21, 2021
The House of Representatives passed its omnibus election reform law after an afternoon of superfluous earmarks that inflated the cost of the bill to $21 billion. Speaker Von Hollen sought input from Minority Whip Kevin McCarthy, and though McCarthy publicly opposed the bill and voted against it, over 40 Republican congressmen voted Yea. The Senate is expected to pass the bill's sibling in the second week of June, and conference will follow.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Texas Senate Special Election


Interim Senator Wendy Davis 49.17%
Railroad Commissioner Matthew Marchant 50.33%

Friday, June 4, 2021

Unemployment hovering around 6.2%
Unemployment has stubbornly refused to return to below 6% for months now, and with the Ayotte administration issuing a veto threat for any stimulus bills the Democratic congress may send her, it doesn't look to be going anywhere.


Monday, June 7, 2021

Vice President Gene Taylor defied the Ayotte administration during the rush to pass amendments to the Electoral and Voting Ability Act. A major voter ID amendment, which had gotten support from moderate Democrats enough to make the vote close, was struck down when Taylor was called upon to break a tie. White House Press Secretary had said that morning to reporters that a tie was possible, and the administration was 100% confident Taylor would side with Ayotte when the vote came down. Sources close to Taylor, however, say the administration was trying to publicly box the Veep into a corner. Allegedly, the Vice President's office never heard from any west wing officials about the possibility of a tie.

Sunday, July 4, 2021

President Kelly Ayotte held a wide-ranging town hall this July 4th with local community leaders in the District of Colombia. She talked about her evolution on the statehood issue, even addressing what many Republicans use as their major argument against statehood. "A lot of Republicans, even me at some point in the Senate, they argue that statehood would gerrymander two new Senators and a congressperson for Democrats. But, it is self evident that that's not a result of statehoold itself. If my party wants to win a Governorship from your new state, or a Senate seat, we should reach out to the voters here and not try to stifle their democratic voice. Refusing representation is not going to win us any elections." After the town hall the attendees were invited to an ice cream social outside followed by a spectacular fireworks show. President Ayotte milled from person to person throughout the evening, chatting with everyone for at least five minutes each.

Thursday, July 8, 2021
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 51%
Disapprove 40%
Not Sure 7%

Monday, July 12, 2021

President Kelly Ayotte signed the Electoral and Voting Ability Act this morning, surrounded by Congressional leadership, and Randy Blackburn, a Florida voter who made headlines for waiting 6 hours last fall at one of the most highly populated voting precincts in the country. With the legislation now law, President Ayotte then moved to nominate a full slate of nominees for Election Assistance Commission. According to anonymous sources inside the west wing, Vice President Gene Taylor was not invited to the bill's signing, though he was present and is standing next to President Ayotte in the group photo. This source also reported that the Vice President was not given a pen.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

The Senate passed a final version of the American Firewall Act this morning on a staggering 92-5 vote. The legislation expands funds for the DoD, DHS, and NSA to improve internet privacy and security. The bill also allocates generous funds to Transportation and Interior to beef up electric grid and infrastructure.

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Democratic Presidential Hopeful up in Flames?
California Senator Gavin Newsom was subpoenaed by a Grand Jury today in an investigation of misused campaign funds as well as accusations regarding an exchange of access to Newsom for large donations to PACs that supported his candidacy in 2016. The majority of Newsom's colleagues have yet to call for his resignation, instead declining to comment or punting the question until it is known wether or not the Senator will be indicted. Newsom's chief of staff Cherilynn Hindenberg was also subpoenaed.

Friday, September 10, 2021


Global Democratic Initiative declares first year priority 'Mission Accomplished'
GDI director Jon Huntsman, Jr. announced the end of a month-long transition after elections in Libya, Egypt, and Syria that were aided by the GDI. Reportedly the GDI refused to monitor the elections or certify the results unless the foreign nations' governments committed to the transition. Huntsman used the transition to orchestrate press conferences and town hall-like events for the newly elected national leaders, as well as internally helping the new democracies streamline the transition process between administrations. The GDI also reached out to opposition groups offering to dispatch protest coordinators to help local leaders organize peaceful rallies/protests to signal to newly elected leaders that they will need to compromise in governance.

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Vice President Gene Taylor testifies before the House on a health care bill that his office will be pushing next year.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

The House of Representatives narrowly passed legislation that would decriminalize marijuana, and set up a marketplace for it to be sold and taxed. The bill includes numerous regulations mirroring tobacco regulations, including limiting the rights to privately grow for commercial use, protecting children from being targeted by marijuana companies, and a hard 21 year old age limit on the purchase. The law did not decriminalize all private sales, meaning it will still be illegal to sell pot out of ones crappy apartment in amounts larger than .25 lbs. Though the New Democrats and Progressives have embraced legalization, the rest of the Democrats are holding their party back on the issue, and the bill only passed with support from an emerging group of moderate Republicans. It is not yet known what the bill's chances are in the Senate.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021
It became clear that the Marijuana legislation would not pass in the Senate when the chamber failed to move to debate this morning. The issue is effectively dead until 2023, and is a major failure of the Ayotte administration's second term goals.

Thursday, November 18, 2021
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 46%
Disapprove 44%
Not Sure 8%

Monday, December 6, 2021


The GDI announced the scheduling of a two-week summit in January 2022. The summit will be attended by 5 emerging democracies as well as existing democracies in Africa. The main focus of the summit will be on constitutional government, drafting new constitutions for the emerging democracies, and an open forum discussion format. Syria and Libya, which both adopted constitutions after the Arab Spring, announced they would also be sending representatives.

[badgate]

Update coming in a few; midterms will be this evening!

[badgate]

X: No One Mourns The Wicked

Monday, January 3, 2022
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 48%
Disapprove 46%
Not Sure 6%

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

President Ayotte Vetoes Stimulus

President Kelly Ayotte vetoed the Fair Economic Opportunity Act, which sought to combine tax reform with a 12-month Payroll holiday as well as two public jobs programs and an expansion of transportation refurbishment. America's infrastructure, according to leading engineer Al Jenks, is too weak to sustain the current rate of immigration and population growth. Democrats promised to hold an override vote within 7 days, but Minority Whip Kenny Marchant has his party's representatives by their large, flappy elephant ears.


Thursday, January 20, 2022
In her State of the Union address, President Ayotte made the case for a revival of moderate Republicans for the 2022 midterm elections. She touched on Marijuana decriminalization, touted the Electoral and Voting Ability Act, and promised to continue to foster "relationships of empowerment" with foreign nations. The right panned this state of the union for not representing conservative values, and Democrats and independents were disappointed in how little substance the speech contained.

Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 46%
Disapprove 46%
Not Sure 7%

Thursday, March 17, 2022

GDI Director Jon Huntsman was censored on Chinese television when he began talking about religious tolerance in America. American social media was rife with jokes that the real reason was Huntsmans' terrible tan.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

IT'S OFFICIAL
The American economy officially entered its first recession since the end of the Great Recession. Democrats slammed the Ayotte administration for "willfully creating" the recession by vetoing stimulus earlier in 2022. Unemployment is expected to have jumped as high as 7.1% by May 1.

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Top 10 Senate Races of 2022

• Arizona - Arizona Senator Krystin Sinema is in serious trouble in this purple state. Her approval numbers have held steady at 45% for since the 117th Congress began, but Arizona voters seem to be holding out for the Republican nominee before deciding wether or not to reelect Sinema.
• Florida - Marco Rubio has to win reelection in order to keep Presidential buzz alive for 2024; his flop campaign six years ago still lingers in primary voters' minds, and Rubio is facing a strong Democratic candidate in Governor Alex Sink.
• Illinois - Republican Senator Mark Kirk is headed for sure defeat this time; demographics and registration are simply not on his side, and recent hospitalization has reignited discussion that he isn't up to the job of Senator.
• New Hampshire - President Ayotte's home state is considering making her Senate replacement, Donnalee Lozeau, a one-term senator as well. With institutional support, a popular President, and a primed centrist as an opponent, Senator Lozeau's days could very well be numbered.
• Missouri - Roy Blunt is in trouble, but not from what you'd expect. Missouri Republicans have been one of the most malleable state parties for President Ayotte; her push for moderates in the GOP has anointed a high-profile challenge for Senator Blunt from Ayotte's former chief-of-staff Spencer Donovan. Donovan, who was a Tea Party activist darling before his tenure as chief-of-staff, has moved to the center on a number of issues during his time working for President Ayotte. He recently was taped saying at a Missouri fundraiser that the Tea Party was a "youthful indulgence" and called his primary opponent's voting record "too conservative for its own good." Polls show a tight primary race, but either way the GOP is sure to hold on to this seat.
• Nevada - This is one of the few open seat elections this cycle, and both primaries are packed to the gills. The Silver state is currently pure tossup.
• Pennsylvania - Who new Presidential buzz could hurt? A new NBC/NYTimes poll says that Pennsylvania voters aren't keen on Senator Pat Toomey running for the White House. PA voters by a majority of 69% say they think a Presidential run will distract Toomey from his job as Senator. Toomey does win a hypothetical Republican primary, but he will have a tough fistfight in the general election this November.
• Oregon - Senator Wyden has publicly said that, if reelected, this will be his last term in the Senate. Polling indicates that Oregon isn't keen on giving him a final six years to expend all of his political capital. Wyden runs a tight race against all 3 Republican contenders.
• Ohio - Rob Portman is one of President Ayotte's favorite senators. So much so, that Majority Leader John Thune has publicly said that he won't get in the way of a primary challenger. You see, last March the President was overheard at a party saying that she was hoping Portman would be Minority Leader "before I go the way of Fourty-Four," meaning that she wanted him in the position before she left office. The rift has exposed dozens of weak or shattered relationships between the White House and the Senate Republican caucus, and within that caucus itself. Senator Portman is also pulling only two points above the Democratic nominee, Rob Cordray. Either way, Ohio will be sending a guy named Rob to the Senate on 2022.
• Kentucky - With the success of Senator Alison Grimes, and the Democratic resurgence to state-wide offices, Rand Paul surprised pundits by announcing that he would not run for another term in the Senate. Many speculate that he is going to take time off before a Presidential run in 2024; regardless, Kentucky looks to have one of the most hotly contested open seat elections this year.
• Honorable Mention: Texas - Newly minted Senator Matthew Marchant (son of House Minority Whip Kenny Marchant) is already polling closely with a slate of Democratic challengers. Both Lt. Governor Wendy Davis and State Senator Sean Hubbard are raring for another chance at the senate seat, given Governor Julian Castro's iron grip on the governor's mansion (he polls at 53% against his strongest challenger)
  

Retiring Senators

• Richard Shelby (R-AL)
• Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Monday, May 16, 2022
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 48%
Disapprove 47%
Not Sure 5%

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Tom Cotton's from Arkansas, not Missouri.

[badgate]

Aw, dammit. Thanks. I'll fix that. In the mean time, just replace "Tom Cotton" with "nameless moderate Republican"

[badgate]

XI: Sixth Year Foxtrot

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Good evening! We have midterm election exit polls coming in from across the country, but nothing to announce quite yet. The House of Representatives seems up for grabs, since most of the tossup districts are held by the Democrats. Many Democrats did an about-face this summer on the hottest topic of the cycle: Congress' failure to decriminalize marijuana. This may have stopped some of the bleeding, but this morning's tracking poll of the House popular vote came in at 43%/45%/8%/4%.

FLASHBACK: Monday, October 3, 2022

Midterm Senate Polls


Arizona
Krystin Sinema (I) 49%/Ben Quayle 48%
Colorado
Michael Bennett (I) 46%/Jessica Blevins 48%
Florida
Alex Sink 48%/Marco Rubio (I) 47%
Georgia
Jason Carter 51%/Jeremy Jordan 48%
Illinois
Lisa Madigan 50%/Mark Kirk (I) 48%
Kentucky
Ashley Judd 49%/Jeff Hoover 49%
Nevada
Kate Marshall 48%/Sharron Angle 49%
New York
Anthony Weiner 47%/Blair Waldorf 47%
Pennsylvania
Luke Ravenstahl 50%/Pat Toomey (I) 48%


FLASHBACK: Sunday, May 1, 2022

New York Senator to retire; tragic cancer diagnosis
New York senator Chuck Schumer announced that he would not be running for reelection as previously planned. The senator disclosed that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and said, "for my own health, in light of the treatment I will soon be undergoing, and for my family as well as the people of New York, I believe it would be best to bow out of the Senate. I know that whoever replaces me, they will do the people of New York proud. I thank you for your support, and thank my colleagues, my other family (pause), the great men and women of the United States senate."

10:05pm

It looks like the House will stay with the Democrats for two more years...by a bare majority, so far two-hundred and twenty Democrats have been reelected in their districts, there are four races still up for grabs. Surprisingly, in many safe states for Republicans on the national level, Democrats narrowly took four new state legislatures thanks to Libertarian additions on the state level. That house caucus continued to grow tonight, with now eight members. Most of the members are new to Congress, so it will be interesting to see who rises to the caucus' leader. Interestingly, Libertarians are a rapidly growing party for legislature candidates, but their candidates for executive positions barely get any traction, even tonight in states like Missouri, Arkansas, Utah, and Nebraska.

FLASHBACK: Thursday, October 13, 2022

Davis breaks through in electric rematch debate
The Liberal "mama lion" as she's known to Democratic activists in the Lone Star State carried the day in her rematch with Senator Matthew Marchant. Marchant came across as a tin man for most of the hour. He only seemed to heat up in the last 15 minutes, delivering a strong answer on the budget and closing statement. A statewide flash poll results - 52%/29%/19%


House of Representatives, final results
Democrat: 222
Republican: 205
Libertarian: 8

Senate, final results

Democrat: 54
Republican: 45
Independent: 1

[badgate]

Hey guys, is there a way to edit my poll? I was trying to make one for the 2024 D/R Primaries but Google Chrome did something weird, went to a page that said I couldn't have two polls at once, and when I clicked "back" it had posted the poll with the only two options I'd typed in...

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

So how did our tl writer find out about Libertarian wunderkind Chard Reid?  He must've upset Susan Brooks in your first part of the tl

[badgate]

Yup, I saw his name in your signature and thought "perfect!" I'm not above making up fictional characters this far into the future (like the new Senator from Missouri) but I always prefer to use an actual person.

[badgate]

118th Congress


House of Representatives


Democrat: 222
Republican: 205
Libertarian: 8


Speaker of the House

Chris Van Hollen (D, MD-8)

Majority Leader

Joeseph P. Kennedy III (D, MA-4)

Majority Whip

Robin Kelly (D, IL-2)

House Democratic Caucus Chair

Xavier Becerra (D, CA-34)

DCCC Chair

Alan Grayson (D, FL-8)

---

Minority Leader

Kevin McCarthy (R, CA-22)

Minority Whip

Kenny Marchant (R, TX-24)

House Republican Conference

Paul Ryan (WI-1)

House Republican Policy Committee

Paul Gosar (R, AZ-4)

NRCC

Renee Ellmers (R, NC-2)

---

Minority Leader

Chard Reid (L, IN-5)


Senate

Democrat: 54
Republican: 45
Independent: 1

Majority Leader

Dick Durbin (D, IL)

Assistant (to the) Majority Leader

Amy Klobuchar (D, MN)

Majority Whip

Patty Murray (D, WA)

---

Minority Leader

John Thune (R, SD)

Minority Whip

Lisa Murkowski (R, AK)

118th Congress; US Senate

Alabama
•   3. Martha Roby(R)*
•   2. Jeff Sessions(R)
Alaska
•   3. Lisa Murkowski(R)
•   2. Mark Begich(D)
Arizona
•   3. Ben Quayle(R)*
•   1. Mark Kelly (D)
Arkansas
•   2. Steve Womack (R)
•   3. John Boozman(R)
California
•   1. Gavin Newsom(D)
•   3.  Kamala Harris(D)
Colorado
•   2. Frank McNulty (R)
•   3. Jessica Blevins (R)*
Connecticut
•   3. Richard Blumenthal (D)
•   1. Chris Murphy(D)
Delaware
•   1. Beau Biden (D)
•   2. Chris Coons (D)
Florida
•   1.  Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D)
•   3. Marco Rubio(R)
Georgia
•   2. John Barrow (D)
•   3. Jason Carter (D)*
Hawaii
•   3. Colleen Hanabusa(D)
•   1. Mazie Hirono(D)
Idaho
•   3. Mike Crapo (R)
•   2. Jim Risch (R)
Illinois
•   2. Dick Durbin (D) MAJORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE
•   3. Lisa Madigan (D)*
Indiana
•   3. Sue Ellspermann (R)*
•   1. Joe Donnelly(D)
Iowa
•   3. Amy Sinclair (R)*
•   2. Bruce Braley(D)
Kansas
•   2. Jeff Colyer (R)
•   3. Jerry Moran (R)
Kentucky
•   2.  Alison Lundergan Grimes (D)
•   3. Jeff Hoover (R)*
Louisiana
•   2.  Mitch Landrieu(D)
•   3. David Vitter (R)
Maine
•   2. Kevin Raye (R)
•   1. Angus King (I)
Maryland
•   3. Martin O’Malley(D)
•   1. Lisa A. Gladden(D)
Massachusetts
•   1. Elizabeth Warren (D)
•   2. Ben Downing(D)
Michigan
•   2. Carl Levin (D)
•   1. Debbie Stabenow(D)
Minnesota
•   1. Amy Klobuchar (D)
•   2. Al Franken (D)
Mississippi
•   2. David Blount (D)
•   1. Roger Wicker (R)
Missouri
•   1. Claire McCaskill (D)
•   3. Spencer Donovan (R)*
Montana
•   2. Brian Schweitzer (D)
•   1. Scott Sales (R)
Nebraska
•   2. Mike Johanns (R)
•   1. Deb Fischer (R)
Nevada
•   3. Sharron Angle (R)*
•   1. Ruben Kihuen (D)
New Hampshire
•   2. Maggie Hassan (D)
•   3. Jeanie Forrester (R)*
New Jersey
•   2. Cory Booker (D)
•   1. Robert Menendez(D)
New Mexico
•   2. Tom Udall (D)
•   1. Martin Heinrich (D)
New York
•   3. Blair Waldorf (R)*
•   1. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
North Carolina
•   3. Richard Burr (R)
•   2. Kay Hagan (D)
North Dakota
•   3. John Hoeven (R)
•   1. Drew Wrigley (R)
Ohio
•   1. Sherrod Brown(D)
•   3. Rob Portman (R)
Oklahoma
•   2. Jim Inhofe (R)
•   3. Tom Cole(R)
Oregon
•   3. Matt Wingard (R)*
•   2. Jeff Merkley (D)
Pennsylvania
•   1. Bob Casey, Jr.(D)
•   3. Pat Toomey (R)
Rhode Island
•   2. Jack Reed (D)
•   1. Sheldon Whitehouse (D)
South Carolina
•   2. Mick Mulvaney (R)
•   3. Tim Scott (R)
South Dakota
•   2. Mike Rounds (R)
•   3. John Thune (R) MINORITY LEADER
Tennessee
•   2. Lamar Alexander(R)
•   1. Bob Corker (R)
Texas
•   2. Wendy Davis (D)
•   1. Joaquín Castro (D)
Utah
•   1. Orrin Hatch (R)
•   3. Mike Lee (R)
Vermont
•   3. Brian Campion (D)*
•   1. Shapleigh Smith, Jr. (D)
Virginia
•   2. Mark Warner (D)
•   1. Tim Kaine (D)
Washington
•   3. Patty Murray (D)
•   1. Maria Cantwell(D)
West Virginia
•   2. Carte Goodwin (D)
•   1. Joe Manchin (D)
Wisconsin
•   3. Amy Loudenbeck (R)*
•   1. Tammy Baldwin(D)
Wyoming
•   2. Mike Enzi (R)
•   1. John Barrasso(R)

*New to the Senate in the 118th Congress.

[badgate]

XII: Heroes & Martyrs

Friday, December 2, 2022

Unemployment nears 8%
Economic fortunes look grim for 2023; Americans will face the roughest economy since the early 2010s.

Saturday, December 3, 2022

President Kelly Ayotte called a special lame duck session of congress, demanding a "responsible stimulus" bill that would "recalibrate the broken tenants of our economy."

(phone rings)
DUCK: Hello?

AYOTTE: Hello, is this the Lame Duck?

Sunday, December 18, 2022


Rep. Reid: We will have a Libertarian in the Senate by 2030
On Meet The Press this Sunday, Libertarian Minority Leader Chard Reid (L, IN-5) made the claim that the emerging party would have members in the United States Senate by the end of the decade. This set off wild speculation that he would run against incredibly vulnerable Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly. Reid insisted on television that the party was planning to focus on five states in 2024 and was aggressively recruiting top-tier candidates.

Monday, January 9, 2013


KELLY FEUDING WITH FELLOW LEADERSHIP
Liberal Democrat Robin Kelly is allegedly warring with Speaker Von Hollen and Majority Leader Kennedy over the reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act, which is due for reauthorization at the beginning of the 118th Congress. Kelly, who is a vocal opponent of the law's continued presence, is pushing back against attempts by Von Hollen to whip enough Democrats to reauthorize the law in the Lame Duck session. In 2019, the last time the law was reauthorized, President Ayotte made no public statements on the matter and signed the authorization via autopen while overseas. Democratic Presidential aspirants at the time attacked the President for scheduling a trip so that she could dodge the issue, but it never caught on with general election voters and the issue died. Newer Republican members to the House are either products of the post-NSA privacy debate or have followed the President's lead and it does not seem that the 118th Congress has the votes to reauthorize the legislation. One anonymous source inside the Majority Whip's office quoted her as saying "he forgets who needs to whip enough votes to make him Speaker again this month...if he knows what's good we will win this."

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I met Chard at a a Tea Party rally and he's basically a Ron Paul type yet more articulate than Ron. How'd he pull the upset?

[badgate]

XIII: Heroes & Martyrs, pt. 2

Sunday, January 1, 2023

President signs stimulus, promises to be vigilant

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Ayotte: I will veto PATRIOT reauthorization
The President made a rare Sunday show appearance this week to put her foot down on the controversial reauthorization battle over the PATRIOT Act. Ayotte appeared to come to the defense of House Majority Whip Robin Kelly, who has been pushing back against attempts by the House Speaker to pass reauthorization. This is the second leadership dispute Ayotte has gotten involved in, the first being a disagreement between then-Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor over the 2017 Ayotte budget. Speaker Von Hollen's communications director had hinted that the Speaker may drop the issue if Ayotte publicly says she will veto. All of this happened before anybody even bothered to see if Dick Durbin was at all interested in passing it in the Senate. Later that morning, on ABC's "This Week," the Senate Majority Leader was asked if he would have brought reauthorization to a vote. He said "no, but it was pretty funny to watch the house running around like a chicken."


On Wednesday, January 25, 2020 Public Policy Polling released information on the 2020 election aftermath, stating that they were curious to see where Americans stood two years after the chaotic election results.


PPP: Do you approve or disapprove of the House of Representatives reelecting President Ayotte?
Approve 59%
Disapprove 29%
No Opinion/Not Sure 12%

PPP: Do you approve of disapprove of the Senate electing Gene Taylor to Vice President?
Approve 52%
Disapprove 38%
No Opinion/Not sure 10%

PPP: Do you approve or disapprove of Vice President Walker's decision to step aside?
Approve 77%
Disapprove 20%
No Opinion/Not sure 3%

PPP: Are you more likely to vote for a Democrat, Republican, or third-party candidate in the next Presidential election?
Democrat 44%
Republican 45%
Libertarian 8%
Other/Undecided 3%


Tuesday, January 31, 2023

California Senator found Not Guilty; Chief of Staff Hindenberg sentenced to 9 years

California Senator Gavin Newsom was cleared of all wrongdoing in today's final court appearance. In mid-2021, he and his chief of staff were both subpoenaed for charges related to misuse of campaign funds and quid pro quo. Senator Newsom admitted last year via court documents that he had met with three businesspeople, but denied knowing that they had been asked to donate large sums to his campaign and his supporting PACs in order for access. Evidence emerged during the ensuing trial that Cherilynn Hindenberg, Newsom's chief of staff, had arranged the meetings, and used campaign funds taken from the donations for a family vacation to the Virgin Islands, $19,000 at Tiffany's Jewelers, $15,000 on a replica of the famed Iron Throne from HBO's Game of Thrones, and around $23,000 on various retailers. Hindenberg also reportedly used money to pay off credit card debt and for one year of her daughter's tuition at USC.
The debacle could spell doom to the Presidential hopeful; Newsom has been laying the groundwork for a campaign since 2020. Aides to the senator say they are confident his work will result in him being either the Presidential or Vice Presidential nominee. California seems to be in the same position that new swing state Texas was in 2016: just on the cusp of becoming competitive again. Its now 58 electoral votes will be a must-win for any Democrat in 2024.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023




2024 National Democratic Presidential Primary
Vice President Gene Taylor 30%
Governor Julian Castro 22%
Governor Tulsi Gabbard 19%
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand 11%
Senator Gavin Newsom 6%
Other 12%



2024 National Republican Presidential Primary
Former Vice President Scott Walker 42%
Governor Shelly Moore Capito 17%
Secretary of State Eric Cantor 12%
Senator Pat Toomey 10%
Education Secretary Cathy McMorris Rodgers 9%
Other 10%

Sunday, March 9, 2023


Donnelly sees opening, will run for Governor in 2024

Senator Joe Donnelly, known among local political circles as "Indiana's sore thumb," announced exclusively to the Indianapolis Star that he will not run for reelection to the Senate seat that he was widely expected to lose. Polls show Indianans like Donnelly, but are more interested in a Republican majority for the Senate than keeping him in office. Especially during his second term, where he's been a widely-praised bridge builder between senate Democrats and the Ayotte administration, voters have approved of Donnelly by 54%, but don't want him to run in 2024. The gubernatorial race, however, is wide open and internal polling that Donnelly's office shared with us indicates that he is well-poised to win the governor's mansion in two years.

[badgate]

XIV: Elephant Stampede

Saturday, March 11, 2023
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 52%
Disapprove 45%

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Former VP Walker announces exploratory committee

Former Veep Scott Walker announced the long expected committee to explore his chances running for President in 2024. The exploratory committee is largely formal; Walker is the most popular former President or Vice President still alive, and many view him as a public servant over politician after the 2020 election aftermath. A PAC has also been formed, Grassroots for Walker, to support a potential Scott Walker candidacy.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Ayotte: I want a competitive primary

President Kelly Ayotte appeared to undercut her former VP’s wall-to-wall media coverage by stating to reporters that she hoped for a competitive primary for her party. “We can’t be complacent. I don’t want a nominee who makes it out of the primary and we learn too late in the game they’ve got a glass jaw.” The President insisted she wasn’t singling out a candidate with the comment.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Secretary of Defense Lindsey Graham resigned his post to focus on his first and probably only Presidential run in 2024. He appeared in his announcement to be trying to look like he has Ayotte’s support, though the administration has been vigilant about maintaining its neutrality. President Ayotte stated that she would work with Majority Leader Dick Durbin to find an agreeable replacement to serve as Secretary of Defense for the rest of Ayotte’s second term.

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Cantor “strongly considering” Presidential run

Asked by American press at a conference in Jerusalem, Secretary of State conceded to rumors, confirming that he was “strongly considering” a run for the Presidency. This would put Cantor in contention with former Secretary of Defense Lindsey Graham and former VP Scott Walker for the campaign role of successor to the Ayotte administration. Cantor would not say when he would make or announce a decision, but said that he would follow Graham’s lead and resign his post if he were to run.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 53%
Disapprove 46%

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Senator Pat Toomey announces run for Presidency

Pennsylvania’s favorite son candidate announced a Presidential run  today at noon at an event in Philadelphia. Toomey, who won reelection by a decisive margin after a rough midterm campaign, will likely be very competitive in the primaries; he gained considerable debate experience in 2022 in the race against the handsome Pittsburgh mayor. Many politicos expect that once the first debate is held Toomey would stand out and rise in the polls.

Thursday, April 13, 2023


Surprise! Senate Minority Leader to run for President
Senate Minority Leader John Thune surprised many in the D.C. establishment by announcing that he would seek the presidency in 2024. Many Republican candidates see 2024 as their last chance because of age perception. Thune, one of the most handsome conservatives ever, throws a wrench in the status-quo of the primary field, which has consisted of the same rumored names for four years now.

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Speaking at the CPAC Convention, Scott Walker discussed his presidential aspirations and said “I would be proud to succeed President Ayotte” to cheers from the audience. Though some hard-line conservatives have soured on President Ayotte, she maintains strong approvals among the Republican base. Walker is obviously jockeying to look like he has the President’s support, and his remark was met with a good natured laugh from Ayotte Press Secretary Fred Kemp.

Sunday, April 30, 2023


SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR TO TAKE ON GOP PRIMARY ESTABLISHMENT
Senate firebrand Tim Scott, known in political circles for his pointed floor speeches, announced in his home state that he would take on the Republican primary establishment. “I won’t let President Ayotte’s team of rivals to run away with this nomination unchecked. I love and respect the President, but a conservative should succeed the most popular second-term president since Bill Clinton." Scott has never polled higher than 7% in any prospective primary polls, but many expect him to join Senator Pat Toomey in benefiting from the exposure of the primary debates.

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

President Kelly Ayotte sought to burn her remaining political capital in a major foreign affairs speech at Oxford University in England. She touted the Global Democratic Initiative and the establishment of a representative republic in Myanmar. The speech was widely reported for her call for all foreign nations that hold free elections to join the GDI. Ahead of the address, Ayotte’s State Department had already solicited invitations to join from European and South American allies. The countries of France, Britain, Germany, Libya, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Myanmar, and Denmark were announced in the speech. Ayotte also caused waves by suggesting that the United States would reconsider its UN membership once the GDI had a wider diplomatic net.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Mother Moderate!

President Ayotte has her competitive primary field. The bridge-building governor of West Virginia announced her Presidential run in front of the state capitol this Wednesday. Capito is the only major female candidate to announce in the Republican primary race. Many primary voters may be looking to keep their gains with women thanks to President Ayotte, and Capito is going to lead the pack-with the exception of Scott Walker.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Finally! Palin’s Back Baby!
Many conservatives wanted firecracker Sarah Palin to challenge Barack Obama in 2012. Even more launched a draft campaign in 2016, but those supporters eventually coalesced around Kelly Ayotte when Palin declined again. This is the start of a new era. Newly equipped with information gleaned from the ivy-covered walls of Yale Law School, Palin's back! Welcome to Palinland!

Friday, June 2, 2023
Gallup Presidential Tracking Poll
Approve 55%
Disapprove 40%

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Responding to the popular Republican ‘Draft Cathy’ campaign, Education Secretary announces run for Washington governor’s mansion.


Monday, June 12, 2023


Republican Primary Poll

Frmr. Vice President Scott Walker 39%
Governor Shelley Moore Capito 22%
Secretary of State Eric Cantor 19%
Senator Pat Toomey 11%
Others 9%

UP NEXT:The first GOP debate, and announcements from the other side of the aisle.

[Niemeyerite]

Loved the update. I hope Moore-Capito wins the primary. The idea of Scott Walker in a GE match-up makes me seek. And Reid is gonna replace Donnelly, isn't him?

[Enderman]

YES palin! Hopefully she gained some dignity and respect!