There And Back Again: A Maverick's Journey

[sentinel]

There and Back Again: A Maverick's Journey

Tonight, after a hard fought primary and an even harder general -- we can undoubtedly make our biggest projection of the night. The next President of the United States will be Senator John S. McCain. I repeat, the Senator from Arizona, John McCain has defeated Vice President Al Gore for the Presidency of the United States. - Wolf Blitzer on CNN

Senator John S. McCain / Governor George W. Bush - 319 Electoral Votes 50.7% Popular Vote
Vice President Al Gore / Senator Bill Bradley - 219 Electoral Votes, 45.55% Popular Vote
Others - 3.75% Popular Vote

The McCain Administration

The McCain Administration got off to a roaring start in 2001 --backed by a Republican Congress and a strong electoral mandate, there seemed to be no stopping the Maverick.

Republican Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert would usher through the McCain agenda -- first reforming the tax code by dramatically increasing the number of taxpayers eligible for the lowest tax bracket, eliminated the penalty that increases taxes for married couples, cutting the gift and estate tax and provided tax incentives to promote family savings and investment.

While the McCain agenda initially did not increase the debt or deficit --it did use up much of the surplus to Democrat's opposition, however; Democrats did join with Republicans in closing corporate loopholes in the tax code.

President McCain received relatively high marks from pundits and the public -- his approval rating stayed around 60% for most of his first year in office.

Unfortunately, on September 11, 2001 the United States was attacked by terrorists in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC killing thousands. The McCain Administration rapidly responded going to DEFCON1 and mobilizing the United States Armed Forces. Within weeks, Congress authorized military force against the perpetrators of the attack --and Afghanistan which was rumored to harbor them.

President McCain's approval soared to over 90% in the aftermath of 9/11, and national security policy took the stage as the key policy issue in America.

On December 17, 2001 -- CIA forces in Afghanistan captured Osama Bin Laden after a drawn out battle in Tora Bora, Afghanistan. President McCain commended the CIA and US Armed Forces which made the capture of America's #1 most wanted possible.

Osama Bin Laden would be immediately taken to an undisclosed location --and was arraigned by a federal court in Washington, DC at a later time. The McCain Administration would reject international calls for Bin Laden to be tried at the Hague --actions that would be supported by over 80% of the American people.

United States forces would remain in Afghanistan to, in President McCain's words "ensure that the people responsible for 9/11 --and those who harbor them--cannot stage such an attack again."

The trial of Osama Bin Laden would eat up media coverage for most of 2002. In November 2002, buoyed by President McCain's high approval rating, Republicans would not only retain their control in the House and Senate but also increase the number of seats they controlled.

[sentinel]

2003 & 2004

In early 2003, at a time where candidates usually announce their candidacy for President, the stage was eerily empty. President McCain had not announced his intentions for reelection but most assumed he would run. Democrats, having just lost seats in the midterms, were slow to step forward to the plate. Ultimately Florida Senator Bob Graham and Illinois Senator Carol Braun would announce their Presidential campaigns first.

President McCain had previously proposed immigration reform that would eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million illegal aliens in the United States and the creation of an additional guest worker program with an option for permanent immigration. September 11th had largely took the potential for this reform off the table in 2001 and 2002 -but McCain's staff felt 2003 was ripe for reform.

McCain's staff was wrong. While support for immigration reform existed, the Republican Party was not ready to embrace their leader's package. Activists all around the United States campaigned against the reform package. The President took a hit from his own party and saw his approval rating sink into 50's for the first time in his Presidency.  Quietly, President McCain began to tell key leaders that he would not seek reelection should immigration reform pass.

In June 2003, President McCain's bill had enough support to pass both Houses of Congress and was subsequently signed into law. The next day, President McCain announced his intention to only serve one term. And then the race for the Presidency had begun once again.

[Enderman]

Awesome!

[sentinel]

2003

In November 2003, while the jury deliberated the innocence and guilt of Bin Laden, a rumor would spread that the jury was deadlocked on the death penalty for Bin Laden. While history would never verify the rumors, one police officer's frustration would lash out. On November 17, 2003 --one of the police officers charged with guarding Osama Bin Laden would kill Bin Laden at gunpoint.

President McCain would make a statement saying "I feel the same way that this police officer did. I felt the frustration that we all felt. Seeing this madman who murdered our brothers and sisters on TV everyday, demonizing the United States and its people...it is frustrating. But, we are bigger than our emotions. Today, we might feel relieved that Bin Laden is gone but I am disappointed that justice did not have a chance to act."

President McCain would ultimately commute the police officer's sentence before leaving office.

2004

"Iowa, we did it. Tonight, your voices will help lead to a better and stronger America. Together we can continue the legacy of American hero President John S. McCain..." - Vice President George W. Bush after winning the Iowa caucus

"Tonight, you said yes to an ordinary American. Tonight, you said yes to fairness in our tax code. Tonight, you said yes to internationalism. Tonight, you said yes to America leading the world in education..." - General Wesley Clark after winning the Iowa caucus

Ultimately, the winners of the Iowa caucuses this primary cycle would go on to win their party's nomination.  Meanwhile, President McCain would continue the war in Afghanistan but many Democrats would start pressing for a timeline of withdrawing the troops --which the President opposed "until the job was done."

In addition, the President would manage to pass social security reform allowing Americans to control more of their social security savings by pushing it into private trusts and accounts. Democrats, including Democratic nominee Wesley Clark, would vehemently oppose this.

2004 Election

Vice President George W. Bush / Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge - 321 Electoral Votes, 52.7% Popular Vote
General Wesley Clark / Montana Senator Max Baucus - 217 Electoral Votes, 46.3% Popular Vote
Others - 1% Popular Vote

In November 2004, Vice President George W. Bush would, as predicted by many, win the Presidency defeating General Wesley Clark. President McCain's approval rating on election day would be 58% with 27% disapproving.

2005/2006 House & Senate Composition:

House:

Republicans: 240
Democrats: 193

Senate:

Republicans: 56
Democrats: 44

[Consciously Unconscious]

This is very interesting.  Great job!  Also, was Bush not attached to the immigration reform package, since he was part of the McCain administration? 

[Frodo]

Love the TL as well, but why did you choose George W. Bush to be McCain's VP instead of his more capable brother, Jeb Bush?  

[sentinel]

This is very interesting.  Great job!  Also, was Bush not attached to the immigration reform package, since he was part of the McCain administration? 

I would say he "endorsed" the immigration reform package, but kept it at arms-distance. He wouldn't have been a fan (IRL he only came around to immigration reform much later in his Presidency). The President's overwhelming popularity would have negated those who were displeased with the immigration bill in the 2004 election.

Love the TL as well, but why did you choose George W. Bush to be McCain's VP instead of his more capable brother, Jeb Bush? 

Jeb wouldn't have taken it after George had suffered a hard fought primary campaign against John McCain. McCain picks George to unite the party, and to gain more conservative backing.

[sentinel]

2005

With a strong Republican majority, President George W. Bush would get off to the same kind of start that President McCain did. Democrats held little sway over the policies that the Bush Administration would press for --having lost even more seats in Congress --close to an all-time low for the party.

The Cabinet of President George W. Bush

Vice President: Tom Ridge
Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary of Treasury: Ben Bernanke
Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney
Secretary of the Interior: Dirk Kempthorne
Secretary of Agriculture: Ann Veneman
Secretary of Commerce: Carlos Gutierrez
Secretary of Labor: Elaine Chao
Secretary of Health & Human Services: Tommy Thompson
Secretary of Education: Rod Paige
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development: Alphonso Jackson
Secretary of Homeland Security: Colin Powell
Secretary of Energy: Samuel Bodman
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Jim Nicholson

As former President McCain re-entered private life, President Bush would govern on "John McCain's legacy" saying he would continue the goals and policies of John McCain, however; a growing minority of the Republican Party was unhappy with McCain's immigration overhaul and pushed the President to repeal parts. At first the President refused, but "fixes" and "minor repeals" quickly made their way into bills via amendments and riders.

President Bush, even though he had qualms with the immigration bill,  expressed frustration at the amendments and riders, but he avoided fighting back not wanting to hurt ties with his own party.  

Internationally, Bush poured more forces into Afghanistan saying "We need to ensure that the Taliban never regains their foothold in Afghanistan. We must follow them and al-Qaeda wherever they go." A majority of Americans backed Bush but a growing minority yearned for an exit strategy, including many Democrats.

In August 2005, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney would approach President Bush with information tying Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to harboring al-Qaeda leaders and pursuing weapons of mass destruction. After many meetings with high level Defense and State officials, the President would ultimately become convinced of Saddam Hussein's involvement with al-Qaeda and pursuit of WMDs. By January 2006, the President would begin a campaign --of what one can only describe--to get the American people to back a war in Iraq.

Democrats were skeptical of another war. They had backed the war in Afghanistan and now, they were frustrated that they couldn't end that war. As Congress passed tax cuts and deep budget cuts to social services --the President traveled the country and world saying that Iraq was a threat to American national security.

In April 2006, the United States Congress would authorize military force against Iraq. Almost every Republican would back the war --joined by almost all conservative Democrats and some moderates. Former President John McCain privately expressed concerns to President Bush that he might be falling to the "group think" of Secretarys Rumsfeld and Cheney. President Bush reassured McCain that he had talked to many experts and trusted his people.

The United States would invade Iraq with 100,000 troops, supported by 20,000 from the United Kingdom and some few thousand from other nations. The regime would fall within a month, but the Bush Administration was not prepared for what happened after.

[badgate]

This is great! Keep it up.

[Consciously Unconscious]

This is great! Keep it up.

[sentinel]

More tonight.

[sentinel]

2006

Even though the war had started off as a resounding success, the aftermath was not as successful. An insurgency started, killing many and rocking the very fabric of Iraq...which was not much to begin with.

To make matters worse, several military-related scandals plagued the Bush Administration...the leaking of a CIA Agent's name...U.S soldiers caught mistreating or even torturing troops...soldiers caught disrespecting those in Iraq. For the Bush Administration, the scandals couldn't go away fast enough and a solution couldn't come quick enough.

By August 2006, the President's approval rating had plunged into the 30's with about 38% approving at his highest point in September. Democrats were on the warpath but they still lacked a standard bearer. They were united on withdrawal from Afghanistan but were broken on what to do in Iraq now that it was broken.

Days before the midterm elections in 2006, the Bush Administration announced a plan that they believe would restore order in Iraq. A surge --the United States would send 50,000 more troops into Iraq in order to quell the insurgency. Democrats were quick to call the plan reckless and a overly simple solution to a conundrum that had no easy answers.

It was made clear to Republicans in the midterms in 2006, that the policies of the Bush Administration, were not favored by the majority of Americans.

House:

Republicans: 209 (-31)
Democrats: 224 (+31)

Senate:

Republicans: 50 (-6)
Democrats: 50 (+6)

The Democratic Party sweeped the 2006 midterm elections. The new majority in the House immediately began passing reforms that they had campaigned on --a higher minimum wage, demands for a withdrawal from Afghanistan, and demands for "benchmarks" on progress in Iraq. The House also passed a bill de-authorizing military force in Iraq --however; the Senate was deadlock, giving control to the party of the Vice President --the Republican Party.

Bills that passed the House, did not even get considered in the Senate. No one was close to a filibuster proof majority and progress stopped.

As Congress deadlocked, President Bush announced that he would seek a second term in office. Vice President Tom Ridge would stay on as the President's running mate even though the Presidential approval rating was on average a meager 33% in Q1 of 2007.

Senator John Kerry would be one of the first Democrats to announce his campaign for President of the United States. He would condemn the President's leadership and call for a new era of respect for the United States on the world stage. Then, Senator Hillary Clinton would jump into the race, saying it "took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, and it'll take one to clean up after the second." New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Governor Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Senator Max Baucus of Montana --who was the losing VP nominee for the Democrats in 2004, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, former Governor Howard Dean of Vermont, Senator John Edwards of North Carolina and Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.

At one point Illinois Senator Daniel Hynes flirted with jumping in the race, but he never committed to it.

George W. Bush was virtually unchallenged for the Republican primary in 2007...but one name kept coming up in closed circles and in the media. President John S. McCain.

[sentinel]

Spring 2007 Democratic Primary Polling

Senator Hillary Clinton: 30%
Senator Max Baucus: 10%
Senator John Kerry: 8%
Senator John Edwards: 8%
Governor Howard Dean: 7%
Governor Ted Kulongoski: 5%
Governor Bill Richardson: 4%
Governor Kathleen Sebelius: 2%
Senator Joe Biden: 2%
Representative Dennis Kucinich - 1%
Undecided: 23%

May 2007

"Mr. President."
"Just call me  John, Anderson --I'm not the President anymore."
"Ok, uh, sir, there has been a lot of talk about you challenging President Bush..."
"Look Anderson --let me stop you. The President is doing the best job he can, I don't see myself jumping back into the fray right now..."

NYT Headline: MCCAIN LEAVES DOOR OPEN FOR PREZ RUN

WALL STREET JOURNAL: MCCAIN: BUSH DOING BEST JOB HE CAN

NY POST: MCCAIN: BUSH DOING ALL HE CAN - IS IT GOOD ENOUGH?

Public Policy Polling: For fun, we polled President Bush v. President McCain in the Republican primary. The results were very revealing --while McCain beats Bush 57-33, Bush wins a majority of those who describe themselves as "very conservative" and a plurality of those who describe themselves as "conservative." McCain's support comes from an overwhelming advantage among moderate and liberal Republicans.

[sentinel]

Ahem ahem update coming

[Enderman]

Yay!

[sentinel]

Yay!

Ewww I just lost the post. Should have typed on word. Redoing. It was great but now it'll be greater.

[badgate]

That sucks. Happened to me before too.

[sentinel]

Summer 2007

July 2007 started with the same congressional gridlock experienced since earlier in the year expect now President George W. Bush was touring the United States campaigning against a broken Washington and a broken Congress. With Republican control of the Senate, thanks to Vice President Tom Ridge, and House control in Democratic hands –nothing was getting done.

President Bush’s third quarter approval rating rose from a bleak 33% to a less bleak 40%. Democratic Frontrunner Hillary Clinton would comment that “President Bush gets a bump in approvals when he does nothing –because when he does something he always screws it up.”

In August 2007, media outlets reported that the Bush Administration had fumbled an attempt to capture Saddam Hussein –who had alluded American forces since April 2006. To make matters worse, in summer 2006 it was reported that a CIA agent’s name was leaked…thus blowing the agents cover. Apparently, the leaking of the agent’s name and Saddam Hussein’s ultimate escape to Iran months later were linked.

As media outlets began to put together the puzzle, Senate Democrats began to call for a special prosecutor to investigate what exactly happened.  With news that Iran was giving refuge to Saddam Hussein, President Bush called on Iran to “hand over the war criminal Saddam Hussein or face dire consequences.”

By September 2007, the Bush Administration was forced to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate as the media intensely focused in on the scandal. Simultaneously, Democrats and Republicans alike stood, albeit flimsy, against opening a third war…one with Iran that the President seemed intent on.

That same month, former President John McCain tried to reach President Bush. After being given the run-around, McCain was only allowed a very brief and curt conversation with President Bush. McCain would later describe it as “having a conservation with a kitchen table…nothing I said seemed to resonate and he didn’t seem to care.”

November 2007

“Today, I announce my candidacy for President of the United States. I do so grateful for the privileges this country has already given me; mindful that I must seek this responsibility for reasons greater than my self-interest; and determined to use every lesson I’ve learned through hard experience and the history I’ve witnessed, every inspiration I’ve drawn from the patriots I’ve known and the faith that guides me to meet the challenges of our time, and strengthen this great and good nation upon whom all mankind depends…”

“We all know the war in Iraq has not gone well. We have made mistakes and we have paid grievously for them. We have a failed strategy. We have a failed leader. We have a failed Administration. But in the many mistakes we have made in this war, a few lessons have become clear. America should never undertake a war unless we are prepared to do everything necessary to succeed, unless we have a realistic and comprehensive plan for success, and unless all relevant agencies of government are committed to that success. We did not meet this responsibility initially. And we must never repeat that mistake again…” – former President John McCain announcing that he will seek the Presidency once again.

[sentinel]

Wall Street Journal: McCain to Challenge Bush

New York Post: PRESIDENT V. PRESIDENT – ITS ON!

New York Times: MCCAIN – WILL HE RUN AS INDIE OR GOP?

Time Magazine: TWO GOP V. 1 DEMOCRAT – 1912 AGAIN?

“While John McCain was one of the better Presidents of our generation, we’ve seen him endorse the policies of George W. Bush –the very person he picked to be Vice President and his handpicked successor.”  - Senator Hillary Clinton

“John McCain doesn’t support the immigration law that he passed. Where was John McCain when Republicans and George Bush skinned the immigration law? He was right behind them.” – Governor Bill Richardson

“A second term for George Bush or John McCain – pick one, either way you’re going to get four more years of Republican policies that hurt the middle class and don’t create a single job.” – Senator Max Baucus

“John McCain was the President we needed in 2000, but not the President we need in 2008. We need a stronger President with the backbone to go after our enemies no matter where they are in the world.” – Vice President Tom Ridge

WINTER 2007 Democratic Primary Polling
Senator Hillary Clinton: 25%
Governor Howard Dean: 13%
Senator John Edwards: 11%
Senator Max Baucus: 10%
Senator John Kerry: 7%
Governor Ted Kulongoski: 6%
Governor Bill Richardson: 5%
Senator Joe Biden: 3%
Governor Kathleen Sebelius: 2%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich - ~1%
Undecided: 17%

[sentinel]

Winter 2007

In winter 2007, the McCain campaign began quickly petitioning to get on the ballot in as many states as possible before the deadline for Republican primary and caucuses, however; the Bush campaign had already established a robust campaign operation and had been fueling his war-chest for years.

The McCain campaign was not to be treated lightly –the former President also had a war chest albeit substantially less than President Bush –and Bush campaign operatives were afraid that McCain would draw away many of their own donors.

By the time January rolled around it was clear…McCain had made his way onto the ballot in Iowa…but not New Hampshire. The media quickly asked if McCain could survive without New Hampshire…

January 2008 – Iowa Caucus Results

Democratic Caucus:

Governor Kathleen Sebelius: 25.7%
Senator Hillary Clinton: 19.5%
Senator Max Baucus: 17.4%
Governor Bill Richardson: 15.3%
Governor Howard Dean: 8%
Senator John Edwards : 6.8%
Senator John Kerry: 4.3%
Senator Joe Biden: 1%
Governor Ted Kulongoski: 1%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich: 1%

Republican Caucus

President George W. Bush – 62%
Former President John S. McCain – 38%

Wolf Blitzer: While Kathleen Sebelius had a surprise win on the Democratic side, John McCain was blown away by President Bush. I don’t know how McCain can survive losing New Hampshire and then still hope to win the Republican nomination.

January 2008 – New Hampshire Primary Results

Democratic Primary:
Senator John Kerry: 25.4%
Governor Howard Dean: 23.5%
Governor Kathleen Sebelius: 22.3%
Senator Hillary Clinton: 19.1%
Governor Bill Richardson:  5%
Senator Max Baucus: 3%
Senator John Edwards :  1.7%
Senator Joe Biden: ~1%
Governor Ted Kulongoski: ~1%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich: ~1%

Republican Primary

Former President John S. McCain – 50.7% [Write in Candidate]
President George W. Bush – 49.3%

After the first two contests the following candidates would leave the race for President: Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Sen. Joe Biden, Gov. Ted Kulongoski, and Sen. Max Baucus. Baucus and Kulongoski would endorse Sebelius while Biden would endorse Clinton.

[sentinel]

January 2008 continued…

The media came to the conclusion that John McCain’s unexpected New Hampshire victory is what kept him in the race. McCain was behind, mainly because it was the conservative base coming out to support Bush in a wide margin, while McCain struggled to get moderate and liberal Republicans out to vote. McCain would go on to lose South Carolina and subsequently win Nevada.

On the Democratic side, Governor Richardson would have a surprise victory in South Carolina amongst a divided field, followed by a back-to-back win in Nevada. Unfortunately for the Governor, the other five candidates would remain in the field despite these wins. Hillary Clinton would contend that her wins in Florida and Michigan should be counted, some would, some would not (no delegates were awarded to those states for having early primaries).
Clinton Sebelius Richardson Edwards Dean Kerry

Super Tuesday Results (1st Place Democrats/ 1st Place Republicans)

Alabama:  Sebelius / Bush
Alaska: Clinton / Bush
American Samoa: Clinton / Bush

Arizona: Richardson / McCain
Arkansas: Clinton / Bush
California: Richardson / McCain

Colorado: Sebelius / McCain
Connecticut: Kerry / McCain
Delaware: Clinton / McCain

Georgia: Sebelius / Bush
Idaho: Sebelius / Bush
Illinois: Clinton / McCain

Kansas: Sebelius / Bush
Massachusetts: Kerry / McCain
Minnesota: Sebelius / Bush

Missouri: Sebelius / Bush
New Jersey: Clinton / Bush
New Mexico: Richardson / McCain

New York:  Clinton / Bush
North Dakota: Sebelius / Bush
Oklahoma: Sebelius / Bush

Texas: Sebelius / Bush
Utah: Sebelius / Bush

 Democratic Primary

Red = Hillary Clinton
Blue = John Kerry
Green = Bill Richardson
Yellow = Kathleen Sebelius
No States Won = Howard Dean, John Edwards

Republican Primary

Red = Bush
Blue = McCain

[sentinel]

Spring 2008 continued…

After a devastating Super Tuesday defeat Howard Dean, John Edwards and John Kerry would all leave the race for the Democratic nomination for President. Kerry would endorse Clinton, Dean would endorse Clinton as well. John Edwards would endorse Richardson.

Troubled, but still surviving, Clinton would lose some states –but survive more. Her campaign machine would stand the test of the primaries allowing her to become the Democratic nominee. Clinton would chose Governor Bill Richardson as her running mate (who had earlier endorsed her candidacy).

Democratic Primaries Final Results/b]

Yellow = Kathleen Sebelius (Dropped out after Clinton clinched)
Green = Bill Richardson (Dropped out, endorsed Clinton, Democratic VP nominee)
Red = Hillary Clinton (Democratic nominee)

Spring 2008 continued…

Unfortunately for former President McCain…the results would not ultimately go his way, after all, incumbent Presidents are hard to bring down, however, near the end of the primaries will defeat in sight President John McCain would announce his intention to continue running but as an independent for President of the United States.

Republican Primaries Final Results/b]

Red = President George. W Bush (Won GOP primary)
Blue = Former President John McCain (Lost GOP Primary, failed to clinche nomination)

Head to Head Polling

President John McCain / No Pick Yet – Independent: 37%
Senator Hillary R. Clinton / Governor Bill Richardson – Democratic: 36%
President George W. Bush / Vice President Tom Ridge – Republican: 27%

[sentinel]

Summer 2008

The Presidential campaign roared on with three realistic contenders for the Presidency...former President John McCain the independent...Democratic nominee Senator Hillary Clinton...and Republican nominee President George W. Bush...

In a way, this race was a pundits wet dream...a race that no one could actually call but one where everyone thought they could. Policy took a backseat while pundits zeroed in on the horse race nationally and in every state...for the first time in a long time pundits said every state was in play...

The only true surprise of the summer was that Former President John McCain would select former Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Senator Joe Lieberman as his running mate. McCain would call Lieberman "the only true Maverick in the Democratic Party." Voters generally approved of his choice for Vice President but not enthusiastically so.

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would say "You can vote for the ticket of change and experience...or you can vote for one of two Republican tickets that scream 'more of the same' in more ways than one."

In September 2008, President Bush would have to return to Washington after a bank run on money market mutual funds which resulted in the biggest fiscal collapse since the Great Depression.  President Bush tried to handle it, and Congress passed the Trouble Asset Relief Program but his standing in the polls and overall approval rating tanked. Democrats tied Bush and McCain together with the collapse saying that one caused the other.

By the time the election day came around, many thought the Democratic ticket would soar to victory --but John McCain had pulled an upset or two before.

[sentinel]

Election Day

On election day, pundits couldn't call the election in advance. Many thought Hillary Clinton would sweep her way into the Presidency.

Democratic Party - Senator Hillary Clinton / Gov. Bill Richardson - 279 Electoral Votes - 52,234,211 Popular Votes - 36.7% Popular Vote

No Affiliation - Former President John McCain / Senator Joe Lieberman - 256 Electoral Votes - 52,851,083 Popular Votes - 37.13% Popular Vote

Republican Party - President George W. Bush / Vice President Tom Ridge - 3 Electoral Votes - 37,261,470 Popular Votes - 26.2% Popular Vote

Pundits

A closer race than anyone expected...John McCain won the popular vote but unfortunately for him, this is a game of the Electoral College...and there Hillary Clinton has won the majority and the Presidency...

...We can expect recounts in Florida and Nevada where the margin of error was 0.1% between Clinton and McCain...the McCain campaign is seeking a recount in Michigan where we have him down by 0.3%...although this seems less likely to happen than Florida and Nevada...

...We can attribute John McCain's first place showing by virtually coming in second place in every state that he lost...while Hillary Clinton and George Bush traded second and third place...

...Hillary Clinton lost to George Bush in 8 states including Texas...John McCain only lost to George Bush in Wyoming...McCain won 29 states tonight...

...no candidate has won a majority in any state or territory tonight...

[Sec. of State Superique]

Not too realistic...