Radical Changes Elections Timeline

[NeverAgain]

Nice Job, Dar!

[/]

RADICAL CHANGES - 2000 TO 2056 ELECTORAL TIMELINE

Season 3 - The 2002 Midterm Elections

The Results are In! - Part 10

Analysis of the 2002 Midterm Elections

Overall, the results of the 2002 United States Midterm elections were great news for the Democrats, with President Gore's party doing relatively well in an election cycle generally toxic for the party of the incumbent Commander in Chief. Though the Republicans held the House with an extremely small 219-216 margin (Independent Representatives Bernie Sanders and Gatewood Galbraith both decided to caucus with Gore's party), the Democrats were able to hold their majority in the Senate, with 51 Democratic Senators (including Independent Jim Jeffords of Vermont) compared to the GOP's 49. Furthermore, the Democrats easily captured the majority of the nation's governorships, boasting 28 Governors compared to the Republicans' 21 and one governorship (that of Tim Penny in Minnesota) won by an Independent. The following is a complete analysis of the 2002 Midterm Elections:

Governorships:

In a hectic gubernatorial election cycle widely regarded as one of the most tumultuous in recent history, a total of fifteen gubernatorial pickups were seen this year, with only twenty-one governorships being held by a member of the incumbent party. Clearly victorious overall in the gubernatorial column, Democrats came out with eleven pickups in the states of Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, while Republicans only picked up four governorships, specifically those in Alabama, Alaska, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. However, Republicans were also able to hold a significant portion of the governorships up for grabs, keeping thirteen in their column while Democrats could only say the same of seven. Meanwhile, the state of Minnesota certainly saw an interesting scenario, with victorious Independence Party candidate Tim Penny holding the seat formerly held by fellow Independence Party member Jesse Ventura. As an outcome of the gubernatorial results in 2002, the Democrats captured a majority of the Governors' Mansions, winning 28 total compared to 21 for the GOP and one for the Independence Party. The following is a map of the 2002 gubernatorial races (60% is a hold and 30% is a pickup), followed by a general map of current gubernatorial party affiliations.

The historically large amount of party switches in this year's gubernatorial election cycle most likely comes as a result of significant geopolitical affiliation trends between 1998 (the year in which these offices were last up for grabs) and 2002, by which time the progressiveness of President Gore caused a noticeable pro-Democratic shift in the Northern, Pacific Coast, and Atlantic Coast regions, along with a pro-GOP shift in the South likely due to many pro-Clinton Southern conservatives seeing Gore's liberality as an affront to traditional Southern values.

Senate:

Unlike the results in the gubernatorial column, very few pickups were seen in the Senate this election cycle, with each party winning two seats previously held in the other. While the Republicans did see more victories specifically in this election cycle, the Democrats held their majority in the Senate, with seats in Senate Classes 1 and 3 giving Gore's party a 51-49 advantage over the GOP (Independent Jim Jeffords of Vermont currently caucuses with the Democrats). The following is a map of all 2002 Senate races, followed by an overall map of each Senator's party affiliation by state (grey indicates one Republican and one Democrat, while blue and red indicate both Senators coming from the same party - Republicans blue and Democrats red.

As with the gubernatorial races, the Senate results indicate a pro-Democratic shift in the Northern and Coastal regions due to Gore's popularity as a progressive president, while the South continues its Republican trend due to seeing Gore's policy as a betrayal of traditional Southern values.

House:

While the Gubernatorial and Senate results came as major victories for the Democrats, a disappointment for President Gore's party found itself in the House of Representatives, where Republicans were able to hold onto their majority by a slim 219-216 margin (Independents Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Gatewood Galbraith of Kentucky both caucus with the Democrats). The following is a map indicating which party now controls the majority of House seats in each state (grey indicates a tie between Democrats and Republicans; percentages indicate by what margin the majority party is in the lead in each state).

The results in the House of Representatives confirm the geopolitical trend seen in tonight's races, with Northern states trending Democratic as an affirmation to Gore's policies and Southern states trending Republican as a rebuttal.

Summary:

Overall, the results of the 2002 Midterm Elections came as good news for the party of President Gore, with Democrats winning majorities in both the Gubernatorial and Senatorial columns, as well as expanding their numbers in that of the House of Representatives. Furthermore, the 2002 election results confirmed a lasting geopolitical trend in the nation, with the pro-Democratic trend of Northern and Coastal areas being balanced out by a pro-Republican one in the South (this is likely due to the varying popularity of President Gore and his policy throughout the nation).

As the beginning of the 108th Congress approaches, Democrats should be expecting a slightly easier legislative path ahead, as they are close to controlling the House and have affirmed their majority in the Senate. However, many challenges for the nation and both parties lie ahead, with economic conditions, social progression, and terrorism both domestically and abroad all acting as catalysts to what is sure to be a contentious next few years. All of these factors, along with the mysterious rise of two powerful new political factions in our nation's midst, are sure to carry with them a host of difficult, vehement, and potentially revolutionizing radical changes in the United States of America.

Season 3 - The 2002 Midterm Elections is now over. Season 4 - Let the Changes Begin has commenced.

EDIT: House results corrected in Tennessee to reflect accurate party makeup.

[/]

Make sure to vote and comment!

[/]

RADICAL CHANGES - 2000 TO 2056 ELECTORAL TIMELINE

Season 4 - Let the Changes Begin

Episode 1 - The Inauguration of the 108th Congress

January 3, 2003

Representative Dennis Hastert (R-IL) is sworn in for his third term as Speaker of the House.

Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) addresses the Senate after winning a second term as Majority Leader.

Name Composition of the 108th Senate:

Alabama: Shelby (R) Sessions (R)	Alaska: Stevens (R) Murkowski (R)	Arizona: McCain (R) Kyl (R)	Arkansas: Hutchinson (R) Lincoln (D)	California: Feinstein (D) Boxer (D)	Colorado: Campbell (R) Strickland (D)	Connecticut: Dodd (D) Dejdenson (D)	Delaware: Biden (D) Carper (D)	Florida: Graham (D) Nelson (D)	Georgia: Cleland (D) Miller (D)
Hawaii: Inouye (D) Akaka (D)	Idaho: Craig (R) Crapo (R)	Illinois: Durbin (D) Fitzgerald (R)	Indiana: Lugar (R) Bayh (D)	Iowa: Grassley (R) Harkin (D)	Kansas: Brownback (R) Roberts (R)	Kentucky: McConnell (R) Bunning (R)	Louisiana: Breaux (D) Terrell (R)	Maine: Snowe (R) Collins (R)	Maryland: Sarbanes (D) Mikulski (D)
Massachusetts: Markey (D) Frank (D)	Michigan: Levin (D) Stabenow (D)	Minnesota: Wellstone (D) Dayton (D)	Mississippi: Cochran (R) Lott (R)	Missouri: Bond (R) Carnahan (D)	Montana: Baucus (D) Burns (R)	Nebraska: Hagel (R) Nelson (D)	Nevada: Reid (D) Ensign (R)	New Hampshire: Gregg (R) Shaheen (D)	New Jersey: Corzine (D) Lautenberg (D)
New Mexico: Domenici (R) Bingaman (D)	New York: Schumer (D) Clinton (D)	North Carolina: Edwards (D) Dole (R)	North Dakota: Conrad (D) Dorgan (D)	Ohio: DeWine (R) Voinovich (R)	Oklahoma: Nickles (R) Inhofe (R)	Oregon: Wyden (D) Smith (R)	Pennsylvania: Specter (R) Santorum (R)	Rhode Island: Reed (D) Chafee (R)	South Carolina: Hollings (D) Graham (R)
South Dakota: Daschle (D) Thune (R)	Tennessee: Thompson (R) Frist (R)	Texas: Gramm (R) Hutchinson (R)	Utah: Hatch (R) Bennett (R)	Vermont: Leahy (D) Jeffords (I)	Virginia: Warner (R) Allen (R)	Washington: Cantwell (D) Owen (D)	West Virginia: Byrd (D) Rockefeller (D)	Wisconsin: Kohl (D) Feingold (D)	Wyoming: Thomas (R) Enzi (R)

Full Composition: 50 Democrats; 49 Republicans; 1 Independent

Party Composition of the 108th House:

Alabama: 5-2 R	Alaska: 1-0 R	Arizona: 5-3 R	Arkansas: 3-1 D	California: 33-20 D	Colorado: 4-3 R	Connecticut: 3-2 R	Delaware: 1-0 R	Florida: 17-8 R	Georgia: 7-6 D
Hawaii: 2-0 D	Idaho: 2-0 R	Illinois: 10-9 D	Indiana: 5-4 D	Iowa: 3-2 R	Kansas: 3-1 R	Kentucky: 4-1-1 R	Louisiana: 5-2 R	Maine: 2-0 D	Maryland: 6-2 D
Massachusetts: 10-0 D	Michigan: 8-7 R	Minnesota: 5-3 D	Mississippi: 2-2 T	Missouri: 5-4 R	Montana: 1-0 R	Nebraska: 3-0 R	Nevada: 2-1 R	New Hampshire: 2-0 R	New Jersey: 7-6 D
New Mexico: 2-1 D	New York: 19-10 D	North Carolina: 7-6 D	North Dakota: 1-0 R	Ohio: 12-6 R	Oklahoma: 4-1 R	Oregon: 4-1 D	Pennsylvania: 11-8 R	Rhode Island: 2-0 D	South Carolina: 4-2 R
South Dakota: 1-0 R	Tennessee: 5-4 D	Texas: 17-15 R	Utah: 2-1 R	Vermont: 1-0-0 I	Virginia: 8-3 R	Washington: 6-3 D	West Virginia: 2-1 D	Wisconsin: 4-4 T	Wyoming: 1-0 R

Full Composition: 219 Republicans; 214 Democrats; 2 Independents

In Other News:



- January 1, 2003 - The annual Times Square Ball Drop, in what is supposed to be a momentous and blissful occasion, instead prompts terror and confusion when a malfunction at approximately 11:58:48 EST sends glass fragments of the ball into the large crowd below, critically injuring three and causing an eruption of widespread panic and fear. According to police reports, the malfunction is caused by the lodging of a Styrofoam cup into a slot in the ball's support a few minutes before its drop, causing a small part of the orb to fracture during its descent. As of January 9, one patient is still in critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, while authorities are still to determine whether the cause of the accident was intentional or accidental.

- January 5, 2003 - A poll conducted by Gallup, Inc. between January 3rd and 5th indicates that President Gore's job approval has now steadied out at 68%, likely due to post-9/11 patriotic sentiments along with Gore's popular policy track record.



- January 7, 2003 - After being approved by the House and Senate, the Homeland Security Act (HSA) is signed into law by President Gore, creating the United States Department of Homeland Security, as well as the cabinet-level position of Secretary of Homeland Security and many other associated offices. The Act also initiates the launch of a new federal intelligence program, created to monitor the actions of suspected terrorists and prevent the nation from experiencing any future terrorist attacks. While the Act receives heavy bipartisan support and is fairly popular in the public, it does receive some opposition in Congress, most notably from leftist Democrats who oppose the intelligence programs established by the Act for constitutional reasons (fourteen Dems in the House and one - Feingold - in the Senate), as well as from a surprising number of conservative Republicans who many analysts say are only opposing the reform out of spite towards President Gore (twenty-three Reps in the House and  ten - Sessions, Craig, Brownback, Terrell, Burns, Nickles, Inhofe, Santorum, Thomas, and Enzi - in the Senate).

Homeland Security Act Senate Roll Call:

Grey - Both Senators Support
Light Red - One Democrat Opposes
Dark Red - Both Democrats Oppose
Light Blue - One Republican Opposes
Dark Blue - Both Republicans Oppose

_______

Please comment and vote; I still don't know how many people are actually reading this. Thanks!

[Senator Cris]

Great job!

[/]

RADICAL CHANGES - 2000 TO 2056 ELECTORAL TIMELINE

Season 4 - Let the Changes Begin

Episode 2 - The Beginning of the Beginning

108th Congressional Leadership:

Senate:

- President of the Senate: Joe Lieberman (D-CT)
- President pro tempore: Robert Byrd (D-WV)
- President pro tempore emeritus: Ted Stevens (R-AK)
- Majority Leader: Tom Daschle (D-SD)
- Majority Whip: Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
- Minority Leader: Trent Lott (R-MS)
- Minority Whip: Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

House:

- Speaker: Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
- Majority Leader: Tom DeLay (R-TX)
- Majority Whip: Roy Blunt (R-MO)
- Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
- Minority Whip: Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Other Events:



January 9, 2003 - In a relatively uneventful special election, Representative Ed Case (D-HI) of Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District easily wins reelection to a full term after being elected late last year to serve for the remainder of the term of Patsy Mink, a long-time Hawaii Democratic politician who died of pneumonia last September after serving in Congress for more than twenty-four years. Case won the election with a fairly large 47% plurality, defeating fellow Democrat Matt Matsunaga and Republican Bob McDermott.

Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District Special Election Results:

✓ Ed Case (D) - 48%
Matt Matsunaga (D) - 35%
Bob McDermott (R) - 13%



January 23, 2003 - In a widely-expected press conference viewed by >500,000 people worldwide, President Al Gore announces the beginning of official congressional deliberation to pass and initiate the Iraq War Resolution. In the speech, viewed by many as a successful embodiment of both grief for those lost during the 9/11 attacks and patriotism towards the nation for being prepared to make such a commitment, Gore commends both parties for being able to "move past blinding partisan ties and work together towards making a brighter future for America and the world," telling viewers that "America is ready to rise to the occasion and liberate the Iraqi people and the world from the tyranny imposed by the government of Saddam Hussein." The same day, the Resolution is introduced in both chambers of Congress, with House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) each making fiery speeches in support of the legislation. While official debate for the bill will not begin until the details of the original draft are finalized, it is widely expected that nearly all Senators and Representatives will support the initiative due to its public popularity and reinforcement from major leaders of both party establishments. Political news and polling data aggregator Real Clear Politics releases its predictions for the final Senate roll call vote the next day:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

_______

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to vote or comment!

[NeverAgain]

And I was just starting to like Gore...

[/]

And I was just starting to like Gore...

By May, support of the Iraq War will be absolutely irrelevant in determining who you do and don't support

*nudge nudge wink wink*

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

One minor nitpick: Byrd was a fierce opponent of the Iraq War and I don't see him supporting it under Gore.

[/]

One minor nitpick: Byrd was a fierce opponent of the Iraq War and I don't see him supporting it under Gore.

I'm quite aware of that, but RCP on the other hand...

[Slander and/or Libel]

How is Gore looking from a job approval standpoint? The results from Indiana seem to indicate that he is moderately popular, though O'Bannon might be playing a role in that as well.

His approval is about 50-45 in favor right now, partially due to post-9/11 sentiments but also the due to the amount of reforms he managed to put into law, even with a Republican-controlled House.

- January 5, 2003 - A poll conducted by Gallup, Inc. between January 3rd and 5th indicates that President Gore's job approval has now steadied out at 68%, likely due to post-9/11 patriotic sentiments along with Gore's popular policy track record.

Gore's approval rating spiked from 50% to 68% in the ~2 months between 11/02 and 1/03?

EDIT: Or were you saying the *margin* at election time was ~50%? In which case saying "50-45" is confusing.

[/]

How is Gore looking from a job approval standpoint? The results from Indiana seem to indicate that he is moderately popular, though O'Bannon might be playing a role in that as well.

His approval is about 50-45 in favor right now, partially due to post-9/11 sentiments but also the due to the amount of reforms he managed to put into law, even with a Republican-controlled House.

- January 5, 2003 - A poll conducted by Gallup, Inc. between January 3rd and 5th indicates that President Gore's job approval has now steadied out at 68%, likely due to post-9/11 patriotic sentiments along with Gore's popular policy track record.

Gore's approval rating spiked from 50% to 68% in the ~2 months between 11/02 and 1/03?

EDIT: Or were you saying the *margin* at election time was ~50%? In which case saying "50-45" is confusing.

The effects of anti-Gore campaigning during the 2002 midterms by GOP candidates greatly reduced his popularity by election day, though these effects quickly dissipated as the Democrats' victories in 2002 made Gore more popular and widespread discussion about the President introducing the IWR brought back a lot of post-9/11 sentiment and patriotism (however, this did not hurt his standing with anti-Iraq voters, as his position was still unclear and both sides assumed that he would vouch their way). The Gallup poll that showed only 50% support was more of an outlier; if you were to look at a more general trend line around this time his popularity levels would be much more substantial.

[/]

I should get back to this...

[/]

RADICAL CHANGES - 2000 TO 2056 ELECTORAL TIMELINE

Season 4 - Let the Changes Begin

Episode 3 - The War Begins . . . On Capitol Hill

January 28, 2003

BREAKING: First Senators Announce Support for IWR in Keynote Senate Floor Address

Just this morning, the opening of a new session in the 108th United States Congress was kicked off with a stunning show of support for the newly-introduced Iraq War Resolution, with twenty Senators from the Republican Party coming out in support of the controversial bill supported by President Al Gore, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL).

The group of Senators, consisting mostly of senior and establishment Republicans, was led by current President pro tempore emeritus of the Senate Ted Stevens (R-AK), flanked by fellow senior Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Thad Cochran (R-MS). In a speech viewed by most as fitting for one representing an entire fifth of the world's most powerful legislative body, Stevens highlighted the dangers of letting the Hussein Administration continue to rule in Iraq unchecked, emphasizing the need for unity in both the United States government and in the international community. Charging the Iraqi President with "committing grave crimes that question the very essence of humanity itself," Stevens stressed during his thirty-minute address that "now is a more important time than ever for the people of this nation to realize that - regardless of petty partisan feuds or political labels - we must come together in opposition to authoritarianism and tyranny and in support for this resolution."

His speech was followed by similar ones from McCain and Cochran, both of whom emphasized their extensive military experience in support for the President's plan. The other Senators who announced their support for the resolution during the address included, in no specific order, Richard Shelby (R-AL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Trent Lott (R-MS), Kit Bond (R-MO), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), John Ensign (R-NV), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), Fred Thompson (R-TN), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Bob Bennett (R-UT).

The Senate address was followed by a similar one in the House on Tuesday afternoon in which eighty-nine Republican representatives assembled on the House floor to declare their support for the bill. Led by House Committee on Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), the group announced their decision to "stand with the President, the Senate, and the American people in order to take the steps necessary to assure that terrorism is and will remain a thing of the past, not of the future." The representatives were joined later in the day by twenty-six of their Democratic counterparts in the House and one in the Senate (Zell Miller of Georgia), each of whom announced their intentions to join President Gore in support for the Resolution as well.

However, not all of those who have announced their position on the Resolution as of today are in favor of its passage. This evening saw seven Democratic members of the House of Representatives announce their opposition to the Iraq proposal, with Representative Martin Sabo of Minnesota calling the Resolution "something that we cannot let pass knowing that the best interests of the American people are at heart." Joining Sabo and the six other House Democrats was Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, who called the legislation "a misguided attempt to protect our nation from terrorism in an effective and humane manner." Feingold criticized the IWR's supporters for "hastily following inconclusive evidence regarding the possibility of a valid threat posed by the Iraqi government," calling out leaders in both parties for "misleading the American people in an attempt to harness the power and support of the military-industrial complex in a clearly uncalled-for use of our nation's armed forces." It has been long thought that Feingold would be the first - if not only - Senator on the Democratic side to oppose the Resolution, as indicated by his past willingness to oppose President Gore on a variety of defense and security matters, most notably the passage of the Homeland Security Act.

In other news, Republican Governors Frank Murkowski of Alaska, Kenny Guinn of Nevada, Craig Benson of New Hampshire, and Mike Leavitt of Utah have all announced their support for the resolution, along with former President Gerald R. Ford.

_______

Please make sure to vote and comment! Thanks!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

What is Mitch Daniels up to ITTL? Will he still be a candidate for governor in '04, as I assume he isn't budget director right now?

[/]

What is Mitch Daniels up to ITTL? Will he still be a candidate for governor in '04, as I assume he isn't budget director right now?

Having been unable to serve as OMB director due to Gore's election, Daniels has returned to the private sector, though still remains politically active and quite well-liked in the state GOP. He is openly considering a run for Congress in 2004, though there are rumors that he may decide to run for Governor or another higher office instead. He has already ruled out challenging Bayh for Senate, however.

[/]

RADICAL CHANGES - 2000 TO 2056 ELECTORAL TIMELINE

Season 4 - Let the Changes Begin

Episode 3 - The Opposition Arises

February 5, 2003

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) answers questions from reporters following the announcement that she and at least ten other Democratic Senators will oppose the Iraq War Resolution supported by President Gore.

In one of the most tension-filled weeks on Capitol Hill since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks themselves, the beginning of February has seen a large number of legislators from both parties in the House and the Senate announce their support or opposition for the now widely-controversial Iraq War Resolution introduced late last month by congressional leaders and President Gore.

Last week's January 28 announcement by twenty Republican Senators and eighty-nine Representatives in support of the bipartisan resolution did not unite both parties in favor of the legislation as intended, instead leading to a sharp division on both sides of the aisle regarding whether the United States military should take an increased role in toppling Iraq's totalitarian Hussein Administration. The week started off on January 29 with Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) becoming the second Democrat in the chamber to announce his opposition to the legislation, joined by nine more Representatives in the House and prominent state legislator Barack Obama of Illinois. Also announcing on the 29th was New York Governor George Pataki, a Republican, who gave a passionate plea to the American people in support of the legislation. Saying that he "never again wants to see the people of [his] state experience the terrors that occurred on September 11th two years ago," Governor Pataki plead for the nation to "realize that the only way to end this ever-increasing threat once and for all is to engage in military combat against the government and military of Saddam Hussein."

The next day saw a variety of new endorsements in favor of and in opposition to the IWR, with Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), John Breaux (D-LA), and Fritz Hollings (D-SC) all coming out in support of the legislation in a joint press conference. The three Democratic Senators joined Zell Miller (D-GA) in supporting the resolution championed by their party's figurehead, though plenty of work still remains if Gore's party wants to convince a majority of its officeholders to join him in support for the war.

The first of February was yet another day news-ridden with more announcements of support or opposition to the war, most prominently from former President George H. W. Bush, who joined his son and former Vice President Dan Quayle in announcing their support for the resolution. In a press conference filmed at the Bushes' family ranch in Texas, former Texas Governor and 2000 Republican Presidential nominee George W. Bush said that "while [he] and President Gore were the fiercest of opponents in 2000, now is the time for [them] to come together and unite in order to combat terrorism and fight for a better, safer, and more secure United States of America." The day also saw eight more Governors from both parties come out in support of the resolution, with Jeb Bush (R-FL), Roy Barnes (D-GA), Tom Vilsack (D-IA), Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS), Bob Holden (D-MO), Mike Easley (D-NC), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Phil Bredesen (D-TN) all announcing their decision to stand with the President and congressional leaders in favor of the war.

While February 2nd saw good news for supporters of the IWR, with Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) and Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) both coming out in favor of the resolution along with Governor Paul E. Patton (D-KY), the 3rd saw quite a different story. Though Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Governors Bill Owens (R-CO) and Ruth Miller (D-DE) each announced their support for the resolution, the day also saw three prominent calls against its passage, with Independent Governor Tim Penny of Minnesota and Independent Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont both coming out in opposition to the war. However, by far the most surprising announcement by far was that of United States Representative Spencer Bachus (R-AL), who, during a press conference held in front of his office in Washington, D.C., became the first Republican to come out against the bill's passage. Citing his "faith in God" as a main reason to oppose the resolution, Bachus explained that he "could not trust the Gore Administration to handle such a fragile situation," saying that "this is just another attempt by establishment Washington politicians to corrupt our nation's politics and get in bed with foreign interests." Bachus labeled attempts to pass the IWR as "ineffective, immoral, and illegal," calling upon the nation to "realize that Gore has not, does not, and will not have Americans' true intentions at heart."

Though the fourth day of the month saw four prominent endorsements in favor of the legislation - those of Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) along with Governors Bob Taft (R-OH), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Bob Wise (D-WV) - it also saw Governor Ted Kulongoski (D-OR) come out in opposition to the resolution. However, the magnitude of these endorsements was very little in comparison to those announced earlier today on Capitol Hill, where Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) led ten other Senate Democrats and forty-nine in the House of Representatives to announce their intentions to vote against the legislation championed by President Gore and, until now, supported by the clear majority of prominent Democratic officeholders. In her speech, described by those who viewed it as "something nobody expected" and "purely astounding," Senator Boxer called the potential Iraq War something that "our nation cannot afford to enter itself into," arguing that "the lives of thousands of our nation's parents, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and children are infinitely more important than the arbitrary and misleading demands of special interest groups." Boxer said that attempting to topple the Hussein Administration is "simply not the best way to go about bringing freedom and democracy to the Iraqi people," arguing that "the cost in the lives of our nation's soldiers and thousands of civilians abroad far outweighs any strategic momentum that could be gained by placing American forces within the Iraqi borders." Boxer's announcement in opposition to the bill's passage was followed shortly by those of three fellow Democratic Governors, namely Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Gary Locke of Washington, and Doug Racine of Vermont, along with former President Jimmy Carter, who called the potential passage of the IWR a "morally abhorrent abandonment of everything that our nation stands for."

The complete list of Democratic Senators who joined Boxer in her call against the passage of the resolution includes the following - Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut, Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, John Sarbanes of Maryland, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Carl Levin of Michigan, Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, and Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

The total number of Senators, Representatives, and Governors who have come out in favor of or in opposition to the Iraq War Resolution now stands as follows

United States Senate - 24 Republicans For, 5 Democrats For, 0 Republicans Against, 14 Democrats Against. (43 Total Decided; 57 Undecided)

United States House of Representatives - 143 Republicans For, 66 Democrats For, 1 Republican Against, 71 Democrats Against (281 Total Decided; 154 Undecided)

United States Governorships - 9 Republicans For, 10 Democrats For, 0 Republicans Against, 6 Democrats Against (25 Total Decided; 25 Undecided)

United States Senate Map -

Green - Both For
Light Green - One For; One Undecided
Red - Both Against
Light Red - One Against; One Undecided
Blue - One For; One Against
Gray - Both Undecided

United States Governorships Map -

Green - For
Red - Against
Gray - Undecided

_______

Wow, that was long

Please feel free to vote or comment! Thanks

[/]

Don't worry, that^ was probably the longest poast

February 9 will be fun.

[/]

RADICAL CHANGES - 2000 TO 2056 ELECTORAL TIMELINE

Season 4 - Let the Changes Begin

Episode 5 - The Calm Before the Storm

February 8, 2003

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announces her opposition to the Iraq War during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The last few days have seen utter and complete chaos continue to erupt on Capitol Hill and around the nation as Governors, Senators, Representatives, and former Presidents en masse announce their fervent yet conflicting opinions regarding the controversial new Iraq War legislation proposed by President Gore and congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle.

February 6 was marked by a variety of endorsements in support of and in opposition to the Iraq War Resolution, with Governor John Rowland (R-CT) and Senators John Edwards (D-NC), John Warner (R-VA), and Max Baucus (D-MT) all coming out in favor of the legislation. However, these endorsements were countered by those of Governor Shannon O'Brien (D-MA) and Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mark Dayton (D-MN), and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), each of whom announced their intentions to oppose the resolution. While Chafee became the first Senate Republican to espouse an anti-IWR position, he is often seen as one of the few liberals still remaining within the GOP, making his announcement come as a surprise to few.

However, the day also saw a variety of announcements within the House of Representatives include those of three Republicans now openly opposed to the legislation, with Representatives Trent Franks (R-AZ), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Butch Otter (R-ID) all coming out against its passage. In his remarks on the House floor, Representative Franks called the bill "just another ploy by Gore and the Democrats to trick the American people into caving in to foreign interests," saying that "any true Republican should and will join me in opposing this anti-American legislation."

The most prominent endorsement of the seventh was that of former President Ronald Reagan, who, despite suffering from the late stages of Alzheimer's disease, was able to praise President Gore and congressional leaders for "working together to make America safer." However, President Reagan's remarks were nearly outshone by those of Senator Don Nickles (R-OK), who, in a news conference held outside of his office on Capitol Hill, became the first Republican in the Senate besides Chafee to openly oppose the Iraq War legislation. Astonishing millions of Americans nationwide with his piercing remarks, Senator Nickles called attempts to pass the resolution "foolish" and "cowardly," saying that "our nation's government officials should be held truly accountable to the American people and oppose such backwards legislation." Nickles attacked Gore and his supporters as "evil" and "too willing to bow down to malicious foreign interests," calling for Americans to "stand with the true conservatives and oppose these attempts by Democrats and RINOs to destroy our nation's liberty, decency, and prosperity." Also endorsing on the 7th was Democratic Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend of Maryland, who announced her opposition to the proposal.

Just this morning, however, a new controversy erupted as a video recording was released of four members of the Senate Republican Caucus taking part in a heated and nearly physical dispute regarding an undisclosed but clearly contentious topic. According to the footage, Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Mike Enzi (R-WY), soon after exiting a Budget Committee meeting on the Senate floor, found themselves in an intense shouting match with fellow Senators Larry Craig and Craig Thomas of their respective states, both of whom are to their senior. While the subject matter of the argument could not be deciphered as of the time this article was published, the dispute was clearly one of great vehemence, with Senator Thomas even having to be escorted from the building after threatening to "bring [Senator Crapo] to [his] knees" and make him "wish [he was] never born." According to the video release, Senator Craig labeled Senator Enzi as a "piece of low-level, worthless scum who will never understand how sh*t is supposed to be done," with Enzi calling Craig a "idiotic, half-witted, harebrained dumbass" in return. While the video recording did not contain any specifics regarding the nature of the Senators' argument, it is likely that the dispute had to do with a politically-oriented matter, as Senator Crapo was recorded telling Senator Craig that Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) would "hear about this for sure." It should also be noted that both Senators Crapo and Enzi endorsed President Gore's Iraq War Resolution soon after the dispute came to an end, along with fellow Senators Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), Jeanne Carnahan (D-MO), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR).

The total number of Senators, Representatives, and Governors who have come out in favor of or in opposition to the Iraq War Resolution now stands as follows:

United States Senate - 28 Republicans For, 9 Democrats For, 2 Republicans Against, 17 Democrats Against. (56 Total Decided; 44 Undecided)

United States House of Representatives - 157 Republicans For, 79 Democrats For, 15 Republican Against, 100 Democrats Against (351 Total Decided; 84 Undecided)

United States Governorships - 10 Republicans For, 10 Democrats For, 0 Republicans Against, 8 Democrats Against (28 Total Decided; 22 Undecided)

United States Senate Map -

Green - Both For
Light Green - One For; One Undecided
Red - Both Against
Light Red - One Against; One Undecided
Blue - One For; One Against
Gray - Both Undecided

United States Governorships Map -

Green - For
Red - Against
Gray - Undecided

[Kingpoleon]

D - E - A - N! Take your country back again!

[/]

RADICAL CHANGES - 2000 TO 2056 ELECTORAL TIMELINE

Season 4 - Let the Changes Begin

Episode 6 - The Revolution Begins

February 9, 2003

Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) announces on the Senate Floor that he, along with six other members of the United States Senate and twenty-four in the House of Representatives, will oppose the Iraq War Resolution proposed by President Gore and widely supported by members of both parties.

The nation spiraled into shock today as Senator Larry Craig of Idaho announced that he, along with thirty other Republican members of the United States Congress, would actively oppose the widely-popular and bipartisan Iraq War Resolution supported by the President and large numbers of Republicans and Democrats alike in both the House and the Senate. In an unexpected speech soon after the Senate congregated late this afternoon, Craig announced that he "would not stand for this malicious abuse of the power of the United States government," accusing President Gore of "bowing down to the interests of tyrannical foreign governments and manipulating the American people" in order to "gain political power and improve his already-tarnished reputation as our Commander-in-Chief." In a stunning rebuke of what was thought to be a widely bipartisan effort, Senator Craig accused those in his own party of "lying to constituents and spreading falsehoods throughout the nation," calling Republicans who have announced their support for the resolution "weak-kneed, cowardly, dimwitted phonies" who should "move to the Democratic Party if they want to keep promoting the Gore agenda."

Craig's comments were quickly denounced by members of both parties, with Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott accusing Craig of "betraying the American people" in "a weak attempt to gain media attention and senselessly oppose a clear bipartisan effort." President Gore called the comments "disgusting," with even Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), an ardent opponent of the legislation, saying that Craig's speech was "uncalled for and blatantly offensive." However, by far the most surprising announcement made in response to Craig's speech was that of Republican Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee, who announced during a press conference that he would be switching to the Democratic Party. Saying that the "extremist ideology of the Republican Party has long since abandoned me and millions of others throughout America," Chafee commented that "the remarks made this afternoon by Senator Craig go to show that the Republican Party can no longer be trusted to truly take care of the interests of the American people." Chafee exclaimed that he would "enthusiastically look forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans to make the decisions truly best for our nation," saying that "though [he] may have abandoned the Republican Party today, [he] will never abandon the people of Rhode Island and of America." Chafee's decision to begin caucusing with the Democrats now gives Gore's party a 52-48 seat advantage in the Senate, while the Republicans still maintain a 219-216 majority in the House of Representatives.

The full list of those who announced their decision with Senator Craig this afternoon to oppose the Iraq War Resolution includes Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Senator George Allen (R-VA), Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), along with twenty-four Republican members of the House of Representatives and Governor Steve Largent of Oklahoma. Democratic Governor Frank O'Bannon of Indiana also came out in favor of the legislation this morning.

The total number of Senators, Representatives, and Governors who have come out in favor of or in opposition to the Iraq War Resolution now stands as follows:

United States Senate - 28 Republicans For, 9 Democrats For, 8 Republicans Against, 18 Democrats Against. (63 Total Decided; 37 Undecided)

United States House of Representatives - 160 Republicans For, 80 Democrats For, 39 Republican Against, 101 Democrats Against (380 Total Decided; 55 Undecided)

United States Governorships - 10 Republicans For, 11 Democrats For, 1 Republicans Against, 8 Democrats Against (30 Total Decided; 20 Undecided)

United States Senate Map -

Green - Both For
Light Green - One For; One Undecided
Red - Both Against
Light Red - One Against; One Undecided
Blue - One For; One Against
Gray - Both Undecided

United States Governorships Map -

Green - For
Red - Against
Gray - Undecided

[NeverAgain]

I wonder if Craig's secret gay lover is an isolationist.

[/]

Was working on some really great House maps and then realized that I can't use them after 2010.

[hurricanehink]

Was working on some really great House maps and then realized that I can't use them after 2010.

Don't forget, Texas had a mid-decade redistricting in 2003, and Florida is getting a court-mandated redistricting next year. So your maps might not have to wait. You're the author of this timeline after all

[/]

I had a very strange dream last night that this timeline involved zombies. Thankfully, that is not the case.