Post random maps here

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2008 Presidential Election:

Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R - AR)/Senator Kay Hutchison (R - TX): 314 EVs
Vice President Joseph Lieberman (D - CT)/Former Governor Tom Vilsack (D - IA): 224 EVs

(Footnote: Gore replaced Bush in-universe and managed to get re-elected.)

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I had too much fun making a random title for this map.

1988, Year of the Pornstache

Governor Terry Branstad (R - IA)/Senator Pete Wilson (R - CA): 54.5% PV, 403 EVs
Governor Mario Cuomo (D - NY)/Governor Bob Kerrey (D - NE): 44.8% PV, 135 EVs

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2016

Governor Jeb Bush/Senator Marco Rubio (R): 292
Governor Martin O'Malley/Governor Howard Dean: 246

You do realize Bush and Rubio are both from Florida, right?

I do realize that, yes.

Does Bush move to like South Carolina to run on the same ticket as Rubio or something, then?

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2004:

Senator Tom Harkin (D - IA)/Senator Bob Graham (D - FL): 50.9%
President George W. Bush (R - TX)/Vice President Dick Cheney (R - WY): 48.6%

2008:

President Tom Harkin (D - IA)/Vice President Bob Graham (D - FL): 50%
Senator George Allen (R - VA)/Former Governor George Pataki (R - NY): 49.5%

2012:

Governor Bill Haslam (R - TN)/Speaker of House Rob Portman (R - OH): 54.7%
Former Governor Bill Richardson (D - NM)/Former Congressman Jim Matheson (D - UT): 44.2%
Other: 1.1%

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Former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R - CA)/Congressman Jack Kemp (R - NY): 459 EVs (56.4% PV)
Senator Edward Kennedy (D - MA)/Congressman John Anderson (I - IL): 79 EVs (41.8% PV)
Others: 0 EVs (1.8% PV)

Senator Ted Kennedy manages to primary out incumbent President Jimmy Carter. For his Vice Presidential nominee, he picks Congressman John Anderson, the 3rd place winner of the Republican primaries. Kennedy aims to attract Rockefeller Republicans and moderates away from Reagan to snatch the election. However, choosing Anderson proves to an unintended drawback for the Senator. Many Democrats feel betrayed by Kennedy's choice of a former Republican for his Vice President, even if said Republican is a liberal one. Furthermore, many Southerners and blue-collar voters, who would rather support Carter over Kennedy, either stay home or switch to the GOP, allowing Reagan to have much stronger PV percentages in the South and Midwest; he even squeaks a slight victory in Minnesota. Ronald Reagan offers George H.W. Bush a Cabinet position instead of the Vice Presidency, which Bush accepts. Instead of Bush, Reagan picks Congressman Jack Kemp of New York. Kemp makes the Vice Presidential Debate memorable, successfully defeating Anderson on policy and calling him out for party switching. Kennedy does manage to snatch more liberal areas, but the lack of a significant third party presence and his poor performance with moderates and Southerners limits his growth. Reagan still wins in a landslide.

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1912:

Fmr. President Teddy Roosevelt (R - NY)/Fmr. Congressman Frank Lowden (R - IL): 337 EVs, 56.7% PV
Governor Woodrow Wilson (D - NJ)/Governor Thomas Marshall (D - IN): 194 EVs, 38.7% PV
Eugene V. Debs (S - IN)/Emil Seidel (S - WI): 0 EVs, 4.5% PV

1916:

President Teddy Roosevelt (R - NY)/Vice President Frank Lowden (R - IL): 399 EVs, 61.0% PV
Fmr. Governor Thomas Marshall (D - IN)/Fmr. Governor Judson Harmon (D - OH): 132 EVs, 38.1% PV

1920:

Vice President Frank Lowden (R - IL)/Senator William F. Borah (R - ID): 274/273 EVs (2 Faithless Electors in Oregon for Lowden, 1 for Borah): 52.2% PV
Governor Homer S. Cummings (D - CT)/Governor James M. Cox (D - OH): 257/258 EVs, 46.4% PV
Others: 0 EVs, 1.4% PV

1924:

President William Borah (R - ID)/Vice President Leonard Wood (R - NH): 276 EVs, 48.9% PV
Fmr. President William Howard Taft (D - OH)/Senator Oscar Underwood (D - AL): 50.3% PV
Others: 0 EVs, 0.8% PV

1928:

Fmr. Governor John Davis (D - WV)/Governor Al Smith (D - NY): 386 EVs, 55.9% PV
Fmr. Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr. (R - WI)/Secretary of Labor Herbert Hoover (R - IA): 143 EVs, 40% PV
Emil Seidel (S - WI)/Norman Thomas (S - NY): 2 EVs, 4.0% PV

1932:

President John Davis (D - WV)/Vice President Al Smith (D - NY): 470 EVs, 62.7% PV
Fmr. Secretary of Labor Herbert Hoover (R - IA)/ Congressman Frank Knox (R - IL): 30.9%
Congressman Henry Wallace (OR - IA)/Norman Thomas (OR - NY): 19 EVs, 6% PV

1936:

Governor Pat McCarran (D - NV)/Governor James F. Byrnes (D - SC): 456 EVs, 59.3% PV
House Minority Leader Arthur Vandenburg (R - MI)/Congressman Harold Stassen (R - MN): 75 EVs, 40.5% PV

[Bigby]

Primary (up to Super Tuesday) map time! These are for the 2016 elections. Guess the candidates by color.

Republicans:

Democrats:

[Bigby]

Darth has it right on the money except for the green GOP candidate.

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Darth has it right on the money except for the green GOP candidate.

Rubio? Paul?

It's Kasich.

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2012: Romney/Christie vs Obama/Biden - Obama Barely Wins!

President Barack Obama (D - IL)/Vice President Joseph Biden (D - DE): 276 EVs, 48.9% PV
Fmr. Governor Mitt Romney (R - MA)/Governor Chris Christie (R - NJ): 261 EVs,49.3% PV
Fmr. Governor Gary Johnson (L - NM)/James P. Gray (L - CA): 1 EV, 1.5% PV

Major Changes: No Mitt's 47% Remark, Christie is chosen for VP instead of Ryan, Romney having a better image and no Christie approaching towards Obama helps out in the Northeast during Hurrican Sandy. Johnson manages to poll at 5% in order to be in the main debates, but is unable to impress and only gets one faithless elector.

Changes to Congressional Results: Republicans pick up MT (Rehberg), ND (Berg), and VA (Allen). Scott Brown manages to survive in MA. Democrats only have a 51 - 49 advantage in the Senate. In the House, the GOP holds onto both NH seats, but all else is the same.

2014 Senate results:

GOP: 62 (+13)
DEM: 38 (-13)
* All Special Election Wins Identical to OTL.

Major Changes: Republicans run competent candidates in Oregon and Michigan, Jeff Bell wins an upset in NJ, No Scott Brown to ruin NH (Guinta is the nominee), Harkin runs and wins, Chad Taylor stays in KS and wins in an upset, and the Tea Party lands candidates in LA, AK, and KY. (McConnell retires due to health reasons and Bevin actually wins in the open primary. Ben Sasse is still around in NE.) Eric Cantor does not condone the League of Eight Immigration Bill, so Brat runs for Senate and wins, giving the Tea Party another win.

House Result: 255 GOP, 180 DEM

2016:

Governor Brian Sandoval (R - NV)/Lt. Governor Dan Dewhurst (R - TX): 337 EVs, 54.6% PV
Senator Bob Menendez (D - NJ)/Senator Michael Bennet (D - CO): 201 EVs, 43.7% PV
Fmr. Secretary of Education Amanda Curtis (D - MT)/Economist Elizabeth Warren (D - MA): 1.4%

Governor Chris Christie still falls victim to Bridgegate and becomes this world's analogue to Jeb Bush, who decides not to run. The stronger Tea Party rallies behind Ted Cruz, while the establishment transfers its primary support to David Dewhurst. However, neither manage to clinch the support of the voters, as Brian Sandoval announces in May 2015 that he is running for President rather than Senate. Sandoval clinches the nomination by April and selects Dewhurst as VP, since more moderate Tea Party members come to endorse Sandoval and Cruz declines any desire to be VP anyway. Fmr. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton runs, as does Vice President Joe Biden, for the Democrats. Without Sanders or Chafee, the Democratic primary becomes an establishment bloodbath. Bob Menendez opts to run, riding a wave of the Hispanic vote. The convention becomes a brokered one, and Menendez is chosen as a compromise candidate. Senator Mike Bennet of Colorado is picked as VP almost entirely for his state, it seems. The charismatic and conservative Sandoval easily beats Menendez. Despite being more conservative by far, Sandoval actually ties the Hispanic vote with Menendez, each at 45%. Obama's lack of controversy in his last year, the Bush baggage of Dewhurst, and Tea Party reluctance for Sandoval are not nearly enough to help the Democrats eek out a win.

House: 252 GOP (-3), 182 DEM (+1), 1 SOC (+1) (A Socialist wins the Seattle seat in WA.)
Senate: 63 GOP (+1), 36 DEM (-2), 1 SOC (+1) (NV and CO flip GOP, WI flips DEM while Kirk manages to survive in IL, and a rejected Sanders becomes Socialist.)

[Bigby]

1960:

CHICAGO TRIBUNE - News Alert! Fraud discovered in Texas, Illinois. Mayor Richard Daley, Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson Under Investigation. Error Discovered in NJ Polling, Recount Begun.

Three weeks later, Revised Election Results:

Vice President Richard M. Nixon (R - CA)/Fmr. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (R- MA): 286 EVs, 49.6% PV.
Senator John F. Kennedy (D - MA)/Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson (D - TX): 242 EVs, 49.5% PV
Senator Harry F. Byrd (D - VA)/Senator Strom Thurmond (D - SC): 9 EVs (MS + 1 OK), Unpledged.

1964:

Issues of the Day: Vietnam War (Direct Involvement as of 1962, winning overall but Communists holding ground), Economy (Low Unemployment, Low Inflation), Right-To-Work Laws Passed (by William Knowland in California, by Kinglsey Taft in Ohio, some other places passed too), Civil Rights (GOP passes slightly stronger version of 1957 bill, Southerners upset), Space Race (US first to space, first to orbit, Soviet satellite crashed in Utah desert.), GOP 3 Term Fatigue.

Senate Majority Whip Scoop M. Jackson (D - WA)/Senator George Smathers (D - FL): 293 EVs, 52.9% PV
President Richard M. Nixon (R - CA)/Vice President Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (R - MA): 245 EVs, 46.7% PV

1968:

Issues of the Day: Vietnam (China enters, "Vietnam Only" Declaration Passed, Anti-Communist forces faltering), Civil Rights (Northern Democrats and Republicans make several pushes at the state level, Southerners and Blacks both restless), Space Race (Soviets almost reach the moon!), Economy (Low Unemployment, Rising Inflation, Weaker Stock Market), President Jackson's Personality (Seen as brash, manipulative.), Kingsley Taft's health.

President Scoop M. Jackson (D - WA)/Vice President George Smathers (D - FL): 269 EVs, 49.5% PV
Senator Thomas Kuchel (R - CA)/Fmr. Governor Kingsley Taft (R - OH): 267 EVs, 49.8% PV.
Communist Party Protest (2 EVs - Both in Ohio. No PVs.)

Election thrown to Congress. The House elects President Jackson back to the Presidency and the Senate elects Kingsley Taft for Vice President.

1972:

Issues of the Day: Vietnam (US going strong, but Communists win after South Vietnam capitulates), Weak Economy (High Unemployment, High Inflation), Black Riots in Cities, Union Riots (over a pro-right-to-work decision in the Supreme Court), 25th Amendment (Faithless Electors outlawed).

Governor John Tower (R - TX)/Senator Barry F. Goldwater (R - AZ): 462 EVs, 58.0% PV
Fmr. Vice President George Smathers (D - FL)/Congressman Samuel Yorty (D - CA): 33 EVs, 29% PV
Senator Strom Thurmond (SR - SC)/Fmr. Governor George Wallace (SR - AL): 33 EVs, 8% PV
Malcom X (NOI - NY)/Louis Farrakhan (NOI - CT): 10 EVs, 3.8% PV (1)

Notes:

1. Farrakhan moved to Connecticut to run on the same ticket as Malcom X.

[Bigby]

1988:

Fmr. Senator Paul Tsongas (D - MA)/Fmr. Governor Jerry Brown (D - CA): 294 EVs, 54.6% PV
Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole (R - KS)/Governor Terry Brandstad (R - IA): 244 EVs, 45.0% PV

Tsongas' health recovers, and he runs for the Democratic nomination. Hart is unable to continue on due to his sex scandal, so he endorses Tsongas and forms a moderate coalition. Dukakis and Cuomo are defeated as Tsongas manages to sweep the South and New England, giving him enough delegates, especially after Dukakis drops out and endorses Tsongas. Liberals seem unhappy, so Tsongas picks Jerry Brown in hopes of satisfying the liberals of his party. On the Republican side, Bush continues to perform badly against Dole. At one point, he even falls behind Pat Robertson during the Virginia primary. It is a massive embarrassment for a sitting VP, but Bush sees the writing on the wall and withdraws. Dole picks Iowa Governor Terry Brandstad to appeal to Southerners and Midwesterners. It would be an easy election for the Republicans, but Tsongas proves to be much more charismatic, energetic, and even more Reaganesque than Dole. Though Tsongas wins liberal states by a slim margin, he dominates in swing states such as Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Florida. He almost wins some Southern states such as Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Since Tsongas appealed the most to moderates, independents, and libertarians, he also snatched an edge in the popular vote.

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Governor Ron White (I - TX)/Senator Garry Johnson (R - NM): 372 EVs, 42.3% PV
Senator Hebert Kohl (D - WI)/Fmr. Governor Dianne Feinstein (D - CA): 91 EVs, 27.5% PV
Congressman Bobby Jindal (R - LA)/Senator Rick Santorum (R - PA): 75 EVs, 24.5% PV
Fmr. Congressman Ron Paul (L - TX)/Fmr. Congressman Bob Barr (L - GA): 0 EVs, 3.9% PV

Tie-in with my most recent Alternate Presidents list. Note that Jindal is not the official Republican nominee, but is running against White under the 3rd party label of "Conservative Republican" in opposition to White's socially liberal and "unholy" platform. The official Republican party did not endorse a nominee due to brokered convention and endorsed Ron White due to the significance of Reform-friendly contenders.

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Isn't It Time America Had a President? James Buckley in '76!

Senator James L. Buckley (R - NY)/Senator Robert Taft, Jr. (R - OH): 429 EVs, 57.0% PV
Former Senator Eugene McCarthy (D - MN)/Governor Jerry Brown (D - CA): 109 EVs, 41.4% PV
Senator Scoop M. Jackson (HD* - WA)/Governor Cliff Finch (HD - MS): 0 EVs, 1.1% PV
Others: 0 EVs, 0.5% PV

* Hawk Democrat.

Guess how this happens.

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1988:

Vice President Bush Beaten by Dole! Governor Cuomo Ousts Hart and Dukakis. Cumo Squeaks Victory Due to Poor GOP Enthusiasm.

Governor Mario Cuomo (D - NY)/Congressman Dick Gephardt (D - MO): 288 EVs, 52.1% PV
Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R - KS)/U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani (R-NY): 250 EVs, 47.4% PV

1992:

Gepdhardt Primaries Unpopular Cuomo, Wins With Moderate Platform. Perot Launches Reform Bid, Attracts Brown and Buchanan. Reform Party Sucks Up Votes From Both Sides; Dems Benefit Most.

Vice President Dick Gephardt (D - MO)/Senator Tom Harkin (D - IA): 301 EVs, 39% PV
NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R - NY)/Governor Dick Cheney (R - WY): 201 EVs, 36% PV
Fmr. Governor Jerry Brown (D - CA)/Columnist Pat Buchanan (R - VA): 36 EVs, 23.5% PV

1996:

Gephardt Unable to Rally Party. Proposed Surveillance Program After Failed CNN Building Bombing Derided by Public. Governor Goldwater Runs On "Liberty-Based Platform," Calls Proposed Surveillance Program "Akin to Yenayev's Soviet Ploys." Buchanan and Perot Run Reform Again; Not Nearly as Popular as Brown Run. Goldwater Wins In Landslide.

Governor Barry Goldwater, Jr. (R - CA)/Governor Mike Leavitt (R - UT): 412 EVs, 50% PV
President Dick Gephardt (D - MO)/Vice President Tom Harkin (D - IA): 126 EVs, 44.6% PV
Columnist Pat Buchanan (I - VA)/Businessman Ross Perot (I - TX): 0 EVs, 4.9% PV

2000:

President Goldwater Wins Landslide Election. Strong Economy, Public Happy With Civil Liberties Record. Reform Party Members Back Goldwater.

President Barry Goldwater (R - CA)/Vice President Mike Leavitt (R - UT): 431 EVs, 56.7% PV
Fmr. Vice President Tom Harkin (D - IA)/Governor Lincoln Chaffee (D - RI): 107 EVs, 42.9% PV

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2008:

Senator Hillary Clinton (D - NY)/Governor Bill Richardson (D - NM): 323 EVs, 51.6% PV
Fmr. Governor Mitt Romney (R - MA)/Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R - AL): 215 EVs, 46.6% PV

2012:

Governor Chris Christie (R - NJ)/Senator Jim DeMint (R - SC): 311 EVs, 50.5% PV
Fmr. Governor Janet Napolitano (D - AZ)/Governor John Barrow (D - GA): 227 EVs, 46.5% PV
Fmr. Governor Jesse Ventura (L - MN)/Fmr. Senator Mike Gravel (L - AK): 0 EVs, 2.7% PV

2016:

President Chris Christie (R - NJ)/Vice President Jim DeMint (R - SC): 354 EVs, 53.6% PV
Fmr. Governor John Barrow (D - GA)/Fmr. Governor John Hickenlooper (D - CO): 184 EVs, 45.9% PV

[Bigby]

2044 Presidential Election:

Governor Yolanda Carbone (R - NJ)/Congressman Lucas Schweikert (R - UT): High 290's - Low 300's EVs, 53% PV
Vice President Marcus Stockman (D - MS)/Honolulu Mayor Betsy Chang (D - HI): Low 240's - High 230's EVs, 45% PV

Although President Carlos Perez (D - TX) barely survived re-election, his second term proved to be even more disastrous. Perez's chief piece of legislation, the US-Latin American Free Trade Act, has only led to the economic recession worsening, particularly in the Midwest. Unemployment is at 10% nationally, and the Dow has plunged from 40,000 to 33,500 in the span of three months. The election was originally a tossup due to the high amount of Hispanics in the Southwest and parts of the Southeast, but the worsening economy and the rise of crime pouring into the big cities from suburbs tipped the scales to Carbone's favor. Carbone, the popular Governor of New Jersey, avoided major gaffes and successfully attracted typically apathetic voters with her charisma and her record as NJ Governor. Stockman began strong, particularly among fellow African-Americans, but the general anti-Perez mood of the nation and a few gaffes (particularly about Governor Elton Luntz (R-DE) being an "Uncle Tom" and the dismissal of the EPA's mishandling of a chemical transfer leading to several deals in central Oregon) helped ensure a Carbone victory. Texas and Connecticut are too close to call, and both states have initiated a recount. Although Carbone has already won nationally, she holds a tiny lead in both states.

[Bigby]

Donnie wins big lel.

Wait, what did Trump do to literally piss off ALL of Utah?

[Bigby]

(Results are for 2020.)

FINISH HIM! General Sonya Blade Clinches GOP Nomination, Defeats President Sanders Due to Poor Economy, Unpopular Peace Treaty with Emperor Kotal Kahn.

General Sonya Blade (R - TX)/Senator Jeff Sessions (R - AL): 349 EVs, 56.4% PV.
President Bernie Sanders (D - VT)/Vice President Luis Gutierrez (D - IL): 189 EVs, 42.9% PV.

[Bigby]

Two Parties? Try Four!

Mr. Donald J. Trump (Am Ref - NY)/Senator Jeff Sessions (Am Ref - AL): 173 EVs, 32.8% PV
Fmr. State Sec Hillary R. Clinton (D - NY)/HUD Sec Julian Castro (D - TX): 169 EVs, 31.5% PV
Senator Marco Rubio (Rep - FL)/Governor Nikki Haley (Rep - SC): 126 EVs, 24.7% PV
Senator Bernie Sanders (P - VT)/Senator Elizabeth Warren (P - MA): 70 EVs, 10.7% PV

After Rubio's shocking first place win with 31% of the vote in South Carolina on February 20th, Donald Trump's campaign went down in almost literal flames. Bush and Kasich immediately dropped out, pledging their support, delegates, and funding to Rubio. Trump won a close second with 28%, but this searing loss combined with another second place running to the Florida Senator's first in Nevada sent Trump into a tirade of insult, crying, and threats on the Feb. 25th debate. Trump outright humiliated himself, and this only led to Rubio dominating on Super Tuesday. After crushing the Florida primary with 60% of the vote, Rubio reached out to Cruz, receiving his endorsement. An infuriated Donald concedes, but declares his intention to run third party. Cue the sweating of every non-Trump Republican.

The Democrats felt as if their victory was secured, and so Bernie and Hillary let loose on their campaigns, feeling invincible. This would bite them both in their own ways, however. Bernie began to ignore black and latino votes entirely for white liberal votes, and constantly fumbled with why he only bothered with white progressives. Gaffe after gaffe, the Vermont Senator almost began to seem borderline racist. Meanwhile, Fmr. State Sec Clinton went too far with reaching out to minorities, causing herself to experience the same, but racially inverted, issue that Sanders walked to. When questioned by a discontented white Sanders supporter during a debate, an already angry Clinton (that particular debate was not going well for her) immediately yelled "why should the Democrats care what white voters think? They're all racist and selfish!" The Democratic Party's primary became divided by racial lines, with whites overwhelmingly going Sanders and minority voters even more overwhelmingly going towards Clinton. What ultimately gave the edge to Clinton was the sharp decrease in white voters primary after primary (Many moderate whites were fleeing to either avoid the nasty primary, to not vote entirely, or were being wooed by the now independent Trump), and the increasingly massive advantage in superdelegates gave Clinton four more delegates than needed to clinch the nomination. Pundits were coronating her for the Presidency already...

... That is, until Sanders announced a left-wing independent bid of his own. Many heartbroken left-wing whites returned to the fold, immediately pledging to Sanders. The Vermont Senator ran an anti-establishment campaign once again, but began to actively tear down the Democrats as "Keynesian quislings" and "deceivers of the working American." Trump also tapped into populist anger, unsurprisingly, but he did so without turning left-wing. Though Trump revealed that he had left-wing views to a small extent, such as being pro-choice, pro-single player healthcare, and pro-SSM, he was still largely a right-wing Perotite. In fact, the businessman sounded more genuine as this strange combination of overall moderate views than as a Republican.  Still, Trump campaigned on right-wing positions that he had campaigned on in the GOP primaries, and that was what drove far more voters to his side. With Bernie solidly taking the progressive and liberal white vote and Trump taking the undecideds, normally non-voting population, and a strange alliance of conservative Republicans and blue-collar Democrats, neither Hillary nor Rubio were ever clear frontrunners.

The 2016 Presidential election was an absolute nightmare that seemed to have confirmed the end of the Republican/Democratic binary set in place since 1854. Trump usually lead with 25 - 30% of the vote, though this was consistently within the margin of error. Clinton was the only other candidate to have ever been neck-and-neck or level with Trump, but this was not by taking his votes. Rather, the State Secretary aimed to repair her image with white voters by using the chaotic race against Bernie. Many liberal whites did return to Clinton, but they remained a low minority of the total number of her supporters. She was winning minority support to levels unseen, even for Democrats, though. Sanders did not even bother campaigning in the South outside of Texas, Virginia, and Florida, preferring to run in liberal urban centers that were being gentrified. Rubio run as a "Buckley Conservative," being solidly conservative, but "reasonably so" and with an "optimistic, unifying message." It sounded like robotic repetition to the average voter, but it visibly showed to have worked with conservative Republicans when Trump's numbers were mildly corroding. The VP picks by each candidate showed the divisions of the electorate perfectly. Clinton chose HUD Secretary Julian Castro, a mestizo Cuban who helped Clinton secure so much of the Latino vote. Senator Rubio chose the woman who was the centerpiece of his nomination: South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley; she helped cast Trump as a far-right extremist who "gets his jollies out of perverting the soul of the Republican Party and the soul of America." Donald Trump chose a naturally ally, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, who felt personally betrayed by fellow Republicans after a personal conversation with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over trade. Finally, Senator Sanders chose Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, feeling betrayed when Hillary was caught saying that "Warren has no f[inks]ing idea of what being Native American really is." The debates were savage and unruly, rally members got increasingly radical, and the four contenders devolved into ad hominem spewers. Many wondered if this was the end of the Republic.

Sure, the moment of truth came, but it only led to more questions. No one achieved the 270 electoral votes needed to be declared President, with many states being decided by one percent of the vote... if even that many. Some demanded a recount, but the messy results made it to where a recount would benefit none and only add more heartache. Trump barely sneaked by with a majority of the popular and electoral vote, thanks to his bipartisan (but admittedly lopsided towards Republicans) coalition of agitated voters. Clinton, with heavy amounts of minority votes and a healthy minority of fearful white voters, got right behind Trump in second. Clinton had steadily pilled left-leaners from Trump during October, but it simply was not enough to beat him. Rubio got third, possibly because Sanders was shown to be too extreme to be anything but fourth. Non-major candidates received only 0.3% of the vote, with many third parties vanishing under the weight of Trump and Sanders' dissent. It also helped that the Green Party endorsed Sanders and the Constitution Party endorsed Trump. As per the 12th Amendment, Congress would determine the next POTUS and VPOTUS. The Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress, only experiencing very mild losses. (Both parties largely ignored the Presidential race altogether, allowing for very odd downballot choices by voters.) The Republicans held the House firmly, only losing 7 seats. The GOP lost 3 seats in the Senate, but gained one, so their net loss was only 2 seats. With a 240 majority seat in the House and a majority of 52-48 in the Senate, the Republicans slimly but objectively held the advantage to pickthe next President and Vice President. Nikki Haley would be out since she was he 3rd place winner for VP, but Jeff Sessions is universally seen as preferable to Julian Castro. However, would Hillary have a chance to become POTUS, or is it a two-man race between Rubio and Trump now? No matter who Congress chooses, no one will be fully pleased.

[Bigby]

1992 Reform Party Primaries:

Businessman H. Ross Perot (Texas) - Winner
Columnist Pat Buchanan (Virginia) - 2nd
Fmr. Governor Jerry Brown (California) - 3rd

Buchanan starts with an impressive Iowa win, but Perot dominates in New Hampshire and then South Carolina. Although Brown wins Nevada, his major wins are only in the most liberal of states. Buchanan does well among the most right-wing Reform members, but Perot's centrist (for the party) coalition allows him to easily clench the nomination.

[Bigby]

The Three New Yorkers:

Businessman Donald J. Trump (R - NY)/Senator Jeff Sessions (R - AL): 398 EVs.
Fmr. State Sec. Hillary Clinton (D - NY)/HUD Secretary Julian Castro (D - TX): 139 EVs.
Fmr. Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I - NY)/Fmr. Governor Buddy Roemer (I - LA): 1 EV.

Clinton and Trump crush the opposition on Super Tuesday. Trump soundly defeats Rubio and Cruz in every state but Texas, which goes to Cruz by 3%, and Minnesota, which was Rubio's only win, by a margin of 5%. Cruz suspends his campaign immediately while Rubio breaks down and concedes to Kasich. On March 15th, Kasich drops out after losing every state to Trump, including Ohio and Florida. With Carson unable to seriously hamper Trump, the New York businessman is declared nominee by April 1st. On the Democratic side, Sanders had only won Oklahoma, Minnesota, and his homestate of Vermont on Super Tuesday. He stubbornly held on until he was cast out of the last debate before Apirl 1st, forcing him to concede to Clinton.

The General Election became a breeze for the Republicans. Amid worries over division, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus immediately endorsed Trump. Cruz, Kasich, and Carson quietly okayed the Trump nomination while Rubio was forced into submission. Some Republicans, particularly Mormon ones, let their anger be known, but they would largely join the rising coalition of Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Though Sanders lost the Democratic nomination, Bloomberg developed a desire for the Presidency. He ran against Clinton, running largely as a centrist, but emphasizing left-wing talking points and issues, campaigning mostly in the big cities.

Though Trump won the popular vote in his own right, Bloomberg guaranteed his victory. Bloomberg siphoned away some Mormon and establishment voters away from Trump's campaign, but his largest share of the demographics by far were liberal and urban whites. Clinton's own implosions, gaffes, and anger did not aid the Democrats any either. She maintained Obama's total share of the black vote, though black turnout was 10% lower than in 2012, and also held firmly onto Hispanics, which had a slightly higher turnout than in 2012. Regardless, Bloomberg's firm entrenchment upon the Democratic white share of the vote led to some interesting results. Bloomberg gained only 1 electoral vote, but ensured Trump won several swing and otherwise Democratic states. The closest states, Washington, Minnesota, and New York, immediately received recount orders. With his margin of victory, Trump would still be President even if all three states switched to Clinton after the recounts.

[Bigby]

Be Careful What You Wish For:

Governor George W. Bush (R - TX)/Fmr. Secdef Richard Cheney: 513 EVs.
Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. (D - TN)/Senator Joseph Lieberman (D - CT): 25 EVs.

Al Gore discovers a genie lamp while on vacation in Dubai. He rubs it and lo and behold, a genie pops out of the lamp. "I am al-Jinn, Granter of Wishes. For freeing me from my prison, I will grant you one wish." The Former Vice President grins widely and becomes ecstatic. "You probably already know who I am." The genie smiles and nods. "al-Jinn knows many things, Mr. Gore. Just be careful what you wish for." Gore nods. "Send me back to 2000 and let me win Florida! You can do damn anything else for all I care. Just please let me win that state against that rich chuckf[inks]." al-Jinn just grins and winks. "Of course, Mr. Vice President."

And so Al Gore wakes up on Election Night 2000, still the Vice President, still married to his wife, and still the same age and confident man. The first state to be called was oddly enough Florida - with Gore winning with 100% of the vote! Gore turns to his wife and says "The Oval Office is mine!" But then the other 49 states and D.C. are called immediately afterwards. Every other state and D.C. went solely to Governor Bush, also with 100% of the vote. George W. Bush won the popular vote and the electoral vote in a massive blowout. As Al Gore watched, he let out a wild scream and felt himself quickly slip into insanity. The last words he heard while sane were from al-Jinn: "Hey man, I got you Florida at least."

[Bigby]

1984:

Republican: Pres. Ronald Reagan (CA)/Vice Pres. Howard Baker (TN) - 60.80%, 535 EVs
Democratic: frm. Vice Pres. Walter Mondale (MN)/Rep. Geraldine Ferraro (NY) - 36.54%, 3 EVs

What happened to H.W.? And did Walter Mondale put a curse on his own home state?

[Bigby]

Paul Tsongas 1980, or Yet Another Young Massachusetts Man

Governor Paul Tsongas (D - MA)/Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D - TX): 319 EVs, 48% PV
Vice President Bob Dole (R - KS)/Congressman Phil Crane (R - IL): 219 EVs, 42% PV
Columnist Pat Buchanan (I - VA)/Fmr. Governor Cliff Finch (D - MS): 0 EVs, 6% PV
Fmr. Senator Eugene McCarthy (I - MN)/Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro (I - NY): 0 EVs, 3% PV

President Gerald Ford barely won the election of 1976 against Fmr. GA Governor Jimmy Carter by capturing the states of Wisconsin, Ohio, and Mississippi. Against all odds, Ford won the electoral vote despite clearly losing the popular vote. Just like Andrew Jackson in 1824 and Samuel Tilden in 1876, Carter was denied the Presidency due to the electoral college. The next four years were largely mixed. The economy and gas prices improved, but ultimately both persisted in an uncertain lull. In fact, it seemed like the economy was destined to tank again at any moment. In Iran, the pro-American Shah was overthrown by a joint coalition of Communists and radical Shia forces. Americans within the borders of Iran were left stranded in the revolution-torn country, but the Navy SEALS mission to rescue those hostages was a resounding success. Many Americans across the board became wealthier and more successful while other Americans, also across the board, became worse off. Ford's full term in office remains to this day one gigantic enigma, represented by his constantly evenly split approval and disapproval numbers.

The 22nd Amendment prohibited Ford from running again in 1980, a rule that seemed absolutely okay to the retiring President. His Vice President, Robert Dole of Kansas, campaigned against the conservative stalwart Reagan just as Ford did in 1976. What killed Reagan's chances was one factor: compromise. Dole immediately chose conservative Congressman Phil Crane of Illinois as his running mate should he get the nomination, which energized enough GOP voters to bring Dole barely but surely over the edge. Reagan stormed out of the convention alone, feeling betrayed by Crane and the few conservatives swayed by Dole's gambit. On the Democratic side, Paul Tsongas, who became Massachusetts Governor in 1978 after serving in the U.S. House for four years, tested his luck and ran for President. The liberal vote was divided between Senator Ted Kennedy, Fmr. Senator Eugene McCarthy, and Senator Walter Mondale, so the more moderate Tsongas consolidated the moderates outside of the Deep South, where protectionist Cliff Finch dominated. There were immense worries over Tsongas' steep economic centrism, but his staunch social liberalism and support for environmentalism meant that accusations of not being liberal enough failed to hold for long, especially when the three main liberal candidates refuse to cede to other two. At the convention, Tsongas doubled down on his fiscally moderate platform by choosing Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate. Like Reagan, Ted Kennedy stormed out of the convention angrily. Like Reagan, Kennedy was alone in his act.

The 1980 election became a battle between two economically moderate candidates that clung to their parties' respective guns on social issues. Dole, though not a man known for social conservatism, campaigned for the rights of socially conservative causes to expand their influence. He was no Pat Robertson, but Dole took a rather socially conservative line on these social issues once the South was in risk of drifting towards the Democrats. Likewise, Tsongas remained staunchly socially liberal when Dole was gaining in Northern and Pacific states. Most commentators agreed that Tsongas seemed more sincere than Dole on these issues. The polls never agreed. Some had Tsongas ahead, some had Dole ahead, but most had the two virtually tied. Furthermore, two third party candidates emerged before the debates that added to the chaos. Pat Buchanan, a right-wing columnist and former aide to Nixon, ran on a protectionist, law and order platform that attempted to combine the dissatisfied forces of Southerners and white ethic working class voters. Meanwhile, a more orthodox liberal movement led by Eugene McCarthy emerged; McCarthy only decided to jump in after Tsongas agreed to potential tax cuts in turn for environmental legislation during a CBS townhall. Both dissenters looked like they could have caused serious trouble for a long while... until Dole and Tsongas agreed to include them in a debate. Dole destroyed Buchanan while Tsongas destroyed McCarthy. In fact, both mainstream candidates spent more time attacking the third parties than they did with each other. With both insurrections largely squashed, normalcy had largely returned.

Election Day was a boon for the Democrats. In many states, the margin was less than .5% for both Dole and Tsongas, but Tsongas benefited more from the vote switching than Dole did. White ethnics, working class Americans, and Southern Democrats voted the most Republican they ever have in history, but Tsongas gained more from the wealthy and affluent Americans of all political stripes attracted by his message. What also hurt Dole was a slight bounce back by Buchanan in Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and other swing states. The Republicans oddly gained some House and Senate seats where traditionally Democratic voters were repulsed by Tsongas' adherence to free trade and more lax immigration laws, but it was moot: the Democrats comfortably held both chambers of Congress. Regardless, Tsongas' loyalty to the Democratic message was only apparent with his social platform, and the issue of economics was bound to become heated. With the most radical of protectionists and economic nationalists already fussing over Tsongas' self-admitted economic goals, there may be political hell to pay for being so un-apologetically moderate.