No Apology: A History of the Romney Administration

[KingSweden]

Ah, ok. Lots of key positions, maybe Special Advisor or whatever Rove's post was.

Thanks!

[Pericles]

Coming up is the Romney inauguration and Day One of the Romney presidency(this will have some of his first initiatives)

[The Congressman]

Wierd question, but: with McKenna wining WA Gov (I voted for him in that election) don2 breakaway Dems still cross the floor to help the GOP take control of the State Senate there?

Great TL btw. Well done

I'd think so so the GOP still gets the WA state Senate. It's possible they gain more seats but seems unlikely. Generally the Democrats are at a nadir now with big GOP congressional majorities (the House majority is much bigger than OTL). It's similar to OTL but Romney is  more effective than Trump with a stronger mandate and with Obama a one-termer Democrat morale is in the toilet. Plus the 2014 map is good for the GOP so they can gain even more seats but it's also possible they lose and the Democrats have more room to gain a majority than 2018 IRL. You will see in coming updates.

Thanks for the compliment.

Barring Romney having a massive popularity, the Democrats will gain house seats in 2014. The Governor's races would likely depend on the individual candidates, while in the Senate the GOP could gain all the McCain-state D senators even if they're struggling a bit nationally (the only R in an Obama-state would be Susan Collins, and she's uber-popular).

[Pericles]

DAY ONE
MITT ROMNEY INAUGURATED AS 45TH US PRESIDENT-JANUARY 20, 2013

At noon January 20, 2013, the 4-year term of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th US President ended, and Willard Mitt Romney took office as the 45th President of the United States. Romney is the first Mormon to be President of the United States. The inauguration was launched by Senator Roy Blunt(R-MO), who gave a short speech praising the peaceful transition of power and saying that "today begins a new era in our nation's history." Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader, gave a short speech then asked everyone to stand for the swearing-in. At 11:53 am, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas swore in Paul Ryan as Vice-President of the United States. Then, Chief Justice John Roberts administered the Oath of Office to the new President, Willard Mitt Romney. The inauguration crowd numbered around 300,000 people, though it is impossible to tell the exact number since the National Park Service stopped counting in 1995. Romney's crowd was significantly smaller than Obama's 1.8 million sized crowd in 2009, and much more in line with the size of George W Bush's 2005 inaugural. President Romney gave a half-hour speech to the crowd. Romney declared that "We are here today because of the freedom that was given to us by our forefathers and by generations past. Yet, we cannot be complacent with our freedom. While freedom was given to us by those who went before us, and while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth today, in this moment". Romney referenced Ronald Reagan, declaring "The antidote to our current malaise is to realize, as Ronald Reagan did over 30 years ago, that government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem. We do not need bigger government in America, we need working, effective government." Romney outlined his agenda for his presidency, promising to repeal and replace Obamacare, and making this "my first priority as President", tax cuts to stimulate the economy, "a removal of regulations that hold down America's potential and hurt our economy" and to "take real action" and "restore fiscal responsibility" to reduce the deficit. Romney declared "My mission as President will be getting America working again, and getting America back to work again."
PRESIDENT ROMNEY ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER, GRANTS ALL 50 STATES WAIVERS FROM OBAMACARE-JANUARY 20, 2013
ROMNEY ALLIES PROMISE 'BIG THINGS TO COME', 100 DAYS OF 'SHOCK THERAPY' FOR US

President Mitt Romney issued his first executive order today, setting in motion the process that would grant all 50 states waivers from the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Romney's order uses the law’s “state innovation waivers” to allow the states to opt out of some of the most fundamental pieces of the Affordable Care Act: the individual mandate, the health insurance exchanges and the requirements for some employers to provide coverage or face fines. The administration plans a quick follow-up with the repeal and replace of Obamacare with the American Health Freedom Act(AHFA) which is set to pass the House in the coming week, and Republicans plan to pass it through the Senate with 51 votes through reconciliation rules. Newly-confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Bobby Jindal said that under the 'state waiver provision' of Obamacare, states would be allowed to adhere to their own healthcare plans, and that he would have a wide latitude in interpreting the application of the law. The waivers under the current law do not become available until 2017, but the administration is seeking to change the rules on that matter. Romney declared "We are going to get things done, a lot of things will be accomplished. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said "This will be 100 days of shock therapy for our country. The President came from a business background, he has a record of turning around failing companies, and this is that on a mass scale."

[mvd10]

Did you read the Economist article about the first 100 days of a Romney administration? That might be helpful, but they (like Romney) assumed the Dems would have controlled the senate even if Romney won the WH so it's probably not applicable now.

[Pericles]

Did you read the Economist article about the first 100 days of a Romney administration? That might be helpful, but they (like Romney) assumed the Dems would have controlled the senate even if Romney won the WH so it's probably not applicable now.

I have read it and it is interesting and useful-this is one particular scenario but shares similarities with other scenarios of a Romney win.

[Israel]

Good speech!

[NHI]

Excellent update!

[The Congressman]

Since Obamacare hasn't been implemented yet (and with the striking down of the mandate by the Court), it'll be much easier to pass a simple repeal and replace

[Pericles]

Excellent update!

Thanks!

[Pericles]

Since Obamacare hasn't been implemented yet (and with the striking down of the mandate by the Court), it'll be much easier to pass a simple repeal and replace

Indeed I have heard it mentioned in the media that Republicans would have had a much easier time  repealing Obamacare in 2013. Plus the mandate has been struck down so the GOP can legitimately say the program is in a death spiral as without the mandate premium are rising rapidly. I'll explain in the next update what the  House's American Health care Freedom Act does. Will it still be called Romneycare do you think or something else since Romneycare is his Massachusetts plan? Republicans also have a bigger House majority and Romney is more legislatively experienced that  Trump. Still, Democrats won't be going down without a  fight.

[The Congressman]

I think it would be called "MittCare" just to differentiate it. The GOP will find it easier to repeal, but will probably have to take the "Repeal" then "Replace" later, like Ryan wanted to do initially. Romney will likely have Ryan take the point on the plan, as well as making the Ryan budget law.

[Pericles]

I think it would be called "MittCare" just to differentiate it. The GOP will find it easier to repeal, but will probably have to take the "Repeal" then "Replace" later, like Ryan wanted to do initially. Romney will likely have Ryan take the point on the plan, as well as making the Ryan budget law.

'Repeal and delay' was never feasible as it relied on Congress being competent and would plunge the health care system into chaos. MittCare could work, and Ryan will take a big role on entitlement issues.

[BigVic]

Calling the replacement Health Care bill "Romneycare"

Romneycare will be easily implemented with a large GOP majority in both the House and Senate

[Pericles]

Calling the replacement Health Care bill "Romneycare"

Romneycare will be easily implemented with a large GOP majority in both the House and Senate

I won't give away spoilers. The problem with Romneycare is that was already used for his Massachusetts plan and would bring up the plan that was very similar to Obamacare and perhaps dampen conservative support for the AHFA.

[Pericles]

Stay tuned for the Romney first 100 days and health care reform.

[NHI]

Stay tuned for the Romney first 100 days and health care reform.

Staying tuned!!

[Pericles]

WHAT IS THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE FREEDOM ACT?

The American Healthcare Freedom Act, also known as AHFA or Mittcare, is the Republican bill in the House to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the law commonly known as Obamacare. Republicans have promised to repeal and replace Obamacare ever since it was passed in 2010, and now with unified control of the presidency, the House and the Senate, they are in a position to do so. Here's what the bill does:

• Formally repeals the individual mandate in Obamacare that was overturned by the Supreme Court last year
• Restricts federal regulation of the healthcare market, but keeps Obamacare requirements protecting people with pre-existing conditions and allows kids to stay on their parent's plan until their turn 26,
   preserves ban on lifetime coverage limits
• Repeals Obamacare's Medicaid expansion, 'shifts responsibilities to the states' in form of block grants
• Repeals Obamacare taxes, including medical device tax
• Esssential health benefits of Obamacare reduced
• Creates 'health savings accounts' allowing consumers to put up to $10,000 into a tax-free health savings account
• Caps non-economic damage awarded in medical malpractice cases
• Obamacare subsidies turned into flat tax credit
• Gives tax deduction to those who buy their own insurance just like those who buy it through employers
• Ends enforcement of federal regulations barring insurers selling across state lines
• Spends $250 billion on high risk-pools for sick patients

The American Healthcare Freedom Act has been criticized by Democrats as they argue it would increase premiums for the elderly and sick, would be a 'tax giveaway' to the rich and would reduce insurance coverage. Conservative experts have defended the bill arguing that it would be a 'common-sense' approach to healthcare and reduce premiums and improve consumer choice. However, the bill has been criticized as too moderate and 'Obamacare-lite' by conservative Republicans, and many Tea Party Representatives have come out against the bill, as has the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation. The Republican House leadership is confident they have the votes to pass the bill, and it passed out of committee on January 19 despite objections by Democrats that the process was 'rushed.' A Gallup poll shows that 46% of Americans support the bill and 46% oppose it. Vice-President Paul Ryan, who has been working with congressional Republicans on the bill, said that he believes the bill can be on the President's desk within the first 100 days.
WHITE HOUSE TO RELEASE TAX PLAN ON FEBRUARY 10-JANUARY 22, 2013

VICE-PRESIDENT PAUL RYAN TO BEGIN WORK ON MEDICARE REFORM PLAN-JANUARY 23, 2012

ROMNEY ADMINISTRATION RAMPS UP SUPPORT FOR MODERATE SYRIAN REBELS, PRESIDENT 'COMMITTED' TO REMOVAL OF SYRIAN DICTATOR BASHAR AL-ASSAD-JANUARY 25, 2013
CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT-JANUARY 26, 2013
PRESIDENT ROMNEY VOWS SCALIA REPLACEMENT WILL BE 'SOLID CONSERVATIVE'

JOE BIDEN, HILLARY CLINTON LEAD 2016 DEMOCRATIC FIELD-JANUARY 31, 2013
45% CLINTON, 24% BIDEN, 12% ELIZABETH WARREN, 5% ANDREW CUOMO, 2% O'MALLEY, 1% GILLIBRAND, 1% WARNER

HOUSE PASSES AMERICAN HEALTHCARE FREEDOM ACT-JANUARY 31, 2013
HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL PASSES 226-209

The House of Representatives voted last night, by a margin of 226-209, to pass the American Healthcare Freedom Act, the Republican bill that repeals and replaces Obamacare. The bill passed easily due to a large Republican majority of 254 seats in the House, but 28 Republicans, most of them conservative Tea Partiers, voted against the bill, and the bill did not get a single Democratic vote. The AHFA now goes to the Senate, where it needs a simple majority(in fact 50 votes as Vice-President Ryan would cast the tie-breaking vote in favor if it is 50-50). This is because Republicans plan to pass the bill through reconciliation requirements(this requires it all relate to the budget, so it prevents some of Obamacare's regulatory changes from being repealed) to avoid a Democratic filibuster. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated the House on passing the bill and says he intends to have the AHFA on the President's desk by the end of his first 100 days as President.
CAN REPUBLICANS WIN A FILIBUSTER-PROOF MAJORITY IN 2014?

The Republican Party has hegemony over Washington and dominance over the House, Senate and presidency. But the worst may still be to come for the Democrats. The 2014 Senate election map is bleak for the Democrats, and they will be defending 21 seats to 15 Republican seats. Many of those seats are in red states that are rapidly turning away from the Democratic Party, and Democrats will have to defend their gains from the 2008 wave. Vulnerable Democratic seats include Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. More may become vulnerable as Democrat incumbents retire. Democrats only have a chance at picking up Kentucky(the seat of Majority Leader McConnell) and Georgia, which they came close to winning in 2008, but chances are slim as both are solidly red states. The main Democrat hope of a new Senate seat is the special election later this year for the Ohio Senate seat, as Republican Senator Rob Portman has become Treasury Secretary in the Romney administration. Republicans have expressed hope of taking a big majority in the Senate, with RNC Chair Reince Preibus saying "60 plus seats are in the cards." Democrats will need to reckon with their internal divisions and how they lost Middle America this year if they hope to stop Republicans from reaching that goal.

[Israel]

Good update!

[The Congressman]

They could get close to 60 seats, given that a lot of states in 2014 are very red ones that are held by Ds.
I can't wait to see Scalia's replacement. Gorsuch is a likely candidate, obviously, but Mitt could go with someone else. Bill Pryor or Dianne Sykes would be my best bets at this point

[Jaguar4life]

Wonder if Obama will try to pull a Grover Cleveland.

[Pericles]

Wonder if Obama will try to pull a Grover Cleveland.

He lost the popular vote too so probably no.

[Pericles]

They could get close to 60 seats, given that a lot of states in 2014 are very red ones that are held by Ds.
I can't wait to see Scalia's replacement. Gorsuch is a likely candidate, obviously, but Mitt could go with someone else. Bill Pryor or Dianne Sykes would be my best bets at this point

Republicans do have a good map. However the midterms ultimately depend on Romney's popularity at the time. Obama's approval rating in the low 40s did Senate Democrats in more than the bad map. Plus the article underestimates GOP seats that could be taken-Georgia is a ripe target actually,  Kansas could be in play too and it's possible a Tea Party challenge opens up another seat.

The Supreme Court will be interesting. The seat is a good way for Romney to satisfy social conservatives with very little blowback elsewhere. That's what Donald trump found. I may do a different pick than Gorsuch.

[Pericles]

Stay tuned for the Romney first 100 days and health care reform.

Staying tuned!!

Thanks! Thoughts on the latest update?

[Pericles]

TEA PARTY REVOLTS AGAINST AHFA

The House healthcare reform bill has attracted opposition from conservative Republicans in the Senate and conservative groups, which worries that the bill is 'Obamacare-Lite' and that it retains too much of Obamacare. The consumer protections in Obamacare have been retained in the House's American Healthcare Freedom Act, notably banning discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions, as well as continued government spending and intervention in the insurance market, have been opposed by Tea Partiers. Senator Rand Paul(R-KY) said "Frankly, this bill isn't good enough. We were elected to repeal and replace Obamacare, the House bill does not do that. I want a bill that eliminates the big government disaster of Obamacare." With 52 seats in the Senate, Republicans can only afford to lose 3 votes if they want to succeed in repealing and replacing Obamacare.
HARRY REID: 'MITTCARE' IS UN-AMERICAN, CLASS WARFARE AGAINST THE POOR-FEBRUARY 3, 2013

CBO REPORT ON AHFA PREDICTS 10 MILLION FEWER WILL BE INSURED THAN UNDER OBAMACARE-FEBRUARY 4, 2013

The Congressional Budget Office(CBO) has released its report on the impact of the AHFA(also known as 'Mittcare'). The CBO predicts that 10 million more people would be uninsured under the AHFA than Obamacare, though notes that the numbers of uninsured have risen sharply due to the scrapping of the individual mandate and that the healthcare market is in major flux. The CBO predicts the AHFA would reduce the deficit by $98 billion over a decade, and premiums for older, sicker Americans would increase by up to 350%. Premiums for younger, healthier Americans would decrease by up to 50% and average premiums would decrease over the long-term, though this is partly due to the market being younger and healthier. Democrats have attacked Republicans for voting on the AHFA prior to the report's release, and said that the report proves that 'Mittcare' is "heartless", with Nancy Pelosi saying "This bill has been rammed through, and now we see it would have disastrous consequences and make healthcare less affordable and hurt millions of Americans." However, Republicans hailed the report and Vice-President Ryan tweeted "CBO report confirms it → American Healthcare Freedom Act will lower premiums & improve access to quality, affordable care. " A new Quinnipac poll has shown 50% oppose the AHFA and 45% support it.
DEMOCRATS TARGET HAMM IN CONFIRMATION HEARINGS, HAMM SAYS THERE'S 'NO CONCLUSIVE VERDICT' ON CLIMATE CHANGE-FEBRUARY 5, 2013

DEMOCRATS FILIBUSTER HAMM, SENATE VOTES 53-47 FOR HAMM, 7 SHORT OF 60 VOTES-FEBRUARY 7, 2013
SENATOR MANCHIN(D-WV)ONLY DEMOCRAT TO SUPPORT HAMM
MCCONNELL THREATENS TO INVOKE 'NUCLEAR OPTION' ON 'DEMOCRAT OBSTRUCTIONISM'

ROMNEY APPROVAL RATING: 56%-FEBRUARY 10, 2013

WHITE HOUSE RELEASES TAX PLAN-FEBRUARY 10, 2013

President Romney has released his tax plan. The plan is based on his campaign promises, and cuts taxes sharply, especially for higher-income earners. The plan cuts income taxes by 20%, and reduces the top income tax rate to 28%, a low since 1990. The estate tax, derisively referred to by conservatives as the 'death tax' will be abolished, as will be the Alternative Minimum Tax. Corporate taxes are reduced from 35% to 25%, a reduction the administration says will make the US economy more competitive globally. The Refundable Tax Credit and EITC are retained, but are made less generous. Romney has claimed that the plan would be paid for with reductions in loopholes, and has proposed a dollar limit on tax deductions. OMB Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin told reporters on the release of the plan that it would increase government revenues by "jumpstarting economic growth and reviving our stagnant economy." However, non-partisan estimates have predicted that the deficit would increase by hundreds of billions of dollars if the Romney plan is passed. House Speaker Boehner has said that the GOP will finish Obamacare repeal and replace first, but plans to put the proposed Tax Relief and Economic Revival Act(TRERA) to a vote by May this year.
DEMOCRATS LEAD IN GENERIC CONGRESSIONAL BALLOT(RASMUSSEN POLL) -FEBRUARY 11, 2013
DEMOCRATIC-41%, REPUBLICAN-38%

PRESIDENT ROMNEY ADDRESSES CONGRESS, SAYS 'WE ARE GETTING AMERICA WORKING AGAIN'-FEBRUARY 12, 2013

President Romney addressed both houses of Congress. The President declared that "We have started off with an agenda of action. These 100 days will be remembered as a historic turning point for our country, if we live up to the challenge." President Romney outlined his plans for the first 100 days, pushing his conservative vision. Romney called on Congress to "act swiftly and decisively" to repeal and replace Obamacare and cut taxes, and said that this would be followed with repeal of "burdensome" regulations that "hold our economy back" and that "this administration will finally take much-needed action to reform entitlements and fix our broken budget and sky-high deficit." Romney called on Congress to rally behind him, saying "We have a historic opportunity to change America. America needs real reform, real leadership and a real recovery." Romney declared that "we are making America stronger and respected again. We are getting America working again and getting Americans back to work."
NORTH KOREA CONDUCTS THIRD UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TEST-FEBRUARY 12, 2013

PRESIDENT ROMNEY NOMINATES BILL PRYOR TO FILL SCALIA SEAT-FEBRUARY 13, 2013

President Romney announced that he has chosen Judge William H Pryor as his choice to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. Pryor is 50 years old, judge on the 11th Circut Court of Appeals and a former Attorney General of Alabama. He is a staunch conservative and further to the right than other expected picks, and he once said that Roe v Wade was ?the worst abomination of constitutional law?. President Romney said "Judge Pryor is a choice we can all be proud of. He will follow in the mold of Antonin Scalia as an originalist jurist, and will respect and protect our Constitution and the liberties endowed to us by it. I selected Judge Pryor with the belief that he will be a strong and influential conservative presence on the Court for many years to come." The choice came as a surprise to most observers, but received strong support from evangelical conservatives. Democrats condemned the Pryor nomination, and within hours Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid promised to filibuster Pryor and predicted he would not get a single Democratic vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised the selection of Pryor as a "truly admirable jurist" and threatened Reid that if "Democrats continue to obstruct the daily business of government, in an unprecedented fashion, then we will be forced to work through them."
PELOSI CHALLENGER REP TIM RYAN RUNS FOR OHIO SENATE SEAT-FEBRUARY 15, 2013
STRICKLAND LEADS RYAN IN PRIMARY 49-26%
ROB PORTMAN'S SENATE SEAT WILL ELECT NEW SENATOR ON JUNE 16

ROMNEY, RYAN MEET WITH SENATORS TO WIN THEM OVER TO AHFA-FEBRUARY 20, 2013

JOE BIDEN SAYS RUN IN 2016 'LIKELY', BOASTS GOOD JUDGEMENT, POINTS TO OPPOSITION TO OPERATION NEPTUNE SPEAR-FEBRUARY 25, 2013
HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTED DISASTROUS OPERATION NEPTUNE SPEAR

POPE BENEDICT XVI RESIGNS-FEBRUARY 28, 2013

US UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FALLS TO 7.4%-MARCH 1, 2013