By a Fluke of the Gods: Cox Defeats Harding

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 4-01-2007
Event Description: Governor Mitt Romney (Republican of Massachusetts) announces his candidacy for President of the United States, making the economy his main talking point in his speech from Boston. “The fundamentals of the U.S. economy are shaky at best,” Romney tells his supporters, “We rely on too much foreign debt, oil and ties to keep the Ship of State above water. When I become president I will run this country like a business, and bring the entrepreneurial of America to Washington.” Romney’s campaign slogan will be, “Washington is Broken,” with the promise that he, a hard boiled executive, will put it together. “That’s a harder job than all the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men had,” columnist Robert Novak comments.

Event Date: 4-02-2007
Event Description: French Minister of State Bertrand Delanoë defeats former National Assemblywoman Ségolène Royal at the Socialist Party of France convention, keeping the party under the influence of popular President Lionel Jospin. The Socialist platform calls for France to continue to reject entrance into the European Union. The Rally for the Republic Party, the conservative slate of France, will nominate Paris Mayor Nicholas Sarkozy for the presidency, setting up a close and negative race between the two up and coming French politicians.

Event Date: 4-08-2007
Event Description: Controversial director Oliver Stone releases another film espousing conspiracy theories. “The Plot to Kill Reagan” comes to theatres today, with all facts being based off of a chapter in Timothy McVeigh’s “CIA: Conspiracy in America.” The movie tells the story how CIA agent Robert Mason (portrayed by Christian Bale, McVeigh’s favorite actor) is order by CIA Captain Richard White, a Russo-Chinese War veteran (portrayed by John Lithgow), to assassinate radio and TV legend Ronald Reagan (portrayed by Alan Alda) in 1976. The line of the movie is Lithgow’s response to why Reagan needs to be killed, “The only way to quiet a radio man is to either sow their mouth together or kill them. Reagan isn’t worth the thread.” While the film is relatively successful, it receives poor reviews from critics.

Event Date: 4-14-2007
Event Description: In a mass rally in St. Petersburg, Russia, chess champion Gary Kasparov attacks Russian President Vladimir Zhirinovsky, claiming he is, “Putin without the style points.” The chess master claims that Zhirinovsky is planning, “An invasion of the Republic of Georgia to violate the peace treaty made in 2006. He and his National Party are power hungry and want to opposition to them in Eastern Europe.” This speech enrages Zhirinovsky, who attacks Kasparov on Pravda as, “An alcoholic checkers connoisseur.”

Event Date: 4-21-2007
Event Description: Vice-President Kay Bailey Hutchinson (Democrat of Texas) announces from Austin, Texas, that she will seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. “I want to keep up the tradition of small government and competent leadership set by President Webb,” Hutchinson declares in her announcement address, “I offer continued prosperity for this nation.” While Republicans are quick to attack Hutchinson for being “four more years of the same”, the Gallup Poll shows that 53% of Americans feel better of today than four years ago; showing that Hutchinson’s strategy to run with Webb may propel her into the White House.

Event Date: 4-30-2007
Event Description: The Reverend Martin Luther King, Junior, who had campaigned against poverty and discrimination for more than fifty years, dies in his sleep at his home in Selma, Alabama. The good reverend was seventy-eight years old and had outlived his wife Corretta Scott King by a year and three months. The Senate will vote to have Dr. King lie in state, in honor of King’s life defending the defenseless.

Event Date: 5-05-2007
Event Description: President Reginald Jackson’s Chief of Staff, Michael Nutter, wins the crowded Republican Primary for Mayor of Philadelphia. Nutter defeated Congressman Chaka Fattah and three other African-American candidates, though President Jackson had openly supported his Chief of Staff for the nomination giving Nutter a strong advantage in the race. Nutter is expected to easily defeat his Democratic opponent in the mayoral race, keeping the legacy of Reginald Jackson alive in the City of Brotherly Love.

Event Date: 5-06-2007
Event Description: In the run off election for President of France, Minister of State Bertrand Delanoë defeats Paris Mayor Nicholas Sarkozy by a 51-49% margin, or less than 25,000 votes. This victory keeps the Socialists in power in Paris, but also the EU out of it.

Event Date: 5-20-2007
Event Description: President Webb refuses a deal by Dubai, Saudi Arabia, businessmen to hand port protection in several U.S. shipping harbors. “I feel that to outsource such a job would be a slap in the face to American customs officers,” President Webb tells the Saudi businessmen in a meeting at the White House, “I thank you for the offer, but I can not take it.”

Event Date: 5-29-2007
Event Description: Senator Sam Brownback (Democrat of Kansas) announces his candidacy for President of the United States, making the issues of stem cell research and humanitarian help stand out as his guiding points. After making a speech calling for America to protect, “its culture of life,” Brownback comments to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, “I see Vice-President Hutchinson as far too pro-abortion rights.” He cites how Hutchinson opposed a state ban on early pregnancy abortions in Texas back in 2002.

Event Date: 6-08-2007
Event Description: The Spacecraft Tomorrow touches down 12-miles off the coast of New Zealand, with the crew healthy, happy and inspired by their history making trip to Mars. “Nothing like a trip to a distant planet to make you feel young again,” sixty-one year old Captain Michael Smith quips as he is taken to the mainland.

Event Date: 6-14-2007
Event Description: Since June began, a massive hurricane like storm has caused countless destruction and incredible suffering for the people of New South Wales, Australia. Today, more then thirty-five people have been killed, hundreds are injured and thousands have lost their homes and life to the storm. Despite this suffering, Prime Minister Mark Latham does not respond to the crisis, except in attacking Labor Party leaders for, “Unwisely stripping our country of national guard reserves.” This is typical Latham, some would say, arguing with his party during a crisis. “It is becoming all but certain,” the Australian newspaper comments, “That Latham’s government will not last after the 2007 general elections.”

Event Date: 6-21-2007
Event Description: Former Governor George Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Rudolph Giuliani tell Tim Russert on Meet the Press that neither of them will seek the presidency in 2008. “I have the most important job in the Senate,” Giuliani tells Russert, “Why would I want to give it up to make a run for president I can’t win?”   

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 7-01-2007
Event Description: Senator John Warner (Republican of Virginia) and Congressman Todd Tiahrt (Democrat of Kansas, working closely with the White House, save more than twenty Boeing Airplane contracts from foreign competitors. “This was about American jobs and not the quick dollar,” Congressman Tiahrt tells the press after the victory is won, “I’m glad President Webb and Secretary Clark saw it that way.”

Event Date: 7-09-2007
Event Description: Congressman Tom Tancredo (Democrat of Colorado) announces his candidacy for President of the United States, running under the slogan, “Country First.” “I want an America that speaks English, reveres Washington and doesn’t reward criminals,” Tancredo declares, “The Webb Administration has decided to support a ‘guest worker program’ which says that illegal can cross the border and skip ahead in line to come work American jobs. Webb and Hutchinson are selling out America to appeal to a country that almost elected a Socialist government.” The Democratic Primary is now made up of three bomb throwing conservative leaders and the kindly, almost too kind, vice-president.

Event Date: 7-18-2007
Event Description: Nelson Mandella, the former President of South Africa, becomes the President of the African Union following a close ballot battle with Zimbabwe President Morgan Tsvangirai. Mandela, who is seen as leftist by many of his contemporaries, will become the first non-incumbent world leader to lead a continental union.

Event Date: 7-20-2007
Event Description: In a surprise announcement, Senator Rick Santorum (Democrat of Pennsylvania) announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Santorum, who has served in the Senate since 1995, was reelected by a 55-44% margin in 2006 over Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. “We need a real Kemp Conservative to become president in 2009,” Senator Santorum tells a cheering crowd in Scranton, Pennsylvania, “The lessons of the last six and a half years have shown me and America that ‘conservative light’ is just as bad as the Republican Party’s ideology is.”

Event Date: 7-25-2007
Event Description: Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Socialist leader, and “President in Exile,” Lopez Obrador meets in Mexico City at the President’s Mansion to sign an historic understanding. Obrador agrees to relinquish his claim to the presidency, while President Calderon agrees to allow a national referendum on unionization of Mexican oil fields. This does not go over well in the White House, where President Webb accuses Calderon of, “Making a deal with the reddest devil in North America.”

Event Date: 8-02-2007
Event Description: President Webb introduces a more liberal budget than he has ever before even though of. This new budget includes increases in public housing, jobs training, Head Start and public school lunches. Conservatives are outraged, with Rush Limbaugh stating, “Webb has gone to the left in his old age.” Senator Tom Coburn (Democrat of Oklahoma) vows to, “Fight the bill until hell freezes over, and then fight on ice skates.”

Event Date: 8-10-2007
Event Description: House Budget Chairman, Congressman Phil English (Democrat of Pennsylvania), decides to open a vote on gutting the Webb Budget, which is supported by most Democrats on the committee. The new budget leaves little to no increases in funding for job training and public housing, while completely striking any education funding increases. “I will never accept this atrocity to my real budget plan,” President Webb tells the press, “Mr. English will have to change his mind on this new plan.” Speaker of the House Blunt, caught between a rock and a hard place, defers to the president, ordering English to amend his budget plan, with English refusing to compromise.

Event Date: 8-12-2007
Event Description: Congressman English meets with President Webb at the White House, with the president wasting no time giving the congressman his marching orders. “You will accept my original budget, English,” President Webb sternly tells the congressman. “I can’t do that Mr. President,” English responds, “It would go against the Democratic principle of balanced budgets and limited spending. These are things you were elected and reelected on, Mr. President.” After a long pause, the president tells English, “You will do what I say or lose every penny of federal funding for your district, Phil.” This threat throws English back a little. “You mean to blackmail me, Mr. President?” English asks Webb. “Do what you are told, sir,” Webb tells the stunned congressman, and he leaves the Oval Office. Congressman English leaves the White House, telling reporters, “The president acted in a way I would not have expected.”

Event Date: 8-14-2007
Event Description: Congressman Phil English and Senator Rick Santorum hold a joint press conference in front of Capital Hill, in which they both blast, as Santorum says, “The new free spending spirit in the White House.” English describes how, “President Webb tired to strong arm me into supporting his big government budget.” Talk radio turns on President Webb, with Rush Limbaugh leading the charge. “America can’t afford any more of President Webb,” Limbaugh states on his radio program, “He has shown that he is not a real conservative, he is his joke ‘compassionate conservative.’ Yes, he’s very compassionate with our heard earned dollars.”

Event Date: 8-21-2007
Event Description: Facing assaults from Democrats in Congress and the airwaves, President Webb capitulates to the demands of Congressman English. “The president has shown that he has the backbone of a jello mold,” Senator Feingold tells a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, “He, and his vice-president, are controlled by the far right and that is the plain and simple truth.”       
     
Event Date: 9-03-2007
Event Description: Australian Prime Minister Mark Latham barely holds onto leadership of his party at the 2007 Labor Party National Convention. His weak leadership on the economy and the aftermath of massive storms in New South Wales as well as his constant arguments with Labor Party leaders leads to Latham fighting for the role of party leader in the 2007 federal elections. Kevin Rudd, a powerful member of parliament from Griffith, leads an upstart political rebellion in the party, though he is defeated in his bid for party leadership. Prime Minister Latham will face Liberal/National Party Coalition leader Julie Bishop in the upcoming contest.

Event Date: 9-13-2007
Event Description: President Webb presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the six astronauts of the Spacecraft Tomorrow in a gala celebration. “You traveled to stars and beyond them,” President Webb tells the brave crew, “You deserve far more than a mere medal.” Choked up with emotion, all Captain Mark Smith can say for his crew is, “We took just one small step for man in space.”

Event Date: 9-29-2007
Event Description: In a Democratic Debate in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Senator Rick Santorum slams Vice-President Kay Bailey Hutchinson for, “Being the strongest advocate for the liberal Webb Budget in the entire party.” While Hutchinson defends her conservative credentials, Santorum stays on the attack, calling the Veep, “The president’s faithful ‘yes man.’” These attacks are seen as cruel by the audience and the press, especially since Hutchinson is known for her charming and clam demeanor. “The woman issue”, which never seemed to be applied to Hillary Rodham in 2000, has reared it’s head in Hutchinson’s favor.

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 10-02-2007
Event Description: President Webb and Secretary of State Bolton travel to Pyongyang, North Korea, becoming the first president and Secretary of State to visit the powerfully socialist and authoritarian nation. The duo has traveled here to attend the Inter-Korean Summit. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il meet to discuss opening trade and borders for the first time since the country split in the 1950s. “I see a ray of hope coming from these meetings,” President Webb tells the two Korean leaders. In the end, economic sanctions will be ended between the two nations and free trade will begin for the first time in the history of the Korean Peninsula. 

Event Date: 10-18-2007
Event Description: The trial of General Michael Hayden, the former CIA Director, begin in Washington, D.C. Due to trouble over finding legal counsel for the disgraced general lead to the trial be postponed for an entire month. The next seven weeks are embarrassing ones for President Webb, as Hayden paints a picture of a White House which gave him and his fellow agents free reign over not just the country, but the whole of the world.

Event Date: 10-28-2007
Event Description: Argentina opts to embrace the anti-socialist and pro-American attitudes of her neighbors by electing Elisa Carrió, the nominee of the conservative Civic Coalition Confederation, over Socialist Party nominee Cristina Fernández. The Webb Administration will grant in kind more economic stimulus money for the struggling nation. “The president’s policy of buying governments is appalling,” left-winged writer Noam Chomsky opines in the New York Times, “It strips autonomous nation’s of their right to select their own government.”

Event Date: 11-03-2007
Event Description: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is overthrown in a bloodless coup by former President Benazir Bhutto and the military. The corrupt and oppressive regime of Musharraf led to the military seeing the error of their ways in supporting the man in his power grab seven years ago. With the backing of President Webb and most of the West, Bhutto and her allies were able to create a popular uprising and force General Musharraf from the seat of power. The general commits suicide as his own allies turn on him. “It is time for our nation to experience a new birth of freedom,” Lieutenant General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, a former Musharraf strong man, tells the Associated Press, “Our long national crisis has come to an end.”

Event Date: 11-06-2007
Event Description: Gubernatorial elections in Kentucky and Mississippi show that both states are open to breaking the more than one-hundred and thirty year Democratic hold on them. In Kentucky, corrupt Democratic Governor Ernie Fletcher is beaten by a twenty-point margin by Republican businessman Bruce Lunsford, who was seen as the underdog less than four months ago. The greatest upset of the night, however, comes in Mississippi, as the Magnolia State elected Republican Congressman Bennie Thompson the first African-American governor in the state’s history. Congressman Thompson defeats State Senator Phil Bryant, a very conservative Democrat who won a six way primary. The negative feelings of the Democratic Primary depressed party turnout, allowing Congressman Thompson to win by a 51-49% margin.

Event Date: 11-11-2007
Event Description: President Webb, using Veteran’s Day as a backdrop, announces that his number one goal in 2008 will be, “Creating a new and better GI Bill for all of America’s heroes serving over seas.” The GI Bill, passed in 1940 after the Japanese-American War, has become nearly obsolete with rising college costs and business start up fees. The old GI Bill also has no means of paying for long term health care. Senator John Kerry (Republican of Massachusetts), George W. Bush (Republican of Connecticut) and Dan Quayle (Democrat of Indiana), all Russo-Chinese War veterans, have agreed to sponsor the new bill.

Event Date: 11-20-2007
Event Description: In another sign of President Webb’s growing unpopularity with his own party, conservative author Jerome Corsi releases his latest book, “A Nation Betrayed: The Hidden Presidency of James Webb.” The book blasts Webb for his, “lax management of the CIA, FBI and the Pentagon,” pointing to documents from the recent CIA-Mexico Affair. Corsi points out that Webb allowed the CIA to interfere in elections, military coups and power grabs in Venezuela, Nicaragua, Vietnam and the Philippines. The book also coins the term “Toga President.” “A ‘toga president’ is what James Webb truly is,” Corsi writes, “It is a president who taxes his people to pay for wars, invasions, secret operations and massive social spending. In short, a ‘toga president’ is a would be emperor, and one who fiddles why his country burns as well.” President Webb does not comment on the book, but Vice-President Hutchinson does, calling it, “Drivel whose pages are so full of lies that no self-respecting fish would want to be wrapped in it.” “I guess the truth hurts,” Congressman Tancredo tells a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, “The truth that Webb and Hutchinson are fake conservatives.”

Event Date: 11-24-2007
Event Description: Prime Minister Mark Latham and the Labor Party of Australia are thrown from power in a major way. Liberal/National Party coalition leader Julie Bishop leads her party to victory as they pick up thirty-seven seats in parliament. This is the most devastating loss for the Labor Party in more than thirty years. Julie Bishop will become the first female Prime Minister of Australia on December 3rd, 2007.

Event Date: 12-09-2007
Event Description: Senator Sam Brownback (Democrat of Kansas), who had run his campaign on pro-life issues, drops out of the race for president, endorsing Senator Santorum at a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “The leader of the pro-life movement in America is Rick Santorum,” Senator Brownback tells the cheering audience, “He is the only man I trust to lead the conservative movement, and I know our party feels the same way.”

Event Date: 12-13-2007
Event Description: General Michael Hayden is found guilty of all charges against him in his federal trial and sentenced to ten years in a federal penitentiary. “My only regret is that the president is not given the same treatment,” General Hayden remarks upon being sentenced.

Event Date: 12-27-2007
Event Description: While speaking in favor of a new Pakistani Constitution, President Benazir Bhutto narrowly escapes assassination from two former Musharraf strongmen. The two assassins used car bombs to try to murder the new leader, but presidential protection officers were able to get Bhutto to a safe area until the attack was over. The aftermath of the attack leaves twenty civilians dead, but President Bhutto, though shaken, is still very much alive.   

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Fantastic update; although I'm hoping Santorum doesn't get the nomination.

[Captain Chaos]

Since George W. Bush and Jodi Rell are Senators from Connecticut, what is Joe Lieberman doing in TTL?

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 1-01-2008
Event Description: With the Iowa Caucus just two days away, Vice-President Kay Bailey Hutchinson releases three vicious attack ads on Senator Santorum, calling him, “The Republican’s choice for president,” because of his perceived extremism and unelectability. “When you are running so far behind in a state, I guess you have to run desperate ads,” Senator Santorum tells a rally in Keokuk, Iowa, “Hutchinson can’t win on conservative principles, so she is trying to win on negative, false attacks.”

Event Date: 1-03-2008
Event Description: The Iowa Caucus comes in for Senators Santorum and Feingold. On the Democratic side, Senator Santorum wins 41% of the vote to Vice-President Hutchinson’s 36%. Governor Barbour wins a mere 15% of the vote as the Religious Right came out for Santorum over the Mississippi executive. Congressman Tom Tancredo, who wins just 8% of the vote, drops out of the race and endorses Senator Santorum. On the Republican front, Senator Russ Feingold wins a 38-36% victory over Governor Romney, who spent more than $150 million in Iowa. Governor Coleman, who wins 22% of the vote, drops out of the race endorsing his friend Governor Romney. Governor Mark Warner wins just 4% of the vote, but he had sat out Iowa to focus on New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

Event Date: 1-05-2008
Event Description: The new Pakistani Constitution passes by a 96-4% margin in a nationwide referendum. The new constitution mirrors that of the U.S. Constitution, assuring the freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly and the right to vote for all men and women above the age of eighteen. This new liberal democracy in Pakistan inflames the angers of Islamic fundamentalist around the world, who vow to destroy the new government of Pakistan.

Event Date: 1-08-2008
Event Description: Vice-President Hutchinson saves her campaign by winning the New Hampshire Primary by a 45-43% margin over Senator Santorum. While the Club for Growth, a powerful group of economic conservatives, had ran several attack ads against Hutchinson, her support from “reform Democrats” in the state gave her the narrow win. On the Republican side, Governor Romney uses his neighboring state and money advantage to narrowly best Senator Feingold, with Governor Warner finishing a strong third saving his campaign.

Event Date: 1-12-2008
Event Description: Senators John Kerry, Dan Quayle and George W. Bush begin meeting with veterans groups across the nation to write the new GI Bill. In the House of Representatives, Congressman John McCain (Democrat of Arizona) and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (Republican of Ohio) will lead the fight for the soldier’s bill. The major focus of the bill will be increasing college aid for soldiers and ensuring clean VA hospitals and health care.

Event Date: 1-15-2008
Event Description: The Michigan Primary gives big wins to Vice-President Hutchinson and Governor Romney. Romney, whose father served as Governor of Michigan, uses his business acumen to woo the support of the auto industry. Senator Feingold and Governor Warner fought back, however, with the Wisconsin Senator attacking Romney for voting for several free trade agreements while he was a Senator from Massachusetts. On the Democratic side, Vice-President Hutchinson’s big win over Senator Santorum came from moderate Democrats who were turned off from Santorum’s wooing of the Religious Right.

Event Date: 1-18-2008
Event Description: Islamic terrorists fire twenty rounds of mortar shots at the Pakistani city of Kalat, located in southwestern Pakistan. Southern Pakistan has shown the most resistance to the new Bhutto government and to liberal reforms in the national constitution.

Event Date: 1-19-2008
Event Description: Governor Mark Warner wins his first state victory in the Nevada Caucus, narrowly defeating Governor Romney who spent upwards of $70 million in the state. Warner’s endorsement from Los Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and the AFL/CIO of Nevada gave him a strong base of support, thus allowing him to offset Romney’s money advantage. Vice-President Hutchinson’s big money backers in Nevada are able to recruit more caucus goers than Santorum’s supporters in Nevada megachurches, giving the Veep a 51-44% win over the Keystone State legislator.

Event Date: 1-24-2008
Event Description: French President Bertrand Delanoë issues a general order denationalizing all public transportation, a move which directly conflicts the positions of the Socialist Party. “I feel it is time that the busses, trains and tunnels work for the people,” President Delanoë tells the press, “And not the government agents.” This statement begins a rift between “True Socialists”, led by presidential rival Ségolène Royal, and “Middle Socialists” who follow President Delanoë.

Event Date: 1-26-2008
Event Description: The primaries go down to Dixie as South Carolina gives Senator Santorum an upset win over his two Southern rivals. Governor Barbour, who had spent the entire campaign season in the Palmetto State, was unable to woo Santorum’s religious and moral supporters to his camp. Many churchgoers were offended by Barbour’s last ten years as a lobbyist for tobacco companies. Santorum wins with 52% of the vote, with Hutchinson securing 34% and Barbour winning a negligible 14% of the vote. This disappointing finish causes Barbour to drop out of the race and endorse, “The only conservative in the race, Senator Santorum.” Republicans see a two way race between Senator Feingold, who has the support of African-Americans, and Governor Warner, who is the choice of the white Middle Class. In the end, Governor Warner’s southern roots hold true and he is able to outpace Feingold by a 40-37% margin, with Governor Romney taking 23% of the vote with much of his support coming from businessmen and suburban voters.

Event Date: 1-27-2008
Event Description: Governor Romney, at a republican debate in St. Petersburg, Florida, attacks Governor Warner for, “Acting like a Southern Democrat while serving as Governor of Virginia.” Romney points to several cases where Warner cut government housing programs and homeless shelters to pay for tax cuts, as well as Warner’s opposition to homosexual marriage. “Are these Republican values?” Romney asks the audience. “Well, Mitt,” Warner retorts, “We saw in 2004 how well your brand of Eastern Republican values plays with the voters.” This shot, taken at the failed candidacy of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, stings Romney who responds with an angry retort, hurting his public image. Warner has won the debate and opened up an old wound: are the Eastern Republicans leading the party to defeat?

Event Date: 1-29-2008
Event Description: The Florida Primary produces two narrow victories for both parties. Vice-President Hutchinson, reeling from her overwhelming defeat in South Carolina, pulls out a narrow win in Florida. She defeats Senator Santorum by a 52-48% margin, no where near a mandate but a win nonetheless. While Santorum was endorsed by popular Governor Tom Gallagher (Democrat of Florida), the even more influential Senator Charlie Crist (Democrat of Florida) supported Hutchinson giving her a needed boost in get out the vote effort. On the Republican side, Governor Warner wins a bigger than expected victory over Governor Romney, with Senator Feingold finishing third. Warner’s support from middle to poorer class voters, as well as the Florida Republican Party, secures him a comfortable 46% of the vote, to Romney’s 33% and Feingold’s 21%. “I am not giving up this fight yet,” Senator Feingold tells his supporters, “We still have hope, and with that spirit we still can win.”

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 2-01-2008
Event Description: Russian President Vladimir Zhirinovsky declares from the Duma that Russia “Has no business or want to cause strife or crisis amongst the nations of Eastern Europe or Central Asia.” This comment comes as a surprise to Zhirinovsky’s greatest critics, such as Gary Kasparov. “I think either he is sincere or the greatest Russian actor in history,” Kasparov tells CNN’s Larry King. While many diplomats, especially Secretary of State Bolton, applaud the new “peaceful Russia,” the reason for this declaration is far less noble: Russia can not afford to anger any neighbors who purchase national gas from it, as their economy is once again entering a recession.

Event Date: 2-05-2008
Event Description: Super Tuesday is so super today that it probably would make Superman blush in shame. The states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah all hold primaries. The states of Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas and Minnesota all hold the people’s caucus. Candidates in both parties spent millions campaigning for this one day, and the results show some clear winners. On the Democratic wing of the campaign, Vice-President Hutchinson comes out on top. She wins the Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico and New York Primaries. Senator Santorum, though defeated in several delegate rich states, is victorious in the Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah Primaries, as well as every caucus held due to the influx of social conservatives who attend caucuses in record numbers. Vice-President Hutchinson leads by a comfortable margin in delegates, but Senator Santorum’s support from the Religious Right and the Moral Majority will keep him in the fight. The Republicans see a far more divided battle, with all three candidates winning primary battles. Governor Warner wins the Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee Primaries and the Kansas Caucus. Senator Feingold is victorious in the Illinois and New Mexico Primaries, as well as the Minnesota Caucus where college students came out in force to support the Wisconsin Progressive. Governor Romney is the big winner tonight, however, with victories in the Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Utah Primaries, as well as using his superior national organization to win the Colorado and Idaho Caucus. The California Primary is the closest of all, with less than 7,000-votes separating the three candidates. In the end, Governor Romney wins the Caucus with 35% of the vote, 34% for Governor Warner and 31% for Senator Feingold, with less than 3,000-votes between the top two finishers. No candidate on either side ends their campaign tonight, though Hutchinson and Romney are the overwhelming front-runners.

Event Date: 2-05-2008
Event Description: The Dow Jones Industrial Average makes some slight gains today, keeping the economy afloat for another day. However, the economy has been going so well for so long that many Americans are beginning to feel sour towards the economy, as if it was in a recession. “It’s funny,” economist Ben Stein tells FOX News’ pundit Bill O’Reilly on “The O’Rielly Factor”, “Americans have been up so long on the economy, they think they are down.”

Event Date: 2-07-2008
Event Description: NASA announces that they are beginning research into the possibilities of placing a base on Mars. “There is a base on the Moon because we sent a man to the Moon,” former Senator John Glenn, now the official NASA spokesman, tells reporters at a press conference, “Now we want to build a base on Mars because we sent a man to Mars. That’s the American way, build wherever you can go.” The logistics for such a plan are enormous, but President Webb applauds NASA for, “It’s forward thinking and optimistic attitude.”

Event Date: 2-09-2008
Event Description: The Louisiana Primary and the Nebraska and Washington Caucuses are held today, with Senator Santorum sweeping all three contests. Santorum’s Christian conservative supporters are far better than Hutchinson’s people at massing support for their candidate at caucuses. Governor Warner wins the Republican Louisiana Primary, overtaking strong support from African-Americans and poorer New Orleans residents who came out for Senator Feingold. Senator Feingold, with support of the progressive cities of Seattle and Olympia, wins the Washington Caucus, while Governor Romney wins the contest in Nebraska. None of the three GOP hopefuls wants to end their bid for the race, though Warner and Feingold see Romney as the man to beat.

Event Date: 2-10-2008
Event Description: With the endorsements of Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, as well as former Secretary of State William Cohen, Governor Romney defeats his nearest rival, Senator Feingold, in the Republican Maine Caucus. In a turn from Senator Santorum’s strength in caucuses, Vice-President Hutchinson wins Maine by a 59-41% margin.

Event Date: 2-11-2008
Event Description: Prime Minister Tony Blair steps down from power, with Gordon Brown coming in as the new leader of the nation and the British Labour Party. “I have my work cut out for me,” Prime Minister Brown tells Blair. “Why is that?” Blair asks his friend. “It’s never easy to fill the shoes of a giant,” is Brown’s kind response.

Event Date: 2-12-2008
Event Description: The “Potomac Primary” is held, with the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Primaries coming in to add to the suspense of the campaign. Vice-President Hutchinson wins easy victories in Maryland and D.C., where Senator Santorum’s firebrand evangelical political brand does not play at all. However, despite campaigning from President Webb, Governor William Bolling and Senator Bob McDonnell, Senator Santorum narrowly wins the Virginia Primary. The very conservative Virginia Democratic Party came out in favor of the more conservative Santorum despite the party establishment backing the Vice-President. “This defeat is especially bitter,” President Webb tells Hutchinson over the phone that night. Governor Mark Warner wins 81% of the vote in Virginia, his home state where his approval ratings were almost always in the 70s. Despite this monumental win, Governor Romney, with the endorsement of Governor Martin O’Malley (Republican of Maryland), wins Maryland while Senator Feingold takes the very liberal Washington, D.C., contest.

Event Date: 2-15-2008
Event Description: President Webb begins a final “Goodwill Tour” of the Middle East. “I want to see a region which has stabilized so well since I was sent there as a young marine captain,” President Webb tells the press, “I think that this trip will do much to ease any tensions that remain in that crucial region of the world.” When asked if the president should instead be at home campaigning for Vice-President Hutchinson, Webb responds, “Kay’s a big girl, she can take care of herself.”

Event Date: 2-18-2008
Event Description: While touring Jerusalem, President Webb’s motorcade is stopped by several protesters who represent the World Anti-Defamation League. The group accuses Vice-President Hutchinson of being an anti-Semite for attending the opening of the Lindbergh Aviation Museum and then “denying” that, as one protester told CNN News, “That Charles Lindbergh hated Jews and supported the Holocaust under Nazi Germany.” “That accretion is ludicrous,” President Webb tells CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, who is an invited guest of the press; “She simply said in 2004 that the museum was made to honor Lindbergh as an aviator, and nothing more.” Despite this answer, many Republican websites begin to accuse Hutchinson of being a “closet Jew hater.”

Event Date: 2-19-2008
Event Description: The Wisconsin Primary and Hawaii Caucus are held today, as Vice-President Hutchinson shuts Senator Santorum out of a victory in both states. Though Santorum had support from rural areas of Wisconsin, and endorsement from former Governor Tommy Thompson and current Governor Mark Green helped Hutchinson win by a 58-42% margin. In Hawaii, the moderate Democrats on that progressive state give Hutchinson a 78-22% victory. Senator Feingold wins his home state of Wisconsin with 64% of the vote, and Hawaii with 55% of the vote. Both states were progressive and seemed handmade for the “Wisconsin Radical.”

Event Date: 2-19-2008
Event Description: Baseball Commissioner, and former Senator, Fidel Castro suffers a major stroke, leaving the left side of his body paralyzed. While he lives, he is forced to resign from his position as Baseball Commissioner and retire from public life. “All I have ever done I owe to America,” Castro tells the nation in his brief resignation address.

Event Date: 2-26-2008
Event Description: Senators Kerry and Bush release the first draft of the new GI Bill. As was expected, it includes increased funding for veteran’s hospitals and school loans. However, it also includes a “Hero’s Health Card” for free veteran healthcare. Introduced by Senator Kerry, this part of the bill is attacked by Senator Santorum as, “Backdoor universal healthcare. If we give a card to some people, everyone will want one.” This comment does not go over well amongst American veterans. Senator Max Cleland (Democrat of Georgia), a Hutchinson Campaign Co-Chairman, tells Tim Russert on Meet the Press, “Senator Santorum has shown he does not care about American veterans, especially when it comes to their health.” While Santorum does some major damage control, the soundbite hurts his campaign in a major way.

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 3-04-2008
Event Description: The Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont Primaries are held today, with Vice-President Hutchinson securing her party’s nomination. Senator Rick Santorum’s comments about the “Hero’s Health Card” doomed his campaign. Hutchinson wins all four primaries by wide margins, with Santorum breaking 40% in only Texas and Ohio. “I can see the writing on the wall,” Santorum tells his supporters at Austin, Texas, “My campaign is over, but the battle for conservative principles has not ended.” Though to the surprise of President Webb and many others, Santorum then says, “The conservative choice for president is Kay Bailey Hutchinson. I am proud to call her my friend, my ally and the next President of the United States!” This ringing endorsement from Senator Santorum helps heal the wounds in the Democratic Party which have been festering since 2006. On the Republican side, Governor Warner wins a big victory in Texas, where his populist rhetoric played well with Lone Star voters. Governor Romney wins Rhode Island and Senator Feingold takes Vermont, both by wide margins. The big prize, Ohio, is far more competitive, with all three candidates vying for the Buckeye State. In the end, Governor Warner’s support from Senator George Voinovich, both Republicans, as well as his strength in the rural areas of the state gives him a victory of 39%, to Governor Romney’s 38% and Senator Feingold’s 23% of the vote.

Event Date: 3-05-2006
Event Description: Senator Russ Feingold ends his quest for the Republican presidential nomination following a poor performance in yesterday’s primaries. “This was the impossible dream for my supporters and I,” Senator Feingold tells the nation from Columbus, Ohio, “No one ever thought we could win a single primary. I remember when the pundits were calling me, ‘The windmill fighter of 2008.’ However, we showed the beltway boys who really runs this nation, and it isn’t them. It’s the hard working average folks, and that is who I ran this campaign for!” After thanking his campaign staff and workers and being interrupted several times for cheers and applause, Senator Feingold looks strait into the camera. “My fellow Americans,” Feingold tells the nation, “The only man running for president today who can deliver the change we need and stand up for the common folks is my friend, Governor Mark Warner. He will be the nest president of this great nation, and by God he’ll be one for the history books!” With the endorsement of Feingold, a hero to progressive Americans, the rural populist Mark Warner is accepted by the Progressive Republican community, an asset which will help him take on the Romney money machine.

Event Date: 3-08-2008
Event Description: The Major League Baseball Association selects former President Reginald M. Jackson to become the new Major League Baseball Commissioner. The decision surprises many baseball fans as Jackson has never played big league baseball. “This choice will never do,” Rush Limbaugh opines on his radio broadcast, “Jackson is a football guy. He won’t even be able to see the little baseball, let alone judge how to throw it.” However, the MLB stands by their choice and Jackson accepts the position, “With all humility, knowing I have to follow the great Fidel Castro.”

Event Date: 3-09-2008
Event Description: Due to both his money advantage and superior organization, Governor Romney wins the Wyoming Caucus by a 58-42% margin over Governor Warner. Despite this victory, Governor Warner holds a considerable lead in the delegate count.

Event Date: 3-11-2008
Event Description: Governor Warner makes up for his defeat in Wyoming by cleaning Governor Romney’s clock in the Mississippi Primary. The Virginia governor takes an impressive 66% of the vote to Romney’s anemic 34%. Support from African-Americans gives Warner this big victory, as exit polls show that 89% of African-Americans pulled the lever for Warner.

Event Date: 3-14-2008
Event Description: The Dalai Lama and President Hu Jintao begin an historic summit on Chinese-Tibetan Relations for the Twenty-First Century. “Despite Tibetan independence in 1970,” President Jintao tells the Associated Press, “Our two nations have never truly trusted one another. It is now time that the Bamboo Curtain between our two nations be raised.”

Event Date: 3-26-2008
Event Description: President Webb signs the Freedom of the Airwaves Act. This bill, introduced by Congressman Mike Pence (Democrat of Indiana), protects talk radio from censorship. Senator Russ Feingold had introduced the Fairness Doctrine, which would require all media to give fair time to every side on an issue. “This is not freedom of speech or the press,” President Webb tells the nation as he signs Pence’s bill, “We need to protect all speech, whether it is on the left or the right.”

Event Date: 4-01-2008
Event Description: The China-Tibet Pact is made. This pact, supported by both nations, states that if any country invades the peaceful nation of Taiwan, the Chinese military will treat such an invasion as an attack on their own nation. “Our peaceful brothers in Tibet seek no wars,” President Jintao tells the world, “And we will see to it that it stays that way.” While no nation wants to invade Tibet, the statement means a great deal to the Dalai Lama. “My religion teaches trust in others,” the Dalai Lama tells Jintao, “And the people Tibet now can dully trust the people of China.”

Event Date: 4-08-2008
Event Description: Under pressure from the West and fearing an economic boycott, Afghanistan’s Taliban government agrees to hold fair and free elections in June 2008. These elections, however, will exclude all women. The conservative Islamic nation could not stomach the idea of letting women be equal to men, even at the ballot box. “We have to take the deal they are giving us,” Secretary of State Bolton tells President Webb, “And hope that a dose of democracy can loosen Afghanistan’s reactionary bonds.”

Event Date: 4-14-2008
Event Description: Governors Warner and Romney debate at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Romney attacks Warner for, “Being backed by the most radical elements of the party.” Romney cites how “hate websites like DailyKos are supporting the Warner campaign.” “That’s funny, Willard,” Warner quickly responds, “Last January you attacked me for being ‘a conservative Democrat’ in policy and thought. Make up your mind, Mitt, or are you now flip-flopping on myself like you’ve done on taxes, health care and the Webb Administration?” This burn stings Romney, whose face turns bright red and huffs and puffs through the rest of the debate. “That line by Warner,” MSNBC pundit Pat Buchanan declares after the debate, “Was the best one of the campaign. It may give Warner a win not just in Pennsylvania, but in this primary.”

Event Date: 4-17-2008
Event Description: The nation of France issues a “National Decree Denouncing the European Union.” This denouement comes from the declaration that the Euro will become the only accepted currency on the continent. “This is tyranny pure and simple,” President Bertrand Delanoë declares from Paris, “No one currency can rule all nations. The French will use the franc, and that is the last word on the matter.” The EU does not respond to the decree, simply stating that the decision is final.

Event Date: 4-22-2008
Event Description: Governor Warner defeats Governor Romney by a 54-46% margin in the Pennsylvania Primary. This defeat is major for Romney, who was counting on taking the Keystone State to try to even out the delegate count with Warner. Despite this loss, however, Romney remains defiant. “This race isn’t over until the last state has voted!” Romney tells a fired up crowd in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, “And I intend to stay in the race until that last vote is cast!”

Event Date: 4-25-2008
Event Description: Vice-President Hutchinson, who by now has more than enough delegates to be the Democratic nominee, announces that she will speak at Bob Jones University, the very conservative South Carolina College. Upon hearing the news of this speaking arrangement, Republican officials and left-wing media personalities attacked Hutchinson for, as Congressman Jesse Jackson, Junior, told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, “Encouraging the racism and sexism of that school.”

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 5-03-2008
Event Description: Mexican President Felipe Calderon pardons socialist Lopez Obrador of, “Any crimes that may have been committed during the period of July 2006 to the present.” With many conservative Mexican officials calling for Obrador, who had run an opposition government from July 2006 to February 2007, to be tried and hung for treason, Calderon saw an official pardon of crimes needed to quiet the issue. This move will help unite a still divided Mexico over the July 2006 election, but not Calderon’s conservative supporter. “Calderon and Obrador are two heads on the same red coin,” one former Calderon ally tells the Associated Press.

Event Date: 5-05-2008
Event Description: Vice-President Hutchinson addresses Bob Jones University, with more than 5,000-protesters lining the road to the controversial center of higher education. The Republicans, progressives and protesters who have attacked Hutchinson for speaking at Bob Jones will soon be forced to eat their words. “There is no room for bigotry or indifference in the Democratic Party or the United States,” Hutchinson tells the Bob Jones University audience, “We must dispel all the remnants of sexism, racism and discrimination from this great nation if we are to ever truly fulfill the promise of, ‘All men are created equal.’” The speech is greeted with cheers and a standing ovation from the conservative crowd. “Fair treatment is not a conservative or liberal value,” Governor Mark Sanford (Democrat of South Carolina), who had attended the speech, tells the press, “That is why the Vice-President’s speech was so well accepted.”

Event Date: 5-06-2008
Event Description: The Indiana and North Carolina Primaries are held, with Governor Warner winning both states. North Carolina is won by a 58-42% margin, but in Indiana, Governor Romney was able to make it close through extensive advertising. Warner wins the Hoosier State by a 52-48% margin. Warner benefited from not having commented on the Bob Jones speech, something Governor Romney had attacked him for. “That speech surprise taught me a good lesson in keeping my moth shut,” Warner quips.

Event Date: 5-09-2008
Event Description: The Mississippi Supreme Court upholds a state law allowing organized prayer in public schools. This law, while opposed by Governor Bennie Thompson, is very popular in the state, which ACLU attorneys believe influenced the court ruling. “We intend on appealing this decision, even if it is taken all the way to the Supreme Court,” ACLU attorney Felix Ridgeway, the grandson of General Matthew Ridgeway, tells the press, “This law conflicts with the Constitution, and we will make sure that it is repealed.”

Event Date: 5-11-2008
Event Description: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is given a strong mandate in the Italian Parliamentary Elections. His conservative People of Freedom Party wins a strong majority in the Italian Parliament, besting the Italian Socialist Party by more than forty seats.

Event Date: 5-13-2008
Event Description: Governor Romney regains some momentum in the Republican primary by winning the Nebraska Primary by a 63-37% margin over Governor Warner. This victory is nulled, however, by a 71-29% Warner victory in West Virginia. Also on the election front, Senator Jay Rockefeller (Republican of West Virginia) will face a strong challenge from Congresswoman Shelly Moore-Capito (Democrat of West Virginia), who wins her primary for the Senate today. The Rockefeller-Capito senate race will be one of the most competitive elections this year.

Event Date: 5-18-2008
Event Description: Congressman John McCain (Democrat of Arizona) and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (Republican of Ohio) introduce the GI Bill of 2008. The bill includes everything that veterans’ groups had hoped for from increased school loans, to small business aid for veterans and the controversial “Hero’s Health Card.” “I would hope that this issue could be non-partisan,” Congressman McCain tells his colleagues, “Let us pass this bill by unanimous decree.”

Event Date: 5-20-2008
Event Description: Kentucky and Oregon hold their primaries today, with Governor Warner winning Kentucky and Governor Romney winning Oregon. Oregon, however, is decided by a 51-49% margin, with progressive voters in Eugene and Portland coming out in force for Governor Warner. In the end, Romney’s money and the Mormon community coming out in force for their favorite son outvoted Warner’s supporters.

Event Date: 5-25-2008
Event Description: The House of Representatives passes the GI Bill of 2008 by a 430-2 vote, with six Congressmen absent from the vote. The two who voted against the bill were Congressman Steve King (Democrat of Iowa) and Tom Tancredo (Democrat of Colorado). “I don’t see why we think that a balanced budget can happen when we keep giving out so many free things,” Congressman King tells the press, “I just don’t see why any group should receive such a huge amount of money from the treasury.”

Event Date: 5-29-2008
Event Description: With free elections scheduled for the next three days, President Webb sends three marine divisions to Afghanistan to protect voters from terrorist attacks and assaults. While some attack this move as “democracy at the barrel of a gun”, one soldier comments to the BBC, “We’re happy to give the people of Afghanistan the same rights we have at home. I can vote back home in Ohio without any fear, and that same right should be here in Afghanistan.” 

Event Date: 6-02-2008
Event Description: The first fair and free elections in Afghanistan history end today, with little violence during the three days of voting. American marines and Afghanistan police forces were able to defuse any major terrorist threats against the election. The conservative Islamic National Party wins the majority of the seats in the National Assembly of Afghanistan, but the New Democratic Party, a more liberal party, still takes a solid number of seats. The radical National Islamic Movement Party wins but one seat, showing a rebuttal of radical Islam by the people of Afghanistan. Yunus Qanuni becomes the nation’s first Prime Minister, promising, “Major urban and rural reforms for my people.”

Event Date: 6-03-2008
Event Description: The final primaries of the 2008 Republican Primary campaign are held, with Governor Romney winning the South Dakota Primary by a 56-44% margin over Governor Warner. Governor Warner pulls off an upset in the Montana Primary, winning it by a 55-45% margin. Governor Brian Schweitzer (Republican of Montana) had campaign for Governor Warner, cementing his win. Governor Romney, seeing the writing on the wall, ends his campaign for the presidency. “It is crucial that a Republican be elected to the White House this year,” Governor Romney states in his concession address, “The stakes of health care, civil rights and world peace hang in the balance, and I will not be split our party and be the cause of another four years of Democratic inaction on these important issues. This is why I urge all of my supporters to work just as hard for Governor Warner, who God willing will be the next President of the United States.”

Event Date: 6-13-2008
Event Description: The Council of Lisbon refuses to allow France to use the franc as its national currency. “The European Union has become the major lawmaker of the continent,” the council reports, “Thus all nations of Europe should follow its edicts and rulings.” The people of France refuse to accept this decision, with the French Legislature passing as resolution condemning the Council of Lisbon’s decision. At a rally televised internationally, 120,000 Parisians sing “Do you Hear the People Sing?” from the American musical “Les Miserables”, based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel.

Event Date: 6-20-2008
Event Description: In response to French defiance of their decision, the European Union votes to boycott French goods until they choose to follow the ruling of the Council of Lisbon. “We hope that this decision will be enough to change the stubborn minds of the French,” EU President Jose Zapatero, also President of Spain, tells the press. 

Event Date: 6-29-2008
Event Description: After nine days of a standstill between France and the EU, President Webb sends Secretary of State Bolton to Lisbon, Portugal. While the official task of Bolton is to end the boycott crisis, the first order of business is to get French and European Union officials to sit down at the same table and discuss the issue. This is easier said then done, as President Bertrand Delanoë continues to make inflammatory statements from Paris.

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 7-09-2008
Event Description: At a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, Vice-President Kay Bailey Hutchinson announces that former Governor Tommy Thompson (Democrat of Wisconsin) will be her running-mate in the 2008 election. “Governor Thompson has shown great leadership as Governor of the Badger State,” Vice-President Hutchinson tells the nation at the rally, “He reformed the health care, welfare, penal and education systems, making them the best and most effective in the country. He deserves a chance to serve his nation once again, and I say that the Vice-Presidency would fill the bill nicely.” Governor Thompson responds to these kind words by declaring, “I had some help from our Democratic legislature too, Kay.” The Hutchinson-Thompson Ticket serves as a strong uniting force for the Democratic Party. Thompson is accepted by religious conservatives and gun rights activists because of his strong moral conservative values, and by reform Democrats for his work to make health care and education cheaper and more efficient.

Event Date: 7-11-2008
Event Description: The new government of Afghanistan takes power, with terrorist attacks upsetting the inaugural ceremonies. In the chaos of an attack on a marketplace in Kabul, Afghanistan, the national capitol, three American marines are killed. President Webb is demonized by the press, especially the New York Times, for sending marines to Afghanistan. “The president sees our troops as tin soldiers, and not as men and women,” a Times editorial states.

Event Date: 7-14-2008
Event Description: On Bastille Day, former Paris Mayor Nicholas Sarkozy announces that he will begin a recall drive against President Bertrand Delanoë. “Our economy has suffered cataclysmic damage because of the stubbornness of Delanoë and his socialists,” Sarkozy declares at a rally in Orleans, “It is time that France throws the socialist regime overboard and replace it with competent leadership.” Socialist Party leaders are divided on the recall drive. “True Socialists” want President Delanoë out of power, but do not want a conservative like Sarkozy to replace him. “I will face a fight from a million fronts,” President Delanoë tells his wife at dinner that night, “But I think we can face it.”

Event Date: 7-26-2008
Event Description: Governor Mark Warner announces at a rally in Cleveland, Ohio, that Senator Sherrod Brown (Republican of Ohio) will be his running-mate in the 2008 election. “Senator Brown has been a beacon of progressive values for not just the Buckeye State,” Warner proudly states, “But for the entire U.S. Senate.” Senator Russ Feingold has advised Warner to select Brown, who had supported him in the primary. “It’s time that we take back this country and return it to the people!” the fiery Brown declares at the rally, “We’re going to run the bums out of office and restore power to the people!” Almost immediately, Democratic politicians and pundits begin attacking Brown on inexperience and radicalism. “Why don’t we let some random college professor from Berkeley become vice-president?” Sean Hannity asks on his radio program, “Because that radical leftwing professor would have as much experience and share the same views as Sherrod Brown.” While Brown had served then years as a State Representative and ten as a Congressman, the experience issue will continue to haunt the Republican ticket.   

Event Date: 8-01-2008
Event Description: Debate on the GI Bill of 2008 begins the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Giuliani assures the nation, “This bill will pass without as much as a cross word.” However, Senator Tom Coburn (Democrat of Oklahoma) will be a major road bump for the GI Bill. “I will not allow a bill like this to pass the Senate,” Senator Coburn tells his colleagues, “It is filled with too much pork, waste and blank checks. I was elected to the senate on a promise to fight this type of waste, even if it is for veterans.”

Event Date: 8-06-2008
Event Description: The French Department of Elections accepts more than enough signatures for a recall of President Bertrand Delanoë. Mayor Sarkozy led a better than expected campaign for a recall election. With the vote happening on August 29th to 31st, 2008, a rapid election campaign will mirror the 2007 French Presidential Election. Sarkozy and his supporters go head to head with Delanoë and his supporters, just like any election campaign. “This is just a replay of 2007,” former President Lionel Jospin tells the Associated Press, “This whole recall is as ridiculous now as when the reactionaries tried to recall me back in 2005. It is political sour grapes from the right-wing who just can accept defeat.”

Event Date: 8-08-2008
Event Description: The Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro open with leaders from the ten most industrialized nations in the world joining hands together in a showing of peace. President Hu Jintao, who generally avoids all world meetings, attends and makes sure that he stands next to President Webb. “Our two nations must always stand side-by-side,” Jintao tells Webb. “We will, President Jintao,” Webb tells him, “We must if we are to live in peace.”

Event Date: 8-25-2008
Event Description: The Republican National Convention opens in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Republican Party, sensing victory, nominate former Governor Mark Warner of Virginia for President and Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio for Vice-President. The convention’s speakers spend the next four days attacking Vice-President Hutchinson as a puppet of President Webb, Governor Tommy Thompson as a senile old man and President Webb as a trigger happy and cold man who overthrows governments while cutting the benefits of millions. “We don’t need more of the same in Washington,” Senator Brown declares in his acceptance address, “Our country is hungry for change, and Governor Warner and I are ready to serve them it up hot.” Governor Warner’s own acceptance address is less partisan then previous acceptance addresses. “We need to come together as a nation if we are to deliver any positive change,” Governor Webb tells the convention in his acceptance address, “As president I will listen to Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals to find answers to the great questions of our age.” Warner’s speech, while delivered well and with powerful overtones of unity, is not what Republican delegates wanted, or the viewers for that matter. Warner-Brown are given only a slight convention bump, leading Hutchinson-Thompson by a 44-43% margin in the latest Gallup Poll.

Event Date: 8-31-2008
Event Description: The results of the French recall election show that 55% of French voters want President Bertrand Delanoë out of office. This result leads to a special recall election, where Delanoë will compete against Nicholas Sarkozy once again for the French presidency. This time, however, many “True Socialists” will vote for Green and Social Democratic candidates, hurting Delanoë’s chances in the election held from September 9th to 11th, 2008.

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 9-01-2008
Event Description: The Democratic Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, opens with President Webb making a much heralded speech in support of his loyal Veep for president. “I don’t think our nation can afford to be run by a one term governor and a one term senator,” President Webb tells the cheering crowd, “Especially those who are as radical as Mark Warner and Sherrod Brown.” This will become the theme of the convention: Warner is inexperienced and Brown is not just inexperienced, but a radical to boot. Governor Tommy Thompson gives a strong speech, calling attention to how he balanced budgets in Wisconsin for sixteen years, while, “Warner did it for a whopping four years, and is now claiming that he has more experience working with a budget than either myself or Vice-President Hutchinson. Well, I guess you could say that he was balancing budgets when he was robbing the elderly of their savings while he was a big banking lord.” Vice-President Hutchinson’s acceptance address, while more positive than other speeches given at the convention, also attacks Warner on experience and judgment, however, she also attacks the idea that the country needs change from President Webb. “Our economy is growing, we are safe from terrorism and our enemies and the White House has been free from scandal and shame for eight years,” Vice-President Hutchinson tells the convention, “Why do we need change from what works?” Many American agree with this statement, as Hutchinson takes a 48-42% lead in the latest Gallup Poll.

Event Date: 9-07-2008
Event Description: “The Dark Horse” is released to theatres as a political comedy. Starring Robin Williams as quirky Congressman from California, the movie tells the story of how through mishaps, scandals and just plain luck William’s character is able to win the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. The catch line of the film, “A funny thing happened last Tuesday, I was elected President of the United States,” is taken by both the Warner and Hutchinson campaigns.

Event Date: 9-11-2008
Event Description: Nicholas Sarkozy is elected President of France in the special recall election. He takes just 51% of the vote, with President Bertrand Delanoë winning 40% of ballots. “True Socialists” opted to support the Green Party of France, giving its nominee 9% in the election. At long last, the right has taken power in France once again. “The bastards got what they wanted,” President Delanoë tells his cabinet after he concedes the race “I hope they’ll be damn happy when we lose all our rights to that European monstrosity.”

Event Date: 9-14-2008
Event Description: The Warner Campaign, realizing that a positive campaign will not work, begins airing several attack ads in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania New Jersey, Tennessee and California. The ads focus around Hutchinson’s denials of knowing anything about the CIA-Mexico affair. “Where was Kay?” is how the ad ends, accusing the Vice-President of negligence while in office. Hutchinson will retort with her own answer, but the effectiveness of the ad damages her credibility enough to narrow her lead in the Gallup Poll to 46-44%.

Event Date: 9-20-2008
Event Description: Nicholas Sarkozy is inaugurated as President of France, the first ever elected in a recall election. President Bertrand Delanoë is a good sport, however, and attends the inauguration, cordially shaking hands with President Sarkozy, who had accused him of every sin under the sun just a week before. Almost as soon as Sarkozy is inaugurated, he contacts Secretary of State Bolton and tells him that he is willing to work with the European Union  

Event Date: 9-26-2008
Event Description: The first presidential debate of the 2008 Election is held at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. Moderated by Jim Lehrer, the debate focuses around domestic policies. Governor Warner talks up his effective leadership as Governor of Virginia, declaring that he, “Ushered in the growth of Northern Virginia and the expanse of technology based jobs in the commonwealth.” “I find that funny,” Vice-President Hutchinson responds, “You raised taxes enough as governor, and created enough new fees, to scare off people. I guess those Virginians you are talking about like taxation; then again, they are probably like your radical running-mate.” This comment is seen as uncalled for by television audiences, many of whom see Hutchinson as an attacker with no real ideas of her own. The debate goes over well for Governor Warner, who takes the lead in the Gallup Poll by a 48-46% margin.

Event Date: 9-28-2008
Event Description: The GI Bill of 2008 passes the Senate by a 95-5 vote, with Senators Jim Coburn (Democrat of Oklahoma), Jim Inhofe (Democrat of Oklahoma), Al D’Amato (Democrat of New York) and Rick Santorum (Democrat of Pennsylvania) voting against the bill. President Webb signs the new GI Bill, declaring, “We have kept our promise to our veterans.”

Event Date: 10-02-2008
Event Description: The Vice-Presidential debate is held at Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri. Moderator Tom Brokaw, a former NBC News anchor, applauds the civil debate of Senator Brown and Governor Thompson. The two defends their running-mates well and both talk about the greatness of America. “All to often we get sucked into the negativity of Washington,” Governor Thompson tells the audience, “I think that senator Brown and I showed the world tonight that we can disagree with one another, and still listen to each other and, maybe if we meet in a good mood, learn from one another.”

Event Date: 10-04-2008
Event Description: In an agreement in Lisbon, President Nicholas Sarkozy agrees to switch his national currency to the Euro, provided that France is not forced to join the European Union. “This is the best deal we can get,” Secretary of State Bolton tells the assembled delegation, “We better take it.” With this agreement the boycott of France ends and business as usual picks up once again on the European continent.

Event Date: 10-06-2008
Event Description: While speaking at a rally in Reno, Nevada, Vice-President Hutchinson falls from the stage while the banister she was leaning on breaks. Once the tumbled candidate stands up, she quips, “I’ve had worse falls on the Senate floor.” The comment is taken as an “It takes more than a bullet to stop a Bull Moose” statement, and it is made into an advertisement by the Democrats showing the perseverance of the Vice-President.

Event Date: 10-07-2008
Event Description: A town hall debate is held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Hutchinson, whose folksy speaking manner wins over the crowd, performs well. Warner, who is less comfortable in this format, makes one stumble when a young man asks him, “What change is really needed in Washington?” Warner gives an answer that has been said many times over, “The economy is broken, we are not trusted in the world and the White House is run by an administration that lets anything go. I would say we need change.” Hutchinson’s response is a KO for the night. “Governor,” Hutchinson responds, “Today the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at an all time high, the Treasury Department has shown that we once again have a balanced budget and the crisis in France has been put to an end by American diplomats. Would you really say we are that bad off?” Warner’s response is seen as weak by viewers, giving Hutchinson the win in the debate and a five-point lead in the polls.

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 10-10-2008
Event Description: The Georgian province of East Ossetia votes against joining Russia in a regional referendum. While the vote is close, most who live in the region consider themselves Georgians over Russians.

Event Date: 10-14-2008
Event Description: President Webb signs the Artistic Protection Act of 2008. The bill continues funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as declaring that all artwork made by it will be considered, “Art under the First Amendment.” This decision outrages many conservatives, who see modern art as a celebration of sin, atheism and immorality. “President Webb better hope that we moral voters have short memories,” Senator Tom Coburn tells CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.

Event Date: 10-15-2008
Event Description: The final presidential debate is held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. The debate focuses on foreign affairs, where Vice-President Hutchinson announces her support for President Webb’s actions in Central America. “Because of the economic aid and support for pro-American leaders in Latin America,” Hutchinson tells the audience, “That region of the world is coming out of poverty and embracing a bright future.” “Under the barrel of a gun, Kay,” Governor Warner responds, “Or the badge of a CIA agent.” The CIA reference was another attempt to tie Hutchinson to the CIA-Mexico Affair, and these attacks are effective. Governor Warner takes the lead in the Gallup Poll by a 49-48% margin.

Event Date: 10-22-2008
Event Description: U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who had overseen the prosecution of General Michael Hayden, releases his findings on the “Webb Administration’s handling of the CIA-Mexico Affair.” In all fairness, the report is very positive towards President Webb. “While President Webb was far too lax in dealing with the CIA,” Fitzgerald reports, “There are no signs that he had anything to do with the affair, nor Vice-President Hutchinson. In fact, their effective reaction to the crisis was superb.” This news helps the Hutchinson campaign, giving her a 51-48% lead in the Gallup Poll.

Event Date: 10-31-2008
Event Description: Former President George H.W. Bush makes his first public appearance since 1992, speaking at the opening of a Youth Center in New London, Connecticut. While discussing the two presidential primary defeats for his son, Senator George W. Bush, the former president breaks down in tears. The old man is so overtaken by tears he begins to lose balance, causing Senator Bush to rush to the stage and embrace his father. “That is a scene you rarely see in politics,” MSNBC’s Chris Matthews comments, “Those were real tears and real love between a father and son.”

Event Date: 11-03-2008
Event Description: With Election Day just one day away, the Hutchinson and Warner campaigns begin their final swings through the nation. Warner and Brown travel to Ohio, Florida, Michigan, Kentucky and West Virginia, where Warner stumps for Senator Jay Rockefeller. Hutchinson and Thompson make a swing through the Southeast, stumping in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. “This is the closet campaign since 1980,” NBC anchor Brian Williams ends his broadcast with, “Tomorrow will be one of the most interesting election nights in history.”

Event Date: 11-04-2008
Event Description: Vice-President Kay Bailey Hutchinson is elected the first female President of the United States over Governor Mark Warner.

Kay Bailey Hutchinson/Tommy Thompson (D): 271 EV; 50.1% of the PV
Mark Warner/Sherrod Brown (R): 267 EV; 49.7% of the PV
Others (Libertarian, Progressive Reform, etc.): 0 EV; 0.2% of the PV

The state of Ohio proves to be the key state, as Hutchinson wins it by just 5,000-votes. While Governor Warner is urged to demand a recount of the state, he refuses. “I want President-elect Hutchinson to enter office as a uniter, and not a divider,” Governor Warner tells his supporters in his concession address, “I refuse to taint her victory with a bitter recount. I want a united America, not a divided one!” On the Congressional side of the election, the Democratic Party makes slight gains in the House of Representatives, but is unable to win back the Senate. The closest Senate election in the country proves to be West Virginia, where after a protracted recount Senator Jay Rockefeller is reelected over Congresswoman Shelly Moore-Capito by 89-votes. Despite this setback, President Webb feels vindicated upon leaving office. 

Event Date: 11-15-2008
Event Description: President Webb awards the Presidential Medial of Freedom to radio legend Paul Harvey, cyclist Lance Armstrong and, to the disdain of the Democrats, Governor Mark Warner. “Governor Warner showed that politics does not have to be a personal attack,” President Webb declares as he gives the award to Warner, “He showed the world that elections are contests of ideals, and not of men.”

Event Date: 11-23-2008
Event Description: “A Defense of President Cox” is released by historian David McCullough. While McCullough is simply recording events of the Cox Presidency, he decided to entitle the book of defense. “Cox has been maligned for many years as a failure,” McCullough tells the press, “Any unbiased history of the man is a defense.”

Event Date: 11-29-2008
Event Description: President Webb asks President-elect Hutchinson too keep Secretary of State Bolton on his current post. “He is a wonder,” Webb tells his Veep, “He has served my foreign policy well, and I know he will serve you well.” Hutchinson tells Webb she already has a list of potential Secretaries of State, “And Joshua Bolton is the only name on the list.”

Event Date: 12-04-2008
Event Description: The National Assembly of Afghanistan votes to give women the right to own property, a major step towards equal rights in the very conservative country.

Event Date: 12-10-2008
Event Description: NBC runs a two hour special, “Remembering Reagan.” The special honoring radio and news legend Ronald Reagan includes interviews from his family, close friends and political associates. Even Rush Limbaugh, who rarely makes television appearances, appears on the special. “Ronald Reagan might as well have been President of the United States,” Limbaugh tells NBC News, “His conservative viewpoints revolutionized this country and gave us presidents from Ashbrook to Kemp to Webb and now Kay Bailey Hutchinson. He’s the biggest figure of 20th century American politics.”

Event Date: 12-25-2008
Event Description: On Christmas Day, the capitalist and pro-American nations of Latin America form the United American Alliance. The purpose of the group is to maintain the growing economies and militaries of pro-American capitalist nations in Latin America. “Our region is strong and will grow ever stronger,” President Felipe Calderon declares, “If we keep close to the United States and the world, our region will have a bright future.”

Event Date: 12-30-2008
Event Description: President Webb delivers his farewell address to the nation. “Over the last eight years we have seen good times and bad times,” President Webb tells the nation, “We saw the economy move up and down, troops be sent to foreign shores and crises around the globe, but we prevailed. Why shouldn’t we prevail, after all, for we are America?” After listing off the accomplishments of his presidency, a pro-American Latin America, peace in the Middle East, a growing economy and a new GI Bill, President Webb ends his speech with a classic line from President Douglas MacArthur, “And as I now enter the sunset of history I will remind you of that old barracks hymn, ‘Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.’ Thank you for everything, my fellow Americans, and God bless you all.”

[PBrunsel]

Epilogue:


The Presidency of Kay Bailey Hutchinson, simply a glimpse of what could be.

On January 20th, 2009, the United States of America was given its first female president when Kay Bailey Hutchinson raised her right hand and took the Oath of Office from Chief Justice John Roberts. President Webb looked on with pride as his Vice-President accepted the job he had borne for eight long years. “It’s you’re job now, Kay,” President Webb tells President Hutchinson after the ceremony, “I know you’ll do well, Madame President.”

The election of James Middleton Cox was a shocking result for the 1920 election, a complete fluke. His under funded, demoralized campaign was able to pull off the biggest election surprise in history, and who would have known the changes it would bring to the country and the world. Wars have been waged, nations have risen and fallen, dictators have been deposed and propped up, the economy has been a ride making winners and losers and Washington, as always, is filled with both the backroom brawling and the hope of a better tomorrow. The last eighty-eight years have been ones of change, and it all happened by a fluke of the gods.             

[Captain Chaos]

This is the AH Timeline of all AH Timelines.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Great job, and it is truly sad to see this TL end.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

This was an excellent timeline and its truly a shame to see this much loved TL conclude

Also, do you plan to take a break from writing timelines or do you plan to start a new one shortly?

[Хahar 🤔]

A truly amazing TL. Congratulations.

[HappyWarrior]

Probably the greatest timeline in Atlasian history.  Please tell me you'll be writing another soon.  Btw, I have questions on a few things:

Whats happened to Bill Richardson, Hillary Rodham, and the rest of the people who ran in 2008 in RL who were'nt really mentioned in the 2008 update?

Also who were the Keynote Convention speakers in 2008 in this Timeline?

[CPT MikeyMike]

Grade: A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Presidents of the United States

29th: James Cox (Democratic - Ohio) 1921-1925
30th: Herbert Hoover (Republican - California) 1925-1933
31st: Cordell Hull (Democratic - Tennessee) 1933-1941
32nd: Douglas MacArthur (Republican - Wisconsin) 1941-1949
33rd: Ernest McFarland (Democratic - Arizona) 1949-1953
34th: Thomas Dewey (Republican - New York) 1953-1957
35th: Joseph P. Kennedy Junior (Democratic - Massachusetts) 1957-1965
36th: Richard Nixon (Republican - California) 1965-1973
37th: John Ashbrook (Democratic - Ohio) 1973-1977
38th: George Bush (Republican - Connecticut) 1977-1981
39th: Robert F. Kennedy (Democratic - Massachusetts) 1981-1983
40th: Jack Kemp (Democratic - New York) 1983-1993
41st: Reginald Jackson (Republican - Pennsylvania) 1993-2001
42nd: James Webb (Democratic - Virginia) 2001-2009
43rd: Kay Bailey Hutchison (Democratic - Texas) 2009-??

Vice Presidents of the United States

29th: Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic - New York) 1921-1922
30th: Robert La Follette (Republican - Wisconsin) 1925
31st: Charles Dawes (Republican - Illinois) 1929-1933
32nd: James Curley (Democratic - Massachusetts) 1933-1941
33rd: H. Styles Bridges (Republican - New Hampshire) 1941-1949
34th: Henry Schricker (Democratic - Indiana) 1949-1953
35th: Edward Arn (Republican - Kansas) 1953-1957
36th: Stuart Symington (Democratic - Missouri) 1957-1963
37th: Margaret Chase Smith (Republican - Maine) 1965-1973
38th: James E. Carter (Democratic - Georgia) 1973-1977
39th: John Love (Republican - Colorado) 1977-1981
40th: Jack Kemp (Democratic - New York) 1981-1983
41st: John McCain (Democratic - Arizona) 1985-1993
42nd: William J. Clinton (Republican - California) 1993-1997
43rd: Paul Wellstone (Republican - Minnesota) 1997-2001
44th:  Kay Bailey Hutchison (Democratic - Texas) 2001-2009
45th: Tommy Thompson (Democratic - Wisconsin) 2009-??

[PBrunsel]

Everyone,

Thank you for not just the kind comments you have posted, but for reading my timeline and encouraging me to keep it going. Also, thank you Rockefeller Republican for chronicling the presidents and vice-presidents.

I am taking a smal break from timline writing due to a heavy work load as I begin to wrap up college and begin my teaching career. However, I have some ideas for a new timeline and will begin writing them down as soon as I have time.

Now to answer Happy Warrior's questions:

1. Here is what happened to some people by 2009:

Hillary Rodham: Rodham was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Webb in 2005. She serves as a conservative justice for the rest of her life.

Chris Dodd: Following his defeat for reelection in 1992, Senator Dodd switiched to the Republican Party and served as Mayor of East Haddam, Connecticut from 1998-2006.

Bill Richardson: Richardson served in Congress as a Republican from 1983-1995. In 1995 he was appointed Secretary of the Interior by President Reginald Jackson. In 2003, Richardson became the Governor of New Mexico and supported Mark Warner for the Replican Nomination.

Joseph Lieberman: Lieberman served as Connecticutt Attoryney General from 1983-1995. As a Republican he could not defeat the incumbent GOP senators or governor, so he was elected to Congress in 1996, serving there today.

Mike Gravel: Following two unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office in 2000, Gravel retired to Virginia to work on creating a lasting and powerful third party option, which would never come.

Mike Huckabee: Elected as a populist Democrat to the Arkasnas Governorship in 1998, Huckabee supported Governor Barbour in 2008, but switched his support to Vice-President Hutchinson follwoing the demise of the Barbour campaign. Janet Huckabee, his wife, is appointed Undersecretary of Education.

Fred Thompson: The Southern Fried politican, Thompson serves one term as a U.S. Senator from 1997-2003, being defeated by Congressman Jim Bryant in the 2002 Democratic Primary. Following this defeat, Thompson begins a radio program "Plain Tale with Fred" and ends up in the insurance business.

Wesley Clark: A close friend of President Webb, he contiunes to serve as Secretary of Defense under President Hutchinson until he retires in 2011. He is replaced by his own friend, General David Patreas.

Barack Obama: Senator Obama serves as the new face of progressive America following the defeat of Senator Feingold. After giving the keynote address at the 2008 Republican Convemntion, he is seen as the front runner for the 2012 GOP nomination. 

[Kaine for Senate '18]

What happened with Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln?

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Also, thank you Rockefeller Republican for chronicling the presidents and vice-presidents.

Glad to do it Paul. Its the sort of thing I post when I'm quite bored on a Saturday or Sunday night .

One final question Paul, as of 2008 have noted presidential historians released a list of the Greatest American Presidents of all time? I wouldn't be surprised if 30th President of the United States Herbert Clark Hoover is high amongst that list.

Good and Good Luck with your upcoming teaching career. I'm sure you'll make an excellent teacher

[Хahar 🤔]

Good and Good Luck with your upcoming teaching career. I'm sure you'll make an excellent teacher

Yes, Good and Good Luck indeed. Where will you teach?

[Robespierre's Jaw]

   
Event Date: 9-03-2007
Event Description: Australian Prime Minister Mark Latham barely holds onto leadership of his party at the 2007 Labor Party National Convention.

Hate to nitpick but leadership disputes in Australian politics are not sort at National Conventions like in the United States and in Canada but rather their respective caucus rooms at Parliament House in Canberra. For example today's Liberal Party leadership change which saw Malcolm Turnbull become Opposition Leader was held in the Liberal Party's current caucus rooms at Parliament House.