Hillary Wins

[CookieDamage]

Wisconsin and New Hampshire and Pennsylvania seem highly unlikely with a major third party run

[here2view]

Recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin?

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I honestly feel as though Kasich winning is probably the best course of action from the election, and for the Democrats' chances in downballot offices for the next four years.
Though 16 years of Democratic presidents would still have been great...

[Sir Mohamed]

At least Drumpf is defeated big league and Kasich ran an o.k. campaign. Sad Hillary lost, nevertheless. But a more classy end of her career.

[OBD]

Looking forward to 2022.

[MycroftCZ]

Recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin?

Awwwh... but at least it was close! Clinton went down honourably, Kasich appears to have tacked to the center with his VP choice, and Trumpism was thoroughly discredited, so this is a good reality

I honestly feel as though Kasich winning is probably the best course of action from the election, and for the Democrats' chances in downballot offices for the next four years.
Though 16 years of Democratic presidents would still have been great...

Sorry guys! Don't worry, the next 4 years are gonna be CRAZY

[Progressive Pessimist]

A somewhat disappointing turn of events, though not unexpected, honestly. Also it occurred in a more interesting way with Trump's Independent campaign. I'll have to thank the Trump/Moore ticket for that. By the way, what were the popular vote totals?

[Peanut]

Hillary...=(
Anyway, great TL.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Hell yeah Kasich!!

[MycroftCZ]

November 4th, 2020: President-elect Kasich


In a result that seemed impossible just 5 months ago, former Ohio Governor John Kasich has won the Presidency, beating President Hillary Clinton and businessman Donald Trump. Kasich, who ran a centrist, bipartisan campaign broke through the "Blue Wall" that Donald Trump came so close to breaking. With wins in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Kasich has finally made Republican successful in the Rust Belt. Interestingly, President Clinton won Arizona, a once solidly Republican state that has been shifting leftward in recent years. In the Senate, Democrats picked up 5 seats from battlegrounds, like North Carolina and Colorado, to red states like Montana and Louisiana. Maine was an easy pickup for Democrats, with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree coasting to a Senate seat. In North Carolina, former Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton won a close race and in Colorado, former Governor John Hickenlooper won against incumbent Cory Gardner. In Montana, popular Democratic Governor Steve Bullock bested Sen. Steve Daines and in Louisiana, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu avenged his sister and won back her old seat from Republican Bill Cassidy. Democrats had great candidates for Senate this year and despite losing the White House, narrowed the Republican majority by 5 last night. In the House, Democrats gained 9 seats as they hope to crawl back from historic minorities in the Lower Chamber. Overall, it was a mixed bag for both parties and now the country looks to President-elect Kasich and Vice President-elect Kay Hagan to steer the country forward.

November 6th, 2020: Kasich and Clinton Meet in DC


President-elect John Kasich and President Clinton met today in Washington to discuss Kasich's incoming administration and how to successfully transition between the two Presidency's. Vice President-elect Hagan also sat in on the meeting, possibly as a moderating force in the discussion because Clinton and Hagan know each other well from the Senate. Kasich said after the meeting that he hopes that "the two administrations can come together, for the American people, to work towards a successful transfer of power". Kasich is expected to announce new Cabinet appointees next week and may keep some moderate Democrats in the Cabinet.

November 11th, 2020: Kasich Nominates Macfarlane for Energy, Williams for Commerce


In his first Cabinet nominations, President-elect Kasich has chosen nominees for Secretary of Energy and Commerce. Allison Macfarlane, the Director of the National Regulatory Commission, has been tapped to lead the Department of Energy. She is very qualified and is a pick that many saw coming for the Kasich administration. The other nominee is Jaqueline T. Williams, who was the Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce under the Kasich Governorship. Williams is the first of many Ohio officials expected in Kasich's Cabinet. Both of these nominees as women, and Williams is African American, as the Kasich Cabinet ramps up to be the most diverse ever.

November 18th, 2020: "99% chance" a Democrat Will Be In Kasich Cabinet, Aide says


Aides of President-elect Kasich are pretty sure that a Democrat will be in the Cabinet, with one saying there is a "99% chance" of a Democrat in the group. Kasich ran as a moderate who would not be afraid to work with the other side of the aisle and many would see an all-Republican Cabinet as a sign that Kasich was faking the bipartisan intentions. Possible Democrats for the Cabinet include current Secretary of State Joe Donnelly, current VA Secretary Jon Tester, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, and former Senators Bill Nelson, Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Manchin.

Clinton Approval Rating:
Approve: 51%
Disapprove: 47%

[MycroftCZ]

A somewhat disappointing turn of events, though not unexpected, honestly. Also it occurred in a more interesting way with Trump's Independent campaign. I'll have to thank the Trump/Moore ticket for that. By the way, what were the popular vote totals?

I would say:
Kasich: 47.8%
Clinton: 46.7%
Trump: 6.5%
Other: 1%

[MycroftCZ]

November 20th, 2020: Cornyn Elected Majority Leader


Texas Senator John Cornyn is now will be the next Senate Majority Leader, replacing Mitch McConnell, who did not run for reelection for the Leadership position. Cornyn said he was honored to be elected to the position and vowed to lead the Republicans in a new direction. "We need a new message, especially coming out the Senate. We need to use our majority to get real, conservative ideals through this body". Cornyn will likely be a much more conservative Republican Leader, with tax cuts and immigration reform at the top of his To-Do-List. Cornyn will likely not shake up the Leadership team too much, already announcing that John Barrasso will serve as Senate Majority Whip.

November 27th, 2020: Romney Nominated for Treasury, Dent for Labor and Tester Stays on as VA Secretary


President-elect Kasich announced two new Cabinet nominees while saying he will keep moderate Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Jon Tester, a former Democratic Senator from Montana, in that role. The first is former Massachusetts Governor and 2012 Republican Nominee for President Mitt Romney. He will go on the serve as Secretary of the Treasury under Kasich. Romney is another moderate Republican who supported John Kasich early-on in his bid for the White House. The other nominee is Pennsylvania Congressman Charlie Dent to be Secretary of Labor. Dent was rumored to be retiring in 2018 but stayed on and ran for reelection in 2020 as well. Dent will leave his seat when he is sworn in as Secretary of Labor and open up a special election in the spring. Dent's district is R+21, according to a bipartisan political handicapper and Republicans are expected to keep this seat in GOP hands.

December 1st, 2020: Donnelly Turns Down Secretary of State Job for 4 More Years


Secretary of State Joe Donnelly was asked to stay on as the head of the State Department under John Kasich but declined to stay in the role. This opens up speculation about a possible 2024 Presidential run, with Donnelly giving himself enough time to set up a campaign staff and make stronger connections with national Democrats. Donnelly would have been the second Democrat in the Kasich administration, with Sec. of Veterans Affairs Jon Tester staying on. Donnelly said that he has loved the job but wants to spend more time with family and in his homestate of Indiana.

December 5th, 2020: Clinton Talks History in Farewell Address


In President Clinton's Farewell Adress to the nation tonight, Clinton struck a sober and emotional cord, talking about womans rights and the fight for a female President. The Farwell Address was given at Seneca Falls, New York, the sight where women suffragets signed the "Decleration of  Sentiments", declaring men and women equal. Clinton talked about how far women have come in history and came close to tears talking about her late husband, former President Bill Clinton. President Clinton also thanked her daughter, Chelsea, and the people that have remained loyal to the Clinton brand since the 90's. President Clinton said that she hopes she is remembered for "always fighting for kids, women and the right side of history".

Clinton Approval Rating:
Approve: 54%
Disapprove: 43%

[MycroftCZ]

December 14th, 2020: Haley for State, other Cabinet Nominations


Former South Carolina Governor and 2020 candidate for President, Nikki Haley, will serve as the next Secretary of State under the Kasich administration. Haley ran against Kasich in the GOP primary this year and this is a clear olive branch to the former Governor of the Palmetto State. Kasich also nominated veteran and former Massachusetts Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. Gomez ran as a moderate Republican in his 2013 Senate campaign, yet another centrist pick for the Kasich Cabinet. The next pick is the second Democrat to enter the Cabinet, former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. Gray has been nominated to be Secretary of Health and Human Services and will be the first openly gay man to hold the job. Gray said that he is "honored to serve, no matter the political party of the President". Kasich also announced that current Secretary of Education Lisa Murkowski will stay in that role.

December 21st, 2020: Senator Marsha Blackburn slams "liberal" Kasich


Tennesse Senator Marsha Blackburn took to CNN today to attack a President-elect John Kasich for picking Democrats for his Cabinet and a Democratic Vice President. Blackburn called the President-elect "liberal" and a "RINO". Blackburn is a staunch conservative who won her Senate election in Tennesse in 2018. The Kasich team has yet to respond but incoming Secretary of State Nikki Haley said that Blackburn was "not a team player" for not fully supporting Kasich. Other Republicans, mostly much farther right than Kasich, have been grumbling that after 12 years of Democratic Presidents, Republican elected a Democrat-lite. Sen. Blackburn also said that she "hopes a true conservative" runs against Kasich in 2024.

December 13rd, 2020: Kasich Announces Last Batch of Cabinet Nominations


President-elect Kasich announced his final nominees to his Cabinet and one shocker rose above the rest. Former Democratic Senator from North Dakota Heidi Heitkamp has been nominated for Secretary of Agriculture, bringing the number of Democrats in the Cabinet to 3. Kasich also nominated former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James to be Secretary of Defense, Illinois Attorney General Erika Harold to be Attorney General, Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, environmental activist Lynn P. Scarlett to be the Secretary of the Interior and Amtrak CEO Richard H. Anderson to be Secretary of Transportation. All of these picks will likely not be controversial as the pick of Rep. Lynn Jenkins opens up a special election in Kansas' 2nd Congressional District. Kasich's Cabinet is also majority female, with 9 women to only 5 men.

Clinton Approval Rating:
Approve: 53%
Disapprove: 43%

[OSR stands with Israel]

December 14th, 2020: Haley for State, other Cabinet Nominations


Former South Carolina Governor and 2020 candidate for President, Nikki Haley, will serve as the next Secretary of State under the Kasich administration. Haley ran against Kasich in the GOP primary this year and this is a clear olive branch to the former Governor of the Palmetto State. Kasich also nominated veteran and former Massachusetts Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. Gomez ran as a moderate Republican in his 2013 Senate campaign, yet another centrist pick for the Kasich Cabinet. The next pick is the second Democrat to enter the Cabinet, former Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. Gray has been nominated to be Secretary of Health and Human Services and will be the first openly gay man to hold the job. Gray said that he is "honored to serve, no matter the political party of the President". Kasich also announced that current Secretary of Education Lisa Murkowski will stay in that role.

December 21st, 2020: Senator Marsha Blackburn slams "liberal" Kasich


Tennesse Senator Marsha Blackburn took to CNN today to attack a President-elect John Kasich for picking Democrats for his Cabinet and a Democratic Vice President. Blackburn called the President-elect "liberal" and a "RINO". Blackburn is a staunch conservative who won her Senate election in Tennesse in 2018. The Kasich team has yet to respond but incoming Secretary of State Nikki Haley said that Blackburn was "not a team player" for not fully supporting Kasich. Other Republicans, mostly much farther right than Kasich, have been grumbling that after 12 years of Democratic Presidents, Republican elected a Democrat-lite. Sen. Blackburn also said that she "hopes a true conservative" runs against Kasich in 2024.

December 13rd, 2020: Kasich Announces Last Batch of Cabinet Nominations


President-elect Kasich announced his final nominees to his Cabinet and one shocker rose above the rest. Former Democratic Senator from North Dakota Heidi Heitkamp has been nominated for Secretary of Agriculture, bringing the number of Democrats in the Cabinet to 3. Kasich also nominated former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James to be Secretary of Defense, Illinois Attorney General Erika Harold to be Attorney General, Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, environmental activist Lynn P. Scarlett to be the Secretary of the Interior and Amtrak CEO Richard H. Anderson to be Secretary of Transportation. All of these picks will likely not be controversial as the pick of Rep. Lynn Jenkins opens up a special election in Kansas' 2nd Congressional District. Kasich's Cabinet is also majority female, with 9 women to only 5 men.

Clinton Approval Rating:
Approve: 53%
Disapprove: 43%

And I hope Senator Blackburn gets primaried in 2024 as well

[vanteran]

Current Senate Makeup

Republicans (51) [–5]

Richard Shelby (AL)
Jeff Sessions (AL)
Dan Sullivan (AK)
Sean Parnell (AK)
Jeff Flake (AZ)
Kelli Ward (AZ)
John Boozman (AR)
Tom Cotton (AR)
Marco Rubio (FL)
Rick Scott (FL)
Johnny Isakson (GA)
David Perdue (GA)
Mike Crapo (ID)
Jim Risch (ID)
Mike Pence (IN)
Todd Young (IN)
Chuck Grassley (IA)
Joni Ernst (IA)
Kris Kobach (KS)
Jerry Moran (KS)
Mitch McConnell (KY)
Rand Paul (KY)
John Neely Kennedy (LA)
Roger Wicker (MS)
Phil Bryant (MS)
Josh Hawley (MO)
Ryan Zinke (MT)
Deb Fischer (NE)
Ben Sasse (NE)
Richard Burr (NC)
John Hoeven (ND)
Kevin Cramer (ND)
Rob Portman (OH)
Scott Pruitt (OK)
James Lankford (OK)
Lindsey Graham (SC)
Tim Scott (SC)
John Thune (SD)
Mike Rounds (SD)
Lamar Alexander (TN)
Marsha Blackburn (TN)
John Cornyn (TX)
Ted Cruz (TX)
Evan McMullin (I-UT)
Mike Lee (UT)
Barbara Comstock (VA)
Evan Jenkins (WV)
Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
Scott Walker (WI)
Mike Enzi (WY)
John Barrasso (WY)

Democrats (49) [+5]

Eric Garcetti (CA)
Kamala Harris (CA)
Michael Bennet (CO)
John Hickenlooper (CO)
Richard Blumenthal (CT)
Chris Murphy (CT)
Tom Carper (DE)
Chris Coons (DE)
Brian Schatz (HI)
Mazie Hirono (HI)
Dick Durbin (IL)
Tammy Duckworth (IL)
Mitch Landrieu (LA)
Chellie Pingree (ME)
Angus King (I-ME)
Ben Cardin (MD)
Chris Van Hollen (MD)
Elizabeth Warren (MA)
Ed Markey (MA)
Jennifer Granholm (MI)
Gary Peters (MI)
Amy Klobuchar (MN)
Tina Smith (MN)
Jason Kander (MO)
Steve Bullock (MT)
Jacky Rosen (NV)
Catherine Cortez Masto (NV)
Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
Maggie Hassan (NH)
Bob Menendez (NJ)
Cory Booker (NJ)
Tom Udall (NM)
Martin Heinrich (NM)
Chuck Schumer (NY)
Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
Walter Dalton (NC)
Sherrod Brown (OH)
Ron Wyden (OR)
Jeff Merkley (OR)
Bob Casey Jr. (PA)
Katie McGinty (PA)
Jack Reed (RI)
Sheldon Whitehouse (RI)
Patrick Leahy (VT)
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Mark Warner (VA)
Patty Murray (WA)
Maria Cantwell (WA)
Russ Feingold (WI)

Current House of Representatives Makeup

Republicans: 246 [–9]

Democrats: 189 [+9]

[Illini Moderate]

Oh how I wish this was Clinton's actual send off from the national scene rather than the one she actually received

[MycroftCZ]

January 3rd, 2021: New Congress Sworn In

Today, the 117th Congress was sworn in, with 46 Democrats, 51 Republicans and 3 Independents in the Senate. 2 Independents caucus with the Democrats and 1 caucuses with the Republicans. 5 new Democrats were sworn in as gains, while 2 Republicans replaced retiring Republicans in red states. The new House of Representatives was also sworn in, with Speaker Paul Ryan managing a Republican majority with 246 seats while Minority Leader Tim Ryan manages 189 Democratic seats.  The new members of the Senate are:

Sen. Steve Bullock(D-MT)
Sen. Mitch Landrieu(D-LA)
Sen. John Hickenlooper(D-CO)
Sen. Walter Dalton(D-NC)
Sen. Chellie Pingree(D-ME)
Sen. Kris Kobach(R-KS)
Sen. Scott Pruitt(R-OK)

January 11th, 2021: Democrats Challenge CEO Pick for Transportation


The pick of Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson to head the Department of Transportation is getting a little bit more controversial, as the more liberal members of the Senate are lining up against him. Vermont Senator Bernie Sander has already said that he will not support Anderson, as have California Senators Kamala Harris and Eric Garcetti, Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold and newly elected Maine Senator Chellie Pingree. Republicans are lining up behind Anderson, with only a handful yet to announce support for his confirmation as Secretary of Transportation.

January 20th, 2021: Kasich Sworn in as 46th President


Former Ohio Governor John Kasich is now the 46th President of the United States, being sworn in today in Washington DC. Former North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan was also sworn in a Vice President. Kasich called for unity after a "bruising and long campaign". Kasich also said that he will be "willing, no eager, to work across the aisle to get things done for the American people". Kasich is sworn in as the first Republican President in 12 years while Hagan will continue the Democratic streak of Vice President's for 16 years, possibly 20. Former President Hillary Clinton left DC after the Inauguration and will live at her home in Chappaqua. Former Vice President Tim Kaine was driven back to his home in Virginia.

January 23rd, 2021: Kasich Working on Balanced Budget Amendment


President Kasich is hitting the ground running, already working with Senate Majority Leader John Cornyn and Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on a Balanced Budegt Amendment to the Constituition, requiring the federal government to have a balanced budget in the future. Kasich said that he hopes this will be a bipartisan effort and wants to work with even the most liberal members of Congress in the effort. Vice President Hagan said that she is "on board" with the idea but did not give overwhelming praise or exude excitment for the idea.

Kasich Approval Rating:
Approve: 64%
Disapprove: 26%

[DevinM626]

Gonna throw out some early predictions for the 2024 Dem Primary:

Booker
Donnelly
Feingold (The Sanders endorsed candidate)
Garcetti or Harris
Gillibrand
Hickenlooper
Kaine
Kander

[2016]

Gonna throw out some early predictions for the 2024 Dem Primary:

Booker
Donnelly
Feingold (The Sanders endorsed candidate)
Garcetti or Harris
Gillibrand
Hickenlooper
Kaine
Kander

I'm surprised you didn't throw in Kamala Harris from CA.

[MycroftCZ]

The idea of Senator Kobach or Pruitt makes me want to vomit.

Fortunately, we have Senators Bullock, Hickenlooper, and Pingree.

ikr... it hurt to have them win but it makes sense for them to run for the open seats

[MycroftCZ]

February 1st, 2021: Hagan Charts Independent Course as VP


Vice President Kay Hagan, the first female Vice President in US history, is planning on not just being a yes-woman for the Kasich administration. Abortion is a big issue that aides say the Vice President will not side with President Kasich on. Despite being moderate on most social issues, Kasich is fiercely pro-life and Hagan is willing to go to battle with Kasich over abortion rights. The President has not said that he will have abortion restrictions as the main theme of his Presidency, but Hagan is waiting to see if Kasich changes his mind. Hagan has also said that she will vote with an "independent mind" if a 50-50 split happens in the Senate and she must break the tie.

February 12th, 2021: Anderson Confirmed by Senate 58-42


The Senate has confirmed Amtrak CEO Richard H. Anderson to be the next Secretary of Transportation, despite pushback from Democrats. Still, 10 Democrats voted for Anderson: Steve Bullock(MT), Mitch Landrieu(LA), Walter Dalton(NC), Jason Kander(MO), Angus King(ME), Mark Warner(VA), Jeanne Shaheen(NH), Sheldon Whitehouse(RI), Michael Bennet(CO), Bob Casey(PA). No Republicans voted against Anderson and the Democrats who did are from red states or have moderate voting records. Anderson had built up resisitance from the more progressive members of the Senate, who did not like the idea of a CEO heading a major governmental department.

February 19th, 2021: Kasich, Cornyn, Schumer, Ryan Unveil Balnce Budget Amedment


President Kasich, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader John Cornyn, Minority Leader Chuck Shumer and Speaker Paul Ryan, unvelied their Balanced Budget Amendment. This amendment to the Contitution would require the federal government to spend as much money as they take in, balancing the budget and avoiding expanding the national debt. Kasich made this a core campaign process in his 2020 bid for the White House. The amendment would need 2/3 support from both houses of Congress to pass and multiple Democrats have already come out in support of the amendment. Getting to 66 votes in the Senate and 290 votes in the House will be a battle but Republicans and many Democrats remain confident that they can make it happen.

Kasich Approval Rating:
Approve: 65%
Disapprove: 24%

[Torrain]

Intrigued by Hagan. If Kasich goes down for any reason, the succession would be crazy. The Republicans would lose the presidency, and the Democrats would be forced to accept a defector as leader. Has Hagan let her party membership lapse?

[Progressive Pessimist]

Clinton's approval rating going up just screams irony to me. I wouldn't be surprised if she once again becomes the most popular politician in the country again when she isn't in a political position anymore. What a fickle country we are.

[catographer]

Schumer for a BBA???

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Clinton's approval rating going up just screams irony to me. I wouldn't be surprised if she once again becomes the most popular politician in the country again when she isn't in a political position anymore. What a fickle country we are.