Talk Elections

YAY

Thursday, November 10, 2016

"Well, I appreciate you reaching out to us, Madam Secretary." Al Franken sat in his study, allowing Hillary Clinton to vent. Just 48 hours ago he thought she would be President-elect. The junior Senator from Minnesota and the former Secretary of State were close friends, and he was strongly considered to be her running mate. Over the hour and a half they had spoken, he'd made her laugh "for the first time since that night."

"I'm glad you're all doing well, Senator. I really am. And Al, I have a personal favor to ask."

"Name it, Hillary."

"Run. In four years. You'd win, and beat the sh!t out of that orange buffoon."

Al was taken aback. He'd never considered he'd run for Senate, let alone President. Now, a person whom he respected almost more than anybody else was telling him that he should do it.

"I...well, I don't know..." Al was rarely speechless, but he was right now.

"You don't have to announce tomorrow. But very strongly consider it. Please?"

"Alright, Madam Secretary. I'll think about it, talk it over with Franny and the kids..."

You should put "From the Creator of Camelot Anew" before coming soon in the first post.

Haha. Maybe I will.

------------

It's been coming since December of last year, when Democrat Doug Jones defeated Roy Moore in the Alabama special election, one of the biggest upsets in political history. Now, the Democrats have held all their seats and gained a handful more in the senate, and have won control of the House of Representatives too. "This is better than 2008," said a beaming DNC Chair Tom Perez before going out on stage to declare a victory in "the battle against this corrupt administration."

Senate results:

Arizona:
Kyrsten Sinema won in a landslide, defeating Kelli Ward, a gain for the Democrats.

California:
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti held the seat for the Democrats, vacant after the retirement of Dianne Feinstein. Garcetti defeated left-wing independent Michael Eisen 54-46.

Connecticut:
Incumbent Democrat Chris Murphy faced no real opposition, and won reelection with 80% of the vote.

Delaware:
Incumbent Democrat Tom Carper faced no real opposition, and won reelection with 90% of the vote.

Florida:
Incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson wins, easily dispatching GOP challenger Rick Scott.

Hawaii:
Incumbent Democrat Mazie Hirono won reelection with 95% of the vote.

Indiana:
Incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly narrowly wins reelection over Todd Rokita.

Maine:
Incumbent Independent Angus King easily wins reelection, with 70% of the vote.

Maryland:
Incumbent Democrat Ben Cardin easily won reelection with 75% of the vote.

Massachusetts:
Incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Warren easily wins reelection, dispatching former baseball star Curt Schilling 59-41.

Michigan:
Incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow wins reelection over Robert P. Young, 63-36.

Minnesota:
Incumbent Democrat Amy Klobuchar easily wins reelection, 65-35 over Jim Newburger.

Mississippi:
Incumbent Republican Roger Wicker easily wins reelection, with 65% of the vote.

Missouri:
In a race that started out narrow, incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill has overwhelmingly won reelection over Josh Hawley, 59-40.

Montana:
Another race that started out extremely close, but unlike Missouri it saltayed that way: Jon Tester, the incumbent Democrat wins reelection 51-49 over Albert Olszewski.

Nebraska:
Incumbent Republican Deb Fischer wins reelection overwhelmingly.

Nevada:
Jacky Rosen, the Democratic candidate, wins overwhelmingly over incumbent Republican Dean Heller.

New Jersey
Democrat Frank Pallone holds this seat overwhelmingly.

New Mexico:
Incumbent Democrat Martin Heinrich wins reelection over Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez 57-42.

New York:
Incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand wins reelection with over 80% of the vote.

North Dakota:
Incumbent Democrat Heidi Heitkamp holds on, winning 53-47 over State Senator Tom Campbell.

Ohio:
Incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown wins reelection, 55-42 over Josh Mandel.

Tennessee:
Republican Governor Bill Haslam holds this seat for the GOP, 58-42 over Democrat Andy Berke.

Texas
In one of the real shockers of the night, Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke has won, defeating Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, 50.2-49.8. Cruz had low favorability ratings among conservatives, and already depressed GOP turnout results in the first statewide Democratic win in Texas in nearly 30 years.

Utah:
Republican Mitt Romney has won overwhelmingly, holding the seat for the GOP.

Vermont:
Incumbent Independent Bernie Sanders has won reelection overwhelmingly.

Virginia:
Incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine has won reelection, 62-38 over Republican Corey Stewart.

Washington:
Incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell has won reelection, 68-30.

West Virginia:
Incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin has won reelection, 55-42 over Republican Evan Jenkins.

Wisconsin:
Incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin has won reelection, 58-40 over Rebecca Kleefisch.

Wyoming:
Incumbent Republican John Barrasso has won reelection with over 80% of the vote.

Between the premise and those midterm results, I think I just shat a brick straight into Narnia.

This is just a little Franken wank. A Wanken, if you will.

ba dum tssss

Thus the poor, unsuspecting brick I shat. Expect me to follow this one almost as eagerly as I follow Camelot Anew.

EDIT: Incidentally, would you mind if I inquired as to the results of some key House races? I'm interested in how McGrath, Ojeda, and Bryce did in their respective bids.

Yeah, I'm getting posts on the governorships and House set up now. Should be up tonight.

2018 results continued, governorships:

Alabama:
Republican Kay Ivey has been elected to a full term.

Alaska:
Independent Bill Walker has been reelected.

Arizona:
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton has won, defeating incumbent Republican Doug Ducey 55-44.

Arkansas:
Incumbent Republican Asa Hutchinson has been reelected overwhelmingly.

California:
Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom has defeated former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, 62-38 in a Democrat vs. Democrat race.

Colorado:
Congressman Jared Polis has won and become the first openly gay person elected Governor of a US State, defeating Republican George Brauchler 54-44.

Connecticut:
Democrat Dan Drew has won, defeating Republican Prasad Srinivasan 52-48.

Florida:
Former Congressowman Gwen Graham, a Democrat, has defeated Republican nominee Adam Putnam in a close race, 51-49.

Georgia:
In one of the narrowest races in the country, Democrat Stacey Abrams has won, defeating Republican Casey Cagle 50.1-49.8, a margin of around 2,000 votes. Abrams has become the first female and first African-American governor of Georgia, and the first female African-American governor elected nationwide.

Hawaii:
Democratic Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa has been elected Governor overwhelmingly.

Idaho:
Republican congressman Raul Labrador has won overwhelmingly.

Illinois:
Democrat Daniel Biss has won, defeated Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner 52-47.

Iowa:
Democratic State Senator Nate Boulton has won, dispatching incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds 51-49.

Kansas:
Democrat Josh Svaty has won, defeating Republican Kris Kobach. Kobach was linked to the unpopular Brownback administration.

Maine:
Democrat Betsy Sweet has won, defeating Republican Mary Mayhew and Independent Terry Hayes, 38-33-29.

Maryland:
Democrat Krishanti Vignarajah has surprisingly won, dispatching Republican incumbent Larry Hogan by the surprisingly comfortable margin 55-45. She will become the first female governor of Maryland, and first non-white Governor of Maryland.

Massachusetts:
Democrat Setti Warren has won, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Charlie Baker. Baker was popular, but low GOP turnout coupled with the anti-Republican consensus contributed to his narrow, 49-48 defeat.

Minnesota:
Democratic Congressman Tim Walz has won, defeating Repubican County Commissioner Jeff Johnson 56-44.

Nebraska:
State Seantor Bob Krist has won, defeating Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts. Krist, a moderate former Republican, won with the tacit endorsement of the state Democratic Party.

Nevada:
Democratic Secretary of State Ross Miller has won election in a landslide, defeating Republican Jared Fisher as the state of Nevada continues to trend toward the Democrats.

New Hampshire:
Executive Counselor Andy Volinsky has landslided the incumbent, Republican Chris Sununu, 65-34.

New Mexico:
Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham has won, defeating Republican Congressman Steve Pearce.

New York:
Democrat Preet Bharara has won overwhelmingly. Bharara defeated incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary.

Ohio:
Democrat Connie Pillich has won, narrowly dispatching Republican Mike DeWine 51-49.

Oklahoma:
Democrat Scott Inman has won, in a narrow race against Republican Gary Richardson.

Oregon:
Incumbent Democrat Kate Brown has won overwhelmingly.

Pennsylvania:
Incumbent Democrat Tom Wolf has won, dispatching Republican Scott Wagner 53-47.

Rhode Island:
Former Governor Lincoln Chafee, a Democrat, has won 58-42 over Republican Alan Fung.

South Carolina:
Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch has won, narrowly defeating Republican Yancey McGill 51-49.

South Dakota:
Democrat Billie Sutton has narrowly won, defeating Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem 49.8-49.1.

Tennessee:
Democrat Karl Dean has won, dispatching Republican Congresswoman Diane Black 52-48.

Texas:
Republican incumbent Greg Abbott has won reelection overwhelmingly.

Vermont:
Republican incumbent Phil Scott has won, in a surprisingly close race against 13-year-old Democrat Ethan Sonneborn.

Wisconsin:
Democrat Kathleen Vinehout has won, dispatching incumbent Republican Scott Walker 52-48.

Wyoming:
Republican Jillian Barlow has won overwhelmingly.

>Sonneborn (who would be 14 by November 2018, for the record) losing to Scott

(More seriously, good job!)

Ethan Sonneborn will forever be 13 to me.

House of Representatives results. Bold indicates a gain, italics indicate a change of rep but not party (deep breath):

Alabama-01: Bradley Byrne
Alabama-02: Martha Roby
Alabama-03: Mike Rogers
Alabama-04: Robert Aderholt
Alabama-05: Mo Brooks
Alabama-06: Gary Palmer
Alabama-07: Terri Sewell

Alaska-AL: Don Young

Arizona-01: Tom O'Halleran
Arizona-02: Ann Kirkpatrick (D+1)
Arizona-03: Raul Grijalva
Arizona-04: Paul Gosar
Arizona-05: Andy Biggs
Arizona-06: Garrick McFadden (D+2)
Arizona-07: Ruben Gallego
Arizona-08: Trent Franks
Arizona-09: Talia Fuentes

Arkansas-01: Rick Crawford
Arkansas-02: Gwendolynn Combs (D+3)
Arkansas-03: Robb Ryerse
Arkansas-04: Bruce Westerman

California-01: Doug LaMalfa
California-02: Jared Huffman
California-03: John Garamendi
California-04: Roza Calderon (D+4)
California-05: Mike Thompson
California-06: Doris Matusi
California-07: Ami Bera
California-08: Paul Cook
California-09: Jerry McNerney
California-10: Dotty Nygard (D+5)
California-11: Mark DeSaulnier
California-12: Nancy Pelosi (Speaker-elect)
California-13: Barbara Lee
California-14: Jackie Speier
California-15: Eric Swalwell
California-16: Jim Costa
California-17: Ro Khanna
California-18: Anna Eshoo
California-19: Zoe Lofgren
California-20: Jimmy Panetta
California-21: Emilio Huerta (D+6)
California-22: Andrew Janz (D+7)
California-23: Kevin McCarthy
California-24: Salud Carbajal
California-25: Jess Phoenix (D+8)
California-26: Julia Brownley
California-27: Judy Chu
California-28: Adam Schiff
California-29: Tony Cardenas
California-30: Brad Sherman
California-31: Pete Aguilar
California-32: Grace Napolitano
California-33: Ted Lieu
California-34: Jimmy Gomez
California-35: Norma Torres
California-36: Raul Ruiz
California-37: Karen Bass
California-38: Linda Sanchez
California-39: Gil Cisneros (D+9)
California-40: Lucille Roybal-Allard
California-41: Mark Takano
California-42: Ken Calvert
California-43: Maxine Waters
California-44: Nannette Barragan
California-45: Dave Min (D+10)
California-46: Lou Correa
California-47: Alan Lowenthal
California-48: Michael Kotick (D+11)
California-49: Doug Applegate (D+12)
California-50: Duncan Hunter
California-51: Juan Vargas
California-52: Scott Peters
California-53: Susan Davis

Colorado-01: Diana DeGette
Colorado-02: Joe Neguse
Colorado-03: Diane Mitsch Bush (D+13)
Colorado-04: Ken Buck
Colorado-05: Doug Lamborn
Colorado-06: Levi Tillemann (D+14)
Colorado-07: Ed Perlmutter

Connecticut-01: John Larson
Connecticut-02: Joe Courtney
Connecticut-03: Rosa DeLauro (Majority Leader-elect)
Connecticut-04: Jim Himes
Connecticut-05: Elizabeth Esty

Delaware-AL: Lisa Blunt Rochester

This timeline is catharsis personified.

2018 is not a good year for the GOP.

------

Florida-01: Matt Gaetz
Florida-02: Neal Dunn
Florida-03: Ted Yoho
Florida-04: John Rutherford
Florida-05: Al Lawson
Florida-06: Nancy Soderberg (D+15)
Florida-07: Stephanie Murphy
Florida-08: Bill Posey
Florida-09: Darren Soto
Florida-10: Val Demmings
Florida-11: Daniel Webster
Florida-12: Gus Bilirakis
Florida-13: Charlie Crist
Florida-14: Kathy Castor
Florida-15: Andrew Learned (D+16)
Florida-16: Calen Cristiani (D+17)
Florida-17: Tom Rooney
Florida-18: Pam Keith (D+18)
Florida-19: Francis Rooney
Florida-20: Alcee Hastings
Florida-21: Lois Frankel
Florida-22: Ted Deutch
Florida-23: Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Florida-24: Frederica Wilson
Florida-25: Raul L. Martinez (D+19)
Florida-26: Steven Machat (D+20)
Florida-27: Jose Javier Rodriguez (D+21)

Georgia-01: Buddy Carter
Georgia-02: Sanford Bishop
Georgia-03: Drew Ferguson
Georgia-04: Hank Johnson
Georgia-05: John Lewis
Georgia-06: Jon Ossoff (D+22)
Georgia-07: Carolyn Bourdeaux (D+23)
Georgia-08: Austin Scott
Georgia-09: Doug Collins
Georgia-10: Jody Hice
Georgia-11: Barry Loudermilk
Georgia-12: Rick Allen
Georgia-13: David Scott
Georgia-14: Tom Graves

Hawaii-01: Kaniela Ing
Hawaii-02: Tulsi Gabbard

Idaho-01: Russ Fulcher
Idaho-02: Mike Simpson

Illinois-01: Bobby Rush
Illinois-02: Robin Kelly
Illinois-03: Marie Newman
Illinois-04: Luis Gutierrez
Illinois-05: Mike Quigley
Illinois-06: Amanda Howland (D+24)
Illinois-07: Danny K. Davis
Illinois-08: Raja Krishnamoorthi
Illinois-09: Jan Schakowsky
Illinois-10: Brad Schneider
Illinois-11: Bill Foster
Illinois-12: Dean Pruitt (D+25)
Illinois-13: Benjamin Webb (D+26)
Illinois-14: Lauren Underwood (D+27)
Illinois-15: John Shimkus
Illinois-16: Neill Mohammad (D+28)
Illinois-17: Cheri Bustos
Illinois-18: Darin LaHood

Indiana-01: Pete Visclosky
Indiana-02: Jackie Walorski
Indiana-03: Jim Banks
Indiana-04: Diego Morales
Indiana-05: Susan Brooks
Indiana-06: Jonathan M. Lamb
Indiana-07: Andre Carson
Indiana-08: Larry Buchson
Indiana-09: Trey Hollingsworth

Iowa-01: Abby Finkenauer (D+29)
Iowa-02: Dave Loebsack
Iowa-03: Pete D'Alessandro (D+30)
Iowa-04: Steve King

Kansas-01: Roger Marshall
Kansas-02: Caryn Tyson
Kansas-03: Andrea Ramsey (D+31)
Kansas-04: Ron Estes

Kentucky-01: James Comer
Kentucky-02: Brett Guthrie
Kentucky-03: John Yarmuth
Kentucky-04: Thomas Massie
Kentucky-05: Hal Rogers
Kentucky-06: Reggie Thomas (D+32)

Louisiana-01: Steve Scalise
Louisiana-02: Cedric Richmond
Louisiana-03: Clay Higgins
Louisiana-04: Mike Johnson
Louisiana-05: Ralph Abraham
Louisiana-06: Garrett Graves

:) :) :) :) :) :) :)

at the end of this, if you can, Id love to see a house map showing all the atlas red :D

Surprised you didn't go with Amy McGrath here. Still, I'll accept any timeline in which Andy Barr is gone.

I actually have a map of what's gone down so far.
()
Pickup is obvious, hold is a party hold from an outgoing incumbent, and holdinc is a hold from an incumbent.

Peebs that's the wrong district in Kentucky to flip.

Mistook a 5 for a 6. Will fix.

Wow great job Peebs! Thank you so much! I did notice that Yarmuth's seat in Kentucky is marked as a hold with a new representative, instead of an incumbent hold. But that's the only error I noticed. Great job and thanks again!

God damn it. Fixed.

Maine-01: Chellie Pingree
Maine-02: Jared Golden (D+33)

Maryland-01: Andy Harris
Maryland-02: Dutch Ruppersberger
Maryland-03: John Sarbanes
Maryland-04: Anthony Brown
Maryland-05: Steny Hoyer (Majority Whip-elect)
Maryland-06: Aruna Miller
Maryland-07: Elijah Cummings
Maryland-08: Jamie Raskin

Massachusetts-01: Richard Neal
Massachusetts-02: Jim McGovern
Massachusetts-03: Dan Koh
Massachusetts-04: Joe Kennedy III
Massachusetts-05: Katherine Clark
Massachusetts-06: Seth Moulton
Massachusetts-07: Mike Capuano
Massachusetts-08: Brianna Wu
Massachusetts-09: Bill Keating

Frankenwank? Does John Bobbitt become President?

tbh I'm gonna nut if Roberts challenges Pittenger again and she wins this time.

EDIT: Oh, and I should probably show off the new map: ()

Michigan-01: Dwight Brady (D+34)
Michigan-02: Bill Huizenga
Michigan-03: Jeff Thomas (D+35)
Michigan-04: John Moolenaar
Michigan-05: Dan Kildee
Michigan-06: Eponine Garrod (D+36)
Michigan-07: Gretchen Driskell (D+37)
Michigan-08: Darlene Domanik (D+38)
Michigan-09: Sander Levin
Michigan-10: Paul Mitchell
Michigan-11: Haley Stevens (D+39)
Michigan-12: Debbie Dingell
Michigan-13: John Conyers
Michigan-14: Brenda Lawrence

Checked over Florida. Everything looks god, but what caused Diaz-Balart to lose? Also, it's Francis Rooney, not Frank :)

Great job so far!

()

()

Thanks! I'll change Rooney. Diaz-Balart lost because he made a gaffe a few days before election day, saying "Trump is better for Latinos than any Democrat in history." This was days after Trump had flip-flopped back onto the border wall (about the dozenth time he's changed positions on the wall). He very narrowly loses to Raul Martinez, one-time Hialeah Democratic mayoral candidate.

----

Minnesota-01: Vicki Jensen
Minnesota-02: Jeff Erdmann
Minnesota-03: Adam Jennings (D+40)
Minnesota-04: Betty McCollum
Minnesota-05: Keith Ellison
Minnesota-06: Tom Emmer
Minnesota-07: Colin Peterson
Minnesota-08: Rick Nolan

Mississippi-01: Trent Kelly
Mississippi-02: Bennie Thompson
Mississippi-03: Gregg Harper
Mississippi-04: Steven Palazzo

Missouri-01: Lacy Clay
Missouri-02: Cort VanOstran (D+41)
Missouri-03: Blaine Leutkemeyer
Missouri-04: Vicky Hartzler
Missouri-05: Emanuel Cleaver
Missouri-06: Sam Graves
Missouri-07: Billy Long
Missouri-08: Jason Smith

Montana-AL: Greg Gianforte

Nebraska-01: Jeff Fortenberry
Nebraska-02: Brad Ashford (D+42)
Nebraska-03: Adrian Smith

Nevada-01: Dina Titus
Nevada-02: Rick Shepherd (D+43)
Nevada-03: Susie Lee
Nevada-04: Ruben Kihuen

Also, I just noticed: CA-25 and NV-02 are Dem gains.
()

New Hampshire-01: Carol Shea-Porter
New Hampshire-02: Ann McLane Kuster

New Jersey-01: Donald Norcross
New Jersey-02: Bob Andrzejczak (D+44)
New Jersey-03: Andy Kim (D+45)
New Jersey-04: Jim Keady (D+46)
New Jersey-05: Josh Gottheimer
New Jersey-06: Peter Jacob
New Jersey-07: Tom Malinowski (D+47)
New Jersey-08: Albio Sires
New Jersey-09: Bill Pascarell
New Jersey-10: Donald Payne
New Jersey-11: Tamara Harris (D+48)
New Jersey-12: Bonnie Watson Coleman

New Mexico-01: Damon Martinez
New Mexico-02: David Baake (D+49)
New Mexico-03: Ben Ray Lujan

New York-01: Elaine DiMasi (D+50)
New York-02: Kimberley Jean-Pierre (D+51)
New York-03: Tom Suozzi
New York-04: Kathleen Rice
New York-05: Gregory Meeks
New York-06: Grace Meng
New York-07: Nydia Velazquez
New York-08: Hakeem Jeffries
New York-09: Yvette Clark
New York-10: Jerry Nadler
New York-11: Michael Cusick (D+52)
New York-12: Carolyn Maloney
New York-13: Adriano Espaillat
New York-14: Joe Crowley
New York-15: Jose Serrano
New York-16: Elliot Engel
New York-17: Nita Lowey
New York-18: Sean Patrick Maloney
New York-19: Jeff Beals (D+53)
New York-20: Paul Tonko
New York-21: Katie Wilson (D+54)
New York-22: Anthony Brindisi (D+55)
New York-23: Ian Golden (D+56)
New York-24: Anne Messenger (D+57)
New York-25: Louise Slaughter
New York-26: Brian Higgins
New York-27: Chris Collins

North Carolina-01: GK Butterfield
North Carolina-02: Linda Coleman (D+58)
North Carolina-03: Walter Jones
North Carolina-04: David Price
North Carolina-05: Virginia Foxx
North Carolina-06: Mike Walker
North Carolina-07: Kyle Horton (D+59)
North Carolina-08: Richard Hudson
North Carolina-09: Dan McCready (D+60)
North Carolina-10: Patrick McHenry
North Carolina-11: Mark Meadows
North Carolina-12: Alma Adams
North Carolina-13: Mike Woodard (D+61)

()

Im surprised that Paul Davis doesn't win the open seat in KS-02. I think he's planning to run IRL.

Ohio-01: PG Sittenfeld (D+62)
Ohio-02: Brad Wenstrup
Ohio-03: Joyce Beatty
Ohio-04: Jim Jordan
Ohio-05: Bob Latta
Ohio-06: Bill Johnson
Ohio-07: Bob Gibbs
Ohio-08: Warren Davidson
Ohio-09: Marcy Kaptur
Ohio-10: Fred Strahorn (D+63)
Ohio-11: Marcia Fudge
Ohio-12: Pat Tiberi
Ohio-13: Tim Ryan
Ohio-14: Kenny Yuko (D+64)
Ohio-15: Steve Stivers
Ohio-16: Anthony Gonzalez

Oklahoma-01: Nathan Dahm
Oklahoma-02: Markwayne Mullin
Oklahoma-03: Frank Lucas
Oklahoma-04: Tom Cole
Oklahoma-05: Steve Russell

Oregon-01: Suzanne Bonamici
Oregon-02: Greg Walden
Oregon-03: Earl Blumenauer
Oregon-04: Pete DeFazio
Oregon-05: Kurt Schrader

Pennsylvania-01: Bob Brady
Pennsylvania-02: Dwight Evans
Pennsylvania-03: Mike Kelly
Pennsylvania-04: Scott Perry
Pennsylvania-05: Glenn Thompson
Pennsylvania-06: Chrissy Houlahan (D+65)
Pennsylvania-07: Daylin Leach (D+66)
Pennsylvania-08: John Galloway (D+67)
Pennsylvania-09: Bill Shuster
Pennsylvania-10: Tom Marino
Pennsylvania-11: Jerry Mullery (D+68)
Pennsylvania-12: Keith Rothfus
Pennsylvania-13: Brendan Boyle
Pennsylvania-14: Mike Doyle
Pennsylvania-15: Peter Schweyer (D+69)
Pennsylvania-16: Christina Hartman (D+70)
Pennsylvania-17: Matt Cartwright
Pennsylvania-18: Tim Murphy

Rhode Island-01: David Cicilline
Rhode Island-02: Jim Langevin

We have now surpassed GOP 2010 wave levels...the GOP gained 63 seats in 2010. And we still have a handful more...

Peebs - MN-01 should be a non-incumbent hold, and it seems like there's a non-filled-in area around St. Louis.

70 seats?!

And we're not done yet!

Everything R+7 and below is turning Dem, and a handful above, too.

South Carolina-01: Mark Sanford
South Carolina-02: Joe Wilson
South Carolina-03: Jeff Duncan
South Carolina-04: Trey Gowdy
South Carolina-05: Archie Parnell (D+71)
South Carolina-06: Jim Clyburn
South Carolina-07: Tom Rice

South Dakota: Shantel Krebs

Tennessee-01: Phil Roe
Tennessee-02: Jimmy Matlock
Tennessee-03: Chuck Fleischmann
Tennessee-04: Scott DesJarlais
Tennessee-05: Jim Cooper
Tennessee-06: Judd Matheny
Tennessee-07: Marsha Blackburn
Tennessee-08: David Kustoff
Tennessee-09: Steve Cohen

Texas-01: Louie Gohmert
Texas-02: Ted Poe
Texas-03: Van Taylor
Texas-04: John Ratcliffe
Texas-05: Jeb Hensarling
Texas-06: Joe Barton
Texas-07: James Cargas (D+72)
Texas-08: Kevin Brady
Texas-09: Al Green
Texas-10: Michael McCaul
Texas-11: Mike Conaway
Texas-12: Kay Granger
Texas-13: Mac Thornberry
Texas-14: Randy Weber
Texas-15: Vicente Gonzalez
Texas-16: Veronica Escobar
Texas-17: Bill Flores
Texas-18: Sheila Jackson Lee
Texas-19: Jodey Arrington
Texas-20: Joaquin Castro
Texas-21: Lamar Smith
Texas-22: Pete Olsen
Texas-23: Gina Ortiz Jones (D+73)
Texas-24: Kenny Marchant
Texas-25: Roger Williams
Texas-26: Michael Burgess
Texas-27: Blake Farenthold
Texas-28: Henry Cuellar
Texas-29: Gene Green
Texas-30: Eddie Bernice Johnson
Texas-31: MJ Hegar (D+74)
Texas-32: Colin Allred (D+75)
Texas-33: Marc Veasey
Texas-34: Filemon Vela, Jr.
Texas-35: Lloyd Doggett
Texas-36: Brian Babin

()

I knew you'd "like" that.

Utah-01: Rob Bishop
Utah-02: Chris Stewart
Utah-03: Jim Bennett (United Utah Party)
Utah-04: Mia Love

Vermont-AL: Peter Welch

Virginia-01: Rob Wittman
Virginia-02: Shaun Brown (D+76)
Virginia-03: Bobby Scott
Virginia-04: Donald McEachin
Virginia-05: Leslie Cockburn (D+77)
Virginia-06: Bob Goodlatte
Virginia-07: Eileen Bedell (D+78)
Virginia-08: Don Beyer
Virginia-09: Morgan Griffith
Virginia-10: Jennifer Wexton (D+79)
Virginia-11: Gerry Connolly

Washington-01: Suzan DelBene
Washington-02: Rick Larsen
Washington-03: Dorothy Gasque (D+80)
Washington-04: Dan Newhouse
Washington-05: Lisa Brown (D+81)
Washington-06: Derek Kilmer
Washington-07: Pramila Jayapal
Washington-08: Jason Rittereiser (D+82)
Washington-09: Adam Smith
Washington-10: Denny Heck

West Virginia-01: David McKinley
West Virginia-02: Alex Mooney
West Virginia-03: Richard Ojeda (D+83)

Wisconsin-01: Randy Bryce (D+84)
Wisconsin-02: Mark Pocan
Wisconsin-03: Ron Kind
Wisconsin-04: Gwen Moore
Wisconsin-05: Jim Sensenbrenner
Wisconsin-06: Glenn Grothman
Wisconsin-07: Sean Duffy (Minority Whip-elect)
Wisconsin-08: Mike Gallagher

Wyoming-AL: Liz Cheney (Minority Leader-elect)

Majority Whip-elect?

The skies have cleared. The winds have warmed. The earth has gone back to its proper reality.

"The blame for this disaster must fall on the White House," former RNC Chair Ronna Romney-McDaniel declared to reporters outside of her Salt Lake City home early Wednesday morning.

"It's also safe to say I will not be showing up to work tomorrow. This was the job of my dreams, but the idiocy coming out of the President's mouth has torpedoed many good men and women who are out of jobs this evening."

"God help whoever follows me into this job."

Early names floating around include the President's daughter, Ivanka Trump, the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, former Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and former United States Senator Orrin Hatch.


"This was a bad night, folks," the 45th President declared to the press corps the morning after the worst electoral defeat for the Republican Party since the 1974 midterm elections.

"But the fact that that nasty woman, Ronna Romney, who, I think, is still working for her uncle Mitt Romney, who never liked me, and in fact tried to sabotage me, repeatedly, but the fact that that woman criticized me is disgusting. No one has done more for the Republican Party than me. If Ronna Romney wants to look at what caused the major defeats last night, she can look in the mirror. She can look at her good friend, the loser Paul Ryan, who lost to some steel worker last night endorsed by the Socialist Party. He's a loser, he's weak, he's the worst House Speaker in history. I look forward to working with Nancy Pelosi because at least she has some balls, which is something Paul Ryan doesn't have. And Ronna, Ronna can look at her good friend Mitch McConnell, who has been sabotaging our attempts to Make America Great Again, who is the most low-energy politician I've ever met, it's a shame he wasn't running last night because he would've lost too and it would've made me very happy. Mitch McConnell is a moron, and he should resign. I'm glad Chuck Schumer will be Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer's a great guy, who's going to be a great Majority Leader. I can work with Chuck, Chuck is New York, I'm New York, as a matter of fact I voted for him many times, so I can work with Chuck. Ronna can look at me Making America Great Again with the Democrats because the Republicans were cowards, and they threw me under the bus, and I'll work with the Democrats and I think the Democrats can work with me too to Make America Great Again. Ronna can look at my beautiful, lovely daughter Ivanka taking Ronna's job and Ivanka will do a much better job than Ronna will ever do, a much better job, because Ivanka is extremely talented, she's extremely beautiful, and she's the right person to turn the RNC around to help us Make America Great Again. If she doesn't want to, and she might not want to, she hasn't told me if she wants to, but if she doesn't want to take over Ronna's mess, my son-in-law Jared Kushner, who I love like a son, would be a great RNC chair too. Very smart, very talented, very good with money, much better than Ronna. Everyone's better than Ronna. Thank you."

Jim Clyburn has retired from the leadership. Steny is the Whip, Rosa DeLauro is the Majority Leader.

"He is the worst President in at least 150 years," Mitt Romney declared at his first press conference as the new Senator-elect for Utah. Senator-elect Romney responded to President Donald Trump's criticism of former RNC Chair Ronna Romney-McDaniel, who is the Senator-elect's niece.

"Not only were the President's comments irrational, insulting, unnecessary and downright deranged, they were unbecoming to a man in his position." Romney said.

"The Republican Party means something, the Republican Party stands for something. And I'm sorry it's reached this, but at this point, if he's a Republican, than I am not. I will sit as an Independent in the United States Senate, and will change my party registration to 'Undeclared.'

"It's not a decision I make lightly. I've been a Republican all my life, and just yesterday I was again elected as a Republican, and I thank the people of the great state of Utah for the opportunity to serve them in the Senate. But I can no longer associate myself with anything that this so-called President stands for. And that includes my party."



For the first time since losing reelection to his seat in the House of Representatives, outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan faced the media.

"You know, maybe it's shock, but I am feeling an odd sense of peace right now. I've talked to Randy a handful of times, I've promised to make the transition as easy as possible so he can go about serving the people of Wisconsin the best he can."

When asked about the criticism levied at him by President Donald Trump, Ryan suppressed a rueful laugh before stating: "You know, I could sink to his level. But let's just say I'm glad I no longer have to work with him anymore, and I wish Speaker-elect Pelosi luck," he paused for a moment before adding, "She'll need it."



Ivanka Trump, Senior Advisor to the President and First Daughter, has declared her candidacy to become chair of the Republican National Committee.

Trump, 36, had no political experience before being nominated as Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump, her father. She is considered, however, a moderating voice in the administration and as having considerable sway over the President.

Trump cites her business experience as her main quality that would help her as Chair.

"I have so much business experience, so I know exactly how to move a product. And really, a candidate is just another product, waiting to be sold to the people of their district. The Democrats had great messaging, mostly aimed at my father. But I think we can have even better messaging, aimed at my father's positive traits and the positive things he has done as President."

Former Senator Orrin Hatch is expected to announce his candidacy later this week, after he formally leaves the United States Senate.

I'm not really sure how it works, but doesn't the President have the ability to select a party chair?

Wait, seriously? I'd never heard of that rule. But doing some research, it seems you're right.

I'm just going to BS in some new rule Romney-McDaniel passed that requires the RNC Chair to be elected by a majority vote from the 50 state chairs, and the chairs of the party in DC and the territories.

Uuugghhh >80 seats. More like feel the communism (LOL JK). BTW, MN-02 should be a D pickup, unless Jason Lewis resigned and there was a special election with a D gain. I'd suggest you just do that, it saves the trouble of changing all the D+(whatever) numbers.

Also, I just noticed, What happened in ND-AL?

Assuming ND is a GOP hold:

()
Light green = UUP gain.

We're in a scenario of democratic domination yet SC-1 doesn't flip?

Great TL! Writers here usually shy away from giving the Democrats a (possibly unrealistic) 2018 landslide, but this fallout makes it all worth it. Could we get something from Tom Perez's side of the story?

Annexed by Canada.

No, but seriously

North Dakota-AL: Kevin Cramer


SC-01 is R+10. As I stated upthread, everything R+7 or less flipped, as did some, but not many, above.

Well, The GOP is certainly boned in this timeline.

what happened in state legislatures?

Demslide. Don't wanna go through all fifty states.

"...thank you, and god bless America!" Tom Perez walked off the stage to thunderous cheers, just 12 hours after the Democrats had retaken both chambers. He poured himself a glass of water backstage and sat down to think.

When Tom Perez had first started as chairperson of the DNC, he'd been booed by audiences who'd felt he'd unjustly stolen the chairmanship out from Bernie's chosen candidate, Keith Ellison. But he'd won over rank-and-file Democrats (including Berniecrats) with his fiery passion and his willingness to work outside of his own faction of the party.

And it had largely worked. 2018 was the most successful year for the Democrats...maybe ever.

But the next chapter of his chairmanship was his most important. In a few months, candidates would begin announcing. He already knew who some of them would be. Kirsten, Kamala, Terry, Andrew...probably Bernie. He was scared that the party was making the same mistake it had in 2016...career politicians who couldn't speak to average Americans.

And then there was Al. Al wasn't a career politician, was charming and affable, and smart as hell. He knew Hillary had already pressured Al to run. Unsurprising, consider her history of butting heads with Joe and Bernie, Andrew's unpopularity, Kamala's inexperience...

He was scared, though. If Bernie ran and lost again, what would happen in November?

I love this.

()

The fun thing about this timeline is that, if 2018 is to 2006 what 2020 will be to 2008, House Republican's freefall is far from over.

;)

Also, your sig made me laugh.

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- Will Anyone Else Jump In?

Small Wyvern Albus        YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1392 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « on: April 5, 2019, 05:16:09 pm » Will anyone else jump in for the Communist Party? That's what I'm calling them now because they're all running like Trotskyists.

---

NebraskaTrot Omaha Trotsky Moderators      YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9212 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « Reply #1 on: April 5, 2019, 05:17:15 pm » Quote from: Small Wyvern Will anyone else jump in for the Communist Party? That's what I'm calling them now because they're all running like Trotskyists. Are you kidding? Anyway, I'm thinking one or two more might jump in. Murphy, maybe. Tammy Duckworth, maybe. I'm inclined to believe that Liz's denials are serious and that she won't jump in, even though she'd win. I guess she's just not interested in the job. I'm surprised Klobuchar hasn't announced, she'd need the name recognition of announcing early. Maybe she knows something about Flawless Beautiful Al.

---

America First America1st YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « Reply #2 on: April 5, 2019, 05:18:36 pm » Agreed, NebTrot. I think there's one more shoe to drop. And if you're a Dem, you better be hoping for it because this field is weak, weak, weak so far.

---

CUOMO markwarner2020 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 80000 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « Reply #3 on: January 5, 2040, 05:20:12 pm » lmao Andrew will crush Al Frunken and Timmy Buckworth and Kris Moophy. ANDREW 2020

---

Kamala is my Queen Jill YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « Reply #4 on: April 5, 2019, 05:24:30 pm » Quote from: CUOMO lmao Andrew will crush Al Frunken and Timmy Buckworth and Kris Moophy. This is your 80,000th post, and this is what you have to say? Anyway, the more the merrier. I'm open to voting for any one of these candidates, except Tulsi. Never Tulsi.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « Reply #5 on: April 5, 2019, 05:24:47 pm » I certainly hope so. More people to beat Tulsi.

---

Al Franken 2020 maineica4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8849 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « Reply #6 on: April 5, 2019, 05:26:39 pm » I want to believe you about Franken, NebTrot, I really do, but I don't think he does it. He had to be begged just to run for Senate. Do you guys think it's too early for Jared Golden or Betsy Sweet? I know they were just inaugurated but already they're Making Maine Great Again.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

Will Anyone Else Jump In? « Reply #7 on: April 5, 2019, 05:28:09 pm » Quote from: Al Franken 2020 Do you guys think it's too early for Jared Golden or Betsy Sweet? I know they were just inaugurated but already they're Making Maine Great Again. Oh, you.

"So. This is it." Al couldn't help but smile as he sat backstage listening to Amy introduce him. Standing in front of him was Stephanie Schriock, the former Emily's List director and his 2008 campaign manager. She was back for 2020.

"This is it, Senator. Are you ready?"

"Nope," Al grinned, "but what the hell."

"...and I want you to give a warm, Minnesota welcome to Senator Al Franken!"

"Thank you, Amy, for that wonderful introduction. And thanks to all of you for coming out on the beautiful Minnesota day!"

"20 years ago, I never thought I'd be standing in front of you as your Senator. 20 years ago, I had written a couple of highly successful books, satirizing politics. One of them was called Why Not Me?, and it was about me running for President of the United States.

Well, why not me?

My friends, I am officially announcing my candidacy for President of the United States!"

()

What a great logo.

Daww, thanks.

------



micah (Micah Cohen, politics editor): So. Al Franken announced, electrifying progressives and fans of satire everywhere. Is this it? Are there any more Democrats announcing?

natesilver (Nate Silver, editor in chief): No, I don't think so. Garcetti won't because Harris is in, Klobuchar won't because Franken is in, Warren just won't...and who's left for the Democrats? A bunch of freshman congresspeople and governors?

clare.malone (Clare Malone, senior political writer): The field is Senator-heavy and Governor-light. Only Cuomo and McAuliffe for the Guvs.

perry (Perry Bacon Jr., senior writer): Uh guys, aren't we forgetting THE ZUCK

harry (Harry Enten, senior writer): oh god

clare.malone: oh no.

natesilver: He's not running.

micah: Perry plz no

perry: He started a PAC!

clare.malone: Only to help his friends...can we get back on topic please?

perry: I insist Zuck is in the header image.

natesilver: fine

perry: okay, back on topic: Democrats are always Senator-heavy. Bill Clinton was the last Gov to win a Dem primary. But Hillary was a Senator, Obama was a Senator Mondale was a Senator, McGovern was a Senator, HHH was a Senator before becoming veep, LBJ was a Senator, JFK was a Senator...

harry: We get it perry

harry: and the answer is obviously no. This is it for the Democrats. I love Andru Volinsky but he's  been Governor for 20 minutes, as has almost every other Democratic governor.

natesilver: Actually

harry: oh god what

perry: if you say Oprah I swear to god I'm resigning right now

natesilver: I'm hearing noises about Steve Bullock

harry: interesting

micah: Huh. Serious noises?

natesilver: yes

clare.malone: In all honesty that might eat into Franken's potential base, being from somewhere other than the coasts.

perry: but other than that there's no crossover...Franken is the consummate liberal, Bullock's more Blue Doggy.

micah: well it's not as if Bullock was Joe Manchin. He's pretty progressive, especially for a red western state.

harry: and extremely popular

natesilver: I think he'd make a good impression on Iowans and New Hampshirites.

harry: this is where I mention I'm so sad that Andy Volinsky won't run.

micah: he's been Governor for 20 minutes Harry

harry: even still...

clare.malone: You know, watching the 2018 results really reinforced that the Obama midterms were tough for the Democrats.

natesilver: they had 16 governorships before winning NJ in Nov. 2017.

micah: and what do we think Al Franken's floor and ceiling is?

perry: ceiling: nominee.

micah: YES

natesilver: really? Over everyone else?

clare.malone: I like it, Perry.

harry: Bold prediction

perry: Franken is uniquely capable as painting himself as a Trump foil, as a non-politician, even better than Bernie was in 2016.

natesilver: But he has a funding problem. Literally everyone else can raise more money than him.

perry: I'm not sold on that, Nate. I think he can get a decent amount of Sanders' 2016 grassroots support. Let's be honest, even if they love Bernie some of them HAVE to know that nominating a dude who will be 79 years old is not their best shot.

clare.malone: But: Gillibrand's more liberal than him.

micah: According to the metrics, yes. But he's not connected to Wall Street like Gillibrand is.

harry: I forgot Micah is a big Franken guy.

micah: we prefer the term "Franken Wankers".

natesilver: great now I'm going to have to put an NSFW tag on this.

clare.malone: I guess another problem I have is he has no natural constituency.

perry: I disagree Clare. He can win over many Bernie supporters and a decent amount of Hillary supporters who don't like the rest of the establishment field. His charm and humor give him an in with young voters, the Daily Show and Colbert and Sam Bee fans.

clare.malone: You bring up good points...

natesilver: great, now everyone on the chat is a Franken Wanker.

micah: Who do we think is the weakest candidate.

harry: John Delaney

perry: Delaney

natesilver: John K. Delaney

clare.malone: Delaney

micah: who do we think is the weakest candidate not named Delaney

natesilver: Cuomo. In spite of his progressive reforms, he lost to Preet Bharara in the Democratic primary last year. And it wasn't really close.

perry: true, and he wasn't the most popular man in true blue New York either.

clare.malone: I actually think it's Booker. Everyone seems to think he's New Jersey Obama, but Bernie people have been on him since the last cycle. I think he'll wilt under pressure.

harry: and it'd be easy to paint him - and Cuomo too, for that matter - as part of the swamp if they were to win the nomination.

natesilver: But we don't think they'll win the nomination, do we?

perry: no

clare.malone: not a chance

micah: LOL

harry: nope

natesilver: So...who wins Iowa next year?

harry: Bernie. Already has an established base of support, nearly won it in 2016, and now the Hillary vote will be split like 9000 ways

clare.malone: Bullock, if he runs. He'll really resonate there.

perry: Kamala. I know she's California but she's charismatic as all hell.

micah: Al Franken, and it won't be close.

Loving this so far!

*whispers* can I be included as an Atlas member? ;)

Yes! I was reluctant to add real people because I was afraid of passing someone off. But everyone in that thread is based off a real person.

"I'm sorry, Governor. But I'm not going against my party."

John Kasich sighed. He supposed that John Hickenooper had always been a loyal Democrat, if close to the center.

"I understand, Governor. Do you think any Democrats would be interested?"

"No. But Mitt Romney might. He hates Trump almost as much as you." Hickenlooper was partially lying...Lincoln Chafee probably would've been interested, but he didn't want to divide the Democratic Party.

"Would he be okay, playing second fiddle?"

"You'd have to ask him that."

Kasich liked the idea...Romney was respected on all sides. So was McCain, God rest his soul. Defeat had made them beloved and respected. He wanted that, almost as much as he wanted to beat Trump.

So Steny took a demotion, then?

(plz add me too if you can)

Up to you if you want to add me. (I'd be backing Kasich/Romney? here, since Trump clearly cost Rauner reelection.)

:)

Yup. It's fairly well established that he and Pelosi don't get along. Steyn won't run for reelection in 2020, either.

You're going to really, really like his VP choice...

But wouldn't it be up to the House Democrats, & not Pelosi, to choose to (or not to) keep on Hoyer as Majority Leader/the No. 2 position? After all, Hoyer's been No. 2 of the Democratic leadership team since 2003. Even if he was challenged, wouldn't he, like Pelosi last year, have enough of a support-base in the caucus to be considered a shoo-in for reelection as No. 2?

Not to mention, Pelosi's disregard for Hoyer has been the catalyst for a challenge against him before, too... & it failed badly. In 2006, after Democrats took control of the House & Pelosi was boosted to Speaker, she backed John Murtha of PA for the No. 2 spot, despite Hoyer's candidacy for the job. Hoyer beat Murtha 149 to 86, showing that House Democrats (though it may have been over 10 years ago) can & will rebuke Pelosi re: leadership positions over strong opposition from her.

Really sorry for getting super technical on such a small issue like this, especially something that took place 2 pages ago. I'm just really curious as to how it's going down, is all lol :)

Dearly hoping for Heather Mizeur to replace him.

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- Klobuchar Major Announcement

Kamala (2020) Kamala        YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4555 ()

Klobuchar Major Announcement « on: April 8, 2019, 07:16:09 pm » So CNN just said the "Minnesota Senators have a major announcement" and cut to an auditorium filled with people. Klobuchar about to go on. Is she about to declare?

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 Moderators      YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8850 ()

Klobuchar Major Announcement « Reply #1 on: April 8, 2019, 07:17:15 pm » Weird that she wouldn't have anyone introducing her...

---

Kasich/? 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Klobuchar Major Announcement « Reply #2 on: April 8, 2019, 07:17:36 pm » I don't want to freak out MAINEiac...but what if it's the other Senator from Minnesota

---

CUOMO markwarner2020 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 80098 ()

Klobuchar Major Announcement « Reply #3 on: April 8, 2019, 07:20:12 pm » lmao Andrew will crush Al Frunken and Amy Flobukar ANDREW 2020

---

Peebs Peebs YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

Klobuchar Major Announcement « Reply #4 on: April 8, 2019, 07:24:30 pm » Quote from: CUOMO lmao Andrew will crush Al Frunken and Amy Flobukar Can we ban this troll… Klobuchar's on now. It's clear she isn't running because she's clearly referring to someone else.

---

Acting Delegate The Saint The_Saint YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

Klobuchar Major Announcement « Reply #5 on: April 08, 2019, 07:24:47 pm » Is it just me or is she talking about Franken

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8851 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #6 on: April 8, 2019, 07:26:39 pm » ()

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #7 on: April 8, 2019, 07:28:09 pm » MAINEiac is dead.

Newsom 2028 Libertarian- Leaning Progressive        YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1392 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « on: April 8, 2019, 07:29:09 pm » Here he comes...

---

NebraskaTrot Omaha Trotsky Moderators      YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9212 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #1 on: April 8, 2019, 07:29:15 pm » Preemptively banning MAINEiac

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #2 on: April 8, 2019, 07:30:36 pm » MY KING IS ALIVE

---

Kamala is my Queen Jill YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #4 on: April 8 2019, 07:31:30 pm » This is a really great speech. Really great.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

OFFICIAL AL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #5 on: April 5, 2019, 07:32:47 pm » Franken is clearly the best candidate. He's the anti-Tulsi.

---

Al Franken 2020 maineica4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8849 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #6 on: April 8, 2019, 07:35:39 pm » "I am not in this race to attack other Democrats, but to advocate for privacy, for justice, for liberty, for equality, the founding principles of this great nation, principles that everyone other Democratic candidate stands for." He's so great. Can't wait until he's President.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #7 on: April 8, 2019, 07:37:09 pm » Wow. Might need to change my endorsement...

Yay!!!!! :)

Thank you!

I like that I somehow surpass Saint in posts.  Thank you.

I gotta tell my future self to step up his game.

Feel free to include me cracking corny jokes in the Atlas posts.

The post counts are literally an afterthought. I just type in former random numbers.

Also, shout out to NJ_dem, whose formatting I used for the Atlas posts. Check out Sun & Moon, their really good future TL.

Okay, so:

DeLauro got the backing of Pelosi loyalists and the Berniecrats elected to the House in 2018, because she also got Keith Ellison's endorsement. That, coupled with a persistent rumor about his desire to retire after 2020 or 2022, led to his narrow defeat for Majority Leader.

Ok, I gotcha now lol, thanks so much for the detailed explainer!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I think O'Malley is just happy to be included tbh

I love the Delaney post

1. Thanks for the shoutout! But to give credit where credit was due, I was inspired by Governor Well's fake Atlas posts on Spenstar's Hindsight is 2020 (https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=252835.msg5413111#msg5413111) timeline. (Shame that it never got completed.)

1a. Extra thanks for making "This is your 80,000th post and this is what you have to say?" into a meme. I laughed for a good 5 minutes last night reading that.

2. I can't believe that NJ's entire congressional representation is made up of Democrats! :o But I'm disappointed that Andy Kim lost the primaries in NJ-3. (And is the person who eventually won real, or did you make them up?)

3. What happened to Menendez? I assumed he got convicted, so...

Pamela Rosen Lampitt is a real person, and represents NJ's 6th district in the General Assembly...which I just realized is outside the third district. Damn. Switching it to Kim now.

Menendez was forced not to run for reelection by the Democratic establishment. He was eventually convicted.

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- First Democratic Debate Livethread

Nebraska Trot Omaha Trotsky       Moderators ★★★★★ Posts: 4555 ()

First Democratic Debate Live Thread « on: April 30, 2019, 06:58:09 pm » So they invited Bullock even though he hasn't even announced yet. Lots of Bernie, Franken and Kamala signs behind the MSNBC studio on the Michigan campus quad. Bernie and Kamala are arguably the two biggest names, and Franken's from a kinda-neighboring state. Haven't seen a single Booker sign yet.

---

Spenstar Spenstar YaBB God       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8850 ()

Klobuchar Major Announcement « Reply #1 on: April 30, 2019, 07:00:15 pm » LMAO at the probably one dude who has a Booker sign surrounded by Bernie signs.

---

Kasich/? 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #2 on: April 30, 2019, 07:01:36 pm » Quote from: Spenstar LMAO at the probably one dude who has a Booker sign surrounded by Bernie signs. He's probably holding it low, sideyeing everyone around him to make sure no one notices it and starts asking uncomfortable questions.

---

CUOMO markwarner2020 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 80098 ()

First Democratic Debate Megathread « Reply #3 on: April 30, 2019, 07:01:42 pm » ANDREW 2020

---

Peebs Peebs YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread/color] « Reply #4 on: April 30, 2019, 07:01:55 pm » Huge applause for Bernie as he's introduced.

---

Acting Delegate The Saint The_Saint YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #5 on: April 30, 2019, 07:02:13 pm » Interested to see if anyone will try to pivot to the center or all try to out-lefty eachother.

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8851 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #6 on: April 30, 2019, 07:02:39 pm » Some boos for Booker, but overall the majority of the crowd seems open to all the candidates. Franken, Gabbard, Cuomo left to be introduced.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #7 on: April 8, 2019, 07:02:59 pm » Kamala changed her hair. Looks nice. Oh god, definitely heard the boos for Cuomo.

Newsom 2028 Libertarian- Leaning Progressive       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1392 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « on: April 8, 2019, 07:03:09 pm » Great reception for Franken. Rivals Bernie's.

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9212 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #1 on: April 8, 2019, 07:03:35 pm » That's right Ann Arbor, applaud your future President. And boo Tulsi. Good job.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #2 on: April 30, 2019, 07:03:42 pm » Tulsi got the worst reception lol even worse than Cuomo and Booker

---

Saguaro azcactus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #4 on: April 8 2019, 07:04:30 pm » Big on the blue suits tonight. Like that Bernie rocking the socialist red tie though. Booker already sweating like a dog.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

OFFICIAL AL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #5 on: April 30, 2019, 07:05:47 pm » Tulsi's the first to speak? Rigged

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8849 ()

FEEL THE FRANKEN: OFFICIAL FRANKEN ANNOUNCEMENT THREAD « Reply #6 on: April 30, 2019, 07:04:59 pm » "I am the most progressive candidate in this race." You could hear the audience laugh. Tulsi wouldn't even be the most progressive person in a room with Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John McCain's corpse.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #7 on: April 8, 2019, 07:06:13 pm » I had totally forgotten John Delaney was even on the stage until Chuck Todd just went to him for his opening statement. He looks like my 8th grade social studies teacher. What's he even talking about?

Saguaro azcactus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #4 on: April 8 2019, 07:06:48 pm » So, after that trainwreck of an opening statement, I suppose we can say that John Delaney's presidential campaign will end in approximately three hours.

---

Wait, John McCain is dead?

Now I want to know how Kamala’s hair looks like.

Died on Christmas Day 2018. The brain tumor.

In his first official act as Governor of Arizona, Greg Stanton nominated his widow Cindy to the seat. A special election will be held in 2020.

She cut it to her chin. Reviews are mixed.

Also you switched your own and NeverTulsi's profiles in the 10th and 11th posts.

Snarking at Delaney. You portray me so well.

Al looked out over the crowd as Kirsten finished up her opening statement, which was fine. Better than the ones who'd gone before her, that's for damn sure.

The crowd was college kids, mostly. He looked out over America's future. God, some of them were young enough not to know him when he was on SNL.

"And Seantor Franken, your opening statement."

"My name's Al Franken. You may know me from my years on Saturday Night Live. But unlike the current President, I actually have political experience too. For the past ten years, I've had the distinct pleasure of serving my home state of Minnesota in the United States Senate, focusing on things like net neutrality, campaign finance reform, healthcare, civil rights, social justice. I never thought I'd even be in the senate, let alone standing in front of all of you as a candidate for President of the United States. I already have the best job in the world, I have the seat that was once held by my good friend Paul Wellstone. Paul died in a plane crash in 2002. He always used to say that 'Politics isn't about winning for the sake of winning, it isn't about money, it isn't about power, it's about improving people's lives.' I try to live up to those words every day. And that's why I'm running for President."

I'd so be rooting for him in this universe, maybe followed by Gillibrand and Harris from their performences.
Also, if you want a bit of a change from American avatars, I'd not mind my name being used in the forum posts thing :P

Same, Id be 10000000% on the Franken Hype train

Ooh, sassy. I can picture it. Would look great....

This is an AMAZING TL!!! From the 538 chats, to the extremely meta atlas conversations, to the debates, to Al Franken destroying, this is just awesome.

CUOMO: The fact that anyone would allege that I'm not a progressive, Senator Harris, is ridiculous. You can look at my record, I achieved progressive change my entire eight years as Governor.

FRANKEN: But you lost your primary for a reason, Governor. People are sick and tired of machine politics and establishment politics, that's why we have orange doofus with the worst combover I've ever seen in my life as our President right now! Can you really pledge to be the changemaker this country needs?

CUOMO: And what have you done Senator Franken?

FRANKEN: I'm glad you asked. As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I've worked closely with Democrats and Republicans to make breakthroughs in healthcare, in labor rights, it hasn't always been easy, especially the last couple years, and sometimes it feels like your banging your head into a brick wall, but when Trumpcare failed, Graham-Cassidy failed, when their national right to work law failed, I was there on the front lines, fighting for Minnesotans and Americans, I wasn't out in ballrooms hobnobbing with the 1%, Governor, I was in the hospital room with Senator McCain, god rest his soul, making the final pitch that he should vote against national right to work, and he did, and it was his final vote. So don't tell me I'm not out here having a positive impact on Americans, don't say I haven't done anything, Governor, because it's not true.

[crowd cheering]

TODD: I must ask the audience to please keep it under control...Senator Franken, so you agree with Senator Harris and Senator Sanders, that Governor Cuomo is not a progressive?

FRANKEN: Yes, I do.

CUOMO: Can I respond please?

TODD: We're moving on to the war in Korea, Governor - as you know, coalition troops finally took Pyongyang last week, and the President said that the war will end "very quickly" now. Senator Franken, since its your turn to start the discussion, what is your stance on the war and ending the war?

FRANKEN: We all know why the President got us into this war. He needed a win. He had struck out on healthcare, struck out on tax reform, struck out on labor reform, struck out on the wall and on immigration. So he wanted to do something that Congress couldn't stop. So he rattled that saber his entire first year in office, like with that bizarre UN speech, and didn't even ask congress for an authorization for use of military force. As the Commander in Chief he just sent thousands of our brave men and women into harms way, and didn't even have the guts to face Congress, the voice of the people. 3,500 Americans are dead in Korea in the first eight months. Do you remember the administration right before the start? They made it sound like a vacation. 'Six weeks, in and out, they'll have democracy and capitalism and Hyundai plants.' Eight months later, 3,487 lives shorter, and we've only just taken the capital. Refugees are pouring out of both North and South Korea, straining the Chinese and Japanese immigration systems. And who knows how many militiamen are left in the mountains. We don't know where Kim is. The war has been TODD: ten seconds left Senator a tremendous failure on all accounts, and on my first day as President, I will immediately withdraw all troops from Korea.

[crowd cheers loudly]

natesilver (Nate Silver, editor in chief): So that was...

clare.malone (Clare Malone, senior political writer): Crazy?

perry (Perry Bacon Jr., senior political writer): Lively

micah (Micah Cohen, politics editor): A Franken Coronation

harry (Harry Enten, senior political writer): Great!

natesilver: Yeah, it was probably all of those things. So let's talk about the negatives. You each got one.

perry: Delaney

clare.malone: Damn it, Perry, I was gonna pick Delaney

harry: everyone was going to pick Delaney.

micah: good god, Delaney was terrible.

natesilver: I couldn't stop looking at the glare from that one spotlight on his shiny head.

harry: better than actually listening to what he had to say

perry: he sounded like a knockoff Zuck tbh

clare.malone: I think the crowd were willing to give him a shot, but he's so far to the right compared to the rest of the field on fiscal issues, and he was just so weak, he let Gillibrand walk all over him on corporate tax rates.

harry: And that opening statement. Talk about setting yourself up for failure.

perry: can't believe he actually mispronounced his wife's name.

clare.malone: Her name's April! Why did he say "May-pril"?!

natesilver: Probably because today is the last day of April, and tomorrow is May.

perry: I just wanted to walk him off the stage and take him to that couch where they send the kids who lose the spelling bee.


micah: We could go on and on and on and on about Delaney

harry: and on

clare.malone: HE SPILLED HIS WATER

natesilver: arguably funniest debate moment since Stockdale's "Who am I?"

micah: but we need other negatives.

harry: Cuomo.

perry: Cuomo got wrecked by Franken

natesilver: And Al Franken is actually a really nice guy, so he must've been livid with Cuomo after the "what have you done?"

clare.malone: Franken's attack stuck with Cuomo all night. He kinda wanted to play the brutish stereotypical New Yorker but when you get backed off by a Minnesotan you know all is lost.

micah: Yeah, it completely knocked him off his game. He looked timid and intimidated for the rest of the night.

natesilver: Other negatives.

perry: Bernie.

harry: Really?

clare.malone: I agree with Perry. One of the big criticisms of Bernie in 2016 is that he just repeated his stump speech. "RIGGED SYSTEM." "ONE TENTH OF ONE PERCENT." "POLITICAL REVOLUTION." I'd hoped he'd mixed it up a little, but he's still playing the classics.

harry: well, if the crowd loves them...

natesilver: But he rarely moves beyond the talking point, we always hear the talking point and not the policy. When he does get into details, they're either vague or unworkable.

perry: I think a lot of people went into that debate Berniebros and came out Frankenwankers.

micah: which segues perfectly into positives.

perry: Franken

natesilver: The Junior Senator from Minnesota

clare.malone: The Democratic nominee for President

harry: the comedian

micah: Yeah. Franken was a rock star.

clare.malone: He struck the perfect balance of serious political guy who you trust with the country and nukes and budgets and stuff and funny guy you'd actually like to hang out with.

natesilver: If Franken does win the nomination - and his chances are really, really good, as good as anyone else's - then they should sell the Trump-Franken debates on pay-per-view.

harry: his one-liners were great.

perry: Tulsi: "Senator are you a warmonger"

perry: Franken: *looks at camera* "No, but I am a Jew, and according to Steve Bannon those two things are the same."

harry: Oh! Tulsi was another negative.

clare.malone: considering her base is literally diehard Bernie people, and Bernie's in the race, I have to wonder what her other constituency is

natesilver: Alt-Righties who are Democrats

harry: Gillibrand did really well.

micah: Agreed. I - and everyone else - expected her to be a Hillary clone, somewhat unfairly, because she's a blond female senator from New York.

perry: she was surprisingly progressive - she had to be I guess - but she was also the first person to bring up single payer.

harry: Yeah, and Bernie was in that shot too and kind of looked down as if to say "Damn, how'd I let her mention single payer first."

clare.malone: And Kamala was great too. I don't care what anyone else says, the hair was hot.

harry: She deflected Mnuchin as best she could.

micah: "as a prosecutor, I have to make tough decisions on whether or not to prosecute. Mnuchin's wealth would've made the trial long and difficult, and costly to the California taxpayer, and there was every likelihood he'd beat the charge. Sometimes, that's how our justice system works. But where our justice system doesn't work is private prisons..."

perry: kind of falls on deaf ears though when Cali has a huge private prison population.

clare.malone: She got the crowd roaring though when she called him "sexist, racist, every other -ist." And again when she said "But trust me, no one intimidates Donald Trump more than a black woman who's smarter than him."

natesilver: Great moment, we'll be seeing that in Kamala ads for as long as she's in the race.

natesilver: Alright, so grades:

micah: Franken, A+; Gillibrand, A-; Harris, B; Booker, B-; O'Malley, B-(!); Bernie, B-; McAuliffe, C+; Cuomo, D; Gabbard, D; Delaney; F.

clare.malone: Franken, A+; Harris, A; Gillibrand, A; Bernie, B; Booker, B-; McAuliffe, B-; O'Malley, C+, Gabbard, C-; Cuomo, C-; Delaney, F.

harry: Franken, A+; Gillibrand, B+, Booker, B; Harris, B; Bernie, B; McAuliffe, B-; O'Malley, C; Gabbard, C-; Delaney, F; Cuomo, F. (No one's done more damage to their own chances tonight than Cuomo...everyone knew Delaney was DOA. That's why Cuomo's performance is the worst.)

perry: Delaney, A++++; Franken, A; Harris, A-; Gillibrand, B+, Booker, B; McAuliffe, B; Bernie, B-; O'Malley, D; Cuomo, F; Gabbard, F. (Delaney for pure entertainment value, don't know what Micah is smoking with that O'Malley grade, the dude sounds so unsure of himself when he speaks. Tommy Carcetti was based on that guy? Really?)

I have to say I’m pretty happy my top 3 choices are also the top 3 performers.

Whaaaaaaaaat how can I be part of the forum posts?

(And feel free to add me as myself or as Crystal)

Ahh too many people want to be in the forum! I'll try my best to involve everyone but I don't want anyone to be upset if they're not included enough...

--------

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread

Nebraska Trot Omaha Trotsky        Moderators ★★★★★ Posts: 4555 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « on: April 30, 2019, 9:02:09 pm » Franken dominated, Kamala sassed the place up, and John Delaney reminded us all of a 14 year old at homecoming without a date. Thoughts?

---

Spenstar Spenstar YaBB God      YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8850 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #1 on: April 30, 2019, 09:02:36 pm » John Delaney mispronounced his own wife's name. Which I suppose is better than Trump, who at this point is so far along with Alzheimer's he can't remember his wife's name... I was leaning Franken before and now I'm 100% Frankenwanker.

---

Kasich/? 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #2 on: April 30, 2019, 09:02:36 pm » Very entertaining. John Delaney strikes me as a good guy who is just hopelessly awkward. Poor guy.

---

CUOMO markwarner2020 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 80098 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #3 on: April 30, 2019, 09:03:42 pm » ANDREW DOMINATED

---

Peebs Peebs YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread/color] « Reply #4 on: April 30, 2019, 09:03:55 pm » Still a BernieSis, but I'd be proud to vote for Franken in the general. Bernie got outflanked on healthcare by Gillibrand, somehow.

---

Acting Delegate The Saint The_Saint YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #5 on: April 30, 2019, 09:04:13 pm » Oof, Delaney doesn't even have anyone in the spin room. Even O'Malley has spinners.

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8851 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #6 on: April 30, 2019, 09:05:39 pm » Quote from: Peebs Still a BernieSis, but I'd be proud to vote for Franken in the general. Bernie got outflanked on healthcare by Gillibrand, somehow. Bernie looked shook when that happened. And speaking of shook, lmao when Franken went at Cuomo. I was cheering in my living room. Totally knocked Cuomo off his game, ruined the debate for him. And the early grades are ranking him second to last, only ahead of Kamala's 8th grade social studies teacher.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #7 on: April 8, 2019, 09:05:59 pm » My top three all did well. I'm happy. And...is Nina Turner spinning for Tulsi on MSNBC right now? WTF?

Newsom 2028 Libertarian- Leaning Progressive        YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1392 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #8 on: April 30, 2019, 09:06:14 pm » Great debate, pretty much has turned this into a Franken/Harris/Gillibrand/Sanders race. Booker needed to come out big but came off flat. And the others  don't even merit mentioning.

---

Parrotguy Wyman      YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9212 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #9 on: April 30, 2019, 09:06:35 pm » I think I'm going to make Franken's "I'm not a warmonger, but I am a Jew and Steve Bannon thinks those two things are the same" line my new signature. America, please elect him.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #10 on: April 30, 2019, 09:07:42 pm » Tulsi was terrible even worse than Delaney who at least has a moral compass

---

The Sun Is Crystal nj_dem YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #11 on: April 30, 2019, 09:08:30 pm » Franken was spectacular. Really. Wish Booker spoke more, though, you almost forgot he was on the stage.

---

America First Degree Burns firstdegreeburns YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #12 on: April 30, 2019, 09:07:47 pm » That was dreadful...everyone trying to out-left each other.

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8849 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #6 on: April 30, 2019, 09:07:59 pm » Other than Franken, Gillibrand and Harris did really well. Bernie came off almost as a less creative Franken.

---

Moderate Democrat Admiral President YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #13 on: April 8, 2019, 09:08:13 pm » I kinda wish Delaney wasn't such an awkward guy...could've used some ideological diversity up there.

Saguaro azcactus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

First Democratic Debate Post-Debate Thread « Reply #14 on: April 8 2019, 09:10:48 pm » Aaand, Delaney's out. Thanks his supporters. (Was his only supporter May-pril?)

---

For the record, I'd probably be a Frankenwanker ITTL. I'd be fine with Boyknee in theory, but he'll be too damn old.

Omg everyone who wants to be involved is a Frankenwanker or a Republican.

Like I'm trying to keep it a diversity of opinions instead of everyone freaking out about Franken but I guess not

I guess I'll volunteer to be the local Booker stooge (though since he doesn't seem to be going anywhere right now, the role might be useless).

Put me in the forum posts! And I'd def be supporting Booker for the Dems and Kasich/Not-Trump for the GOP.

I hope I accurately reflect my supposed happiness at Kasich's VP.

Well, if it helps, you could also go for emphasizing our virtually united hatred of Cuomo and Gabbard for a touch of verisimilitude. :P

If you want diversity, I can see myself stanning Kamala on these forums two years from now.

I don't want Franken to run. And I'm surely not a Republican.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Governor Kasich. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't, Governor Rauner. Thanks for accepting."

Bruce beamed at his wife Diana. He knew it was a longshot. John did, too. But preventing a second Trump term set them up both quite nicely for 2024. And privately, Bruce blamed Trump for his loss in 2018 as much as he blamed the Cook County machine.

...


"My fellow Americans.

Over the past four years, we've watched a Democratic Party increasingly taken over by left-wing tendencies, and a Republican Party dominated by a thin-skinned buffoon who embarrasses our country on a daily basis.

Many Americans are sick and tired of the divisive rhetoric coming out of both sides in Washington. And it's time for a change. Because we need politicians who will bring real solutions for real people!

And it is with that in mind that I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the Untied States."

Definitely a Kasich/Rauner voter here.

I knew it.

and I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone who wants to be included and hasn't already please PM with the candidateyou support and a screen-name. I'll try to include everyone but I'm gonna need to make a list.

Alright so I have:

Franken:
Me
Spenstar
Saguaro
Libertarian-Leaning Progressive
Parrotguy

Harris:
Kamala
Razze

Sanders:
Govanah Jake (Gabbard sympathies)
Peebs (Franken sympathies)
politicalmasta72

Booker:
Moderate Democrat
nj_dem in character as Crystal Sun
rpryor03

Gillibrand:
bruhgmger2

McAuliffe:
NOTTYLER

Kasich:
Not_Madigan
The Saint
rpryor03
ReaganClintonXX (Franken sympathies)

Trump:
FirstDegreeBurns

Do I have everyone and their loyalties all straight?

I love the fact that no one actually supports Trump :P

That's mostly my fault, I effed up and forgot to put you in the list.

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN

Saguaro azcactus     YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4555 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « on: May 10, 2019, 12:27:09 pm » CNN just cut to an auditorium in Columbus. This looks like a presidential announcement.

---

Spenstar Spenstar YaBB God       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8850 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #1 on: May 10, 2019, 12:28:15 pm » If it is a presidential announcement, what's Rauner doing there? Unless Kasich's pulling a Cruz and announcing his running mate before he's nominated in an attempt to unite as many factions as possible against Trump.

---

Kasich/? 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #2 on: May 10, 2019, 12:28:46 pm » Quote from: Spenstar If it is a presidential announcement, what's Rauner doing there? Unless Kasich's pulling a Cruz and announcing his running mate before he's nominated in an attempt to unite as many factions as possible against Trump. Unless he's not running for the GOP nomination...

---

silver282 silver282 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 194844 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #3 on: April 10, 2019, 12:29:42 pm » If Kasich's running as an independent, ENDORSED.

---

Small Wyvern ALbus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4590 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #4 on: May 10, 2019, 12:30:05 pm » I AM FORMALLY ENDORSING JOHN KASICH FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

---

Peebs Peebs YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

First Democratic Debate Thread « Reply #5 on: May 10, 2019, 12:30:33 pm » And the usual moderate hero suspects turn up...

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8851 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #6 on: May 10, 2019, 12:30:39 pm » If Kasich is running against Trump in the GOP primary, this is great for Democrats. If he's running as an independent, this is excellent for Democrats.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #7 on: May 10, 2019, 12:31:19 pm » If Kasich is running as an independent, and Rauner's his running mate, the Democrats' road to 270 becomes very, very easy. It probably swings back the midwestern Obama states that went to Trump last cycle.

Newsom 2028 Libertarian- Leaning Progressive       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1392 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #8 on: May 30, 2019, 12:33:09 pm » Quote from: Kamala (2020) If Kasich is running as an independent, and Rauner's his running mate, the Democrats' road to 270 becomes very, very easy. It probably swings back the midwestern Obama states that went to Trump last cycle. Yup. This probably moves Michigan from "Lean D" to "Solid D". Bordering on "Safe D." I don't wanna get ahead of myself (guilty of that in 2016), but the Democrat needs to gain just 10,000 votes from Trump (or just have Trump get 10,000 less votes). I think the Democrat may have already received/Trump already lost those 10,000 votes.

---

America First Degree Burns firstdegreeburns       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9212 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #9 on: May 10, 2019, 12:33:35 pm » We took care of him in 2016, we'll take care of him again in 2020. He hasn't said whether he's challenging the President in the primaries. If he's running as an Independent he's probably trying to set himself up again for 2024 to run against an incumbent Democrat.

---

Kasich/Rauner 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #10 on: May 10, 2019, 12:03:42 pm » This man should've been the Republican nominee in 2016 and should be the Republican nominee in 2020. My choice is made even clearer by adding Rauner to the ticket.

---

rpryor03 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9315 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #11 on: May 10 2019, 12:34:30 pm » He's officially running. Great to have a real conservative in the race.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #12 on: May 10, 2019, 12:35:47 pm » I'd vote for Kasich over Tulsi tbh

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8849 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #13 on: May 10, 2019, 12:34:59 pm » OMFG he's running as an independent. Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes yes.

---

Acting Delegate The Saint the saint YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #14 on: April 8, 2019, 07:06:13 pm » This is a great speech. He would've won the popular vote against Hillary, and probably would've won Minnesota, New Hampshire and Maine-AL.

Assemblyman ReaganClintonXX reaganclinton20XX YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3513 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #15 on: May 30, 2019, 12:36:48 pm » Backing him. I like Franken too, but CT almost certainly won't be a swing state now so I'll probably do my part in hopes of Kasich coming in second ahead of Trump here.

---

I am very, very close to not allowing anyone else in, but fine. Sanders? Or just want to be a left-wing bomb thrower criticizing everyone?

Loving this! (and my appearances are great :))

I'm nowhere to be seen :(

Soon my friend. I can't include everybody every time.

Ivanka Trump, for Counselor to the President and daughter of President Donald Trump, has been acclaimed as Chairperson of the RNC. The position had been vacant for over six months following Ronna Romney-McDaniels's resignation after the GOP suffered historic losses in the 2018 midterm elections.

Former Utah Senator Orrin Hatch attempted multiple times to get on the ballot, but ultimately was not allowed to "on orders from the President," violating GOP rules. Hatch intends to sue the party.

Trump, who was a Democrat prior to the 2016 election, and an independent until just before she declared her candidacy, said she was "elated" to get to work and to help "Keep America Great," touching on her father's 2020 campaign slogan. She was elected with 26 votes from the state party chairs, and 24 abstentions.

Moderate Republican Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Cindy McCain (R-AZ) have released a join statement declaring their "unease" with Trump as chairperson of the party, and "disgust" at efforts to keep Hatch off the chair ballot.


Three moderate Republican Senators - Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Cindy McCain of Arizona - have announced that they are leaving the Republican Party, and forming an independent caucus with Mitt Romney (I-UT), another former Republican.

Once giants in the party (Romney was the GOP's presidential nominee in 2012 and McCain's late husband Senator John McCain was the GOP's presidential nominee in 2008), the four moderates have all left the party after repeatedly butting heads with the hard right-wing politics of President Donald Trump and Senate Caucus Leader Tom Cotton. Lindsey Graham and Shelley Moore Capito are also considering joining the new Moderate caucus.

At the announcement press conference, the four senators were quick to point out hat they were not forming a new party, and that all were registering as independents or unenrolled voters.

"We aren't a new party, we're merely a caucus in the Senate unaffiliated with the Republican or Democratic Caucuses...we will not nominate a presidential candidate. None of us are interested in running for president in 2020." Newly-minted Moderate leader Susan Collins said to the assembled press.

"Ultimately, we don't feel in place in the Republican or Democratic parties. We're moderates, we're naturally independent, but we also need to serve our constituents as best as we can, so we decided to unite and amplify our voices," Cindy McCain said.

There are currently 52 Democrats, 44 Republicans and 4 Moderates in the United States Senate.

Tea!!!!

I wonder if any Democrats (like Heitkamp) will join the Moderates

Yay for the Moderates!

For a second it sounded as though you were talking about Swedish politics.

lol

The Moderates are still fundamentally center-right, and the Democrats are the majority party, so no.

At a rally in Salt Lake City, the Senate Moderate Caucus (Mitt Romney, UT; Cindy McCain, AZ; Susan Collins, ME; Lisa Murkowski, AK) announced their support for John Kasich and Bruce Rauner's independent bid for the White House.

Collins called Kasich "the best choice to rebuild our democracy and our national image," while slamming Trump as "a bigot and an imbecile."

Romney called him "Unquestionably the smartest person in this race."

While one Massachusetts Senator was stumping for Cory Booker in New Hampshire, the other was giving a nationally televised interview declaring her neutrality.

Ed Markey, the junior Senator from Massachusetts, delivered a speech in Portsmouth backing New Jersey Senator Cory Booker for President.

"Cory has consistently fought for progressive values during his tenure, but he knows when to reach across the aisle when he has to.

"His commitment to love, equality and justice are all what makes him the strongest choice for Democrats to take on Trump!"

While Markey was extolling the virtues of Booker, Elizabeth Warren was giving an interview with Rachel Maddow, declaring her neutrality in the primary process.

"I will not endorse a candidate during the primaries," Warren told Maddow. "I will, of course, work my heart out for the eventual Democratic nominee, whoever he or she may be."

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- 2020 Endorsement Primary

Cory in the House Admiral     YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4555 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « on: May 30, 2019, 12:27:09 pm » Alright, here's the "endorsement primary" so far. Let me know if I left anyone off or if I put someone where they shouldn't be. BOOKER MA Sen Ed Markey NJ Gov Phil Murphy NJ Rep Albio Sires Fmr NJ Gov Jon Corzine NJ Rep Josh Gottheimer CO Gov Jared Polis GA Rep Jon Ossoff SC Rep Archie Parnell BULLOCK MT Sen Jon Tester AL Sen Doug Jones Fmr CO Gov John Hickenlooper IN Sen Joe Donnelly FRANKEN MN Sen Amy Klobuchar MN Gov Tim Walz Fmr. VP Walter Mondale CT Sen Chris Murphy Every Minnesota Congressperson IA Gov Nate Boulton OH Sen Sherrod Brown Fmr MN Sen Paul Wellstone's family MI Sen Debbie Stabenow TX Sen Beto O'Rourke VT Sen Pat Leahy IL Gov Daniel Biss SC Gov Elizabeth Colbert Busch WI Gov Kathleen Vinehout WI Sen Tammy Baldwin Fmr WI Sen Russ Feingold CO Sen Michael Bennet Fmr MD Sen Barbara Mikulski MD Sen Chris Van Hollen HARRIS CA Sen Eric Garcetti CA Gov Gavin Newsom NV Sen Catherine Cortez Masto DE Rep Lisa Blunt Rochester MD Rep Jamie Raskin NJ Rep Andy Kim FL Rep Pam Keith ME Rep Chellie Pingree Fmr. CA Sen Dianne Feinstein Fmr. CA Sen Barbara Boxer AZ Gov Greg Stanton WA Sen Patty Murray WA Sen Maria Cantwell NV Sen Jacky Rosen ME Rep Jared Golden NH Rep Ann McLane Kuster GILLIBRAND NY Gov Preet Bharara NJ Sen Frank Pallone NH Sen Maggie Hassan NH Sen Jeanne Shaheen FL Gov Gwen Graham VT Rep Peter Welch HI Gov Colleen Hanabusa HI Sen Brian Schatz HI Sen Mazie Hirono NM Sen Martin Heinrich NM Gov Michelle Luján Grisham NH Rep Carol Shea Porter DE Sen Chris Coons SANDERS ME Gov Betsy Sweet OR Sen Jeff Merkeley OR Sen Ron Wyden OR Gov Kate Brown Fmr CA Gov Jerry Brown WA Rep Pramila Jayapal AZ Rep Talia Fuentes AZ Rep Raul Gríjalva AR Rep Robb Ryerse (GOP) MCAULIFFE VA Sen Tim Kaine VS Sen Mark Warner VA Gov Ralph Northam Every VA Rep O'MALLEY, TULSI, CUOMO No one

---

Spenstar Spenstar YaBB God       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8850 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #1 on: May 30, 2019, 12:28:15 pm » You forgot Betsy Sweet for Bernie, MAINEiac will kill you.

---

Kasich/? 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #2 on: May 30, 2019, 12:28:46 pm » LMAO at Cuomo, O'Malley and Tulsi (but especially Cuomo).

---

Govanator Jake Jake Jewvinivisk YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 94844 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #3 on: May 30, 2019, 12:29:42 pm » I think at this point in time, Bernie already has more support from the party than he did right before he was eliminated. Still can't get Sherrod to come and Feel the Bern though.

---

Small Wyvern ALbus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4590 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #4 on: May 30, 2019, 12:30:05 pm » Foes anyone know who the ABORTIONIST Cecile Richards is supporting?

---

Peebs Peebs YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #5 on: May 30, 2019, 12:30:33 pm » I believe she's staying neutral and will back the nominee (Also, Jesus Christ Albus)

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8851 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #6 on: May 30, 2019, 12:30:39 pm » You forgot Betsy Sweet for Bernie. How could you forget Betsy Sweet?? EDIT: Goddammit Spenstar

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #7 on: May 30, 2019, 12:31:19 pm » Franken, Harris and Gillibrand are the frontrunners, so its unsurprising they're getting the biggest supporters.

Newsom 2028 Libertarian- Leaning Progressive       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1392 ()

Kasich and Rauner have a "major announcement" forthcoming - CNN « Reply #8 on: May 30, 2019, 12:33:09 pm » Kamala getting support from the entire Cali Democratic establishment. If she doesn't win here by a decent margin she won't be able to make up ground.

---

America First Degree Burns firstdegreeburns       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9212 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #9 on: May 30, 2019, 12:33:35 pm » Who is this Arkansas Republican backing Bernie?

---

Kasich/Rauner 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #10 on: May 30, 2019, 12:03:42 pm » Quote from: America First Degree Burns Who is this Arkansas Republican backing Bernie? Robb Ryerse is the definition of a RINO. Endorsed by Brand New Congress. I'm actually 75% sure he caucuses with the Ds. He voted with them 95% of the time anyway.

---

rpryor03 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9315 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary/color] « Reply #11 on: May 30, 2019, 12:34:30 pm » Why isn't Pallone backing Booker?

---

CUOMO markwarner2020 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 803848 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #12 on: May 30, 2019, 12:35:47 pm » ANDREW DOES NOT NEED YOUR ENDORSEMENTS

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8849 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #13 on: May 30, 2019, 12:34:59 pm » Quote from: rpryor03 Why isn't Pallone backing Booker? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they butt heads on certain issues? And didn't Pallone think he was "owed" that Senate seat by the NJ Dems, and that Booker should've "waited his turn?"

---

bruhgmger2 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #14 on: May 30, 2019, 12:36:13 pm » Quote from: Al Franken 2020 Quote from: rpryor03 Why isn't Pallone backing Booker? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they butt heads on certain issues? And didn't Pallone think he was "owed" that Senate seat by the NJ Dems, and that Booker should've "waited his turn?" I don't think that has anything to do with it, just that he thinks Gillibrand will be a president (I agree with him).

Saguaro azcactus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3513 ()

2020 Endorsement Primary « Reply #15 on: May 30, 2019, 12:36:48 pm » Wow, Cuomo. You have to wonder if he's just doing this to raise money to live a comfortable post-political life.

Yay, my boy Robb Ryerse won.

I would rather move to Stalinist Russia then New Jersey.

Lol, oops.

Just outside Des Moines, Iowa. 2:32 AM (eastern time)


"Ben, we're here."

I woke with a start, Blake's words shocking me from a rather pleasant dream. I looked out my window to see the skyline of Des Moines emerging before me.

"The goddamn campaign couldn't send us to New Hampshire..." I said groggily. She giggled.

"C'mon, Ben. This is where the action is."

"Where are we staying?" I asked, hoping that wherever it was had decent coffee.

"I was hoping to find a motel somewhere so we can hit the hay before we have to report to the Franken HQ tomorrow...er, today morning." She noticed my arched eyebrow. "Don't look too excited," she smirked. "I've been driving for six hours, I'm sleeping when we find a Motel 6."

I smiled back at her before pulling out my phone. Naturally I went to Atlas. It didn't load. It was 2:30 in the morning. It never loaded after two in the morning. Sighing, I checked Twitter. Josh Barro had a scoop.

"Hearing Tim Ryan will announce Presidential campaign at 7 PM tomorrow."

"Goddammit,"

"What?" Blake asked, keeping one eye on the road while leaning toward me.

"Ryan's running." I told her.

"Why the Christ is Paul Ryan running for President?" She yelled.

"No, Tim Ryan,"

"Oh." She paused, then a disgusted look emerged on her face, "oh."

"I know. Don't worry, babe. Al'll take care of him." I said, as I closed my eyes again and drifted back to sleep.

This is the first in a series of first-person posts featuring two fictional characters, Blake and Ben, as they navigate their way through the Franken campaign. In addition to the news posts and Atlas posts, I'll use these to try to convey how the campaign feels at a grassroots level.

Oh ye gods, I'm f**king dead. Peak comedy.

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- Tim Ryan to announce

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434     YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4555 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « on: June 2, 2019, 07:17:09 am » Just got a text from my friend Ben, who's working for Franken in Iowa. Barro has the scoop. So, we lose one congressperson in Delaney and gain another. Why is he announcing so late?

---

Spenstar Spenstar YaBB God       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8850 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #1 on: June 2, 2019, 07:18:35 am » Didn't Trump not announce until like June 15, 2015?

---

Kasich/? 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #2 on: June 2, 2019, 07:28:46 am » Ryan would be a decent Democratic candidate.

---

Govanator Jake Jake Jewvinivisk YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 94844 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #3 on: June 2, 2019, 07:29:42 am » More establishment candidates. He did try to knock-off Pelosi, though, so he has that going for him.

---

TimTurner YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4590 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #4 on: June 2, 2019, 07:30:05 am » Literally who?

---

Peebs Peebs YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #5 on: June 2, 2019, 07:20:33 am » Quote from: Govanator Jake More establishment candidates. He did try to knock-off Pelosi, though, so he has that going for him. I know you hate the establishment, but it's not like Ryan's all that progressive. Gabbard and Bernie are still your best bets.

---

Skunk Skunk YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8457 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #6 on: June 2, 2019, 07:22:39 am » He eats into Bullock and Franken's base, I think. Bullock's base of WWC, Franken's base of midwesterners. He might resonate in Iowa and NH.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #7 on: June 2, 2019, 07:41:19 am » Quote from: Skunk He eats into Bullock and Franken's base, I think. Bullock's base of WWC, Franken's base of midwesterners. He might resonate in Iowa and NH. Agreed on all counts. But his entrance into the race makes it more likely one of the coastal candidates wins.

---

Parrotguy   YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9392 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #8 on: June 2, 2019, 07:33:09 am » How many more candidates will announce?! We're beyond clowncar level here!

---

America First Degree Burns firstdegreeburns       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9212 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #9 on: June 2, 2019, 07:33:35 am » Probably the candidate who's the best bet to win back the WWC in the rust belt for the Democrats. Everyone else is too damn liberal.

---

Kasich/Rauner 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #10 on: June 2, 2019, 07:33:42 am » Indeed. May be the only candidate who could win Ohio away from Kasich.

---

razze YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 9315 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #11 on: June 2, 2019, 07:34:30 am » Let's be real here: he doesn't think he actually has a shot to be the actual President of the actual United States. He's running to be veep or, failing that, a prominent cabinet position. Labor secretary, maybe.

---

CUOMO markwarner2020 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 803848 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #12 on: June 30, 2019, 07:35:47 am » ANOTHER SACRIFICE TO THE ALTER OF ANDREW

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8849 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #13 on: June 2, 2019, 07:44:59 am » He'd be a decent VP pick for someone like Harris or Gillibrand. Middle of the country, from a more rural area. I don't see a nominee Franken or Bullock picking him, though. They'd want a coastal person to shore up those areas, make sure something crazy like Virginia flipping doesn't happen.

---

bruhgmger2 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #14 on: June 2, 2019, 07:46:13 am » Agreed, MAINEiac. He'd be a perfect pick for Booker or Gillibrand.

Saguaro azcactus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3513 ()

Tim Ryan to announce « Reply #15 on: June 2, 2019, 07:46:48 am » Another one who'll get one delegate and drop out after finishing 7th in Iowa. Whatever keeps his career going, I guess.

Yay for Ryan!

I’m now endorsing Tim Ryan

Pew Research Center, June 30, 2019

Al Franken: 30%
Bernie Sanders: 19%
Kamala Harris: 18%
Kirsten Gillibrand: 13%
Tim Ryan: 7%
Cory Booker: 3%
Terry McAuliffe: 2%
Steve Bullock: 2%
Tulsi Gabbard: 1%
Andrew Cuomo: 0%
Martin O'Malley: 0%

Pew Research Center Poll of Iowa Democrats, June 30, 2019
Al Franken: 25%
Bernie Sanders: 20%
Kamala Harris: 10%
Steve Bullock: 9%
Tim Ryan: 6%
Kirsten Gillibrand 5%
Martin O'Malley: 5%
Cory Booker: 4%
Tulsi Gabbard: 2%
Terry McAuliffe: 2%
Andrew Cuomo: 1%
Undecided: 9%

Pew Research Center, June 30, 2019:
Al Franken: 55%
Donald J. Trump: 38%
John Kasich: 5%
Undecided/Other: 2%

Pew Research Center, June 30, 2019:
Bernie Sanders: 57%
Donald J. Trump: 33%
John Kasich: 8%
Undecided/Other: 2%

Pew Research Center, June 30, 2019:
Donald J. Trump: 44%
Tulsi Gabbard: 40%
John Kasich: 15%
Undecided/Other: 1%

Pew Research Center, June 30, 2019:
Donald J. Trump: 46%
Andrew Cuomo: 36%
John Kasich: 17%
Undecided/Other: 8%

eh, Tim Ryan's decent, not my favorite but better compared to other candidates in this "race."
*COUGH CORY BOOKER *COUGH* TULSI GABBARD *COUGH*

I do think many of these candidates will run in real life. I actually think Franken's the least likely of everyone on the D side to run.

clare.malone (Clare Malone, senior political writer): Exit Delaney, enter Ryan.

natesilver (Nate Silver, Editor in Chief): Second candidate to enter after the first debate. Now, I think the field's settled.

perry (Perry Bacon Jr., senior political writer): I mean I certainly hope so. The writers of this great electoral drama are probably having trouble keeping track of the characters.

harry (Harry Enten, senior political writer): I know I am.

micah (Micah Cohen, politics editor): The first post-Ryan polls were released last week. Showed him getting a not-insignificant 7% nationally, 6% in Iowa. Is that his floor? And what's his ceiling?

harry: I think Ryan's getting a boost from being the most recent announcer, and going on a media blitz. He's always on one of the 24-hour networks.

clare.malone: He was even on Fox & Friends this morning.

perry: Dude has balls, that's for damn sure.

natesilver: I think we'll see Ryan crash back to earth. But he represents a working-class community in Ohio, so his economic message will resonate, and he (and Bullock) is the only one who's not from a big city.

perry: Ryan is definitely eating into Bullock's potential base. Maybe Franken's, too.

micah: Personally, I don't think he's running to become president, he's running to be veep if one of the coastal candidates wins the nomination, or a cabinet secretary if Bullock or Franken win the election.

clare.malone: Speaking of Franken, he's opened up a bit of a lead over Bernie.

natesilver: pre-April debate, he was polling fairly high but still behind Harris and Bernie. Since then, he's been on a steady increase.

perry: If he can keep the momentum, he'll probably win Iowa. Bernie's just dominating the field in his backyard of New Hampshire, though.

harry: which is why most candidates are just straight up ignoring the Granite State.

micah: Tim Ryan isn't, he's having a big rally in some mill town.

perry: Tim Ryan wants to be Bernie's running mate.

clare.malone: You think so? They have polar opposite views on corporate taxation.

natesilver: Yeah, I think it's more likely that he sees everyone else ignoring NH and sees an opportunity there to pick up some delegates other candidates are leaving on the table.

natesilver: Anyway, Kasich is polling well.

clare.malone: Well enough to completely screw over Trump's path to 270.

harry: yup, if Kasich takes around ~15% in every state, Trump would end up with less than 100 EV, not including Trump 2016 voters who are already defecting back to the Democrats, and will over the course of the campaign.

micah: and Kasich could gain more supporters over the course of a campaign, too.

An Atlas thread on an Ohio politician in which I don't comment? Unrealistic. :P

Joy Behar: Our guest on The Political View today is the junior Senator from Minnesota.

Raven-Symoné: Recent polls have shown him leading the Democratic presidential field, and his online followers have recently been getting a lot of attention across the media.

Meghan McCain: He's perhaps most famous, though, for making the leap from comedy to politics, as he was a longtime writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live.

Whoopi Goldberg: Please welcome Senator Al Franken.

Al Franken: Hello, how's everybody?

JB: Senator, you're now leading national polls and polls in Iowa. When you launched this campaign did you ever expect to have this much success.

AF: Well first, Joy, thanks again for having me on. I'm actually a big fan of The View. [crowd cheers]. But when I started my campaign, I started with absolutely no expectations. I never thought I'd be a Senator, let alone a candidate for President of the United States. I even mocked the idea in a book in 1998. But, after President Trump was elected, I was just inundated with requests, including from people I respect and admire very much. But people would stop me on the street, in Minnesota, in Washington and say "Senator Franken, if you run, you'd have my full support." And that's not just flattering, but terrifying! So I thought about and eventually I came around to it. And I went in with no expectations. I just wanted to lay my cards on the table and see where I ended up.

MM: Senator, what would you say has been the biggest surprise of running a presidential campaign.

AF: How much fun this has been. Really. I expected it to be a drag. But, you know, when I'm out campaigning I can let my hair down a little bit. Do you remember a few years ago when I was questioning Secretary DeVos, then nominee DeVos? There were like a dozen funny things I wanted to say, and I couldn't say any of them. And that happens all the time in Washington. But when I'm out campaigning, I can now say one or two of those things.

WG: But you can't say the rest?

AF: Absolutely not, no. [crowd laughs and applauds]

RS: Senator, what do you think the biggest issue is that's gone overlooked in the campaign so far?

AF: The opioid epidemic has gotten worse with each passing year. The President has done nothing to tackle it. An also, no one's really talking about how fundamentally flawed our democratic system is.

WG: Can you expand on that, because I've felt the same way for a long time.

AF: Well, in the past 20 years, two people who've won the popular vote have not become president. I shouldn't be running right now, Hillary Clinton should be running for reelection! [crowd cheers] We need to abolish the electoral college. It's long outlived its usefulness [crowd applauds].

WG: Finally, Senator, here's a challenge: say something nice about the President [crowd laughs].

AF: It's actually not that hard Whoopi. He's a survivor. He always bounces back. If I'm the nominee I'm taking nothing for granted.

JB: We need to take a break, thank you so much, Senator Al Franken, everybody! [crowd cheers]

After being prevented from running for GOP Chair by President Trump, former Utah Senator Orrin Hatch has announced his support for the conservative independent ticket of former Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. Hatch joins his successor as Utah Senator Mitt Romney in endorsing Kasich/Rauner, but unlike Romney is retaining his membership of the Republican Party. Hatch joins a growing number of conservatives abandoning the President.

A little too big of a picture

holy shit, fixing.

This TL is really great so far!

0/10 No Scaramucci or Zuck running though


(PS: What's Jason Kander up to, by the way? With the way he's been in and out of Iowa I'd think he'd be running or campaigning hard for someone else. Unless he's running for governor or something.)

Okay, thanks for letting me know.

I'll have a few posts coming this weekend.

This is a fun future-history, and it's good to see Trump hasn't started a nuclear war in this TL.
I wonder if this will come down to a Franken vs. Sanders thing. That Clinton comment may not play well with the Berniecrats after all.

Thanks, but I'm not spoiling anything.

But, Trump was told by Mattis and Kelly that they should keep the nuclear launch codes, "in case the North Koreans kidnap [him.]"

(all Trump tweets are sic in re grammar and spelling).

HAHAHAH.
I love this :P Trump is unraveling and hilarious to watch. Also, thank god for Mattis and Kelly, lol.

Wait, Mattis and Kelly survived this long?  

(Also, given that this TL deviates from reality sometime before the Tim Murphy scandal, did Price resign over the whole private jet thing? Or is he still there?)

Welcome to Atlas my guy!

Thanks! Price is gone, the Murphy stuff is just coming out now ITL.

Mattis and Kelly view themselves as the only thing defending the country against a madman. Pence has threatened to resign the Vice Presidency if he fires them.

Ha, the Dem field was already too big, and I wanted to primarily focus on the Democrats and Kasich's independent bid. Kander is mounting a run for Governor, and is currently heavily favored.

Thank you!
Good job Pence.


Also, if you're looking for more of a fence-rider on your mock Atlas, I'd probably be torn between Ryan, Franken, Kasich/Rauner, and Bullock in this scenario. (I hate Gillibrand and Tulsi though)

I'll keep you in mind! But a lot of people want to be involved and it's hard to include everyone in the forum posts, so don't be upset if you're not in every one of them.

Des Moines, Iowa. 6:54 AM. June 2, 2019.

“Your hair always looks cute when it’s wet,” I smiled at Blake. She blushed.

“We need to get some breakfast before we go to the Franken people, I can’t meet Stephanie Schriock on an empty stomach.” She said, sitting at the foot of the bed.

“I saw a Denny’s down the street...” I offered.

“Dammit Ben, I don’t want dysentery.”

“Okay, okay, we’ll find something else.” I smiled.

Eventually we found a much better diner near the Franken HQ, and we arrived 20 minutes early for our meeting with Stephanie Schriock. The HQ was just some folding chairs and a card table with some campaign signs taped to the wall. LGBT for Franken, Labor for Franken, Immigrants for Franken, Students for Franken. Stephanie Schriock eventually came downstairs to greet us.

“You guys must be the Betsy Sweet people.” She said, extending her hand. Blake took it.

“Well, we weren’t the only ones working on that campaign. A lot of good, smart people worked on that campaign.” I said.

“Don’t be modest, Ben, after she promoted you to press secretary she jumped five points. You’re talented. And Blake, your strategy of hitting safe Republican areas to directly engage with voters is something Senator Franken really believes in. It won Sweet the Blaine House.”

“Well, thank you so much for the opportunity to help Senator Franken!” Blake almost shouted. “We’re both really excited. Obviously.”

“How’d you guys meet?” Stephanie asked.

Concord, New Hampshire. May 29, 2016. 2:32 PM.

It was my first presidential election. I wanted to dive headlong into it.

I was the caucus captain for my precinct caucus. I was a delegate at my state party convention. Now I was an employee of my party.

I was just a kid. I strolled into the Hillary for New Hampshire HQ so sure that my candidate, the brilliant, the experienced, the overqualified Hillary Rodham Clinton was on her way to the White House, and perhaps, if I was lucky, so was I.

When I walked through the door, I’d reached heaven. Rows of tables with burner cellphones, “I’M WITH HER,” “HASSAN FOR SENATE,” “SHEA-PORTER FOR CONGRESS” posters on the walls, large photos of Clinton and Tim Kaine, a cardboard cutout of the candidate herself. A girl, probably younger than me, spoke up when I entered.

“Hi, are you here to volunteer?” She said, looking over excited. “We haven’t gotten too many thus far...”

“No, actually, I have a meeting with a Blake Walsh? Do you know where he is?” Except for the girl, the cardboard cutout of Secretary Clinton and me, the HQ was empty.

“Oh, Blake’s a girl. But come on I’ll take you to her office. What was your name?” A few moments later I was sitting in the office of a girl with short brown hair, mysterious blue eyes and a nose ring.

“Your résumé’s impressive, Ben. Veteran of Obama for America and Michaud’s gubernatorial campaign, all before you could vote. And of course, caucus captain and delegate for Hillary.” Blake had said.

“Well, I consider myself very passionate about the party. And Secretary Clinton.” I told her.

“I was a Bernie girl. What part of Maine are you from?”

“Portland, the greatest city in the world.” I said. She laughed.

“I love Portland. I’m from up north though.”

“Maine?” I asked. She nodded.

“I’m from the County.” She said. I was surprised. I hadn’t picked up the typical Aroostook accent. I frowned at the thought that she may have had to suppress it for her career. But this girl was unlike any of my preconceived notions of Aroostook people.

“So,” she began, “you were initially assigned to Chris, who’s in Franklin. But I like you, and you’re from Maine, so I’m gonna poach you, which means you’ll be working here in Concord with me. You should thank me, Franklin’s a shithole. The first thing you see there is a giant Trump sign.”

“Sounds great. I’d love to work with you.” I said, almost accidentally. She smiled, almost to herself.

“Welcome aboard, Ben.” She shook my hand, holding it just a beat longer than usual.

This is great. Franken is awesome.

Concord, New Hampshire. September 14, 2016. 4:37 PM.

“I can’t believe we met Molly Fucking Ringwald!” Blake exclaimed as we set out for canvassing. It was chilly, and the leaves crunched beneath our feet.

“I’ve had a crush on her since I saw Sixteen Candles when I was like 14,” I said.

“Oh yeah? You have a thing for redheads Ben?” She teased.

“Nah...brunettes on the other hand...” I grinned. She blushed. We walked in pleasant silence for a few minutes.

“I’m glad she didn’t get a psycho.” I began “Did I tell you about this one lady I had who told me she knew Hillary was a satanist?”

“Yeah, I overheard you tell Molly that.” We were quiet for a moment as we approached our neighborhood. “What’s the matter?” She said, looking at me.

“It’s just...this thing that’s been bothering me. That was the most full I’ve seen the HQ since I started working here over three months ago. In 2012, in Maine, the HQ was always full. Here we are in New Hampshire, the swing state, with a senate and a gubernatorial race, and we can only fill it up when we trot out these celebrities.”

“Meh.” Blake said. “It’s still kinda early. Plus some people might think she has it in the bag already and can’t lose.”

“Then they should come out for Maggie, and Carol, and Colin. They could lose. God forbid this state sends Kelly Ayotte back to Washington to be the one Senator to give the GOP the majority. God forbid we have a GOP governor undoing all of Maggie’s hard work. God forbid Frank Guinta wins again, and makes it that much harder to get stuff through the House.” I said. She grabbed my hand.

“We’re not going to lose. Trust me.”

And I trusted her.

Concord, New Hampshire. November 8, 2016. 6:45 PM.

“I bought champagne!” Blake bellowed as she entered the Hillary HQ. Pizza and sandwiches were on a table, as staffers and supporters huddled around computer screens and a TV that was broadcasting MSNBC. She pulled me aside. “I know you’re too young, but I got you a little something, too.” She pulled out a small bottle of absinthe, my favorite.

“You shouldn’t have. And I mean really, you shouldn’t have, I don’t want one of the best nights of my life ruined with an underage drinking charge.” I told her, barely suppressing my smile.

“Hush,” she said, and poured two shots. She raised one. “To Governor Colin Van Ostern, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, Senator Maggie Hassan and President Hillary Rodham Clinton.” We clinked glasses and drank. She began pouring us another one.

“Seriously?” I said, somewhat bemused.

“I have another toast,” she stated matter-of-factly, and handed me the glass. She looked me in the eye. “To new friends.” We clinked and drank again, and went back to the rest of the party.

Concord, New Hampshire. November 8, 2016. 10:08 PM

Things were quiet. Much too quiet. Virginia was too close. Wisconsin was too close. New Hampshire was too close. Trump was leading in Florida. Pennsylvania was uncalled. Michigan was uncalled.

I needed to find Blake.

She was sitting by herself in her office, clicking back and forth between the AP, New York Times and FiveThirtyEight.

“Blake,” I began. But I didn’t know what to say after that. So I went to the only thing that was going through my mind.

“What the fuck.”

She got up and hugged me. We walked back to the main room. She held my hand. We found a nice spot at the back. She rested her head on my shoulder.

“And we have a major projection to make...Donald Trump will win the state of Florida and its 29 electoral votes.”

Gasps, sobbing, shock.

I looked at Blake. “Oh my god.” I said. “Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.”

I started to cry. She held me close. “We need to get out of here,” she whispered. I nodded. She escorted me to her car and drove me to her apartment.

In her apartment, we didn’t put on the TV. I sat on her couch, tears running down my face as she made me tea.

“Blake,” I choked out.

“What, Ben.” She said.

“She’s gonna fucking lose!” I wailed, and started weeping. Blake rushed in.

“Ben...she’s up in Michigan and Pennsylvania...if she wins those and Nevada and Colorado, and holds Virginia, she’ll get over 270.” She said, wrapping her arms around me.

“Blake...look,” I sniffled, handing her my phone. Trump had just taken the lead in Pennsylvania.

“Oh no,” She whispered, as she buried her face in my shoulder, her breath catching in her throat.

I started worrying. “Blake...what about Merrick Garland? What if you need birth control or an abortion? What about my dads?” She looked up at me, her makeup smeared.

“Ben. We stick together. We’re going to have to.”

We held each other longer.

“Ben...” she whispered, “I’m scared.”

“Me too.” I sniffed. I kissed the top of her head. “As long as we’re together though,” she let go of me, and looked up. “I think we’ll be alright.”

She smiled slightly to herself, leaned in and kissed me.

That was actually really touching.

I should note that this isn't even true. That's intentional. If Hillary won Michigan and Pennsylvania, that would've put her at 268, and put a ton of attention on Maine's second district, because it would either result in an electoral college tie (https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/c732e65f-c252-4520-8ad1-152308570ba4) or Trump hitting exactly 270.

The election was over when Wisconsin slipped from Hillary's grasp, because there was no path to 270 without flipping a Romney state.

I was trying to capture the confusion of that night, how many Democrats were so confused by the results that they couldn't conceive of Hillary losing the election even after Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Wisconsin, in spite of the math. I myself used the same rationalization that Blake used before Trump took the lead in Pennsylvania. I told my friends "all we need is Michigan and Pennsylvania and we'll win."

That was a great update.

(Note to MAINEiac on the PA and MI bit: I wasn't 100% sure Trump would win until PA flipped R.  I thought Hillary could pull off a victory in Arizona and hold PA and MI, but once I saw PA flip I knew he had it.  I was absolutely shocked when WI was called by Fox though, even as a Trumpist at the time I didn't expect him to flip WI, I thought he could hold Romney's States, get FL, OH, and IA, ME-2, NH, NV, and PA, but WI I never expected at all.)

Are Blake and/or Ben based off of real people? If so, let them know they make the sweetest fictional couple ever.

Agreed on both counts.

As to the second part, I think a WI flip was so far off the map for most people that they hadn't done the math for it ahead of time. Given the panic that was going on, it's completely understandable that people (especially in the Hillary camp) wouldn't go through and calculate the electoral votes over again. I remember I didn't actually know the number he would reach until I checked the next morning and he was at 279 with Arizona and Michigan out.

I could kind of tell he was going to lose given how close VA was, how fast OH was called, and how FL was coming in, so I didn't make that mistake, but I didn't bother actually tallying up. I just turned off the TV and started watching an episode of West Wing on Netflix. What happened here wasn't actually too different (apart from the very end, of course).

Looking forward to how this storyline plays out.

Aw, shucks. They’re fictional, though parts are autobiographical (for example, I worked in Concord, NH for the campaign, noticed how little volunteer action we were getting, I did have a crush on circa 1984 Molly Ringwald as a teen, and did yell ‘She’s gonna fucking lose!’ on election night. Everything else is made up, though.)

Welcome to the forum.

This moment was too real.

Portland, Maine. June 12, 2018. 7:47PM

"Make sure we don't drink the absinthe early this time," I said to Blake as we entered the Portland Holiday Inn, the headquarters of Betsy Sweet's gubernatorial campaign.

"Hush," she told me, not looking up from her phone. "Turnout numbers are looking excellent."

"Great, I need to go feed the vultures. See you upstairs." I said, as she continued on to the elevator and detoured to a ballroom, where the victory party would be held. Only a few supporters were there, along with the media. It was still mostly empty. Polls wouldn't close for another fifteen minutes.

"Ben, anything for us?" a grizzled reporter asked me.

"Betsy remains confident that the people of Maine will choose change and progress tonight. She expressed congratulations on a well-fought campaign to the other Democratic candidates, and wants to remind voters that they still have time to get in line. If they're in line before 8, they will be allowed to vote."

"Any comment on the power outage at the polling place in Kingfield?"

"The Sweet campaign, and several other campaigns, filed a lawsuit to extend voting hours in Kingfield because of the power outage. We believe the lawsuits will be successful." I looked at my watch. "Okay, one more question guys, better make it good."

"Why'd you go to some of the most conservative areas of the state in the last week?"

I paused. "Betsy Sweet is running to be governor of all of Maine, not just the progressive parts of Maine. The people of Piscataquis and Aroostook and Penobscot have voices that deserve to be heard, too. And they may just deliver us victory tonight. Alright, I'll see you guys around 9."

I went upstairs to the HQ. I looked at the handmade sign on the door. "Welcome to the Sweet Suite." I smiled to myself, knowing Blake had something to do with it.

She was sitting on the couch, a donut in hand, still staring intently at her phone screen.

"Hey babe," she said.

"Hey..." I said. At that moment I noticed our reflection in the mirror. Goddamn, we looked grown up. I was only 20, Blake 23. Here I was, in a blue suit, my curls replaced with a crew cut. Blake in a black blazer and pencil skirt. I'd never even seen her in a skirt until we got this job.

"First results! From Andover!" Blake yelled, breaking me from my thoughts. About a half dozen people crowded around her, including me. "Boyle, 12;" she read, "Cote, 34; Dion, 6; Eisenhart, 2; Eves 68; Mills 55; Russell 39; Sweet...98!" We cheered, and high fived.

"Game on," I said, looking Blake in the eye.

"Game. On." She said back.

10:03

"Betsy does not believe there to be any need for a recount at this time, Jack." I told a particularly annoying reporter. The victory party was in full swing now. And the race was close. While Mary Mayhew easily swept away opposition on the GOP side, it had turned into a real nailbiter between us, Mark Eves, and Janet Mills. "That could change if we believe there are irregularities. But right now we have no reason to believe that."

"Have you received any concession calls?" another reporter said.

"Senator Boyle, Senator Dion, Representative Russell and Commander Eisenhart have each called Betsy. Though I believe they've also called Speaker Eves and Attorney General Mills to express their congratulations. It's important to remember that this party is united behind whoever wins tonight. Alright, I'll see you guys soon." I moved to leave.

"Can anyone claim a mandate with only a quarter of the vote?" Jack yelled after me. I stopped.

"If we had ranked-choice voting that wouldn't even be a question, now, would it?" I said, as I left.

Back upstairs, everyone was staring at a screen. Blake had her phone, iPad and laptop all in front of her.

"Has Eves called to concede yet?" I said. She shook her head. "Well, we know that bastard's stubborn." I sat next to her, and looked at the numbers.

Maine Democratic primary
95% of precincts reporting
Too close to call
Betsy Sweet: 48,782, 26.54%
Janet Mills: 48,399, 26.33%
Mark Eves: 47,612, 25.90%
Diane Russell: 12,398, 6.74%
Adam Cote: 11,590, 6.30%
James Boyle: 8,702, 4.73%
Mark Dion: 4,201, 2.28%
Patrick Eisenhart: 2,135, 1.16%

"This isn't going to be decided tonight." Blake said, somewhat glumly.

"Don't look so disappointed, darling." I said to her. "It's only our careers." She smiled ruefully.

"You suck," she said, suppressing a laugh. Just then her phone vibrated.

"This is Walsh," she said into it. "Bath's three precincts are the only ones left, I think." She listened. Her eyebrows raised. "Really?" She looked at me. "When will we see this?" she grabbed her iPad and began running her fingers around the screen on it in earnest. "She's how far behind? Cote's above her?" She dropped her iPad on her lap and grabbed my wrist. "Well, thanks again Rachel. I'll be sure to tell Betsy." she calmy hung up the phone, and looked at me. "We won." she said simply, a smile crawling across her lips.

"We won?" I said, not quite believing it.

"We won!" she yelled this time, and through her arms around my neck. "She landslided Bath! Cote came in second, ahead of both Eves and Mills! We won! We won!"

We cheered, and hugged the other staffers in the room. My phone vibrated.

"This is Ben Johnston." I said into it as calmly as I could manage.

"Hi Ben. This is Janet Mills, I'm calling to concede." A woman's voice said to me. Blake kissed my cheek.

"Okay, Attorney General, let me find Betsy for you. And let me be the first to congratulate you on a well-fought race." I walked across the hall and knocked on the Sweet family's private room. Betsy's daughter answered the door. I gave the phone to her, telling her who it was, before going back across the hall. Blake was now also on the phone.

"Of course, Speaker Eves, let me just find Betsy for you." she said. Panicking, I gestured violently towards her, and she somehow understood that Betsy was currently on the phone with Janet Mills.

Eventually, the concession calls were made. Betsy came in and took a shot of absinthe with us ("Don't remind me of your age, Mr. Johnston"), before heading downstairs to the party. I fed the vultures one more time.

"This is a victory for progress. Politics as usual has come to an end in the Democratic Party, and on November 6th, it will come to an end in Maine."

"In her victory speech, Mary Mayhew alluded to Betsy Sweet by saying 'the Democratic candidate has no political experience, only radical activism.' Care to comment?" Jack asked. A surprisingly softball question.

"Secretary Mayhew can claim Betsy has no experience. Betsy's lifetime of work achieving major victories for women, disabled people and LGBTQ people in this state, from both inside and outside Augusta, speaks volumes. What also speaks volumes is Secretary Mayhew's experience. Her experience of limiting access to healthcare to Maine's most vulnerable, cruelly cutting food programs for the hungry and lobbying for Philip Morris." Blake walked over.

"Guys, it's midnight," she said to the reporters. She slung her arm around my shoulders, though she had to stand on her toes to do it. "He's mine now." I shrugged my shoulders.

"She's the deputy campaign manager...she's technically my boss." I said, as she pulled me toward the elevator by my tie.

Also, in case you're wondering, Atlas forum posts are returning shortly. I have one more Ben/Blake background post, and then we're gonna get an atlas forum post, a debate, and some more atlas forum posts.

Whoa, for a second there I thought we skipped half the 2020 primary season.

Too soon

Augusta, Maine. February 14, 2019

We had swept the election, Betsy going virtually unchallenged by Independent State Treasurer Terry Hayes (a role that Hayes retained in the new Sweet administration) and Republican former DHHS Head Mary Mayhew (who retired into obscurity). The Democratic landslide gave us huge majorities in both houses. I had been named Press Secretary for the Governor, Blake Chief of Staff and Liaison for Legislative Affairs, where she quickly gained a reputation for hard-assery (while Betsy Sweet lived up to her name when it came to dealing with people, Blake had become her enforcer).

We sat in our office, staring at our computer screens in silence. I broke it.

"Is Richardson coming around on single payer?"

"He'll have to come around, or else he'll lose a primary." she said, without looking up. I sighed.

"You want a drink?"

"We can't drink on the clock, darling." She said. I reached for my briefcase.

"Well, that's a shame, I guess we're going to have to wait until we get home to crack this open." I handed her a bottle of 1995 Chardonnay. Her birth year. She smiled that smile of hers.

"You shouldn't have..." she began.

"But I did." I said. She grabbed my hand.

"Unfortunately, I can't give you your gift until we get home," she grinned. I squeezed her hand.

"Well we can probably find a broom closet or--"

"Umm...I hope I'm not interrupting anything," a voice said from our door. We both jumped.

"No, not at all Heather," I said. Heather was the Governor's private secretary. "What is it?"

"Governor Sweet would like to see you. Both of you."

As we followed Heather to the Governor's office, I whispered to Blake "Do you think we're in trouble?"

"I don't know," she whispered back.

"Darling, did you call Senator Miller a 'hateful dumbfuck' again?" I asked.

"Did you call that one reporter a 'Poliquin plant' again?" She shot back, grinning.

After Heather shuffled us into Betsy Sweet's office, she left and closed the door behind her.

"Blake. Ben. Sit, please." The Governor said, gesturing to the two armchairs in front of her desk.

"How can we help, Madam Governor?" Blake asked.

"You know I value both of you very much. I wouldn't be sitting here without either of you and your commitment to my campaign," she began. "And you're both doing just spectacular work for me now that we're in office. Really. You two are the two best people in this administration."

"Well, I..." I began, but Betsy cut me off.

"Let me finish, Ben. And you know I care about both of you deeply, like you're my own children. Which is what makes this so difficult," Blake and I exchanged glances.

"Madam Governor, if I may, I apologized to Senator Miller and Ben had absolutely nothing to do with it. I'll resign, he can stay." Blake said quickly.

"I apologized to Jack Reddick, too, and Blake had nothing to do with that. I'll resign, she can stay." I said just as quickly. Betsy looked confused.

"You guys think you're in trouble?" she asked.

"Uh...well it just sort of sounded...like it." Blake said.

"Good lord, no. You two are great. I'm giving you permission to seek other opportunities, with a presidential campaign. You're both too talented and too smart to be here in Augusta." the Governor said. "I don't want to lose you, but I don't want you to stay here at the expense of your careers out of pure loyalty to me."

Blake and I looked at each other again.

"Ma'am, if I may, we..." I stammered

"We both love working here. We're living out our dreams." Blake finished.

"I'm not telling you to leave. But if you find a campaign that you like, you have my permission to go. But only if you go together. You two work best when you work with each other. And if you don't find a Presidential candidate you like, that's more than fine by me."

We left the office.

"Is Liz Warren running?" Blake asked me. I shook my head.

"It looks like she's sitting this one out. Bernie's running," I offered.

"He's too old. Gillibrand?" she said.

"I like her, but not enough to leave my work here. Kamala?"

"She already has her campaign apparatus in place, there's no room for us." We sighed.

"I guess you're stuck with me and Betsy for the next four years," I smiled.

"There are worse things than being stuck with Betsy Sweet and you for the next four years." She smiled.

Questions? Comments? Critiques?

Continue and don't ever stop

Seriously though, I would like to see more on how the Moderates are doing.

Ask, and ye shall receive.

---

Does Gov. Walker have anything to say re the Moderates?

Also, just a sidenote, I think it'd be really cool to include a new icon color for the Moderates in the Atlas chats ITTL. Maybe purple? (If it's possible ofc)

Awesome, loving this! Franken will be wonderful, but I also can't help but root for the Moderates :P

If it's possible I'd love for the Moderates to be Purple.

Thanks for the update!

Atlas Forum
- Presidential Elections - Analysis and Discussion
-- 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (Moderators: NebraskaTrot, Bill, MAINEiac8868)
--- Tulsi to skip next debate

Nebraska Trot Omaha Trotsky       Moderators ★★★★★ Posts: 4555 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « on: July 30, 2019, 03:58:09 pm » Tulsi will skip the next Democratic debate. She's pulling a Trump.

---

Spenstar Spenstar YaBB God       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8850 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #1 on: July 30, 2019, 07:00:15 pm » Jesus. She really thinks this is gonna be a power move? No one else will join her.

---

Kasich/Rauner 2020 Not_Madigan YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #2 on: July 30, 2019, 04:01:36 pm » Honestly this will hurt her more than help her.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 2121 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #3 on: July 30, 2019, 04:01:42 pm » LOL TULSI KNOWS SHE IS NOT WELCOME

---

Peebs Peebs YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #4 on: July 30, 2019, 04:01:55 pm » Thank god.

---

Acting Delegate The Saint The_Saint YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #5 on: July 30, 2019, 04:02:13 pm » Kinda disappointed tbh. She was a breath of fresh air, compared to the rest of the field.

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8851 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #6 on: July 30, 2019, 04:02:39 pm » Honestly? Good. She does nothing but gaslight. The only negative is that Franken won't verbally destroy her again. Good thing Cuomo's showing up.

---

Kamala (2020) Kamala YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4554 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #7 on: July 30, 2019, 04:02:59 pm » LMAO she can't pull off the Trump debate-skip move. You can only do that when you're ahead in the polls, not penultimate. Who's advising her? People who want her to lose?

---

Al Franken 2020 MAINEiac4434 YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 8851 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #8 on: July 30, 2019, 04:03:39 pm » Quote from: Kamala (2020) Who's advising her? People who want her to lose? AKA everybody? It honestly wouldn't surprise me if she's annoyed her senior staff into outright sabotage.

Newsom 2028 Libertarian- Leaning Progressive       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1392 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #9 on: April 8, 2019, 04:03:09 pm » Cuomo must be quaking in his boots now. No Tulsi to take Franken's attention off him. Wouldn't be surprised if he bows out next, leaving only the big hitters.

---

(Acutally working for Franken) Blake       YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1221 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #10 on: July 30, 2019, 04:03:35 pm » We were under a gag order, but not anymore, so I'll tell you guys. The Franken campaign, at least, expected this. We haven't even been prepping with a Tulsi stand in. I imagine the other campaigns figured it out, too. Privately, many other campaigns (though not the Franken campaign) think she's about to go third-party, maybe seek the Green nomination.

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 4122 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #11 on: July 30, 2019, 04:04:42 pm » TULSI GO TO THE GREENS AND LOSE EPICLY

---

Saguaro azcactus YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 1223 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #13 on: July 30, 2019, 04:04:30 pm » Quote from: (Actually working for Franken) We were under a gag order, but not anymore, so I'll tell you guys. The Franken campaign, at least, expected this. We haven't even been prepping with a Tulsi stand in. I imagine the other campaigns figured it out, too. Privately, many other campaigns (though not the Franken campaign) think she's about to go third-party, maybe seek the Green nomination. UGH. She would. I hope the Franken campaign is right about this. She could be incredibly disruptive to the Democratic nominee's campaign. Like Jill Stein on steroids. Would almost certainly cost Dems electoral votes, and could hand a second term to Trump. Not good if you're wrong and the other campaigns are right...

---

Never Tulsi ihatetulsigabbard YaBB God ★★★★★ Posts: 3848 ()

Tulsi to skip next debate « Reply #14 on: July 30, 2019, 04:15:47 pm » TULSI WOULD GET LESS VOTES THAN STEIN

---

I've looked into this and, while possible, it'd be too much work. You're all stuck with your current avis :P

As for Walker: he is also joining the Moderates.

Alaska's Independent Governor Bill Walker, a former Republican elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018 both as an Independent with the support of the Democratic Party, has announced he is forming an Alaska branch of the Moderate Party, and is backing the John Kasich/Bruce Rauner Independent campaign for President.

Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott, a Democrat, is remaining with his party.

Allies of Walker in both parties in the legislature have also announced that they are forming a Moderate Party, which now controls both houses of the Alaska Legislature.

OH.... I'M AN IDIOT. I forgot Scott Walker existed. Sorry if I confused you there initially.

I wish I forgot Scott Walker existed.

This

I like the progression so far, Great Work!

HONOLULU - Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Democratic presidential candidate will debate independent Presidential candidate Governor John Kasich in Memphis, Tennesee on August 2, the night before the rest of the Democratic presidential field meets in Bangor, Maine at the invitation of Maine Governor Betsy Sweet for a debate on rural issues and democratic reform.

Gabbard had announced she was not attending the next Democratic debate on July 30, calling it "pointless" and "rigged." The other candidates - frontrunners Al Franken (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) as well as less-well-known candidates Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Martin O'Malley (D-MD), Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) and Steve Bullock (D-MT) - have all announced that they do plan to attend the Bangor debate.

The Kasich campaign released a statement: "We of course accepted Congresswoman Gabbard's invitation to debate, and we hope to debate everyone else running for President, including President Trump. We will never decline an opportunity to espouse our common sense, moderate platform to more people."

The Gabbard/Kasich debate will be held live on CNBC and moderated by Lawrence O'Donnell, while the Democratic debate will be hosted by CNN and YouTube and moderated by Don Lemon.

()

Oh, I really hope Kasich destroys Tulsi.

:/ (http://www.kabc.com/2017/11/16/leeann-tweeden-on-senator-al-franken/)

Well, shit. In light of the allegations against Senator Franken, this TL is now suspended indefinitely. I may spin Ben and Blake off into a separate, future, fiction TL.

Request to delete or lock this topic due to recent events.

No male-focused TL is safe now.

Boooo

I mean, we have TLs with far worse people finding political success. The TL will be merely discontinued, but I don’t think it should be deleted.

I agree with this. I'm shocked right now.

The WHAT?

God damn it. How hard is it to not assault anyone?

So upsetting and shocking. I loved having him as our senator, now I hope that he resigns.

Any threads discussing this?

Very, apparently.

Check the US general discussion board.

Yeah, agreed :( I can also disclose that I was going to make Franken Obama's second VP in my Timeline, but he's gonna be properly vetted now.

Freaking Franken touching women stopping me from seeing how Kasich/Rauner would do.

BOOOOOOOOOO

No states, but 18% of the popular vote.

How much of this whole story did you have planned out?

Terrible Franken, sorry about this....

You know, a timeline focusing just on Rauner/Kasich/Moderates would actually be kind of great. Especially if we still get to see Kasich steamroll Tulsi. (Or at least it would be great until we learn that one/both of them are also a sexual predator).


Speaking of, this actually forces me to change my TL quite a bit too. Anyone know any other moderately-but-not-completely-progressive Democratic politicians from states bordering Iowa who could run for President in 2012? I really don't want to go with Franken after this (even though he doesn't win).

That's great!  Also I'm sorry if I was a bit insensitive with what I said there, but Franken went from FF to HP today and I'm just a little bit pissed at him.

I'm not mad. Just disappointed.

I had a rough outline through the primaries and Presidential election.

Franken would narrowly win Iowa, take a strong second place in New Hampshire in the midst of a mild scandal, win Nevada, Super Tuesday, and coast into the nomination. Franken is never challenged in the general election and coasts to the presidency in a landslide. Ben proposes to Blake during the celebration.

In an epilogue, Blake is elected the first female president of the United States in 2040.