In These Times — The Election of 2032

[MAINEiac4434]

From the Creator of Camelot Anew
and
Feel the Franken

In These Times: The Election of 2032

Coming Soon

[MAINEiac4434]

Remember Ben and Blake? They’re back...

[MAINEiac4434]

September 18, 2029
1:57 PM
Boston, Massachusetts

We stood in the doorway of the Charlestown brownstone, waiting for its elderly occupant. We'd been meaning to see its resident, now 83 but still sprightly, but our schedules had simply not allowed it. Our youngest two were bounding with excitement, our oldest annoyed at missing school to travel down to Boston.

"At least she likes school," Blake had told me on the train ride down, "more than you could say at that age..."

The door finally swung open, and the kids practically tackled the former Secretary of the Treasury.

"Grammie Liz!!" They yelled in unison.

"Kids!" The Secretary yelled back as she hugged them, "God, you've gotten so big!"

"Madam Secretary," Blake said. The Secretary gave her a look of a mock annoyance.

"Do you still have to call me that?" She said, hugging Blake.

"Old habits die hard," I smiled, as the Secretary hugged me.

Over the ensuing hours Blake and I caught up with our former boss. Our phones each vibrated with the latest scandal from Washington a short while into our dinner, however.

Sighing heavily, Liz looked around the table. "Pour me another glass of wine," she said to Blake. "I need it with this assh--" she caught herself mid-curse, causing the kids to giggle.

"What do you think, Senator?" She asked turning to me. "When are you gonna impeach him?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"Madam Secretary, I wish I could. God knows the damage he's doing to the Courts. We're trying to hold up his nominations, but the blue dogs know their constituents will kill them if they don't let Cotton govern." I told her. The Secretary shook her head.

"He was an assh-- a butthole when I was in the Senate," she sighed, as the kids giggled again.

"Who's gonna take him on, Governor?" She said to Blake.

"In 2032? I don't know...Tulsi's thinking about it, I think. Jess Phoenix out in California. Stephanie Murphy down in Florida...Tim Ryan could give it another go..." Blake sounded uncertain. We all knew the President was unpopular and vulnerable, but Blake and I saw firsthand what a messy primary could do to Democrats. So did the Secretary. She shook her head.

"No, I think the one who should take on Cotton is sitting right here at this table," she said.

"Rose is a little too young..." I joked.

"I could be president!" Pouted Rose.

"I'm sure you could, darling!" Said the Secretary. She cast her gaze around the table, settling on Blake. "But I think your mom would be great."

Blake looked shellshocked. She was preparing for her own reelection campaign in 2030, as was I. We had both thought about campaigns for the Presidency, but we were both young. Much younger than the other candidates we had mentioned. But coming from our hero...this was a little too much.

"You think?" Was all Blake could manage, her eyes the size of saucers. The Secretary nodded sagely.

"I like everyone you listed...maybe not Tulsi...but I don't think they're quite strong enough to run against Cotton. They call Jess a communist for god's sake. Murphy's too moderate. Tim Ryan...ugh. But you...you're perfect, Governor. Perfect to be the first female president of the United States."

We were all silent for a moment.

"It should've been you," Blake said.

"It should've been Tammy. It should've been Hillary. It should've been Ann. Hell, it should've been Shirley! Or Margaret Chase Smith! But we can't live in the past, dear. I lost my primary. Hillary and Tammy lost their general elections. They've all paved the path, and it's ready for you. If you want it."

I knew Blake wanted it. She'd wanted it bad. It's why she'd gotten involved in politics in the first place.

And hearing our personal hero, Former Secretary of the Treasury Elizabeth Warren, tell her that she'd be perfect...

I knew, right then, that she would do it.

[MAINEiac4434]

Blake Walsh
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blake Walsh-Johnston

Governor of Maine: 2027-
Predecessor: Betsy Sweet
Successor: Incumbent
Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Treasury: 2021-2025
Secretary: Elizabeth Warren
Predecessor: Miles Jacobson
Successor: Erica de los Santos

Blake Marie Walsh-Johnston (b. May 3, 1993) is an American politician. The 76th Governor of Maine, Walsh is the second woman to hold the office. She is a Democrat. A native of Aroostook County, Maine, she previously served as Senior Liaison for Legislative Affairs to her predecessor, Betsy Sweet, before leaving to join Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 Presidential campaign, which ended in defeat in the Democratic primaries. She subsequently joined Warren’s staff when she was nominated to be Secretary of the Treasury following the 2020 election. She ran for Governor of Maine in 2026 after five years at the Treasury Department.

Walsh is married to the junior United States Senator from Maine, Benjamin Johnston, and together they have three children.

[MAINEiac4434]

Ben Johnston
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benjamin Walsh-Johnston

United States Senator from Maine
Assumed office
January 3, 2025
Serving with Chellie Pingree
Preceded by: Angus King

Member of the United States House of Representatives for Maine’s 1st District
In office
January 3, 2023–January 3, 2025
Preceded by: Ethan Strimling
Succeeded by: Hannah Pingree

Benjamin Anthony Walsh-Johnston (b. December 1, 1994) is an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator from Maine since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he is a longtime campaign worker, previously working on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, Betsy Sweet’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign, and on Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 Presidential campaign. He himself ran for and was elected to the House of Representatives from Maine’s 1st congressional district in 2022. He subsequently ran for United States Senate in 2024. His wife, Blake Walsh, is the current Governor of Maine.

[MAINEiac4434]

November 13, 2029
2:55 PM
London, England

This suuuuucks the President of the United States thought. Didn't we have a fucking war so we wouldn’t have to go through this coronation bullshit anymore?

His first 11 months in office hasn’t gone so smoothly. He knew it’d be difficult, when the Dems held both Houses, but he hadn’t expected the economy to sour quite so quickly. It’s all his fault anyway, Tom thought, thinking disdainfully of his predecessor seated a few feet away from him. Goddamn Socialist tried to ruin us. He looked around. People greeted the former President (and President Obama, who was also here) with laughs and hugs, while giving Tom only polite nods and handshakes.

Fuck this whole damn island. Can’t wait for the party. Hopefully there’s cake. The President leaned over to the former President and President Obama.

“Will there be cake after this?” He whispered. The Democrats exchanged glances. The 46th spoke, giving Tom a look that could cut diamonds.

“I imagine there will be cake at the afterparty, Mr. President.”

I should’ve sent Nikki to do this. The Veep was always the more diplomatic of the two.

The President had also wanted to speak to the Prime Minister, but was blown off. Does Thornberry even believe in all this coronation bullshit? He was pretty sure everyone in the Labour Party favored dissolution of the monarchy.

And really, he was wasting his time here. He could’ve been back home bribing the Democrats to push through some tax cuts, or deregulation to stimulate the economy. Hard to believe the Blue Dogs were all but dead in 2017.

“His Majesty, King William V!”

Tom stood and applauded, the best he could.

[MAINEiac4434]

I had assumed Blake was a guy this whole time...

Me too, and although I'm almost certain she's not, I low-key want Blake to be trans because of the fact.

Hmm, I thought I’d made it fairly obvious in Feel the Franken that Blake was a cisgender female.

[MAINEiac4434]

I had assumed Blake was a guy this whole time...

Me too, and although I'm almost certain she's not, I low-key want Blake to be trans because of the fact.

Hmm, I thought I’d made it fairly obvious in Feel the Franken that Blake was a cisgender female.

Well, I didn't see that, so maybe I should make my own timeline, with blackjack and hookers.

Sounds fun!

[MAINEiac4434]

Tom Cotton
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tom Cotton

47th President of the United States
Assumed office
January 20, 2029
Vice President: Nikki Haley
Preceded by: Joseph P. Kennedy III
United States Senator from Arkansas
In office
January 3, 2015–January 2, 2029
Preceded by: Mark Pryor
Succeeded by: French Hill
Member of the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas's 4th District
In office
January 3, 2013–January 3, 2015
Preceded by: Mike Ross
Succeeded by: Bruce Westerman

Thomas Bryant Cotton (b. May 13, 1977) is an American politician currently serving as the 47th President of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, Cotton served as a United States Senator from Arkansas from 2015 to 2029. Prior to that, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015. He is the second President, after Democrat Bill Clinton, to be a native of Arkansas.

In the 2028 presidential election, Cotton lost the popular vote but narrowly won the electoral college to defeat Democrat incumbent Vice President Tammy Baldwin.

[MAINEiac4434]

Joe Kennedy III
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joe Kennedy III

46th President of the United States
In office
January 20, 2021–January 20, 2029
Vice President: Tammy Baldwin
Preceded by: Donald J. Trump
Succeeded by: Tom Cotton
Member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 4th District
In office
January 3, 2013–January 3, 2021
Preceded by: Barney Frank
Succeeded by: Matt Kennedy

Joseph Patrick Kennedy III (b. October 4, 1980) is an American politician who served as the 46th President of the United States from January 20, 2021 to January 20, 2029. A Democrat and member of the Kennedy family, he grew to national prominence in 2018 for giving the official response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address. At that point, he was only a third term member of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts. Initially an underdog in the 2020 Democratic primaries, Kennedy was able to cobble together support from many wings of the party, helped by the progressive wing being fractured by the candidacies of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Keith Ellison.

In the ensuing general election, Kennedy soundly defeated incumbent Trump, the first defeat of an incumbent President since Democrat Bill Clinton defeated incumbent Republican George HW Bush in 1992. Kennedy's victory resulted in the largest popular vote margin since George HW Bush was elected himself in 1988. It was the largest defeat of an incumbent President since Jimmy Carter's defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980. Kennedy became the first President from Massachusetts since his great uncle John F. Kennedy, who served from 1961 until his assassination in 1963, and surpassed his great uncle's record for youngest President elected and Theodore Roosevelt's for youngest President ever.

Highly popular throughout his presidency, his reelection in 2024 over former Texas Senator Ted Cruz was the largest presidential victory since Reagan's 1984 victory over Walter Mondale.

As President, Kennedy sought to implement a single payer healthcare plan (Joecare), improve the United States's reputation abroad and expand the social safety net with a series of policy initatives he called Camelot Anew, a reference to his great uncle John F. Kennedy's presidency

Kennedy is the second President elected directly from the House of Representatives, and the the first since James A. Garfield, who was elected in 1880. In addition to his great uncle John F. Kennedy, many of Kennedy's family members have played prominent roles in politics: Kennedy's brother, Matt Kennedy, succeeded Joe as Massachusetts's 4th district representative. Their father, Joe Kennedy II, was a Congressman from Massachusetts from 1987 to 1999. His aunt, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, was Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003 and was a candidate for Governor of Maryland in 2002. His second cousin, Patrick J. Kennedy, was a Congressman from Rhode Island from 1995 to 2011. His grandfather, Robert F. Kennedy, was a Senator from New York from 1965 to 1968, Attorney General of the United States from 1961 to 1964 and candidate for President in 1968 until his assassination. His great uncle Edward M. Kennedy was a Senator from Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in 2009, and was a candidate for President in 1980.

[MAINEiac4434]

A Democrat and member of the Kennedy family, he grew to national prominence in 2018 for giving the official response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address.

I feel like this is sarcasm of some sort and I love it.

This timeline is wonderful, I love it so far

Yes, the hand-wringing over Kennedy's selection to give the official response to the State of the Union is silly.

[MAINEiac4434]

November 3, 2026
9:37 AM
Portland, Maine

I inhaled deeply. Why do polling places always smell like mold? Elizabeth stood at my side. "Daddy, I'm late for school!"

"I know darling," I said, as I bubbled in the non-Governor races. Hannah for the first district, Marpheen for the State House, Jill for State Senate...Yes on 1, 3 and 6, no on 2, 4 and 5. I looked down to my eldest. "Time to go to school."

I pulled back the curtain and the bright lights of photographers momentarily blinded me. I looked to my right and saw Blake standing there with the twins, a perfect smile on her face.

The race was won. Polls showed us getting 45%, while Hovis could barely break 20. The Libertarian candidate had completely screwed them over, and an indy run by moderate GOP State Senator Joe Li had further screwed Hovis. So while there'd be a runoff, it was a foregone conclusion that we would win, from crossovers from the Green and other independent (and more than a few from Li backers).

Blake and I smiled and made a show of putting our ballots into the box. I handed mine to Elizabeth, who stood on her toes to reach.

"Mommy, I'm late for school..." Elizabeth whined in the back of the limo.

"We're almost there, sweetheart..." Blake intoned, as she read emails from her campaign network. "Turnout looks good - too good." She said to me.

"It's reading tea leaves, darling. We won't know anything until the afternoon," I said. She was looking for a reason to worry. I thought we could sneak away for a movie or something in the afternoon to distract her. Her phone vibrated.

"Madam Secretary," Blake said into the phone. "Thank you. Yes, we're very confident. We think we'll get enough second choices from the Green and independents to put us over the top. Hovis has made a lot of enemies. He's right here, hold on..." she handed the phone to me.

"Secretary Warren," I said.

"Ben, don't let her get too worked up. I can hear it in her voice. She's going to be pulling her hair out all day." Elizabeth Warren said, sounding more like my mother-in-law than my former boss.

"Well, that was always likely," I said, choosing my words carefully, knowing Blake was listening to every one.

"Yeah...I remember during the campaign, she would stress over turnout reports..." the Treasury Secretary said, almost reminiscing.

"We're already doing that," I said, again trying to make my words as neutral as possible.

"I figured. I just wanted to see how it was going. I won't tie you up any longer. I'll speak to you guys tonight." She said. I said my goodbyes and ended the call.

"It's going to be a good day." My daughter stated mater-of-factly as we pulled up to her school. I looked at Blake.

"Yes, it is."

[MAINEiac4434]

November 5, 2024
8:56 PM
Portland, Maine

"And in the Maine Senate race, we can declare that Benjamin Johnston, the former Elizabeth Warren aide, has won. He had the endorsement of the Treasury Secretary and President Kennedy, and that seems to have put him over the top This seat is held by Independent Democrat Angus King, who retired. Johnston will be the youngest Senator in Maine history, as he does not turn 30 until next month..."

It was a foregone conclusion, mostly. I had led in polls and fundraising for the entire race. Ever since 2016, though, the networks were cautious about calling races in Maine, with our conservative second district.

I expected to feel elation upon my election. Instead I felt relief. Relief in knowing that it was all over. The endless phone calls and speeches and meetings and door knocking and numbers...

Now the fun work began.

"...Now let's take a look at the electoral map..."

"...A very good night for Democrats indeed as President Kennedy appears to be cruising for reelection. We can only call the solid states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Indiana and Tennessee for Ted Cruz, and the swing states of North Carolina, Georgia and Florida have all gone for the President very easily. As we approach the nine-o'clock hour, President Kennedy has 193 electoral votes and Senator Cruz 61. Democrats will maintain control of the House and the Senate, it's a Republican wipeout just like 2018 and 2020, their gains made in 2022 are being erased..."

So, I was entering the Senate with my party in the White House and with both Houses of Congress. It was good. It was only a matter of time before we popped champagne corks when the President had been officially reelected.

"And it's 9:00 in the east and we have a major projection..."

"President Kennedy has won New York, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska's second congressional district, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona for President Kennedy, all but ensuring him reelection. A major, major Democratic victory tonight, President Kennedy is now just two electoral votes away from becoming President and with major Democratic states like the pacific seaboard, Hawaii, Nevada with polls still open, it looks like we will be able to confirm President Kennedy as having won reelection within the hour. Let's look at the Boston headquarters...Cruz only got the Safe Republican states of Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin, bringing him up to 61 electoral votes. Cruz has to run the table, and right now that’s highly, highly unlikely especially with California closing its polls in one hour’s time.”

[MAINEiac4434]

Wait so Wisconsin is now a solid Republican state and Kentucky is a swingstate?

Yes. Aging population in Wisconsin, a slight decline in dairy prices and a lack of union activity (unions have resurged in Kentucky) have shifted Wisconsin into solid Republican territory. Kentucky is now a swing state because of the aforementioned union resurgence.

[MAINEiac4434]

How did the unions resurge in Coal Country?

Alternative energy has replaced the coal industry in Appalachia. Huge wind farms. Many workers switched over.

[MAINEiac4434]

November 5, 2024
10:49 PM
Boston, Massachusetts

"Of course Mr. President. I'm very happy you'll be watching. Yes, I've had some water beforehand. Yes, I prefer straws, too. That's a very...nice thing to say about my wife. Of course. Thank you, Mr. President. Talk to you soon. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Bye. Bye. Yes, Mr. President. Okay, Mr. President. I really -- yes, okay. Bye."

Jesus Fucking Christ the President-elect thought. How the fuck did Mueller not take that blabbering idiot down? His brain is Swiss cheese.

"Joe, you're on in five," an aide said to him.

Okay, Joe, you've got this. Your lips look fine. Good, actually. Okay. Showtime.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the 46th President of the United States, Joseph Patrick Kennedy III."

The crowd at TD Garden roared. Springsteen's "We Take Care of Our Own" played. He beamed the perfect Kennedy Smile out to the crowd.

Finally, he thought as he soaked it, we're back in the White House.

He stepped to the podium when the crowd finally started to calm down, but that only made them roar louder. He soaked it in for a few more moments.

"My fellow Americans..."

K this timeline is great but also if it's 2024 this is JPK III's reelection so why is this written like it's his first Presidential win?

Oops

[MAINEiac4434]

January 29, 2030
3:47 PM
New York, New York

“My guest tonight,” Stephen Colbert shouted to the cameras at this afternoon taping of The Late Show “is the current Governor of Maine, a former aide to Secretary Elizabeth Warren and campaign manager on Warren’s 2020 Presidential campaign. Her new book Take America Back!: How the Cotton Administration is Destroying President Kennedy’s Progress, And How to Stop It is a New York Times bestseller and on bookshelves everywhere. Please welcome, Governor Blake Walsh!”

“Showtime, babe,” I whispered to Blake as I gave her a peck on the cheek. She giggled, then smiled that perfect smile as she waved to the crowd. She shook Colbert’s hand before settling into the chair nearest to Colbert’s desk.

“Governor Walsh, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us this evening,”

“Thank you for inviting me!”

“Your new book, Take America Back, it’s pretty much a manifesto on how to, I don’t know...Make America Great Again?” Colbert asked. The crowd (and Blake) laughed.

“Can I just say,” Blake began “that whenever I hear Make Noun Adjective Again, I still want to like reflexively gag. I mean it’s been ten years since we beat him in 2020, seven since he died, and still it’s just like the only thing keeping me from vomiting after hearing that phrase is the fact that I’m on national television.” The crowd laughed and applauded.

“So, in the title, you don’t mince words...you said that Tom Cotton is destroying America, an—“ Colbert began, but Blake interrupted him.

“Because he is.” Blake stated, matter-of-factly, drawing a huge round of applause from the audience.

“Well,” said a grinning Colbert. “I don’t disagree, but could you just explain.”

“In his very first week in office, he started rolling back the environmental regulations, which President Kennedy implemented. And President Kennedy’s were some of the toughest in the world, going well beyond goals set in Paris, Cape Town and São Paulo. President Kennedy’s radical environmental actions are what kept the biggest city in my state, Portland, from being swept away by the ocean. But it’s not just environmental policies; Cotton’s rolled back regulations that I worked on very closely with Secretary Warren to ensure we didn’t have another crash like in 2018. He’s rolling back workers rights, he’s rolling back protections for LGBTQ people, he wants to cut Joecare, and many of the Camelot Anew policies. Tom Cotton is following the Donald Trump playbook to a T, aided by the fact that President Cotton — unlike President Trump — is a smart man.” The audience applauded the answer. She’s killing this I said to myself.

"Go on," Colbert nudged.

"Well, after President Trump succeeded a successful Democratic President in President Obama, Trump began dismantling all the progress the prior President made. Tom Cotton's doing the same thing, but because Cotton doesn't stick his twitter foot in his actual mouth like Trump did, the country isn't noticing it as much as it did when President Trump was in office. And that's what makes it even more dangerous; President Cotton gives this air of respectability, and President Cotton has no ties to any hostile foreign governments, which is what got Trump impeached, so there's been nowhere near as much pushback against Cotton as there was Trump, nowhere near as much...resistance, for lack of a better word, to Cotton's policies. There have been fewer marches, fewer boycotts...just, less outrage than there was when Trump was in office, because Cotton has the sense to respect the office, which Trump did not."

“That might be the single most thorough answer I’ve ever heard from a politician!” Colbert said to laughs. “So, you like your job...”

“Love it,” smirked Blake, knowing what was coming.

“But...have you ever considered perhaps...maybe...applying for a new one?” The crowd laughed and cheered. Blake played dumb.

“My kids’ school needs a new soccer coach, but I just don’t have the time,” grinned Blake to laughs. Colbert chuckled.

“You’re very clever, Governor, which makes asking this question tricky,” He began. “Governor Walsh, are you running for President?” Colbert continued, to cheers of encouragement from the audience.

“I mean, it’s so far away. We only just passed the one-year anniversary of Cotton’s inauguration last week. I’m very focused on serving the great people of Maine to the best of my ability, and I’m focused on making sure the 2030 elections are another blue wave reminiscent of 2018. To be honest, 2032 is so far down the road, I haven’t even thought about it.” Blake said. A perfect non-answer I thought. The nerds on Atlas will be picking it apart.

After Blake’s answer, Colbert looked directly into a camera. “Did you notice something about that answer? She didn’t say no.” The crowd laughed and cheered. “Governor Walsh, thank you so much for joining us this evening, the book is Take America Back, buy it, thank you Governor Walsh.” The crowd cheered loudly.

After exiting the studio, we were mobbed by reporters. We ducked into our car and the GPS sped it away from the studio, back towards the hotel. Blake sighed once we were away.

“Did I do good?” She asked, a cheeky smirk on her lips.

“Honey, you did excellent.” I smiled. She rested her head on my shoulder. How did I get this lucky? I thought.

[MAINEiac4434]

Thanks everyone for the kind words!

------

January 30, 2029
3:19 PM
New York, New York

It was my turn in the spotlight. We had booked back-to-back appearances, first on the Late Show and then on the Daily Show, the former obviously going to Blake as it was the bigger get.

I waited to get called out by Trevor Noah. How did he keep this job for so long? I wondered. He'd fallen behind every other Daily Show spinoff, from Sam Bee to John Oliver. He never clicked with audiences. But still, he was here.

"My guest tonight is the junior Senator from Maine who wrote the foreword of the new bestselling book Take America Back. Please welcome, Ben Johnston!"

I waved to the crowd before settling in across from Noah.

"Senator, thank you so much for being here," Noah said.

"Thanks for having me,"

"Yeah, well, we wanted your wife, but you'll do." Noah said to laughs. I grinned at the camera.

"She's not only more photogenic than me, she's funnier than me, too. I'm sorry you're stuck with me, Trevor." I said, to laughs in applause.

"So you wrote the foreword of the new book Take America Back, which was of course written by your wife Governor Blake Walsh...were you her first choice?" Noah asked, pausing for laughs. He continued: "Or did someone like back out of writing the foreword and then she went 'Well, I guess I'm stuck with the Senator I'm married to!'" I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, literally everyone else backed out. And then she ghostwrote the foreword for me," I joked. "No, it was actually my idea for a book in the first place. Blake is just so smart, and is so acutely aware of where President Cotton is going wrong, and if you've been in politics as long as she has, you know we've been down this path before—" I began, before Noah cut me off.

"Indeed, the book lays out several similarities between what the Trump Administration did, and what Tom Cotton has done or plans on doing," the host said.

"Exactly. When Trump was President, Cotton very much nailed his colors to Trump's mast, even to the discomfort to some of his fellow Republican Senators. Lindsey Graham, who is extremely conservative, was a speaker at last year's DNC because he knew that electing Tom Cotton would be a return to a more competent Donald Trump, and that foretold disaster for America. And we're seeing it play out now. One key difference is that Trump had a Republican congress, and Cotton does not. Democrats retained their majorities even after losing the White House. But so much power lies in the White House, you're seeing him strip away all of the regulations President Kennedy implemented for climate change, you're seeing him wreak havoc on the courts and in the State Department and Justice Department. The fact that he nominated Cory Lewandowski to be Attorney General was just pure virtue-signalling to those components of Trump's base that haven't left in the 17 years since the 2016 election. Lewandowski was wholly unqualified and quite frankly President Cotton made a farce of the entire American system of Government when he made that nomination. But that was...basically, a Trumpist dogwhistle." I said. My throat felt dry.

"So, Donald Trump, even seven years after his death, remains the single least popular President the United States of America has ever had...why do you think President Cotton seeks to emulate him so much?" Noah asked.

"Because the last time the Republican Party actually accomplished what they set out to do — which is, fundamentally, make it easier to be rich at the expense of the poor, that's their whole game — was when President Trump was in office and the Republican congress passed tax reform at the end of 2017. Everyone knows 2018 was swept up in Russiagate and the Democrats landslided, and 2019 was swept up in the impeachment and trial, and 2020 was swept up in the presidential election. Tom Cotton still very much believes in Trumpism. He saw its power firsthand. He's more disciplined than President Trump. As far as we know, Tom Cotton hasn't committed any crimes, like Donald Trump did. And Tom Cotton can speak — and tweet — without putting his foot in his mouth. Vice President Haley is popular, while Mike Pence was not. All of this has the wrappings of becoming an even more dangerous situation than when Trump was president for this nation's vulnerable people." I said.

"So, we've been discussing big, heady issues, not a lot of laughs out there—" Noah began before I interrupted him.

"Sorry, Blake's much more funny than me." I smiled, to laughter and applause.

"Well, speaking of Blake. There's been some rumors that one of you might be running for President..." Noah began, gauging my reaction. "Have you given it any thought."

"I can unequivocally say, tonight, that I will not run for President of the United States in 2032." I said.

"What about Blake?" Noah asked.

"No comment," I grinned to audience laughter.

"Oh, come on!" Noah shouted in mock anger. "You can't do that!"

"All I know is that Blake is extremely focused on being the best Governor she can be for the people of Maine." I smirked, knowingly.

"That's not a no..." Noah said, teasing, as the audience giggled.

"You're right, it certainly isn't a no," I said, my smirk turning into a full-on grin.

"So you've discussed it." He said.

"I never said that," I grinned again.

"This is why people hate politicians!" Noah shouted, again in mock anger. "We can't get a straight answer out of you!"

"Let me put it this way: some very, very important and special people have spoken to Blake and I about one of us running for President. I have no desire to become President. None whatsoever. But Blake...she likes being in charge. And that's all I'm gonna say, Trevor." I said.

"'She likes being in charge,' Senator I think you just revealed a little bit too much about you and Governor Walsh's personal life," Trevor said teasingly, causing me to snort in laughter. "And we'll have to leave it at that. Senator Benjamin Johnston, everyone!"

[MAINEiac4434]

Your timelines are amazing however are you going to continue camelot anew chapter 2?

Don't worry

[MAINEiac4434]

Can we please for the love of god get a timeline where Trump actually wins 2020

Too unrealistic

[MAINEiac4434]

November 4, 2028
11:34 PM
Little Rock, Arkansas

"And at this time, Vice President Baldwin has 264 electoral votes and a hefty popular vote lead. She needs just one of the outstanding states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia and Florida to win the presidency. But Tom Cotton is currently lead in all of them by narrow margins...this election is too close to call, of course. All of these outstanding states, save for Alaska and Wisconsin, went for President Kennedy in both 2020 and 2024, and she was thought to be favored in her home state of Wisconsin, but tonight it appears the ball is rolling towards the Cotton camp. There are some very shocked faces in Milwaukee tonight -- and they will get even more shocked. We can call Wisconsin for Senator Cotton. Senator Cotton now has 171..."

Tom Cotton shut the TV off. He was alone in this Little Rock hotel room, that felt more like a prison. Occasionally one of his aides would come in to give him an update. An hour ago he felt resigned to defeat, just like that asshole Ted Cruz four years ago. But he was up in the new "blue wall" state of Arizona. He was leading in Pennsylvania and Georgia. He was leading in Wisconsin of all places. He thought back to 2016, how Trump was able to pull off the miracle. To draw an inside straight. He knew that there was no margin for error; just one of these states going to Tammy would end the night. But he already flipped so many states...West Virginia, Kentucky, Iowa, Texas, now Wisconsin...these were states that were supposed to lean Democrat since Kennedy won them. And Tammy was supposed to be the George Bush to Joe's Ronald Reagan. Maybe Tom was more the George W. Bush to Tammy's Al Gore...or the Trump to Tammy's Hillary.

Tom texted one of his advisors. Less than a minute later he got a response.

"It could happen. It's probably 50-50 right now."

Tom flicked the TV back on.

""--HE RACE! CALL THE RACE! CALL THE RACE!" Chanted Baldwin supporters. A feeling of giddiness spread throughout his body. Tom remembered Roy Moore's supporters chanting that to CNN on that fateful December night, the night that began the blue wave that didn't really end until the 2026 midterms -- and even then, only just.

Anderson Cooper appeared on the screen, now. How does he still look so fucking good? Tom briefly thought, before suppressing those feelings like always.

"And we have another major projection, Arizona will go to Senator Cotton." Cooper said. Oh-ho-ho! Thought Tom. So much for "solid blue" Arizona. Two Dem senators, a Dem governor, and supposedly a safe Dem Presidential state after Kennedy won it by high single digits in 2020 and then double digits in 2024. His phone vibrated. It was the same aide texting him.

"60-40 odds now. Baldwins collapsing at final buzzer. Mostly rural out in PA OH FL GA. Not enough of Philly Pitt Cleve Miami & Atl for her to take the lead. Anything could happen but balls in ur court now and ur favored"

Tom went to the minifridge and pulled out some cake. He knew it was only 60-40 odds. But he allowed himself a taste.

[MAINEiac4434]

The new face of the Republican Party?
Young, queer and willing to stand up to ideologues on both sides, Governor Joanna Campbell leads the way for a new generation of Republicans

Joanna Campbell doesn't look like a politician, let alone Governor of one of the largest states in the union. If you walked past her near the Capitol, sipping a latte and looking at her phone, you'd probably assume she was a med student at Southern Illinois. She rarely has an entourage, eschews the tight security presence of her predecessors, and dresses casually.

"I guess I'm just a really down-to-earth person," she smiles as we sit in a Starbucks. "A rarity in Illinois politics."

The 29-year-old is the youngest Governor in the United States. As a matter of fact, she's one of the youngest Governors ever. She took office at 26 -- seven years younger than Bill Clinton when he took the oath of office in Arkansas, and two years older than Stevens T. Mason, the “Boy Governor” who became Governor of Michigan at 24 in 1830.

"I guess I've always been a trailblazer," she says, though she's selling herself short. Joanna Campbell is also the first openly trans Governor of any US State, and one of the few openly trans politicians in the world.

Her improbable rise from local activist to Governor have led some to speculate that she may just find herself in the Oval Office some day. She snorts in amusement at the idea.

"I've got a few years before I'm even eligible," she says. But she's not staying away from Presidential politics, though. She's one of Tom Cotton's harshest critics, particularly on LGBTQ rights issues. She has publicly stated that she will not support the President in his reelection campaign in 2032. That's led some Illinois Republicans to start looking for alternatives.

"I've never backed down from a fight. Those Republicans who want me off the ticket in 2030 didn't want me on it in the 2026. I won because two more conservative candidates split the vote. But I think I've more than earned my keep here. I lowered taxes and improved the economy -- Governor Pritzker and Governor Stratton didn't do anything about the recession of 2019. That's not an indictment on Democrats, that's an indictment on the people they were working for -- large corporations, not Illinoisans."

Some of Cotton's closest allies are looking to recruit Naomi Stevenson, an East St. Louis-based businesswoman, to challenge Campbell. Stevenson and Campbell had an extremely public spat when the Governor pulled a state contract from Stevenson's company after it was revealed Stevenson had donated to an anti-LGBTQ pressure group every year since 2005. If Stevenson were to run for Governor, it would be her first time as a candidate.

Despite her public feuds with members of her own party, she saves her most biting criticisms to "Machine Democrats." Illinois has a long history of political machines backing politicians and entrenching them. She's criticized longtime Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. "The Madigans are why I -- a young queer woman -- am a Republican." Political strategist Carl Traeger says that her criticism of Madigan and the Illinois Democratic establishment is what won her the race.

"Illinois is a liberal state, especially on social issues. But it doesn't like the Madigans, it doesn't like the establishment. Then here comes this young woman, a Republican but liberal on social issues, and she's so different from what everyone else has been offering Illinoisans for so long. She was so different, she won over traditionally conservative voters and progressives who'd never before voted for a Republican, and probably won't ever again."

Her independence has won her praise on both sides of the aisle; she's close friends with Democratic Maine Governor and possible Presidential candidate Blake Walsh. In an interview, Walsh said that Campbell "is one of [her] favorite people in politics."

"Jo Campbell out in Illinois. We don't agree on much, but she's extremely smart, extremely passionate and cares deeply about her state and the people. I'm proud to call her a friend."

Walsh, who chairs the National Governors Association, was seen with her husband Sen. Benjamin Johnston eating dinner with Campbell and her partner Lucy Martinez in one of Augusta's fanciest restaurants prior to the NGA meeting in Augusta -- neither Walsh nor Johnston met any other Governors privately during the NGA meeting in Augusta.

[MAINEiac4434]

Oh I wonder who this could be.

Amazing update.

^_^

[MAINEiac4434]

If you want to be involved, send me a message with a name, position and picture for use in the series and I’ll consider it.

[MAINEiac4434]

Who is “she”?

Not Madigan, who was the first person I contacted for this