2012: America's Future Decided - The Romney Administration

[feeblepizza]

2010 SENATE RESULTS
Alabama...Richard Shelby (R) has been reelected with 66% of the vote

Alaska...........Lisa Murkowski (R) has been reelected with 41% of the vote

Arizona.........John McCain (R) has been reelected with 65% of the vote

Arkansas.......John Boozman (R) has defeated Blanche Lincoln (D) in her reelection bid with 67% of the vote

California.......Barbara Boxer (D) has been reelected with 52% of the vote

Colorado........Ken Buck (R) has defeated Michael Bennett (D) in his reelection bid with 51% of the vote

Connecticut....Richard Blumenthal (D) has taken an open seat with 50% of the vote

Delaware........Chris Coons (D) has taken an open seat with 47% of the vote

Florida.............Marco Rubio (R) has taken an open seat with 49% of the vote

Georgia............Johnny Isakson (R) has been reelected with 68% of the vote

Hawaii..............Daniel Inouye (D) has been reelected with 76% of the vote

Idaho...............Mike Crapo (R) has been reelected with 70% of the vote

Illinois...............Mike Kirk (R) has taken an open seat with 53% of the vote

Indiana.............Dan Coats (R) has taken an open seat with 50% of the vote

Iowa..................Chuck Grassley (R) has been reelected with 61% of the vote

Kansas...............Jerry Moran (R) has taken an open seat with 66% of the vote

Kentucky.............Rand Paul (R) has taken an open seat with 55% of the vote

Louisiana.............David Vitter (R) has been reelected with 54% of the vote

Maryland..............Barbara Mikulski (D) has been reelected with 58% of the vote

More 2010 results next! Please make comments

[feeblepizza]

I love 2012 political speculation! I wonder happened in Alaska for Murkowski to pull it off? Is it a 3-way race in your scenario? If so, that's an impressive write-in bid.

Yes. The full results are Murkowski 41%, Miller 39%, and McAdams 19% (based on polling for September of 2010).

[feeblepizza]

Any governor's races? Excited to see more results!!

I'll finish up the Senate in the next post, then do the Governor's races.

[feeblepizza]

2010 SENATE RESULTS (CONT.)
Missouri.....Roy Blunt (R) has taken an open seat with 54% of the vote

Nevada...........Sharon Angle (R) has defeated Harry Reid (D) in his reelection bid with 49% of the vote

New Hampshire....Kelley Ayotte (R) has taken an open seat with 51% of the vote

New York...............Charles Schumer (D) has been reelected with 67% of the vote

New York (Special).....Kirsten Gilibrand (D) has been reelected with 54% of the vote

North Carolina............Richard Burr (R) has been reelected with 59% of the vote

North Dakota...............John Hoeven (R) has taken an open seat with 73% of the vote

Ohio...........................Rob Portman (R) has taken an open seat with 51% of the vote

Oklahoma..................Tom Coburn (R) has been reelected with 68% of the vote

Oregon.......................Ron Wyden (D) has been reelected with 61% of the vote

Pennsylvania.............Pat Toomey (R) has taken an open seat with 53% of the vote

South Carolina.............Jim DeMint (R) has been reelected with 73% of the vote

South Dakota...............John Thune (R) has been reelected with 99% of the vote

Utah...............................Mike Lee (R) has taken an open seat with 66% of the vote

Vermont..........................Pat Leahey (D) has been reelected with 67% of the vote

Washington......................Dino Rossi (R) has defeated Patty Murray (D) in her reelection bid with 51% of the vote

West Virginia (Special)....John Rease (R) has taken an open seat with 50% of the vote

Wisconsin......................Ron Johnson (R) has defeated Russ Feingold (D) in his reelection bid with 56% of the vote


Thanks for reading! Governors' results next!

[feeblepizza]

2010 GUBERNATORIAL RESULTS
Alabama.......Robert Bentley (R) has won an open seat with 64% of the vote

Alaska..............Sean Parnell (R) has been reelected with 61% of the vote

Arizona.............Jan Brewer (R) has been reelected with 60% of the vote

Arkansas..........Mike Beebe (D) has been reelected with 62% of the vote

California..........Jerry Brown (D) has taken an open seat with 52% of the vote

Colorado..........John Hickenlooper (D) has taken an open seat with 48% of the vote

Connecticut.....Dan Malloy (D) has taken an open seat with 55% of the vote

Florida..............Rick Scott (R) has taken an open seat with 52% of the vote

Georgia............Nathan Deal (R) has taken an open seat with 54% of the vote

Hawaii.............Neil Abercrombie (D) has taken an open seat with 58% of the vote

Idaho..............Butch Otter (R) has been reelected with 70% of the vote

Illinois.............Bill Brady (R) has defeated Pat Quinn (D) in his reelection bid with 50% of the vote

Iowa...............Terry Branstad (R) has defeated Chet Culver (D) in his bid for reelection with 55% of the vote

Kansas...........Sam Brownback (R) has taken an open seat with 60% of the vote

Maine.............Libby Mitchell (D) has taken an open seat with 41% of the vote

Maryland........Martin O'Malley (D) has been reelected with 49% of the vote

Massachusetts......Deval Patrick (D) has been reelected with 47% of the vote

Michigan................Rick Snyder (R) has taken an open seat with 51% of the vote

Minnesota.............Mark Dayton (D) has taken an open seat with 45% of the vote


The Governors' races will be finished next. Please comment

[feeblepizza]

I have one little nitpick: the Democrat in CT is Dan Malloy.

Other than that, keep going strong.

Fixed. And thanks for reading!

[feeblepizza]

2010 GUBERNATORIAL RESULTS (CONT.)
Nebraska.........Dave Heineman (R) has been reelected with 61% of the vote

Nevada.................Brian Sandoval (R) has taken an open seat with 53% of the vote

New Hampshire.......John Lynch (D) has been reelected with 51% of the vote

New Mexico..............Susana Martinez (R) has taken an open seat with 51% of the vote

New York..................Andrew Cuomo (D) has taken an open seat with 56% of the vote

Ohio..........................John Kasich (R) has defeated Ted Strickland (R) in his bid for reelection with 49% of the vote

Oklahoma..................Mary Fallin (R) has taken an open seat with 60% of the vote

Oregon......................Chris Dudley (R) has taken an open seat with 49% of the vote

Pennsylvania.............Tom Corbett (R) has taken an open seat with 53% of the vote

Rhode Island..............Frank Caprio (D) has taken an open seat with 41% of the vote

South Carolina.............Nikki Haley (R) has taken an open seat with 66% of the vote

South Dakota...............Dennis Dugaard (R) has taken an open seat with 72% of the vote

Tennessee....................Bill Haslam (R) has taken an open seat with 55% of the vote

Texas.............................Rick Perry (R) has been reelected with 48% of the vote

Utah................................Gary Herbert (R) has been reelected with 70% of the vote

Vermont...........................Brian Dubie (R) has taken an open seat with 49% of the vote

Wisconsin.........................Scott Walker (R) has taken an open seat with 55% of the vote

Wyoming...........................Matt Mead (R) has taken an open seat with 73% of the vote


Keep commenting!

Next up - Presidential Announcements

[feeblepizza]

November 3, 2010:

Senate Make-Up
Republicans - 51 (+10)
Democrats - 49 (-10)

House Make-Up
Republicans - 232 (+25)
Democrats - 203 (-25)

Gubernatorial Make-Up
Republicans - 34 (+11)
Democrats - 15 (-11)
Independents - 0 (-1)

The new Senate Minority Leader is Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who beat Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Ron Wyden (D-Or.)

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) unsuccessfully tries to upstage Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in the race for Majority Leader. McConnell is elected by a margin of 50-1, with the one vote from Paul himself.

In the House, John Boehner is elected Speaker, Eric Cantor (R-Va.) is elected Majority Whip, and Mike Pence (R-In.) is elected Majority Leader.
 
November 6, 2010: Mike Huckabee announces on his television show that he definitely will not be running for President again, but that he would be willing to endorse before the primaries as long as the right candidate came along.

December 19, 2010: House Majority Leader Mike Pence makes a speech in Washington, D.C., announcing that he will be running for President of the United States.

December 31, 2010: Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson announces during a Des Moines, Iowa speech that he will be running for President of the U.S. The major items in his platform are growing the economy using a consumption tax and legalizing marijuana.

January 1, 2011: During a town hall meeting, former Governor (R-Ma.) and conservative favorite Mitt Romney announces that he has made a decision and will be running for President of the United States in 2012.

[feeblepizza]

January 17, 2011: While on ABC's This Week, former Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) announces that he'll be running for President of the United States.

February 3, 2011: Governor Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) travels to Iowa to announce that he will be running for President of the United States.

February 19, 2011: At a Portsmouth, New Hampshire event, former Governor George Pataki (R-NY) announces that he will be a candidate in 2012. This comes as somewhat of a shock to many pundits. "I have no idea why he's running. He has nothing to benefit from it, and he has, essentially, no base at all. He's just a lost cause, in my opinion. And I think most others share my opinion as well," Keith Olbermann remarks.

February 27, 2011: At an American Solutions event in Richmond, Virginia, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) announces that he will be running for President of the U.S. "America is hungry for solutions, and I think I can deliver them."

March 2, 2011: Former UN Ambassador John Bolton, who served under President George W. Bush, announces his intentions to run for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in a CNN interview. He generates a lot of buzz, but most think he is truly lobbying for a foreign policy position under the next (hopefully Republican) Administration.

March 18, 2011: During the last stop on his book tour in San Diego, California, former Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) announces that he will run for President.

Republican Polling, March 2011
Romney 19%
Gingrich 18%
Pawlenty 15%
Santorum 3%
Pataki 3%
Pence 3%
Barbour 3%
Bolton 2%
Johnson 2%

[feeblepizza]

April 1, 2011: During a major conservative event in New York City, Congressman Ron Paul (R-Tex.) officially announces that he will not be a candidate for President, but will instead endorse Gary Johnson.

April 2, 2011: Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) says in an interview that she will not be running for President, but will endorse Newt Gingrich.

April 9, 2011: Romney dominates the first Republican primary debate, held in Indianapolis. Most others performed well also, with the exception of Santorum.

April 30, 2011: Senator John Thune (R-SD) says that he will not run for President, but will be endorsing Mitt Romney.

May 5, 2011: Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has been touring Iowa exhaustively in hopes of helping Mike Pence edge out a win. Most Iowans have a favorable opinion of Daniels and welcome him warmly into their state. Many become Pence converts, but Romney, Gingrich, and Pawlenty still lead the race in a virtual tie.

May 7, 2011: Mike Huckabee endorses Newt Gingrich for President: "Newt is a solutions oriented candidate, and he has the knowledge and ability to turn this country around. Go Newt!!!" This isn't seen so much as an endorsement then as an insult to Romney.

May 15, 2011: Gingrich wins the second primary debate by focusing on America's "disaster" and how we can solve it.

May 16, 2011: Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) endorses Mitt Romney for President at an Iowa rally: "Mitt is a true conservative and the kind of man who can get America back to work! I stand strong with Mitt Romney in 2012!"

May 24, 2011: Senator Dino Rossi (R-Wa.) says that he is not averted to a 2012 presidential bid.

Republican Polling, May 2011
Romney 21%
Gingrich 20%
Pawlenty 16%
Pence 7%
Pataki 5%
Barbour 4%
Santorum 3%
Johnson 2%
Bolton 1%

[/b]

[feeblepizza]

June 3, 2011: At the third primary debate in Los Angeles, California, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich go head to head concerning health-care. Gingrich accuses Romney of being a supporter of a public option due to RomneyCare. Romney denies it and comes off looking standoffish and insecure.

June 5, 2011: Senator Dino Rossi (R-Wa.) announces that he will be running for President of the United States. "I beat Patty Murray in 2010, so who's to say I won't beat Barack Obama in 2012?," he says at a New Hampshire rally.

Republican Polling After Rossi's Announcement
Gingrich 20%
Romney 20%
Pawlenty 13%
Pence 7%
Pataki 6%
Barbour 5%
Santorum 4%
Rossi 3%
Bolton 2%
Johnson 2%

With Rossi thrown into the mix, the GOP nomination is a race between 10 candidates. Most Republicans are getting behind Gingrich, who is campaigning relentlessly in Iowa and South Carolina. Romney is taking charge in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. Pawlenty's focus is in Iowa entirely, where he takes a strong third place. Mike Pence is using Mitch Daniels to rally the voters of Iowa, while he himself travels throughout South Carolina. Pataki is focusing on New Hampshire. Haley Barbour is flying back and forth between Iowa and South Carolina, keeping an even 4-5% in both states. Santorum's efforts are all in South Carolina. Rossi has just begun to campaign, but is doing it mainly in New Hampshire. Bolton and Johnson have been known to visit each early primary state three to four times in one week.

June 6, 2011: Former Vice-President Dick Cheney dies of a heart attack (his sixth) at the age of 70.

Richard Bruce Cheney (January 30, 1941-June 6, 2011)

His approval/disapproval ratings have recovered massively since he retired from office, at 44/48. His approvals are even higher among Republicans (60/37)

His funeral is planned for June 8-9, 2011. All former Presidents and Vice-Presidents are scheduled to attend. Campaigning will be stopped until then out of respect.

June 14, 2011: Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) announces that he will be challenging President Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2012. "I don't feel safe under the leadership of the Obama Administration."

June 16, 2011: Unemployment has finally hit 10%, and presidential candidates are all abuzz with excitement:

"I have said this time and time again - the Left's policies always fail. More to the point, their economic policies always fail. President Obama is a bad leader." ---Newt Gingrich (Columbia, South Carolina)

"Under a conservative leader, you have low taxes, low spending, and low unemployment. Under President Obama, you have higher taxes, massive deficits, and 10% unemployment. think the choice is pretty clear by now. It's conservatism or nothing." ---Mitt Romney (Reno, Nevada)

"We all know that the Democrats are being rejected. Look at the 2010 midterms, and look at Americans' vicious opposition to the socialist agenda." Mike Pence to reporters in Orlinda, Tennessee, en route to Iowa from South Carolina

"We all saw this coming. Soon it'll be 11, and 12, and 13%. We nee a change soon or we'll be in a total meltdown." ---Gary Johnson in Las Vegas, Nevada

President Obama, however, stated that recovery would be hard, and things would get worse before they ever got better. "Wait until next year, we'll have 7 or 8%. It takes time. Just be patient."

Senator Lieberman made a rebuttal in Gabbs, Nevada, saying: "Poor families and the unemployed can't be patient. We have to get programs that work through the system before we have a meltdown, just as Governor Johnson said."

President Obama's approval/disapproval is worse then ever, at 39/56.

June 29, 2011: Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) appears with Tim Pawlenty in Cedar Rapids, Iowa: "I've known Tim for a long, long time, and let me tell you: he can get things done. I am honored to support Tim Pawlenty for President of the United States of America in 2012!!!"

Republican Polling, June 2012
Romney 19%
Gingrich 18%
Pawlenty 18%
Pence 8%
Pataki 7%
Barbour 6%
Santorum 4%
Rossi 4%
Johnson 2%
Bolton 1%

Democratic Polling, June 2012
Obama 59%
Lieberman 33%

[feeblepizza]

Because a 70 year old man is going to make a serious run for the Presidency against an incumbent.

Lieberman would be 69, and is in perfectly good health.

[feeblepizza]

Great so far.  Interesting move to toss Pataki in, I doubt he will have much impact.  Right now I'm not sure who I support.  I'm curious why Santorum has been going up in the polls while Johnson sits at the bottom.  The Lieberman thing also threw me off, though really I suppose it isn't too implausible. 

By any chance, are you simulating this in President Forever?

No, I'm just using my political intuition to decide the race . Johnson is sitting at the bottom because he's a libertarian (duh). And Santorum has only risen from 3% to 4%, no? And it would be interesting to see who to support. I would have to go for Pence in this race .

[feeblepizza]

July 1, 2011: John Bolton makes a speech in West Branch, Iowa, where he criticizes President Obama's defense record: "Is Iraq stable? No. Is Afghanistan stable? No. Do Iran and North Korea have nuclear weapons? Yes. Is Osama still on the run? Yes. President Obama has done absolutely nothing to improve our situation abroad. We are doomed, in my opinion, when it comes to defenses. Shame on you, President Obama, for doing a lackluster job of defending America."

July 2, 2011: Conservative talk radio host Herman Cain states that he will make a decision regarding a presidential bid by the end of the month. Polls show that Cain has a 79% favorability rating among likely Republican voters, and a 53/38 favorable/unfavorable among likely general election voters.

July 3, 2011: Former U.S. President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain attend a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in favor of Tim Pawlenty. Bush was the major headliner: "Tim has done wonderful work in Minnesota, and he can do wonderful work in the White House."

When polled, 60% of Republicans have a favorable opinion of Bush. 39% have an unfavorable opinion.

July 4, 2011: Former President Bill Clinton announces that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The announcement corresponds with an Obama rally in Iowa City. Several pundits suggest that the announcement was a last stab at Obama on the part of the Clinton's.

July 15, 2011: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passes away at the age of 78, of pancreatic cancer, which will eventually take former President Clinton. This will mark President Obama's third Court appointment in as many years.

July 19, 2011: Herman Cain announces that he will run for President: "I have better solutions then President Obama and Americans know it. We will turn this country around with true, honest conservative values."

Cain's announcement brings the total of Republican presidential candidates to eleven.

July 20, 2011: House Speaker John Boehner announces that he will not be running for President, but will be endorsing Newt Gingrich.

July 27, 2011: At the fourth primary debate in Tacoma, Washington, Herman Cain performed well and was said to be the victor. Senator Dino Rossi later remarked that Cain was "the best debater [he] had ever seen."

Republican Polling, July 2011
Gingrich 21%
Romney 20%
Pawlenty 12%
Pence 9%
Cain 9%
Pataki 6%
Barbour 5%
Santorum 4%
Rossi 3%
Bolton 2%
Johnson 2%

Cain jumps ahead and is now tied with Mike Pence for fourth place.

The Democratic race is now slightly better for Lieberman...

Democratic Polling, July 2011
Obama 57%
Lieberman 35%

[feeblepizza]

Great so far.  Interesting move to toss Pataki in, I doubt he will have much impact.  Right now I'm not sure who I support.  I'm curious why Santorum has been going up in the polls while Johnson sits at the bottom.  The Lieberman thing also threw me off, though really I suppose it isn't too implausible. 

By any chance, are you simulating this in President Forever?

No, I'm just using my political intuition to decide the race . Johnson is sitting at the bottom because he's a libertarian (duh). And Santorum has only risen from 3% to 4%, no? And it would be interesting to see who to support. I would have to go for Pence in this race .

Oh, ok.  One of your posts reminded me a bit of the game, the part where you were talking about what all of the candidates were doing.

I admit I'm nitpicking, but Johnson was endorsed by Ron Paul, who was polling in the 4-7% range (I believe).

I'm thinking about Pawlenty, atm I don't know enough about him.

Johnson was endorsed by Paul - but Johnson isn't Paul. And don't go making assumptions quite yet, I've got some tricks up my sleeve

[feeblepizza]

The Ames, Iowa straw poll should be coming up soon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_straw_poll

Which of the candidates will be participating?

I knew that, but thanks for reminding me All of the candidates will be there except for Rossi, Johnson, and Bolton. Thanks for reading and commenting!

[feeblepizza]

August 1, 2011: Senator Jim DeMint and Governor Nikki Haley, two popular South Carolina Republicans, endorse Mitt Romney for President. This is seen as a surprise by most media pundits, who expected the two to endorse Newt Gingrich, the Southern favorite.

August 3, 2011: Mitt Romney appears with Governor Haley at a Columbia, South Carolina rally (Senator DeMint was in another part of the state). In it, Governor Haley stresses Romney's conservative credentials as his time as Governor and as the leader of his PAC.

August 4, 2011: Mitt Romney now begins his first campaigning in South Carolina.

August 5, 2011: At the fifth primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa, Mitt Romney dominates, showing off his job as Governor of Massachusetts and his leadership in the conservative movement, namely at his Free, Strong America PAC.

August 11, 2011: With two days until the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll, the candidates are wildly active: all of them (even Bolton, Johnson, and Rossi) are campaigning in the state to rack up as many votes as possible.

August 13, 2011: The results are in....

Romney 23.5%
Gingrich 18.6%
Pence 15.3%
Cain 15.1%
Pawlenty 14.7%
Barbour 6.3%
Pataki 5.4%
Santorum 1%
Write-ins 0.8%

Analysis Romney's win wasn't surprising, but Pawlenty's terrible performance was. Pence and Cain performed very well. Overall, there were no surprises.

August 14, 2011: Romney holds a victory rally in Sioux City: "Conservatism has been put through the test, and it triumphed! Let's let it triumph again in January of 2012!"

Republican Polling, August 2011
Romney 25%
Gingrich 17%
Pence 13%
Cain 12%
Pawlenty 10%
Pataki 5%
Barbour 5%
Santorum 4%
Rossi 3%
Bolton 2%
Johnson 2%

Democratic Polling, August 2011
Obama 54%
Lieberman 37%

[feeblepizza]

Lieberman is polling at 37%?  What has Obama done?

10% unemployment rate? Not so good for Obama.

[feeblepizza]

Lieberman is polling at 37%?  What has Obama done?

10% unemployment rate? Not so good for Obama.

Still, that's about what RFK was polling when he challenged Carter.  Lieberman is no RFK and Obama is no Carter.

I think you mean Ted Kennedy, because RFK ran against Johnson, not Carter. And Teddy was leading Carter 49-39. I don't have polling from the '68 Democratic primaries, but I'm pretty sure Bobby led LBJ (and all the others) by a pretty hefty margin.

[feeblepizza]

Lieberman is polling at 37%?  What has Obama done?

10% unemployment rate? Not so good for Obama.

Still, that's about what RFK was polling when he challenged Carter.  Lieberman is no RFK and Obama is no Carter.

I think you mean Ted Kennedy, because RFK ran against Johnson, not Carter. And Teddy was leading Carter 49-39. I don't have polling from the '68 Democratic primaries, but I'm pretty sure Bobby led LBJ (and all the others) by a pretty hefty margin.

Whoops, name mix up.

My point is that Lieberman is far from the powerful, popular figure to mount an insurgent campaign that is at least moderately succesful, especially when Obama's "fault" is completely out of his control (unemployment numbers).  But I don't want to detract from this timeline, please continue.

Hey, no one said OTHER CANDIDATES couldn't be waiting to start a late campaign, did they? Just keep on reading

[feeblepizza]

September 1, 2011: Retired Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) announces that he will be challenging President Obama and Senator Lieberman for the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States: "My party is being overtaken by radicals. My nation is being destroyed by debts and deficits. We need to get our priorities in order, and I don't think President Obama can do that."

Democratic Polling After Bayh's Announcement
Obama 44%
Bayh 33%
Lieberman 20%

The race for the Democratic nomination is now heated as ever, with two candidates lining up to defeat an incumbent President. President Obama says in an interview that he feels confident, although his approval rating is 38%, and polling well under 50%.

September 5, 2011: At an Ames, Iowa speech, Evan Bayh challenges President Obama to a debate: "I think that Democratic voters should know their candidates better. The Republicans are doing it. Why not us?"

September 6, 2011: Senator Joe Lieberman announces that he, too, would enjoy debating President Obama: "Mr. Bayh is right - Democrats need to know who they're dealing with. It would only be fair if we could agree to a debate sometime in the near future."

September 9, 2011: Republicans meet in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to debate for a sixth time. Herman Cain is seen as the winner. Most Republicans point to the dysfunction in the Democratic Party, as two other candidates are challenging a sitting incumbent during the primaries.

September 11, 2011: All campaigning stops in order to honor the victims of 9/11. It is the tenth anniversary of the terrible event. Instead, all fourteen candidates, from both parties, meet at Ground Zero to give their remarks. President Obama calls for national unity during stressful times, whether our threats be military or economic.

September 15, 2011: After more than a week of negotiations, the Bayh, Lieberman, and Obama campaigns agree to stage a debate on October 3, 2011, in Davenport, Iowa. CNN will be the host network.

September 20, 2011: Former President Bill Clinton passes away of pancreatic cancer at the age of 65. Subsequently, State Secretary Hillary Clinton resigns.

William Jefferson Clinton (August 19, 1946-September 20, 2011)

September 23-24, 2011: President Clinton's funeral is held. President Obama calls him "an American treasure." Others that spoke included Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter.

September 27, 2011: As October, and 2012, nears, all presidential candidates are ramping up activity. Democrats are in a disarray, and Mitt Romney's lead seems to be slipping. At this point, anything could happen to decide America's future.

Republican Polling, September 2011
Romney 24%
Gingrich 19%
Pence 13%
Cain 13%
Pawlenty 12%
Barbour 6%
Pataki 5%
Santorum 4%
Rossi 3%
Johnson 3%
Bolton 2%

Democratic Polling, September 2011
Obama 43%
Bayh 35%
Lieberman 19%

[feeblepizza]

Your Democratic polling numbers don't add up i think

My God! You're right! Fixed 'em.

[feeblepizza]

October 1, 2011: President Obama announces that, after careful review, his next choice for U.S. State Secretary will be Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.). "Senator Kerry has been a wonderful voice for the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, and I believe that he will make for a wonderful State Secretary. Mrs. Clinton has told me privately that she is pleased with my decision."

Senator Kerry states that he is indeed honored to be President Obama's nominee.

October 3, 2011: The media is now pushing the John Kerry appointment to the sidelines and focusing on the Democratic presidential debate in Davenport, Iowa. All three candidates - President Obama, Senator Lieberman, and former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh - are competing for votes, and potentially, the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

The first question was on the economy. President Obama defended his policies, claiming that things always get worse before they get better. Lieberman and Bayh attacked him viciously for the fact that unemployment was above 10%, and hadn't gone for six years.

Other questions included healthcare. President Obama defended the March 2010 healthcare legislation, while Bayh and Lieberman attacked it. They claimed that it was too costly and was detrimental towards both economic growth and the freedom of American citizens (not to mention they're health).

Overall, most agreed that Bayh performed best during the debate. 54% felt that he was the winner, while 36% felt that Obama won. Only 9% saw Lieberman as the winner.

October 9, 2011: The seventh Republican debate (also held in Davenport) was a win for Herman Cain, who played on the unity of the conservative movement and the newly dysfunctional state of the Democratic Party.

October 10, 2011: Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mex.) announces his endorsement of Evan Bayh for President of the United States: "Senator Bayh represents change. President Obama promised change, but honestly, I don't see any, in terms of economic growth or our position in the world."

The Bayh campaign says that it is "honored" to receive the Senator's endorsement.

October 13, 2011: The Senate votes to confirm John Kerry as U.S. Secretary of State. Senator Kerry resigns immediately.

October 14, 2011: Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signs an order for a special election to the United States Senate to be held on March 13, 2012.

Later that day, John Kerry is sworn in as the new State Secretary.

October 22, 2011: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani announces that he will be endorsing George Pataki for President of the United States at a joint rally in New York City.

October 24, 2011: Republican polls show Pataki gaining slightly...

Republican Polling, October 2011
Romney 22%
Gingrich 18%
Pence 13%
Cain 12%
Pawlenty 12%
Pataki 7%
Barbour 5%
Santorum 4%
Rossi 3%
Johnson 3%
Bolton 1%

Democratic polls show Bayh gaining, but by a lot more. The moderate Democrat is now down by only 5 points. Lieberman is taking a massive hit.

Democratic Polling, October 2011
Obama 41%
Bayh 36%
Lieberman 16%

[feeblepizza]

Thanks for reading, guys! Please review!

November 1, 2011: Governors Haley Barbour (R-Miss.), Bobby Jindal (R-La.), and Steve Beashear (D-Ky.) are all reelected. In other election related news, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will be the new Mayor of Chicago.

November 2, 2011: Governor Jindal endorses Mitt Romney for President.

November 3, 2011: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack resigns due to "personal reasons."

November 8, 2011: President Obama nominates Minnesota Senator Amy Klabouhcar to replace Vilsack.

November 11, 2011: At the seventh Republican debate, held in Grenville, South Carolina, Cain strikes a nerve by pointing to the resignation of Tom Vilsack as the first domino in a series of Obama Cabinet resignations in 2011 and 2012 - "Obama's Administration is collapsing." Most see him as the winner of the debate.

November 14, 2011: After an Iowa rally with Tim Pawlenty, Senator John McCain begins to complain of headaches before collapsing in the aisle of the Pawlenty tour bus. At the Cedar Falls General Hospital, doctors reveal that he suffered a stroke, and has been paralyzed from the neck down. They put his chances of living at 20%.

November 15, 2011: General David Petreaus makes a surprise presidential endorsement: John Bolton.

General Petreaus says that John Bolton is America's "best bet" on foreign policy and defense related issues.

In other news, Amy Klabouchar has been confirmed as the new Agriculture Secretary. She resigns in order to be sworn in later.

November 17, 2011: Secretary Klabouchar is sworn in.

November 24, 2011: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner resigns from office, stating that he feels America's economy is being "mishandled."

This leads FOX News host Glenn Beck to make an announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, we've been going down a bad road for a long while. Even our 'leaders' can see that. Take Tim Geithner for example - he resigned earlier today because he felt America's economy was being 'mishandled.' Tom Vilsack resigned earlier this month due to 'personal reasons.' Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has a domino theory about this. He says that one Cabinet member will come after another, and eventually the entire Administration will collapse in on itself. I agree with that. That's why I am endorsing Herman Cain for President of the United States."

November 27, 2011: Candidates are still heavily invested in their campaigns: Mitt Romney is trying desperately to hold onto his lead in Iowa, because Gingrich is chipping away at it quite successfully. Herman Cain and Mike Pence are flying between Iowa and South Carolina, hoping to use the Romney/Gingrich fight to their advantage. Haley Barbour is now limiting himself to South Carolina, just as George Pataki is in New Hampshire. Rick Santorum is campaigning furiously in South Carolina. John Bolton, Dino Rossi, and Gary Johnson have shown their best efforts in all four early primary states, visiting each one several times a week.

President Obama and Senator Lieberman are campaigning in all four primary states, while Evan Bayh is focusing mainly on Iowa, having an apparent state-by-state approach.

Republican Polling, November 2011
Romney 20%
Gingrich 19%
Pence 13%
Cain 13%
Pawlenty 13%
Pataki 7%
Barbour 5%
Bolton 5%
Rossi 3%
Johnson 2%

Democratic Polling, November 2011
Obama 42%
Bayh 39%
Lieberman 16%

[feeblepizza]

December 1, 2011: Minnesota Governor Mike Dayton appoints Walter Mondale (State Attorney General, U.S. Senator, Vice-President of the United States, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan) to Amy Klabouchar's Senate seat, playing on his varied and successful political career. The hearty 83 year old says that he will happily take the seat.

December 3, 2011: President Obama announces that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a Republican, will be his new choice for Treasury Secretary.

December 5, 2011: During the eighth Republican debate, held in Dover, New Hampshire, Herman Cain once again moves back to his domino theory, warning of more and more resignations coming from the Obama Administration. Most say that he won the debate.

December 13, 2011: Ben Bernanke is confirmed with support from Scott Brown, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins. He resigns his position as Federal Reserve Chairman later that day, opening up yet another position for President Obama to fill.

December 14, 2011: As Ben Bernanke is sworn in as Treasury Secretary, President Obama announces that James E. Rohr, the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, will replace Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

December 15, 2011: Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and his son, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush defy former President George W. Bush by releasing a joint endorsement of Mitt Romney for President of the United States.

December 17, 2011: Dino Rossi announces a 50-state tour, during which he hopes to revive his terrifyingly low poll numbers. His goal is to finish up before February of 2012 (i.e. Super Tuesday).

December 18, 2011: Evan Bayh receives endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wa), who both endorsed Obama in 2008.

December 23, 2011: President Obama receives endorsements from Hillary Clinton and Congresswoman (formerly House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi. The endorsements are seen as a reaction to the Sanders and Cantwell endorsements.

December 25, 2011: On Christmas Day, new polls show a welcome present for Newt Gingrich and Evan Bayh:

Republican Polling, December 2011
Gingrich 19%
Romney 19%
Pence 14%
Cain 13%
Pawlenty 13%
Pataki 7%
Barbour 6%
Bolton 5%
Santorum 4%
Rossi 3%
Johnson 2%

Democratic Polling, December 2011
Obama 41%
Bayh 40%
Lieberman 16%

Please comment