Election of 2016: America Decides
PrimariesGovernor Goldwater of Washington launches an insurgent bid in early 2015 to push the Republican Party towards a more marketable socially liberal position held by the newer generation. Due to the inability of the socially conservative field to coalesce on single candidate, Gov. Goldwater ekes out just enough delegates to secure the nomination at the convention despite the powerful lobbying of Oklahoma Governor Richard Pryor against him. He chooses Senator Jose Canseco as a running mate, as he meshes ideologically and can help with the key state of Florida.
Meanwhile, the Democrats push for a moderate to clash with the new Libertarian-leaning nominee of the Republicans. After taking a bruising from Elizabeth Warren in the primaries, Governor MormDem of California wins the nomination. The speculation surrounding MormDem's pick for Vice President generally seemed to conclude that he would pick a liberal to united the party, however Gov. MormDem shocks the country by announcing his pick of Gov. Richard Pryor in Atlanta.
General ElectionThe general election race is filled with many cross-party endorsements of candidates. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, incensed towards Gov. Goldwater for his defeat in the primaries endorses Gov. MormDem. Senator Angus King endorses Gov. Goldwater, saying "We need more maverick FFs in office."
The Goldwater ticket is bruised by revelations surrounding his running mate Sen. Canseco.
The New Republic publishes in early October that Sen. Canseco has been using a wide variety of steroids. A video uploaded to
Upworthy of him discussing the topic of the Koch Brothers creates much controversy; he states that Charles and David Koch "are fat, ugly, and do not lift like me and are beta males so i do not like them. obama & bush & clinton are beta males aswhell." His huge muscles and general disposition towards the electorate intimidates many voters, however this characteristic is shown to be a positive in New Jersey, with opinion polls showing the that that the guido vote has shifted the state into Goldwater's favor. In a novel later published on the Goldwater campaign called
Changing Direction: The 2016 Goldwater Campaign, it is revealed that the Governor had attempted to drop Sen. Canseco from the ticket, but could not find anyone that he found suitable for the office. An insurgent campaign from the Constitution party drains from the usual Republican base.
The even-headed campaign by Governor MormDem and his running mate Governor Richard Pryor benefits from their establishment stances and the implosion of the Goldwater campaign. Gov. MormDem is hurt, however, when in a rally in Frankfort he states that he "would sign off on legislation putting restrictions on abortions."
Goldwater, hampered by his running mate and having his views found to be out of the mainstream is routed by the ticket of MormDem/Pryor. He becomes the first major party nominee since George McGovern in 1972 to lose his home state.
Gov. MormDem (CA)/Gov. Richard Pryor 58% 427 EVsGov. Goldwater (WA)/Sen. Canseco 36% 111 EVs
Fmr. Rep. Tancredo (CO)/Chief Justice Roy Moore (AL) 5% 0 EVs
Others 1% 0 EVs
