Senator wolfentoad66 of California is expected to easily win the Democratic nomination for president with support from both the moderate (because of economic policy) and liberal (because of social and foreign policy) wings of the party. However, the campaign is upended when left-wing Representative drj101 of Virginia wins Iowa by a hair, a shocking upset given that polls should wolfentoad66 winning by large margins, although closing in the last few days. Analysis shows that because the race was expected to not be competitive, many of wolfentoad66's supporters stayed home, and combined with the naturally low turnout of caucuses this allowed drj101 (whose supporters were more motivated to vote) to win. Wolfentoad66 easily wins the New Hampshire primary, but drj101 wins the South Carolina primary with the support of African-Americans who outnumber Wolfentoad66's white Blue Dog dems. Nevada goes narrowly for drj101 because of union backing and low turnout. Democratic leaders start to take the threat of an candidate they fear is unelectable seriously and go on an all-out offensive for Wolfentoad66. This halts some of drj101's momentum and Wolfentoad66 wins the winner-take-all state of Florida, taking home a huge delegate haul.
On Super Tuesday, Wolfentoad66 takes a large lead in delegates and effectively kills any chance drj101 had of winning the nomination. Drj101 wins Massachusetts and New Mexico and the caucus states of Alaska, Colorado, and Minnesota but loses all other states including some (California, New York, New Jersey) where drj101 was leading in the polls just a week before. Following Super Tuesday, there are calls for drj101 to drop out of the race from many in the party. Drj101 refuses to do so, but by now Wolfentoad66 has a large lead in national polls and considered the presumptive nominee by the media. The drj101 campaign, however, believes it will win the Potomac primary states (DC, MD, VA) in one week, due to a home state effect.
The next three states are wins for Wolfentoad66, even though Lousiana and the Washington caucuses were seen as likely wins for drj101 before Super Tuesday. Maine goes the same way. The Potomac primary in Feb 12 is seen as drj101's last stand. On the 12th, DC goes overwhelmingly for drj101 (as expected) and drj101 wins Maryland too, but by a narrow margin. Drj101's home state of Virginia, however, votes for Wolfentoad66. After this poor performance, drj101 drops out of the race and endorses Wolfentoad66, who goes on to win the general election. Wolfentoad66 appoints drj101 as HHS Secretary as a bone to the liberal wing of the party.
