Feel the Franken DISCONTINUED

[Don Vito Corleone]

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.)

Welcome to Atlas my guy!

[MAINEiac4434]

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?)

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.

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.)

Welcome to Atlas my guy!

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.

[Sestak]

Welcome to Atlas my guy!

Thank you!

Pence has threatened to resign the Vice Presidency if he fires them.

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)

[MAINEiac4434]

Welcome to Atlas my guy!

Thank you!

Pence has threatened to resign the Vice Presidency if he fires them.

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.

[MAINEiac4434]

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.

[Progressive]

This is great. Franken is awesome.

[MAINEiac4434]

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.

[Don Vito Corleone]

That was actually really touching.

[MAINEiac4434]

“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.

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 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.)

[WestVegeta]

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

[Sestak]

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.)

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.

[MAINEiac4434]

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

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.

[Pyro]

“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.

This moment was too real.

[MAINEiac4434]

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.

[MAINEiac4434]

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.

[Sestak]

Maine Democratic primary
95% of precincts reporting
Too close to call

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

[Sestak]

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

Too soon

[MAINEiac4434]

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.

[MAINEiac4434]

Questions? Comments? Critiques?

[TheSaint250]

Questions? Comments? Critiques?

Continue and don't ever stop

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

[MAINEiac4434]

Ask, and ye shall receive.

---

KRIST JOINS MODERATES
Says Senate Moderate Caucus Should Move to Become Formal Political Party
July 25, 2019

Nebraska Governor Bob Krist, elected in 2018 as an Independent with the backing of the state's Democratic Party, has formally filed paperwork with the Nebraska Secretary of State's office to create the "Nebraska Moderate Party," and has called on Senator Susan Collins (M-ME), the leader of the Senate Moderate Caucus, and John Kasich, the ex-Republican Governor of Ohio mounting an Independent campaign for President, to formalize their nascent "Moderate movement" into a formal political party.

Krist has become the third Governor to unite with the Senate Moderates, after Kasich and Kasich’s presidential running mate Brice Rainer (I-IL). Krist remains the only sitting Moderate Governor.

Former Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinski, who lost a Democratic primary in 2018, announced last week he was running to return to Congress as an Independent, and hoped to create a House Moderate Caucus. The Central Committee of the United Utah Party, the party of Utah congressman Jim Bennett, formally voted to endorse Kasich's Presidential campaign last month, and UUP spokesperson Monica Bell has announced that the UUP will seek to formally affiliate with a national Moderate Party should such a Party come into existence.

When asked about Krist's and the UUP's statement, Governor Kasich said that deciding on a national party "Wasn't much of his concern," but also said he was glad "that many elected officials are realizing how much the two-party system has distorted our democracy." Susan Collins said she will "look into" forming a national Moderate Party. Collins supporters in Maine have already filed paperwork to form a "Maine Moderate Party," and Collins is expected to seek reelection next year on that ticket.

[Sestak]

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)

[America Needs R'hllor]

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

[_]

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)

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