Independents Rising

[pops]

ELECTION NIGHT 2014
Governor Results:
Republicans: 31
Democrats: 15
Independents: 4

Senate Results:
Republicans: 50
Democrats: 46
Independents: 4 (2 Democrats, 2 Unknown)

House Results:
Republicans: 241
Democrats: 186
Independents: 9 (9 Unknown)

Media consensus:
Independents Greg Orman and Larry Pressler will decide the Senate, Pressler expected to caucus with Republicans and give them control over the Senate.

Politician opinions:
Upset, worried

Democratic opinion:
Angry, upset

Republican opinion:
Happy, surprised

Independent opinion:
Surprised, happy

[pops]

~December 3rd, 2014~

GREG ORMAN ANNOUNCES HE WILL CAUCUS WITH DEMOCRATS

Larry Pressler's Caucus Decision will Decide Senate Control

FIRST 2016 MOVES BEGIN AFTER MIDTERMS

Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Rand Paul, and Sarah Palin Reportedly Going to Announce Decisions in Early 2015

NEW POLLS

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 56% (+45%)
Elizabeth Warren - 11%
Joe Biden - 9%
Joe Manchin - 3%
Martin O'Malley - 2%
Undecided - 19%

National Republican Primary
Sarah Palin - 24% (+7%)
Mitt Romney - 17%
Rand Paul - 14%
Chris Christie - 9%
Paul Ryan - 8%
Ben Carson - 2%
Undecided - 26%

[pops]

~December 29th, 2014~

LARRY PRESSLER: "I WILL NOT CAUCUS IN THE SENATE"

Incoming Senator Says "Being Independent means something," Confusion Over What Constitution and Senate Rules Say About This Scenario

DONALD TRUMP: "MAYBE WE SHOULD ELECT SOMEONE WHO ISN'T STUPID"

Real Estate Mogul Rails Against Last Three Presidents, Hints At 2016: "Obama, Bush, Clinton, they were a disaster. We need someone smart and independent, badly."

JOE BIDEN PLANNING 2016 CAMPAIGN, SAYS CLINTON WOULD LOSE GENERAL ELECTION

Vice President Talks Trade, The Economy, and Hillary Clinton As He Announces That He May Run In 2016, Emphasizes He Hasn't Made a Final Decision

NEW POLLS

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 51% (+30%)
Elizabeth Warren - 21%
Joe Biden - 15%
Martin O'Malley - 1%
Undecided - 12%

National Republican Primary
Mitt Romney - 21% (+2%)
Sarah Palin - 19%
Rand Paul - 15%
Jeb Bush - 7%
Marco Rubio - 7%
Donald Trump - 3%
Jon Huntsman - 1%
Undecided - 25%

Barack Obama Approval
Approve - 51% (+4%)
Disapprove - 47%
Undecided - 2%

2016 Generic House Ballot
Republicans - 45% (+8%)
Democrats - 37%
Independents - 11%
Undecided - 7%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 49% (+4%)
Mitt Romney - 45%
Undecided - 6%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 54% (+17%)
Rand Paul - 37%
Undecided - 9%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 59% (+31%)
Sarah Palin - 28%
Undecided - 13%

2016 General Election
Generic Democrat - 35% (+1%)
Generic Republican - 34%
Undecided - 31%

[morgankingsley]

Are these people all just going to literally be independent runners, or will there be some actual third party people running

[pops]

Are these people all just going to literally be independent runners, or will there be some actual third party people running

There are no independent candidates yet. Trust me though, things will get really interesting in the Primary fields really fast, and come August... Ah hell, I can’t spoil it.

[pops]

~January 3rd, 2015~

REPUBLICANS CONTROL SENATE AFTER DEMOCRAT CAUCUSES WITH REPUBLICANS

Re-elected Alaska Democrat Mark Begich Made the Shocking Decision, Refuses to Say Why

MORE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES MAKE BIG 2016 MOVES

Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, and Bernie Sanders Create PACs or Exploratory Comittees

MITT ROMNEY "ABSOLUTELY NOT" RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN

2012 Presidential Candidate Says he Hopes the "Best and Brightest" Republicans run in 2016

NEW POLLS

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 49% (+22%)
Elizabeth Warren - 27%
Joe Biden - 7%
Bernie Sanders - 4%
Martin O'Malley - 0%
Undecided - 13%

National Republican Primary
Jeb Bush - 18% (Tie)
Sarah Palin - 18% (Tie)
Rand Paul - 16%
Donald Trump - 7%
Rick Santorum - 1%
Carly Fiorina - 0%
Undecided - 40%

Barack Obama Approval
Disapprove - 53% (+7%)
Approve - 44%
Undecided - 3%

2016 Generic House Ballot
Republicans - 49% (+8%)
Democrats - 41%
Independents - 4%
Undecided - 6%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 45% (+4%)
Rand Paul - 41%
Undecided - 14%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 54% (+15%)
Jeb Bush - 39%
Undecided - 7%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 57% (+33%)
Sarah Palin - 24%
Undecided - 19%

2016 General Election
Generic Democrat - 35% (Tie)
Generic Republican - 35% (Tie)
Undecided - 30%

[pops]

Where's muh boy Mike Huckabee?

Showing up soon unlike Rick Perry, George Pataki, Bobby Jindal, and a few others... rest their political souls in my timeline.

[TheSaint250]

The two little nit-picks I have with this are that Pressler would, based on his policy positions and wholehearted endorsements of Obama, likely caucus with the Democrats than the Republicans (though obviously since he's not caucusing that's irrelevant now) and that Begich caucusing with the Republicans, especially as a Democrat still, is unlikely.

Besides that, great job! I'm enjoying this!

[pops]

The two little nit-picks I have with this are that Pressler would, based on his policy positions and wholehearted endorsements of Obama, likely caucus with the Democrats than the Republicans (though obviously since he's not caucusing that's irrelevant now) and that Begich caucusing with the Republicans, especially as a Democrat still, is unlikely.

Besides that, great job! I'm enjoying this!

Begich’s decision will be explained soon enough, Pressler is kind of a wild card in my opinion though. Glad you’re enjoying!

[pops]

~February 17th, 2015~

THREE CANDIDATES ENTER 2016 RACE, ALL REPUBLICANS

Rand Paul, Rick Santorum, and Carly Fiorina Announce Candidacies, Santorum and Fiorina Have Little Support in Polls

OPINION: TRUMP WON'T RUN FOR PRESIDENT

The Donald Also Teased Presidential Runs in 1988, 2000, and 2012

BERNIE SANDERS GAFFE

Independent Senator, Likely 2016 Democratic Candidate Says he "really wishes" he had Run in 2012

NEW POLLS

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 47% (+28%)
Elizabeth Warren - 19%
Joe Biden - 15%
Martin O'Malley - 3%
Bernie Sanders - 1%
Undecided - 15%

National Republican Primary
Sarah Palin - 23% (+2%)
Rand Paul - 21%
Jeb Bush - 14%
Marco Rubio - 5%
Rick Santorum - 3%
Carly Fiorina - 2%
Undecided - 32%

Barack Obama Approval
Approve - 49% (Tie)
Disapprove - 49% (Tie)
Undecided - 2%

2016 Generic House Ballot
Republicans - 46% (+8%)
Democrats - 38%
Independents - 6%
Undecided - 10%

2016 General Election
Rand Paul - 46% (+1%)
Hillary Clinton -45%
Undecided - 9%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 51% (+8%)
Jeb Bush - 43%
Undecided - 9%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 62% (+35%)
Sarah Palin - 27%
Undecided - 11%

2016 General Election
Democrat - 36% (+5%)
Republican - 31%
Undecided - 33%

[pops]

~March 2nd, 2015~

SARAH PALIN "UNDECIDED" AS THREE MORE REPUBLICANS JUMP IN

Christie, Huckabee, Rubio Entrances Do Little to Effect Race

BERNIE SANDERS SAYS NO

Independent Senator Apologizes for "Inappropriate" Statement, Becomes First 2016 Casualty

RON PAUL: MY SON WILL BE AN "EXCELLENT PRESIDENT"

Three Time Presidential Candidate and Libertarian Hero Forced to Endorse Son as Rand Struggles to Balance Libertarianism and Conservatism

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 45% (+19%)
Elizabeth Warren - 26%
Joe Biden - 12%
Martin O'Malley - 1%
Undecided - 16%

National Republican Primary
Sarah Palin - 29% (+10%)
Rand Paul - 19%
Jeb Bush - 16%
Marco Rubio - 4%
Chris Christie - 3%
Mike Huckabee - 2%
Rick Santorum - 2%
Carly Fiorina - 1%
Undecided - 24%

Barack Obama Approval
Approve - 49% (+2%)
Disapprove - 47%
Undecided - 4%

2016 Generic House Ballot
Republicans - 36% (+2%)
Democrats - 34%
Independents - 4%
Undecided - 26%

2016 General Election
Rand Paul - 47% (+6%)
Hillary Clinton - 41%
Undecided - 12%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 48% (+3%)
Jeb Bush - 45%
Undecided - 7%

2016 General Election
Hillary Clinton - 54% (+25%)
Sarah Palin - 29%
Undecided - 17%

2016 General Election
Generic Republican - 39% (+1%)
Generic Democrat - 38%
Generic Independent - 17%
Undecided - 6%

[pops]

~March 16th, 2015~

PALIN EXIT SHAKES UP REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGNS

Former Governor Jeb Bush, Senator Ted Cruz, and Neurosurgeon Ben Carson Enter Race Following Surprising News

DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN STARTS WITH THREE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Senator Elizabeth Warren and Vice President Joe Biden Far Behind Potential Candidate Hillary Clinton, While Former Governor Martin O'Malley is Failing to Make an Impact

NEW POLLS

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 44% (+21%)
Elizabeth Warren - 23%
Joe Biden - 17%
Martin O'Malley - 4%
Undecided - 12%

National Republican Primary
Jeb Bush - 19% (+5%)
Rand Paul - 14%
Marco Rubio - 8%
Ted Cruz - 7%
Chris Christie - 5%
Rick Santorum - 4%
Carly Fiorina - 3%
Mike Huckabee - 3%
Ben Carson - 2%
Undecided - 35%

Iowa Democratic Caucus
Hillary Clinton - 50% (+27%)
Elizabeth Warren - 23%
Joe Biden - 17%
Martin O'Malley - 4%
Undecided - 6%

Iowa Republican Caucus
Rand Paul - 34% (+25%)
Ben Carson - 9%
Ted Cruz - 9%
Marco Rubio - 8%
Jeb Bush - 7%
Mike Huckabee - 6%
Chris Christie - 4%
Rick Santorum - 3%
Carly Fiorina - 2%
Undecided - 18%

[pops]

~April 4th, 2015~

DONALD TRUMP MAKES SURPRISE PRESIDENTIAL ENTRANCE

His Controversial Announcement Speech was Rooted in Racism, Bigotry, and Pure Stupidity

WHY ARE HILLARY'S NUMBERS SLIPPING?

Increasing Number of Democrats say Hillary Won't Run, and her Sliding Numbers Could Hurt her in the Long Run

NEW POLLS

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 42% (+18%)
Elizabeth Warren - 24%
Joe Biden - 18%
Martin O'Malley - 2%
Undecided - 14%

National Republican Primary
Jeb Bush - 18% (+3%)
Rand Paul - 15%
Donald Trump - 9%
Ted Cruz - 6%
Marco Rubio - 6%
Chris Christie - 4%
Mike Huckabee - 4%
Carly Fiorina - 2%
Rick Santorum - 2%
Ben Carson - 1%
Undecided - 33%

Iowa Democratic Caucus
Hillary Clinton - 50% (+25%)
Elizabeth Warren - 25%
Joe Biden - 14%
Martin O'Malley - 3%
Undecided - 6%

Iowa Republican Caucus
Rand Paul - 29% (+13%)
Donald Trump - 16%
Ted Cruz - 11%
Ben Carson - 7%
Marco Rubio - 7%
Jeb Bush - 5%
Mike Huckabee - 5%
Carly Fiorina - 4%
Chris Christie - 2%
Rick Santorum - 2%
Undecided - 12%

[pops]

~April 27th, 2015~

POLLING UPDATE

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 39% (+18%)
Elizabeth Warren - 21%
Joe Biden -20%
Martin O'Malley - 4%
Undecided - 16%

STATE POLLS:

(red=Clinton, blue=Biden, green=Warren)

National Republican Primary
Jeb Bush - 21% (+8%)
Rand Paul -13%
Donald Trump - 11%
Ted Cruz - 8%
Marco Rubio - 7%
Chris Christie - 5%
Ben Carson -3%
Carly Fiorina - 3%
Mike Huckabee - 2%
Rick Santorum - 1%
Undecided - 26%

STATE POLLS:

green=Bush, red=Paul, blue=Trump, yellow=Cruz

GENERAL ELECTION POLLS

Hillary Clinton - 51% (+9%)
Jeb Bush - 42%
Undecided - 7%

STATE POLLS:

Rand Paul - 46% (Tie)
Hillary Clinton - 46% (Tie)
Undecided - 8%

STATE POLLS:

Hillary Clinton - 53% (+19%)
Donald Trump - 34%
Undecided - 13%

STATE POLLS:

Would Consider Voting Third Party
Yes - 51% (+9%)
No - 42%
Don't Know - 7%

STATE POLLS:

[Continential]

Could you have the Return of the Mondale with Ted Mondale becoming Senator or a Return of the Humphrey by having Skip Humphrey becoming Senator after Al Franken gets the Sexual Scandals and aside from that, this is really good!

[pops]

Could you have the Return of the Mondale with Ted Mondale becoming Senator or a Return of the Humphrey by having Skip Humphrey becoming Senator after Al Franken gets the Sexual Scandals and aside from that, this is really good!

I already have some fun stuff planned for Al (although Skip replacing him would work right in line), and the Ted Mondale thing seems interesting and worth adding in as well. Thank you!

[Continential]

Is this dead

[pops]

~May 16th, 2015~

HILLARY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN

Madame President? Democrats -- and Most Americans -- are with her

"I BUILD THE BEST WALLS"

Another Day, Another Divisive, Racist Trump Speech, yet Republicans are Eating it Up

GOOD TIMES FOR BIDEN

Joe Slides into Second, Unfazed by Clinton Entrance

NEW POLLS

National Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton - 44% (+22%)
Joe Biden - 22%
Elizabeth Warren - 18%
Martin O'Malley - 2%
Undecided - 14%

National Republican Primary
Jeb Bush - 23% +6%
Donald Trump - 17%
Rand Paul - 9%
Marco Rubio - 8%
Chris Christie - 7%
Ted Cruz - 5%
Ben Carson - 2%
Carly Fiorina - 2%
Mike Huckabee - 1%
Rick Santorum - 0%
Undecided - 26%


An Update:
Yeah, it's kind of been a month since I wrote the last part to this. I do struggle with ADHD, which is a double-edged sword. It's why I can write this story to begin with, and what makes each part painfully long and hard to put out. I will work to put parts of this out more rapidly, but I can't guarantee that there wont be weeks-and maybe more-in gaps. Thanks for reading and accepting this nonetheless! I have some great things planned for 2016!