Decision 2008: Crossroads

[Grassroots]

Just copy and paste these links into the search bar for the map to come up. (They don't work with [img])

I'll post the rest tomorrow.

Alaska Republican Caucus

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Sarah Palin sweeps her home state with little opposition.

North Dakota Republican Caucus

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Mitt Romney only handles the more populated areas of Fargo and Grand Rapids while Sarah Palin sweeps the rest of the state.

Idaho Republican Primary

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Romney takes Boise in a state which otherwise went for Palin.

Georgia Republican Primary

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Romney takes the Atlanta metro but Palin takes the rural remainder of the state for the win.

Tennessee Republican Primary

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Paul takes some Appalachian counties, Romney takes the Nashville metro and almost takes Memphis but is outperformed by Palin who wins the state with most rural counties.

Oklahoma Republican Primary

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Sarah sweeps with the exception of Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa metros which go for Romney.

They sound cool, but I can't see them.

Oops. I think only I can see them. I'll upload them soon using a different system that I know works.

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN

Super Tuesday: What?

Super Tuesday came with shocks for the Democrats, but with Senator Clinton scoring more big wins, it seems all but certain that she will be the Democratic nominee, she swept every primary, save Idaho, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Tennessee. Tennessee went to Phil Bredesen, Vermont and the Bay State to Russ Feingold, and Idaho, strangely, to Donald Trump. Donald Trump held a raucous victory party, where he said this about the Vice President.
"Stupid Sarah, Stupid stupid Sarah Palin! She's so stupid! She's a real 10, but she's a total airhead! I mean, how stupid are our leaders? How stupid are they? But we win, we keep winning, we're gonna win so much! We're gonna end this stupid stupid war, and fix this economy. I'm a businessman, I kn how how to fix it, they don't. Phil Bredesen? Psssshhhh. He's a liar, he's a Republican. A DINO. D-I-N-O. Democrat in name only. He can't be trusted, he's a real lightweight."
Clinton gave another victory speech, as it seems increasingly likely she'll be the nominee. Russ Feingold celebrated his wins, and vowed to fight on. Phil Bredesen celebrated a win in his homestate.

Primary Results:
Alaska Results
Hillary Clinton ✓

North Dakota Results
Hillary Clinton ✓


Idaho Results
Donald Trump ✓


Georgia Results
Hillary Clinton ✓

Tennessee Results
Phil Bredesen ✓


Oklahoma Results
Hillary Clinton ✓


Virginia Results
Hillary Clinton ✓


Ohio Results
Hillary Clinton ✓


Massachusetts Results
Russ Feingold ✓


Vermont Results
Russ Feingold ✓

Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 43%
Disapprove: 51%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 39%
Disapprove: 55%

US Unemployment Rate
8.8% ↓

Republican Primary Poll:
Mitt Romney: 38%
Sarah Palin: 34%
Ron Paul: 18%

Democratic Primary Poll:
Hillary Clinton: 39%
Russ Feingold: 30%
Phil Bredesen: 17%
Donald Trump: 14%

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN



Judiciary Committee Votes Down DeWine: Withdraws Name

The Judiciary committee voted down Former Senator, and congressman from Ohio Mike DeWine in his bid to be on the nation's highest court. The committee voted on party lines 10-8 to recommend against the nomination. Senators Leahy, Kohl, Feinstein, Schumer, Durbin, Whitehouse, Klobuchar, Biden, Blumenthal, and Nelson (Bill) all voted no, with Senators Grassley, Hatch, Kyl, Sessions, Graham, Cornyn, Lee and Coburn voting yes. Senator DeWine immediately released a statement withdrawing his name from consideration. Senator Hatch was particularly incensed, calling out "partisan, dividing, dangerous Democrats" and "a policy of obstruction" by Democrats. Press Secretary Ed Gillespie (who's job apparently, according to rumors, is on the line) was much more muted, saying that the President was "disappointed" with the decision and commended Senator DeWine for "his dignity and service." The President plans to pick a new judge.

Trump going mad on the campaign trail

The media and political pundits were shocked by the puzzling win by businessman Donald J Trump the Idaho Primary. And more people by the candidates tweets and victory party. At his party he waved his arms maniacally and shouted about "stupid stupid stupid stupid LEADERS!" He appeared at Trump tower with former wrestler and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. He blasted the wars, and his favorite punching bad, Vice President Palin. Here are some of his recent tweets about Palin.

Stupid Sarah! Is so dumb, so dumb! Senile John should have picked someone with great intelligence, like ME! But he failed! And he's been a big failure as President!

Sarah Palin is a 10! But she's brainless! She loves war and big cash stacks, just like Money Mitt! Money Mitt and Stupid Sarah will ruin this country!

Senile John isn't a war hero, and neither is stupid Sarah! She loves war and she loves bribes! Look up Sarah Palin bribes! So many results!

Stupid Mike DeWine hates gays, I love the gays! I have a great relationship with the gay community, Crooked Hillary, Wacky Russ, and Stupid Sarah hate gays!




Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 45%
Disapprove: 51%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 41%
Disapprove: 54%

US Unemployment Rate
9.1% ^

Republican Primary Poll:
Mitt Romney: 39%
Sarah Palin: 33%
Ron Paul: 16%

Democratic Primary Poll:
Hillary Clinton: 37%
Russ Feingold: 28%
Phil Bredesen: 17%
Donald Trump: 11%

[new_patomic]

Just wanted to comment and say how much I'm enjoying reading this.

[Cold War Liberal]

Just wanted to comment and say how much I'm enjoying reading this.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Just wanted to comment and say how much I'm enjoying reading this.

[KaiserDave]

Aw! Thanks so much!
Just tell me what and I'll focus on it more!

[BigVic]

I'm enjoying reading this.

We will still have Trump in 2012 as a Democrat if McCain had won.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Of course, "Wacky Russ"'s gay-hating isn't gonna stop me from voting for him.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Just wanted to comment and say how much I'm enjoying reading this.

[😥]

Just wanted to comment and say how much I'm enjoying reading this.

[Grassroots]

BUMP

[KaiserDave]

BUMP

Noted

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN



The Four Wars: Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Global War on Terror

Under the McCain Administration, the United States has in fact escalated the three wars, as they were known before recently, into four wars. Now that a few thousand American soldiers are on the ground in Libya, with fighter jets above Libya and recently a 1,000-strong deployment to Saudi Arabia to support regional stability efforts, and still the troop levels in Iraq have barely declined from 2008, and the troop levels in Afghanistan have skyrocketed. McCain, who ran on a promise to not surrender in Iraq, has indeed done that, and he has killed Osama Bin Laden, but he has also vastly escalated the American troop presence across the world and the wars as well, and coffins draped with American flags are still coming home.

Omar Suleiman, Egyptian Spy Chief, takes power with US backing

Egypt has been in a state of extreme turmoil recently, with mass demonstrations across the country calling for the resignation of authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak eventually toppling his government. With the resignation of Mubarak effective in February, the military command has governed in a transition to Democratic elections. However, recent events have changed that. Mubarak's Vice President Omar Suleiman, has taken power after firing numerous members of the transition cabinet. It appears that he may have taken control. Suleiman is largely seen as a military strongman, and he's the former spy chief. He's more popular then Mubarak, as he announced the unpopular President's resignation. It was also recently revealed that the seizure of power was tacitly supported by the United States Government. Suleiman however is not popular among many western circles, as he is accused of ordering torture and vast extrajudicial executions as spy head. Press Secretary Ed Gillespie refused to comment to this. Things are still very unstable in Egypt.

Patricia Millett nominated for SCOTUS

In a rose garden announcement, President McCain nominated Patricia Millett of the state of the Maine to to the highest court in the land, a decision seen as a shock to some. Judge Patricia Millett is an esteemed Washington lawyer who has argued 34 cases before the Supreme Court, and has worked as an assistant to the Solicitor General. She also, most recently, was appointed by President McCain to the Fourth Circuit US Court of Appeals. She graciously accepted, and Senator Leahy has already announced that he is eager to hold hearings. Millett is already however, unpopular with conservatives who few as another Garland, if not more liberal. Even Orrin Hatch, a leadership Republican on the judiciary committee, said he was "hoping for somebody else." Longtime Louisiana district court judge Scott Crichton, a tough on crime southern conservative, was passed over, to the anger of many conservatives. There appears to be more enthusiasm among some Democrats to confirm her then Republicans. Senators Webb and Warner both appeared giddy at the possibility of putting her on the court, Senators Snowe and Collins also appeared ready to back her confirmation.


Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 44%
Disapprove: 50%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 55%

US Unemployment Rate
9.1% -

Republican Primary Poll:
Mitt Romney: 37%
Sarah Palin: 35%
Ron Paul: 16%

Democratic Primary Poll:
Hillary Clinton: 36%
Russ Feingold: 29%
Phil Bredesen: 14%
Donald Trump: 13%

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN

To the Finish: Romney Palin race tightens

The Republican primary has continued, and it's only gotten more dramatic and more contentious. As March and April have flown by, the campaign has been jolted by new issues, such as the US airstrikes in Syria, troops in Libya, and the nomination of Patricia Millett to the Supreme Court. Vice President Palin headed into the Kansas Primary slightly down in delegates, but was not one bit hesitant in the election. She hasn't spent much time at all as Vice President, she's gone on Fox News, campaigned, and gone on Fox News again, each time with a new strange comment. But the Kansas primary delivered her a big victory, getting almost a majority of the vote. She continued, sweeping the deep south with wins in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Mitt Romney kept up with a win in Illinois, but the grassroots energy was clearly behind Palin. President McCain, though mum on who he supports, did comment on the "energy" behind her campaign. Though it is widely believed he supports Secretary Romney. Going into the Maryland and critical Wisconsin primaries, there was a Fox News debate. Palin performed significantly better then his past debates, in which according to former White House chief of staff Steve Schmidt said "[Romney] spun her like a top." Palin blamed Romney for sagging unemployment, and called for bold, unabashed conservatism, and denounced the Millett nomination wholeheartedly, much to the chagrin of the White House. Palin came out of the debate even more the beloved darling of the conservative grassroots, a grassroots so enraged by the President's SCOTUS picks. New England radio host Howie Carr went so far as to call President McCain a "shadow liberal" and said that Millett, Garland, and McCain were "coming first for the guns, take away the guns. Repeal the 2nd amendment, mass soviet-style gun confiscations. Then the abortions, free abortions for all. Abortion on demand. Then they dismantle the states, total control from Washington." Palin won the Wisconsin primary by 6 points, shocking the establishment. At a joyous victory party, Palin's crowd was ecstatic. Romney won Maryland, but his speech was more muted

Romney got revenge in Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island. But also New York in Pennsylvania. In New York, suburban, big city, and Long Island republicans rejected Palin, and overpowered her rural advantage. In Pennsylvania, Philadelphia's growing suburbs soundly rejected Palin, giving Romney a critical win in the Keystone state. Palin ran up strong numbers in rural areas, but it was not enough. Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett also endorsed Romney. The primary continues, in a delegate stalemate. Palin, slightly, slightly, ahead.

Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 43%
Disapprove: 50%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 55%

US Unemployment Rate
8.9% ↓

Republican Primary Poll:
Mitt Romney: 36%
Sarah Palin: 34%
Ron Paul: 20%

Democratic Primary Poll:
Hillary Clinton: 39%
Russ Feingold: 29%
Phil Bredesen: 15%
Donald Trump: 15%

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN

It's Perry: Palin selects early VP candidate in Perry

Fresh off her wins in the Wisconsin primary, Palin, still only a candidate for the nomination of the Republican primary, has picked her pick to be Vice President, her current job. And it looks like she's doubled down on conservatism, she's picked Texas Governor and unabashed conservative Republican Rick Perry. Perry, also known for his campaign trail gaffes and misstatements. At a joint rally, both spoke to an ecstatic crowd. Where Palin first accidentally called Perry the Governor of Nebraska, before correcting herself to Governor of Texas. She then proceeded to say Nebraska was "full of liberals anyway." They both hit the conservative talking points on guns, abortion, the economy, and Millett. Palin really seeks to take her current momentum, and take the nomination now.









Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 43%
Disapprove: 50%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 55%

US Unemployment Rate
8.9% ↓

Republican Primary Poll:
Mitt Romney: 36%
Sarah Palin: 34%
Ron Paul: 20%

Democratic Primary Poll:
Hillary Clinton: 39%
Russ Feingold: 29%
Phil Bredesen: 15%
Donald Trump: 15%

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

Cannot wait to see Palin get destroyed in the general.

[KaiserDave]

Cannot wait to see Palin get destroyed in the general.

Should Senate Dems confirm Millett?

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN

Obama Backs Hillary: Clinton all but wins nomination

Hillary Clinton won another night of victories, all but securing the Democratic nomination for President. She beat back Bredesen in the deep south, winning the black vote, and despite losing Rhode Island and Wisconsin to Russ Feingold, she won major victories in Pennsylvania and of course her home state of New York, where she beat second place finisher Russ Feingold by 15 points, Donald Trump it seems, has faded out of the race. He has not dropped out, be he's returned to doing business activities. But he has not stopped tweeting against the President, Mitt Romney, and Sarah Palin.

Phil Bredesen dropped out after losing most of the south, he immediately endorsed Hillary Clinton. Senator Feingold celebrated his victory, and vowed to fight on, but even sources from within his campaign admit that the race is lost.

Illinois it seemed, was Senator Feingold's last chance to take back the momentum, but with a late endorsement from Senator Obama, Clinton triumphed in Illinois by 7. Clinton has already pivoted to the general election, she's unleashed a round of ads in Missouri, Ohio, and Michigan against Vice President Palin, painting her as unfit, unstable, and dangerous. It also ran some of the Farenthold tapes, were she and Blake Farenthold criticized Senator Lisa Murkowski as a socialist and the Vice President agreed that they all had to end up like "Hussein", as well as Farenthold using profanity. Palin's favorables remain very low. Clinton has also stopped spending as much in further primary states, such as Texas and some of the mountain states, as well as Arkansas, where she is expected to win easily. The primary, at least on the Democratic side, appears complete.

Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 43%
Disapprove: 50%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 55%

US Unemployment Rate
8.9% ↓

Republican Primary Poll:
Mitt Romney: 36%
Sarah Palin: 34%
Ron Paul: 20%

Democratic Primary Poll:
Hillary Clinton: 50%
Russ Feingold: 37%
Donald Trump: 11%

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN

Millett glides through hearings: Committee Approves

Judge Patricia Millett of the 4th Circuit glided with ease through the Judiciary Committee, President McCain's nominee for the Supreme Court is largely viewed positively by the American public, with the exception of conservatives who deeply dislike the pick, and are angry towards the President. Judge Millett hit home runs on every softball question offered by those sympathetic to her, and sidestepped attempts to get the better of her. The dynamic was complicated, traditionally it was the President's party who supports a nominee. But Senator and ranking member Jeff Sessions, who had already announced his opposition to Millett, was the one going after her with very tough questions, and at point was called out of line by Chairman Leahy. Senator Kohl on the Democratic side was also very investigatory, going into the weeds on surveillance issues, and issues of executive power. Ultimately, the committee voted to confirm Judge Millett 13-5, with a good deal of senators voting in unexpected ways. Senators Leahy, Feinstein, Schumer, Durbin, Klobuchar, Biden, Blumenthal, Nelson, Graham, Grassley, Kyl, Whitehouse, and Hatch all voted yes. Senators Kohl, Cornyn, Lee, Coburn, and Sessions voting no. The nomination advances to the full senate, where it is expected to pass, but Senator Sanders, Feingold, Kohl, and conservatives like Coburn, Sessions, and Lee have said they intend to do everything in their power to stop the nomination.

First Election Polling: Clinton with strong leads

The first quality election polling between Senator Clinton and her possible opponents, Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin, has emerged. And they paint a dire picture for the Republican party. Not only are they losing, but they are losing by a lot. They are losing by so much that a Democratic President may be elected with supermajorities in both houses of congress. Clinton leads in all the battleground states, and in many cases in Bush states considered safely Republican, Bush states that were also won by President Clinton. Here are the results, and it's dire for the Republican Party.

Clinton vs Palin

Hillary Clinton: 375
Sarah Palin: 139
Tossup: 24
PV Average: Clinton +9

Clinton vs Romney

Hillary Clinton: 319
Mitt Romney: 169
Tossup: 50
PV Average: Clinton +5





Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 43%
Disapprove: 49%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 41%
Disapprove: 56%

US Unemployment Rate
8.8% ↓

Republican Primary Poll:
Mitt Romney: 35%
Sarah Palin: 35%
Ron Paul: 20%

Democratic Primary Poll:
Hillary Clinton: 50%
Russ Feingold: 37%
Donald Trump: 11%

[Cold War Liberal]

Can't wait to see Clinton landslide Palin.

Hoping for Clinton/Obama going against Palin/Perry...

Clinton 2012! Clinton 2016! Obama 2020! Obama 2024!

[KaiserDave]

Can't wait to see Clinton landslide Palin.

Hoping for Clinton/Obama going against Palin/Perry...

Clinton 2012! Clinton 2016! Obama 2020! Obama 2024!

hehehhe

It looks...looks...like a Dem president might have both chambers.


Thoughts on Millett?

[Illini Moderate]

This TL is awesome. You've done an awesome job so far. Would love to see a Clinton v. Palin campaign.

[KaiserDave]

This TL is awesome. You've done an awesome job so far. Would love to see a Clinton v. Palin campaign.

Thanks!

[Sestak]

yeah Clinton-Palin would be ing insane.


Edit: Especially with Perry as her RM lol. Debates will be ridiculous.