2000 Timeline (COMPLETE)

[California8429]

Well, this is very sad.
Kay Bailey would be an excellent President. I wish she hadn't ran for Governor and instead prepared for a `12 run. I think she could win.

[ej2mm15]

cant wait till the next update ☻

[Bo]

cant wait till the next update ☻

[dwkulcsar]

I think we need to add some color(I'm Black, don't get ofended) to the rather lilly white, Democratic Field lol...Maybe Governor Bill Richardson still decide to dump his hat into the race, former Secretary Carol Mosley Braun? Secretary Bobby Scott? Governor Cruz Bustamante of California etc...Lol, are all the major leaders of the party like former Vice President Dean, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama steering clear of the election due McCain's death an Kay's popularity?....Keep it comming

This ^

I recommend someone new, like an African American business or nonprofit leader. Someone who has connections with corporate boards but makes a signature issue out of say education. Doubt he/she has a chance like Obama had; but it would bring something new to the TL, I'd say Franklin Raines since Fannie Mae didn't blow up.

[GLPman]

July 2007: The United States celebrated its independence on July 4th for the first time under a women president. A large celebration was thrown on the National Mall, during which President Hutchison delivered a speech and called for a minute of silence to honor the death of President McCain. In the speech, President Huchison explained, "Despite the death of one of our greatest leaders, our nation continues to move forward. The United States Constitution begins with the words 'We the People.' Today, we the people remain unified against the threats we face, both at home and abroad. Our great nation has faced threats before. We are here today because of the brave men and women that stood up against the evil tyranny of a great empire. Our nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and I promise you that these principles are just as strong today as they were when countless colonists defended their young nation from oppression."

Fourth of July celebration, July 2007

Despite the optimism of the President, many media outlets continued to question whether the country was truly safe from further terrorist attacks. The most recent attempt to attack the United States had occurred almost two years ago, in August 2005, when Pakistani extremists were arrested in Las Vegas in the Monte Carlo.

On July 20th, during a press conference, President Hutchison neither confirmed nor denied that she would followed the timetable for Iraq that had been set forth by President McCain. "If our troops continue to make progress, then yes, I will follow the timetable. If our military advisors think more time is needed to secure the region, however, I will not throw away all of our efforts and disgrace the families of those troops who have died simply to meet a timeline." Democratic candidates Edwards and Richardson both criticized the President's remarks, claiming that she was sending mixed signals to the American people and not being honest.

Would the President follow the timeline for Pakistan?

In the Democratic Primary race, which was still months away from beginning, Edwards remained in the lead with a 10-point lead over Bill Richardson. At the end of the month, though, things were shaken up when Representative Jessie Jackson, Jr. announced his candidacy in Chicago.

Jackson announcing his candidacy

Quick polls showed support for Jackson put him right behind Richardson:

NATIONWIDE POLL
Which candidate do you support for the Democratic nomination?
Edwards: 34%
Richardson: 27%
Jackson: 22%
Kucinich: 10%
Gravel: 7%

August 2007: August was an extremely quiet month. The wars in Iraq and Pakistan continued to wage on. The media's focus seemed to shift temporarily from the wars to the backgrounds and potential of the Democratic candidates. President Hutchison announced early on in the month that she would be introducing immigration reform policies and harsher border restrictions. The announcement was met with great criticism from leading Democrats, such as Senate Majority Leader Joe Biden and Democratic candidate John Edwards.

Edwards attacked the announcement of harsher border security legislation

President Hutchison also announced she would be selecting a Vice President in September. She announced that she would be meeting with several prominent Republicans across the country for consideration.

Possible VP picks:

Norman "Norm" Coleman - Minnesota Senator



J.C. Watts - Oklahoma Representative



George Pataki - Former New York Governor



Judd Gregg - New Hampshire Senator



John Ensign - Nevada Senator



NATIONWIDE POLL
Do you approve of President Hutchison?
Yes: 62%
No: 38%

[Historico]

Awesome update GLP, Nice to see that Kay's adjusting to the reigns of power quite quickly in the aftermath of McCain's death. I kinda would like to see Kay take the gamble and pick a moderate vp like Pataki or Gregg to make a plan for those former Rockefeller Republican voters in the Northeast....And Im absolutely extacted about the Prospet of a Jackson Candidacy...Keep it comming!!!

[SvenssonRS]

I echo Historico: Pataki or Gregg for VP.

Keep 'em coming.

[California8429]

I echo Historico: Pataki or Gregg for VP.

Keep 'em coming.

Pataki

[Conservative frontier]

How about someone Pro-Life?

[SvenssonRS]

How about someone Pro-Life?

Like Gregg?

[Conservative frontier]

How about someone Pro-Life?

Like Gregg?

Yep.

Hutchison-Gregg 2010.

No to Pataki

[GLPman]

September 2007: A new series of polls on the Democratic candidates was released in the beginning of September. Surprisingly, the poll showed that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was now tied with Senator Edwards, with Jesse Jackson, Jr. still in third.

NATIONWIDE POLL
Which candidate do you support for the Democratic nomination?
Edwards: 30%
Richardson: 30%
Jackson: 24%
Kucinich: 11%
Gravel: 5%

On September 6th, President Hutchison announced her choice of Judd Gregg for Vice President. Republicans across the country praised the choice, viewing Judd as a Republican version of Dean and a candidate who would most certainly draw votes in the Northeastern states in the 2008 election. At the press conference, Judd stated, "I am humbly honored to be selected and even more humbly honored to serve this great country. I look forward to beginning my work." Gregg would begin his service as Vice President a week later.

Judd Gregg, the 48th Vice President of the United States

On September 9th, a debate between all the Democratic candidates was hosted at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. A variety of issues were discussed. Richardson attacked Jackson on unfamiliarity on the issues; Edwards claimed he was the most well-rounded candidate; and Jackson proposed himself as a "fresh" candidate. Polls afterwards showed that Richardson was the winner of the debate, with Edwards in a close second.

Richardson was regarded as the winner of the first debate

By mid-September, many economists were still expressing concern over the continuous downward spiral of the DOW. Several economists even predicted a recession sometime in the new two years. The White House dismissed these claims as "weak." Many people still held their concerns, however.

A poll at the end of the month showed declining support for NATO's intervention in Iraq, which was proceeding at a slow rate:

NATIONWIDE POLL
Do you support NATO's intervention in Iraq?
Yes: 45%
No: 55%

In response to this poll, President Hutchison announced she would be visiting the NATO headquarters in Iraq to discuss the future of Iraq. It would be the President's first foreign policy trip.

President Hutchison announces her trip to Iraq

As September came to a close, nobody knew what to expect for the upcoming months with a declining economy and a very close Democratic Primary race.

[Historico]

Nice Installment GLP, it see ims like Kay might be in a very interesting position come fall of 08...Keep it commin!

[SvenssonRS]

Yay for VP Gregg.

[Historico]

Ok GLP, Let's wrap the rest of 2007 up so we can get to the slugfest which is sure to be the Democratic Primaries lol...Keep it comming!!!

[yougo1000]

I love this timeline post a new update soon.

[GLPman]

October 2007: On October 5th, President Hutchison arrived in Iraq on her first foreign policy trip to discuss the future of NATO's operations in Iraq. Outside the NATO headquarters in Iraq, President Hutchison announced, "It is NATO's goal to ensure success in Iraq, just as success was accomplished by the United States in Afghanistan." NATO arrived at the decision to increase troop numbers, 75% of which would be American troops, over the next three months.

There would be a troop surge in Iraq

Democrats quickly criticized President Hutchison for pushing for a troop surge. A poll found that 90% of Republicans favored the troop surge, while only 12% of Democrats approved. A national poll found that the approval of the war went up 2% from last month, however. Nonetheless, the majority of Americans did not approve of the war.

NATIONWIDE POLL
Do you approve of NATO's intervention in Iraq?
Yes: 47%
No: 53%

Democratic Candidate Dennis Kucinich also saw his numbers drop in the polls when he responded to the troop surge on a CNN interview, calling the President "nothing more than clueless cowgirl." Kucinich, who was already had little support, saw his numbers drop.

Kucinich's gaffe

NATIONWIDE POLL
Which candidate do you support for the Democratic nomination?
Edwards: 32%
Richardson: 30%
Jackson: 24%
Gravel: 8%
Kucinich: 6%

November 2007: The wars abroad continued to rage on. Back home in the United States, the immigration reform bill that was introduced in August was finally passed on for the Legislative Branch's approval. The bill, if passed, would increase border security and create new security projects along the border. Republicans praised the bill, while Democrats were harshly opposed. In Los Angeles, San Diego, and other cities across the country, immigrants held protests.

Protests in Los Angeles

By the end of the month, Americans were eager for the primary season to begin. The democratic candidates continued to campaign across the country. At a rally in Des Moines, John Edwards explained, "When the Iowa Caucus arrives, we will win! When the New Hampshire primary arrives, we will win! And when the General Election arrives, we will win!" Edwards remained the front runner.

The Primary Season was only around the corner. Nobody was entirely sure - not even the candidates themseleves - was sure what was going to happen.

Jesse Jackson Jr. campaigning in New Hampshire

[Historico]

Go Jesse!!!, But no I wonder what's President Hutchinson's support for the Immigration Reform Bill, since she like Bush IOTL, is from from a border states so she might be a strong proponent of it...Keep it comming GLP

[ej2mm15]

Can't wait till Iowa. : )

[Conservative frontier]

Hutchison-Gregg 2008!

[GLPman]

Thanks for the comments. I'll try and update again soon. Get ready for the Democratic Primaries!

[GLPman]

December 2007: As the year came to a close, all eyes turned to the Iowa, where the Democratic Primaries would begin with the Iowa Caucus in only one month. Support seemed to be equally divided among Richardson, Edwards, and Jackson. An Iowa straw poll released on December 9th showed Richardson maintaining a narrow lead in Iowa.

IOWA POLL - DECEMBER 9 2007
Which Democratic candidate do you support for President?
Richardson: 29.8%
Edwards: 28.0%
Jackson: 27.7%
Kucinich: 10.3%
Gravel: 4.2%  

Because the Iowa Caucus was so close, Richardson supporters  - and Richardson himself - were very enthusiastic.

Richardson campaigning in Iowa

Beginning on December 15th, the surge of troops into Iraq, which was authorized by President Hutchison and NATO in October, began. 10,000 American troops were deployed to Iraq. The Democrats harshly criticized the troop surge, especially the Democratic candidates for the 2008 election. Despite the criticism, though, many Americans knew that the troops were desperately needed in Iraq. The removal of Saddam had only temporarily subsided the violence and now NATO and US troops faced increasing violence from terrorist insurgencies.

Terrorist factions now faced the US troop surge

The continuous attacks on GOP's war tactics and strategies resulted in the decrease of the President's approval rating. Although she firmly defended her stances and positions, the President saw her approval rating drop below 60% for the first time since she took office.

NATIONWIDE POLL
Do you approve of President Hutchison?
Yes: 58%
No: 42%

On December 20th, former President Daschle released his book, which immediately jumped to the top of book lists everywhere. In the book, President Daschle explained important and difficult decisions of his presidency. He also stated his support of President Hutchison as Commander in Chief, as well as the wars in Iraq and Pakistan, despite his opposition to invasion of Iraq during his presidency.

Former President Daschle released his book

As 2007 came to a close, the nation looked to the past to remember President McCain and to the future towards the Democratic Primaries.

New Years Celebration in Boston

January 2008: No sooner than January began were the Iowa Caucus held. The Democratic candidates had campaigned for a long time in anticipation of this day. As voters flocked to the polls, nobody was sure who would be the victor. It became evident very quickly that the results were going to be close, though.

IOWA CAUCUS RESULTS - DEMOCRAT
Winner: Illinois Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.


Results:
Jackson: 28.4%
Edwards: 27.9%
Richardson: 27.0%
Kucinich: 10.6%
Gravel: 6.1%

Across the nation, commentators marveled at Jackson's victory. Surely, nobody had expected that the Illinois Representative would win in Iowa. Both Richardson and Edwards made speeches in which they assured their voters they would fare better in New Hampshire. "You and I both know that this fight is far from over," John Edwards vowed. Gravel and Kucinich decided to remain in the race. The last speech of the night was made by the victor, Jesse Jackson. "Media commentators across the country are surprised by our victory tonight. Surely they have underestimated our momentum and our desire to change this country! It's time to bring our success to New Hampshire!" Crowds cheered as Jackson stepped off the stage.

Jackson delivering his victory speech

The New Hampshire Primary would be held in only five days and the final poll was released two days before.

FINAL NEW HAMPSHIRE POLL - JANUARY 6 2008
Which Democratic candidate do you support for President?
Edwards: 30.2%
Richardson: 28.2%
Jackson: 26.4%
Gravel: 12.0%
Kucinich: 3.2%

How would the New Hampshire Primary fare? Was the final New Hampshire poll accurate? Voters were about to find out.  

[Historico]

Go Jesse!!!, I wonder if Richardson will stay into the race to he comes across more Latino friendly states...Keep it comming

[ej2mm15]

Go Richardson!!!!

[Niemeyerite]

Richardson for president!