A Nation at Crossroads - A 2024 Election Game (Gameplay Thread)

[Cabbage]

BREAKING: TRUMP ENDORSES RUBIO FOLLOWING VP'S REACHING 1262, OBAMA ENDORSES DUCKWORTH AS SHE BECOMES PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE
On April 14, following the Vice President's securing of the Republican nomination, President Donald Trump tweeted out the following:

"Marco has been a loyal and GREAT Vice President who has done many excellent things for this country. Now that he has the Republican Party's backing, I officially ENDORSE him to succeed me as POTUS!"

Former President Barack Obama also gave a statement the same day.

"I remember when I was an ambitious young Senator from Illinois, who wouldn't take 'no' or 'wait' for an answer based simply on the color of his skin. I became this country's President because our party came together with a new coalition that embraced the idea of a minority President, rather than hemming and hawing about long dead ones. Tammy has this exact same drive and dedication to serve her country, I daresay even stronger than my own. And so, as you made me this great nation's 44th President, I would ask you to join me in making Senator Tammy Duckworth its 46th!"

[Cabbage]

TURN XIII: May 14 - June 13
IRL: Mar. 28 - Apr. 4; extensions until Apr. 7 as needed

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 54%
Approve: 42%
Undecided: 4%

GE Polls:

Tammy Duckworth: 53%
Marco Rubio: 44%

Rubio cuts into Duckworth lead as conventions approach

Vice President Rubio's attack ads against Senator Duckworth appear to have been hitting home among some groups, particularly veterans who have expressed anger at VA bureaucracy. In these ads, Rubio lambasted Duckworth over several allegations of her ordering veterans to keep quiet about abuse within the system. Duckworth, for her part, has called the ads a "smear campaign," and has stated her continued commitment to veterans. However, the Vice President has narrowed the race significantly in recent days, suggesting it may become competitive, after all.

Republicans sweep in competitive House elections

Republicans have won three key races in the battle for the House, winning California's 25th district, Florida's 3rd district, and Nebraska's 2nd district. Vice President Rubio campaigned heavily for all three GOP candidates, and touted the victories on Twitter. Reps. Mashburn, Guinn, and Pahls have all, unsurprisingly, endorsed Rubio in the coming presidential race. Mashburn, running in CA-25, was a gain for the Republicans.

Sandoval confirmation vote set for May 29th; filibuster in doubt as detractors near 60

Governor Sandoval's confirmation vote date has been set for May 29th, with hearings scheduled from the 15th to the 27th, with the 28th set aside for debate among the Senate. The confirmation process has been rife with partisan attacks, with Republicans decrying Democrats' "refusal to support a strong, dedicated nominee," while the Democrats fired back, claiming Sandoval was "another Republican shill who will only add to the risks faced by Roe v. Wade and Obergefell v. Hodges." The filibuster, meanwhile, now has 58 detractors to 37 supporters, with 5 Senators undecided. If 60 Senators vote to proceed, the possibility of a filibuster will be dashed, likely leading to an easy confirmation for Sandoval in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Bernie Sanders resigns Senate seat; Zuckerman taps Anne Watson to take up seat

Following a heart attack last month, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has announced he will resign his Senate seat effective May 31, citing his desire to personally support the filibuster against Governor Sandoval's confirmation before retiring. Governor David Zuckerman has nominated Montpelier Mayor Anne Watson to succeed Sanders; Watson has already said she will run for her own term in November, when both the special and general elections for the seat will be held.

Coalition forces advance as Polonsky pulls out of Turkey

On May 6, 2024, Russian forces were ordered to pull out of Turkey by newly elected President Sergei Polonsky, much to the chagrin of President Erdogan, who had been relying on Russian troops to hold the line against "the Western imperialists." Operation Ceasefire, thus, has begun new advances, coming within two days' march of Ankara by the time of this report. Erdogan has reportedly fled to the eastern province of Batman, and has, according to sources close to him, begun discussing asylum with the Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is widely considered the dictator of his country. It appears likely al-Burhan will allow this to go forward.

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

TURN XIV: June 14 - July 12
IRL: Apr. 8 - Apr. 14; extensions until Apr. 17 as needed

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 53%
Approve: 42%
Undecided: 5%

GE Polls:

Tammy Duckworth: 51%
Marco Rubio: 46%

Duckworth campaign prepares for DNC as Rubio moves to cut convention bump

With the DNC approaching, Senator Duckworth and her aides are moving to lock down the final schedule for the convention, as well as complete her vice presidential vetting process. The campaign reportedly had a shortlist of five potential contenders as of last month, but has generally stayed mum about whom they've been leaning towards since then. Duckworth is expected to announce her pick either shortly before or during the convention.

Willie Robertson announces Senate bid in Louisiana; may keep Dems from top two in November

Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander and known conservative activist, has jumped into the US Senate race in Louisiana, quickly surging to second place as top Democratic candidates, such as Mitch Landrieu and Cedric Richmond, have declined to contest the race. While some Republican insiders have supported this move, other worry that, if Robertson continues to rise, he may tie or even surpass incumbent Senator Ryan Gatti, who generally has the backing of the establishment. As of yet, the polls show Gatti with 38.2% of the first round vote to Robertson's 28.0%, with four Democrats and a Libertarian splitting the remaining vote.

Sandoval confirmed 54-46 as filibuster barely fails

Governor Brian Sandoval became the newest justice on the Supreme Court on May 29, with a cloture vote garnering the necessary 60 ayes (albeit exactly), and proceeding to an easy confirmation for Sandoval, 54-46, largely along party lines. President Trump touted Sandoval's confirmation as a victory, while Senator Merkley decried it as "the death knell for Roe." Justice Sandoval was sworn in shortly after the vote.

Polonsky reveals Putin-backed plot to have him impeached and arrested; Medvedev taken into custody as Putin flees to China

Newly elected Russian President Sergei Polonsky has already uncovered a plot against him, according to Russian state media. According to an official press release, the FSB discovered that former President Vladimir Putin and former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had been planning a coup against the new President, seeking his overthrow and the reinstallment of a Putin regime, under which a new constitution would be drawn up wherein Putin could serve for life. FSB agents, however, quickly reported this to Polonsky, having obtained the information under the guise of being co-conspirators. As of this publication, Medvedev has been arrested, while Putin has fled to the People's Republic of China, where he has been granted asylum by President Xi. President Trump has voiced support for Polonsky amid the crisis.

Coalition forces take Ankara as Erdogan flees to Sudan; terrorist attacks occur in Izmir and Constantinople

With Turkish armed forces in full retreat, Coalition troops easily pushed into and took Ankara on June 2 with relatively few casualties. The fall of the capital has led many to wonder whether Fuat Oktay, now Acting President of Turkey, will surrender to Coalition forces, as President Erdogan has been confirmed to have landed in Khartoum shortly after the fall of Ankara. However, not all is well for the Coalition, as three suicide bomb attacks have occurred in Izmir and Constantinople; the lone terrorist in Izmir reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS, while the two attacks in Constantinople were perpetrated by men identified as Turkish nationalists. The Greek government, in response, showed no willingness to cede the city back to Turkey.

Trump talks Turkey with Melenchon, Esken during Normandy visit

While in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, President Trump met with fellow leaders of an invasion going on right now in Turkey: French President Jean-Luc Melenchon and German Chancellor Saskia Esken, who reaffirmed their support for the campaign. Trump also took the time to mention the Turkish campaign in his address at a ceremony commemorating the anniversary, stating "Now we are faced with the removal of another violent and repressive dictator, an evil, evil man, and while the world may not be at stake, as it was for these men eighty years ago, it is still a good sign for the world that we can strike down tyranny wherever it raises its ugly, ugly head."

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

TURN XV: July 13 - July 16
IRL: Apr. 17 - Apr. 20; extensions until Apr. 22 as needed

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 51%
Approve: 44%
Undecided: 5%

GE Polls:

Tammy Duckworth: 51%
Marco Rubio: 46%

DNC begins as polls show a tight presidential race

The Democratic National Convention has finally come, with thousands of party leaders and activists coming together in support of presumptive presidential and vice presidential nominees Tammy Duckworth (IL) and Ruben Gallego (AZ). Many note that this is the first election since 2012 in which the Democratic base seems well and truly united, as opposed to the Clinton vs. Sanders spat of 2016 and the Tulsi Gabbard candidacy of 2020. As a result, confidence is high among party officials that Senator Duckworth, in spite of the drastic drop in her lead in recent months, will defeat the Vice President in November. Time will tell if this proves to be the case.

Phil Scott leading GOP primary pack in Vermont, concerning Dems

Meanwhile in Vermont, popular former Governor Phil Scott (R) now holds a commanding lead in his party’s senatorial primary, raising concerns among Democrats that this generally thought to be safe Democratic seat could be contested in the fall. Scott has generally promised to “serve my state in the Senate as I did in the governor’s mansion,” a period during which he held an often 60+% approval rating. Scott, in general election polling, only trails incumbent Senator Anne Watson by 10 points, compared to more than 25 for all other Republicans running.

Alabama Republicans eagerly appeal suit against Roe-defying bill to Supreme Court

Little more than a month after Justice Sandoval was confirmed to the Supreme Court, the State of Alabama has appealed a lower court decision to strike down their highly controversial bill illegalizing the vast majority of abortions. Justices Alito, Gorsuch, Thomas, and Kavanaugh have agreed to hear the case, sparking outrage from groups such as NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Meanwhile, several pro-life groups, such as the Susan B. Anthony List, have lauded the decision, saying it will “end the murderous and crippling procedure of abortion in this country forever.” Justices Roberts and Sandoval, whom many believe to be the swing votes in this case, have declined to comment.

Polonsky severs numerous ties with China as Xi refuses to extradite Putin for trial

In the wake of a failed coup d’etat against Russian President Sergei Polonsky, he has severed ties with the People’s Republic of China after President Xi Jinping refused to extradite former President Vladimir Putin into Russian custody. Polonsky has stated that “our new allies in Europe and the Americas can easily supply that which we lose from expunging these agreements, and, furthermore, I would remind President Xi that the era of dictators in the East appears to be coming to an end.” Xi, for his part, called Polonsky’s words and actions “standard bluster for a sycophant of the West,” and stated his own belief that Polonsky won the 2024 presidential election unfairly, a conspiracy theory popular in China and among pro-Putin dissenters in Russia, but generally disregarded outside these spheres.

Trump decrees Operation Ceasefire a “truly brilliant success” as peace talks begin with Oktay

After months of fighting, the Turkish government under acting President Fuat Oktay has agreed to an armistice and the beginning of peace talks. This led President Trump, who ordered the invasion, to claim it a “truly brilliant success,” although his detractors have pointed out that many recent victories would not have been possible had Russia not pulled out of the war following the election of President Polonsky. Trump has also declared that he will “hammer out a better deal for our troops and for the Turkish people than happened in Iraq or Afghanistan, which proved to be terrible, terrible peace deals that led to massive amounts of death and destruction.” Many, however, note that neither Oktay nor Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou is willing to accept the other holding the contested city of Istanbul/Constantinople, with the Greeks shooting down a popular referendum to determine ownership out of a belief that “the Turks would flood into the city to take it now as the did 600 years ago.” It remains to be seen how this will be resolved.

Marcelo Ebrard elected President of Mexico

With anti-Trump sentiment still high and AMLO's approval ratings equally high in Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard, President Lopez Obrador's former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, has been elected the next President, running under the banner of MORENA, the President's party. Ebrard ran on a message of continuing the policies of President Lopez Obrador, and secured an easy victory. President Trump stated that he "looked forward" to working with Ebrard, but privately Trump has expressed his dislike for the new President, pointing to his "insistence on keeping up the climate hoax," an issue which Ebrard hit on numerous times during the campaign, often openly criticizing the United States's policy on it. It remains to be seen how the two men will get along throughout the year.

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

Due to Mycool suffering an ill-timed migraine, the turn will be extended one more day, to April 23.

[Cabbage]

TURN XVI: July 17 - August 16
IRL: Apr. 24 - Apr. 30; extensions until May 3 as needed

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 50%
Approve: 45%
Undecided: 5%

GE Polls:

Tammy Duckworth: 55%
Marco Rubio: 43%

Rubio announces he will pick VP "after the Olympics"

In the wake of a DNC filled with the who's who of liberal politics in America, attention has now turned to the Republicans, who will be holding their convention in Atlanta starting on August 17. Of much speculation is Rubio's vice presidential pick, with current shortlists including such notable figures as Nikki Haley, Eric Cantor, John James, Mary Taylor, and Joni Ernst. Sources within the campaign have stated that the Vice President has supported all of these in turn, but has been particularly inclined toward James and Taylor, though "his mind is far from made up." In response to this, the Vice President has stated "There's still plenty of time before the convention for me to select my running mate. I'll pick them after the Olympics." The Olympics will conclude in Paris on August 11.

Several Senate races move as presidential candidates swing through their states

There have already been some key movements in the battle for the Senate as the general election campaign continues. In Florida, the Senate race has gone from being a tossup to leaning Republican, as the President has been avidly visiting his home state since the campaign began. Also of note, however, are three races which have shifted toward the Democrats: both races in Virginia, with incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine now the likely favorite for re-election and the special election being a tossup now between incumbent Senator Scott Taylor and former Representative Abigail Spanberger. Meanwhile in Arizona, Governor Gallego's place on the bottom of the ticket appears to be boosting the Democrats against Senator Martha McSally, with that race also shifting from leaning Republican to a tossup. At the moment, Republicans are favored to win 27 of the 60 Senate races this November, while Democrats are favored to win 20, and 13 are tossups.

Oral arguments for Alabama abortion case to be heard during September term

Dates have been set to hear the court case which has polarized the nation, wherein the State of Alabama is appealing a lower court decision to strike down its controversial bill banning most abortions. This case has been considered the most consequential of the decade, even overshadowing the Presidential race on a number of occasions (no mean feat in the United States). Currently, many believe that the key vote lies with Chief Justice John Roberts, as Justice Sandoval has signaled that, unless "strong, clear arguments are made" in favor of it, he will vote to confirm the lower court's decision to strike down the controversial bill.

Kim Jong-Un dies of heart failure in North Korea; Kim Yo-Jong to succeed him

Following a long battle with heart problems, including a nasty scare in 2020, it has been confirmed by North Korean state media that Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un has passed at the age of 40. Kim had been viewed as in poor condition for several years, and many had expected that he could die a deal younger than his predecessors, Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il. Kim's sister, Kim Yo-Jong, has easily managed to take power, pushing aside her niece, Kim Ju-Ae, age 11. Yo-Jong has proven to be an incredibly capable stateswoman, and many believe her coming to power will have one of two outcomes: either North Korea's international subtrefuge network will reach new heights, or the Hermit Kingdom may finally establish diplomatic ties with the West. The new Supreme Leader, unsurprisingly, could not be reached for comment.

Possibility of independent Constantinople/Istanbul looms as Greece, Turkey, refuse to cede it to the other

With the rest of the treaty hammered out, one question continues to hold up finalization: the issue of the disputed city of Constantinople/Istanbul. Neither Greece nor Turkey has been willing to cede the city to the other, and this has held up peace talks for weeks now. As a result, Presidents Donald Trump of the United States and Jean-Luc Melenchon of France have joined forces to propose a novel solution: an independent city-state. While many have compared this to such states as Saarland and Danzig, others believe it may be the only way to secure peace in the region.

Chinese conspiracy theorists falsely claim Medvedev shot

As relations between China and Russia continue to sour, many conspiracy theorists in the People's Republic have begun falsely claiming Russian President Sergei Polonsky has had former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who participated in a coup against his authority, executed by firing squad, claiming a nonexistent "prison cell livestream" has been "looping" the same twenty-four hours of video. Polonsky has dismissed these theories as "utterly inane and devoid of facts," and proceeded to produce a video of Medvedev in prison, being asked the date and his condition, as well as reacting to news of his supposed death. While the conspiracy theorists have claimed this was faked or recorded before Medvedev's "execution," the Chinese Communist Party has condemned these claims as "false and unhelpful in addressing the true problems of the Polonsky regime."

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

TURN XVII: August 17 - 20
IRL: May 4-8; extensions until May 10 as needed

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 51%
Approve: 44%
Undecided: 5%

GE Polls:

Tammy Duckworth: 50%
Marco Rubio: 47%

Rubio taps James as RNC looms

With the RNC in Atlanta about to begin, Vice President Rubio made history when he announced that John James would be his vice presidential nominee, making this the first presidential election in United States history where neither ticket has a white non-Hispanic candidate on the ticket, as Duckworth is Asian-American, Gallego and Rubio are Latino, and James is African-American. Despite concerns over how this would play out among certain Trump supporters from several staffers for Senator Taylor (the Senator categorically denied sharing these concerns), Trump's base seems to be largely behind the move, with one supporter saying, "I don't care if he's white, black, brown, yellow, red, or [expletive] purple, if he cares about America, he's the guy for me." Whether it will be enough to win the White House remains to be seen.

Amash states he will appoint a Republican to MI Senate seat if James wins re-election and vice presidency

Michigan Governor Justin Amash (I) went on record today, stating that, should Senator John James win election to both the Senate and the vice presidency, he will appoint a Republican to fill his seat, stating "It's only fair that, in that case, since at least a plurality of the people of Michigan wanted a Republican Senator, I should give them one." Amash, when asked if he was considering rejoining the Republican Party, denied this strongly, citing his support for Senator Duckworth in the presidential race. When asked if he was considering a 2028 Libertarian presidential bid, Amash simply stated "can we focus on this election before we start talking about '28?" Amash also refused to state which Republican he would fill the seat with, leading to wide speculation. It remains to be seen who, if anyone, is actually under consideration.

Alabama abortion case gets even uglier as Washington police forced to use tear gas to disperse brawling activists

Tensions in Washington over the Alabama abortion bill court case are boiling over in numerous places, as police were forced to use tear gas to stop several brawls from escalating into riots, according to official reports. Said reports state that neither side is particularly more responsible than the other for the fights breaking out, stating "Both sides seem utterly incensed by this prospect, which makes sense when you consider this is about either a woman's right to continue her life unhindered, or the life of the child who would do the 'hindering.' These people aren't going to calm down, even after the whole mess is finally decided." Police Chief Peter Newsham stated his expectation that the capital may have to go on a shelter-in-place order until the protesters can be calmed down. Time will tell whether this will be the case.

Kim Yo-Jong states plans to strengthen ties with Russia, US, and China as Supreme Leader

In a speech given before the Supreme People's Assembly, newly minted Supreme Leader Kim Yo-Jong stated her plans to make numerous new ties to the three main world superpowers, stating "it is in our and their best interest that we enter into a state of cooperation and understanding, one in which the People's Democratic Republic of Korea and the other leading states of the world come together to ensure the world continues on a righteous and upstanding path toward progress, equality, and freedom." Despite this, however, Kim has refused to release the vast majority of political prisoners incarcerated during her brother's regime, although she has taken far fewer prisoners per day since she took office. It remains to be seen if this situation will continue.

United Nations vote in favor of Independent Municipal Republic of Istantinople; Greece, Turkey both enraged

The United Nations voted on the 15th to form the Independent Municipal Republic of Istantinople, a city-state containing the entirety of Constantinople/Istanbul, by a margin of 177-2, with 14 states abstaining. The two votes against, unsurprisingly, were Greece and Turkey, each of which has been pushing for its own sovereign rule of the city for weeks now. As a result, the UN also passed an ultimatum requiring both the removal of Greek troops from the city and both states' recognition of the new nation, or else they would face sanctions. Both countries have reluctantly agreed to these terms, although the leaders of said countries have stated that "this solution is the product of cruel and unnecessary globalist meddling in our affairs." However, it has also allowed for the conclusion of peace negotiations with Turkey, finally ending Operation Ceasefire. Time will tell if the new nation will be peaceful or not.

Chinese citizens given social credit for supporting Putin's claim to Russia

Despite recently having come out against anti-Polonsky conspiracy theorists, the Chinese government appears to still be quietly backing Vladimir Putin's return to power, as noted by several individuals who looked at people's social credit scores (effectively a measure of "model citizenship"/obedience to the government) and noted a spike for those who spoke out in favor of the return of Putin to power in Russia. One man, whose name has not been revealed, supposedly gained thirty points (out of one thousand maximum) for posting a series of memes claiming Polonsky "rigged" the election against Dmitry Medvedev, Putin's party's candidate in the 2024 elections. President Xi Jinping has denied these allegations, and claimed that any evidence to the contrary is "desperate Western propaganda." It remains to be seen what this situation will do for Putin's support in China.

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

NBC Interview with Senator Tammy Duckworth

August 18, 2024

(All images are from Wikimedia Commons)

Holt: Good evening. I'm Lester Holt, and, after a long, exciting day at the RNC,* we're here with Vice President Rubio's Democratic opponent, Senator Tammy Duckworth. Senator, how are you tonight?

Duckworth: I'm good, Lester. We had a great day here in Pennsylvania, so I'm pretty pleased right now.

Holt: Good to hear, Senator. Now then, the Vice President has been slamming you repeatedly in both ads and speeches over the scandal regarding your treatment of veterans during your time at the VA. How do you respond to these attacks?

Duckworth: They’re absolutely baseless and an attempt to engage in Trump-style personal attacks when you know you’re losing the policy debate. The case filed against the Illinois VA was dismissed twice, and the audits of my time at the VA described the findings as “typical.” What Marco Rubio doesn’t want you to know is that there isn’t much to this story, and it’s already been thoroughly litigated. In fact, the remarkable part of my tenure is that we were able to get a program to help veterans with PTSD. The fact is that the Vice President is attempting to use a thoroughly investigated and disproven claim to muddy the waters so he can claim to be the bigger champion of veterans. Personally, as someone who served for her country, I find it incredibly offensive and in poor taste that the Vice President of the United States has resorted to digging up something that was resolved a decade ago. I’m more interested in talking about my plans to expand mental healthcare to veterans, in a job placement program after service, and working to improve the economy for working families.

Holt: Always good to remember policy over mudslinging, seeing as that's what's going to get done once the election is over. Now, the newly formed Independent Municipal Republic of Istantinople has already seen violence as both Turkish and Greek nationalists attempt to coerce it into their own respective folds. How would you engage this issue as President?

Duckworth: It’s time for a Camp David meeting with the leaders of Turkey, Greece, and Instantinople. We can’t create lasting peace without a commitment to diplomacy and making sure everyone’s at the table. What we need to do is prevent this from becoming an international crisis, and we need a President that can actually work with our friends and allies, rather than antagonize them. The United States needs to commit to peaceful solutions to this problem, rather than letting it snowball back into a full scale conflict.

Holt: Certainly a popular idea, given the results of less diplomatic resolutions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now, the Supreme Court will hear a case next month that could overturn Roe v. Wade, and with a 6-3 conservative majority on the Court. What would you do as President to protect a woman’s right to choose if this case ends as many on the left fear it will?

Duckworth: As your President, I will protect reproductive freedom. It starts by codifying Roe, as we’ve seen partisan courts all too comfortable with overturning precedent when it comes to the right to choose. The next commitment I make will be to appoint judges at all levels that will protect Roe as settled law. What’s happening right now around this Supreme Court should scare every American. We have a court that has been packed with extremists that believe your rights are worth less if you’re out of a certain tax bracket. You had Republicans rush to jam through an appointment in the middle of an election year when they denied President Obama and the American people the appointment of Merrick Garland. You had the GOP promise they wouldn’t overturn Roe, and now look at where we’re at. What’s at stake in this election is every bit of progress we’ve achieved in the past two decades. It means that in November, rights to privacy, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ rights are all on the ballot.

Holt: A strong support for Roe from the first sitting Senator to choose to have a child. Finally, Senator, if you could say one thing to the American people tonight, what would it be?

Duckworth: I would say I’m ready to fight on behalf of you and your family. Unlike my opponent, I have a clear record that speaks to not only my values, but the values of Americans. I’m ready to fight for the rights of Americans to marry who they love, to attend school, church, or a concert without fear of the type of gun violence that we see in war zones, and the right to privacy against government surveillance. This election is so clearly about values, and I will not back down to special interests who care more about shareholders than the everyday American.

Holt: Senator Duckworth, great to have you on here with us.

Duckworth: My pleasure, Lester.

Holt: And that will be all for tonight. Join us tomorrow as we dive into Day 3* of the RNC in Atlanta.

*: No, this does not mean I assume RNC Day 2 is complete; this is just when such an interview would be held on August 18.

[Cabbage]

TURN XVIII: August 21 - September 30
IRL: May 14-20; extensions until May 23 as needed

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 52%
Approve: 44%
Undecided: 4%

GE Polls:

Marco Rubio: 54%
Tammy Duckworth: 43%

Rubio moves to hold convention bounce as general election begins

Following the RNC in Atlanta, the Vice President and his allies are moving swiftly to attempt to hold on to a convention bounce that would easily see him elected, but which many pundits believe will fade by November. The RNC was a gargantuan affair, with dozens of prominent speakers calling for the election of Vice President Rubio. Senator Duckworth, meanwhile, used the time to go after swing voters in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, hoping to ensure the Vice President's lead doesn't hold. Time will tell which side will prevail.

Georgia Senate election shifts toward incumbent following GOP convention

Republican incumbent Senator Geoff Duncan can rest a bit easier following the Republican national convention, as his seat has shifted from leaning to likely Republican. While Duncan was not a speaker at the convention, he has nonetheless benefited greatly from the Republican show of force in his state. Democrat Jon Ossoff has claim that the shift is unwarranted and "solely reflective of the convention bump." The prognosticators, however, have stood by their decision.

Newsham orders shelter-in-place in Washington; bans political gatherings larger than 20 within city limits

Washington police chief Peter Newsham has called for a shelter-in-place order as two people were confirmed dead in the string of violent protests over the court case which may decide the fate of Roe v. Wade. This order has been met with disdain by protesters, who have faced tear gas and arrests as a result. Both sides have claimed the police have unfairly arrested more of their people, although records show the numbers are about even. Due to this, the Washington Police Department has temporarily banned political gatherings of 20 or more, public or private, until September 30. President Trump, when asked about this, stated "I don't like it. I don't like locking people up, and I don't like this ban on political gatherings. But if people cannot stop engaging in violence, to the point that people end up dead, then this is what we have to do." Both candidates have stated their positions on the court case, and have condemned the violence.

Kim Yo-Jong meets with Xi, Polonsky, Trump to discuss "Open Korea"

At a summit in San Jose, Costa Rica, the new Supreme Leader of North Korea met with the leaders of the three most prominent nations of the world to discuss potentially opening up to outside trade and interaction. This was met with support from all three leaders, who stated that "Ms. Kim's intentions seem sincere in her desire to move past the isolationist foreign policy that has crippled North Korea's economy and impoverished her people." Kim, naturally, rejected these last two claims about her country, but stated that she "continues to support an Open Korea." Many European leaders, including President Melenchon of France, have expressed concerns over the three leaders/ "willingness to seemingly let her off the hook for the regime's human rights violations." Polonsky, in response, stated that he had received assurances that North Korea's political prisoners would be released in the next five years, although many believe these promises to be hollow. Time will tell how this turns out.

Istantinople violence increases as UN is forced to post peacekeepers to new nation

The newly formed Municipal Republic of Istantinople has seen an increase in violence since its formation, with nationalists and religious extremists from both Greece and Turkey committing terrorist acts as they attempt to bring the new nation into their respective folds. This has led to the United Nations sending a force of peacekeepers to the city, backed by a Russian fleet sent to aid against the uprisings by President Polonsky. So far, neither peacekeepers nor Russians have been attacked, but many believe this is simply due to fears that such a strike would lead the UN to favor the other nation in future. The situation, for the moment, remains unclear.

Hackers cause chaos in China by randomizing social credit scores

Following the revelation that Chinese citizens are earning social credit by backing former Russian President Vladimir Putin's return to power, an unnamed group of hackers struck back against the Chinese system by inserting a number randomizer into the database of social credit scores. As a result, numerous individuals have been either denied or offered privileges they would ordinarily have received the opposite result from, sparking chaos. President Xi Jinping, as a result, has ordered a temporary shutdown to the social credit system, which several groups, including Anonymous (which refused to take credit for the attack), have lauded as a major victory against "systematic tyranny." It remains to be seen when the social credit system will go back online.

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

So, question for the presidential and vice presidential nominees before we proceed to the next turn: how do we want to run the debates?

My thoughts were one of two options:

A) A debate more like mine, wherein you give an opening statement, answer three questions, and give a closing statement, preferably with at least 100 words each. Whether or not we do rebuttals is up to the participants.

B) A debate more like the ones NTP held for the primaries, where there would be more questions, but answers do not have to be anything more than a sentence or two. Rebuttals are also optional and will be applied as per the desires of the debate participants.

[Cabbage]

TURN XIX: October 1-15
IRL: May 27 - June 3; extensions until June 6 as needed

First presidential debate will follow Option B described above, and will be posted either later today or tomorrow.

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 55%
Approve: 41%
Undecided: 4%

GE Polls:

Marco Rubio: 51%
Tammy Duckworth: 46%

Rubio, Duckworth trade attacks as first debate looms

With the first debate looming, Vice President Rubio and Senator Duckworth have made little effort to tone down their swings at each other in what many more cynical pundits are comparing to "a repeat of 2016," which they view as a disappointment given the generally agreed-upon promise of both candidates. With little more than a month left until the election, both candidates have net positive approval ratings, but both are down to net positive single digits, compared to ~ net +20 when their respective nominations were confirmed in April. Whether said approvals will upswing following the debate is yet to be seen.

Florida, Arizona Senate races shift toward Republicans following Rubio's intervention; Michigan shifts toward Democrats

Two GOP Senate candidates can rest easier in their bids, as the Vice President's time in their states appears to have galvanized them to some degree. In Florida, Republican Representative Greg Steube is now polling 8-10 points ahead of Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, while Martha McSally's Arizona Senate race, once considered a tossup, has shifted back in her favor following Rubio's blistering attack against Democratic nominee Tom O'Halleran. Fortunately for the Democrats, however, there is some ray of hope, as GOP vice presidential nominee John James is now facing a tossup race for re-election in Michigan, with a late September swing through the state by Duckworth bringing in significant support for his opponent, former Senator Gary Peters. Time will tell how these Senate races will finally land.

Violence erupts as Supreme Court strikes down Roe 5-4

In a decision made by the narrowest of margins, the Supreme Court has voted to reverse its decision in Roe v. Wade, and so deny that a woman has a constitutional right to an abortion. Dissenting were all three liberal justices, as well as newly appointed Justice Brian Sandoval, who stated on Twitter "I made a promise to the American people when I said I would not vote to bring down Roe for political reasons. I have kept that promise." This led to many liberals bashing Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who had also denied that he would rule in such a way. Violence spilled into the streets of the capital beginning just hours after the decision was announced, in defiance of Police Chief Newsham's best attempts to keep order. Martial law has been declared in Washington until the rioting can be contained and ended. The President has retired to Mar-a-Lago for the time being, and the Vice President to his own Florida residence. Chief Justice Roberts has announced that he will resign from the Court effective January 21, 2025, "so that the new President, and thereby the people, may choose my replacement."

Kim Yo-Jong releases 10,000 political prisoners in bid to reassure suspicious foreign leaders

Kim Yo-Jong, leader of North Korea, announced yesterday that she would be releasing 10,000 political prisoners effective immediately, stating that "here is proof that the leaders of the other great nations of the world need not fear that we commit any of the crimes they have falsely laid upon our doorstep." All prisoners, upon inspection by media officials (who were allowed to do so by the North Korean government), proved to be in good physical and mental condition, and in fact praised the North Korean criminal justice system as "the fairest and most reasonable in all the world." Detractors, however, have pointed out that none of these prisoners appear to have spent any significant period of time incarcerated, and that many of their statements, upon review by police investigators, appeared to have been coerced. Furthermore, none of the released prisoners have been given leave to exit the country for any reason, leading many to suspect they might express a different opinion of the regime if allowed to speak freely outside the Democratic People's Republic. Which narrative is correct is uncertain without further inspection.

Istantinople violence begins to mellow as UN peacekeepers arrest numerous troublemaker leaders

The newly formed Municipal Republic of Istantinople has finally seen a dropoff in violence following the arrival of 15,000 UN peacekeeper forces from 20 different nations. Several known ringleaders of violent "troublemaker" organizations have been arrested or forced to flee in response to these peacekeepers, with much of their support petering out as a result. Among them are Konstantine Ikonopoulos, leader of the Byzantine League, a pro-Greek group which attacked peaceful protesters demanding that the Hagia Sophia remain a museum, rather than being converted back into a church or a mosque, as well as Abdul al-Hajid, leader of the Istanbul Islamic Coalition, a group associated with several more global Islamist terror organizations, and which has orchestrated numerous murders of prominent Christians in the city. Many hope the violence will continue to decline, but time will tell whether this will occur.

China announces social credit will be back "with better protection" in early 2025

Following a hack attack that crippled much of Chinese society by randomizing social credit scores, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that social credit would go back online "with better protection" in the opening months of 2025. The attack is expected to have cost the Chinese economy at least $1 trillion in revenues while the subsequent crisis was sorted out. Numerous "hacktivist" groups have condemned the Chinese government for this. Anonymous was particularly scathing, stating "If Pooh Bear is so desirous of his beloved system of oppression and censorship, to the point that not even its extremely costly exploitation will make him see sense, we believe it is in China's best interest that he be removed for power posthaste, and replaced with someone who understands the necessity of freedom for human beings." A spokesperson for the organization, who refused to be identified, claimed that "we will do all in our power to ensure that President Xi and his tyrannical regime are put to rest as soon and as peaceably as possible." Asked if such would involve launching attacks similar to the one perpetrated last month, the spokesperson said only "that is for the members of our organization to decide." Other hacker groups have given similar responses to questioning. The Chinese government has refused to comment on these statements.

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2024

Wallace: Good evening. I'm Chris Wallace of Fox News.

Maddow: And I'm Rachel Maddow of MSNBC.

Wallace: And we are here at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, to bring you the first presidential debate of the election cycle.

Maddow: Indeed we are. Now, we have here tonight the two main contenders for President, Vice President Marco Rubio and Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Wallace: Each candidate will give an opening statement, answer three general and two personal questions, and give a closing statement. With that established, let's begin:


General 1:
Many pundits have criticized the negativity of this campaign. What is one thing you can say you truly respect about your opponent?

General 2:
The courts have ruled in one of the most consequential decisions of this decade. What are each of your responses to this issue?

General 3:
With Russia, Iran, and North Korea now seemingly moving toward greater openness to the world, what will you do to continue this trend as President?


Rubio 1:
The President has now openly voiced support for the hacker groups threatening to cause further mayhem in China if social credit is reinstated. Do you agree with the President on this issue?

Rubio 2:
Despite the fact that both you and Senator James are nonwhite, the Trump coalition appears to have lined up behind you in most places. Do you believe that this flies in the faces of the common narrative that Trump won the White House on the back of racial resentment?


Duckworth 1:
Many have called you a “spiritual successor” to former President Obama, as a nonwhite Senator from Illinois who has risen quickly on the political scene. Do you welcome these comparisons to Obama, or do you believe the party should move past its nostalgic yearning for the Obama years?

Duckworth 2:
With a single decision, the Supreme Court has struck down fifty years of it being unconstitutional to deny a woman the right to choose. What will you do as President to protect a woman’s right to choose even as red states begin to clamp down on it?


(Debate responses will be due at the end of the turn.)

[Cabbage]

Just so everyone's clear, the turn ends once debate responses are in.

[Cabbage]

As I'm fully aware both candidates have completed their debate responses, they will be due June 25th.

[Cabbage]

TURN XIX: October 16-31
IRL: June 27 - July 3; extensions until July 6 as needed

Vice presidential debate will follow the same format as the first presidential debate, and will be posted either later today or tomorrow.

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 54%
Approve: 42%
Undecided: 4%

GE Polls:

Marco Rubio: 49%
Tammy Duckworth: 48%

Duckworth wins debate on debate night; Rubio releases statement of "full answers" due to frequent cutting off by debate moderators

Senator Tammy Duckworth has been judged to have won the first presidential debate by a majority of viewers, 55% to 42% for Vice President Marco Rubio. However, the debate had a recurring theme of the Vice President, who has been known for his long-winded, detailed, and comprehensive statements and answers in the past, being cut off by the debate moderators, with his being unable to completely give a single one of his answers. Because of this, the Vice President released a list of "full answers," stating "the mainstream media may attempt to aid Senator Duckworth by the unproductive silencing of conservative opinions, as I discussed on that very stage, and I did, I might add, actually manage to get that out, but I have no intention of keeping quiet when they are so blatant about it." Neither debate moderator was willing to comment.

Vice presidential debate looms as James, Gallego ready to show their mettle before the country

The vice presidential debate between Senator John James of Michigan and Governor Ruben Gallego of Arizona is scheduled for October 24 and promises to be a fearsome clash between two candidates both considered rising stars in their parties. Senator James, when asked for comment on the conduct of the first debate, agreed with the Vice President that "there is clear censorship going on here," while Gallego stated "It's a debate. You answer the question, you don't give a speech on the issue." The debate will be held at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

"Roe riots" quiet in the capital as protests across the nation continue

Washington police released an official statement that "The violence in the capital appears to have finally died down. We would like to thank our brave men and women out there for working overtime and with great respect for the life and safety of both themselves and the protesters, a position made all the harder by both the contentiousness of the situation and the opposing camps' lack of regard for the same." Despite this, however, peaceful protests of the decision continue both in Washington and across the nation, with turnout, the DNC and Planned Parenthood have claimed, in the millions.

Kim Yo-Jong rebukes Japanese news outlet for "kidnapping and coercion" after escaped political prisoner tells all

Kim Yo-Jong, leader of North Korea, responded angrily to reports from The Japan Times that an escaped political prisoner (not one of those released by the Kim regime) had agreed to tell all about the North Korean political prison system, going into grand detail about much of the torture and mistreatment that, according to him (he refused to be identified out of fear of recapture and execution "by unspeakable means"), is continuing under the new Supreme Leader. Kim has called for the report to be expunged, claiming "it is a collection of falsehoods and slanders concocted by the enemies of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in order to weaken our newfound standing with the West," and accusing the Times of "kidnapping and coercion" regarding the prisoner's statement. The Times has insisted the prisoner escaped and came to them of his own free will. While one can certainly speculate, which narrative is likely to be true is uncertain given the individual will remain "unidentified and in Japanese custody for the forseeable future."

Worker's Party wins landslide parliamentary re-election as allegations arise of government tampering

In the "free" elections held in the Democratic People's Republic, the Workers' Party of Korea won a landslide re-election, scoring 576 of the 687 seats in the Supreme People's Assembly. The Social Democrats, in second, scored 100, and independents took 9, while the Democratic Popular Conservative Party, a new party founded in the wake of the declaration of free elections, won only 2 seats. Immediately following the results, reports began to circulate that the government may have tampered with the results, allowing the Workers' Party to win by such a massive margin. The Kim regime, in response, claimed that "once again anti-Korean forces are at work to disparage us in the eyes of the wider world; these elections were free and fair." Some outside observers have suggested there may be some credence to these statements, stating that "the North Korean people may simply be too traumatized from the authoritarian years to feel safe voting for any party that wasn't approved of by the old powers." Which of these narratives is true, only time will tell.

Istantinople states it will not raise armed forces until 2030

The newly formed Municipal Republic of Istantinople made a statement today in response to questions of how its military would function, given the ethnic and religious tensions that have forced thousands of UN peacekeepers to restore calm to the city-state. It was stated "The Municipal Republic of Istantinople has decided that no military shall be developed until such time as her leaders feel secure in the tolerance of her two key citizen groups toward each other. This shall be no earlier than January 1, 2030." The United Nations has stated it will keep forces in the young nation "as long as proves necessary."

China bombarded with cyberattacks of varying severity; President reportedly outraged after screensaver changed to photo of his face Photoshopped onto Winnie the Pooh drawing

Various hacker groups have launched attacks on the Chinese government following its announcement it would be reinstating the social credit system earlier this month. Said groups had warned of a likely salvo should the People's Republic refuse to cease its behavior with regards to social credit, a "system of censorship and oppression that would make Orwell blush." Currently confirmed to have been attacked are the Chinese government's website (which now reads "Hong Kong shall be free once more" in 107 languages on the homepage), several Chinese media outlets (which now report stories from Western news organizations, as well as stories developed by the attackers, such as "Chinese government proven incompetent in bid to protect self, other instruments of tyranny from outside attack." The social credit system has also been reported to be "severely damaged," and the Chinese military has been forced to repeatedly deny that it is no longer in control of its nuclear arsenal, a rumor propagated on Chinese social media (many of these sites also having been hacked; memes sporting the common slogan "Turn Over Putin" have been rampant since the attacks began). However, amusingly, the most enraging incident for President Xi may prove to be far more personal; according to reports from a source close to the President's office, one intrepid hacker broke into Xi's own computer and changed the screensaver to a photo of the President's face Photoshopped onto a drawing of the children's character Winnie the Pooh, whom Xi has been commonly derisively compared to in the past. "He [the President] was apoplectic when he saw it. I don't think I've ever seen him that purely enraged before." Beijing has declined to comment, stating "there is no evidence at this time to suggest that these slaves of the capitalist, Western despots will not seek to replace our words with those of their own devising, perhaps by means of hacking their own press...if they do not do so already."

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2024

Wallace: Good evening. I'm Chris Wallace of Fox News.

Maddow: And I'm Rachel Maddow of MSNBC.

Wallace: And we are here at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, to bring you the vice presidential debate of this election cycle.

Maddow: Indeed we are. Now, we have here tonight the two main contenders for Vice President, Senator John James and Governor Ruben Gallego.

Wallace: Each candidate will give an opening statement, answer three general and two personal questions, and give a closing statement. With that established, let's begin:


General 1:
Hacker groups such as Anonymous have crippled the Chinese government with a cyber barrage in recent days. If such an attack struck the United States in the event you had previously become President, how would you defend against it?

General 2:
The courts have ruled in one of the most consequential decisions of this decade. We've heard the opinions of Vice President Rubio and Senator Duckworth on this matter. Now, what are each of your responses to this issue?

General 3:
Despite recent studies suggesting a vice presidential candidate from a key swing state is often inconsequential to the results of said states, both of you are from states that are expected to be critical next month. Do you believe this played a factor in your selection, or was it completely independent of this?


James 1:
Like Senator Duckworth, you are a veteran of the campaigns in the Middle East. If elected, how do you intend to work with Vice President Rubio to ensure greater stability in the region?

James 2:
As well, you have been a successful businessman in your home state of Michigan. Do you believe this success will have a similar effect to that of President Trump in helping your ticket toward victory?


Gallego 1:
In the same way as Senator James, you too served in the Middle East, achieving the rank of corporal in the U.S. Marines. How would you lend your experience to Senator Duckworth in assisting with the drafting of Middle East policy?

Gallego 2:
With the striking down of Roe v. Wade, some conservatives are beginning to question the possibility of a similar fate for Obergefell v. Hodges. You have a 100% rating from the Human Rights Commission. As Vice President, how would you work with Senator Duckworth to ensure this fate does not befall LGBTQ+ individuals?


(Debate responses will be due at the end of the turn.)

[Cabbage]

TURN XIX-II: SECOND DEBATE
IRL: July 10 - 13; extensions until July 16 as needed

Second presidential debate will follow the same format as the first presidential debate, and will be posted later today.

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 53%
Approve: 43%
Undecided: 4%

GE Polls:

Marco Rubio: 49%
Tammy Duckworth: 48%

James wins vice presidential debate

Senator John James has been judged to have won the vice presidential debate by a majority of viewers, 53% to 43% for Governor Ruben Gallego. Ironically, this a reversal of the first debate, wherein Rubio gave far longer, more detailed answers and was forced to abruptly cease, while Gallego was criticized for "an excess of brevity." As well, Gallego claimed to have been elected Governor in 2018, despite only having been so in 2022, something right-wing commentators mercilessly piled on him for.

Second presidential debate looms as Rubio, Duckworth ready for rematch

The second presidential debate between Senator Duckworth and Vice President Rubio is scheduled for October 31 and promises to be a fearsome rematch. The Vice President effected an aura of confidence, claiming he'd "learned from his mistakes," and that "I believe, since Rachel Maddow will no longer be a moderator, and thus unable to censor conservatism on this stage, I will probably have at least a better showing." Senator Duckworth, meanwhile, stated her belief that Rubio had been defeated because of his stances on the issues, and that it was "what he did say up there that turned people off, not what he didn't." The debate will be held at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (near Raleigh), and will be moderated by Lester Holt and Sean Hannity.

Red states claim to be "primed and ready" to roll out abortion restrictions following presidential election

Several Republican governors of generally considered red states have claimed to be "primed and ready" to order abortion restrictions following the results of the presidential election, among them Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, and Brian Kemp of Georgia. Pro-choice activists, as a result, have called upon their supporters to vote "not only for Tammy Duckworth for President, but, if possible, for a pro-choicer for state legislature, as well. They can't strip us of our freedom if we deny them the votes!" None of the aforementioned governors appeared deeply concerned with the prospect of such an issue. Time will tell if they're right to be so.

Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona shift toward competitiveness in battle for the Senate

Three Senate races have shifted in the leadup to Election Day, and all of them are considered more competitive. In Georgia, incumbent Republican Geoff Duncan is struggling as Jon Ossoff has announced stunning fundraising figures for October, particularly in the wake of Governor Kemp's call for greater abortion restrictions in his state. The race, however, is still considered to be Leans Republican. In Wisconsin, Democrat Mark Pocan is now in a dead heat with Republican Bryan Steil, following a rally there in which Steil joined Vice President Rubio, who is also hoping to carry America's Dairyland in a few days' time. Finally, in Arizona, a Duckworth rally with Congressman O'Halleran has once again left incumbent Republican Senator Martha McSally vulnerable, as this race, too, shifts into tossup territory.

North Korean Social Democrats debating how to proceed following sizable gains in 2024 elections

The North Korean Social Democratic Party has been rife with internal debate in recent days, as they discuss their future in regards to their coalition with the ruling Workers' Party. While nearly every member who was first elected to the Supreme People's Assembly before 2024 has called for "staying the course" and maintaining the coalition, many of the new members have called for "an actual party of social democracy in the Democratic People's Republic." Both sides have reportedly been backed by outside forces, as the Workers' Party has reportedly egged on the elements bent on retaining the coalition, while pro-multipartisan groups both from within and without North Korea have encouraged the anti-coalition forces to "keep fighting the good fight." Time will tell which side wins.

Putin falsely reported killed in Beijing; forced to give press conference from current residence in Wuhan

Vladimir Putin, former President and Prime Minister of Russia, was forced to give a press conference from his current home in Wuhan after reports began to circulate on Chinese social media that he had been killed in violence resultant from the cyberattacks that have decimated much of China's digital infrastructure. Said reports claimed that he had been visiting President Xi when an "anti-government terrorist" fired an RPG "of American make" at his motorcade, killing him instantly. These reports were quickly debunked by both the press conference and hacktivist forces (which are still in control of the social media sites). However, as tensions continue to rise across the People's Republic, one can only wonder how long it will be until such a report is accurate.

American tourist shot in Shanghai after accusation of being a "dirty American hacker"

James Colleton, an American accountant visiting Shanghai while on vacation, was "arrested" by several Chinese nationals, "tried," and shot on charges of being a "dirty American hacker." Colleton, 43, had no prior known experience with hacking or even coding, something several media outlets were quick to point out in investigating the case. Several of those involved have been rounded up and shot themselves by the new "Chinese Army for Freedom," the first known paramilitary insurgent group to arise following the hack attacks that have rocked China. This group, whose leader refused to be identified or to do an in-person interview, has called for the complete overthrow and dissolution of the Chinese Communist Party, and will "do all in its power to maintain the peace and safety of ordinary, reasonable Chinese people." However, they have also called for "the extermination of the Communist fanatics of both China and the world," stating "There is no greater evil than Communism. It is a force for oppression and suffering, and should not exist in a civilized world." This has sparked concern among far-left activists, who have reported their worries that the Army for Freedom (ZZJ) could turn into a "global terrorist organization." How this will turn out, only time will tell.

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2024

Hannity: Good evening. I'm Sean Hannity of Fox News.

Holt: And I'm Lester Holt of NBC.

Hannity: And we are here at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, to bring you the second presidential debate of this election cycle.

Holt: Indeed we are. Now, we have here tonight the two main contenders for President, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Vice President Marco Rubio.

Wallace: Each candidate will give an opening statement, answer three general and two personal questions, and give a closing statement. With that established, let's begin:


General 1:
The new Chinese Army for Freedom, or ZZJ, has been viewed both as a group of freedom fighters and as an extremist organization bent on anti-Communist (and, according to some, anti-socialist) violence. As President, will you support the ZZJ, and why or why not?

General 2:
Chief Justice Roberts announced his retirement effective almost immediately after the next inauguration, following his decision to rescind Roe v. Wade. As President, how would you decide who would take up the Chief Justice's gavel?

General 3:
Several organizations have put forward plans for a new Chinese government in the event that the Communist Party is removed from power. What do you believe is the best form of government for the People's Republic going forward, and how would you move to effect it if the Xi regime does fall?


Rubio 1:
You have generally taken the side of those who claim there is a "democracy shyness" in North Korea following the release of its election results, i.e. that the people are simply uncertain about voting for parties which were not previously in power. Do you believe that the increasing calls for independence in the Social Democratic Party bolster your argument?

Rubio 2:
One of the leading factors you've discussed on the campaign trail is the Trump economy, which has been humming along with little difficulty for the past eight years. How do you respond to the continued claims that, despite everything, it is still merely a "leftover Obama economy"?


Duckworth 1:
You stated in a recent ad that you "will send America's children to college, not to war." Do you believe that, given that now three consecutive Republican Presidents have launched campaigns in the Middle East, war is inevitable under a Republican administration?

Duckworth 2:
Reverend Mark Harris, a pastor from North Carolina who ran for the House in 2018, has suggested he may launch a suit aimed at bringing down Obergefell v. Hodges as soon as next year. How will you ensure that such a suit is defeated if it reaches the Supreme Court?


(Debate responses will be due at the end of the turn.)

[Cabbage]

TURN XX: THE END (NOVEMBER 1 - 5)
IRL: July 20 - 23; extensions until July 26 as needed

Third presidential debate will follow the same format as the first presidential debate, and will be posted later today.

President Trump Approval Rating
Disapprove: 53%
Approve: 43%
Undecided: 4%

GE Polls:

Marco Rubio: 49%
Tammy Duckworth: 48%

Rubio wins second presidential debate

Vice President Marco Rubio has been judged to have won the second presidential debate by a plurality of viewers, 48% to 46% for Senator Duckworth. Rubio, unlike in the previous debate, kept his answers more succinct, allowing for his entire responses to be heard. Nevertheless, Senator Duckworth held her own during the debate, only narrowly losing to Rubio.

Final presidential debate looms as Rubio, Duckworth ready for tiebreaker

The third and final presidential debate between Senator Duckworth and Vice President Rubio is scheduled for November 3 and promises to be a decisive final battle. The Vice President effected an aura of confidence once again, claiming he'd "now proven to the American people that, in spite of liberal attempts at censorship, we can be heard and agreed with, and we will win over a majority of voters next debate." Senator Duckworth, meanwhile, reminded people that her own debate victory had been far more substantial, with Rubio's falling within the margin of error. The upcoming debate will be held at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, and will be moderated by Elaine Quijano and Brett Baier.

(Due to the fact that last turn was literally just the debate, events outside China haven't developed much.)

Red states claim to be "primed and ready" to roll out abortion restrictions following presidential election

Several Republican governors of generally considered red states have claimed to be "primed and ready" to order abortion restrictions following the results of the presidential election, among them Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, and Brian Kemp of Georgia. Pro-choice activists, as a result, have called upon their supporters to vote "not only for Tammy Duckworth for President, but, if possible, for a pro-choicer for state legislature, as well. They can't strip us of our freedom if we deny them the votes!" None of the aforementioned governors appeared deeply concerned with the prospect of such an issue. Time will tell if they're right to be so.

Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona shift toward competitiveness in battle for the Senate

Three Senate races have shifted in the leadup to Election Day, and all of them are considered more competitive. In Georgia, incumbent Republican Geoff Duncan is struggling as Jon Ossoff has announced stunning fundraising figures for October, particularly in the wake of Governor Kemp's call for greater abortion restrictions in his state. The race, however, is still considered to be Leans Republican. In Wisconsin, Democrat Mark Pocan is now in a dead heat with Republican Bryan Steil, following a rally there in which Steil joined Vice President Rubio, who is also hoping to carry America's Dairyland in a few days' time. Finally, in Arizona, a Duckworth rally with Congressman O'Halleran has once again left incumbent Republican Senator Martha McSally vulnerable, as this race, too, shifts into tossup territory.

North Korean Social Democrats debating how to proceed following sizable gains in 2024 elections

The North Korean Social Democratic Party has been rife with internal debate in recent days, as they discuss their future in regards to their coalition with the ruling Workers' Party. While nearly every member who was first elected to the Supreme People's Assembly before 2024 has called for "staying the course" and maintaining the coalition, many of the new members have called for "an actual party of social democracy in the Democratic People's Republic." Both sides have reportedly been backed by outside forces, as the Workers' Party has reportedly egged on the elements bent on retaining the coalition, while pro-multipartisan groups both from within and without North Korea have encouraged the anti-coalition forces to "keep fighting the good fight." Time will tell which side wins.

ZZJ "captures" Putin in daring raid; Chinese government declares it kidnapping

Vladimir Putin, former President and Prime Minister of Russia, following reports of his death on Chinese social media, was taken from his residence in Wuhan in a daring raid by the ZZJ, who overpowered his bodyguards and appear to have used gas to incapacitate the fallen leader. They have declared that Putin, despite generally leading what most Western commentators saw as a right-wing government, is "a servant of Communism," and "a vile brute who tortured people for disloyalty to the great lie." While Putin's eventual fate is unknown, Beijing is already assuming the worst, claiming that "these pro-capitalist barbarians have kidnapped a man wrongfully forced from his homeland and are now going to kill him unless we act swiftly and forcefully." As a result, a portion of what military forces are still loyal to the Communist Party has been dispatched to the believed ZZJ hideout where Putin is supposedly imprisoned. Time will tell what happens next.

ZZJ seizes control of Shanghai government buildings; Chinese government "will retake them posthaste"

The ZZJ has managed to seize control of several key government buildings in Shanghai, China's largest city, wreaking havoc on the government's control there. Asked for a statement, a spokesman for the organization declared "the time of Xi and his lapdogs has come to an end. The people want to be ruled by men again, not Pooh and the Piglets. The Communists are cowards; they can't hold on much longer." The government, meanwhile, has called this "a temporary setback, and one which will be rectified when we retake [the buildings] posthaste." Time will tell who will win on this front.

(If there were any follow-ups/additional news stories I missed, please let me know.)

[Cabbage]

THIRD PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2024

Baier: Good evening. I'm Brett Baier of Fox News.

Quijano: And I'm Elaine Quijano of CBS.

Baier: And we are here at Beloit College in Wisconsin, to bring you the third presidential debate of this election cycle.

Quijano: Indeed we are. Now, we have here tonight the two main contenders for President, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Vice President Marco Rubio.

Baier: Each candidate will give an opening statement, answer three general and two personal questions, and give a closing statement. With that established, let's begin:


General 1:
The ZZJ, by its swift takeover of the Shanghai government buildings, has secured itself as the dominant resistance faction against the government in China. As a result, Supreme Leader Kim Yo-Jong of North Korea has deployed troops to the Chinese border out of fear that "these rabid capitalist dogs will seek to attack the Democratic People's Republic after they have mauled the Chinese." As President, how would you ensure North Korea's safety in the event of a ZZJ takeover in China?

General 2:
Numerous lawsuits have already been filed in an attempt to reinstate Roe v. Wade since its striking down earlier this year. How would you approach these suits as President?

General 3:
Russian President Sergei Polonsky has called for the ZZJ to extradite former President Putin for trial in Russia. Do you believe this should be done, and, if not, what should be?


Rubio 1:
In a recent ad, you stated you would use evidence-based treatment options for dealing with the opioid crisis. One of the most prominent methods used to some success was in Switzerland, where the government provided users with free drugs to kill the illegal trade, then slowly weaned them off the substances afterward. Do you believe this is a viable solution, and, if not, how would you approach it?

Rubio 2:
In a recent statement, the ZZJ has attacked Taiwan for not sending aid to them in their fight against the government. How would you smooth over relations between these two entities as President, given the fact that, as is the case with Taiwan and the PRC, both claim the entirety of mainland China and Taiwan?


Duckworth 1:
A recent poll suggested that safe and easy access to abortion is now a top priority for 23% of likely voters, and that they break for you 87-9%. Do you believe this is proof the nation stands with you and against the Supreme Court ruling on this issue?

Duckworth 2:
Similar to the question we just asked the Vice President, how would you deal with the rising tensions between the Republic of Taiwan and the ZZJ?


(Debate responses will be due at the end of the turn.)

[Cabbage]

All images are from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise specified



Source : https://www.forbes.com/sites/markjoyella/2018/11/07/fox-news-has-highest-rated-midterm-coverage-in-cable-news-history/#76bc9896c867

Fox News Election Night Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88je-dAzZPM

Brett Baier : "Good evening, and welcome to Fox News's coverage of the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Marco Rubio and Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. I'm Brett Baier."

Martha MacCullum : "And I'm Martha MacCullum, and we can now call the first few races in perhaps the most tumultuous election cycle in American history."

MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN INDIANA
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN KENTUCKY
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Martha MacCullum : "As well, we have a call for Senator Duckworth."

TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN VERMONT

Brett Baier : "This leaves the electoral map as follows:"

Vice President Marco Rubio - 28 electoral votes
Senator Tammy Duckworth - 3 electoral votes

Martha MacCullum : "In the Senate, meanwhile, we can call two races:"

ANDY BARR WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN KENTUCKY

MARK BURNS WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Martha MacCullum : "This will give the Republicans 23 Senate seats to Democrats' 19 as the night kicks off."

Created by me using YAPMS and Windows Paint

Martha MacCullum : "And that will be all for right now. Stay tuned."

[Cabbage]

All images are from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise specified



Source : https://www.forbes.com/sites/markjoyella/2018/11/07/fox-news-has-highest-rated-midterm-coverage-in-cable-news-history/#76bc9896c867

Fox News Election Night Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88je-dAzZPM

Brett Baier : "Good evening, and welcome back to Fox News's coverage of the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Marco Rubio and Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. I'm Brett Baier."

Martha MacCullum : "And I'm Martha MacCullum, and we can now call more races in perhaps the most tumultuous election cycle in American history."

MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN WEST VIRGINIA
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN GEORGIA

Martha MacCullum : "As well, we have a call for Senator Duckworth."

TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN VIRGINIA

Brett Baier : "This leaves the electoral map as follows:"

Vice President Marco Rubio - 49 electoral votes
Senator Tammy Duckworth - 16 electoral votes

Martha MacCullum : "In the Senate, meanwhile, we can call no more races at this time."

Martha MacCullum : "This gives the Republicans 23 Senate seats to Democrats' 19 as the night continues."

Created by me using YAPMS and Windows Paint

Martha MacCullum : "And that will be all for right now. Stay tuned."

[Cabbage]

All images are from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise specified



Source : https://www.forbes.com/sites/markjoyella/2018/11/07/fox-news-has-highest-rated-midterm-coverage-in-cable-news-history/#76bc9896c867

Fox News Election Night Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88je-dAzZPM

Brett Baier : "Good evening, and welcome to Fox News's coverage of the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Marco Rubio and Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. I'm Brett Baier."

Martha MacCullum : "And I'm Martha MacCullum, and we can now call the first few races in perhaps the most tumultuous election cycle in American history."

MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN FLORIDA
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN ALABAMA
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN MISSISSIPPI
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN TENNESSEE
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN MISSOURI
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN OKLAHOMA

Martha MacCullum : "As well, we have several calls for Senator Duckworth."

TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN MASSACHUSETTS
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN RHODE ISLAND
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN CONNECTICUT
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN NEW JERSEY
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN DELAWARE
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN MARYLAND
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN ILLINOIS

Brett Baier : "This leaves the electoral map as follows:"

Vice President Marco Rubio - 121 electoral votes
Senator Tammy Duckworth - 86 electoral votes

Martha MacCullum : "Also, we apologize, as we appear to have been using the electoral college map for 2020, which is not accurate for this election. This has been updated in the values you see on your screen now. In the Senate, meanwhile, we can call seven races:"

WILL DISMUKES WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN ALABAMA

(Image from Ballotpedia)

MARKWAYNE MULLIN WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN OKLAHOMA

KYLE HUPFER WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN INDIANA

(No public domain image found)

LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN DELAWARE

RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN ILLINOIS

BEN JEALOUS WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN MARYLAND

TIM KAINE WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN VIRGINIA

Martha MacCullum : "This will give the Republicans 26 Senate seats to Democrats' 23 as the night continues."

Created by me using YAPMS and Windows Paint

Martha MacCullum : "And that will be all for right now. Stay tuned."

[Cabbage]

All images are from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise specified



Source : https://www.forbes.com/sites/markjoyella/2018/11/07/fox-news-has-highest-rated-midterm-coverage-in-cable-news-history/#76bc9896c867

Fox News Election Night Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88je-dAzZPM

Brett Baier : "Good evening, and welcome back to Fox News's coverage of the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Marco Rubio and Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. I'm Brett Baier."

Martha MacCullum : "And I'm Martha MacCullum, and we can now call another race in perhaps the most tumultuous election cycle in American history."

MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN ARKANSAS

Brett Baier : "This leaves the electoral map as follows:"

Vice President Marco Rubio - 127 electoral votes
Senator Tammy Duckworth - 86 electoral votes

Martha MacCullum : "In the Senate, meanwhile, we can call two races:"

JAMES STURCH WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN ARKANSAS

(Image from Ballotpedia)

PATRICIA RUCKER WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN WEST VIRGINIA

(Image from Ballotpedia)

Martha MacCullum : "This will give the Republicans 28 Senate seats to Democrats' 23 as the night continues."

Created by me using YAPMS and Windows Paint

Martha MacCullum : "And that will be all for right now. Stay tuned."

[Cabbage]

All images are from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise specified



Source : https://www.forbes.com/sites/markjoyella/2018/11/07/fox-news-has-highest-rated-midterm-coverage-in-cable-news-history/#76bc9896c867

Fox News Election Night Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88je-dAzZPM

Brett Baier : "Good evening, and welcome to Fox News's coverage of the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Marco Rubio and Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois. I'm Brett Baier."

Martha MacCullum : "And I'm Martha MacCullum, and we can now call more races in perhaps the most tumultuous election cycle in American history."

MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN LOUISIANA
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN KANSAS
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN NEBRASKA (ALL FIVE ELECTORAL VOTES)
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN SOUTH DAKOTA
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN NORTH DAKOTA
MARCO RUBIO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN WYOMING

Martha MacCullum : "As well, we have several calls for Senator Duckworth."

TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN NEW YORK
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN NEW MEXICO
TAMMY DUCKWORTH WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN COLORADO

Brett Baier : "This leaves the electoral map as follows:"

Vice President Marco Rubio - 155 electoral votes
Senator Tammy Duckworth - 128 electoral votes

Martha MacCullum : "In the Senate, meanwhile, we can call many races:"

BRETT LINDSTROM WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN NEBRASKA

(Image from Ballotpedia)

DOUG PETERSON WINS THE SPECIAL SENATORIAL RACE IN NEBRASKA

(Image from Ballotpedia)

BRENT SANFORD WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN NORTH DAKOTA

PAUL TENHAKEN WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN SOUTH DAKOTA

(No public domain image found)

BRIAN BONER WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN WYOMING

(Image from Ballotpedia)

GREG STEUBE WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN FLORIDA

CHRIS MCDANIEL WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN MISSISSIPPI

JOSH HAWLEY WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN MISSOURI

JOHN COOPER WINS THE SENATORIAL RACE IN TENNESSEE

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN NEW YORK

JUMAANE WILLIAMS WINS THE SPECIAL SENATORIAL RACE IN NEW YORK

CHRIS MURPHY WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN CONNECTICUT

DAVID MOON WINS THE SPECIAL SENATORIAL RACE IN MARYLAND

AYANNA PRESSLEY WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN MASSACHUSETTS

MIKIE SHERRILL WINS THE GENERAL SENATORIAL RACE IN NEW JERSEY

LAWRENCE HAMM WINS THE SPECIAL SENATORIAL RACE IN NEW JERSEY

(Image from Ballotpedia)

Martha MacCullum : "This will give the Republicans 37 Senate seats to Democrats' 30 as the night continues."

Created by me using YAPMS and Windows Paint

Martha MacCullum : "And that will be all for right now. Stay tuned."