The Great 2020 Free-For-All (Signup/Info Thread)

[NewYorkExpress]

You know... I really don't want to play in three election games at the same time, but the idea of President Obama trying to pull a Grover Cleveland appeals to me for some reason.

[NewYorkExpress]

You know... I really don't want to play in three election games at the same time, but the idea of President Obama trying to pull a Grover Cleveland appeals to me for some reason.

It's your call, but it'd definitely be an interesting thing to see.

I'd love to do it.

Just don't expect a perfect game (at least compared to the two games I'm playing as Hillary Clinton now...though I should be able to get out of one of them relatively soon).

[NewYorkExpress]

You know... I really don't want to play in three election games at the same time, but the idea of President Obama trying to pull a Grover Cleveland appeals to me for some reason.

It's your call, but it'd definitely be an interesting thing to see.

I'd love to do it.

Just don't expect a perfect game (at least compared to the two games I'm playing as Hillary Clinton now...though I should be able to get out of one of them relatively soon).

Why? If you're gonna endorse someone in 2004, Gore wouldn't say no!

Still would be Shaheen or Lincoln, or maybe Kerry if he wins New Hampshire. I don't think Hillary and Gore like each other much any more.

[NewYorkExpress]

It will also be understood that, from context, Governor Abrams's declaration is set in early June, not early January (she announced her gubernatorial bid on June 3, 2017, I believe).

Ok, that's fine. Just had a creativity surge for an announcement speech.

I understand. The speech was actually really good, by the way.

Thanks! You know, I'm actually quite liking the idea for this game... an Abrams vs. Obama primary will be awesome. Looking forward to the game!

If we have Obama...someone has to play as Hillary.

[NewYorkExpress]

By the way, wouldn't you be willing to have 2 endorsements per turn? I feel it's better for early coalition-building. It's your call in the end, of course, but endorsements are important to chart your strategy.

Well, it'll honestly depend on how many candidates actually enter the field. If there's, say, 15 or 20, having 2 people endorse a week this early is unrealistic, but if it stays fairly small (i.e. 5-10), then I'll ok two endorsements a week.

Maybe instead the number of people endorsing should depend on who the endorsement requests are for, or the endorsements could be based on polling numbers (i.e someone polling well would have a better chance of all of their endorsements getting through).

[NewYorkExpress]

By the way, wouldn't you be willing to have 2 endorsements per turn? I feel it's better for early coalition-building. It's your call in the end, of course, but endorsements are important to chart your strategy.

Well, it'll honestly depend on how many candidates actually enter the field. If there's, say, 15 or 20, having 2 people endorse a week this early is unrealistic, but if it stays fairly small (i.e. 5-10), then I'll ok two endorsements a week.

Maybe instead the number of people endorsing should depend on who the endorsement requests are for, or the endorsements could be based on polling numbers (i.e someone polling well would have a better chance of all of their endorsements getting through).

I think this is a good idea like if you want a Governor's endorsement then you only get one but if you want a former or current rep. then you can get two or three. I also like the polling idea

How about making it so that every candidate is given an amount of, say, "credits", based on their performance in polling, and can, from there, ask for endorsements according to the ones they have? Something like this:

3 credits= Obama Cabinet officials, Senators, Governors.
2 credits= Romney Cabinet officials, Congressmen, organizations, newspapers, other statewide offices.
1 credit= Lower-than-statewide offices, celebrities.

If the GM would like to work with a system like that.

Romney Cabinet officials wouldn't be able to endorse anyways, as they'd be violating the Hatch Act.

Speaking of the Romney Cabinet, who currently is in the Romney Cabinet?

[NewYorkExpress]

By the way, wouldn't you be willing to have 2 endorsements per turn? I feel it's better for early coalition-building. It's your call in the end, of course, but endorsements are important to chart your strategy.

Well, it'll honestly depend on how many candidates actually enter the field. If there's, say, 15 or 20, having 2 people endorse a week this early is unrealistic, but if it stays fairly small (i.e. 5-10), then I'll ok two endorsements a week.

Maybe instead the number of people endorsing should depend on who the endorsement requests are for, or the endorsements could be based on polling numbers (i.e someone polling well would have a better chance of all of their endorsements getting through).

I think this is a good idea like if you want a Governor's endorsement then you only get one but if you want a former or current rep. then you can get two or three. I also like the polling idea

How about making it so that every candidate is given an amount of, say, "credits", based on their performance in polling, and can, from there, ask for endorsements according to the ones they have? Something like this:

3 credits= Obama Cabinet officials, Senators, Governors.
2 credits= Romney Cabinet officials, Congressmen, organizations, newspapers, other statewide offices.
1 credit= Lower-than-statewide offices, celebrities.

If the GM would like to work with a system like that.

Romney Cabinet officials wouldn't be able to endorse anyways, as they'd be violating the Hatch Act.

Speaking of the Romney Cabinet, who currently is in the Romney Cabinet?

Former Romney Cabinet officials, just like it's former Obama Cabinet officials. Having a two-term Cabinet with no turnover is, well, rather unrealistic.

The difference wasn't specified.

A list of current and former Romney cabinet officials would be very much appreciated.

[NewYorkExpress]

Name: Frances Elizabeth Barton née Howell
Age: 51 (53 on Inaguration)
Home State: Florida
Political Party: Democratic
Major Position: CEO of the Ultimart Corporation (2009-2018)

Brief background: Barton was born on January 19th, 1968, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in business and earned her MBA from the University of Chicago in 1992. Frances worked for Walgreens in marketing before joining Ultimart (one of the largest retailers in the nation. Think of combination between Aldi and Costco. A discount big box store that has no frills.) in 1998. Frances eventually rose through the ranks fairly quickly and became CEO amidst the Great Recession in 2008. She successfully turned the company around from the brink of bankruptcy by shutting down underperforming stores and charging for shopping carts and bags, among other measures, By 2013, Ultimart was back on track. Barton initiated an HMO program for employees and customers and raised the minimum wage to $12.50 in 2016. Barton, however has been criticized for her cutthroat personality. She is quick to fire under-management if she deems them disloyal or break policy, as well as being publicly vocal about her opinions through social media. After stepping down as CEO in December 2018, she has decided to go in to politics, hoping to save the middle class after quote un quote, "the disaster of the Romney Admimistration"

Barton has been married to her husband, Nick, since 1997. The two have three children together.

If you're going to create a Walmart substitute, just use the Chairman of Walmart (Greg Penner) or the CEO of Walmart (Doug McMillon). It quite frankly is unneeded to create a whole new corporation out of whole cloth.

[NewYorkExpress]

If you're going to create a Walmart substitute, just use the Chairman of Walmart (Greg Penner) or the CEO of Walmart (Doug McMillon). It quite frankly is unneeded to create a whole new corporation out of whole cloth.

You're right. I'm quite one to play outside the box and that has me thinking. What has exactly happened under the Romney presidency. How did Hillary lose to Romney? I should have waited to hear about that before deciding about joining the game.

I'm pretty sure Obama still won in 2008...which would mean Romney defeated him in 2012.

As for how Hillary lost to Romney in 2016, he had the incumbency advantage, and a pretty good economy (I presume) so I find it hard to believe he would've lost to anyone in 2016.

That said I hope you switch to Hillary.

BTW, I'm in as Obama regardless of whether someone plays as Hillary. I just think the game would be better if someone did play as Hillary.

[NewYorkExpress]

If you're going to create a Walmart substitute, just use the Chairman of Walmart (Greg Penner) or the CEO of Walmart (Doug McMillon). It quite frankly is unneeded to create a whole new corporation out of whole cloth.

You're right. I'm quite one to play outside the box and that has me thinking. What has exactly happened under the Romney presidency. How did Hillary lose to Romney? I should have waited to hear about that before deciding about joining the game.

I'm pretty sure Obama still won in 2008...which would mean Romney defeated him in 2012.

As for how Hillary lost to Romney in 2016, he had the incumbency advantage, and a pretty good economy (I presume) so I find it hard to believe he would've lost to anyone in 2016.

That said I hope you switch to Hillary.

BTW, I'm in as Obama regardless of whether someone plays as Hillary. I just think the game would be better if someone did play as Hillary.

More that not, the incumbency reason may be why Romney won in 2016. It just feels weird to me I guess with OTL 2016 and all. I mean 2004 is a good way to look at it. I don't know how I feel about Obama and Clinton running against each other though. I feel like if Obama's in, then the party would gather around him and he'd be crowned heir apparent. I mean he is a former President and all.

Obama did lose in 2012, so he's not going to just be handed the nomination. The heir apparent is probably going to be someone not actually running this cycle (or Abrams if she actually wins the nomination). More likely, though it's someone who would set up for 2024 (if Obama wins) or 2028 (if any of the the Republicans win)

Besides, any good Obama game always features Hillary in some form.

[NewYorkExpress]

I’ll play. Not as Hillary though. She’ll be 73 on Inaguration Day, and honestly I think it’s over for her in OTL and this ATL.

Kamala Harris might work.

[NewYorkExpress]

[/quote]

I have in my head a sort of Martha Stewart-expy, except way more (obviously) outspoken. I love to flesh out my characters, so I’ll have it up sometime tomorrow.

Why not just play as Martha Stewart herself?

I admit, she'd be really old (about as old as Biden/Sanders) and yes, she's a felon, but as far I'm aware there are no laws preventing felons from being elected President.

[NewYorkExpress]

I have in my head a sort of Martha Stewart-expy, except way more (obviously) outspoken. I love to flesh out my characters, so I’ll have it up sometime tomorrow.

Why not just play as Martha Stewart herself?

I admit, she'd be really old (about as old as Biden/Sanders) and yes, she's a felon, but as far I'm aware there are no laws preventing felons from being elected President.

The thing is I like to create characters and give them their own personalities.
[/quote]

The fun part about playing with someone who already exists is messing with their personality/political positions.

You could make Ted Cruz into a communist, Mitt Romney into a human being or Elizabeth Warren as a pro big-bank politician if you so pleased.

[NewYorkExpress]

Name: Celia Curtis neé Gaffin
Age: 68
Political Party: Democratic
Home state: Louisiana
Positions: Former talk show host, former television star, businesswoman.
Background: Curtis was born in poverty in rural Louisiana, her father died when she was four. She was sent to live with her great aunt in New Orleans, who operated a diner. In 1981, her aunt died and Celia inherited the diner. She then publish a volume of cookbooks based on family recipes. In 1995, she was hired by the Food Network to host her own cooking show. In 2001, she went through a divorce and was fired for the bad publicity. Curtis sued the network for discrimination and won a large settlement in a well-covered trial. In 2004, CBS hired her to host a talk show. Celia became outspoken about the Iraq War. In 2011, her show ended. Curtis has her own magazine and released more books including a memoir which contains her political beliefs in 2018. Recently she has spoken up about her own instances of sexual assault in support of the MeToo movement.

That might work...

[NewYorkExpress]

Damn. Obama didn't get the coveted Oprah endorsement this time?

[NewYorkExpress]

Damn. Obama didn't get the coveted Oprah endorsement this time?

Since Abrams will probably get enough credits from the first poll to make Oprah's endorsement a possibility, I went ahead and let Peanut have it (she'd be worth 3, in this case). If anyone else wants one pregame endorsement, I will allow those, as well.

Assuming no one claims Biden in the next ten days, I'll take him. Serving as a loyal VP for four years has to count for something.

[NewYorkExpress]

Damn. Obama didn't get the coveted Oprah endorsement this time?

Since Abrams will probably get enough credits from the first poll to make Oprah's endorsement a possibility, I went ahead and let Peanut have it (she'd be worth 3, in this case). If anyone else wants one pregame endorsement, I will allow those, as well.

Assuming no one claims Biden in the next ten days, I'll take him. Serving as a loyal VP for four years has to count for something.

I've a feeling there's going to be quite a game of musical chairs in the coming weeks.

While I can't control the actions of another player, I will say that running against Obama in this scenario is more of a Hillary thing than a Biden thing.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I have Paul Ryan?

Finally, an actual Republican who people would take seriously if they ran for President (sorry Lisa Murkowski)!

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I have Paul Ryan?

Finally, an actual Republican who people would take seriously if they ran for President (sorry Lisa Murkowski)!

I can't help but find it funny that your first answer was Murkowski instead of Shapiro. Lol.

Murkowksi (and Renacci) are the kind of candidates who probably would run, but would never get any traction in a Republican Primary.

Shapiro wouldn't even bother running in the first place.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I have Paul Ryan?

Finally, an actual Republican who people would take seriously if they ran for President (sorry Lisa Murkowski)!

I can't help but find it funny that your first answer was Murkowski instead of Shapiro. Lol.

Murkowksi (and Renacci) are the kind of candidates who probably would run, but would never get any traction in a Republican Primary.

Shapiro wouldn't even bother running in the first place.

I think Renacci would have run if he won which is why I switched because I don't think he has a viable path with so much failure around him and Carly Fiorina actually would run and irl did pretty well for a little

I imagine in this TL, Fiornia would be a candidate in 2020...but I can't her seriously, especially compared to Romney, given her failures at Hewlett Packard.

Someone like Nikki Haley, Susana Martinez or Sarah Palin would more credible to Republican voters (especially Palin).

Speaking of Palin, would someone (not me) be interested in playing as her?

[NewYorkExpress]

My guess as to the Democratic Primary.

Red is Obama

Gray is Kerry

Yellow is Sink

Light Blue is Brown

Light Green is O'Rourke

Dark Green is Gabbard


Obama wins almost everywhere, but he loses the majority of Superdelegates, and drops enough pledged delegates to force a contested convention.

[NewYorkExpress]

Also, I think we should have some straw polls like irl in the game too

Please note: all poll data at this point can easily be changed by the strength or weakness of campaigns throughout the coming year.

Harvard/Harris Democratic Primary Poll, 10-14 January 2019
Stacey Abrams - 15%
Barack Obama -10%
Beto O'Rourke - 8%
Sherrod Brown - 7%
Alex Sink - 6%
Celia Curtis - 6%
Jay Inslee - 5%
John Kerry - 4%
Tulsi Gabbard - 3%
Pete Buttigieg - 2%
Undecided - 34%

Rasmussen Republican Primary Poll, 10-14 January 2019
Paul Ryan - 17%
Lisa Murkowski - 13%
Nikki Haley - 12%
Charlie Baker - 11%
Carly Fiorina - 8%
Ben Shapiro - 6%
Alveda King - 4%
Undecided - 29%

I admit to being surprised that Obama isn't starting in the lead.

Also, Baker's a moderate from the same state as Romney, how on earth is he at 11% in the first poll?

[NewYorkExpress]

Also, I think we should have some straw polls like irl in the game too

Please note: all poll data at this point can easily be changed by the strength or weakness of campaigns throughout the coming year.

Harvard/Harris Democratic Primary Poll, 10-14 January 2019
Stacey Abrams - 15%
Barack Obama -10%
Beto O'Rourke - 8%
Sherrod Brown - 7%
Alex Sink - 6%
Celia Curtis - 6%
Jay Inslee - 5%
John Kerry - 4%
Tulsi Gabbard - 3%
Pete Buttigieg - 2%
Undecided - 34%

Rasmussen Republican Primary Poll, 10-14 January 2019
Paul Ryan - 17%
Lisa Murkowski - 13%
Nikki Haley - 12%
Charlie Baker - 11%
Carly Fiorina - 8%
Ben Shapiro - 6%
Alveda King - 4%
Undecided - 29%

I admit to being surprised that Obama isn't starting in the lead.

Also, Baker's a moderate from the same state as Romney, how on earth is he at 11% in the first poll?

With regards to the Democrats, Obama's been out of power for eight years, and this is still the party that almost nominated Sanders in '16, and the party that dumped Joe Crowley for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in '18. Obama, as an inevitable member of the establishment wing, will struggle against the insurgency-turned-major-force that is the progressive wing.

For Baker, it's more a matter of who he's running against. Paul Ryan will suck up a lot of Romney voters from the get-go, and Murkowski takes a lot of the moderate vote, due to her maverick status within a (from 2015 to 2019) 52-48 Senate, where such a maverick can cause a lot of trouble, should she be so inclined. Haley, meanwhile, has also been quite popular in Republican circles for a long time.

As for the actual percentage, that's more a reflection of actual polls in a competitive race this early: more undecided voters than backers of any one candidate. While Ryan is the (emphasis on the air quotes) "frontrunner" at the moment, he's somewhat like Joe Biden in OTL; ahead in most polls, but not by a lot, with everyone else who breaks 10% (Baker included) being a well-recognized member of the party with a decent chance to usurp the nomination. (Note: this does not mean anyone under 10% right now in either primary is hopeless.) Even at only 11% at this point, Baker is still a major contender.

Yes, Obama is a plain neo-liberal pure and simple.

Even as President, Obama was neither establishment (he really couldn't be, being the first African American American President) nor a progressive, and his one major flaw is that he runs a major risk of splitting the African American vote with Abrams (though it looks like she's doing better with African Americans at this early stage than Obama is). He almost certainly will be forced at least somewhat to the left on some issues, and if he does win the nomination he'll need to pick someone more progressive than Biden as his running mate (possibly Abrams, possibly Elizabeth Warren).

Abrams has the major disadvantage of only being in office for two years at this point, and really should have waited until 2024/2028, regardless of what happened in the 2022 elections, and Obama/Kerry/Sink/Brown/Inslee can hit her on her lack of preparedness to be President, as could a top Republican, such as Ryan/Haley/Baker/Murkowski.