Tightrope - A Timeline

[Potus]

Megyn: We're now joined by the Architect himself, Karl Rove. Hello Karl, what A night.

Karl: Absolutely, Megyn. We've seen this closeness coming for weeks. After Governor Romney trounced the President in the first debate, defended his successful career during the town hall debate, and President Obama's latest boneheaded move in vetoing the Hurricane Sandy relief package.

Bret: It should be noted that the relief package offset the emergency spending with cuts to social programs and the implementation of Obamacare, which motivated the President's veto. Karl, how major of a role do you see Hurricane Sandy playing in tonight's results?

Karl: Well, Bret, the Romney campaign drew a perfect contrast with the President in light of the disaster. Governor Romney lent his mailing list to a number of non-profit organizations, contributed a portion of his own money, and had the added effect of being invited by Governor Christie to the New Jersey coast.

Megyn: Just checking in with the latest from Carl Cameron at the Romney headquarters in Boston. Carl?

Carl: Yes, Megyn. The Romney campaign have characterized the energy in the War Room as "cautiously optimistic." When we look at the map, we see that we're waiting on late results from the West Coast to get a final popular vote tally. Back to you, Bret.

Bret: Thank you, Carl. The current state of the popular vote is Governor Romney's 49.6% to the President's 49%. The Electoral College favors Governor Romney by 275 to 263. Governor Romney leads in Colorado by approximately 1,200 votes, which may be subject to legal challenge. The crucial battl-

Megyn: I'm sorry to interrupt, Bret, but we're now hearing from the Obama campaign that they'll be contesting the results in Colorado. Our Fox affiliate in Colorado has confirmed that lawyers from both campaigns are in Denver. Reaction from Karl Rove?

Karl: This is looking more and more like a clean Romney victory and they shouldn't let this one go for a second. As someone who's been through something like this, I just want Matt Rhoades and all the other folks in Boston that my thoughts and prayers are with them.

2012 Presidential Election Night Results

Republican: 266, 49.4%
Democrat: 263, 49.2%
Contested: 9

[Potus]

Love where this is headed - how did the relief package pass the Senate?

Yes, a handful of Northeastern Democrats voted for it and filed a separate bill to undo the worst of the spending cuts. They desperately wanted the bill through and the money signed off on. The President did not oblige.

[Potus]

County Every Vote

On Fox News Sunday...

Andrea: Chris, the legal petition filed by President Obama's campaign is only asking for recounts in areas that supported the President. Governor Romney carried the state of Colorado by over 3,000 votes, which is why the President can't afford to have Republican precincts recounted. Recounts typically increase the existing lead. So, the President wants to widen his lead in pro-Obama precincts.

Chris: What is the Romney campaign doing in response?

Andrea: Our top priority is working with Secretary of State Gessler in making sure the state's recount laws are followed. Every single precinct, even Romney precincts, should be recounted if the President wants to sustain a legal challenge.

Chris: Ms. Saul, what do you have to say to the Obama campaign's claim that recounts should focus on minority-majority precincts in order to avoid disenfranchisement?

Andrea: Chris, this is Colorado in 2012, not Birmingham in 1963. If the President wants to tell Coloradans from across the state that making sure their vote is counted is a threat to the right to vote, then I'd be glad to let Colorado vote again and see if any voters have had a change of heart.

Chris: *chuckles* Andrea Saul, Romney Press Secretary, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming on Andrea.

[Potus]

Defending the Franchise

On This Week...

George: So, to many Americans, your challenge to the results in Colorado are not exactly convincing. Can you tell the American people a little bit about what your argument is?

Dan: Absolutely, George. Unfortunately, we have a long history here in the United States of not being particularly well-suited for guaranteeing the right to vote for Americans of color. Our basic claim is making sure that we've guaranteed the right to vote in precincts with a large minority population.

George: The Romney campaign insists that recounting certain precincts and districts violates Colorado election law. What say you?

Dan: Look, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but the President has made it crystal clear to everyone working on his campaign and to our attorneys that our number one priority is to make sure every voice, no matter the color of your skin or the size of your wallet, gets heard.

George: Dan Pfeiffer, everyone. Dan, thank you for coming on.

[Potus]

Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's job as President?
Approve......43%
Disapprove.....51%

Do you believe Governor Mitt Romney or President Barack Obama is the rightful winner of the Presidential election?
Romney.....47%
Obama......45%

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama?
Favorable.......48%
Unfavorable....49%

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Mitt Romney?
Favorable.......47%
Unfavorable....50%

These numbers show a significant decline in the President's approval rating following his veto of the Hurricane Sandy aid package and challenging Colorado's election results. This drop in job approval was accompanied by a marked decline in favorable opinions. This poll also shows that most voters believe Mitt Romney is the next President of the United States, which does not bode well for the President if he wins the legal battle and is elected to a second term.

There is much good news for Governor Romney in this poll. Not only do most voters believe he is the next president, Governor Romney has undergone a significant increase in favorable opinion. The poll also provides circumstantial evidence that most voters believe that Governor Romney would do a better job as President than the incumbent.

[Potus]

I should go ahead and note that the Senate is still 53-47 in this timeline. Romney's stronger performance nationally flipped Montana, Heitkamp losing 51-49, and significantly narrowed the margin in Massachusetts. Warren was defeated following her endorsement of President Obama's veto of the Sandy aid package. Warren narrowly lost with Brown receiving 49% to Warren's 48%.

[Potus]

I should go ahead and note that the Senate is still 53-47 in this timeline. Romney's stronger performance nationally flipped Montana, Heitkamp losing 51-49, and significantly narrowed the margin in Massachusetts. Warren was defeated following her vote against Sandy aid package. Warren narrowly lost with Brown receiving 49% to Warren's 48%.

Warren wasn't in the Senate at that point? How'd she vote on the Sandy aid package?

I'm a dumb. Sorry!

[Potus]

Court Orders Hand Recount of Minority Precincts;   Military Ballots Called Into Question

A Colorado court has ordered a hand recount of precincts with at least 40% minority population. This order comes as a major victory for President Obama and his re-election as they look to close the gap in the last battleground state of Colorado. The Romney campaign has expressed concerns over how this effects the status of the statewide automatic recount that is expected to strengthen Governor Romney's margin in he state.

Karl Rove, the architect of George W. Bush's two successful presidential campaigns, has already decried the ruling as an outrage and is pushing the Romney campaign to petition for a hand recount of all precincts in order to guarantee fairness. "Your vote shouldn't count more because of what neighborhood you live in," Rove said.

Meanwhile, a shipment of 8,000 military absentee ballots arrived past the absentee ballot deadline. This creates an uncomfortable legal situation for the Obama campaign. A Military Times survey showed earlier this year that Governor Romney led the President by a more than two-to-one margin among military voters. "If I were the Romney folks, I'd be breathing an enormous sigh of relief at the arrival of these ballots. And I'd be praying for their inclusion," said Brit Hume, a senior Fox News contributor and elections expert.

[Potus]

Denver, CO- Our men and women in uniform should not lose the right to vote because they choose to serve. This is a moral principle that must be respected.

The President's decision to challenge the legitimacy of eight thousand military ballots is a politically motivated disgrace. We at the Romney campaign call on the President to recognize the legal distinction between military ballots and regular, civilian absentee ballots. In doing so, the President will join with Governor Romney in protecting the sanctity of the ballot box for our nation's greatest patriots.

Given the political motivations of the ballot suppression, the Romney campaign are filing a formal legal request to rescind any barriers to having the military ballots in question counted and the results certified upon counting.

[Potus]

Bret: Welcome to America's Election Headquarters. Breaking news this afternoon coming out of the Colorado recount. Fox has senior campaign correspondent Carl Cameron on the ground in Denver. Carl?

Carl: Yes, Bret. There are two major news stories breaking with regards to the recount. After the Obama campaign's hand recount was upheld in accordance with the state's recount laws, the Secretary of State's office announced that Governor Mitt Romney's lead in the state has been cut more than in half, down to 576 votes, a shadow of the Governor's former lead of approximately 1,200 votes.

Bret: Any reaction from either of the campaigns on that news?

Carl: Not quite, Bret. This story is only a couple minutes old. It's developing alongside a story of 1,100 absentee ballots being discovered in the heavily Democratic Denver County. The ballots, say election officials, were appropriately postmarked but were misplaced during the counting and canvassing process.

Bret: They just found a bag of absentee ballots laying around, Carl? What bearing could this have one the military ballots?

Carl: Well, Bret, I'm no legal expert but the difference it seems to me is that the military ballots are postmarked past the deadline while these votes aren't. The courts will have to determine what is and is not included in the final certified count.

[Potus]

Postmarked Absentee Ballots Included in Count; Splits Approximately 69-31 for Obama

In a devastating blow to the Romney campaign, the state of Colorado has deemed the properly postmarked absentee ballots discovered in Denver County admissible in the final tally of votes in the state. The results of the ballots appear to have split with 759 votes for President Obama and 341 votes for Governor Romney.

The Romney campaign had a guarded response claiming that the inclusion of these ballots signifies once again that the eight thousand military absentee ballots ought to be included in the final count.


ROMNEY LEAD: 98

[Potus]

Adams County Board of Elections Completes Hand Recount

Adams County, CO- The Obama 2012 team are proud to announce that the Adams County Board of Elections has completed their final hand recount of results. Adams is home to a significant minority population, though not large enough to trigger the hand recount ordered by the courts.

Adams County, when fully counted, has shifted the results in Colorado toward the President by 129 votes, putting the President in the lead.

Once illegal ballots are invalidated by the courts, we are confident President Obama will be re-elected.

OBAMA LEAD: 31

[Potus]

Expect a ruling on military ballots in the morning.

[Potus]

Military Ballots Suppressed

The Romney campaign has been devastated by a Colorado court ruling to suppress over 8,000 military ballots that were postmarked after the absentee due dates.

"Men and women in uniform complete a different application to receive a military absentee ballot," said a chief legal adviser to Governor Romney, "that's an indication that they're governed by separate rules than civilian absentee ballots."

The Obama campaign quietly celebrated the ruling, not wanting to appear jovial after throwing out ballots for 8,000 troops. It is unknown at this time if there are any remaining legal options for Governor Romney to pursue.

OBAMA LEAD: 31

[Potus]

Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's job as President?
Approve......40%
Disapprove.....54%

Do you believe Governor Mitt Romney or President Barack Obama is the rightful winner of the Presidential election?
Romney.....56%
Obama......43%

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama?
Favorable.......43%
Unfavorable....54%

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Mitt Romney?
Favorable.......50%
Unfavorable....49%

Do you feel that that the Obama campaign has conducted its legal contest in an ethical or unethical way?
Very Ethical...12%
Ethical......10%
Unethical...28%
Very Unethical..26%

Our latest poll fits into a larger trend over the course of the legal battle in Colorado. The discovery of new ballots, the conflict over a selective vs. universal hand recount, and the suppression of over 8,000 military ballots by the Obama campaign has devastated the public's opinion of President Obama. Every metric of the national mood has shifted against President Obama as Governor Romney registers his first national net positive opinion since 2011. Meanwhile, the foundation of the President's re-election strategy, his likability and empathy, represented by his "Opinion of..." numbers, have taken a severe nosedive to being 11 points underwater.

The public also believes that the President is not doing enough to help Hurricane Sandy relief and focusing too much on his struggle for political survival. Our focus groups have provided context for for President's abysmal -14 job approval spread. Without the passage of a Sandy relief bill, the President has issued a number of executive orders shifting federal resources to help. These orders have been largely starved of media coverage, given the ongoing Colorado  legal conflict.

Focus groups conducted by SurveyUSA suggest that many Americans believe the President is actively stealing the election. If the President's triumph in the legal arena holds, public opinion does not appear to support an Obama second term.

[Potus]

Romney Concedes Following Legal Team Walkout

Thank you. Thank you. *continued applause* Thank you.

My fellow Americans, I stand before you this evening as a man of conviction, a man with clear eyes, a full heart, and a man that truly believes America cannot lose. Over the past year and a half, I've had the pleasure of meeting millions of Americans of every race and religion from all 50 states. I've traveled the globe to prepare for the possibility of serving this nation as Commander in Chief. I've met leaders of every scope, including the spiritual leader of billions all the way to the mayors and city council members of small towns from across the country.

I made this journey with so many of you because I sincerely believe in the cause we have all decided to fight for. Our battle has been for the future of America and her people. Whether we would elect weak leadership to manage our decline or elect bold ideas and a belief in America's greatness to preserve and expand the wonderful opportunities our country has to offer.

You, the American people, forged an effort with me than won more votes than any other candidate in this election. The American people have cast their ballots in a referendum on managed decline and the resounding voice of the people answered, "No,"

While our victories have been great and our convictions greater, we have not triumphed in the court of law. The courts have spoken, ordering that the Colorado Secretary of State certifies final election results delivering the President re-election by a margin of 31 votes. The legal battle has ended and the courts have spoken.

I ask that every American join with Ann and I in praying for the future of our country. May we pray that America undergoes a time of healing, a time of reflection, and a time of determination. We must decide that tomorrow will be better than today, and we must decide on how we go about that.

I thank you all once again for the incredible devotion, the tireless effort you have dedicated to Ann and I. Thank you all. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

[Potus]

President Takes Oath, Turns to Gun Control; Romney Forms Foundation

Following the tragic New Town Elementary School Shooting, President Obama and allies have turned their attention toward enacting stricter gun control legislation, including ammunition regulations, extended background checks, and a ban on certain assault weapons.

The President's inner circle view the gun violence debate as a way for the President to re-establish his moral credibility following the legal battle over Colorado and the gridlock surrounding a Hurricane Sandy relief package.

The President's contentious re-election and actions surrounding the storm still casts a long shadow over the White House, with the President's job approval struggling to break 48%. A stunning 50% view President Obama as an illegitimate President while 48% deem him legitimate.

Defeated 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney has formed a charitable organization, the Romney Foundation, with his wife and five sons. The Foundation's goals are to strengthen community groups that address poverty, joblessness, skill deficits, and family instability. The organization's Chief Financial Officer Spencer Zwick said, "The Romney Foundation is here to serve as a facilitator. We identify local programs that want to serve community needs, then we bring in the best project management talent available to develop a strategic plan for meeting those needs. The Foundation will also provide the financial and political resources necessary to achieve our partners' goals."

The Romney family contributed over $60 million in start up funding to the organization. The first fundraiser for the Romney foundation will be hosted on March 1st of 2013.

[Potus]

Obama Angers Democrats and Republicans on Sequester

Congressional Democrats and Republicans were working late into the night on a budget deal to avoid sequestration when President Obama signed the order initiating sequestration. Leaders on Hill were given a deadline by the President to complete negotiations by 8 o'clock on March 1st. The President signed the order at 8:25 PM.

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough commented, "Look, the President gave leadership ample time to reach a deal to avoid the sequester and they chose to play politics and put it off until the last minute. The President is a man who keeps his word. He enacted the sequester cuts only when Congress failed to act."

Speaker of the House John Boehner called the President's order "a failure to lead and show good faith." He was joined in his criticism of the President's leadership by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who called on his fellow members of Congress to "reach a deal and pass it, despite the President's obstructionism."

Democratic leaders have refused to comment on the failed negotiations or President Obama's response.

The Romney Foundation fundraiser took in $11 million. Governor Romney has refused extensive comment on the President's sequestration order, preferring to only call the approach "inadvisable" and pivot back to conversation about his family's charity.

Do you approve or disapprove of Barack Obama's job as President?
Approve...48%
Disapprove...50%

[Potus]

President Loses Vote on Gun Bill

President Obama's ambitious gun control legislation failed to pass the Senate today. The bill included a number of sweeping changes to gun laws in the United States:

-ammo registration and backgrounds
-ban on high-capacity magazines
-backgrounds on all gun purchases

A provision of the bill enacting the Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004, was dropped in negotiations with Senate Democratic Leaders.

President Obama held a press conference in the Rose Garden with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and the parents of the New Town victims to express his "profound disappointment" at the bill's failure. Gun rights advocates, who applied tremendous pressure on Capitol Hill, celebrated the break in Democratic ranks and the bill's defeat.

Do you approve or disapprove of Barack Obama's job as President?
Approve...48%
Disapprove...51%

[Potus]

Romney Foundation Launches Mental Health Initiative

The Romney Foundation announced earlier today that it was breaking ground on a project to promote mental healthcare across the country. The announcement was made at a Foundation fundraiser which had all money raised dedicated to the project.

Early estimates suggest that the Romney Foundation will be able to distribute $8 million in strategic grants in the next 6 months.

The speech Romney delivered revolved around mental health's effect on crime, families, education, and the pursuit of happiness. "Too often has our broken mental healthcare system led to tragedies on television, such as the Aurora or Newtown shootings. However, the equally troubling reality is this: for every televised tragedy, there are just as many tragedies behind closed doors. Lack of mental healthcare contributes to domestic violence, to suicide, and to many more of our nation's struggles. It is with great honor that I hereby announce our new mental health initiative," Governor said to the assembled crowd.

The Romney Foundation has found itself gathering significantly more media attention than the average non-profit. Some political commentators have pointed out the contrast between Romney's work at the Foundation and the President's efforts to address gun violence. The Romney Foundation has repeatedly stated that its initiatives are not politically motivated.

In addition to their latest project, the Romney Foundation announced that they had created over 100 partnerships since the organization's founding. Each of the three Romney sons in attendance took turns introducing a few of the Foundation's community partners. Josh Romney introduced a social enterprise in Cleveland that agreed to provide skills training, resume writing, and other types of job assistance in exchange for 2% of their wages when they placed them in a job. The group, Cleveland Works, had placed over 1,100 in good-paying jobs. The Romney Foundation was facilitating the creation of "Columbus Works" and "Cincinnati Works" programs modeled after the group.

[Potus]

LEAKED: President Obama Wants to "Go Back to the Basics"

Documents leaked from the West Wing have told us that President Obama wishes to pursue a "Back to the Basics" strategy in the months ahead. In what would have typically been a President's honeymoon period, the President has been unable to break 50% approval with a favorable opinion number still significantly underwater.

President Obama reminisced with his staff about a time in which the fighting was bitter, but they got the job done. "When we stood by our principles and I was the President I wanted to be, we passed the Stimulus and the Affordable Care Act," Obama said. West Wing staff agreed that the "stick to our guns" strategy provided the most productive period of the Obama presidency.

It has been reported that this meeting resulted in a push to close Guantanamo Bay.

[Potus]

YEAR IN REVIEW: WH Press Aide says, "Definitely not our best[...]"

President Obama's year was sunk by a seemingly endless stream of bad news. The year began with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the President's legitimacy, a concern that continues to stick with 43% of registered voters. The President embarked on a high-profile push for more extensive gun control, which end in anticlimactic failure. Citing a "back to the basics" strategy, the White House sought a renewed push to try terrorists in civilian courts and close Guantanamo Bay. This effort was halted in the face of the Boston Bombing, which then compounded with the revelations of NSA contractor Edward Snowden. Snowden blew the whistle on the existence of top secret terrorist surveillance technology which angered civil libertarians.

All of these led to a political climate that was toxic for Democrats all over the country. The President's base was deeply unsettled by the NSA and Republicans were looking to stop the President they saw as illegitimate. In a special election for Secretary of State John Kerry's seat in the Senate, the Democratic primary became chaotic after a number state political figures declared their intentions and Republicans quickly rallied behind businessman and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez. Relying on name recognition and a financial advantage, actor Ben Affleck claimed the Democratic nomination on a platform that took issue with the President's stances on civil liberties and called for a host of new environmental regulations. Gomez and Affleck ran neck and neck for much of the race. Affleck lost the election 48.9% to 48.1% only a week after saying the highly inflammatory comment, "President Obama has lied to us about where he stands on civil liberties. We voted him into office to replace a President who lied to take away our rights, not to join in."

Nothing, however, compared to the incredibly botched rollout of his signature domestic achievement, Obamacare. After struggles with the website and mass cancellation of insurance policies, approval of the law dropped like a rock, and the President went with it. The law became so unpopular that Congressional Republicans nearly shut down the government to delay its implementation. Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans were lining up all star recruits for the upcoming 2014 midterm elections.

Do you approve or disapprove of Barack Obama's job as President?
Approve...39%
Disapprove... 56%

[Potus]

THE REPUBLICAN DREAM TEAM

Alaska: Dan Sullivan
Arkansas: Tom Cotton
Colorado: Cory Gardner
Iowa: Joni Ernst
Louisiana: Bill Cassidy
Montana: Steve Daines
New Hampshire: Chris Sununu
North Carolina: Cherie Berry
Oregon: Gordon Smith
South Dakota: Mike Rounds
Virginia: Ed Gillespie
West Virginia: Shelley Capito

[Potus]

REPUBLICANS CLAIM 12 NEW SENATE SEATS

Bret: We are prepared to call the United States Senate for the Republican Party. It is now official, the Republican Party has wrested control of the United States Senate out of the hands of the Democratic Party.

Megyn: The big surprise of the night? Ed Gillespie, the Republican candidate in Virginia currently leads incumbent Mark Warner in the tightest race in the country right now, by a little over 8,000 votes.

Bret: On the West Coast, it seems that former Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon is prepared to reclaim his seat in the Senate by approximately 22,000 votes.

Brit: It is important to note, also, that Senator Shaheen in New Hampshire is being badly beaten at the moment. Chris Sununu, who has held a consistent lead over the Senator for the past couple weeks, is projected to seal the deal with about 51%

US SENATE PARTY CAUCUSES

REPUBLICANS: 60

DEMOCRATS: 40

[Potus]

Dat filibuster-proof majority. I assume that the GOP won 3 more seats in 2012?

Republican victories in North Dakota and Massachusetts in 2012 kept the Senate 53-47. In the 2013 Special election, which took place later in the year in the timeline, Gomez won bringing it to 52-48.