Change That We Didn't Hope For: 2008 Election

[sentinel]

Change That We Didn't Hope For

September 2008 – Miami, Florida

   “This conversation is completely confidential, yes? If any of this gets out, we will never work in this country again”

   “If any of this gets out, we’d both be in jail…”

   “ Obama is going to win this without your assistance..no on John’s campaign really believes that he is going to win…especially after his failure of a Vice Presidential nominee.”

   “And we can’t let that happen can we?”

   “Most definitely not…where can you have your people?”

   “We won’t go to Democratic Strongholds…loosing those would yell fraud…”

   “So the battleground states?”

   “We can have people in Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania…”

   “We think that John can take Missouri. We don’t have the money to cover every battleground…”

   “I’m surprised you have the money for this at all”

   “We have our backers”

   “Would this be cleaner than 2000?”

   “2000 was clean. Everyone blamed seniors and butterfly ballots…”

   “Bullsh**t, there were wide spread allegations…”

   “It’ll be cleaner, but do you really have a choice? We’re the only people willing to do this…”

   “Fine, lets do this”

Third Presidential Debate – October 15th 2008

John McCain announces that he will only serve one term as President, if elected.

National Gallup Poll 10/19-10/21 2008

Obama/Biden: 50
McCain/Palin: 47

[sentinel]

November 2nd 2008

   “You shouldn’t be meeting me today…”
   “I wanted to make sure this was going to go our way”
   “It’s going to be close…it has to be…otherwise they’ll look”
   “Won’t they look more if its close?”
   “No one expects our guy to sweep the other…that’d be fishy…”
   “Well, they’re all in the place…don’t worry about this…we got it”
   “Worst case scenario?”
   “Jail time?”
   “You know what I mean”
   “Don’t worry about it we got this”
   “No, really – what is –“
   “We got it. Don’t worry about it. You should go”

November 4th 2008 – Election Day

Gallup Poll:

Obama/Biden: 52%
McCain Palin: 48%

Map on Election Day w/ Toss Ups (>3% margin)

8:00 pm – Results Start Coming In

Alabama:

McCain: 60.4%
Obama:38.8%

Connecticut:

Obama: 68.5%
McCain: 30.5%

Delaware:

Obama: 65.2%
McCain: 34.8%

Florida:

Too Close to Call, Obama has early lead.

Georgia:

Too close to call, Obama has early lead.

Indiana:

Too close to call, McCain has an early lead.

Kentucky:

McCain: 57.5%
Obama: 41.1%

Maine:

Obama: 57.6%
McCain: 40.5%

Maryland:

Obama: 67.5%
McCain: 31.3%

Massachusetts:

Obama: 67.2%
McCain: 31%

Mississippi:

McCain: 56.4%
Obama: 42.8%

Missouri:
Too close to call, McCain has early lead

New Hampshire:

Obama: 58.2%
McCain: 39.8%

New Jersey:

Obama:  62.3%
McCain: 36.1%

North Carolina:

Too close to call, early lead for Obama

Oklahoma:

McCain: 65.6%
Obama: 34.4%

Pennsylvania:

Obama: 54.7%
McCain: 44.3%

South Carolina:

McCain: 53.8%
Obama: 44.9%

Tennessee:

McCain: 56.9%
Obama: 41.8%

Vermont:

Obama: 67.8%
McCain: 30.6%

Virginia:

Too close to call, McCain has an early lead.

West Virginia:

McCain: 55.7%
Obama: 44.6%

8:15pm –
   Fox News Reporter Adam Housley reporting out of Indianapolis has been tipped that there have been reporters coming in to the Indiana Secretary of States’s office that there have been voting irregularities throughout the state.
   The Indiana Department of State has no comment at this time.

8:30pm –
   Aides leak that Senator Evan Bayh and Senator Dick Lugar both have contacted the Indiana Secretary of State’s office. More news outlets begin picking up the story.

8:45pm –
   Two men are caught tampering with a voting machine in Florida by authorities. The two men say that there was a technical problem and they were trying to fix it.

9:00 pm – More polls close. More reports of irregularities at the voting booths come in, both campaigns go to court to keep the polls open later due to long lines.

9:15pm –
   Authorities in Florida say the situation with the two men was an isolated incident, and they didn’t manage to tamper with the actual votes.

Electoral Map Thus Far -

Blue = McCain (54)
Red = Obama (79)
Green = Too Close To Call (81)
Grey = Polls Still Open (324)

[sentinel]

More Results:

Yet To Be Called:

Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Georgia, Florida

Arizona:

McCain: 52.6%
Obama: 46.4%

Arkansas:

McCain: 58.8%
Obama: 38.8%

Colorado:

McCain: 49.72%
Obama: 49.51%

District of Columbia:

Obama: 92.9%
McCain: 6.5%

Florida is called by AP, CNN & Fox:

McCain: 50.11%
Obama: 48.92%

Louisiana:

McCain: 58.6%
Obama: 39.9%

Minnesota:

Obama: 54.2%
McCain: 44%

Nebraska:

Obama: 56.8%
McCain: 41.7%
Obama looses all the congressional districts in Nebraska

New Mexico:

Obama: 60.1%
McCain: 38.9%

New York:

Obama: 67.3%
McCain:  32.7%

Ohio:
Too Close To Call

Rhode Island:

Obama: 66%
McCain:  33%

Texas:

McCain: 530%
Obama: 46.3%

Wisconsin:

Obama: 58.3%
McCain: 40.1%

Wyoming:

McCain: 65.2%
Obama: 35.7%

9:45pm
   CNN reports that a large group of people is gathering outside the city hall in Columbus, Ohio and they have been protesting against reports of people being turned away at the polls. The City of Columbus says the reports are fictitious.

9:50pm
   The Department of State releases a statement saying that they are underway with an investigation of the alleged voter fraud. A leaked source from the department says that the “fraud could be widespread in the state”

10:00pm – More polls close.

Results:

Iowa:

Obama: 54.0%
McCain: 44.7%

Montana:
McCain: 49.7%
Obama: 47.2%

Utah:
McCain: 62.3%
Obama: 34.7%

Idaho:
McCain: 61.5%
Obama: 36.1%

Nevada:
Too close to call

North Dakota:

McCain: 53.3%
Obama: 44.7%

Kansas:

McCain: 56.8%
Obama: 41.4%

Illinois:

Obama: 67.2%
McCain: 32.8%

Georgia:
McCain: 51.2%
Obama: 48%

CNN, Fox & MSNBC call Virginia (AP does not):

McCain: 49.8%
Obama: 49.1%

Yet to be called:
Nevada, North Carolina, Indiana

10:40pm – The Indiana Department of State reports that the reports of voter fraud are isolated to a few areas, and they are being dealt with appropriately. They also believe that John McCain has a decisive margin of victory in the state.

Indiana is called for John McCain – 50.2% to Barack Obama’s 49.0%

10:50pm –
   Protestors grow as more reports of people being turned away, mainly minorities, in major cities in Ohio. City Hall is swarmed in Columbus, Ohio. Police forces arrive at the scene to control the protestors.

11:00pm – More Polls Close

Nevada is called:
John McCain: 50.4%
Barack Obama: 49%

California:
Obama: 66.3%
McCain: 33%

Hawaii:
Obama: 71.8%
McCain: 26.6%

Oregon:
Obama: 60.1%
McCain: 39.1%

Washington:
Obama: 59.5%
McCain: 40.1%

Alaska:
McCain: 59.8%
Obama: 38%

North Carolina:

McCain: 49.9%
Obama: 49.5%

Michigan:
Obama: 63.8%
McCain: 36.2%

Minnesota:
Obama: 54.2
McCain: 44%

Missouri:

McCain: 49.4%
Obama: 49.3%

South Dakota:

McCain: 53.2%
Obama:  44.7%

11:20pm
   Without Ohio the results are as follows:
55.2% of votes for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, 264 electoral votes.
44.8% of votes for John McCain and Sarah Palin, 255 electoral votes.

Tensions between the police around City Hall in Columbus, Ohio and protestors are growing intense. News agencies gather that there are over 2,000 people rallying around city hall.

11:25

   CNN and other news agencies begin speculation on a McCain victory. Pundits say that the election of John McCain with over a 10% margin of victory for Barack Obama in terms of the popular vote is completely undemocratic. Pundits also speculate that there could be widespread social repercussions

11:40pm

Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the streets in major cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Austin, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and still Columbus, Ohio –in a show of support for Barack Obama.

12:00am November 5th 2008

John McCain is declared the winner of Ohio and the next President of the United States.

Ohio Results:

McCain: 49.7%
Obama: 49.6%
   

National Results:

John McCain / Sarah Palin – 274 Electoral Votes -  57,348,938  (44.64%%) popular vote.
Barack Obama / Joe Biden – 264 Electoral Votes -  69,922,817  (54.42%) popular vote.

12:01am November 5th 2008

   With the news of the 12.5 million gap in the popular vote, and John McCain the winner of the Electoral College and thus the presidency, the youth on the streets are joined by other people. Rioting ensues campaign sites and city blocks in all major cities.
   News Anchors and Political Pundits are unable to predict what will happen next, but they say that the results are inconsistent with polling data due to a higher than expected turnout among young voters and minorities.
   President Sarkozy of France and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia, respectively, call for the Americans to abolish the Electoral College. Putin goes onto say that Russia will not support a United States with John McCain was President because he was not democratically elected.
   President Sarkozy’s concerns are echoed throughout the rest of the international community as most major nations say that Senator Obama is the democratically elected President.

12:15am
Shots are fired at City Hall in Columbus, Ohio. News agencies are reporting that there were fatalities and the protestors are now rioters and the crowd has grown enormously.

Reports say that Barack Obama has not yet conceded to John McCain, nor have the campaigns spoken. President Bush has reportedly been in contact with both campaigns.



*Note - I have updated some numbers in here, but  it doesn't change any events in the timeline.

[sentinel]

Actually Obama won...

You screwed up Hawaii.

I was wondering how I managed to have Obama keep Colorado. I originally had him loosing it. Thanks, its fixed.

[sentinel]

A phone rings somewhere in Florida.

“Yeah?”

“What the hell happened tonight?”

“Who is this?”

“You know exactly who the f_ck this is, what the hell happened?”

“Cool it, we got the job done”

“The job done?  Have you even turned on your f_cking TV tonight?”

“So, people are mad. What did you expect?”

“F_ck you, you said this would be clean, this is  worse than 2000”

“I told you the deal, we don’t do democratic strongholds.. Your guy won, I did my job”

“You’ll be f_cking lucky if you get paid”

1:00am
   News agencies report that gangs in Chicago are organizing attacks in response to the election results. People across the nation are in the streets still, and the police forces in many cities are having trouble controlling them. There are reports coming out of Lansing, Michigan that the police have actually joined the protestors. There are only isolated areas of violence at this time.
   Millions of people watch as national news replays video of gun fire shooting into a crowd. It is unclear who was shooting but protestors claim it was the police, the police say it was other rioters.  

1:30am – President George W. Bush addresses the nation and says that the Founding Fathers would want this “resolved through the honored institutions of our democracy, which is why John McCain will be the next President of the United States having won a majority in the Electoral College as in accordance to our Constitution. For this reason, I call on Senator Obama to concede the election.”
News agencies report that the Obama campaign has gone to court about the election results.

1:40am – By the end of the speech, and with word spreading that the unpopular President Bush supports the results,  more violence erupts in the major cities across the United States. People begin breaking into Federal Buildings in DC and a hundred thousand more protest at the White House and Capitol Hill. Moveon.org and other liberal organizations call on all of their supporters to take to the streets.

2:00am – Governor David Paterson of New York declares a state of emergency in New York City and Long Island.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger calls for a state of emergency.

3:00am --- With violence increasing nationally, and fatalities up in the thirties from police interaction and just from accidents occurred in the rioting, President George W. Bush declares a national emergency.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland mobilizes the national guard in his state and declares a state of emergency.

5:00am – It is announced that the stock market will not open today, it is impossible to move through Manhattan.

All Federal buildings will be closed today.

9:00am – John McCain appears on national television and asks the people to stop the violence. He says he understands what the American people are saying, and says this will be resolved. He vehemently calls for an end to the violence.

9:20am – Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin is quoted as saying “People should shut up and accept that John McCain was elected President”

9:30am – President George W. Bush declares a national state of emergency.
   Simultaneously, ten people manage to jump the White House fence and start racing towards the White House.

   Three of them are shot within seconds of jumping the fence, the other seven continue running.

   Two more are picked off by snipers within twenty more seconds.

   Both of the last two take out their guns and start firing at the White House. Both are killed by Secret Service snipers seconds later. The shots hit the White House but no one is hurt.

This was also was then replayed on national and local television stations inciting more urban rioting.

10:00am –  The White House is evacuated as protestors in Washing DC grow. Reports of arson are coming in.

10:30am – CNN reports that the death toll from the riots, nationally, is near 200.

10:35am – Fox News reports that local media in Georgia are reporting the beheadings of white people by black gangs in downtown Atlanta.

10:40am – AP/Reuters confirm the Fox News report.

Reports are also coming in that President Bush is considering sending in “backup” for local security forces if the riots don’t calm down by dusk.

11:00am – Senator Barack Obama has a press conference. He also calls for the end of violence, and he says he hears the cries of Americans everywhere.  “We will fight to make sure, every voice is heard, and every vote is counted –but I need your help. You must stop the violence, call your representatives –let them know the anger you feel.”
Reporter: “President Bush has anointed Senator McCain President-elect, will you concede?”
Senator Obama: I have a lot more to say before I even think of that.
Spokesman Peter Gibbs closes the floor for any more questions.

12:00pm – Rush Limbaugh calls for real patriots to put an end to the anarchic protests.
AP reports that there is a large crowd of Hispanic and black Americans gathering outside the Texas Governor’s Mansion.

12:07pm – The State Legislature of Massachusetts calls for a Constitutional Convention.
Reports estimate that there are anywhere from 200,000 to 400,000 on the streets of Washington DC.

[sentinel]

Damn, blacks beheading whites?  thats crazy.

Its isolated, and few, but Fox News picks it up and inflames the riots.

[sentinel]

A phone rings in Washington State
“So when are you going to pay me?”
“You expect me to pay you after you screwed up this badly? How about I pay you when my guy is inaugurated”
“F_ck you buddy, you’re gonna pay me now”
“You think so? After your  up? Come and make me”
“Maybe we will”
“You’d be an idiot to try anything to me with the people who I’ve got backing me…”

1:00pm – From an undisclosed location, President George W. Bush federalizes the national guard in all states excluding Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Oklahoma, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kentucky and Hawaii.

1:17pm – Rioters overtake the Governor Rick Perry’s mansion in Texas.

2:00pm –More reports of race killings emerge from not only Georgia, but from counties in the South where there are a plurality or majority of black citizens.

2:30pm – Governor Rick Perry’s mansion is reportedly on fire, and there is a fire-fight outside between police forces and rioters.

2:43pm --The State Legislatures of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine call for a Constitutional Convention

5:00pm –Military forces begin cracking down on rioters in major cities but even they seem unable to contain the riots.

7:00pm – Reuter’s reports that Republican Senator George Voinovich was killed in his home in Ohio as protestors raided it.

November 6th through 8th 2008

   The Federal Government remains closed besides for national security and defense operations.  The violence and rioting continues in all major cities. President Bush’s approval is 8%.

Gallup finds that 68% of people think that Barack Obama should be the next President of the United States, 20% are unsure and 12% think John McCain is the legitimate President-elect.

53% of Americans disapprove of Bush’s use of military forces to contain the riots, while 23% approve.  

The gang members responsible for killings in Atlanta are apprehended.
   

November 10th 2008

   The Attorney General of North Carolina opens an official investigation into voter fraud, saying that preliminary reports point to “massive and widespread voter fraud.”
   
   Senators Evan Bayh and Dick Lugar of Indiana demand that the Attorney General of Indiana expand the ongoing investigation.

   Pundits say that if the Electoral College was based proportionately by state Obama would have won with 296 to McCain’s 242.

   James Carville, on CNN, says that this situation is truly unprecedented and it calls for unprecedented action by both campaigns, the Bush Administration and the Electoral College. Carville slams the Bush Administration for immediately taking his own parties side even though there was a 13million vote margin.
   
   In many cities, the rioters have turned into protests, but in some isolated areas of major cities violence is still present. Many rioters/protestors have gone to Washington DC to show their disgust with the election.

   The California and New York State Legislature calls for a Constitutional Convention.

   The  State Legislature of Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island and Connecticut  all take up legislation calling for a Constitutional Convention.

   So far, 5 states have called for a Constitutional Convention – 33 are needed to have one.



November 11th 2008

   Indiana’s Attorney General opens up a full scale investigation into the election.
   Ohio’s Attorney General
November 15th 2008

   A US District Court rules in favor of John S. McCain and concludes that John McCain is the legitimate President-elect of the United States. The Obama legal team appeals the decision to the Federal Court of Appeals.

   The North Carolina Attorney General, Roy Cooper, releases a statement saying that a report of full disclosure regarding the election is a week or two off, but preliminary findings indicate that there is widespread fraud and he recommends for the electors of North Carolina to not cast any vote, and for other states to look into their own voting system.

   The Attorney General’s statements get mixed responses from Governor’s of other states, some saying that their voting system is fine and others saying that they “have no indications of fraud right now, but we will heed the North Carolina’s Attorney General’s advice and look into any possible attempts at fraud.”

   Missouri opens ups an investigation into voter fraud.

   North Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island call for a Constitutional Convention. Legislation is taken up in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin (at Senator Feingold’s request).

November 20th 2008

   Senator Barack Obama has not conceded the election, and has let the media and protestors run with the story. “President-elect” John McCain has also stayed out of the spotlight, there have been some reports of trouble from inside the campaign on what they should do.

November 21st 2008

   France, China and Russia propose a resolution at the UN calling for an investigation into the United States Presidential Election and for Senator John McCain to step aside so that the will of the people may be heard.

   China says it will not do business with a “President McCain” due to the circumstances of his election.

The Electoral College is still scheduled to meet on November 15th.

   Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin introduces a Constitutional Amendment in Congress that would distribute electoral votes the same way Nebraska and Maine do. One electoral vote for each Congressional District won and then two electoral votes for the whole state. The “amendment” is also introduced in the House.

   Another amendment is introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders which would force all electors in the Electoral College to vote for the winner of the popular vote, basically establishing a National Popular Vote.

   New York, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin all call for a Constitutional Convention by the 21st.

   Legislation is proposed in Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Hawaii, Alaska, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, and Nevada.

   Local news stations in Seattle report that a prominent Republican strategist is found dead in his home outside Seattle. The cause of death is unknown.

   

Blue = Called for a Constitutional Convention (14)
Green = Legislation Proposed (17)
Red = Legislation Defeated (0)

[sentinel]

The only thing I find wrong with this is the popular vote results of the election. How did Obama end up with MORE of the vote, and McCain LESS, even with voter fraud supporting McCain in this election. Also you forgot the Third Party vote.

It's not wrong. I used my popular vote simulator to simulate the results. The turnout of each state was an average between the 2004 turnout and the real 2008 turnout. McCain wins by the same percentage, as does Obama, in all states that went Republican in 2008, including Missouri. I added 3-5% more on Obama's margin of victory in populous Democratic states such as in the Northeast and California. In some instances, where there was an already close race -- such as in North Carolina -- I just switched the Obama and McCain numbers.

In the real 2008 election, Obama takes 52.9% of the popular vote, in my simulation he takes 1.52% more, due to a combination of a larger voter turnout in Democratic strongholds and a wider margin of victory in those same states. McCain takes 45.7% of the popular vote in reality, and in my time line he takes 44.64% -- a 1.06% difference. Obviously, McCain's percentage of the popular vote will decrease as Obama supporters turn out in greater numbers.

I took third party vote into consideration, and third party vote wasn't a major factor in the 2008 election. Third party vote, in the real 2008 election, accounted for 1.4% of the popular vote. In my simulation it accounts for .9% of the vote, which is about .5% less.

If you want to talk numbers, here's the difference between the popular vote between my timeline and the real deal.

Obama: 465,920 more in the timeline.
McCain: 2,585,876 less in my timeline.

The McCain number is much larger, because he lost votes in the Democratic strongholds, and I cut his margin in Texas from 55/43 to 53/46

[sentinel]

This is extremely good.

But unrealistic. The aftermath wouldn't be this crazy.

Makes it more exciting

[sentinel]

I appreciate the positive feedback so far. If you have any ideas feel free to private message me.

“McCain – Palin Campaign Headquarters, how can I help you?
“It’s Tom Loeffler, I need Richard Davis”
“Don’t you have his direct line Mr. Loeffler?”
“Yeah – dialed the main line accidently, could you put me through?”
“Certainly, please hold…”
“Tom?”
“Yeah, Richard, look”
“Why didn’t you call my direct line?”
“Cause I pressed send on the wrong number in my phone book, look…”
“Hate when that happens, whats up?”
“Did you hear about Frank Melville?”
“Yeah, its horrible…they still don’t know how he died”
“Is the campaign going to issue a statement?”
“No, the RNC has sent his family their condolences.”
“Okay…good…”
“Is that the only reason you called?”
“Well...”
“What is it?”
“We might have some trouble coming our way”
“Thanks for the warning, but we’re handling it –we won in District Court, they’ll back us in Appeals –and if these fraud allegations in North Carolina are true, we’ll push for election reform as soon as we get in office…the Democrats will eat it up…”
“There’s something –“
“I gotta go, Palin’s on the other line, feel free to stop by sometime –bye!”



Another conversation later in the day…
“I’ve been thinking about this whole mess…”
“What are your thoughts, sir?”
“I don’t think its fair to the American people, its incredibly unfair, and honestly, downright undemocratic.”
“Sir, it’s what the Founding Fathers wanted”
“The Founding Fathers never thought there would be a situation like the one we’re in now. I want to address the Electoral College…”
“Sir, they don’t meet as one body ever, and this would be completely unprecedented”
“The whole damn situation is unprecedented, it calls for decisive action.”
“You could address them via a national speech, or through a press conference since they don’t meet as one body, but what will you say to them?”
“I fall asleep at night fighting with myself over this; this might just be the hardest decision of my life. I hate what’s happening in the streets of America, I didn’t want this to end up as dirty of a result as it is now”

November 25th 2008

   The North Carolina Attorney General says a report is farther off than expected. The media is disappointed that Attorney General Ray Cooper cannot provide them with more details about the ongoing investigation as the findings could influence who the next President is.
Wyoming votes down legislation that would call for a Constitutional Convention.
The Georgia State Legislature calls for a Constitutional Convention.
When asked, George W. Bush still says he firmly stands behind President-elect John McCain.

November 26th 2008

   Sarah Palin, who thought she was off the record, is recorded as saying “Whoever is protesting or rioting in the streets are just sore losers –they know how the system worked when they went out to vote, and now that they’re guy didn’t win –they’re rioting about it. These rioters have killed a hundred or two hundred Americans since Election Day –they should be put in jail with their like”

   The McCain campaign immediately says the statement is not the view of the campaign or of Senator McCain. The McCain camp says that they “support the protestors and their right to peacefully protest, but anyone who took part in a serious crime, should be brought to justice appropriately.”

   The media goes on a blitz about Sarah Palin’s comments while protestors and rioters are back out on the streets in larger numbers than they had been previously.

   The stock market has also dropped, seriously, from foreign investors pulling out of American companies due to the election results. Many countries are refusing to do business with the United States until “the legitimate” President is recognized. Countries such as France, Russia, Brazil, Japan and Turkey all agree that the United States would never allow this to happen in a foreign nation.

   President Bush responds to these countries that refuse to do business with them “The countries that refuse to have diplomatic ties with the United States as a result of the elections have shown disrespect to our Electoral System, a system that they have had no problem with for the past two hundred years –recognizing every other President elected in the same fashion” He goes on to say his Administration is still willing to do business with its usual partners.

President Bush’s approval rating is still hovering around 12%

November 28th 2008
   CNN – Anderson Cooper 360: As of today, 15 states have called for a Constitutional Convention, 1 state has rejected calls for it, and legislation is pending in 15 more. It is inevitable that more and more states will take up legislation calling for a Constitutional Convention. But what is a Constitutional Convention? How does it work? Who are the delegates? How many delegates from each state go? What is the goal of this Constitutional Convention? Election reform is certainly on the table after the Election Crisis of 2008 –but these are all questions that political operatives and average Americans are asking themselves. These are all questions not addressed in the Constitution. Some historians have even gone as far to say that the Constitutional Convention is the doomsday option that our predecessors wrote into our Founding Document. 
   With the Federal Court of Appeals due to make a decision tomorrow, what will Senator Barack Obama do if he loses? Will he concede defeat even though he has a margin of victory in the popular vote of 12.5 million?
   The Electoral College is still scheduled to meet in less than a month. Will they take unprecedented action due to the results?


November 30th 2008

Blue = Called for a Constitutional Convention (21)
Green = Legislation Proposed (20)
Red = Legislation Defeated (4)
Grey = Not Considering (5)

In an office on Capitol Hill

“If this gets anywhere near 33…we need to pass the Amendment…we’re going to need your help, Senator.”
“The Party won’t like it. I’ll be ostracized.”
“You won’t be the only one…this is for America…only God knows what will happen if we wait for a Constitutional Convention…we’ll be a laughing stock internationally…it’s going to be chaos…”
“It’s chaos already, I don’t think it can get much worse”

[sentinel]

“I’m going to make the announcement, Rick”
“Senator, are you sure you want to do that?”
“I have not been more certain of anything else in my life.”

December 1st 2008

   The Federal Court of Appeals, a few days later than expected, unexpectedly rules in favor of Senator Barack Obama saying “it would be against the Constitution to allow Senator McCain to take office, when he was by more than a reasonable doubt not the choice of the American people for the Presidency.  The very fabric of our Union is in question, and we must save it.”

The McCain campaign appeals to the United States Supreme Court.

Protesters are still present on the streets of major cities, but in substantially smaller numbers. A major protest is planned for December 2nd 2008, one month after the election.

December 2nd 2008

   Over three million people march on Capitol Hill to protest the 2008 election. They hold signs with slogans like “12.5 million voices unheard,” “Electoral Reform NOW,” and the usual “Impeach Bush.”
   The McCain Campaign cancels a high profile press conference with Senator McCain without explanation.
   International Investigators say that there are concrete hints of “massive voter fraud” and the United States Attorney General and FBI should launch a national investigation.
   Reporters confirm that Senator McCain has been hospitalized for shortness of breath and chest pains.

December 3rd 2008
   Senator McCain issues a statement from the hospital, saying it was merely precautionary, and he will be out of the hospital tomorrow.
   At least two million protestors are still present at the march on Capitol Hill. The United States House of Representatives passes a resolution recognizing the protestors and their goal.
   Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa and Washington all call for a Constitutional Convention.

   Utah and Montana both reject calls for a Constitutional Convention.

   30 states are now calling for a Constitutional Convention including every state that voted for Senator Barack Obama.

   Hours after Washington called for a Constitutional Convention (the 30th state to do so), Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi both called for a stop of normal procedures and to vote on the Feingold Amendment.

   The Feingold Amendment (which would make electoral votes distributed by Congressional District, DC would be the only winner-take-all district) is rejected in the Senate when it falls two votes short of 2/3rds majority.  58-40. Republicans Mel Martinez of Florida, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Gordon Smith of Oregon, and Richard Lugar of Indiana voted in favor of the Amendment. Senator John McCain was not present at the vote.

Senator Barack Obama voted in favor of the amendment.

   Simultaneously, the Feingold Amendment is passed by the House 285 to 150 with all the Democrats and 50 Republicans.

*Note the outcome of the 2008 House & Senate races were the same end result as  in reality, just thought I’d throw that out there now.

December 10th 2008
The FBI arrests two men, who they think have connections with voter fraud in North Carolina, in southern Florida.

December 14th 2008

The McCain campaign issues a statement saying that Senator McCain will address the nation and the Electoral College in a statement tomorrow morning (December 14th).

Pundits begin speculating on this completely unprecedented move.

The New York Times gets word that the North Carolina Attorney General’s Report on the 2008 Election Fraud will be released on the 15th.

Protesters begin rallying at State Capitols around the United States to show their disappointment and disgust with the 2008 election ahead of the voting of the Electoral College.

   

Blue =  Called for a Constitutional Convention (30)
Green = Legislation Proposed (11)
Red = Legislation Defeated (9)

[sentinel]

A phone rings near the McCain-Palin Headquarters
“Rick, look, we need to talk.”
“Tom, I can’t right now –something just hap—“
“—listen to me damnit –“
“No, you listen to me, the Senator’s back in the hospital, I need to get over there NOW”

December 15th 2008

   The McCain-Palin campaign cancels its speech, the second major press conference in two weeks. They say Senator McCain had to go into the hospital for some work to be done.
   The Electoral College begins voting for President.  Electors in Columbus, Ohio are
attacked on their way to the State Capital.  3 of the electors are hospitalized as a result.

   In other states, Electors are being brought to their respective State Capital under protection already.

   As the electors are voting, the North Carolina Attorney General releases the report regarding voter fraud in North Carolina on November 4th. The report states “…massive organized voter fraud across the state…there are thousands of cases of paper ballots not matching up with the tabulating machines…fraud by absentee ballot…many cases of “over voting” in certain areas…we don’t know how many ballots could have been discarded…North Carolina will continue its investigation and is considering several courses of action in response to the problem…The two men the FBI arrested in Florida are allegedly the two main conspirators behind the voter fraud. They suspect there were hundreds of other people involved in the state alone.

Reporter: Attorney General Cooper – will you consider working with the Federal Government and holding another election for North Carolinians?

Cooper: Yes, we’ll definitely consider it although I don’t know how plausible it is, or any specific details at this time.

(To Be Continued)

[sentinel]

Well, this is becoming a hack timeline. The Federal Court of Appeals would never favor Obama on this, since McCain obviously won this election constitutionally. And you're clearly trying to make Sarah Palin look terrible on almost every post.
Interesting, but extremely unrealistic.

The Federal Court of Appeals was a hard call. I originally was going to have them side with McCain, but then I wasn't sure if the case would have been appealed to the Supreme Court. Regardless if I'm right or wrong on that one, it makes it more interesting.

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a fan of Sarah Palin, but me making her look bad on some post ties into a plot development later (at least it does right now).

[sentinel]

“Dick?”
“Yes, Mr. President”
“I think we’re going to have a problem.”



December 15th 2008 Continued

9:07am – Electors begin voting on the east coast. The 3 electors attacked in Ohio are hospitalized.

9:20am –The Secretary of State of North Carolina, Elaine Marshall, withdraws her election certification which had certified that John McCain won the state.

9:42am – West Virginia calls for a Constitutional Convention becoming the 31st state to do so
.
10:20am – Nevada calls for a Constitutional Convention becoming the 32st state to do so.

1:00pm – The Electoral College ends up being 256 votes for Senator John McCain to 264 for Senator Barack Obama. 18 delegates are not voting due to 3 of the delegates’ hospitalization in Ohio and the 15 from North Carolina. The votes are sent to Congress to be officially counted on January 8th 2009.

2:00pm – Hawaii becomes the 33rd state, the final state required, to call for a Constitutional Convention.

Since the results are immediately known, and the Constitution calls for an immediate session of Congress, but the Constitution also assumes that the results will not be known before the new Congress is sworn in, the 111th Congress will pick the next President of the United States on January 8th 2009.

   Congress orders a federal investigation into voting fraud in all states with less than a 5% margin of victory. This includes Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio. This is equivalent to 129 Electoral Votes which all went for John McCain. The narrowest margin in a state that Barack Obama won was 9.3% in Iowa.

3:00pm – Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana says that he would like to take the initiative
in leading the Constitutional Convention, and since one of this sort has not happened before –he invites the Governors of all 50 states to Helena to discuss how to start the Convention.

3:20pm – Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi commends Governor Schweitzer for stepping forward and he offers to help Schweitzer lead the discussions in Helena. Governor Barbour admits that he was worried about the chaos that would follow the calling of a Constitutional Convention, but that Schweitzer’s first steps are a good signs but they are not out of the woods yet.

Blue = Called For a Constitutional Convention (33)
Green = Legislation Proposed (
Red = Legislation Failed (9)

5:00pm – Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania echoes the concerns of Governor Schweitzer and Governor Barbour but insists that this meeting and all subsequent ones be held in Philadelphia where the original Constitutional Convention was held.

5:30pm – Outgoing Governor Matt Bond of Missouri calls for Missouri to hold this meeting since Missouri is the population epicenter of the United States.

CNN Analysis:
   Obama supporters are hopeful once again thanks to the North Carolina electors refusing to vote today. Now the Presidential Election is turned over to the Democratic controlled United States Congress, where it is quite possible that Senator Barack Obama will come out as President. Neither campaign has made any statement today, due to John McCain’s second hospitalization in two weeks.

   McCain supporters are bound to feel disenfranchised by the refusal to pledge their votes by the North Carolina delegations today. But should all Americans be relieved that this small group of 15 electors is concerned that the voice of every voter on election day was not heard?

   Simultaneously, the unprecedented calling for a Constitutional Convention by 33 states, including every state that voted for Senator Barack Obama, will reshape history and how people look at our Constitution and government. This entire world will be watching to how we handle this unprecedented calling to reshape the very foundation of our government. The United States Constitution could theoretically leave the convention as radically different from where we are today.

Will Governors continue to bicker over where a preliminary meeting should take place, or will they put their country ahead of their own personal agenda?

   On top of all of this, the United States is involved in two wars, are we now more vulnerable than we were before? What will happen if a President isn’t elected by the House of Representatives by January 20th? Could we see a President Pelosi?

[sentinel]

More, por favor.

Sorry for the lack of posting. I've been busy this past week and haven't had a chance to write. Now that I'm on a bus for the next two hours, I'll definitely post.

[sentinel]

Sorry guys. I will have another update tonight.

A café In Washington DC
“Rick, I’m glad you could meet me here today.”
“No problem Tom, you’ve been hounding me for a while…what is it?”
“I’m in a little over my head…you have to listen carefully…”
“We’re all in over our heads, aren’t we?”
“Before the election, back in January…I was afraid we’d lose the election, Obama had momentum”
“So did we”
“By the time he clinched the nomination, I was sure that we’d lose, but that’s not what bothered me. I had serious doubts of Obama’s character…”
“What are you saying Tom?”
“Well, I contacted someone who could make it happen…”
“I can’t listen to this, I can’t believe you…I need to go, I can’t be a part of this. If you were involved in any way with what’s going on now, you need to hold yourself responsible.”

December 16th 2009
   President George W. Bush addresses the nation about the current events. He assures the nation and the world that the government of the United States will continue functioning as normal during this time. He says although the circumstances are unprecedented, he says he will sit down with both candidates later in the day and discuss what will happen in the future.
   The President also orders all the Governors to come to Washington DC on December 18th 2008  for them to discuss how to proceed in calling for a Constitutional Convention.
North Carolina releases early estimates that at least 30,000 votes were fraudulent and its looking into about 75,000 more.  Most of these were made by absentee, electronic voting machines or discarded ballots.

The three men who were arrested in regards to voter fraud in North Carolina, still aren’t talking. The FBI has not released any information regarding them including their names.

   

December 18th 2009

President Bush mediates a discussion between all 50 Governors at the White House regarding the Constitutional Convention. They agree on a date for the Constitutional Convention – August 15th 2009 in Washington DC, however; they agree that the Governors will not represent their states at the convention but it is unclear how many delegates will attend.  The Governors will meet again January 28th.

December 20th 2009

By now, the protests have died down and President George W. Bush’s approval rating has gone back up to 18%. John McCain and Barack Obama have made themselves scarce in the Senate, attending only major votes. The two have not come in contact with each other. It’s rumored that both transition teams have a potential full cabinet and staff in place and ready to start moving after the new Congress meets on January 8th.
   The remainder of the holiday season remains relatively quiet, and outlook for the next quarter falls.  The US Troop Alertness level has been raised globally due to the uncertainty about the next President of the United States. President Bush warns that any country who tries to take advantage of their transition will be dealt with harshly.  The media focuses on the normal holiday season stories, and how the rest of the world is rooting for Senator Barack Obama who is favored internationally over Senator John McCain.
   
December 27th 2009

   The Attorney General of Ohio states that he has significant reason to believe that the fraud seen in North Carolina has also occurred in Ohio. He says at least 10,000 votes were already found fraudulent and his department will release a report in the new year.  McCain’s margin of victory in Ohio was 5,543 votes.
January 7th 2009
   Protestors take back to the streets all around the nation urging Congress to pick Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. Washington DC has a significant larger amount of protestors than it previously did.

January 8th 2009
   Senator John McCain is readmitted to George Washington hospital for chest pains.
Congress meets.

Composition of Congress:

House of Representatives:

Democrats: 256
Republicans: 178

Senate:

Democrats: 55
Republicans: 41
Independents: 2

In the Senate, a mere majority is needed to elect the Vice President of the United States. In the House of Representatives, the representatives will vote in-bloc with each state having only one vote. The candidate with a majority of votes, 26, will become President-elect. The Senate has agreed to meet after the House, so they can choose the President-elects respective Vice President...

[sentinel]

 “Mitch, look –whoever wins this thing in the House, both parties have to unanimously support their respective Vice Presidential Candidate”
“I agree, if your guy comes out on top, I will ask my party to support Joe, but can you guarantee that your party will support Palin if John comes out President-elect?”
“I will vote for her, and I will certainly ask the rest of the caucus to.”


First of Round of Voting 9:30am:

John McCain: 25
Barack Obama: 21
Not Voting: North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana Delegations

   The delegations refuse to vote because that they feel that winner of their state is in doubt due to voter fraud.  All the delegates voting voted for the candidate that won their respective state.

The second round of voting is scheduled for 11am.

Second Round of Voting:
John McCain: 24
Barack Obama: 23

Not Voting: North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana

   The second round of voting, delegations from Colorado and Nevada break from the pack, and vote for Senator Barack Obama. The lone Republican in the Delaware delegation switches to John Mccain.

The third round of voting, scheduled for 1pm:

John McCain: 25
Barack Obama: 22

Not Voting: North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana

The Colorado Delegation switches its vote back to Senator John McCain

Fourth round of voting, scheduled for 3pm:

John McCain: 26
Barack Obama: 22
Not Voting: North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana

In a surprise move, the Missouri delegation votes in the fourth round for Senator John McCain, making him President-elect.

“I need to see Senator McCain”
“I’m sorry sir, but you can’t…the doctor is in with him now.”
“I’m his campaign manager and a good friend; I have to talk to him, its important that I see him now.”
“I’m sorry sir but…”
A third voice cries “We need to get him to the OR now!”

The Senate convenes shortly after…

First Round of Voting For Vice President:

96 of 98 Senators are present.  Senator John McCain is hospitalized. Senator Barack Obama is not on the floor.

In a surprise turn of events, the Senate Democrats turn their backs on Harry Reid by break ranking Joseph Biden for Vice President.

First Round of Voting:
Senator Joseph Biden:  52
Governor Sarah Palin: 44




5:30pm - Senator Barack Obama, live on national television, recognizes that Senator John McCain won the election and that he will be the next President of the United States.
“Our voices have been heard America –John McCain hears you, George Bush hears you, the world hears you. I will keep fighting but right now. It is time now to stand behind President-elect McCain.  America cannot be divided like we are now, no matter how unfairly treated we feel. We cannot stand divided with two wars on our plate, and American lives at stake overseas. We must unite America once again.

John McCain will finish the job against al Qaeda in Afghanistan; will care for our veterans;  will restore our moral standing in the world; he will unite America and the world against the common threats of the twenty-first century: terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease.

John McCain has good ideas, and he has been a patriot who has and will serve his country honorably.

But the reason our campaign has always been different is because it's not just about what I would do, it's also about what you, the people who love this country, can do to change it.
These past two months belong to you. It belongs to you, all the voters, all the volunteers, all the people out on the streets for the past month, who believed in our improbable journey and rallied so many others to join.

Always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change.”

6:15pm – Reports come in that President-elect John McCain has passed away due to a heart attack.

[sentinel]

Why the hell didn't the House vote for Obama ?!?

They vote by state and and they respected the voters of their respective states. Obama won 21 starss & DC, McCain won 29 states on November 4th.

[sentinel]

Why the hell didn't the House vote for Obama ?!?

They vote by state and and they respected the voters of their respective states. Obama won 21 starss & DC, McCain won 29 states on November 4th.

Democratic Representatives voted for McCain even though Democratic nominee won with 54% of the votes ?? Seems rather unlikely.

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented action...and I wanted to make it interesting. Would have been boring if Obama just won.

[sentinel]

More!

Yes, there will be more. I've been at home and not at school for the holiday weekend. Thought I'd have time to write a tad, but I haven't. Definitely will be an update by or on Sunday, maybe beforehand depending how late people are over tonight. Glad to hear that my TL is getting a good reception still though.

[sentinel]

UPDATE = TODAY

Sorry guys, school caught up with me, but its all done now. I'm writing the update as we speak. I'll try to make it long and worth your while.

[sentinel]

7:00pm – Vice President Dick Cheney calls to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden. The President does not call.

8:00pm – President-elect Joe Biden issues a somber statement regarding President-elect John McCain’s death.  He says he will address the country again tomorrow.

   The media beings to remember John McCain, as per the usual means, by documenting his life all over the 24-hour news cycle.

January 9th 2009

   Public reaction to the fiasco seems be angry but spread out and the mass protests have stopped. Democrats are angry that Barack Obama did not win in the House –but happy they are getting a Democratic President. Republicans are obviously upset, as are Democrats, about the death of John McCain but are also angry about Joe Biden becoming President.

   As one political pundit said “Everyone’s pissed off”
President-elect Biden says they will have cabinet announcements in the coming days.  
John McCain’s funeral is set for January 12th.

January 10th 2009

   An aide leaks that President Bush never called President-elect Biden to congratulate him. President-elect Biden begins returning calls from world leaders. President Bush’s approval ratings are in the single digits.
   Pundits speculate on who Joe Biden will pick as his Vice President who will have to be confirmed in both the House and Senate.  Some on the extreme end suggest that Joe Biden could pick Barack Obama as his Vice President, and then step down.  Others suggest that would be going around the Constitution and would not be viewed well by the American people.
   Reports are coming in that there is tension between the White House and the transition team, but it is not delaying the transition process.

January 11th 2009
   President-elect Joe Biden announces a few cabinet positions:


Secretary of the Treasury: Paul Volcker
 
Secretary of Defense: Chuck Hagel

Secretary of the Interior: Kenneth L. Salazar

Department of Agriculture: Thomas J. Vilsack

Department of Health and Human Services: Howard Dean
 
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Shaun L.S. Donovan
  
Secretary  of Energy: Steven Chu

 
January 12th 2009

   John McCain’s funeral is aired on national television. President George W. Bush is seen shaking hands and talking to President-elect Joseph Biden, dispelling fears that there is much tension between the two…however, the Biden camp never confirmed that President Bush congratulated him.

January 13th 2009
   The FBI issues a report on its investigation into election fraud. The three men that were caught in regards to the election fraud have connections with the Republican strategist, Frank Melville, who died in Seattle months ago.  The FBI explains how Melville hired a group of criminals known for this kind of thing both domestically and abroad and they rigged voting booths in several states. The FBI says it has arrested over fifty people in connection with the fraud so far, spanning several states.  The FBI Director says “There is a great likelihood that Senator Barack Obama would have won Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina had the voting process been legitimate.”

When asked, the FBI Director responded:

   “As of right now, it does not look like Senator McCain knew of the fraud taking place, nor had anything to do with it. This was done with limited involvement from the campaign, but we will be subpoenaing campaign officials so we can be sure of this.”

   “More specifics will come out during the trial that we cannot release at this time.”
   The FBI puts out a warrant for the arrest of Former Congressman and DC Lobbyist Tom Loeffler in connection to election fraud. The FBI believes he might have fled the United States to avoid arrest.

   A Grand Jury subpoenas Governor Sarah Palin, Campaign Manager Rick Davis as well as other high ranking McCain campaign officials. Senator Joseph Lieberman is also subpoenaed.

January 14th 2009
   There is public outcry of the report and the fraud. The Republican Party begins denouncing and distancing itself from the campaign over fears that the voters will remember this in 2010, and in the future.

   Sarah Palin issues a statement saying “Unfortunately I was not aware of this criminal activity occurring otherwise I would have brought it to the attention of the proper authorities. I will offer any information that could be helpful to the investigation.”
   President-elect Joe Biden issues a brief statement regarding the fraud, and saying that justice will be served so that this may never happen again. Pundits note that Biden’s public comments have been very limited in the past few days.
   The President-elect says that the Vice-Presidency will not be filled until after he takes office.
   More cabinet announcements:


National Security Advisor: General James L. Jones
Secretary of State: John Kerry
Attorney General:  Janet Napalitano
Department of Homeland Security:  Lee Hamilton

White House Chief of Staff: Greg Craig

January 20th 2009
   President Joseph Biden Jr. is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

   A senior aide leaks a list of Vice Presidential possibilities:
   Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico
   Former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota
   Senator Barack Obama of Illinois
   Former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia
   Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut
   Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania

President Bush leaves office with a 10% approval rating.
   
January 21st 2009
   The US Congress speedily confirms most of the President’s nominees. John Kerry passes by a voice vote.
   President Biden begins to revoke executive orders issued by President Bush, and issues an executive order calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay within one year.
President Biden’s approval rating is at 73%.

January 28th 2009

The Governors of all 50 states meet with President Joe Biden at the White House. They agree that 435 representatives is too much at a Constitutional Convention. Instead, it will be 1/3rd the number, 143 members will attend, with a minimum of one delegate for each state. Each of these delegates will have one vote. The Governors agreed to select the party of their delegates based on the composition of the state legislature, as closely as possible. If only one or two delegates, then the delegates will be a member of the majority party.
   
February 6th 2009
   President Biden announces the creation of the President’s Economic Recovery Board

February 7th 2009
   President Biden announces his choice for Vice President:

   Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania

Pundits:
   If Governor Rendell is confirmed, which he will likely be, he will be another strong voice in the White House. He’s a tad more moderate than the President and extremely strong on domestic policy especially in Pennsylvania.  Rendell is a conservative choice for Biden.

February 8th 2009
   Senator Arlen Specter switches to the Democratic Party, bringing the Democratic Caucus to 59.
   President Biden overturns the ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research

February 15th 2009
   Governor Ed Rendell is confirmed as Vice President of the United States in the Senate 90 – 5 , then in the House by a large margin.

February 17th 2009
   The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 is passed (Senate 61-26, House 244-188)

February 26th 2009
   President Joe Biden’s proposal for the 2010 Budget is revealed. Deficit hawks come spiraling down on him and start ripping the budget to shreds in the media. Biden’s economic advisors defend the budget proposal. His approval rating sits at 65%.

February 28th 2009
   Sarah Palin testifies in front of a Grand Jury that she did not know about the voter fraud.
   Campaign Manager Rick Davis, for the McCain Campaign, testifies that Loeffler came to him several times trying to tell him something, but Davis kept pushing him off. Davis testified that Loeffler hinted at something but never said flat out that he had orchestrated the rigging of the election.

March 2nd 2009
   The three men who were arrested with connections to the fraud are indicted on several charges including the murder of the Republican strategist in Seattle.

March 3rd 2009
   President Biden addresses a joint session of Congress. He advocates the idea of simple and pragmatic solutions. That is why he says he will make an executive order removing the “Don’t ask don’t tell policy” and will openly allow gays to serve in the military. He says doing otherwise is discrimination.
   President Biden also goes on to outline his agenda to secure health care for every American and he will submit a bill for consideration to the United States Congress that will enable every American to get health care. The President explains how health care can be bipartisan, and that Republicans have supported the idea of universal health care in the past such as under Richard Nixon when he approached Ted Kennedy about it.
   Even though his speech is a bit drawn out, it is generally accepted well. Debate in the media begins on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and health care.
Approval Rating: 59%

[sentinel]

April 1st 2009
   President Biden issues an executive order creating February 30th.
   Approval Rating: 62%

April 5th 2009
   President Biden submits legislation to Congress whose goal is to give everyone health care. It is based off the Daschle-Dole and Ted Kennedy health care legislation.
   President Biden and Vice President Rendell begin actively campaigning for the legislation.

April 15th 2009
   Conservative outcries begin towards the health care legislation.  Town hall meetings start forming.

April 20th 2009
   President Biden & Vice President Rendell meet with the Speaker, House & Senate Minority  & Majority Leaders, as well as with Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama regarding the health care legislation.
Approval Rating: 58%

May 1st 2009
   The Investment in America Health Care Legislation is revealed by President Biden and Majority Leader Reid.

May 5th 2009
   Town hall meetings get ugly as the national media shows them over and over and over.
   Tom Loeffler is found and arrested by US Officials in Belize City, Belize. He is brought back to the United States for trial.

May 10th 2009
   Conservative politicians like Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich begin speaking out against the health care bill. A “burp” of speculation for 2012 slips out.

June 2009

   President Joe Biden bails out General Motors.
   Al Franken is declared the winner of the Minnesota Senatorial Election.

July 8th 2009
   A major general comes out against President Biden’s policy against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and makes national headlines. Biden sends out staffers for damage control.
   The health bill leaves committee in both houses.
Approval Rating: 55%   

July 20th 2009
   Opposition to Biden’s Health Care bill is 38%
   42% are in favor of it.
   20% aren’t sure

President Biden announces that they will try a new tactic in Afghanistan, a more precise one with special ops units focusing on disrupting the Taliban while other forces begin to hand control back over to the Afghans.  The President says that in an ideal circumstance, all troops will be home by the end of 2011.

August 2009
   The conservatives kick off an anti-health care bill movement crying socialism and that its too much government and too expensive.  Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaign on behalf of the President for the health care legislation.
Senator Ted Kennedy dies.
Approval Rating: 54%

Next Update: Constitutional Convention

(Note: I retracted some of my update because I forgot about this)

[sentinel]

August 15th - The Constitutional Convention meets in Washington DC. President Joseph Biden says he will only attend if there is a need for a mediator, otherwise he would recommend that the Constitutional Convention elect its own leader.
Composition of the Convention:

Democrats: 80
Republicans: 63

Day 1:

The Convention convenes behind closed doors and elects Timothy Hamilton as the President of the Constitutional Convention. Hamilton retains voting rights and will act as a mediator.
The Convention votes by majority rule that if 2/3rds of the Convention agrees on an amendment AND in a second vote voting-in-bloc, if 2/3rds of the states approve, the amendment will become the next amendment to the Constitution.

Day 2:

The Convention has several proposals out on the table regarding election reform. Debate begins. Hamilton sets the rules and time limit for debate, by state.

Day 3 – 4:

Debate continues while there seems to be a consensus emerging.

Day 5:

Proposed 28th Amendment:

1)   All Electoral Votes will be distributed based on the percentage won, in each respective state having met the minimum threshold of 15% of the total votes in that state.

Day 6:

   The 28th Amendment is passed on the first round of voting.

Day 7:

   Hamilton tries to convene the Convention but two more proposals are brought up –an amendment, banning flag burning, lowering the drinking age  and an amendment forcing the Federal Government to balance its budget.

The Convention vote against opening debate on flag burning, but opens debate on forcing the Federal Government to balance the budget.

The Convention also votes for opening debate on lowering the drinking age.

Day 8:

Debate on forcing the Federal Government to balance the budget.

Day 9-10:

Debate

Day 11:

The Constitutional Convention on the first vote, votes down the amendment on balancing the budget.

The Constitutional Convention votes to drop debate on the drinking age.

A combination of fifteen Democrats and twenty Republicans call for an amendment granting the President the power of line-item veto with a 50% + 1 vote override in Congress.

Day 12:
Proposed 29th Amendment:

   The President shall have the power to strike any lines from legislation passed by Congress, however; the stricken lines are subject to a veto-override by a majority of members in both Houses.

The Amendment passes both votes.

Day 13:

The Constitutional Convention is concluded.

[sentinel]

September 2009:

President Joseph Biden praises the Constitutional Convention and Hamilton for making a difference for the American people and curtailing everyone’s worst fears that the Convention could have gotten very out of hand.

The Health Care Bill passes the House with one Republican voting for it.

Approval Rating: 57%

The FBI reveals that Tom Loeffler, who is being tried on several convictions, had received money from officials in Saudi Arabia, who he lobbies for, to rig the election in favor of John McCain. They also announce that they have subpoenaed most lobbyists for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Public outrage on both sides of the aisle is huge, although it is widely accepted that John McCain did not know about it –however, there are conspiracy theorists who say he was part of the scheme.  Sarah Palin and Campaign Manager Rick Davis will not be indicted.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia pledges to do whatever he can to bring the officials who paid for this in his country to justice.

Republicans and Democrats call for President Biden to send the Saudi Arabian Delegation home. The UN condemns the actions of the Saudi Arabian officials. President Biden promises to do “get to the bottom of this, with or without help from the Saudis”

Senator Barack Obama, who has stayed out of the spotlight, says “I have full faith that President Biden will handle this properly.”

November 3rd 2009

   Mayor Michael Bloomberg is re-elected in New York City by a very slim margin.
   The Democrat wins the Congressional race in NY by a slim margin.
   Chris Christie is elected Governor of New Jersey by a very slim margin.
   Bob McDonnell is elected Governor of Virginia with 53% of the vote.

Approval Rating: 55%

[/b]

December 2009:

   Saudi Arabia sacks its foreign minister and several internal ministers in connection with the fraud and says they will be dealt with “appropriately.” President Biden calls for them to be extradited to the United States.
   Majority Leader Harry Reid announces that the health care bill will not make it to the table in 2009.

   Lou Dobbs quits CNN creating speculation that he will run for public office. He openly says that he is considering running for President.

Approval Rating: 53%

January 15th 2010

   At the State of the Union Address Joe Biden announces that he will be sending 3,000 American forces to Sudan-Darfur to stop the genocide. He explains that America cannot sit ideally by and watch as atrocities go unnoticed.  He calls for the Senate to take up the health care bill and pass it immediately.

   President Biden talks about reforming the education system and improving the current way people vote before the 2010 elections.

Approval Rating: 50%

January 20th 2010
   President Biden’s health care bill fails in the Senate by 3 votes.
Post-Vote Approval Rating: 47%

February 2010

Pundits: President Joe Biden’s agenda has had a major setback with the failure of the health care vote in the Senate. We’re all unsure here if he will keep on trying since the Blue Dog Democrats who voted against it are unlikely to budge at all.  The President is going to have a tough time convincing the American people about his agenda, and deploying troops to Darfur doesn’t help.

Troops begin deploying for Darfur on a Humanitarian and Peace Keeping Mission. The actions of the United States are applauded by many Western nations, however; this policy is not as popular at home.

Gallup Poll:
Do you support the President’s deployment of US forces to Darfur?
No: 47%
Yes: 40%
Unsure:13%

Do you approve of the job the President is doing?
Yes: 43%
No: 45%

Do you approve of the job Vice President Rendell is doing?
Yes: 50%
No: 45%

Is President Biden a strong leader?

February 2009
Yes: 67%
No: 25%

February 2010:
Yes: 50%
No: 40%

March 2010
   President Biden’s budget for the 2011 Fiscal Year passes after he accepts many cuts to his original budget in order to deal with the deficit better.
   15 Servicemen are killed in an ambush in Sudan.  President Biden says that “they have no died in vain, they are over there not just fighting for us, and they are fighting for oppressed people all over the world”

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announces he will run for Governor against Governor David Paterson.

The three main conspirators and twenty-five others are all convicted on charges related to election fraud.

April 7th 2010

During an interview President Biden is asked “Will you run for re-election in 2012?”
President Biden responds “I haven’t made my decision yet. I’d like to spend more time with my grandchildren –they’re getting so big, you know…but if I feel like I can still do more for the American people, then I will.”

April 15th 2010

3:15pm EST - During a surprise trip to Afghanistan, Secretary of State John Kerry’s plane is shot down and crashes in the middle of the Dashti Margo desert.
3:50pm – EST The White House releases the following statement:
   We have reports coming in from Afghanistan that the military plane carrying Secretary of State John Kerry has been shot down over the Dashti Margo desert in southern Afghanistan. Our forces are in the process of securing the area and will secure Secretary of State Kerry and the other staff and military officials on that plane. The perpetrators will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately. The Afghanistan Government is working with us at this time.

   An aide says that President Biden’s anger is “tremendous, nothing I’ve ever seen
before. If I were the people who did this, I’d be sh**tting my pants right now”

5:00pm  EST -- A video of Osama Bin Laden emerges claiming responsibility for the attack.
 
5:20pm EST – Local news reports that the US Air Force has launched several airstrikes along the Afghan/Pakistan border where Osama Bin Laden is said to be hiding.

7:00pm EST – The New York Times leaks that a senior official confirmed the authenticity of the bin Laden video and that the US Government is “closer than ever” to finding bin Laden.

7:03pm EST – The White House confirms that there were only three survivors from the plane crash. Secretary of State John Kerry was not one of them.

7:35pm EST – Local reports are coming in that US forces are on foot on Pakistani soil.

8:00pm EST – Pakistani officials deny the report.

8:15pm EST – Local reports coming in that “at least 100 US Marines are outside of a small village in the mountains of Pakistan.”

8:30pm EST – Reports coming in that US Marines have entered the city  and gunfire was exchanged.

9:15pm EST – Pakistani officials confirm that US forces have entered Pakistan soil. They condemn the US actions.

9:30pm EST – The Pakistani Airforce threatens to shoot down US planes over Pakistan soil.

9:45pm EST – Two Pakistani fighters are shot down by US fighter jets over Pakistani airspace.

9:47pm EST – President Joseph Biden telephones former President George W. Bush

10:00pm EST – President Joseph Biden addresses the nation. He expresses anger over Secretary of State Kerry’s death but says something good has come of it. “Hours ago, I ordered US Marines into Pakistan on intelligence that we knew the whereabouts of the most wanted terrorist in the world. A few minutes ago US forces captured Osama Bin Laden.”