Forward? – A 2012 Election Game (Sign Up and Rules Thread)

[Lumine]

Forward?
A 2012 Election Game

Can Obama win reelection in a slightly different 2012?

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It’s the middle of 2011 and the historic presidency of Barack Obama stands at a difficult moment as the question of a second term is soon to be resolved. Despite leading the way in several domestic accomplishments such as the famed "Obamacare" and being personally popular with the public the Obama Administration has been blamed for the still high unemployment and a weak economy, and the Democratic Party suffered a historic defeat in the 2010 Midterms at the hands of the so called "Tea Party movement". Holding firm to the advantages of incumbency President Obama remains a strong contender for reelection, but there are clouds in the horizon with his complex relationship with the Clintons (with Senator Hillary Clinton proving a strong rival at times) and the disappointment of several progressives within the Democratic Party.

On the other side of the aisle a reinvigorated Republican Party that sailed triumphant from the midterms is also at the crossroads. While many recognize the President as vulnerable and see a winnable election in 2012, the party is still deeply divided amongst different factions and lacking a clear frontrunner as the natural challenger to the President, many prominent Republicans thought to be considering a run with a primary electorate which may be more volatile than they think. Even in their unity in opposition to many of Obama's key policies (particularly Obamacare), there is a stark divide between those who look towards the center as decisive to winning the election, and those who believe only a "true conservative" can win the White House. And, of course, as the two main parties battle for power there are others that may get in the way, particularly as support for a strong independent or third-party candidate appears promising.

As Super PAC's and social media take a more prominent role in the political system and with millions of young voters at play, who will end up being the Republican challenger? Can the President energize his base once again and overcome internal challenges?

It’s up to you.

Rules:

1.- While Alea Jacta Est picks up steam, I've decided to take another shot at a US Election Game just for the sake of fun. Born as an unofficial sequel to the almost finished "Fear and Loathing in 1972", this Game will cover the 2012 US Presidential Election from September 1st, 2011 to November 7th, 2012, divided into three main phases:

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2.- The in-game length of turns will vary from days to an entire month depending on the circumstances, but all turns will last 72 hours (no more) in RL. Duly informing of a turn absence will yield no penalty (a polling freeze or very limited loss), but simply not posting will bring consequences.

3.- Contact me for endorsements! No candidate may recieve more than 2 per turn, and there are some special endorsements that will be reserved for key events or dates (for example, New Hampshire or Iowa Governors, or relevant newspapers like the Des Moines Register or the New Hampshire Union Leader).

4.- The 2012 race was known to be volatile at points, particularly so with the GOP side. This game will attempt to replicate this by taking note of schedules, events and particularly the debate performances, which may give a surprise boost to a given candidate to rise like Perry, Cain, Gingrich and others did before flaming out. Of course, that boost can be lost in the face of tough attacks from your rivals, so it can be both a blessing and a curse.

5.- There will be debates, several of them to account for the OTL high number of GOP debates and their undeniable impact on the race. The first few turns will all feature limited debates.

6.- Like other games, I will use a number randomizer to determine positive and negative news for the candidates. 1-5 will be negative experiences (1 being terrible news) and 45-50 will be positive experiences (50 being a huge boost). 5-45 will be no news. Real life news will also feature as part of the game for players to exploit (or influence).

7.- Third Party candidates are allowed to join, but their respective gameplay will be focused on the General Election. The only exception is the Americans Elect Primaries, which may be a factor if a player wants to run for their nomination (thus making them more successful and relevant than in OTL).

[Lumine]

Candidate List:

This list focused on OTL candidates or candidates who garnered significant speculation, as well as some extra to account for what may or may not be a more competitive Democratic race. You can also choose someone from outside this list, but I'll have to approve them first (particularly with celebrity candidates).

Current Candidates:

Democratic Party:

President Barack Obama (D-IL) (Grassr00ts)
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) (Dkrol)
Former Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) (GoTfan)
Former Governor Phil Breseden (D-TN) (New Tennessean Politician)

Republican Party:

Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) (DFL)
Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) (Blair)
Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) (LouisvilleThunder)
Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA) (wxtransit)
Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) (Yankee_Mapper)
Mr. Donald Trump (R-NY) (politicalmasta73)
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) (Bagel23)
Representative Walter Jones (R-NC) (Spiral)
Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) (JacksonHitchcock)
Mr. Adam Carolla (R-CA) (Jaguar4life)

Other Available Candidates:

Democratic Party:

Potential Candidates: (Among others)
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
Former Governor Howard Dean (D-VT)
Former Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Republican Party:

RL Candidates:
Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)
Representative Ron Paul (R-TX)
Governor Rick Perry (R-TX)
Former Governor Jon Huntsman (R-UT)
Representative Michelle Bachmann (R-MN)
Mr. Herman Cain (R-GA)
Former Governor Gary Johnson (R-NM)
Former Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Potential Candidates: (Among others)
Former Governor Haley Barbour (R-MS)
Former Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL)
Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN)
Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR)

Americans Elect:

Open

Independents:

Open

Primary and Caucus Schedule:

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[Lumine]

Can I have President Obama, if he's taken can I get Rick Snyder

As I replied via PM, you can have Snyder (although remember Snyder has been Governor for a few months, I'd recommend a more experienced GOP officeholder).

I set you a message about celebrity request

Replied, you can have Carolla.

I'll be Donald Trump as a pub

Welcome!

I'll be Phil Bredesen as a Dem

Welcome!

[Lumine]

When does the game start?

As soon as we have a sizable field, really. I'd want the GOP and Dem fields to be sustainable (more than 6 Republican candidates, more than 2 Democratic ones) before starting.

[Lumine]

When does the game start?

As soon as we have a sizable field, really. I'd want the GOP and Dem fields to be sustainable (more than 6 Republican candidates, more than 2 Democratic ones) before starting.

Can I at least have my opener?

Yes. Opening speeches go on this thread, they're assumed to have been made well before the starting date of the game (September). I'll give marks to the speeches, so they will influence the opening position of the players in the polls to a degree.

I'm thinking Bobby Jindal for the Republicans. Is the schedule using in-game dates or real-life dates?

Welcome! Yes, it's IG dates.

[Lumine]

I'm tremendously happy you're taking up a game again, Lumine! 1972 was a blast and I absolutely want to contribute to this one as well. (I'd still love to see a resolution to 1972, btw.)

Signing up as Congressman Walter Jones for the Republicans.

Can I have a stab at Chris Christie, running for the Republican nomination obviously?

Great to have you on board! Jones and Christie are in.

[Lumine]

Can I play as Ron Paul? (As a Republican, obviously)

Certainly, welcome!

At this point we'd need Obama to start, and hopefully a couple more GOP or Dem candidates to make for a wider field.

[Lumine]

Feingold please

Welcome!

[Lumine]

Can I have Sarah Palin?

Of course!

[Lumine]

Lumine, what would you think about Stanley McChrystal challenging Obama?

It's a fascinating concept, Dkrol, but I'm not sure it would be very realistic for General McChrystal to suddenly jump into the presidential campaign a year after being fired. Any chance an alternate GOP or Dem candidate would be of your taste?

[Lumine]

if we flashback to 1864, didn't McCllean do the same thing?

Yes, but 150 years in the past, a bit of a far precedent.

I half wish Grassr00ts chose Obama so we could start, lol.

Never mind I will be OBAMA lets go!

Just to confirm, will it be Hoeven or Obama?

[Lumine]

Good. We begin tomorrow afternoon, there's roughly 20 hours left for more players to sign in.

Late entries (so called "white knights") are allowed as well, but treated as having entered the race at that moment rather than before September.

[Lumine]

?

[Lumine]

I've come across three article encouraging a Clarence Thomas run in 2012. I think that would be terribly fun, if you'd allow it. If not, I'll take Hillary Clinton.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/11/AR2010061103249_2.html
https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/06/11/clarence-thomas-for-president-two-writers-make-the-case/
http://reason.com/blog/2010/06/14/clarence-thomas-for-president

Wow, I had no idea there had been speculation about Thomas. Still, I'd prefer it if you take Clinton, it would give us a well rounded Democratic field.

[Lumine]

I will be

The picture can't be seen, who is it?

[Lumine]

Mitt Romney

Nice! Welcome to the game.

[Lumine]

shouldn't it be Secretary Clinton

Read the opening backstory. This is a slightly different 2012, and (among other things) Clinton refused being Sec. of State and remained a persistent critic of Obama as a Senator. This also makes the challenge to the President far more plausible.

[Lumine]

Will we start off with the debates or will that be a turn After starting?

Turn one does feature the first debate, as well as a national poll and polls for Iowa and New Hampshire.

I'll explain the rough schedule:

Turns 1-3: September to November, one turn equal to a month (not necessary to post a schedule for each day, the important thing is your messaging, the states you're focused on, and so on)
Turns 4-6: December itself, roughly 10 days per turn (basically the countdown to Iowa and NH, the game growing more detailed)

The end of turn 6 would be the Iowa Caucuses, and from there on turns will shift according to the upcoming primaries. Most primary turns from here on would last one week IG, but some may be longer if there are no primaries for a few days.

[Lumine]

How fast paced are the debates?

And when are each of them exactly?

Candidates answer three general questions and one personal question. The questions appear at the start of the turn and you have the whole turn to reply, as well as attack or react to the answers of other candidates. They take place at the same time period as the turn, so no need to prepare for a specific day.

[Lumine]

Can I have Perry O. Hooper Jr?

As I said via PM, way too obscure to be playable.

[Lumine]

Fine then, can I be Ron Estes, Kansas State Treasurer?

Sorry, but it can't be Estes either, a State Treasurer as candidate would not exactly be relevant.

[Lumine]

Fine then, can I be Ron Estes, Kansas State Treasurer?

Sorry, but it can't be Estes either, a State Treasurer as candidate would not exactly be relevant.

Fine, Lt Gov Jeff Colyer of KS.

Same problem. I'd recommend following New Tennessean Politician's suggestion, or selecting a political with a a similar office or influence.

[Lumine]

Fine, you know I just wanted to be the underdog and rise up but ok. If you don't accept this one, i honestly just don't know man, does Saxby Chambliss work?

Oh! I get the feeling (it is rather fun to play as the underdog), but those officeholders are so obscure they'd never get included in polling in RL. Saxby Chambliss is fine by me, I can offer some alternatives for underdogs if you prefer as well.

[Lumine]

Okay,  a few notes:

1.- I'm writing Turn One, it will be up today. Once I open the Gameplay thread, please refrain from posting there until I announce that the turn is ready.

2.- OOC commentary goes on this thread and only on this thread. I'll delete posts that are not IC in the Gameplay Thread to keep things in order and avoid confusion.

3.- I'll allow the use of RL speeches for the announcements such as the Trump speech because I hadn't noticed until now, but from here on no RL speeches are allowed, you'll have to write your own. Merely copying speeches from RL will have a penalty of its own.

4.- It may take until the night for the turn to be ready, I'll be including Nevada and South Carolina polling as well and that takes some extra time.

5.- Do try not to promote other games here, mostly because I don't want the threads going way too off topic.

Be prepared!

[Lumine]

is the Gameplay thread now open to be played or is it still unavailiable until your say so?

It's available! I'm finishing up the GOP and Dem debates, but feel free to post.

A reminded to players, the Gameplay thread is solely for IC posts. All commentary must go here.