The Roaring Twenties (Authorized "Eternal Sunshine" sequel)

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

A few years ago, Castro wrote the seminal 2020 timeline called “Eternal Sunshine of the Democratic Mind.” If you haven’t read it, I'm linking it here. Please read this first! This timeline will cover the 2021-2025 period. I doubt I’ll be able to take it beyond that point, but I’ll do my best. This is a quick project meant to keep my mind occupied until classes start. As I’m taking the Long National Nightmare to AH.com and will need to get the AH.com version up to pace with the Atlas version, I’m gonna work on this for now.

I have a bipolar form of writer’s block where I can’t stick with anything for long. Sorry about that :P

[2]

Harris ousts Trump in decisive victory.

President-elect Harris delivers her victory speech.

[2]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Senator Kamala Harris was elected President in a campaign unparalleled in history; Harris, the first woman to be elected to the nation's highest office, has served as a Senator from California since 2017. President Trump, who is scheduled to address the nation about the results later today, conceded in what both sides described as a peculiarly gracious phone call with the President-elect, and publicly acknowledged in a tweet. 

Senator Harris's rise began in California's legal system, where she worked as an attorney and prosecutor before succeeding Jerry Brown as Attorney General. Her reputation across the country spread, and many speculated that her career would take her to the White House one day. In 2016, she made the leap and defeated fellow Democrat Linda Sanchez in the jungle primary. In the Senate, Harris became a vocal critic of President Trump's policies, particularly in regards to immigration. The daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican mother, Harris has made immigration a focal point of her campaign. Her sister Maya, her most trusted political adviser, introduced the President-elect at their victory celebration in San Francisco. Afterwards, Senator Harris made her first remarks as America's soon to be 46th President.

"Earlier tonight, I spoke with President Trump -

(Crowd boos)

-and we had a quick but constructive conversation. He wished us well, and promised to work constructively during the transition. I too wished him well, and I have a message tonight for those who supported his candidacy. And that message is that I get it. I understand that the President to many, many Americans has been a voice for the voiceless. So my promise to you is this: we will not forget you. We will always listen to you too. And while we might not agree always, I can promise that my administration will take your concerns into consideration. Now is not a time for electoral recriminations. Now is the time for us to come together as a nature, and work alongside one another as friends and neighbors.

(light applause from the crowd)

Tonight's victory was made possible because we dared to dream; we dreamed of an America in which the prosperity is shared by all. We dreamed of an America that lives up to it's values both at home and abroad. We dreamed of a world in which environmental justice is as important as social and economic justice. And we dreamed of a world, where a little girl with a mixed race background and ambitions to be a lawyer can not only be a prosecutor, but also a President!

But as we move forward together, we must also look back. There are wrongs that need to be made right. There are scars - ugly scars - that need to be addressed. We can't move forward until we first look back; that is why I am going to fight for equal pay, family leave, universal pre-K, and other pro-family policies that will revitalize and resuscitate America's shrinking middle class. When we chose the politics of love over the politics of hate, we build stronger communities. When we ask ourselves the ever relevant Kennedy question: "what can we do for our country," every American has their own unique response.

Every one of us is unique; every one of us has something special to contribute to the tapestry of America. And when we release our collective energy and talents, nothing can or will stop us. So in conclusion, I am asking every American to throw your skills and your passions into your community. Because America is better when we stand together. The American Spring is arrived, and our future has never looked so vibrant and clear.

Good night, thank you, and we 'got this, America!"

Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA)/Former Governor John Hickenlooper (D-CA) - 288 Electoral Votes – 50.90% of the popular vote.
President Donald J. Trump (R-NY)/Vice President Mike Pence (R-IN): - 250 Electoral Votes – 46.20% of the popular vote.
Activist Austin Peterson/Activist Larry Sharpe (L-RI) – 1.75% of the popular vote.
Doctor Jill Stein (G-NY)/Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan (G-CA) – 0.85% of the popular vote.
Other (Constitution, Reform, Party for Socialism & Liberation, etc): 0.30% of the popular vote.

2020 Alabama Senate Election
(D) Doug Jones: 52.41%
(R) Roy Moore: 47.59%
(Democratic hold)

2020 Alaska Senate Election
(R) Dan Sullivan: 50.48%
(D) Mark Begich: 46.88%
(I) David Matheny: 2.64%
(Republican hold)

2020 Arizona Senate Special Election
(D) Mark Kelly: 49.82%
(R) Martha McSally: 45.20%
(L) Michael Kielsky: 4.98%
(Democratic gain)

2020 Arkansas Senate Election
(R) Tom Cotton: 54.67%
(D) Mike Beeb: 45.33%
(Republican hold)

2020 Colorado Senate Election
(R) Cordy Gardiner: 47.18%
(D) Andrew Romanoff: 46.76%
(L) Doug Anderson: 3.39%
(G) Art Goodtimes: 2.67%
(Republican hold)

2020 Georgia Senate Election
(R) David Perdue: 52.90%
(D) Jon Ossoff: 47.10%
(Republican hold)

2020 Idaho Senate Election
(R) Jim Risch: 73.89%
(D) Nancy Harris: 26.11%
(Republican hold)

2020 Illinois Senate Election
(D) Dick Durbin: 63.07%
(R) Erika Herold: 36.93%
(Democratic hold)

2020 Iowa Senate Election
(R) Chuck Grassley: 58.64%
(D) Christie Vilsack: 41.36%
(Republican hold)

2020 Kansas Senate Election
(R) Kris Kobach: 55.73%
(D) Nancy Boyda: 44.27%
(Republican hold)

2020 Kentucky Senate Election
(R) Mitch McConnell: 51.55%
(D) Amy McGrath: 48.45%
(Republican hold)

2020 Louisiana Senate Election
(R) Bill Cassidy: 90.07%
(I) David Duke: 9.93%
(Republican hold)

2020 Maine Senate Election
(D) Joseph Kennedy III: 53.69%
(R) Shivva Ayyaduri: 41.20%
(G) Jill Stein: 5.11%
(Democratic hold)

2020 Michigan Senate Election
(D) Gary Peters: 50.26%
(R) John James: 45.90%
(L) Kerry Bentivolio: 3.84%
(Democratic hold)

2020 Minnesota Senate Election
(D) Tina Smith: 53.79%
(R) Jason Lewis: 46.21%
(Democratic hold)

2020 Mississippi Senate Election
(R) Cindy Hyde-Smith: 56.04%
(D) Mike Epsy: 43.96%
(Republican hold)

2020 Montana Senate Election
(D) Steve Bullock: 49.89%
(R) Steve Daines: 48.47%
(C) Chuck Baldwin: 1.64%
(Democratic gain)

2020 Nebraska Senate Election
(R) Shane Osborne: 61.00%
(D) Chris Janicek: 39.00%
(Republican hold)

2020 New Hampshire Senate Election
(D) Jeanne Shaheen: 59.66%
(R) Cory Lewandowski: 39.46%
(L) Darryl Perry: 0.88%
(Democratic hold)

2020 New Jersey Senate Election
(D) Cory Booker: 63.88%
(R) Hirsh Singh: 34.43%
(S) Greg Pason: 1.69%
(Democratic hold)

2020 New Mexico Senate Election
(D) Ben Ray Lujan: 68.09%
(R) Gavin Clarkson: 21.59%
(L) Maurice McDonald: 2.40%
(Democratic hold)

2020 North Carolina Senate Election
(R) Thom Tillis: 50.00%
(D) Jeff Jackson: 48.33%
(L) Giddy Godfrey: 1.67%
(Republican hold)

2020 Oklahoma Senate Election
(R) James Inhofe: 100.00%
(Republican hold)

2020 Oregon Senate Election
(D) Jeff Merkley: 56.33%
(R) Paul Romero: 41.55%
(G) Josiah Dean: 2.11%
(Democratic hold)

2020 Rhode Island Senate Election
(D) Jack Reed: 67.30%
(R) Allan Fung: 32.70%
(Democratic hold)

2020 South Carolina Senate Election
(R) Lindsey Graham: 58.38%
(D) Jamie Harrison: 41.62%
(Republican hold)

2020 South Dakota Senate Election
(R) Mike Rounds: 74.46%
(D) Billie Sutton: 25.54%
(Republican hold)

2020 Tennessee Senate Election
(R) Beth Harwell: 60.01%
(D) James Mackler: 39.99%
(Republican hold)

2020 Texas Senate Election
(R) John Cornyn: 49.10%
(D) Beto O’Rourke: 48.88%
(L) Ed Tidwell: 1.29%
(G) George Rice: 0.73%
(Republican hold – recount requested)

2020 Virginia Senate Election
(D) Mark Warner: 68.81%
(R) Victor Williams: 31.19%
(Democratic hold)

2020 West Virginia Senate Election
(R) Shelley Moore Capito: 56.73%
(D) Richard Ojeda: 43.27%
(Republican hold)

2020 Wyoming Senate Election
(R) Cynthia Lummis: 100.00%
(Republican hold)

Republican (Mitch McConnell): 51 seats (-2).
Democratic (Chuck Schumer): 47 seats (+2).
Independents (N/A): 3 seats (-).

Kamala.

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021.:

11:57 PM, Washington, DC.

It was minutes to midnight when the exhausted First Couple finally got to the White House; this was only to change into their black tie attire and leave for the first of many inaugural ball. Her husband, lawyer Douglas Emhoff, followed her up the stairs to the residence on the second floor, both going in silence as they absorbed the reality of their circumstances. Even through the chaos of the Trump term, the White House remain unsullied, the history permeating itself like dust particles floating through the air. For the first time, it was a woman’s house, and a woman of color at that. Only a half day into her Presidency, and Kamala had already made history just by virtue of being who she was. But she wasn’t content to let her race and gender define her. The glass ceiling was easy; draining the swamp was not.

After hurriedly changing garments into the appropriate evening attire, the First Couple was again packed into “the beast” (as the iconic Presidential limo was known as) and whirled down the streets of Washington at a breakneck speed for the first of many inaugural balls. In the car, the First Gentleman watched the streets fly by in silence, silhouetted by the flashing blue and red lights that emanated from the police and Secret Service Agent. The President was on the phone with her newly appointed White House Counsel, Marc Elias, debating a number of executive orders she planned to sign tomorrow.

“I’m going to shut down the ICE facilities immediately” she said, “this is going to end and it’s going to end now!” The Trump administration’s detainment and deportation process had been one of the most, if not they most, controversial aspect of his Presidency. Though he had served only one term and had been bested in the presidential election, his touch remained omnipotent, as if he haunted his successor like a ghost. “He’s a scar on our nation” Kamala continued, “and he’s guilty as hell, he was illegitimate, and I want him to suffer like those poor children did!”

The Mueller probe was fruitless in the end; though numerous associates were indicted for lying to the FBI, the investigators couldn’t find any relevant evidence that was enough to meet the burden of proof in regards to the now former President. Though he was no longer protected by law and could be indicted on obstruction of justice charges, there was little energy for another long and protracted legal battle that would surely divide the country. But the President couldn’t get past the fact that after all the things that had transpired since 2015, Trump could just walk away and retire to Mar-A-Lago.

The President then called her Chief of Staff, Averell Smith. “Has Marc sent you the copies of the executive orders?” “I just got them” he answered, “I see no problems.” The three executive orders of highest priority were guns, DACA, and repealing the Muslim ban put into place by Trump. But the President had bigger dreams, too big for an executive order; Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, criminal justice reform, immigration reform, ending the trade war with China, and completing the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Congressional cooperation would be necessary, and the Senate remained in Republican hands.

There was a lot of work that needed to be done; that would begin in the morning, but tonight, all that mattered was the music, and the fun. The motorcade arrived at the Washington Hilton, entering through the infamous entrance where President Reagan had been shot just days into his tenure as the 40th President. The seriousness of her new role fell upon her, and she suddenly felt an unnerving sensation of unease. But this fleeting feeling of fear instantly melted away as quick as it came upon her as she entered the ballroom, to cheers, applause, and a rousing rendition of “Hail to the Chief” by a military band.

She had made it. She shattered the glass ceiling, and the same ambition that has propelled her through her entire career in public life ensured that she’d conquer or overcome every obstacle that could arise. This was her moment. Her time. She resolved herself not waste a single second of it.

Paul.

Thursday, January 21st, 2021.:

11:50 AM, Washington, DC.

[3]

The Former Speaker enjoyed lunch with his wife at a small restaurant in Washington’s Chinatown district, going unnoticed by the crowds of tourists and other customers eating their meals. This was a degree of privacy that the Speaker had not enjoyed since he ran for Vice President on the Republican ticket with Governor Romney. The years since he had left office were refreshing and he had come to enjoy the amount of time devoted to leisurely pursuits and his children.

It was the future of his children however that was on his mind. His daughter and two sons were older now, and the pressures of public life wouldn’t restrict their lives to the same degree it would have had they been younger. The new administration wasn't as powerful as the Obama era, and the Republicans still hung on to the Senate by a razor thin margin of 51-49; Majority Leader McConnell, who famously (and unsuccessfully) attempted to make Barack Obama a one term President, was less public about his intentions.

"Mitch wants me to run" said Ryan abruptly changing the conversation from their meal to their future. "What? For what? A marathon?" asked Janna. "For President" replied Paul. "It's literally day one of her Presidency, Paul." "Yeah, I know" he answered, "I'm obviously not thinking about it." "Well you obviously must be if your talking to Mitch about it." "He asked me" said Ryan, as the waitress came and delivered their meal, "and I said it's way too early to think about it." "Well, what did he have to say?" "He said that if I did run, he'd line the party up behind me. He said he wants a normal Republican President this time around."
The Cabinet of Kamala Harris (January, 2021):

Secretary of State: Joe Biden
Secretary of the Treasury: Cheryl Sandburg
Secretary of Defense: Michelle Flournoy
Attorney General: Tom Perez
Secretary of the Interior: John Hoeven
Secretary of Agriculture: Kathleen Merrigen
Secretary of Commerce: Belinda Gates
Secretary of Labor: Chrisopher Lu
Secretary of HHS: Neera Tanden
Secretary of HUD: Anthony Foxx
Secretary of Transportation: Christine Quinn
Secretary of Energy: Ed Markey
Secretary of Education: Tony Thurmond
Secretary of Veteran's Affairs: Michelle Howard
Secretary of Homeland Security: Jane Harman
[1] Taken from Wikipedia.
[2] Taken from Wikipedia.
[3] Taken from Wikipedia.

Trump tweet is my own creation using a generator type thing. Obviously it was made for public consumption.

[RedPrometheus]

Eternal sunshine is my favorite timeline here - I am glad there is a sequel:)

[Continential]

We need more sequels! Hopefully, this will be great!

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Mike.

Friday, January 22nd, 2021.

1:30 PM, Washington, DC.

Kellyanne Conway and Mike Pence watch on as Trump signs an executive order, circa 2017.

[1]

The former Vice President to perhaps the most historically controversial figure of the first quarter of the century, Mike Pence's image from mild-mannered movement conservatism to full blown MAGA style nationalism was one of the under looked curiosities of the 2020s. His former role had made him a pariah to liberals, a suspect to moderates, and a saint to conservatives. It was no secret that Pence had his eyes on the presidency long before he had joined the Trump ticket in 2016, and he had maintained close ties with Trump's top political and campaign advisers. Just the night before, Mike and Karen Pence enjoyed their final evening in Washington by having dinner with Kellyanne Conway (George was noticeably not invited). Kellyanne was preparing to enter the private sector once again, though her professional reputation had taken such a bad hit, rightfully or wrongfully, over the preceding four years.

She would not have the same luxury or flexibility in 2020 as she did in 2016; her switch from Cruz to Trump after the primaries would be a lot harder in reverse. Kellyanne still believed in Trump, and was like many of his supporters embittered by the Democratic obstruction. The election, alas, was a fair and square defeat. Even Trump acknowledged that, and he harbored no blame or malice towards Kellyanne, whose loyalty he cherished. True to form, most of the MAGA movement's rank and file voters and supporters followed Trump's lead and accepted Kamala's defeat.

One of her colleagues in the field, #NeverTrump wordsmith Rick Wilson, had led a campaign within the Republican establishment to ensure that Kellyanne could never, ever be hired again. Wilson, who managed both Evan McMullin's 2016 presidential campaign and his successful election to the Senate in 2018, had regularly tarnished Trump, Trump supporters, Trump staffers, and anyone else aligned with the 45th President's administration. Vice President Pence fell into one of these categories.

But Wilson's fatal flaw in this silent civil war within the GOP was hubris; he believed, as many of his colleagues in the consulting profession, that they represented the view of garden variety suburban Republicans. They did not, and when they ran their own polls for 2024, they found to their horror that theirs matched Kellyanne's.

Mike Pence was not some stupid dumbass. He knew this. And he adapted to it took to it like a duck to water; Pence's numbers were higher than former Ambassador Haley's, and he took delight in it. But there was a drawback - whereas Haley trailed comfortably behind, she still had a small but greatly enthused core of support. Mike lacked this, with Kellyanne's polls from December showing most supporters backed Pence because he was considered (much like Rubio and Haley) to be electable. A man of deep and sincere faith, which both his predecessor and successor so seemingly lacked in, Pence was reminded of a parable.

"I have to build my house on a solid rock" he said metaphorically, Mrs. Pence nodding in agreement, "and we'll have a lot of time to do that." Mrs. Pence also added her input. "As long as he isn't a part of it" she declared, speaking in reference to the former President. The tabloid reports were right; the former Second Lady was repulsed by the crude, vulgar, and in her view, godless Trump. She rarely shook his hand, because his presence was nauseating. Once during a stop on the campaign trail, he went to greet her with a kiss on the cheek after the then Vice President introduced him at a rally. She pulled away, the clip of which went viral and was replayed over and over and over again by MSNBC and CNN. "He's not going to lift more than a single finger to help us anyway" sighed the Vice President, "I guarantee you he'll pull the "Mike's a great guy" bullsh!t and then endorse someone else."

"Mike!" exclaimed Mother Pence. The tabloids were also correct about the couple's abhorrence of profanity. But Mike continued on in spite of her protest. "We're leading out of the gate, but if we lose steam, we don't hit the finishing line first. How are we going to gin up enthusiasm?"

"That is the easy part" answered Kellyanne, "just do what you did when you were Vice President. Be yourself, and talk about bread and butter. Don't get entangled in an ideological stuff, just stick to the Trump script and don't try to be him. If you lead, people will follow."

"I'm committed to running, and Karen and our children both know this. I have only one question left."

"What' is it?"

"How much to retain your services. We're about to launch a PAC."

"I'm on board Mr. Vice President?
2024 Republican Primary (The Polling Company):
Mike Pence: 24%
Nikki Haley: 19%
Ron DeSantis: 16%
Paul Ryan: 10%
Ted Cruz: 8%
Rand Paul: 6%
Lindsey Graham: 4%
Ivanka Trump: 3%
Marco Rubio: 2%
Charlie Baker: 2%
Tom Cotton: 2%
Susan Brooks: 1%
Ben Sasse: 1%
Scott Walker: 1%
Justin Amash: 1%

Morning Joe.

Monday, January 25th, 2021.

8:15 AM,

'

[2]

JOE SCARBOROUGH: It's been a few days,not even a week, since President Harris and I can already feel America coming back alive.

MIKA BREZINSKY: Death itself occupied the White House for years. It's a sad, pathetic, shameful chapter of our history that we'll one day have to explain to our grandchildren. I can't believe it's over. It's like a spell being broken. Now we can move forward -

JOE SCARBOROUGH: No, Mika, no we can't! Not until that fat stupid bastard is in jail, and I hope they throw away the key when they do it.

MIKA BREZINSKY: True, Joe, that's right. There are millions of Americans who still believe in this fascist, racist, misogynistic, creep and they still vote -

JOE SCARBOROUGH: Oh, f!ck those people, those fat opiod addicted pieces of human garbage -

MIKA BREZINSKY: Joe, we're live! Joe -

JOE SCARBOROUGH: No, you know what Mika? F!ck them! They're complicit in this, they're all fascists, and if you see someone with a MAGA sticker on their junk car, treat them like you would waving a Nazi flag. Human scum -

MIKE BREZINSKY: Joe! Joe! We're live!

JOE SCARBOROUGH: I know, I know, I get paid to do this. I get paid to tell the truth about what's going on in the Beltway, and I don't give a sh!t about whatever fines the FCC sends me. The FCC and NBC should pay me because I'm the only one with the balls enough to call out these asshole white nationalist rubes. I know this because I represented a district full of them, look who occupies it now, that drunken frat boy asshole Gaetz -

MIKA BREZINSKY: We're gonna cut....cut to commercial.

[2]

Joe Scarborough suspended after anti-Trump tirade.

[3]

WASHINGTON, DC: Longtime NBC host Joe Scarborough has been suspended by NBC after a profanity laced rant directed at former President Trump and his supporters. His co-host and spouse, Mika Brezinsky, tried repeatedly to reign in the animated Scarborough to little avail. The show returned live after a commercial interruption and continued until it's 9:00 AM conclusion, by at which point other news networks had picked up on the story.

Fox hosts continued to mock Scarborough throughout the day until early afternoon, when NBC announced Scarborough would be suspended. In his place, Willy Geist will co-host the show with Mika Brezinsky. Social media reaction to Scarborough's comments were overwhelmingly negative, with many conservatives demanding his permanent firing or the cancellation of Morning Joe
outright.

White House Press Secretary Chris Cuomo responded to a question about the incident as the President prepared to board Marine One for the first time as President of the United States. "We don't share the sentiments vocalized on Morning Joe" said Cuomo, who added that the President found Scarborough's screed as "repugnant." Former President Trump also mockingly attacked Scarborough, who's Twitter account has been locked since this afternoon;

NBC has not commented on the length of his suspension, though one source inside the network claims it is indefinite until the storm blows over. Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who represents Scarborough's old district called for NBC to cancel Morning Joe and compared the Scarborough controversy to the tweet that effectively ruined Roseanne Barr's comeback. Despite protests of media bias coming from the right, the show is scheduled to return on Monday with Brezinsky and Geist as hosts. This was confirmed by the network, as rumors began to swirl that NBC was in talks with former Congressman David Jolly (R-FL) over Scarborough's spot on the panel.

Bernie.

Saturday, January 23rd, 2021.

7:30 PM, Burlington, VT.

Senator Sanders and his closest Senate ally, Senator Elizabeth Warren, met in a Burlington cafe. The Senator from neighboring Massachusetts had been in town to address the Vermont AFL-CIO, and was happy to join Bernie for a cup of coffee. Since their respective 2016 and 2020 campaigns, the two had become rockstars, and their quiet lunch was interrupted thrice. Both humble heroes of the Democratic Party's progressive wing, the two had pushed for the adoption of a Medicare-for-All system in the Senate, and Warren had made it a clear focal point during her 2020 presidential campaign. President Harris had pledged to put into place a universal healthcare plan that was crafted in the mold of the Sanders-Warren plan, but what Health and Human Services Secretary Neera Tanden proposed simply did not make the mark.

"I knew this would happen, Liz!" exclaimed Bernie, "this plan is bogus. Obamacare 2." "I can believe it" sighed Liz with a roll of her eyes, "we all know how Kamala was when she was in the Senate." Bernie laughed heartily, but the topic was too sobering to waste time with banter. "She promises a buy-in provision" continued Bernie, "and on that she's mostly delivered. But she still leaves private insurance companies intact, and will allow them to offer some kind of Medicare gold plan for those who can afford it. We can't have two classes of patients in hospitals. It simply won't work."

"It's better than nothing" added Warren, "but is this really all she can deliver? Is she going to let Susan and Murkowski to control the debate? I just don't get it." Bernie nodded in agreement; "we need to move forward. The House will readily pass it, Speaker Pelosi is onboard. We just threaten to leave without them. Put the ball in their court.

"Nancy likes to take things slow, let the process play out" Warren observed, "I think the real threat comes from McConnell. He's going to do everything possible to obstruct this." The two would continue to weigh the pros and cons of the plan for two hours, going back and forth with little regard for time.

As noon turned to about 1:45 PM, the Vermont Senator's phone rang. It was the White House switchboard operator on the line; the two immediately sojourned to the parking lot, where thy awaited the President.

"Senator Sanders" began the President, "I hope I'm not wasting your time on the weekend." "No, of course not, never" replied Sanders, "I'm actually with Senator Warren right this moment." "Perfect!" exclaimed the President, "I want you to know that I'm going to announce the establishment of a National Commission for Medicare, and I want you two to chair it.

"This is a great honor" replied Sanders. "The pleasure's mine" the President answered, "but I think we'll get a lot done in the interim while we await Neera's confirmation vote. "Absolutely" said both Bernie and Elizabeth in unison, knowing full well that they were only given such a task to energize the party before Tanden ultimately watered it down. It was telling that neither was particularly enthused because of the Secretary, who previously led the establishment aligned Center for American Progress, was ready to whip up an entire media chorus against anyone who challenged President Harri's agenda. There was even some rumors in Washington that Tanden would be promoted to Chief of Staff following the passage of a healthcare bill. But none of this mattered to the two friends, who changed the conversation to their grandchildren, a subject more worthy of their time.

The two parted ways with a friendly hug, having long since paid their bill. As Bernie drove himself home, he couldn't help but smile. Medicare for All was closer than ever to making the transition from dream to reality. The future was bright, it seemed. But this was only the calm before the storm.
[1] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.
[2] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.
[3] Taken from Wikipedia Commons,
[4] Trump Tweet is my own creation using Trump Tweet generator.
[5] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.

[libertpaulian]

Is the Beto recount case still going on?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Is the Beto recount case still going on?

It'll be addressed in the next update, actually.

[libertpaulian]

Is the Beto recount case still going on?

It'll be addressed in the next update, actually.

Cool.  This is an awesome and quite believable fanfic.  I could definitely see Joe having an on-air meltdown at some point.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Is the Beto recount case still going on?

It'll be addressed in the next update, actually.

Cool.  This is an awesome and quite believable fanfic.  I could definitely see Joe having an on-air meltdown at some point.

I'm trying to keep some humor in it, just like the original timeline. Thanks!

[Continential]

Is the Beto recount case still going on?

It'll be addressed in the next update, actually.

Cool.  This is an awesome and quite believable fanfic.  I could definitely see Joe having an on-air meltdown at some point.

I'm trying to keep some humor in it, just like the original timeline. Thanks!

I wonder if there will be TYT headlines like "Iowa is done with Ernest"

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Senate as of January, 2021.
Alabama: Richard Shelby (R)
Alabama: Doug Jones (D)
Alaska: Lisa Murkowski (R)
Alaska: Dan Sullivan (R)
Arizona: Krysten Sinema (D)
Arizona: Mark Kelly (D)
Arkansas: John Boozman (R)
Arkansas: Tom Cotton (R)
California: Tom Steyer (D)
California: Ted Lieu (D)
Colorado: Michael Bennett (D)
Colorado: Cory Gardner (R)
Connecticut: Richard Blumenthal (D)
Connecticut: Chris Murphy (D)
Delaware: Tom Carper (D)
Delaware: Chris Coons (D)
Florida: Bill Nelson (D)
Florida: Marco Rubio (R)
Georgia: Johnny Isakson (D)
Georgia: David Perdue (R)
Hawaii: Brian Schatz (D)
Hawaii: Tulsi Gabbard (D)
Idaho: Mike Crapo (R)
Idaho: Jim Risch (R)
Illinois: Dick Durbin (D)
Illinois: Tammy Duckworth (D)
Indiana: Todd Young (R)
Indiana: Susan Brooks (R)
Iowa: Chuck Grassley (R)
Iowa: Joni Ernst (R)
Kansas: Jerry Moran (R)
Kansas: Kris Kobach (R)
Kentucky: Mitch McConnell (R)
Kentucky: Rand Paul (R)
Louisiana: Bill Cassidy (R)
Louisiana: John Kennedy (R)
Maine: Susan Collins (R)
Maine: Angus King (I)
Maryland: Ben Cardin (D)
Maryland: Chris Van Hollen (D)
Massachusetts: Elizabeth Warren (D)
Massachusetts: Joe Kennedy III (D)
Michigan: Debbie Stabenow (D)
Michigan: Gary Peters (D)
Minnesota: Amy Kloubuchar (D)
Minnesota: Tina Smith (D)
Mississippi: Roger Wicker (R)
Mississippi: Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)
Missouri: Roy Blunt (R)
Missouri: Ann Wagmer (R)
Montana: Jon Tester (D)
Montana: Steve Bullock (D)
Nebraska: Deb Fischer (R)
Nebraska: Shane Osborne (R)
Nevada: Catherine Corte-Maestro (D)
Nevada: Stephen Cloobeck (D)
New Hampshire: Jeanne Shaheen (D)
New Hampshire: Maggie Hassan (D)
New Jersey: Cory Booker (D)
New Jersey: Frank Pallone (D)
New Mexico: Martin Heinrich (D)
New Mexico: Ben Ray Lujan (D)
New York: Chuck Schumer (D)
New York: Kirstin Gillibrand (D)
North Carolina: Richard Burr (R)
North Carolina: Thom Tillis (R)
North Dakota: Heidi Heitkamp (D)
North Dakota: Drew Wrigley (R)
Ohio: Sherrod Brown (D)
Ohio: Rob Portman (R)
Oklahoma: James Inhoffe (R)
Oklahoma: James Lankord (R)
Oregon: Ron Wyden (D)
Oregon: Jeff Merkley (D)
Pennsylvania: Bob Casey (D)
Pennsylvania: Pat Toomey (R)
Rhode Island: Jack Reed (D)
Rhode Island: Sheldon Whitehouse (D)
South Carolina: Lindsey Graham (R)
South Carolina: Tim Scott (R)
South Dakota: John Thune (R)
South Dakota: Mike Rounds (R)
Tennessee: Bob Corker (R)
Tennessee: Beth Harwell (R)
Texas: John Cornyn (R)
Texas: Ted Cruz (R)
Utah: Mike Lee (R)
Utah: Evan McMullin (I)
Vermont: Pat Leahy (D)
Vermont: Bernie Sanders (I)
Virginia: Mark Warner (D)
Virginia: Tim Kaine (D)
Washington: Patty Murray (D)
Washington: Maria Cantwell (D)
West Virginia: Joe Manchin (D)
West Virginia: Shelley Moore Capito (R)
Wisconsin: Ron Johnson (R)
Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin (D)
Wyoming: John Barasso (R)
Wyoming: Cynthia Lummis (R)

[1]

O'Rourke launching gubernatorial campaign.

Tuesday, January 26th, 2021.

[2]

EL PASO, TX: Congressman Beto O'Rourke, the losing Democratic candidate for the Senate in Texas in 2018 and 2020, has announced today that he will make a third bid for statewide office by announcing his candidacy for Governor. This puts O'Rourke, a former Congressman, on a collision course with former San Antonio Mayor and Obama era HUD Secretary Julian Castro, who is widely expected to announce his candidacy next week.

On the Republican side, incumbent Greg Abbott is eligible for a third term, but has declined to run. So far, the only candidate to have officially declared their candidacy is Land Commissioner George P. Bush, who is leading in the polls. Also expected to run is Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who has made a number of controversial remarks over the years.

O'Rourke had come within decimal points of taking out John Cornyn in the 2020 elections, and the margin was close enough to trigger a recount. Ultimately, he narrowed the gap between the two candidates but failed to surpass his rival. Though O'Rourke's experience is primarily in the legislative branch, his flirtation with a 2020 run reportedly gave the former Congressman a greater interest in the role of executive. His decision to enter the gubernatorial race has taken many Democrats in the state by surprise, with one county chair warning that he was becoming "the Harold Stassen of Texan politics" in response to the announcement,

The campaign was officially launched via Twitter with a short, slickly filmed video announcement. Rourke is scheduled to officially launch his campaign at a rally in his native El Paso tonight.

Ted

Tuesday, January 26th, 2021.

2:40 PM, Washington, DC.

[3]

Ted Cruz was left with a feeling akin to whiplash over the proceeding six years; he was the first out of the gate in the race to replace Obama, and his candidacy sustained itself all the way until Trump clinched the nomination after the Indiana primary. He was booed roundly by delegates to the 2016 Republican Convention for declining to endorse Trump in his speech (in which he encouraged voters to "vote your conscience") to the extent that his wife Heidi had to be escorted from the convention floor. Four years later, after holding off Beto O'Rourke in 2018, he was again on the campaign trail. This time for Trump, which helped rehabilitate his standing within the GOP.

But Ted was hated by his colleagues to an extent only known in recent memory by Jesse Helms and McCarthy. Only his chief ideological acolyte, Senator Mike Lee, seemed to hold him in any form of esteem. Even Rand Paul, whom he often worked with, privately could not stand Cruz nor could he tolerate the Senator's naked ambition.

Cruz had gone home to Texas to meet with his core inner-circle to begin placing together a viable organization; already, a new PAC had been formed (named "American Ideals") with longtime friend and Goldman Sachs Chad Sweet heading it's operations. Jeff Roe, who ran his unsuccessful 2016 campaign, was one of the few invitees from 2016 to decline returning to Cruz's orbit. He had been in talks with Congressman Ron DeSantis, who was planning to challenge Democratic incumbent John Morgan in 2022, and was not interested in the 2024 campaign at that point in time.

Jason Miller agreed to return to a communications role, but insisted on not taking any position within the PAC and instead threw himself full time as a cable news pundit where he'd be able to hype up a Cruz comeback until at least early 2023. His ties to the Trump orbit were destroyed after his affair with a fellow staffer resulted in a pregnancy and an ugly paternity battle. It took too much attention away from Trump himself in the tabloids, so Miller was cast adrift.

So the prodigal son returned, joining American Ideals PAC as a communications aide, busily preparing Cruz for the ultimate comeback in 2024. The Senator had already scheduled a trip to Iowa, officially to address a nationwide gathering of Americans for Prosperity activists in Des Moines, but the real reason was to get a feel for how much support he had on the ground.

As he rode in a black SUV rented by his staff to escort him to and from the event, his aides in tow, the Senator began talking about his prepared remarks. "I remember 2009 very well" he said, "the real fear, almost panic over Obamacare....this healthcare plan is going to be dead on arrival if it comes to the Senate. It's everything bad about Obamacare, with an extra side of worst."

Wray

Monday, February 1st, 2021.

11:45 AM, Washington, DC.

[4]

The Attorney General and FBI Director Christopher Wray were ushered into the Oval Office, where President Harris rose from behind the historic Resolute Desk to shake their hands. Present already were Chief of Staff Tom Vilsack (the former Agriculture Secretary under Obama), White House Counsel Mark Ellias, and Solicitor General Kathryn Ruemmler awaited.

"What we have had gone through as a country since 2015 has got to stop" began the President, who added "we can't forward until we've first cleaned up the mess the last guy left." Elias mumbled in quiet agreement. "Director Wray" she sternly began, "I am authorizing you to investigate President Trump on obstruction of justice, tax evasion, and any other allegations that may arise from the Special Counsel's report. I am instructing you to use any means within your legal authority to gather all the evidence needed to present to a grand jury.

Wray bristled at the hypocrisy; Kamala Harris on the campaign trail had argued for the President's firing of James Comey, yet was effectively trying to bully him into reopening the Mueller probe. But the witnesses - Tom Perez, Ruemmler, Elias, and Harris - all lawyers, all Democrats - would surely challenge his testimony. Unnerved by Harris, he asked quietly. "I'm not sure, Madame President, if this is the rabbit hall you want to jump down...so early in your term."

"If we don't hold the highest accountable, we simply don't have justice. Justice delayed is justice denied." The President repeated the concluding trope again for emphasis.

"Madame President," Wray pleaded, "if it be your will, we will of course open up an investigation into these matters. But I'd be remiss if I did not counsel you that the American public has lost track of this controversy. I'm worried we'll be held in permanent suspicion by half of the country regardless of the outcome. The polarized atmosphere......it's just not good right now."

"I never said he was guilty" said the President, "all I said is that there needs to be another look now that the election is settled." The Attorney General, Tom Perez, interjected: "we can appoint a special counsel" he said, "we just hope we don't need one. The evidence is all there. The only difference is that we can now act on it." Christopher Wray was never asked to swear loyalty to Trump (he assumed only because the President learned from the Comey fiasco), and he found Trump to be an erratic if not jovial and confident character. Yet here he was now, being asked to investigate the very man whom appointed him. It gave him no pleasure, but he complied.
[1] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.
[2] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.
[3] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.
[4] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.

[BigVic]

Surprised to see Trump react well to Harris’ victory. Let’s hope this happens IOTL.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Surprised to see Trump react well to Harris’ victory. Let’s hope this happens IOTL.

In the initial timeline by Castro this is covered; it shocked me too

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

So I had a YUGE update ready, but then promptly lost it when I mindlessly refreshed the page. This will come back later in the week hopefully. It wasn't intended to be massive undertaking (like The Long National Nightmare) so I'm not too pissed about it.

[Flyersfan232]

I am guessing President Ron Desanties?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I am guessing President Ron Desanties?

In real life, hell yeah. In this timeline, I have a good idea of when and why each party will be in power, but I haven't planned out exactly who these people are. I have a few vague ideas but I'm kinda letting this one write itself since I don't have the ability to finish timelines.

[libertpaulian]

Bump

[Flyersfan232]

I am guessing President Ron Desanties?

In real life, hell yeah. In this timeline, I have a good idea of when and why each party will be in power, but I haven't planned out exactly who these people are. I have a few vague ideas but I'm kinda letting this one write itself since I don't have the ability to finish timelines.

Any update?

[RedPrometheus]

Would love to see an update!