The rise of President Pence

[Senator Spark]

August 2018



President Pence nominates former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) as Director of OMB.



President Pence takes foreign trip to Canada and meets with Justin Trudeau



U.S. Economy stable, inflation and unemployment very low



Dina Titus announces for Nevada Senate

Dina Titus to challenge Dean Heller for NV Senate seat in November.



Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA)

Speculation begins to surround Sen. Kamala Harris, the junior Senator from California, on her intentions and prospects of a 2020 presidential run.

Harris: I cannot begin to answer anymore questions at this time we just need to focus on the best path for our country.



Cory Booker out for 2020

I will not be running for President in 2020, but I will be focusing on my re-election campaign in New Jersey.



Orrin Hatch retires

[Senator Spark]

To be continued . . .

Up next:

September - December 2018

Coverage of Midterm Elections

[BigVic]

Interesting timeline. Why is Pence's approval ratings hovering around 50% compared to his predecessor

[Senator Spark]

Interesting timeline. Why is Pence's approval ratings hovering around 50% compared to his predecessor

Well he had more legislative accomplishments and less drama

[BigVic]

Interesting to see a President Pence timeline. Think he will be re-elected in 2020

[Senator Spark]

September 2018

President Pence and John Bolton talk diplomacy with China regarding the rule of East Asia



Paul Ryan confirmed as OMB Director 56-44.



Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Warren blasts Pence

Sen. Elizabeth Warren said that she doesn't believe Pence's tax reform 'goes far enough' and that it will widen the gap between the rich and poor, exacerbating income inequality. She also criticized Pence for his position on LGBTQ issues.



Rep. John Delaney (D-MD)

John Delaney announces bid for President in 2020.

Focus on the Future

Baltimore, Maryland

I come before you today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States in 2020. I am seeking election to the highest office in our land to focus on our future. America is rapidly changing and so are the issues that will begin to challenge our way of life. Globalization and mechanization will dramatically affect our political system. I come from a union household in New Jersey, my father was an electrician, and I know what it means to be a self-made man. I am everything the President is not. I would humbly appreciate if I could have your vote in the next election, we can chart America on the right course. We must focus on the future. Thank you and God Bless America.

2020 Presidential Election Poll: September 2018 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 54%
Bernie Sanders: 45%
Others: 1%

 

2020 Presidential Election Poll: September 2018 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 55%
John Delaney: 42%
Others: 3%

 

2020 Democratic Primary Poll: September 2018 (FOX)

Bernie Sanders: 67%
John Delaney: 31%
Others: 2%

                         

Iowa Caucuses Poll: Sep. 2018

Bernie Sanders: 63%
John Delaney: 35%
Undecided: 2%

New Hampshire Primary Poll: Sep. 2018

Bernie Sanders: 86%
John Delaney: 11%
Undecided: 3%

President Pence Speech to Chicago PD

Reduce Crime

Chicago, Illinois

I am here today to pledge my support to the men and women in blue who protect us everyday and maintain the rule of law in our cities. I stand together with you and I'd like you to know you have my unwavering commitment to your cause. We as citizens should strive to live in harmony together with our police, who put their lives on the line for our safety. I am granting the Chicago Police Department the resources it needs to decrease crime in its city and increase surveillance of neighborhoods by establishing a neighborhood watch. It is the duty of the citizens to report any suspicious activity to local authorities, and this should be enough to prevent crimes in the community. I am also asking the police commissioner to work with the federal government to ensure that stability and safety prevail. Thank you for having me here today I greatly appreciate this opportunity. God Bless you and God bless America.



Mo Brooks to seek Senate seat in Alabama's special election on December 12, 2018.



John Kasich announces candidacy for Ohio Senate in 2018 and immediately becomes frontrunner.

Crazy Kasich is at it again.

Ohio Senate Poll: September 2018 (FOX)

John Kasich: 52%
Sherrod Brown (inc.): 47%
Others: 0%

 



President Pence Approval Rating:

Approve: 53%
Disapprove: 46%
Undecided: 1%

[Senator Spark]

I, Mike Pence, by my authority as President of the United States, do hereby convene, ordain, and establish this cabinet for the remainder of the term beginning today May 17, 2018. Revised September 24, 2018.

Cabinet of the United States:

1. President of the United States - Michael R. Pence (R-IN), (2017-)
2. Vice President of the United States- Nikki Haley (R-SC) (2018-)
3. Secretary of State- John Bolton (R-MD) (2017-)
4. Secretary of the Treasury- Mitt Romney (R-MA) (2017-)
5. Secretary of Defense- H.R. McMaster (R-NC) (2018-)
6. Attorney General- Trey Gowdy (R-SC) (2018-)
7. Secretary of the Interior- Kris Kobach (R-KS) (2017-)
8. Secretary of Agriculture- Brian Sandoval (R-NV) (2018-)
9. Secretary of Commerce- John E. Bush (R-FL) (2017-)
10. Secretary of Labor- Bobby Jindal (R-LA) (2018-)
11. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development- Rick Scott (R-FL) (2018-)
12. Secretary of Education- Hanna Skandera (R-NM) (2018-)
13. Secretary of Energy- Joni Ernst (R-IA) (2018-)
14. Secretary of Transportation- Mary Mayhew (R-ME) (2018-)
15. Secretary of Health and Human Services- Ben Carson (R-MI) (2017-)
16. Secretary of Veterans' Affairs- Mike Huckabee (R-AR) (2018-)
17. Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency- Todd Lamb (R-OK) (2018-)
18. Director of OMB- John Kasich (R-OH) (2017-), Paul D. Ryan (R-WI) (2018-)
19. U.S. Trade Representative- Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) (2018-)

[Senator Spark]

October 2018



President Pence campaigns for Republicans in 2018.

Ohio, Kansas, Pennsylvania

I encourage you to get out and vote next month for my fellow Republicans. We are currently on a path toward smaller government and less intervention in our economy. We must let the free market run its course, and the government should not be involved in social issues. We need to fight to defund Planned Parenthood and overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark of the past. If you vote GOP on election day, you surely will not regret it because we are a united party that is able to deliver results.



Attorney General Trey Gowdy to rein in gangs and stop violence at the border and in many inner cities

Gubernatorial Election Update

Alabama: Safe Republican
Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to run and win re-election in 2018.

Alaska: Toss-up
Incumbent Governor Bill Walker is running for reelection against Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich.

Arizona: Likely Republican
Governor Doug Doucey expected to win re-election.

Arkansas: Safe Republican
Governor Asa Hutchinson is projected to win by a large margin.

California: Safe Democrat
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to win over Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa.

Colorado: Lean Democrat
Cary Kennedy is expected to defeat her Republican counterpart Victor Mitchell.

Connecticut: Lean Republican
Mark Lauretti is currently ahead of Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman 54-46%. Wyman is associated with the outgoing unpopular Governor Malloy.

Florida: Tossup

Governor Rick Scott is serving in the Pence administration, Adam Putnam is the nominee. Democrats nominated Gwen Graham, a US Representative and daughter to former Governor and Senator Bob Graham. This race is a toss-up.

Georgia: Safe Republican
Lt. Governor Casey Cagel is expected to defeat Stacey Abrams.

Hawaii: Safe Democrat
Governor David Ige has no significant opposition.

Idaho Safe Republican
Lt. Governor Brad Little has no significant opposition

Illinois: Toss-up
Incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner faces an uphill battle for re-election against Chris Kennedy.

Iowa: Safe Republican
Incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds is expected to win re-election against Nate Boulton.

Kansas: Toss-up
Kris Kobach is trailing Carl Brewer in the race to replace unpopular Governor Sam Brownback.

Maine: Tossup
Mayhew leads in Maine.

Maryland: Safe Republican
Gov. Hogan expected to win re-election in a landslide.

Massachusetts: Safe Republican
Gov. Baker should win re-election, he is the most popular Governor in the U.S.

Michigan: Likely Democrat
Gretchen Whitmer is ahead by double digits against MI Attorney Gen. Bill Schuette

Minnesota: Toss-up
This one is expected to be a close contest between Tim Walz and Matt Dean to succeed Gov. Mark Dayton.

Nebraska Safe Republican
Pete Ricketts, barring a primary challenge, is expected to win re-election.

Nevada: Tossup
Adam Laxalt is in a dead heat with Aaron Ford.

New Hampshire: Lean Republican
Gov. Sununu is currently ahead of Steve Marchand 50-48%.

New Mexico: Likely Democrat
Michelle Lujan-Grisham, the Democratic candidate is currently leading Lt. Governor John Sanchez.

New York: Safe Democrat
Andrew Cuomo will win re-election against John Flanagan.

Ohio: Likely Republican
Mike DeWine is expected to succeed outgoing Governor John Kasich.

Oklahoma: Safe Republican
Lt. Governor Todd Lamb is a safe pick for election as Governor.

Oregon: Safe Democrat
Kate Brown is expected to win re-election in a landslide.

Pennsylvania: Lean Democrat
Governor Tom Wolf faces a tough challenger in Scott Wagner, he leads 52-47%.

Rhode Island: Safe Democrat[/b]
Gov. Gina Raimondo will win re-election safely.

South Carolina: Safe Republican
Governor Henry McMaster will win another term.

South Dakota: Safe Republican
Marty Jackley is expected to be elected.

Tennessee: Safe Republican
Mae Beavers will be the next Governor.

Texas: Safe Republican
Governor Gregg Abbott will defeat Wendy Davis in a rematch.

Vermont: Likely Republican
Gov. Phil Scott is expected to win re-election comfortably.

Wisconsin: Lean Republican
Gov. Walker will defeat Kathleen Vinehout.

Wyoming: Safe Republican
Ed Murray is expected to become the next Governor.

[Senator Spark]

Next up will be 2018 Midterm elections coverage. I'll let the Senate races be a surprise.

Stay tuned for more coverage.

[Mike Thick]

Wait, so is Kasich running for Senate or for President? And why did he take the OMB job if he thought he might leave to run against the guy who appointed him, a month later?

[Senator Spark]

Wait, so is Kasich running for Senate or for President? And why did he take the OMB job if he thought he might leave to run against the guy who appointed him, a month later?

He is confused and he's running for both. He wanted the fame but decided he was no longer interested.

[Senator Spark]

November 2018



President Pence casts his ballot in the Midterm elections.

2018 Midterm Election Results

Senate: R +2, D +1 = Net D -1

PA: Sen. Bob Casey def. Rick Saccone (51-47%)
OH: Sen. Sherrod Browndef. Josh Mandel (50-49%)
IN: Joe Donnelly def. Luke Messer  (50-48%)
WV: Sen. Joe Manchin def. Evan Jenkins (57-42%)
ME: Sen. Angus King def. Eric Brakey (55-44%)
MO: Austin Petersen (narrow)def. Sen. Claire McCaskill  (49-48%)
WI: Sen. Tammy Baldwin def. Scott Fitzgerald/Rep (56-44%)
NY: Caroline Kennedy def. Chris Gibson (60-39%)
VT: Sen. Bernie Sanders def. Scott Milne (72-28%)
CT: Sen. Chris Murphy def. Tony Hwang (54-46%)
RI: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse def. Robert Nardolillo (56-43%)
MA: Sen. Elizabeth Warren def. Shiva Ayyadurai/Rep (65-35%)
NJ: Sen. Bob Menendez def. Thomas Kean Jr./Rep (52-45%)
MD: Sen. Ben Cardin def. Rep (55-45%)
DE: Sen. Tom Carper def. Chuck Boyce (54-46%)
VA: Sen. Tim Kaine def. Barbara Comstock (51-48%)
AL: Mo Brooks def. Dem (63-37%)
MS: Sen. Roger Wicker def. Ray Mabus (60-39%)
TN: Sen. Bob Corker def. Andy Burke (63-36%)
FL:  Bill Nelson def. Rick Scott (51-49%)
TX: Sen. Ted Cruz def. Beto O'Rourke (53-47%)
NM: Sen. Martin Heinrich def. Richard Berry (53-44%)
AZ: Sen. Jeff Flake def. Chris Russell (52-47%)
UT: Sen. Orrin Hatch def. Scott Howell/Dem (75-25%)
NV: Dina Titus def. Sen. Dean Heller (D pick-up) (48-47%)
WY: Sen. John Barrasso (unopposed) (78%)
NE: Sen. Deb Fischer (unopposed) (72%)
MT: Corey Stapleton def. Sen. Jon Tester (R pick-up) (52-48%)
ND:Sen. Heidi Heitkamp def.  Rick Becker (50-49%)
WA: Sen. Maria Cantwell (unopposed) (66%)
CA: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (unopposed) (71%)
HI: Sen. Mazie Hirono (unopposed) (73%)

Governor: D +4, R +1

MA: Gov. Charlie Baker def. Gonzalez (52-46%)
VT: Gov. Phil Scott def. Sue Minter (56-40%)
RI: Gov. Gina Raimondo def. Ken Block/Rep (61-39%)
CT: Mark Lauretti def. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (51-47%)
ME: Mary Mayhew def. Terry Hayes and Janet Mills (48-34-17%)
NH: Gov. Chris Sununu def. Steve Marchand (48-47%)
PA: Gov. Tom Wolf def. Scott Wagner (51-48%)
NJ: Phil Murphy def. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno (56-43%)
NY: Gov. Andrew Cuomo def. John Flanagan (52-45%)
VA: Ed Gillespie def. Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (50-49%), upset pick
MI: Gretchen Whitmer def. Att Gen. Bill Schuette (57-43%)
IL: Chris Kennedy def. Gov. Bruce Rauner (54-46%)
FL: Gwen Graham def. Adam Putnam (52-47%)
MD: Gov. Larry Hogan def. Richard Madaleno (52-47%)
WI: Gov. Scott Walker def. Dem/Kathleen Vinehout (53-46%)
MN: Matt Dean def. Tim Walz (47-46%)
IA: Gov. Kim Reynolds def. Nate Boulton (55-42%)
SD: Att Gen. Marty Jackley def. Billie Sutton (56-43%)
NE: Gov. Pete Ricketts (75%, unopposed)
KS: Carl Brewer def. Kris Kobach (upset pick, Brownback did a poor job) (49-47%)
OK: Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb def. Constance Johnson (54-45%)
TX: Gov. Greg Abbott def. Wendy Davis (63-36%)
NM: Michelle Lujan Grisham def. Lt. Gov. John Sanchez (55-44%)
AZ: Gov. Doug Ducey def. Steve Farley (54-43%)
CO: Cary Kennedy def. Victor Mitchell (53-44%)
NV: Att Gen. Adam Laxalt def. Aaron Ford (49-48%)
ID: Lt. Gov. Brad Little def. Troy Minton (87-13%)
WY: Sec of State Ed Murray def. Chris Rothfuss (59-39%)
OR: Gov. Kate Brown def. Dennis Richardson (58-42%)
CA: Gavin Newsom def. Antonio Villaraigosa (54-42%)
HI: Gov. David Ige def. Bob McDermott (59-40%)
AK: Mark Begich def. Gov. Bill Walker (upset, Walker not popular), (49-48%)
AR: Gov. Asa Hutchinson def. Connor Eldridge (58-41%)
AL: Roy Moore/Rep def. Susan Bell Cobb (56-43%)
SC: Gov. Henry McMaster def. Vincent Sheheen/Dem (53-47%)
TN: Mae Beavers def. Karl Dean (53-45%)
GA: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle def. Stacey Abrams (52-47%)

[Senator Spark]

December 2018



Martin O'Malley declares for 2020

Baltimore, Maryland

I would like to proudly announce that I'm running for President again in 2020. I believe that America must immediately change its current course and allow for a more promising future for its citizens. I can make that possible and I humbly ask you to provide me with a chance in this election. From violence in our inner cities, to the current immigration policies, we must bring our country together again.

2020 Presidential Election Poll: December 2018 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 52%
Bernie Sanders: 48%
Others: 1%

 

2020 Presidential Election Poll: December 2018 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 54%
John Delaney: 45%
Others: 1%

 

2020 Presidential Election Poll: December 2018 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 51%
Martin O'Malley: 47%
Others: 1%

 

2020 Democratic Primary Poll: Dec. 2018 (CNN)

Bernie Sanders: 63%
John Delaney: 34%
Martin O'Malley: 2%

                         

Iowa Caucuses Poll: Dec. 2018

Bernie Sanders: 59%
John Delaney: 38%
Martin O'Malley: 3%

New Hampshire Primary Poll: Dec. 2018

Bernie Sanders: 81%
John Delaney: 13%
Martin O'Malley: 6%

President Pence takes trip to Australia and New Zealand with Sec. of State Bolton

[Stm85]

With Pence having a +7 approval rating, I can't imagine the Senate races going this poorly for the GOP, especially given a very favorable map. At minimum I'd expect a net gain of 4 seats , and it would likely be more than that.

[Senator Spark]

*Bump*. To be continued . . .

Any ideas?

[DeSantis4Prez]

*Bump*. To be continued . . .

Any ideas?

Yes! Bring this back!

[terp40hitch]

How did Sherrod Brown beat Josh Mandel when John Kasich was running not Josh Mandel?

[Senator Spark]

Bolton Out as Secretary of State

Due to a dispute over national security policy, President Pence requested John Bolton's resignation at noon on January 9, 2019.

[Senator Spark]

Kamala Harris declares 2020 candidacy

February 21, 2019

The first term Senator joins the pack in the quest for the White House next year.

2020 Presidential Election Poll: Feb. 2019 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 51%
Bernie Sanders: 47%
Others: 1%

 

2020 Presidential Election Poll: Feb. 2019 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 52%
John Delaney: 45%
Others: 1%

 

2020 Presidential Election Poll: Feb. 2019 (FOX)

Mike Pence: 54%
Martin O'Malley: 44%
Others: 1%

 

2020 Democratic Primary Poll: Feb. 2019 (CNN)

Bernie Sanders: 24%
John Delaney: 22%
Kamala Harris: 18%
Martin O'Malley: 11%

                         

Iowa Caucuses Poll: Feb. 2019

Bernie Sanders: 22%
John Delaney: 17%
Martin O'Malley: 13%
Kamala Harris: 12%

New Hampshire Primary Poll: Dec. 2018

Bernie Sanders: 33%
John Delaney: 21%
Martin O'Malley: 13%
Kamala Harris: 9%