The Maverick - The 2000 Election Onwards

[justW353]

My newest Timeline.  I will still continue my others.

I'll start this in a few hours, when I wake up.  I think you all can figure out what it's about.

[Bo]

Go McCain 2000!

[justW353]

On February 10, 2000, things looked grim for John McCain.  Just two days prior he had been handily defeated in the Delaware primary for the Republican nomination for President.  Now, his hopes rested in South Carolina.  However, he was behind Texas Governor George Bush in the polls, and a smear campaign was being run against him.  Indeed, the McCain campaign needed a miracle.

That miracle came on February 12.  That morning, reporter Ted Cohen for the Portland Press Herald in Maine broke a story from the chief of police in Kennebunkport, Maine, that Governor Bush had been arrested in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol.  Soon, reports began surfacing that Bush had a history of cocaine use, and allegations soon rose that he was in fact still an alcoholic.

George Bush was quick to deny these rumors, but acknowledged the arrest.  Senator McCain's campaign quickly turned to undermining Bush's position as a "clean" candidate.  Bush's campaign strategy turned from attacking McCain to defending Bush, but on February 19 these attempts showed to be futile, as John McCain won the primary with a substantial lead.

South Carolina Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  51%
Bush:  44%
Keyes:  5%

[Bo]

Please, continue. It's pretty good.

[Bo]

BUMP. Update please.

[justW353]

On February 20, George Bush knew his chances at becoming the leader of the free world had been dealt a huge blow.  Privately, adviser Karl Rove considered the blow a mortal wound to the campaign.  However, Bush vowed to continue on.

Meanwhile, rumors and gossip engulfed the Bush campaign.  Rampant were rumors of infidelity, drug use, alcoholism, and elitism.  Also widespread were accusations about Laura Bush's car accident which resulted in the death of a friend.  The Bush campaign, once targeting McCain, had turned to seek to control the damage.  It proved too little on February 22, when the Arizona and Michigan primaries were held.

Arizona Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  65%
Bush:  29%
Keyes:  6%

Michigan Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  57%
Bush:  38%
Keyes:  5%

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Keep it coming!

[justW353]

McCain was expected to win the primaries in Arizona and Michigan, but Bush severely underperformed on February 22.  Without doubt, his campaign was in trouble.  However, the Governor vowed to continue on, and focused on winning back momentum on the 29th in Virginia, North Dakota, and Washington.

On February 29, Bush's campaign collapsed as John McCain won convincing victories in Virginia and Washington and pulled off a shocking upset in North Dakota.

Virginia Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  50%
Bush:  42%
Keyes:  8%

Washington Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  54%
Bush:  41%
Keyes:  5%

North Dakota Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  49%
Bush:  47%
Keyes:  4%

[Bo]

Go Gore 2000 (though I'll be OK if the Big Mac wins instead).

[justW353]

George Bush was truly in trouble, and he knew it.  He joked about his prospects with reporters, but his wife would later reveal how affected he was by the rumors about his family and by his performance.  Privately, he knew he would not become President in 2000 barring a huge meltdown by McCain. 

Super Tuesday was fast approaching, and the future of Bush's campaign rested on the primaries on March 7. 

California Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  51%
Bush:  45%
Keyes:  4%

Connecticut Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  62%
Bush:  36%
Keyes:  2%

Georgia Republican Primary


Winner:  Governor George W. Bush of Texas

Bush:  52%
McCain:  45%
Keyes:  3%

Maine Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  59%
Bush:  38%
Keyes:  3%

Maryland Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  58%
Bush:  38%
Keyes:  4%

Massachusetts Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  68%
Bush:  28%
Keyes:  4%

Minnesota Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  52%
Bush:  44%
Keyes:  4%

Missouri Republican Primary


Winner:  Governor George W. Bush of Texas

Bush:  49%
McCain:  48%
Keyes:  3%

New York Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  51%
Bush:  44%
Keyes:  5%

Ohio Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  52%
Bush:  46%
Keyes:  2%

Rhode Island Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  64%
Bush:  33%
Keyes:  3%

Vermont Republican Primary


Winner:  Senator John S. McCain of Arizona

McCain:  59%
Bush:  40%
Keyes:  1%

The results of Super Tuesday were disastrous for the Bush campaign.  When asked if he would end his candidacy, Bush said he would consult his advisers and his family and make a statement in the coming days.