Things Get Nuttier in 2020

[Maxwell]

The Maine Attraction

Booker holds on in Maine



"Maine is a reboot for this campaign!"

Maine Poll:
Senator Cory Booker: 38.5%
Governor Joe Sestak: 32.1%
Senator Adam Edelen: 29.4%

Delegates:
Governor Joe Sestak: 198
Senator Adam Edelen: 154
Senator Cory Booker: 148
Unallocated: 64

National Poll:
Senator Adam Edelen: 36%
Governor Joe Sestak: 30%
Senator Cory Booker: 27%
Undecided: 7%

Arizona Poll:
Senator Adam Edelen: 45%
Senator Cory Booker: 28%
Governor Joe Sestak: 22%
Undecided: 5%

Michigan Poll:
Governor Joe Sestak: 33%
Senator Cory Booker: 32%
Senator Adam Edelen: 29%
Undecided: 6%

Wyoming:
Governor Joe Sestak: 39%
Senator Adam Edelen: 32%
Senator Cory Booker: 24%
Undecided: 5%

Washington:
Senator Cory Booker: 38%
Governor Joe Sestak: 28%
Senator Adam Edelen: 27%
Undecided: 7%

Supper Tuesday Map!

Edelen Solid:

Oklahoma:
Senator Adam Edelen: 48%
Governor Joe Sestak: 32%
Senator Cory Booker: 14%
Undecided: 6%

Georgia:
Senator Adam Edelen: 45%
Senator Cory Booker: 29%
Governor Joe Sestak: 18%
Undecided: 8%

Tennessee:
Senator Adam Edelen: 44%
Senator Cory Booker: 25%
Governor Joe Sestak: 22%
Undecided: 9%

Likely Edelen:

Virginia:
Senator Adam Edelen: 37%
Governor Joe Sestak: 30%
Senator Cory Booker: 28%
Undecided: 5%

Solid Booker:

Vermont:
Senator Cory Booker: 48%
Governor Joe Sestak: 28%
Senator Adam Edelen: 20%
Undecided: 4%

Likely Booker:

Massachusetts:
Senator Cory Booker: 40%
Governor Joe Sestak: 31%
Senator Adam Edelen: 25%
Undecided: 4%

Toss-Up (Booker Leads for now):

Alaska:
Senator Cory Booker: 38%
Senator Adam Edelen: 37%
Governor Joe Sestak: 20%
Undecided: 5%

Likely Sestak:

Ohio:
Governor Joe Sestak: 39%
Senator Adam Edelen: 29%
Senator Cory Booker: 25%
Undecided: 7%

Toss-up (Sestak leads):

Idaho:
Governor Joe Sestak: 42%
Senator Adam Edelen: 40%
Senator Cory Booker: 10%
Undecided: 8%

North Dakota:
Governor Joe Sestak: 36%
Senator Adam Edleen: 35%
Senator Cory Booker: 19%
Undecided: 10%

With the barrage of numbers we have, all we can say is that, for Booker or Sestak to have a shot, there have to be some upsets in Toss-Up states (which looks a bit more likely for Edelen to do). In the long run, the race in Edelen's favor is only going to continue: some inside Edelen numbers show he may be stronger in Ohio than many expect him to be him, and he's holding better in states less than favorable to him than is his counterpart Cory Booker, who seems to be flailing over in the toss-up states for Joe Sestak. It's a tight race now, but one wonders how this thing will turn out, the numbers show it if you look carefully.

Former President Barack Obama says he will announce endorsement before Super Tuesday



"Our party needs a nominee for November and I will be announcing my endorsement shortly enough."

With Barack Obama starting to weigh in, he doesn't have the loyalty issues that Clinton has when torn on an endorsement: Obama has stayed away from politics mostly since leaving office. Instead, he's been with his family, enjoying his life, while his favorable ratings have gone up in a good way since he's left the White House, he will be a strong campaigner for whoever he endorses, which might spell doom for the other two candidates.

Tom Harkin announces retirement



After 36 years in Washington, Senator Tom Harkin will be leaving Washington D.C. his leave is announced at the same time as Senator Carl Levin, who had recently gone to the hospital for heart problems. The old guard of the Senate is making its way out, but will these old time Democrats abandon their seats while taking the party with them? Or will Democrats take both of these Senate seats? Bruce Braley has announced a run for Harkin's seat, while Gretchen Whitmer, failed challenger to Governor Amash in Michigan, will be running for the Senate seat there, though she may get a challenge in a primary. No such Republicans have announced yet in either state, though many on the right say that Governor Amash is weighing that option as much as he is a 2024 Presidential run.

Edelen campaign still confident on Michigan numbers



"Michigan is within our grasp I can feel it!"

Who do you think will win Michigan? Who do you think will come out with Super Tuesday in their pocket? What about the Democratic nomination?

[Niemeyerite]

Obama's endorsement could change everything I hope it's Sestak. Or Edelen.

[HappyWarrior]

Which Democrat won the 2014 Maryland Gubernatorial Election?

[Maxwell]

Which Democrat won the 2014 Maryland Gubernatorial Election?

Anthony Brown, very uneventfully.

[Maxwell]

Getting SERVED, Edelen-style!



Edelen sweeps Arizona, Narrowly beats Booker for second

Arizona:
Senator Adam Edelen: 48.4%
Senator Cory Booker: 27.9%
Governor Joe Sestak: 23.7%

Michigan:
Governor Joe Sestak: 34.8%
Senator Adam Edelen: 33.2%
Senator Cory Booker: 32.0%

The momentum is clearly on Senator Adam Edelen's side right now. He had a major test in Arizona, whether he could keep a big lead, and he passed, and he managed to push his way up in Michigan. Things are looking rather difficult for Sestak and Booker to really deal with right now.

Why oh Wyoming? Edelen keeps Washing the competition clean!

Edelen clears another roadblock with an upset in Wyoming, almost beats Booker in Washington

Wyoming:
Senator Adam Edelen: 40.4%
Governor Joe Sestak: 38.2%
Senator Cory Booker: 21.4%

Washington:
Senator Cory Booker: 37.8%
Senator Adam Edelen: 35.6%
Governor Joe Sestak: 26.6%



"It's time for these old politicos to step aside for the youthful in politics!"

Adam Edelen gains Bill Clinton's endorsement



"When I look at this kid, I see myself a bit. Maybe it's time for a Clinton clean-up of Washington over this Republican failed administration."

National Polls:
Senator Adam Edelen: 42%
Senator Cory Booker: 27%
Governor Joe Sestak: 26%
Undecided: 5%

With Edelen holding a strong, fifteen point lead in national polls, things are looking pretty improbable for both Cory Booker and Governor Joe Sestak, both guys who were looking like frontrunners many many weeks ago. The turn around is shocking, to say the least, and looks to be reflective of the nature of this race. Unlike before though, things don't seem to be changing, as Edelen has won the big time endorsement of Former President Bill Clinton, and looks like, from many sources, he is about to gain Obama's too.

National Polls:
President Chris Christie: 49%
Senator Adam Edelen: 45%
Undecided: 6%



"I see the Democrats have picked a candidate who claws for the center. However, Senator Edelen's actual accomplishments in the Senate have been skimp to say the least, which is why he represents congress as a whole. We need a leader in the White House, and I've done that as President of the United States and want your vote again."

President Christie Approvals:
Approve: 51%
Disapprove: 47%
Undecided: 2%

Senator Edelen Favorables:
Favorable: 42%
Unfavorable: 35%
Undecided: 23%

It looks to be a tough race ahead...

Is Edelen inevitable? If not, how does his nomination go? Who is his VP? And will he be able to beat a +4 Approval President when nearly a quarter of the nation is asking the question WHO? Find out next on... Things get NUTTIER... in 2020.

[Niemeyerite]

A republican from NJ vs. a democrat from KY? The map will be weird!

[Sec. of State Superique]

A republican from NJ vs. a democrat from KY? The map will be weird!

2

[Incipimus iterum]

bump

[Emperor Charles V]

This TL is awesome! I read the entire thing! I really hope it is continued for I want to know so badly who wins in 2020 and more importantly what that map will look like! I hope Christie gets re-elected!

[Rocky Rockefeller]

Interesting choice going with Edelen. Can't wait to see how this works out.

[Maxwell]

Edelen spreads his wings

Edelen finishes off challengers in upset after upset on Super Tuesday

Oklahoma:
Senator Adam Edelen: 54.2%
Governor Joe Sestak: 29.6%
Senator Cory Booker: 16.2%

Georgia:
Senator Adam Edelen: 52.8%
Senator Cory Booker: 30.3%
Governor Joe Sestak: 16.9%

Tennessee:
Senator Adam Edelen: 54.8%
Senator Cory Booker: 22.7%
Governor Joe Sestak: 22.5%

Virginia:
Senator Adam Edelen: 40.1%
Governor Joe Sestak: 30.2%
Senator Cory Booker: 29.7%

Alaska:
Senator Adam Edelen: 41.4%
Senator Cory Booker: 37.5%
Governor Joe Sestak: 21.1%

Idaho:
Senator Adam Edelen: 46.8%
Governor Joe Sestak: 45.3%
Senator Cory Booker: 7.9%

North Dakota:
Senator Adam Edleen: 43.1%
Governor Joe Sestak: 38.7%
Senator Cory Booker: 18.2%

Vermont:
Senator Cory Booker: 46.4%
Governor Joe Sestak: 30.2%
Senator Adam Edelen: 23.4%

Massachusetts:
Senator Cory Booker: 40.9%
Governor Joe Sestak: 29.6%
Senator Adam Edelen: 29.5%

Ohio:
Governor Joe Sestak: 38.4%
Senator Adam Edelen: 36.5%
Senator Cory Booker: 25.1%

Delegates:
Senator Adam Edelen: 502
Governor Joe Sestak: 449
Senator Cory Booker: 392
Unallocated: 64

Governor Joe Sestak ends campaign, endorses Adam Edelen



"This campaign is over, I will now endorse the very young Adam Edelen, as he is a passionate voice against the business as usual side of Washington."

With Sestak's endorsement, the Democratic primaries have basically come to an end, with Edelen holding a close to 2 to 1 advantage over Senator Booker. With the general election rearing its ugly head, many are thinking about who could possibly be Senator Edelen's VP pick, and a lot names come to mind...



Joe Sestak, Governor of Pennsylvania



Ron Kind, Senator of Wisconsin



Andrew Romanoff, Governor of Colorado



Dick Durbin, Senator of Illinois



Maria Cantwell, Senator of Washington

These are the top 5 most talked about possible VP picks according to the media at this point. Other favorites include Russ Feingold, Evan Bayh, John Barrow, Jim Matheson, and Kirsten Gillibrand. However, after many times of being fooled on who the VP would be, the media is looking at these picks with a watchful eye, thinking maybe it will be someone out of left field completely (Patty Murray or Joaquin Castro, congressman of Texas, are being talked about in that area).

Chris Christie publishes website filled with plans and listing his accomplishments as President of the U.S.



"The American people need to know it: They need to know what we've accomplished, how we've done it, and ideas of how to further improve this country through common sense reform and ending waste. Senator Edelen sounds nice, but you have to look at our accomplishments and then think: do we really want to go from a good known to the unknown? I think not."

National Polls:
President Chris Christie: 48%
Senator Adam Edelen: 46%
Undecided: 6%

[Donerail]

I just want to see the Edelen/Barrow map.

[Niemeyerite]

Edelen/Kind (if he supports gay marriage)!! Edelen/Sestak would be great, too! Weird maps coming.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Sadly, I don't see how Christie loses. He's popular and the economy looks good. Edelen is Bill Cinton in all but circumstance, he doesn't have an opening to hit Christie on.

[Emperor Charles V]

Thanks so much for continuing!

I hope Christie crushes Edelen in a landslide!

[badgate]

I hope Christie crushes Edelen in a landslide!

smh

[David St. Hubbins II]

I think Edelen needs a progressive for VP to shore up his base. Gillibrand, Castro, or Cantwell could be it. And how has Romanoff governed in Colorado? If he's anything like Hickenlooper the Democratic base should like him (plus he counters Sandoval's western appeal)

[Maxwell]

Boomin' Christie

President Christie fundraising numbers topple Democratic numbers so far



After years of Republicans slandering the President on certain issue after certain issue, they have come united and pushed Christie to get up to 75 Million this month, far surpassing Democrat Adam Edelen's 46 Million. Republicans are getting ready to push the throttle for Christie, Democrats are just getting around to have a candidate around 20% of the country doesn't know.

National Polls:
President Chris Christie: 50%
Senator Adam Edelen: 45%
Undecided: 5%

Approvals of Chris Christie:
Approve: 52%
Disapprove: 44%
Undecided: 4%

Favorables of Adam Edelen:
Favorable: 43%
Unfavorable: 37%
Undecided: 20%

Sandoval speaks in New Hampshire in favor of marijuana legalization



Before even the Democratic Nominee has gotten around to preparing for the general election, there is some evolution going on with Vice President Brian Sandoval. He has made a marked change of position: He has seen the way the public is reacting, with nearly 60% of the public in favor of legalization, and he is now pro-legalization. Edelen was pro-hemp legalization, but has made note of how he is not completely pro-marijuana in the past. This works to Christie's strategy: remain conservative on a lot of issues, but on some, shift to the democrats left. This out-flanking on certain issues has propped Christie's numbers against Patrick in terms of the Patriot Act, and it looks like the Vice President is trying to push that on another issues.

Senator John Barrow: "Vice President? Eh, maybe."



While not explicitly excited, many are thinking that John Barrow could receive the partys nomination for Vice President, so that Edelen can truly run a populist campaign instead of running merely a lopsided ticket, while others view Barrow on the ticket being absolutely toxic in a general election. However, many Barrow supporters point out that his expertise on the National Security Committee could give Edelen a boost in that area. Well, today on the Meet the Press, he did not deny his intentions. Barrow said he very well could, but it might not be in the cards. This is interesting, as most VP picks are there to just deny deny deny, but maybe either Barrow is the VP, or he is so out of consideration that he's thinking maybe when Edelen staff thinks of course not. Either way, Barrow is someone to look out for.

Explosion of Turkish Embassy: what does the President do?



Right now, Christie has done a no harm foreign policy where he has been holding back against other nations and has not actively used force. This, however, is a place where the questions get asked: what happened, who was killed, and what do we do? Is it an act of terror by an organized group on our embassy, do they plan to do more? Some on the right are saying we need to act, but most people are saying we need the information first before we make any sort of broad statement of their intentions and their plans.

Senator Edelen: President Christie has been a nightmare for Senate relations



"Christie goes out there and berates Senators on a regular basis, and under an Edelen administration, that will not happen."

Coming Up: VP pick, A map, and the conventions!

[Emperor Charles V]

I can't wait for what's about to come! Please don't screw up Christie, don't screw up!

[Maxwell]

Turkish Explosion!!

Christie says not to make judgement on explosion yet, it was a fire fight



"In these situations, CIA can't get to it yet, so we don't know what's happened. I am dedicated to finding out, but we are not going to be able to make any announcements of what happened and what we plan to do."

Edelen: Christie playing hypocrite with a "Benghazi" situation



"Facts are facts: Christie was on the side that was attacking the President over attacks on our embassy during a fire fight when we didn't have the answers, now the President is expecting us to do the opposite for him? That's a ridiculous notion and I will not let him stand there and act that way."

Vice President Sandoval, Secretary of State Jon Huntsman, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan



There has been some controversy after the explosion at the Turkish Embassy. While Christie has held decent relationships with most of the world, enemies or allies, there has been a somewhat strained relationship with Turkey. Since the explosion, however, Christie has sent his three top foreign policy advisers over to make some amends to clear up the situation there. Because of a relatively neutral, un-invading foreign policy, President Christie has gained popularity for it, but this may weight down his numbers, so he's flexing diplomacy over bold action, which should help him.

Dick Durbin: "Nice offer, but no"



After weeks of speculation, Dick Durbin has announced that he will not be the Vice Presidential candidate and has told media that he has asked that his name be striken from the list of possible VP picks. He has noted that, after this run for the Senate in 2020, that he will be retiring. Noting that he's spent too much time away from his family, Senator Durbin has also said that being the Vice President just isn't in his blood, and wants to continue with his high seniority in the Senate.

Coming Up: Finally a VP pick, AND a map, stay tuned...

[badgate]

Good on Edelen for attacking the hypocrisy there, although I don't remember if Christie was a part of the Benghazi Brigade. Hopefully there's no blowback for Edelen. He seemed to phrase the attack in a way that avoided scrutiny.

[Niemeyerite]

Good on Edelen for attacking the hypocrisy there, although I don't remember if Christie was a part of the Benghazi Brigade. Hopefully there's no blowback for Edelen. He seemed to phrase the attack in a way that avoided scrutiny.

He wasn't. That's why I like Christie. He doesn't seem to be an hypocrite in RL.
If Edelen picks someone I don't like, I might support Christie (because this isn't real life, you know).

[Maxwell]

Edelen VP pick a Fiesta!



Adam Edelen picks Congressman Joaquin Castro for VP, is this a good pick?

Joaquin Castro Favorables:
Favorable: 15%
Unfavorable: 12%
Who?: 73%

From out of left field, Adam Edelen decides not to go from the right of the Democratic party (Matheson, Barrow) or the left (Murray, Kind, Romanoff), and has, instead, decided to pick Joaquin Castro, a little known congressman from Texas, to be his Vice Presidential pick. He is brothers of former Mayor Julian Castro, who ran unsuccessfully against Rick Perry back in 2014, thus ending his career. Joaquin has been gaining rank among the Democratic party, with some insiders talking about him becoming head of the DNC in the near future. Instead, Senator Edelen has decided to add him to the ticket. While Castro is really unknown, it's a positive because he can get people to get to know him.

Christie: Edelen matches lack of experience... with lack of experience



"A Senator for almost, not quite, six years, is now going to pick a member of the House of Representatives with no prior experience to be his VP. How fitting."

Polls: Edelen up a tad, after a downward trend, but Christie still ahead

National Polls:
President Chris Christie: 49%
Senator Adam Edelen: 46%
Undecided: 5%

Toss-Ups Map

Senator Adam Edelen (D-KY)/Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) - 154
President Chris Christie (R-NJ)/Vice President Brian Sandoval (R-NV) - 137

No Toss-Ups Map

President Chris Christie (R-NJ)/Vice President Brian Sandoval (R-NV) - 279
Senator Adam Edelen (D-KY)/Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) - 259

With the narrow lead Christie has and the strength he has in a lot of swing states, he manages to hold a small electoral lead over Edelen.  However, a lot of these states, conservative states, have been frustrated by the way he's handled a lot of situations as President, and thus make look favorably on a conservative Democrat. If Edelen can manage to hold his losses in some liberal states (I.E. Christie's nearly 10 point lead in New Hampshire) to a minimum and pick up all the typically conservative states that he is very close to Christie in, than there is a possibility he could pull it out in the end.

Democratic Convention held in Memphis, Tennessee!



Republican Convention to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota



Analysts confused, "THEY'RE FLIPPING ROLES"



"Looking at these maps you have to wonder: has the momentum shifted? Democrats are gaining momentum in the South, but Christie has managed to push momentum for the Republicans in New England and the Rust Belt. Things seem to be changing significantly."

David Gregory on Meet the Press was dumbfounded by the first true National Polls, saying that he doesn't see how this is reminiscent of recent politics. Looking at toss-up Kentucky and Tennessee seemed to make the news commentator's head explode. He asked his guest, former Obama advisor David Axelrod, whether this was the way things are going to look in the next few years. Axelrod doubted, but for a second you could see Axelrod feel the changing vibe. Maybe it's just the southern democratic ticket and the yankee republican ticket, but there may be something else going on. It's all too early to tell...

Next Up: Democratic Convention! Get excited folks!

[David St. Hubbins II]

Is Jim Matheson running for reelection as Governor of Utah? He could technically have filed to run not long after dropping out of the presidential race. (And as someone who worked on one of his campaigns, it's great to see him get elected statewide, even if it's only in an Atlas Forum universe...)

Keep up the great work!

[Maxwell]

Is Jim Matheson running for reelection as Governor of Utah? He could technically have filed to run not long after dropping out of the presidential race. (And as someone who worked on one of his campaigns, it's great to see him get elected statewide, even if it's only in an Atlas Forum universe...)

Keep up the great work!

Yes he is, and while he has a 62% Approval, he only holds a 10 point lead over the Republican, who is relatively unknown. I will do Gubernatorial races and Senate races for 2020 pretty soon.