A Political Fable

[badgate]

IX & X: The Circus Comes To Town

Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Presidential Tracking Poll
Taylor/Gabbard 42% (+2)
Ayotte/Walker 48% (+6)
Not Sure 10%

Thursday, September 3, 2020
F4 Tornado hits Shreveport, LA
Major tragedy in Shreveport, a massive tornado has caused severe damage to an area of about 20 city blocks. President Kelly Ayotte is flying on Air Force One from Colorado Springs, CO, where she canceled a campaign event this morning as news broke. She is going to meet with the state and national FEMA director to make sure everything is being done to save everybody in Shreveport. We go now live to Angela Edison...

Angela Edison

"Thanks Rich, I'm here on location in front of the damaged J.S. Clark Middle School, where first responders are shepherding students from their classrooms to the street. The major structure of the J.S. Clark remains intact, as do most of the stores in the effected area. All told authorities have reported casualties in the high teens and three times as many injuries for the area effected by the tornado...what is that? Dan, did you hear that?!

Cameraman ("Dan")

The school!

Angela Edison

Oh my...it looks like...Oh my God. It looks like the cafeteria...Yes, the northeast side of the school, which houses the cafeteria and many students during the tornado...there must have been more structural damage than initially thought. We don't know exactly what's going on but it looked like a part of the wall, and probably some of the roof have caved in. How did they not get the students out in time? Were there too few first responders?

While Air Force One was in the air, news broke on CNN right next to the now-viral Angela Edison video that FEMA Director Stephanie Abbott would not be joining President Ayotte at her “photo-op” and was flying to Washington, D.C. to lobby lawmakers on Capitol Hill for more recovery funds. Public attention was drawn over the next week to what the Ayotte budget, once called “a responsible amount of government” by Rand Paul, had done to the amount of help government was now incapable of giving to Americans.

Saturday, September 12, 2020 – President Kelly Ayotte’s approval negative for the first time: 45/49

Tuesday, September 15, 2020
BUZZFEED: Gene Taylor YouTube video hits 150 million views – a YouTube video of a short floor speech delivered by Gene Taylor after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 became an internet sensation in the wake of the Shreveport Tornado. Taylor’s campaign refused to comment on the video, for fear of looking like they were politicizing the tragedy in Shreveport. http://youtu.be/HZ7GHB6VR2M

Thursday, September 17, 2020 - BREAKING AP NEWS: EX-SENATOR TED CRUZ ANNOUNCES 3RD PARTY WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN, FUNDED SOLELY BY SHELDON ADELSON
"I won't let a Democrat puppet or this Wicked Witch of the Northeast win the White House! I'm running for President to protect your 2nd Amendment rights, and I will give America a President who stands up to politically correct PR departments, crippling unions, and the media's liberal propaganda machine. Write-in Ted Cruz for President!"

Monday, September 21, 2020 Presidential Tracking Poll
Taylor/Gabbard 45% (+3)
Ayotte/Walker 45% (-3)
Cruz 4% (+4)
Not Sure 6%

Sunday, September 27, 2020
Taylor On The Rise in Charlotte, Ayotte administration mea culpa on Sunday talk shows while President stumps down-ticket in Ohio

Democratic Nominee Gene Taylor greets students at UNC campaign event


President Kelly Ayotte delivers remarks and thanks volunteers at Ohio campaign office

Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Good evening, thank you for tuning in to "All In." Next week is the first Presidential debate between President Kelly Ayotte and Congressman Gene Taylor, so let’s look at how the electoral map is looking one month from the election.

While Taylor hasn’t increased his electoral vote count by much, it looks like the events of September have proven to be just as turbulent as Barack Obama’s reelection campaign eight years ago. President Ayotte has certainly lost the edge, and many states that were safe for her just a month ago now seem like a coin flip. Ted Cruz has even put Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, and Alaska into play for the President, which can’t be good for a campaign losing a key group of bundlers last week. The President and Taylor are tied at 46/46%. Ted Cruz has 6%, and a slim 2% are undecided. This could prove to be decisive for either candidate going into the final weeks, and the two debates.

[badgate]

Sorry I didn't get Monday's updates up until now. I bad work schedule today, when I got home at 11 I figured I'd just combine them into one post since it was so late.

[badgate]

XI: The First Debate

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 – 1st of 2 Presidential Debates in Denver, CO

The two major party Presidential candidates debated for the first time tonight in Denver, Colorado. The topics of the first debate ranged from American foreign policy, military preparedness, and emerging global threats. Taylor criticized the decline of America's foreign aid, making the case that opponents of foreign aid are weak on drugs, trade, and national security. Ayotte defended her decision to slash foreign aid in the Ayotte budget and trumpeted the relatively good relations her administration has maintained over the last four years.

"For each American, the foreign aid budget costs less than most people have in their car's spare change holder. Now, it's a nice soundbite that President Ayotte is addicted to to tell people too much of their money is going overseas, but the results gained from foreign aid far outweigh the votes gleaned from lying to voters like President Ayotte does."

"Secretary of State Huntsman and I have promoted prosperity to all global nations, we have helped Syria hold its first free elections, and we did it without spending a cent of taxpayer money."

FOX Snap Poll: Who won the first debate?
Taylor: 47%
Ayotte: 50%
Tie: 2%
Not Sure: 1%

Huffington Post Snap Poll: Who won the first debate?
Taylor: 55%
Ayotte: 42%
Not Sure: 3%

Rachel Maddow “Tonight’s debate proved that Taylor won’t be going down without a fight. His campaign knows he has been lucky, but he was no Obama in tonight’s Denver debate. Ayotte defended her first term actions and did her best to avoid hot button domestic issues that she will be asked about in the second debate. We're comfortable calling this debate a tie, as both candidates viewed it as a game changer and came onto the stage armed and ready to pounce.”



Huffington Post: Voter turnout could be lowest since 1996, or maybe even lower

[badgate]

XII: The Lion, The Witch, and The Cabinet

President Kelly Ayotte's Cabinet


Secretary of State

Former Governor & Ambassador Jon Huntsman, Jr.

Secretary of Treasury

Former Governor Mitch Daniels

Secretary of Defense

Senator Lindsay Graham

Attorney General

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Secretary of the Interior

Governor Mike Pence

Secretary of Agriculture

Governor Sam Brownback

Secretary of Commerce

Former Senator Scott Brown

Secretary of Labor

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Secretary of Health & Human Services

Governor Chris Christie

Secretary of Housing & Urban Development

Governor Brian Sandoval

Secretary of Transportation

Mayor Mick Cornett

Secretary of Energy

Congressman Lee Terry

Secretary of Education

Former Governor Jeb Bush

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Congressman Tom Cotton

Secretary of Homeland Security

Former Governor Jan Brewer


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HUFFPO OBTAINS TAYLOR CABINET CONTENDERS

Huffington Post has confirmed from sources close to the Taylor campaign that two 2020 Democratic contenders are being considered for cabinet posts. Texas Governor Julian Castro may be asked to head the Department of Education.


In Texas, Castro muscled universal Pre-K through the state legislature. Castro declined to comment when asked about if he'd accept a Cabinet post.

Sherrod Brown is likely to be offered Secretary of Treasury if Taylor somehow pulls off a win on November 3rd.


In the 114th Congress, Senator Brown became chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. When asked by reporters on Capitol Hill about the rumors, he winked and walked away.

There is also talk that Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth would be vetted for Secretary of State. At the DNC in Illinois Duckworth reportedly helped convince the Illinois delegation to go for Taylor on the fourth and final ballot.


A veteran of the Iraq war, Duckworth has become the dominant foreign policy voice of the Democratic Congressional Caucus and has been a constant thorn in the Ayotte administration's side over the last four years.

[Kamala-Tim 2024]

Secretary of Health Chris Christie?

[badgate]

Secretary of Health Chris Christie?

Yes. By 2016 Obamacare had been successfully made the law of the land, so it was important to Ayotte that her HHS Sec be a governor who had willingly implemented Obamacare.

[badgate]

XIII: Maui Wowie

FLASHBACK: 11:08pm, Thursday, November 7, 2013

BRITTANY: Congresswoman, you have an important call on line 1.

GABBARD: Thank you, Brittany, you can head home whenever you're ready. (picks up phone) This is Congresswoman Gabbard...

OBAMA: Congresswoman, thank you for taking my call.

GABBARD(instinctively stands up): Mr. President, good evening. What can I do for you?

OBAMA: Listen, I've heard the rumors about the Governor's race. I know it's an enticing prize, the Governor's mansion, but you're new to Congress. Don't you want to stay on and help us win a majority?

GABBARD: Mr. President, how did you-

OBAMA: Reliable information occasionally makes its way to my office.

(pause)

GABBARD: Mr. President, I won't have to primary someone like Hanabusa is, and you know my seat is safe for our party.

OBAMA: I know. Look, I've done my best to stay out of Hawai'i politics, but like I said, I know Congress is intractable right now. And I know you're frustrated, having come here to only warm a back bench. But the Governor primary will be very competitive, and you're still new to politics...so, I'd like to endorse you.

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Veep Candidate Finding Her Voice

On a sweltering afternoon in northern Virginia, the Democratic nominee for Vice President was greeted by 3,000 more supporters than the campaign expected. Last week, in Miami, it was 5,075, and earlier today, Hawai'i Governor Tulsi Gabbard drew 35,000 spectators at a major address in Philadelphia. Though Congressman Gene Taylor has made the Ayotte reelection campaign close, all eyes are on Gabbard the week before the Vice Presidential debate. Many Democratic operatives are already hard at work designing buttons for "Gabbard for President 2024," and the spot on the ticket has raised her national profile and given her major clout within the Democratic party.

Gabbard has become a strong communicator for the Taylor campaign. Earlier this month she owned the spin room after the first debate, and acquitted herself well on a six-interview blitz last Sunday. Going into the Vice Presidential debate this week, look out for VP Scott Walker to try to stem the Taylor campaigns momentum, while Gabbard is expected to be on the attack reinforcing the criticisms Americans heard during the first debate.

[badgate]

XIV: The Vice Presidential Debate

Sunday, October 18, 2020 Presidential Tracking Poll
Taylor/Gabbard 48% (+3)
Ayotte/Walker 48% (+3)
Cruz 3% (-1)
Not Sure 1%

Monday, October 19, 2020 - The Vice Presidential debate in Pittsburgh, PA

Americans both informed and ill informed sat down for the Vice Presidential debate. For the most part, moderator Gwen Ifil kept the candidates civil, if not laidback. Democratic candidate Tulsi Gabbard hammered home a "choice/referendum hybrid" argument for her ticket. Scott Walker talked up the administration's maintaining active, friendly relations with Israel, reinforcing the President's soundbites from the first debate.


"Gene Taylor and I are committed to a fresh start, new future for America. A step forward and out of the aimlessness of the last four years. People tell me at every single rally or campaign stop: we're ready for the new decade of American prosperity. Gene Taylor and I are ready too. Out of the frying pan, and into the fire!"


"With peace across the world, President Ayotte and I are proud to have four more years to lead this country. May God bless and keep you always, may your wishes all come true."


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Wednesday, October 21, 2020 - Prime Minister Yachimovich: what relationship with Ayotte?

In an offhand remark to a reporter near the end of a press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Shelly Yahimovich jokingly said "what relationship?" when a reporter mentioned Scott Walker recently touting strong relations with Israel during the American Vice Presidential Debate. "She doesn't call much, but she won't stop tweeting me" she continued to laughs from the pool.

Monday, October 26, 2020 Presidential Tracking Poll
Taylor/Gabbard 46% (-2)
Ayotte/Walker 47% (-1)
Cruz 4% (+1)
Not Sure 3%

[badgate]

XV: Algonquin Round Table

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

"Good evening everyone, thank you for coming to the second and final Presidential debate. I'm Martha Raddatz, some of you may recognize me from ABC news. You've all been briefed on the rules, but I'll remind you to please not applause during the debate. We'll get it out of our system now as we welcome the candidates to our stage..."



For the next 90 minutes, something strange happened. Congressman Gene Taylor and President Kelly Ayotte enthusiastically debated domestic policy, laying their legislative priorities for the next four years. They criticized each other's proposals, but it was the first time in a long time that Americans had gotten the sense that they were really hearing fair exchange of ideas. Ayotte wasn't in the position to take many hard shots at Taylor, but Taylor sensed that the "choice" message was connecting with voters much more than a referendum on Ayotte alone, so he toned down the lines he'd rehearsed in practice.

News stations from all sides praised both candidates after the debate. According to MSNBC host Chris Matthews, "tonight's debate showed that whoever becomes President after this extremely close election, Americans can rest assured that there is a mind at work. Neither Taylor nor the President came off as politicians tonight, and voters are better for it. They can cast their vote more informed, and more confident in their choice. And now we'll look at some of the insight random Twitter users have to offer..."

@douchebagriflenut – President Ayotte defending our 2nd amendment rights in final debate, this is AMERICA!!!! #TCOT

@reallyPCliberalgirl – shameful that the first female president hates women so much #uniteblue

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Wednesday, October 28, 2020


Cruz makes it onto national ballots, garners major attention in third party debate
The results of a heated lawsuit came down today, and it could spell doom to President Kelly Ayotte. Arguing inclusion and a fair democratic process, Ted Cruz for President© won the fight to have the independent candidate's name on every ballot. With Democrat Gene Taylor putting Ayotte on defense in normally safe Republican territory already, it looks like now more than ever Ayotte will desperately need to flip some of the reliably safe Democrat states in order to have a second term mandate.

Cruz also had many lauded moments during last week's CSPAN Third-Party Debate, which also included the little known Green and Constitution party nominees. His best clips managed to get on local news in many red states, which could explain his surge in popularity during this last week.

Friday, October 30, 2020 Presidential Tracking Poll
Taylor/Gabbard 46% (+0)
Ayotte/Walker 46% (-1)
Cruz 7% (+3)
Not Sure 1%

[badgate]

XVI: Into the Abyss

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Former Republican Presidential & Vice Presidential nominees Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan joined Vice President Walker on a raucus bus tour through the industrial midwest.

The Presidential election is held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. The weekend of October 30-November 1 brought out the major surrogates for both sides, barnstorming the swing states.

George W. Bush was even invited to an Ayotte rally in Colorado.


Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton previously held a major fundraiser in New York, and the weekend before election day helped stump for down ticket congressional races and introduced Taylor at an event in Philadelphia, PA.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

President Kelly Ayotte even got retired Senator and former Republican Presidential nominee John McCain to come out for a rally her campaign held in Arizona.


However, with two vital and popular ex-Presidents, Florida slipped to the left in the final hours of the campaign.

Monday, November 2, 2020

Former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea joined Tulsi Gabbard in Virginia.


President Ayotte and Mitt Romney hit New England on last campaign day.


Democratic nominee Gene Taylor hits swing states, holds final rally in Mississippi.


President Ayotte caps off reelection campaign with final rally in home state.

Final Toss Up Map

Congressman Gene Taylor / Governor Tulsi Gabbard – 129, 47%

President Kelly Ayotte / Vice President Scott Walker – 129, 47%

Frmr. Senator Ted Cruz / Wayne LaPierre - 0, 6%

Tossup – 280

[Kamala-Tim 2024]

Just a request, but I want Ted Cruz to win every one of those tossup states and see how his administration goes.

[Maxwell]

I love that Cruz's VP is Wayne LaPierre. Great Timeline.

[badgate]

XVII: Like a Bat Out of Hell




12:55am, Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Dixville Notch and Hart's Location continued their tradition of midnight voting earlier this evening. In the small hamlet of Dixville Notch, President Kelly Ayotte has an equally small lead over Taylor, with only one Cruz vote reported. Specific numbers are not yet in but we predict 6-5-1.

In Hart's Location, President Ayotte has Democratic nominee Gene Taylor dragging behind by a comfortable margin. While these results are not indicative of what we will see 24 hours from now, Ayotte should be feeling a bit more confident tonight. Keep in mind however that New Hampshire has been relatively safe for Ayotte throughout the campaign, especially considering its home-state status this cycle.

Tune in tomorrow night for our live election night coverage!

[badgate]

XVIII: And So It Begins

8am CT

Congressman Gene Taylor votes in his home state of Mississippi.

"Good evening, thank you for tuning in to our election night coverage. It's been a long Fall here in America, but the madness is finally over - or so we hope. We've got our first states closing, so we'll go to the map and see where things stand. But first, I'd like to take a moment to thank all of my friends at CNN over the last six years. When NBC cancelled Rock Center all those years ago I was devastated, but I found a new and better home here at CNN. Thank you. To the results!

7 PM Closings
Georgia – Too Close to Call
Indiana –Ayotte 51% Taylor 48% Cruz 1%
Kentucky – Ayotte 53% Taylor 44% Cruz 3%
South Carolina – Ayotte 55% Taylor 41% Cruz 4%
Vermont – Too Close to Call
Virginia – Too Close to Call

"So, we don't have much yet, but President Kelly Ayotte leads with 28 electoral votes. Congressman Gene Taylor has none."

[badgate]

XIX: Oy With The Poodles Already

7:19 PM Vermont to Taylor
Vermont - Taylor 51% 47% Cruz 2%

8 PM Poll Closings
North Carolina – Too Close to Call
Ohio - Too Close to Call
West Virginia – Too Close to Call
Alabama – Ayotte 50% Taylor 47% Cruz 3%
Connecticut – Too Close to Call
Delaware – Taylor 51% Ayotte 49%
Florida - Too Close to Call
Illinois – Taylor 52% Ayotte 46% Cruz 2%
Maine – Too Close to Call
Maryland – Taylor 56% Ayotte 43% Cruz 1%
Massachusetts – Taylor 58% Ayotte 42%
Mississippi – Too Close to Call
Missouri - Too Close to Call
New Hampshire - Too Close to Call
New Jersey – Too Close to Call
Oklahoma – Ayotte 41% Cruz 20% Taylor 39%
Pennsylvania - Too Close to Call
Rhode Island – Taylor 54% Ayotte 45% Cruz 1%
Tennessee – Too Close to Call
Washington D.C. – Taylor 81% Ayotte 18% Cruz 1%

[badgate]

XX: Down the Rabbit Hole

8:30PM - Arkansas Polls Close
Arkansas - Too Close to Call

8:38 PM – Ayotte takes 4, Taylor takes 2
New Hampshire – Ayotte 52% Taylor 47% Cruz 1%
Maine – Ayotte 48% Taylor 47% Cruz 3%
Tennessee – Ayotte 47% Taylor 44% Cruz Cruz 9%
Georgia – Ayotte 45% Taylor 42% Cruz 13%
Missouri – Taylor 49% Ayotte 47% Cruz 4%
Virginia – Taylor 50% Ayotte 49% Cruz 1%

8:51 PM – Ayotte wins West Virginia
West Virginia – Ayotte 50% Taylor 47% Cruz 3%

9 PM Poll Closings
Arizona – Too Close to Call
Colorado – Too Close to Call
Kansas – Ayotte 52% Taylor 46% Cruz 4%
Louisiana – Too Close to Call
Michigan – Too Close to Call
Minnesota – Too Close to Call
Nebraska – Ayotte 48% Taylor 41% Cruz 11%
New Mexico - Too Close to Call
New York – Taylor 55% Ayotte 44% Cruz 1%
South Dakota – Ayotte 50% Taylor 46% Cruz 4%
Texas – Too Close to Call
Wisconsin – Too Close to Call
Wyoming – Ayotte 60% Cruz 18% Taylor 22%

[badgate]

XXI: In God We Trust

9:09 PM - Ayotte gets Arkansassy
Arkansas – Ayotte 50% Taylor 47% Cruz 3%

9:23 PM – Major states called!
Arizona - Taylor 49% Ayotte 44% Cruz 7%
Connecticut – Ayotte 49% Taylor 49% Cruz 2%
Colorado - Ayotte 49% Taylor 47% Cruz 4%
Minnesota – Taylor 50% Ayotte 48% Cruz 1%
New Jersey – Ayotte 50% Taylor 49% Cruz 1%
Ohio – Ayotte 49% Taylor 48% Cruz 3%

9:51 PM – Taylor's Disaster Relief message pays off
Louisiana – Taylor 49% Ayotte 45% Cruz 6%
Mississippi - Taylor 51% Ayotte 48% Cruz 1%

10 PM poll closings
Iowa – Too Close to Call
Montana – Ayotte 50% Taylor 49% Cruz 1%
Nevada – Too Close to Call
Utah – Ayotte 59% Taylor 38% Cruz 3%

10:22 PM – Taylor on a roll
Iowa – Taylor 51% Ayotte 49%

10:47 PM – Taylor fiesta in New Mexico, Ayotte’s lead on the rise
Pennsylvania - Ayotte 50% Taylor 48% Cruz 1%
Nevada – Ayotte 50% Taylor 48% Cruz 2%
New Mexico – Taylor 53% Ayotte 45% Cruz 2%
North Carolina - Ayotte 48% Taylor 47% Cruz 5%
Texas - Ayotte 46% Taylor 41% Cruz 13%

11 PM Poll Closings
California – Taylor 57% Ayotte 41% Cruz 2%
Hawaii – Taylor 66% Ayotte 34%
Idaho – Ayotte 60% Cruz 12% Taylor 28%
North Dakota – Ayotte 55% Cruz 10% Taylor 35%
Oregon – Too Close to Call
Washington – Taylor 52% Ayotte 44% Cruz 4%

Congressman Gene Taylor / Governor Tulsi Gabbard - 223, 49%

President Kelly Ayotte / Vice President Scott Walker – 250, 49%

Tossup – 46

[PolitiJunkie]

Well this is shaping up to be the most bizarre map in a long time. I guess that's what happens when the Democratic candidate is from Mississippi...

[badgate]

XXII: The Fable Is Dead, Long Live The Fable



11:55 PM - Taylor victorious in Wisconsin, Oregon
Oregon - Taylor 50% Ayotte 50%
Wisconsin - Taylor 47% Ayotte 46% Cruz 7%




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12:04 AM – Major win for Ayotte
Michigan - Ayotte 49% Taylor 48% Cruz 2%




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1 AM - Ayotte wins Alaska
Ayotte 51% Taylor 44% Cruz 5%





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3:15 AM - Florida called for Taylor
Taylor 49% Ayotte 48% Cruz 3%

Congressman Gene Taylor / Governor Tulsi Gabbard – 269, 49%

President Kelly Ayotte / Vice President Scott Walker – 269, 48%

House of Representatives

Democrat: 231 (+2)

Republican: 199 (-7)

Libertarian: 6 (+5)

---

Senate

Democrats: 59

Republicans: 40

Independents: 1

House Vote for President of the United States

Congressman Gene Taylor - 26
President Kelly Ayotte - 24



Senate Vote for Vice President of the United States

Governor Tulsi Gabbard - 60
Vice President Scott Walker - 40

[Maxwell]

That's disappointing, I was hoping for either President Ayotte/Vice President Gabbard or President Tayor/Vice President Walker. Nevertheless, I am fascinated and want to see what happens next if you are going further into the future.

[badgate]

I went back and forth on it all week. I even briefly considered a deal being struck so we had President Ayotte/Vice President Taylor. But since it became a hard choice, I went with what I originally wrote.  And this is actually the end of what I've written. Thanks for reading!

[NHI]

Well Done!!

[John Fettercuck]

Great timeline, and an even better outcome.

[Emperor Charles V]

Great timeline! You should continue! I would love to know the Taylor administration!

[PolitiJunkie]

Fable: A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.

So what's the moral?