Iowa is Rubio Country

[LoneStarDem]

Marco Rubio's Presidency
May 2022, Part 2

May 17 :

-In the context of Iran's denuclearization, Tehran officially announces the dismantling of its nuclear missile test facility located kilometres from the Iranian town of Chalus. In response, President Rubio welcomes Iran's move, praising Iranian President Mahmoud Sadeghi for keeping his word.

May 18 :

-The Israeli Armed Forces uncovers a Hezbollah attack tunnel crossing into the Israeli territory from Lebanon, thus preventing attempts by Hezbollah to launch terrorist attacks against Israel on its territory.

May 20-22 :

-President Rubio and the First Lady arrive in Rome, Italy where the U.S. President meets his allies at the G7 summit. All the G7 leaders agreed to normalize their economic relations with Iran as Tehran recently pledged to denuclearize during the U.S.-Iran summit last month, which, as they declared will be beneficial for both international security and peace and for the global economy thanks to the opening of Iran's markets to the international market as Iran is the world's 35th largest consumer market. During the summit, President Rubio and his allies described the recent ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as an opportunity to reinforce economic and trade relations with Africa and agreed to work to increase foreign direct investment in Africa.


-Vice-President Haley campaigns for Arizona Senator Martha McSally in Chandler, Arizona where he praises the Rubio Administration's success in getting Iran to denuclearize during the U.S.-Iran summit in Istanbul as well as the effects of this summit such as a denuclearized Iran and a reinforcement of international security by depriving terrorist organizations once sponsored by Iran of supplies through Iran's past state-sponsored terrorism. She calls on the people of Arizona to mobilize and to re-elect Martha McSally for a full six-year senate term in order to make sure that America will pursue peace through strength.

May 23-24 :

-The U.S. officially announced that the U.S. military arsenal saled to the Philippines after the approval of their arms deal arrive in the Filipino territory and are delivered to the Filipino armed forces to combat Abu Sayyaf. Among the military equipment included in the arms deal include notably Apache helicopters, F-14D Super Tomcats, stealthy interceptor patrol boats, ammunitions, spare parts and body armors. After that announcement, President Rubio welcomes that progress during a press conference at the White House and announces that the United States and the Philippines will soon start their joint military exercises.

May 25 :

-President Rubio campaigns for Republican congressional candidate in Texas' 32nd congressional district Taya Kyle. During a campaign stump rally in Dallas, Texas, President Rubio praises Chris Kyle's military service and reminded voters that it is thanks to a stronger U.S. military, an effort     provided by the Rubio Administration throughout the last few years, that the United States and their allies managed to make strong progress in the War on Terror such as the eradication of ISIS and Al Qaida in Iraq and Afghanistan, the elimination of deceased ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in 2017 and the restablization of Syria. The President calls on voters to elect Taya Kyle in the House of Representatives for the sake of the continuation of America's economic prosperity through low taxes, small government and free enterprise, and for America's victory in the War on Terror through a modernized military and strong alliances.

May 28 :

-President Rubio, his family and his Cabinet celebrate the President's 51st birthday at the White House.

May 30 :

-Secretary of Energy Harold Hamm visits Burachest, Romania in the context of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce business mission to Romania. During a joint appearance with his Iraqi counterparts at the Chamber event, Hamm emphasized the importance of a transparent, predictable, and accountable business environment to attract further investment in Romania’s energy sector in order to counter the regional dependency towards Russian oil.

May 31 :

-U.S. forces are establishing observation posts in Northeast Syria to further deprive ISIS of escape routes. The observation posts will be set up to deter ISIS fighters that try to flee the middle Euphrates River valley into Turkey to the north.

I'm assuming Rubio forges closer ties with Taiwan & the Philippines ?

On the Philippines: I'm assuming Leni Robredo wins the Presidency in landslide ?

[UWS]

Marco Rubio's Presidency
May 2022, Part 2

May 17 :

-In the context of Iran's denuclearization, Tehran officially announces the dismantling of its nuclear missile test facility located kilometres from the Iranian town of Chalus. In response, President Rubio welcomes Iran's move, praising Iranian President Mahmoud Sadeghi for keeping his word.

May 18 :

-The Israeli Armed Forces uncovers a Hezbollah attack tunnel crossing into the Israeli territory from Lebanon, thus preventing attempts by Hezbollah to launch terrorist attacks against Israel on its territory.

May 20-22 :

-President Rubio and the First Lady arrive in Rome, Italy where the U.S. President meets his allies at the G7 summit. All the G7 leaders agreed to normalize their economic relations with Iran as Tehran recently pledged to denuclearize during the U.S.-Iran summit last month, which, as they declared will be beneficial for both international security and peace and for the global economy thanks to the opening of Iran's markets to the international market as Iran is the world's 35th largest consumer market. During the summit, President Rubio and his allies described the recent ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as an opportunity to reinforce economic and trade relations with Africa and agreed to work to increase foreign direct investment in Africa.


-Vice-President Haley campaigns for Arizona Senator Martha McSally in Chandler, Arizona where he praises the Rubio Administration's success in getting Iran to denuclearize during the U.S.-Iran summit in Istanbul as well as the effects of this summit such as a denuclearized Iran and a reinforcement of international security by depriving terrorist organizations once sponsored by Iran of supplies through Iran's past state-sponsored terrorism. She calls on the people of Arizona to mobilize and to re-elect Martha McSally for a full six-year senate term in order to make sure that America will pursue peace through strength.

May 23-24 :

-The U.S. officially announced that the U.S. military arsenal saled to the Philippines after the approval of their arms deal arrive in the Filipino territory and are delivered to the Filipino armed forces to combat Abu Sayyaf. Among the military equipment included in the arms deal include notably Apache helicopters, F-14D Super Tomcats, stealthy interceptor patrol boats, ammunitions, spare parts and body armors. After that announcement, President Rubio welcomes that progress during a press conference at the White House and announces that the United States and the Philippines will soon start their joint military exercises.

May 25 :

-President Rubio campaigns for Republican congressional candidate in Texas' 32nd congressional district Taya Kyle. During a campaign stump rally in Dallas, Texas, President Rubio praises Chris Kyle's military service and reminded voters that it is thanks to a stronger U.S. military, an effort     provided by the Rubio Administration throughout the last few years, that the United States and their allies managed to make strong progress in the War on Terror such as the eradication of ISIS and Al Qaida in Iraq and Afghanistan, the elimination of deceased ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in 2017 and the restablization of Syria. The President calls on voters to elect Taya Kyle in the House of Representatives for the sake of the continuation of America's economic prosperity through low taxes, small government and free enterprise, and for America's victory in the War on Terror through a modernized military and strong alliances.

May 28 :

-President Rubio, his family and his Cabinet celebrate the President's 51st birthday at the White House.

May 30 :

-Secretary of Energy Harold Hamm visits Burachest, Romania in the context of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce business mission to Romania. During a joint appearance with his Iraqi counterparts at the Chamber event, Hamm emphasized the importance of a transparent, predictable, and accountable business environment to attract further investment in Romania’s energy sector in order to counter the regional dependency towards Russian oil.

May 31 :

-U.S. forces are establishing observation posts in Northeast Syria to further deprive ISIS of escape routes. The observation posts will be set up to deter ISIS fighters that try to flee the middle Euphrates River valley into Turkey to the north.

I'm assuming Rubio forges closer ties with Taiwan & the Philippines ?

On the Philippines: I'm assuming Leni Robredo wins the Presidency in landslide ?

Yep

[LoneStarDem]

I'm going to assume Robredo took over the Presidency around 2019 or 2020 when Duterte doesn't finish his term ?

[LoneStarDem]

Marco Rubio's Presidency
April 2021, Part 2

April 16 :

-President Rubio gave a statement in reaction to John McCain's death, making a tribute to his military service, to his political career and to his maverick reputation. He honoured McCain's memory and praised his courage and patriotism as well as his determination to put country first. He offered condolences to the McCain family.

April 17 :

-Following John McCain's death, Arizona Governor appoints McCain's wife Cindy to fulfill her husband's senate seat until a senatorial special election will be held in Arizona next November along with the gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

April 19 :

-The House of Representatives votes 378-57 for the Protection Act that is later signed into law by President Rubio, thus sanctioning Iranian steel as well as steel exportations to Iran in order to hinder the construction of Iranian warships and to further undermine their naval power and to derail Iran's attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz.

April 21 :

-John McCain's funeral took place at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. President Rubio as well as his predecessors attend the funeral.

April 22 :

-The remains of the U.S. soldiers killed during the Korean War are returned to U.S. soil. During a press conference at the White House, Vice-President Haley declared that this marks « a new season of hope for the families of our missing fallen ». During that same press conference, President Rubio honours the courage, patriotism and memory of the « heroes who gave their lives in defense of democracy, justice and freedom. » He also thanked Kim Jong-un for keeping his word and declares that this action by North Korea encourages a series of fulfilled promises such as North Korea's denuclearization and the restoration of peace in the Korean peninsula.


April 23 :
-The construction of the Trans-South pipeline officially starts.

April 24-25 :

-Partly due to the increasing international sanctions against Tehran, Iran is now in recession, thus further undermining its attempts to develop nuclear weapons, causing protests around the country. The protesters consider the Iranian government as responsible the mess Iran is now living as their actions are causing the sanctions that are hurting Iran's economy.

-President Rubio calls on the Iranian government to come back to reason, to listen to the concerns of the Iranian people and to stop its military nuclear program and to use its nuclear energy for civil and economic purposes in order to counter the Iranian recession.

April 26 :

-In reaction to the situation in Iran, James Baker, who was Secretary of State at the end of the Cold War in the first Bush Administration, gave a testimony in a Senate hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. While answering questions and praising the Rubio Administration's actions such as the sanctions and its efforts to sign the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, he declared that the recession Iran is now living as well as the international sanctions against Tehran that are diminishing Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons and to sponsor terrorism could lead the Iranian people to bring a more pacific political party to power as the next Iranian presidential elections are approaching and to back down on its military nuclear program just like the Soviet Union's economic downturn and America's increasing military superiority over the Soviets at the end of the 1980s contributed to the USSR's nuclear disarment and to the end of the Cold War.

April 27-28 :

-A U.S. drone from Niger Air Base 201 (the U.S. drone base in Agadez, Niger) located spotted Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, leader of ISIS in the Greater Sahara in an underground base in the Aïr Mountains. President Rubio orders the local U.S. Special Forces to launch a military operation there in order to kill or capture Sahrawi. The French, Algerian and Nigerien armed forces join their forces to the Americans' in this operation. During the operation, through their drones and the military offensive led by their ground troops, the Coalition succeeds to take the terrorist base and killed 87 jihadists, including Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, and captured 12 other who surrendered while losing 9 soldiers during the battle.


April 30 :

-The Sohae Satellite Launching Station, one of North Korea's nuclear test facilities, is dismantled. President Rubio called these news another step closer in the reinforcement of global peace and in the restoration of nuclear security around the world.

I'm going to assume McCain's funeral services began like this:

1.) McCain's flag-draped casket laid in repose at the AZ State Capitol Rotunda.

2.) Funeral service held at North Phoenix Baptist Church where former VP Biden, Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, etc., delivered eulogies.

3.) Lying in Repose at the US Capitol Rotunda

4.) Funeral services were held at the Washington National Cathedral.

I'm going to also assume he was buried at the US Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD (like he was in real life).

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

Can people please trim quotes of UWS timeline updates when responding to individual parts of the update to just the part relevant to ones reply?

Its really annoying to have to scroll through the entire text of an update duplicated through quotes considering that people already just saw it a few posts back.

[LoneStarDem]

Marco Rubio's Presidency
October 2018, Part 2

October 18 :
-President Rubio meets with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at the White House promising to work on doing more trade deals and business between both countries.

October 19 :

-Israel conducts missile strikes against ISIS in the Egyptian city of El Gorah, thus facilitating the task for the Egyptian Army to recapture this city, which has been done a few hours later.

October 20 :
-President Rubio meets with a group of oil business people at the White House where he discusses plans to expand offshore drilling off U.S. coasts and to authorize oil drilling in ANWR.

October 21 :
-Speaking at the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President Rubio expresses his wishes to see Leopoldo López, the Democratic Unity Roundtable nominee who is running for the presidency of Venezuela against dictator Hugo Chavez winning the 2018 Venezuelan presidential election that will be held on October 28. He declared that this will be a great turning point for Venezuela, for freedom, for democracy, for national security and for the relations between the United States and Venezuela.

October 23 :
-President Rubio campaigns for Republican congressman Mike Coffman in Colorado.

-ISIS is defeated in Rafah, on the borders between Israel and Egypt.

October 25 :

-President Rubio starts a 10-state marathon in the context of the 2018 midterm elections. He started this marathon in California where he campaigns for Republican congressional candidates as well as for Republican senatorial nominee Condoleezza Rice. During a rally in Los Angeles, he praised her business and economic expertise due to her membership among the board of directors of several businesses such as Hewlett Packard and Chevron Corporation.

October 26-28 :
-President Rubio campaigns for Mark Green in Wisconsin, John James in Michigan, John Kasich in Ohio and Mike Pence in Indiana, focusing mostly on economy, energy, trade, infrastructure as well as on the successful effects of the Rubionomics, including reduction of the unemployment at its lowest rate since 50 years thanks to the promotion of tax reform, free enterprise and free market.

October 27 :

-U.S. drones in Egypt all of ISIS' training bases in the east of the Sinai Province. The entire region is then secured by the Egyptian Army.

October 28 :

-Leopoldo López, the leader of the Democratic Unity Roundtable easily defeats Nicolas Maduro in the 2018 Venezuela presidential election with 66 % of the vote over Maduro's 34 % in this context of deep political and economic crisis in Venezuela marked by a drastic rise of inflation, which marks Venezuela's path to democracy.

-President Rubio speaks on the phone with Leopoldo López and congratulates him for his electoral victory in Venezuela, which he describes as a great day for democracy, freedom, justice, integrity and security. Both men then discussed issues such as economy, trade, energy, War on Drugs, democracy and human rights, Cuba and fight against terrorism.

October 29-31 :

-President Rubio campaigns for Republican midterm candidates in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia, focusing mostly on coal, energy, economy, foreign policy as well as on his fulfilled promises to reform America's immigration system and to make America's free trade deals fair for American workers thanks to tax cuts for the manufacturing industry and also thanks to the reduction in half of the national corporate tax rate.

October 29 :

-With the support of U.S. drones that bombarded ISIS' positions and defenses in the city of Sheikh Zuweid, the Egyptian Army started the siege of this city that is none other than ISIS' last controlled position in the Sinai province.

October 30 :

-Five months after Japan's remilitarization, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Tokyo will reinforce its navy's presence in South China Sea in order to combat the jihadist group of Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines and in Malaysia.

I'm pretty sure Chavez died in 2013 & replaced by Maduro.

[LoneStarDem]

Marco Rubio's Presidency
August 2018, Part 1
President Rubio's job approval rating :
Approve : 67 %
Disapprove : 26 %
Unsure : 7 %

August 1 :

-The Democratic National Committee makes it official and votes for Saint Louis as host city of the 2020 Democratic National Convention over other finalists such as Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Seattle and Boston. The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be held from July 13 to July 16 2020 at Scottrade Center.

August 2 :

-The U.S., Syrian and Turkish armed forces in Syria started sieging the city of Idlib, the final bastion of Tahrir al-Sham.

August 3 :

-Zimbabwe holds its first elections since the coup d’État that contributed to the toppling of Robert Mugabe, almost a year ago. During these elections, former Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvingirai of the Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe is elected President of Zimbabwe with 63 % of the vote over Emmerson Mnangagwa's 36 %, thus contributing to Zimbabwe's transition towards democracy.

-President Rubio speaks with Morgan Tsvingirai on the phone and congratulates him on his electoral victory in Zimbabwe. which he described as a « massive victory for democracy, freedom, human rights, integrity and justice ». The two leaders committed to orchestrate a new beginning for the relations between the United States and Zimbabwe and to work together to reinforce their economic and trade ties, to fight for the promotion of democracy, human rights and justice around the world and to combat terrorism in Africa.

August 4 :

-According to a new poll, the Republicans seem to be poised to get a supermajority to the Senate in November. In fact, they are likely to get at least 60 senate seats, which is due to President Rubio's strong popularity and accomplishments on economic and foreign policy issues and also to the fact that most of the senate seats in play in 2018 are located in deeply red states that usually vote Republican by overwhelming margins such as Montana (where Greg Gianforte leads Jon Tester 53 %-41 %), North Dakota (where John Darlymple leads Heidi Heitkamp 51 %-43 %), Missouri (where Claire McCaskill trails all of her potential Republican opponents), Indiana (where Mike Pence leads Joe Deonnelly 52 %-41 %) and West Virginia (where Evan Jenkins leads Joe Manchin 49 %-43 %). In addition, the GOP nominated major Republicans who have high name recognition and high popularity and demonstrated their ability to attract both Republican voters and independent voters, especially John Kasich in Ohio and Susana Martinez in New Mexico. The moreover that the Republicans succeeded in making the senatorial race in California competitive for the first time in 20 years by nominating former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who is narrowly leading with 44 % of the vote over Dianne Feinstein's 41 %.

August 5 :

-A UN investigation reports that Russia has increased oil and fuel exports to North Korea in violation to the UN sanctions against North Korea in the context of the increasing North Korean nuclear threat, thus contributing to an escalation of he North Korean crisis since every modern military, including North Korea's, mostly function on oil.


-In response to Russia's increasing oil exports to North Korea, the Rubio Administration established sanctions on Russian oil and to reinforce the U.S. Navy's presence in the Sea of Japan in order to intercept any Russian oil tanker attempting to export oil to North Korea and to deprive North Korea of the oil they need to boost their military. During a speech in Chicago, President Rubio has accused Vladimir Putin of acting against stability and peace by increasing Russia's oil exports to North Korea who will use this oil to boost its military.

August 6 :
-The U.S. troops and their allies in Syria defeated Tahrir al-Sham (Al Qaida's branch in Syria) in Idlib, thus freeing the jihadist's last bastion. During the battle, the Allies lost 91 soldiers while over 2900 Tahrir al-Sham jihadists, including the leader of Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Tahrir al-Sham leader) are killed. As a result, Tahrir al-Sham is totally eliminated.

August 7 :
-The states of Michigan, Missouri and Washington hold senatorial primaries in the context of the 2018 primaries.

August 8 :
-A new jobs reports notes that 311 000 new jobs are created in July and that the U.S. unemployment rate declined to 3.5 %.

-President Rubio hosts Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the White House where they discussed issues such as economic and trade ties between the 2 countries, energy, human rights, democracy, Russia and the fight against terrorism.

August 10 :

-During a press conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota, President Rubio unveils his Administration's infrastructure plan in order to grow the economy, to create jobs, to facilitate economic activities in America and to encourage future business owners to chose America as the place to start or expand a business. This plan includes reducing the federal gasoline tax rate by 80 %; vetoing any gas-tax increase; turning back control of the highways to the states; stopping special interests in Washington from building “Bridges to Nowhere” and engaging in other wasteful spending; freeing states from the strings that come attached to federal funding; removing barriers to public-private partnerships; repealing the Davis-Bacon Act that inflates government costs by billions every year and is a giveaway of taxpayer dollars to labor unions and phasing out the Mass Transit Account, which loots the Highway Trust Fund. This infrastructure plan is included in the bill named Bridge to the Future Act. The Senate will vote on this on August 16 and if the bill is approved by the Senate, the House of Representatives will vote on it a week later.

August 11 :
-President Rubio hosts Mexican President Ricardo Anaya Cortés at the White House where they discussed issues such as the relations between the United States and Mexico, economy, free trade, energy, the War on Drugs, democracy, immigration, Venezuela and Cuba as well as the fight against terrorism.

August 13 :
-In the context of the protests in Iran, the UN approves an embargo on Iranian fuel and sanctions against international banks and firms controlled by Iran in order to deprive Iran of the necessary capitals to sponsor terrorist groups and to build nuclear weapons. At the same occasion the UN also approved sanctions on Russia's oil exports to North Korea in the context of the North Korean nuclear threat.

August 14 :
-The states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut and Vermont hold senatorial primaries.

August 15 :
-President Rubio meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the James Group International headquarters in Detroit, Michigan where they both called for investments for the development of new infrastructures in order to facilitate economic activities as well as exports and imports between the 2 nations.

The President of Mexico takes office on December 1st, 2018.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Can you not quote the whole post?

[LoneStarDem]

I noticed Rubio improved his standing among African Americans in 2020 getting 17% of this voting bloc. Should've been higher because Sanders was an expletive HOLE.


I like to see how the Dems will react towards Menendez pulling a Zell Miller ? Will the NJ Dems find somebody to run against him in 2024 ?

[UWS]

President Rubio's Press Conference in the White House after the 2022 midterms

Yesterday night, the American people has expressed its voice during the midterm elections. The goal of an election campaign is to make sure that democracy wins. I congratulate all the winners of the 2022 midterm elections. Even though, we haven't won all the races we invested so much energy to win, we have succeeded in keeping our majority in both houses of Congress, and so the American people gave us the mandate to keep pursuing the progress of the last few years through small government and tax reform and free market policies that got us to the lowest unemployment rate in America's history and to strong prosperity and through policies that strengthened and modernized our military, thus keeping us safe and leading us to victory against terrorism. Now, with a more balanced Congress, we have once again the opportunity to bring both parties together to accomplish America's goals. That has always and that will always one of the main purposes of my presidency. Because both parties, all Americans, have common goals : getting America to full-employment, getting the world to a denuclearized North Korea and a denuclearized Iran, defeating ISIS and winning the War on Terror. All of these will be our top priorities for the upcoming year and it is only together that we can reach these goals in order to keep moving our country in the right direction and keep moving forward for the sake of prosperity, security and freedom for all Americans.

Thank you. God bless you and God bless America.

[LoneStarDem]

I'm wondering what happened to DeSantis in this TL ? Did he win Rubio's US Senate seat in 2016 ?

[UWS]

I'm wondering what happened to DeSantis in this TL ? Did he win Rubio's US Senate seat in 2016 ?

Carlos Lopez-Cantera won Rubio’s senate seat in 2016.

For 2018, when I wrote it, Putnam was the frontrunner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination and so Putnam won the Republican gubernatorial primary over De Santis and is elected Governor of Florida in this TL.

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

Nice work! But you’re repeating stuff! You know that don’t you?

[UWS]

NASA BRIEFING & PRESS CONFERENCE

Wednesday 15th November 2022

NASA ADMINISTRATOR

Eric Stallmer (2017-present)

Distinguished Guests, Members of the Media, welcome to our Briefing & Press Conference. Today marks the One-Year Countdown of sending Americans back to the Moon. I'll give a brief Rundown of what's to come in the next year and then we will opening it up to Questions.

• Our Preferred Launch Date is the 15th of November 2023. That however is also weather permitting.
• The Crew will be announced at a Later Date. NASA is also currently vetting Six Women to either serve as Mission Specialist or Capsule Commander. The likely Crew Composition will be two Men & two Women.
• Our SLS (Space-Launch-System) will arrive in January 2023.

I want to thank all the hard working Members here at Kennedy Space Center but also at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas which includes our Mission Management Team for getting us this far. Without them this wouldn't be possible.

Exploration Mission-2

Target Launch Date: 15th November 2023

Journalist 1

What do you mean with "Preferred Launch Date"?

Eric Stallmer, NASA AdminisWetrator

Obviously we'd like to launch on 15th. The Weather even at that late stage of the year though is notoriously difficult to predict in Florida. There could still be a Hurricane or Tropical Storm brewing at that time so the Target Date could theoretically be moved up to one week. We're not going to launch until we're satisfied with everything. We want to give our Astronauts as much comfort & safety as we can.

Journalist 2

You have mentioned Women possibly flying on "ORION"? which would be a Game-Changer in the United States Space Exploration History. Do you look to any specifics they might bring?

Eric Stallmer, NASA Administrator

The Thought bringing Females into Deep Space Exploration isn't new. We had that Idea for quite some time given how many Women did Shuttle Missions or served on the ISS for a long time. No, we're not looking to any specifics. The Six Women we are vetting to be a Mission Specialist or Capsule Commander will be vetted as hard as the Men so there will be definitly no favours made.

Journalist 3

What do you mean with "Our Space-Launch-System (SLS)" will arrive in January?

Eric Stallmer, NASA Administrator

The SLS is very complex. It has been constructed in California and will be delivered to Kennedy in January. It's bigger, higher and larger than Rocket Boosters we used to use for Shuttle Launches. It will have more Thrust than the Saturn V Rocket NASA used for Moon Launches in the 1960's. Because it's so big it has to be dismantled in a few parts before it can be delivered to Kennedy Space Center.

[LoneStarDem]

I wonder if the Dems have been decimated enough ? Considering they choked in consecutive Midterms: 2014, 2018 & 2022...

I'm surprised the Senate Dems haven't revolted on Schumer for failing to pick-up US Senate seats yet.

On Sinema: I hope she wins statewide office soon in AZ in this TL.

[UWS]

Marco Rubio's Presidency
November 2022, Part 2

November 16 :
-During a visit in Anchorage, Alaska, President Rubio declares that in the upcoming Arctic Council in 2023, the United States and their allies will work to make sure that the Chukchi Plateau, located off Alaska's northern coast, will be recognized to be part of the United States' exclusive economic zone in the Arctic by delineate the border the U.S. EEZ and Russia's at the Herald Island (Russia), which will give America access to the Chukchi Plateau's abundant natural resources (especially oil, natural gas and manganese).

November 17 :
-A year from the launching of Exploration Mission-2, President Rubio gives a speech at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas where he praises all the progress made in previous years in terms of America's space exploration program and declares that in exactly one year, America will reclaim its status as the leader of space exploration as American men and women will be sent on the Moon.

November 20 :
-President Rubio meet with Cuban President María Payá Acevedo in Miami, Florida in the context of the 60th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis. During their joint press conference, the two leaders reminded the audience of the horrors of this crisis and of the Cold War and praised each other's leaderships in improving the relations between their two nations such as opening of economic and trade relations, the fight against crime, terrorism and corruption and Cuba's vote in the United Nations to impose sanctions on North Korea (as the Castro regime has, in the past, helped North Korea to evade U.N. sanctions aimed at weakening its nuclear program). Acevedo saluted President Rubio's leadership that is about to bring the world to nuclear security thanks to successful negotiations with North Korea and Iran, thus preventing « a repetition of the nightmares of the past. »

November 21 :
-NASA selects Jeffrey N. Williams as Capsule Commander of Exploration Mission-2 due to Williams' large experience as he was the leading spacewalker of STS-101, was a member of the Expedition 13 Crew on ISS and of the Expedition 21/22 Crew on ISS, ISS Commander for Expeditions 47/48. Williams spent 534 Days in Space and a total of 31 Hours 55 Minutes on Spacewalks. He is likely to be one of the Moonwalkers. The rest of the Exploration Mission-2 crew will be confirmed by President Rubio's NASA Administrator Eric Stallmer in February or March 2023.

November 23 :
-In an effort to combat ISIS in Gaza, Egypt and Israel agreed to engage in intelligence sharing operations between each other.

November 25 :
-The U.S.-Syrian armed forces conducted a successful military operation on an ISIS secret port on the Euphrates located in the south of the Syrian city of Al-Kubar. Though they lost 3 soldiers during the attack, they killed 23 jihadists, including Senior ISIL commander Abu Khaled Al-Ansari.

November 26 :
-Three Defense Department research entities outlined the department’s artificial intelligence initiatives in the face of great power competition during a hearing held by the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Artificial Intelligence focuses on dealing with adversarial AI, high-performance computing cycles and minimizing energy, while delivering radically new capabilities. The program will also be aimed at combating terrorism and countering the threat posed by Russia and China who China and Russia have already recognized the enormous commercial and military potential of AI and are investing heavily with aims to become dominant, which is why the Defense Innovation Unit is working alongside the rest of the Department of Defense to maintain America's technology edge, not only in AI, but also in other dual-used technologies.

November 29 :
-President Rubio hosts Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House where they discussed issues such as economic ties between their two countries, energy, the defense of human rights, democracy, Russia and counter-terrorism. During their joint press conference at the White House, President Rubio declares that the U.S. are strongly committed to Southern Gas Corridor which ensures energy security of Europe and appreciates Azerbaijan's important role in supporting this global energy security. He also praised Azerbaijan for its contributions in the War on Terror by providing overflight, refueling, and landing rights for U.S. and coalition aircraft bound for Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria; sharing information to combat terrorism financing and detaining and prosecuted suspected terrorists, « which are effective efforts that are about to lead us to final victory in the War on Terror through the promotion of peace through strength. »

[LoneStarDem]

Hoping Mitch Landrieu becomes LA Governor in this TL for 2023 to succeed the popular JBE.

[VirginiaAaron]

Iowa is truly, Rubio Country!

[PRESIDENT STANTON]

As good as this story is, I have a suspicion that it is stalled for the for seeable future!

[UWS]

Marco Rubio's Presidency
December 2022, Part 1

December 1 :
-President Rubio nominates Dina Powell as National Security Advisor.

December 3 :
-A new jobs report indicates that 204 000 new jobs were created in America in November.

December 4 :
-Due to health problems, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg announces her retirement before the Holidays.

December 6 :
-President Rubio nominates Amy Comet Barrett to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court of the United States. Due to the strong Republican majority in the Senate, her nomination is likely to be confirmed.

December 7 :
-Republican Arizona Senator Martha McSally and Democratic New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez introduce the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act that would fully support the trilateral partnership of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus through energy and defense cooperation initiatives, including by lifting the embargo on arms transfers to the Republic of Cyprus. This bipartisan legislation would continue to enhance energy and security cooperation with allies in the Eastern Mediterranean region and seeks to bring forth a comprehensive approach to the stability of key regional partners by lifting the U.S. arms embargo on Cyprus and extending necessary Foreign Military Assistance to Greece. The Senate vote is scheduled for December 16 and the House vote for December 23.

December 8 :
-The Senate hearings to confirm Amy Comet Barret's nomination to the SCOTUS started.

December 11 :
-Iran announces the start of the dismantle of the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center.

December 13 :
-The U.S.-Iraqi forces haved have destroyed a network of tunnels that crisscross Iraq's border with Syria that had been used by ISIS to smuggle fighters and weapons. The tunnels, 11 in total, were uncovered in the Anbar border town of al-Qaim. As a result, this operation further diminished jihadists' ability to flee and to deliver weapons at some strategic point.

December 14 :
-The Senate voted 62-37 for Amy Comet Barret's nomination to the SCOTUS. She is later sworn-in by Vice-President Haley.

December 15 :
-President Rubio hosts Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House where they discussed issues, notably counter-terrorism. During their trilateral press conference, they declared that the three leaders as well as their other allies in the Middle East will work hard to destroy all of ISIS' tunnel networks around Syria crossing through Syria's neighboring countries in order to make escape impossible for ISIS jihadists and to prevent any attempt of arms supply among them.

[UWS]

CNN'S POLITICAL TEAM FOR 2024 ELECTION CYCLE

ELECTION NIGHT ANCHORS

Anderson Cooper, Host "Anderson Cooper 360"

Jake Tapper, Host "The Lead" & "State of the Union"

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS

Michelle Kosinski, CNN Chief White House Correspondent

CNN White House Correspondents Abby Phillip, Kaitlan Collins & Jeff Zeleny

POLITICAL REPORTERS

Dana Bash, CNN Chief Political Analyst replacing Gloria Borger

Cecilia Vega, CNN Senior Political Analyst & Special Correspondent

CNN's President Jeff Zucker on Vega's Appointment

We are thrilled that such an experienced Political Reporter like Cecilia has joined our Team for the next Presidential Cycle. Her CV speaks for herself. She will be helping us covering the Democratic Primaries. With the possibility of a Presidential Candidate from California where she worked for many years we welcome Mrs Vega's savy Analysis.

CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

Manu Raju, CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent

Phil Mattingly, CNN Congressional Correspondent[/center

Brianna Keilar, CNN Chief Washington Correspondent

NATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

René Marsh, Sara Snider, Jessica Schneider, Suzanne Malveaux, Ana Cabrera & Kyung Lah

CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTORS

Maria Cardona, S. E. Cupp, David Axelrod, Rick Santorum, Jennifer Granholm & Kevin Madden

[LoneStarDem]

I'm assuming Rubio attended the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, IL ?

[UWS]

I'm assuming Rubio attended the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, IL ?

Yes he did.

[UWS]

Jake Tapper, Anchor "CNN State of the Union"

It's 9am in Washington, 6am in Los Angeles, 3pm in Berlin and 2pm in London on Sunday December 18th 2022. I'm Jake Tapper and this "CNN's STATE OF THE UNION".

CNN PLAYS THE STATE OF THE UNION INTRO

Rougly a month ago the 2022 MidTerm Election had been held yet both Parties already looking to the 2024 Presidential Election. With me here in the Studio to discuss and handicap both Primary Fields are our new Chief Political Analyst Dana Bash, Senior Political Analyst & Special Correspondent Cecilia Vega, CNN Correspondent Rebecca Berg who covered Senator Kamala Harris during the MidTerm Election Season, Sara Murray who covered Vice President Nikki Haley for the last six years, David Axelrod, Democratic Strategist & former Senior Adviser to President Obama and Kevin Madden, Republican Strategist & former Senior Adviser during Mitt Romney's 2012 Presidential Bid. But before we discuss I'll toss it to our own John King, Anchor of "Inside Politics" as CNN has conducted a Final National Poll for the year.

John King, Anchor "Inside Politics"

Let's look first at some General Approval Ratings and then I'll dig into the Presidential Politics!

Do you think the Country is on the Right Track or Wrong Track?

Right Track 55%
Wrong Track 43%
Unsure 2%

Do you Approve or Disapprove how Congress is doing its Job?

Approve 47%
Disapprove 52%
Unsure 1%

Do you Approve or Disapprove how President Rubio is doing his Job?

Approve 56%
Disapprove 42%
Unsure 2%

Do you have a Favorable or Unfavorable view of the Republican Party

Favorable 48%
Unfavorable 51%
Unsure 1%

Do you have a Favorable or Unfavorable view of the Democratic Party

Favorable 52%
Unfavorable 46%
Unsure 2%

Do you have a Favorable/Unfavorable View of the following Leaders [NAMES ROTATED]?

President Marco Rubio 57/43
Vice-President Nikki Haley 55/45
House Speaker Paul Ryan 49/51
Senate Majority Leader Cory Gardner 47/53
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries 53/47
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer 54/46

As you can see President Rubio's JA, the Right/Wrong Track Numbers as well as the Favorables of both Parties are similar what our Exit Polling showed last month. Republican Congressional Leaders though have taken a hit since we last polled their Ratings in June 2021. That suggest to me that Democrats made the right choice running against the Partisanship of Ryan/Gardner last month.

If your Primary or Caucus for the Republican Nomination would be held today whom would you support [NAMES ROTATED]?

Vice President Nikki Haley 36 %
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker 15 %
Ohio Governor Mary Taylor 10 %
Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse 8 %
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton 7 %
New Mexico Senator Susana Martinez 5 %
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu 5 %
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan 4 %
Unsure 10%

If your Primary or Caucus for the Democratic Nomination would be held today whom would you support [NAMES ROTATED]?

California Senator Kamala Harris 35%
Illinois Governor Chris Kennedy 25%
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards 20%
Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey 10%
Unsure 10%

If the 2024 Presidential Election would be held today and the Candidates were Vice President Nikki R. Haley and California Senator Kamala D. Harris, whom would you vote for [NAMES ROTATED]?

Vice President Nikki R. Haley 47 %
California Senator Kamala D. Harris 47 %
Unsure 6 %

Vice President Haley remains the Frontrunner among Republican Primary & Caucus-Goers for the 2024 Republican Presidential Nomination. She actually increased her share of the voting intentions by two Percentage Points from 34 % when we last polled the Nomination in June 2021 to 36 % now. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker remains in 2nd Place with 15 %. Baker is all but certain to launch a Presidential Bid once he leaves the Governor Office in January. Due to her surprisingly larger than expected victory in last months MidTerm Elections (she beat former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman 51-46) Governor Mary Taylor of Ohio jumpes to 3rd Place with 10 % of voting intentions. It remains to be seen if Taylor decides to run. She is just 56 years of age and could run in 2028 as well or auction herself to be on the Republican Ticket as Ohio is such a crucial Battleground State in Presidential Politics. Everyone else in the Republican Presidential Field remains in single digits.
Meanwhile in the Race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination we have a new Frontrunner. When we last polled the Race now resigned former Senator Cory Booker, the Runner Up of the 2020 Democratic Primaries led the Field with 26 % followed by California Senator Kamala Harris with 23 %. Popular Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards had 13 % of voting intentions and current Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf who is now Senator-elect had 12 %. Wolf made his intentions clear during the Campaign that he wouldn't pursue the Democratic Nomination if elected to the Senate. Since then Senator Harris has consolidated the African American Vote due to Booker's Resignation as well as her support among the Democratic Establishment. She also took a more moderate Position of the Hot Button Issues facing the Country during her first six years as a Senator voting for the new Heath Care Law, nicknamed "RubioCare" along with co-sponsoring the "Opportunity Act" overhauling the Nations Immigration System. She also was one of the five Democratic Senators voting for the "Balanced Budget Amendment. Governors Edwards & Kennedy would probably need to run to her left to topple her which isn't their strong suits given the moderate-track Record they have as Governors. Democrats since they got spanked in 2020 are keen this time to avoid a bloody Primary Fight. The Field has also winnowed since that time which should help the eventual Democratic Nominee.
When it comes to the General Election between Vice President Haley and Senator Harris that Race starts as a total DEAD HEAT as both Candidates receive 47 % of voting intentions at this early stage. Back to you Jake!

Jake Tapper, Anchor "CNN State of the Union"

Thanks John. These are some interesting Numbers. Let's get started with some Analysis. My first Question to you Sara & Rebecca: What degree of confidence do Republicans & Democrats have that both Frontrunners are indeed running?

Sara Murray, CNN Correspondent who covered Vice President Haley during the Rubio Presidency

First of all Republicans are very confident Vice President Haley will run for the Presidency in 2024. However she is likely to delay any Official Announcement until after the U.S./North Korea Summit slated for Hanoi in April. We had some very exciting & enthusiastic crowds when she campaigned solo during the MidTerm Campaign. John is probably right thought: Haley's toughest Opponent would be Ohio Governor Mary Taylor as she could bridge the gap between the conservative and the moderate wing of the Party. She also would do very well in Iowa, the Rust Belt and the upper Midwest. The consensus talking to Republican Sources is that Taylor will sit this one out and will instead auctioning herself to be on the Republican Ticket in 2024. Baker's impending Candidacy is pretty much a longshot as he wouldn't last beyond South Carolina even if he wins New Hampshire. The moreover that if Chris Sununu effectively runs, Baker might not even prevail in New Hampshire.

Rebecca Berg, CNN Correspondent who covered Senator Harris during the 2022 Midterm Season

Senator Harris will run for the Presidency in 2024. Democrats in California & Nationally are pretty confident in that. She is already reaching out to former Campaign Staffers who worked for the Obama & Clinton Presidential Campaigns 2012 and 2016. She though like the Vice President might withhold any Official Announcement until later in the year of 2023. I'm told they're not worried about other Candidates jumping into the Race. The Democratic Presidential Field in 2024 will not be as crowded as it was in 2020. Sources also telling me that popular Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards if he jumps into the Race wouldn't have much appeal beyond his Home State. The South in the Democratic Primaries are centered around the African-Amercian Community where they think she would do well in. Looking at the 2020 Democratic Primaries most of the Southern States were won by then Senator Cory Booker so these Sources have a very good Point here. National Democrats whom I have spoken to are saying that Senator Harris given how she positioned herself during the last six years wouldn't be just a Regional Candidate and that's in line with Senator Harris Campaign Stops as she repeatedly said quote:"The Country has changed and the Democratic Party needs to adapt to these changes if it wants to become a viable National Party again. We can't just run on the Progressive Agenda" They also point out that her Home State of California has now over 30 % Hispanic Population which will enable her to do well among that Group in other States with high Hispanic Populations. The split among Minority Voters between Senators Kaine & Booker enabled Senator Sanders to win the Primaries in 2020. Democrats are keen to avoid that in 2024.

Jake Tapper, Anchor "CNN State of the Union"

Thank You Sara & Rebecca for your reporting. We'll be going into a short Commercial Break. When we come we'll continue the Conversation with CNN's Chief Political Analyst Dana Bash, CNN's Senior Political Analyst & Special Correspondent Cecilia Vega, Democratic Strategist David Axelrod and Republican Strategist Kevin Madden. Stay tuned and don't go away!

CNN COMMERCIAL BREAK

Jake Tapper, Anchor "CNN State of the Union"

And we're back from our Commercial. I'm now joined by Dana Bash, Cecilia Vega, David Axelrod and Kevin Madden. Cecila, you covered the Historic Campaign of Hillary Clinton in 2016. Will 2024 be as historical?

Cecilia Vega, CNN Senior Political Analyst & Special Correspondent

I'm not sure 2024 will be as historical as 2016 Jake as Hillary was the 1st Women nominated by either Political Party but it will be very exciting I think. Rebecca made a great Point about the Minority Vote in the Democratic Primaries in 2020. Senator Harris was contemplating joining the crowded Presidential Field in 2020 but ultimativly took a pass because she didn't want Democrats even more devided. President Rubio also was very popular during his 2020 Reelection Campaign. Many Democrats believe that this will work to her benefit should she choose to run in 2024. She took the high road there. I'm disagreeing about that the Harris' Folks are not worried about other potential Democratic Candidates running for President in 2024. I haven't seen any Polling out of Iowa in recently but Illinois Governor Chris Kennedy who is hailing from the sort of neighboring State could make that Race very competitive if he runs. His challenge though is to make it last beyond New Hampshire and South Carolina. That would be a problem for him then. National Democrats pointing out to me that they don't mind a competitive Nomination see Obama/Clinton 2008 as long as is civil.

Dana Bash, CNN Chief Political Analyst

Let's talk about the General Election Jake for a minute. That seems to be very close and competitive as well if you pit VP Haley against Senator Harris as eluded by John King. Over the past 8 years we have seen this Battleground Map change a lot. Democrats I'm hearing looking holding their Convention in 2024 in either Atlanta or Phoenix while Republicans looking for Milwaukee as their Convention Site. This will be fascinating to see. Although the Democrats won two Governorships and a Senate Seat in the Rust Belt that Region is trending more Republican. Conversly the Sun Belt is trending more Democratic. Yes, President Rubio won States like Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico twice during the last two Presidential Cycles but I think that's more about his personal appeal among Hispanics then about the States who are still trending Democratic I think. These States are still very much up for grabs for Democrats. It will be interesting to see how VP Haley does with this group. The Hispanic Community is growing in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia as well not to mention Florida.

David Axelrod, Democratic Strategist & fmr. Obama Senior Adviser

I was advocating the Democrats in 2016 to take the "Sun Belt Strategy" Dana because I thought that was our best chance to keep the White House. The Clinton Campaign didn't fully embrace that strategy though. They thought they could still win by taking some States in the Midwest but aside from Illinois, the President's Home State at that time they lost everything else. I think in 2024 Democrats will be fully embracing the Sun Belt particularly if Senator Harris is the Democratic Nominee. I think she is the Frontrunner for Democrats as the CNN and other Polls are suggesting.
Putting Presidential Politics aside a bit we should also discuss what happened in the last two weeks here in Washington. Republicans confirmed Amy Comet Barrett in record time to be a new SCOTUS Associate Justice. I expect a huge backlash how that was handled. There was no Transparency and Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley really carved to Senate Majority Leader Cory Gardner here. I am wondering: Why all this rush? Why does she have to be confirmed this quickly? What are Republicans afraid of? Can't we have an open, honest discussion in this town anymore? President Rubio was touting his bipartisan credentials in a Press Conference after the MidTerms YET Republicans in Congress are pushing the own Agenda. It would have nicer if the new Congress had taken this Confirmation up!

Kevin Madden, Republican Strategist & fmr. Romney Senior Adviser

The Confirmation Vote of Amy Comet Barrett would likely being the same even in the new Congress because Republicans still have enough Votes to get her confirmed. I though agree with David that it wasn't well handled and looked like a bit rushed. Usually SCOTUS Confirmations take between 3-4 weeks. Maybe we're going to figure it out later why Republicans wanted her to be confirmed so fast.

Looking at the Presidential Politics Republicans are in the same spot Democrats were in 2016 trying to get someone from the same Party elected for a so called "Third Term". Considering that according to Analyst the Economy could slow down somewhat that is going to help Democrats. We're in a tough spot in the upcoming Cycle. We also have tons of Senate Seats to defend as well. I suspect that this will change once they all get back from the U.S./North Korea Summit in April, which is likely to be similar to when Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev ratified the INF Treaty in 1987, which likely helped then Vice-President George H. W. Bush in 1988. Haley could be a very good Candidate or only very average and that's why we see so many Republicans considering running for the Presidency in 2024. We'll have to take it as it comes.

Jake Tapper, Anchor "CNN State of the Union"

That's it for us today. Thank You all for your Analysis & Insights. We will see you back next Sunday because if it's Sunday it's "State of the Union".

[LoneStarDem]

Hoping for a JBE TL soon.