Independent

[wxtransit]

Thanks my dudes. I’m gonna continue this. I’m wondering whether to make a whole new board because so much will change, or to cover the rest of the Hickenlooper Presidency on this one. I dunno.

I would say keep it here because it's part of the same TL. Also, #Carson2028

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Thanks my dudes. I’m gonna continue this. I’m wondering whether to make a whole new board because so much will change, or to cover the rest of the Hickenlooper Presidency on this one. I dunno.

I would say keep it here because it's part of the same TL. Also, #Carson2028

Thanks my dude but hahhh, should I do the same yearly thing or sorta skip around a bit around the “boring” parts? You may or may not see a Carson candidacy for sure some revivals of the 2024 Campaign though.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

The Hickenlooper Presidency (and Democratic Presidential Contenders)



The rest of the Hickenlooper presidency was seen as a remarkably lame duck presidency. Besides the passage of more health care and big pharma regulations, acceptance of Secretary of State Nikki Haley (who was replaced by Jon Huntsman) as Vice President, the total comeback of the U.S Economy from the recession, and the full implementation of free public college, times were quiet. The 2026 midterms were good for the Democrats and the Reform Party.  The Presidential Contest of 2028 came around right after the 2026 Midterms. The Democrats need to win the Presidency this year to prove that they’re still relevant, as do the Republicans. President Hickenlooper has decided against going for re-election. He and his party have a good approval rating, however.

Democratic Candidates:

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI)- The runner up from 2024 is again running for President. She built a working class white voting coalition along with Southern and moderately progressive voters to carry several states against eventual party nominee Senator Jeff Merkley. Can she repeat her past successes?

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)- A former 2020 Runner up for the Democratic Nomination, Senator Booker puts his hat into the ring again. Will he be able to overcome his past controversies?

Senator Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)- Senator Gabbard is a fresh face, and young. The American people love that combination. She was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party all the way back in 2016. Will her controversial statements sink this Hawaiian’s candidacy?

Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA)- The Former 2024 Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee who has gotten into numerous controversies is running for President. Will he get far?

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)- The Former 2016 VP Nominee and 2024 Presidential Contender has decided he wants to run for President again after a botched 2024 bid that didn’t even make it to Iowa? Is he too boring and unlikeable to be president?

Senator Eric Swalwell (D-CA)- The relatively new Senator from California has decided to throw his hat into the ring of Presidential politics. Will he come off as an elitist, or. E acceptable to the working class?

Senator Beto O’Rourke (D-TX)- After winning the Texas Special Senator Election after Ted Cruz’s surprising resignation to recover from his injuries due to a failed assassination attempt, O’Rourke became popular. However, rose to nationwide prominence after winning re-election. Does Senator O’Rourke have what it takes to build a winning coalition to win the Democratic Nomination?  

Senator Jason Kander (D-MO)- The Senator from Missouri who openly embraced Reform Party policies in his Senate campaign is running as a Democrat. In 2016, he rose to nationwide prominence despite losing a Senate race, he came back later, and won the Senate seat. Does Kander have what it takes to turn his TV star into a winning contender?

Senator Jason Carter (D-GA)- The grandson of the late President Carter is running for President. After being elected as a Congressman, Jason Carter ran for Senate against former HHS Secretary Tom Price and won. Should Carter have waited before running for President? He’s charismatic though.

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)- Senator Cantwell is a Washington Senator. Yeah, that’s about it. She’s banking on a couple states to give her a head start. She seems to be a Masto type candidate, without her charisma. It’s proving to be a problem.

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA)- One of the last serious candidates to announce, Newsom stunned the political world by announcing a Presidential bid after he declined to run for two straight cycles. Two Californians are running against eachother for the Presidency, but have remained very cordial. Let’s see if the Governor of the largest state has what it takes to move from Sacramento to the Oval Office.

Governor Greg Stanton (D-AZ)- The Arizona Governor has proven himself electable throughout different scenarios. Will he be able to mount a winning campaign?

Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL)- The Illinois Representative rose to prominence after being close to the spot of Democratic Leader, however it didn’t happen. Is she going to raise her name in a Presidential field just to angle for House leadership?

Fmr. Governor Brian Schweitzer (D-MT)- The Former Montana Governor has been out of political office for a while. Can he even? Just. No.

(Cabinet Changes during the Hickenlooper Presidency:

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter resigned in April 2026, and he was replaced by Attorney General Kelly Ayotte. She was replaced by former Alabama Senator Doug Jones (D-AL)

Secretary of Homeland Security Jim Gilmore resigned in May 2026. He was replaced by former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (R-IL)

Secretary of Energy Sean Parnell resigned in March 2027 to undergo “private ventures”. He was replaced by former HUD Secretary Julian Castro (D-TX)

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Republican and Reform Presidential contenders coming later. The timeline will be continued on a new thread after the 2028 General Election.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Go Kander/O'Rourke!

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Go Kander/O'Rourke!

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Two potential candidates may enter the Democratic field.

[Trans Rights Are Human Rights]

Isn't Jason Jimmy's grandson (and not his son, as written)?

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Isn't Jason Jimmy's grandson (and not his son, as written)?

My bad, didn’t catch that. Thanks, yenno I actually didn’t know Jack Carter, Carter’s actual son, ran for Nevada Senate at one point

[Sestak]

Go Kander/O'Rourke Gavin!

Also, did Cernovich kill Kasich?!

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Go Kander/O'Rourke Gavin!

Also, did Cernovich kill Kasich?!

Nah, but someone who used to be a big fan of his show. A hardcore former Roy Moore staffer from Mississippi. His name is Oliver Jackson, and he’s not a big fan of minorities. He’s in jail for the rest of his life. Rumors are soon that Kasich’s wife is gonna go down and visit him.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

The history of the “Reform Decade” for the Republicans:



The Republican Party badly needs a win in 2028, but perhaps not as badly as the Democrats. The history books will judge the Democrats more if they don’t win this but, RNC Chair Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker hopes to have a clean, quick primary (that’s now looking unlikely). The 2024 Republican Primary actually resulted in lots of unity, unlike those of 2016 and 2020. Former Secretary Ben Carson badly wanted Senator Tim Scott to run, who analyzed the situation and decided against a run at the last minute. It looks like he’s privately pulling for Gianforte or Noem, though. Also, the last Republican President of the United Sates, Donald Trump is in poor health. Rumors are he’ll be dead by the end of 2027. Also, Republicans have a reputation of obstructing President Hickenlooper (REF-CO).

Republican Candidates:

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)- Senator Tom Cotton, the second runner up in 2024. He won five states, mostly due to nearly Trumpian policy proposals. Can he repeat his 2024 successes, but win more states than a narrow Southern coalition?

Fmr. Governor Eric Greitens (R-MO)- Governor Greitens didn’t do bad in 2024. He actually did okay, despite not winning states. In 2025, he retired as Governor of Missouri and went on a public speaking tour and started gaining traction. Let’s see if his bid gets far.

Representative Greg Gianforte (R-MT)- The sole Congressman and former 2024 Republican VP Nominee, Greg Gianforte has decided to again seek the Presidency. Let’s see if he’ll get anywhere close to successful.

Fmr. Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN)- The Former 2020 Republican VP Nominee due to Mike Pence’s withdrawal from the Republican ticket and 2012 GOP Candidate has decided to throw her hat in the ring again. She seems to be receiving support from the Pro-Bannon crowd. Let’s see if she gets far.

Fmr. Sec. Steven Mnuchin (R-NY)- The Former Secretary of the Treasury under Trump is giving a go for the Presidency. He’s running a polished “rich man’s campaign”. Hah. Let’s see how far that gets him in this environment.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)- Senator Cruz has quite the (conservative firebrand) history in Washington. From being the face of a government shutdown, to a runner up 2016 Campaign, to being known as one of the most conservative Senators in Washington until an assassination attempt at a book signing almost left him paralyzed. In 2026, Ted Cruz came back to the Senate. He’s running for President after just months back in the Senate.

Senator Adam Laxalt (R-NV)- The Former Nevada Governor and now Senator, Adam Laxalt, has made a big name for himself in Republican politics. Now he’s running for the Republican Nomination. Maybe his home state of Nevada will help him get an early head start.

Senator Josh Mandel (R-OH)- Senator Sherrod Brown seemed like he was going to win going into Election Night 2018, but allegations against him helped the young State Treasurer to win. He was re-elected in 2024, and is now running a staunchly conservative, almost Trumpian Campaign. Let’s see if he picks up the same base former President Trump did.

Senator Todd Young (R-IN)- One of the surprisingly most moderate members of the Senate is gaining traction on a Presidential playing field. He’s touting the “most electable” option around on the campaign trail. He’s also been endorsed by 2024 GOP runner up Bruce Rauner. That’ll help a lot.

Senator Liz Cheney (R-WY)- Following the death of her father, former Vice President Cheney, Senator Cheney announced a run for President and has some of the same characteristics of her father. She’s striking up a lot of populist rage on the campaign trail. She’s touting herself as a moderate, yet a conservative at the same time. The rallies show love for her.

Governor Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)- The Governor of Utah was famous for his House stunts. He was elected as Governor in 2020, and has decided to run for President. Let’s see if he can win over staunchly conservative voters.

Governor Raul Labrador (R-ID)- The Idaho Governor wants to raise his name. He’s a very libertarian fellow, and is proving to be the Libertarian candidate. He’s been endorsed by Senator Rand Paul, maybe that’ll help. He also has the support of many westerners, and seeming to be a threat directly to Ted Cruz’s candidacy.

Governor Kristi Noem (R-SD)- The young South Dakota Governor is all over Iowa getting her flannel, jeans, and boots outfit dirty. She’s running as a common man candidate. Could work.

Fmr. Governor Todd Lamb (R-OK)- The relatively young former Governor of Oklahoma seems like he’s well, never mind, not making noise. Pretty conservative guy. Almost ran in 2024, but decided against it.

Fmr. WH. Strat. Steve Bannon (R-VA)- GO. AWAY. No. One. Likes. You. You’re literally at like 0.2% in the polls.

Fmr. Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX)- Lost a Texas Senator race to a Democrat, who’s also running for President. Nope.

Fmr. Representative Stephen Fincher (R-TN)-
The former “most corrupt member of the House” is running after losing a badly in a Senate Primary almost ten years ago. Some people just don’t know when to quit.

[Sestak]

Young is the only somewhat decent one in the GOP field. But the idea that this is a party where he's "the moderate" is scary.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

Young is the only somewhat decent one in the GOP field. But the idea that this is a party where he's "the moderate" is scary.

Yeah, fear of the GOP base caused pretty much the Moderate Caucus to join the Reform Party movement.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

The Reform Decade:



The Reform Party rose to national prominence in 2020 with the Presidential Election Victory of John Kasich. President-elect Kasich realized he needed to build a national party base for some sort of backing of support, and he did just that. The history of the party has been interesting, to say the least. With moderation, centrism, and a bit of Reform and bipartisanship, the Reform Party has made their brand known. This decade, this era in American political history shall no doubt know this era as “The Reform Decade”. With the assassination of their hero, President Kasich, they had a martyr, they had their Kennedy. President Hickenlooper has made great strides, and has refused to run for re-election. A few candidates have entered, and the fear of a potential schism is there.

Reform Candidates:

Senator Ben Sasse (REF-NE)- Senator Ben Sasse was an early supporter of President Kasich back in the 2020 Campaign, and the first Senator to officially join the Reform Party. He’s their leader in the Senate, and has decided to run for President. He looks like he’s the future of the party.

Senator Marco Rubio (REF-FL)- Senator Marco Rubio was a Former 2016 Presidential Contender and was seen as a Presidential possibility more than a decade ago. He’s become a very influential Senator. Even if he doesn’t win the nomination, he seems like he could potentially be a VP hopeful.

Senator Jon Husted (REF-OH)- Senator Jon Husted was appointed Senator after Rob Portman’s resignation to lead the Commerce department. He then defeated 2020 Democratic VP Nominee Dennis Kucinich in a special Senate election, and won re-election. I mean, why not succeed John Kasich with another Ohioan? Or is the party more desperate for change?

Senator Michael Bennett (REF-CO)- Senator Michael Bennett is the only former Democrat to decide to seek the Presidency. Most other former Democrats want the VP spot, but this Senator has been known as a bold defender of President Hickenlooper, closely aligning himself with him. Let’s see if he picks up support, he’s a bit mild on the campaign trail.

Sec. Diane Black (REF-TN)- Diane Black has a long history in politics. She’s the current Secretary of the Treasury, the former House Chair of the Budget Committee, a former Tennessee Congresswoman. She’s very old though, let’s see if she gets anywhere.