The Romney Administration

[OSR stands with Israel]

Senator Mary Landrieu gives the Democratic Response to the President's speech to a Joint Session of Congress:




Landrieu: Good Evening, today I am here to talk about the issues the President mentioned in his speech today and give my thoughts on them. Frist I want to congratualte the President on giving his first speech to a joint session of congress and I look forward to working with him to make our country a better place. The President talked about the fact that it is the people of this country and not us in Washington who made our nation great, and I agree with him it is the people who will make our economy again. In Fact when FDR took office in 1933 in the middle of the great depression , he implemented the New Deal which was designed to improve the ecoomic standing of the American people instead of continuing the policies of previous adminstrations who believed that the economy can self correct. So we do agree on what the problem is , and basic solution but where we disagree is on our path to get to that solution.

The President and the Republicans believe that the best way to empower people is buy cutting taxes to increase the amount of disposable income people have. While that may sound good , it does not help people who are unemployed as they already dont make any income so tax cuts alone wont help them. What we need is jobs and the best way to do that is by investing in new technolgies and infastruture just like Roosevelt did during the depression , as well as cutting taxes for middle class families and small buisnesses. So to be able to pay for those programs we believe that we should let the Bush era tax cuts on people making half a million dollars or more expire . Now we dont beleive we should raise taxes by an outrageous amount , as infact that tax rate we are proposing is the same tax rate the top 1% payed in the mid - late 1990s and during that time our economy boomed, our stock market boomed, and people no matter if they were poor or rich saw their lives get better. So while I agree with the President on cutting taxes for middle class families and small buisness we must not cut taxes any further for the biggest corporations in America, and people who are already doing well in this economy.

Another thing the President talked about was the need to reduce or defict and once again I agree with him there. Where we disagree is on the solution , and that first starts with giving people who are making half a million dollars or more another tax cut. The fact is we tried those policies during the 2000s and the results of those policies were we went from a record surplus in 2000 and being on the path to wipe out the debt by 2009, to having a 1.2 trillion dollars defict and more than doubling our national debt during that same time period. Instead we should focus on economic growth, and making spending programs more efficient to reduce our defict. Thank You and May God Bless America.

[Perlen vor den Schweinen]

I am hoping to see a Beautiful Year for the Democratic Party in 2014 and see a revival for southern Democrats.

(and Nebraska Democrats please  )

[OSR stands with Israel]

I am hoping to see a Beautiful Year for the Democratic Party in 2014 and see a revival for southern Democrats.

(and Nebraska Democrats please  )

Yup the Democrats will be trying to win back much of the Clinton South (States Bill won in 92 and 96, and states Hillary was believed to have a chance to win in 08) as their way out of the wilderness. Whether it works or not is yet to be seen

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House passes Romney's Tax Reform Plan on Party Lines



Wolf Blitzer: There you have it, the House of Representatives just voted to pass the President's Tax Plan. Lets bring in our chief congressional correspondent Dana Bash for more. Dana what do you think the Senate will do for this tax plan

Dana Bash: First I want to tell the viewers that this tax reform plan was passed on party lines, with no democratic congressman voting for it or no Republican congressman voting against it. Now if the same were true in the Senate, that would mean the Democrats would have the votes to filibuster it and force the Republicans to use reconciliation to pass this tax bill. The reason the Republicans dont want to do that is if they use reconciliation these tax cuts will automatically expire in 10 years and the Republicans dont want that.

Wolf Blitzer: Can the Republicans get at least 3 Democrats to vote for this

Dana Bash : Yes they can but that would require amending this tax bill in some way, which can appeal to more moderate or conservative Democrats . What those concessions will be nobody knows but if they want 60 votes they will have to make some.

Wolf Blitzer: Thank You

[TPIG]

Glad to see things going smoothly for Romney and the GOP:].  Romney would have been so much more an effective political manager than Trump.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Glad to see things going smoothly for Romney and the GOP:].  Romney would have been so much more an effective political manager than Trump.

Agreed

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Mitt Romney nominates Former US Deputy Attorney General James Comey to head FBI and Acting CIA Director Michael Morrell to the position of CIA Director 

[OSR stands with Israel]

Senate votes to approve of Comey's and Morrell's appointments

[BigVic]

Despite me being a Democrat, I like Romney's cabinet in this TL. Robert Mueller as AG is a good pick. What role did James Comey get in the administration.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Despite me being a Democrat, I like Romney's cabinet in this TL. Robert Mueller as AG is a good pick. What role did James Comey get in the administration.

FBI Director

[OSR stands with Israel]

Senate Breaks Filibuster on Tax Bill , after GOP agrees to add in some proposed  amendments by a few moderate Democrats.

How Senate Tax Bill differs from House Tax Bill(and White House's Official Plan):


- Increase Social Security Cap on Taxable Wages to $250,000

- Carried Inerest Loophole is Eliminated

- Top Business Tax Rate will be 22.5% not 20%



Official Statement From Treasury Secretary Hubbard: The President will sign the Senate Bill if thats the one what passes, as that will mean these new tax rates will be permanent, and not subject to expiration 10 years from now.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Conference Committee comes to an agreement on Tax Bill and both House and Senate Pass it

Summary of the Tax Reform and Economic Growth Act of 2013:

New Marginal Income Tax Rates:

Single:
8% : $0-9,000
12%: $9,000- $35,550
20%: $35,550 - $80,000
22.4% : $80,001 - $200,000
28% : $200,000 - $400,000
35%: Over $400,000

Joint:
8%: $0 - $18,000
12% : $18,001 - $71,000
20% : $71,001 - $150,000
22.4% : $150,000 - $250,000
28%  : $250,000 - $500,000
35% : Over $500,000

AMT: AMT exemption will increase to $70,000 for individuals , $110,000 for Joint Filers. The Threshold at which exemptions phase out will be raised to $500,000 for individuals, and $1,000,000 for Joint Filers.

Corporate Tax Rate: Reducing Top Corporate Tax Rate from 35% to a Top Business Tax Rate of 22.5% , and any Business which has 3 or more employees will pay taxes at these rates

SALT Tax Deduction: Will be capped at $30,000 a year

Social Security Cap on Taxable Wages: Increased to $200,000

Carried Interest Loophole: Eliminated

Offshore Tax Deferral Deduction: Eliminated

Rest of Bush Tax Cuts: Made Permanent


Senate Democrats who voted for Bill(For Bill to get 60 Votes): Joe Manchin, Mark Pryor, Mark Begich

[OSR stands with Israel]

President Romney signs Tax Reform and Economic Growth Act of 2013:




Romney: Thank You, Thank You. Today is a great day for America and its people, as we have finally succeeded in lowering tax rates for the middle class and poor, small buisnesses, and got rid of unproductive loopholes(Applause). For too long our tax code made it difficult for the average American to have money to spend in ways they need, small business was getting crushed due to paying taxes at the income tax level despite not really being rich, and the only people who benefited from it were people who could have the money to hire personal tax accountants so they could take advantage of the many loopholes in the tax code. Now Finally after so many years, we have fixed this problem (Loud Cheer ) and you really have to thank all the congressman and senators standing behind me right now along with congressman senators who couldn't make it who worked really hard to make this day a reality(Applause).


Romney sits down and signs Tax Bill

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President Romney's Approval Rating and other polls(04/14/13)


Romney's Approval Rating :

Approve: 60%(+2)
Disapprove: 30%
No Opinion : 10%(-2%)


Opinion of GOP Tax Bill:

Approve: 50%
Disapprove: 37%
No Opinion : 13%


House Generic Ballot:

Republicans 52%
Democrats 43%

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Breaking News: Terrorists attack Boston Marathon , causing hundreds of casualities  

  

President Romney statement on the Terrorist Attack:



Romney : Earlier today, a couple terrorists set of bombs during the Boston marathon which resulted in hundreds of casualties, and pain throughout the city of Boston. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and communities and we vow that we will bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.

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Breaking News: Dzokhar Tsarnaev arrested due to his involvement in the Boston Bombings, and his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev killed in a shootout with police. Attorney General Mueller also Announces Charges against Tsarnaev




Attorney General Mueller: The Department of Justice After much deliberation has decided to charge Dzokhar Tsarnaev of 4 counts of murder, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death, and 25 other serious charges.

News Reporter: Will the DOJ pursue the Death Penalty.

Mueller: Yes the DOJ will pursue the Death Penalty in this case .

[OSR stands with Israel]

Senator Marco Rubio Sponsors an Immigration Reform Bill




Rubio: This bill will allow illegal immigrants who have been in the country for 5 or more years , and have been law abiding since the time they have been here to be eligible for a pathway to citizenship. It also increases border security and requires businesses to use e-verify so we can stop future illegal immigration. Lastly it makes it easier for people who have H1B visas , and other high skilled visas to receive green cards, because these are the exact type of immigrants we should be welcoming to live here permanently

[OSR stands with Israel]

Democrats in Tatters as party falls into an all out civil war




John King: Despite the fact that Republicans control the Whitehouse, gave clear majorities in both houses of Congress, a majority of the governorships and 71/99 State Legislative Chambers, the Democrats still haven't been able to unify and form an opposition. Instead, it seems like the infighting inside the party keeps getting worse, and more and more factions inside the party are starting to join in the fight. Why is that


Douglas Brinkley: Its because the party's coalition shattered into multiple pieces last November, and really began to shatter throughout the Obama Presidency. Left Wing Democrats believed Obama was too right wing, Centrist Democrats believed Obama was too left wing, old Labor Democrats believed he favored Business too much, Suburban Democrats believed he was too populist ,  and coupled with the fact that he didnt really have any major achievements and the bad economy made things even worse. Now with no incumbent president to bring the party together , and two major election defeats, each on of these factions is at war with the other factions. The ironic part of this was in 2008, it was the Democrats who very viewed to have realigned this country, and on pace to dominate politics for the next 30 years especially with a young charismatic leader as their head.The problem was Obama when it came to policy really didnt fit in with any of these groups, so unlike the Republicans, after 2008 the democrats don't have really one faction to move away from and thats causing a lot of problems.


John King: Has anything like this happened before

Douglas Brinkley: Not fully but yes it has a little bit and ironically to the same party. In 1892 the Democrats won control of the Presidency and both houses of Congress under than President Grover Cleveland and made inroads into many Republican areas. Due to that it was believed that the Democrats had finally ended the 32 years Republican Rule and would be the party to dominate the next generation, but instead an economic crises and a President seemingly unable to solve that crises tore the party apart, and the Republicans would win big in the next two elections and go on to dominate politics for another 36 years and by an ever larger margin than they did from the 1860s-1890s. There in many ways are some parallels between Romney and McKinley but the GOP obviously can still blow this just like the Dems did.


John King: Whats the Difference


Douglous Brinkley: The difference was Grover Cleveland clearly belonged to a faction in the dem party : the Borboun Democrats so when he failed it was easier to move away from that faction. It was just that they chose to embrace an left wing populist faction which was unelectable led to the party falling in an internal civil war not the fact that the President was not part of any faction in the first place.

John King : Is there anything they can do to resolve things quickly

Doglous Brinkley: I dont know, as the GOP people could argue was in a similar place back in 2009 as Democrats are today, so maybe if President Romney's economic policies fail as well, and he is unable to win any more policy achievements the Democrats could rise back up . On the other hand if the eocnomy does improve and Romney is able to get policy wins on issues such as Immigration , Energy , and Healthcare you could see a start to another generation of GOP dominance.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Mitt Romney signs Budget which cuts 85 billion from the budget due to sequestration and spends 15 billion extra on infrastructure block grants by cutting 15 billion extra dollars from discretionary spending

[hokey398]

I love this timeline. Only if this was what really happened.... maybe President Romney in a couple years

[OSR stands with Israel]

I love this timeline. Only if this was what really happened.... maybe President Romney in a couple years

Thanks

Hope that does happen in a couple years(though I would prefer Kasich but Romney still would be great) , but I dont think it will, unfortunately(It will either be Trump, or Pence)

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President Romney signs 3 new executive orders relating to immigration , and foriegn policy



Order 13641: Increasing amount of border security agents near the US-Mexico Border

Order 13642: Direct State Department of entering negotiations with India to form a potential Alliance between both the United States and India.

Order 13643: Arming Rebels in Syria

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House and Senate Passes Immigration Reform Bill:


Details of Senate Bill:

Border Security:

- Increases amount of border security agents on the Southern Border

- Increasing amount of cameras, and adding  Ariel and underground sensors near the Border


How to deal with the illegal immigrants who are already here:

- Allow illegal immigrants who have resided in the United States for 5 or more years to be eligible for a pathway to citizenship

- Deport Illegal Immigrants who have committed felonies

- Mandates all Buisnesses to Use E Verify

- Increases fine on Businesses who hire illegal immigrants by 20%

Legal Immigration Reform:

- Increases amount of H1B visas and High Skilled Visas

- Making it significantly easier for people who have lived here for 5 or more years with a High Skilled Work Visa to receive a Green Card and eventually citizenship.

- Making it easier for international students who graduated from a US university with a Marketable Degree to receive a Green Card and eventual citizenship


Details of House Bill:

Border Security:

- Increases amount of border security agents on the Southern Border

- Increasing amount of cameras, and adding  Ariel and underground sensors near the Border

- Building a Fence in vulnerable areas on the Border

How to deal with the illegal immigrants who are already here:

- Allow illegal immigrants who have resided in the United States for 5 or more years to be eligible for a pathway to becoming permanent residents.

- Deport Illegal Immigrants who have committed felonies

- Mandates all Buisnesses to Use E Verify

- Increases fine on Businesses who hire illegal immigrants by 20%,  and sanctions multiple offenders.

Legal Immigration Reform:

- Making it significantly easier for people who have lived here for 5 or more years with a High Skilled Work Visa to receive a Green Card and eventually citizenship.

- Making it easier for international students who graduated from a US university with a Marketable Degree, and worked in that field for at least 2 years to receive a Green Card and eventual citizenship

[OSR stands with Israel]

Republican Marty Seifert wins Special Election to fill Agriculture Secretary's Colin Peterson's Old Congressional District



Wolf Blitzer : We can project that former Minnesota House Minority Leader will be the next congressman from Minnesota 7th district, winning Agriculture Secretary Colin Peterson's Old Seat.

John King: Nobody should be surprised by this , the district has swung heavily Republican over the past many years and President Romney won this district by over 30 points last year if you may remember. It was just that Collin Peterson was a Conservative Blue Dog Democrat and an incumbent that he kept winning, or this seat would have been gone a while ago.


Wolf Blitzer: So this will mean the Republicans will have 261 seats in the House of Representatives.

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Conference Committee Comes to an agreement on immigration reform and both House and Senate Pass it

Wolf Blitzer: After Two Weeks of negotiations, the conference committee finally agreed on an immigration reform bill. Here are the Details of the Bill

Details of The Immigration Reform Act of 2013:

Border Security:

- Increases amount of border security agents on the Southern Border

- Increasing amount of cameras, and adding  Ariel and underground sensors near the Border

- Building a Fence in vulnerable areas on the Border


How to deal with the illegal immigrants who are already here:

- Allow illegal immigrants who were brought here as Children to be eligible for a pathway for citizenship, while allowing other Illegal Immigrants who have resided here for 5 or more years to be eligible for Permanent Residency.

- Deport Illegal Immigrants who have committed felonies

- Mandates all Buisnesses to Use E Verify

- Increases fine on Businesses who hire illegal immigrants by 20%,  and sanctions multiple offenders.

Legal Immigration Reform:

- Increases amount of H1B visas and High Skilled Visas

- Making it significantly easier for people who have lived here for 5 or more years with a High Skilled Work Visa to receive a Green Card and eventually citizenship.