Mayor Pete

[America Needs R'hllor]

what are the current delegate counts?

I'm not going to bother with delegate counts in this primary, since there are too many unknowns about the 2020 Presidential election and a few other reasons which I don't want to spoil.

[sverkol]

Warren should step down and endorse Merkley

[America Needs R'hllor]

Eric

Well, that went about as bad as expected, Los Angeles' Mayor thought as he looked at the final results from Super Tuesday. It wasn't particularly good for him, but it's not like anyone gave him much of a chance. He had hoped for some miracle giving him a victory or at least a tight race in California, but it was for naught- Harris won it handily. Still, he overperformed, and did not completely embarrass himself. He was young, and had a bright future ahead of him- he needed to secure it by exiting graciously now.

Still, the results were interesting- while Harris and Kaine won the most delegates, no one really managed to distinguish themselves. As much as six candidates have now won races, surely a historic number. Eric Garcetti felt a bit bitter that he wasn't one of the six, but oh well. He will win states in a future primary, he was certain. Even with him leaving the race, the primary remained messy and the threat of a contested convention was looming ever-closer, sending panic through the DNC. Eric had no wish to be part of that mess, especially since he doesn't have any chance anymore.

With Julian Castro, having failed to win Texas, leaving the race too, there were now zero Hispanic candidates. At least now they'll have work to work hard to earn our votes, Eric mused to himself as he drafted his endorsement of Kamala Harris.

American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
US Virgin Islands
Democrats Abroad

Democratic Primary- Alabama
Sen. Kamala Harris- 19.4% ✓
Sen. Cory Booker- 18.8%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 16.1%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 12.5%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 9.4%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 6.0%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 5.1%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 4.9%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 3.2%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 2.7%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.3%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 1.0%
Others- 0.4%

Democratic Primary- Arkansas
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 15.8% ✓
Sen. Tim Kaine- 15.1%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 14.2%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 13.9%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 9.8%
Sen. Cory Booker- 8.5%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 5.8%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 5.7%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 4.5%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 3.9%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 2.2%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 0.4%
Others- 0.2%

Democratic Primary- California
Sen. Kamala Harris- 44.2% ✓
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 23.5%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 10.6%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 7.1%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 4.4%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 4.2%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 2.0%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 1.3%
Sen. Cory Booker- 1.2%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 0.9%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.4%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.2%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Colorado
Gov. Jay Inslee- 21.4% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 20.2%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 15.4%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 11.5%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 9.7%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 6.0%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 4.9%
Sen. Cory Booker- 4.3%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 3.1%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 1.5%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.3%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 0.6%
Others- 0.1%

Democratic Primary- Georgia
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 19.1% ✓
Sen. Kamala Harris- 16.4%
Sen. Cory Booker- 14.6%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 11.4%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 10.1%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 6.3%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 5.5%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 4.1%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 3.5%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 3.2%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 3.0%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 2.8%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Massachusetts
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 40.7% ✓
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 15.5%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 11.1%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 7.3%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.6%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 5.3%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 4.2%
Sen. Cory Booker- 3.4%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 2.9%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 2.7%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 0.9%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 0.4%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Minnesota
Gov. Jay Inslee- 28.2% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 27.8%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 20.1%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 10.6%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 4.1%
Sen. Cory Booker- 3.0%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 2.2%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 1.3%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 0.9%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 0.7%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.5%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.4%
Others- 0.2%

Democratic Primary- Tennessee
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 14.7% ✓
Sen. Tim Kaine- 14.3%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 14.1%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 12.9%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 11.5%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 11.3%
Sen. Cory Booker- 7.6%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 6.9%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 3.1%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.5%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 1.3%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 0.8%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Texas
Sen. Tim Kaine- 23.5% ✓
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 19.6%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 16.0%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 9.7%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 9.2%
Sen. Cory Booker- 5.1%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 4.8%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 4.2%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 2.5%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 2.1%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 2.0%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 1.3%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Vermont
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 30.7% ✓
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 29.5%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 14.2%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 9.7%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 4.9%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 4.6%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 2.1%
Sen. Cory Booker- 1.7%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 1.2%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 1.0%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.3%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.1%
Others- 0.4%

Democratic Primary- Virginia
Sen. Tim Kaine- 40.8% ✓
Sen. Kamala Harris- 12.4%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 10.3%
Sen. Cory Booker- 8.2%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 6.1%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 4.4%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 4.2%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 4.0%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 3.7%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 3.6%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 1.4%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 0.9%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Caucuses- Wyoming
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 36.2% ✓
Gov. Jay Inslee- 20.5%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 13.4%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 11.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 5.5%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.0%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 3.1%
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro- 2.4%
Mayor Eric Garcetti- 1.0%
Sen. Cory Booker- 0.9%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.3%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.2%
Others- 0.0%

[Hoosier_Nick]

Really loving this TL. Also, go Kander! Probably has the best chance of those who I like.

(p.s., that lady from South Bend was totally right - Pete has transformed South Bend from a basic rust belt city to a kinda trendy, cool place. He's doing well.)

[America Needs R'hllor]

Jeff

"How's the situation in Ohio?" Jeff asked his pollster, leaning forward and looking at the computer screen. It full of county maps and predictions, the material of political nerds' wet dreams.

She pointed at the Ohio map. "We're doing well, Senator. The grassroots campaign seems to be resounding there. Kander is going all in there too, as does Warren- it's crucial for her- but it seems like we're more effective. They like our... erm, folksy attitude."

"Good," Jeff said in satisfaction. "What about Illinois?"

The pollster clicked a few links and opened a map of the state he asked for. "It's... alright. We're running very well in the rural areas, but Chicago isn't friendly to us. We'd have to get lucky to win this."

"I see." Jeff thought for a moment. "We'll concentrate all our resources on Ohio."

"Are you sure, sir?" The pollster raised her brows at him. "We can win quite a few delegates if we do well in Illinois and Missouri."

"Missouri is Kander's, and in Illinois we have no chance. Optics are important, and we need to win a big state." He spoke confidently. "We're going to win Ohio."

When he started the campaign, he was almost certain that he was going to have to drop out and endorse Elizabeth at some point. But as the time went, she flopped while he rose, gaining endorsements from both Feingold and Gabbard, and winning states. He wasn't going to drop out now- while she won Massachusetts, Vermont, Democrats Abroad and Maine, he won Nevada, Wyoming, North Dakota and Nebraska. They were balanced. Now he needed to win another state in Mini Tuesday, and get himself an advantage over her. If he becomes the Progressive candidate, Jeff thought, he could win the nomination. And most importantly- Elizabeth was a fine person, but he was certain that she was a bad candidate for a general election, a progressive Hillary who won't be able to implement her agenda. He needed to be the nominee, and maybe then he could make her Secretary of the Treasury.

The date was close now- they had to put all of their weight on Ohio and win it. A flashing screen caught his eyes, where the results of the states leading from Super Tuesday to Mini Tuesday were conveniently displayed. The primaries seemed to be getting only messier and messier.

American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
US Virgin Islands
Democrats Abroad

Democratic Caucuses- Kansas
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 19.3% ✓
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 17.5%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 11.7%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 9.9%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 9.2%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 7.6%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.4%
Sen. Cory Booker- 2.7%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 1.5%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.3%
Others- 0.1%

Democratic Primary- Louisiana
Sen. Kamala Harris- 23.9% ✓
Sen. Tim Kaine- 19.8%
Sen. Cory Booker- 17.3%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 13.2%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 8.7%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 6.6%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 6.1%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 2.2%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 1.2%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.8%
Others- 0.2%

Democratic Caucuses- Maine
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 32.4% ✓
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 21.7%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 15.1%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 10.5%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 6.3%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.0%
Sen. Cory Booker- 3.4%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 2.9%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.9%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 1.1%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Caucuses- Oklahoma
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 25.8% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 22.2%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 15.0%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 14.6%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 7.8%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 6.2%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 5.3%
Sen. Cory Booker- 2.5%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.7%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.6%
Others- 0.3%

Democratic Caucuses- Nebraska
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 36.8% ✓
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 17.6%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 17.1%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 8.8%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 8.5%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 6.1%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 2.4%
Sen. Cory Booker- 1.8%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.5%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.4%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Caucuses- North Dakota
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 40.1% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 19.4%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 12.2%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 7.9%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 6.1%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 5.9%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.5%
Sen. Cory Booker- 1.2%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.9%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.7%
Others- 0.1%

Democratic Primary- Democrats Abroad
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 21.7% ✓
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 20.5%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 18.2%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 13.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 9.1%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 7.3%
Sen. Cory Booker- 4.2%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 3.5%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 1.1%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.9%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Michigan
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 23.3% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 16.0%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 15.6%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 14.5%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 10.7%
Sen. Cory Booker- 8.4%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 4.3%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 4.0%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 2.1%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 1.1%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Louisiana
Sen. Kamala Harris- 28.5% ✓
Sen. Cory Booker- 23.1%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 21.0%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 10.6%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 5.4%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 4.3%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 3.1%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 2.6%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 0.9%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.5%
Others- 0.0%

[West_Midlander]

Come on, Merkley.

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Go Jason!!!!!! Omg this is so tense with so many candidates

[America Needs R'hllor]

Tom

"It's going to a contested convention now, isn't it?" DNC Chair Tom Perez said gloomily as he stared at the Mini Tuesday results flashing on the screen. "No way to stop it."

"Most likely," Keith Ellison agreed. "Normally, this would be a disaster for the Democrats. Well, it still might be. But at least Trump is still deeply unpopular, so whoever we nominate should have the clear advantage."

"Who are we going to nominate, though?" Tom asked and turned to look at his former rival. "I know your people want Merkley or Warren, but would anyone else be alright with you?"

Keith just shrugged. "I don't know yet. Progressives obviously wouldn't want Kaine, but anyone else... well, it'll depend on the platform, on the running mate. They won't accept another ClintonKaine kind of ticket, though."

Tom Perez sighed and turned back to the results. Everything indicated to a bloody and chaotic convention battle- they must have been opening champagnes at the White House.

American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
US Virgin Islands
Democrats Abroad

Democratic Primary- Florida
Sen. Tim Kaine- 19.6% ✓
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 17.9%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 16.5%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 14.2%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 8.8%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 7.9%
Sen. Cory Booker- 7.1%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 3.4%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 2.6%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.8%
Others- 0.2%

Democratic Primary- Illinois
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 22.4% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 17.7%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 17.2%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 10.9%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 10.7%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 7.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 6.6%
Sen. Cory Booker- 4.3%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 1.5%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.1%
Others- 0.1%

Democratic Primary- Missouri
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 42.6% ✓
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 13.5%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 12.2%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 8.1%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 7.3%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 6.1%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 5.9%
Sen. Cory Booker- 2.4%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 1.0%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.9%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- North Carolina
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 24.3% ✓
Sen. Kamala Harris- 21.8%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 19.5%
Sen. Cory Booker- 9.7%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 7.5%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 6.1%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 5.4%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 2.6%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 2.0%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.9%
Others- 0.2%

Democratic Primary- Ohio
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 24.7% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 22.1%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 16.5%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 10.2%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 8.8%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 7.4%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.1%
Sen. Cory Booker- 3.5%
Mayor Bill de Blasio- 0.9%
Gov. Andrew Cuomo- 0.8%
Others- 0.0%

"Sir," a staffer approached him as he looked at the results, holding a cellphone. "We've received some messages from the Booker campaign. He'll be dropping out tonight."

Tom nodded in satisfaction. At least something positive happened tonight. "It's about time- he hasn't won anything save for that narrow win in Guam. Anything from Cuomo or de Blasio?"

She shook her head carefully, probably knowing how furious Tom was about the failing candidacies of the two brawling New Yorkers. "We've heard nothing, sir."

That's it, the DNC Chairman thought. They've crossed every red line. "Set me a meeting, Melinda. With both of them. They're going to be dropping out this week, or I swear, I'll see to it that they never win any office even if that's the last thing I do in my life." He could see Keith nodding in approval as the staffer went off to do Tom's bidding. It was time to bring at least some sense of order to this mess of a campaign.

[West_Midlander]

That's it, the DNC Chairman thought. They've crossed every red line. "Set me a meeting, Melinda. With both of them. They're going to be dropping out this week, or I swear, I'll see to it that they never win any office even if that's the last thing I do in my life." He could see Keith nodding in approval as the staffer went off to do Tom's bidding. It was time to bring at least some sense of order to this mess of a campaign.

DRAMA!
And Jeffmentum takes OH!

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

America's Heartland (and her heart) are with Jason!! Kander 2020!

P.S. Go Tom Perez!!!!

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

And Jeffmentum takes OH!

President Jeffrey Alan Merkley when

[America Needs R'hllor]

Elizabeth

The Senator from Massachusetts was tense as the results from the northeastern states were coming. This was her most decisive moment in the campaign- if she didn't manage to win enough states, she'd have to drop out.

As the primaries got messier and messier, her status as frontrunner became null, Elizabeth started regretting ever getting into the race. She didn't want to be President- she just wanted to improve America, make its economy more equal. She considered dropping out and endorsing Merkley, her rival for the Progressive base, several times, but each time reached a conclusion that it wasn't logical- they were just too balanced, with a slight delegate lead for Warren over the Oregon Senator. If she dropped out, her enthusiastic supporters would be disappointed and there was no guarantee that Merkley would win. At least now she still had a chance at the convention.

The results of the primaries leading from mini tuesday to that day weren't very good for her- Merkley won the plain caucus states that would normally go to her, and there weren't many areas where she could squeez wins. Until now.

American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
US Virgin Islands
Democrats Abroad

Democratic Primary- Arizona
Sen. Kamala Harris- 29.9% ✓
Sen. Tim Kaine- 24.3%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 16.1%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 12.5%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 7.8%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 5.5%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 3.6%
Others- 0.3%

Democratic Caucuses- Idaho
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 39.7% ✓
Gov. Jay Inslee- 18.4%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 16.3%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 9.8%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 7.5%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.1%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 3.2%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Caucuses- Utah
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 28.1% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 26.6%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 17.9%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 11.2%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 6.9%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 4.2%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 4.7%
Others- 0.4%

Democratic Caucuses- Alaska
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 41.2% ✓
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 20.7%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 15.5%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 9.9%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 5.1%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 3.6%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 3.5%
Others- 0.5%

Democratic Primary- Hawaii
Gov. Jay Inslee- 29.6% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 28.9%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 20.4%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 7.8%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 7.0%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 4.1%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 2.2%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Caucuses- Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee- 67.4% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 10.7%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 8.3%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 4.5%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 3.3%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 3.0%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 2.8%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Wisconsin
Gov. Jay Inslee- 27.3% ✓
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 26.8%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 18.6%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 10.4%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 8.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 5.1%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 3.3%
Others- 0.0%

But now, Warren thought, there was a chance for a breakthrough- if she could win enough states, specifically Pennsylvania and Maryland, she could once again assume her position as the leader of the Progressives. Then, the road was short until the convention- the field would probably not change much anymore, and the convention would be a bloody battle between either one of Merkley and Warren, and one or two of the other candidates, most likely amongst Gillibrand, Kaine and Harris. Only after that they could march against Donald Trump and the corporatist Republicans as a united party, and defeat them in November. Or so she hoped.

Hours later, when Elizabeth Warren stared at the television screen displaying the final results of the northeastern primaries, she had mixed feelings.

American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
US Virgin Islands
Democrats Abroad

Democratic Primary- Connecticut
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 33.1% ✓
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 27.7%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 15.4%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 9.4%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 5.8%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 5.1%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 3.5%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Delaware
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 29.5% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 28.8%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 21.0%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 9.2%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 3.3%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 2.7%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Maryland
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 32.7% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 24.5%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 16.8%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 15.6%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 4.9%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 3.1%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 2.4%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Pennsylvania
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 26.6% ✓
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 19.3%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 18.0%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 15.7%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 15.2%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 3.0%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 2.2%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Rhode Island
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 42.7% ✓
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 18.7%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 15.4%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 8.6%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 7.1%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 4.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 3.0%
Others- 0.0%

[West_Midlander]

This timeline is really good.

[Edgeofnight]

I think its obvious whats happening, but I won't say in case someone else hasn't figured it out yet.

This timeline is great, keep going!

[America Needs R'hllor]

I think its obvious whats happening, but I won't say in case someone else hasn't figured it out yet.

This timeline is great, keep going!

You can tell me your prediction in PM, I'm curious

[America Needs R'hllor]

Kamala

"Let's do this, New Jersey! We're going to win, and then we'll take the nomination and show Donald Trump just how wrong he was to disrespect us in November! Let's go!"

Kamala Harris descended the stairs of the stage to the noise of hundreds cheering in her Newark rally. It was a success- almost entirely full, and with an enthusiastic crowd. It even made Kamala feel a sense of optimism, despite the clearly grim situation.

Polls in the largest state still left showed Gillibrand and Warren fighting for the lead, but Kamala was a strong third, and hoped to stage an upset and win it. Merkley didn't even try here, concentrating on the west, as did Inslee and Kander, mostly. Kaine concentrated on both, hoping to gain as many delegates as possible. Kamala, on her part, ignored Montana and South Dakota, instead putting all her weight in New Mexico and New Jersey. If only Kirsten wasn't so strong with the black vote, the junior Senator from California reflected, I'd have this in the bag...

This was the final stage of the primaries, a mad scramble for delegates between the six candidates, a madly high number for that stage, still in the race. Already, most of the efforts of the various campaigns concentrated on the upcoming convention in Atlanta- they were contacting both pledged and unpledged delegates, trying to convince as many of them to support them. The chances were real that the nominating process could reach a second ballot, but the DNC, lead by Tom Perez and Keith Ellison, were putting heavy pressure on the candidates to prevent it and reach a conclusion before the second ballot. Thus, they were engaged in a brutal shadow primary for the support of the delegates.

"What's the situation?" She asked a staffer when she reached backstage.

"Well..." He replied carefully. "We're most likely not going to win New Jersey. Gillibrand and Warren are just too strong there, and we're bleeding support to Kaine."

The Senator nodded. She had expected that. "I see. It doesn't matter- we might lost that battle, but we're going to win the war. What's the count?"

"In pledged delegates," the staffer begun recounting, "we're projecting that Gillibrand will come first. Her wins in populous states like New York, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina and Maryland were just too much for us to outdo. Seems like we'll come second, with the California and southern delegates really helping us. If Eric keeps his promise, we'll have almost all of the delegates from our state. Then it's, er, Merkley or Kaine. It depends on how well they do in the last contests, but Kaine padded himself with the delegates from Virginia, Texas and Florida, while Merkley won lots of less populous states, as well as Ohio. After them it's probably Warren, thanks to Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, then, probably, Inslee, who didn't win much but had some good showings that netted him delegates. Kander is most likely last, but I think he has a shot to pass Inslee."

Kamala nodded again. "Thank you, Steve. We'll try to get support from both Kander and Inslee, that should give us an almost assured win. Maybe Vice President for Inslee and cabinet secretary for Kander?"

"Inslee isn't a good geographical choice," another staffer chimed in. "Kander would be better. He's popular and from the heartland."

"But he's too inexperienced," Stever retorted, "and Kamala is a Senator on her first term. She needs experience, and Inslee has that in abundance."

"Enough." The Senator raised her hand. "We'll discuss that later, depending on whether they're ready to make a deal. I'm sure Gillibrand is deep in discussions with them too."

As she walked off, Kamala saw the results of the recent contests conveniently displayed on one of their screens. It only made her mood worse, but she tried to ignore it. She was going to do everything she can to win that.

American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
US Virgin Islands
Democrats Abroad

Democratic Primary- Indiana
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 23.4% ✓
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 19.7%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 18.9%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 16.2%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 10.3%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 6.0%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.5%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- West Virginia
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 35.8% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 20.3%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 16.1%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 14.0%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 6.0%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 4.1%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 3.6%
Others- 0.1%

Democratic Primary- Kentucky
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 29.7% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 22.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 21.9%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 13.4%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 6.7%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 3.5%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 2.1%
Others- 0.2%

Democratic Primary- Oregon
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 71.9% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 10.2%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 7.6%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 5.2%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 2.3%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 1.7%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 1.1%
Others- 0.0%

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

i see where this is going...

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

I would literally quit my job to work full time on a Harris/Kander ticket. That would be too good

[West_Midlander]

Merkley! 3/4 in May!

[Cactus Jack]

Can't merk the Merk.

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

I just started reading this and support Inslee so bad, hope it’s Buttigeg/Merkley or Buttigeg/Inslee!

[America Needs R'hllor]

Tim

Even in his wildest dreams, Tim didn't think that he'd ever be in this situation.

After the loss in 2016, he completely ruled out, to himself and to the media, that he'd run for President in 2020. That seemed just too chanceless and too harming for his family and himself. Even a mere year ago he was pretty sure that he'd not run, but finally, after all the urging from Terry and Mark and after seeing polls showing him running strong, he jumped into the water. Then, after he won Iowa, Tim was optimistic that he could gain steam to become the frontrunner and win over the fractured field. And then he lost New Hampshire, and Nevada, and South Carolina, and the contest dragged on.

Now he was standing before what was perhaps the most contentious contested convention in modern history, and he realized the grim reality- he does not have a chance to win there, and even if he did, he shouldn't. After all, he won none of the final contests, and thus was pretty likely to come fourth in delegates, behind Kirsten, Kamala and Jeff.

Sure, he was one of the Big Five, with Inslee and Kander both pretty far behind him and Merkley not much ahead of him, but what did it avail him? He was just another politician with no chance who stayed in and made life harder for those who did. The party was a mess, the primary creating deep splits in the base and the convention making everyone confused and uncertain as to who will be the nominee. The final map of the Democratic primary was displayed on the screen before him, but it was engraved in his mind by now.

American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
US Virgin Islands
Democrats Abroad

Democratic Caucuses- Montana
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 35.6% ✓
Gov. Jay Inslee- 22.3%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 20.7%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 8.1%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 6.6%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 3.7%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 3.0%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Puerto Rico
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 41.4% ✓
Sen. Kamala Harris- 38.5%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 6.5%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 5.9%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 3.4%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 2.2%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 2.1%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- New Jersey
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 28.2% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 26.9%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 27.3%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 8.0%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 4.3%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 3.7%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 1.6%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- New Mexico
Gov. Jay Inslee- 26.2% ✓
Sen. Kamala Harris- 25.6%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 24.4%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 8.3%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 7.9%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 4.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 3.1%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Caucuses- South Dakota
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 43.8% ✓
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 23.5%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 18.7%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 5.0%
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 4.2%
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 2.6%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 2.2%
Others- 0.0%

Democratic Primary- Washington, D.C.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand- 25.2% ✓
Sen. Elizabeth Warren- 24.6%
Sen. Tim Kaine- 22.9%
Sen. Kamala Harris- 16.7%
Sen. Jeff Merkley- 6.3%
Gov. Jay Inslee- 2.5%
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander- 1.8%
Others- 0.0%

Tim sighed. At the same time they were so split apart, the Republicans easily nominated Trump, with the Kasich primary challenge being swept aside. Though the President had very low approval ratings, he was gloating at the "Democratic Mess" and confident that he could ride on the back of it for an easy reelection. Tim couldn't stand it anymore.

He thought deep and hard, discussed it with his family and advisors, and realized that there was only one path forward. He had only one path forward- he had to try and save the party's chances, unite it lest it stays divided. It was the right thing to do.

In the quiet of his Senate office, Tim took a deep breath and phoned the number of his campaign manager. When he answered, Tim uttered a simple sentence that he said in his mind dozens of times beforehand. "Hey. I made my decision- I'm dropping out and endorsing Gillibrand. Make sure all of our delegates vote for her."

[America Needs R'hllor]

Kirsten

"...And therefore I accept the nomination of the Democratic Party as your candidate for President of the United States! Thank you! Thank you so much, everyone! Thank you!"

Kirsten waved to the enthusiastic crowd, cheering for her nomination, and ignored the boos mixed in as she got off the stage. She took a deep breath and exhaled. Well, the speech went well...

It was a wild day. She had managed to win the nomination on the third ballot after Harris took herself out of contention and signaled her delegates to support the junior Senator from New York. Then came a media firestorm, with Merkley supporters attacking the process as rigged and threatening to rebel. Jeff, on his part, released a quick tweet endorsing her and gave a speech in which he tried to legitimze the process, but it only did so much. Uniting the party was going to be even harder than it was four years ago.

The weeks leading up to the convention were her most exhausing yet- after Tim surprisingly dropped out and released his delegate for her and Kander did the same, it seemed like she was going to cruise to victory. But then, Warren endorsed Merkley and made the convention a battle. And if that wasn't enough, Harris and Inslee gave a speech together where they announced a joint ticket, and Inslee sent his delegates to the California Senator. There was also a mad dash to gain endorsements of more minor former candidates: Booker, de Blasio, Castro, Klobucher, Moulton and Delaney endorsed Kirsten; Feingold, Gabbard and Schweitzer supported Jeff; and Garcetti, Cuomo, Schiff and O'Malley announced support for Harris. Then started a bloody war for the superdelegates. The first ballot had mixed results for her:

Results of the Democratic National Convention, 2020- First Ballot:
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: 1654
Senator Jeff Merkley: 1342 Delegates
Senator Kamala Harris: 1335 Delegates
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 122 Delegates
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander: 87 Delegates
Senator Tim Kaine: 73 Delegates
Governor Jay Inslee: 38 Delegates
Senator Cory Booker: 29 Delegates
Mayor Eric Garcetti: 25 Delegates
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro: 18 Delegates
Governor Andrew Cuomo: 13 Delegates
Mayor Bill de Blasio: 12 Delegates
Senator Amy Klobucher: 8 Delegates
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: 6 Delegates
Fmr. Senator Russ Feingold: 1 Delegate

After these results came in, there was a lot of uncertainty. The Merkley camp claimed that him edging out Harris meant that this was a two-person race, but Harris said that the results were too close to mean that and started fighting to keep her delegates in place and gain the support of others. Gillibrand, meanwhile, tried her best to convince everyone to unite behind the clear winner of the first ballot, but to no avail:

Results of the Democratic National Convention, 2020- Second Ballot:
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: 2055
Senator Jeff Merkley: 1506 Delegates
Senator Kamala Harris: 1089 Delegates
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 35 Delegates
Senator Tim Kaine: 21 Delegates
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander: 17 Delegates
Governor Jay Inslee: 14 Delegates
Mayor Eric Garcetti: 9 Delegates
Governor Andrew Cuomo: 6 Delegates
Mayor Bill de Blasio: 4 Delegates
Senator Cory Booker: 4 Delegates
Fmr. Sec. Julian Castro: 2 Delegates
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: 1 Delegate

After the second ballot, the floodgates opened. Kamala Harris realized how fast her ship is sinking and dropped out to salvage her reputation. The minor candidates that still received delegates started whipping their supporters hard, and everyone knew that the nomination was on the line- either Gillibrand secures it on the third ballot, or Merkley manages to prevent her from doing it and gains another chance. The progressives started running hard for Harris' delegates, with Merkley announcing that he'd make her his running mate, but it wasn't enough in the end:

Results of the Democratic National Convention, 2020- Third Ballot:
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: 2714 ✓
Senator Jeff Merkley: 1823 Delegates
Senator Kamala Harris: 211 Delegates
Senator Elizabeth Warren: 5 Delegates
Senator Tim Kaine: 3 Delegates
Fmr. SoS Jason Kander: 2 Delegates
Governor Jay Inslee: 2 Delegates
Governor Andrew Cuomo: 1 Delegates
Mayor Bill de Blasio: 1 Delegates
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: 1 Delegate

Thus, Kirsten became the nominee. Now, the New York Senator thought as she entered backstage and became surrounded by staffers and supporters patting her on the back, it was time to unite the party and head on to defeat Donald Trump. It wasn't going to be easy- polls were showing a tight race, since the Democratic process was heavily damaged by the contested convention despite the President's unpopularity- and the first step on that road was going to happen today. Choosing a running mate.

Right in that moment, Gillibrand's campaign manager, Jim Messina, approached her with a list. "Senator, we need to choose a running mate..."

Kirsten took the paper and looked at the list of names. Of course, they had already started the vetting process weeks ago, but now was the time to make a final choice, and she did not have much time to do that. "From this list, I like Tammy Duckworth... Kamala too, she was a great asset in the third ballot."

Jim shook his head. "Those would normally be solid picks, but this election is tight. We need someone who will be able to appeal to the progressive base and to working class folks..."

"So a white guy." Kirsten sighed deeply. She was expecting it. "Very well. Who do you suggest?"

"Merkley," Jim answered immediately. "He brings a solid geographical balance, no one can doubt his progressive credentials, and that would do a lot to unite the party."

She thought about it for a few moments. She obviously considered Merkley for a long time, but... "I understand the reasoning, and he'd be a solid pick. But Oregon is a safe state, we're both Senators, and... well, I just think that there is a better option. Equally progressive, with a more diverse experience, and hailing from a swing state."

Jim Messina raised his brows. "And who is this magical saviour?"

"Him." The Democratic Presidential nominee pointed on a name in the bottom of the list. Jim stared at it for a few moments before looking back at his boss and nodding in approval.

A day later...


"Thank you! This is a great honour! Let us follow Senator Gillibrand, and lead this country to a progressive future and away from the failure of the last four years! For our country, for the American people!"

The Major Tickets for the 2020 Presidential Election:
President Donald Trump (R-NY)\Vice President Mike Pence (R-IN)
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)\Governor Richard Cordray (D-OH)
Businessman Austin Petersen (L-MO)\Consultant Larry Sharpe (L-NY)
Physician Jill Stein (G-MA)\Activist Darryl Cherney (G-CA)
Fmr. CIA Agent Evan McMullin (R-UT)\Entrepreneur Mindy Finn (R-TX)

[_]

CORDRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mycool]

Quitting my job to volunteer full time for this ticket.