Decision 2008: Crossroads

[KaiserDave]

This is an interesting TL. If Senators Kit Bond, George Voinovich, Mel Martinez and Judd Gregg retire like in the Original TL President McCain may have to face a Democratic Senate Supermajority after 2010.

Good point, but Ayotte is still a favorite.

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN



Ted Kennedy Dies at 77

After months upon months of suffering from brain cancer, the giant of the Senate Ted Kennedy has passed. After living on by sheer force of will after Doctors said he wouldn't live passed August, he continued on. But in a family statement, it was announced he passed. For many decades he was speculated as a Presidential candidate, but after the incident at Chappaquiddick that was put out of mind. The true American patriot will be missed.
Governor Deval Patrick has appointed Paul Kirk to temporarily fill the seat.

Economy continues to struggle: Congress deadlocked

Democrats have continued to call for comprehensive banking reform. Representative Barney Frank and Senator Russ Feingold have given fiery sermons on banking reform in the House and Senate. Democrats, despite having 59 seats in the Senate, have been unable to break the Republican filibuster. Though moderates Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski. The House passed a version of the Dodd-Frank act, largely on party lines, with Erik Paulsen, vulnerable freshman from Minnesota voting for. President McCain said,
"This bill would restrict and over regulate the local credit union, it would continue to drown our economy. I will veto this bill." Polls show the bill has a 57% approval rating.





Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 44%
Disapprove: 47%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 50%

Massachusetts Special Election Poll
Martha Coakley: 53%
Scott Brown: 41%

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN



President McCain nominates Judge Garland

With the impending retirement of Judge John Paul Stevens, President McCain has nominated Judge Merrick Bryan Garland of the DC Circuit to the Supreme Court. Merrick is not a conservative or originalist firebrand, nor idealogical liberal. He is a noted centrist, a liberal tilted moderate with bends towards the prosecution in criminal cases. Many had speculated as to who the President would chose. Conservative Senator Jeff Sessions had called for a conservative in the mold of Judge Scalia, his call was supported by Senator DeMint. Vice President Palin implied the same as well. But the President has picked a moderate, largely believed the only candidate who can sail in a 59-41 Democratic Senate advantage. Senator DeMint and Sessions have already announced their opposition, Senators Coburn, Inhofe, Vitter, and Cochran are expected to as well. Democratic moderates and conservatives Senators Pryor and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas expressed their support, as well as Senators Bill and Ben Nelson, as well as Republicans Snow, Coleman, and Collins. The judge looks likely to pass, but hearings have yet to occur.

Experts say, Unemployment will stay above 7% until 2013

In disturbing news for the American economy and by extension the President of the United States, the consensus of economists and experts has become clear. The stimulus was too weak, and unemployment will probably stay above 7% until after the 2012 election. This could be disaster for the President's reelection chances, but also for the American economy and global economy in general, with things remaining lackluster. Warning signs for the White House.




Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 42%
Disapprove: 49%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 39%
Disapprove: 51%

Massachusetts Special Election Poll
Martha Coakley: 52%
Scott Brown: 42%

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

I would hope that Senate Democrats force the seat to be open until 2013 in this scenario.

[Illini Moderate]

This is really good! I have really enjoyed following it. Keep it up!

[Cold War Liberal]

This is really good! I have really enjoyed following it. Keep it up!

[America Needs R'hllor]

This is really good! I have really enjoyed following it. Keep it up!

[KaiserDave]

This is really good! I have really enjoyed following it. Keep it up!

Thank you! Brown/Coakley results in next post, then we'll be moving to midterms quickly. I also have to say how Dodd Frank fares in the senate.

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN



Coakley Wins! Conservative Insurgent Falls

Republican pundits like Karl Rove and Rush Limbaugh had played up conservative insurgent Scott Brown in the Massachusetts Special Election, however the people of Massachusetts spoke otherwise and dealt the conservative insurgency a harsh blow. After polls closed in Massachusetts at 9 o clock, John King at the CNN magic wall made it quite clear to viewers that Coakley's dominating margins in Boston area and Springfield could not be matched by Brown in the cape or central Massachusetts. At 10:23, Coakley was giving a victory speech. She defeated Brown by over 10 points and left conservative talk radio hosts like Howie Carr is disarray. President McCain congratulated Senator-Elect Coakley, who will preserve the 59-41 Democratic senate majority.

Dodd-Frank Passes Senate, Future Uncertain

The Banking Reform bill championed by Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts has passed the Senate 62-38. The Democratic caucus voted united, and Republicans Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, as well as Lisa Murkowski of Alaska crossing the aisle to pass the bill. President McCain has said he will veto the bill, but now, with such intense political pressure, he may have too.




Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 50%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 52%

Massachusetts Special Election RESULTS
Martha Coakley: 54%
Scott Brown: 43%

[Continential]

Is It Veto Proof

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN



McCain Vetoes Dodd Frank-Dem Outrage

The Dodd-Frank Financial Reform act, despite receiving an overwhelming 62-38 aye vote in the Senate, was vetoed by President McCain this morning. In an interview with CBS, McCain criticized the bill.
"When I was elected, I promised Americans that their savings would grow again. I also promised to steer the financial sector with all experience and knowledge. This bill would not correct our financial situation, in fact it would only extend the crisis, by...well....expands the amount of too big to fail banks, and would destroy the community credit union and bank as we know it." Chuck Schumer and Christopher Dodd both gave floor speeches denouncing the decision. Chuck Schumer said,
"We all know why the President was forced to veto common sense financial reform, which was supported by numerous Republicans. Because the President is under immense pressure from the right-wing, his own Vice President, and the financial sector to stop this bill from going through." Christopher Dodd said,
"The facts is this recession is not an isolated incident. There are systemic problems that caused the collapse of the economy, the President seems uninterested to deal with them." A Gallup said that 58% of Americans supported the bill.

Steve Schmidt Resigns: "I can't handle that woman"

White House Chief of Staff resigned today, revealing new information about a chaotic and disorderly White House. Steve Schmidt gave a groundbreaking interview with CNN saying,
"It's like the Roman Senate in there, everyone is out for themselves and their own interests, save the President, God bless him. He's trying to do his very best for the country, and everyone around him is in it for themselves. They don't care about the administration or the country, they are in it for themselves. The Vice President is already planning a Presidential campaign, she's not working for the administration, she's just chaos. I can't handle that woman." The White House released a statement after the resignation, praising Schmidt. After the interview Press Secretary Ed Gillespie condemned him, declaring him an opportunist. Leaks say President McCain is distraught by the resignation of Schmidt, and feels alone in the White House.




Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 41%
Disapprove: 52%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 41%
Disapprove: 54%

Generic Ballot Poll
Democrats: 51%
Republicans: 42%

[Cold War Liberal]

The giant PRESIDENT McCAIN text and the tone of this TL seems to forebode that text one day reading "PRESIDENT PALIN." May God have mercy on our souls.

Great TL!

[KaiserDave]

The giant PRESIDENT McCAIN text and the tone of this TL seems to forebode that text one day reading "PRESIDENT PALIN." May God have mercy on our souls.

Great TL!

Thanks

Just as a note to everyone:
The stimulus passed here is considerably weaker than in RL, to the economy will likely stay weaker, longer.

[KaiserDave]

PRESIDENT McCAIN



Garland Confirmed 78-22

Merrick Garland was confirmed by the Senate overwhelmingly today, after the Judiciary Committee apron very him near-unanimously, with Senator Sessions and Grassley voting no. In the full Senate, Garland was confirmed overwhelmingly. Senators Coburn, DeMint, Sessions, Crapo, Inhofe, Vitter, and Flake were among the conservatives against the nomination, while Russ Feingold, Tom Harkin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Bernie Sanders, and Bob Menendez opposing the nomination among liberals. But with the support of moderate democrats like Baucus, Pryor, Lincoln, and Bayh, as well as moderate Republicans like Collins, Snowe, Coleman, Gregg, and Murkowski, even normally conservative Orrin Hatch backed the nomination, as well as Minority Leader McConnell, and John Cornyn, the nomination proceeded. New Senator Martha Coakley supported the nomination. Conservatives have been furious with the President, accusing him of colluding with Democrats in not picking a conservative.

Midterm Season in Full Swing: Dems poised to expand majorities

The Midterm election season has moved into full swing, Democrats maintain a low double digit lead on the generic ballot, and are poised to win seats across deep red McCain country. Even Democratic senators like Blanche Lincoln (pictured above), thought to be dead ducks a year ago, are either running even, or wide ahead of their challengers. Lincoln for instance is only running behind of her Republican opponent Representative John Boozman by 4 points, in a race that GOP pundit Karl Rove said three months ago was "in the bag" for Republicans. In North Dakota, Byron Dorgan, despite speculation of not running for reelection, is running, and his showdown with Governor John Hoeven seems to be one of the closest and competitive races this cycle. In Indiana Senator Evan Bayh is also in a razor thin battle with Fmr. Senator Dan Coats. In the House, the Democratic majority is almost in a lock, with GOP leaders only trying to minimize losses. It seems to be a bad cycle for Republicans.





Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 51%

Vice Presidential Job Approval
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 55%

Generic Ballot Poll
Democrats: 50%
Republicans: 41%

Indiana Senate Poll
Evan Bayh: 49%
Dan Coats: 47%

Arkansas Senate Poll
John Boozman: 51%
Blanche Lincoln: 47%

North Dakota Senate Poll
John Hoeven: 53%
Byron Dorgan: 46%

[2016]

Byron Dorgan is from North Dakota.

[KaiserDave]

Decision 2010

The Midterms campaign of 2010 is in full swing, with a restless Democratic base seeking a veto-proof majority in the House of Representatives by sweeping Republican strongholds across the nation. In the Senate, Republicans are better off in the Senate, where they seek to make minimal gains, or minimize losses. The campaign has begun.

McCain stumps for Flake, Rubio

President McCain had a rally in Pheonix and Tampa, rallying for Republican incumbent Jeff Flake and Republican candidate Marco Rubio. The rally with Flake with awkward given that he had just voted no on Merrick Garland, the President's SCOTUS nominee. But they both bashed earmarks to big cheers from the audience. McCain promoted Flake's fiscal conservative credentials, and Flake bashed Democratic obstructionism. Arizona AG Terry Goodard is facing Flake again in November, the polls show the race in a dead heat. In Tampa, Rubio faces Democrat Kendrick Meek and Independent, former Republican Charlie Crist. McCain praised Rubio's fiscal conservatism, and how he'll break gridlock and Democratic obstructionism in Washington.

Sestak Defeats Specter

In the Democratic Primary for Senate in Pennsylvania, Joe Sestak defeated Arlen Specter by 9 points. The Republican who defected after feeling alienated for the rapidly more conservative party, and fearing losing a primary to the now Republican nominee, conservative insurgent Pat Toomey. Specter failed to win over Democrats, and has lost tonight. Some say the large margin of defeat was a restless, turbocharged, angry Democratic base who now has had 9 years of a Republican in the White House.
 

Battleground States

Here's a rundown of senate races across the country.

Pennsylvania-Sestak +12
Wisconsin-Feingold +4
Nevada-Reid +16
Colorado-Bennet +8
New Hampshire-Ayotte +13
Ohio-Portman +6
Florida-Rubio +16
Indiana-Bayh +2
North Carolina-Burr +7
North Dakota-Hoeven +4
Missouri-Blunt +7
Arkansas-Boozman +3
California-Boxer +15

[vanteran]

Has McCain nominated a replacement for Giuliani for Attorney General? Loving the timeline!

[Continential]

Decision 2010

The Midterms campaign of 2010 is in full swing, with a restless Democratic base seeking a veto-proof majority in the House of Representatives by sweeping Republican strongholds across the nation. In the Senate, Republicans are better off in the Senate, where they seek to make minimal gains, or minimize losses. The campaign has begun.

McCain stumps for Flake, Rubio

President McCain had a rally in Pheonix and Tampa, rallying for Republican incumbent Jeff Flake and Republican candidate Marco Rubio. The rally with Flake with awkward given that he had just voted no on Merrick Garland, the President's SCOTUS nominee. But they both bashed earmarks to big cheers from the audience. McCain promoted Flake's fiscal conservative credentials, and Flake bashed Democratic obstructionism. Arizona AG Terry Goodard is facing Flake again in November, the polls show the race in a dead heat. In Tampa, Rubio faces Democrat Kendrick Meek and Independent, former Republican Charlie Crist. McCain praised Rubio's fiscal conservatism, and how he'll break gridlock and Democratic obstructionism in Washington.

Sestak Defeats Specter

In the Democratic Primary for Senate in Pennsylvania, Joe Sestak defeated Arlen Specter by 9 points. The Republican who defected after feeling alienated for the rapidly more conservative party, and fearing losing a primary to the now Republican nominee, conservative insurgent Pat Toomey. Specter failed to win over Democrats, and has lost tonight. Some say the large margin of defeat was a restless, turbocharged, angry Democratic base who now has had 9 years of a Republican in the White House.
 

Battleground States

Here's a rundown of senate races across the country.

Pennsylvania-Sestak +12
Wisconsin-Feingold +4
Nevada-Reid +16
Colorado-Bennet +8
New Hampshire-Ayotte +13
Ohio-Portman +6
Florida-Rubio +16
Indiana-Bayh +2
North Carolina-Burr +7
Montana-McCain +8
North Dakota-Hoeven +4
Missouri-Blunt +7
Arkansas-Boozman +3
California-Boxer +15

Reeeeeeeee Sestak Won

[2016]

Montana-McCain +8

This seems odd. Montana did not have a Senate Race in 2010. You probably meant Arizona here where Flake is now running for a Full Term after winning the Special Election in 2009.

Otherwise this is a great TL

[KaiserDave]

Montana-McCain +8

This seems odd. Montana did not have a Senate Race in 2010. You probably meant Arizona here where Flake is now running for a Full Term after winning the Special Election in 2009.

Otherwise this is a great TL

That was a typo
Thanks

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

I feel like all the McCain 2008 timelines on this forum underestimate how bad a McCain midterm would have been for the GOP. It could have easily been much worse for Republicans than even 2006.

[KaiserDave]

I feel like all the McCain 2008 timelines on this forum underestimate how bad a McCain midterm would have been for the GOP. It could have easily been much worse for Republicans than even 2006.

You just wait

But I saw your maps in the random maps place, people like Grassley are probably gonna survive.

[Politician]

I feel like all the McCain 2008 timelines on this forum underestimate how bad a McCain midterm would have been for the GOP. It could have easily been much worse for Republicans than even 2006.

They can't just be a 2006 type midterm, that would make it impossible for McCain to govern.

But yeah a Dem supermajority seems likely.

[KaiserDave]

I feel like all the McCain 2008 timelines on this forum underestimate how bad a McCain midterm would have been for the GOP. It could have easily been much worse for Republicans than even 2006.

They can't just be a 2006 type midterm, that would make it impossible for McCain to govern.

But yeah a Dem supermajority seems likely.

A dem supermajority in the House is almost assured

[KaiserDave]

Has McCain nominated a replacement for Giuliani for Attorney General? Loving the timeline!

Oh yeah, I should probably get to that, probably some vanilla prosecutor with the conservative bent.