The Great 2020 Free-For-All (Gameplay Thread)

[KaiserDave]

So, is anyone doing GOTV, or should I go ahead and release the DC results so we can move on to the convention stage?

I will post a D.C. GOTV by 4 EST

[adamevans]

Campaign Summary

After the most recent primary results, Sherrod Brown addressed supporters and declared that there was “a message sent by Democrats nationwide,” leading in both the popular vote and the delegate count, and that the “will of the people” has spoken, thanking his supporters for bringing him that far. Brown stressed that there might be a fight at the convention, but also emphasized the necessity for unity once a nominee emerged.

After declaring victory in the April 23rd primaries, Senator Brown took a break from campaigning with Connie Schultz and the family in his Ohio home for the first time since Christmas following a rigorous 4-month primary schedule. Meanwhile, campaign staff held strategy talks in Washington D.C, major campaign surrogates met with delegates, and Brown communicated with supporters through social media. Organizations endorsing Sherrod Brown played up Brown's national reputation and name recognition as a unapologetic progressive populist who "fights for the middle class."  In the latter half of his schedule, Senator Brown arrived back at the Senate in Washington D.C to propose major pharmaceutical transparency legislation with Congressman Ro Khanna.

Senator Brown also met with both candidates to congratulate them on a hard-fought campaign as a contested convention seemed likely, as well as meeting with major labor organizations and President Barack Obama for campaign advice and round-table discussions on policy. Meeting with campaign staff, he also prepared for a few campaign announcements following the final conclusion of the Democratic primaries with the D.C primary. With staff, he stressed the need to enter "a new phase" of the campaign.

[KaiserDave]

Phil Scott GOTV

District of Columbia

Phil Scott will finally get a break from campaigning, spending some time with family back at home in Berlin Vermont. But on primary day in Washington DC, he'll be there. He'll be in the city door knocking to almost every Republican door, meeting with supporters and organizing with volunteers. Governor Larry Hogan, from neighboring Maryland. He's a heavyweight in the area's Republican politics, meeting with affluent Maryland suburbanites living in DC as well as DC Republicans from across the spectrum. Representative Scott Taylor will meet with the local American Legion, as he is also a veteran.

[Cabbage]

FINAL RESULTS FOR THE WASHINGTON, D.C. PRIMARIES

Democrats
Alex Sink - 44.90%
John Kerry - 28.49%
Sherrod Brown - 26.61%

Republicans
Phil Scott - 55.49%
Lisa Murkowski - 44.51%

[Cabbage]

Delegate totals:

Democrats
Sherrod Brown - 1614
John Kerry - 1508
Alex Sink - 1413

Republicans
Lisa Murkowski - 758
Phil Scott - 751
Justin Amash - 674
Rick Santorum - 372

[Mycool]

Ugh I have been at work until 10 every night this week. I was intending on posting a GOTV and schedule. Oh well.

[Cabbage]

Ugh I have been at work until 10 every night this week. I was intending on posting a GOTV and schedule. Oh well.

Sorry, mate. At least you still have the delegate edge, though.

[Cabbage]

FORMAT FOR CONVENTION HAGGLING (DNC)

The convention will be divided up across July 13-16, 2020 in-game, and May 13-14 IRL. Each in-game day will consist of a "morning" phase, where two endorsers per candidate will speak on their respective candidates' behalf, as well as an "afternoon" phase, where the wheeling-and-dealing, as well as four ballots, will go on.

Candidates will have have two options in the "wheeling-and-dealing" phase: appeal to the party machine, or appeal to the base. The party machine will yield results more quickly, but these may fade away as delegates get antsy and decide to break from their party bosses. Appealing to the base, on the other hand, takes longer to build, but tends to spark greater conviction in individual delegates.

Also, it should be noted that, in the spirit of getting someone nominated before the convention is over (especially given the expectation that the RNC, with only two candidates remaining, will likely give someone a majority quickly), there will be a shift toward the current frontrunner after each ballot; these results will be negligible for the first two days, but will strengthen on the third, and become a near-unstoppable tide by the fourth.

[Cabbage]

BREAKING NEWS

June 26, 2020

Blitzer: Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer, and we have breaking news that could prove critical to the Republican nomination for President. Let's listen in.

We need to get through this convention as quickly as possible if we're going to be able to take advantage of the division in the Democratic ranks. And I figure that, with my 372 delegates, I can help that process along. So, after a few months of thinking about it, I will be endorsing Governor Phil Scott for President of the United States!

Blitzer: A critical blow to Senator Murkowski's chances among a group she really hoped she could lock up ahead of the convention.



King: Indeed it is, Wolf, and it makes her path to 1276 that much more difficult, especially combined with Governor Scott's current efforts to court Amash delegates, of which, assuming he manages to get all of Santorum's delegates, he only needs 153.

Blitzer: Very challenging, indeed, John. With the DNC next month and the RNC in August, however, time will tell if Senator Murkowski can come from behind and still win this. Until then, I'm Wolf Blitzer.

King: And I'm John King. And that will be all for tonight.

[Cabbage]

Current Credit Totals:

Democrats
Sherrod Brown: 5.6
John Kerry: 0
Alex Sink: 0

Republicans
Lisa Murkowski: 0
Phil Scott: 0.4

Independents
Rob Manfred: 11

Current Endorsements:
Democrats
Sherrod Brown
Bernie Sanders, US Senator from Vermont and runner-up in 2016
AFL-CIO, major labor union federation
Jeff Merkley, US Senator from Oregon
Amy Klobuchar, US Senator from Minnesota
Tulsi Gabbard, House Assistant Minority Leader, US Rep. from HI-02, and former candidate
Robert Reich, former US Secretary of Labor from California
Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota
Marcy Kaptur, US Rep. from OH-09
Ro Khanna, US Rep. from CA-17
Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington and former candidate
Gary Locke, former Governor of Washington
Chris Murphy, US Senator from Connecticut
LeBron James, basketball star from California
Nina Turner, President of Our Revolution, former Ohio State Senator
Barbara Lee, US Rep. from CA-13
John Lewis, US Rep. from GA-05
NARAL Pro-Choice America
Joyce Beatty, US Rep. from OH-03
Patrick Leahy, US Senator from Vermont
Service Employees International Union
National Education Association
Brenda Lawrence, US Rep. from MI-14
Tammy Baldwin, US Senator from Wisconsin
Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont
UNITE HERE, labor union
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
Dina Titus, US Rep. from NV-01
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
United Automobile Workers
Stacey Abrams, Governor of Georgia and former candidate
Oprah Winfrey, talk show host and major celebrity from California
Barack Obama, 44th POTUS from Illinois
Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential nominee in 2016 from New York
Peter Welch, US Rep. from VT-AL
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, US Rep. from NY-14
Pramila Jayapal, US Rep. from WA-07
Mark Pocan, US Rep. from WI-02
Jeanne Shaheen, US Senator from New Hampshire
Des Moines Register
United Steelworkers of America
Change to Win
New Hampshire Union Leader, statewide newspaper
Andrew Gillum, Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida
Richard Cordray, former Attorney General of Ohio and Director of the CFPB
Conservation Fund
Marcia Fudge, US Rep. from OH-11
Raul Grijalva, US Rep. from AZ-03
Our Revolution
Tammy Duckworth, US Senator from Illinois
Debora Pignatelli, Member of the New Hampshire Executive Council from District 5
Kirsten Gillibrand, US Senator from New York
MoveOn
Concord Monitor
Ed Markey, US Senator from Massachusetts
Progressive Democrats of America
VoteVets.org
Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence
Susie Lee, US Rep. from NV-03
Kent Conrad, former US Senator from North Dakota
Michelle Obama, former FLOTUS
National Farmers Union
Bismarck Tribune
Dianne Feinstein, US Senator from California
Kevin de Leon, former President pro tempore of the California State Senate and candidate for
U.S. Senate in 2018
Barbara Boxer, former US Senator from California
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Sharice Davids, US Rep. from KS-03
Brian Schweitzer, former Governor of Montana
John Fetterman, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Dwight Evans, US Rep. from PA-03
Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York
Claire McCaskill, former Senator from Missouri
Dick Gephardt, former House Majority Leader and former US Rep from MO-03
Mike Espy, former US Rep. from MS-02, and candidate for U.S Senate in 2018
Brendan Boyle, US Rep. from PA-02
Madeleine Dean, US Rep. from PA-04
Mary Gay Scanlon, US Rep. from PA-05
Mike Doyle, US Rep. from PA-18
Chrissy Houlahan, US Rep. from PA-06
John Yarmuth, US Rep. from KY-03
Suzanne Bonamici, US Rep. from OR-01
Earl Blumenauer, US Rep. from OR-03
Yvette Clark, US Rep. from NY-09
Joe Sestak, former US Rep. from PA-07
Allyson Schwartz, former US Rep. from PA-13
Working Families Party
United Mine Workers of America
Andre Carson, US Rep. from IN-07
Russ Feingold, former US Senator from Wisconsin
Maria Cantwell, US Senator from Washington
Pete Visclosky, US Rep. from IN-01
New York Times
Communication Workers of America
Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts
Alex Sink, Governor of Florida and former candidate
Tom Harkin, former US Senator from Iowa
National Education Union
Chet Culver, former Governor of Iowa
Maggie Hassan, former Governor of New Hampshire
Onward Together, PAC
Kamala Harris, US Senator from California and former candidate
Ann Kuster, US Rep. from NH-02
Jennifer Wexton, US Rep. from VA-10
Abigail Spanberger, US Rep. from VA-07
United Farm Workers of America
Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Priorities USA Action PAC
United for a Strong America PAC
Planned Parenthood
Catherine Cortez Masto, US Senator from Nevada
American Association for Justice
Will Stewart, Alderman from Ward 2, Manchester, New Hampshire
Human Rights Campaign
Ayanna Pressley, US Rep. from MA-07
Donna Shalala, US Rep. from FL-27
Derek Eadon, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party
American Federation of Government Employees
American Postal Workers Union
Bob Graham, former Governor of Florida
Jacky Rosen, US Senator from Nevada
Colin Allred, US Rep. from TX-32
Carpenters' Independent Conference
Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada
American Civil Liberties Union
Carol Shea-Porter, former US Rep. from NH-01
John Hickenlooper, former Governor of Colorado
Bill Nelson, US Senator from Florida
College Democrats of America
American Nurses' Association
Norman Yee, Member of the San Francisco Board of Directors
Mark Warner, US Senator from Virginia
Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina
EMILY's List
Deb Haaland, US Rep. from NM-01
Jason Crow, US Rep. from CO-06
Mike Levin, US Rep. from CA-49
Ted Lieu, US Rep. from CA-33
Diana DeGette, US Rep. from CO-01
David Price, US Rep. from NC-04
Justice Democrats
Stephen Curry, basketball star from California
Taylor Swift, pop star from California
Ann Kirkpatrick, US Rep. from AZ-02
Cory Booker, US Senator from New Jersey
Swing Left
Mark Gjonaj, New York City Councilman
Zephyr Teachout, candidate for New York Attorney General in 2018
Letitia James, Attorney General of New York
Democratic Socialists of America
Rashida Tlaib, US Rep. from MI-13
Carolyn Maloney, US Rep. from NY-12
Flippable
Progressive Change Campaign Committee
Klarissa J. Peña, Albuquerque City Council Member
Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State of Arizona
Moms Demand Action
Martin Heinrich, US Senator from New Mexico
Indivisible
Providence Journal
Jo-Ann Ryan, Councilwoman from Rhode Island
Sheldon Whitehouse, US Senator from Rhode Island
Ricardo Rossello, Governor of Puerto Rico
David Cicilline, US Rep. from RI-01
Los Angeles Times
Democracy for America
Ready for Alex, Inc. (pro-Sink organization)
Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey
James Langevin, US Rep. from RI-02
Patty Murray, US Senator from Washington
Denny Heck, US Rep. from WA-10[/color]
John Kerry
Elizabeth Warren, US Senator from Massachusetts
Joe Kennedy III, US Rep. from MA-04
Steny Hoyer, US Rep. from MD-05
Adam Schiff, House Minority Whip, US Rep. from CA-28
Tim Ryan, House Minority Leader, US Rep. from OH-13
Joe Biden, 47th Vice President of the United States from Delaware
Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist from Illinois
Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, US Senator from New York
Al Gore, 45th Vice President of the United States from Tennessee
Cedric Richmond, US Rep. from LA-02
Debbie Wassermann Schultz, US Rep. from FL-23
Hakeem Jeffries, US Rep. from NY-08
Jim Clyburn, US Rep. from SC-06
Terri Sewell, US Rep. from AL-07
Beto O'Rourke, former US Rep. from TX-16 and former candidate
Bill Clinton, 42nd POTUS from New York
Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and former candidate
Dave Loebsack, US Rep. from IA-02
Steven Horsford, US Rep. from NV-04
Tom Vilsack, former Governor of Iowa
Bennie Thompson, US Rep. from MS-02
Earl Pomeroy, former US Rep. from ND-AL
Byron Dorgan, former US Senator from North Dakota
Harry Reid, former US Senator from Nevada
Ron Kind, US Rep. from WI-03
Heidi Heitkamp, former Attorney General of North Dakota
Nancy Pelosi, US Rep. from CA-12
Joaquin Castro, US Rep. from TX-20
Julian Castro, former Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
Jason Carter, former Georgia State Senator and grandson of Jimmy Carter
G. K. Butterfield, US Rep. from NC-01
Alma Adams, US Rep. from NC-12
Cheri Bustos, US Rep. from IL-17
Al Lawson, US Rep. from FL-05
Jim Cooper, US Rep. from TN-05
Steve Cohen, US Rep. from TN-09
Kay Hagan, US Senator from North Carolina
Ruben Gallego, US Rep. from AZ-07
Dick Durbin, Senate Minority Whip, US Senator from Illinois
Bob Casey, Jr., US Senator from Pennsylvania
Lizzie Fletcher, US Rep. from TX-07
Al Green, US Rep. from TX-09
Veronica Escobar, US Rep. from TX-16
Conor Lamb, US Rep. from PA-17
Tom Wolf, Governor of Pennsylvania
John Bel Edwards, Governor of Louisiana
Chellie Pingree, US Rep. from ME-01
Jim Hood, Attorney General of Mississippi
Ben Ray Lujan, US Rep. from NM-03
Matt Cartwright, US Rep. from PA-08
Lacy Clay, US Rep. from MO-01
Emanuel Cleaver, US Rep. from MO-05
Jason Kander, former Missouri Secretary of State
Greg Stanton, US Rep. from AZ-09
Mark Kelly, astronaut from Arizona
Jay Nixon, former Governor of Missouri
Tom Udall, US Senator from New Mexico
J. B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois
Mike Madigan, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
Bobby Rush, US Rep. from IL-01
Josh Shapiro, Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Joe Torsella, Treasurer of Pennsylvania
Jim Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia, PA
Bill Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh, PA
Eugene DePasquale, Auditor General of Pennsylvania
Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin
Gwen Moore, US Rep. from WI-04
Doug La Follette, Secretary of State of Wisconsin
Elijah Cummings, US Rep. from MD-07
Tom Hanks, actor from California
Washington Post
Ed Rendell, former Governor of Pennsylvania
Herb Kohl, former US Senator from Wisconsin
Walter Mondale, 42nd Vice President of the United States from Minnesota
Sean Casten, US Rep. from IL-06
Jan Schakowsky, US Rep. from IL-09

Republicans
Justin Amash (dropped out)
Rand Paul, US Senator from Kentucky
Thomas Massie, US Rep. from KY-04
Ron Paul, former US Rep. from TX-14
Kevin Cramer, US Rep. from ND-AL
Young Kim, US Rep. from CA-39
John Hoeven, US Senator from North Dakota
Jim Inhofe, US Senator from Oklahoma
Lamar Alexander, US Senator from Tennessee
Thom Tillis, former Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives
Richard Burr, US Senator from North Carolina
Terry Branstad, former Governor of Iowa
Gordon MacDonald, Attorney General of New Hampshire
College Republicans of America
Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming
Pat Roberts, US Senator from Kansas
Linda Lingle, former Governor of Hawaii
Republican Liberty Caucus
Bruce Poliquin, US Rep. from ME-02
Jack Kemp Foundation
Roy Blunt, US Senator from Missouri
Steve Pearce, former US Rep. from NM-02
Ken Buck, US Rep. from CO-04
Doug Lamborn, US Rep. from CO-05
Pete Ricketts, Governor of Nebraska
Dusty Johnson, US Rep. from SD-AL
Greg Walden, US Rep. from OR-02
Gordon Smith, former US Senator from Oregon
Larry Sharpe, business consultant and Libertarian candidate for Vice President of the United States
Mike Castle, former US Rep. from DE-AL
Lisa Murkowski
Susan Collins, US Senator from Maine
Kelly Ayotte, US Senator from New Hampshire
Jon Huntsman, Jr., former Governor of Utah
Mia Love, US Senator from Utah
Shelley Moore Capito, US Senator from West Virginia
Tim Scott, US Senator from South Carolina
Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina
Mike Dunleavy, Governor of Alaska
Liz Cheney, US Rep. from WY-AL
Scott Brown, US Secretary of State from Massachusetts
North Dakota Chamber of Commerce
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
Rob Portman, US Senator from Ohio and former candidate
John Kasich, former Governor of Ohio
Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio
Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa
Paul Ryan, Vice President of the United States and former candidate
Lindsey Graham, US Senator from South Carolina
Chuck Grassley, President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate and US Senator from Iowa
John Sununu, former US Senator from New Hampshire
Judd Gregg, former US Senator from New Hampshire
Kay Bailey Hutchison, former US Senator from Texas
Carlos Curbelo, US Rep. from FL-26
Mark Amodei, US Rep. from NV-02
Ann Wagner, US Rep. from MO-02
Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama
National Rifle Association
Kay Granger, US Rep. from TX-12
Bob Corker, former US Senator from Tennessee
California Chamber of Commerce
Mimi Walters, US Rep. from CA-45
Club for Growth
Denver Riggleman, US Rep. from VA-05
Meg Whitman, Republican nominee for Governor of California in 2010
Virginia Foxx, US Rep. from NC-05
Elizabeth Dole, former US Senator from North Carolina
Texas Chamber of Commerce
Olympia Snowe, former US Senator from Maine
Bill Graves, former Governor of Kansas
Susan Wagle, President of the Kansas State Senate
Mike Simpson, US Rep. from ID-02
Jeff Flake, former US Senator from Arizona
Mark Kirk, former US Senator from Illinois
Karen Handel, US Rep. from GA-06
Susana Martinez, former Governor of New Mexico
Deb Fischer, US Senator from Nebraska
Cynthia Coffman, former Attorney General of Colorado
Ryan Zinke, US Rep. from MT-AL
Jim Hagedorn, US Rep. from MN-01
Jenean Hampton, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
Pat Toomey, US Senator from Pennsylvania
Lee Zeldin, US Rep. from NY-01
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, US Rep. from WA-05
Jaime Herrera Beutler, US Rep. from WA-03
Scott Walker, former Governor of Wisconsin
Sean Duffy, US Rep. from WI-07
Tom MacArthur, US Rep. from NJ-03
Chris Smith, US Rep. from NJ-04
Martha McSally, US Senator from Arizona
Rick Berg, US Senator from North Dakota
Brian Sandoval, former Governor of Nevada
Phil Scott
Elise Stefanik, US Rep. from NY-21
Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts and former candidate
Jim Douglas, former Governor of Vermont
Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland
Charlie Dent, US Rep. from PA-07
Bob Stefanowski, candidate for Governor of Connecticut in 2018
Chris Sununu, Governor of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Farm Bureau
Bill Weld, former Governor of Massachusetts
North Dakota Farm Bureau
John Katko, US Rep. from NY-24
Adam Kinzinger, US Rep. from IL-16
New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Eddie Edwards, US Rep. from NH-01
Iowa Farm Bureau
New Hampshire Sheriffs' Association
Scott Taylor, US Rep. from VA-02
Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota
Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State
Peter King, US Rep. from NY-02
Todd Young, US Senator from Indiana
Joe Heck, former US Rep. from NV-03
Pete Stauber, US Rep. from MN-08
Richard Hanna, former US Rep. from NY-22
Fred Upton, US Rep. from MI-06
Brian Fitzpatrick, US Rep. from PA-01
Gary Herbert, Governor of Utah
Brian Mast, US Rep. from FL-18
Scott Milne, businessman from Vermont; candidate for Governor of Vermont in 2014 and US Senate from Vermont in 2016
Allan Fung, Mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island; Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014
Dean Heller, former US Senator from Nevada
Nevada Chamber of Commerce
Mark Sanford, US Rep. from SC-01
David Valadao, US Rep. from CA-21
Rob Wittman, US Rep. from VA-01
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Mike Braun, US Senator from Indiana
Karyn Polito, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Butch Otter, former Governor of Idaho
Mario Diaz-Balart, US Rep. from FL-25
Jeff Denham, US Rep. from CA-10
Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson, actor
Tom Reed, US Rep. from NY-23
Bill Cohen, former US Senator from Maine
John Faso, US Rep. from NY-19
Marco Rubio, US Senator from Florida
Rodney Davis, US Rep. from IL-13
Troy Balderson, US Rep. from OH-12
Tim Pawlenty, former Governor of Minnesota
Scott Tipton, US Rep. from CO-03
Cory Gardner, former US Rep. from CO-04
John Thune, Senate Majority Whip and US Senator from South Dakota
Denny Rehberg, US Senator from Montana
Dan Donovan, US Rep. from NY-11
Ron Johnson, US Senator from Wisconsin
Leonard Lance, US Rep. from NJ-07
Bob Hugin, businessman and Republican nominee for US Senate from New Jersey in 2018
Tom Ridge, former US Secretary of Homeland Security
J. T. Wilcox, Washington State House Minority Leader
Rick Santorum, former US Senator from Pennsylvania and former US Secretary of Commerce and former candidate
Lou Barletta, former US Rep. from PA-11
Joni Ernst, US Senator from Iowa
Ted Cruz, US Senator from Texas
Scott Perry, US Rep. from PA-10
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
Dan Crenshaw, US Rep. from TX-02
Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota
Tom Cotton, US Senator from Arkansas
Bill Cassidy, US Senator from Louisiana
David Perdue, US Senator from Georgia
National Right to Life
Tea Party Patriots
Michele Bachmann, former US Rep. from MN-06
Jim DeMint, former US Senator from South Carolina
Mark Meadows, US Rep. from NC-11
Matt Bevin, former Governor of Kentucky
Dan Newhouse, US Rep. from WA-04
Dino Rossi, US Rep. from WA-08
Will Hurd, US Rep. from TX-23
Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona
Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina and former candidate

Independents
Rob Manfred
Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and Libertarian presidential nominee in 2016
Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter
Bill Gates, founder and former CEO of Microsoft
Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California
Derek Jeter, Miami Marlins owner and MLB Hall of Famer
Gary Oldman, actor
Bruce Willis, actor
Americans for Tax Reform
Bud Selig, commissioner emeritus of the MLB
Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett-Packard from Virginia
Barbara Comstock, former US Rep. from VA-10
Lynn Jenkins, former US Rep. from KS-02
Donald Trump, Jr., businessman from New York

[McGovernite]

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT FROM GOVERNOR ALEX SINK

Tallahassee, Florida

Over 1 million Volunteers. Over 500 million dollars raised. Almost every county in America, a message spread. That is what we call a revolution. This campaign was run by people. This campaign was ran by Democrats and Republicans alike. This campaign was ran by Americans, not Corporations. This campaign wasn't about me, it was about a Plan to Fix America. This campaign was about an Idea, one which could completely restore America to it's full Potential. The United States is hurting, we're hurting.

I met a little girl in Manchester, New Hampshire. Her name was DeRay. She is 13 at the moment, and her mother is single. Her father was killed, when she was 8. He was shot, and died. When they took him to the Emergency Room, her father couldn't receive care. They didn't have insurance. DeRay was forced to see her father die in front of her, because they didn't have Insurance. I cried for 3 hours,, thinking about that story that I heard from her. Yet, what gave me hope is what she said to me afterwards. She said, "Mrs. Sink I know that my daddy isn't here anymore because he couldn't get help because he was sick, I wish he didn't die, but I can't change it. I want to say thank you for trying to make it to where no other girl's daddy can't get help when he's sick." That just, that really inspired me.

I know that we're last in delegates, but this message must continue, at all costs. This message cannot just be pushed aside. People are dying, children are dying, families are dying, and the American People aren't going to take it. At the Convention, we have to show the Establishment, the PACs, and the People, that we aren't giving up. We are not giving up. I'm here today to announce something, that may be sad for some, but let's not drown ourselves in sorrow. Let's not focus on what was, but what we can do, when we work together. I'm ready to work together, I'm ready to fight together, side by side with a great man. A great person, who I know is going to fight for our Progressive Values in Washington. That man is Senator Sherrod Brown.

I've known Senator Brown for a very long time, and I know that he has a Proven Record of Progressive Ideas. He has a Proven Record on Medicare for All. He has a Proven Record on Human Rights. He has a Proven Record on Tuition Free College. He has a Proven Record on being an American Fighter, and an American Hero. Senator Brown, let's do this Together.

[Cabbage]

Quick pair of media narratives:

IT'S SHERROD!

July 12, 2020

Yesterday, Governor Alex Sink announced her intentions to drop out of the hard-fought Democratic race for President, endorsing Senator Sherrod Brown in a speech that focused heavily on the high points of an otherwise arduous campaign. In doing so, she may well have prevented the dreaded contested convention, and so given the Democrats a unified status they didn't have heading into July. While Senator Kerry remains outstanding, many believe he will soon give up the ghost, as well, and that, even should he not, he will be defeated in the first few ballots of the convention.

IT'S SHERROD!(?)

July 12, 2020

So, after five long months of campaigning, clamoring, and maybe even a little bit of corrupt bargaining (we'll have to wait and see about that one), it appears to be finally over. Senator Sherrod Brown will be the Democratic nominee for President, and now we can look forward to his general election campaign against Governor Scott (or Senator Murkowski). Or can we? While Brown celebrates what he sees as imminent victory, there is still another candidate to captain this ship. And he's not backing down quietly. Senator Kerry has stated his intention to fight to the end, and the Post remains behind him until that time comes (if it comes).

[adamevans]

Brown Campaign to Announce VP Pick in Cleveland Rally

The Brown Campaign's communication director, Jennifer Donohue, announced weeks from the Democratic National Convention that Sherrod Brown would announce his Vice Presidential pick in an upcoming campaign rally in the Senator's home state of Cleveland, Ohio. This comes just days after Governor Alex Sink announced her withdrawal from the race and support for the Ohio Senator, appearing to be a bid to unite the Democrats behind the candidate who won the most delegates and raw votes. The most obviously speculated candidate for the veep position is the Florida Governor herself, however names like Michael Bennet, Kamala Harris, Angus King and Beto O'Rourke have been tossed around as well. While not hinting the name of the VP candidate, the Brown Campaign stated it's pick would unite the party to win in November. Donohue also stated that "now is the time for Democrats to rally behind our clear nominee" and that "Senator Brown has both the message and the experience to unite this party and win in November."

This rally is scheduled to be just a week before the DNC Convention.

[Cabbage]

LEAK: Kerry Campaign VP Shortlist

July 5, 2020

Even as the final days before the convention approach, Senator Kerry is still debating among at least four Vice Presidential contenders. The Washington Post has managed to obtain a current shortlist via sources within the Kerry campaign, several of whom will definitely prick up some ears. So, without further ado, here is the shortlist of candidates for the bottom of the ticket, should John Kerry receive the nomination.

TAMMY BALDWIN

Senator Baldwin has long been viewed as a potential asset to a non-Midwestern candidate taking back her home state, as Vice President Ryan was to taking it away from the Democrats in the first place. Her status as the only LGBT senator certainly doesn't hurt matters, either, when it comes to appealing to the party base. The only problem: she's a Brown backer, and a pretty hearty one at that, meaning that it'd be more difficult to convince her to join Team Kerry.

SHERROD BROWN

Sort of the obvious pick following a ruthless convention fight, and his being from Ohio certainly doesn't hurt, but the question is: since he finished first in the primaries, will he really be up for playing second fiddle?

TAMMY DUCKWORTH

Are we sensing a pattern yet? Duckworth is ANOTHER Brown-supporting Midwestern Senator, but also more of a progressive, since she has the wiggle-room to be, being from Illinois. Again, though, can she be won over following what will be a bruising convention if Kerry comes out on top?

KAMALA HARRIS

Finally, a little variety! I mean...Senator Harris is basically the opposite of what we've seen in the last three candidates. Rather than being a Midwestern Brown supporter, Harris is a dynamic young Sink-supporting Senator from California, which might be a breath of fresh air...but it'll have to be, if Kerry's willing to bet he can win swing states without a vice president from one of them.

[Cabbage]

Just a reminder to Brown and Kerry (and possibly Sink; she may be called upon as a keynote or pro-Brown speaker) that the DNC starts tomorrow.

[Mycool]

When does the RNC begin?

[Orwell]

John Kerry for President 2020

DNC- Speech

Senator Kerry will be nominated by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) who gave the conventions keynote address 4 years ago and was one of Senator Kerry's earliest supporters,

Hello, Hello Milwaukee! And Hello Democrats from around the globe! Thank you all!


I am proud to be a strong supporter of Senator Kerry's campaign, and since the beginning of this fight when people called me names for endorsing the man who is here today the winner of millions of your votes to be the Democratic nominee for President, and the man I am proud to call a friend, and someone I have know for over a decade, he is the best choice to be our nominee John Kerry of the great state of Massachusetts.

(crowd cheers)

He is not the candidate of the smoke filled rooms, he is the candidate of you the people. As John said, "I believe America's best days are ahead of us, because Freedom is stronger then Fear." We are America the free, not America the afraid.

(crowd cheers)

We cannot afford 4 more years of Republican rule, where the biggest causalities are middle class jobs being shipped to China and across the world. We say to those workers in Lackawanna, in Lordstown, and across the nation, Help is on the Way!

(crowd cheers)


We were called a joke when we began, we were said to have no chance at the nomination let alone the Presidency. (pause) Look we are now, at the Democratic National Convention, and we'll win here in Milwaukee, and you can go back to Albany, Portland, Tulsa, and Orlando and I am a member of the Democratic Party and I am proud to be one, because we nominated someone we believe and someone who fights for us.

(crowd cheers)

When I was growing up in Oklahoma I looked for a man, a woman, anyone in Washington that would fight for my family, and my friends, and my fellow countrymen. I found that man finally, and that man is John Kerry, and his service didn't end in Vietnam, it began in Vietnam.

We are the party of working class rights, civil rights, and the rights of All Americans, regardless of sexual orientation, color, or creed. We need to keep up this fight, because we cannot let America slip into the past, when we have such a bright future ahead of us.

Senator Kerry is a fighter just the kind we need in Washington, that is why I am proud to nominate him to be the next Democratic nominee for President of the United States, and the next President of the United States because he is the candidate I believe in, in my heart, and I believe in my heart he will set America on the narrow path to a brighter future.

[Cabbage]

When does the RNC begin?

The 15th.

[Cabbage]

Ok, there's going to be a lot of posting from me in the next two hours that's not DNC-related, so Barron and Jackson are free to ignore it.

[Cabbage]

CNN Interview with Senator Lisa Murkowski

July 12, 2020

Blitzer: Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer, and I'm here tonight with Senator Lisa Murkowski, who, at this point, needs no introduction. Senator, how are you tonight?



Murkowski: I'm doing wonderful, Wolf. It's been great to actually spend time with my family after all that time campaigning.

Blitzer: It undoubtedly has. Now, then, Senator, it looks like you’re going into the convention with the lead in delegates. How do you feel about your odds of victory?

Murkowski: We've long known this primary would end up being decided on the convention floor, but I believe the momentum is on my side here. This campaign has attracted a variety of support from both voters and supporters in public office, both of which lead me to believe that we can and will win the nomination. I think that we Republicans will rally behind the eventual nominee, and I will work as hard as I have throughout the primary to be our nominee.

Blitzer: Confidence even in the face of adversity. On that note, what would you say has been the most exciting part of this long and hard-fought campaign?

Murkowski: The South Carolina primary was our campaign's comeback moment, and is one of my favorite days in this race. I think that marked the moment where we took away all credence from the narrative that Republican primary voters would reject the message this campaign put forth. From then, we've managed to keep both a lead in the polls and in the delegate count, which has been a constant source of excitement and gratitude. This whole experience of running for President has been exciting, and each of us who have run should be proud of the work we've done.

Blitzer: A proud accomplishment, indeed. I believe you’ve already been asked this one, but just to remind voters: is it not sort of a pie to the Democrats’ face that there is now a real chance a Republican will be the first woman President, given their “we’re the party of women” rhetoric?

Murkowski: I do think it's telling that the Democrats have two men as their leading candidates, while Republicans have a chance to nominate a woman. Democrats have long pushed the rhetoric of being the party of women, while crowding out women from their primary. I've been proud to earn the of support of so many of my female colleagues and voters around this country, and I can promise I will give women more than rhetoric when I am President.

Blitzer: It'll be one flip in gender roles the Democrats will hate to see, I'm sure. Now, Senator, with the convention just a month away, have you given any thought to a running mate yet?

Murkowski: I've narrowed down my "long-list" to a "slightly shorter list," as the Republican Party has a deep wealth of talented, inspiring people who would all better the state of our country with their service as Vice President. I won't give up names just yet, though I've seen some fascinating speculation. I will say, I care a lot about a balanced, representative ticket, especially given the close primary race and the importance of the upcoming general election.

Blitzer: As with every election, the fate of the country is at stake. Finally, Senator, while you face a contested convention yourself, many of the pundits say that, of the two, the DNC is expected to be far messier. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?

Murkowski: I think, at the most basic level, the Republican Party is more united than the Democratic Party. Just look at the amount of attack ads that were levied at each of the candidates who ran, which were more intense and bruising than any that aired on our side. We, Republicans, made sure to keep a more collegial, friendly competition, rather than tearing our own down in that way. I don't envy either Democrat who ends up being tasked with uniting such a divided party, and I think the American people will see vastly different conventions in the coming weeks.

Blitzer: Senator Murkowski, thank you so much for being on.

Murkowski: My pleasure, Wolf.

Blitzer: And that will be all for tonight. Don't forget to tune in to CNN's DNC coverage starting tomorrow morning, and thanks for tuning in tonight!

[Cabbage]

Op-Ed "Corrupt Bargain"
by Former Vice President Joe Biden

The media is attempting to make it seem like the convention is set in stone for Sherrod Brown following his corrupt bargain with Alex Sink, we won’t let that happen, we’re here to send a message to John Kerry, and to those who think that Democracy doesn’t work a message.

Our ranks make up a dozen US Senators, a half hundred house members, and millions of Americans from around the globe. We have a simple message, “Give em hell John.” We lost with 8 years Romney, and we lost with 8 years of Bush, we will win with John Kerry, he’s the only candidate with significant experience working with Congress, not against it.

We all come from different backgrounds, different religions, different families, different colors, but John Kerry united us all. He has dedicated his life to serving the American people, he took on the mob at the threat to his own life, he took on the Viet Cong like thousands of other brave Americans, in the Senate he championed healthcare, and rights for the middle class.

He is the only candidate with the Foreign policy, Domestic Policy, and Social Policy to get the job done. He has long been a supporter of American liberalism, and a friend to working class Americans. Call your Senator or Representative and tell them to back John Kerry to make America’s future brighter.

We need this election, not just as Democrats, but as Americans. We need this to bring America back from the brink of demise, and we have to let the bosses know, Democrat or Republican, we don’t support a corrupt bargin to pick our next President, we support the will of the people… the will of the voter.

[Cabbage]

LEAK: Scott Campaign VP Shortlist

July 13, 2020

Even as the final days before the convention approach, Governor Scott is still debating among at least six Vice Presidential contenders. The Wall Street Journal has managed to obtain a current shortlist via sources within the Scott campaign, several of whom will definitely prick up some ears. So, without further ado, here is the shortlist of candidates for the bottom of the ticket, should Phil Scott receive the nomination.

MIA LOVE

Senator Love was something of a surprise as the nominee to replace Senator Orrin Hatch, but she had President Romney's blessing, and that was enough for a lot of people in Utah. Since then, she's made herself known as a fiery moderate and a powerful voice in the upper chamber. Only question is: can she be won over from the Murkowski camp?

TIM SCOTT

A more conservative African-American from South Carolina, Senator Scott might be just what Governor Scott needs to prevent defections by disgruntled conservatives. Problems? 1) Like Love, he's an ardent Murkowski supporter. 2) "Scott/Scott" will drive We the Pundits crazy by the middle of September.

LISA MURKOWSKI

Who better to unify the party than the only other candidate remaining? Murkowski and Scott often see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues, but this could be a problem given that they're both a bit more left-leaning than the Republican base at large, which could respark ominous rumblings from a certain tower in Manhattan. Upsides? If she agrees, the convention could be over on the second ballot.

GREG ABBOTT

Abbott is the first actual open Scott supporter on this list (and a bit of a Johnny-come-lately, too, as he was only following Rick Santorum's lead). However, the leader of the largest red state in the country is certainly nothing to sniff at, and he'd definitely help with Scott's less-than-stellar reception among conservatives.

MARCO RUBIO

Senator Rubio, however, endorsed Scott fairly early on in the primaries, and even delivered the Governor a big win in his home state of Florida. And, as the biggest swing state in the country, it would certainly be a boon to the Scott campaign, especially if the Democrats go for a Brown/Sink ticket (which is the most likely option right now). Just don't let him have any water during the debate.

BILL HASLAM

The former Governor of Tennessee is a constant fantasy candidate for God knows how many offices, including, many hope, Senator, due to the impending retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander. He's also the only candidate on this list who's held his endorsement back so far. Will he announce his endorsement at the convention, especially if it's his running mate? Time will tell.

[Cabbage]

LEAK: Murkowski Campaign VP Shortlist

July 13, 2020

Even as the final days before the convention approach, Senator Murkowski is still debating among at least five Vice Presidential contenders. The Wall Street Journal has managed to obtain a current shortlist via sources within the Murkowski campaign, several of whom will definitely prick up some ears. So, without further ado, here is the shortlist of candidates for the bottom of the ticket, should Lisa Murkowski receive the nomination.

RAND PAUL

The arch-Amash supporter himself, Senator Paul has made no small amount of noise about how, due to the existence of the Libertarian Party, the Republicans have "tried to quash us every step of the way," and how Representative Amash's loss is just another symptom of this. If Murkowski can win him over, however, he could turn that rhetoric to supporting her (and she'll need it, with a ticket consisting of two red-state Senators).

ROB PORTMAN

Portman, on the other hand, has been behind Senator Murkowski since he suspended his own candidacy after the debates. He's also from Ohio, often considered the arch-swing state (it hasn't been wrong since 1960), which could prove critical against the likely nomination of Senator Sherrod Brown on the Democratic end.

SCOTT WALKER

Two Wisconsinites in the VP slot in a row? The former Governor of Wisconsin was one of the few politicians who chose to endorse Senator Murkowski before Secretary Santorum announced his support for Governor Scott. Upsides? He's definitely a conservative. Downsides? His actions in late 2018 and early 2019 didn't exactly make him any friends outside the partisan base.

GREG ABBOTT

Abbott is the first Scott supporter on this list, which will make him harder to convince than a lot of the other people on this list. However, the leader of the largest red state in the country is certainly nothing to sniff at, and he'd definitely help with Murkowski's less-than-stellar reception among Santorum supporters, as he technically supporters Secretary Santorum first.

MARCO RUBIO

Senator Rubio is also a Scott backer, and a much more ardent one, but he's also a Senator from the biggest swing state in the country, and, in a state with a split Senate delegation and Democratic governor (who's liable to be the Democratic nominee for Vice President), it couldn't hurt to boost her numbers there with a "counter-Floridian," if you will.

[McGovernite]

GOVERNOR SINK MOVES TO NOMINATE SENATOR BROWN

Floor of the DNC, Milwaukee

Hello, hello! Thank you, thank you! I'm so glad to be here in Milwaukee, where there has been so much history, and we're gonna make some more, aren't we? I'm so glad to be here to do something major. But first, let me tell you a story. I was a Young Woman, right out of College, looking for work in Tallahassee. I didn't have much money, but I did have one thing. I had a boyfriend who loved me. Bill McBride, the most American, most Patriotic, most Romantic man I knew. He was a lover, a father, and a hero.

So, I was right out of college, and we were going on a date. It was at a local cafe, and he had said that he was going to order the cheeseburger with fries. I said I was going to order the chicken sandwich. While ordering, the waitress said, "What do you want with that cheeseburger." Bill said, "I was going to order the fries, but I'd much rather have a Dukakis Presidency."

Laughter

If Bill saw our Political Life now, he probably would've said, "Just kill me already." He was a man who stressed unity, who stressed preserving our Civil Liberties, while pushing for Progress. He was a man of his word, and a man that stood up for every single person in Florida. I ran for President to stand up for every person not just in Florida, but in America. We all know we need a President for All. An American that will support our Cities, Suburbs, and Rural Areas.

I'm a Progressive, and there's only one other person running for President, that will stand up for Progressive Values in America. It's time for Medicare for All. It's time for Tuition Free College. It's time for Real Action on Climate Change. It's time for Criminal Justice Reform. It's time for a Progressive in the White House!

I know damn well that is Bill was here today, we would stand side by side with me in support of Senator Brown. He would shake his hand and say, "I may not know everything about you Senator, but I know you're a Good Man. I know that you are a Fighter, and I'm damn ready to stand side by side with you." I'm ready to do that exact that same. Delegates, stand with an idea for a Progressive America. Stand with an idea for an America in which everyone succeeds.

Let's stand together, because that is how we're going to win this state back. I'm proud to stand here today, as a Christian, as a Governor, and as a Democrat. I'm ready to fight with Sherrod, and that's why I'm nominating Sherrod, my friend, and my mentor to be the next Democratic Nominee for the President of the United States!

Crowd Chants: Sherrod and Sink, the Dream Team!

[adamevans]

It's Time For Democrats to Unite Behind Nominee Sherrod Brown

When we announced our endorsement for Governor Alex Sink, we did it while acknowledging that other Democratic candidates were qualified and strong options to be the nominee. We did it hoping that no matter how divisive the primary became, it would end in unity when a clear nominee emerged, just like how Secretary Clinton did gracefully in 2008. John Kerry showed promise in that he and his campaign refused to launch attacks against other candidates. With the convention approaching fastly, Democrats, on all aisles, breathed a sigh of relief when Alex Sink withdrew her name to endorse Sherrod Brown, the winner of both the popular vote and the delegate count, seemingly settling the nomination, but Democrats were forced to hold their breath when the Kerry Campaign employed scorched earth tactics to attack Alex Sink's support for unity at the convention in an op-ed on the Washington Post, betraying his previous promise to not attack his opponents.

It claims that his nomination is "the will of the people" despite losing the vote of Democrats nationwide. Regardless of Sink's endorsement for Senator Brown, Sherrod won the popular vote; their claim is a flat out lie. Moreover, it claims John Kerry is the antithesis of the party establishment, despite his campaign being endorsed by most major DNC officials. We take no issue with John Kerry's campaign, we take issue with how he's blatantly flipped on the supposed call for unity from his campaign in previous months as his nomination chances dwindle. The biggest claim of the op-ed is that somehow Alex Sink and Sherrod Brown are corrupt bargainers, as if Senator Kerry wasn't planning on overturning the will of Democratic voters by bargaining with DNC delegates. Senator Brown has clearly displayed the capabilities needed to unite the party to win in November, and we, at the LA Times, actually hope he does pick Governor Sink as his Vice Presidential pick in November; it would surely unite the Democrats in November.

While John Kerry, himself, is willing to risk a Democratic win in November, using the same tactics that lost us elections in 1968 and 1972, his supporters don't have to follow this trend. Kerry supporters obviously subscribe to the idea of party unity; it's time to unify behind our clear nominees, Sherrod Brown and (hopefully) Alex Sink.

(a similar article is posted on the NY Times)