Reporting for Duty: The Presidency of John Kerry and Onwards.

[BigVic]

The Bush dynasty continues with another Bush in the White House. Can't wait for the transition and the first 100 days of the Jeb! presidency.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

2008 Senate Elections.

2008 Alabama Senate Election
(R) Jeff Sessions: 67.04%
(D) Vivian Davis: 32.96%
(Republican hold)

2008 Alaska Senate Election
(D) Mark Begich: 47.96%
(R) Ted Stevens: 47.54%
(AIP) Bob Bird: 4.50%
(Democratic gain)

2008 Arkansas Senate Election
(R) Asa Hutchison: 54.67%
(D) Mark Pryor: 44.23%
(G) Rebekah Kennedy: 1.10%
(Republican gain)

2008 Colorado Senate Election
(R) Gale Norton: 53.25%
(D) Mark Udall: 46.75%
(Republican hold)

2008 Delaware Senate Election
(D) Joseph Biden: 56.36%
(R) Mike Castle: 43.64%
(Democratic hold)

2008 Georgia Senate Election
(R) Saxby Chambliss: 54.88%
(D) Jim Martin: 42.81%
(L) Allen Buckley: 2.31%
(Republican hold)

2008 Idaho Senate Election
(R) Jim Risch: 100.00%
(Republican hold)

2008 Illinois Senate Election
(D) Dick Durbin: 96.75%
(R) Andy Martin: 3.25%
(Democratic hold)

2008 Iowa Senate Election
(D) Tom Harkin: 52.71%
(R) Chris Reed: 47.29%
(Democratic hold)

2008 Kansas Senate Election
(R) Pat Roberts: 60.00%
(D) Jim Slatterly: 36.41%
(I) Joseph Martin: 3.59%
(Republican hold)

2008 Kentucky Senate Election
(R) Mitch McConnell: 56.00%
(D) Bruce Lunsford: 44.00%
(Republican hold)

2008 Louisiana Senate Election
(R) John Kennedy: 52.36%
(D) Mary Landrieu: 46.74%
(Republican gain)

2008 Maine Senate Election
(R) Susan Collins: 54.18%
(D) Tom Allen: 45.82%
(Republican hold)

2008 Massachusetts Senate Election
(D) Stephen Lynch: 59.67%
(R) Scott Brown: 40.33%
(Democratic hold)

2008 Michigan Senate Election
(D) Carl Levin: 62.21%
(R) Jack Hoogendyk: 33.23%
(L) Scott Boman: 4.54%
(Democratic hold)

2008 Minnesota Senate Election
(R) Norm Coleman: 42.66%
(D) Al Franken: 39.69%
(I) Dean Barkley: 14.88%
(L) Charles Aldrich: 2.77%
(Republican hold)

2008 Mississippi Senate Election
(R) Thad Cochran: 71.17%
(D) Erick Fleming: 28.86%
(Republican hold)

2008 Montana Senate Election:
(R) Corey Stapleton: 50.12%
(D) Max Bauccus: 49.88%
(Republican gain)

2008 Nebraska Senate Election
(R) Mike Johanns: 60.45%
(D) Scott Kleeb: 39.55%
(Republican hold)

2008 New Hampshire Senate Election:
(R) John Sununu: 50.21%
(D) Jeanne Shaheen: 47.66%
(L) Ken Blevens: 2.13%
(Republican hold)

2008 New Jersey Senate Election
(D) Rob Andrews: 51.61%
(R) Dick Zimmer: 47.36%
(I) Jeff Boss: 0.30%
(Democratic hold)

2008 New Mexico Senate Election
(R) Heather Wilson: 51.66%
(D) Tom Udall: 48.34%
(Republican hold)

2008 North Carolina Senate Election
(R) Elizabeth Dole: 56.07%
(D) Kay Hagan: 40.65%
(L) Chris Cole: 3.28%
(Republican hold)

2008 Oklahoma Senate Election
(R) Jim Inhofe: 64.67%
(D) Andrew Rice: 30.88%
(I) Stephen Wallace: 4.45%
(Republican hold)

2008 Oregon Senate Election
(D) Jeff Merkley: 48.40%
(R) Gordon Smith: 45.91%
(C) Dave Brownlow: 5.69%
(Democratic gain)

2008 Rhode Island Senate Election
(D) Jack Reed: 57.39%
(R) Steve Laffey: 42.61%
(Democratic hold)

2008 South Carolina Senate Election
(R) Lindsey Graham: 65.00%
(D) Robert Conley: 35.00%
(Republican hold)

2008 South Dakota Senate Election:
(R) Dennis Daugaard: 57.15%
(D) Stephanie Herseth: 42.85%
(Republican hold)

2008 Tennessee Senate Election
(R) Lamar Alexander: 64.59%
(D) Robert Tuke: 33.99%
(I) Edward Buck: 1.34%
(G) Chris Lugo: 0.38%
(Republican hold)

2008 Texas Senate Election
(R) Jon Cornyn: 62.92%
(D) Rick Noriega: 34.91%
(L) R. Lee Wright: 2.17%
(Republican hold)

2008 Virginia Senate Election
(R) Jim Gilmore: 50.49%
(D) Tim Kaine: 48.04%
(L) Bill Redpath: 0.81%
(G) Gail Parker: 0.66%
(Republican hold)

2008 West Virginia Senate Election
(R) Shelly M. Capito: 50.12%
(D) Jay Rockefeller: 44.89%
(G) Ken Helcher: 4.99%
(Republican gain)

2008 Wyoming Senate Election
(R) Mike Enzi: 100.00%
(Republican hold)

2008 Wyoming Senate Special Election
(R) John Barrasso: 72.40%
(D) Nick Carter: 27.60%
(Republican hold)

Freshman Senators (2009): Mark Begich (D-AK), Asa Hutchison (R-AR), Gale Norton (R-CO), John N. Kennedy (R-LA), Corey Stapleton (R-MT), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Heather Wilson (R-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jim Gilmore (R-VA), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV)
Senate before 2006 Elections
Republican: 59
Democratic: 39
Independent: 2

Senate after 2008 Elections
Republican: 62 (+3)
Democratic: 36 (-3)
Independent: 2 (-)

Senate Majority Leader-elect: Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Incumbent Senate Majority Leader: Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
 
Senate Minority Leader-elect: Harry Reid (D-NV)
Incumbent Senate Minority Leader: Harry Reid (D-NV)

2008 Gubernatorial Elections

2008 Delaware Gubernatorial Election
(D) Jack Markell: 74.68%
(R) Bill Lee: 25.32%
(Democratic hold)

2008 Indiana Gubernatorial Election
(R) Mitch Daniels: 61.09%
(D) Jill Thompson: 37.62%
(L) Andy Horning: 1.29%
(Republican hold)

2008 Missouri Gubernatorial Election
(R) Matt Blunt: 54.02%
(D) Claire McCaskill: 45.21%
(C) Greg Thompson: 0.77%
(Republican gain)

2008 Montana Gubernatorial Election
(D) Brian Schweitzer: 62.89%
(R) Roy Brown: 33.66%
(L) Stanley Jones: 3.45%
(Democratic hold)

2008 New Hampshire Gubernatorial Election
(D) John Lynch: 72.53%
(R) Jim Coburn: 27.47%
(Democratic hold)

2008 North Carolina Gubernatorial Election
(R) Pat McCrory: 55.16%
(D) Bev Perdue: 44.84%
(Republican gain)

2008 North Dakota Gubernatorial Election
(R) John Hoeven: 75.54%
(D) Tim Mathern: 24.46%
(Republican hold)

2008 Utah Gubernatorial Election
(R) Jon Huntsman: 67.21%
(D) Rocky Anderson: 32.79%
(Republican hold)

2008 Vermont Gubernatorial Election
(R) Brian Dubie: 54.68%
(D) Gaye Symington: 22.87%
(I) Anthony Polina: 22.45%
(Republican hold)

2008 Washington Gubernatorial Election
(R) Dino Rossi: 52.00%
(D) Ron Sims: 48.00%
(Republican hold)

2008 West Virginia Gubernatorial Election
(D) Joe Manchin: 58.89%
(R) Russ Weeks: 41.11%
(Democratic hold)

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

2008 North Carolina Senate Election
(R) Elizabeth Dole: 56.07%
(D) Kay Hagan: 40.65%
(L) Chris Cole: 3.28%
(Republican hold)

2008 North Carolina Gubernatorial Election
(R) Pat McCrory: 55.16%
(D) Bev Perdue: 44.84%
(Republican gain)

Son of a bitch! (I mean, I guess 2008!McCrory is better than 2016!McCrory, but that's a low bar)

[Pericles]

Lost track of this, just saw the election results. Jeb! with a Republican landslide is interesting, I wonder how his presidency goes. My guess is that he does not stimulate the economy as much as Obama did so the recession is worse and he loses in 2012, but I could see it going differently for sure. I'll try keep a closer watch on this in the future.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Forgot to add the House results, basically the House stays Republican under Speaker Blunt. Nothing to spectacular though, just a few marginal gains.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Jeb!

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008.

7:15 AM, Miami, FL.

[1]

For the third time, a Bush has woken up as President-elect of the United States. Yet Jeb didn't find any security in the moment, as the previous Bush's were both defeated for reelection. His wife Columba was already out of bed, and he could hear her in the kitchen preparing a pot of coffee. Immediately, the Governor turned over and grasped the phone on the bedside, dialing his campaign manager and adviser Sally Bradshaw, who was to be announced as the next White House Chief of Staff.

"When you get into Washington" said Bradshaw, "you'll go to the Mayflower. The transition team will meet there until the GSA provides the office space we'll need. There will be a press conference after noon. Afterwards

"When does the President want to meet?" asked Jeb. "I don't know for sure yet" Bradshaw answered. "Has he reached out to us?" "He did, but they didn't know when. We're expecting to hear back on that later today." The thrill of entering the White House for the first time knowing that it'd soon be theirs was something that both his father and brother had spoken about. He looked forward to the day with great yearning.

"There's going to be a meeting on executive office staffing tonight as well."

"Sounds good."

"Have you finalized your cabinet shortlists?"

"Partially."

"That's ok, but think about that on the flight. Call me when you get in."

"Will do."

The Governor turned to his wife as she came down the hall with a mug of coffee ready for him. It would be the last quiet morning of his life. From here on out, he'd be constantly surrounded by the Secret Service. It was quite the shock, but he was reassured that the Republican supermajority would ease the burden and somewhat relieve the pressure on him.

But he was ready for this. He was born for this.
Thursday, November 6th, 2008: President Kerry takes questions from reporters at a lengthy press conference, in which he defends his record on healthcare and immigration while also making a public appeal to the incoming President-elect Jeb Bush to continue the drawdown of American forces from Iraq.
Friday, November 7th, 2008: President-elect Bush announces he will appoint Sally Bradshaw as White House Chief of Staff, while Nicole Wallace is appointed Press Secretary. Tim Miller will fill the position of Communications Director, while Karl Rove will take the position of Chief Strategist, a new addition added to the traditional White House staff positions.
Sunday, November 9th, 2008: NBC's Meet the Press gets the first official interview with Jeb Bush since his election night victory. in which he outlines the ambitions for the first time.
Monday, November 10th, 2008: The Supreme Court rules in D.C. vs. Heller 5-3 to uphold D.C.'s ban on handguns, which they do not classify as being "arms" under the terms of the 2nd Amendment. The decision allows the law to stand, which clears the way for other cities to enact their own gun control policies, which horrifies but also greatly strengthens the NRA's cause.
Tuesday, November 12th, 2008: Danny Diaz is named White House Deputy Chief of Staff.
Wednesday, November 13th, 2008: President Kerry hosts President-elect Bush at the White House, where the two discuss the transition and afterwards take questions from the press.
Thursday, November 14th, 2008: Ann Dunwoody makes history as the first female four star general in the American military.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008: President-elect Bush announces Frances Townsend will join his administration as National Security Adviser.
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008: The national security team of the incoming administration is revealed; former National Security Adviser Condi Rice will serve as Secretary of State while Senator Lindsey Graham will be appointed as Secretary of Defense. Rudy Giuliani is announced as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. Lastly Zalmay Khalizad is named UN Ambassador.
Friday, November 21st, 2008: The CEO's of GM, Ford, and Chrysler meet with the President-elect after testifying before Congress about the need for a bailout of the automatic industry, which has suffered due to a dramatic decrease in demand as the economy tanks.
Saturday, November 22nd, 2008: President Kerry announces he will form a charitable foundation and construct a presidential library in Boston in the coming year.
Sunday, November 24th, 2008: The President-elect announces his selection of Sheila Bair as the next Treasury Secretary. Bair had previously served in George W. Bush's administration as an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, is announced as Secretary of Commerce. Former US Attorney Alexander Acosta is named as Secretary of Labor. Chairing the Council of Economic Advisers is Greg Mankiw, an economist who held the position during his George W. Bush's term.
Wednesday, November 27th, 2008: A final round of cabinet appointments are named. Former US Attorney Debra Wang is nominated for the position of Attorney General. Mark McClellan, who served as Commissioner of Food and Drug, will take on the role as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Former Saint Petersburg mayor Rick Baker is appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL) is picked for Secretary of Transportation, while former Deputy Secretary Eugene Hickok is promoted to Secretary of the Department of Education. Lastly, former Navy Secretary and Senate candidate Jim Webb, a Democrat, is picked to head the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Friday, November 29th 2008: The Federal Reserve announces an $800 billion bailout package which would buy up mortgage securities and make loans to struggling banks.
Saturday, November 30th, 2008: Former Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett is appointed to the top job at the Department of the Interior. Similarly, Chuck Connors, the former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, is also appointed to his department's highest position. Former CEO of the American Petroleum Institute Jack Gerard is named Energy Secretary.
[1] Taken from Wikipedia Commons.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Sorry for the delay, there’s an update that’s 75% done but I’ve been pretty busy this week. This is still going and I’m really committing to, well, actually finishing it.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Monday, December 1st, 2008: With the presidential race settled, the Senate Republican majority refuses to bring the matter of Justice Souter's replacement to a vote. President Kerry calls the decision a "stab in the back" by McConnell, and refuses to withdraw Diane Wood's nomination.
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin threatens to cut off natural gas pipelines running through the Ukraine should the former Soviet Republic strengthen their ties to NATO.
Saturday, December 6th, 2008: The FBI quietly begins an investigation into whether or not Vice President Edwards used a secret slush fund to pay off a staffer (Andrew Young) to publicly claim paternity of Rielle Hunter's baby daughter.
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008: OJ Simpson is convicted on kidnapping and armed robbery charges, and is sentenced to 15-33 years in prison with an opportunity for parole after nine years.
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008: The remains of Kaylee Anthony are found near Orlando, Florida. The resulting investigation, trial, and acquittal of her mother Casey Anthony will captivate much of the nation in the coming months.
Friday, December 12th, 2008: After meeting with the heads of GM, Ford, and Chrysler, President Kerry announces he will attempt to negotiate a bailout of the automotive sector in order to keep millions of jobs afloat. There is considerable uproar among conservative Republicans in the House and Senate over the cost and necessity of the situation.
Sunday, December 14th, 2008: An Iraqi journalists hurls his shoes at Secretary of Defense Sam Nunn at a press conference in Baghdad.
Monday, December 15th, 2008: Two car bombs are found in London outside popular nightclubs. Bomb squads are able to disassemble the devices in both cars, and a manhunt immediately is launched for the suspects, who were caught on security cameras leaving the car outside. The complexity of the devices in both cars signals the would-be terrorists have been trained by Al Qaeda.
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008: Just days after the failed London attack, an Al Qaeda aligned group in India and Pakistan launches one of the most deadly attacks in Indian history. Coming in my motorboat to the city of Mumbai, gunmen shoot their way through several hotels and tourist hotspots over a 24 hour period. Only one of the attackers survive when police and armed forces ultimately pin them down after a three day manhunt. The attacks end in a Chabad house, where they are killed after they slaughtered the remaining hostages. 155 people are killed, and 500 mor are injured in one of the worst terror attacks in recent memory.
Friday, December 19th, 2008: President Kerry and the automakers manage to reach a $1.75 billion bailout to protect GM, Ford, and Chrysler from bankruptcy on the condition they restructure and present the Treasury with a new business model going forward.
Sunday, December 21st, 2008: China deploys a squadron of naval vessels to the Gulf of Aden to combat the threat of piracy.

The Donald.

Thursday, December 25th, 2008.

10:45 AM, Trump Tower, NYC.

[1]

While his family continued tearing into the abundance of neatly organized, well wrapped, expensive presents, the Donald was in his office, rapidly flipping through an aged, fading little black book which gave him a direct line to almost every important figure in public life that one could imagine. He dialed the number, which still had an 850 area code, and pressed his phone against his face as a half-eaten McDonald's Big Mac sat coldly on the desk in front him.

At the other end of the expansive Atlantic coast, the President-elect celebrated one final Christmas with his family at their Miami hold. The Governor's cellphone began to shake in his pocket, and he pulled it out to check. Surely it had to be his parents calling in from Houston, or his brother from Crawford, or maybe it just was an immediate concern of some sort related to the transition. But that was not the case. All the screen showed was "Private Number." Curiosity got the better of him, and he flipped it open to hear a familiar voice.

"Jeb, it's Donald Trump. How are you? How is the transition working out?" The President-elect moved back and held his phone as far away from his head as his arm allowed, so that his dramatic groan could not be heard by his caller. "Wonderful" he replied.

"Tremendous, Mr. President-elect, tremendous."

"So Donald....what, um, what can I help you with?"

"I think the question you should be asking is what can I do for you, frankly."

"I appreciate it, Donald, but we've already filled these positions." The President-elect stared at his family, who paused the Christmas morning tradition to await an explanation. They saw the look of incredulous shock in his facial expressions, and they worked hard to hold down the growing chorus of giggles.

"But believe me, Jeb, believe me. I know New York City, and real estate here is a high stakes game. I can get this country going again, believe me, just believe me."

"And you're suggesting I..."

"Put me in the Treasury. I'll get the country back in shape, while you focus on the Muslims and the terrorists.....and by the way, you'll need to get the hell out of that mess your brother made in Iraq."

Jeb listened in unbelief, putting his phone on speaker for his bemused family halted in their holiday merriment to listen to what surely had to be one of the most bizarre calls of his career. But the joke ended with the Iraq line. The President-elect tersely excused himself, promised Trump he'd call him back (that was a lie), and then promptly hung up.

"Jesus Chris. That guy is a dick" said George Prescott Bush. Jeb's eldest son was astonished by the call. So was Don Jr, a thousand miles up the East Coast.

Within the confines of Trump's private office in Trump Tower, the eldest son of the billionaire developer listened into the call, amazed that his father would so boldly ask for something so far out of reach. "What were you thinking?" was the question he didn't dare to vocalize, but his father answered anyway.

"Best case scenario, I'm running the Treasury. Worst case scenario, it leaks to the press and the ratings of the Apprentice skyrocket. I win either way. I don't play the game unless I know I can win it. And I can talk circles around Jeb, believe me. He needs me more than I'd ever need him. Which by the way, I don't."
[1] Taken from WaPo (Jennifer Altman) (Fair Use)

[Pericles]

Great update-love the Trump call!

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Thursday, January 1st, 2009: The world marks a somber New Years as the unemployment rate rises and the market falls.
Friday, January 2nd, 2009: Despite two years of military operations in Somalia, the military of Ethiopia and the (unrecognized) Islamic Emirate of Somalia reach an unofficial truth. Despite fierce pressure from both President Kerry and President-elect Bush, the Ethiopian led African Union force had suffered great losses and were unable to fully take full control of Mogadishu.
Saturday, January 3rd, 2009: The 111th Congress convenes. Congressman Roy Blunt is elected as Speaker while McConnell remains leader of the Republican super majority in Congress.
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009: 14 children are killed in a rocket strike launched from Gaza. In response, Israel launches an unparalleled aerial attack on Hamas positions and installations in nearly every part of the strip.
Thursday, January 8th, 2009: Sri Lanka's military launch a large scale operation aiming to permanently defeat the Tamil Tigers, bringing the end of the long running civil war in the country in sight.
Friday, January 9th, 2009: Despite mounting speculation about a potential gubernatorial run in 2010, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) announces he will instead seek reelection to his Senate seat.
Sunday, January 11th, 2009: A leaked internal memo from the Bush transition team surfaces, in which the incoming National Security Adviser Frances Townsend argues in favor of halting all further withdrawals of American forces from Iraq, and using the military presence in the country to curb Iranian influence in the region.
Thursday, January 15th, 2009: The "Miracle on the Hudson" occurs when pilot Chesley Sullenberger lands a passenger jet on the Hudson rive after the plane's engines were damaged by geese. All the passengers onboard are subsequently and immediately rescued with no injuries.
Friday, January 16th, 2009: Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues into the second week as Operation Cast Lead reduces large swathes of the city to rubble. Sporadic Hamas rockets continue to fly out of Gaza in defiance of the operation.
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009: Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) collapses at an inaugural luncheon event and is rushed to a hospital. Afterwards, a distraught Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) is also hospitalized after he faints.

Bush '45

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009.

12:00 PM, The Capitol, Washington, DC.

[1]

Vice President Huckabee, Mr. Chief Justice, President Carter, Presidents Bush, President Clinton, President Kerry, reverend clergy, distinguished guests, fellow citizens:

On this day, prescribed by law and marked by ceremony, we celebrate the durable wisdom of our Constitution, and recall the deep commitments that unite our country. I am grateful for the honor of this hour, mindful of the consequential times in which we live, and determined to fulfill the oath that I have sworn and you have witnessed. At this gathering, our duties are defined not by the words which I use, but by the history we have seen together. For a half century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical - and then there came a day of fire.

We witnessed on that morning our vulnerability - and we have seen its deepest source. For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny - prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder - violence will gather, multiply in destructive power, cross the most defended borders, and raise a mortal threat. There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom.

We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.

America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one. From the day of our Founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth. Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our Nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security, and the calling of our time.

So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.

But these aspirations first begin at home. Americans share a common creed, a common constitution, and most importantly, a shared dream. Though the American Dream has no defined limitations, it is not measured by nickels and dimes nor successes nor failures. It takes on different shapes, different dynamics, and manifests itself in different cities, different circumstances, in different communities. Yet in all corners of this country, we see the American dream as the common thread that binds our nation together, united and ready to overcome the obstacles set out in liberty's path.

America has need of idealism and courage, because we have essential work at home to complete - the unfinished work of American freedom. In a world moving toward liberty, we are determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty.

When the Declaration of Independence was first read in public and the Liberty Bell rang in joyous celebration, a witness said, "It rang as if it meant something." In our time it means something still. America, in this young century, proclaims liberty throughout all the world, and to all the inhabitants thereof. Renewed in our strength - tested, but not weary - we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom.

May God bless you, and may He watch over the United States of America.
NOTE: The above inaugural address is an amended version of Bush 43's 2005 address.
[1] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)

NOTE: Next update will include the cabinet, followed by an update that will cover the end of January through the end of February. Thanks for reading, and sorry for the delay.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

On Obama remaining in the Senate : IIRC, he hated the Senate and Congress in General IIRC and would've preferred to serve out the rest of his 2005-2011 term instead and if he wasn't running for Governor, he'd likely run for Mayor of Chicago or become a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Other than that, good update

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

On Obama remaining in the Senate : IIRC, he hated the Senate and Congress in General IIRC and would've preferred to serve out the rest of his 2005-2011 term instead and if he wasn't running for Governor, he'd likely run for Mayor of Chicago or become a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Other than that, good update

I hear that often but I don’t think that’s case. In any event, Obama is eying 2012 after his Vice Presidential run and would have a hard time doing so as Governor or Mayor.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

On Obama remaining in the Senate : IIRC, he hated the Senate and Congress in General IIRC and would've preferred to serve out the rest of his 2005-2011 term instead and if he wasn't running for Governor, he'd likely run for Mayor of Chicago or become a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Other than that, good update

I hear that often but I don’t think that’s case. In any event, Obama is eying 2012 after his Vice Presidential run and would have a hard time doing so as Governor or Mayor.

Understandable. I definitely expect 2012 to be Obama v Hillary and maybe also add in another candidate like Bernie or someone else to balance them out?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

On Obama remaining in the Senate : IIRC, he hated the Senate and Congress in General IIRC and would've preferred to serve out the rest of his 2005-2011 term instead and if he wasn't running for Governor, he'd likely run for Mayor of Chicago or become a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Other than that, good update

I hear that often but I don’t think that’s case. In any event, Obama is eying 2012 after his Vice Presidential run and would have a hard time doing so as Governor or Mayor.

Understandable. I definitely expect 2012 to be Obama v Hillary and maybe also add in another candidate like Bernie or someone else to balance them out?

The 2012 election is what I'm looking forward to covering the most, personally. I won't reveal anything more beyond that, but I'm really stoked to get to that part.

[2016]

Flarda Man,
I absolutely love this TL of yours

I wonder how 2010 is shaping up since you teased that Marco Rubio wanted something in Return for his Senate Race against Betty Castor that year from Jeb Bush and now President Bush.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Flarda Man,
I absolutely love this TL of yours

I wonder how 2010 is shaping up since you teased that Marco Rubio wanted something in Return for his Senate Race against Betty Castor that year from Jeb Bush and now President Bush.

Thanks! Rubio as of 2009 is being courted by establishment and Tea Party types alike, but Castor is still by far the favorite due to name recognition. The question is what Crist will do, which will be answered in due time.

[2016]

Flarda Man,
I absolutely love this TL of yours

I wonder how 2010 is shaping up since you teased that Marco Rubio wanted something in Return for his Senate Race against Betty Castor that year from Jeb Bush and now President Bush.

Thanks! Rubio as of 2009 is being courted by establishment and Tea Party types alike, but Castor is still by far the favorite due to name recognition. The question is what Crist will do, which will be answered in due time.

If Crist runs for Senate Rubio should run for Governor having being Speaker for the Florida House. That Job (Governor) would be even more fitting for him I think.

[BigVic]

Will Obama try for Senate leadership ITTL?

[erſatz-york]

Will Obama try for Senate leadership ITTL?

Probably not, if his eyes are set on the presidency.

[2016]

Are we going to get an Update here soon!

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Are we going to get an Update here soon!

I’m working on it piece by piece, but I’ve been busy. Should be up soon enough.

[erſatz-york]

Are we going to get an Update here soon!

I’m working on it piece by piece, but I’ve been busy. Should be up soon enough.

Good to hear

[Orwell]

Are we going to get an Update here soon!

I’m working on it piece by piece, but I’ve been busy. Should be up soon enough.

Good to hear

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

The Cabinet of John "Jeb" Bush.

Secretary of State

[1]

Condi Rice, the former National Security Adviser to President Bush '43 was the front runner for the top job at the State Department. making history as the first woman of color to lead the State Department. A strong supporter of the neoconservative bent that defined the previous Bush administration's foreign policy, her nomination from the get-go was controversial. Yet with a Republican supermajority in the Senate, there was very little the Democratic minority could do. Rice goes on to be confirmed by the Senate in a 57-43 vote in her favor.

Secretary of the Treasury

[2]

Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions during the previous Bush administration, Sheila Bair faced the same fierce criticisms from Democrats as Secretary Rice did. But these criticisms fell on deaf ears as the Republican majority shepherded her nomination through the Senate, and she too was confirmed by a margin of 65-35.

Secretary of Defense

[3]

Senator Lindsey Graham was pushed heavily for defense by Senator McCain, who lobbied alongside Senator Lieberman on the South Carolinian Senator's behalf. Though he had success with Rice, the President sought to gain added legitimacy by standing out from the shadows cast by his father and brother. Widely popular among his colleagues, Graham sailed through his nomination process and was confirmed to the position 90-10. As the Pentagon's new Chief, Graham is a war hawk but not necessarily of the neoconservative variety. Seeing his hawkishness as being based in pragmatism rather than ideology, many Democrats threw their support behind the Senator.

Attorney General

[4]

A former Federal Attorney, Debra Wong was known as a tough on crime judge before joining the Bush '43 DoJ. Four years later, Wong is returning to the department as the first Asian-American Attorney General despite concerns from Democrats that the tough-on-crime former prosecutor will resume the controversial practices of the Ashcroft era. The Senate confirms Wong by a vote of 67-33.

Secretary of the Interior

[5]

A former Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 2005-2009 under John Kerry, Lynn Scarlett is notable for being the only prominent figure to be retained from the preceding administration. A reasonably non-partisan moderate with deep knowledge about environmental policy, Scarlett's holdover is a sign that the Bush administration is more open to ecological or climate concerns and willing to take action. Conservatives are less enthused by the nomination, but she none the less is confirmed 81-19.

Secretary of Agriculture

[6]

Chuck Connors was a former staffer for the Senate Agriculture Committee and had worked as a lobbyist for many years before being approached to head the USDA. A friend of agro-business, the new Secretary-designee was confirmed by the Senate by a 86-14 margin due to his extensive connections in Congress.

Secretary of Commerce

[7]

As former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Carly Fiorina's nomination primarily drew controversy for the circumstances surrounding her dismissal. Despite a mixed record in her corporate career, the Commerce Secretary-designee quickly became one of the more popular appointees due to her fierce clashes with Senate Democrats during her confirmation hearings. Eventually being confirmed 74-26, Fiorina enters the Bush administration as one of his more popular appointments.

Secretary of Labor

[8]

Alexander Acosta was a Miami native who graduated Harvard Law School and went to work for President George W. Bush first as a member of the National Labor Relations Committee and than as an assistant Attorney General in the Ashcroft Justice Department. The Senate votes 62-38 to confirm Acosta, who names Eugene Scalia (son of the Supreme Court Justice) as his Deputy.

Secretary of Health and Human Services

[9]

Serving under Bush '43 as Food and Drugs Commissioner, Mark McClellan's career in Washington made him an uncontroversial successor to outgoing former Health and Human Services Secretary William Corr. The Senate majority ensured McClellan cruised through his confirmation by a vote of 60-40. Two dissenting Republican Senators (Susan Collins of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania) vote against McClellan due to the anti-ACA policies of the incoming President.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

[10]

As Mayor of Saint Petersburg, Florida, Rick Baker was at the forefront of the city's economic development and was notable among Florida municipal leaders for his efforts to expand affordable housing during his tenure. A strong supporter of the President, Baker's appointment to lead HUD was approved by a Senate vote of 92-8.

Secretary of Transportation

[11]

Congressman Ray LaHood's selection to head the Department of Transportation was largely due to his membership of the influential appropriations committee, which gave him considerable experience dealing with infrastructure and transportation policy. With the support of Senators Durbin and Obama, LaHood is able to clear confirmation with a vote of 92-8 in favor of his nomination.

Secretary of Energy

[12]

Jack Gerard was an energy sector lobbyist with extensive experience in crafting energy policies over the course of several decades. As CEO of the American Petroleum Institute throughout much of the Kerry administration, Gerard's strong ties to Republican Senators ensure his nomination is passed by a 60-40 vote. A strong proponent of expanding offshore drilling and fracking, Gerard is arguably the most polarizing figure after Secretary of State Rice.

Secretary of Education

[13]

As Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education and as Deputy Secretary of the federal department for the last two years of the preceding Bush administration, Eugene Hickock was a less controversial selection. With 95 votes in his favor (and zero against), Hickock is easily fast-tracked to replace Caroline Kennedy at the Department of Education.

Secretary of Veteran's Affairs

[14]

A hero of the Vietnam War and former Secretary of the Navy, Jim Webb has emerged as one of the most prominent Democrats in the administration. Since his 2006 Senate primary campaign, Webb has been among the most critical voices of the party's liberal drift, which has endeared him to the Republicans. Webb is confirmed 99-1, with the only nay vote being cast by Senator Brownback.

Secretary of Homeland Security

[15]

America's Mayor knew the effects of terrorism first hand. After his failed presidential campaign, Rudy Giuliani has found second wind as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Confirmed 58-42 as Secretary, Giuliani was grilled during hearings about the possibility of a resumption the more controversial surveillance and enhanced interrogation policies.
[1] Taken from Wikipedia Commons. (Public Domain).
[2] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Thatcher Cook).
[3] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[4] Taken from AH Wiki (not copyrighted)
[5] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[6] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[7] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Mark Taylor)
[8] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[9] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[10] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (BAJohnson)
[11] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[12] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[13] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[14] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)
[15] Taken from Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain)

[Orwell]

Excellent work with President Bush's cabinet Chairman Sanchez, I look forward what his first months in office look like.