The Hunting Grounds: Turmoil in America

[Nightcore Nationalist]

I wanted to see the 2008 election cycle play out in this timeline.

Oh, I'll definitely write 2008. It'll be interesting

Nice!

[America Needs R'hllor]

The Hastert Administration
(Part III- November-January)


Sources: Wikipedia Commons

November 8th: President Hastert concedes midterms were "not good" for his party; GOP leaders reportedly shocked by extent of losses

November 9th: Bailey Hutchinson concedes Texas Senate race to Doggett, Democrats take another seat

November 10th: Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack files FEC papers to run for President as Democrat

November 15th: Speaker Blunt says GOP will "take note" of message sent by American people, but does he have a plan?

Nobember 22nd: President Hastert promises "conservative agenda" will not stop with midterms, says it is "best prescription for America's woes"

November 26th: Israel, Hamas finally reach ceasefire deal: 500 prisoners released in exchange for captured soldier Gilad Shalit; sides promise to stop hostilities

November 28th: President Hastert says he's "worried" about release of terrorists who killed American citizens in Peretz-Shalit deal

November 29th: Prime Minister Peretz says America's handling of abducted citizens different from Israel's, deal with Hamas "no business of the President's"

December 1st: Evan Bayh, Democratic Senator from Indiana, announces Presidential campaign with new exploratory committee, promiss to "do better than the division of the Hastert administration"

December 2nd: Secretary Rumsfeld jokes that "we miss Sharon, his stroke might've harmed more people than just him"; Foreign Minister Livni says "this attempt of intervention is unacceptable"

December 3rd: Senator Feingold says Hastert Administration "seems annoyed that Jewish state isn't sufficiently neoconservative"

December 5th: Presidential candidate Mike Gravel calls Peretz-Rumsfeld conflict "warmonger against warmonger"

December 6th: NASA finds evidence for liquid water on Mars surface

December 7th: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says "I'm running for President", not ready to formally declare

December 10th: Senator Arlen Specter op-ed: "Republicans lost big in the 2006 midterms. Their strategy? More of the same"

December 12th: Ohio Representative and leftist firebrand Dennis Kucinich announces Presidential campaign in Cleveland townhall, promises creation of "Department of Peace"

December 18th: Senator Barack Obama "not ruling out" Presidential campaign, "focused" on current job of "making sure the Hastert administration doesn't put us in any more trouble"

December 26th: Former North Carolina Senator and 2004 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee John Edwards to run for President, promises to "bridge divide between the Two Americas"

December 30th: Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein executed by hanging Bye b*tch hahaha

January 1st: SPECIAL: A Presidential investigation, a Democratic Congress, an economic slowdown, a slugging war and a major election looming. U.S. enters 2007 with uncertainty

Janurary 7th: Senator Joe Biden says "I am running for President", promises to create exploratory committee by the end of the month

January 11th: Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd to run for President as a Democrat

January 20th: BREAKING: Clinton announces Presidential campaign in post on website, promises to "break that highest and toughest glass ceiling"

January 24th: Senator Kerry "still thinking about it" on Presidential run

January 25th: FBI Director Mueller has "no comment" on Hastert investigation, says "we're still looking into it"

January 26th: Body language expert: Bob Mueller looked distressed in statement to press

January 28th: Former Washington Governor Gary Locke, an Asian American, announces surprising Presidential exploratory committee, becoming first person of color in the race

January 31st: Senator Biden officially files papers to create exploratory committee


The 2006 midterm elections were a disaster for the President's party. The Democrats won solid majorities in both the House and Senate, flipping even many seats in states like Arizona and Texas that no one thought were competitive. And possibly just as importantly, they also won many Governorships whic,h if they could maintain some of them, was sure to help them come the 2010 redistricting.

With a historical unpopularity and a deep level of distrust towards them, many Republicans were afraid of their party itself being in danger. Some tried to work hard and right the course of the ship, including figures like Vice President Giuliani and Speaker Blunt. However, as high-ranking White House officials would revel years later, President Hastert had different priorities. Namely, he was working hard to stack the Republican Party apparteus, from the highest to the lowest level, with men loyal to him, especially focusing on replacing the Bush loyalists that filled it since the former President was elected in 2000. Increasingly, the GOP was becoming Hastert's party.

The months following November weren't very remarkable- the Foley scandal mostly died down (leading to many Hastert loyalists accusing the media of peddling the story to help Democrats in the modterms, an accusation that resonated with many GOP voters). But in Iraq, the war continued to go badly and there seemed to be no end to the constant drip of casualties, while the economy continued slowing as housing prices remained in a freefall. In December 30th, Sadam Hussein was executed by hanging, which lead to a slight uptick in American support for the involvement in Iraq, but the trajectory of the war didn't change. Some in the Hastert administration, especially Vice President Giuliani and Secretary of State Rumsfeld, started talking up a troop surge to clean Iraq from Hussein loyalists, but polls showed that Americans were mostly averse to the idea.

In Janurary 3rd, 2007 history was made as Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the Speaker of the House, the first woman to reach such a high office. In the same day, Harry Reid from Nevada was sworn Senate Majority Leader, and the Democratic Party took a firm control of Congress.

Meanwhile, as 2006 turned into 2007, the 2008 Presidential race was officially heating up. On the Republican side, it was quiet- everyone seemed to wait for President Hastert to make his decision. Hastert, on his side, indicated several times that he was planning to run, but remained non-commital: in an ABC news interview he said "I'm thinking about it, I'm looking at it seriously. I never had this ambition but I think that America would be better served with continuity than completely new candidates in these tough times". One Republican candidate already declared his campaign, however- libertarian-leaning congressman Ron Paul from Texas filed papers to form an exploratory committee on January, promising to center his candidancy around opposition to the Iraq War and big government. However, several other candidates indicated they might run against Hastert- former Florida Governor Jeb Bush contined to crticize the President, insisting that he's "descreating the memory of my brother" with his takeover of the Republican Party. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that she wants "to see someone challgne Hastert in the name of clean and good governance", and did not rule being the one to do that.

But on the Democratic side, the situation was the opposite. With the promise of a very friendly congress and an easy victory in 2008, many Demcorats fancied themselves Presidents. Frmer Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK) already announced his campaign in April 2006, Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA) filed his paper in November, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and former Senator and Vice Presidential candiate John Edwards (D-NC) joined them in December, and Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) announced an exploratory committee in the same month. Throughout January several major candidates announced their campaigns too- Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) said that he's "running for President" and that he was planning to form an exploratory committee by the end of January, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced on the "Imus in the Morning" radio show, former Governor Gary Locke (D-WA) surprised many observers by announcing an exploratory committee, and the frontrunner herself, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) announced that she was running in January 20th, forming an exploratory commitee the same day.

But it was not all- Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) already said "I am running" but was officially still weighing his options, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) strongly indicated that he was planning to run and participated in Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's annual steak fry, former Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle (D-ND) said that he was still "considering it", 2004 nominee and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) was "not ruling it out", and progressive Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) noted that he was not "completely satisfied with the options" and that he was "certainly thinking about joining the fray to promote what I think the Democratic Party should look like". But one major figure loomed over these others- former Vice President Al Gore (D-TN) seemed to be at the peak of his popularity in the Democratic Party, with his climate change advocacy and release of the documentary Inconvenient Truth endearing him to progressives. Gore was still non-commital on a Presidential run, refusing to comment on the issue, and many were speculating that he might announce on the night of the Academy Awards, to which his movie was nominated.

The 2008 Presidential race was on.

Key Polling (January 2007)

President Dennis Hastert job approval (January 1st)
Disapprove- 65%
Approve- 27%
Unsure- 8%

Vice President Rudy Giuliani approval (January 1st)
Disapprove- 46%
Approve- 40%
Unsure- 14%

Speaker Nancy Pelosi approval (January 1st)
Approve- 47%
Disapprove- 42%
Unsure- 11%

Direction of the Country (January 1st)
Wrong Track- 76%
Right Track- 12%
Unsure- 12%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Hastert)
Generic Democrat- 51%
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 38%
Others\Undecided- 11%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Other Republican)
Generic Democrat- 49%
Generic Republican- 41%
Others\Undecided- 10%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination in 2008?
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 36%
Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL)- 15%
Vice President Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)- 13%
Fmr. Secretary Condoleezza Rice (R-CA)- 8%
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)- 5%
Fmr. First Lady Laura Bush (R-TX)- 4%
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)- 3%
Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA)- 2%
Others- 6%
Undecided- 8%

Who do you support for the Democratic nomination in 2008?
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)- 29%
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (D-TN)- 21%
Fmr. Senator John Edwards (D-NC)- 9%
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)- 9%
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)- 6%
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)- 5%
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE)- 3%
Fmr. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD)- 2%
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)- 2%
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)- 2%
Fmr. Governor Gary Locke (D-WA)- 1%
Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA)- 1%
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)- 1%
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinish (D-OH)- 1%
Fmr. Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK)- 0%
Others\Undecided- 7%

[We Live in Black and White]

I shall announce who I support by way of pun, as I do:

I'm feeling just Fein and dandy.

[America Needs R'hllor]

The Hastert Administration
(Part IV- February-May)


Sources: Wikipedia Commons

February 3rd: DNC Chairman Dean reaffirms that he will "not run under any circumstances", promises balanced and fair primary

February 5th: Congressman and Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich re-introduces bill to create "Department of Peace"

February 10th: Speaking to a large, loud crowd in Chicago, Senator Barack Obama announces Presidential campaign

February 14th: Ret. General and 2004 candidate Wes Clark not running for President in 2008

February 25th: Al Gore receives Academy Award during Oscar night for environmental movie Inconvenient Truth, participates in gag teasing Presidential announcement

February 26th: Gore's slick and rousing speech last night shows he found his charisma. Could he be the Democratic Party's best bet in 2008?

February 28th: Former Senate leader Daschle confirms that he "decided not to run this year", implies a Senate rematch with Thune in 2010 in the cards

March 2nd: Housing prices continuing steep fall, real estate investors boiling

March 17th: Popular Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano joins Presidential election, promises to "give women a strong and experienced voice and crush that glass ceiling"

March 25th: Washington Post: Several sources briefed on details of Hastert investigation confirm President's cash withdrawals were to pay "individual A"; final report expected in the next few months

March 26th: HASTERT BOMBSHELL: IS PRESIDENT COVERING UP AN AFFAIR?

March 28th: Senator McConnell says he "will not comment on rumours"

April 1st: Reality star Donald Trump announces independent Presidential bid, later tweets "Happy April Fools' Day!"

April 3rd: Presidential candidate Obama says Hastert administration "dangerous for America's economy and national security"

April 6th: Press Secretary Snow calls rumours "disgusting smears and conspiracy theories"

April 7th: As RNC Chairman Blackwell remains defiant, NBC sources claim McConnell, Blunt, worried that the President can do "irreparable damage" to GOP

April 15th: Vice President Giuliani proclaims himself "loyal and faithful", confirms he will not run against Hastert "under any circumstances"

April 18th: As controversy regarding firing of U.S. Attorneys intensifies, Attorney General Gonzales to testify before Senate Judicial Committee tomorrow

April 19th: Senator Schumer says there "no use anymore" to questioning Gonzales, calls for Attorney General's resignation

April 25th: Senator Russ Feingold, a progressive anti-war voice, announces Presidential campaign

April 27th: Clinton, Obama, Biden, Dodd, Kerry, Feinstein, Kennedy, Leahy, Cantwell, Pelosi, Specter, Hagel, Sessions, Coburn, Tancredo, McCain, Rohrabacher all join voices calling for Gonzales to resign

May 4th: Feingold says Gonzales should resign "not just because of political firings of U.S. Attorneys, but also for allowing torture programs"

May 15th: Tennssee Governor Phil Bredesen, a leading Blue Dog Democrat, joins Presidnetial race; Clintonworld insiders "worried of her base getting chipped away by all these minor candidates"

May 21st: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson officially announces Presidential campaign

May 24th: Schumer, Schiff present resolutions of no confidence in Gonzales to Senate, House

May 27th: BREAKING: Former Vice President Al Gore announces Presidential campaign, promises to "make sure Democrats win the biggest victory since 1964"

June 3rd: 2004 nominee and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry declines to run for President in 2008


After January, the primary season was getting into full gear.

The first big event was in February 10th, when Senator Barack Obama of Illinois announced his Presidential campaign. Charismatic, an inspiring speaker and with an anti-Iraq record, Obama presented a very strong challenge to the frontrunner, Clinton, an immediately started drawing large crowds and climbing in the polls. Throughout the month, there were also several candidates announcing they were, in fact, not running- the most notable among them were DNC Chairman Howard Dean, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Retired General Wesley Clark.

Meanwhile, the tone of the Hastert administration did not change much. The War in Iraq continued to get worse and congressional Democrats signaled unwillingness to support a troop surge. Housing prices continued falling and confidence in the economy with them. But generally, there seemed to be relative stability. The President's approvals ticked up as the Foley scandal was forgotten, and it seemed the Republican Party might just get out of it all with some dignity intact.

Then, a bomb was dropped. The GOP would later discover it to be a small bomb, but at the time it seemed huge. Washington Post came out with a story that confirmed, from multiple sources briefed with the details of the investigation, that the investigation was still very much alive, an indictment is very likely in the coming months, and that it was going to center around cash withdrawals that the President failed to report, and the President lying to the FBI about their purposes. But the most shocking part of the report was that the withdrawals were done in order to pay an "individual A", for purposes that the sources declined to reveal at that point. The rumours, of course, spread like wildfire: was the President paying hush money? Did he have an affair? Maybe even someone he harmed in some way, perhaps sexual assault, some said?

That revelation sent the GOP into crisis mode. Publicly, House Minority Leader Blunt and Senate Minority Leader McConnell both declined to "comment on rumours", but people close to the two revealed that they were "extremely worried" that Hastert would do the party "irreparable damage". White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said that "the President always conducted himself lawfully and honourably, and will not let disgusting smears and conspiracy theories deter him from serving the American people". The recently-appointed RNC Chairman, Ken Blackwell, also proclaimed that "every loyal member of the party stands with the President against these baseless smears". The President himself refused to answer questions on the matter, as did FBI Director Mueller and Attorney General Gonzales. At the same time, despite the controversy, Vice President Giuliani even took the time to shut down rumours he would primary the President, saying he wouldn't run against Hastert "under no circumstances" because "God taught me to be faithful and loyal".

It was not the end to the party's trouble- during the month of April, Attorney General Gonzales came under fire for the firing of several U.S. Attorneys under his direction in 2005, the reasons to which were dubious. During his testimony before the Judicial Committee, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) became the first legislator to call for him to resign, soon joined by many others, even the conservative Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL). The President, however, affirmed that Gonzales was "a good man" and that he'd "stay on as long as I have a say in it". In May, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) started advancing no confidence resolutions against Gonzales in both the House and Senate.

But throughout all this, the Presidential campaign was continuing. In mid-March, a surprising announcement came from Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano: she was running for President, becoming the second woman to join the fray after Hillary Clinton. Napolitano was running on a platform of executive experience and her ability to win in tough states, and seemed like one of the stronger contenders. Later, towards the end of April, another strong contender announced that he was joining the race- Senator Russ Feingold from Wisconsin, a progressive and anti-war voice. Unlike Rep. Kucinish and former Senator Gravel, he was a progressive who was in the mainstream, cooperating with moderates and even Republicans like John McCain to pass legislation such as campaign finance reform. This also lead to criticism from Gravel and Kucinich.

During May, two contenders joined the race- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who was long expected to run, and a surprising contender- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, a southern moderate who was expected to become the main "blue dog candidate", which especially chipped into Hillary Clinton's base. But the truly big announcement came towards the end of the month.

After making a rehearsed gag which implied he was going to announce a Presidential run in the Oscar night, when his environmental movie, Inconvinent Truth, earned several awards, Al Gore still didn't dismiss the possibility of running. Gore's speech in that night was also acclaimed as "slick" and "much more charismatic than his political speeches in 2000". With his popularity soaring, Gore dropped his hat into the ring, announcing that he was running to "make sure Democrats win the biggest victory since 1964" in 2008 and then "pass the sweeping legislation we need to save out planet". Finally, in early June, 2004 nominee John Kerry finally announced that he was "not running in 2008" and hinted that he could make an endorsement in the coming months. With such a crowded race- 15 candidates were running- the DNC announced that it was splitting the early debates into a "main debate" for the 10 candidates with the highest polling average and a "secondary debate", dubbed by the media "undercard debate", for the rest who managed to attain 1% in at least 4 polls.

Key Polling (June 2007)

President Dennis Hastert job approval (June 1st)
Disapprove- 69%
Approve- 24%
Unsure- 7%

Vice President Rudy Giuliani approval (June 1st)
Disapprove- 48%
Approve- 41%
Unsure- 11%

Speaker Nancy Pelosi approval (June 1st)
Approve- 46%
Disapprove- 44%
Unsure- 10%

Direction of the Country (June 1st)
Wrong Track- 76%
Right Track- 11%
Unsure- 13%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Hastert)
Generic Democrat- 53%
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 35%
Others\Undecided- 12%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Other Republican)
Generic Democrat- 49%
Generic Republican- 40%
Others\Undecided- 11%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination in 2008? (Speculated)
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 40%
Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL)- 18%
Fmr. Secretary Condoleezza Rice (R-CA)- 10%
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)- 7%
Fmr. First Lady Laura Bush (R-TX)- 4%
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)- 4%
Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA)- 2%
Others- 7%
Undecided- 8%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination in 2008? (Current Candidates)
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 63%%
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)- 22%
Others\Undecided- 15%

Who do you support for the Democratic nomination in 2008?
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)- 27%
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (D-TN)- 23%
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)- 14%
Fmr. Senator John Edwards (D-NC)- 9%
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)- 5%
Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ)- 4%
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE)- 3%
Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN)- 3%
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)- 2%
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)- 1%
Fmr. Governor Gary Locke (D-WA)- 1%
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)- 1%
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)- 1%
Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA)- 0%
Fmr. Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK)- 0%
Others\Undecided- 6%

[😥]

Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore!Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore/Evan Bayh 2008!!! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore!Al Gore! Al Gore! Al Gore!

[Continential]

Hillary Clinton/Russ Feingold 2008!

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Give me Feingold or give me death.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Give me Feingold or give me death.

[Continential]

Also, Jim Neal for Senate! He is NC's first LBGTQ candidate for Senate. Also, Steve Novick for Senate!

[Elcaspar]

Give me Feingold or give me death.

[KaiserDave]

Gore, Feingold, Hillary, or Obama, I don't care, I just want to see the Kim Jong-un margins they get!

[America Needs R'hllor]

The First Democratic Debate
June 3rd, 2007


The 2008 Democratic Presidential Field
Sources: Wikipedia Commons

CNN - The first Democratic debate of the season was held at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire. It was split into two debates- an undercard debate for the 5 candidates with the weakest polling numbers, held in the early evening, and a primetime debate for the 10 best-polling candidates.

Main Debate: Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN), Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Fmr. Senator John Edwards (D-NC), Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (D-TN), Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)
Undercard Debate: Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Fmr. Senator Mike Gracel (D-AK), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Fmr. Governor Gary Locke (D-WA), Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA)

The first debate, as often happens, received very high ratings as people eager to acquaint themselves with the candidates tuned in- especially since a debate which was supposed to be held in April was cancelled by the DNC. Even the undercard debate received relatively high ratings.

So what did we have in these two debates? To simplify- a lot. A breakout performance in the undercard debate, a solid performance by an insurgent in the main debate, an even scuffle between the frontrunners, and several candidates who just simply disappeared into the sidelines- here we'll summarize the winners and losers of the first Democratic debate, as well as provide several excerpts to give our readers some taste of the dynamics between the candidates, if they missed it last night.

Winners:

Barack Obama- The freshman Illinois Senator started out as the third-polling candidate, a major contender but not a frontrunner. Many were concerned by his inexperience. After last night, no one can doubt it- this race has three frontrunners. Obama gave a strong performance, sounding measured and knowledgeable on key issues and also displaying an easy and relatable type of charisma. While the other frontrunners- Clinton and Gore- certainly had solid performances, with Gore managing to earn applause for his answer on climate change and Clinton coming off as an experienced leader and stateswoman, Obama is the one who exceeded expectations. Still, he has a long way to go to assauge concerns about his experience, especially in a time when the country is yearning for stable, scandal-free leadership.


Candidates Clinton, Obama and Richardson after the debate
Source: Wikipedia Commons

Moderator: Senator Obama, we have an interesting contrast here. You said in a recent speech that Senators Clinton and Biden made "the wrong judgement" when they voted for the Iraq War. But we have Vice President Gore on stage, he also opposed the war. So why you and not him?
Obama: Yes. Uh, look, I'll start by saying that indeed, I think my friends Hillary and Joe, and I have a lot of respect for them, I think they made a very wrong decision. Iraq was, strategically, it was a big mistake. President Bush started it, President Hastert just made it worse, and congress should not have approved this without concrete proof of WMDs in Iraq. As for your question, well, we oughta remember that Vice President Gore, who is a great, great person, he already ran and lost in 2000. If his campaign had been better, we would not be where we are right now. I think that I would be a better candidate, and I would also provide Americans with a new generation of leadership- something we really need right now.
Gore: Well, folks, I think that what America really needs right now is stability, it's security. With the economy nearing recession, with a very delicate national security experience, we need someone who can lead from day one, no job training needed, and take us out of this mess. I am the only one on this stage who both had the right judgement on Iraq and can do this.
Feingold: The only one, Mr. Vice President? I was in the Senate since 1993. I fought for progressive ideals, for combatting climate change, for healthcare for all, I was the only one who voted against the Patriot Act. I have the experience, I have the judgement, and I also have fresh ideas. We need change, and I can provide it.
Gore: Well-
Biden: Wait, wait up, can I respond? Look, here's the deal- the Bush administration, Cheney and Rumsfeld and all of those folks, they mislead us. He did! We voted for his war because we thought Hussein was a threat to all our constituents. Never, I never once intended to go into the mess we're currently in. And I'm also offering the best plan here to get us out of this, a third way plan- we need to federalize Iraq and give the Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis breathing room. Then we can get out safely.

Russ Feingold- The Senator from Wisconsin ensured his position as the progressive insurgent in the race, taking a spotlight, earning applause and putting away any thought that the more radical Kucinich or Gravel would outflank him. He also delivered a generally solid performance, and it looks like he might just creep up on the main three frontrunners if he keeps carving himself a base. He also made a unique pledge that many who want to see a historical ticket would find appealing- he promised to find a running mate who isn't a white man like him.

Janet Napolitano- Another one of the secondary candidates who managed to shine last night was the Governor of Arizona. She had a spirited and energetic performance, presenting herself as the candidate for women, and also had a strong answer on immigration, appealing to a hispanic constituency like in her homestate.


Senator Feingold reacting to applause from the audience
Source: Flickr

Moderator: Senator Clinton, you're one of two candidates who are running to be the first woman President. What would you say to voters who don't believe a woman is as qualified as a man to be President?
Clinton: Well, um, I'm running, first and foremost, to be the President of the United States of America- I'm running because I believe I'm the person who'd be the most qualified for the job and who could win the election and defeat President Hastert. And yes, I'll also be the first woman President- and I'll do a damn good job of it!
Napolitano: Could I chime in, please? Thanks! Well, I think that the answer to these voters is one- get lost! I have a lot of respect for Senator Clinton, but she does not run to represent women, to help them rise up in society, as much as I'd like her to. Yes, we want to not just break that glass ceiling, but to burst through it! I want little girls, young women, old women, I want all of them to know that we can be anything- we can be Congresswomen, we can be Governors, we can be in the cabinet, and yes, we can be Presidents! I want immigrant women, poor immigrants who I had a lot of experience helping in my state, I want them to look at our country and see it as the land of opportunity not just for their husbands and sons, but also for their daughters and themselves!
Moderator: Senator Edwards. What would you say to women who thought, well, we like you and we like your policy but we want the first woman President?
Edwards: I'd say that I understand them. I understand that they want to make this history, and if they choose how to vote based on it, I understand. But my plan, to heal the divide between the two Americas, defeat poverty and inequality, it includes women. No one on this stage has a better and more comprehensive plan, and I think it'll really help women as well as men. It'll help women get healthcare, it'll ensure that they have their reproductive rights intact.
Moderator: Senator Feingold, what about you?
Feingold: My answer is that I hear you. I hear the women of America, I know that they have unique problems and inequalities that we desparately need to counter. I'll fight tooth and nail to preserve your reproductive rights, to ensure you receive free healthcare, I'll pass a law ensuring equal pay for equal work. And there's also that- I truly understand people who want to make history this year. We can, and we should. For too long, white men have been the only ones on major party Presidential tickets. I think that it's unacceptable. It's an outrage. Folks, white men, we're a minority. I recognize my privilege as one, even if I'd make history as the first Jewish President. But I can promise you here- my running mate will not be a white man, because I want progress and I want to have equal opportunity for all, and a majority of Americans have been lacking it for too long!

Gary Locke- If there is someone who's glad an undercard debate was held, it's the former Governor of Washington. Locke, the only Asian American candidate, spoke with a lot of knowledge on the issues, especially foreign policy, gave strong answers that garnered applause, and presented himself as experienced and electable but also a historic candidate. Polls of debate watchers show that he's the overwhelming victor among the five who qualified to that debate.


Former Governor Locke speaking during the Vice Presidential debate
Source: Flickr

Kucinich: I am the candidate who can get peace done. A Department of Peace that will focus on resolving conflicts diplomatically, opening relations with all nations, no matter how evil some racists in the establishment may view them as. We need to stop the warmongering that both the Republican Party and ours peddled for so long, and I'm the one to do it.
Gravel: I agree with my friend Dennis, but I think that we need to go further. The only way to stop this warmongering, the only way to truly defeat the military industrial complex, all the lobbies that want us to go to war for their countries, the only way is to withdraw from all conflicts. No more sending troops here, no more military "advisors" there. Stop involving ourselves in wars, and let locals resolve their conflicts.
Locke: Can I say something? I think that the voters of the Democratic Party are watching this debate, and many of them are tuning out. This is all just out of touch. Mr. Gravel, frankly, would be a dangerous President. I'm a leftist, I'm a dove- I agree with many of his positions. Yes, we need to withdraw from the disastrous War in Iraq. Yes, we need to end the Hastert Administration's warmongering, cut defense spending a notch, stop trying to let arms companies twist our arm. But we also can't just withdraw from everywhere! We have places where our presence is the only thing allowing many countries to have their liberty, to have their self determination. In the South China Sea, and I've been warning about this since I ran, we have a big danger. China is the greatest geopolitical risk of our time, and we need to treat it as such. Yes, we need to negotiate, cooperate where we can, but we also need to ensure it does not start bullying its neighbours or threaten to spread their authoritarian model.
Gravel: Governor, I know that you need to show yourself as tough on China, but you don't need to threaten to nuke it!
Dodd: Woah there, boy, are you sure that's how you want to talk here? The American people are listening and they will judge you.
Locke: Hah. Well, Senator Gravel is touching a point- yes, I've faced a lot of racism, a lot of slurs towards me and my family. Many of them came from the other side, far-right wing supporters of the current administration. It's not fun, I'll tell you that. It's not. But suggesting that this influences my policy is, frankly, it stinks a bit of the same odour. This is why I'm determined to win this- because I want to show them all that they won't deter us!

Losers:

John Edwards- The former North Carolina Senator was chosen by John Kerry as Vice Presidential candidate in 2004 because he was young, charismatic and a fresh face from a southern state. Last night, he fell flat- his performance wasn't weak but didn't get much attention either, and he was mostly sidelined despite his relatively central positioning. Most of all, it seemed like both Obama and Feingold took the wind from his populist messaging.

Evan Bayh- The Indiana Senator, at 10th and getting into the main debate thanks to one 3% poll that granted him a boost to get above Governor Locke, had this one chance to shine. His campaign wasn't particularly strong so far, and his centrist message seems to have little appeal with candidates like Biden, Bredesen and Clinton also taking up a lot of support from the same base. Last night he was sidelined and was the candidate with the least talking time, and he can't even be sure if he'll get into the main debate next time.


John Edwards during the first Democratic Debate
Source: Wikipedia Commons

Moderator: Governor Napolitano, Governor Richardson, you're both leading border states. How, as President, would you respond to illegal immigration? Governor Richardson, you start.
Richardson: Yes, thank you, that's a great question. First of all, immigration is good- it enriches us as a society and economy. Now, obsiously, we need to have more legal immigration, we will not encourage illegal immigration. So I will work hard, as one of my first priorities, to pass a comprehensive immigration reform, which I've long advocated for. More funds for border security, and in exchange a path to citizenship for many immigrants who are already here. Until then, I'll make sure that they aren't treated as second grade humans, with executive action if needed.
Napolitano: I agree with Bill here, and I'd like to add that I'll work hard to pass the DREAM Act, something I've been advocating for a long time now. It's an outrage that many folks who came here as minors, and their parents did not come legally, but they had no choice there. We can't keep deporting these people like the Hastert administration is often doing. We'll pass a law giving them temporary residence, and a path to citizenship. And if Congress is not willing, yes, I'll create an executive program to protect out DREAMers. But worry not, I know how to work with people. Congress will pass it.
Moderator: Senator Bayh, do you support a comprehensive immigration reform or the DREAM Act? What would you do to pass it, if so?
Bayh: Well, yes. I think we need to treat illegal immigration more seriously than my friends here, this is out border and they need to respect it. But these youths, they've been here their entire life. They're part of our society. I'll tell you what I'll do- I'll work across the aisle, I'll get it passed by making sure everyone is just satisfied enough. Just like I'll do with my healthcare reform and my tax plan. We need to realize that working with the other side will allow us to pass more legislation and thus help more people, even if it's not the ideal plans we'd like to pass.
Moderator: Senator Bredesen- same question.
Bredesen: Folks, I think that I can give ya'll some prespective from my experience as a Governor of a red state. These people aren't racists, they're not. But they are afraid, because of the unemployment, the slowing economy, they are afraid for their jobs. These immigrants, with all due respect, they're willing to work for lower wages, and that hurts our workers. So we need to treat illegal immigration much more seriously and make sure everyone comes here legally, in sane numbers. But those here, yes, we need to work with congress to pass a comprehensive reform that will ensure they're well-treated. Those with criminal record will be deported, the rest should be able to become citizens. They're human, after all, just like us. We can't leave them hanging. I'll pass the DREAM Act, but no nonsense like letting illegal immigrants get a driver's lisence, advocated by my friends Bill and Janet here, this just undermines our laws. I introduced a bill to end this practice, and I'll include it in our immigration reform as President.

Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel- The two radical, anti-war progressives fought tooth and nail to sound their message in the undercard debate. But according to most focus groups, they just sounded fringe, especially in an undercard debate, and while Feingold managed to find a lot of appeal in the main debate, they fell flat. With the Senator from Wisconsin attracting much more support, it seems unlikely that either of these two can gain steam.

Chris Dodd and Tom Vilsack- Aside from Locke and the two radicals, Gravel and Kucinich, there were two other candidates in the undercard debate. None of them managed to give an energetic performance, land a good attack or communicate why they are a better option, and so it seems unlikely that either will rise to the main deabte next time. Vilsack, at least, has the hope of Iowa, his homestate, being the first to vote.

The average score our pundits gave to the candidates last night:
Janet Napolitano- 9.4\10
Gary Locke- 9.3\10
Russ Feingold- 8.8\10
Barack Obama- 8.6\10
Al Gore- 8.1\10
Phil Bredesen- 7.8\10
Hillary Clinton- 7.5\10
Joe Biden- 6.5\10
Bill Richardson- 5.9\10
Chris Dodd- 4.8\10
Evan Bayh- 4.5\10
Tom Vilsack- 3.9\10
John Edwards- 3.8\10
Dennis Kucinich- 2.2\10
Mike Gravel- 0.3\10

Post-Debate polling

Who do you think won last night's Demcoratic Main Debate? (debate watchers)
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)- 21%
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)- 19%
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (D-TN)- 19%
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)- 11%
Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ)- 8%
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE)- 5%
Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN)- 5%
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)- 4%
Fmr. Senator John Edwards (D-NC)- 3%
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)- 1%
Don't Know- 4%

Who do you think won last night's Demcoratic Undercard Debate? (debate watchers)
Fmr. Governor Gary Locke (D-WA)- 45%
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)- 17%
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)- 14%
Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA)- 11%
Fmr. Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK)- 6%
Don't Know- 7%

Who do you support for the Democratic nomination in 2008?
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)- 25% ↓ (-2)
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (D-TN)- 20% ↓ (-3)
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)- 16% ↑ (+2)
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)- 8% ↑ (+3)
Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ)- 7% ↑ (+3)
Fmr. Senator John Edwards (D-NC)- 6% ↓ (-3)
Fmr. Governor Gary Locke (D-WA)- 3% ↑ (+2)
Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN)- 3% = (+-0)
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE)- 2% ↓ (-1)
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)- 2% = (+-0)
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)- 1% = (+-0)
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)- 1% = (+-0)
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)- 1% = (+-0)
Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA)- 0% = (+-0)
Fmr. Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK)- 0% = (+-0)
Others\Undecided- 5% ↓ (-1)

[We Live in Black and White]

FEINGOLD/OBAMA '08

[Joseph Cao]

GARY LOCKE! GARY LOCKE! GARY LOCKE!

[*He won't be nominated, but hope he gets some delegates!]

[OSR STANDS WITH PALESTINE]

LOCKE ‘08

[Continential]

Clinton/Feingold or Feingold/Locke!

[S019]

Gore, Clinton, or Biden!


Great timeline!

[America Needs R'hllor]

June 7th, 2007, Washington, D.C.

Robert

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Robert "Bob" Mueller was nervous. He faced a lot of terrifying things in his life- he fought, risked his life, lost a good friend and got injured in the jungles of Vietnam. He started a job as Director of one of America's chief intelligence organizations. He had to swallow his objections as the administration he served under pushed for torture.

But now, it was unlike anything he ever experienced. Even in Vietnam. No, it was completely different.

He stood before the door of the Oval Office and swallowed nervously. Finally, the secretary spoke again. "You may come in, Director Mueller."

He nodded, turned the knob and opened the door. Inside was a damiliar room, oval-shaped, with a sofa close to the middle and the impressive Resoulte Desk at the back. The more interesting detail was the people inside the room. President Hastert was the most easily noticeable, sitting on the sofa and glaring at Bob. There was also Attorney General Gonzales, standing close to the door and looking expectendly. Tyrone Fahner, the new and less-than-competent Chief of Staff, was seated on one of the chairs. And finally, Bob was surpsied to see the Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, also standing there.

Taking a deep breath, the Director of the FBI advanced. "Mr. President." He said quietly. "Sirs."

"Bob," Hastert said with a smile and motioned beside him, "do sit." But his eyes weren't smiling.

Robert sat on the sofa. It's improper to refuse a President's request. "I have the report."

"Uh-huh," Dennis Hastert said, "we saw what you sent our way. It's not going anywhere. It's unacceptable, fabricated, a lie."

"Mr. President," Bob tried, even if he knew it was probably in vain. "You- well, the Attorney General- authorized us to conduct that investigation. We..."

"We did that because otherwise the Madigan woman in Illinois would investigate it," the Chief of Staff interrupted, "we all know it."

"We were authorized to investiate," the Director continued, "and we did just that. We gathered the evidence, we... we had people come up and talk to us. We have an indictment..."

"You can't indict the President," Gonzales corrected him.

He was right. "I mean, this report we have- it's as good as an indictment, sir. We have to publish it, the public has the right to know."

"I might've been more inclined to allow it if you hadn't mentioned that the payments were made to an individual A for past improper conduct," Hastert said. "You clearly just want to bring me down with these false accusations, and I won't just let you."

"Mr. President, respectfully." Bob tried to keep his tone polite. "We kept the more... heinous accusations out, because this is not what the investigation centered on. But we can't just not explain the purpose of your financial misconduct. Do you want me to lie to the American people?"

"You already are!" Hastert said angrily suddenly, rising to his feet- he tried to rise quickly, but it turned out quite slow. "By publishing these false accusations! You know as well as me that the moment you publish it all these vile liars will go to the press and give their... stories. And Bob, we know that you already sent the report to be published as an official FBI document."

"Did you know that it's a crime when you did that without my permission, Bob?" the Attorney General asked. "Or are you just that dim?"

Robert took a deep breath, and suddenly remembered the woman who spoke to him tearfully just two months ago. He'd remember her name all his life- Jolene Reinboldt Burdge. But her late brother's name, Steve Reinboldt, he'd remember even better. "Hastert damaged Steve I think more than any of us will ever know." She spoke of how Hastert attended Steve's viewing after he died of AIDS, how she hurled the accusation at him in the parking lot, how Hastert responded by just staring at her. "Then I just continued to say, 'I want you to know your secret didn't die in there with my brother. And I want you to remember that I'm out here and that I know.' And again, he just stood there and he did not say a word."

"What you're doing, Bob," Tyrone Fahner added, "it's not just a crime. It's treason. By undermining the President, you're undermining your country. Do you want to be remembered as a traitor? You, a veteran, a respected operative who always worked by the rules of the game?"

Bob Mueller was always very institutional. He never broke the rules, even if he disagreed with them. He never passed his boudaries. But this was too much. This broke him, and forced him to break the rules. Yes, he believed Jolene and Steve and all the others, he had no other choice but to believe them. And if they spoke the truth, any day Dennis Hastert remained President was a destruction of the moral fabric of America, no, the world. He could not stand by.

"I know the consequences," he finally said. "And I'm willing to face them. But I had to do this, Mr. President, you must understand."

Hastert sighed. "I see that you will not change your decision. A shame. Goodbye, Bob." He waved at the door.

Mueller stood up and nodded. "Have a good day, Mr. President." He headed for the exit, but before he could open the door, Dennis Hastert spoke again.

"Oh, and Bob?" He said. "You do know that you declared a war on me, right? And I will fight back."

The FBI Director did not respond. He turned the knob and stepped outside.

The thoughts like a storm in his head, he walked through the corridor, and only noticed the three FBI agents blocking his way at the last moment. John S. Pistole, his Deputy, was standing at the head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Mueller. I'm gonna have to ask you to come with us." He sounded very apologetic.

Bob frowned. "You can't do this, John. I don't know what the President's people told you, but you can't arrest your boss."

"I'm sorry, Bob," John said. "An order's an order, I don't know what you've done. Please come with us, let's not create a fuss here."

"I'm the FBI Director!" He protested. "The Deputy Director can't order anyone to arrest the Director!"

John took out a crumpled piece of paper. On it, the Presidential Seal was visible. "I'm the FBI Director. You're the former Director. I'm sorry, Bob, come with us. It's not a request."

Robert Mueller sighed. He suspected something like that would happen in the worse scenario.

That was why he did what had to be done. The Report would come out, no matter what happend to him.

[Nightcore Nationalist]

Wow.  Nicely written, can't wait until 2008.

[Pericles]

Great update-looking forward to the chaos that comes next!

[Illini Moderate]

This is awesome!

[Quincy Kelley]

Vilsack was NOT term limited in 2006.

[America Needs R'hllor]

The Scandal
(Part I- June)


Sources: Wikipedia Commons

June 7th, 2007

"We're now receiving reports from the White House... it's not very clear, but we're hearing a high-ranking official was just arrested and everything is abuzz..."
-CBS reporter outside the White House

"Who do you think was arrested? It was Bob Mueller, I'm telling you! You'd be stupid to think otherwise. President Hastert, he's hiding something very vile and shady, and he's now desperate to cover it up!"
-Youtube video

Breaking: Now-former FBI Director Bob Mueller was man arrested in the White House, sources confirm
-CNN

WHAT HAPPENED?! America buzzing as FBI Director arrested by former boss
-The Times

"We're very unclear on what's going on right now, honestly. It's a mess"
-MSNBC Correspondent

"It's deeply worrying, and we demand an answer from the White House now- what the hell happened?"
-Speaker Pelosi

White House sources: statement on Mueller arrest to come soon, people must 'remain calm'
-CBS

President Hastert to go LIVE from the Oval Office in one hour
-CNN

"The American people know that I'm a patriot and as clean a President as there ever was. I wouldn't do this if it wasn't necessary for the safety of our nation. Bob Mueller betrayed our country and his President, that's all I can say right now. We will have more details forthcoming in the next days. Everything is alright and stable."
-President Hastert

"Something is up. Something is up and I'm really afraid for our union right now."
-Presidential candidate Russ Feingold

June 8th, 2007

Chief Justice Roberts: Fmr. Director Mueller "has to be brought before a federal judge"
-Washington Post

"The former Director has committed a serious crime and will be brought before a judge in the coming days. We're not a lawless nation and he was detained for safety."
-Attorney General Gonzales

"This is an outrage. We demand answers now, the President is abusing his powers like never before."
-Presidential candidate Al Gore

Democratic candidates including Gore, Clinton, Obama announce a joint front against "grave danger to our democracy"
-New York Times

"LOOK AT THIS BLOG POST GOING AROUND. WHO WROTE IT???"
-Facebook user Sandy Ocasio

Mysterious blog surfaces with SHOCKING revelation >>>>>>>>
-Post in Democratic Underground

BREAKING: dozens of FBI employees suddenly fired, "annual reshuffle" cited
-CNN

"Bob Mueller just called the President a rapist. This is what it is."
-Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich

"This blog post is slander and a fake of the highest level. By executive order, we prohibited circling it because it would harm our national security gravely."
-FBI Director John Pistole

"The President may arrest us and suffer the consequences in November. We believe the public has the right to know. We're publishing the report. And if it's a fake, we will take full responsibility. But sadly, we don't believe it is."
-Statement from Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Russ Feingold

"We conducted a thorough investigation. We did not want to believe it. But the evidence was too strong- the witnesses, the transactions. We decided to indict the President for financial misconduct- or, well, suggest it in our report. And we decided that the American people have the right to know that the cash withdrawals were to pay hush money to an Individual A for past misconduct. Make of that what you will. Hopefully, we have enough of a free and patriotic press to make sure that the country gets through this."
-Mysterious blog post of user B.S.M.

[Elcaspar]

Oh my. Seems like everything is about to go down.

[Joseph Cao]

Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy.

Have I mentioned that this timeline is absolutely superb? I really should have done that earlier.