The Hunting Grounds: Turmoil in America

[America Needs R'hllor]

February 11th, 2006, Riviera, Texas

Vice President Dick Cheney was ecstatic. Hunting was one of his favourite activities, the excitement and the feeling of strength. Now he finally convinced George to come with him on a hunt of quail, and hoped it would help sooth the President's nerves in these hard times.

Indeed, George needed this- the economy was getting worse with inflation rising, and the War in Iraq was more and more unpopular. With the 2006 midterms heating up, President Bush was stressed, so Dick hoped that a day of hunting would help him. George was now retrieving a quail he shot down, and looked pretty happy about his success. "Hey!" One of his fellow hunters, lawyer Harry Whittington, shouted, pointing at a cluster of trees ahead. A covey steered there, clearly preparing to rise up.

Excited, Dick raised his shotgun and without much aiming, fired several quick bullets.

His mind took a few moments to process the shouts of pain that followed. "sh**t," he said as he realized what happened. He hit someone. But who? Could it be...? No, no way, he went in another direction...

Around him, the others rushed forward, dropping their shotguns. The Secret Service agents buzzed more than everyone, running around the cluster of trees. Dick himself stood frozen, too afraid to check who he hit. As the moments passed, a feeling of dread filled him.

It was Whittington who confirmed the Vice President's worst fears. "The President was hit!!!"

In a moment, he was surrounded. Secret Service agents grabbed him gently but firmly and rushed him away, towards the nearest vehicle. Dick Cheney realized the dreadful reality- with the President down, his condition uncertain, he was now the Acting President.

And in a bitter irony, it was all because of him.

[America Needs R'hllor]

So I was bored, and decided to start this new TL I'll probably advance slowly, especially as I'm still finishing up my Israel election TL (which I hope ya'll have read), but I'd appreciate some comments on what do you think about this idea. I hope it'll be an interesting account of an unlikely hypothetical scenario, leading to chaotic events. Yay, chaos!

[America Needs R'hllor]

Thanks, everyone! After the Israeli election (and following a period of mourning) I shall properly start this.

Still trying to decide the format, though- right now I'm thinking short excerpts from "news reports" as a way to deliver the events, but a point of view format is possible too. Any preferences?

[America Needs R'hllor]

February 11th, 2006: the day that changed America

17:46

BREAKING NEWS: President George W. Bush shot during hunt, taken to intensive care



MCALLEN - We've just received a report that George W. Bush, the President of the United States, has been shot during a hunting trip in Riviera, Texas. Bush was quickly escorted to the McAllen Medical Center, where he's currently receiving intensive care. The President is apparently in critical condition, and doctors are fighting for his life, hoping to stabilize his condition before performing further surgery. The details on the shooting are currently murky- we don't know whether this was an accident or an assassination attempt, who shot the President and how. Right now, the entire nation is praying for the President's health.

17:55

Vice President Cheney en-route to Washington, D.C., assumes role of acting President; details of the shooting still murky



WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following President Bush entering intensive care after his shooting, Vice President Dick Cheney has assumed the role of acting President and is currently en-route to the White House in Washington. Cheney is being briefed by national security officials on immediate matters ranging from the situation in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and Iran's nuclear plans, to the delicate situation around Israel, where Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is still in a coma after a severe stroke, Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian parliament and new corruption investigations against acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rock his administration. The details around the Bush shooting remain murky, but new information appears to indicate the shooting was an accident- there is still heavy police presence in the forest where the President was shot, but no suspects are currently known. There are, reportedly, several police officers accompanying Vice President Cheney in his flight to Washington, D.C., leading to some speculation that Cheney might be an eye witness, and even some conspiracy theories that we will not delve into in these hard times for our nation.

19:37

Several sources confirm Vice President Cheney is "connected to shooting", White House promises official statement "when the Acting President lands"



WASHINTGON, D.C. - The story of President Bush's shooting during a hunting trip continues to develop in a worrisome manner. After rumours that there are several police officers with Vice President Dick Cheney on Air Force Two, several administration sources knowledgeable on the matter confirm that Cheney is connected to the shooting "in an active manner", refusing to specify how. Some speculations include that Cheney tackled the shooter, distracted the President or somehow ran into the scene, though some darker thories claim Cheney himself was the shooter, either by accident or malice. The White House, facing many questions from the media, was forced to react, and Press Secretary Scott McClellan stated that the White House will release an official statement detailing the turn of events as soon as Cheney, who McClellan called "the acting President", lands and takes his place. Meanwhile, congressional leadership including Speaker Dennis Hastert and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi released a joint statement, saying that "we pray with all our hearts that the President will make a quick and full recovery, and we want to promise the American people that we will keep our nation united and stable in these hard and uncertain days". The omission of Vice President Cheney's name from the statement raised some brows.

20:42

President's condition continues to be unstable, First Lady and other family members arrive in hospital; Cheney to land in the White House in next minutes



MCALLEN - President George Bush's condition appears to be getting worse. The McAllen Medical Center spokesperson gave a statement to the press where he said that the President's condition is "still not stable", but cautioned that Americans "shouldn't panic" and that "we're doing all we can for him". However, signs seem worrying- sources inside the hospital indicate that President Bush's condition is "deteriorating" and the threat to his life is real. He reportedly suffered a strong heart attack due to the effects of the bullet's lead, further worsening his health. President Bush's family, including First Lady Laura Bush, daughters Barbara and Jenna, former President and First Lady George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, and brothers Jeb and Neil Bush, have recently arrived at the hospital as well, refusing to answer the questions of the press before entering the building. As conflicting and worrying reports continue flowing in, the American people are anxious to know anything, and reports of quiet but growing unrest are increasingly common. Meanwhile, Vice President Dick Cheney is scheduled to arrive at the White House in the next minutes, where he will meet the Cabinet, officially assume the role of Acting President and then give or release a statement to the press, about what happened in the President's shooting. The Cabinet already assembled, from around the country and even the world- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice returned early from a foreign trip in Mexico, with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snow and the rest of the cabinet joining her to quickly assemble and prepare for the Acting President's arrival. Notable in his absense is Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

21:29

As Vice President Cheney arrives, the White Houses releases shock statement to the press: Cheney accidentally shot Bush during their hunting trip



WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation was shocked and the ground beneath it shook today. Minutes ago, after Vice President Dick Chenet arrived in the White House and spoke to the assembled cabinet, after whifch he fully assumed the duties of Acting President. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan later released a shocking and sudden statement to the press: "This evening, in Riviera, Texas, at about 5:34 p.m., Acting President Richard B. Cheney accidentally shot his friend, Preisdent George W. Bush, three times in the thigh, in the stomach and in the middle of the chest while aiming at a covey of quails. President Bush is currently in intensive care at the McAllen Medical Center, and we ask you all to pray for him. We'd like to stress again that the shooting was an accident- Acting President Cheney is tormented by his mistake, and is praying for the President harder than anyone else." After that, the dam of silence broke- the public was sent into a panic, intensified by a dramatic media. Millions of Americans are unable to believe what happened, that their Vice President shot their President, and already there are calls for Cheney to immediately resign. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller already released a separate statement, sayingg that the incident will be "thoroughly investiaged" in the coming days, "after the dust settles". Cheney himself, meanwhile, refused to appear before the public, instead opting to command McClellan to release the statement, and there's already speculation, so far baseless, that he's planning to pardon himself. The nation goes to sleep with uncertainty- over the fate of its President, the fate of its entire executive branch, and its very future.

04:47

BREAKING NEWS: President George W. Bush proclaimed dead



MCALLEN - Grief consumed the nation, as one of the most shocking and bizarre twists in American history turned into a disaster. President George W. Bush, confirmed to have been accidentally shot by Vice President Dick Cheney during a hunting trip, was proclaimed dead today, February 12th, 4:33 AM. This leaves a nation in shock and confusion, unable to see where we're going forward from now. Vice President Cheney will now become President by law, but the fact that his bullets were the ones that killed his predecessor will complicate his Presidency. Already many across the country are calling for Cheney to immediately resign, though major political figures are currently keeping a respectful silence. The nation is waiting to hear from several figures especially- Speaker Dennis Hastert, who would become President if Cheney were to resign, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales who will have strong influence on the President's legal future, and the freshly-widowed First Lady Laura Bush.

George Walker Bush

43rd President of the United States (2001-2006)
46th Governor of Texas (1995-2000)
Born July 6, 1946
Died February 12, 2006

[America Needs R'hllor]

February 12th, 2006

Nation left in mourning and uncertainty as it wakes up to a new era; calls for Cheney resignation increase



WASHINGTON, D.C. - A nation in grief. As Americans woke up today to work or college, they were struck with shocking news- President George W. Bush passed away during in the early morning hours, doctors unable to save him from wounds inflicted to him accidentally by his own Vice President. Now, Vice President Cheney has succeeded his boss, and has reportedly been sworn in to the Presidency by "an uneasy" Chief Justice John Roberts. While most of the nation is still shocked and confused, first signs of unrest are already showing. Several protests were today in major cities, including Washington, D.C., New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Austin. The main message of the protesters was a demand that fresh President Cheney resign, but their composition was very bipartisan- Republicans loyal to President Bush who were heartbroken over his death made a minority of protesters, calling Cheney a "murderer", while left-leaning protesters, a majority, protested against the new President taking office and chanted that "the warmonger" should resign. President Cheney still didn't give any public address, leading to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan being the only one communicating with the American people. According to inside sources, Cheney is apparently not planning to resign and wants to govern.

February 14th, 2006

New details suggest Cheney didn't follow hunting safety rules; Rep. Maxine Waters becomes first official to call for Cheney to resign



DALLAS - While Americans slowly digest the grave news of their President's death, new details begin to emerge of the shooting. Kelly Armstrong, owner of the ranch where Bush and Cheney were hunting, said that it was "definitely an accident", ruling out any other option. The President was retrieving a quail he shot down, she elaborated, while the Vice President shot a covey of quails that rose up, hitting his boss. But experts are already arguing that the new President was irresponsible, violating hunting safety rules by not checking if there was anyone where he was aiming. The President, who is still leaving out public communication to Press Secretary McClellan, is increasingly under fire with the protests against him getting louder. Today, the first major U.S. official called for Cheney to resign, when Democrat Maxine Waters, a Representative from California, said that Cheney "has no right to sit in that chair after his irresponsibility and carelessness lead to it being vacated in the first place". Press Secretary Mclellan, dogged by aggressive questioning from journalists, said he had "no comment" about the reports on the President's violation of safety rules, and added that Cheney has "no plans" to resign, instead meaning to "continue the legacy of President Bush by governing responsibly and leading America to further prosperity".

February 17th, 2006

President Cheney to not attend Bush funeral out of "respect to the family"



WASHINGTON, D.C. - Days after the death of President George W. Bush, the nation continues mourning. Flags on public buildings throughout the country are still lowered to half-staff, and will continue to be for a month after the President's death, while the casket with his remains is currently laying in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of visitors have already flocked to visit the deceased President, including foreign and American politicians from both sides of the aisle. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, giving a statement shortly after her own visit, saying that Bush was "a great American patriot and a decent human being who we all respected despite disagreements". New President Dick Cheney also attended briefly, accompanied by First Lady Lynne Cheney and daughters Mary and Liz, and looked mournful as he stared down at the caskt, but he refused to later give a statement to the press. But in February 20th funeral, when the President's remains will be buried in his home city of Houston, the White House released a statement affirming that President Cheney will not be attending, out of "respect for the Bush family". Indeed, the Bush family, including former First Lady Laura Bush, refused to speak out so far on the shooting, but inside sources indicate that the family has grown very distant to Cheney, and many are livid he did not resign yet. Instead, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card will represent Cheney, as well as the rest of the cabinet.

February 20th, 2006

President George W. Bush's remains buried in Houston funeral



HOUSTON - In the last of the memorial services in honour of the late President George W. Bush, his remains were buried in Houston, Texas. Many major figures gave heartfelt eulogies, including Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, former First Lady Barbara Bush, his wife and former First Lady Laura Bush, brother former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and former President Bill Clinton. Many more attended the services, including former President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady and Senator Hillary Clinton, former Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle and Walter Mondale, political advisor Karl Rove, the entire cabinet, and others. There were also many foreign dignitaries in attendance, such as British Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair, new Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former Prime Minister Paul Martin, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, new Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Speaker of the Israeli Knesset Reuven Rivlin, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzō Abe, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.

February 23rd, 2006

Calls for Cheney resignation continue to pile on; FBI Director Mueller beginning shooting investigation



WASHINGTON, D.C. - After the interment of deceased President Bush, the political winds begin blowing again- and they're blowing hard at President Cheney's face. As Americans begin to recover from the initial shock of their President's death, much anger is beginning to stir against Cheney accompanied by increasingly large protests, as reports of his irresponsibility at the time of the shooting, as well as drinking beer a few hours before, continue to arrive. Many politicians are already calling for Cheney to take responsibility and resign, too- they begun with strong left-wing politicians like Maxine Waters, independent U.S. Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-VT), U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ). But the calls for Cheney's resignation from the mainstream are beginning to pile on- U.S. Reps. John Lewis (D-GA), Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Mike Castle (R-DE), Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), as well as many others. But the main trouble for Cheney might come from a legal direction- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales confirmed today that the FBI, lead by Director Robert Mueller, has begun investigating the shooting, and the President will likely be invited to testify soon. Even if Mueller finds no doubt for the shooting being an accident, an indictment for manslaughter could still be in the cards, spelling massive trouble for Cheney as he tries to settle into the office of the Presidency.

February 26th, 2006

Former First Lady Laura Bush calls for Cheney to resign; Press Secretary and Chief of Staff abruptly resign



HOUSTON - Sparking a storm, former First Lady Laura Bush, widow of the deceased President George Bush, spoke out for the first time following her husband's death by Cheney's bullets. She said that she understands "it was an accident", but added that "[Cheney] took my George from me, and from the American people and he should take responsiblity and resign immediately". Following the speech, major political figures, especially Republicans, felt much more comfortable calling for the President to resign, and so House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), former Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL), Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) all added their voices to the calls for Cheney to resign. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), who would become President if Cheney choses to resign, stopped short of calling for it, saying that it's not "[his] place" because of the "obvious conflict of interests", but said that "Dick has to take responsisiblity for his disastrous mistake that harmed, and will continue to harm, the American people". With the political headwinds blowing strong against the new President, two key members of the administration abruptly resigned from their posts- White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, who was already expected to depart in the next few months, and Press Secretary Scott McClellan, who has been reportedly bitter as Cheney "threw him to the dogs" and refused to speak out publicly. The resignations further damaged the Cheney administration's ability to respond to the mounting criticism against it.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Richard

The sound of his ring tapping on the table was hallow, the only noticeable sound in the quiet, empty Oval Office. Dick Cheney always secretly wanted to sit in that chair, authoritatively gazing over the most important room in the world... but not like this. Christ, not like this. The images haunted him, day and night- George excitedly running to retrieve the quail he shot, a covey rising up, Dick aiming and, without giving it much thought, shooting several times... And the worst was the sound, the small shout of pain. He never imagined such a short, weak sound could change the world so much.

Sure, he was always a cold person. He didn't care about any of this sons of a b**ch around the world who dared threaten American domination. He was willing to invade them, do whatever was possible to help them embrace the model of liberal democracy that did so much to advance the world. But this... this wasn't it. It was his fault- his gun, his carelessness, his bullet that killed his Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States. And now, he was President.

Dick was torn- on the one hand, he knew he didn't deserve this office. He killed to to get it, for Pete's sake. And the pressure to resign was increasingly unbearable. It wasn't just moderates like John McCain now, it was also major figures like Laura Bush. But on the other hand, the nation needed a leader who knew what he was doing, who could manage the war in Iraq successfully and protect America from those who would do it harm. Besides, giving Speaker Hastert the Presidency was problematic. He didn't trust him, and worse, he... heard things. Unsavoury things, best kept hidden. He was worried that if Dennis was President, it might not stay hidden.

His phone suddenly rang. When he answered, the secretary spoke coldly, as she always did since he became President. "Mr. President, you have a call from Speaker Hastert."

The President frowned. What could Dennis want from him right now? "Put him on, please."

After a few seconds, the Speaker's voice sounded from the other side. "Dick. Hello. There's something we need to discuss."

"Alright then, go on." Cheney said. "What do you want?"

"Resign." Dennis said curtly. "There's no choice left. Your approval ratings are in the teens, it'll destroy us in the midterms. We can't have that!"

"What, and give you the Presidency?" Cheney replied aggressively. "This is absurd. You're reaching too far, Dennis, check your position before you fall down. We both know you have skeletons in the closet, and these are some particularly small-size skeleto-"

"Shut up, Dick," Dennis said with a tired tone, "and listen. Tomorrow morning, Bush Senior and Barbara will call for you to resign. They'll be followed by Bill, who's now with John, leading the charge of most of the Senate caucus denouncing you. I'll be foreced to follow shortly. Of course, I won't do it myself because of the conflict of interests, but Boehner will lead most of the House caucus to call for resignation, too. You don't have any choice. So just do it, tomorrow morning, before all of us. It'll help you save face."

Dick stayed silent for a few long moments. The realization fell- it was out of his hands. He couldn't remain in office against the opposition of the entire party, not while he's so popular with the public. He had to think about himself and his family, now.

"One condition," the President of the United States said quietly.

"Yes?" The Speaker asked.

"Pardon me when you take office."

President Dick Cheney job approval (March 1st)
Approve- 14%
Disapprove- 79%
Unsure- 7%

Generic Congressional Ballot- 2006
Democrat- 55%
Republican- 32%
Other\Undecided- 13%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Cheney)
Generic Democrat- 58%
President Dick Cheney- 27%
Others\Undecided- 15%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Other Republican)
Generic Democrat- 46%
Generic Republican- 42%
Others\Undecided- 12%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination in 2008?
Other Republican- 44%
President Dick Cheney- 39%
Undecided- 17%

[America Needs R'hllor]

March 2nd, 2006

BREAKING NEWS: President Richard "Dick" Cheney announces resignation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, early in the morning before a gaggle of tired journalists, President Dick Cheney gave a press conference announcing his resignation from the highest office in the land, effective tomorrow morning.

In his statement, President Cheney, who looked grief-stricken and sleep-deprived, said that he was "extremely sorry that [his] mistakes cause such a disaster, both for this nation and personally for many great people" and added that all his life, he did "what [he] thought was best for our nation". Cheney concluded that while he want "nothing more" than keep helping the country in public service, "this time the best course to keep America stable and strong would be for [him] to resign". In the past days, the President has been facing mountin pressure, with protests throughout the country, major figures like most of the Democratic Party, many Republicans and major figures like former First Lady Laura Bush calling him to resign and polls showing him unpopular with most Americans, and so he could not hold on. In the end of his speech, he said that he wishes "next President Dennis Hastert the best of luck with leading our nation safely and strongly". With this, Cheney makes history as the President with the shortest tenure ever, 20 days to the 31 days of William Henry Harrison.

Indeed, the next President starting from tomorrow will be the Speaker of the House, the 64-years-old Republican from Illinois Dennis Hastert. A conservative in the mainstream of the Republican Party and a staunch ally of the Bush administration, Hastert isn't expected to be a major change of course, and especially with likely pressure to keep the deceased former President's line, his policies, especially in regards to the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, are likely to be remain the same as the Bush administration's.

In reaction to the resignation, the next President said that "Dick made the right decision" and he hoped that "our country's healing can start now". Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) echoed Speaker Hastert's words, stating that "it's time to rebuild our people's trust". And Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who lead the charge for Cheney's resignation, added that "I'm glad that Dick took responsibility for his actions, and hope that we can now start anew". Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, was much more combative, saying that "President Cheney's irresponsible actions caused a disaster and endangered America's stability and it's good he resigned", but that "we're going to serve as a check and prevent policies that harm America from then next administration". Thus, ends the Presidency of Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney, and starts the Presidency of John Dennis Hastert.


March 3rd, 2006

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert takes oath of office, becomes 45th President

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, in the early morning hours, as the resignation of 44th President Richard B. Cheney took effect, his successor, Speaker Dennis Hastert, took office as the 45th President. Hastert, 64, who is expected to continue the conservative and hawkish line of policy promoted by former President George W. Bush, gave a short statement to the press, where he promised to "heal the nation and unite it".

The President also roughly outlined his policy goals, including "continuing the battle against terrorism and promoting democracy", "working with congress and both parties to pass legislation that will promote growth and freedom for all Americans", "reform our immigration system and increase border security" and "protect our family values from those who would try to destroy them". Lastly, Hastert said that he would "work hard in the coming days to find a good partner who would serve as Vice President and govern alongside me".

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, spearheading Democratic efforts in the 2006 midterms, promised to "fight the far-right extremism and the warmongering that are sure to come from this administration", but also added that she wishes "good luck to the President in the healing of the country". Many world leaders also called Hastert to wish him good luck.

John Dennis Hastert
45th President of the United States: 2006-
51st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives: 1999-2007
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th district: 1987-2006

March 17th, 2006

President Hastert issues pardon of former President Dick Cheney, stopping FBI investigation

CHEYENNE - After widespread speculation, today President Dennis Hastert issued a pardon of former President Dick Cheney, who's currently under FBI investigation for manslaughter after his bullet accidentally killed former President George W. Bush. Hastert stated that "as part of the process of healing required of us, we should move on", and Cheney released a short statement to the press thanking the President of "allowing Dick to seek help after the trauma of the past weeks".

But many others criticized the decision- former First Lady Laura Bush was especially loud, claiming that "President Hastert insulted my husband's memory and preventing justice from being done", while Minority Leader Pelosi said that "the President should've let the wheels of justice move, not put a stick in them". Many others, including U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), claimed that there was a deal between the two Presidents, in which Cheney would resign in exchange for a pardon. However, the new White House Press Secretary Tony Snow frevently denied the rumours, accusing Waters and others of "blowing off ridiculous conspiracy theories without any proof or basis".

President Dennis Hastert job approval (March 1st)
Approve- 53%
Disapprove- 37%
Unsure- 10%

Generic Congressional Ballot- 2006
Democrat- 52%
Republican- 39%
Other\Undecided- 9%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Hastert)
Generic Democrat- 48%
President Dennis Hastert- 41%
Others\Undecided- 11%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Other Republican)
Generic Democrat- 45%
Generic Republican- 43%
Others\Undecided- 12%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination in 2008?
President Dennis Hastert- 48%
Other Republican- 36%
Undecided- 16%


March 28th, 2006

2006 ISRAELI ELECTION: Following eruption of scandals, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert loses majority; Labour's Amir Peretz wins most seats, likely to become next Prime Minister

JERUSALEM - While the Bush-Cheney-Hastert drama unfolded in the United States of America, another drama entirely unfolded in Israel. After Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a serious stroke and fell into a coma on January 4th, Finance Minister and designated successor Ehud Olmert became the Acting Prime Minister. However, Olmert's legal situation, already shaky due to inquiries starting in 2005, quickly deteriorated as police investigations begun on various accusations- fraud, breach of trust and bribery in his positions as Mayor of Jerusalem and Minister of Welfare. As more and more information came about Olmert's involvement in various investment and real estate deals that were conflicts of interest and in money received in envelopes from a millionaire, Olmert's polling numbers in the 2006 election, which was considered guaranteed to him, fell. And when it was revealed that Olmert's secretary, Shula Zaken, who he accused of committing all the crimes he was accused of, reached a plea bargain with police and became a state witness, the avalanche begun.

Many supporters fled the quickly sinking ship of Sharon's centrist party, Kadima, into other parties. However, an aversion many voters had for Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who had unpopular terms as Prime Minister and Finance Minister during the 1990s, as well as embarrassing personal scandals about his cheating on his ex wife, prevented Likud from benefiting too much.

In the end, the election was a shocking upset, as from the three big parties- Kadima, Likud and Labour- the latter emerged as a victor, earning the most seats by a decisive margin. Labour leader Amir Peretz ran a disciplined campaign that appealed, with his Mizrahi roots and record as a former periphery Mayor, to many working class voters who were reluctant to support Labour, and will now likely become the next Prime Minister.

Following the election loss and reported pressure from his number 2 and Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, Olmert resigned from his position as Kadima leader. Livni succeeded him as temporary leader, and will lead the party in government negotiations, but a leadership primary will nontheless be held in some months.

Other winners of the election include Avigdor Lieberman's firebrand Yisrael Beiteinu, benefiting from Likud's unpopularity, and the new centrist Gil Party, focusing on seniors' affairs and welfare and lead by the popular former veteran and intelligence officer Rafi Eitan, who started the campaign as a tiny party with no funding and chance but gained many economically disaffected voters and former Kadima supporters and broke into the double digits of seats.

As a result of the election, Peretz likely has a coalition at hand- joining with centrist Kadima and Gil, as well as the leftist Meretz, would give him 58 seats, and they'd likely be able to get Shas to join the government with their 11 seats. Thus Israeli is likely to get a new goverment, with Labour getting a mandate for goals like negotiations with the Palestinians and social-democratic reforms, and its first Mizrahi Jew Prime Minister. In the opposition, however, there seems to be trouble in the air- Netanyahu managed to save his party from polling that put them below the threshold, but his inability to gain despite Kadima's collapse has many calling for him to resign.

2006 Israeli Knesset Election- Results
Labour Party (Amir Peretz)- 25 Seats  (+6)
Kadima (Ehud Olmert)- 17 Seats  (+2)
Likud (Benjamin Netanyahu)- 15 Seats  (-9)
Yisrael Beiteinu (Avigdor Lieberman)- 12 Seats  (+9)
Shas (Eli Yishai)- 11 Seats  (+-0)
Gil (Rafi Eitan)- 10 Seats (Didn't Contest)
National Union-National Religious Party (Binyamin Elon)- 9 Seats  (+2)
Meretz-Yachad (Yossi Beilin)- 6 Seats  (+-0)
United Torah Judaism (Ya'akov Litzman)- 5 Seats  (+-0)
Ra'am-Ta'al (Ibrahim Sarsur)- 4 Seats  (+2)
Hadash (Mohammad Barakeh)- 3 Seats  (+-0)
Balad (Azmi Bishara)- 3 Seats  (+-0)

NOTE: Due to the copyrights issue, I decided to not use photos in this post, other than a Wikipedia Commons one for President Hastert. If it's not too important for you readers, I'd actually be fine with barely using them at all, since it's an effort.

[America Needs R'hllor]

It will be interesting to see what charges are laid against Former POTUS Cheney and how the W Bush assassination investigation goes.

With the pardon, there won't be any charges.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Will it be continued?

I still really like this idea, but it'll unfourtunately remain in hiatus for the forseeable time.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Soo, I'm thinking about reviving this. Probably change the format to longer effortposts rather than short news excerpts. Anyone interested?

[America Needs R'hllor]

Thanks everyone! It's officially revived then, still not sure about the format but we'll just do what works.

Meanwhile, I edited the Israeli 2006 election because it was a bit too unrealistic before. That's the new one:

March 17th, 2006

2006 ISRAELI ELECTION: Following eruption of scandals, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert loses majority; Labour's Amir Peretz wins most seats, likely to become next Prime Minister

JERUSALEM - While the Bush-Cheney-Hastert drama unfolded in the United States of America, another drama entirely unfolded in Israel. After Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a serious stroke and fell into a coma on January 4th, Finance Minister and designated successor Ehud Olmert became the Acting Prime Minister. However, Olmert's legal situation, already shaky due to inquiries starting in 2005, quickly deteriorated as police investigations begun on various accusations- fraud, breach of trust and bribery in his positions as Mayor of Jerusalem and Minister of Welfare. As more and more information came about Olmert's involvement in various investment and real estate deals that were conflicts of interest and in money received in envelopes from a millionaire, Olmert's polling numbers in the 2006 election, which was considered guaranteed to him, fell. And when it was revealed that Olmert's secretary, Shula Zaken, who he accused of committing all the crimes he was accused of, reached a plea bargain with police and became a state witness, the avalanche begun.

Many supporters fled the quickly sinking ship of Sharon's centrist party, Kadima, into other parties. However, an aversion many voters had for Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who had unpopular terms as Prime Minister and Finance Minister during the 1990s, as well as embarrassing personal scandals about his cheating on his ex wife, prevented Likud from benefiting too much.

In the end, the election was a shocking upset, as from the three big parties- Kadima, Likud and Labour- the latter emerged as a victor, earning the most seats by a decisive margin. Labour leader Amir Peretz ran a disciplined campaign that appealed, with his Mizrahi roots and record as a former periphery Mayor, to many working class voters who were reluctant to support Labour, and will now likely become the next Prime Minister.

Following the election loss and reported pressure from his number 2 and Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, Olmert resigned from his position as Kadima leader. Livni succeeded him as temporary leader, and will lead the party in government negotiations, but a leadership primary will nontheless be held in some months.

Other winners of the election include Avigdor Lieberman's firebrand Yisrael Beiteinu, benefiting from Likud's unpopularity, and the new centrist Gil Party, focusing on seniors' affairs and welfare and lead by the popular former veteran and intelligence officer Rafi Eitan, who started the campaign as a tiny party with no funding and chance but gained many economically disaffected voters and former Kadima supporters and broke into the double digits of seats.

As a result of the election, Peretz likely has a coalition at hand- joining with centrist Kadima and Gil, as well as the leftist Meretz, would give him 58 seats, and they'd likely be able to get Shas to join the government with their 11 seats. Thus Israeli is likely to get a new goverment, with Labour getting a mandate for goals like negotiations with the Palestinians and social-democratic reforms, and its first Mizrahi Jew Prime Minister. In the opposition, however, there seems to be trouble in the air- Netanyahu managed to save his party from polling that put them below the threshold, but his inability to gain despite Kadima's collapse has many calling for him to resign.

2006 Israeli Knesset Election- Results
Labour Party (Amir Peretz)- 25 Seats  (+6)
Kadima (Ehud Olmert)- 17 Seats  (+2)
Likud (Benjamin Netanyahu)- 15 Seats  (-9)
Yisrael Beiteinu (Avigdor Lieberman)- 12 Seats  (+9)
Shas (Eli Yishai)- 11 Seats  (+-0)
Gil (Rafi Eitan)- 10 Seats (Didn't Contest)
National Union-National Religious Party (Binyamin Elon)- 9 Seats  (+2)
Meretz-Yachad (Yossi Beilin)- 6 Seats  (+-0)
United Torah Judaism (Ya'akov Litzman)- 5 Seats  (+-0)
Ra'am-Ta'al (Ibrahim Sarsur)- 4 Seats  (+2)
Hadash (Mohammad Barakeh)- 3 Seats  (+-0)
Balad (Azmi Bishara)- 3 Seats  (+-0)

Y'all will forgive me if I report on some Israeli politics here while focusing on the whole Bush-Cheney-Hastert saga in America

[America Needs R'hllor]

Thanks everyone! It's officially revived then, still not sure about the format but we'll just do what works.

Meanwhile, I edited the Israeli 2006 election because it was a bit too unrealistic before. That's the new one:



2006 Israeli Knesset Election- Results
Labour Party (Amir Peretz)- 25 Seats  (+6)
Kadima (Ehud Olmert)- 17 Seats  (+2)
Likud (Benjamin Netanyahu)- 15 Seats  (-9)
Yisrael Beiteinu (Avigdor Lieberman)- 12 Seats  (+9)
Shas (Eli Yishai)- 11 Seats  (+-0)
Gil (Rafi Eitan)- 10 Seats (Didn't Contest)
National Union-National Religious Party (Binyamin Elon)- 9 Seats  (+2)
Meretz-Yachad (Yossi Beilin)- 6 Seats  (+-0)
United Torah Judaism (Ya'akov Litzman)- 5 Seats  (+-0)
Ra'am-Ta'al (Ibrahim Sarsur)- 4 Seats  (+2)
Hadash (Mohammad Barakeh)- 3 Seats  (+-0)
Balad (Azmi Bishara)- 3 Seats  (+-0)

Anti-LBGTQ Parties in a Left wing Collation, boo, Balad/Hadash joining the coalition or supporting it would be way better.

But for serious, your content is good, and thank you for reviving it! 

Thanks!!
As for Israel- generally, until they bound themselves to Netanyahu, Shas has been joining left-wing coalitions So this is the most realistic "PM Peretz" outcome

[America Needs R'hllor]

The Hastert Administration
(Part I- March to August)

The administration of President John Dennis Hastert was a rocky one from the beginning. His pardon of former President Cheney, whose bullet killed both former President Bush and his own popularity, caused a lot of bipartisan outrage. Still, a lot of Americans were willing to give the conservative former Speaker of the House a chance, and his approvals remained above water.

The first order of business for President Hastert was stabilizing his administration. Most Bush cabinet officials were retained, but he had to find replacements for the departed Chief of Staff Andrew Card and Press Secretary Scott McClellan. OMB Director Joshua Bolten was widely expected to be chosen, but President Hastert surprised and annoyed many members of his administration when he instead appointed former Illinois Attorney General Tyrone C. Fahner, a close ally, citing "familiarity" and the need to have "a Chief of Staff who will work closely with the President". Commentator Tony Snow was chosen Press Secretary as expected. Much to the comfort of the President, Karl Rove later resigned from his role as Deputy Chief of Staff, moving to work on the Republican Party's midterm campaign. Republicans in the House, meanwhile, elected Majority Leader John Boehner to replace Hastert as Speaker of the House.

A few days later, however, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice submitted her resignation, citing just "personal reasons". People close to Rice later said that she was disgusted by the entire order of events and did not wish to be part of the administration after all that happened. At first, Hastert was going to nominate UN Ambassador John Bolton to the position, but after a majority of Senators- all Democrats and Jim Jeffords (I-VT), as well as GOP members Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), George Voinovich (R-OH), John Warner (R-VA) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE), constituting a majority, made clear they'd oppose him, Hastert rereated and made another choice. He nominated former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to the State Department, and with the support of Hagel, Collins and Voinovich managed to confirm him.

The Hastert administration continued, but the road was almost as rocky as its start. Members of the Bush family and people close to them, chiefly Laura Bush, continued to criticize Hastert's pardon of Cheney and calling for Hastert not to run for reelection in 2008. The Iraq War wasn't going as well as expected, with more dead American soldiers every month and no end in sight, and the new Secretary of State didn't seem too popular with world leaders. And if that wasn't enough, the economy wasn't doing too well. GDP growth was slowing, the housing prices were in a freefall as part of what many called "the bursting of the housing bubble", a thriving market that was booming in the early 2000s, the Bush tax cuts didn't seem to be "paying for themselves" and several economists started predicting a recession. However, aside from the leadership crisis following the death of President Bush, Americans weren't feeling the effects of all those factors yet, and Hastert was still seen favourably, making several speeches about "moving forward in times of tragedy" that resonated with Americans shocked after Bush's death.

However, trouble was brewing. In July 2006, an anonymous person contacted journalist Eric Lipton from the New York Times, and told him to look into several cash withdrawals made by the President. Lipton, in turn, contacted sources in the FBI and the IRS. In early September, FBI Director Bob Mueller informed the President that he was personally looking into several suspicious cash withdrawals, and that he'd soon be invited to give his explanation.

Key Polling (September 2006)

President Dennis Hastert job approval (September 1st)
Disapprove- 52%
Approve- 40%
Unsure- 8%

Generic Congressional Ballot- 2006
Democrat- 53%
Republican- 37%
Other\Undecided- 10%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Hastert)
Generic Democrat- 47%
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 42%
Others\Undecided- 11%

Who will you support in the 2008 Presidential election? (Other Republican)
Generic Democrat- 44%
Generic Republican- 43%
Others\Undecided- 13%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination in 2008?
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 41%
Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL)- 13%
Fmr. Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)- 11%
Fmr. Secretary Condoleezza Rice (R-CA)- 9%
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)- 5%
Fmr. First Lady Laura Bush (R-TX)- 4%
Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA)- 2%
Governor George Pataki (R-NY)- 2%
Others- 4%
Undecided- 9%

Who do you support for the Democratic nomination in 2008?
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)- 32%
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (D-TN)- 15%
Fmr. Senator John Edwards (D-NC)- 11%
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)- 11%
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)- 8%
Fmr. Governor Mark Warner (D-VA)- 3%
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)- 2%
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE)- 2%
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)- 2%
Others- 3%
Undecided- 11%

[America Needs R'hllor]

Meanwhile, in the rest of the world...

While the Hastert Administration was getting its start in the United States, the rest of the world was moving on.

In Italy, the April general election resulted in a change of leadership, as the controversial Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his center-right Forza Italia party lost their majority to the center-left Union alliance, lead by Romano Prodi, who would become Prime Minister now.

In Hungary, the April election resulted in the governing Socialist Party and Prime Minister    Ferenc Gyurcsány rising in seats while beating out the then-largest party in the parliament, Fidesz, and opposition leader Viktor Orban. They continued their governing coalition with the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats party. Lastly, in Slovakia, the governing Christian Democratic coalition of Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda was defeated, with the young Smer- Social Democracy party becoming the largest and its leader Robert Fico becoming Prime Minister. Howeber, the anti-immigration Smer decided to coalition with the nationalist far-right Slovak National Party and the populist People's Party, causing their suspension from the center-left S&Ds European alliance.

In Israel, coalition talks concluded with Amir Peretz, the senior politician and leader of the Labour Party, becoming Prime Minister with the support of Kadima, Shas, Gil and Meretz. Tzipi Livni, interim leader of Kadima, was appointed Foreign Minister, with her main opponent, former IDF Chief  Shaul Mofaz, retained his position of Defense Minister.

The 31st Israeli Government

Prime Minister: Amir Peretz (Labour Party)

Speaker of the Knesset: Ofir Pines-Paz (Labour Party)

Foreign Minister: Tzipi Livni (Kadima)
Defense Minister: Shaul Mofaz (Kadima)
Finance Minister: Avishay Braverman (Labour Party)
Justice Minister and Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Ansitemitism: Isaac Herzog (Labour Party)
Education Minister: Yossi Beilin (Meretz-Yachad)
Home Minister: Yuli Tamir (Labour Party)
Industry, Trade and Employment Minister and Deputy Prime Minister: Eli Yishai (Shas)
Negev and Galiliee Development Minister and Deputy Prime Minister: Shimon Peres (Kadima)
Internal Security Minister: Avi Dichter (Kadima)
Health Minister: Ya'akov Ben-Yezri (Gil)
National Infaustracture Minister: Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labour Party)
Housing and Construction Minister: Ami Ayalon (Labour Party)
Transportation Minister: Haim Ramon (Kadima)
Communications Minister: Ariel Atias (Shas)
Welfare and Social Services Minister: Shelly Yachimovich (Labour Party)
Senior Affairs Minister: Rafi Eitan (Gil)
Agriculture Minister: Shalom Simhon (Labour Party)
Environmental Protection Minister: Michael Malchior (Meimad\Labour Party)
Science, Culture and Sports Minister: Raleb Majadele (Labour Party)
Tourism Minister: Dalia Itzik (Kadima)
Minister without Protfolio for Religious Affairs: Yitzhak Cohen (Shas)
Minister without Protfolio: Meshulam Nahari (Shas)
Minister without Protfolio: Avraham Hirshzon (Kadima)
Minister without Protfolio for Public Broadcasting: Eitan Cabel (Labour Party)
Minister without Protfolio: Meir Sheetrit (Kadima)

During the coming months, two important leadership races were held- in Kadima, Tzipi Livni comfortably defeated Minister Shaul Mofaz, Minister Avi Dichter and Minister Meir sh**trit, though Mofaz got closer than expected. In Likud, meanwile, leader Netanyahu obliged to the pressure of holding an early primary, but ran again himself. His opponents were former Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, former Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz, former Internal Security Minister Uzi Landao, former Housing Minister Natan Sheranski, far-right libertarian activist Moshe Feiglin and chairman of Global Likud Dani Danon. Netanyahu advanced to the second round against Shalom, his chief opponent, but there shockingly lost in an upset, owing largely to the dissatisfaction from his results.

Kadima Leadership Race, 2006
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni- 45.6% ✓
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz- 42.4%
Minister Meir Sheetrit- 6.2%
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter-  5.8%

Likud Leadership Race, 2006 (Round 1)
Fmr. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu- 31.2% ✓
Fmr. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom- 28.9% ✓
Activist Moshe Feiglin- 15.3%
Fmr. Housing Minister Natan Sheranski- 9.9%
Fmr. Internal Security Minister Uzi Landao- 6.4%
Fmr. Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz- 5.2%
Mr. Dani Danon- 3.1%

Likud Leadership Race, 2006 (Round 2)
Fmr. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom- 50.3%✓
Fmr. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu- 49.7%

But the Peretz Ministry started off wild, with security issues coming to the forefront. In late June, Hamas killed two Israeli soldiers and abducted soldier Gilad Shalit to Gaza, prompting the IDF to start "Operation Summer Rains", which failed to get Shalit back. Hamas asked for 1000 prisoners, including terrorists with blood on their hands, in exchange for Shalit. The operation continued for months, and Prime Minister Peretz reportedly insisted on finishing it with a return of Shalit to Israel. Meanwhile, in July, near the Lebanon border, Hezbollah terrorists abducted two Israeli soldiers and killed eight, causing Israel to begin an operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which would become the Second Lebanon War. Peretz let Defense Minister Mofaz make most of the security-related decisions in the two-front war, while Foreign Minister Livni smoothed out the relations with the world. The war dragged on until August, and while Hezbollah was wounded and deterred, it was not defeated. This was seen by the Israeli public as a failure, and a later investigation found that many of the lacking decisions were made by IDF Chief Dan Halutz, who consequently resigned and was replaced by Gabi Ashkenazi. The handling of the war by Peretz and Mofaz was seen as solid. Meanwhile, in September, following a surge of attacks, Peretz struck a ceasefire with Hamas- with a surprising deal. Israel agreed to release 500 Hamas prisoners in exchange for Shalit. Peretz reportedly insisted on continuing attacking Gaza until Hamas agreed. This was met with both praise and criticism in Israel- many were happy to see Shalit return, but others were critical of the price.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Note: updated President Hastert's approvals to reflect the approval a Republican would have in September 2006.

[America Needs R'hllor]

The Hastert Administration
(Part II- September-October)


Sources: Wikipedia Commons

August 17th: Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire goes into action, Second Lebanon War ends

August 18th: Per the demands of Prime Minister Peretz, bodies of two Israeli soldiers abducted by Hezbollah returned

August 21st: Did the Bubble Burst? Commerce Department estimates housing prices down 3% since January

August 25th: Hastert VP search to enter "intensive stage"; Jeb Bush, McCain, Romney reportedly on the shortlist

August 29th: Former First Lady claims Jeb Bush was offered VP spot, "refused categorically"

September 2nd: Meghan McCain reveals father was "second person to be offered the VP spot", Senator McCain says he "won't accept" position

September 6nd: White House sources claim Hastert "frantically searching for VP", interviewing candidates

September 10th: Brussels can breath sigh of relief as pro-Europe Social Democrats retain power in Montenegro election

September 11th: A HOUSING CRISIS APPROACHES: economist warns "recession will be nasty and deep", housing indicators in "freefall"

September 13th: Hastert narrows shortlist; Romeny, Giuliani, Ryan considered main contenders

September 15th: Gallup poll: Hastert approvals plummet to 37%, "honeymoon definitely over"

September 17th: Center-right Moderate Party gains seats in Swedish election, Fredrik Reinfeldt likely to form majority government with Centre, Liberal People's and Christian Democratic parties

September 18th: BREAKING: President Hastert announces Giuliani is VP pick, expected to try for quick confirmation

September 21st: Opinion: Mayor Giuliani cheated on his wife and announced his divorce to the press without telling her. Is this the example our Vice President should set for our children?

September 24nd: Giuliani confirmed as Vice President by House and a 68 majority in the Senate, states that he's "happy to serve America in these difficult times"

September 26th: Hastert approvals tick up to 41%, Giuliani approvals at 53%

September 28th: BREAKING: e-mails released of Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), member of GOP leadership, making suggestive comments to underage congressional pages; Foley confirms sending emails, claims they were "innocuous"

September 29th: Rep. Foley resigns abruptly after IMs released of explicitly sexual messages to underage male pages

September 30th: Investigation requested by Rep. Pelosi referred to Ethics Committee by Speaker Boehner; President calls released IMs "vile and repulsive"

October 1st: Right-populist coalition loses majorit in Austrian election, SPÖ-Greens win narrow 93-seat majority

October 2nd: GOP in trouble? More and more details come of key figures including President Hastert, Speaker Boehner and NRSCC Chair Reynolds having prior knowledge of Foley emails

October 3rd: Rep. Tom Reynolds reportedly urged "reluctant" Foley to run for reelection despite having knowlwedge of emails; Reynolds Chief of Staff resigns

October 4th: Boehner knew of Foley emails as early as spring 2006; calls for Speaker to resign intensify

October 5th: New TIME poll finds majority of voters believe GOP leadership "covered up" Foley scandals; Democratic generic ballot lead in steep rise

October 7th: President Hastert calls on Speaker to resign, says Foley scandal "very serious" and "would never have happened under my watch"

October 11th: Facing immense pressure, Speaker Boehner, Rep. Reynolds resign from leadership roles; sources say Boehner "furious at the President" for "shifting blame"

October 16th: House GOP selects Majority Leader Blunt, unmarred by Foley scandal, as new Speaker of the House

October 19th: BOEHNER DROPS BOMBSHELL: Claims he approached then-Speaker Hastert in spring 2006, told that Hastert will "take care of it"; President denies, calls Boehner "a desparate liar"

October 20th: Rep. Reynolds confirms he and Boehner approached Hastert; Minority Leader Pelosi says she is "disgusted" with President's inaction on "such vile deeds"

October 21st: Hastert claims he "doesn't recall" conversions with Boehner, Reynolds; Vice President Giuliani remains silent, reportedly "deeply concerned" with Hastert's handling of the scandal

October 23rd: "I take responsibility, but I've done nothing wrong": President Hastert dodging and deflecting and the public loses the trust it had left

October 27th: BREAKING NEWS: President Hastert testified before FBI on the issue of financial transactions

October 28th: Rumours swirl that FBI continues to investigate Hastert for cash withdrawals, payments to an "individual A"

October 29th: Brazilian election results in socialist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva winning an easy reelection against center-right candidate Geraldo Alckmin

October 30th: With ship almost sinking, Hastert gives address to the nation from Oval Office, assures that investigations are into "routine and unimportant actions that will soon be cleared out as unproblematic in any way"


If the start of the road for President Hastert's administration was littered with rocks, the next months were littered with boulder. The economy continued slowing and the Iraq War continued growing more and more unpopular, causing the President's support to decline even more. But the main issue on the table, that set aside all legislative priorities, was finding a Vice President. According to sources who would speak years later, Hastert was extremely frantic to find a good Vice President before the midterms, despite the role having no inherent role other than inheritance and tie-breaking in the Senate.

The first to be offered the role was Governor Jeb Bush, the late President's brother, in an attempt to sooth tensions in side the GOP. The next on the list was the respected Arizona Senator, John McCain. But when Bush and McCain both refused, Hastert and his team had the following short-list:

Fmr. Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA)
Fmr. Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)
Fmr. CEO Carly Fiorina (R-CA)
Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Governor Rick Perry (R-TX)
Fmr. Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)


Source: Flickr

In the end, Hastert made his choice- former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani. Despite concerns about Giuliani's past affairs and his moderate positions on social issues, the President decided that as a conservative, the former Mayor could help him shore up support with the moderates who disapproved of him in polls, and his national security credentials could help with the Republican Party's pro-Bush establishment. Additionally, Hastert desperately needed someone who'd get quickly confirmed in Congress and would boost his falling approval numbers before the midterm elections. Indeed, Giuliani didn't have much of a problem to be confirmed in the House. The Senate didn't prove a problem either, getting a majority of 68 (all 55 Republicans save for Chafee, independent Jim Jeffords and Democrats Pryor, Lincoln, Feinstein, Lieberman, Nelson (FL), Bayh, Landrieu, Baucus, Nelson (NE), Conrad, Dorgan, Johnson and Byrd). For a few days, the President's approvals rose, as America's Mayor was popular with the general public.

But then, things started to take a wrong turn for the GOP. The headlines speak for themselves. When the scandal of Rep. Tom Foley, the Deputy Whip of the GOP Caucus in the House, sending sexual emails and IMs to underage congressional pages, it took many victims. The first was Foley himself, who resigned immediately after explicit IMs were leaked, but then news started flowing that GOP leadership had knowledge of the emails. The second victim was GOP prospects in the upcoming midterms- numbers showed their numbers plummeting, and it became clear that Democrats are likely to retake congress. President Hastert, who was Speaker when the emails were initially brought to the attention of several congressmen, used his connections and influence to shift the blame on NRCC Chairman Tom Reynolds (R-NY) and Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), causing both of them to resign from their roles and become the next victims.

With the GOP Caucus in crisis mode, Majority Leader Roy Blunt (R-MO), an uncontroversial establishment figure, was chosen to replace former Speaker Boehner, who became a very short-lived leader. But then, both Boehner and Reynolds revealed under oath before the Ethics Committee that they informed Hastert of the Foley issue- and he did nothing about it. The story made waves, and Hastert's denials found no sympathy with Americans, whose approval of the President sank to historic lows. To make matters worse, the FBI investigation into several cash withdrawals leaked, and rumours started circulating in fringe left circles of an "individual A" being involved and receiving the payment.

It was disastrous- the public's trust in its leadership was already historically low following the shocking death of President Bush by his Vice President's accidental, and possibly negligent, actions and the Foley scandal. The notion that the new President covered up a possible sexual abuse of minors scandal and has his own corruption investigation crushed the public, and protests broke out all over the nation, from Portland to San Diego, calling on the entire leadership chain, from President Hastert to Vice President Giuliani to Speaker Blunt, to resign. Many of the protests turned into riots. The economy started slowing down rapidly as consumer and investor confidence plummeted, and terror attacks against American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan increased sharply. A mix of leadership, economic and national security crises was truly a poisonous combination for the social fabric of America.


Key Polling (November 2006)

President Dennis Hastert job approval (November 1st)
Disapprove- 71%
Approve- 22%
Unsure- 7%

Vice President Rudy Giuliani approval (November 1st)
Disapprove- 49%
Approve- 34%
Unsure- 17%

Speaker Roy Blunt approval (November 1st)
Disapprove- 41%
Approve- 38%
Unsure- 21%

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi approval (November 1st)
Approve- 45%
Disapprove- 41%
Unsure- 14%

Direction of the Country (November 1st)
Wrong Track- 79%
Right Track- 11%
Unsure- 10%

Generic Congressional Ballot- 2006
Democratic- 57%
Republican- 31%
Other\Undecided- 12%

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- 50%
Generic Republican- 41%
Others\Undecided- 9%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination in 2008?
President Dennis Hastert (R-IL)- 33%
Vice President Rudy Giuliani (R-NY)- 15%
Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL)- 14%
Fmr. Secretary Condoleezza Rice (R-CA)- 10%
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)- 7%
Fmr. First Lady Laura Bush (R-TX)- 5%
Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA)- 2%
Governor George Pataki (R-NY)- 2%
Others- 5%
Undecided- 7%

Who do you support for the Democratic nomination in 2008?
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)- 31%
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (D-TN)- 17%
Fmr. Senator John Edwards (D-NC)- 11%
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)- 10%
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)- 9%
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)- 4%
Fmr. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD)- 2%
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE)- 1%
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)- 1%
Others- 4%
Undecided- 10%

[America Needs R'hllor]

The 2006 Midterms (Part 1)


Sources: Wikipedia Commons

The week before the November 7th midterms wasn't any better for the GOP than the weeks before. The headlines were still filled with news of the Foley Scandal, the economic slowdown and the quagmire in Iraq when it was reported that the FBI investigation into the President's cash withdrawals continued despite the President's testimony. A day later, FBI Director Mueller confirmed that the FBI is "having a good look" at the President's "financial conduct and financial relations", but that it would be "unfair" to talk about the details and that the public should "wait with patience, and hope this turns out to be nothing". This was seen as a confirmation for the rumours that Hastert was paying someone, reportedly an "individual A". Mueller also asked the media not to "circulate conspiracy theories and inaccuracies, for the good of the country". But still, the headlines were filled by the story and America's trust in the President and his party was much lower than even during the Watergate Scandal. Democrats were bracing for a midterm landslide, but when it came it shocked even optimistic members of the party.

U.S. Senate Elections, 2006

Senate Election Results by state:

Arizona- A usually reliably but not overwhelmingly conservative state, Democrats saw an opportunity here as the President's approvals fell sharply. By the time the September primary for the seat came around, polls showed presumptive Democratic nominee Jim Pederson still trailing the popular GOP Senator Jon Kyl, but by high single-digits. Many voters, especially independents and moderates, were strongly reluctant to vote for a Republican, even one as popular as Kyl, and many were just planning to stay home while liberal turnout was expected to be turbo-charged. So, with Pederson's consent, he was switched with Arizona Attorney General and former Mayor of Phoenix Terry Goddard, who was polling much better due to strong popularity and name-recognition. In one of the shocking results of the night, Goddard defeated the popular Kyl, who was reelected without major competition in 2000, by a decent margin.

Arizona Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Attorney General Terry Goddard- 49.5% ✓
Senator Jon Kyl (I)- 46.8%
Fmr. Sherriff Richard Mack- 3.7%

California- Even in a normal environment, the longtime Senator Dianne Feinstein wouldn't have to worry about reelection in the solidly Democratic California. 2006 was no different in that regard, and Feinstein easily defeated GOP nominee Richard Mountjoy, a former State Senator, by a landslide.

Connecticut- One of the most interesting Senate races in the country pitted incumbent Senator Joe Lieberman, who lost the Democratic primary and ran in an independent platform called "Connecticut for Lieberman", against the liberal insurgent who defeated him, businessman Ned Lamont. The Republican nominee, former Derby Mayor Alan Schlesinger, was a non-factor. Throughout the campaign, Lieberman was shown with strong leads against Lamont, gaining support from both conservatives and Democratic moderates. But as President Hastert's approvals crashed, and as Lamont ran more ads showing Lieberman praising him and supporting the unpopular war in Iraq, Lieberman's numbers declined. On election night, Lamont won a shocking upset, ensuring a more liberal Democrat in the Senate.

Connecticut Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Hold)
Businessman Ned Lamont- 47.3% ✓
Senator Joe Lieberman (I)- 46.6%
Fmr. Mayor Alan Schlesinger- 5.3%
Others- 0.8%

Delaware- Another solid Democratic state, incumbent Senator Tom Carper won an easy reelection here over Republican professor Jan Ting, with over 70% of the vote.

Florida- A very competitive state in normal cycles, this time Florida saw a popular incumbent, Bill Nelson, against LeRoy Collins Jr., a navy veteran and son of a former Governor by the same name, who was chosen the Republican nominee after no one of higher stature wished to run (Rep. Katherine Harris filed to run before dropping out and deciding to run for reelection to her House seat). Nelson won easily, the race called at poll-closing.

Florida Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Hold)
Senator Bill Nelson (I)- 66.3% ✓
Attorney LeRoy Collins Jr.- 32.6%
Others- 1.1%

Hawaii- After weathering a primary challenge from fellow Asian-American congressman Ed Case, incumbent Senator Daniel Akaka easily won reelection in that deeply Democratic state, defeating Republican State Representative Cynthia Thielen.

Indiana- Despite the foul national environment for Republicans, Senator Richard Lugar managed to distance himself from the Hastert administration and his popularity allowed him to win without a problem despite the Democrats presenting a challenger in the form of party chair Dan Parker.

Indiana Senate Election, 2006 (Republican Hold)
Senator Richard Lugar (I)- 59.1% ✓
Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker- 35.5%
Mr. Steve Osborn- 5.4%

Maine- Despite running in a liberal state like Maine, the popular incumbent GOP Senator Olympia Snowe, who described herself as a "liberal Republican" during the campaign and worked hard to differentiate herself from the Hastert administration, won an easy reelection against Democrat Jean Hay Bright, taking just over 60% of the vote and winning every county.

Maryland- In this solid Democratic state, the election saw an open seat as popular incumbent Paul Sabarnes decided to retire. After defeating former Rep. Kweisi Mfume and other candidates in the primary, Rep. Ben Cardin won the general election against the Republican nominee, Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, with ease despite expectations of a close race.

Maryland Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Hold)
U.S. Rep. Ben Cardin- 58.7% ✓
Lieutenant Governor Michael S. Steele- 39.5%
Others- 1.8%

Massachusetts- Ever since he announced that he'd run for reelection, there was little doubt that longtime incumbent Senator Ted Kennedy would win. Republican Kenneth Chase wasn't helped by the GOP's historic unpopularity, and Kennedy won with over 70% of the vote.

Michigan- Despite some speculation that incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow would be vulnerable, GOP nominee Oakland County Sherriff Michael Bouchard lost quite easily. With the economic slowdown hurting Michigan especially, with over 8% unemployment, and the President deeply unpopular, Stabenow won with over 60% of the vote.

Michigan Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Hold)
Senator Debbie Stabenow (I)- 60.4% ✓
Sherriff Michael Bouchard- 38.3%
Others- 1.3%

Minnesota- A normally liberal state, Minnesota was no different in an anti-GOP year like 2006. Incumbent DFL senator Mark Dayton retired, citing his displeasure with Washington, D.C., but Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic nomination and the general election with ease, defeating Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy.

Minnesota Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Hold)
County Attorney Amy Klobuchar- 59.9% ✓
U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy- 35.8%
Others- 4.3%

Mississippi- Despite an unpopular Republican administration, Republican Senator Trent Lott was still popular in his state and received opposition from little-known African American State Representative Eric Flemming, leading to an easy if closer than expected reelection with 59% of the vote.

Missouri- In one of the night's ten Democratic gains, Republican Senator Jim Talent, elected in a 2002 special election, was defeated by Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill. A close race throughout the election, McCaskill ran a very strong campaign despite a financial disadvantage. In the end, the GOP's unpopularity was what killed Talent, who lost by a decent margin.

Missouri Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
State Auditor Claire McCaskill- 50.7% ✓
Senator Jim Talent (I)- 45.7%
Others- 3.6%

Montana- The Democratic Party's third gain for the night was with Montana State Senator Jon Tester, who ran a charismatic campaign, using his folksy image and fabulous flattop to defeat three-term incumbent Conrad Burns, whose involvement in the Jack Abramoff scandal and in the unpopular GOP made him very vulnerable.

Montana Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
State Senator Jon Tester- 49.3% ✓
Senator Conrad Burns (I)- 47.8%
Mr. Stan Jones- 2.9%

Nebraska- Despite it being a solid conservative state, Nebraska did not give trouble to its popular moderate Democratic Senator, Ben Nelson, who defeated businessman Pete Ricketts with over 65% of the vote in a favourable year.

Nevada- One of the most surprising contests of the night was in Nevada. Incumbent Republican John Ensign was considered a popular Senator despite his conservative positions and support for the Iraq War. However, as the mood soured on the GOP and the war both, he started losing ground. The Democrats, initially considered likely to nominate Jack Carter, navy veteran and son of former President Carter, were concerned by April 2006 that Carter's inexperience and recent arrival to the state (2002) will be a hurdle in a now-winnable race. In what became a trend in several Senate races now seen as winnable (such as Arizona), the Democrats saw a new candidate entering in the last moment- longtime Rep. Shelly Berkley. On election night, Berkley narrowly unseated Ensign.

Nevada Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
U.S. Rep. Shelly Berkley- 48.8% ✓
Senator John Ensign (I)- 48.3%
Others- 2.9%

New Jersey- In a relatively liberal state, the appointed Senator Bob Menendez received a fairly strong challenger in the form of the moderate Thomas Kean, Jr., son of a former Governor. However, despite astrong showing in early polls, Kean lost handily on election night as the GOP's unpopularity sank him.

New Jersey Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Hold)
Senator Bob Menendez (I)- 55.3% ✓
State Senator Thomas Kean, Jr.- 43.9%
Others- 0.8%

New Mexico- Despite being a close state on the federal level, New Mexico gave its incumbent Democratic Senator, Jeff Bingaman, an easy reelection with over 70% of the vote against GOP nominee Allen McCulloch.

New York- Former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer, the GOP nominee for the seat, nevver had any chance against the popular Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, a likely 2020 Presidential contender. As New Yorkers measured the stability of the Clinton years against the Bush-Cheney-Hastert years, the decision became even easier and the Senator won with over 70% of the vote.

North Dakota- After the wildly popular GOP Governor John Hoeven declined to run, another deeply conservative state became an easy race for a popular Democratic incumbent. Senator Kent Conrad defeated his Republican opponent, Dwight Grotberg, with almost 70%.

Ohio- Another gain for the Democratic Party, Ohio saw an unpopular incumbent Senator, Mike DeWine, facing off against a popular progressive Democrat, Sherrod Brown, former Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Representative. National Republicans had to triage this race as Brown's polling leads became insurmountable, and he won with ease.

Ohio Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown- 58.5% ✓
Senator Mike DeWine (I)- 41.5%

Pennsylvania- Similar to Ohio, Pennsylvania had an unpopular Republican, the deeply socially conservative Rick Santorum, against a popular Democrat, Stete Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. In election night, Casey won easily.

Pennsylvania Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.- 60.2% ✓
Senator Rick Santorum (I)- 39.8%

Rhode Island- A liberal northeastern state, Rhode Island saw an interesting Senate race. The liberal Republican Senator, Lincoln Chafee, initially tried to run for reelection, challenged by the more conservative Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey in the primary. However, in September he dropped a bomb by announcing he was leaving the Republican Party and would run for reelection as an independent, promising to caucus with the Democrats if he won. However, Republicans nominated Laffey instead, and the Democratic former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse won the three-way race easily. Asked if he thought his defeat would help the country by giving control of the Senate to Democrats, Chafee replied "honestly, yes".

Rhode Island Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Fmr. Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse- 46.3% ✓
Senator Lincoln Chafee (I)- 27.1%
Mayor Steve Laffey- 26.6%

Tennessee- Expected to be one of the closest races in the nation, the Tennessee election pitted moderate New Democrat Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. against Republican former Mayor of Chattanooga Bob Corker. In the end, after a close and nasty campaign, the national anti-GOP winds blew away Corker and Ford was able to secure another Democratic gain. Ford became Tennessee's first African American Senator and the first Demorat to win a seat since 1994.

Tennessee Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr.- 50.3% ✓
Fmr. Mayor Bob Corker- 48.9%
Others- 0.8%

Texas- If you had to ask a random observer which Senate seat was the most interesting in 2006, they'd probably reply 'Texas'. In the strongly conservative state, a very unique situation was created. The deceased President Bush was extremely popular in the state, as its former Governor, and his death by former President Cheney created deep hostility towards the former Vice President. When President Hastert granted him a pardon, much of the hostility was directed to him, and the slowing economy and scandal-filled month of September harmed the GOP even more. The incumbent Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, was popular and uncontroversial as she ran for a third term. But Democrats saw a prominent candiate entering in the form of the liberal U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, an Iraq War opponent. In the subsequent election, Doggett ran a strong campaign that focused on the economy and on moral issues, painting Hutchinson, who many criticized for "sleeping on the wheel", as a blank-check supporter of the "corrupt GOP leadership" and for the unpopular President Hastert. Doggett made a point in one of the deabtes to say that he'd "never have pardoned Cheney". Come election night, Doggett shockingly won by a narrow margin.

Texas Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett- 48.9% ✓
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (I)- 48.6%
Mr. Scott Jameson- 2.5%


The new Senator from Texas, Lloyd Doggett (source: Flickr)

Utah- A safe Republican state with an uncontroversial incumbent, Utah reelected Senator Orrin Hatch over Democrat CEO Pete Ashdown, with a little under 60%.

Vermont- The liberal northeastern state saw an open seat as independent Senator Jim Jeffords decided to retire. Republican Businessman Richard Tarrant was swept aside by U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent endorsed by the Democratic Party.

Virginia- The Democrats' tenth pickup in the Senate, Virginia certainly saw an interesting race. The Republican incumbent, George Allen, was running for a second term and also served as a Governor in the past, making him a tough opponent. Democrats had a close race- the frontrunner was Jim Webb, decorated Vietnam veteran and former Secretary of the Navy under President Reagan, a moderate who supported right-to-work laws and opposed gun control. Against him stood businessman Harris Miller and a late entry- former Lieutenant Governor Don Beyer. Before the election, Miller dropped out and endorsed Beyer, who went on to beat Webb in an upset. In the general election, the political winds ended up triumphant, and despite the candidate perceived "more electable" losing the primary, Allen lost his Senate seat to the blue wave.

Virginia Senate Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Fmr. Lt. Gov. Don Beyer- 51.4% ✓
Senator George Allen (I)- 47.0%
Others- 1.6%

Washington- In the liberal west coast state, the Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell didn't have much trouble winning a second term, despite being seen as vulnerable early on. She beat Republican CEO Mike McGavick with over 60% of the vote.

West Virginia- Despite the state's rapid move right, incumbent Democrat Robert Byrd was popular, and beat minor challenger John Raese, a perenniel candidate, with over 65% of the vote.

Wisconsin- A state that usually can elect Republicans, Wisconsin gave no chance to Robert Lorge, who tried to challenge popular incumbent Democrat Herb Kohl in an unfavourable year and lost badly.

Wyoming- The solid conservative western state didn't give popular incumbent Senator Craig L. Thomas defeating his Democratic challenger, Dale Groutage.

[America Needs R'hllor]

The 2006 Midterms (Part 2)


Sources: Wikipedia Commons

U.S. House Elections, 2006



The 2006 House of Representatives election was a bloodbath for Republicans- Democrats flipped as many as 65 seats, taking a decisive majority of 267 seats against 168 Republicans. This ensures no majority in the House for any White House initiative without the consent of the next Speaker, Nancy Pelosi from California, who'd become the first woman Speaker in Unites States history, the woman who reached the highest position ever.

One notable result included President Hastert's former district, IL-14, where Democratic physicist Bill Foster defeated Republican businessman Jim Oberweis, Hastert's handpicked successor. 38 years old Iraq veteran Tammy Duckworth, who lost her legs in war, won election in Illinois' 6th district. Veteran Scott Kleeb won election against Republican Adrian Smith in the deep-red NE-3 district. And Democrats won Wyoming's at-large district for the first time since 1976 with businessman Gary Trauner.

If you have any questions on House results, hit me up!

U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 2006

U.S. Gubernatorial Results by State:

Alabama- In the Heart of Dixie, conservativism managed to defy the national winds. Governor Bob Riley managed to sweep aside a challenge from Democratic Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley with over 50%, despite a closer-than-expected race with Baxley winning 47% of the vote.

Alaska- The state of Alaska had a certainly interesting gubernatorial race. In the GOP primary, unpopular Governor Frank Murkowski was defeated by a landslide by Sarah Palin, former Wasilla Mayor, coming third behind former State Senator John Binkley. Democrats nominated former Governor Tony Knowles. It was a close race throughout, but the anti-GOP mood reached all the way to the cold north and gave Knowles the victory, the Democrats reclaiming the Governor's mansion in the state.

Alaska Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Fmr. Governor Tony Knowles- 45.4% ✓
Fmr. Mayor Sarah Palin- 42.7%
Fmr. State Rep. Andrew Halcro- 10.7%
Others- 1.2%

Arizona- Despite running for reelection in a Republican state, Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano was widely popular and, helped by the national environment, defeated former Center for Arizona Policy President Len Munsil with 65% of the vote.

Arkansas- With the incumbent Governor, conservative Republican Mike Huckabee, term-limited, Arkansas had a competitive race for the open seat. In the end, the Democratic nominee and Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe surged on his popularity to handily beat former U.S. Representative Asa Hutchinson.

Arkansas Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Attorney General Mike Beebe- 58.5% ✓
Fmr. U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson- 37.6%
Others- 3.9%

California- In the liberal western state, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a moderate Republican, managed to narrowly avoid the strong national winds (or, some say, tornadoes) against his party. He defeated State Treasurer Phil Angelides by a narrow margin.

California Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Republican Hold)
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (I)- 47.0% ✓
State Treasurer Phil Angelides- 45.3%
Others- 7.7%

Colorado- In Colorado, Democrats captured the Governor's mansion with former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez handily on the back of the blue wave, replacing the term-limitted Republican Bill Owens.

Colorado Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Fmr. District Attorney Bill Ritter- 59.1% ✓
U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez- 38.6%
Others- 2.3%

Connecticut- Just like in the Senate race, an anti-GOP, anti-war, liberal wave hit Connecticut on the gubernatorial level. Incumbent Republican Jodi Rell, a relatively moderate and very popular Governor, was shocked when the Democratic nominee, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, defeated her by a razor-thin margin.

Connecticut Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz- 49.3% ✓
Governor Jodi Rell (I)- 49.1%
Others- 1.6%

Florida- In one of the most surprising gubernatorial races, Florida avoided the strong anti-GOP wave and elected a Republican to replace the popular but term-limited Jeb Bush- Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist narrowly defeated Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Davis. This victory is attributed to a couple factors- one is the differentiation of Governor Bush from the Hastert Administration after his vocal criticism of the Chenney pardon. The second is that Crist himself worked extrmely hard to present himself as a moderate to liberal Republican in the general election, promising to "break from Hastert".

Florida Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Republican Hold)
Attorney General Charlie Crist- 49.5% ✓
U.S. Rep. Jim Davis- 48.1%
Others- 2.4%

Georgia- Another surprising result came from Georgia. There, the popular conservative incumbent Sonny Perdue was narrowly defeated by Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor, which served to show just how far the anti-GOP and anti-Hastert sentiment went- even the conservative Georgia didn't reelect its Governor.

Georgia Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor- 47.9% ✓
Governor Sonny Perdue (I)- 46.6%
Mr. Garrett Hayes- 4.5%

Hawaii- Initially, Hawaii Democrats didn't bother finding any major opponent for incumbent Republican Governor Linda Lingle, who was popular and considered non-partisan by many. However, as the national mood soured on Republicans, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie was successfully recruited to run for the seat. His campaign successfully painted Lingle as a conservative and partisan Republican, pointing out her role as temporary chair of the 2004 RNC in the absence of President Hastert. Come election night, Abercrombie won by a landslide.

Hawaii Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie- 57.6% ✓
Governor Linda Lingle (I)- 40.6%
Others- 1.8%

Idaho- In this deeply conservative western state, Republicans managed to escape embarrassment when U.S. Rep. and former Lieutenant Governor Butch Otter won over newspaper publisher Democrat Jerry Brady to replace Governor Jim Risch (who ran for Lieutenant Governor, the post he held before Governor Kempthorne was appointed Interior Secretary). But it was closer than expected- Otter won just 49.5% to Brady's 46.8%.

Illinois- In this Democratic-leaning state, there was little doubt that Democrats could hold the Governor's Mansion. Indeed, Governor Rod Blagojevitch won reelection against Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka with over 50%, despite a strong campaign by Green Party nominee Rich Whitney, who won double digits.

Iowa- The popular Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack was term-limited, but with a favourable environment, Secretary of State Chet Culver had little problem beating Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle with 55%.

Kansas- Despite the state being solidly Republican on a federal level, popular Democratic incumbent Kathleen Sebelius easily won reelection against Republican State Senator Jim Barnett, taking over 60% of the vote.

Maine- Another Democratic hold, Maine gave a reelection victory to Democrat John Baldacci, who swept away opposition from Republican State Senator Chandler Woodcock, Independent State Representative Barbara Merrill, and Green Pat LaMarche.

Maine Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Hold)
Governor John Baldacci (I)- 40.8% ✓
State Rep. Barbara Merrill- 25.7%
State Senator Chandler Woodcock- 22.3%
Activist Pat LaMarche- 10.4%
Others- 0.8%

Maryland- In this northeastern Democratic-leaning state, Republican incumbent Bob Ehrlich wasn't particularly popular. Coupled with a terrible national environment, his chances were very slim, and he was indeed defeated by the Democrat, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, who won over 55% of the vote.

Massachusetts- With the retirement of the popular Governor Mitt Romney, a rumoured 2008 Presidential candidate, Democrats seemed poised to take the governor's mansion in such a year. Indeed, civil right attorney Deval Patrick easily won, defeating Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey with over 60%.

Michigan- With a relatively-contested Senate race, Republicans fielded self-funding businessman and donor Dick DeVos to challenge progressive Governor Jennifer Granholm. It proved to be a disaster, as she won with over 60%.

Minnesota- In this liberal-leaning state, Governor Tim Pawlenty was relatively popular, but also not considered particularly moderate. With the national mood turning increasingly against the GOP, Pawlenty struggled to hold on, but it proved to be in vain- Democrat Mark Dayton, who retired from the Senate and ran for Governor, defeating Attorney General Mike Hatch in his party's primary, beat Pawlenty and incumbent Independence Party nominee Peter Hutchinson handily.

Minnesota Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Senator Mark Dayton- 48.4% ✓
Governor Tim Pawlenty (I)- 42.4%
Businessman Peter Hutchinson- 8.2
Others- 1.0%

Nebraska- One of the lone seats retained by the GOP, Nebraska reelected Governor Dave Heineman, a conservative Republican, in tandem with Democratic Senator Ben Nelson, both with landslides.

Nevada- The "blue tsunami" truly reached Nevada. While Senator John Ensign was shockingly beaten by Shelly Berkley, U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, the Republican nominee for Governor to replace the retiring Kenny Guinn from the same party, was handily beaten, as well. The woman who silently snapped his neck was Dina Titus, a State Senator dubbed by Senator Harry Reid "the most powerful woman in Nevada".

Nevada Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
State Senator Dina Titus- 46.9% ✓
U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons- 43.6%
Others- 9.5%

New Hampshire- The popular Democratic Governor John Lynch won a crushing 75% against his opponent, State Rep. Jim Coburn, to no one's surprise.

New Mexico- Another non-surprise, Democratic Governor Bill Richardson coasted to reelection with almost 70% of the vote against businessman John Dendahl.

New York- With popular Republican George Pataki retiring, Democrats gained the Governor's mansion in this liberal state, with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer easily winning against former State Assemblyman John Faso.

Ohio- Republican Governor Bob Taft was both term-limited and historically unpopular. With the GOP President also deeply unpopular, Democrat U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland easily won against Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, winning north of 60% of the vote.

Oklahoma- In this conservative state, Democratic Governor Brad Henry was very popular and had no issue getting reelected handily over Republican U.S. Rep. Ernie Istook.

Oregon- Another easy reelection went to Democrat Ted Kulongoski, who won over 50% of the vote against Republican former Portland Schoolboard Chairman Ron Saxton.

Pennsylvania- Governor Ed Rendell, a popular Democratic incumbent, easily beat back a challenger from Republican basketball playet Lynn Swann, winning north of 60%.

Rhode Island- While Sheldon Whitehouse took the Senate seat from now-indepdendent Lincoln Chafee, Democrats also beat the Republican Governor, Don Carcieri, a social conservative, who lost to Democratic Lieutenant Governor Charlie Fogarty.

Rhode Island Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty- 51.5% ✓
Governor Don Carcieri (I)- 48.5%

South Carolina- As the national mood soured on the GOP, Democrats increasingly saw incumbent Governor Mark Sanford, a conservative Republican, as a target. However, Sanford's popularity and the state's rightward lean was hard to overcome, and he defeated State Senator Tommy Moore 53%-47%.

South Dakota- The popular Republican incumbent, Mike Rounds, avoided the national mood and won with over 65% over Democratic State Rep. Jack Billion.

Tennessee- The wildly popular Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen easily won reelection, taking over 70% of the vote against State Senator Jim Bryson. This also likely helped Harold Ford Jr., the victorious Senate nominee.

Texas- With a fascinating Senate race, Texas also delivered in the gubernatorial front. The anti-Hastert mood did not escape Democrats here, and they hoped centrist U.S. Rep. Chris Bell would help them defeat their opponent. Governor Rick Perry, who assumed office after President Bush's election in 2000 and won reelection in 2002, was running again, but his approvals plummeted after he botched several issues on the state level, coupled with the slower economy and the anti-GOP national mood. He was also challenged by State Comptroller Carole Keeton 'Grandma' Strayhorn, a moderate Republican running an independent bid and accusing Perry of incompetence, and the populist country singer Kinky Friedman. During September, as the GOP's prospects turned dim nationally, Grandma dropped out of the race and endorsed Bell, changing her party registration to independent. Coupled with a surge for the populist Friedman, who took a lot of conservative voters disillusioned with Perry, allowed Bell to win by an upset and take back the Texas Governor's mansion for the Democratic Party.

Texas Gubernatorial Election, 2006 (Democratic Gain)
U.S. Rep. Chris Bell- 42.9% ✓
Governor Rick Perry (I)- 39.8%
Mr. Kinky Friedman- 15.3%
State Comptroller Carole Keeton 'Grandma' Strayhorn- 1.3%
Mr. James Werner- 0.7%

Vermont- The state continued its streak of electing moderate Republicans, reelecting Jim Douglas despite the national mood. Douglas won with 54% over Democrat Scudder Parker.

Wisconsin- Initially thought to be competitive, the challenge of U.S. Rep. Mark Green to incumbent Democrat Jim Doyle quickly turned sour, together with the national anti-GOP sentiment. Doyle won with almost 55% of the vote.

Wyoming- Despite being arguably the most Republican state in the nation, Wyoming granted its popular Democratic Governor, Dave Freudenthal, an easy reelection of over 70% against Republican Ray Hunkins.

2006 Midterm Results Overview

Composition of the U.S. Senate, 2007

Democratic Majority: 55 Seats
Democrats: 54 Seats ↑ (+9)
Indepdndents: 1 Seat (+-0)

Republican Minority: 45 Seats
Republicans: 45 Seats ↓ (-9)

Senate Leadership:
Senate Majority Leader: Harry Reid (D-NV)
Senate Majority Whip: Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Senate Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Senate Minority Whip: Trent Lott (R-MS)

Composition of the U.S. House of Representatives, 2007
Democratic Party: 267 ↑ (+65)
Republcian Party: 168 ↓ (-64)

House Leadership:
House Speaker: Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
House Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
House Majority Whip: Jim Clyburn (D-SC)
House Minority Leader: Roy Blunt (R-MO)
House Minority Whip: Eric Cantor (R-VA)

Composition of U.S. Governorships, 2007

Democrats: 36 States ↑ (+14)
Republicans: 14 States ↓ (-14)

[America Needs R'hllor]

Note: I really enjoy writing this TL. The chaos is great, it's a complete mess and I love it. However, considering where this is going with the Republican Party in a veeeery uncomfortable position (don't worry though, the right will come back! It always does), it will probably not continue for a long time- I will of course see it through to a satisfying end, but after a point it'll probably not be terribly interesting. So after it's done I'm looking to either continue an old project or start a new one that will span more years, or something else- we'll see! Also, I'd love to hear your opinions on this one

[America Needs R'hllor]

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

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

[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%

[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%

[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)

[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.

[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.