The Great Crisis

[DeSantis4Prez]

Feburary 6, 2020 - State of the Union Address

"We will have a great 4 more years under my administration. We will work towards bipartisan co-operation in the House and in the Senate, working with Democrats and-"

"We have lost feed for the State of the Union address, and our technical analysts are working towards getting that back"

*3 minutes later*

"We are now getting reports that there has been an explosion at the Capitol. We do now know any other details except for this. Here is a live look in at the capitol:"

[DeSantis4Prez]

February 6, 2020 - Undisclosed Location

”Let’s see if Trump includes something about HHS. He promised a budget increase, and he may be my friend, but he isn’t very trustworthy”

*feed cuts*

”S**t, can someone get the feed back on?

Secret Service Agent - “Mr. Secretary, we need to get to the White House right now.”

Azar - “Holy s**t”

[Morgan Kingsley]

That was fast

[brucejoel99]

Soooo... Designated Survivor, the Atlas version??

[alancia]

Interesting... looking forward for more.

[Democrat 2028]

Soooo... Designated Survivor, the Atlas version??

[BigVic]

I’m intrigued.

[DeSantis4Prez]

February 6, 2020 - White House


"I, Alex Michael Azar II do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me god."

That was it. Alex Azar, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, someone whom President Trump was most likely going to fire soon, is now the 46th President of the United States. With the junior staff of President Trump remaining, President Azar was ready to make a public statement on the tragedy that had just occurred. Written by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Emma Doyle and the Director of Strategic Communication, Mercedes Schlapp, President Azar was ready to speak to the American people.

"My fellow Americans. Tonight, we experienced the greatest attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. We lost many great people, including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and many others... We will get through this difficult time. And I assure you that I will serve this country well, and we will find the people responsible for this great tragedy and bring them to justice for what they did."

[DeSantis4Prez]

Soooo... Designated Survivor, the Atlas version??

Basically, yes

[DeSantis4Prez]

Feburary 10, 2020 - Azar to appoint Senior Staff

Every President needs a good staff to help him run the nation. After 4 tumultous days of the Azar Administration, roles are being filled to help Azar run the country.

Chief of Staff: Brian Harrison



After numerous media reports surfaced that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Emma Doyle would ascend to the permanent position of White House Chief of Staff, it was almost certain Ms. Doyle would be the first female Chief of Staff. But, President Azar decided to pick Brian Harrison, his Chief of Staff at HHS.

White House Press Secretary: Hogan Gidley

Deputy Secretary Gidley was the principal candidate for Press Secretary, and has been officialy appointed to that role.

National Security Advisor & Senior Advisor to the President: John Bolton



Bolton retired in January 2020, but has decided to come back to help Azar in his early presidency.

White House Communications Director & Director of Strategic Communications: Mercedes Schlapp



Schlapp will stay in her role as Strategic Communications director, and will also assume the role of Communications Director.

[DeSantis4Prez]

February 15, 2020 - Special Elections to occur on the 28th; Tulsi Gabbard speaks out

Represenative Tulsi Gabbard was supposed to deliver the Democratic address to the State of the Union. She is now the lone member of congress until March 3, 2020- when the new congress will be sworn in. If the Democrats retain control in the House, it seems that Tulsi Gabbard will, in fact, become the Speaker of the House.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Pictures without proper attribution showing they're public domain will be deleted as copyright violation (wikimedia commons pictures are an exception, no need for the attribution here).

[Ilhan Apologist]

Good lord, what a nightmare

[Captain Chaos]

Who were appointed to the US Senate?

[Zharques]

Who were appointed to the US Senate?

A lot of 9/11 timelines I've seen often go for 50/50 senate splits, so that would be interesting...

[LabourJersey]

Who wins in Iowa in this TL? How do the Democrats handle holding primaries in the middle of a national crisis?

[DeSantis4Prez]

Back from a month vacation, and getting back to this.

Good lord, what a nightmare

Indeed.

Who were appointed to the US Senate?

Working on that now.

Who wins in Iowa in this TL? How do the Democrats handle holding primaries in the middle of a national crisis?

You'll see.

Cabinet and Senate coming soon

[DeSantis4Prez]

Senate Appointees

Alabama:
1. Judge Roy Moore
2. Fmr. Senator Luther Strange

Alaska:
1. Fairbanks Mayor Jim Matherly
2. Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer

Arizona:
1. Governor Doug Ducey
2. State AG Mark Brnovich

Arkansas:
1. State AG Leslie Rutledge
2. Governor Asa Hutchinson

California:
1. Fmr. Senator Barbara Boxer
2. Fmr. State Sen. Kevin de Léon

Colorado:
1. Fmr. Sec. of the Interior Ken Salazar
2. Fmr. Governor John Hickenlooper

Connecticut:
1. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin
2. State Comptroller Kevin Lembo

Delaware:
1. Fmr. State AG Matthew Denn
2. Fmr. Governor Jack Markell

Florida:
1. State AG Pam Bondi
2. Fmr. Rep. Connie Mack IV

Georgia:
1. Fmr. Governor Nathan Deal
2. Fmr. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle

Hawaii:
1. Governor David Ige
2. Fmr. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa

*de facto House Speaker Tulsi Gabbard was offered the appointment but declined.*

Idaho:
1. Fmr. Governor Butch Otter
2. Fmr. Rep. Raúl Labrador

Illinois:
1. Fmr. State Sen. Daniel Biss
2. State AG Lisa Madigan

Indiana:
1. Fmr. Rep. Luke Messer
2. Fmr. Rep. Todd Rokita

Iowa:
1. County Prosecutor Matt Schultz
2. Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg

Kansas:
1. Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers
2. Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer

Kentucky:
1. Fmr. State Senator David L. Williams
2. Lt. Gov. Ralph Alvarado

Louisiana:
1. Fmr. Mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu
2. Fmr. Senator Mary Landrieu

Maine:
1. State Senator Troy Jackson
2. State SoS Matthew Dunlap

Maryland:
1. County Executive Barry Glassman
2. Fmr. RNC Chair Michael Steele

Massachusetts:
1. Amb. to NZ Scott Brown
2. Fmr. Governor Bill Weld

Michigan:
1. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
2. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II

Minnesota:
1. Fmr. State AG Lori Swanson
2. Fmr. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak

Mississippi:
1. Governor Phil Bryant
2. Fmr. Sen. Trent Lott

Missouri:
1. State SoS Jay Ashcroft
2. Fmr. State Rep. Tim Jones

Montana:
1. Governor Steve Bullock
2. Fmr. Governor Brian Schweitzer

Nebraska:
1. Fmr. Senator Mike Johanns
2. Bank President Sid Dinsdale

Nevada:
1. Fmr. County Commissioner Rory Reid
2. North Vegas Mayor John Jay Lee

New Hampshire:
1. Fmr. Senator Kelly Ayotte
2. Fmr. Senator John E. Sununu

New Jersey:
1. Fmr. Assemblyman John Wisniewski
2. State Senator Stephen M. Sweeney

New Mexico:
1. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales
2. State AG Hector Balderas

New York:
1. Mr. Andrew Yang
2. Fmr. Amb. Caroline Kennedy

North Carolina:
1. Fmr. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx
2. Fmr. Senator Kay Hagan

North Dakota:
1. Fmr. Rep. Rick Berg
2. Fmr. Governor Jack Dalrymple

Ohio:
1. Fmr. Governor John Kasich
2. Fmr. Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor

Oklahoma:
1. Fmr. Governor Mary Fallin
2. Fmr. EPA  Admin. Scott Pruitt

Oregon:
1. State AG Ellen Rosenblum
2. State Senator Peter Courtney

Pennsylvania:
1. Fmr. Rep. Joe Sestak
2. Fmr. State Official Katie McGinty

Rhode Island:
1. Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee
2. State Senator Michael McCaffrey

South Carolina:
1. State Senator Shane Massey
2. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

South Dakota:
1. Fmr. Lt. Gov. Matt Michels
2. Fmr. Rep. Mark Mickelson

Tennessee:
1. Fmr. Senator Bob Corker
2. Fmr. Governor Bill Haslam

Texas:
1. Land Comm. George P. Bush
2. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

Utah:
1. Fmr. Rep. Jason Chaffetz
2. Fmr. Rep. Mia Love

Vermont:
1. State Senator Joe Benning
2. Fmr. Governor Jim Douglas

Virginia:
1. Fmr. Senator Jim Webb
2. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax

Washington:
1. Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib
2. State Senator Andy Billig

West Virginia:
1. Fmr. State Senator Bill Cole
2. State AG Patrick Morrisey

Wisconsin:
1. Mayor Paul Soglin
2. IAFF-WI President Mahlon Mitchell

Wyoming:
1. Mr. Dave Dodson
2. State SoS Ed Buchanan

Composition:
Republicans: 54
Democrats: 46

[DeSantis4Prez]

Senate Leaders:

President of the Senate: vacant
President pro tempore: vacant
Senate Majority Leader: John Kasich (R-OH)
- Senate Majority Whip: Trent Lott (R-MS)
Senate Minority Leader: John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
- Senate Minority Whip: Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

President pro tempore elections:

Doug Ducey (R-AZ)
Asa Hutchinson (R-AR)
Butch Otter (R-ID)
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
Bill Haslam (R-TN)
Bob Corker (R-TN)

[DeSantis4Prez]

President pro tempore election results:

1st ballot:

Ducey: 23
Corker: 15
Ayotte: 9
Otter: 3
Haslam: 2
Hutchinson: 2

Haslam and Hutchinson eliminated

2nd ballot:

Ducey: 26
Corker: 16
Ayotte: 9
Otter: 3

Otter eliminated

3rd ballot:

Ducey: 28
Corker: 17
Ayotte: 9

Ayotte eliminated

4th ballot:

Ducey: 35
Corker: 19

Ducey wins on 4th ballot

Senate Leaders:

President of the Senate: vacant
President pro tempore: Doug Ducey (R-AZ)
Senate Majority Leader: John Kasich (R-OH)
- Senate Majority Whip: Trent Lott (R-MS)
Senate Minority Leader: John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
- Senate Minority Whip: Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

[DeSantis4Prez]

Alex Azar Vice Presidential Shortlist:

Azar has compiled a 6 person shortlist of 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans to promote bi-partisanship.

Republicans:

Governor Brian Kemp from Georgia
Governor Ron DeSantis from Florida
Senator Leslie Rutledge from Arkansas

Democrats:

de facto Speaker Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii
Governor John Bel Edwards from Louisiana
Senator Anthony Foxx from North Carolina

[DeSantis4Prez]

Azar announces his pick for Vice President: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards


source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Bel_Edwards.jpg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Despite many media outlets thinking Gabbard and Rutledge would be chosen due to the possibility of the first female Vice President. But, Azar felt that no work would be done with Gabbard as VP, as her views are on the opposite side of the spectrum from his. Also, reports said that Gabbard would not accept the role, and would feel better leading the house through this troubling time and the upcoming November elections where a brand new, 435 person house will be elected.

Bill Weld and Jim Webb leave their parties; Webb will become an Independent, Weld will become the first Libertarian Senator in history. Reports say Webb and Weld may form a new, moderate party later, but for the time being they will become an Independent and a Libertarian, respectively.

Composition:
Republicans: 53 (-1)
Democrats: 45 (-1)
Libertarians: 1 (+1)
Independents: 1 (+1)

[DeSantis4Prez]

Bel Edwards confirmed 65-35; Sworn in by President Azar.

President Azar swore in now-Vice President John Bel Edwards at the White House. Azar plans to name his Cabinet soon, as well as his Supreme Court. He plans to have his Cabinet and Supreme Court appointed and confirmed by the November election, which has not even been touched upon by Azar. No candidates have declared for President, meaning Azar might try and push a bill through congress to delay the Presidential elections to the first Tuesday in January 2021 or February 2021.

[DeSantis4Prez]

The Azar Administration, 2020-

President of the United States: Alex Azar (R-IN)
Vice President of the United States: John Bel Edwards (D-LA)

Secretary of State: Jon Huntsman (R-UT)
Secretary of the Treasury: Glenn Hubbard (R-NY)
Secretary of Defense: Jim Talent (R-MO)
Attorney General: Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
Secretary of the Interior: Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
Secretary of Agriculture: Tim Huelskamp (R-KS)
Secretary of Commerce: Mike Huckabee (R-FL)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM)
Secretary of HUD: Pam Patenaude (I-PA)
Secretary of Transportation: Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN)
Secretary of Energy: Harold Hamm (R-OK)
Secretary of Education: Michelle Rhee (D-DC)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Thad Allen (I-MD)
Secretary of Homeland Security: Kris Kobach (R-KS)

[DeSantis4Prez]

All Cabinet members approved, installed

Alex Azar officially announces his intention to run for first full term as President in 2020, elections will be held in November. Biden will not run for Democrats.

Many candidates are avoiding running in this election in order to let the nation heal without a big political divide. Most are running for Senate or House in order to try and force another Presidential election in 2022, where partisans can return.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Andrew Yang running for President for the Democrats

These three will run for President on the Democratic side, but de Blasio and Buttigieg will not campaign heavily.