Out to Pasture (2020 Election Game) Gameplay Thread

[Cabbage]

So, since we're in gameplay mode anyway, at this point...

The 2020 campaign cycle begins in earnest with eleven Democrats and six Republicans vying for the top job. On the Democratic side, the field has been shaken badly by the recent animus against 65+ politicians, as it leaves four top contenders, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg, out in the cold. This has left an extremely volatile Democratic field, from which no one has yet emerged as a frontrunner. On the Republican front, President Mike Pence seemingly leads the pack, but it would be foolhardy to call him untouchable, especially with everyone from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to the former President's own daughter running against him. With that, the phrase of the day seems to be this: Game on!

[McGovernite]

Gillibrand Response to Pence Tax Plan

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/09/politics/kirsten-gillibrand-fbomb/index.html

Well, once again, the Middle Class is cut out. President Pence has decided that he will prioritize his Corporate buddies, instead of the farmers in Iowa, or the Single Mother in Nevada. It's shameful. He is cutting the Corporate Tax Rate by 6 percent, and cut the Income Tax for the richest in America by 3 percent. Why are they paying less? His logic makes no sense, and is an embarrassment to the American People. As President, I will reverse this Tax Plan, and institute a Fair Plan that cuts taxes for those that do the most, but make the least, and increase the tax for the Top 1 Percent. We must change this country for the better.

[RGM2609]

Mike Pence @presidentpence

I don't know why the Democrats are unable to read the bill! Kirsten Gillibrand just said that the middle class is cut out, when over 70% of the cuts are going to them! This is absurd, and is frankly lying to the American people, trying to convince them not to back a bill designed to help them! A disgarace!

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

Credit: @NikkiHaley on Twitter

Fmr. South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley endorses Ivanka Trump for 2020

In a surprise move today, Fmr. South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley endorsed her successor as UN Ambassador Ivanka Trump for the Republican Nomination, a move strongly seen as solidifying the GOP’s powerful female bloc of voters and the critical primary state of South Carolina.

I am proud to announce my endorsement of @IvankaTrump for the 2020 Republican nomination! As a spectacular public servant and good friend, I’ve seen firsthand her tenacity, strength and conviction. She’s been hard at work advancing global women’s economic empowerment and promoting U.S. priorities around the globe at the UN. Our party needs a leader ready to take on the challenges of this new decade. Ivanka Trump is that leader. #Ivanka2020 #AmericaStrong

In the next couple weeks I’m excited to hit the ground running for @IvankaTrump. I invite everyone to join us as we kickoff @Ivanka2020 in Charleston, SC on January 28th.

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Ivanka Trump becomes first Republican to sign the No PAC Pledge

In a surprising move, Ivanka Trump has announced she will also sign on to the No PAC Pledge — a move clearly meant to differentiate herself from other Republicans running for President, and with an estimated net worth of $300 million, she will follow in her fathers footsteps of largely self financing her campaign in addition to an aggressive fundraising apparatus.

I am proud to be the first Republican to sign on to the #NoPACPledge. I want this to be a campaign for the people and of the people, millions of patriotic Americans coming together to stand up to the Washington elites and reclaim our country. I will not allow myself or this campaign to be beholden to any special interests — we need a President who is accountable to you, the American people, and only you. #NotForSale #AmericaStrong

[RGM2609]

Office of Managment and Budget @OMB

Just to be clear, the percentages reffered to in the tax bill are compared to what they previously paid. As such, the middle class will pay 35%+ less compared to what they paid before, and the other classes 3% less.

[McGovernite]

BRAVE WINS

Source: https://www.c-span.org/video/?458981-1/senator-gillibrand-holds-rally-trump-international-hotel-york-city

America, today we are embarking on a long, long adventure. We'll have our highs. We'll have our lows. But, we will never give up. We will never quiver at the sight of a challenge or competition. Nothing has ever been easy in my life. From running for Congress in a district where farm animals outnumbered Democrats, to running for Senate against a Corrupt Republican. Nothing has ever been easy, and I don't expect it to be. This race has so many great candidates, but I have something special to offer to the American People. I'm tested. I'm dedicated. I'm prepared. I am Brave. We need a President that is Brave, that won't back down at any point. I will never allow our country to become a laughing stock, as some Republicans like Mike Pence would do. This election, we must do something brave. We're going to take our message across this country. To Iowa, to New Hampshire, to Texas, to California, to Georgia, to Idaho, and everywhere else in this country. Together we will bridge this divide that the Republican Party has crafted, and put the issues that so many Americans hold dear. Medicare for All, Ending Wars, Comprehensive Gun Reform Legislation, and so much more. I hope that you all join me in this race, because this country is brave, always been, so let's elect a President that'll be Brave, together.

[OBD]

Bullock opposes Pence tax plan in statement

After reviewing the intricacies of the Pence tax plan, I have decided that I cannot in good conscience support its passage. While the plan does provide a generous reduction in taxes for the middle class, it does not do the same for those who need government aid the most - the lower class. It is, frankly, shameful how the working class gets the same tax reduction as the rich, who should be paying more than they currently are. The act also necessitates cuts in key programs, such as Obamacare, that provide instrumental service to many Montanans not blessed with a large bank account, and threatens to further unbalance the budget. Thus, I will join many of my Democratic colleagues in opposition to this misguided plan.

[VirginiaAaron]

TWEET:

@StaceyAbrams
President Pence and his crony capatalist friends have just announced their plan to lower taxes...for the top 1%. Join me and hold the 1% accountable!

[KaiserDave]

Tom Steyer Tweet

Credit to Prankmenot.com for fake tweet

Transcript: The Pence Tax Plan is a scam for and by GOP donors. It's time to take back our democracy for the people.

[RGM2609]

Mike Pence @presidentpence

#ReadTheBill

[RGM2609]

Mike Pence's press release

I must take my time to respond to Governor Bullock who, unlike the socialists and partisans from the Democratic Party, took the time to read the bill and came with an eloquent critique. For starters, the main goal of this plan was to boost the economy. So we gave tax cuts to the people who were most likely to spend the money they received. We concluded they were the middle class and the busniesses. By boosting the economy, everyone will benefit, including and perhaps mostly the lower class Americans. We decided not to give a big tax cut to the lower class Americans because it ultimately would have done nothing but increase the deficit, as their main contribution to the budget is through the payroll tax, not the income tax that this bill addresses. Besides, the lower class Americans will benefit greatly from the tax credits for child care, which will cover child care expenses for poor people for up to 4 kids or elderly dependents. We must pass this bill to help every American, including and most importantly the poor ones.

[Cabbage]

Since "alternate them" has basically won the poll at this point, and CNN came in as runner up, we'll be alternating but starting with CNN.

(All images below are from Wikimedia Commons)

Election Update 2020
with your hosts, Wolf Blitzer and John King


Blitzer: Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer.



King: And I'm John King. And we're here to bring you the first Election Update of this 2020 cycle.

Blitzer: And it's been a busy opening few weeks for the campaign as seventeen candidates, eleven Democrats and six Republicans including President Pence, have signalled a campaign. They are: President Pence, newly minted UN Ambassador Ivanka Trump, Senators Rand Paul from Kentucky, Rob Portman from Ohio, Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin, Cory Booker from New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand from New York, Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota, and Jeff Merkley from Oregon, Governors Steve Bullock of Montana and Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Representative Seth Moulton from Massachusetts, former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, entrepreneurs Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang, and conservative commentators Ben Shapiro and Alex Jones.

King: Out of breath yet, Wolf?

Blitzer: *laughs* I think I'll be fine. Numerous early endorsements coming in, as well. Abrams is being supported by former President Carter, Baldwin by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Booker by former President Obama, Bullock by former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, Gillibrand by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jones by fellow conservative commentator Gavin McInnes, Klobuchar by former Vice President Biden, Merkley by Senator Bernie Sanders, Moulton by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Paul by Senator Tim Scott, Pence by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Portman reportedly about to announce an endorsement from either former Ohio Governor John Kasich or Senator Josh Hawley, both of whom have shown support for his bid in recent days, Steyer endorsed by former New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, and Trump by former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

King: *blinks a couple of times* Seriously, Wolf, should I be concerned?

Blitzer: *takes drink of water* No, I'll be fine. Now, then, tonight we have a very special guest, Congressman Seth Moulton. Congressman, glad to have you on here.



Moulton: Glad to be here, Wolf. Always nice to come on here and talk about what matters to the American people.

Blitzer: And do that we shall. Congressman, you’re a Harvard grad, a Marine veteran, and proceeded to come home and get a double master’s degree, also from Harvard. For many other jobs, this would be viewed as an unbeatable resume. However, in political terms, you’re only a U.S. Representative, and no sitting Representative has won the White House since James A. Garfield in 1880. How do you intend to overcome this obstacle?

Moulton: Well, thanks you're making me blush, but you're right many of the political know it alls think I won't bring home the bacon in November. I'm happy to tell them they're wrong, you know who else had a resume like mine? Abraham Lincoln, we need to look at the person not the resume in deciding if they would be a great President. I'm telling you today that when the Democrats in Iowa go to their caucus in 2020, I will be among the forefront of not just Democrats, but Americans calling for change, this isn't an obstacle this is an advantage.

Blitzer: An advantage much needed in a field this size. If elected, you would be the youngest President in American history. Do you believe this would be an asset or a liability to you?

Moulton: This would be an obvious asset to my administration, for too long have the current day politicians been talking about passing the torch to the next generation. Here I am, it is time to pass the torch, and it is time for a new generation of Americans to lead in Washington.

Blitzer: Very much the feelings of the American public following President Trump's unfortunate stroke. If you do become the President, what will your first 100 days be like?

Moulton: As I outlined in my announcement in February, my first 100 days in office would be cornerstoned around enacting common-sense and meaningful gun control and expanding the Affordable Care Act to cover millions of more Americans and bringing in a public option. Since the new congress was elected hundreds of bills have been stopped by the Republican-controlled Senate, and with a new Democratic majority in the Senate, I believe we will make leaps and strides towards making America, a safer and healthier nation.

Blitzer: A strong message to run on in such a year as this. If you could say one thing to the American people tonight, what would it be?

Moulton: Say thank you tonight, to someone. If it is a family member, or a veteran just let them know you care. I remember when I returned from my first tour of duty in Iraq, and I felt alone and afraid, I had just witnessed some of the scariest things imaginable and I returned to a nation deeply divided and a war I opposed myself. I didn't fight because I felt like the war was a righteous or moral prerogative for our nation, but instead because of those men in my platoon when they raided an Al Qaeda safe house, I wanted them to know they could trust the man to their right if that man was me.

Blitzer: Congressman Moulton, always an honor to have you on here.

Moulton: Likewise, Wolf.

Blitzer: And that will be all for tonight. Join us on Tuesday (IRL) for our next Update, in which we interview Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.



Blitzer: Until then, I'm Wolf Blitzer.

King: And I'm John King.

Both: And this has been your Election Update.

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

Source: BBC
Nikki Haley Introduces Ivanka Trump at Charleston, SC rally - “A Leader prepared to fight for all of us”

It's great to be in South Carolina and even better to be in Charleston where I was born. It's fitting to be here at the Snowden House, the place that once served as the home of the Charleston Women's Club. I stand here today in front of many friends and family and my fellow South Carolinian’s to formally announce my endorsement of Ivanka Trump for President of the United States!

I wanted somebody with fight, I wanted somebody with passion, I wanted somebody who had the conviction to do the right thing, I also wanted somebody humble enough to remember she works for all the people. But most importantly, I wanted somebody who could show my parents that the best decision they ever made for their children was coming to America

If we elect Ivanka Trump, every day will be a great day in America. She’s a leader prepared to fight for all of us — for every American, no matter who you are, where you came from, or which political party you belong to. I was proud to serve in President Trump’s administration, standing up for our country and fighting for American interests around the globe — As a spectacular public servant and good friend, I’ve seen firsthand her tenacity, strength and conviction. She’s been hard at work advancing global women’s economic empowerment and promoting U.S. priorities around the globe at the UN. Our party needs a leader ready to take on the challenges of this new decade, and I believe Ivanka Trump is that leader.

And so without further adieu, I would like to introduce my good friend — Ivanka Trump!

Ivanka walks out on stage and embraces Nikki as the two then turn to wave to the crowd and Ivanka takes the podium.

Wow, what a crowd! I would first like to offer my thanks to Nikki, you know the first thing I said after being appointed as UN Ambassador was that I had some pretty big shoes to fill coming after such a strong public servant, and as you all know in South Carolina, a superb Governor. I’m honored to have you on our team Nikki, and together, we will reignite and carry on the movement my Father started four years ago!

I am running for President because I am grateful for the blessings God and this country have given to me, and not because of the position of the office, but because I am determined that every American deserves these blessings and that together we can once again strengthen America and restore the promise of the future. I want to bring a voice, your voice, to the White House, to secure the promise of the future for our generation and generations to come.

My decision to run reflects no animosity or disrespect toward President Pence. He served my Father with the utmost loyalty and was extremely kind to me and members of my family in the difficult weeks which followed December 2018 and I have the deepest sympathy for the burden that he carries today.

But the issue is not personal. It is our profound differences over where our country must go and the best ways to achieve what we want to accomplish. My Father understood that we will never fix Washington from the inside unless we send someone to Washington from the outside.

And I want to continue his work.

Together, we can do this. Together we can reign in all the corruption, politics as usual and waste that has become Washington and instead leave a better America for future generations.

Together we can make a team that can't be beat!

Together we can secure the promise of the future.

Together we can - and together we will!

God bless you and God bless the United States of America! Let’s get to work!

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

Trump campaign touts ‘Innovative New Health Care Plan’

One of the most important issues facing our country is health care. Every single American has a right to quality, affordable health care — and while politicians on both sides in Washington have been talking about this issue for decades, I’m ready to actually get something done. Excited to announce our campaign will be unveiling an innovative new health care proposal in the upcoming weeks — a plan designed to ensure every American has access to our world class health care system. The broken ACA must be repealed, yes, but more importantly is what we plan to replace it with. Stay tuned. #RepealAndReplace #AmericaStrong

Campaign Spokeswoman Kimberley Allen refused to budge on specifics, but emphasized that this would be a proposal that hasn’t been talked about before, and one the campaign believes can achieve bipartisan support in congress under a Trump administration.

[OBD]

Steve Bullock 2020

Reunite America

Campaign Strategy and Rough Schedule

Governor Bullock's campaign, despite having a successful launch, still lacks name recognition in many critical states. The main goal of Bullock's 2019 strategy is to create a national profile and build a grassroots base in the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire, while balancing campaign duties with gubernatorial ones.

Phase 1: Campaign Launch to May 2019
During this phase, Bullock still has gubernatorial responsibilities, and cannot dedicate his full effort to campaigning. Accordingly, Bullock will work at the Montana Statehouse from Monday to Thursday, and do campaign run-outs on the weekends. Most of these run-outs will be to Iowa, where a strong campaign infrastructure will be set up in all 99 counties. Bullock will also hold many campaign events - rallies and town halls in major Iowa cities (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Waterloo, Iowa City, Council Bluffs, Ames, and Dubuque), in tandem with short visits to individual Iowa towns, where the Governor will hold meet-and-greets. Fmr. Governor Tom Vilsack, Bullock's earliest and most significant endorser, will be present at many of these events, and Vilsack is aiding Bullock's team in understanding Iowa politics, as well as the needs of Iowans and the issues they cherish most. Bullock will also set up campaign offices in New Hampshire and Nevada, and will hold two town halls each in these states (one each in Franconia, Manchester, Reno, and Henderson). In these events, Bullock will emphasize his message of unity, as well as his dedication to getting quality legislation passed by working with politicians from both sides. He will also discuss major policy talking points, such as Medicare-for-all-who-want-it, comprehensive and reasonable gun control, and infrastructure/renewable energy.

Major Dates
January 19 - Campaign launch in Iowa - major rally in Des Moines.
January 20 - Town hall in Ames
January 25 - Town hall in Council Bluffs
February 1 - Town hall in Sioux Falls
February 8 - Interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN
February 15 - Town hall in Waterloo
February 22 - Town hall in Dubuque
March 1 - Town hall in Cedar Rapids
March 8 - Town hall in Davenport
March 15 - Rally in Iowa City
March 22-24 - Town hall and Campaigning in Franconia and Northern New Hampshire
March 29-31 - Rally in Concord, town hall in Manchester, greater New Hampshire campaign launch event
April 5 - Rally in Ames
April 12-14 - Nevada campaign launch and town hall in Reno, campaign in Northern Nevada
April 19-21 - Town hall in Henderson, campaign in Las Vegas Metro and Southern Nevada
April 26 - Town hall in Iowa City
May 3 - Town hall in Fort Dodge
May 10 - Town hall in Mason City

In addition to these major events, Bullock used the weekends to canvass areas around the towns where he held events.

[Phase 2 schedule forthcoming]

[OBD]

Bullock response to Pence statement

While I am grateful President Pence has honored my critique with a response, I do not believe my concerns with the bill have been alleviated. First off, I am not convinced that lower taxes will necessarily benefit the economy. While Reagan-era tax policy might have been slightly beneficial to the economy, supply-side economics failed to deliver the massive benefits its advocates touted. I also disagree that the poor will benefit from this bill. When you live from paycheck-to-paycheck, every dollar matters, so you cannot say that the poor don't need more tax cuts than the wealthy. Lastly, while the tax credit for dependents is a nice touch, it doesn't serve the majority of the Americans who are only getting a 3% cut - and as many of my Democratic colleagues have said, where's the money to factor it in? To me, this act seems like fiscally irresponsible pandering that hurts the people that need government aid the most. I hope all Americans, as well as our friends in the Senate and the House, can see the problems with this proposal.

[Grassroots]

Notable tweets from Sen. Portman:

[Mycool]

Tammy Baldwin Announces Run for President in Madison, WI

“In 2016, Wisconsin went to the GOP for the first time since 1984. Last year, we elected Democrats to every statewide office, taking out a conservative governor who weakened unions, cut funding towards education, and approved some of the most gerrymandered maps in the country. Wisconsin is, at its heart, a progressive place, we just need someone who inspires our voters to turn out even when faced with structural challenges. Democrats must nominate someone who knows how to win in the Midwest, someone who upholds the progressive tradition of this great state. Madison, that’s why I’m here, to announce that I am running for President or the United States. I pledge to you that we will fight for collective bargaining, Medicare for all, and  for enshrining civil rights for all Americans. Right now, we have a President who represents the wealthy, corporate interests, and hyper conservative groups, not the every day person. I promise, as your President, to represent all of you.”

[Elcaspar]

Jeff Merkley 2020

Fighting for our future!

Wikimedia Commons

Hello Myrtle Creek, Hello Oregon, and hello to America!

I am here before you today to announce my decision to run for President of the United States of America. It was not an easy decision for me to make, but in the end i believed it was necessary for someone to stand up for progressive values in this primary, with the record to prove it as well. My campaign will be one of hope and optimism for our working and middle-class families, one of fighting corruption, one of bringing healthcare to all Americans, one that will make the top 1% of this country pay their fair share of taxes, one that will rid this country of student loan debt and make public colleges tuition free, one that will vigorously fight climate change and one that will stand up for unions that once were the backbone of our middle class. That is part of what this campaign will strive to do for our country.

This current administration has broken all the promises it has made to the working class, by trying to take away their healthcare and continuously siding with insurance companies, by giving large tax cuts to the wealthy and the corporations, by signing disastrous trade deals that outsources the jobs he claims he fights for. His cabinet is one that is one that reeks of corruption and influence from Wall Street, one that is made up of many Washington Insiders, and is yet another one of his broken promises, namely the one of "draining the swamp".

It's time for a shake-up in this country, a political revolution that will change this country. A political revolution that will bring in voters from many different backgrounds, one that will be grassroots in nature and will change this county from the bottom on up. We need to continue what Senator Sanders started in 2016, building on the revitalized progressive movement he created, to make this progressive movement one that can i win the Presidency! That is why i will swear off any PAC money, and rely solely on small donors that will fuel this progressive campaign to be one that can last.

But lastly let us not forget that this campaign is not about me, it's about all the disaffected working, middle-class and young voters that have been ignored under this administration, and i am merely the messenger for all of these disaffected Americans. It's about us, not me.

Thank you!

Senator Bernie Sanders endorses Jeff Merkley for President

Wikimedia Commons

"Jeff Merkley has been in the Senate since 2008, where he has tirelessly fought for progressive causes such as worker's rights, universal healthcare, banking reform, campaign finance reform, and standing up for those in poverty. He supported me in 2016, so if you, like me want a president who will stand up and fight for the people of this country against the insipid corruption of lobbyists and a rapidly encroaching oligarchy, then vote for Jeff Merkley in 2020!"

[Grassroots]

Missouri Senator Josh Hawley and Ohio Governor John Kasich endorse Rob Portman for President-

More info will be posted shortly.

[Elcaspar]

Tweet from Senator Jeff Merkley:

[RGM2609]

Mike Pence's opening statement at town hall in Dakota City, Iowa defending his tax reform plan - 17th February 2019

Let me start off with something that probably is on your mind right now. The tax reform plan I brought forward a few weeks ago. I know the Democrats, the Fake News media and the DC establishment all viciously attacked this plan, spreading lies about what it will actually do for Americans. They say it is a giveaway to billionaires, a fraud, a plan that cuts middle class out. Those, my fellow Americans, are lies. Lies made by a desperate party, whose only goal is to see us fail. The Socialist Democrats showed, clearly and strongly, that they are not the party of the working class by opposing this plan, but the party of partisanship, bureaucracy and huge taxes. They, who claim to have the working and middle class Americans on their mind more than anyone else, oppose a plan that would do nothing but help them. Their hypocrisy is clear. Now let me tell you what is really in my plan. My plan cuts taxes for middle class people and families dramatically. Dramatically. The biggest middle class tax cut in the history of our country probably. It also cuts taxes for the lower class voters, despite what they said that we forgot them. Every single man and woman in this country will see their taxes go down after we pass this plan. We will also close down some really, really unfair taxes and start closing up tax loopholes, we will make the tax code simple and fair, something even the Democrats wanted before we proposed it. And the great tax credits making child care affordable, a piece of legislation I am very proud of, are badly needed. When you look to all of these facts, you can see that there is no reason for which this bill shouldn't pass, and the socialist Democrats opposing it are during it just for partisanship. My hope lies in the moderate Blue Dogs, who claim to be bipartisan and with whom we, the Republicans, have a lot in common with. I once again call for them to vote for this great tax bill and improve the life of their constituents. Now I will take some questions...

[Huey Long is a Republican]

RAND PAUL SPEECH #1 : CUTTING UNNECESSARY PROGRAMS (February 4th, 2019; Carroll, Coos County, New Hampshire)

"Thank you for having me be able to speak to each and every one of you, New Hampshire!"

[Crowd Cheers]

"I am honored to be in this great state, which has the famous motto of 'Live Free or Die', a motto that perfectly aligns with the ideas of our nation's founders. Now, however, I must speak on the issues. In fact, I must speak on one issue that concerns me greatly and yet no one else in the campaign seems to care. An end to spending on government programs.

Now, I hear all these other candidates say it's time for fiscal responsibility and other vague terms. The problem is we are close to running a trillion dollar deficit, nearly bankrupting our country! We cannot afford to be vague on the issue of spending. Not now, not ever. The more cuts we put on wasteful government spending, the better off our nation will be. If elected, I will look at each and every government program with a team of unbiased experts and determine whether or not we should cut it from government funding.

However, I already have three cuts in mind. The first cut, the Appalachian Regional Commission, is a remnant of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society that failed on so many levels to end poverty. The ARC is duplicative of other other federal, state, and local programs, meaning it's current status is indeed irrelevant. By cutting it, however, we can save $162 Million.

The second one is the Justice Department's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program that costs us $304 Million a year. Due to spending of this wasteful program being in earmarks, it has opened itself to corruption when these funds will function best when left to state and local governments. Combined with the last cut, this will save $466 Million, nearly half a billion dollars.

The final program I will immediately cut is the Maritime Guaranteed Loan program and its parent organization, the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. This administration is rife with protectionism, subsidies, and handouts to certain entities in politics, while costing taxpayers $815 Million. Such an unneeded and wasteful program deserves to be cut from the budget so we can spend the money on things that shall be more useful to us.

All in all, these cuts will save the American people $1.281 Billion dollars. While that is a relatively small cut to government spending cuts, there will be more government spending and it will continue to happen until we begin to finally run a profit. We can no longer afford to bankrupt our country. We must instead focus on paying off our debt by running a profit. If the President eliminates these programs or other candidates begin to adopt these ideas, just know that I was the first candidate to point it out and thus I deserve to be recognized to help push the party and the Presidency into better financial policy.

Thank you and good night, everyone!"

[RGM2609]

Mike Pence to visit Iowa extensively through March and April 2019

President Mike Pence seems to put all of his weight in Iowa. Throughout March and April, he will canvass the state on almost daily basis, visiting both big cities and, more frequently, small rural communities. According to sources from the Pence campaign, the President is hoping for a crushing victory in the first state to vote, so big that will "end" the primaries by default. He brings up his tax reform plan, his experience working in the Trump administration and, when in Evangelical communities, his religious, conservative values. The religious communities from the North and West of Iowa seem crucial to Pence's strategy, hoping to have a turnout through the roof by caucus day. Pence also tries hard to lobby popular officeholders from the state to back his bid, even more so after he got Kim Reynolds on board. However, the President knows that even with a blowout win, the primary might not be over, and seek to tour the South in the following months, hoping the evangelical vote from there can give him large wins on Super Tuesday.

Pence Administration desperately trying to have a major accomplishment

President Pence and his aides are focusing a lot of attention in pressuring and/or convincing the House Blue Dogs, who they feel that will decide the fate of Pence's tax bill, to support the reform plan. However, they have a lot of plans if their efforts ultimately fail and the tax reform bill is voted down in the House. The Administration is reportedly considering turning its attention in such an event to laws that the Democratic House might find more appealing, like government ethics reform and a massive infrastructure package, while using the tax reform bill as a campaign tool. However, a growing faction of aides opposes abandoning tax reform for after 2020 even if the current bill fails the House. They support numerous amendments that might make the bill appealing to the Blue Dogs and Democrats at large, like merging it with an infrastructure package, a raise in Social Security or Medicare benefits or even paying for it by abolishing some of the tax cuts for the rich that Trump passed. This is for now a minority in the White House.