A New Era? (alternate 1996 game thread)

[GoTfan]

Turn One: Sepetmber 1-14, 1995

President Bush merts with his defeated opponent Governor Clinton and Former Presdient Jimmy Carter
[source: Wikimedia Commons]

Who will succeed Bush?

As September arrives, the United States is gearing up for yet another Presidential election. This time, it will be to succeed George Bush. While Bush has overall been seen as less conservative that ROnald Reagan, all eyes have been on the economy as unemployment spikes above 8% for the first time since 1983. Last year's 'Liberal Revolution' saw the return of many liberal Democrats to office, of whom some are speculated to be running for President this year.

For the Democrats, New York Governor Mario Cuomo seems to finally be taking the plunge after years of avoiding Presidential politics. While he does appear to be carrying the liberal banner forward, he faces competition for the same voters from New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, and fellow NewYoker, Former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro. With the so-called 'New Democrats' having failed in their bid to reshape the party in 1992, many are looking to Texas Governor Anne Richards to bear their standard this election.

Vice President Dan Quayle appears to be favoured among conservatives following the surprised decision of Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole to stay out. Many Republicans however are concerned that Quayle may not be up to the task of beating the Democrats this cycle, and they have begun to coalesce around Arizona Senator John McCain or the retied Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Colin Powell, who are both apparently considering a run.

Primary polls

Democrats

Gov. Mario Cuomo: 31.74%

Gov. Ann Richards: 29.31%

Sne. Bill Bradley: 21.96%

Fmr. Rep. Geraldine Ferraro: 11.09%

Undecided: 5.9%

Republicans

VP Dan Quayle: 39.45%

Ret. Gen. Colin Powell: 27.67%

Sen. John McCain: 24.89%

Undecided: 7.99%

NATO Bombing Begins in Bosnia

[source: Wikimedia Commons]

Following attacks on United Nations safe zones and the shelling of the Sarajevo marketplace on Agust 28, NATO forces today commenced bombing of Bosnian Serb artillery positions in order to prevent further massacres from taking place in the region. President Bush has stated his desire to bring Ratko Mladic, leader of the Republika Srpska, to the table, but has warned Mladic not to test US or NATO resolve.

In addition to air strikes, UNPROFOR has also engaged in artillery attacks on Bosnian Serb positions. While the broad spectrum of politicans are in support of the intervention, some have raised concerns for the scale of US intervention in the conflict.

Feingold: "Time for single-payer"

[credit: Wikimedia Commons]

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold has today introduced the Medicare For All Act, saying that it is past time that all Americans were guaranteed healthcare coverage. A host of Democrats have already signed on to co-sponsor the proposal, agreeing that Feingold's proposal is the logcial step to reform healthcare.

The bill has faced concerns from Arkansas Senator and failed Democratic Presidential nominee Bill Clinton, who has said that such a bill makes it easy for Republicans to paint the Democrats as far-left. Indeed, Senate Minority Whip Bob Dole is already attacking the bill for being a phenomenal increase in government spending during a recession.

[Fetterman my beloved]

Source: Wikimedia Commons
General Collin Powell had served under the President until 1993, when he left the office. During his time under the president, he had gained fame as the man who oversaw Operation Desert Storm. Now, it was his turn to give the presidency a shot. He was hoping to bring the Republican Party to a more liberal viewpoint, with help from the remainder of the Rockefeller Republicans of New England. He had done actions in preparation for his run, writing a book, gathering his team, and even campaigning with other Republican candidates.

Now, it was time for his announcement. He was making his announcement in Harlem, the neighborhood where he was born. He went up on the stage, a crowd had gathered. Some potential supporters, others members of the media. He was wearing his military uniform, with As soon as he got up, he began to speak.

"Good afternoon, my fellow New Yorkers. Around 58 years ago, my lovely parents, Maud and Luther, immigrants from the island of Jamaica, who had made one of the greatest leaps ever by becoming Americans, had a child, me, a boy named Colin. Over the years, that boy named Collin grew to be a caring young man. I attended a high school just around the corner, while working at a furniture store not far from here. Eventually, I moved on to City College, where I found my love, the military.

After I graduated, I was a commissioned Second Lieutenant for the military. I went from The Bronx to West Germany. I eventually married the love of my life, Alma, and we married. However, the call of the service led me to Vietnam, where I gained the soldier's medal, the honor to meet the president, and a foot infection.

After Vietnam, I continued my military service, and eventually served under President Reagan as National Security Advisor. I was also made a 4 star general later by President Bush. I became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and helped resolve 28 crises. I lead American Troops during Operation Desert Storm. I have seen all around the whole wide world, and I have seen it at its best and worst.

Now, that boy named Colin has a major decision to make, and today, he is announcing that decision. Today, I announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America. It is time that we have a new kind of leader in the White House, a man who knows what it's like to lead, what it's like to work in the federal government, and a man who knows how to go from a furniture salesman, to the highest military role in the Department of Defense. It is time for new American leadership, the leadership that will be in the white house on January 20th, 1997. Thank you."

Schedule:
September 2nd: Campaign announcement Bronx, New York.
September 3rd: Rally in Lancaster, New Hampshire.
September 4th: Meeting with NAACP President Myrlie Evers-Williams in Baltimore, Maryland.
September 5th: Rally in Des Moines, Iowa
September 6th: Rally in Iowa City, Iowa
September 7th: Rest Day
September 8th: Interview on Larry King Live
September 9th: Rally in Carroll, Iowa
September 10th: Rally in Amos, Iowa
September 11th: Rally in Des Moines, Iowa
September 12th: Rally in Sioux City, Iowa
September 13th: Rally in Fort Dodge, Iowa
September 14th: Rest day

Endorsements:
Governor Bill Weld of Massachussets
Lieutenant General Henry Emerson

[RGM2609]

The announcement speech of John McCain in Pheonix, Arizona.

Hello, my fellow Americans, those here with me today and those watching us from home. Thank you for all of your support! Today, we stand at crossroads and the whole world is waiting for America to make its decision, for this is the most crucial election in recent history. This is an election about vision, about goals, about the path forward for America. And we, the conservative movement, need to be ready to show America a path to prosperity and to greatness. For there is a clear danger awaiting it. The socialists, after we defeated them in the cold war, have started to fight us from within. They are now proposing, under the mask of liberalism, to allow criminals to roam free on the streets, to increase our deficit by huge numbers, to pass an over-burdening debt on to our children and grandchildren, to kill off our economy by increasing taxes and regulations, to make the Second Amendment a shallow of its former self. This is not something that we can accept! We need to fight against this attempt to impose socialism in the United States of America! Which is why I am officially running to be President of the United States of America.

My time in the Army, in Vietnam, taught me what it means to love your country and to fight for it, how to defeat its foreign enemies. My time in the US Congress, taught me what the world of politics is and how to defeat the domestic enemies of America. And with your backing, I can win this election, and put this country on the right track! Thank you, God bless you and God bless the USA!

[Mycool]

Ann Richards Launches Presidential Campaign in Austin, TX

Source

"Texans love to defy expectations. When I ran for Governor, we had been in an economic slump since the 80s, our bureaucratic system was inefficient, and there were questions about how we would fund education, one of the most fundamental programs the government provides. Well, now I stand in a state that has had periods of growth in spite of a national stagnation, one where over 600 million taxpayer dollars were saved by auditing and updating government systems, and one that now has a state lottery to ensure our children have an education befitting the most prosperous country in the world. We have passed bipartisan legislation to establish a substance abuse program to rehabilitate prisoners and have worked to keep assault weapons and cop-killer bullets off the streets. Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes our shared successes.

I've long been an advocate for change, a shake-up to the system has always helped the little guy, and after 8 years of Bush, 16 years of arch-conservatism at the national level, I think it's damn time we shake things up. After 41 men trying their hand at President, I'd say a woman being President would be a shakeup. If any of you haven't picked up the hint, I'm here to announce my candidacy for President of the United States. It's time we have a sensible progressive vision of the country, and we do away with the fake Texas accent in favor of a real one."