The Political Revolution

[President Biden Democrat]

11/9/16: President-Elect Bernie Sanders



Wikimedia Commons

"Thank you America! Our great nation wants change, needs change. This campaign was revolutionary and united people from all around the United States of America. All of our volunteers worked so hard to make our victory possible. I am so proud of this campaign and what we have done. First my wife, Jane who will be our next first lady. Senator and now Vice President-Elect Amy Klobuchar has done a fantastic job in this campaign. As President, I will fight tooth and nail for you, the American people. Now, we will unite our country. Republicans, Democrats, Independents. We are all Americans! On January 20th, 2017, I will become President of the United States. Immediately, I will get to work to fix our broken government and make our democracy work for everyone, not just the top .01%.

We will enact a progressive agenda. We will enact a minimum wage of $15 an hour. We will enact progressive legislation to stop Climate Change. We will pass Medicare for All, in the new Democratic controlled Senate. We will fix our broken Criminal Justice System and make it fair for all Americans. We will take on Wall Street. To recap, we will build off of Obama's success and will make our country a better place! Thank you all! Goodnight!"

[President Biden Democrat]

2016 Election Results
 
President

Bernard Sanders/Amy J. Klobuchar: 286 (49.5%) √
Donald J. Trump/Michael R. Pence: 252 (45.3%)
Senate

Democrats: 51* (+5) √
Republicans: 49 (-5)

*King (I-ME) caucuses with Democrats
House of Representatives



Wikimedia Commons

Republicans: 227 (-18) √
Democrats: 208 (+18)

Governor

Republicans: 30 (-1) √
Democrats: 19 (+1)
Independent: 1

[Left Wing]

Good start! What was the margin on the IN and NC senate races?

[Hope For A New Era]

Congratulations to Senator Kander and Governor Koster.

The lost dream...

[President Biden Democrat]

Good start! What was the margin on the IN and NC senate races?

IN-SEN: 4.2% (Young-Bayh)
NC-SEN: 2.1% (Burr-Ross)

[Blackacre]

Surprised Sanders didn't win NC, especially given how well Dems did downballot. It implies a sizable NPV win for Sanders.

[President Biden Democrat]

Surprised Sanders didn't win NC, especially given how well Dems did downballot. It implies a sizable NPV win for Sanders.

Sanders just barely lost it. He did worse in the black vote compared to Clinton there, and didn't do well among moderates, many of whom voted third party.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

What's Cooper's margin?

[President Biden Democrat]

What's Cooper's margin?

Cooper won by 2.2%.

[President Biden Democrat]

12/12/16: Bernie Finalizes His Cabinet

Vice President:
Amy Klobuchar (U.S. Senator from Minnesota)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of State:
Jeff Merkley (U.S. Senator from Oregon)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of the Treasury:
Robert Reich (Former Secretary of Labor)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of Defense:
Andrew Bacevich (Former Colonel of U.S. Army)



Wikimedia Commons
Attorney General:
Keith Ellison (U.S. Representative from Minnesota)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of Agriculture:
Peter Welch (U.S. Representative from Vermont)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of the Interior:
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (Former U.S. Representative from South Dakota



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of Health and Human Services:
Donald Berwick (Former CMS Administrator)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of Education:
Randi Weingarten (President of the AFT)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of Labor:
Richard Trumka (President of the AFL-CIO)



Wikimedia Commons
Solicitor General:
Zephyr Teachout (Progressive Lawyer from New York)



Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development:
Ben Jealous (Former President and CEO of the NAACP)



Wikimedia Commons

[BigVic]

Jason Kander MO senate

[Blackacre]

oh god minnesota's gonna get weird with klob gone and franken still disgraced

[President Biden Democrat]

1/20/17: Inauguration of President Bernie Sanders



Wikimedia Commons

"It is my honor to stand here today as your 45th President. As President, I will work for you, the American people and will work hard to make America, a better placer for all Americans. I am so humbled about this opportunity that has been placed before me. I want to thank everyone who made this possible from President Obama, who has been so gracious and my supporters, thank you. President Obama and the first Lady have been courteous to myself and Jane, who will be a fabulous First Lady. As President, I will get to work immediately from this point forward. My administration led by Amy and me, will work tirelessly for you, the hard working people of our great nation.

We will enact a progressive agenda and will work hard to make America fair and equal. We have so many problems to tackle folks and we will work to fix as many as possible, over the next four years. Americans throughout our nation are struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their children. Others, do not have health care and are struggling from disease. My administration, with help from Democrats in the House and Democratic-controlled Senate, will work to enact progressive legislation to once and for all, fix those problems that everyday Americans face. Thank you everyone for this opportunity, and god bless you!"

[President Biden Democrat]

115th Congress

Senate

Democrats: 51* √
Republicans: 49

*King (I-ME) caucuses with Democrats

President:
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Majority Leader:
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

Majority Whip:
Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Minority Leader:
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Minority Whip:
John Cornyn (R-TX)
House of Representatives



Wikimedia Commons

Republicans: 227 √
Democrats: 208

Speaker:
Paul Ryan (R-WI)

Majority Leader:
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Majority Whip:
Steve Scalise (R-LA)

Minority Leader:
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

Minority Whip:
Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Governors

Republicans: 30 √
Democrats: 19
Independent: 1

[Left Wing]

Did Sanders resign before or after Phil Scott taking office?

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

Why does Sanders win IA and lose OH simultaneously?

[President Biden Democrat]

1/20/17 - 4/29/17: Bernie's First 100 Days



Wikimedia Commons

President Bernie Sanders' first 100 days in Congress were very eventful and considered successful by most. Bernie signed a plethora of Executive Orders on many key issues. Bernie signed executive orders to ban offshore drilling, ban drilling on public lands, block the Keystone pipeline and the Dakota access pipeline. Sanders also signed an executive order to launch a federal investigation into offshore tax havens and to suspend federal enforcement of student debt laws. President Sanders in all signed a total of 30 executive orders in his first 100 days in office, more then any President proceeding him. Sanders renominated and confirmed Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Sanders nominated Garland, in fear that a more progressive pick would not get approved by the narrow Democratic-controlled Senate with 51 seats.

All of Bernie's progressive picks except one, his pick for Solicitor General, Zephyr Teachout were approved. Teachout was denied by the Senate in a 55-45 vote. All of the 49 Republican Senators voted against Teachout, and were joined by 6 Democrats. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). After, the Senate's vote, President Senators picked Sally Yates, the current deputy Attorney General under President Obama. Yates was confirmed in vote of 53-47. Every Democratic voted for her nomination and were joined by 2 Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Jeff Merkley (State), Andrew Bacevich (Defense), Peter Welch (Agriculture), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (Interior), Berwich (HHS), and Weingarten (AFT), were all approved in bi-partisan votes, with a range of Republicans voting in favor of their nominations. Robert Reich and Keith Ellison, Bernie's picks for Treasury and Attorney General were nearly approved by a vote of 50-50, with Sen. Manchin (D-WV) voting against his nomination. Richard Trumka and Ben Jealous, Bernie's picks for Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development were narrowly approved by a vote strictly on party lines.

To fill open seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives, some state governors appointed interim senators, when allowed. In Vermont, Lame Duck Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin, appointed Jane Kitchel (D-VT) to replace President Sanders in the Senate. Kitchel announced that she would only serve until the Special Election, and would not run in the Special Election on April 18th, 2017. In the Special Election, Shap Smith (D-VT), Vermont's Former Speaker of the House ran and won. In Minnesota, Democratic Governor Mark Dayton appointed Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith (D-MN) to replace Vice President Amy Klobuchar in the Senate. There will be no Special Election in this race, as the regularly scheduled election is scheduled to take place on November 6th, 2018, during the 2018 Midterm Elections. In Oregon, Kate Brown was not permitted by state law to appoint an interim Senator, which left the seat vacant until the special election took place on March 28th, 2017, where Land Commissioner Brad Avakian (D-OR) won and became the Senator's Junior Senator. In Vermont At Large's District, Peter Welch became the Secretary of Agriculture, which left the seat vacant. The Special Election here took place at the same time as the Senate Special Election on April 18th, 2017. Philip Baruth (D-VT) won the Special Election and became Vermont's at large Representative. In Minnesota's 5th District, there was a Special Election to replace Attorney General Keith Ellison. The Election took place on April 25th, 2017, where the Former Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (D-MN)beat progressive Ilhan Omar in the primary, and ran in a landslide against her Republican challenger.

President Sanders also travelled the country in his first 100 days as President. He went all over from Michigan to visit Flint to the Southern border in Arizona. Sanders went to Flint to start an action plan for nationwide clean water, to ensure that every American has access to safe clean drinking water. Sanders did not go on a tour thanking his supporters. The President also met with leaders in states all around the nation to discuss the local issues that they are facing.

President Sanders also pulled the United States out of the Trans Pacific Partnership. 

Bernie's favorability rating at the end of his first 100 days in office stands at 56%, which 42% disapproving of his performance of President.

Oregon Special Senate Race:
Brad Avakian: 53.1% √
Kim Wallan: 46.4%

Vermont Special Senate Race:
Shap Smith: 61.3% √
Richard Westman: 39.2%

Minnesota Special House Race:
Margaret Anderson Kelliher: 71.1% √
Jennifer Zielinski: 28.0%

Vermont Special House Race:
Philip Baruth: 58.3% √
Patricia McCoy: 42.0%

[President Biden Democrat]

Why does Sanders win IA and lose OH simultaneously?

Sanders could win both states, but I am assuming that he spends more attention on Iowa, considering it is a smaller state and it gets a lot of attention in the primaries. Bernie would win Iowa very narrowly, and lose Ohio also by a narrow margin.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

I would've figured Klob's seat would be up in November 2017. Wouldn't do to have a one-year term, but I digress.

[President Biden Democrat]

I would've figured Klob's seat would be up in November 2017. Wouldn't do to have a one-year term, but I digress.

This is the same as the Minnesota Special Senate Race in our real TL. Rules in Minnesota do not call for a Special Election under the next Statewide General Election which is in November 2018.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

I would've figured Klob's seat would be up in November 2017. Wouldn't do to have a one-year term, but I digress.

This is the same as the Minnesota Special Senate Race in our real TL. Rules in Minnesota do not call for a Special Election under the next Statewide General Election which is in November 2018.

Weird, I thought it was the November after the vacancy unless it was too close to primary times.

[GoTfan]

I would've figured Klob's seat would be up in November 2017. Wouldn't do to have a one-year term, but I digress.

This is the same as the Minnesota Special Senate Race in our real TL. Rules in Minnesota do not call for a Special Election under the next Statewide General Election which is in November 2018.

Weird, I thought it was the November after the vacancy unless it was too close to primary times.

Moreover, I think it's a little risky for Democrats to leave the seat unfilled before the midterms.

[KaiserDave]

I would've figured Klob's seat would be up in November 2017. Wouldn't do to have a one-year term, but I digress.

This is the same as the Minnesota Special Senate Race in our real TL. Rules in Minnesota do not call for a Special Election under the next Statewide General Election which is in November 2018.

Weird, I thought it was the November after the vacancy unless it was too close to primary times.

Moreover, I think it's a little risky for Democrats to leave the seat unfilled before the midterms.

Well they can get an appointment, presumably Tina Smith

[President Biden Democrat]

4/12/17: Merrick Garland Confirmed 63-37, Gives Liberals Rough Majority



Wikimedia Commons

Centrist Judge Merrick Garland was Confirmed by the Democratic-controlled Senate in a 63-37 vote. Every Democrat voted for Garland, and were joined by 12 Republicans. These Republicans included Sen. Collins (R-ME), Sen. Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Flake (R-AZ), Sen. McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Graham (R-SC), Sen. Heller (R-NV), Sen. Sasse (R-NE), Sen. Corker (R-TN), Sen. Gardner (R-CO), Sen. Tillis (R-NC), Sen. Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Portman (R-OH). A recent poll conducted by Gallup showed that 68% of Americans wanted Garland confirmed. This number was 53% last March, when then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to give Garland a hearing.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke - VOTED YAE:
"This is a great victory for America! Judge Garland will be a fantastic Justice on the court and will be fair, independent, and just. I am so proud of this day and want to thank President Sanders, Vice President Klobuchar, and Judge Garland for their efforts."

Moderate Senator John Tester (D-MT) spoke - VOTED YAE:
"My fellow senators and I are very proud of this day. Merrick will be an independent justice and will serve the interests of all Americans. This was a show of bipartisanship as 12 Republican senators joined us Democrats, and voted to confirm Judge Garland."

Conservative Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) spoke - VOTED NAY:
"This is an absolute disagree. We do not need another liberal Justice on the court, taking away our American values. Garland is the wrong choice and the new liberal court will work to destroy America!"

[President Biden Democrat]

Mid 2017: Bernie's Policy Agenda



Wikimedia Commons

Bernie Sanders' first few months in office as President were very eventful. He enacted a progressive policy agenda and partnered closely with progressives in Congress.  One of Bernie's first moves was to withdraw about 80% of American troops in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq, by January 2019. This move has been scrutinized by Republicans in Congress.

Progressive President Bernie Sanders (I-VT) spoke - IN SUPPORT:
"These wars were and have been failures and we should not be involved there anymore. It's time for change and we need to remove most of our troops from the Middle East. I, after discussion with my advisors including Secretary of State Merkley and Defense Secretary Bacevich have decided that it is in our best interest."

Conservative Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) spoke - AGAINST:
"This is a big mistake. President Sanders and the liberals are out of touch. This will cause a rise of terrorism in the Middle East, and is the wrong move. In reality, we should be going in the other direction."
Next, Progressives in Congress began to draft a Medicare for All bill in the Senate, where Democrats have a very slight majority. The bill would put every American on a medicare system, from children to the elderly. Health Care would have been free for every American and would eliminate all provide insurance, which itself is very controversial throughout the Democratic party itself. Medicare For All would cost the United States trillions of dollars. The rough estimate ranges from 20 to 50 trillion dollars. The bill is being sponsored by four Democratic Senators: Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Sen. Feingold (D-WI), and Sen. Warren (D-MA).  The expectation is that the bill will not pass once the details are finalized over the next few months.

Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) spoke - FOR BILL:
"Medicare For All would ensure Health Care for everyone. We need to work hard with President Sanders to give better and affordable Health Care to both the millions of Americans who do not have insurance and those who pay ridiculous sums of money for insurance. We will draft this bill and it will pass."

Moderate Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) spoke - LEANING AGAINST:
"Medicare For All is a nice idea that does not work in reality. It would cost out country trillions of dollars and we can not afford it. It also does not make sense to kick Americans off their private health insurance plan that would only cost more. We need to work with the President and both Republicans and Democrats, to make health care more affordable to those Americans who are struggling. We need to build off of Obamacare instead. I will work with my colleagues closely to make this or any future bill better."
President Bernie Sanders also has appointed near 75 judges to the courts. The Courts have moved in a more Progressive and liberal direction, and this has already been showed in recent decisions by both the Supreme Court and lower courts as well. Rumors about Liberal Icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg. and another battle with cancer have swirled on the internet. Nothing has been confirmed but most believe that she is preparing to retire and which would allow President Bernie Sanders to nominate a new young Supreme Court Justice. In May of 2017, Ginsburg announced that she will retire from the court. President Sanders has nominated United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Patricia Ann Millett to the Supreme Court. A vote will take place in the next few months.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke - IN SUPPORT:
"Judge Millett is a progressive voice that would be a great fit on the Supreme Court. My colleagues and I are looking forward to the hearings and we will now move to approve her in record time."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke - AGAINST:
"This is an absolute disgrace and is disgusting. My liberal colleagues are trying to push through a nominee that would overturn the ideals of our great country. They are trying to push this nominee through, which is something that conservatives and Republicans are against and would never ever do. We will block this nomination."