Sanders wins Iowa - 2016 TL

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Clinton campaign to meet and reassess next steps

According to political sources, the Clinton campaign is going to meet in Brooklyn and reassess their next steps. Until now, a huge part of the Clinton strategy was relying on the support of superdelegates, which would have been enough to put the former Secretary over the top according to their models. However, their support, already wavering, has collapsed since the Brazille leaks. Many in the establishment now view scandal-plagued Clinton as almost as unelectable as socialist Sanders. Some in the campaign argue that it would be best for Clinton to drop out now, get vindicated once Sanders loses in November, and come back with a roar against an unpopular Republican incumbent in 2020. Others say that Clinton still has a good shot at winning and the public and politicians will move past the Brazille scandal by the time New York votes. This meeting will settle the dispute once and for all, as Hillary Clinton herself will weigh in.

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Political sources - Michael Bloomberg considers a third-party run

Given that the Democratic Party is likely to nominate an off-the-wall socialist while the Republican favorite is in the eyes of many a quasi-fascist, billionaire and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is reportedly considering running a third-party bid for the White House. He hopes to drive the support of moderates in both parties to the best third-party candidacy in recent history. The establishment in both parties is at a loss of what to do in the current situation.

[RGM2609]

Clinton to announce next plans at a press conference in New York

After a meeting that lasted hours with all high-ranking aides inside her campaign, it appears as if Hillary Clinton has made her decision on the future of her campaign and she will announce it at a press conference, the first one in a political eternity. Views are split on whether she will drop out and try to run for public office in New York in the next cycle, retire from the spotlight for good or continue fighting in the hope that she can still win the race. Nevertheless, the betting odds for Hillary Clinton being the Democratic nominee have collapsed from slight favorite to clear underdog since March 12th, and so did the view of the media on her chances.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

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BREAKING - Hillary Clinton drops out of the race

In a bombshell announcement, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has been the presumptive Democratic nominee in 2016 and favorite to be the 45th President arguably since Obama was elected, has announced that she will withdraw from the races. In a heartfelt speech, Clinton apologized to all women who she thought were let down by her inability to break the glass ceiling. She thanked all supporters and expressed gratitude for her opportunity to serve the country. However, Clinton did not close the door completely to another run for public office. She did not mention Sanders at all in her speech, but he is now, to the dismay of the Democratic elites and the DNC, the presumptive nominee for the Presidency of the United States. Against whom he will be running was another question.

RCP polling average -
SANDERS 53.8% - TRUMP 39.0%
SANDERS 51% - CRUZ 39.3%
SANDERS 47.8% - KASICH 42.5%

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Trump becomes presumptive Republican nominee after Cruz, Kasich drop out

Blitzer - The 2016 cycle will definitely go down in history as one of the most chaotic and redefining race in American history, probably the most. After Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders became the presumptive Democratic nominee in March, now on May 4th, after the Indiana primary, we can officially say that businessman Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for the Presidency of the United States. It is very likely that Michael Bloomberg will launch a third-party bid in the next few days, now that both parties have nominated what he thinks are extreme candidates. Jill Stein has dropped out in April, throwing the full support of the Green Party behind the Democratic nominee, however, disgruntled Utah Republicans are rumored to run Evan McMullin, and of course, the Libertarians are still in the race. This will probably lead to this election having one of the highest third-party support in history. Now, here is the RCP Average -

General Election Polling - National
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) - 47,1%
Businessman Donald Trump (R-NY) - 40,2%
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-NY) - 8,4%
Former CIA Officer Evan McMullin (R-UT) - 2,5%
Former Governor Gary Johnson (L-NM) - 1,8%

[Illini Moderate]

would have loved to see how a Bernie v Trump 2016 general would have went

[RGM2609]

I think I will switch to POVs when it comes to covering the General Election. If anyone has any suggestions for the format I am open.

Michael Bloomberg

This was the day. After he announced his campaign on The View a few days ago, his advisors told him it would be best to announce his VP nominee as soon as possible to build in the public eye before the conventions. And that he was going to do.

Unfortunately, the crowd was pitifully small and they were in the DC suburbs, where his support should be stronger than that. Eh. Probably Trump that oaf was going to make fun of him on Twitter. Not that it would help him with his failing campaign. Jeez, how did the supposedly stable party system came up with these two lunatics. Trump, who hurt the Republican brand every day with his cheap populism and barely hidden racism. And Sanders, who was openly socialist and was going to destroy the economic system of the country. That was something Michael could not allow.

He put on the best smile he could fake and waved to the excited, through small, crowd. And he started hitting his talking points. His accomplishments as Mayor, his bipartisanship, how bad it was for only two choices to exist. That kind of crap. The crowd was being bored by all of this, so he called Sanders a radical socialist and Trump a dangerous racist. They were cheering again, maybe he was not so bad at giving speeches after all!

He skipped a few paragraphs and went on to announce his running mate so that he could leave that dreadful rally. "So I'm very glad and honored to invite my running mate, and hopefully the next Vice President of the United States, Ohio Governor John Kasich!", he said as Kasich was entering the stage waving to the 200 people or so.

Meh. A fine choice. He wanted Hillary Clinton, badly, as she would have helped a lot with moderate Democrats. And she seemed pretty interested at that. But in the end, worries that she would be forever shunned out of Democratic circles made her reject his generous offers. Oh well...Kasich on the other hand was very willing and also well-known following his primary campaign. He had experience, though not so much as Clinton, and would help with moderates of all stripes.

It probably will not matter in the end. He will spend so much on ads that no one will be able to keep up, he predicted as Kasich was wrapping up his boring speech and they were finally leaving.

INDEPENDENT TICKET FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES, 2016

Former Mayor Michael Rubens Bloomberg (I-NY)/Governor John Richard Kasich Jr. (R-OH)

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Bernie Sanders

From time to time, Bernie still stopped from whatever he was doing and thought about how far he made it. No one gave him a chance at the beginning, not even himself. He thought that for sure he was not going to be the next President, he was just pushing his message out there, maybe move Clinton to the left a little bit. Even as he started surging, they told him he was never going to be the Democratic nominee, that the establishment would stop him somehow. And yet...

It would seem as if Bernie...accidentally...found a lot of anger hidden inside the American society, just like Trump. The people are angry at the billionaires and corporations who were rigging the political process in their favor. And he wholeheartedly agreed with them. Unlike...most other Presidential contenders, he will actually try and make a difference for them. But until then...

The huge crowd that gathered in Philadelphia to witness the announcement of his VP nominee was louder than ever. And he knew that his choice would make them very happy. And many in Washington would be very unhappy. Many in his campaign, even some from the DNC who were giving him unsolicited advice, said he should pick someone who would unify the party, boost his numbers with moderates. Nonsense! Bernie did not win the primaries by compromising his identity, and he will certainly not win the general like that! He was going to pick someone who he felt he could trust to take his movement forward if or once he can not do it himself.

And he was right about something. Once he announced his VP pick, the roars from the crowd were louder than ever.

THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES, 2016

Senator Bernard Sanders (D-VT)/Senator Elizabeth Ann Warren (D-MA)

[OSR STANDS WITH PALESTINE]

Continue…

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Continue…

[Utah Neolib]

Continue…

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Mike Pence

Donald Trump was having a big, big problem. Multiple moderate, or at least sane politicians were turning down his overtures. He just could not find a running mate. Bob Corker, and Joni Ernst, and Marco Rubio, and Susana Martinez, and Cory Gardner, and Shelley Moore Capito and even Ted Cruz. Not to mention Kasich, who was begged by the Trump campaign to join their ticket only to humiliate them and join Bloomberg. Now, they wanted Mike.

Should he accept or not... That was a question he had asked himself for days now. He asked his political allies, he even prayed for finding the right answer. Now, he thinks he has. He knows that winning the Indiana governorship will not be easy, with Trump at the top of the ticket and himself not so popular because of the left wing propaganda against him. And if or when Trump loses, his defeat will be blamed on him, not his running mate. But...

He opened his TV. There, they showed Sanders with a healthy lead over Trump, who was now losing steam to Bloomberg. There were whispers on Capitol Hill that the Republican nominee knows he is losing and that made him depressed, frustrated and addicted to Fox News. And one could see that in his tweets, which got more and more desperate, with non-stop attacks against Elizabeth Warren for her heritage and threats of a gloomy future under a communist regime. Trump was just throwing stuff against the wall, hoping something will stick. And in that, he was losing every moderate Republican, possible Democratic converts and annoying everyone outside a small, loud base.

Did Mike really want to join a campaign in which that crazy socialist would mobilize leftists, Bloomberg would steal moderates while Trump would drown in his own mud? No.

[John King wannabe]

I'm expecting either a very narrow Sanders victory, or an election sent to the House.

[Frodo]

I always thought Maine Gov. Paul LePage (a two-termer by 2016) would be Trump’s ideal running mate.  The two are so alike that they’d get along quite nicely.  And they are only two years apart.

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Reince Priebus

He never thought he would say this. But the Republican nominee was sitting on a chair with his tie undone, eating KFC and watching Fox News as if he did not have a care in the world. Especially not his flailing VP selection. Trump staffers told him that their candidate had just had an angry, fiery rant after Newt freaking Gingrich turned him down. Now, he was back to watching Fox News.

"Sir, with all due respect, can we come back to the Vice Presidential selection?", Reince said hoping to get something productive out of this meeting. Trump seemed ready to lash out at him because he mentioned the VP selection, before absently replying sure and opening the file he had. He searched through names before saying - "This one. Michael Flynn. I want him on the ticket"

Reince stood there in shock. Flynn? With all of his shady connections with foreign powers? And the controversies of his tenure? God help us all. "Sir, I think there are just so many better options...". Trump shouted this time - "Flynn is a patriot who loves Trump! Your better options do not!"

Quick, think about something. Stop this madness. "Sir, if you nominate Flynn, I can not promise you the support of the RNC". By the look on his face, Trump was mad. And Priebus knew he had made a mistake. "So that is how it is. This is why I am losing to a crazy commie grandpa! Because you Washinton crooks hate me!". Trump realized he will not be able to win without the backing of the RNC, so he settled for saying - "You will regret this when I am President" before dismissing Priebus. God help us all.

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BREAKING NEWS - Trump list narrowed to 5 willing options\

Blitzer - Following reported rejections by numerous figures, including Mike Pence and Newt Gingrich, as well as a rumored attempt by Donald Trump to push through the nomination of Mike Flynn, which was rejected by the RNC Chair, the Trump campaign is considering 5 candidates who would actually accept, perhaps enthusiastically, to be nominated.

Tapper - Well yes, but none of these 5 are, dare I say, particularly appealing, which reflects the struggles of the Republicans to find a suitable running mate for their unorthodox nominee. There is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who might have been a perfect choice two years ago, but the Bridgegate scandal ruined his credibility and whose brash style is too similar to Trump for comfort, and he is not from any swing state. Then there is Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, an early endorser of Trump, but he is a hard-line conservative from a red state who might hamper the performance of the ticket with minorities as it is already dangerously bad. Ben Carson is also willing to join the ticket, but he made a lot of bizarre statements during the primaries, like Trump he has no prior political experience and the two men have attacked each other before. To his benefit, he is from a state which Trump wants to win, through political analysts are skeptical. A semi-moderate option is former Senator Scott Brown, probably the preferred option of the RNC, even if he has not held office since 2012 and his failed run against Jeanne Shaheen has made him unpopular. And then there is Sarah Palin. Nothing would scare Republican elites more than Trump/Palin 2016, which is perhaps the reason she is being considered.

[NewYorkExpress]

Trump/Palin would be fun!

[OSR STANDS WITH PALESTINE]

Oh GOSH… this timeline…

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Donald Trump

Donald was sitting in his office in the Trump Tower as various crooks from the RNC, Congress, and who knows from where else entered the room. They thought they were there to discuss who to pick as VP. Little did they know. This time, they will not stop him.

He hardly listened as they begged Trump to pick Scott Brown. His vice-presidential nominee was not going to be a low-energy loser, no matter how hard they tried to persuade him. Finally, he spoke, making the room silent. He thanked them for their opinions, but announced that he had already picked his running mate, and sent an aide to bring the nominee in. Those old idiots who refused to back Trump and then gave him horrible advice ever since he won the nomination were left confused. He could sense their fear. Their worst expectations would be exceeded.

After what must have felt like forever to them, the door opened, and the Republican Vice Presidential nominee almost fell inside, borderline drunk, proclaiming that Donald Trump is the next President and slamming Hillary Clinton for how crooked she is.

Donald had his doubts at first. But seeing the look on their faces, he knew he made the right choice.

THE REPUBLICAN TICKET FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES, 2016

Businessman Donald John Trump (R-NY)/Former Governor Sarah Louise Heath Palin (R-AK)

[John King wannabe]

Donald Trump

Donald was sitting in his office in the Trump Tower as various crooks from the RNC, Congress, and who knows from where else entered the room. They thought they were there to discuss who to pick as VP. Little did they know. This time, they will not stop him.

He hardly listened as they begged Trump to pick Scott Brown. His vice-presidential nominee was not going to be a low-energy loser, no matter how hard they tried to persuade him. Finally, he spoke, making the room silent. He thanked them for their opinions, but announced that he had already picked his running mate, and sent an aide to bring the nominee in. Those old idiots who refused to back Trump and then gave him horrible advice ever since he won the nomination were left confused. He could sense their fear. Their worst expectations would be exceeded.

After what must have felt like forever to them, the door opened, and the Republican Vice Presidential nominee almost fell inside, borderline drunk, proclaiming that Donald Trump is the next President and slamming Hillary Clinton for how crooked she is.

Donald had his doubts at first. But seeing the look on their faces, he knew he made the right choice.

THE REPUBLICAN TICKET FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES, 2016

Businessman Donald John Trump (R-NY)/Former Governor Sarah Louise Heath Palin (R-AK)

Jesus

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BREAKING NEWS - Bloomberg and McMullin strike deal

Blitzer - After days of speculation about a potential agreement between the two third-party moderates, it has now been announced that Michael Bloomberg will no longer stand on the ballot in Utah and Idaho, the two states that the McMullin campaign feels it has a shot at winning. Bloomberg will endorse and help fund McMullin in those states. In exchange, McMullin will drop out in every other state. In other news, Gary Johnson will also drop out in Utah and Idaho. The third-party candidates view a McMullin victory in Utah and potentially through highly unlikely Idaho as crucial in sending the election to the House. In Utah in particular Donald Trump is very unpopular, and that was only strengthened by the selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate. Thus, McMullin and Bloomberg hope that the toxicity of the Trump/Palin ticket will defy the Republican DNA of the state.

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Sanders maintains strong lead as Bloomberg gains steam

Blitzer - The RNC will take place in only a few days and Donald Trump is going to need a very big convention bump. Bernie Sanders maintains a strong lead over the Republican nominee and after his controversial VP pick, Trump lost support to Bloomberg and to McMullin in Utah. The outlook looks dire for the Republican nominee, but that can obviously change by November.

General Election Polling - National
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT)/Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) - 45,9%
Businessman Donald Trump (R-NY)/ Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) - 36,3%
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-NY)/Governor John Kasich (R-OH) - 15,1%
Former Governor Gary Johnson (L-NM)/Former Governor Bill Weld (L-MA) - 2,2%
Former CIA Officer Evan McMullin (R-UT)/Consultant Mindy Finn (R-DC) - 0,5%

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The Republican National Convention - Trump attempts to unite the party against the socialist threat

The party convention in Cleveland, Ohio was just as unpredictable and unhinged as its presidential and vice-presidential nominees. It came during a bad period for the Republican ticket, which has dived the polls as more and more moderates defect to the Bloomberg independent bid, and it was viewed by the Trump campaign as a unique chance to re-launch the controversial candidate and his running mate. Its beginning was overshadowed by an unprecedented endorsement by the Bushes and Mitt Romney, who urged voters in a joined statement to vote for Bloomberg and Kasich. Other than Bob Dole, no other living Presidential nominee even attended the event. Even ignoring the protests which almost became riots outside of the Convention Hall, the Convention itself was full of controversies. Here are the most important events of each day -

DAY 1 - Melania Trump accused of plagiariasm

Themed Make America Safe Again, this was a day for foreign policy hawks and nativists, with many speeches given by victims of terrorism and crimes committed by illegal immigrants. While overshadowed by the Bush-Romney statement, the day seemed to go smoothly until Melania Trump gave a speech that copied almost word for word the speech Michelle Obama gave at the 2012 DNC. That immediately became the story of the day, which frustrated Republicans operatives.

DAY 2 - Sarah Palin and that is pretty much it

Themed Make America Work Again, this day was supposed to be appealing to Midwesterners. However, all of that got overshadowed by Sarah Palin. Sensing blood, Rubio and Kasich delegates did their best to prevent Palin from being nominated or at least make the whole process a long spectacle. Their second goal was successful, as the entire nation watched the Republicans fighting over trivial procedural matters and the remaining moderates attempting to filibuster as the convention chairs struggled to push Palin through. Eventually, Trump got his running mate but all other speeches, including ones by McConnell, Ryan, and Chris Christie, were overshadowed by the Palin circus. At last, the VP nominee herself spoke. It was a wild address, permanently throwing red meat to the base on cultural issues while fear-mongering about socialism. She famously said that real Americans will not let a communist grandpa rule over their lives, and made several dubious remarks about the Constitution and what it specifies. Mainstream pundits called it meandering and aggressive, but it drew the crowd into a frenzy and earned praise from a majority of right-wingers.

DAY 3 - Socialism should be feared

Themed Make America First Again, protectionism was not mentioned that much by the speakers as they were running against Sanders, who is also against free trade. Instead, they focused on dooming about the left-wing dystopia that the Democratic ticket would bring about. It was by far the most successful day, with little controversies as speakers agreed about the necessity of stopping Crazy Bernie, Pocahontas, and their evil plans to open borders, abolish private healthcare, and destroy the economy. Even Ted Cruz, known for his tedious relationship with Trump, endorsed the ticket, although he barely even mentioned the nominee in what many thought to have been a repudiation.

DAY 4 - Donald Trump is not a joke anymore

Themed Make America One Again, speakers tried to move on from the race-baiting and right-wing propaganda that took place on the other days and instead focus on appealing to moderate voters. They tried to present Trump as a successful businessman, someone who is much kinder in private and who will fix the issues with the economy by cutting taxes and regulations. Of course, Trump himself will render all their efforts futile with his dark acceptance speech. In it, he bashed immigrants and dangerous Middle Easterners, claimed that Sanders would allow a wave of crime and rioting to unleash upon the major cities, spoke more about the heritage of Elizabeth Warren than any specific policy. It seemed as if his speech was one day of Fox News crammed into a speech lasting an hour. Of course, the base loved it.

Regardless of all controversies, Trump did receive a convention bump. If it will last after the DNC, it remains to be seen.

General Election Polling - National
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT)/Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) - 43.4%
Businessman Donald Trump (R-NY)/Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)- 42.8%
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-NY)/Governor John Kasich (R-OH) - 11.9%
Former Governor Gary Johnson (L-NM)/Former Governor Bill Weld (L-MA) - 1.6%
Former CIA Officer Evan McMullin (R-UT)/Consultant Mindy Finn (R-DC) - 0.3%

[lord_moxley]

Bump