2012 Election Game-McCain victory, A NewYorkExpress and GoTfan election game (Signup thread).

[NewYorkExpress]

John McCain's win against scandal scarred John Edwards, even as Iraq, and the economy were falling apart at the seams was a massive upset. However, McCain's successes did not extend downballot, as Democrats gained a second straight wave.

Over the next two years, the economy continued to struggle, and while Republicans picked up the Governor's mansion in Virginia behind the strong campaign of Bob McDonnell, Democrats held the New Jersey Governor's mansion as Jon Corzine won reelection.

Then, in 2010, Democrats scored their third straight cycle with gains in Congress, picking up a handful of seats in the House, and multiple Senate seats, in addition to multiple Governor's mansions.

McCain's struggled to have any major successes in either Domestic or Foreign policy, as what little stimulus he could agree on with the Democratic Congress has had no effect, the troop surge in Iraq and Afghanistan has dangerously overstretched the United States Army, and Democrats in Congress refused to give McCain's nominees to replace John Paul Stevens and David Souter on the Supreme Court hearings, leaving the Court with seven justices indefinitely.


The rules for the game are as follows:

We will be using the IRL 2012 Republican Primary calendar. Any contest that is a beauty contest (awarding no delegates, like Missouri) on that calendar will instead have the corresponding number of delegates awarded at the Republican and Democratic Convention be available on that date.

Primaries and caucuses, except where otherwise stated, will be following the Democratic Primary system of proportional delegate representation, with a 15% minimum threshold to qualify for delegates.

The game will tentatively begin on September 1, 2011, however I am open to suggestion on an earlier or later date.

There are no limits on endorsements. When applying for endorsements, please include both myself, so I can approve them or not, and GoTfan, so he can keep track of who has which endorsement. Some endorsements, such as The Des Moines Register and the New Hampshire Union Leader will be reserved for the turn before the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary. They will endorse one candidate per primary, and they are first come, first serve.

If President McCain is not selected by any player, he will not endorse until there is a nominee.

Turns will be three days, or when all players have completed their turns, whichever comes first.


Available Players (Republicans)

President John McCain

Vice President Sarah Palin- iBizbee

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison- MyCool

Former Governor Jeb Bush

Representative Michelle Bachmann

Governor Rick Perry

Secretary of Commerce Mitt Romney

Former Governor George Pataki

Any other Republican who was eligible to run in 2012

Available Players (Democrats)

Senator Barack Obama-Jakobisgood

Senator Hillary Clinton-AshtonShabazz

Secretary of Homeland Security Joe Lieberman

Senator Bernie Sanders - NOTTYLER

Governor Andrew Cuomo

Governor Deval Patrick

Senator Joe Biden

Former Governor Tim Kaine

Senator Kathleen Sebelius

Senator Sherrod Brown

Any other Democrat who was eligible to run in 2012

Oprah Winfrey-iBizbee

Senator Joe Manchin- CentristRepublican

Available Independent Candidates

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg-Ishan

Any other Independent who is eligible to run in 2012

[NewYorkExpress]

Democrat Trump or Senator Sanders

I'm inclined to grant Sanders right now, if only because I believe Trump's few political views would be more conducive to running as a Republican.

[NewYorkExpress]

Mike Bloomberg.

Granted

[NewYorkExpress]

Democrat Trump or Senator Sanders

I'm inclined to grant Sanders right now, if only because I believe Trump's few political views would be more conducive to running as a Republican.

I’ll take Sanders then

Already noted.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I play as Governor Joe Manchin (D-WV) in the Democratic primaries?

Manchin is granted (though I'd appreciate it if you or someone else was willing to play as McCain, Palin or another Republican).

Also, Manchin is currently in the Senate, as he was elected in the special election after Robert Byrd's death

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I play as Governor Joe Manchin (D-WV) in the Democratic primaries?

Manchin is granted (though I'd appreciate it if you or someone else was willing to play as McCain, Palin or another Republican).

Also, Manchin is currently in the Senate, as he was elected in the special election after Robert Byrd's death

If I'm allowed to take Palin in a sort of Populist route; I'd be down to give her a shot instead of the character I messaged you about? Seem's like that may be better for the game.

That would be preferable to me.

[NewYorkExpress]

We're waiting on at least one more Democrat and one more Republican before I start the gameplay thread.

[NewYorkExpress]

A reminder that, as iBizbee has done, announcement speeches go on this thread.

[NewYorkExpress]

Right now, I'm waiting for any players who have not posted their announcement speeches to do so.

If no one does so by Thursday or Friday, the gameplay thread will go up then.

[NewYorkExpress]

Okay. I'm going to wait until tomorrow evening for Centrist Republican and Ishan to post their announcement speeches before getting started with the gameplay thread.

In addition, owing to the low number of players, player entry will remain open, provided you either PM me first, or state which candidate you wish to run as here.

[NewYorkExpress]

Also, sometime tomorrow, I will be posting, on this thread, the results of the 2009 elections, and the 2010 midterms.

[NewYorkExpress]

Okay. I'm going to wait until tomorrow evening for Centrist Republican and Ishan to post their announcement speeches before getting started with the gameplay thread.

In addition, owing to the low number of players, player entry will remain open, provided you either PM me first, or state which candidate you wish to run as here.

Sounds good…. I’m waiting for some democratic opinions. Also, will there be primary debates?

Yes, but likely not on the first on the first turn.

I haven't decided what format they'll take yet, or if Democrats and Republicans will debate at the same time, or if they'll alternate.

[NewYorkExpress]

Okay. I'm going to wait until tomorrow evening for Centrist Republican and Ishan to post their announcement speeches before getting started with the gameplay thread.

In addition, owing to the low number of players, player entry will remain open, provided you either PM me first, or state which candidate you wish to run as here.

Sounds good…. I’m waiting for some democratic opinions. Also, will there be primary debates?

Yes, but likely not on the first on the first turn.

I haven't decided what format they'll take yet, or if Democrats and Republicans will debate at the same time, or if they'll alternate.

Sounds good, are we gonna proceed with only two candidates on each side?

Yes, however signups will remain open indefinitely.

If you are willing to search for players who are able to sign up, please do so (as either Democrats or Republicans).

Turns will likely also be longer temporarily to account for the lack of players. I was originally planning for three day turns, but they will likely be week long turns now instead.

[NewYorkExpress]

2009 and 2010 Election recap

2009

Virginia-Governor

Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R) 47%
Former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe (D) 46%

New Jersey-Governor

Incumbent Jon Corzine (D) 52%
Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R) 45%

2010

House of Representatives

D+5 (If you have a question about a specific race, please PM me)



Senate

Massachusetts Senate-Special

Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Warren (D) 55%
State Senator Scott Brown (R) 45%

West Virginia-Special

Governor Joe Manchin (D) 59%
Businessman John Raese (R) 41%

Alabama

Incumbent Jeff Sessions (R) 63%
Teacher Simone De Moore (D) 37%

Alaska

Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams (D) 34%
Attorney Joe Miller (R) 32%
Incumbent Lisa Murkowski 32%

Arizona (Appointed Senator Jim Kolbe not seeking reelection)

Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D) 48%
Secretary of State Jan Brewer (R) 46%

Arkansas

Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R) 52%
Incumbent Blanche Lincoln (D) 47%

California

Incumbent Barbara Boxer (D) 65%
State Senator Tom Harman (R) 31%

Colorado

Incumbent Michael Bennet (D) 55%
Former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton (R) 44%

Connecticut (Christopher Dodd retiring)

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) 62%
Former Representative Rob Simmons (R) 35%

Florida (Mel Martinez retiring)

Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala (D) 51%
Governor Charlie Crist (R) 48%

Georgia

Incumbent Johnny Isakson (R) 52%
Labor Commissioner of Georgia Mike Thurmond 46%

Hawaii

Incumbent Daniel Inoyue (D) 86%
Former State Representative Campbell Cavasso (R) 12%

Idaho

Incumbent Mike Crapo (R) 61%
Representative Walt Minnick (D) 37%

Illinois

Incumbent Barack Obama (D) 57%
Businessman Bruce Rauner (R) 39%

Indiana

Incumbent Evan Bayh (D) 51%
Former Representative John Hostettler (R) 48%

Iowa

Former Governor Tom Vilsack (D) 50.2%
Incumbent Chuck Grassley (R) 49.6%

Kansas (Sam Brownback running for Governor)

Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) 48%
Representative Todd Tiahart (R) 46%

Kentucky (Jim Bunning retiring)

Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R) 56%
Lieutenant Governor Jack Conway (D) 42%

Louisiana

Incumbent David Vitter (D) 52%
Representative Charlie Melancon (R) 45%

Maryland

Incumbent Barbara Milkulski (D) 67%
State Senator Andy Harris (R) 31%

Missouri (Kit Bond retiring)

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) 49%
Representative Roy Blunt (R) 48%

Nevada

State Senator Mark Amodei (R) 49%
Incumbent Harry Reid (D) 46%

New Hampshire

Governor John Lynch (D) 52%
Incumbent Judd Gregg (R) 47%

New York

Incumbent Chuck Schumer (D) 71%
Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef (R) 26%

North Carolina

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall (D) 50.5%
Incumbent Richard Burr (R) 47.6%

North Dakota

Governor John Hoeven (R) 53%
Incumbent Byron Dorgan (D) 45%

Ohio (George Voinovich retiring)

Representative Jim Jordan (R) 49%
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D) 48%

Oklahoma

Incumbent Tom Coburn reelected unopposed

Oregon

Incumbent Ron Wyden (D) 61%
Law School Professor Jim Huffman (D) 37%

Pennsylvania (Arlen Specter retiring)

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (D) 52%
Representative Pat Toomey (R) 46%

South Carolina

Incumbent Jim DeMint (R) 60%
Criminal Alvin Greene (D) 34%

South Carolina-Special Election (The previous incumbent, Lindsey Graham was appointed Secretary of Defense by President McCain. Appointed Senator David Beasley did not seek a full term, instead running for Governor.)

Representative Joe Wilson (R) 55%
Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley (D) 43%

South Dakota

John Thune won reelection unopposed.

Utah

Incumbent Bob Bennett (R) 69%
Businessman Sam Granato (D) 30%

Vermont

Incumbent Patrick Leahy (D) 62%
State Senator Phil Scott (R) 35%

Washington

Incumbent Patty Murray (D) 57%
Former State Senator Dino Rossi (R) 43%

Wisconsin

Incumbent Russ Feingold (D) 49%
Businessman Ron Johnson (R) 47%

Governors

Alabama (Bob Riley term-limited)

Former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) 55%
Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks (D) 44%

Alaska

Incumbent Sean Parnell (R) 47%
Former State Representative Ethan Berkowitz (D) 45%

Arizona (Janet Napolitano term-limited)

Attorney General Terry Goddard (D) 49%
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (R) 48%

Arkansas

Former Representative Asa Hutchinson (R) 51%
Incumbent Mike Beebe (D) 47%

California (Arnold Schwarzenegger term-limited)

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) 65%
Former State Senator Dick Ackerman (R) 31%

Colorado

Incumbent Bill Ritter (D) 48%
Former Representative Tom Tancredo (Constitution) 29%
Former Representative Scott McInnis (R) 20%

Connecticut

Businessman Ned Lamont (D) 49%
Incumbent Jodi Rell (R) 47%

Florida (Incumbent Charlie Crist running for Senate)

CFO Alex Sink (D) 47%
Health Care Executive Rick Scott (R) 46%

Georgia (Sonny Perdue term-limited)

Former Secretary of State Karen Handel (R) 52%
Former Governor Roy Barnes (D) 45%

Hawaii (Linda Lingle term-limited)

State Senator David Ige (D) 65%
Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona (R) 33%

Idaho

Incumbent Butch Otter (R) 70%
Mediator Keith Allred (D) 26%

Illinois (Rod Blagojevich defeated in primary)

Representative Mark Kirk (R) 50%
Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) 48%

Iowa

Incumbent Chet Culver (D) 49%
State Senator Kim Reynolds (R) 48%

Kansas (Kathleen Sebelius term-limited)

Senator Sam Brownback (R) 52%
Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson (D) 46%

Maine (John Baldacci term-limited)

Former Governor Angus King (I) 48%
Waterville Mayor Paul LePage (R) 27%
Former Representative Tom Allen (D) 23%

Maryland

Incumbent Martin O'Malley (D) 57%
Former Governor Bob Ehrlich (R) 42%

Massachusetts

Former State Cabinet Official Charlie Baker (R) 41%
Incumbent Deval Patrick (D) 39%
Treasurer Tim Cahill (I) 20%

Michigan (Jennifer Granholm term-limited)

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero (D) 52%
Attorney General Mike Cox (R) 44%

Minnesota (The Previous incumbent, Tim Pawlenty was appointed as Secretary of Transportation by President McCain. The current incumbent, Carol Molnau did not run for reelection.)

Minneapolis Mayor R.T Rybak (D) 55%
Former Senator Norm Coleman (R) 43%

Nebraska

Incumbent Dave Heineman (R) 73%
2002 nominee for Attorney General Mike Meister (D) 25%

Nevada

Computer Programmer Jacky Rosen (D) 44%
Incumbent Jim Gibbons (R) 43%

New Hampshire (John Lynch running for Senate)

State Senator Maggie Hassan (D) 54%
Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (R) 44%

New Mexico (Bill Richardson term-limited)

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish (D) 53%
Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez (R) 43%

New York (David Paterson not running for reelection)

Representative Kirsten Gillibrand (D) 63%
Former State Assemblyman John Faso (R) 33%

Ohio

Former Representative John Kasich (R) 48%
Incumbent Ted Strickland (D) 45%

Oklahoma (Brad Henry term-limited)

Representative Mary Fallin (R) 61%
Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins (D) 39%

Oregon (Ted Kulongoski term-limited)

Former Governor John Kitzhaber (D) 53%
Former NBA Player Chris Dudley (R) 46%

Pennsylvania (Ed Rendell term-limited)

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato (D) 47%
Attorney General Tom Corbett (R) 46%

Rhode Island (Donald Carcieri term-limited)

Treasurer Frank Caprio (D) 39%
Cariceri staffer John Robtallie (R) 29%
Former Senator Lincoln Chafee (I) 27%

South Carolina (Mark Sanford term-limited)

State Representative Nikki Haley (R) 53%
State Senator Vincent Sheheen (D) 46%

South Dakota (Mike Rounds term-limited)

Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard (R) 62%
State Senator Scott Heideprim (D) 38%

Tennessee (Phil Bredesen term-limited)

Representative Zach Wamp (R) 59%
Representative Bart Gordon (D) 39%

Texas

Incumbent Rick Perry (R) 55%
Houston Mayor Bill White (D) 42%

Utah (Previous incumbent John Huntsman appointed Secretary of State by President McCain)

Incumbent Gary Herbert (R) 62%
Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon (D) 37%

Vermont

State Senator Peter Shumlin (D) 52%
Incumbent Jim Douglas (R) 46%

Wisconsin (Jim Doyle did not seek reelection)

Representative Ron Kind (D) 49%
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker (R) 48.2%

Wyoming (Dave Freudenthal did not run for reelection)

Former U.S Attorney Matt Mead (R) 71%
Wyoming Democratic Party Chairwoman Leslie Petersen (D) 25%

[NewYorkExpress]

The gameplay thread has been up all day.

Since no one has posted yet, I'll extend the deadline for the turn from Tuesday to Thursday.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I claim Hillary Clinton? Thanks.

You most certainly can!

[NewYorkExpress]

At this time, we're waiting on iBizbee and CentristRepublican to post (or for Thursday night) before turn two.

[NewYorkExpress]

can i be hillary?

Hillary's already taken.

There are other Democrats available (such as Obama) if you wish to play as a Democrat, and there are other Republicans available if you wish to play as a Republican.

[NewYorkExpress]

can i be hillary?

Hillary's already taken.

There are other Democrats available (such as Obama) if you wish to play as a Democrat, and there are other Republicans available if you wish to play as a Republican.

ill take obama!

Welcome to the game!

[NewYorkExpress]

Turn extension please? Dealing with some stuff

You have until MyCool posts Hutchison's debate answers. Since that's probably going to be today or tonight, I can push the end of the turn until tomorrow or Saturday, but I don't want to push things further than that. This turn has gone on long enough as it is.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I run as Donald Trump with the GOP

Trump previously endorsed Sarah Palin.

That said, iBizbee has until the end of this turn to post something, or I will boot him from the game, so please check back at the conclusion of this turn, which is on Sunday if you still want to play as Trump.

Otherwise, is there anyone else you wish to play as?

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I run as Donald Trump with the GOP

Trump previously endorsed Sarah Palin.

That said, iBizbee has until the end of this turn to post something, or I will boot him from the game, so please check back at the conclusion of this turn, which is on Sunday if you still want to play as Trump.

Otherwise, is there anyone else you wish to play as?

I'll check on Sunday, when I'll make my final decision, if that is OK

That's fine with me.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I run as Donald Trump with the GOP

Trump previously endorsed Sarah Palin.

That said, iBizbee has until the end of this turn to post something, or I will boot him from the game, so please check back at the conclusion of this turn, which is on Sunday if you still want to play as Trump.

Otherwise, is there anyone else you wish to play as?

I'll check on Sunday, when I'll make my final decision, if that is OK

That's fine with me.

I don't think he posted, so can I sign up as Trump

I'm probably going to kill the game, as only one person posted for the second turn in a row.

Sorry.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I run as Donald Trump with the GOP

Trump previously endorsed Sarah Palin.

That said, iBizbee has until the end of this turn to post something, or I will boot him from the game, so please check back at the conclusion of this turn, which is on Sunday if you still want to play as Trump.

Otherwise, is there anyone else you wish to play as?

I'll check on Sunday, when I'll make my final decision, if that is OK

That's fine with me.

I don't think he posted, so can I sign up as Trump

I'm probably going to kill the game, as only one person posted for the second turn in a row.

Sorry.

No, no, don't end it yet...I'm enjoying my resurgence in the polls 

You are also the only person posting.

I could skip to the general election, and just do you vs. the new player as Trump, but I can't guarantee anyone other than you would post.

[NewYorkExpress]

Can I run as Donald Trump with the GOP

Trump previously endorsed Sarah Palin.

That said, iBizbee has until the end of this turn to post something, or I will boot him from the game, so please check back at the conclusion of this turn, which is on Sunday if you still want to play as Trump.

Otherwise, is there anyone else you wish to play as?

I'll check on Sunday, when I'll make my final decision, if that is OK

That's fine with me.

I don't think he posted, so can I sign up as Trump

I'm probably going to kill the game, as only one person posted for the second turn in a row.

Sorry.

No, no, don't end it yet...I'm enjoying my resurgence in the polls 

You are also the only person posting.

I could skip to the general election, and just do you vs. the new player as Trump, but I can't guarantee anyone other than you would post.

So is this game dead now?

It's been dead for a while. I just didn't bother announcing it publicly.