Ed from Appalachia: 2016 Election

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Ed Donnell debates Hillary Clinton for the first time
September 26, 2016

The issues debated were the economy and job creation, trade, the federal deficit, race relations and policing, the war on terror, the foreign policy of the United States, and each candidate's political experience.

On the economy, Ed Donnell said his Administration would lower taxes on all Americans who paid taxes, create a $100,000 tax credit for those starting new businesses, renegotiate unfair trade agreements such as NAFTA and TPP, provide tax breaks for companies that don't outsource, not cut or expand Medicare or Social Security, and fix infrastructure by closing potholes in America's roads.

Hillary Clinton promised to raise the federal minimum wage to 12 dollars per hour, implement a "clawback" that would rescind tax breaks and other benefits for companies that ship jobs overseas, abandon the Trans-Pacific Partnership, expand the earned income and child tax credits, close corporate tax loopholes, and work with Congress to write and pass an infrastructure bill. She also criticized Ed Donnell's promise of tax cuts.

Donnell, on the other hand, said the clawback proposal would be "disastrous", making many companies abandon the US altogether, and that raising the minimum wage would hurt small businesses and increase outsourcing, that Hillary Clinton was a flip-flopper, and that a decently sized infrastructure bill to help private enterprise would be food idea.

On trade, Hillary Clinton said her Administration would not support the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and that there would be automatic tariffs on imports made with sweatshop labor; the former Secretary of State reiterated her support for free trade, saying NAFTA wasn't that bad.

Ed Donnell said his stance on foreign trade had been clear for eight years: the Senator supported free and fair trade, stating his opposition to the original NAFTA from the beginning, promising to renegotiate it; the same went for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He also attacked Hillary Clinton on the former, due to her opposition to NAFTA in the 2008 democratic primaries.

As to the national debt, Ed Donnell said his Administration would work with Congress to ratify a balanced budget amendment into the constitution, banning the US federal government from spending more than it earns for 30 years, while eliminating "useless" government programs, such as one teaching gambling to pigeons.

Hillary Clinton vowed to close corporate tax loopholes and crack down on tax evasion, while reducing military spending and taxing the richest 1% to control the deficit. She said Republicans rambled about the deficit when a Democrat was president, but ignored it upon raising taxes on the wealthy.

As to race relations, Hillary Clinton reiterated her support for affirmative action programs, while calling for criminal justice reform, including the decriminalization of drug possession, and gun control.

Ed Donnell said his Administration would focus less on handouts and more on developing initiative among black and non-white business owners, including as part of his Small Business Tax Credit. The Senator for Virginia also said gun laws were irrelevant to race relations.

I am skipping the three final questions, but there was a shouting match over Clinton's original support for the Iraq War, and her handling of the Benghazi embassy attack.

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Donnell campaign broadcasts ad about war record
September 30, 2016

The presidential campaign of Ed Donnell is broadcasting a television ad nationwide, about his service in the Iraq War as an infantryman.

The ad is one minute long, and details Donnell's actions in the 2003 invasion of Iraq in a biographical fashion, saying that while the war was unjust, Donnell had placed his country above political beliefs and "bravely" fought for America.

The television advertisement has had mixed reviews, but it has definitely swayed a few voters.

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I have no ideas

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I should stop making TL's.

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Ed Donnell releases education plan
October 4, 2016

Ed Donnell has just given a speech in Manassas, Virginia about his Administration's education policy.

"Youth are the future of humanity, and deserve to have their needs met. My Administration will reform America's education system. First of all, we are going to focus on trade schools, especially with our jobs going overseas at such an alarming rate. Furthermore, all low-income parents will directly receive school vouchers from the federal government, so they can choose what school their children go to. The Donnell Administration is also going to fully eliminate standardized testing, which distorts the learning process and leads to education by rote. And, last but not least, abstinence-based sex ed programs are going to be expanded under my watch, as children must learn decency. Every American child deserves a great school to attend"

The proposal for abstinence-based sex ed has been criticized by educators as ineffective.

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Ed Donnell accused of sexual harassment, stalking
October 8, 2016

This afternoon, an anonymous woman from Blacksburg has been interviewed by CNN's Jim Acosta

In the interview, she accused Ed Donnell of sexually harassing, then stalking her between 1998 and 2002, ceasing it "shortly before" being deployed to Iraq.

She also gave a detailed account of Donnell's supposed advances, and called the Republican nominee an "absolute creep" who should "never" have become popular.

Ed Donnell or his campaign have not yet reacted to the accusations, but they have caused a stir.

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Ed Donnell strongly denies accusations of sexual harassment; Hillary Clinton expresses concern
October 9, 2016

One day after a woman accused Ed Donnell of sexual harassment and stalking, the Republican nominee has given a speech in Allentown, Pennsylvania to dispel those claims:

"These accusations of sexual misconduct against me are 100% false. I am a decent family man, who has always treated everyone with respect. I would never do these things to anyone – I'm too good for that, people who know me can agree. If the allegations were true, they would come out in the 2008 Virginia Senate race, making me lose given the closeness of that election, not one month before a presidential election. Let's move on from this drama, and talk about issues Americans find relevant"

Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, said the accusations against Donnell were "deeply concerning", but that they are of "uncertain veracity" when asked by reporters during a rally in Dearborn, Michigan:

"So, the accusations of sexual assault against Donnell are deeply concerning, but of uncertain veracity. There's no hard proof for them yet, but they can be true. If they are, Senator Donnell is unfit to serve as President."

Republican vice-presidential nominee Scott Walker has also came to Donnell's defense, wondering why the accusations came one month before the election.

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Stella Donnell comes in defense of husband
October 10, 2016

Ed Donnell's wife Stella Donnell (nee Welch) has been interviewed in MSNBC's Morning Joe, being asked by Joe Scarborough about the accusations of sexual assault against her husband.

Ms. Donnell said her husband had "never sexually harassed anyone", and was a "strong believer in family values". The 36 year old teacher, who married US Army soldier Ed Donnell in 2001, appeared calm and unafraid during the interview.

"Ed never sexually harassed anyone. He's a family man, a good American, and strong believes in family values. If these allegations were true, I would have never married him. But they're not, they're smears designed to prevent Ed Donnell from becoming our 45th President" were Ms. Donnell's words.

Three more women have accused Ed Donnell of sexual misconduct, but they received little media attention.

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Scott Walker won the vice-presidential debate, and Ed Donnell won the second presidential debate.

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Ed Donnell attacks Hillary Clinton for "rigging" the Democratic primaries
October 14, 2016

This morning, the Republican nominee gave a televised and livestreamed speech in Nashua, New Hampshire where he attacked his opponent, Hillary Clinton for supposedly "rigging" the Democratic primaries against Bernie Sanders, through means such as sharing questions before a primary debate, based on emails leaked by WikiLeaks; he also called Hillary Clinton a "flip-flopper"

"I saw the WikiLeaks emails. My conclusion was crystal clear: Hillary Clinton rigged the Democratic primaries against Bernie Sanders. While I strongly disagree with progressives like Sanders on policy, they at least know what they stand for, unlike Hillary Clinton, who commits a flip-flop after another. Sharing questions before a debate for public office is shameful of the DNC to do, and further proves there was fraud in the primaries. I am the only candidate who stands for the average American – Hillary Clinton has never done this, and won't fight for the little guy as President"

Pundits have said calling the Democratic primaries "rigged" is an exaggeration, but many in the public agree with this statement.

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Ed Donnell gives speech to American Medical Association
October 18, 2016

The US Senator for Virginia has attended a meeting of the American Medical Association, where he gave a speech criticizing Obamacare and touting his replacement plan.

"Doctors of America, Obamacare has been terrible for our healthcare system. Healthcare prices and premiums have skyrocketed, while millions of people remain without access to healthcare. The Donnell Administration will fix this issue the American way, through free enterprise, not the socialist way, which is government control of healthcare. We will repeal Obamacare, and replace it with a plan which will require healthcare providers to properly compensate patients injured by medical malpractice, provide healthcare vouchers for those below the poverty line, deregulate insurance markets so people are covered throughout state lines, provide a $50,000 tax credit to offset the cost of private insurance, double HSA deductibility, and boost the bargaining power of small employers with insurers. Americans will get the quality care they need and deserve"

The Donnell plan has gotten a mixed reception from medical experts.

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Woman retracts accusation against Ed Donnell
October 21, 2016

Tonight, Sandra Geoffrey, a 36 year old pediatrician from Blacksburg who previously accused Ed Donnell of sexual assault, has gone on MSNBC's Morning Joe to retract her accusations against Donnell.

In the interview, Geoffrey apologized to the Republican nominee for the "false" accusations, describing him as a "man of character".

"I am here because I lied. Ed Donnell never did anything wrong to me – my accusations were false. Donnell, like my husband Timothy, is a man of character, who treats all people he knows with respect. I apologize for smearing a man who has gotten that far in life, and return to my job as a pediatrician and gynecologist"

Ed Donnell has accepted Geoffrey's apology, and called for the American public to "move on" from the accusations.

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Ed Donnell attacks Hillary Clinton on ties to Goldman Sachs
October 25, 2016

The GOP nominee has just spoken at a Cedar Rapids, Iowa rally about his opponent Hillary Clinton's ties to Goldman Sachs, and the role they supposedly played in the DNC "rigging" the primaries against Bernie Sanders.

"There are well-intentioned people, such as the ones at WikiLeaks, unmasking Hillary Clinton. We recently learned of her ties to Goldman Sachs and other "charity" organisations, and her belief you can hold a public and private position on an issue, which certainly influenced her decision to rig the Democratic primaries against Bernie Sanders. Saudi Arabia and Russia, two reprehensible countries, have given Clinton millions of dollars to defend their interests. The Democrats cannot speak of "women's rights" when their nominee has taken money from a medieval dictatorship which still bans women from DRIVING! On the other hand, I have always been on the side of the American people, taking no money from SuperPACs or billionaires. My Administration will fight for the average American to have a better life – I doubt Hillary Clinton will do the same thing. Ed Donnell is the honest candidate in this election"

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Ed Donnell pledges to withdraw from Afghanistan, declare China currency manipulator
October 29, 2016

Donnell has gathered thousands of his working-class supporters in Kenosha, Wisconsin for a televised and livestreamed speech.

"When I'm President, we will gradually pull our troops out of Afghanistan. This war was justified at first, but is now unwinnable. Our little experiment at nation building in the Indian subcontinent has failed. In the US Senate, I opposed the Iraq and Libya wars, and shortly before announcing this campaign, I came out in favor of a withdrawal from Afghanistan, which will happen at some point under my term. Furthermore, our trade relationship with Communist China has destroyed middle-class livelihoods for decades. My Administration will take steps to reinvigorate American manufacturing, namely by declaring China a currency manipulator, renegotiating NAFTA with stronger protections for American workers, environment and businesses, and making sure the Trans-Pacific Partnership meets these conditions. I will be a president for the working people of America"

In the meantime, Scott Walker has attacked Hillary Clinton for her emails.

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Ed Donnell attacks Hillary Clinton on emails
November 2, 2016

The youthful Republican nominee has just appeared in a televised and YouTube ad, criticizing Hillary Clinton for emails which recently surfaced in an investigation about Anthony Weiner.

"After this investigation, the fact Democrats nominated Hillary Clinton becomes baffling. She is everything a presidential candidate should not be – dishonest, indecisive, and shady. This was so obvious, the DNC had to rig the primaries so Bernie Sanders didn't defeat the Goldman Sachs candidate. On the other hand, I have always been on the right side of the issues – on the side of the American people, from the richest metropolis to the poorest rural town. The Donnell Administration will defend the average American against special interests in Washington"

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Hillary Clinton focused on continuing and expanding Barack Obama's policies, while attacking Ed Donnell as inexperienced and inconsistent.

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During and after 9/11, Ed Donnell, an Iraq War veteran himself, held several rallies in honor of veterans and the victims of Islamic extremism, while doubling down on his promise to work with America's allies in the fight against terrorism.

He also wished Hillary Clinton a speedy recovery.

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RNC blankets Midwest in fair trade, healthcare ads
November 4, 2016

The Republican National Committee and the Ed Donnell presidential campaign are working together to flood the airwaves of Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa and Minnesota with television commercials about Donnell's promises on foreign trade and healthcare – two of his stances Republicans think appeal to Midwestern voters.

One of the ads, named "Donnellcare Now!" shows testimony from two doctors, who criticize Obamacare for making premiums "skyrocket" and "massively increasing" healthcare costs. Then, an unidentified man says: "The free market is the best way to "ration" a resource like healthcare. Otherwise, it's government bureaucrats who get to decide who, when and why gets access to healthcare". Finally, Ed Donnell explains Donnellcare in detail: Malpractice reform, cutting red tape for private insurers, a $50,000 tax credit, healthcare vouchers, widening HSA deductibility, and boosting the bargaining power of small employers with insurers.

The other commercial, titled "Bring the Jobs Back" depicts respected economists talking about how "millions" of American jobs have been shipped overseas since the 1980s, followed by testimony from factory workers in the Midwest about the loss of jobs. Then, Ed Donnell mentions his work in the US Senate, where he fought for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The instrumentals for the song "Allentown" could be heard playing in the background.

According to the lastest Gallup poll, Ed Donnell has a 3 point lead over Hillary Clinton.

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Ed Donnell closes campaign in Pennsylvania
November 7, 2016

The Republican nominee, who will become the youngest democratic head of government in the world, and the youngest ever US President, has finished his presidential campaign with a whistle-stop tour of the Rust Belt Trio.

On November 4, Donnell stumped through Wisconsin with the state's Governor and his running mate, Scott Walker, who received a negative reception in working-class areas.

On the 5th, Ed Donnell held rallies in Grand Rapids and Warren, Michigan, where he gave speeches on foreign trade and protecting Social Security, respectively.

One day later, the Senator for Virginia flew to Ohio, where he rallied in Cleveland, giving a speech focused on renegotiating unfair trade deals, and providing tax breaks for those starting new businesses.

Now, one day before the presidential election, Donnell closed his presidential campaign with a large rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania; the Senator, who looked somewhat tired, gave a speech on themes of hope and change, calling for a "new generation" to lead America.

On the meantime, Hillary Clinton has spent the final day of the campaign with John Hickenlooper in Nevada.

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Ed Donnell elected US President
November 11, 2016

Tonight, after three days of counting votes in all 50 states and the district of Columbia, Associated Press has confirmed Republican nominee Ed Donnell as the 45th President of the United States.

Donnell, 38, ran an optimistic campaign of hope and change, balanced with attacks on Hillary Clinton for her scandals; this appealed to millions of voters who were looking for a new start. His policies, packaged as "21st Century Conservatism" include healthcare reform, fair trade and business development – with unorthodox views on campaign finance reform, affirmative action, and renewable energy, which caused a considerable amount of "Never Donnell" third-party votes, but nevertheless appealed to many moderate voters, especially in the Northeast.

Donnell's election is historic, as the Senator for Virginia has became the youngest ever President of the United States, and the first to be a registered Methodist.

His victory was possible by the Republican ticket flipping Florida, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire and Donnell's home state of Virginia.

The results, with margins, are as follows:

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Should I make a separate thread about Donnell's presidency (including the transition?)

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Ed Donnell gives victory speech in Blacksburg
November 12, 2016

US President-elect Ed Donnell has just given his victory speech in his home town of Blacksburg, Virginia, shortly after Hillary Clinton called him to concede.

"Americans, I have dreamed of becoming President since my teenage years, and in two months, this dream will come true. However, I did not want to be President for the glory, the fame or the money; I wanted to be the most important person in the world to restore America to prosperity. And this is what we are going to do! Our country direly needed a new generation in power – people in touch with the harsh realities of America after our decline began. Because of the power of workers and students, among others, I received 63 million votes in all of the United States – people who were looking for a new start, a government that worked for the people rather than special interests. All of our presidents since 1989 had put themselves and their cronies above the national interest; we are going to reverse American decline, and bring in American renewal! While remaining true to America's core values, the Donnell Administration will bring positive, immediate and substantial change to the government of the world's sole superpower. Let's work in the coming years to put America back on track together"

The speech has gotten a mixed reception.

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Ed Donnell elected US President
November 11, 2016

Tonight, after three days of counting votes in all 50 states and the district of Columbia, Associated Press has confirmed Republican nominee Ed Donnell as the 45th President of the United States.

Donnell, 38, ran an optimistic campaign of hope and change, balanced with attacks on Hillary Clinton for her scandals; this appealed to millions of voters who were looking for a new start. His policies, packaged as "21st Century Conservatism" include healthcare reform, fair trade and business development – with unorthodox views on campaign finance reform, affirmative action, and renewable energy, which caused a considerable amount of "Never Donnell" third-party votes, but nevertheless appealed to many moderate voters, especially in the Northeast.

Donnell's election is historic, as the Senator for Virginia has became the youngest ever President of the United States, and the first to be a registered Methodist.

His victory was possible by the Republican ticket flipping Florida, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire and Donnell's home state of Virginia.

The results, with margins, are as follows:

Donnell won 55% of the vote in Texas

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Hillary Clinton gives concession speech
November 13, 2016

One day after Ed Donnell became the president-elect, Hillary Clinton has formally given a concession speech in Trenton, New Jersey.

In the speech, Clinton praised Donnell's "youth, energy and commitment to meaningful change", while urging Democrats to work with the new administration "whenever possible".

"So, we lost the election. But this is no big deal. Ed Donnell is a good man – millions of Americans, including myself, admire his youth, energy and commitment to meaningful change for each and every American. While we disagree on policies, we share the same spirit. I urge Democrats in Congress and governorships to work with the new Administration whenever possible, and continue to fight for a better America"

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Ed Donnell pledges to name conservative Democrats to cabinet
November 18, 2016

The President-elect, known for his independent and pragmatic views, has just tweeted his willingness to name "DINOs" to his cabinet when he wins the election.

This morning, Ed Donnell published on Twitter:

"When I take office, I might name a handful of DINOs, as grassroots Democrats call them, to my cabinet. And qualified ones, at that. We are probably going to have a prairie Democrat as Secretary of Agriculture... Stay tuned!"

It's being heavily speculated whether this "prairie Democrat" will be Kent Conrad, Ben Nelson, or US Ambassador to China Max Baucus.