What Comes After: A 2024 Game (Gameplay-PAUSED)

[KaiserDave]

Iowa and South Carolina Final Results

Kamala Harris: 41% | 187,598 | 25 Delegates  ✔
Al Gore: 31% | 141,837 | 19 Delegates
Eric Adams: 20% | 91,511 | 10 Delegates
Gavin Newsom: 3% | 13,729 | 0 Delegates
Gretchen Whitmer: 2% | 9,157 | 0 Delegates
Jeff Merkley: 1% | 4,589 | 0 Delegates
Pete Buttigieg: <1% | 2,434 | 0 Delegates
Ro Khanna: <1% | 1,966 | 0 Delegates
Kirsten Gillibrand: <1% | 1,010 | 0 Delegates

Total Precincts Reporting: 100%

Josh Hawley: 30% | 53,054 | 12 Delegates  ✔
Ron DeSantis: 26% | 45,978 | 10 Delegates
Kari Lake: 15% | 26,529 | 7 Delegates
Nikki Haley: 15% | 25,484 | 7 Delegates
Roger Stone: 8% | 14,144 | 2 Delegates
Glenn Youngkin: 4% | 7,075 | 1 Delegates
Matt Gaetz: 2% | 3,236 | 1 Delegates
Justin Amash: <1% | 712 | 0 Delegates
Larry Hogan: <1%| 467 | 0 Delegates
Lin Wood: <1% | 41 | 0 Delegates

Total Precincts Reporting: 100%

[KaiserDave]

Chapter IV: The Wilds of February
February 2024

Read this very carefully please. We have passed Iowa, we have passed South Carolina, but things are just getting started. This turn will be totally unlike all others we've had before. It will compromise of the entire month of February, which means for Democrats, it will be Nevada, New Hampshire, Georgia, and Michigan. For Republicans, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. Here is the oncoming schedule, as a reminder.

Democratic
(2/6/24) Nevada & New Hampshire
(2/13/24) Georgia
(2/27/24) Michigan
...

Republican
(2/6/24) New Hampshire
(2/20/24) South Carolina
(2/22/24) Nevada

Now, how will this work functionally. That's the key. As soon as I make this post, you will have FOUR real life days to post your reaction to Iowa (and especially if that includes ending your campaign) and your preparations for New Hampshire, whatever that entails (it doesn't need to be that much, I just need to know what you're doing, it can be simple). On January 21st I'll post the results for New Hampshire, and Nevada for Democrats. I may not be able to manage an election night, we'll see. Then, you will have 4 more days for Georgia for Democrats, and South Carolina for Republicans, the in-game dates for the primaries diverge here but I am giving you the same amount of time RL. The results for those primaries come on the 25th.  You will then have four more days to post your reactions to those primaries and preparations for the next (Michigan for Democrats, Nevada for Republicans). Once the results for those primaries are out, the turn will conclude.


Mark Meadows, Jared Kushner Testify in Trump Trial
CNN, January 2nd, 2024

Ukraine Commandos Raid Perekop Peninsula
BBC, January 4th, 2024

Russia bombs Kyiv apartment blocs as response to Crimea Raid
The New York Times, January 5th, 2024

Ron DeSantis is a LIAR. He says is for Trump but he has been against TRUMP for a long time! Don't trust him!
@realDonaldTrump, Truth Social, January 7th, 2024

Post-Debate Poll gives Republican debate to Hawley, Youngkin
CNN, January 9th, 2024

"We've seen that Josh Hawley is willing to take the fight to the woke mob, time and time again, tonight was no different."
Tulsi Gabbard, Live on FOX News, January 9th, 2024

Listen to Stone! Can't trust DeSantis!
@realDonaldTrump, Truth Social, January 9th, 2024

"I like how Youngkin doesn't attack anybody. He's nice and conservative, I like that."
Focus Group Participant, Live on FOX News, January 9th, 2024

Ron DeSantis has a Trump problem
POLITICO, January 10th, 2024

Kari Lake a MUSLIM???
The Daily Mail, January 12th, 2024

Post-Debate Poll Gives Debate to Whitmer, Gore
CNN, January 13th, 2024

Post Debate Poll: MERKLEY WINS
The Daily Kos, January 13th, 2024

DPP Lai Ching-te Elected President of Taiwan
CNN, January 13th, 2024

"The provocations of extremist, dangerous, Taiwan independence narcissists have made the reunification of the motherland imminent."
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to press gaggle, January 14th, 2024

Former Congressman Cawthorn claims Hawley invited him to orgies, sex parties
CNN, January 16th, 2024

(Image of Roger Stone as robin and Donald Trump as Batman)
Saving the day!
@realDonaldTrump, Truth Social, January 17th, 2024

Ivanka Trump to Testify in Trump Trial
MSNBC, January 19th, 2024

BREAKING: Ro Khanna to drop out, endorse Jeff Merkley
CNN, January 24th, 2024

Anonymous Ex-Staffer Claims Harris was a Cruel Boss as AG
Slate, January 25th, 2024

Chinese Jets Cross into Taiwanese Aerospace
CNN, January 25th, 2024

New Hampshire Governor Sununu endorses Youngkin, "he's the man"
The Boston Globe, January 26th, 2024

China to conduct military exercises within Taiwanese waters
CNN, January 28th, 2024

Progressive Democrats hope to unite around Merkley
POLITICO, January 29th, 2024

Projection: Josh Hawley to win Iowa Caucus
FOX News, February 3rd, 2024

Projection: Kamala Harris to win South Carolina primary
CNN, February 3rd, 2024

Adams over-performs, captures a fifth of the vote
The New York Times, February 4th, 2024

"This is inarguably a win for Al Gore. He has changed the race."
Former DNC Chair Howard Dean, Live on MSNBC, February 4th, 2024

"I mean wow, if you're Ron DeSantis, you gotta take a step back, because a few months ago Iowa was a slam dunk. Josh Hawley just changed everything."
Howie Carr, Live on The Howie Carr Show, February 4th, 2024

Harris takes solid South Carolina victory
The Washington Post, February 4th, 2024

Jeff Merkley has been a true friend both to myself, and to working families in this country, for a very long time. He has my endorsement for President, and look forward to joining him on the campaign trail today.
@BernieSanders, Twitter, February 4th, 2024

Jeff Merkley is a passionate advocate for working families, and I am proud to endorse him for President. I'll be joining him in New Hampshire today!
@Ewarren, Twitter, February 4th, 2024

NH Poll: Who do you support for President in the New Hampshire primary? (Republican)
Ron DeSantis: 22%
Glenn Youngkin: 21%
Josh Hawley: 13%
Roger Stone: 13%
Nikki Haley: 12%
Kari Lake: 9%
Matt Gaetz: 3%
Undecided/Someone Else: 5%

NH Poll: Who do you support for President in the New Hampshire primary? (Democratic)
Gretchen Whitmer: 16%
Jeff Merkley: 15%
Gavin Newsom: 15%
Al Gore: 14%
Kamala Harris: 10%
Pete Buttigieg: 9%
Kirsten Gillibrand: 8%
Eric Adams: 6%
Undecided/Someone Else: 7%
New Hampshire Union Leader (Monmouth University Poll), February 5th, 2024

Nevada Poll
Who do you support for the Democratic nomination for President?
Kamala Harris: 18%
Gavin Newsom: 16%
Gretchen Whitmer: 15%
Jeff Merkley: 14%
Al Gore: 13%
Eric Adams: 9%
Pete Buttigieg: 6%
Kirsten Gillibrand: 2%
Undecided/Someone Else: 7%

Who do you support for the Republican nomination for President?
Ron DeSantis: 23%
Kari Lake: 20%
Nikki Haley: 13%
Roger Stone: 12%
Josh Hawley: 11%
Glenn Youngkin: 9%
Matt Gaetz: 5%
Justin Amash: 1%
Undecided/Someone Else: 6%
CNN, February 6th, 2024

NATIONAL POLL: Who do you support of the following candidates for President? (Republican)
Ron DeSantis: 22%
Josh Hawley: 17%
Nikki Haley: 13%
Kari Lake: 12%
Roger Stone: 10%
Glenn Youngkin: 10%
Matt Gaetz: 5%
Justin Amash: 1%
Undecided/Someone Else: 7%

NATIONAL POLL: Who do you support of the following candidates for President? (Democratic)
Kamala Harris: 19%
Al Gore: 14%
Gavin Newsom: 13%
Gretchen Whitmer: 12%
Jeff Merkley: 11%
Pete Buttigieg: 7%
Eric Adams: 6%
Kirsten Gillibrand: 4%
Undecided/Someone Else: 6%
NBC, February 6th, 2024

Endorsements

Ron DeSantis
Florida Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar
Florida Congressman Carlos A. Giménez
U.S. Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves
Former Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin
The DeVos Family
Former Attorney General William Barr
Former Attorney General and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions
U.S. Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
U.S. Senator for Arkansas John Boozeman
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
Political Commentator Ben Shapiro
Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei
Former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt
U.S. Senator for Texas John Cornyn
Ohio Congressman David Joyce
New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
New York Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis
New York Congressman Mike Lawler
New York Congressman Anthony D'Esposito
U.S. Senator for Wyoming John Barasso
U.S. Senator for South Dakota Mike Rounds
Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstead
U.S. Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
Former New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson
Nikki Haley
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster
U.S. Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
U.S. Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp
U.S. Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Businesswoman Carly Fiorina
Former U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator for Kansas Jerry Moran
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds
Former U.S. Senator for New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte
Josh Hawley
U.S. Senator for Missouri Eric Schmitt
U.S. Senator for Ohio J.D. Vance
Attorney Christopher DeMuth
Publisher Emile Doak
Missouri Congressman Sam Graves
Missouri Congressman Jason Smith
Activist Bob Vander Plaats
Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison
Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer
Venture Capitalist Peter Thiel
Attorney Christian Adams
Former Assistant Attorney General John Yoo
Attorney and ADF President Kristen Waggoner
Pastor Rick Scarborough
U.S. Senator for Louisiana John Kennedy
U.S. Senator for Indiana Mike Braun
Michigan Right-to-Life Chapter
Wisconsin Right-to-Life Chapter
Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra
Missouri Governor Mike Parson
Activist James Dobson
Family Policy Alliance
Missouri Right-to-Life
Iowa Right-to-Life
Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hindson
Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn
U.S. Senator for Tennessee Marsha Blackburn
Media Personality Michael Knowles
New Hampshire Right-to-Life
U.S. Senator for North Dakota Kevin Cramer
New Hampshire Police Association
Glenn Youngkin
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum
Virginia Congressman Bob Wittman
Virginia Congresswoman Jen Kiggans
Virginia Congressman Ben Cline
Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith
Former Vermont Governor Jim Douglas
Utah Governor Spencer Cox
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb
New Jersey Congressman Thomas Kean Jr.
California Congresswoman Young Kim
California Congresswoman Michelle Steele
California Congressman Kevin McCarthy
New Hampshire Businessman Ovide Lamontagne
New Hampshire State Representative Jess Edwards
California Congressman Doug LaMalfa
California Congressman Darrell Issa
National Committee of Asian American Republicans
Former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung
Former U.S. Senator for Nevada Dean Heller
Former New Hampshire Senate President Chuck Morse
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu
Former U.S. Senator for New Hampshire John Sununu
President of the New Hampshire State Senate Jeb Bradley
Former New Hampshire Congressman Charlie Bass
Kari Lake
Wrestler Brock Lesnar
Wrestler Mark William Calaway "The Undertaker"
The Bundy Family
Actress Gina Carano
Actress Roseanne Barr
Country Music Artist Randy Owen
Singer-songwriter Toby Keith
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Singer-songwriter Alan Jackson
TV Personality Rick Harrison
Actor Randy Quaid
Actor Jon Voight
Actor James Woods
Actor Forrie J. Smith
Actress Faith Hill
Actor Tom Selleck
Actor Will Estes
Actor Donnie Wahlberg
Actor Max Thieriot
MLB Pitcher Brian Wilson
MLB Third Baseman Matt Duffy
College Football Coach Chip Kelly
KQWC Anchors Sharon DeRycke and Paula Sands
Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman
President Pro Tempore of the Iowa State Brad Zaun
Quarterback Brock Purdy
Quad City Times Newspaper (Republican caucus endorsement)
The Daily Nonparell (Republican caucus endorsement)
Actor Taylor Kinney
Roger Stone
Media Personality Andy Ngo
Media Personality James O'Keefe
Media Personality Alex Jones
Former Congressional Candidate Laura Loomer
Media Personality Gavin McInnes
Blogger Lew Rockwell
Internet Entrepreneur Kim Dotcom
Former White House Advisor Steve Bannon
Former Maine Governor Paul LePage
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
New York Congressman George Santos
Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn
Media Personality Silk
Media Personality Michelle Malkin
Media Personality Ann Coulter
Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Former MLB Pitcher Curt Schilling
Former Texas Congresswoman Maya Flores
Proud Boys
Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson
Former Texas Congressman Ron Paul
Former Florida Congressman Allen West
Former White House Advisor Stephen Miller
Mississippi State Senator Chris McDaniel
Businessman Mike Lindell
Media Personality Ali Alexander
Businessman Carl Paladino
Media Personality Jack Posobiec
Former Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle
Former Georgia State Representative Alveda King
Nevada County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian
FreedomWorks
Young Americans for Liberty
Free State Project
Tea Party Patriots
Former Florida Congressman Ted Yoho
Former Iowa Congressman Steve King
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
Retired General Don Bolduc
Former North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn
Matt Gaetz
Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert
New York City Young Republicans Club
Media Personality Nick Adams (Alpha Male)
Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale
TPUSA Head Charlie Kirk



Kamala Harris
Ohio Congresswoman and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Joyce Beatty
Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester
California Congresswoman Maxine Waters
California Congresswoman Barbara Lee
California Congresswoman Julia Brownley
California Congressman Ted Lieu
U.S. Senator for Delaware Tom Carper
U.S. Senator for Delaware Chris Coons
U.S. Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen
U.S. Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
U.S. Senator for Virginia Mark Warner
EMILY's List
Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell
Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson
Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop
Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan
San Francisco Mayor London Breed
Nevada Congressman Steven Horsford
South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn
U.S. Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe
U.S. Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
U.S. Senator for Connecticut Richard Blumenthal
Pete Buttigieg
LGBTQ Victory Fund
New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim
North Carolina Congressman Jeff Jackson
Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner
Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline
Actor Robert De Niro
New Hampshire Congresswoman Annie Kuster
Gavin Newsom
U.S. Senator for California Alex Padilla
California Congressman Adam Schiff
Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin
Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell
U.S. Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
California Congressman Eric Swalwell
Nevada Congressman Susie Lee
Former Nevada Congressman Shelly Berkley
Former New Hampshire Congressman Paul Hodes
Gretchen Whitmer
U.S. Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
U.S. Senator for Michigan Debbie Stabenow
Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens
Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin
Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee
Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
Former Congressman Tim Ryan
Former New Hampshire Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
U.S. Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Senator for Minnesota Tina Smith
Former New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster
New Hampshire Union-Leader
U.S. Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
Eric Adams
Reverend Al Sharpton
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Former New York Congressman Charles Rangel
Former Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush
Former West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
U.S. Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin (Said He'd Vote For)
South Carolina State House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford
Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg
Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney
Jeff Merkley
U.S. Senator for Oregon Ron Wyden
Washington Governor Jay Inslee
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich
Idaho State Representative Paulette Jordan
Former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer
U.S. Senator for Vermont Peter Welch
Media Personality David Pakman
Oregon Congresswoman Val Hoyle
Former Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio
Former U.S. Senator for West Virginia Jay Rockefeller
U.S. Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Vermont Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman
Maine State Senate President Troy Jackson
Former New Hampshire Executive Councillor Andru Volinsky
California Congressman Ro Khanna
U.S. Senator for Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren
Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
U.S. Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders
Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint
Communications Workers of America
Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan
Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
Pennsylvania Congresswoman Summer Lee
New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman
Musician Neil Young
National Nurses United
Working Families Party
Kirsten Gillibrand
Governor of New York Kathy Hochul
New York Congressman Paul D. Tonko
New York Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
Former New Hampshire Governor John Lynch
Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig
Al Gore
Former Tennesse Congressman Jim Cooper
Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen
Nashville Mayor John Cooper
Virginia Congressman Don Beyer
Former U.S. Senator for Alabama Doug Jones
Former U.S. Senator for Louisiana Mary Landrieu
Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett
Charleston SC Mayor John Tecklenburg
Former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen
Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott
Former South Carolina Governor Richard Riley
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
Former Manchester Mayor Robert A. Baines
Pilot Sully Sullenberger
Activist Khizr Khan
Former Columbia Mayor Stephen Benjamin
U.S. Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
Attorney Bill Shaheen
New Hampshire Congressman Chris Pappas


Updating this is hard, especially with primaries coming so quickly. I will tell you if you have received major NV/GA/MI/SC endorsements so you can utilize them. The NH endorsements are included here.

[KaiserDave]

The Delegate Race

Kamala Harris: 25 Delegates
Al Gore: 19 Delegates
Eric Adams: 10 Delegates
Gavin Newsom: 0 Delegates
Gretchen Whitmer: 0 Delegates
Jeff Merkley: 0 Delegates
Pete Buttigieg: 0 Delegates
Ro Khanna: 0 Delegates
Kirsten Gillibrand: 0 Delegates

Josh Hawley: 12 Delegates
Ron DeSantis: 10 Delegates
Kari Lake: 7 Delegates
Nikki Haley: 7 Delegates
Roger Stone:  2 Delegates
Glenn Youngkin: 1 Delegates
Matt Gaetz: 1 Delegates
Justin Amash: 0 Delegates
Lin Wood: 0 Delegates

[Devout Centrist]

Lake Campaign Spot #3 - "Leadership" Aired in South Carolina

Narrator: Kari Lake is bringing leadership back to Washington. As President, she’ll protect South Carolina’s farmers from unfair foreign practices and bad trade deals.

Lake: We have let Mexican imports flood the market. It’s hurt our nation’s farmers and we have to fight back.

Narrator: Kari Lake refuses to accept donations from woke billionaires and special interests.

Lake: All these special interests and woke billionaires are fighting against me. Why? They know I can’t be bought.

Narrator: Kari Lake will return control back to the states and to parents as President.

Lake: We’re gonna take power back from Washington and return it to the states. It’s time for Americans to take back control of their country.

Narrator: Kari Lake. Fighting for you.

Lake: I’m Kari Lake and I approve this message.

Ad will run from Early to Mid February 2024. The Lake campaign will target the ad for men and women aged 35-65, with an eye for ad spots during local radio broadcasts and on sports talk radio popular with the demographic.

[McGovernite]

Moving Forward: Gillibrand Aims for NH

Accessed via Imgur

In the aftermath of the South Carolina primary, the Gillibrand campaign was split in their reaction to the results. Many were expecting it, and were even glad to have gotten over 1,000 votes in a state the Senator paid literally no attention to. On the other hand, others in the campaign thought that if the Senator had invested more into the state she could've had a better performance and even competed with Mayor Adams or Senator Merkley for a higher place finish. Despite their differences in opinion, the entire team was committed to the idea that "all roads run through New Hampshire." Gillibrand had been essentially living in the state for months, barnstorming every square inch in every single county multiple times.

In order to further the New Hampshire commitment, the Gillibrand campaign ramped up their New Hampshire efforts even more than they had previously. The campaign hired more staff, launched emergency GOTV events, and knocked thousands of doors every single day across the state. As for the Senator herself, she held 2-5 speaking events per day focusing on a range of issues and policy plans, but always hitting hard on her bipartisan accomplishments, 100% win record, and her Healthcare plan (especially in relation to opioids and drug addiction). The Senator had become a popular and well-known figure in the Granite State because of her frequent appearances, and it wasn't unlikely for her to be stopped multiple times while walking to take pictures, chat with, or shake hands with constituents. To help her appeal, Senator Gillibrand brought out the big guns with Former Governor John Lynch. The extremely popular former Governor of New Hampshire was with Gillibrand every step of the way from December through February. He joined her in barnstorms, campaign events, speaking events, and most nights for dinner. The Senator was also thankful to have the former Governor's financial backing, as he still had many big contacts in New England willing to donate to Senator Gillibrand as long as Governor Lynch was on her side.

Additionally, in the city of Manchester, Senator Gillibrand deployed Mayor Joyce Craig. Mayor Craig, the first woman elected to the position in her city, was a huge campaigner and backer for Senator Gillibrand up unto her public endorsement. The Mayor is extremely popular and trusted in the city, one of the qualities that Senator Gillibrand is trying to exemplify throughout her campaign. As they appeared together frequently (along with Governor Lynch), they branded themselves as trailblazers each in their own respect. Meeting with families, children, and elders at events, they had massive photo-ops wwhich would be used in campaign ads on TV and social media. And, although he's from Texas, Senator Gillibrand appeared with Rep. Beto O'Rourke in multiple social media ads in order to give herself some of his "star." As the campaign looked upwards, the Senator was happy to be joined by both the Mayor and Governor (and Rep. O'Rourke, and Gov. Healey virtually).

The Gillibrand campaign understood that her lackluster performance in South Carolina and in the nation polls put her at a general disadvantage. However, they were confident that if they could at least get in the top 4 or 5 candidates, it would be considered a victory. Posters and signs were held up by supporters at numerous events reading "Bet on Gillibrand" and "Dark Horse: Kirsten Gillibrand." The momentum on the ground was there, it was just a matter of whether or not the Senator could get people to actually commit at the polls. To help in these efforts, the campaign spent thousands to help bus voters to the polls on election day, especially in the cities of Manchester, Keene, Portsmouth, Nashua, Concord, and Lebanon (home of Dartmouth - where she expected to receive upwards of 60% of the vote). Another important part that the campaign recognized is that much of Gillibrand's base is in metropolitan areas and suburbs, largely from white, middle class to upper class, women. To help maximize turnout in this community, the Senator invested heavily in TV and social media ads, as well as yard sign/billboard campaigning. Dubbed "Facebook moms", Senator Gillibrand's big base of supporters would be drawn in by her ads, social media blitz, and fundraising emails (which she sent our frequently in the aftermath of the South Carolina primary).

The campaign was confident and pumped as they aimed for a real fight in New Hampshire. If she can pull it off, it'll be dubbed the "Gillibrand Miracle." We'll just have to wait and see.

[YPestis25]

The Comeback Kid

11:58 PM February 3rd, 2024

Source: New Republic/Me

Vice President Gore strides onto the stage, surrounded by family, local South Carolina Endorsers, and volunteers. Upbeat music blares through the speakers.

Thank you, thank you, thank you South Carolina! Tonight y’all have shocked this state, y'all have shocked this party and y'all have shocked this nation! When we started this campaign seven months ago, no one could have imagined this, but tonight you have proven the doubters and the naysayers wrong. Tonight you have proven that America is ready for experienced leadership that is ready to fight for rural America. Tonight you have proven that America is ready to stand up to the threats posed by climate change. Tonight you have proven that America is ready for a President to lead and protect our democracy on day one. Tonight you have made this campaign and this tired candidate the comeback kid.

Crowd Cheers

I just got off the phone with Vice President Harris and congratulated her on her hard fought victory. She and her team deserve congratulations, but so do you. None of this, none of it at all, would have been possible without each and every one of you, and what you have accomplished is remarkable. All over this state, from the Piedmont to the Midlands, and from Columbia to Charleston, you mobilized. You knocked on doors, and called your neighbors, and got to the polls, and for that I don’t believe I can ever fully express my thanks.

Y'all have started this campaign with a bang, but it doesn’t end here, far from it. This campaign is going to go on thanks to you all. We’re going to run through New Hampshire, sprint through Nevada and Georgia and take this fight all the way to the Convention and then to the White House! See you in New Hampshire! 

Crowd cheers as Vice President Gore leaves the stage.

[Left Wing]

The Ace in the Hole

Wikimedia Commons

For the entire campaign so far, Jeff Merkley still had remained relatively anonymous to most voters. His campaign had made extensive efforts to present himself as the standard-bearer for the progressive movement, but to many, he just appeared to another old white man trying to present himself as ahead of the times. He still couldn't truly claim to be the singular voice of the progressive left. That is, unless the progressive left anointed him their voice. Upon the withdrawal of Congressman Khanna, plans were already set into motion for a consolidation of the forces of the Democratic left. Senator Merkley met with his colleagues and carefully decided how to best go about bringing his campaign to the front of the pack.

They ultimately took a page out of President Biden's book. His rally in 2020 days before Super Tuesday in which he secured the voices of all the prominent moderate figures in the party ended up being the knockout blow he needed to eviscerate the competition. Progressives were now going to give the establishment a taste of their own medicine. The goal was also to completely direct media narratives toward their direction and blunt any favorable coverage for Vice President Harris coming off of her South Carolina win. Shortly after their endorsements went live over Twitter. Senator Merkley made the official announcement of the joint rally.

The Event

The stage was set. An auditorium full of students insulated from the cold New Hampshire winter. Many adorned in Merkley 2024 paraphernalia, but also many others sporting merchandise from Bernie and Warren's previous campaigns. This was a good sign. The entire point of the rally was to launch Merkley into the national conversation and introduce him to uninformed former Sanders/Warren supporters. The rally was promoted heavily by the Merkley, Warren and Sanders social media teams and with digital marketing. They needed a huge audience. The order of events had been carefully practiced, as he prepared to take the stage Senator Merkley thought to himself that this was the point of no return for backing out. He had to be in this to win it. As the traditional campaign walk on-music of "Roll On, Columbia" played through the speakers, he took the cue to run up to the stage.

Thank you, thank you! Thank you New Hampshire! I'm so honored to be with you tonight! New Hampshire- right now, you have the chance to make history. This primary is your voice, your crucial voice in what's in store for the future of this country. Right now we have to ask ourselves, what kind of Democratic party do we want in our future? Do we want a Democratic Party that believes healthcare is a right for every single human being? Do we want a Democratic Party that believes we need to restore the American dream of opportunity for all? Do we want a Democratic Party that recognizes that we have to use very tool available to us to fight the existential threat of climate change?

I know I do and I think most of you do too. We deserve a real chance to vote for change in this election. We deserve a chance to vote against the political establishment. We deserve a chance to vote for a progressive future. New Hampshire, this is your chance! In this election, I'm bringing these values, the values I've always fought for, to the forefront of my campaign. I know we can build a future in which we can truly fulfill the promise of America, a land where every citizen is placed on an equal footing. Where we can finally eradicate the stain of poverty from our country. And where we can have a country that works for the people, not the powerful. But if you won't take it from me, maybe you'll want to hear it from someone else.

Merkley gestures to the ramp leading to the stage as Senator Warren walks on. Chants from the crowd of "Dream Big, Fight Hard" They share a hug and he steps aside from the podium for her.

Thank you! It's great to be back in New Hampshire! Listen, I want to talk to you about the Jeff I know. I've served with Jeff in the Senate for over a decade. I've known him for even longer from my days on the Congressional Oversight Panel. From the moment I met him, I could tell Jeff was somebody who cared deeply about protecting this country's working families. When I got to the Senate, Jeff was one of the first people there to come up to me and say "welcome aboard, let's get to work for the people." When I fought to hold the big banks accountable, Jeff stood with me. When I was fighting tooth and nail against the disastrous federal appointments of the Trump administration, Jeff stood with me. And when my friend Ed Markey and I introduced the Green New Deal, Jeff stood with us. Now I'm asking you to stand with Jeff.

Now, some might say that Jeff is too boring to win. I certainly remember some of the same things being said about me! But let me say that the Jeff I know has never backed down from a cause he believed in. Just because he's not looking to pick a fight on Twitter every week doesn't mean he's not going to pick a fight with the corporations stealing from the American people. Jeff is capable, he knows what he's doing, you might even say... he has a plan for that. Audience laughs and claps But most importantly, Jeff knows that the best way to build a progressive future is to build bridges, not burn them. As the old song says, there is no force weaker on Earth than the feeble power of the one. And on that note, I want to introduce to the stage my friend and colleague, Senator Bernie Sanders!

Bernie triumphantly emerges toward the stage. He enthusiastically waves to the crowd as he steps up to the stage. He first gives Merkley a pound hug before making a point of hugging Senator Warren as well.

New Hampshire! New Hampshire, we made history here eight years ago when we shocked the political establishment with our campaign's landslide victory. I'll never forget the generosity of the people of your state. New Hampshire, when you chose to Feel the Bern in 2016, crowd laughs you put our movement on the map. When I first ran for President, it was declared ridiculous! A socialist? For president of the United States!? they said. But in that primary we showed that there are millions of Americans out there who know that the system just isn't working for them.

Since then, we've been able to bring these concerns to the forefront of the political debate. We now have more members of congress than at any point in several decades, in favor of universal healthcare. We now have a growing movement among young people, demanding radical action to address the climate crisis. We've seen dozens of ordinary people be inspired to run for congress and make a difference for our country. We've done all this thanks to you New Hampshire. Now, we are asking for your help again. If the United States of America is to become a country that's moving forward, where all people are equal under the law, we have to elect Jeff Merkley to the United States Senate.

Jeff has been with me from the beginning. In 2016, he was the only Senator to endorse my presidential campaign. He signed onto Medicare for All from the beginning. He was one of the only Democratic members of the Senate, including Senator Warren as well who stood up for the right to strike for our nation's rail workers. He is someone I have always known I could count on to fight for a progressive future.

New Hampshire, I'm asking you to make history again. We did it in 2016, we did in 2020 and we're going to do it again in 2024. People often ask me if I was disappointed that my campaigns were not successful in obtaining the nomination. And of course the answer is yes, somewhat, I was disappointed that our progressive vision for America wasn't going to be realized in those elections. But I was also comforted by the fact that I knew we had set the wheels in motion so that at some point in the near future, we would have a President of the United States on the side of the people. That's why I'm for Jeff in this campaign. Because Jeff understands it's not about him, it's about us. What I fought for and what Senator Warren fought for in our campaigns isn't dead, far from it. It's alive in all of you and I think we're going to show that to the nation on February 6th!

After continuing taking turns at the podium between the three Senators for another half hour, three cleared the stage to create a clear frame for photographers to put the three candidates side-by-side before being played off by Bernie's 2020 campaign song, "Power to the People" by John Lennon. The message was clear, progressives are back, they're united this time and they're coming for the nomination. In the days ahead, the Merkley campaign would make frequent use of excerpts from the rally through social media.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

February 2024

South Carolina primary reaction

Eric Adams arrived on stage with a confident look, knowing that even a solid third place was an important stepping stone for the future of an admittedly long-shot primary campaign.

Thank you, South Carolina! Tonight we have achieved a great result. This is not a first or even a second place but it's still a strong performance, and I know deeply that you can't get everything all at once but you have to fight every step of the way to get it. And fight is what I'll do - for a fairer and safer future for you, for your civil rights and your healthcare, for a resilient and strong America. You have shown tonight that there is real support for this campaign. It's real!

I have sent my congratulations to the winner, Vice President Harris, as well as to Vice President Gore who came second. Even I gotta acknowledge that was quite the comeback.

The primary is long and this is just the beginning. We'll go on to fight in every state, and I do mean every state. But as I said let's think one step at a time, and the next step is Nevada together with New Hampshire. So let's carry on, and thank you again!

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Nikki Haley Withdrawal Announcement

Over these last few months, I have been tremendously privileged to meet with Americans from all walks of life and to hear their concerns about the future of our country.  But after the results from Iowa, it is clear that the only way for conservatives to win this election and take back our country is to be unified and to reject the bigoted hateful, rhetoric of extremists on both sides.  And in order for us to ensure that such a candidate does not win our party's nomination for president, we cannot allow the vote of true, freedom-loving conservatives to be divided among multiple candidates.  For that reason, I announce that I am ending my campaign for president and endorsing Ron DeSantis to be our nominee in the general election.  Governor DeSantis is a proven leader who will fight as hard for America as he's fought for Florida.  I will participate in his campaign in any way I can.  I'm proud to give him my support and I urge all my voters and delegates to support his campaign in the upcoming contests.  Thank you, God bless all of you, and God bless the United States of America.

[Devout Centrist]

Lake Campaign Spot #4 - "Faith" Aired in South Carolina

Lake: I became a Christian later in my life.


Credit to CNN

Lake: Growing up, my family often struggled to make ends meet. My parents were Christian, but they just didn't have time to raise us in the faith. They had bills to pay. They had to work full time to support all 9 of us.


Credit to 60 Minutes Australia

Lake: When I started working as a local news anchor, someone told me there wasn't much room for faith in the business. For a long time, I took that message to heart. I didn't really engage with that part of myself.

Lake: There was a time, a couple years ago, where I found myself in a dark place. I had just lost a friend to stage 4 breast cancer. I was devastated. I couldn't understand why such a terrible thing could happen to a good person.


Credit to 60 Minutes Australia

Lake: I had a friend of mine invite me to their church after the memorial service had ended. For the first time in years, I was surrounded by a community of believers. They knew how I felt. They knew what I was going through.

Lake: Those people were there for me in my time of need. That was the moment I affirmed my faith and truly became a Christian.

Lake: I'm running for President because we need a leader who cares for this country and for our people. We have to share the same sense of community that led men and women to follow Christ over 2,000 years ago. We need to take care of our brothers and sisters, whoever they may be. We have to put the people of this country first. Always.

Lake: I’m Kari Lake and I approve this message.

Ad will run from Early to Mid February 2024. The Lake campaign will target the ad for men and women aged 45+, focusing on local news broadcasts and Christian radio networks.

[PPT Spiral]

Call to Arms

Of course the powers that be would do this, Stone thought to himself. They don't have many cards to choose from. The endorsement of Ron DeSantis by Nikki Haley immediately after Iowa would still mark an outrageous act of political opportunism, however, and big special interests in the GOP were clearly vested in squashing the insurgent conservative movement.

Stone would have none of it.

At a rally in Manchester, shortly after the endorsement was announced, Stone would embark on a new phase of his campaign: one might call it his unity tour. It would begin in New Hampshire, where he has been running the strongest spirited campaign of the bunch. Now he would have to amplify that to infinity as he corrals the Trump wing, the grassroots conservatives, and all the other heterodox groups to fight the power.

Fox News and other conservative stations, including local TV, would capture Stone's remarks live as he launched the fiercest speech of his campaign yet:

Look at what's happened! Look what they've done as soon as their precious anointed, the snake, lost his first state straight off the bat. They wasted absolutely no time in sacrificing one of their own to rig the system yet again. If there was ever any doubt about where Ron DeSantis really stands, the endorsement by open-borders warmonger Nikki Haley says everything.

We've been proven right, about everything. We were right about who stands with the people and who stands with the elites. We were right about all the depraved lengths that this establishment is willing to go for ramming their agenda.

This can't stand! We won't let it! If we want to beat DeSantis and his gang, we must beat them at their own game. We must unite!

This is a call to arms for all freedom-loving, stick-it-to-'em people of New Hampshire. Conservatives, libertarians, and independents: you're all part of the club! This campaign is going to mobilize like never before. We will march on the streets and we will march to the voting booths on the 6th.

This week, I'm telling you, New Hampshire can rock the nation and let the whole world know that we won't be taken advantage of. We refuse to be governed by the same crooks and backstabbers who sold off our country! Now they're about to sell off this democratic process, but we won't let them!

The hard work begins this very moment! Make your voices heard, in your churches, at your town squares, to your leaders! Not a second must be wasted! I believe in the power of the people to bring this corrupt bargain and these tyrants to their knees!

What is our motto?

"Live Free or Die!"

Exactly right! This is our time to shine!

This would not be a typical campaign sprint to the finish with the conventional speeches and town halls. This would be a campaign of direct action. This would be a movement against all the elements of the long despised political class.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

February 2024

Hoping to capitalize on his strong showing in South Carolina, while knowing most other states are a tougher battle, Eric Adams has flown to Nevada. Of the two February 6th contests that is the one he has always prioritized, and this isn't changing even though his polling numbers have improved in New Hampshire as well, because he is much less likely to break the delegate threshold there. That most of his opponents are concentrating on the Granite State while leaving Nevada up for grabs is also an important factor for a candidate always betting on the least trodden path. That said, he has decided to send his newfound ally and fellow NYC-mayor-turned-presidential-candidate Michael Bloomberg (white, moderate, more appealing to well-off voters) as a surrogate to NH for last-minute campaigning, which never hurts.

In Nevada, Eric Adams is touring Reno before going to Vegas for primary night. He's still centering his classic themes while portraying himself as a happy consumer of the state's leisure industry. The blue-collar mayor and the nightlife mayor. He is also touting some endorsements, most notably the president pro tempore of the State Senate and former majority leader Mo Denis.

When asked by a reporter whether Jeff Merkley receiving possibly the two biggest endorsements out there (Bernie Sanders and Liz Warren) and consolidating progressives changes his primary strategy and the overall dynamic of the race, he replied: "Frankly, I think I am the most progressive candidate here".

[PPT Spiral]

TV/Radio Ad: Middle Finger

Washington is at it again.

Ron DeSantis blew it in Iowa with the cards stacked in his favor. Now, party bosses and elite donors are doubling down on their man and changing the rulebook in front of our very eyes.

They don't want your vote to count. All they want is for their man to stuff their own pocketbooks at the expense of working Americans.

At a time of record inflation and soaring crime, it's time to come together and elect real leaders, not puppets.

Give Washington the biggest middle finger they won't forget.

Vote Roger Stone.

I'm Roger Stone and I approve this message.

This ad will air in New Hampshire and Nevada, with heavy concentration in New Hampshire. A variation of the ad is playing in New Hampshire to reflect the day of the primary, and this is likewise aired online. This provocative message serves as a kickoff for the Stone campaign to rally voters around an invigorated anti-DeSantis message in light of the Haley endorsement. This is also part of a key strategy to tap into a pool of new and disengaged voters who are attracted to this frank anti-establishment messaging, especially with NH's open primary system.

[John King wannabe]

For the People: Nevada or Bust

"Alright guys" The Vice President sighed into her hands aboard Air Force Two en route to Las Vegas "What we got?"

"Gore is saying he is the 'Comeback Kid' (scoff) and we've heard Newsom is cheerfully doing backflips for denying you an easy win in South Carolina" An aide responded scrolling through twitter. The Vice President made no response to these comments but looked out the windows of the plane and sighed. South Carolina was supposed to be a slam dunk for the campaign and the fact it didn't get called till over an hour after the polls closed was a tough pill for the Vice President to swallow.

Thus, in the metal tube that was Air Force Two the Vice President decided to go all in on Nevada. They would still keep a barely there ground game in New Hampshire so that the media would not paint a "Harris campaign in disarray" headline but for all intensive purposes New Hampshire was no longer a priority.  The campaign instructed all South Carolina field organizers to immediately reconvene in Nevada and meet with their respective supervisors. The Vice President has also consistently been in contact with the Culinary Union leadership hoping once again they could gain their endorsement, using their win in South Carolina as a sign of momentum and strength that would be wise for the union to get behind.

The campaign is also cancelling all of the Vice President's in person appearances in New Hampshire and instead delegating the task of New Hampshire to her surrogates. Such as the Second Gentleman, Senator Coons, and Senator Blumenthal. The campaign is hoping to at least place in the top 3 of the state to avoid a complete embarrassment, and to show they could do something Joe Biden couldn't. The campaign has also closed a significant amount of New Hampshire field offices while still keeping some open to avoid a complete wipeout in the state. When asked by the press upon landing in Vegas about the campaign's New Hampshire woes, the Vice President simply responded "Every state in this primary matters, we still have organization and a great team of people heading to New Hampshire and I am hopeful about our chances of winning the nomination."

Upon landing in Nevada, the Vice President once again attended a closed door meeting with the Culinary Union leadership right off the tarmac. The Vice President expressed her support of the union movement and touted the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration when it comes to protecting unions and vowing to continue that work as President. Next the Vice President visited the home of Congresswoman Dina Titus and had lunch with her where she again sought her endorsement and support. After lunch the Vice President headed to a rally with Congressman Steven Horsford where the Vice President put on a brave face in front of the many new Gen-Z college students in the crowd.
"And look! I got to say it's good to be visiting my next door neighbor Nevada! And I wouldn't be a real neighbor if I didn't ask a favor. And instead of asking for sugar or for flour, I've come to ask for your support! So we can lift up everyone else in the neighborhood! I'm glad to be joined by the great Democratic congressman from this great state, Congressman Steven Horsford! The first African-American to ever represent Nevada in the United States Congress! I'm so glad to have you here with me Congressman."

"Now look! Nevada in a few days, you have a decision to make and I know that you are really tired of seeing us candidates in your state all the time (Laughs) but I promise, this is all worth it! This is about the future of our nation, and Nevada you have such an important role to play in that future, whether we actually can have the opportunity to codify the right to abortion into law! Whether we can have the opportunity to raise the minimum wage and lift millions of American's out of poverty! Whether we can build on the work the Affordable Care Act has done and make sure every American has quality affordable healthcare! This is the work I want to do as President! But I need you, I need your support. What we need is a President with the- let me say more recent experience!"

"We got to step up and Nevada I am counting on you! Let's get it done!"

[Devout Centrist]

Lake Celebrates "Stunning" Iowa Performance at Davenport HQ

Thank you! Thank you so much everyone. Wow. You folks are wonderful. This is such a wonderful crowd. Thank you!

Tonight, the people of Iowa have spoken. And they have spoken clearly! We have achieved a stunning result for all the time and effort you put into this campaign. We came into Iowa with no expectations of success, yet we are leaving tonight with a top three finish. You showed the Repiublican establishment, the woke billionaires, and the special interests that our movement is alive and well!

Everyone here, and all our volunteers across Iowa should celebrate this magnificient achievement. We are going on to New Hampshire with a solid performance in our back pocket, and I have complete confidence that this movement will go on to South Carolina, and Nevada, and beyond!

Folks, we are building a movement. A movement of Republicans, independents, and even some Democrats to take this country back. We are fighting for our homes. We are fighting for our families. Above all, we are fighting to take back control from a broken Washington that has stolen power away from the people of this country! We have the courage to stand up to the people sending our jobs to China and India. We have the courage to stand up to criminals who are taking over our cities. We have the courage to fight back against those who hate this country!

Brothers, sisters, we are moving on to New Hampshire now. I have complete confidence that this result in Iowa is only the beginning of a movement that will take this country back.

Take back control Iowa! Take back control America! Thank you!

[Devout Centrist]

Excerpt from Lake speech in Manchester

Our Party and our country needs leadership right now. We desperately need a leader who says wbat they do, and does what they say. We need someone who can take back control for the people of this country. Someone who deeply cares about the American people.

You look at someone like, Glenn Youngkin, and he puts out a lot of nice statements. He says he's an independent. He says he cares for the people of this country. But, if you look at his record, and his past, he's not the one for the job.

Youngkin graduated from Harvard Business, 30 years ago, and immediately went to work for McKinsey. You know who those guys are? These guys, they're the ones that go from business to business, and they provide 'consulting services'. What are consulting services? Well, they basically tell you how to run the business. That can be very helpful for some people. But what Glenn did, what he did as a guy at McKinsey, he went around and told companies, "you have to cut costs. I know you make a billion dollars a year, but you don't make real money. You have to cut your workforce by 40%. You have to outsource. China's a great place for outsourcing, you should move your jobs there!"

And these companies, they listen to him. He's the guy giving them advice. So all these companies, they lay off Americans. They move jobs overseas. And Glenn gets to become a millionaire for his advice. That's not leadership. That's not leadership.

I'm here because we have to take back control from folks like Glenn Youngkin. We have to bring jobs back to New Hampshire. I'm driving down the road with my team, and I was shocked, utterly shocked, by the number of abandoned mills I saw. How many of those mill owners had McKinsey telling them to pack up shop and move to China?

Folks, as President, we're going to punish woke billionaires and their companies when they move jobs overseas. We're going to bring investment back into New Hampshire. We'll have a modest tax, on Chinese and Indian goods, and we'll use the money we get from that to bring jobs back to New Hampshire. So that you folks can take back control of your state and get back to work.

[PPT Spiral]

TV/Radio Ad: Our Rights

Polished, professional politicians. They look good. They hit all the right notes. Then they craft shady deals behind closed doors and leave Americans to dry.

Our rights are under assault this election more than ever. They're in danger from power-hungry radicals and weak, corrupted leaders.

As President, Roger Stone will fiercely protect and defend your God-given rights: to bear arms, to speak freely, to not be watched over by Big Government and Big Tech.

Stone is the only candidate with the guts to take on the D.C. class and never give in. He marches for our freedoms, no matter what they throw at him, and knows that everything is at stake.

STONE: I live and breathe the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and every right we Americans hold sacred. As your President, I will never compromise. I will never surrender. I owe it to this country I love to be your fighter-in-chief. I approve this message because the time to rise up is now. Let's take back our rights.

This will air in New Hampshire and Nevada. Heavy circulation is done on conservative stations throughout the day. This ad is part of the campaign's broader strategy to activate rights-based voters, particularly on the Second Amendment, where Stone has long been the strongest and most vocal gun rights advocate.

[PPT Spiral]

TV/Radio Ad: Forgotten Americans

You are the forgotten Americans.

You work hard to support your families. You pay your bills and pay your taxes. You do everything right.

But, you suffer. The country has suffered. Our factories have been hollowed out, stripped to parts, and our jobs vanished. Your paychecks lose more and more value as you take up multiple jobs just to get by. You can't go on like this.

Our leaders have failed us. They have sold off America to the highest bidder, town by town, community by community. They have mocked us, ripped our social fabrics, and pretended we're better off than ever before.

Roger Stone came from humble beginnings, growing up in a small town with blue-collar roots. He knows what is at stake for you and your families. As President, he will give workers lasting tax relief, renegotiate rotten trade deals, and bring our industries roaring back. He will be the President of the forgotten Americans.

I'm Roger Stone and I approve this message.

This ad will air in New Hampshire and Nevada, with significant expenditures in both states (especially for primetime TV and the most popular radio stations as voters commute home from work). The campaign hopes to capture the working class conservatives and other disaffected audiences that make up the heart of the Trump coalition. These two states currently targeted are uniquely favorable to such a message with their demographics.

[YPestis25]

To Win New Hampshire

Source: Imgur/Me

The Gore Campaign had to make a choice: Nevada or New Hampshire? Both states were attractive and in both the Former Vice President seemed to be surging in both. Both had media markets that would be affordable to compete in. But New Hampshire was where the Vice President stood closest to winning, and in New Hampshire the Vice President had already devoted a decent amount of time to both visiting and building up an organization. A strong showing there could send him into the critical Georgia primary with significant momentum. With the wind, and the endorsements of Senator Shaheen and Congressman Pappas, at his back, the Vice President decided: New Hampshire.

February 4th: Southern New Hampshire Bound

Source: ABC News

The final Gore campaign sprint across New Hampshire would begin with a kickoff rally in Manchester with Senator Shaheen and their hometown Congressman, Chris Pappas. Designed as both a rally and a launch to the campaign’s final field push across the state, the rally would be chock full of field organizers drafting attendees to knock on doors in the final few days. The race was too close to leave any vote on the table and the day itself would be focused on vote-rich southern New Hampshire.

Thank you Manchester! I am so honored today to be joined by Senator Shaheen and Congressman Pappas, and thank you to Senator Shaheen for your far too kind introduction. You know it was 24 years ago when New Hampshire whipped a lazy campaign into shape, it was 24 years ago when Senator Shaheen rallied this state behind my candidacy for a come from behind win, and I don’t know about you but I’m getting some deja vu today!
   
This state has a way of shocking the nation and I think you are going to do it again. When this campaign started seven months ago no one thought we would be competitive in this state, we were in single digits in this state and people had written us off, but now you all have gotten it so close we can almost taste it.

But let’s be clear what this campaign is about, because it’s about more than just anyone candidate or anyone primary, it is about the future of this nation. In 1960 John F. Kennedy called on all of us to grapple with the New Frontier, what he called the “frontier of unknown opportunities and perils, the frontier of unfilled hopes and unfilled threats.” It is a frontier similar to what we face today. We face a future of new and unknown challenges but also a future full of opportunities if we just have the leadership and the courage to seize them. This is a campaign about making sure that we have the leadership in the White House to conquer this New Frontier.

The stakes before us this year could not be higher. There are too many Republican candidates running in your primary to count, but they are all saying one thing: cut the social safety net, remove protections for the most vulnerable Americans, and protect the billionaires. We need a candidate that can lead on day one, who can whip these Republicans back to the 1950s, and can provide the leadership we need.

I hope that you can place your faith in me to be that leadership. Now, let’s get out and win this thing.

Following the kickoff speech, and the launching of canvassers and phone bankers, in Manchester, the Vice President, with Senator Shaheen and Congressman Pappas in tow would travel first to Dover and then down onto Portsmouth, where he would discuss his plans for reviving small town and post-industrial America.

What has been done here in Dover is an inspiration for small town America. When the mills closed here, like they closed in so many other towns across the country, your government got moving, bringing in museums, investing in education, and revitalizing this beautiful town. Jobs came back and the historic downtown was saved. As President, I will utilize Dover as the framework for federal investment into small towns across the country. For too long Washington has been content to let small towns wither on the vine, but I pledge to you today that that ends with me.

The day would end with a foray in the Second Congressional District, widely expected by the Gore Campaign to be Merkley and Whitmer’s base. There he would stop in Nashua to launch canvassers and inspire volunteers, before turning north to Concord for the final event of the day.

New Hampshire knows better than most the costs that not fighting climate change will lead to. Already the winters are warmer and full of more disastrous winter storms. Every summer the whole region holds its breath to see if another hurricane will come barreling north. We have got to act and act now. I am the only candidate who has made climate change a cornerstone of their platform. We need massive investment not just into infrastructure updates but also into green energy. This will not just help protect us from the effects of climate change but may even give us a chance to reverse some of the damage done, and of course the jobs this would bring across the country  are innumerable.

February 5th: Rural New Hampshire Here We Come

Source: CBSNews

The last full day of campaigning before the New Hampshire Primary had arrived and Vice President Gore would be taking his message to some of his strongest supporters in the state: rural and industrial in the rural north and on the coasts. Beginning the day near a dairy farm outside of Sandwich Town, the Vice President reaffirmed his rural bonafides.

I’m proud of where I grew up, in the small town of Carthage, Tennessee. Every summer I worked on the cattle farm, and I am the only candidate in this race who is ready to make sure the issues facing rural America are prioritized. I’ve seen what has happened to rural, small town, and working class America these past forty years. Washington did nothing while opioids and despair and deindustrialization took hold. As President I can promise you that I won’t sit idly by. A new public works programme, in support of new green industries will help revitalize rural life. As will new investments in infrastructure. Other candidates may come up to these small towns every four years and talk the good talk, but for me these issues are personal.

The Vice President would repeat this message in Berlin and Ossipee, working to win over voters who the other candidates missed with their focus on the suburban part of the state. This messaging as the “Rural Candidate” would also be highlighted by a concurrent ad campaign.

The afternoon and evening would see the Vice President return to vote-rich Rockingham County for his final message of unity, electability and leadership. Touring Brentwood, Derry and finally Salem, the Vice President brought this final, closing message home.

Look folks, if I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times. The stakes in this election are too high to put your faith in someone who can’t win, who can’t lead on day one, who you can’t be sure will protect the progress we have made over the last decade. You have got several fine choices to choose from tomorrow, but I hope you’ll put your faith in me as the candidate that can get this thing done in November.

February 6th: Final Push

With New Hampsherites voting, the Vice President would head to field offices around the state, launching canvassers and inspiring staff. After this he would settle into the Manchester Headquarters and wait for the results.

[S019]

Iowa Speech

While, this is obviously not the result that we had hoped for, our campaign has shown real strength today. Today we showed that there is any way forward for America, a way forward other than big government, out of control spending, and radical Marxist ideas in schools. Today, we showed that our movement is here to stay. We must however, also acknowledge the disappointments of tonight, and I want to thank my wonderful campaign staff, who gave it their all, and got us so close. I want to thank each and everyone one of my supporters for coming out tonight and voting. We will face obstacles on our path, but we must overcome those obstacles, not cower in the face of them, but take them on. Our campaign is ready for the right, and I hope our supporters are too. Thank you!

Early February: Campaign in New Hampshire, hold rallies and town halls all over the state and knock doors all over the state as well, an all hands on deck approach to get the vote out. Campaign messaging will remain the same as previous turns in NH, appealing to business conservatives and to law and order voters by discussing the issue of crime and taxes.

[YPestis25]

New Hampshire Rallies around the Comeback Kid

Gore Campaign Announces High Profile Granite State Endorsements

Source: Facebook/Chris Pappas for Congress

February 4th, 2024

Today the Gore Campaign announced the endorsements of Senator Shaheen and Representative Pappas. In their joint endorsement, the two highlighted the Former Vice President’s leadership and his progressive bonafides on climate change, noting that the Vice President “is the best candidate for New Hampshire and for the country. He understands the stakes of this election and he can be trusted to win and to lead from day one.” Following the endorsement Vice President Gore’s Press Secretary commented that “these endorsements continue to highlight the Vice President’s nationwide appeal and his momentum. We are a campaign that is dedicated to unifying the party and taking this fight all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and these endorsements show that we can and will do both.”

Senator Shaheen and Congressman Pappas Take the Stump for the Former Vice President

February 4th, 2024

The Gore Campaign has today released schedules showing that Senator Shaheen and Congressman Pappas will hit the stump with the Vice President in the last two days of the campaign. While doing various joint events with the Vice President on February 4th, on February 5th the Senator and the Congressman will hit the trail on their own, with Senator Shaheen stumping throughout Hillsborough County with a particular focus on Nashua and Manchester and Congressman Pappas speaking with voters in Rockingham County, and in particular Portsmouth, Salem and Brentwood. Both surrogates are expected to impress upon suburban voters that Vice President Gore is the candidate who can win this election and lead on day one.

[YPestis25]

Senator Shaheen Op-Ed: Why Al Gore is the Best Choice for President*

Source: Manchester Union Leader

February 5th, 2024
By Senator Jeanne Shaheen

Like many of you, I was left scratching my head wondering who to vote for in this Tuesday’s primary. Governors, Senators and Vice Presidents with extraordinary talent and compelling stories have been crisscrossing this state for the better part of a year making the case for why they should be the next President of the United States of America. At the end of the day however, the choice is clear, Vice President Al Gore is the candidate best suited to defeat the Republican ticket and lead our nation.

This is no ordinary election. The Republican candidates all have one thing in common: they are ready to rollback the progress of the past four years, harming the most vulnerable among us, damaging our democracy and harming our standing around the world. They will do nothing to help revitalize rural America or to combat the growing threat of climate change. The stakes of this election could not be higher and we need a candidate who can win. Al Gore is that candidate. He knows that a general election is grueling, he has run in three of them. He knows what is going to be thrown at a Presidential Nominee. He is ready for anything and everything that the Republicans will throw at him.

However, even if Democrats do win the White House this November, the stakes of this election go beyond just winning. The challenges facing our nation and our world are great. At home threats to our democracy continue, states across the country are being battered by climate change and rural America continues to suffer from neglect. Abroad, liberty and freedom is under attack and the world needs now more than ever an America that is ready to lead with graciousness and humility. Al Gore is the candidate who is ready to lead and grapple with these challenges on day one. For his entire career Al Gore has fought to improve the lives of everyday Americans and he has been a trailblazer in sounding the alarm on climate change. He has advocated tirelessly for democracy at home and abroad and he is the candidate that this country needs.

Tomorrow, I urge every voter to cast their vote for Vice President Al Gore.

*To be submitted to all major New Hampshire daily newspapers for publication on February 5th.

[McGovernite]

Washington Post Op-Ed Praises Senator Gillibrand's Landmark Legislation Ending Forced Sexual Arbitration for Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

Accessed via Imgur

By: Jennifer Rubin

As an employment lawyer for more than 20 years, I can say with certainty that mandatory arbitration clauses are an employer’s best friend. By requiring employees to use arbitration rather than take cases through the court system, employers avoid public disclosure of embarrassing facts, the wrath of juries and much higher settlements.

When the Supreme Court held in 2018 that “companies may require workers to settle employment disputes through individual arbitration rather than joining to press their complaints, a decision affecting as many as 25 million workers,” employers breathed a sigh of relief. That respite ended last week when the Senate — by a voice vote no less — passed legislation championed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) prohibiting mandatory arbitration in sexual harassment and assault cases. The bill now goes to the president’s desk.

Gillibrand first introduced the bill in 2017. Since then, the #MeToo movement swept through Congress and American workplaces, changing hearts and minds on the right of victims to seek legal recourse. Last year, Gillibrand reintroduced the bill alongside Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C..).

At a news conference on Thursday, Gillibrand stood alongside former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, who raised sexual harassment allegations against her former employer and boss Roger Ailes and became a forceful advocate against mandatory arbitration. Carlson had been instrumental in lobbying lawmakers and ensuring passage of the bill. (Disclosure: I am an MSNBC contributor.)

Gillibrand declared: “The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act will void existing forced arbitration agreements for sexual harassment and sexual assault and end their use. It will give survivors their day in court, allow them to discuss their cases publicly and end the days of institutional protection for harassers.”

She is right about the significance of the bill. Although some states have moved to curb mandatory arbitration, most have not. A number of progressive groups advocating for the ban last year wrote a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). “According to the Economic Policy Institute, over 60 million workers, more than half of non-union, private-sector employees, have surrendered their right to go to court if harmed by their employer,” the letter stated. “It allows corporate employers to quash serious claims of systemic misconduct.”

Carlson also celebrated the hard-fought win. “This is a historic day,” she said in acknowledging the massive bipartisan support for a measure that was a nonstarter just a few years ago. She expressed hope that employers will get on the “right side of history,” redoubling efforts to eradicate sexual harassment, and that abusive bosses and co-workers will clean up their act.

Perhaps. What is clear is that there has been a sea change in public attitudes toward sexual harassment and assault — no thanks to the defeated former president, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women and who has painted accused abusers as victims. (Donald Trump has repeatedly denied the allegations.) The subject is now one of the few topics that can command overwhelming congressional agreement.

In a dismal time for American rights (e.g., on voting, reproductive choices, etc.), this was a rare bit of good news in the fight for a more just society. To Gillibrand, who led the fight on this and other issues concerning sexual assault and harassment for years, as well as her co-sponsors and the many victims of harassment — including Carlson — who came forward to share their stories, we can say, well done.

[OBD]

GLENN YOUNGKIN 2024: AMERICA, RENEWED

Crunch Time

Ignoring Iowa, the Youngkin campaign staked their flag in New Hampshire, campaigning up and down the state for months to get Granite Staters behind Governor Youngkin's bold vision for an America, renewed. And finally, New Hampshire prepares to deliver its verdict.

Already possessing significant momentum thanks to strong debate performances and a compelling message, Governor Chris Sununu's endorsement was the Youngkin campaign's biggest shot in the arm yet. Soon after his op-ed in the Boston Globe, a jubilant Youngkin held a joint rally with Sununu (with both men donning red sweater vests) alongside the elder Sununu, former Senate President Morse, Senate President Bradley, and former Congressman Bass, celebrating critical endorsements from many of New Hampshire's most respected Republicans while preparing to finish a stunning come-from-behind victory.

...and Glenn Youngkin is that man. He is a man of integrity, a voice for civility. He is a man with strong conservative convictions and a knack for getting things done. He is a fighter who will listen to the voices of all Americans. And he is the man who will lead the Republican Party back to the White House!

In the closing days of the campaign, Youngkin would stick to his strategy - sprinting around New Hampshire, speaking and appealing directly to as many voters as possible, often alongside both his family and New Hampshire Republican leaders. The Governor was determined to stay on message and above the fray, cultivating his image as a rare nice - but also firmly conservative - candidate, a contrast to the increasing nastiness coming to dominate the Republican primary. The Youngkin campaign will also put in a final batch of ads, including soundbites from Sununu's endorsement alongside regular New Hampshirites touting Youngkin's commitment to cut taxes for the middle class, clean up the streets, and work tirelessly for conservative values in Washington.

That said, Youngkin would have to deflect two unexpected twists in the waning days of the campaign. Following the surprise Haley dropout, the Youngkin campaign released a statement acknowledging the former Ambassador for a campaign well run. While Youngkin was slightly blindsided by her decision to endorse the scandal-ridden DeSantis - especially given Haley's praise for him earlier in the campaign - he remained unfazed. The Youngkin campaign, riding primarily on the strength of the Governor's message and his sterling reputation, would target Haley voters in the closing days of the campaign, highlighting Youngkin's commitments to both conservatism and civility.

Youngkin was surprised to hear of an aggressive attack from a rather unexpected source - Kari Lake. The Governor issued a quick response to this at a press event in Dover.

Yes, I'm aware of Ms. Lake's attack on my character. And I'm gonna be honest - my first reaction was disappointment. I helped Kari out when she ran for Governor - it's a shame she lost that election, by the way - and instead of doing the minimum and retaining a modicum of respect in this presidential primary, she's using baseless attacks to try and drag the same Republican through the mud. This isn't how we win as a party, folks.

And look, as Virginia's Governor, I'm proud to have stood up to CCP tyranny. I led the effort to ban TikTok in Virginia, protecting my constituents's personal data from the CCP vultures. I protected Virginia's beautiful farmland from CCP landgrabs. And, when Ford tried to sneak a Chinese battery conglomerate into Virginia, I told them to hit the road. I'm hard at work keeping CCP influence out of America as Governor, and you can bet I'll bring the same fighting attitude to the White House.

Governor Youngkin, closing the campaign on a mini-bus tour from Nashua to Concord, will hold an election night watch party in New Hampshire's capital, watching results come in alongside his family and supporters.

[PPT Spiral]

Shock and Awe

To rally the full breadth of the conservative movement, and to win New Hampshire, Roger Stone had to work harder and push further. After Iowa and the Haley announcement, he was invigorated like never before to conquer over his foes. He knew that he had to offer some unique campaigning to overcome both DeSantis and Youngkin.

The strategy for New Hampshire: Capture the whole state by storm. Dominate the news in the state day and night. Overwhelm the opposition and turbocharge momentum. The conversation would be changed instantly.

Immediately starting on the 4th, the campaign called in some trustworthy soldiers: Truckers for Stone, prominently featured in the candidate's Jacksonville rally taunting DeSantis over the summer. These truckers would travel up to the Granite State from New York City and across New England, arriving in great numbers to carry pro-Stone banners and assist with transport for campaign activities of all sorts. These truckers would mainly be concentrated in the larger cities, taking them by storm across their streets and even blockading areas like the state capitol in Concord out of protest. The messages they are reinforcing for the campaign are backing Stone on being pro-jobs, pro-workers, anti-mandates, and anti-outsourcing. Stone would address the largest gatherings, including the state capitol gathering and one in Manchester:

We gather here today to stand unequivocally with these truckers, the men and women who do the hard work of keeping this country running every single day! They may span many different industries, but they're all here across New Hampshire because a message needs to be sent to our leaders. No longer will we let these guys hollow out our communities and ship away your livelihoods to China! People like Ron DeSantis and Glenn Youngkin have enabled, voted for, or even signed the papers on shutting down your factories and shipping your jobs away. Those destitute mills here and across the countryside? You have them to thank. They lock down our country and force insane mandates on our truckers, for vaccines and much more.

Quite simply, we've failed them. They've been beaten up and treated like trash for far too long. No longer! I will be a proud president for the truckers, for the factory workers, for the farmers, and for all of the forgotten Americans who make America the beautiful land it is.

Then another curveball arrived as part of Stone's shock-and-awe campaign: Bikers for Stone. An army of Stone-supporting bikers, cultivated through grassroots means across many months, are deployed in the final days to utterly swarm the state. They would travel everywhere, often riding together in packs to keep pro-Stone advertising a constant presence on the road along with making frequent stops to act as canvassers across communities. Their presence and help would be especially prominent in the rural areas, those often ignored by the other campaigns, where the bikers would whip up new sentiment among rural voters to come out for a candidate who represents their interests. These activities would last all the way until polls close on Tuesday.

On the 5th, yet another display of strength and momentum would play out across the state. This time, the campaign secretly coordinated with militias, ranchers, and various local guns rights groups to launch a series of pro-Second Amendment public demonstrations from north to south. They would be loud and proud in peacefully demanding their freedoms, working up efforts to increase crowd numbers as they pass by. The largest ones upstate would be in Berlin, Lancaster (base of the libertarian Free State Project), and Littleton; Stone made sure to march with demonstrators in these towns to curry favor with the neglected upstate market. Stone marched in multiple other cities downstate, including in Londonderry, where he offered the following comments:

Our way of life is under attack! We have socialists at the top who would love nothing more than to strip away your Second Amendment as they continue transforming this country into something we don't recognize. Even worse, we have lying, corrupt Republicans who enable them through backdoor deal-making. As I stand with you in this beautiful land of orchards, I'm reminded that we have fought so hard over 250 years to keep our freedoms and places like these for the next generations.

We cannot take any chances this election, folks. Conservatives have to unite around principle and conviction. We have to face the Democrats head-on and unapologetic about these issues. If we don't, we risk four more years of the radical left getting their way.

Stone would never stop campaigning until the last moment when polls close. A notable chain of events on the 6th occurred with a series of student-led marches across the University of New Hampshire campuses, with the cooperation of groups like the New Hampshire Young Republicans, Free State Project, and the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance. These protestors demanded that the presidential candidates legalize marijuana as primary day was upon them. Stone happily jumped in to the demonstrations, rallying around the cause as another distinct selling point to motivate the young, the libertarians, and other unexpected sources of support statewide with eyes on the evening. As he spoke at the main campus in Durham, Stone rallied with Ron Paul and mentioned the following:

I gotta tell you: Although I may have a Nixon tattoo on my back, the War on Drugs has unfolded into a massive, costly failure. I've been a convert on this issue for over 30 years now, speaking out about the need to reform our drug laws. We have spent billions of dollars going after people with a pinch of pot when we could have been using that money to fix our roads, protect our borders, and care for our veterans. We need to empower states on their rights to manage marijuana. All the while, we need a national warrior who will help with the federal process of descheduling, decriminalization, and legalization. I'll be that warrior!