Fire & Fury

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Donald Trump.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2020.

3:30 AM, Washington, D.C.

The White House.

President Trump declares victory at the White House.
[1]

The band struck up "Hail to the Chief" as the President and First Lady took to the small stage erected in the White House's East Room bedecked with flags before a small crowd of his most dedicated and loyal supporters. Though there was (yet) to be an apparent victor in the presidential race, Trump was increasingly confident of victory. The final weeks of the campaign had been grueling; though Trump vigorously and energetically campaigned across the country at large rallies, as opposed to his opponent, who largely ran a more quieter campaign in line with pandemic protocol, the polls were always too close for his liking.

"Thank you very much...thank you very much...you may sit, thank you...this is without question the latest press conference I've ever had...I want to thank the American people for their tremendous support. Millions of millions of Americans voted for me tonight, and a very sad group of people are trying to disenfranchise that group of people, and I won't stand for it.

I want to thank the First Lady, my entire family, and Vice President Pence, Mrs. Pence for being with us all through this. We're getting ready for a big celebration. We were winning everything everywhere, but then all of a sudden it was just called off. But we're going to celebrate anyway, because the results tonight have been phenomenal! Such a vote, such a success to citizens of this country who have come out in record numbers. This is a record. There’s never been anything like it to support our incredible movement. We won states that we weren’t expected to win. Florida, we didn’t win it by just a little. We won it by a lot.

We won the great State of Ohio. We won Texas, we won big in Texas. We won Texas by 700,000 votes and they don’t even include it in the tabulations on some of these fake news networks. It’s also clear that we have won Georgia. We’re up by 3%, just over a 130,000 votes with only 7% left. They’re never going to catch us. They can’t catch us. Likewise we’ve clearly won North Carolina. Where we’re up 2%. We’re up over 100,000 votes there with only 5% out. They can’t catch us. They won't catch us! They're going to try, because they are Democrats, but they are going to fail, because they are Democrats.

There's Arizona... Arizona has been a little close, a little iffy, but they just told me as I came out on the stage that I won there too. But certainly there were a lot of votes out there that we could get because we’re now just coming into what they call Trump country, so I think we've won Arizona too. But most importantly, we’re winning Pennsylvania by a tremendous amount of votes.

We’re up 600,000…think of this. Think of this. Think of this. We’re up 690,000 votes in Pennsylvania, 690,000 votes! These aren’t even close. This is not like, “Oh, it’s close…” With 64% of the vote in, it’s going to be almost impossible to catch. And we’re coming into good Pennsylvania areas where they happen to like your president. I mean, it’s very good. So we’ll probably expand that.

By almost 300,000 votes and 65% of the vote is in and we’re winning Wisconsin. And I said, “Well, we don’t need all of them. We need…” Because when you add Texas in, which wasn’t added, I spoke with the really wonderful governor of Texas just a little while ago, Greg Abbott, he said, “Congratulations.” He called me to congratulate me on winning Texas.

We had such a big night. You just take a look at all of these states that we’ve won tonight, and then you take a look at the kind of margins that we’ve won it by, and all of a sudden, it’s not like we’re up 12 votes and we have 60% left. We won states. And all of a sudden I said, “What happened to the election? It’s off.” And we have all these announcers saying what happened? And then they said, “Oh.”

Because you know what happened? They knew they couldn’t win so they said, “Let’s go to court.” And did I predict this, Newt? Did I say this? I’ve been saying this from the day I heard they were going to send out tens of millions of ballots. They said exactly, because either they were going to win or if they didn’t win, they’ll take us to court. So Florida was a tremendous victory. 377,000 votes. Texas, as we said. Ohio, think of this. Ohio a tremendous state, a big state. I love Ohio. We won by 8.1%, 460,00…think of this. Almost 500,000 votes. Then there's North Carolina, we had a big victory with North Carolina. So we won there. We lead by 76,000 votes with almost nothing left. And all of a sudden everything just stopped.

This is a fraud on the American public. This is an embarrassment to our country. We were getting ready to win this election. Frankly, we did win this election. We did win this election. So our goal now is to ensure the integrity for the good of this nation. This is a very big moment. This is a major fraud in our nation. We want the law to be used in a proper manner. So we’ll be going to the US Supreme Court. We want all voting to stop. We don’t want them to find any ballots at four o’clock in the morning and add them to the list. Okay? It’s a very sad moment. To me this is a very sad moment and we will win this. And as far as I’m concerned, we already have won it.

So I just want to thank you. I want to thank all of our support. I want to thank all of the people that worked with us. I want to thank you for voting for me, for putting your trust in me, and I want you to know that I am going to keep fighting for you, we're going to stop this screw-job and we're going to have integrity in our elections, because integrity folks, integrity is what matters right? Thank you, thank you, may God bless America!"

President Donald Trump (R-NY)/Vice President Mike Pence (R-IN): 259 Electoral Votes, 47.3% of the popular vote.
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D-DE)/Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA): 249 Electoral Votes, 50.8% of the popular vote.
Professor Jo Jorgenson (L-SC)/Activist Spike Cohen (L-SC): 1.2% of the popular vote.
Activist Howie Hawkins (G-NY)/Activist Angela Walker (S-SC): 0.2% of the popular vote.
Other (Alliance, Party for Socialism & Liberation, Birthday Party): 0.5% of the popular vote.

Joe Biden.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2020.

4:15 AM, Wilmington, DE

The Chase Center.

[2]

A cacophony of car horns, cheers, and general noise arose over the parking lot which hosted Joe Biden's unusual election night remarks. Due to the ongoing pandemic, for which Biden had frequently blasted the President and his supporters for treating lightly, the Democrats were forced by circumstance to celebrate (or commiserate) the election results in their cars. When the former Vice President, his wife, and Senator Harris finally took to the stage to make their first appearance since the votes started trickling in, the crowd erupted. Though it was not yet clear if Trump had been toppled, and though Trump led in the electoral college, there was more than enough hope amongst the audience to go around; Wisconsin and Pennsylvania could surely be flipped.

"Hello Delaware, hello hello hello! Good evening! Your patience is commendable. We knew we were going to go long, but who knew we were going in to tomorrow morning or longer? But look, we feel good about where we are! I'm here to tell you tonight that we're on track to win this election! We knew because of the unprecedented early vote, the mail-in vote, that this was gonna take a while. We're going to have to be patient until the hard work of tallying votes is finished. And it aint over until every vote is counted, until every ballot is counted!

But we're feeling good, we're feeling good about where we are. We're feeling good about Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. It might take time to count the votes there, but we're going to win there. I've talked to folks in Philly, Allegheny, and Scranton and they feel really encouraged about the turnout and and about what we've seen. But as I've said all along, it isn't my place or Donald Trump's place to declare who won this election, that's the decision of the American people. But I'm optimistic about this outcome.

By the way, Chris Coons and all the Democrats, congratulations on your big win here in Delaware tonight.

I'm grateful to the poll workers, our volunteers, the canvassers, and I'm grateful for all of my supporters here in Delaware and across the nation. And folks, you've heard it before, but my Grandpa, when I'd go see him in Scranton, would always say "Joey, keep the faith." And my grandmother, she'd always say "No Joey, spread it!" Keep the faith guys, we're going to win this. You're patience is great! Stay tuned, stay involved, stay positive, and we'll take this home. Kamala and I will be talking more tomorrow, thank you!"
[1] Taken from YouTube (Bloomberg)
[2] Taken from YouTube (Joe Biden)

[2016]

Interesting!
I have a suspicious feeling though Trump takes Wisconsin and Biden takes Pennsylvania resulting in 269-269 Tie.

Whatever you come up with after it better really, really good.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

This will be a less detailed format than my Gumbo timeline.

Mitch McConnell

Wednesday, November 4th, 2020.

9:15 AM, Louisville, KY.

[1]

The Senate Majority Leader had some reason to be relieved; while Trump's fate had yet to be decided, his majority in the Senate had appeared to survive to another day. In Alabama, Tommy Tuberville cruised to victory over incumbent Doug Jones, while in Michigan, John James appeared to best Gary Peters by the thinnest of margins. In Georgia, where Trump aligned Congressman Doug Collins was challenging incumbent (and also Trump aligned) Senator Kelly Loefler in the jungle primary, it was clear that the race was going to a runoff between Raphael Warnock and the incumbent. Similarly, in the special election in Georgia, Senator Perdue had managed to hold off a strong challenge from Jon Ossoff by a narrow margin, only barely avoiding a runoff by the skin of his teeth.

But there were some rough patches. In Arizona, Martha McSally was defeated by former astronaut Mark Kelly in a race to replace the late John McCain, who had died in 2018. The loss of the McCain seat was compounded by a loss in Colorado, where Cory Gardiner was defeated by former Governor John Hickenlooper by nearly ten points. Races were closer than expected in Iowa, Maine, and North Carolina, even if the Republicans scratched out narrow victories there. And in Minnesota, the Republicans failed to topple Tina Smith, despite narrowing the gap in the race to retake Al Franken's former seat.

With a 52 seat majority, plus the possibility of victory in Georgia's special election runoff, McConnell looked towards the future. The month leading up to the election was rough, to say the least. There was building pressure, particularly from the White House, to pass a Stimulus package to alleviate the economic burden faced by the American people as the pandemic had no end in sight. After much debate over the pricetag of such a package, with McConnell insisting on $1.6 billion while the Democrats aimed for a much more expensive $2.2 billion dollar deal. Ultimately, a $1.9 billion dollar stimulus agreement was reached between McConnell and his counterpart, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the deal ended up being pushed through Congress and signed into law by President Trump in October.

Lingering in the background of this was the failing health of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was in increasingly poor health. She had been at deaths door in September, only to almost miraculously bounce back, though the rumor persisted around the Beltway was that she was still critically ill. Considering she had beaten colon, lung, and pancreatic cancer before, McConnell, ever the cynic, was convinced that her luck was bound to run out this time.

There was some benefit to "Notorious RBGs" almost inexplainable survival; the fact that Trump did not have to nominate a surely polarizing successor to Ginsburg before the election likely bolstered his campaign, and allowed McConnell the luxury of not having to make the choice between passing a stimulus package and confirming a Supreme Court Justice. Now, with President Trump still having a chance of winning another term (assuming that at least one of the two outstanding states swings his way), McConnell had the leeway to confirm Ginsburg's eventual successor.

As he strolled into a press conference at his campaign's headquarters, where the backdrop had been prepared with the campaign's logo and motto - Kentucky Tough - emblazed on it, McConnell pondered the future. There were three ways the presidential election could go - Biden wins, Trump wins, or nobody wins and the whole thing goes to Congress, which Trump would still win anyway. None of the scenarios were particularly desirable to the Senate Majority Leader, but there were many reasons to be grateful anyway - he had survived, his majority had survived, and to Mitch McConnell, that was all that mattered.

Nancy Pelosi

Wednesday, November 4th, 2020.

The Capitol.

11:00 AM, Washington, D.C.

[2]

If Majority Leader McConnell was relieved, than Nancy Pelosi was anxious. The Democrats had lost a number of critical races the night before, with Republicans gaining a 219 seat majority - just one more seat more than what was needed for Kevin McCarthy to secure the House of Representatives for the GOP. With her days as Speaker numbered, Pelosi was already debating in her head whether or not she should announce her resignation as the leader of the House Democrats, unable to make up her mind. She was convinced that she wanted to continue in Congress, but she was less certain if the backbenches would offer her any role of value.

Always a polarizing figure, though not to the extent of the President or even Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi - the first woman Speaker of the House - was now in the fight of her life. Grumbling amongst disappointed Democrats was growing louder, with some calling for her to stand down and allow for a new generation of leadership in the Democratic ranks. Malinowski had gone down in NJ-7 by a hair thin margin to Thomas Kean Jr. In Illinois, Lauren Underwood, a young and rising Democrat, saw her career cut short by Jim Oberweiss, who at last had managed to claw his way into Congress. Cindy Axne was, well, axed by the voters in Iowa, who opted to return former Congressman David Young to his former seat. And in VA-7, Abigail Spanberger went down as Nick Freitas clinched victory, but she was not going quietly.

In fact, Spanberger spoke rather candidly on a conference call with other House Democrats (which was promptly leaked that morning) about Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrats, blaming the party's embrace of the "defund the police" movement and Republican attack ads assailing the Democrats as "socialists" as the reason so many swing districts swung towards the GOP. Pelosi may have been no spring chicken, but with age comes experience, and she knew instinctively that Spangberger would not be the only one pulling the knives out for her in the days ahead.

The media was already assembled in the House Press Gallery adjacent to the House Chamber in the Capitol, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Speaker, whose remarks were widely anticipated. With Trump appearing on the brink of reelection, there were many lingering questions: what if there is a contingency election? How will Trump interfere in the process? Will Pelosi remain as Democratic leader? Will Kevin McCarthy even be able to keep the incoming Republican majority united enough to become the Speaker?

The future seemed grim. Even if Biden won Pennsylvania, which several of Biden's senior strategists insisted was well within possibility, the chance that Trump could win Wisconsin would ensure that there would be a contingency election. There was some false optimism amongst her more sunnier colleagues that enough Republicans, such as Kinzinger or Cheney, could shift their support to Biden and elect him over Trump. But Pelosi knew better than that.

"They better know what they're doing in Philadelphia" the Speaker thought to herself as the press conference began.
[1] Taken from the Denver Post.
[2] Taken from US News (Alyssa Schukar)

[Prez_zf]

Can't wait to see where this goes ...

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Mike Pence

Thursday, November 5th, 2020.

The Naval Observatory.

6:30 AM, Washington, D.C.

[1]

As Vice President, Mike Pence's chief constitutional role was to preside over the Senate. It was a role that Pence had come to perform relatively well throughout Trump's stormy first term. The Indiana Governor was no stranger to Washington, having been a Congressman for twelve years, and had developed solid relationships with Senate Republicans on both sides of the Trump divide. A unifier who often worked as a bridge between McConnell and the Senate conservatives, the Vice President was already dressed, showered, and ready for the motorcade that was due to arrive in moments to make his daily commute to the White House. As he awaited in his office inside the Naval Observatory, he listened to Fox & Friend's coverage of the latest developments from Pennsylvania, where the ongoing count of mail-in ballots had just resumed.

The electoral count had remained unchanged, 259-249, with counting continuing in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The hosts of Fox & Friends debated amongst themselves the various outcomes of the election, and Pence listened in with varying degrees of interest depending on who was speaking. Brian Kilmeade confidently predicted that the Trump/Pence ticket would clinch victory in both states, while Tomi Lahren, who was invited on as a guest commentator, was already rolling with the "stop the steal" talking point that had been distributed by the Trump campaign to their allies in the conservative media universe.

His phone began ringing in his pocket, and he went to answer it as he muted the television. Shit. It was the President. He dutifully answered swiftly, not knowing what mood to expect from the President, who was practically manic as the election continued into it's third day without any resolution. "They're going to steal the f**king election, Mike" seethed the President, who went straight into his tirade. "They're going to pull some bullshit with the mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania" Trump continued, "and if they succeed, then Congress is going to have to decide this thing, and that's going to fall on you, Mike. Are you up to it?"

"I am, Mr. President" Mike affirmed confidently, "I know I can wrangle the votes in the Senate, and I know I can help Kevin ensure that you win outright in the House of Representatives."

"Good" Trump replied, "it's really important, Mike, I need to know if I can count on you. This is a time for toughness. This is a time where we can't back down even an inch. Everything is on the line, Mike. This is going to be yuge deal."

"I understand - "

"I know you understand" Trump interrupted, "but you're going to have to make some choices, and I need to know now where your loyalties lie."

"My loyalty is strictly to the President, as the constitution commands" responded the Vice President.

"Good. If we hold a firm line and not give a f**king inch, than we'll win this thing, because I know that Biden will fold quicker than your aunt at a poker game if this thing ties. Stuff will come to light, stuff that he doesn't want out. Stuff that doesn't make him look so good. I'll make sure of that. I'll make sure of that, Mike."

"Understood" said the Vice President.

"I'll see you at 9:00, we're going to do a press conference, I want you to be there."

"I'll be there, Mr. President, of course. I'm on my way to the White House now."

"Good. See you later Mike."

The President hung up, and Mike entered the sleek armored SUV that had pulled up the long driveway leading up the Vice Presidential residence that was to ferry him to the White House. Trump's determination seemed to clash with his pessimism and paranoia; Pence feared he was walking straight into an incoming hurricane. He pondered what type of choices that the President insisted he'd have to make. He also wondered how Trump's temperament would impact the possible contingency election that would take place, knowing that the President's erratic nature would surely make his job tenfold harder than it should be.

"It's going to be a long week" he thought to himself.

Kamala Harris

Thursday, November 5th, 2020.

San Francisco, CA.

7:00 AM,

[2]

Senator Harris was exhausted and horrified.

She had flown back to San Francisco from Washington only hours before, where she was to rest over the weekend with her husband and family as they awaited the conclusion of vote counting in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The stakes had never seemed so high, and the pressure never so immense. Now nestled in her San Francisco domicile which she shared with her husband Doug and step-daughter, she sat watching MSNBC's ongoing coverage of the election with her sister Maya, who had come out to the west coast to spend these straining days with her sibling.

"The big question here is "what-if," Kamala said, "there's a "what-if" for everything."

"It's exhausting" replied Maya, who recalled her own experiences working on Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016.

"I don't know where Joe's fight has gone" Kamala continued, "ever see a runner collapse ten feet away from the finish line? It's like he's just given up. I don't know why he's so scared of a recount."

"A recount would be a nightmare" Maya cautioned, "we might not have a winner until Christmas if the votes in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have to be recounted."

"It's worth it" Kamala insisted, "we've got to stop this...this madman."

"I know it's worth it" Maya affirmed, "but Joe's old. He's tired. He's exhausted."

"Than maybe we should've picked a higher energy candidate" Kamala lamented, referring to herself.

"That's all in the past, Kamala. Now we've got to get him across the finish line, even if we have to carry him over."

"If his ego allows him to be carried" sighed Kamala, "he's a stubborn old prick sometimes."

Only an hour earlier, the two had watched the President and the Vice President's latest remarks with a shared sense of horror. The Trump lead in Wisconsin was still strong, and there were very few precincts remaining. A result could be expected that night, or the next morning at the latest. The two continued their discussion about how to convince Biden to contest the election, and were equally confident that other prominent Washington Democrats felt the same way. They were still talking when the screen turned maroon and the NBC chimes of death played...then the news broke.

[3]

"Call Joe...call him right now." Maya said, her blood running cold.
[1] Taken from USA Today (Sean Thew)
[2] Taken from Oprah Daily.
[3] Taken from NBC New York.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Mark Meadows.

Friday, November 6th, 2020.

2:15 PM, Northern Virginia.

[1]

Like ten million other Americans, Mark Meadows had COVID-19. He had tested positive that morning shortly after the symptoms set it, and was thus forced to work from his residence just outside Washington. It was a dangerous time for the Chief of Staff; not because he was ill with a virus that had killed millions around the globe, but rather because he was away from the President and could not isolate him from his constantly feuding sycophants and their various schemes, ambitions, and Byzantine intrigues.

The media circus surrounding the election was worsening with each passing day; the morning before, just over 24 hours earlier, Ruth Bader Ginsburg croaked. Many would be stressed by such an event adding to the chaos, but Meadows was actually relieved. The fact that she had managed to fight pancreatic cancer just long enough to keep the Senate free to pass the Stimulus Bill likely had an impact on the election in Trump's favor. Furthermore, the death of the iconic Supreme Court Justice would overshadow the chaos at the White House as the dangling possibility of recounts in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin continued.

As he guzzled down another water bottle, constantly trying to hydrate himself as the virus did battle with him, his cell phone on the counter began to ring. He picked it up and answered after seeing who was calling him.

"What's going on?" he asked, longingly wishing he was at the White House where all the action was.

"More numbers out of Wisconsin have been released" said the familiar voice of John Fleming, a former Louisiana Congressman who now served as Meadow's Deputy Chief of Staff.

"Lay them on me" replied Meadows.

"99% of the vote is in, and we've got a lead of 10,000 votes."

"10,000?" asked Meadows. "10,000" Fleming confirmed in response.

"Well shit...he might actually win this thing!"

"The problem is that Biden's folks are gunning for a recount."

"I know" Meadows answered, "they've been frothing at the mouth all day since RBG kicked the bucket. She couldn't have just died on election night. She had to f**k us over one last time I guess."

"The ghouls on Morning Joe were practically crying for blood. They blamed her death on Trump's reelection victory one minute, than the next they were attacking her for being selfish and not retiring before Trump took office. Never thought I'd see Claire McCaskill blaming Ruth Bader Ginsburg for Trump's reelection."

"Any updates on Pennsylvania?" Meadows asked, hoping in vain for more good news.

"Not yet" Fleming answered, "the campaign is sending lawyers out to Wisconsin tonight."

"They're going to seek an injunction?"

"If it comes to a recount. If the current numbers hold, we might avoid one entirely at this point."

"Awesome" said Meadows, "but don't count on Pennsylvania to go our way. Start counting heads in the House. This thing might go into January."

Tony Evers.

Friday, November 6th, 2020.

3:35 PM, Madison, WI.

[2]

It had been less than 30 minutes since the Associated Press called Wisconsin for Donald Trump, and already, Tony Evers was receiving a call from Joe Biden. He instructed his secretary to patch the former Vice President through to him as his Chief of Staff and his Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes leaned in with interest.

"Tony" Joe began in a voice that was strikingly solemn, "this is going to be really bad for the country if we have to fight this out in Congress. We're trying to avoid that, man. Can I count on you to get a recount done and get it done fast?"

"Constitutionally speaking, you have the right to demand a recount, if the current numbers hold. But it's getting dicey. You might miss the mark here, Joe."

"I have a lawyer in Milwaukee on standby ready to file on our campaign's behalf" Joe continued, "I'm ready to pull the trigger on this. We need to make sure that every vote counts."

"And we can do that" said Evers, "but only if the result is within 1%."

"Tony, the stakes are very high - "

"I know that, but my hands are tied."

"Do you know what a second Trump term will entail for American democracy?"

"I know what the stakes are, but I am limited in my capacity to do anything more than I've already done. It'll be up to the election's commission."

"My understanding of things is that the administrator of the commission, this Meagan Wolfe lady, that you can have her issue certain rulings -"

"I have to stop you there, Joe" Governor Evers interjected, a look of concern coming across his face that was visible to Lt. Governor Barnes, a progressive rising star in the Badger State. "I can't ask Meagan Wolfe to do anything really without causing a firestorm in the legislature. I don't think it would be appropriate it to me to appeal -"

"Woah, woah, I'm not asking you to do anything" Biden said, "I'm asking you to ensure that the rules are being followed, so that the recount can be conducted smoothly."

"There's no guarantee of a recount" Evers insisted, "look, you know that I've fought for you during this whole election, and that this election isn't over yet. But there are some lines that I just won't be able to cross."

"I don't want to be disappointed here" Biden sternly warned, "just do what you have to do." The call disconnected as Biden abruptly hung up, and Evers looked up towards the two men who just witnessed the conversation. "What more does he want me to do?" asked Evers, who realized that the prospect of a second Trump term meant a mortal threat to democracy in America (in his mind, certainly) but also feared that Biden's insinuations and read-the-tea-leaves style of asking sensitive political questions was inappropriate.

"Tony, this is a real crisis for our country" said Lt. Governor Barnes, "and we can't let this autocratic bully, this racist narcissist pig squeak by and fill Justice Ginsburg's seat. You can kiss women's rights goodbye if that happens. Sometimes you gotta put your thumbs on the scales. Sometimes it takes doing something a dirty to make sure that something gets done."

"Why can't he just wait and see if he can apply for a recount? The Commission will easily give him one if he's under 1%, which is looking to be the case."

"We don't have time on our side, it's simple."

"I know the reasoning for why you think we need to act" said Tony, "but I'm just not sure if I agree with it or not."

"Donald Trump is one electoral vote away, just ONE elector away, from literally ending freedom as we know it in America."

"If a recount happens, than maybe enough votes can be found to flip the state...maybe. But there's little I can do."

"If you don't do something, the people will."
[1] Taken from The Guardian (Patrick Semansky)
[2] Taken from the Milwaukee Sun-Journal (Mike De Sisti)

[Prez_zf]

Interesting!
I have a suspicious feeling though Trump takes Wisconsin and Biden takes Pennsylvania resulting in 269-269 Tie.

Whatever you come up with after it better really, really good.

I suspect you'll be proven right...

[BigVic]

I always love your timeline and format. Is your Trump 2012 timeline continuing

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I always love your timeline and format. Is your Trump 2012 timeline continuing

Maybe one day, but for now, it’s still on hiatus.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Jake Corman.

Saturday, November 7th, 2020.

The Pennsylvania State House.

11:30 AM, Harrisburg, PA.

[1]

It had only been five minutes since the Associated Press projected Biden the winner of Pennsylvania, and already, the phone was ringing in Jake Corman's office. The Pennsylvania State Senate Majority Leader was expecting a call from the President at some point, but never imagined it'd come within minutes of the state falling into Biden's column. But politics moved fast in the era of Trump, with the State Senator's staff being constantly harangued by the White House throughout the morning. Corman picked up the phone, with his voice betraying a sense of nervous hesitation as he answered.

"Mr. President...what can I do for you?"

"Josh" said the familiar voice on the other end of the line, apparently misnaming the man he was calling, "there is evidence of fraud in Philly, and I think it warrants action by the legislature up there."

"Fraud?"

"Yes, there was a tremendous amount of fraud...there was hankey panky going on with the mail-in ballots and we all know it, and I want your assurance that you will fight to investigate this before certification. Can I count on you?"

"Well, Mr. President, we're certainly committed to election integrity up here, and this matter will certainly be addressed."

"Terrific, Josh, terrific."

"I can speak for my entire caucus here in Harrisburg when I say that a contingency election is the last thing we as a country want or need right now."

"You know, it'll just be...very bad, very bad for America, I agree. And we can avoid that outright right here, right now. I know you'll do the right thing."

Bob Casey.

Saturday, November 7th, 2020.

The Capitol.

12:45 PM, Washington, D.C.

[2]

Senator Casey boarded the underground tram that ferried the Senators from the Capitol to their office buildings, and took a seat next to Senate Minority Leader Schumer, who was texting with an aide when the Pennsylvania Senator approached him.

"There's still hope that we can avoid this going to Congress" said Schumer, without looking up from his phone.

"I hope so" said Casey as the tram began to move, "this is going to get really ugly."

"Never mind the legal battle over the recounts, we're going to have to confirm another Trump appointee to the Supreme Court" Schumer lamented, "he won't send another Brent Kavanaugh our way either, he's going to send us someone who all the Republicans can get behind, someone we won't be able to stop."

"Just in time for the contingency election too" added Casey, "it's the perfect storm."

"God help us all" Schumer bemoaned.
[1] Taken from PBS Pennsylvania.
[2] Taken from the Associated Press.

[BigVic]

I always love your timeline and format. Is your Trump 2012 timeline continuing

Maybe one day, but for now, it’s still on hiatus.

The matchup we never got