2004 and Onward
Akno21:
After winning control of the government in resounding fashion in November, the rest of the year passed rather uneventfully for the Republicans in Washington. As it began to snow in December, President Bush announced the major changes in his cabinet. Colin Powell would be replaced by John C. Danforth, former Senator of Missouri. John Ashcroft resigned as Attorney General, and was replaced by Alberto Gonzales. Tom Ridge was replaced by former Rep. Asa Hutchinson at the Department of Homeland Security and Condoleezza Rice retired, and was replaced by Steven J. Hadley, her deputy. As re-inauguration approached, the situation in Iraq was getting worse, and the elections seemed doubtful to be orchestrated well. On January 20, 2005, George W. Bush officially continued to be President. Huge protest rallies were staged that day, and several eggs came near to the President’s face. The scene portrayed that of two nations, one whose population was 3.5 million larger.
Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist announced that he would resign his seat on the court, a week after the inauguration. President Bush announced that he would name Clarence Thomas Chief Justice. The move caught some by surprise, but politically it made sense. It would force Democrats to vote for a hard Conservative or vote against an African-American, which could have negative effects politically. To fill the vacancy, Bush chose Samuel Alito, a solid Conservative, who had a small chance of being approved. Not surprisingly, Alito failed to get approved, as even some moderate Republicans such as Arlen Specter. So, Alberto Gonzales became the next Justice of the Supreme Court, in a move that seemed acceptable to most Democrats. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada was made the Democratic leader in the Senate, to the surprise of few, while Chris Dodd of Connecticut moved up to the number 2 position.
The Iraqi elections produce no clear winner. There are endless allegations of fraud, and hundreds of people are said to have been shot at while voting. President Bush immediately proposes a dramatic change of the tax code, to go along with another tax cut. It passes, by a slim margin, as several Republicans voted against it, fearing the implications it could have on the federal deficit. In May, the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve is opened to drilling, in another vote that goes down to party lines, this one being 50-50, with Vice-President Cheney casting the deciding vote. As the situation in Iraq worsens, so does support for the President’s policies. Social Security reform gets bogged down in Congress, and many of his judicial appointees are not confirmed. In September, Senator Lincoln Chaffee, Republican of Rhode Island, announces he will switch parties, and join the Democrats, who he feels better represent his values. With that move, the Senate is 54-45-1, in favor of the Republicans.
In March of 2006, small numbers of troops begin to pull out of Iraq, with the country in chaos. Later in the month, Rudy Giuliani is chosen to run for Senate in New York, against Hillary Rodham Clinton. Meanwhile, Exploratory Presidential Committees have been formed for the following Democrats
Former Gov. Howard Dean (VT)
Gov. Ed Rendell (PA)
Former Gov. Mark Warner (VA)
Gov. Phil Bredesen (TN)
Gov. Rod Blagojevich (IL)
Gov. Tom Vilsack (IA)
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (KS)
Gov. Bill Richardson (NM)
Gov. Janet Napolitano (AZ)
Gov. Brad Henry (OK)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY)
Former Sen. John Edwards (NC)
Sen. Bill Nelson (FL)
Sen. Evan Bayh (IN)
Sen. Dick Durbin (IL)
Sen. Byron Dorgan (ND)
Sen. Russ Feingold (WI)
Sen. Ron Wyden (OR)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH)
And for the following Republicans
Gov. Mitt Romney (MA)
Gov. George Pataki (NY)
Gov. Bob Ehrlich (MD)
Gov. Mike Huckabee (AR)
Gov. Bill Owens (CO)
Gov. Rick Perry (TX)
Former Gov. Tom Ridge (PA)
Gov. Bob Taft (OH)
Gpv. Jeb Bush (FL)
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson (WI)
Sen. Rick Santorum (PA)
Sen. George Allen (VA)
Sen. Chuck Hagel (NE)
Sen. John McCain (AZ)
Sen. George Voinovich (OH)
Sen. Bill Frist (TN)
Sen. Sam Brownback (KS)
Rep. Tom Delay (TX)
Former State Justice Roy Moore (AL)
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (NY)
Later in the month, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah introduced a bill that would allow people not born in the United States to become President. It looked certain to fail, until it picked up support from noted internationalist, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. Calling for acceptance of foreigners, Mr. Kerry was able to attract enough Democratic support to ensure passage. When President Bush signed the bill, it meant that an enormous “Draft Arnold” movement would start within minutes of its passage. However, the Governator issued a statement saying he was not interested in running for President at this time.
Michael Z:
Good start. More, more!
Hermit:
Quote from: Akno21 on October 10, 2004, 07:27:04 AM
Gpv. Jeb Bush (FL)
Jeb's said he won't run in '08. Otherwise, excellent! Keep it up! Also:
Quote from: Akno21 on October 10, 2004, 07:27:04 AM
Sen. Rick Santorum (PA)
AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Beet:
Great story, but somehow I strongly doubt this part:
Quote from: Akno21 on October 10, 2004, 07:27:04 AM
The Iraqi elections produce no clear winner.
Akno21:
Quote from: Hermit on November 10, 2004, 06:47:56 PM
Quote from: Akno21 on October 10, 2004, 07:27:04 AM
Gpv. Jeb Bush (FL)
Jeb's said he won't run in '08. Otherwise, excellent! Keep it up! Also:
Quote from: Akno21 on October 10, 2004, 07:27:04 AM
Bush's have lied before.
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