McCain '12: A Timeline

[schecky]

Originally Posted by starwarsfan

Why did specter run for governor?

Hey, why not? Lol, I lack a good reason.

[schecky]

9/11 MASTERMIND OSAMA BIN LADEN FOUND, KILLED BY NAVY SEALS IN ABBOTOBAD, PAKISTAN



President McCain successfuly ordered a team of Navy SEALS, known as Seal Team Six, to take out Taliban leader and mastermind of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center Osama bin Laden. Millions of people around the world celebrated the occasion, with new approval pouring in for McCain. McCain now stands at a 57% approval rating. Secretary of Homeland Security Peter King of New York commented on the occasion as a "milestone for history and the United States of America." Former President Bush has called and congratulated McCain on the successful mission.

WISCONSIN SENATOR RUSS FEINGOLD ANNOUNCES PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN



In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, progressive senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin announced the beginning of a campaign for the White House. He is one of the first major candidates to announce his intentions, with many suspecting the Democratic and Republican candidates to declare campaigns soon. Feingold is a popular senator in the Democratic-leaning Badger State, and appeals to many liberal voters. He carries the endorsement of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who is running for the open Senate seat up after Herb Kohl's retirement.

SPECULATION CONTINUES TO GROW OVER MCCAIN/PALIN




Punditry from both sides of the political spectrum continue to speculate on the future of McCain and his Vice President, Sarah Palin. Conservative bloggers are urging Sarah Palin to form a primary challenge to the President, while some believe McCain will drop Palin and replace her with someone else, such as Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney. Even though Palin is unlikely to do it herself, a primary challenge from the right is expected.

[schecky]

THE RACE GETS MORE COMPETITIVE: OBAMA, WARNER, NEWSOM, PAUL START CAMPAIGNS




Senators Barack Obama and Mark Warner, of Illinois and Virginia, respectively, have both chosen to run for president of the United States. Also, Governor Gavin Newsom of California has entered the race as a longshot candidate. Even more of a longshot candidate is Congressman Ron Paul. His campaign is invading the internet, and he has earned the endorsement of many libertarian activists and Former Governor Gary Johnson of New Mexico. The President's office has declined to comment on Paul's entrance.




FIRST PRESIDENTIAL POLL RELEASED: OBAMA LEADING FIELD, PAUL AT 12% NATIONALLY

GALLUP POLLING: DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES

Barack Obama - 32%
Mark Warner - 21%
Russ Feingold - 10%
Gavin Newsom - 8%
Other - 29%

GALLUP POLLING: REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES

John McCain - 55%
Ron Paul - 12%
Other - 33%

SECRETARY LIEBERMAN RESIGNS AFTER DIFFERENCES WITH MCCAIN ADMINISTRATION; TO BE REPLACED BY MCDONNELL



After differences being shown between Defense Secretary Joseph Lieberman and the State Department, Lieberman has resigned. He is to be replaced with military veteran and Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell, a popular figure among social conservatives. McDonnell is expected to be more compatible with both the administration and the Republican base in an election year, which disliked Joe Lieberman heavily

.

[Van555]

Go feingold!

[schecky]

SENATOR DANIEL AKAKA SUFFERS STROKE; IN CRITICAL CONDITION



Junior Senator from Hawaii, the 88-year old Daniel Akaka has suffered a stroke. After being rushed to a hospital, doctors say he is in critical condition. Akaka is retiring his Senate seat this year, but if he doesn't survive the stroke it is likely Governor Abercrombie will appoint Mazie Hirono to fill his seat. Fellow Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye commented on Akaka's status today, saying: "We wish the Senator good luck with his health, and admire his courageness throughout this debacle."

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE HELD IN DES MOINES, IOWA; OBAMA THE VICTOR



The first debate of the Democratic primaries was held today in Des Moines, Iowa, with all major candidates invited. Most of the debate centered around Barack Obama and Mark Warner, who both showed different plans for the economy. The debate focused on social issues near the end, with many giving Gavin Newsom an edge among liberal voters. Barack Obama was declared the winner of the debate, although Russ Feingold did better than expected.

BACHMANN AND BIDEN START CAMPAIGNS




And in more presidential election news, Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann has joined the race to unseat President McCain. She is now in a three-way race with Ron Paul and John McCain, who is being attacked from both the left and the right. Less exciting, but still important, Delaware Senator and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Joe Biden entered the race as well. This is Biden's third presidential campaign after 1988 and 2008.

EMMANUEL WINS CHICAGO MAYORAL ELECTION




The Chicago mayoral election was won handily by Rahm Emmanuel, defeating Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Emmanuel touted the endorsent of presidential candidate Barack Obama, which significantly helped among the city's African-American population. All gubernatorial elections were held by the same party, with Beshear and Manchin in Kentucky and West Virginia, as well as Jindal and Bryant in Louisiana and Mississipi.

[Cathcon1]

This looks interesting. (Strangely enough, both Biden and Paul are on their third campaigns: 1988, 2008, and now 2012)

[schecky]

IOWA CAUCUS CARRIED BY SENATOR MARK WARNER; MCCAIN EDGES OUT BACHMANN, PAUL


28% 25% 27% 12% 8%


42% 35% 23%

In the Iowa Caucus, first caucus of the primary season, Mark Warner has won the Democratic caucus. On the GOP side, incumbent president McCain won his first victory against his two challengers, Michelle Bachmann and Ron Paul. This gives Warner momentum going into New Hampshire and Nevada, and helps cement McCain's lead as the front-runner. One of the surprises was Barack Obama placing third, barely being passed by liberal Senator Russ Feingold.

MCCAIN AGREES TO DEBATE BACHMANN AND PAUL; MCCAIN LEADING PAUL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

The incumbent President, John McCain, has agreed to debate his two challengers for the Republican nomination. This is seen as a good move for the campaign, with his main challenge, Michelle Bachmann, a lackluster debater at best. McCain still leads in every state as the frontrunner, but Republicans worry the challenges could damage the campaign going into the general election.

SANTORUM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOR BACHMANN! FORMER SENATOR GETTING ATTENTION FROM BLOGGERS




Former Senator Rick Santorum has been enlisted as a top surrogate for Michelle Bachmann, with a large favorabilty rating among Evangelicals and social conservatives. Santorum's name is already being floated for 2016, and in the event John McCain loses his own party's nomination, is seen as the most lucky candidate for Vice Presidential nominee. Santorum is one of many to endorse the insurgent Bachmann campaign, along with Fmr. Speaker Gingrich, Gov. Jindal, Rep. Gohmert, and others who lead a vital demographic of the Republican Party.

[starwarsfan]

Interesting TL looking forward to the debate.

[Glen Allen Walken]

was unsure about this timeline at the start but i am really into it now

[Plumber]

Originally Posted by The Conservative Fellah

While I'd protest the Perry loss, I'd rather protest McCain's inability to kill bin Laden.

Because McCain would follow the Bush foreign policy, where Pakistan > Bin Laden. He said as much during the campaign. Hillary did as well. Killing Bin Laden was an Obama-specific risky-as-shit maneuver, and it shouldn't be seen as one of those "oh it was inevitable" things because it wasn't.

[schecky]

Originally Posted by starwarsfan

Interesting TL looking forward to the debate.

Originally Posted by Glen Allen Walken

was unsure about this timeline at the start but i am really into it now

Thanks to both of you! I really appreciate it, since I'm new to timelines

[schecky]

BIDEN DROPS OUT; ENDORSES OBAMA




Senator Joe Biden, a long-shot contender, withdrew from the Democratic primaries amid coming last in the Iowa caucus and showing disappointing results in polls. He offered his endorsement to Senate friend and colleague Barack Obama, which should help him in the upcoming contests. Biden is engaged in a re-election campaign against Christine O'Donnell.

(Note: more to come this later tonight )

[starwarsfan]

Originally Posted by schecky

(Note: more to come this later tonight )

Looking forward to an update.

[schecky]

OBAMA SQUEAKS OUT WIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, MCCAIN SLIDES TO A LANDSLIDE VICTORY



32% 31% 24% 13%




67% 21% 12%

In the New Hampshire primary, Illinois Senator and frontunner Barack Obama barely carried the state after a Feingold surge made it tight. Mark Warner earned third place, and Gavin Newsom came in last. Feingold and Newsom are pledging to stay in until Nevada. And President McCain won in a landslide on the Republican slide, with Michelle Bachmann and Ron Paul only earning a third of the vote. All eyes are on Nevada, which is a total tossup state on both sides.

BACHMANN SPEECH EARNS CRITICISM




In a now widely controversial speech in Charleston, South Carolina, Michelle Bachmann stated that "all the Muslims in America have one goal: to infiltrate American government and impose Sharia law." This comment has garned bipartisan criticism from both sides of the aisle, especially from fellow Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison and opponent John McCain. Bachmann has seen a small slip in the polls following this debacle.

ALL-OUT GROUND WAR IN NEVADA: CAMPAIGN ADS BLITZ THE AIRWAVES




Voters in Nevada are seeing countless attack ads from all competitors, Republican and Democratic alike, for the upcoming Nevada caucus. Ron Paul seems to most aggresively target the state, and is waging an insurgent campaign to pick off young voters, libertarians, and dissafected Democrats. This has made the Senate race here between incumbent Dean Heller and Rory Reid, son of the Senate Minority Whip, even more competitive.

JIM DEMINT MAKES SURPRISE ENDORSEMENT OF RON PAUL




South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, a notably more libertarian member of the GOP caucus, has made a surprise endorsemnt of Ron Paul. This gives the campaign serious political capital, in both Nevada and South Carolina. Very few other high-profile politicians have endorsed Paul, except for Libertarian party officials and candidates and Former Governor Gary Johnson, Representative Justin Amash, and select others. Many expect Paul to go after the Libertarian Party nomination after the primaries.

[schecky]

MAZIE HIRONO APPOINTED TO UNITED STATES SENATE



Mazie Hirono, a Congresswoman from the state of Hawaii, after Senator Daniel Akaka suffered a stroke debilitating him from office. Considered the frontrunner for the post, she will be fighting for a full term against former Governor Linda Lingle in the November election. Hirono is a more Progressive Senator, much in the vein of Senators Russ Feingold and Elizabeth Warren.

[schecky]

NEWSOM LEAVES RACE; SEEN AS A POSSIBLE VP PICK



California Governor Gavin Newsom, formerly the mayor of San Francisco, has departed the presidential race today after numerous dissapointing poll numbers in Nevada. The progressive Governor is seen as a top pick for the Vice Presidential nod, but his polarizing views could turn off some moderates attracted to the Warner campaign.

FEINGOLD TAKES NEVADA! RON PAUL GETS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON




In upsets on both sides of the aisle, Senator Russ Feingold and Ron Paul won their first victories in the state of Nevada. This is the first state a challenger to the incumbent President has won, and a long hard battle was waged for the state. In the end, controversial Congressman Ron Paul won over both the President and conservative challenger Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota.

ROMNEY ON MEET THE PRESS: MCCAIN HAS MY VOTE




Former Governor of Massachusetts, and former possibility for primary challenge, gave a resounding endorsement to his old rival McCain on Meet the Press. "John has done a marvelous job as President, and he most certainly has my vote," said the Governor in an interview Sunday. Romney turned down challenging Elizabeth Warren for her Senate seat.

SOUTH CAROLINA PROVES RESOUNDING WIN FOR MCCAIN, OBAMA




The state of South Carolina was easily carried by both McCain and Senator Obama, who energized the state's African-American voters to defeat his opponent Mark Warner. This is the second victory for Barack Obama, who ran in 2008 but eventually lost the nomination to disgraced nominee John Edwards. This is a sigh of relief for Obama supporters, who expect a somewhat long race with Russ Feingold and Mark Warner. Republican insiders are also happy about the McCain win, which they hope will make Bachmann and Paul coalesce around the President sooner.

[Constantinople]

McCain v Obama 2012! I like the idea of a Obama victory starting in 2012.