2010 US Presidential Election

[Westbrook 49]

politico.com, November 11th, 2010.

Secretary Vinick, Hayes Arrive In Liberty.

Secretary of State Arnold Vinick and White House Counsel Ainsley Hayes have arrived in Liberty, for a day of talks with the Transition Team and President-elect GlenAllen Walken.

It is fairly certain that Vinick will be asked to stay on as Secretary of State, though it is rumored that he was looking to retire. There have also been whispers in the Walken camp that Vinick could overshadow the President-elect.

Hayes has been White House Counsel since 2006, and was the last of the White House Senior Staff to survive the Purge in 2009. It is unknown what her role in the Walken Administration will be, though incoming Chief of Staff Evan Drake has said that Hayes will definitely have a job.

[Westbrook 49]

OOC: In honor of Veteran's Day.




Somber Mood as President Santos Visits Arlington for Veteran's Day Speech; Walken, Bartlet Also Celebrate Veterans.

President Matthew Santos honored Veteran's Day by speaking with the families of service men and women who had lost their lives in Kazakhstan and Israel, before traveling to Arlington National Cemetery.

President Santos spent an hour in the Blue Room, speaking with families of deceased troops, before traveling to Arlington with Mr. David Berman, who lost his son Michael in Israel, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Lynn Kowalski, whose one son Timothy died in Kazakhstan, and whose other son Will is currently serving in Germany. Will also received a call from President Santos.

President Santos laid Presidential coins over both graves, and said a prayer for both men. He then took the time to speak with the families, and to walk with his wife Helen through the rows of markers, occasionally stopping to greet a fellow mourner.

In a speech given at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Santos was short and somber, saying, "It has been my greatest honor to have served my country in uniform, and to have led these men as President of the United States for the last 4 years. America owes a great debt to the men and women of her Armed Services. The freedoms we enjoy today would not be possible if not for the blood they have spilled, from Concord and Lexington to the trenches of France, to the bluffs of Normandy and the beaches of Okinawa. Today, they are working to help maintain peace in Israel and Kazakhstan, and we owe them nothing more than our complete support when they come home. Thank you."

Former President Josiah Bartlet and President-elect GlenAllen Walken also honored Veteran's Day. Bartlet flew to California, to greet returning Kazakhstan vets, and Walken traveled to Illinois, to give a small speech at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, before returning home to travel to a VA hospital. He also spoke with his son Collin, who is a Captain in the Army.

[KahukuMan10]

nytimes.com

Santos and Walken to meet

President Santos and President-elect Walken will have dinner tomorrow night at the residency of the White House. Walken will be taking a day off from the transition to travel and meet with congressional leaders before goon to dinner with his wife at the White House. It is largely expected that in this first one-on-one between the two men since the election, we will see how the future between these two men will develop. The relationship between Newman and Lassiter became one of almost friends as the former advised the latter in the early stages of his Presidency. Especially in foreign affairs. President Santos seems likely to at least extend the hand of friendship to Walken. But it will be interesting to see how the relationship unfolds.

Walken's meeting with congressional leaders includes those from the Democrats. All the presumptive House leaders will be in attendance, and the two rivals for the minority leader spot, George Montgomery and Llyod Russell will also be present. It's likely that Walken will begin trying to reach across the isle now before the next congress.

[JoeMulk]

From everything that was indicated in the series I don't imagine that Bartlett and Lassiter had an exactly corrigall relationship in the 98-99 transition.

[Odysseus]

Question: Would it be OK if I killed off, or set up the death of a Senator or Governor?

[KahukuMan10]

It would really depend on who. Some of them we've written up quite a great deal, and others we havent touched. Best to message the thread manager Marky Bunny.

[Odysseus]

politico.com

Jeff Blaine; Dems Rising Star?

As President Santos prepares to leave office, and transfer the Presidency to the first elected Republican in 12 years, many left-wing talkers and pundits are already looking for the next elected Democrat to the office. A select few Virginia based pundits are looking to someone who isn't even in congress yet - former comedian and businessman Jeffrey J. Blaine of Virginia. The young millionaire is widely speculated to be gearing up for a Senate run against the 'disastrous' Harold Webster, whose damning political failures have made him a star among internet communities. Indeed, if political strategy tells us anything, then 2012 might be a pretty rough year for the Republicans, and a really great year for the young Jeff Blaine.


OOC: Original character, dark horse candidate for the 2012 VA race if we go that far...[/SIZE]

EDIT: Will place someone else as Jeff Blaine when the time comes.

[Westbrook 49]

Originally Posted by Odysseus

politico.com

Jeff Blaine; Dems Rising Star?

As President Santos prepares to leave office, and transfer the Presidency to the first elected Republican in 12 years, many left-wing talkers and pundits are already looking for the next elected Democrat to the office. A select few Virginia based pundits are looking to someone who isn't even in congress yet - former comedian and businessman Jeffrey J. Blaine of Virginia. The young millionaire is widely speculated to be gearing up for a Senate run against the 'disastrous' Harold Webster, whose damning political failures have made him a star among internet communities. Indeed, if political strategy tells us anything, then 2012 might be a pretty rough year for the Republicans, and a really great year for the young Jeff Blaine.


Jon Stewart as Jeff Blaine

Odysseus,

Jon Stewart has already been established as himself in this world. He's good, but not that good.

[KahukuMan10]

ooc: Seeing as how this has been a point of contention for myself, I thought I'd just write it up for all of us. Here is the West Wing's story of the financial crisis!!! Some RL banks are replaced with fake names, but some aren't. (just to keep WW flavor up and about.

ic:

nytimes.com

Two Years in Review

By Brandon Fields

It's been a little over two years since the global financial crisis hit. And the New York Times asked me to come back and write a piece for them about what happened during the actual crisis, what led to it, and what the government did to stop the bleeding. So that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Lets go right into it.



Causes

The economic meltdown of 2008, generally known as, "The Great Recession," the worse economic downturn since the great depression, can generally be simplified down to a matter of regulations and deregulations. Every President since Roosevelt has tried to increase home ownership. A very noble goal indeed, but executed poorly. President Reagan in 1983 compromised with the democratic held congress for his plan to increase home ownership. He mandated that the government sponsored mortgage association be required not to judge an interest rate on people due to race. This, along with the deregulations of the banking industry culminated in the sub-mortgage crisis, better known as? The housing bubble. See, when Alan Greenspan became Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, he touted a change in the walk that would allow commercial banking to invest in new areas. Such as exotic insurance options. This was a further step in the deregulation process. Banks would go on to sell houses to people that obviously could not afford to buy, with 0% down payment, with the interest rates very low. To begin with. Slowly but surely, banks would raise the interest rate from a measly 2%, to 5%, to 10%, to 15%, and so on. And the gamily couldn't afford to live in it any more. So they'd be kicked out, and another family would come in and the process would continue, over and over again. This became known as subprime lending. When this problem became abundantly clear, my colleague and friend Paul Krugman and I wrote heavily against this. This began right before I left for the Lassiter administration, so in the mid-to-late 90s. But no one would listen as the economy continued to soar. Yet as economist such as myself, and those on the right said, this economic soar was built on foundations of sand. And would, eventually, collapse. And so it did.

September 2008

While the recession officially crashed the markets in September of 2008, the recession began in late 2007. When housing prices reached their peak in mid-2006, President Bartlet, while taking some praise for it, issued a warning, a warning that was backed up by then Treasury Secretary Ken Kato, and then Secretary of Commerce Mitch Bryce. The financial industry needed serious reforms, and fast. No one listened to him, and much of the economic issues for the 2006 campaign between Matt Santos and Arnie Vinick focused on job creation, taxes, and the national debt.

The moment the market's opened on September 15th, there was already trouble. The shares of Meril Schwartz were plummeting to unbelievable depths and it was shocking to almost every single stock trader, but to almost not one single economist. Due to the subprime crisis, as people continued to lose their homes because they couldn't pay them, the houses became less valuable, losing their monetary worth. This major, "unexpected" decline in housing prices meant that many borrowers had zero or negative equity in their homes. Meaning that their homes were worth less than their mortgages. By September 2008, the number of americans with negative equity in their homes is believed to have reached 12 million. When this happens, people have an interest in defaulting on their mortgages, as they're paying more than the home is worth. Thus, with millions of people defaulting, shares of the banks declined. And that was about that. Schwarts was gobbled up quickly by Goldman Sachs, and other smaller banks that had defaulted were picked up by either Jones and Parker or Citigroup.



Government Response

What is a little known fact is that the entire federal government knew that this crisis was coming. They just didn't realize how big it would get. On September 9, the smaller lending bank Kirkland-Jordan was going under and its officials met with Treasury Secretary Christopher Plumber, and Federal Bank of New York Chair Gregory Thomas to work out a back room bank bailout. But this maneuver was blocked by CEO of Meril Schwartz Levi Eaglehall, who wished for his company to purchase Kirkland for his own. Plumber and Thomas refused to get involved if another bank was willing to buy it, as Eaglehall planned. He offered to buy Kirkland for a total of 4 dollars a share, faced with nothing else, they accepted. 6 days later when the market crashed, Eaglehall met again with Plumber and Thomas, along with the heads of several other major banks. They refused to bailout the bank the same as they did the week before, as Goldman was willing to buy Meril Schwartz. Thus began the back room deals that so angered the public.

President Santos responded quickly, calling the leaders of congress to the White House to make a game plan. Despite unwillingness to work a deal, both parties agreed for the sake of the economy to go ahead. With a plan formulated by Plumber and White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, congress enacted TARP. The Troubled Assets and Relief Program, designed to buy up the banks and all their bad bets. What it didn't do, however, was nationalize the failed banks to reorganize them and then release them. Despite Lyman's urgings, the President and democrats in the house believed that it would be a bad signal to send before the midterm elections. Regardless, it was a bad call not to, and it has allowed the banks to continue unabashed ever since. This was followed later by the economic stimulus bill, much smaller than it should have been, and it failed to do its job and create jobs, and rather saved jobs. But people don't vote on what they don't see in the first place. And its been a roller coaster ever since...

[disputed]

politico.com, Friday November 12th

Governor’s Association Kick Off 2011 Prep

The Republican and Democratic Governor’s Association are already well into the planning stage for some major off year contests that will play out in 2011.

RGA Chairwoman Alison Marshall is standing down, most likely in favor of current deputy Andrew Wu in order to focus on her re-election campaign in Kentucky. On the Democratic side Massachusetts Governor Isaac Sidely will remain in his role as DGA Chairman until the end of the 2011 election after his likely successor Alex Folan resigned in disgrace yesterday.

There are six off year contests, which range from ultra competitive to likely stroll. Here is the status of the races in question:

Kentucky: Incumbent Alison Marshall retains high approval ratings and is popular within her party so she looks to be the favorite.

The Democrats are high on Commonwealths Attorney Chris Mannix but he faces competition from State Senator Donnie Lawrence.

Mississippi: Democrats would love to take 300 East Capitol Street in Jackson this November but it’s not very likely. Controversial Governor Will Williams is term-limited, but there are no shortage of replacements lined up. The favored candidate within GOP circles is Katie Hodder-Shaw, the daughter of former Governor Stephen Hodder who is currently a State Senator. Hodder-Shaw will face a primary against at least two strong candidates. State Attorney General Kim Matthews is high in his chances and businessman and former Congressman Jonas Watts looks like to get involved.

The DGA wants State Representative David Ellerby to run but polling may well be prohibitive as he trails all of the GOP contenders by significant margins.

Oregon: Governor Harris Ryan is term limited and what should be a solid red state will most likely elect a Democrat as his successor. The Republican field is fairly weak with businessman Lewis Abernathy and State Senator Rebecca Wilder the most likely candidates. The RGA would like Congressman Curtis Ryan to run to replace his uncle but that looks a long shot. There may be an x-factor on the Republican side of the ball if former Congressman John Heffinger gets into the race.

The Democratic Primary could turn into a real battle. Portland Mayor Steven Kay is reportedly interested. Congressman Paul Chang has been mentioned as a possible contender, Secretary of State Paula Redford and US Attorney Cliff Connell also seem to be making preparations.

Oklahoma: Peggy Wade has had a controversial tenor as Governor but that ends next year as she is retiring – rumors persist linking her to a job in the Walken administration. Many expect that her replacement will be current Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Keeley but she will face a primary contest from her chief rival within the current administration Secretary of State Randall Carey.

The Democrats think that a contentious GOP primary may open the door for Eli Jobling, who lost to Wade in 2003 to shoot the gap and win the Governor’s mansion.

South Carolina: Republicans are desperate to reclaim the Palmetto State after Christine Jackson scraped into power on the back of a wave of pro-Santos sentiment in 2007. Her poll numbers are poor and some leading GOP contenders are circulating.

Amongst a wealth of strong candidates, Lawton Barclay, son of former Governor MacDonald Barclay is the early front runner. However, former Congressman Brad Maxwell is interested and has a lot of support and state GOP President Kelly Fox is monitoring developments.

Vermont: Incumbent Janet Lorton is no superstar, but the Republican field is fairly weak.. There has been some talk of trying to convince Senator Walter Crandell to run but since he announced his retirement from the Senate with such gusto that looks unlikely.

The next best candidate looks to be businessman Richard Wilson, but whilst his business skills are not in doubt – nobody knows how he’ll adapt to the campaign trail.

[disputed]

politico.com, Friday November 12th

Boone Sworn In A Governor

Sean Boone was this morning sworn in as Governor of Washington State replacing disgraced former Governor Alex Folan who resigned yesterday amid claims that he interfered in an investigation into his sister-in-laws complicity in insider trading.

Boone, 32, took the oath of office outside the Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia saying “Whilst it is a great honor to serve as Governor of this great state, the circumstances of today make it a day of mixed emotions. I promise to do all I can to restore faith in this office.”

The new Governor will face re-election in 2012 should he decide to seek a full term. He said yesterday that he intends to kill a bill proposed by Governor Folan to introduce an income tax for the top 25% of earners in the state saying “We can’t allow taxes to increase in this state – I’m proud that we do not impose and income tax on our people and won’t allow one to start on my watch.”

Governor Boone is the 5th youngest Governor in US history – he will be 33 on January 9th and faces a Democratic State legislature. He did however promise that he intended to tackle the state deficit “as quickly as possible”.

[Marky Bunny]

The new Governor of Washington State, Sean Boone and his wife Emma after taking the oath of office today.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Westbrook 49

Odysseus,

Jon Stewart has already been established as himself in this world. He's good, but not that good.

Ahh, I see. Let me replace it, give me a minute.

[Marky Bunny]

politico.com

Friday November 12th 2010

The ACA told "Burke will have no job in the new administration"

George Rohr and Mary Marsh have been told by the head of Walken transition team, Caleb Burgess, that there "golden boy" the former Governor of Alabama, Wesley Burke will not be offered a job in the new administration.
It is understood that Rohr and Marsh meet with Burgess today at the transition offices in Washington, where they attempted to get Burke into the cabinet. They are believed to have said they thought he would be right for Secretary of Education. It is of course unthinkable espically given Burke's views on the teaching of the bible and evolution, that he would be given the role.
It seems Walken is stronger enough to tell the ACA where to go, which is a good sign for the Republican party, and the country.

[Westbrook 49]

WHITE HOUSE GUEST LIST FOR TONIGHT'S EVENT:

President Matthew Santos and First Lady Helen Santos;
President-elect GlenAllen Walken and wife Mary Walken;
Vice President Wendell Tripplehorn and Second Lady June Tripplehorn;
Vice President-elect Senator Liz Clark and husband Harry Jackman;
Speaker of the House Carol Gelsey and Husband Bryan;
House Minority Leader Jim Arkin and wife Alise;
Democratic Congressmen Mark Richardson of New York, Noah Gellman of Virginia and Congresswoman Claudia Greenwood of California, with guests;
Republican Congressmen Bradley Gilmore of California, Kyle Wilson of Virginia & Charles Widen of Pennsylvania, with guests;
Senate Majority Leader Robert Royce and wife Lynn;
Senate Majority Whip Seth Randall;
Senate Minority Leader Tom Grissom;
Senate Minority Whip Lloyd Russell;
Republican Senators Cody Riley of Alabama, Mark Ramsey of Minnesota and Matt Hunt of Arizona (With guests);
Democratic Senators George Montgomery of Illinois, Andrew Thorn of New York (With guest) and Tim McCord of South Carolina (With guest);
White House Chief of Staff Nate Singer, with guest;
Former Arizona Governor Evan Drake, with wife Lorraine;
Former White House Chief of Staff CJ Cregg, with guest;
White House Counsel Ainsley Hayes;
Secretary of State Arnold Vinick.

OOC: This is a basic list, based on who I would think would be present at a leadership/transition, "get to know everyone" meeting. Add anyone you feel would also be there.

[KahukuMan10]

washingtonpost.com

Playing nice. For now.

Tonight the White House welcomes all the esteemed leaders of congress for a dinner hosted by outgoing President Matt Santos, hosting for President-elect Glen Allan Walken. But while it seems likely that Santos and Walken will get along, and at least have a cordial relationship, other guests will likely not. The leaders of congress are currently waging bloody wars, inching closer to their goals, against each other.

On the Republican side, it is a well known fact that Majority Whip, Seth Randall is eyeing the number one spot, and views Royce's close reelection campaign as grounds for termination. He's got the backing of the conservative wing of the party, along with the ACA and other religious groups. While Royce still has the backing of the moderate wing and most of the establishment. Randall seems likely to give up his thirst for higher power for now, but if the Republicans loose seats or even the majority in 2012, you can bet his powerplay will be much stronger, and much more planned out. In the house, Jim Arkin has his team in place, with Brad Gilmore as his second in command and Kyle Wilson as Conference Chairman. He's conceded the key post of NRCC chair to the moderate Riley Church, who seems intent on bringing the party back to the middle. It doesn't matter much though, Arkin has his proteges lined up in place to succeed him. A problem for him, is how much longer party faithful believe he can lead the GOP in the house. He's led them for four years now, and lost seats going into the next congress. If he fails to succeed in the 112th congress, its very possible the party may look the Robert Mitchell and Charles Widen to lead. Forcing Gilmore and Wilson to quickly prepare themselves to takeover if Arkin is ousted.

The Democrats look better in the long run than the GOP does. The House leadership has been set, with Gelsey remaining as Speaker, Mark Richardson takes over for Drake Headley as Majority Leader, and Noah Gellman, fresh off his 20 seat gain as DCCC chair., possibly 21 if Sophia Hill defects. Claudia Greenwood, the proficient fundraiser and campaigner from the California 6th is likely to take his spot, and Will Bailey will almost assuredly become Vice-Chair. The Senate however, is the tricky spot. George Montgomery and Llyod Russell have been quietly whipping votes in the senate, and its very close. Montgomery seems to have a razor thin edge at last whip count, and this may possibly be attributed to the momentum coming out of a close but strong win over Jim Hohner Jr. Russell seems poised to make a comeback, but what many political pundits believe, is that Montgomery has the advantage. A smaller, more liberal, caucus would likely go for the guy who's a fighter and advocate for liberalism, to fight the might of Glen Allan Walken and the 56-seat GOP majority in the senate. Montgomery is that guy. Russell has been a go-to, point man, generally for the GOP, working as the messenger to outgoing-Majority Leader Tom Grissom. Making him seem to some, as a possibly weak leader. The democrats held their own in this cycle, losing only one seat, but several replacements are staunch liberal advocates. Andrew Howard is the first open member of the Youth in Revolt to join the senate, David Kuhio took the place of the moderate Joanne White, and is likely to back the more liberal leader. Assuming Hayden Straus pulls off the victory like many suspect he will, he's not going to align with Russell if only for his political views. But don't count Russell out, he's got the political know-how and savvy to pull one out of his hat promising key committees to those that support him.

Why is all of this funny or relevant? Because tonight, all of them converge on the White House for dinner. They'll have to put worry and political issues aside for this. Both President and President-elect have made this clear to their party. Let's see how the night goes...

[Prometheus_2300]

Just a thought... I was listening to the radio on the car ride home, and it talked about Obama's trip to Japan. It got me thinking, have we established anything about Japan's politics? I see it at least in the West Wing Universe having a more two party system, then now, but I wanted people's opinion before I established anything.

[KahukuMan10]

I think Tim did a post in mid-summer about foreign countries and their leaders. Check in the early 100s for it.

[Westbrook 49]

November 12th, Friday, 2010

BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS

SIDLEY APPOINTS FITZSIMMONS AS PIERCE REPLACEMENT; FITZSIMMONS SAYS "I WILL WORK HARD TO BE WORTHY OF THE LEGACY OF ROLAND PIERCE."


Boston Mayor Jimmy Fitzsimmons As He Walks to the Podium at the Announcement of His Appointment.


Governor Isaac Sidley, in a primetime address, announced that he would be appointing Boston Mayor Jimmy Fitzsimmons to the Senate seat vacated by the retirement and death of Roland Pierce.

"While I will always miss my friend and ally Roland Pierce, who has served our country so well, the world continues to spin, and the United States Senate needs a full compliment of legislators." Sidley read from a statement from the second floor mural room in the State House. "More than that, it needs an advocate for the causes of liberty, for a Senator who will stand for the common man and woman, who will fighter for a stronger, fairer America. And so I am proud to announce that I will be appointing a man who will do these things, who I think will be a fine heir to the legacy of Roland Pierce-James Ellsbury "Jimmy" Fitzsimmons."

Fitzsimmons and Sidley shook hands and hugged as Fitzsimmons stepped to the podium, where he began with a joke:

"The Celtics win and I get named a United States Senator-Not a bad weekend, you think?" As the assembled reporters broke into laughter, Fitzsimmons began reading from his prepared speech:
"I am proud and honored that Governor Sidley has chosen me for this awesome responsibility. I do wish it was under different circumstances than the death of a legend and a friend like Roland Pierce.
I was fortunate enough to work with Senator Pierce as his Chief of Staff when he was Vice President, and I saw every day the energy and passion he had for making this country a better place. If I am one fourth of the Senator that Roland Pierce has been, I will have accomplished a great deal.
It was not an easy decision to step out of the job I love more than any in the world-Being the Mayor of Boston. But those who are called to service must not be afraid of that service.
My first intention as Senator will be to introduce myself to my new constituents in the Commonwealth, up close and personal. Though Boston will always be my home, I will not be the Senator from Boston, I will be the Senator from Massachusetts. And in Senate, I will work hard to be worthy of the legacy of Roland Pierce. But most of all, I will work hard to be worthy of you, the people who have sent me there.
Thank you all very much."

Fitzsimmons has been Mayor since 1994, and is most famous for his 51-point victory over his opponent in 2002. He's a member of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, and has shown himself to be an antagonist of the Santos Administration. Fitzsimmons also publicly stated that he did not vote for President Santos this year, though he did not specify who he voted for. However, Fitzsimmons has worked with Republicans and conservatives on certain issues, and he and former Governor Tom Case had a good working relationship. The newly-appointed Senator will move into Senator Pierce's old office space, and will keep his old staff onboard for the time being. Fitzsimmons will resign from his office as Mayor, meaning Deputy Mayor Maria Dignam will step in as Acting Mayor. This will make Dignam the first female Mayor in Boston's history.

[Tim Thomason]

Originally Posted by KahukuMan10

I think Tim did a post in mid-summer about foreign countries and their leaders. Check in the early 100s for it.

Oh, that Tim, always ruining the fun. I think this is what you're referring to, from Page 108.

PM Oso Takabi was later cast by Mark and appeared at a G8 meeting, but nothing else has been said about Japan. What was said in the link above was mostly so I can sneak in a joke to "MDs" ("Members of the Diet", like MPs, although I don't think that's a regularly used term). Takabi was the Japanese Defense Minister on the show and I "promoted" him to Prime Minister.