2010 US Presidential Election

[disputed]

As there have been some requests, thought I'd have a go at a Walken platform. For reference I'm assuming with 12 years of Democratic rule that the Contract for America never happened.

Walkenforamerica.com, Friday April 10th

Walken Launches “Path to Growth”

President Glen Allen Walken today launches a national tour under the banner of a ten point plan entitled “The Path to Growth”.

THE PATH TO GROWTH

1. ECONOMIC STABILITY & FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

· Clear the current economic crisis, with stimulative funded tax cuts and reduction in spending
· Balance the budget by 2016
· Redraw banking legislation to future proof the banking industry
· Always work to minimize regulation and promote growth
· Ensure all spending programs have clear cost/benefit analysis to ensure tax payer pay back

2. JOB CREATION AND WAGE ENHANCEMENT

· Small business incentives
· Cut in capital gains tax

3. PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF THE NATION

· Utilize competition between companies to bring about lower healthcare costs.
· Reform the tax code to create more choice for consumers
· Insurance that remains intact no matter where you work and remains if you take time off to raise a family.
· Work with states to create guaranteed access for at risk groups and individuals

4. RESTORE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

· Seek to end conflict in Kazakhstan through implementation of the Antwerp plan
· Develop plan to address peacekeeping shortfalls in Gaza, ensure US control of overall operations

5. ADDRESSING TERRORIST THREATS

· Work with allies across the globe to tackle extremists groups
· Address and confront rogue states

6. COMMON SENSE LEGAL REFORM

· Implement loser pays laws
· Review and reestablish limits on punitive damages
· Revise product liability laws

7. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

· Cut spending on welfare programs
· Implement two years and out, work provisions to promote individual responsibility

8. FAIRNESS FOR OUR SENIORS

· Reduce tax on social security benefits
· Raise the earnings limit
· provide tax incentives for private long-term care insurance to let Older Americans keep more of what they have earned over the year


9. EDUCATING FOR THE FUTURE

· Honor the teaching profession. Reward good teachers through performance based pay initiatives
· Implement statewide standardizes testing to measure school performance
· Ensure choice for parents in how and where they educate their children
· Expand access to higher education

10. TACKLING CRIME, TACKLING THE CAUSES OF CRIME

· Creation of state of the art crime fighting facilities
· Increase in community policing
· Support penalizing and prosecuting minor crimes
· Develop quality of life initiatives to tackle underlying issues

[disputed]

Cbsnews.com, Thursday April 9th

Walken Launches Ten point Plan

Today has seen the launch of Glen Walken’s ten point plan, the first, but no doubt not the last, detailed agenda ahead of the 2010 Presidential Election.

The plan, believed to be the brainchild of campaign manager Anne Stark and political director Jane Braun, seems to be designed to put the rest of the field on the back foot as it clearly outlines his platform for the primary season ahead.

The Walken campaign also seem to be addressing one of their major issues of four years ago when many believed his failure to articulate a clear platform allowed Senator Arnold Vinick to grab control of the GOP primaries.

[disputed]

www.nashrockford.com, Thursday April 9th

The Rockford File

Blog by Nash Rockford

Not sure if anyone picked up on the coverage of Matthew Skinner’s rally on Tuesday, quite an enjoyable occasion it would seem – I wasn’t present myself but I’ve always enjoyed the circus.
For those who missed it Congressman Skinner and his uber-liberal Press director Mandy Hampton saw fit to parade the saddest collection of RINOs I think I’ve ever seen to endorse his campaign.
We had the amusing sight of the incompetent Governor of Louisiana who can’t control the budget in his own state launch an unprovoked attack on Americans who love god and believe in gun rights – apparently those are bad things in Skinnerland. I look forward to Governor Johnson’s Primary challenge next year!
Then they dragged out Howard Weston, so comprehensively beaten by Rob Ritchie in 2002 that I’m surprised he can show his face. Oh, and don’t forget Weston “guaranteed” that he would deliver his home state for Vinick in ’06 – how’d that work out Howard?
So having had the weird we were greeted with the plain sad – George Allard – if you think you’ve heard the name before that’s because he ran in 2006. He’s still trying to say that the future of the GOP lies in following the strategies adopted in Oregon and Vermont!
Poor old Bill Daniel, a man I have lots of time for, seems to think that the route to the White House is to follow the strategy we had in ’06, where, lest we forget our nominee let slip a 10 point lead against an unknown Texas Congressman.
Finally, we got proof positive that old Max Lobell has finally lost his mind, one can only presume he thought he was there to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Foot in mouth society.
My only observation on the whole thing is that I’ve heard it before “experience doesn’t matter, it’s about ideas blah, blah, blah”, it was the message we heard endlessly three years ago from Matt Santos. We’ve tried inexperienced and it’s failed, let’s not make the same mistake again.

[Peter_Winchester]

(OOC: Does anybody mind if I contribute? If so, ignore this post.)

From the Daily Telegraph, Friday, April 10th
Conservative Party leader and Leader of the Opposition James Taylor has met with candidates for the US Republican nomination as part of his trip to America this week. Taylor, who is struggling with repairing his party's "intolerant" image in prepartion for the possibility of an election later this year, met with front-runner Ray Sullivan, as well as former Acting President Glen Allen Walken and Congressman Matthew Skinner.
According to sources in the Tory Party, discussion was limited to broad principles and ideals, but Taylor has said he felt the meetings represented a significant step towards presenting conservatism as a modern ideology, both in the US and at home.

Of particular interest is candidate Matthew Skinner, who despite his homosexuality, has remained a viable contender for the nomination. The Shadow Chancellor, Richard Samuels, himself openly homosexual, has described this as a positive step for the modern Republican Party.

[Marky Bunny]

Peter, thanks for your post.
The British scene was something I was planning to address. I guess that PM Maureen Graty must be a Labour "Prime-Minister" . She of course appeared in series 6, although her party was never mentioned she did seem very similar to Thatcher. "Quoting "Churchill etc.
Of course in the real world, the current Conservative Shadow cabinet as two openly gay members, Nick Herbert and Alan Duncan.

[Marky Bunny]

Originally Posted by disputed

www.nashrockford.com, Thursday April 9th

The Rockford File

Blog by Nash Rockford

Not sure if anyone picked up on the coverage of Matthew Skinner’s rally on Tuesday, quite an enjoyable occasion it would seem – I wasn’t present myself but I’ve always enjoyed the circus.
For those who missed it Congressman Skinner and his uber-liberal Press director Mandy Hampton saw fit to parade the saddest collection of RINOs I think I’ve ever seen to endorse his campaign.
We had the amusing sight of the incompetent Governor of Louisiana who can’t control the budget in his own state launch an unprovoked attack on Americans who love god and believe in gun rights – apparently those are bad things in Skinnerland. I look forward to Governor Johnson’s Primary challenge next year!
Then they dragged out Howard Weston, so comprehensively beaten by Rob Ritchie in 2002 that I’m surprised he can show his face. Oh, and don’t forget Weston “guaranteed” that he would deliver his home state for Vinick in ’06 – how’d that work out Howard?
So having had the weird we were greeted with the plain sad – George Allard – if you think you’ve heard the name before that’s because he ran in 2006. He’s still trying to say that the future of the GOP lies in following the strategies adopted in Oregon and Vermont!
Poor old Bill Daniel, a man I have lots of time for, seems to think that the route to the White House is to follow the strategy we had in ’06, where, lest we forget our nominee let slip a 10 point lead against an unknown Texas Congressman.
Finally, we got proof positive that old Max Lobell has finally lost his mind, one can only presume he thought he was there to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Foot in mouth society.
My only observation on the whole thing is that I’ve heard it before “experience doesn’t matter, it’s about ideas blah, blah, blah”, it was the message we heard endlessly three years ago from Matt Santos. We’ve tried inexperienced and it’s failed, let’s not make the same mistake again.

Disputed, superb, I think this what they call two writers working off each other.... very impressive.
I will get Wendt out of the race soon.

[Marky Bunny]

MSNBC.Com Thursday April 9th 2009
Wendt banned from Presidential debate
MSNBC has decided to ban Congressman Sam Wendt from appearing at the first GOP presidential debate in two weeks time in Florida.
A press statement says" Although we wanted all the candidates to appear, with have decided that Congressman's Wendt comments yesterday where complety un-acceptable , and we have a duty to our viewers of the debate, that Congressman Wendt could again repeat or make similar remarks on live television. It is a risk we cannot take".

[Peter_Winchester]

Originally Posted by Marky Bunny

Peter, thanks for your post.
The British scene was something I was planning to address. I guess that PM Maureen Graty must be a Labour "Prime-Minister" . She of course appeared in series 6, although her party was never mentioned she did seem very similar to Thatcher. "Quoting "Churchill etc.
Of course in the real world, the current Conservative Shadow cabinet as two openly gay members, Nick Herbert and Alan Duncan.

Yeah, I was bothered by the random inclusion of Graty. Thatcherism was so far out of favour with the electorate in 2006, such a polarising figure wouldn't have had a hope of being elected.

I was thinking, as far as electoral history goes in Britain, something like this. This is really just OTL figures and dates with a few things changed to fit in a Thatcher throwback:
1979-1990: Margaret Thatcher, Conservative
1990-1996: Henry Reed, Conservative (Major-type figure, small Conservative majority)
1996-2004: Richard "Ricky" Meyer, Labour (Blair-type figure, large Labour majority)
2004-2007: Maureen Graty, Conservative (Thatcher-type figure, minority Conservative government brought to power by brief unpopularity of Meyer and of Labour. Calls election to try and gain a majority. Fails miserably and without Meyer, Labour returns to power.)
2007-: John Green, Labour (Brown-type figure.)

EDIT: Fixed dates.

[Marky Bunny]

For those interested in Congressman Skinner, find attached a link from The West Wing Wiki, which includes a photo etc.
http://westwing.wikia.com/wiki/Matt_Skinner
I did make up his home-state of Vermont, as it was never made clear on the show.
Also I wanted to post it, just to prove that I didn't make him up, or his sexauilty!!!!

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM Thursday April 9th
Skinner "I hope Congressman Wendt pulls out of the race for his own sake".
Congressman Matt Skinner gave a press conference about the comments made about him and his long-term partner yesterday.
"I find it sad that Congressman Wendt had to make such remarks, not only about me, my partner, but all the other excellent candidates we have in this race, fellow Republicans. I hope that he pulls out of the race for his own sake, and the Republican Party".
When asked if he wanted a personnal apoliogy, he said it would be "nice, but I don't think I will get it".
He was also questioned about the endorsements he has received over the last week "All seven men, are great public servants to our country, and I think those comments posted on a conservative blog today, show that a small miniority in the party are actually truly worried by the progress of our campaign".
Asked about the comments made by Governor Johnson about that the Republican Party needed to move away from just talking about "god and guns" he said "First of all Christian values are at the heart of my campaign, helping your fellow man, rather than just yourself, but that isn't all we should be talking about. I have voted against three times whilst in Congress against tougher gun controls, but again it should not be all we talk about. My opponets like to forget about my voting record, and paint me as liberal , out of touch with Republican values and ideas, but if looked at closely than will see I have always supported Republican values, but we must be talking about the issues that affect all Americans".

[Alexander Hamilton]

CNN.COM, April 9, 2009

Vinick Vows to Stay Out of 2010 Politics .

In a wide ranging discussion with reporters on his plane returning from the latest Four Power Meeting concerning Kazakastan, Secretary of State Arnold Vinick touched on the upcoming Presidential election. Although vowing to remain totally neutral in both the primaries and general election, Vinick said that he had a high regard for President Santos and particularly praised him for keeping his promise to avoid any intrusion of domestic politics into the State Department.
As to the announced Republican candidates, Vinick said that he had a high regard for his former Vice Presidential running mate, Governor Ray Sullivan, Former Acting President Glenallen Walken and Vermont Congressman Matt Skinner, who he called a real Republican and a good American.
Most supringsly, Vinick even had some friendly words for his predecessor, Saul Berryhill. Although Vinick had attacked Berryhill in his 2006 Presidential campaign, he slaluted him for making the transition at the beginning of the Santos administration an easy one and for providing "good, sound and quiet advice" on various subjects over the past three years.

[Marky Bunny]

CNN.COM Saturday April 11th 2009
Candidates daughters blog proving a big hit
Former Ohio Governor's Mike Reed's daughter Eillen Reed, 18, blog is proving to be a must read on the election.
Reed whose now in-famous you-tube video of him dancing has proved a big hit, his daughter has no got on the act with her blog "My dad for President".
It has given her personnel in-sights on the campaign, her dad, and life in general.
She has made comments that may up-set the right of the right party when she said yesterday "That Mary Marsh needed to lighten up a bit".
Eillen has been at her dad's side on the campaign trail, with her older brother Jack 20.

[Marky Bunny]

Debate questions up-date
I have questions for six of the seven canidates. Can any one suggest a question for Former Governor Ohio Governor Mike Reed.
(Not about dancing please!!!).
I have started to read transcripts of the 2007 first real world Republican debates to get some more poss questions, and a feel for the debate, but I will not just copying them.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Idaho Statesman, April 12, 2009

News and Views From Our Washington D.C. Bureau.

Senator Chris Carrick (R.ID) is keeping his powder dry in the 2010 race. While making it clear that he will not enter the already crowded GOP primary race, he is not ready to declare his favorite and has said it may be well into the primaries before he will make a decision as to who to endorse.
While not ruling out accepting the nomination for VP if the eventual nominee is from the East, Carrick joked that Idaho's four electoral votes are not exactly a major voting bloc.
Carrick said that he had tried to give President Santos the benefit of the doubt as a fellow former Marine and a fellow former Western Democrat, but he said that he had "not seen very much Marine or very much Texas" in the White House the past three years.
Senator Carrick refused to say that this disappointment was related to White House Chief of Staff, Josh Lyman, but D.C. insiders confirm that the Carrick-Lyman feud which started in the Bartlett Aministration and which many believe percipitated Carrick's move to the GOP has not cooled, and, if anything has gotten hotter.

[disputed]

Cnn.com, Tuesday April 14th

Santos Budget Fails to Pass Senate

The White House is in turmoil today after the 2011 Budget resolution failed to gain sufficient support in the senate.

After weeks of wrangling the senate rejected the resolution by 51 votes to 49 amid claims that at least one senator changed their voting intentions at the last minute.

It now looks likely that the budget will not hit the April 15th deadline so the date will most likely be extended.

The failure to get agreement will add further pressure to President Santos and to his Director of Budget and Management Julia McBride.

After the vote Senate Majority leader Robert Royce said “We need to get this budget resolved but we can’t vote for it in the current format, we’ve issued our alternative and we are very clear that we must have at least a 1% reduction in spending for this to pass.”

The Four Republican Senators voting with the minority were Tom Landis (DE), Mike Brace (NJ), Seth Randall (FL) and Caroline Dempsey (ME).

[disputed]

Foxnews.com, Tuesday April 14th

Reed and Sullivan Clash Over “Protectionist claims”

Two of the candidates for the Republican nomination for President clashed yesterday over claims of protectionist policies of GOP front runner Ray Sullivan whilst he was Governor of West Virginia.

Former Ohio Governor Mike Reed made reference to Sullivan in a speech in New Hampshire when he said “one of my opponents talks of his belief in free trade, but whilst he governed a neighboring state to my own we had constant issues with what I can only describe as the protectionist policies of his administration.”

Governor Sullivan’s campaign immediately hit back with spokesman Louise Hagen saying “We call on Governor Reed to explain exactly what he meant. Governor Sullivan has a long track record of supporting free trade and whilst Governor his administration granted many contracts to Ohio based firms – if he has a specific incident in mind we’d be delighted to hear about it.”

[Peter_Winchester]

CNN.com, April 10th
President Santos has met with G-20 heads of government in Washington this week to discuss a co-ordinated fiscal stimulus to ease the recession, and to propose a stronger IMF. Although the President's policy of continued nationisation, subsidy and stimulus has its supporters, notably Prime Minister John Green of the United Kingdom, he is facing an uphill struggle with President Jean-Marc d'Astier of France and Chancellor Rudolf Ehrhart. Both President d'Astier and Chancellor Ehrhart are opposed to the idea of further immediate stimulus, and call for an overhaul of financial regulatory bodies before more money is given to the IMF.
President Santos, who is facing an uncertain vote next week on the budget, has said that it is vital that "the international community responds to an international crisis".

[Marky Bunny]

Peter thanks for your post.
Graty would have had to served until some point after Friday November 10th 2006 as on that day three days after the US election she spoke to President-elect Santos on the phone.
If we are going for the same time-line as our world then John Green becomes Prime-Minister on Friday June 29th after an election held on Thursday June 28th (this would be two days after Brown entered office in our world). I see him winning with a narrow majority of 3-10 seats like Wilson in our world in 1964, hence why he may have to go to the country this year.
Graty I guess won an election in the West Wings "missing year" eg June 2004.

[Peter_Winchester]

((Sounds good. Out of interest, how far away from the election do you think this thread should be able to stray? I mean stuff like Santos' budget, the British situation, etc.))

[Marky Bunny]

I am happy for articles on the econmoic crisis and the British election.
It all adds to the "real-world " flavour to the story.