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#1
October 21st, 2012, 02:04 AM
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A Consequential Disaster
A CONSEQUENTIAL DISASTER  Prologue The Presidential Election of 2008 can be described in three words, "A Consequential Disaster". On January 20, 2007, Hillary Clinton announced her Presidential campaign. About a month earlier John Edwards, the party's 2004 Vice Presidential Nominee, announced his campaign, and about a month later than Hillary's announcement came the announcement of Barack Obama, the Junior U.S. Senator from Illinois. The three of them would participate in the most bizarre Presidential election of the 21st Century and it would bring them into the history books forever. Most political analysts felt that the 2008 Democratic Primaries would be the general election. The ongoing War on Iraq, a Democratic landslide in the 2006 MidTerm Elections, and general fatigue of the Bush Administration were all considered factors into what would become a blowout for the Democrats in the Presidential Election. With Clinton the clear front runner most people expected that two years to the date after she announced her campaign she would become the first female President of the United States. Of course Democratic Party Insiders recruited Barack Obama, the charismatic senator from Illinois to challenge her. Senator Obama had electrified the Democratic National Convention in Boston during the 2004 Election and was since seen as a potential candidate in 2008, even though he'd served less than a full term in the United States Senate. It was an election between change and experience. And then there was John Edwards. Edwards was a top tier candidate for the Presidential Nomination in 2004 until he lost to John Kerry after a series of victories in Iowa and New Hampshire gave the Massachusetts Senator a clear advantage in terms of momentum. For a consolation prize Kerry gave Edwards the Vice Presidential spot on the ticket, giving Edwards the edge in a potential presidential campaign in 2012, but then Kerry lost and that expected edge in 2012 was reduced to a small boost in name recognition in 2008. Still, Edwards was committed. He fought hard to win and thanks to a nasty primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Edwards was able to position himself as a top tier candidate, commanding respect, endorsements, and donations. When his wife was diagnosed with cancer in March most thought he'd withdraw but Edwards pushed on and his campaign only got stronger. On April 26, 2007, MSNBC hosted the first debate between the party's presidential aspirants. Clinton and Obama were supposed to be the main contenders and everyone looked to them to see who would become the front runner but it was John Edwards who made himself a force to be reckoned with. He cruised to victory in the debate and receive a shift in momentum in his favor post-debate. The next several debates were also hosts to strong performances by Senator Edwards and it quickly transformed from a two-person race to a three-way contest. In Iowa, Edwards held a strong lead. He was tied with Senator Obama in South Carolina while he fell behind in Nevada and New Hampshire. He pushed Clinton and Obama on the facts and soon his campaign really got going. By September of 2007 some polls had him winning nationally, upsetting Senators Clinton and Obama. Still, both the Clinton and Obama Campaigns felt that John Edwards was a fluke in the polls and would eventually go away. They kept the attention focused on them, hoping they could make Edwards go away if they pretended he wasn't there. The strategy backfired. The Edwards Campaign surged and by then it was far too late for the Clinton and Obama machines to make up for lost ground. The attention was turned to Edwards where Hillary hit him from the right, Obama hit him from the left, and the guns were all pointed at Edwards who was now the clear front runner. Senator Edwards loved the attention. "I guess it's a good thing when Hillary and Barack stop hurling mud at each other and turn their attention towards you," Edwards joked at one campaign rally in December of 2007. On January 3rd, Former Senator John Edwards was declared the winner Senator Barack Obama finished a somewhat close second with Senator Hillary Clinton finishing a distant third. Lower tier candidates like Joe Biden and Chris Dodd ended their Presidential campaigns on that night and the race was now Edwards' for the taking. A surprisingly close second place to Senator Obama in New Hampshire. With Barack Obama winning New Hampshire and John Edwards winning Iowa some said that Hillary's campaign was dead in the water, but victory in Nevada, with Edwards in second, gave her the rebound to make South Carolina a competitive race. With each of the major candidates having one win each it was South Carolina that held the opportunity to break the tie. It broke for Edwards by a somewhat wide margin and Hillary Clinton finished in third. On Super Tuesday Edwards, Obama, and Clinton went back-and-forth, but Edwards victories in Ohio and Texas in early-March forced Hillary out of the race and soon after Senator Obama dropped out to. The nomination belonged to Edwards. The Republicans had already wrapped their nominating process up. Senator John McCain of Arizona, who had run in 2000 but lost to George W. Bush, was declared the presumptive nominee after several large victories by Super Tuesday. The nomination was his and the general election was set. It would be Senator McCain of Arizona, an elder statesman with considerable foreign policy experience against former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, a charismatic smooth-talker with great hair and a passion for helping the poor. John Edwards only had three names on his short list for Vice President: Barack Obama of Illinois, Evan Bayh of Indiana, and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. Though Edwards had initially leaned towards selecting Sebelius, who would appeal to moderate and female voters, he ultimately decided on Senator Obama. The Edwards/Obama ticket prepared for a grueling general election, preparing to enter the Democratic National Convention in Denver where both members of the ticket were hoping to make their case to the voters. It was an election to remember. 
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#2
October 21st, 2012, 02:10 AM
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Well, the obvious questions in this scenario are: 1) who does McCain choose as his running mate and 2) do Edwards' personal - *ahem* - "failings" become public knowledge before the election.
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#3
October 21st, 2012, 02:14 AM
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Edwards vs McCain? Should be an interesting fight
 On the one hand you have a Republican candidate in a Democratic year, but on the other hand the Democrate in question is a slime ball Hope McCain picks someone other than Palin...
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Progressive Conservatism at its best TL- Redemption: A Political Comeback Quote:
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#5
October 21st, 2012, 02:25 AM
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Oh god. If Edward's issues become public during the campaign, you've probably handed McCain the win. If he wins, and they come out while he's president, Bill Clinton is going to look like a Puritan. Also, the Republicans will have a conniption.
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#6
October 21st, 2012, 02:49 AM
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Interesting start.
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Timelines France presses the Saar Offensive in 1939 Interauctoritas et Renovatio (A Roman TL)
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#7
October 21st, 2012, 02:57 AM
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A CONSEQUENTIAL DISASTER  Democrats in Denver The delegates descended on Denver. The excitement for their national convention was present and the stakes were high. Despite the fact that this was supposed to be the "Year of the Democrat", Edwards/Obama was falling behind and when you went through the state-by-state polling it was very much a close election. This was their chance - their chance to revitalize the Democratic spirit and get them out to vote. Still, the party was left in pieces after a grueling battle to the nomination. It was for precisely that reason that Hillary Clinton had been chosen to speak on the first night of the convention. She was introduced by former President Clinton who gave a 30-minute speech praising John Edwards. When it came time for Hillary the female delegates were in tears. Chants of "Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!" rang throughout the stadium and in her orange pantsuit Hillary Rodham Clinton stood in front of the bursting convention. Who knows what was going through her mind? One can only imagine the thoughts swirling through her head. Was she thinking about how close she had come to the nomination? Was she planning a 2012 or 2016 bid for the White House? Was she simply nervous for her address to the convention - the first convention where Bill introduced her and not the other way around? If it was nerves, they didn't show. She commanded the attention of her audience and all eyes and ears were fixed on her. She talked about the stresses of running for President, about the vision she had for America, and the goals she had to make the United States a better nation. Now, she said, it was time for John Edwards. It was time for a president who would work for the middle class and fight for minorities and those in poverty. He was ready to work for America so the Democrats needed to get out and work for him. It was an inspiring message, including a direct appeal to female voters who she tried to court to the Edwards/Obama ticket. Another major speaker on the first night was Senator Joe Biden who fought to establish Edwards' foreign policy credentials in the eyes of the nation. On the second night of the convention the attention was rested on the shoulders of Senator Ted Kennedy. It was the ailing Senator's turn to make his presentation to the voters. Introduced by his niece Caroline, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, Ted hobbled to the podium: years of aging, cancer, and chemotherapy catching-up with him. He brought some delegates to tears, reminding older delegates of the inspiring tone his brother Jack had brought in 1960, his brother Bobby in 1968, and Teddy himself brought in 1980. Eventually the speech drew to a close, "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die!" Delegates were brought to their feet chanting "TED-DY" and waving signs that were printed with "Kennedy". In his speech he addressed the genuine concern Edwards held for the poor and promised lower-income Americans that John was running for them. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois gave an inspiring address on the third night of the Democratic National Convention. As the party's Vice Presidential nominee he held a big responsibility. In 2004, he'd set the bar high and now it was time to surpass those expectations, electrify the crowd, and unite his supporters behind John Edwards. There was a lot for him to do. And he did it. Talking about his roots as a child, Senator Obama worked his way to an inspirational message to America's youth, connecting all of that to the story of John Edwards. Soon it turned into a political message. "There's a clear contrast," Obama said, "in this election. Allow me to be perfectly clear: if you want change, if you want leadership, and if you want prosperity you must vote for John Edwards on November the fourth!" Acclaimed as just as good as the 2004 Address, Obama's 2008 speech to the convention brought Democrats to their feet. With eyes sifting to John Edwards on the next night it was time for the Presidential Nominee to prove himself. Prior to the fourth night there was a great debate among the Edwards staff on how the nominee should give his speech. Would it be smart to capitalize on how the divide between the "Two Americas" had increased? After much debate the them was resurrected. On the fourth night, after an introduction by his wife where Elizabeth Edwards described Edwards as a "loving husband" and someone that Elizabeth felt she could always count on to be there for her, John took the podium. His speech to the convention electrified the crowd. The resurrection of the "Two Americas" was brilliant. Edwards pulled it off beautifully. "Four years ago there were two school systems, today they've become more divided. Four years ago there were two health care systems, today they've grown farther apart," Edwards said. Republicans like Sean Hannity hit Edwards as being "whiny" while the liberals loved the speech; Chris Matthews even said, "Everyone who watched that speech was convinced to vote for the former Senator." While most Americans didn't go that far there was definitely a positive response. The stunning performance in Denver by the Democrats prompted John McCain to panic, the thought of victory slipping away. He decided to make a last-ditch appeal to attract women voters and on the morning after John Edwards' convention address he announced that Sarah Louise Heath Palin, the Governor of Alaska, would serve as his running mate. With that the election hit its next milestone: The Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
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#8
October 21st, 2012, 03:03 AM
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Curse you Palin! Your not worthy of standing on the same stage as John McCain
Cant wait for the debates, should be fun to read 
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Progressive Conservatism at its best TL- Redemption: A Political Comeback Quote:
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#9
October 21st, 2012, 03:05 AM
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Quote:
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#11
October 21st, 2012, 03:58 AM
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A CONSEQUENTIAL DISASTER  Republican Resurgence in Minnesota There was nothing but pressure for John McCain, Sarah Palin, and the Republican Party as they arrived in Minnesota for their convention. The Democratic Convention had gone off without a hitch and they were reaping the benefits. Polls showed them with big leads in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin: all states that were previously flirting with McCain. Now the heat was on McCain. This was the moment that the Senator had anticipated since 2000 but never had he thought the pressure would be so immense. Edwards and Obama had announced a "5 States in 5 Days Tour" that would take them through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota over the course of the next five days: all in an effort to keep the momentum from their convention going. As Steve Schmidt would later recall, "If the Democrats had their convention close the day before the election a 50-state sweep may not have been out of the question." It was a grim portrait to paint for Senator McCain and when Hurricane Gustav cancelled the first night of their convention, the Republicans were forced to rearrange a four day schedule into three days with limited time left. On the first scheduled night Cindy McCain and Laura Bush led a joint-effort to raise funds for the American Red Cross to combat the oncoming disaster in the shape of Gustav. The next night, however, politics became the real focus of the convention and things got underway. Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut reaffirmed his endorsement of John McCain at the convention. He argued that the Democratic ticket could not be trusted on matters of national security and claimed that John Edwards and Barack Obama were running "a campaign on platitudes while Senator McCain's running on policies." The line drew widespread applause and became the centerpiece of a McCain ad entitled "Bipartisan Leaders" featuring Lieberman and other moderate Democrats who had come out and endorsed McCain. Also on Night Two was Fred Thompson, the former candidate for the nomination, who praised Sarah Palin and questioned the leadership abilities of Senator Edwards. Rudy Giuliani delivered an impressive speech on the third night. Speaking before Sarah Palin, Giuliani hit Edwards and Obama for a lack of experience at every opportunity. However he was quick to defend Palin who had been accused of lacking experience citing the fact that her approval rating was higher than 80%. "She's the most popular governor and [John Edwards'] the least experienced nominee in over 100 years!" The Republican enthusiasm was still significantly lower than the Democrats and it showed through the noise of the delegates. Republicans were often cheering while Democrats had given standing ovations, chanted, and been moved to tears. While the Republicans were enthusiastic they weren't living up to the expectations the Democrats had set - and then it all changed. Sarah Palin took the stage wearing a beige top with a black skirt. Her hair perfectly done, her lipstick perfectly applied, her smile perfectly wide. The speech was great. Steve Schmidt and John McCain, who'd begun to worry about the competence of Palin in recent days, were instantly reassured by her speech. "She's a natural!" Schmidt exclaimed while watching her speech with the Senator. The most memorable line of the speech came when the teleprompter temporarily failed and Palin was forced to deliver an impromptu, "I love those hockey moms! Ya know they the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick!" The crowd erupted in applause and burst to their feet. And she further hit Edwards on running a glamorous campaign but a no-policy, no-substance campaign. "The American people deserve more, Senator Edwards: this is an election for U.S. President - not high school President!" Palin was a hit with the conservative base and instantly she was adored by Fox News while MSNBC was less enthusiastic. CNN contained mixed responses but most felt Palin could bring the youth back to the GOP, reigniting Republican hopes for victory. When it came to convention speeches John McCain lost to John Edwards. It lacked the tone of Edwards' speech and it looked like McCain was getting bogged down by the facts and not appealing to voters on the overarching themes of his campaign. Although the speech did work for voters concerned with the Iraq War. Foreign policy voters were instantly brought to the McCain Campaign in the wake of the convention and soon a sense of a Republican bounce was being felt. States like Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Arkansas: all states that Edwards was making inroads in returned to McCain's column by safer margins. It was a good sign for McCain who was worried that his convention hadn't done enough. The McCain/Palin Campaign was starting to make progress in the days after the convention. Down ballot races were starting to look a little brighter for the Republican Party. Soon rumors would dominate the campaign. Rumors of terrorist connections, idiocy, and affairs would haunt both tickets by the time Election Day rolled around. The General Election of 2008 was just beginning but the politics of personal destruction was alive and well.
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#14
October 21st, 2012, 02:00 PM
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RUMORS OF SARAH/TODD PALIN DIVORCE TAKE-OFF POST-CONVENTION  TABLOIDS REPORT THAT JOHN EDWARDS HAD AFFAIR WITH WOMAN NAMED RIELLE HUNTER  PALIN MAKES GREAT DEBUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, ATTRACTS LARGE CROWDS TO RALLIES: LARGEST CROWDS FOR REPUBLICAN TICKET ALL YEAR  EDWARDS/OBAMA TICKET EXPECTED TO CRUISE TO VICTORY IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTORAL MATH 
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#15
October 21st, 2012, 02:19 PM
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ELIZABETH DOLE/KAY HAGAN TIED IN NORTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE  WAS SENATOR OBAMA "BUDDIES" WITH BILL AYERS? PALIN SAYS SO!  FOX NEWS AND CNN COVER REPORTED EDWARDS SEX SCANDAL: DID IT REALLY HAPPEN?  EDWARDS CAN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT QUESTIONS OF AFFAIR; 55% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE STORY  IS PALIN COMPETENT TO BE PRESIDENT SHOULD MCCAIN DIE?  MCCAIN AND EDWARDS PREPARE FOR FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 
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#17
October 21st, 2012, 04:49 PM
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ECONOMY COLLAPSES; AMERICANS LEFT SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS  SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: OUR ECONOMY IS IN DESPERATE NEED FOR A STRONG LEADER, THE FATE OF OUR NATION HANGS IN THE BALANCE  ECONOMY PROVIDES TEMPORAIRY BREAK FROM EDWARDS SEX SCANDAL, CANDIDATE RELEASES STATEMENT ATTACKING "BUSH ERA WAYS" 
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#18
October 21st, 2012, 04:53 PM
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BREAKING NEWS SENATOR MCCAIN SUSPENDS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, RETURNS TO D.C.  SEPTEMBER 24th: Senator John McCain announced he would be suspending his Presidential campaign in order to return to Washington and help secure the passage of the President's bailout package. At a press conference today the Senator said that the problems with our economy were far more important than any campaign for higher office. "My number one responsibility lies with the people of this nation that I've been trusted to represent," he said. No one is sure how the move will play out politically but the whole collapse is a good thing for Edwards for a variety of reasons. Number one, it takes attention from growing allegations of sexual misconduct with Rielle Hunter. Number two, Senator Edwards is not a current public official and he cannot be tied to the economic collapse as directly as Senator McCain can. Even though Edwards will keep his existing schedule, Senator Barack Obama has also cancelled his events as a member of the bottom of the ticket to return to Washington to address the crisis. Senator McCain said he would like to see the debate scheduled for the end of the week be postponed to allow candidates time to address the economic situation.
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#19
October 21st, 2012, 05:23 PM
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I don't log in to comment on timelines often, but I'm making an exception for this one. Looks interesting and good so far.
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