2010 US Presidential Election

[disputed]

dallasnews.com, Sunday July 4th

As death count reaches 30, Houston Residents Ask “Where Is Our President?”

With the news that factory worker Samuel Dotter has become the 30th person to have died in the Houston Amtrack crash on Friday morning, many residents of Texas are openly asking – “Where is the President?”

President Santos, who remains a resident of Houston and who was previously Mayor of the city remains in Paris where he is attending the G8 summit, but his former constituents are openly asking why he has not returned.

Photographs of the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Liz Clark comforting survivors and her and her boss Glen Walken helping with the clean up yesterday have dominated the news cycle and the Sunday talk shows could mention nothing else. Influential Conservative talk show host Nash Rockford, somewhat unhelpfully, suggested that he thought he’d fallen into a coma and woken up in 2011 and that Walken was President!

It is believed that Santos will fly back to the United States tonight, but with his opponents approval ratings, Clark in particular, headed towards the stratosphere, many are openly wondering what he can do to salvage the situation.

 

[Westbrook 49]

As Santos Heads Home, Vinick Leaves for Paris; Possible Deal with Russia Over Kazakhstan Kept Prez in France.

As President Matthew Santos heads home to deal with the fallout, both real and political, of the Houston train crash, Secretary of State Arnold Vinick will be heading to Paris as a substitute. According to sources within the President's inner circle, Santos had wanted to come home to deal with the problem immediately, but an opportunity to deal with the Kazakhstan situation came avaliable.

Vinick, the architect behind the Antwerp Plan, will now be flying to Paris to see if a compromise can be reached, as the President tries to repair his standings back home.

While President Santos, along with President Lian of China and President Valery Davydov of Russia, had announced that there would be elections held in May, this proved to be false, as arguing over representation in the Kazakh parliament and the validity of political parties proved to be breaking points, in addition to the ongoing question of oil dispersement.

Now, with the presence of some of the world's most powerful leaders, it appears that Presidents Santos and Davydov saw this as an opportunity to restart negotiations. The questions now become, will Santos' domestic troubles prevent him from pursuing a foreign policy agenda? And can Vinick's strategic genius bring an end to a conflict that has dogged the United States for almost 4 years?

 

[Jay Cruger]

SantosTripplehorn '10


Happy 4th of July America!,

From All of us here at the Santos Administration

First I'd like to say that our prayers are with the families and friends of thoise who died in the train disaster in Houston.


I cannot think of a better way to wish us all a happy Independence Day than saying it to the future of America. I did so by appearing on Sesame Street on Friday as seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyte_4pU74k&feature=channel

We'd like to express our gratitude and pride for our troops in Gaza and Kazakhstan.

We'd like to congratulate the US Soccer Team for a job well tried and well done in South Africa

We'd like to thank Glen Allen Walken and congratulate Liz Clark on becoming the the first woman ever chosen for Vice Presidential candidate in the history of America

 

[KahukuMan10]

This alone would make me vote against the Walken-Clark ticket.

I second that. Senator Clark's kids are in desperate need of a recast.

also, may I ask is this a set outcome of a Walken victory? It seems much is going against Santos, and Walken is seemingly perfect. Despite the fact that his policies would spell further economic havoc. Even a child of no particular intelligence level would understand that.

 

[KahukuMan10]

Former Vice President Hits the Campaign trail

Former Vice-President Eric Baker has begun campaigning in his home state of Pennsylvania. No, not for himself in any sort, but for Congressman Stephen Collins. Collins is running for the Senate seat currently held by Senate Majority Leader Robert Royce. Until recently, Collins had been trailing big time in the polls, coming out of the primary on May 18, he was trailing the incumbent Royce by 10 points. However, a month and a half later he has tied it up 45-45 causing sheer panic within the Republican party. He has done this by exploiting a number of things, least of all which is his political allies in the state.

He has called out Royce for playing the role of a bipartisan well, but in the end doing exactly what his party wants. In essence, not having his own voice. He has rallied the democratic base in the state like none has since, yes you guessed it, then-Governor Eric Baker. Collins supports unions, higher minimum wage, and further support while also a restructuring of the welfare system. While at the same time awakening the Republican base that Royce is not very conservative at all. He has drawn praise from prominent democrats at his skill of being able to hit Royce from both the left and the right. This very skill has leading republicans scared that the Republican base in Pennsylvania won't show up at the polls on election day.

He also has the aforementioned political allies, both in and out of the state. Along with former Vice-President Baker, current Governor Michael Kellner (I know its Mark Kellner, but that is just too close to Mark Sellner so I changed it... just a bit ) has done quite a bit of campaigning for Collins, as has mayor of Pittsburgh and fellow rising star in the democratic party, 30-year old Jackson Kennedy. All four men, along with Kennedy's wife Emma, and New York Senator Andrew Thorn led a rally in Pittsburgh campaigning for both Congressman Collins and for President Santos.


Billy Beane as Governor Michael Kellner of Pennsylvania

Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve as Jackson and Emma Kennedy

 

[disputed]

nashrockford.com, Monday July 5th

The Rockford File

The Invisible President

I thought we’d seen every type of President in this country, the strong ones, the weak ones, the tall ones the short ones, even the Bartlet ones. Until now though I didn’t think we’d have had an invisible one!

The Houston rail crash last week has shown just how poor the administration has become in connecting with the people of the country. Continually distracted by the dreadful mess of his own and his predecessor’s making in Kazakhstan, I often wonder whether the President has any interest in what’s happening domestically at all.

The claims that the left wing press have tried to rush out that the President could not return due a possible deal regarding the former Russian protectorate look flimsy at best with Russian sources making it very clear that the failure of elections in May was down to US intransigence over candidates and that without significant give on their part that no progress would be possible. Does this suggest we are choosing between a President who doesn’t feel the need to help the people in the city he lives and one who will happily give false hope to the entire nation to deflect attention from his failings? Neither seems hugely attractive to me.

Anyway, to other matters – we’ve finally seen the end of General Alexander’s “campaign” for President. A ludicrous attempt by the most self-centered, self-obsessed public figure in living memory to run for the highest office in the land – his tie up with the Green party may give him some sort of record. He has now been a member or supporter of every political party in the country in the space of one calendar year – outstanding!

 

[Marky Bunny]

Monday July 5th

DNC Chairman Lyman says Walken and Clark using Houston train crash for "political purposes"

DNC Chairman Josh Lyman has launched a bitter attack on the Republican Presidential team of Walken and Clark saying today that they where using Friday's Houston train crash "for political purposes".

"The President was in Paris, trying to do a deal with Russia over Kzakhstan, when Walken and Clark appear in Houston on their white chargers to save everyone, it is nothing but making political gain from a tragedy".

Asked why on-one from the Santos administration had even visited Houston, three days after the crash, he said "The Vice-President, and Secretary of Transportation will be visiting this afternoon".

Air Force One was believed to have been scheduled to leave Paris 9.00 am (European time), but we understand it is still at Charles De Gaulle Airport.
Secretary of State, Arnold Vinick along with Secretary of Defense, Mike Franco arrived in France, Sunday afternoon.

 

[Marky Bunny]

politico.com

Monday July 5th

Republicans and even some Democrats attack Lyman's comments

Top Republicans and even many Democrats have attacked DNC Chairman Josh Lyman's remarks today that the Republican ticket of Walken and Clark where using the Houston train crash for political purposes.
Governor Harry Schlick of Missouri and a key Walken supporter spoke out calling for "Lyman to withdraw the comments now" as did two of Walken's former republican opponents for the nomination, Ray Sullivan and Matt Skinner.
Texas Congressman Cal Tillinghouse who is already believed to have had a furious row with Lyman over the handling of the White-House response to the accident said that the "comments where not speaking for me, or many Democrats".
Vice-President Tripplehorn is believed to be visiting the crash site, later on today.

 

[Marky Bunny]

politico.com

Monday July 5th

We may have just witnessed the beginning of the end of the Santos Presidency

Their are always turning points in Presidential campaigns. Both in 1998 and 2002 it was the TV debate. Four years ago it was the San Andreo Nuclear meltdown.
This weekend we may have just seen the turning point of this campaign. The handling of the aftermath of Friday's Houston rail crash has frankly been outrageous, with even many Democrats upset over it. The President may have been oversees at the G8 summit in Paris, but the response of the administration has been dreadful.
No-one from the administration could be bothered to make the trip to the President's home City, then today we have DNC Chairman's Josh Lyman's comments saying that the Republicans where using the crash for political purposes. Typical of Lyman we say.
Over the course of the last twelve years, the Democrats have been very clever in portraying the Republicans as the party who don't care about ordinary people and where only interested in their own interest. Well this weekend has proved that a lie.
The images of Texas Governor Phil Prior (a men surely destined to run for the Presidency in the future) climbing on wreckage to help people away to safety, the images of Texas Senator Liz Clark, and Walken's running-mate handing out bottled water at the crash site, will linger long in the memory as will the pictures of Walken and Clark getting a round of appaulase after leaving the hospital on Saturday evening. It was the Republicans who looked the real party of the people, whilst the administration looked cold and aloof, and when questioned could only come out with a partisan attack which has already back fired.
It will be interesting to see the lastest set of polls, because one can guess that Walken will have taken big leap in support, and the President, who has had done well to recover to even be in with a chance of winning this election, must now be facing an up hill struggle to win now.

 

[Marky Bunny]

Monday July 5th

Vice-President Tripplehorn and Secretary of Transportation Keaton tour Houston crash site

Finally senior members of the Santos Administration have arrived at the Houston train crash site this afternoon.
Vice-President Tripplehorn and Secretary of Transportation Keaton inspected the crash site. At 5PM, local time, the rescue effort was officially ended. The death toll has now reached 31, with the death of 15 year old girl Janice Gilbert from her injuries. Her mother and father also both died on Saturday.
Tripplehorn refused to take questions from reporters regarding the handling of the accident instead he praised "the rescue effort and Texas Governor Phil Prior". Secretary Keaton promised a full enquiry to the accident.

 

[KahukuMan10]

Monday July 5th

Senior Senator Matt Hunt of Arizona has prepared to fight for his 4th term in the senate for 3 years. His numbers show him at least 15 points above any of his possible democratic challengers and no one in the Republican party dares to challenge him in the primary as he commands the respect of both the republican base and the moderates. He is socially conservative with a perfect voting record against any federal funding for abortion, he believes marriage is between a man and a women, and is a proud owner of 5 guns. So why for the love of god is there even a debate as to whether or not he will win his next term in the senate?

That is because as of yesterday, popular democratic Mayor of Phoenix, Amber Sawyer, announced her formal candidacy. Now it is not that anyone expects her to beat Senator Hunt, but depending on how well she does, it has some in the GOP wondering if the state will begin trending more democratic. It has gone blue in the past 3 elections, and two years ago it elected its first democratic governor since 1994, Senator Hunt represents an old Arizona. One from the time of Barry Goldwater. But if Mayor Sawyer is able to even make the race close, it will remind the GOP that despite Walken's lead in the national polls, state by state the country is on the path of progressivism.

Philip Baker Hall as Senator Matthew Hunt

Poppy Montgomery as Mayor Amber Sawyer

 

[KahukuMan10]

Ohio Senate Race Heats Up!

nytimes.com


In Ohio, the Senate race heats up just as many races across the country are. Junior Senator Thomas Ford dropped his name from contention on April 20th, two weeks before the Republican primary following the revelation of his extramarital affair with a campaign staffer. Many leading republicans, including then-Republican nominee for President Ray Sullivan to call him, "The republican John Hoynes." This led to chaos in the GOP in the following two weeks leading to the Primary. After an intense battle former Congresswomen and CEO of Pepsi, Caroline McIntosh won the republican nomination. An odd choice as she is extremely moderate by Republican standards. Socially, while in congress (from 1996-2002), she voted with democrats against the recognition of marriage act, extra federal funding of abortion and the ban on automatic assault weapons. However, as a CEO she is uncannily fiscally conservative. She was once quoted saying that Woodrow Wilson was the worst President in the history of the United States because he started the income tax. And because he was a democrat, she would join the opposing party. It seems as if the Republican base was shunned out of this primary. And in normal circumstances, this would spell disaster for the republicans. However...

In the Democratic party many had vied for the nomination however, an even stranger choice was selected for the democrats. Far left political activist and online blogger Hayden Straus somehow eked out the 51% necessary to ensure no run off was required. This was mainly because of his debate performance in Early march made many democrats see him as a very viable candidate. He beat out others such as former governor John Carol, and congressman Josie Bail.

However his victory may have ended the race before it began. A self-described democratic socialist may bring out the true deep democratic base, but McIntosh will likely draw most moderates. The Straus campaign is hoping to steal some of them and ensure that the republican base doesn't come out to vote for McIntosh.

Harrison Ford as Hayden Straus

Marisa Tomei as Caroline McIntosh

 

[Tim Thomason]

Matt Hunt was on the show. He was played by Philip Baker Hall.

cnn.com
Helen Santos - In Houston?
July 5th, 2010

Helen Santos, who cancelled an appearance at Washington's Fourth of July festivities yesterday, where her mother, Deborah Stanton, acted as White House Hostess, is believed to have arrived in Houston late this afternoon. The Santos' own a home in the Houston area, although it was nowhere near the area of a recent train crash.

Mrs. Santos' chief of staff, Donna Moss, released a statement which read: "The First Lady is seeing to family business and due to reasons of national security, we cannot disclose her whereabouts at this time." A presidential motorcade was believed to have been spotted, but the Santos' live in a closely guarded house on a watched street, that it is unable to determine if Mrs. Santos went home or if the Secret Service is amping up security in preperation for the President's presumed arrival sometime later in the week. Vice President Tripplehorn was also in town, making matters more confusing.

The President's children, Peter and Miranda Santos, are still in Washington under the care of their grandmother. The President himself has remained in Washington. Press Secretary Maria Lopez was quoted as saying: "The President's arrival, today, would just exacerbate the situation," referring to President Bartlet's motorcade and security detail causing logistical problems following the 2003 McLain County Tornado that killed 28 people and cost the state of Oklahoma millions of dollars.

 

[KahukuMan10]

ooc: Ah alright, gotcha. I would edit it, but don't know how.

 

[Tim Thomason]

slate.com
July 6th, 2010
Alexander Offers Joke 'Exit Interview'

Although Studio 60 is currently on hiatus, comedian Tom Jeter recently sat down with General Nicholas Alexander to do a joke 'exit interview' following Alexander's step-down from his political campaign last week. Jeter is noted for his General Alexander-as-Rambo impersonation and Alexander previously hosted Studio 60 early last season.

During the 'interview,' which is available on the NBS website and Hulu, Alexander made light of his financial situation (he has declared "General bankruptcy"), his party affiliation (he should've run for the Know Nothing party), and his future prospects (he'll be lucky if he becomes Secretary of the Duval County Animal Shelter). An excerpt of the faux-interview, written by Jeter, follows:

Tom Jeter (TJ): Good afternoon, Nick. Please have a seat.

Nicholas Alexander (NA): Take it easy there, pretty boy. That's General Alexander, US Army retired, to you.

TJ: Well, General Alexander, US Army retired, I've been sent by the President of the United States Glen Allen Walken campaign and the Matt Santos campaign to give you an exit interview to discuss why, how, and for how long you intend to stay out of the presidential race this time. Can I offer you a drink?

NA: I'd like an Alaskan Polar Bear Heater. (a reference to the film "The Nutty Professor" - they begin copying some dialogue from that film)

 

[Tim Thomason]

When I was in college I used to stay up and watch reruns of "What's My Line?" at 3:30 AM on Game Show Network (everyone did that in college, right?). Anyway I caught an episode the other day and had to record it for this thread. It was the 1953 Mystery Guest appearance by Senator (then Congressman) Joseph Furman. I totally forgot he was on that show.

Check it out here.

 

[AbetterAmerica15]

EverythingPolitics with Evan Crenshaw
July 6th 2010

Welcome everyone!

In this bi-weekly article we are going to examine the world of Presidential politics. I will offer my views and concerns with what's going on during the 2010 Presidential Election between incumbent Democratic President Matthew Santos and Republican candidate, former speaker of the house, and former acting President Glen Allen Walken.

Today's agenda...

What Convention Schedule Looks The Strongest?
The DNC has a very interesting line-up heading into Jacksonville, Florida. The first night has me for a profound loss...The Primary speakers is President D. Wire Newman a one term wonder who has often been described as a Middle East Puppet. Probably not the strongest face that I would use to kick things off. We also have Former VP "Bingo" Bob Russell who, after all this time still seems sour about getting booted out of the Primaries by the incumbent. I think every registered Democrat will watching Russell's speech very closley...will he sound genuine or will he be just a suit yelling one-liners fed to him by Democratic Platform writers? I was very surprised to see Sam Seaborn selected to give the Keynote Address. This is the slot normally given to the future of the Party however I am still very skeptical that Seaborn will win his own Senate race this fall. The RNC has set up a similar line-up. The RNC does not have a living former President but it does have former Presidential hopefuls and that is who will be addressing the nation on day one. 2002 wildcard candidate Robert Richie who was blown out of his Presidential race and Former VP and 1998 candidate Lewis Eisenhower. I have my doubts because both men have played a role in the Democrats resounding grasp on the White House. I am really looking forward to Eisenhower's speech. I was really sold on this young buck and proudly say that I voted for him in 1998. The convention will be held in Dallas and will be just weeks following the tragic Houston accident. Josh Lyman recently attacked the Republicans for transforming a tragedy into a policial issue so it will be interesting to see how the Texas crowd will react and how the Republican speakers mention the accident (if they do at all). The Keynote Speaker for the RNC is Senator Cody Riley, like Seaborn this slot is for what many consider the future of the party and Senator Riley who is just 35 has been mentioned as a serious icon in Presidential Politics which brings me to my next issue...

Is Cody Riley The Future of The Republican Party and Perhaps A Future President?
As mentioned above Riley has been mentioned several times as a potential Vice President and future President of the United States. Although he is 35 and despite the fact that he is the RNC keynote Speaker...I think it is very premature to label him with such high praise. If The Presidency were a beauty/popularity contest then yes I say Riley has all the tools to take the oval office in the future but...On issues and leadership I have to simply say give me a break. If Riley were to run this year I would not vote for him. I know the age limit to run for Presidency is 36 but I am a firm believer of experience over charisma for the office of President. Don't get me wrong...Riley will gain that experience but let's not count our chickens before they hatch...The only Republican that we, the media should be crowning the leader of the party and speculating is Glen Allen Walken.

That's it for this write-up folks...Next week I'll talk more about this tragic accident that took the lives of innocent people in Houston, Texas. From The Big Apple I pray for all who have been affected by this.

E.C

 

[AbetterAmerica15]

The DNC is gearing up for the General Campaign...Here is the official yard sign logo of the Santos/Tripplehorn re-election campaign. The yard signs will begin to be distributed as soon as the Democratic National Convention is over and President Matt Santos and Vice President Wendell Tripplehorn accept their party's nomination.

 

[Alexander Hamilton]

New York Times, July 7, 2010

David Rivers' OpEd column.

"Has Matt Santos' luck run out?"

No one can deny that Matt Santos is a lucky man, at least as far as politics is concerned. From his first races in Houston for City Council and Mayor when he was blessed with weak opponents to his chance to run for Congress when he was a term limited Mayor when the incumbent in his district suddenly decided to retire to his long shot race for President. Who can forget how the big guns of the Democratic Party in 2005 and 2006 either self destructed (I'm looking at you John Hoynes), got cold feet (that would be you Eric Baker and Lewis Berryhill) or turned out to be of much lower caliber than advertised (Bob Russell).
Even as the Democratic nominee, Santos seemed to have two chances: slim and none. The chaotic Convention had left the party dazed and confused and the GOP had nominated a poular, moderate candidate who had chosen a poular conservative running mate. Remember the talk of a 50 state Vinick landslide?
Well, a decent debate showing and a little unplanned radiation turned a laugher of an election into a real nail biter.
Santos' luck continued through election day and night. The tragic death of Leo McGarry occurred too late in the day to change any voters' minds and then having narrowly lost the popular vote, Santos edged out a narrow win in the Electoral College with his amazing come from behind victory in Nevada.
The luck steak continued during the first days of his Adminstration with his choices of Baker for Vice President and Vinick for Secretary of State winning wide popular approval. However, it has been rough sledding from there with a declining economy, a difficult Congress, a disfunctional White House Staff and continuing problems abroad. Only the Antwerp Accords and Lewis Berryhill's continued case of cold feet broke the gloom.
The extent to which the magic has worn off can be seen in the "Rafferty Revolt" which Nate Singer and Josh Lyman have still not been able to extinguish, despite their best efforts to cast the liberal Oregon Senator as a spoil sport and wrecker.
Now the Houston Train Wreck appears to be developing into a metaphor for the entire Presidency of Houston's favorite son.
There is still time for the economy to improve, for foreign crises to be resolved in Santo's favor and for Glen Walken to make a major error. But that time is running out.

 

[KahukuMan10]

Sam Seaborn, candidate for Senate from California, along with Governor Kevin Clarkson, and former Governor Gabe Tillman were all at a rally in San Francisco today marching from the Castro to Town Hall with a few thousand supporters. Seaborn has recently surged in the polls, putting the break on his slippery slope he was once on. A lot of this resurgence can be attributed to his naming of giving the Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention, and possibly his slight campaign staff shuffle.

Still within the margin of error, Seaborn is now polling at 48%, over Richard Lassiter's 44%

Samuel L. Jackson as California Governor Kevin Clarkson


ooc: If Clarkson is already cast, I'll edit this.