2010 US Presidential Election

[Westbrook]

I set the general special election in a vague "January" setting. Per OTL Massachusetts law, it would have to be January 25th, with a primary 6 weeks beforehand (December 14th). We didn't follow it exactly, given the space between Pierce's death and the election exceeds the legally allowed 160-day maximum, but there must be differences between the two timelines (Governor Thomas Pierce adopted the law back in the '50s to allow time to appoint a popular successor from overseas!).

So, we could shorten the primary season to three weeks (January 4th) or combine it into a single election like California soon will do and Texas already does in their specials. I know which one Tom Case prefers, but that's not necessarily the one I would prefer.

So, what I'm getting is that there is a primary, then the general between the Republican and Democratic candidates?

Also, this happened in real-life last month, and we missed it. Seemed important:

washingtonpost.com:

Santos Heads to Lisbon for Last NATO Meeting; Expected to Be Mostly Ceremonial Role.

In what will likely be his last overseas trip, President Matt Santos will depart for Lisbon, Portugal Sunday, to meet with the NATO Executive Council at the summit.

The President originally had a major agenda coming in, including strengthening of ties between the US and Russia, as well as the possibility of a missile defense shield, but with his defeat, this will become a mostly ceremonial trip, with last goodbyes being given.

President Santos will get some good news out of the trip, as members of NATO will adopt a new charter on terrorism, and discussions of whether or not NATO troops will be sent into Israel will also be considered heavily, with many in the US delegation hopeful that the burden could be lifted by NATO injecting troops and supplies.

President Santos' wife Helen and Secretary of State Arnold Vinick will be flying to Lisbon with the President.

 

[KahukuMan10]

Yes, there is a primary, then a general.

 

[Dean501]

With the end of the Santos administration is this thread over?

 

[Westbrook]

Not at all!

A word from the thread founder:

PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE
Today this story is two years old, yes two years old!!!!
Looking back on the last year, we had the Republican primaries, picked a VP, had the conventions, three Presidential debates and LIVE election coverage. Quite an achievement. To the that end this story could not have worked without, disputed, Tim, Jay, Westbrook, Kahuku Man, a better America, who did an amazing job with the election night graphics and campaign adverts during the election.
So in the words of President Bartlet "What's next"!!!!
Well we have the rest of the Walken cabinet to finish, then its the inganurnation of the 45th President of the United States of America, Glen Allen Walken on Thursday January 20th 2011.
For those following the UK story, it's going to be a very dramatic three/four months.
I would also like to thank those that just read the story, I didn't really realise how many did, until Election Day.
I have been asked by many, "how long will the story carry on" the answer as long as people want it, and we can keep it interesting and fresh.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Tim Thomason]

California has no special election law. They simply serve out the remainder of the term that they are assuming power in.

I know. I was referring to Proposition 14, the blanket primary the state's going to adopt. They('re going to) toss all their in the same primary ballot rather than have seperate ones by party (a "Louisiana" or "Jungle Primary") and then go with a run-off election between the top two.

I was kinda vague though, but yeah, there's no special election coming up for Senator-designate Kershaw. Texas's use of the Lousiana system in their special elections without a primary is the closest to what West was talking about. Illinois tends to hold 'em for local elections, if there's not enough primary candidates, and several other states I'm not as familiar with do as well. But I don't think Massachusetts ever did (they *could*, because most of their modern election law is based on recent OTL events that would be different in TTL).

But yeah, everyone agreed on a January 4th Primary and January 25th General? Everyone? disputed? Kahuku?

whitehouse.gov
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Maria Lopez, 12/3/2010

MS. LOPEZ: Let me begin by congratulating Otto Marcellas on being appointed White House Chief of Staff last night, and being the youngest person to hold that position. Obviously the job isn't as strenuous as I'd thought with Otto at the helm. The itenerary is up for tomorrow's departure to Lisbon. To everyone that's going, I hope you have your passports in order. Let's see, hmm, before you ask, President-elect Walken and his family will be getting the traditional tour of the White House by the President and First Lady, although it hasn't changed much in the last seven years. Alright, let's open up the floor to some questions.

Q: With yesterday's report from General Jack stating that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is good for military discipline, will President Santos rescind his Executive Order and allow the Justice Department's implementation of the law?

MS. LOPEZ: President Santos is firmly within his rights as Commander-in-Chief to set aside certain rules restricting recruitment and retainment of military personnel during times of national emergency. We are still obligated to our allies in Palestine and Israel and the President has sent a strong message that we cannot afford to lose our troops due to arcane regulations. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is entitled to his opinion and assessment of the situation, but his boss has spoken on the issue.

Q: Senators Morgan Mitchell, Sam Wilkinson, Eric Bennett, and Will Villegas have all publicly stated that the President's order is irresponsible and unconstitutional during wartime. How would you respond to this?

MS. LOPEZ: There is a case right now in the Supreme Court that will cover the constitutionality of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. If we're going to name names, I have some for you. Congressman Lawrence Locke applauded the measure of strengthening our military. Senate Majority Leader Robert Royce, Mitchell's colleague, was our foremost supporter of DADT removal in the Senate three years ago and he's going to have to backtrack his statements if he has somehow changed his mind. The current Speaker of the House, unlike the last one, has firmly stated her opinion against Don't Ask Don't Tell. The Solicitor General, the White House Counsel, the Attorney General, the Legislative Director, have all been briefed and are of the opinion that this represents a constitutional outreach of the President's powers as Commander-in-Chief under, let's see, ten U.S.C. twelve-three-zero-five. The law stated that the President "may suspend any provision of law relating to promotion, retirement, or separation applicable to any member of the armed forces who the President determines is essential to the national security of the United States." That law was approved by Congress and is not in conflict with Don't Ask, Don't Tell or Executive Order 13542. Katie?

Q: With regards to President Santos and President-elect Walken. Reports coming in from President-elect Walken's transition office state that the President has refused to schedule a meeting with the President-elect to discuss the transition, as is customary.

MS. LOPEZ: Do you have a source on that?

Q: Well, uh, not that I...

MS. LOPEZ: The White House does not comment on unsubstantiated rumors. As far as I'm aware, President Santos and President-elect Walken will meet at an as-yet undisclosed time.

Greg?

Q: Otto Marcellas is 27 years old and his previous job was as Deputy Communications Director, before that he was a speechwriter on the Santos campaign, and before that he was a college student. What makes you think he's qualified for the position of Chief of Staff?

MS. LOPEZ: I didn't make the call. The President believes that Mr. Marcellas is the best person to best implement his views and run the staff. Nate Singer did a fair job diversifying the position from the micro-management common in earlier Chiefs of Staff, so Marcellas' work load is considerably smaller, allowing him to focus on the important duties of the position. There have been cries to appoint a more "respectable" position, but the President has authority over his staff, the Chief of Staff position is not confirmable, and it was easier to promote from within rather than seek out someone well-experienced who would otherwise lose their job in a month-and-a-half. As far as I'm aware, Otto... Mr. Marcellas will remain within the President's personal employ for a little while after January 20th.

Q: Regarding the President's future plans: there are conflicting reports that the President will remain in Washington post-January 20th or that they will immediately move back to Houston.

MS. LOPEZ: The President is finalizing his purchase of a new house, his third in as many years and fully intends to move back to Houston come May. Mrs. Santos' remarks regarding an immediate move may have been misquoted or placed out of context. She has been the foremost supporter of letting the President's children finish out the school year with their friends before moving back. The First Lady, of course, is in delicate condition, and will be ceasing all flight activity after the Lisbon trip is concluded.

Q: So, the President's child is to be born in Washington?

MS. LOPEZ: That is a question for the First Lady's staff, but yes, I think that is the plan.

Q: Has the President met with Former Speaker Jim Cor and Senator Arthur Breech lately?

MS. LOPEZ: Not to my knowledge. If you're asking what I think you're asking, it's this administration's firm stance to allow Congress to delegate their own leadership issues, and it has been since Day 1, and will be on Day 1461.

Any more questions? Okay, that was short. Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to finalize your options with my office regarding the Lisbon trip.

 

[KahukuMan10]

ah gotcha.

And those dates sound fine to me.

 

[Westbrook]

Dates are fine, all good!

Hhmm, before you ask, President-elect Walken and his family will be getting the traditional tour of the White House by the President and First Lady, although I don't know how much it's changed in the last seven years. I know it hasn't changed at all in the last four years. Alright, let's open up the floor to some questions.

Didn't the White House undergo a renovation in the past year?

 

[Tim Thomason]

Didn't the White House undergo a renovation in the past year?

Yeah, some obscure board member posted something about it last February with no follow up. Here's the link. It's not like Maria Lopez was around or knew about the construction. Oh wait:

according to White House Press Secretary Maria Lopez, the renovations are slated to occur over an expedited three-month process by architectural firm AIK Washington.

I, uh, think you misquoted her, and took her comment out of context. In fact, looking back at the online transcript... she never said that at all.

 

[Westbrook]

Transcripts aside, here's some news:

thehill.com, Saturday, December 4th, 2010.
Some Committee Assignments Leaked

According to sources within the Speaker's and Minority Leader's offices, the full committee assignment list will be released sometime in January. But a preliminary list has leaked out, mainly two of the most powerful committees.

Appropriations will remain the same, with Indiana Congressman Tom Peterson remaining as Chairman and Texas Representative Christopher Finn continuing as Ranking Member.

Ways and Means will experience a change, as William Graden, the former Chairman, has retired. The former Majority Leader, Drake Headley, received a boost in seniority, and was named Chairman, in a move believed to be a reward for stepping aside as Leader. Bill Delmon of Illinois will remain Ranking Member, an interesting situation. Delmon holds the standard line on Republican taxes, but has indicated a willingness to compromise, and will be key in passing GlenAllen Walken's tax reform plans. Headley has already indicated some disagreements with those plans, but he will be lobbied heavily by the Walken Administration.

Heading Financial Services will be Jacob Klein, a noted anti-big business Congressman, who has already said that he will be calling hearings to take a "whack" at Wall Street. The Ranking Member will be Carl Broome of North Carolina, a noted economist. However, Mr. Broome might not hold his position for long, as he has been mentioned as a possible Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Financial regulation and taxes are certain to be on the agenda for this session of Congress.

The Chairman and Ranking Member of Permanent Select Intelligence will remain the same-Al Trent of Massachusetts and Sam Fellows of Arizona. The two are longtime friends and bipartisan allies, and both will weigh in strongly as the issues of intelligence reform and the possible creation of a Department of Homeland Security come into play.

(OOC: Any suggestions for committee chairs and ranking members in the House are welcome. Please PM me with the names and reasons!)

 

[KahukuMan10]

CNN.com

Klein: GOP should put up or shut up

Congressman Jacob Klein (D-PA-1), who also happens to be the incumbent Chairman of the Financial Services Committee has plainly said today that the "Republican party should put up, or shut up." This is in response to Senate Majority Whip, Seth Randall's pledge to destroy Klein's precious Consumer Protection Act he plans to move forth in the next session of congress.

A few weeks ago, Klein announced that he was moving ahead with his planned piece of legislation known as the Consumer Protection Act, CPA, which would create a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, within the Federal Reserve. The new Bureau would regulates consumer financial products and services in compliance with federal law. The Bureau is headed by a director who is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five years. The nominee must be approved by the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. The Bureau would be subject to financial audit by the GAO, and must report to the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee bi-annually. The Financial Stability Oversight Council may issue a "stay" to the Bureau with an appealable 2/3 vote. Even though the Bureau would be placed within the Fed, it would operate independently. The Fed will be prohibited from interfering with matters before the Director, directing any employee of the Bureau, modifying the functions and responsibilities of the Bureau or impeding an order of the Bureau. The Bureau would be separated into five units:Research, Community Affairs, Complaint Tracking and Collection, Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity - ensuring equitable access to credit, Office of Financial Literacy (promoting financial literacy among consumers).

Klein's entire intentions on the matter are fairly simple, and he's been very frank about it's purpose. "I want the American people to be protected from another financial crisis like the one we faced two years ago. So that if one does hit, we are all protected from it. President-elect Walken campaigned on being a man of the people and not being an ordinary 'sink-or-swim' Republican. All I'm asking, is that he come through on his campaign pledge. This isn't me or the democratic party playing politics, this is us trying to help people, and I want to work hand in hand with the incoming President on exactly that."

Senator Randall has been an avid opponent of such a measure and has shot it down every time it has come up. Randall, a known staunch fiscal conservative and non-intervention, 'hands off' capitalist has called this "pure and simple socialism." He has stated that if somehow the democrats can round up enough moderate republicans to vote for this, and even if President-elect Walken gets involved, he'll filibuster till he's blue in the face. "If any Republican gets behind this piece of pure and simple socialism, I will do my very best in two years time, to have them primary'd and have them lose their seats. We are not doing our jobs as Republicans, and will be ignoring our mandate from the American people if we do this."

 

[KahukuMan10]

Ways and Means will experience a change, as William Graden, the former Chairman, has retired. The former Majority Leader, Drake Headley, received a boost in seniority, and was named Chairman, in a move believed to be a reward for stepping aside as Leader. Bill Delmon of Illinois will remain Ranking Member, an interesting situation. Delmon holds the standard line on Republican taxes, but has indicated a willingness to compromise, and will be key in passing GlenAllen Walken's tax reform plans. Headley has already indicated some disagreements with those plans, but he will be lobbied heavily by the Walken Administration.

Heading Financial Services will be Jacob Klein, a noted anti-big business Congressman, who has already said that he will be calling hearings to take a "whack" at Wall Street.

Graden must've came after Charles Howard who'd been the chairman (this god damn Howard family keeps growing and I have to add more to the thing....) before his death. And Headley made clear here that tax cuts on the wealthy won't fly.

 

[Westbrook]

Graden must've came after Charles Howard who'd been the chairman (this god damn Howard family keeps growing and I have to add more to the thing....) before his death. And Headley made clear here that tax cuts on the wealthy won't fly.

Actually, Graden's canon via the show. Josh mentions Congressman Graden in the "Transition" episode, to Otto, who says that Graden will be the Chair of Ways and Means (Josh also says that Otto's lack of response does not look good for his future employment prospects, which is an opinion I guess has changed ). And I mentioned him in the 535 for North Carolina, so.... Yeah. Maybe Howard was Appropriations Chair, dies/resigns, and is replaced by Peterson as a reward from Sellner, since I wrote that he and Peterson were allies/cronies?

 

[JoeMulk]

BARTLETT Bombshell


Peter Bartlett, nephew of former president Josiah Bartlett has apparently jumped on the conspiracy theory fray. In light of the recent developments surrounding congressman Roger Baker and the string of crimes connected to him including the targeting of Harvey P Stefano and the other local Michigan radio host Bartlett wrote a controversial article attacking Baker and suggested that Matt Newkirk's death may not have been accidental. Peter Bartlett, 27 is a graduate student at Stanford University, pursuing his Masters in Communication. He first got his start at the age of 19 for his uncle's re-election campaign working as a junior speechwriter and later wrote for the Village Voice for several years, however some of his controversial opinions quickly made him a pariah in Democratic Party circles. He has also called in to the Harvey P Stefano show on several occasions.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Let's stick with Charlie Sheen as Youth in Revolt Director Christopher Eckert, and ignore my old Jon Rinier casting and this new Peter Bartlet casting.

Peter is a 27-year-old grad student. No offense to Charlie Sheen, but I don't think he can pull that off.

If we need a Sheen (or an Estevez actually) the only one available would be 1984-born Taylor Estevez (the son of Emilio):


This is from a 2000 movie. I can't find any images online to use, since Taylor is mostly a production assistant with very little film experience (shouldn't stop him from making a cameo.

 

[JoeMulk]

Let's stick with Charlie Sheen as Youth in Revolt Director Christopher Eckert, and ignore my old Jon Rinier casting and this new Peter Bartlet casting.

Peter is a 27-year-old grad student. No offense to Charlie Sheen, but I don't think he can pull that off.

If we need a Sheen (or an Estevez actually) the only one available would be 1984-born Taylor Estevez (the son of Emilio):
View attachment 121995

This is from a 2000 movie. I can't find any images online to use, since Taylor is mostly a production assistant with very little film experience (shouldn't stop him from making a cameo.

alright, I can take that one. Didn't see Charlie beforehand but just thought that his relationship with the 9/11 truth movement in RL would make it funny. We can use Taylor though instead.

 

[JoeMulk]

If we need a Sheen (or an Estevez actually) the only one available would be 1984-born Taylor Estevez (the son of Emilio):
View attachment 121995

An old photograph of Peter Bartlett, nephew of former president Jed Bartlett circa 2000 when he was in high school.

 

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Seaborn Already Making Friends, Potential Enemies On Capitol Hill

Washington-Sam Seaborn, the incoming freshman Senator from California, has already earned both good and ill will in Washington as he prepares to take his place in the Senate roll call. He's come under criticism from other liberal Democrats for his tacit support of William Villegas as U.N. Ambassador while winning praise from moderate Republicans such as Congressman Riley Church and incoming Senator Charles Oakley of West Virginia, and Democrats such as Rep. Matthew Spencer of Nevada and Rep. Jack Stanton of Arkansas. "It was unfair to call Villegas a 'traitor' for accepting Walken's offer for such a prestigious post," Spencer said on Sunday, "and I'm glad that Seaborn has continued to stand by his principles and put America first. This is what the Democratic Party should be about."

"Villegas will make a fine Ambassador, and Seaborn deserves applause, not condemnation," Church, known as one of the more moderate to liberal Republicans in the Senate, added. "This is a case where character counts, and Seaborn has it."

Many of those Democrats who initially sharply criticized Villegas-including former DNC Chairman Josh Lyman-have since fallen silent or are now far more conciliatory in their statements, leading to some speculation that former President Bartlet might have played a behind-the-scenes role in getting them to back down.

 

[Westbrook]

WVR, I've got no problem with that statement, but I doubt that Thorn would be pissed at Sam, at least for a long-time. Thorn has been written as one of the people who helped push Sam to run for Senate, and was a major contributor.

 

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Montgomery In Possible Conflict Of Interest?

Washington-As he battles it out with Lloyd Russell and Arthur Breech for the Democratic Senate leadership, Illinois Senator George Montgomery may have found himself in a potential future conflict of interest as it has been learned that his old law firm in Chicago will be one of the firms representing Penetrobe Engineering executives in the Baker/Penetrobe lobbying scandal.

The firm, of which Montgomery was a senior partner before Montgomery ran for the Senate and which once included current Illionois Attorney General Landon Reese, is among one of several involved in representing defendants in the growing scandal, which threatens to ensnare both Republicans and Democrats who may have taken donations from Penetrobe Engineering or had contact with its lobbyists during the 2010 elections. President-Elect Walken, for example, has announced that he will return a donation he received from Penetrobe during his Presidential campaign.

For his own part, Montgomery, who is no longer associated with the firm, says that "What happens in Michigan is a Michigan matter and is being handled by the Department of Justice and the F.B.I. While the firm was an important part of my past, it is in the past, I was only one of its senior partners, and today I'm working to lead the Democratic Party forward."

It was not immediately clear how the firm's involvement in the Penetrobe side of the scandal would affect the Democratic leadership race, if at all, but some obersvers, such as conservative radio show host Nash Rockford, have noted the timing as the scandal widens and threatens to cause headaches for both parties.
________

My thinking is that this could be a Jack Abramoff-type scandal in which both parties are involved, although I'm not sure how Montgomery (or anyone else on the Democratic side, for that matter) might be affected at this point.

As for Baker...stay tuned?

 

[WestVirginiaRebel]

WVR, I've got no problem with that statement, but I doubt that Thorn would be pissed at Sam, at least for a long-time. Thorn has been written as one of the people who helped push Sam to run for Senate, and was a major contributor.

OK, I'll leave Thorn out...Josh I could see fuming somewhere in private, however.