2010 US Presidential Election

[Tim Thomason]

Why are the Olympics three weeks late?! What did you do, Benjamin Pierce?!

Note: All of the post-POD Olympics (beginning in 1992, which was bid on in October 1986) are all the historical runners-up, as per Marky Bunny's precedence on establishing Paris (the 2012 runner-up) as the 2012 host city in The West Wing universe. Nothing in the show contradicts this, as they only had one reference that I could find (to the '72 Olympics in Munich, same as OTL).

...Except for 1992. Paris was the runner-up in 1992, but it would probably stretch credulity for them to host twice just twenty years apart. Brisbane was the third-place bidder that year.

Yu Shang, Trenier, and Walken are all established Presidents in the thread at the time of their Olympics. Elizabeth II is still the established head of the Commonwealth in the thread and the show (and real-life). Economides was President of Greece in 2009, but they've historically had some long-tenured Presidents. I created Alcide Vercetti, but I'm thinking he's somehow related to the old Prime Minister of Italy, Anthony Vercetti (twin brother?).

 

[Marky Bunny]

It is a good job that Tim posted this list above because I was about to have a Olympic post!!

 

[Tim Thomason]

The USA Today, Sunday August 14, 2016
Chicago Mayor Promises "Smooth Olympics"

The Mayor of Chicago, Jack Enlow, promises a smooth Olympics in two weeks, despite a record-breaking crime wave in Chicago this summer. The Olympic ceremony begins in less than two weeks, and already the city is teeming with spectators, athletes, tourists, and officials in preparation for the first American Olympics in over thirty years.

Enlow was elected in a surprise victory last year, running a tough law-and-order campaign, but has seen the murder rate skyrocket and has gone through three police superintendants over the last nine months. He beat interim Mayor Harold Lorenzo, the former Acting Mayor who succeeded Byron McAlster after his assassination in December 2012. Enlow was previously a three-term Senator for Illinois before resigning in January 2011 following an altercation with his ex-wife's lover (assault charges against him were later dismissed). Despite the public scandal, Jack Enlow managed to run and win the 2015 campaign by painting himself as a political insider with deep connections, like McAlster, who could manage to fix Chicago's problems in preparation for international attention.

Crime in the Windy City did slump for a period following McAlster's assassination, with the 2014 summer murder rate being the lowest in over a decade (a fact touted at the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago that year). The violent crime rate in 2016, concurrent with the hottest summer on record, has almost doubled that of 2014 in the same time period.

Some have previously called for the Olympics to be held in Madrid or Tokyo instead, but Mayor Enlow stated that such an idea was "spurious and untenable" given the timeframes involved and the amount of financing dealt into Chicago thus far. Policing has benefitted from an infusion of federal money, but it appears to have had little effect outside of Washington Park and adjacent areas near the Olympic Village.

A publicity photo of Chicago Mayor Jack Enlow (shown with trademark "disheveled tie") taken by Robin Thomas Grossman outside Daley Plaza earlier this year

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/Politics
Monday August 15th 2016

Leicester Mayor Dawud Salma says SAS rescue mission was a "war crime"

The Socialist Alliance Mayor of Leicester Dawud Salma has claimed that the SAS rescue mission last week to rescue the hostages held by "Islamic Bahj" in Qumar was a "war crime".
In a interview with BBC Midlands he claims that the "Bahji are freedom fighters".

Salma who was elected by just 43 votes in May 2015, despite claims that he won by widespread voter fraud and intimidation , claims to have the result overturned failed.

"Those British citizens had no right being in Qumar, I have no doubt that they would have been handed back over to the UK Government, that's why they where being held at the airport, the slaughter of the those protecting them is a war crime in my book".

 

[disputed]

nbs.com, Monday August 15th

Iranian Forces Move Into Northern Qumar As US Troops Take Control Salalah

The White House confirmed that Iran had made significant moves into northern Qumar seemingly annexing significant portions of territory in the north of the country.

President Walken said he was “concerned” by what he described as “an aggressive move” by Iran and one that he would be taking up with their leadership. “We can’t afford the Qumar to become even more unstable. The Bahji are taking heavy losses in the East, our forces have taken control in the Southern city of Salalah, and our air force has severely weakened their networks across the country.”

With the Sultan and the ruling family out of the country, the capital city in the hands of the rebels and Iranian forces making progress into the north, the situation in the country is becoming increasingly unstable. The President said they were monitoring the situation across the country and would continue to strike at Bahji networks and structures.

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/Politics
Tuesday August 16th 2016

McGovern resigns from Socialist Alliance

John McGovern, the Deputy Leader of the Socialist Alliance & Governor of Greater Manchester has this morning resigned from the party. He will remain as Governor but as a "Independent Socialist".

The resignation comes after the parties Mayor in Leicester Dawud Salma defended the Bahji in Qumar and clamied that the rescue last week by the SAS was a "war crime". McGovern was a Labour MP from 1991 to 2011 resigned from Labour over the "Smeargate Affair". He later joined the Socialist Alliance and was elected Governor of Greater Manchester in 2013.

"I cannot stay in this party anymore, I informed Ben Stanley this morning that I was resigning as deputy Leader of the party and from the party as a whole" adding "This party which was founded on good socialist principles has been corrupted by many with their own radical agenda. I will continue my duties in Manchester as an Independent Socialist".

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM
Tuesday August 16th 2016

Iran claims "We are reunifying Iran" with occupation of northern Qumar

The Iranian Government has issued a statement claiming that's movement into northern Qumar was to reunifying the country & was "righting the wrongs of 1921".

1921 saw the peace treaty which ended with the creation of Qumar, as a British protectorate in an area claimed by the Iranians to this day. The statement also claimed that many Qumarian's had "asked the Iranian Government to take control".

The Iranians clearly see a chance to annexe part if not of all Qumar, a dream for many Iranians, but one that has so far not been realised but with Qumar not basically without a functioning Government, it believes it can finally realize a dream which is now 95 years old.

 

[Joe Steele]

ajc.com
Tuesday, August 16, 2016

What’s Next for Mike Schofield?

Governor Mike Schofield


The Atlanta Journal Constitution has received an early copy of the next issue of Time Magazine, which includes a candid interview with the Governor of Georgia Mike Schofield.

Schofield, an ex member of the elite Navy SEALS, talked about his 33 year career in the Navy and his service in the Gulf War, and his efforts to expand a Georgian economy that experts agreed was floundering prior to his 2010 election. He also went into detail about his troubled childhood, a topic he has rarely spoken upon, and how he ended up raising his younger brother after his father was killed in a drive-by shooting when Governor Schofield was only 14 years old.

When asked about the affairs of Georgia politics, Schofield praised the efforts of his state congress, describing their efforts as “bipartisan to the bone, what all politicians should aspire to be”, while commending the efforts of Max Lobell III and Charlie Forrester in the US Senate. He would not comment on whether he would support his current lieutenant governor, Phillip Brightman, if he were to run for Governor in 2018. Brightman has been accused of several incidents of sexual misconduct, although Brightman has never been convicted of any wrongdoing.

However, the most interesting part of the interview came when the Governor was asked about the state of national politics. Schofield praised President Walken for steering the economy in the right direction, while criticizing Vice President Clark’s attitude in the past few months. “She needs to stop acting like a child and start acting like the Vice President.” When asked about his future in politics, Schofield responded by saying that he was not done with what he hoped to accomplish during his lifetime. He went on to say none of the current Republican hopefuls for 2018 were going to be able to get the job done, singling out Vice President Clark. When pushed on whether he was planning on taking part of the 2018 election, Schofield smiled and replied “No comment.”

The full article and magazine will hit the shelfs later this week.

Casting Rudy Boesch as Mike Schofield

 

[Joe Steele]

foxnews.com

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Who is Mike Schofield?

Following the leak of Schofield’s Time article, in which he implies he will be running for the Republican nomination in 2018, we look into the little known Governor’s history. He has drawn comparisons to President David Eisenhower for his long service in the military and for his moderate views despite being a member of the Republican party.

From the biography on his website:

Mike Schofield

1956-
US Navy Seal (1973-2006)
Governor of Georgia (2010-2018)

Raised in a poor Atlanta neighborhood, Schofield enlisted in the Navy at age 17, partly so he could receive a college education. Schofield served several tours in the Pacific and in the Middle East. He retired in 2006, at age 50, after serving for 33 years and rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Schofield entered the political fray in early 2010, announcing his intention to run for the Governor of Georgia after the previous Governor, Republican Charlie Forrester, was ineligible to run again. Schofield defeated Lieutenant Governor Horace Coffin III in the Republican primary, and then went on to defeat Democratic candidate Donnell Jameson in the general election. Schofield ran on a moderate platform of increasing business, eliminating the income disparity in Georgia’s urban centers, and “bringing Georgia to the forefront of American politics”. Under Schofield, Georgia has seen itself become the Technological Mecca of America, as start-ups and technology companies have flocked to Atlanta to set up shop. Georgia has also become the go-to destination for the film industry (after Hollywood) thanks to tax incentives Schofield pushed for and signed into law.

Mike Schofield is married to Katherine Collins Schofield, who he met in Hawaii during a 1978 vacation. The couple married the next year and have three children, Jeremy (1981), Tyson (1984), and Denise (1989). He has two grandchildren, Richard (2012) and Kelly (2013).

Schofield is a Methodist, having membership at the Saint Mark United Methodist Church. He is against abortion except in cases of rape or incest, although he is pro gay marriage. When asked about his stance, he commented “My best friend is a homosexual, and he and other homosexuals deserve to be able to get married.”

Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike Schofield at the time of his retirement in 2006.

Governor Schofield and his wife Katherine at a fundraiser earlier this year.

 

[Marky Bunny]

UKElects.com
Tuesday August 16th 2016

Public opinion on Richard Samuels:
Favourable: 38%
Unfavourable: 26%

Pubic opinion on Andrea Benn:
Favourable: 34%
Unfavourable: 30%

Public opinion on the Conservative Party as a whole:
Favourable: 35%
Unfavourable: 38%

Public opinion on the Labour Party as a whole:
Favourable: 30%
Unfavourable:40%

 

[disputed]

Love this article - great job of digging back into the timeline, even finding Schofield's opponent in 2010!

foxnews.com

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Who is Mike Schofield?

Following the leak of Schofield’s Time article, in which he implies he will be running for the Republican nomination in 2018, we look into the little known Governor’s history. He has drawn comparisons to President David Eisenhower for his long service in the military and for his moderate views despite being a member of the Republican party.

From the biography on his website:

Mike Schofield

1956-
US Navy Seal (1973-2006)
Governor of Georgia (2010-2018)

Raised in a poor Atlanta neighborhood, Schofield enlisted in the Navy at age 17, partly so he could receive a college education. Schofield served several tours in the Pacific and in the Middle East. He retired in 2006, at age 50, after serving for 33 years and rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Schofield entered the political fray in early 2010, announcing his intention to run for the Governor of Georgia after the previous Governor, Republican Charlie Forrester, was ineligible to run again. Schofield defeated Lieutenant Governor Horace Coffin III in the Republican primary, and then went on to defeat Democratic candidate Donnell Jameson in the general election. Schofield ran on a moderate platform of increasing business, eliminating the income disparity in Georgia’s urban centers, and “bringing Georgia to the forefront of American politics”. Under Schofield, Georgia has seen itself become the Technological Mecca of America, as start-ups and technology companies have flocked to Atlanta to set up shop. Georgia has also become the go-to destination for the film industry (after Hollywood) thanks to tax incentives Schofield pushed for and signed into law.

Mike Schofield is married to Katherine Collins Schofield, who he met in Hawaii during a 1978 vacation. The couple married the next year and have three children, Jeremy (1981), Tyson (1984), and Denise (1989). He has two grandchildren, Richard (2012) and Kelly (2013).

Schofield is a Methodist, having membership at the Saint Mark United Methodist Church. He is against abortion except in cases of rape or incest, although he is pro gay marriage. When asked about his stance, he commented “My best friend is a homosexual, and he and other homosexuals deserve to be able to get married.”

Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike Schofield at the time of his retirement in 2006.

Governor Schofield and his wife Katherine at a fundraiser earlier this year.

 

[Tim Thomason]

espn.com, Wednesday, August 17, 2016
From Presidential Candidate to Olympic Coach: The Story of Pete Ross

Peter Jason Ross was a relief pitcher for two years with the AAA-team Buffalo Bisons from 1987 to 1988. This was after four years as the star pitcher for the Georgetown Hoyas. Although he quit to accept a position with the Los Angeles Daily News (and would use that to springboard himself into Congress as a 25-year-old wunderkind in 1991), he always maintained a high interest in the affairs of professional baseball. His personal office is decorated with memorabilia he's picked up: an autographed Babe Ruth bat, a picture of himself with Mickey Mantle in 1993 or the 2002 Anaheim Angels after their World Series win. And of course, pictures of him in his Bisons jersey abound, even in casual meetings at the White House, and often during his brief run for the presidency in the fall of 2001.

But Pete Ross isn't just a one-time player turned sports collector. He was the senior lobbyist for Major League Baseball after he retired from Congress in 2007. He was considered a favorite to replace Bud Selig in 2014, although he bowed out early due to personal reasons. Ross served as Senior Counselor to President Walken from 2011 to 2013, which some have claimed was to offset Walken's image as anti-baseball. Although this doesn't take into account Walken and Ross's long history and personal friendship (Walken served as Whip under Majority Leader Ross from 1997 to 2001, and was Ross's boss as Speaker from 2001 to 2003).

But regarding the Olympics, in 2009, Ross was involved in lobbying the IOC to accept Baseball at the 2016 Chicago games (after it was removed for the 2008 Toronto and 2012 Paris Games). He currently serves as second auxiliary coach for the Olympic team, a position which may afford him the luxury of an Olympic medal to add to his baseball memento collection.

Pete Ross, Former Congressman, House Majority Leader, Presidential Primary Candidate, Senior Counselor to the President, and current Olympic Baseball Coach (© U.S.O.C. 2016, Photograph by Stephen Moyer)

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/Politics
Wednesday August 17th 2016

Galloway will stand for Socialist Alliance Deputy Leader

Hamish Galloway, the Socialist Alliance's only MP, has announced that he will stand for election as the parties deputy leader following the resignation of John McGovern yesterday.
Galloway, MP for Glasgow North-East said he was running "I am going to run" adding "I think we here in Scotland are showing that people are still attracted to socialism". In the latest opinion polls for the United Kingdom parliament in Scotland the Socialist Alliance are polling at 7%, way ahead of the mere 2% in England & Wales. They also won five seats in the Scottish Assembly in May.

The party executive council has yet to confirm a timetable for the election, but it will be on the basis of one member one vote and is likely to be announced at the party conference next month.

 

[ajm8888]

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Saturday August 20th, 2016

Addison gets lost in Florida.

Jacksonville: A few weeks after the state party convention in Rochester, which resulted in Glen Addison picking Marcia Ng the Mayor of Waseca, Minnesota, he is lost in Florida.

After being invited to visit by Governor Ritchie Addison got lost in the state capital of Florida. He was seen in the state capital building but left after his meeting with the governor. Addison was seen at a coffee shop in downtown. The gubantorial candidate was lost for four hours before returning to his hotel. He s rated he went to look for offices for the investigation of the Florida Skunk Ape and had a friendly conversation with a man in the offices. Here turned to the hotel to get some sleep.

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM
Sunday August 21st 2016

Former Qumar Prime-Minister Zuben Ahmed declares himself Head of State in Qumar

The former Qumar Prime-Minister Zuben Ahmed the man that led the 2007 coup against Sultan Ali Usef and helped to install Manab Hessani as Sultan has declared that he is the Head of State in Qumar.

With Sultan Hessani now in exile in UAE, Ahmed who lost power in 2013 has declared himself the new head of state. He says he has the support of the Sultan's military and was flanked by Generals that been loyal to the Sultan and said that he "stands for a new democratic dawn in Qumar". He also said he will "wipe out" the "Bahji plague". He also warned Iran who continue to occupy the northern portion of the country.

No other country has yet to formally recognise Ahmed's new Government.


Zuben Ahmed, declaring himself the new Head of State in Qumar, flanked by his Daughter and an Army General.
(photo by Ark Malik)

 

[Joe Steele]

nbs.com
Sunday, August 21st 2016

Governor James Ritchie issues state of emergency declaration

Hurricane David has been upgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane after it has passed over Cuba last night. The Hurricane passed west of Havana and appears on course to make landfall tomorrow night near Tampa Bay and continue its path north on the coastline. Governor Ritchie has urged the 3 million plus citizens in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area to evacuate immediately. The National Hurricane Service has issued Hurricane warnings from the Florida Keys to Tallahassee. Experts warn that the Hurricane could pick up speed before making landfall. Many businesses and military bases are reducing staff in preparation, including Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center.

Governor Schofield of Georgia, Governor Butler of South Carolina, and Governor Kinsey of Alabama are also expected to declare a state of emergency in the near future in their respective states as a precaution against storm surges and price gouging.

 

[disputed]

nbs.com, Monday August 22nd

Stand Off Continues in Qumar As US and Iranian Forces Descend on Capital City

The situation in Qumar continues to resemble a powder keg as a three sided stand-off continues to ramp up tensions in the country.

US forces confirmed the liberation of Jasken over the weekend after prolonged fighting with Bhaji forces in and around the eastern city that was seized by rebel forces two weeks ago. It was also confirmed that further American and British forces were moving towards the capital city of Jabal Nafusah with the seeming intention of engaging rebel forces currently in control.

As US forces advance from the South, Iranian forces continue their march from the North as they continue to assert their claim that Qumar needs to be annexed back into a “Greater Iran” in order to restore stability in the country.

Suggestions from the UK indicated a willingness from both the US and Iran to enter into a dialogue over the future of the country. The Walken administration reportedly have little in interest in a prolonged stay in the country – but are also keen to see Sultan Hessani returned to power with some form of power sharing agreement similar to that in Hong Kong. It’s unknown where Iran would stand on such an agreement though they are believed to favour complete control from Tehran.

 

[Marky Bunny]

BBC.CO.UK/News
Monday August 22nd 2016

McGovern: Socialist Alliance on verge of "split"

Former Socialist Alliance Deputy Leader John McGovern has said during his first interview since resigning from the party last week that the party was on the verge of a "split".

McGovern who has declared himself a "Independent Socialist" said "I couldn't carry on in the party. There is a large faction in the party under Leicester Mayor Dawud Salma who are extremists, they are anti western, they are anti anything other than them". McGovern has always declared himself a "patriotic socialist" although he has always opposed Nuclear weapons, he has been a supporter of NATO and the continued British sovereignty in Gibraltar and the Falklands.

"Ben Stanley is a good man, but he is fighting an impossible battle in keeping the party together. Salma's faction are getting ready to take over the party". On his own future said that he would seek re-election as Manchester Governor next year.

 

[ajm8888]

NHK

Monday August 22nd 2016

China amassing troops in Pakistan, Beijing announces ultimatum

Various local Pakistani media outlets and social media outlets have showed images of Chinese troops being ushered into Pakistan via rail. The sources showed tanks on rail cars going to the Pakistani border with Iran. China has stated that they are only interested in the oil. They have no interest in religion and prefer stability. experts believe China does not want Iran to take oil fields that Chinese oil companies own. They fear only months from pipeline operations they'd have renegotiate a deal.

Some rumors state China may be making overtures towards the Zhmed government.

 

[Marky Bunny]

NBS.COM
Tuesday August 23rd 2018

State Department sources: Sultan Manab Hessani ready to renounce the Qumarari Throne

Sources at the State Department have told NBS that the Sultan of Qumar, Manab Hessani is ready to announce from the UEA that is ready to renounce the Throne of his country. It is said that officials from the State Department have met with him in the last day asking him if he was ready to renounce the throne in a favour of the Government announced on Sunday by the former Prime-Minister Zuben Ahmed.

The United States, Great Britain and China fear a three sided civil war with no end, especially with Iranian force now in control of the north of the country. The US is said to favour not only Hessani abdicating but also renouncing the throne for his entire and family and giving his support to Ahmed as a successor Government rather than the Bahji led "Islamic Republic of Qumar".

The State Department has released this picture of Hessani at his office in exile in the UAE.

(photo by Alexander Siddig)