2018 Presidential Election
- Thread starter Marky Bunny
- Start date
Yes, we have a writers meeting in a couple of days, we will have a date confirmed then.
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Sunday January 9th, 2022
Final push in Iowa ahead of caucus on Tuesday
The eight remaining candidates for the Republican presidential nomination have been making a final push in the final two days of campaigning ahead of the first election in the 2022 cycle.
The current polls are all pointing to a comfortable win for former Oklahoma Senator Alan Duke on Tuesday, who has spent the last three days campaigning across the Hawkeye state. The real battle is to see who is likely to come in second place behind Duke, with Ohio Senator Ruth Norton-Stewart hoping to claim a strong second finish, but fellow Senator Jasper Irving of Illinois is said to be closing fast on his senate colleague. A Irving campaign official told NBS "We are pushing against her (Norton-Stewart), we could catch her, which seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago, but Laurion's implosion has helped us". The Irving campaign are helpful that a strong performance on Tuesday will help them in the New Hampshire primary just seven days after Iowa, where Irving has a polling lead of around six points over Norton-Stewart.
The other candidate who has been campaigning hard is former Michigan Congressman Gus Edwards, he has been in Iowa and New Hampshire in the last few days. He told a rally in Concord on Saturday " Both here and Iowa, our message is getting through, that you cannot win by just talking to a narrow base, and talking to peoples fears, you need positive solutions to problems, not just telling voters who are to blame for their lot in life" which was seen as a massive dig at Duke, as Edwards didn't mention the former Oklahoma Senator by name.
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Former Michigan Congressman Gus Edwards on the campaign trail in the last few days
A more casual Edwards at a meeting in Cedar Rapids in Iowa on Friday
A more casual Edwards at a meeting in Cedar Rapids in Iowa on Friday
New NYC mayor will allow request for federal civil rights investigation of NYPD
Sunday, January 9th, 2021
New York City Mayor Gerald Kim (D) will allow a formal request to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to investigate the New York Police Department (NYPD) to go through the New York City Council. A spokeswoman for Kim, who took office on January 1st, said that the mayor will neither veto nor sign the request, which under the city's charter, will become official after 30 days.
"The mayor feels that the uncovered abuses of authority under the Section 19 guidelines must be investigated to the fullest extent of the law, especially the disturbing reports of racial and religious profiling of Muslims and immigrant communities from the Middle East."
Kim's predecessor, Richard Corey, was a decorated former NYPD officer who had vetoed a previous resolution last year requesting federal investigation of civil rights abuses under Section 19, citing his concern that the invitation would "exceed its proposed mandate." Victories by progressive Democrats in both the mayoral and city council elections shifted the political dynamic in city government on this issue and the motion, which had previously narrowly passed the council under Corey, was passed easily in one of the first sessions since Kim became mayor.
Police Commissioner Kiara Thompson, who was appointed by Kim shortly after he was sworn in as mayor, has already ordered a moratorium on new investigations citing the Section 19 provisions of the city's 2015 police funding bill passed in the wake of the 2015 Times Square bombing and an internal review of all ongoing investigations justified under the provisions.
Police unions have protested both Thompson's actions and the request for federal investigation, with Municipal Policeman's Brotherhood president Tim O'Shea saying it would "tie the hands of dedicated law enforcement officers" and "create a chilling effect" for proactive investigations to prevent future attacks in the nation's largest city.
"It's unfair for the people in power to ask the men and women of the NYPD in one minute to move heaven and earth to protect the city from a terrorist attack, then turn around and lambast those same men and women for doing what they needed to do." O'Shea said in a video posted to Facebook Live.
Lawsuits filed in the wake of last year's explosive New York Times investigation that exposed Section 19 allege multiple instances of NYPD officers committing unconstitutional civil rights violations, including illegal surveillance, illegal searches and seizures, indefinite detention of suspects, and racial and ethnic profiling of Muslim and Middle Eastern communities.
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Sunday, January 9 2022
US moves 1,000 troops to Germany
Berlin — Secretary of Defense Jack Shannon announced that the Department of Defense would transfer one thousand soldiers to US Army bases in Germany, as tensions between Russia, Belarus and Ukraine remain high. Shannon said that 500 of those transferred would come from the 40,000 American soldiers in Qumar and the rest from units stationed in the US.
"This slight increase in forces [in Germany] has come as a result of joint assessments of the United States and commanders in the Bundeswehr," Shannon said, referring to the German armed forces. "There is no plans for further increases at this point in time."
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Fyodor Avodin called the troop increase "provocative" and said that Washington was "needlessly escalating" the situation in eastern Europe. Fox News contributor and retired general Lloyd Pendleton echoed Avodin's sentiments, saying the increase in US troops was unnecessary and that removing soldiers from Qumar was "an irresponsible dereliction of the true fight against Islamist terror."
A Pentagon spokesman said that the 500 troops removed from the Qumar theater would not be replaced owing to "the improved security situation in several provinces", reducing the US presence there to around 39,500 soldiers.
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Sunday, 9 January 2022
PM's struggles lead to first Labour lead in nearly dozen years
Prime Minister Michael Duggan's struggles since arriving at 10 Downing Street has been reflected in the latest nationwide opinion polling of the new year, with Labour opening its first lead above the margin of error for the first time in nearly a dozen years.
Polls released today show that Labour is the choice of 37% of respondents, six points ahead of the Conservatives at 31%. The NPP and Liberal Democrats have risen slightly to 14% and 11% respectively. Labour leader Jack Coll similarly leads Duggan in the "preferred prime minister" poll by a similar margin (35% to 30%), the first time a Tory leader has been behind his Labour counterpart since the party returned to power in 2011.
"It can't be said that it's been a smooth transition," one Tory MP told the BBC, referring to the change in leadership from Richard Samuels to Duggan. Another cited the prime minister's inability to thread the needle on hot-button issues, including a referendum on membership in the European Union, as causing the party to shed support to the NPP and other Euroskeptic parties. Some in the party also have criticized the prime minister over his handling of the Cyprus affair, with the right-wing of the party urging further reinforcement of the Sovereign Base Areas in spite of Turkish and Northern Cypriot forces appearing uninterested in assaulting them. Others have taken issue with the government refusing to draw-down the 5,000 British troops remaining in Qumar in spite of the withdrawal of Iranian and Chinese forces, as well as multiple reductions in the number of American troops under President Seaborn.
But pollsters found that the reason for this latest dip is the result of several Conservative members and former members of parliament being implicated in "sleaze" scandals involving breaking parliament's ethics and disclosure laws, improper steering of government contracts and concerns over several appointments to the House of Lords in the New Year's Honours List. Notably, financier and former Conservative treasurer Tom Finch, who has donated over £3 million to the Conservative Party, was nominated to the Lords over a unanimous objection by the House of Lords Appointment Commission, the first time a prime minister has done so since the commission's establishment.
BBC.CO.UK/NEWS
Monday 10th January 2022
Breaking News: Pope Emeritus Victor IV Has Died.
The Vatican has just announced that Pope Emeritus Victor IV has died at the age of 96. He was found this morning in his room, having died in his sleep.
The first African Pope in over 1500 years, and the first sub-Saharan African, Pope Victor was also one of the longest serving popes of the modern era, serving for twenty-four years. He became only the second Pope of the modern era, to resign rather than die in office, when he retired three years ago, following Pope Celestine VI in 1981. He retired on the grounds of increasing ill health, wishing to surrender the office while he was still capable.
Born Jean-Luc Kabuga in Rwanda in 1925, he entered the priesthood following the death of his wife. Gradually rising up the ranks, he became Archbishop of Kigali in 1976 and was made a Cardinal four years later. He became Camerlengo or Papal Chamberlain in 1989 and following a brief return to his homeland became a Cardinal in the Vatican in early 1995. He was elected to succeed Pope Paul VII in the 1995 conclave.
Considered a liberal-moderate the election of the conservative Pope Clement XV as his successor was seen by some experts as a snub towards Pope Victor’s policies. However, during his long tenure Pope Victor was deeply loved and admired even by those who disagreed with him, seen by many as a good man despite disagreements. His efforts to promote those he disagreed with also demonstrated a desire not to be theologically typecast.
In a recorded statement, Pope Clement said that “Pope Emeritus Victor has finished the race that was set before him and has claimed the victors crown. He remained until the end what he had always been, a man of God and a man of prayer. He was deeply loved by many generations of Catholics and he will be sorely missed.”
The Archbishop of Westminster His Emience Nolan McCormack (who was made a Cardinal by Pope Victor) also released a statement saying “Not only the church, but the world, has lost a great leader and a great man. Men like Pope Victor come along but once in a generation.”
Statements have also been issued by Prime Minister Duggan, the Leader of the Opposition, Buckingham Palace and by President Seaborn.
It is understood the Pope Emeritus’ funeral will be a private affair in accordance with his wishes. It is also understood that there are already moves afoot in the Vatican to begin the Canonisation process, which would make the Pope Emeritus a saint.
Monday 10th January 2022
Breaking News: Pope Emeritus Victor IV Has Died.
The Vatican has just announced that Pope Emeritus Victor IV has died at the age of 96. He was found this morning in his room, having died in his sleep.
The first African Pope in over 1500 years, and the first sub-Saharan African, Pope Victor was also one of the longest serving popes of the modern era, serving for twenty-four years. He became only the second Pope of the modern era, to resign rather than die in office, when he retired three years ago, following Pope Celestine VI in 1981. He retired on the grounds of increasing ill health, wishing to surrender the office while he was still capable.
Born Jean-Luc Kabuga in Rwanda in 1925, he entered the priesthood following the death of his wife. Gradually rising up the ranks, he became Archbishop of Kigali in 1976 and was made a Cardinal four years later. He became Camerlengo or Papal Chamberlain in 1989 and following a brief return to his homeland became a Cardinal in the Vatican in early 1995. He was elected to succeed Pope Paul VII in the 1995 conclave.
Considered a liberal-moderate the election of the conservative Pope Clement XV as his successor was seen by some experts as a snub towards Pope Victor’s policies. However, during his long tenure Pope Victor was deeply loved and admired even by those who disagreed with him, seen by many as a good man despite disagreements. His efforts to promote those he disagreed with also demonstrated a desire not to be theologically typecast.
In a recorded statement, Pope Clement said that “Pope Emeritus Victor has finished the race that was set before him and has claimed the victors crown. He remained until the end what he had always been, a man of God and a man of prayer. He was deeply loved by many generations of Catholics and he will be sorely missed.”
The Archbishop of Westminster His Emience Nolan McCormack (who was made a Cardinal by Pope Victor) also released a statement saying “Not only the church, but the world, has lost a great leader and a great man. Men like Pope Victor come along but once in a generation.”
Statements have also been issued by Prime Minister Duggan, the Leader of the Opposition, Buckingham Palace and by President Seaborn.
It is understood the Pope Emeritus’ funeral will be a private affair in accordance with his wishes. It is also understood that there are already moves afoot in the Vatican to begin the Canonisation process, which would make the Pope Emeritus a saint.
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So a high profile Republican's child comes out as bi-sexual... you couldn't make it up...
www.lgbtqnation.com
Just what happened with Liz Clark and her son, and also on the female side with Alan Duke and his gay daughter.
Ted Cruz’s teen daughter comes out as bisexual
She described herself as bi on TikTok and said she "basically disagrees" with the far-right Senator on everything - from politics to her clothes...
www.lgbtqnation.com
I can confirm that President Seaborn's State of the Union speech will be held on Wednesday February 16th.
Wednesday January 12th, 2022
Iowa Caucus: Duke wins as Norton-Stewart holds off Irving challenge for second place
Alan Duke won as expected the Iowa cacus, the first of the elections to decide who will be the Republican nominee to face President Sam Seaborn in the November Presidential election.
The results where in line with the polls, with Duke polling just under 40% of the vote, with Ohio Senator Ruth Norton-Stewart just edging out her fellow Senator Jasper Irving of Illinois by 1.32%. Former Senate Majority leader Robert Royce finished in fourth place but was over 13% behind Irving. Former Michigan Congressman Gus Edwards was in fifth place with 5.39%. Georgia Senator Charlie Forrester failed to reach 3% of the vote, with former North Carolina Governor Andrew Wu polling just 2.32%. After him came Michigan Governor Ben Laurion, who remained on the ballot despite withdrawing from the race, in final place came Californian Congressman Alton Moore who just polled 479 votes, a mere (0.19% of the vote).
Within in the minutes of the result both Wu and Moore announced that they had "suspended" their campaigns whilst Alan Duke told his supporters at a rally in Des Mosines " We are showing that the American people want a true Conservative to be our standard bearer, not those RINO's who are my opponents" adding "this result proves that only I can defeat that dangerous communist in the White House".
The other candidate who was happy with the result was Jasper Irving, with his campaign team saying that "we had out performed expectations, and that Duke was always going to win Iowa" saying that "the Senator can win big in New Hampshire next Tuesday" adding " we can win the nomination".
Full Results
38 Delegates
| Candidate | Popular Vote | % Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Duke | 101,978 | 39.80% |
| Ruth Norton-Stewart | 55,247 | 21.56% |
| Jasper Irving | 51,859 | 20.24% |
| Robert Royce | 17,963 | 7.01% |
| Gus Edwards | 13,807 | 5.39% |
| Charlie Forrester | 7,449 | 2.91% |
| Andrew Wu | 5,945 | 2.32% |
| Ben Laurion | 1,512 | 0.59% |
| Alton Moore | 479 | 0.19% |
| Total Vote: 256,239 | Margin: 46,731 | Margin: 18.24% |
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Illinois Senator Jasper Irving arriving to address his supporters after his strong third placed finished in the Iowa Caucus yesterday.
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Thursday January 13th, 2022
Latest New Hampshire Polling
- Irving 34%
- Norton-Stewart 24%
- Duke 16%
- Edwards 11%
- Royce 8%
- Forrester 2%
*Polling done of 3,000 NH voters taken since Iowa.
One person probably kicking himself now is Andrew Wu. Remember how he was torn between running for President or for his old job as Governor of North Carolina? I'll bet he wishes he chose the latter now. He was a popular and successful governor and likely would have won.
Not necessarily. Being popular or in one capacity doesn't guarantee success in another. Even in TOTL, so many candidates were predicted to be formidable presidential candidates and failed to attract intereste as they once had (Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Kamala Harris, Beto O'Rourke...)
Neither does being "expected"
I recall a bunch of timelines written on the site assuming Pawlenty could defeat Obama easily or a strong contender... those did not pan out even slightly
Friday January 14th, 2022
Former New York Governor Cole will not seek GOP Senate nomination as he takes up teaching post
Rob Cole, the former Republican Governor of New York in a surprise announcement today said that would not be seeking the Republican Senate nomination to take on incumbent Senator Tim Burrell in this coming November's election.
In a YouTube video, Cole a teacher by profession announced that he "had been offered the chance of a lifetime" to became Department Chair of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Dakota in Grands Forks. He had visited the University back in 2020 when he was campaigning for Governor Middleton during her re-election victory.
The decision of Cole to decline the race, and withdraw from politics for the time being, leaves the Republican Senate nomination open, whilst Cole may be using the chance to keep his head down if Alan Duke wins the Republican Presidential nomination and goes down to defeat. Cole has already endorsed Illinois Senator Jasper Irving, and might see an opening for a Presidential run in 2026.
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