2018 Presidential Election

[RRusso1982]

I have an idea for RNC Chair if Ritchie stands down-Jasper Irving.

 

[lord caedus]

Friday, December 30th, 2022

International elections to watch in 2023

After a chaotic presidential election cycle, Americans might be forgiven for not wanting to think about elections for a little while. But there are several important elections taking place this year that could affect American foreign policy during the next four years and beyond.

Here are eight nations with elections that Americans should pay attention to in 2023:

Israel​

The withdrawal from the Golan Heights has done quite a number on the agreement between nationalist and religious parties that have dominated Israeli politics for the last few decades, a partnership already greatly damaged by the Ankara Agreement that removed both Palestine and the Holy City of Jerusalem from under Israeli control. While polling seems to indicate Doron and Likud will remain the largest party after voters pick the new Knesset on March 28, it will remain to be seen if a new government can be formed with the "national camp" seemingly split between the secular nationalists who have grudgingly accepted the post-Ankara status quo and the religious Zionists who want Israeli control over the entire Holy Land.

Italy​

The polls are not looking good for Italian Prime Minister Nicola Savino and his center-left alliance. While the prime minister's Democratic Party is in contention to remain the largest party after the next elections (due on or before May 13, 2023), the grouping of center-right parties opposing the government look likely to take a majority in the Chamber of Deputies. The nearly nine years in opposition has greatly shifted the dynamics of right-wing politics in Italy, with the controversial Luca Silvestri of the socially conservative and populist right-wing Lega Nord ("Northern League") tentatively set to be the coalition's candidate for prime minister over a candidate of the center-right Forza Italia ("Forward Italy").

Brazil​

Brazilians will head to the polls on June 4, 2023 to elect a successor to the country's president, Francisco Fernandes Caxias. Caxias, one of the oldest world leaders at 81 years of age, has stated he will not run for re-election. Given Caxias' very low approval ratings (only 17 percent of Brazilians approve of his performance as president) and Brazil's fractious political environment, it is unlikely that a new president will win a majority in the first round. It is likely that a run-off on June 25th will be required to see the direction the second-largest democracy in the Western Hemisphere takes.

United Nations​

Secretary-General Renata Barrica will not serve a third term as head of the United Nations, and has openly advocated for her successor to come from one of three regions (Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America) that have not had at least two secretaries-general hail from that part of the world. Straw polls between members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are likely to begin in July and run through October. Besides the impetus for the post to move away from Asia and Western Europe, a prospective candidate will also need to be acceptable to all five permanent UNSC members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom & United States), all of whom hold a veto over who will lead the international body.

Canada​

Five of Canada's ten provinces will have provincial elections next year, with the country's second-largest province of Quebec being the one with the largest potential to affect the United States. The French-speaking province is due for new elections on October 2nd, 2023, and it may be the first provincial election in decades where the issue of Quebec separatism from Canada may not be a major factor. The opposition Coalition Avénir Quebec (CAQ, "Quebec Future Coalition"), which is tying or leading the federalist Liberal government in polls, has stated its preference to remain in Canada while devolving more power to Quebec, while the main separatist party, the Parti Québécois (PQ, "Quebec Party"), has been riven with in-fighting since it fell from power in 2019.

United Kingdom​

The other half of the "Special Relationship" will head to the polls for the first general election since the death of Queen Elizabeth II by October 16th, 2023. Prime Minister Michael Duggan will face British voters for the first time since becoming prime minister in 2021, and is hoping to lead his Conservative Party to a fourth consecutive election victory. Current polls show the opposition Labour Party, led by Jack Coll, holding a narrow lead in the polls, but thanks to an increase of support for the nationalist Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland, traditionally a Labour stronghold, polling currently shows neither party taking a majority of the 650 seats in the House of Commons.

Should this occur, it would be the first hung parliament since 2004, and likely require of one or more of the UK's smaller parties, including the SNP, Liberal Democrats, the right-wing, populist National Peoples' Party to provide their support to keep the new government in power.

France​

The five-year terms of members of the lower house of the French legislature, the National Assembly, expire in November 2023. President Benoit Martin's Socialist Party and its allies currently hold a majority of seats, but polls show a very divided race among the center-left coalition headed by the Socialists, center-right parties and the far-right National Front, whose leader Christine Leveque made to the run-off against Martin in the 2021 presidential race.

France's two-round system of elections means that this may be the first election since the return of single-member districts for legislative elections in 1988 that a party or coalition fails to win a majority. In which case, this might be the first French parliament in decades where a president has felt it necessary or advantageous to call an early snap election.

New Zealand​

Voters in New Zealand will likely be asked to vote on their new government well before the last legal election date of January 2024. Prime Minister Kylie Brownlee will attempt to be the third consecutive prime minister to lead their party to three electoral victories, having confirmed her plan to lead her center-left Labour Party into the next election. In contrast to her party defying the odds and winning a majority of seats in parliament under New Zealand's system of proportional representation, polling shows that both Labour and the center-right National Party are neck-and-neck for the lead in a divided field.

 

[HangryBird]

I have an idea for RNC Chair if Ritchie stands down-Jasper Irving.

Ideally, the party chair should be able to appeal to all parts of their party. Irving will be very unpalatable to staunch conservatives due to opposing the government shutdown, having a more moderate record, and refusing to endorse Duke, making him a poor choice.

 

[KingCrawa]

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.

OOC: And in another example of this thread being disturbingly good at predictions we wrote this at the beginning of the year and now look what's happened:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1609123418481328129

 

[Marky Bunny]

Happy 2023 to everyone.

This story will turn 15!! this year which is very scary...

 

[RRusso1982]

Another similarity to OTL I just thought of. The Pennsylvania Senate race in 2012. Jackson Kennedy vs. Carlin Cassidy. Kennedy was involved in an accident and his friend was killed and Kennedy suffered depression and basically had a nervous breakdown, and he started taking pills, and the campaign covered it up. Just like the Pennsylvania Senate Race in 2022 IOTL when Fetterman had a stroke and his campaign covered up the seriousness of it.

 

[Marky Bunny]

Tuesday January 3rd, 2023

UK Parliament Polling
Lab 34%
Con 32%
NPP 12%
Lib Dem 10%
Green 3%
SNP 3%
Soc Alliance 2%
Others 3%
Scotland
SNP 35%
Lab 26%
Con 24%
Lib Dem 9%
Soc Alliance 4%
Scot Green 2%

 

[Marky Bunny]

Based on the above figures, this would be the make up of the House of Commons
Lab: 293
Con: 264
SNP: 28
Lib Dem: 22
NPP: 20
NI: 18
PC: 3
Soc All: 1
Speaker: 1
*Result Labour 33 short of a majority (326)

 

[lord caedus]

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023

New members of Congress sworn in

Newly-elected members of the Senate and House of Representatives formally took their seats today as members of the 118th Congress were sworn in. A total of 73 representatives-elect and 13 senators-elect took their seats after being elected by the voters last November. Elected alongside President Seaborn in his landslide re-election, both chambers are under Democratic control for the first time since 2017, and the party enjoys the first government trifecta either party has enjoyed since the Carter administration.

Democratic leader Daniel Maddox (D-IL) was re-elected as Speaker after the members of the House of Representatives assembled, unseating Mitchell Harris (R-IN) on a party-line vote to become the first speaker since Sam Rayburn to return to the office after leaving it. Similarly, Senate Democratic leader Jimmy Fitzsimmons (D-MA) became Senate Majority Leader while his counterpart Cody Riley (R-AL) became Senate Minority Leader. The new Democratic Congress is expected to take up several items on President Seaborn's agenda, including healthcare reform, gun control, infrastructure investment and tackling the rising cost of college and college debt. Fitzsimmons has also indicated that the new Senate majority will prioritize filling vacant executive branch and judicial posts that he said were allowed to "pile up" in Seaborn's first term by the the previous Republican majority.

The opening of Congress was slightly marred by Senator-elect Bill Forrestal (D-AK)'s absence after the senator-elect was in a car accident on his way to the Capitol for his inauguration. A staff member from the senator-elect said that Forrestal, and an aide had been slightly injured when the SUV they were travelling in was hit by another motorist, and that Forrestal had suffered a concussion. A press release by Forrestal's office said that he would take the oath of office from Vice President Jack Hunter (in his role as President of the Senate) "within the next few days."

 

[RRusso1982]

Happy 2023 to everyone.

This story will turn 15!! this year which is very scary...

I can't imagine what I would do when having my morning coffee if this thread was not around.

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

Choi Min-sik as Hyung Byeung-ho
Yoo Ji-tae as Lee Dae-sung

Oldboy wins again it seems...
Only politically this time. 😆

 

[Retiarius]

Just skimmed these threads after finishing a WW marathon on HLN. I've seen the elections, but I couldn't easily sift through the full terms. Could somebody provide a few cliff-notes for the major events/accomplishments in each presidency? Thanks in advance.

 

[lord caedus]

Second term Seaborn cabinet to be most diverse in nation's history

Thursday, January 5th, 2023

President Sam Seaborn's final picks for Cabinet and Cabinet-level officers in his second term, announced earlier today, ended the post-election process that will likely result in the most diverse Cabinet in US history.

Seaborn announced the retention of Labor secretary Toni Langone and the naming of businesswoman Eliana Vela Arango to replace Damon Matteo (who has been nominated to be the new Transportation secretary) as administrator of the Small Business Administration, making his the first Cabinet to be gender-balanced with Seaborn, Vice President-elect Tyler and ten male Cabinet members balanced by 12 female Cabinet members.

The president also made history by announcing the nomination of businessman Danny Chen to be the new Secretary of Commerce, the first time that an Asian-American has been tapped to lead a Cabinet department. Chen, the current CEO of Chen Capital Partners, is the son of the late businessman and Democratic Party megadonor Leo Chen, and his brother Jack serves as the party whip in the state senate.

"The president believes that the Cabinet should reflect the make-up of our nation," White House Press Secretary Cassie Tatum said in response to a question on the Cabinet's demographic make-up. "That's why he chose a highly-qualified group of men and women who also bring their own unique voices and perspectives to the role of assisting him in running the federal government."

The new Cabinet will also have four African-Americans (including Tyler) and four Hispanic/Latino Americans (including Vela Arango). Seaborn also appointed the first openly gay Cabinet secretary in his first term (former Transportation secretary Matt Skinner).

-----------------------------​

Thursday, January 5th 2023

Forrestal takes oath after concussion delay

Washington, D.C.— Senator Bill Forrestal (D-AK) took the oath of office from Vice President Jack Hunter today, two days after suffering a concussion in a car accident that caused him to miss the swearing-in ceremony at the opening of the new Congress.

Forrestal, joined by his wife Jennifer, two daughters and fellow Alaska senator Robert Cantina (R), was sworn in by Hunter in a brief ceremony. The freshman senator did not lose any seniority by delaying his swearing-in—had he joined the 13 other newly-elected senators on Tuesday, he would have still had the least seniority in "the world's greatest deliberative body" thanks to the Senate's procedures for determining seniority.

A spokesman for Forrestal said that the senator met in discussion with Senate Democratic leadership before returning to his Maryland apartment to rest. The spokesman said that Forrestal plans to attend tomorrow's formal certification of the Electoral College votes by Congress and to begin "his full senatorial duties" by Monday.

 

[lord caedus]

118th United States Congress

Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
Chairman: Hubert “Arkansas” Smith (AR)
Ranking Member: Fletcher Carey (AR)
21 total members: 11 Democrats, 10 Republicans

Democrats:
Sarah O’Brien (VT)
Stephen Wilson (ME)
Ben Newell (CO)
Rudi Robinson (IN)
Rick Remick (LA)
Matt Clausen (PA)
Lara Mansfield (MN)
Camille Aubry (CO)
Chris Mannix (KY)
Christine Ledford (IA)

Republicans:
Ann Choate (MS)
Matt Lobell III (GA)
Gina DiMeo (ID)
Laura Shallick (MO)
Joe Joeckler (IA)
Matt Chantler (ND)
George Wirth (MT)
Peter Gault (KS)
Hamilton Crooks (SC)


Senate Appropriations Committee
Chairman: Arthur Breech (HI)
Ranking Member: Emmit George (NE)
31 total members: 16 Democrats, 15 Republicans

Democrats:
William Wiley (WA)
Robert Greys (OR)
Vic Huntington (NV)
Becky Reeseman (MI)
William Katt (ME)
Rudi Robinson (IN)
Marietta Nerlinger (VT)
Antonio Rodrigues (AZ)
Joe Derrick (MD)
Alicia DeSantos (FL)
Nate Bradshaw (WI)
Lara Mansfield (MN)
Kurt Carner (MT)
Camille Aubry (CO)
Chris Mannix (KY)

Republicans:
Dan Hammond (TN)
Dylan McNamara (MS)
Robert Cantina (AK)
Cody Riley (AL)
Bill Daniel (NE)
Davis Roberts (TX)
Dylan Garrison (OH)
Carlin Cassidy (PA)
Joe Joeckler (IA)
Matt Chantler (ND)
George Wirth (MT)
Lewis Henderson (MO)
Sam Hedrick (WV)
James Lincoln (KY)


Senate Armed Services Committee
Chairman: Andy Ritter (NM)
Ranking Member: Herman Morton (WY)
27 total members: 14 Democrats, 13 Republicans

Democrats:
Sarah O’Brien (VT)
Dante Jenkins (NJ)
Chris Casey (CT)
Andrew Howard (WA)
Hubert “Arkansas” Smith (AR)
Jim Velasquez (RI)
Louise Thornton (VA)
Matthew Spencer (NV)
Tim Burrell (NY)
Ben Newell (CO)
Rick Remick (LA)
Joyce Pearce (IL)
Abbie Heilemann (CA)
Bill Forrestal (AK)

Republicans:
Ann Choate (MS)
Patrick Stacy (TN)
Gina DiMeo (ID)
Max Lobell III (GA)
Mark Cumberland (TX)
Michael Rojas (NM)
David Morrison (LA)
Brad Maxwell (SC)
Tim Masters (SD)
Gibson Carluke (IN)
Daryl Lukins (OK)
Jim Doldier (AL)


Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
Chairman: Michelle Van Dorn (CT)
Ranking Member: Gina DiMeo (ID)
23 total members: 12 Democrats, 11 Republican

Democrats:
Andrew Thorn (NY)
Ryan Lyndell (MA)
Sarah O’Brien (VT)
Nicole Kershaw (CA)
Clare McAuley (DE)
Matthew Spencer (NV)
Joe Derrick (MD)
Tony McMichael (AZ)
Alex Crossley (NJ)
Peggy Jones (MN)
Joyce Pearce (IL)

Republicans:
Mark Elderton (UT)
Charlie Forrester (GA)
Tanner McClay (FL)
Fletcher Carey (AR)
David Morrison (LA)
Brad Maxwell (SC)
Lewis Henderson (MO)
Ellie Wilkins (NH)
Jamie Muller (ND)
Carlin Cassidy (PA)


Senate Budget Committee
Chairman: Mitch Bryce (IL)
Ranking Member: Charlie Forrester (GA)
23 total members: 12 Democrats, 11 Republicans

Democrats:
Robert Greys (OR)
Jimmy Fitzsimmons (MA)
David Kuhio (HI)
Nicole Kershaw (CA)
Becky Reeseman (MI)
Ben Newell (CO)
Clare McAuley (DE)
William Katt (ME)
Joe Derrick (MD)
Jim Velasquez (RI)
Matt Clausen (PA)

Republicans:
Dan Hammond (TN)
Dylan McNamara (MS)
Bill Daniel (NE)
Laura Shallick (MO)
Ruth Norton-Stewart (OH)
Mark Elderton (UT)
Curtis Ryan (OR)
Jamie Muller (ND)
Hamilton Crooks (SC)
James Lincoln (KY)


Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Chairman: John Huntingdon (RI)
Ranking Member: Bill Daniel (NE)
27 total members: 14 Democrats, 13 Republicans

Democrats:
Arthur Breech (HI)
Dante Jenkins (NJ)
Stephen Wilson (ME)
Jimmy Fitzsimmons (MA)
Andrew Howard (WA)
Cain McClelland (MD)
Clare McAuley (DE)
Matthew Spencer (NV)
Rudi Robinson (IN)
Antonio Rodrigues (AZ)
Nate Bradshaw (WI)
Joyce Pearce (IL)
Abbie Heilemann (CA)

Republicans:
Dan Hammond (TN)
Kent Harris (WY)
Jeff Heston (UT)
Carlin Cassidy (PA)
Gibson Carluke (IN)
Rob Buchanan (VA)
Mac Walters (WV)
Felix Moore (NH)
Jim Doldier (AL)
David Arkin (ID)
Tony Sutton (SD)
Lawrence Martin (OK)


Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Chairman: Vic Huntington (NV)
Ranking Member: Laura Shallick (MO)
23 total members: 12 Democrats, 11 Republicans

Democrats:
Robert Greys (OR)
Chris Casey (CT)
Andrew Howard (WA)
Mitch Bryce (IL)
Becky Reeseman (MI)
Jim Velasquez (RI)
Ben Newell (CO)
Tony McMichael (AZ)
Kurt Carner (MT)
Drake Headley (WI)
Chris Mannix (KY)

Republicans:
Kent Harris (WY)
Robert Cantina (AK)
Davis Roberts (TX)
Michael Rojas (NM)
Curtis Ryan (OR)
Ruth Norton-Stewart (OH)
Matt Chantler (ND)
Daryl Lukins (OK)
Mac Walters (WV)
Curt Judd (KS)


Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Chairman: Robert Greys (OR)
Ranking Member: Mark Elderton (UT)
19 total members: 10 Democrats, 9 Republicans

Democrats:
Andy Ritter (NM)
Becky Reeseman (MI)
David Kuhio (HI)
William Katt (ME)
Rick Remick (LA)
Marietta Nerlinger (VT)
Kurt Carner (MT)
Christine Ledford (IA)
Bill Forrestal (AK)

Republicans:
Herman Morton (WY)
Kenny Sattler (NC)
David Morrison (LA)
George Wirth (MT)
Jamie Muller (ND)
Sam Hedrick (WV)
James Lincoln (KY)
Lawrence Martin (OK)


Senate Finance Committee
Chairman: Ryan Lyndell (MA)
Ranking Member: Jeff Heston (UT)
27 total members: 14 Democrats, 13 Republicans

Democrats:
John Huntingdon (RI)
Mitch Bryce (IL)
Nicole Kershaw (CA)
Clare McAuley (DE)
Michelle Van Dorn (CT)
Matt Clausen (PA)
Alex Crossley (NJ)
Peggy Jones (MN)
Tony McMichael (AZ)
Drake Headley (WI)
Michael Rice (MI)
Hank King (NC)
Christine Ledford (IA)

Republicans:
Charlie Forrester (GA)
Laura Shallick (MO)
Fletcher Carey (AR)
Curtis Ryan (OR)
Kenny Sattler (NC)
Ruth Norton-Stewart (OH)
Ellie Wilkins (NH)
Tanner McClay (FL)
Mac Walters (WV)
Jamie Muller (ND)
Hamilton Crooks (SC)
Curt Judd (KS)


Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman: Joseph McKenna (DE)
Ranking Member: Kent Harris (WY)
21 total members: 11 Democrats, 10 Republicans

Democrats:
William Wiley (WA)
Andrew Thorn (NY)
Ryan Lyndell (MA)
Michelle Van Dorn (CT)
Jim Velasquez (RI)
Cain McClelland (MD)
Alicia DeSantos (FL)
Camille Aubry (CO)
Michael Rice (MI)
Joyce Pearce (IL)

Republicans:
Mark Elderton (UT)
Davis Roberts (TX)
Tanner McClay (FL)
Rob Buchanan (VA)
Felix Moore (NH)
Peter Gault (KS)
Tony Sutton (SD)
David Arkin (ID)
Lawrence Martin (OK)


Senate Governmental Affairs Committee
Chairman: William Katt (ME)
Ranking Member: Ann Choate (MS)
15 total members: 8 Democrats, 7 Republicans

Democrats:
Joseph McKenna (DE)
Andy Ritter (NM)
Hubert “Arkansas” Smith (AR)
Joe Derrick (MD)
Alex Crossley (NJ)
Drake Headley (WI)
Bill Forrestal (AK)

Republicans:
Ruth Norton-Stewart (OH)
Ellie Wilkins (NH)
Daryl Lukins (OK)
Peter Gault (KS)
Tim Masters (SD)
James Lincoln (KY)


Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee
Chairman: Nicole Kershaw (CA)
Ranking Member: Patrick Stacy (TN)
23 total members: 12 Democrats, 11 Republicans

Democrats:
William Wiley (WA)
Robert Greys (OR)
Vic Huntington (NV)
David Kuhio (HI)
Chris Casey (CT)
Matt Clausen (PA)
Tim Burrell (NY)
Antonio Rodrigues (AZ)
Marietta Nerlinger (VT)
Peggy Jones (MN)
Michael Rice (MI)

Republicans:
Max Lobell III (GA)
Robert Cantina (AK)
Dylan Garrison (OH)
Joe Joeckler (IA)
Tanner McClay (FL)
Kenny Sattler (NC)
Brad Maxwell (SC)
Gibson Carluke (IN)
Sam Hedrick (WV)
Tony Sutton (SD)


Senate Judiciary Committee
Chairman: Andrew Thorn (NY)
Ranking Member: Dylan McNamara (MS)
21 total members: 11 Democrats, 10 Republicans

Democrats:
Arthur Breech (HI)
Jim Huntingdon (RI)
Stephen Wilson (ME)
Rick Remick (LA)
Louise Thornton (VA)
Alicia DeSantos (FL)
Lara Mansfield (MN)
Michael Rice (MI)
Abbie Heilemann (CA)
Hank King (NC)

Republicans:
Emmit George (NE)
Jeff Heston (UT)
Mark Cumberland (TX)
Dylan Garrison (OH)
Michael Rojas (NM)
Bill Daniel (NE)
Lewis Henderson (MO)
Rob Buchanan (VA)
Hamilton Crooks (SC)


Senate Rules and Administration Committee
Chairman: Andrew Howard (WA)
Ranking Member: David Morrison (LA)
19 total members: 10 Democrats, 9 Republicans

Democrats:
Joseph McKenna (DE)
Andrew Thorn (NY)
Rudi Robinson (IN)
Louise Thornton (VA)
Matthew Spencer (NV)
Lara Mansfield (MN)
Camille Aubry (CO)
Marietta Nerlinger (VT)
Nate Bradshaw (WI)

Republicans:
Ann Choate (MS)
Kent Harris (WY)
Gina DiMeo (ID)
Joe Joeckler (IA)
Kenny Sattler (NC)
Sam Hedrick (WV)
Felix Moore (NH)
Lewis Henderson (MO)


Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Chairman: Stephen Wilson (ME)
Ranking Member: Tanner McClay (FL)
19 total members: 10 Democrats, 9 Republican

Democrats:
Arthur Breech (HI)
Vic Huntington (NV)
Michelle Van Dorn (CT)
Alex Crossley (NJ)
John Huntingdon (RI)
Peggy Jones (MN)
Ben Newell (CO)
Tim Burrell (NY)
Alicia DeSantos (FL)

Republicans:
Mark Cumberland (TX)
Fletcher Carey (AR)
Brad Maxwell (SC)
Gibson Carluke (IN)
Ellie Wilkins (NH)
Mac Walters (WV)
Matt Chantler (ND)
Peter Gault (KS)


Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Chairman: Cain McClelland (MD)
Ranking Member: Davis Roberts (TX)
15 total members: 8 Democrats, 7 Republicans

Democrats:
Chris Casey (CT)
Sarah O’Brien (VT)
Antonio Rodrigues (AZ)
Kurt Carner (MT)
Rick Remick (LA)
Michael Rice (MI)
Joyce Pearce (IL)

Republicans:
Robert Cantina (AK)
Max Lobell III (GA)
Herman Morton (WY)
Carlin Cassidy (PA)
Rob Buchanan (VA)
Daryl Lukins (OK)


Senate Indigenous Affairs Committee
Chairman: David Kuhio (HI)
Ranking Member: Michael Rojas (NM)
15 total members: 8 Democrats, 7 Republicans

Democrats:
Becky Reeseman (MI)
Jim Velasquez (RI)
William Katt (ME)
Tony McMichael (AZ)
Peggy Jones (MN)
Camille Aubry (CO)
Bill Forrestal (AK)

Republicans:
Joe Joeckler (IA)
Kenny Sattler (NC)
Matt Chantler (ND)
Tim Masters (SD)
David Arkin (ID)
Lawrence Martin (OK)


Senate Select Ethics Committee
Chairman: Chris Casey (CT)
Ranking Member: George Wirth (MT)
6 total members: 3 D, 3 R, tie-breaking vote goes to chairman

Democrats:
William Wiley (WA)
Matthew Spencer (NV)

Republicans:
Emmit George (NE)
Lewis Henderson (MO)


Senate Select Intelligence Committee
Chairman: Dante Jenkins (NJ)
Ranking Member: Dan Hammond (TN)
15 total members: 8 Democrats, 7 Republicans (+4 ex officio members)

Democrats:
Mitch Bryce (IL)
Louise Thornton (VA)
Tim Burrell (NY)
Alicia DeSantos (FL)
Nate Bradshaw (WI)
Abbie Heilemann (CA)
Hank King (NC)

Republicans:
Gina DiMeo (ID)
Charlie Forrester (GA)
Lewis Henderson (MO)
Hamilton Crooks (SC)
Curt Judd (KS)
Lawrence Martin (OK)

4 ex-officio members: Jimmy Fitzsimmons (MA) as Majority Leader; Cody Riley (AL) as Minority Leader; Andy Ritter (NM) as Chair of the Armed Services Committee; Herman Morton (WY) as Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee.

 

[RRusso1982]

Is there going to be live coverage of the inauguration on the 20th?

 

[lord caedus]

Changes in both party's committee leaders since the previous Senate:

• William Wiley (D-WA) retired as committee leader; Arthur Breech (D-HI) took over as chair of the Appropriations Committee
• Alan Garland (R-AL) retired from Congress; Herman Morton (R-WY) took over as ranking member of the Armed Services Committee
• Herman Morton (R-WY) assumed party leadership on separate committee; Gina DiMeo (R-ID) took over as ranking member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
• Jeff Heston (R-UT) term-limited by Republican caucus rules; Bill Daniel (R-NE) took over as ranking member of the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee
• Clark Gibson (R-ID) retired from Congress; Laura Shallick (R-MO) took over as ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee
• Sorah Wheeler (R-AK) lost re-election to Congress; Mark Elderton (R-UT) took over as ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee
• Randall Thomas (R-MI) retired from Congress; Jeff Heston (R-UT) took over as ranking member of the Finance Committee
• Gina DiMeo (R-ID) term-limited by Republican caucus rules; David Morrison (R-LA) took over as ranking member of the Rules Committee
• Mark Cumberland (R-TX) term-limited by Republican caucus rules; Tanner McClay (R-FL) took over as ranking member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
• Robert Roanoke (R-OK) retired from Congress; Michael Rojas (R-NM) took over as ranking member of the Indigenous Affairs Committee

 

[Marky Bunny]

Is there going to be live coverage of the inauguration on the 20th?

Not sure yet.

 

[lord caedus]

Ritchie says he will not seek second term as RNC chair

Wednesday, January 11th, 2023

Republican National Committee (RNC) chair James Ritchie will not seek a second two-year term, he announced on Wednesday.

The former Florida governor announced that "after careful consideration and discussion with my friends, family and advisors", he would not seek an extension of his time as head of the RNC.

"After a difficult and divisive presidential campaign, with what I believe are unfounded and untrue allegations of impropriety on behalf of the party towards its official nominee, I have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of all Republicans that a new chair lead us after the expiration of my term." Ritchie said in a statement he also submitted to RNC committee members.

After the nomination of former senator Alan Duke and his defeat in a landslide to President Seaborn, facilitated in part by the third-party campaign of independent businessman Andrew Long, Ritchie and the RNC faced repeated accusations from both Duke (before his incapacitation by a stroke a week after the election) and his supporters over what they allege was the party's "sabotage by inaction" in the words of Hanson McNabb, who announced in late December that he would challenge Ritchie at the January 27th meeting of the RNC.

With Ritchie's announcement, former Michigan Republican chair Danielle Janssen, who finished third in the 2021 contest Ritchie won, and Maine Republican Party chair Sam Woodson both announced their candidacies by Wednesday evening. The 168 RNC members, made up of the state party chair and two committee members from each of the 50 states, five territories and District of Columbia, will decide Ritchie's successor at the aforementioned meeting.

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Thursday, January 11th 2023

Longtime CA representative Collins dies

Bakersfield, CA— Arch-conservative congressman Winchester Collins died today at his Bakersfield home after a short battle with colon cancer.

Collins, who represented California's 20th district, has served in Congress since 2005, was recently sworn in for his tenth term. One of the House's most outspoken conservatives, the British-born Collins was a frequent foe of both Democrats and members of his own party who he felt were not conservative enough, especially on issues of economic deregulation. He introduced legislation to abolish the Federal Reserve in every session he served in, and was a strong proponent of granting the president a line-item veto.

During his re-election campaign, Collins was diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer in September. He stopped actively campaigning in order to seek treatment in late September, which did not pose a problem in his deep red district (the only California congressional district won by Alan Duke). A gaunt Collins returned briefly to Washington in order to be sworn in for his tenth term and voting for GOP leader Mitchell Harris for speaker before returning home to continue treatment.

California Governor Miguel Cordova (D) ordered flags lowered across the state on Wednesday after learning of Collins' death. The governor is expected to announce the date of a special election to fill the vacancy in Congress within the next few weeks.

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Wednesday, 11 January 2022

Former French president Jacques Trenier dead at 71

Former French president Jacques Trenier died today at his Paris home at the age of 71. The former president had been battling cancer and was reportedly surrounded by family.

Trenier, the first French president to serve two complete terms since the modern Fifth Republic was created in 1958, held office from 1996 to 2006. The most influential right-wing French president since Charles de Gaulle, Trenier served as an icon for right-wing politicians critical of the deregulatory neoliberal policies pursued by UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher and American presidents Ronald Reagan and Owen Lassiter, focusing instead on using state economic enterprises to achieve social policy goals. A paradoxical leader, Trenier reasserted France's preeminent position as a European power in the political stage but also enraged environmentalists and his European allies by ordering a final series of nuclear tests in French Polynesia upon taking office, just before France ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 1996. He achieved the largest victory of any French president in 2001 when he defeated Christophe Leveque of the far-right National Front with over 80 percent of the vote in the second round of voting.

The first president of the Fifth Republic born after the Second World War, Trenier also became a symbol of the generational change by his marriage to an educated career woman, Giselle Trenier (née de Courier) who also entered into the political arena and eventually became president herself, making him the first male spouse of a French head of state. As "First Gentleman", the former president kept a low profile in public, although privately he reportedly remained one of his wife's top political advisers until questions over his involvement in an influence-peddling scandal forced his permanent retirement from political life.

Prime Minister Duggan issued a statement saying that Trenier's death was "a great loss for the people of France" as well as those who "cherish liberty, freedom and democracy."

A state funeral is expected to be held for Trenier, and Duggan and former prime minister Maureen Graty are expected to attend alongside current French president Benoit Martin and other world leaders.

 

[lord caedus]

The complete Seaborn Cabinet (second term) graphic:

Cast
Sterling K. Brown as Bobby Tyler
Catherine Bell as Paris Stray
Regina King as Meredith Payne
Milo Ventimiglia as Nate Petrelli
Bryan Cranston as Wilson Randy
Hayden Christiansen as Sean Boone
Lucinda Jenney as Karen Kroft
Garret Wang as Danny Chen (new character)
Talia Balsam as Toni Langone
Barbara Hershey as Olivia Buckland
Thom Barry as Mark Richardson
Jack Stehlin as Damon Matteo
Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ralph Gomez
Mercedes Ruehl as Valeria Quintero
Mary McCormack as Kate Harper
Joshua Malina as Will Bailey
Ever Carradine as Kelly Phelps
Jill Hennessy as Mary-Beth Shotten
Dulé Hill as Charlie Young
Annabelle Gurwitch as Karen Hepner
Gloria Estefan as Sara Sanchez
Tracy Letts as Philip Gordon
Leonor Varela as Eliana Vela Arango (new character)

Spoiler

Yes, we chose Harry Kim to be the first Asian-American Cabinet secretary ITTL (assuming he gets confirmed by the Senate). No word on whether he had a long-running friendship with former San Francisco mayor Samantha Bowman.

One thing eagle-eyed observers will notice is that SecDef nominee Nate Petrelli is now a former representative, having left office on the 3rd when the new Congress was sworn in.

 

[RRusso1982]

This will probably be the most consequential RNC chair election in history. If McNabb is elected RNC chair, the Republicans will be in the wilderness for the next generation. They need to elect one of the other people to turn the page from the Duke debacle and pick up the pieces.