1. 1977: Barack Obama's mother gets a teaching job at the college where my mother taught. Our mother's introduce us and we serve on our high school speech and debates teams toghether. In 1979, after her son graduates Ann goes back to Indonesia but Barry and I stay in touch. In 2009, in our normal email exchange I convince him to respect the religious freedom of opponents of birth control. The Affordable Care Act ITTL contains a religious exemption that includes schools and hospital etc as well as churches. This becomes government policy. In the 2012 Republican primaries birth control does come up as an issue. Rick Santorium wins the Michigain primary, which ia a devastating blow to the Romney campaign. He goes on to win Ohio amd sweep the May primaries. Neither canidate wins a majority of the delagates. Santorium makes a deal with Newt Gingrixha and wins on the second ballot. During the fall campaign, Santorium's views on birth control become public knowledge and he asked about them and his agreement with Todd Akin during the first debate. The public reaction to his unpopular views partially obscures President Obama's lackluster performance. Santorium provokes another angry public reaction when he later agrees with Richard Mourcock.
2. 1994: Washington DC becomes the 51st state.
3. 2002: Puerto Rico becomes the 52nd state.
Washington DC and Puerto Rico's four Democratic senators give the Democrats a filibuster proof margin during the 2010 lame duck session.
Congress raises the rates on tax payers earning more than $ 250,000. Since there is no arguing about the tax rates, a fiscal cliff agreement is signed into law on December 20, 2012. We enjoy a good day on Wall State before the markets close for Christmas.
4. Rand Paul loses the 2010 general election. Not worring about his son's poltical future Ron Paul seeks and wins the 2012 Liberatrain nomination.
General Election Results
Popular Vote:
Obama Biden 55 %
Santorium Gingrich 39 %
Paul Johnson 5 %
Electoral Vote
Obama wins all the 2008 states plus Puerto Rico, Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Montana, Arizona and Alasaka
Obama 456
Santorium 89
The House of Represtatives was expanded to 436 after Washington DC statehood and to 441 after Puerto Rican statehood.