A Different Path: A History of the Kerry Administration & Beyond

[Montgomerie Ward]

SENIOR ALASKA SENATOR TED STEVENS DIES, AGED 89-OCTOBER 13, 2013

AUSTRALIA ENDS ITS AFGHAN WAR-OCTOBER 15, 2013

HILLARYCARE 2.0 PASSES HOUSE, BUT SENATE LOOKS SET TO REJECT IT-OCTOBER 18, 2013

PEOPLE POWER MOVEMENT REVOLTS AGAINST HILLARYCARE 2.0, SAYS IT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH
HOWARD DEAN: "KILL THE BILL"

REPUBLICANS VOW TO STOP HILLARYCARE 2.0-OCTOBER 20, 2013

ALAWITE MILITIAS, HEZBOLLAH REIGNITE REVOLT AGAINST NEW REGIME, VIOLENCE IN LATAKIA, SYRIA ESCALATES-OCTOBER 26, 2013

HILLARY CLINTON APPROVAL RATING FALLS TO 45%-OCTOBER 28, 2013

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 9.0%, ECONOMISTS PREDICT ECONOMIC GROWTH TO CONTINUE/ACCELERATE IN 2014-NOVEMBER 1, 2013

TIM GEITHNER NOMINATED TO REPLACE HUBBARD AT THE FED-NOVEMBER 3, 2013

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Tim Geithner, a key figure in the 2008 bailouts, was nominated to be the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve by President Clinton. Geithner's nomination was defended by the President, who said he was "extraordinarily talented," got "stellar leadership credentials," and "a very strong grasp of policy, economics, and the issues needed in the role of Fed Chairman." Republicans, pressured by the Minutemen, lined up to oppose Geithner, characterizing him as a "servant of the big banks," who's "against the American people," and was "lining up with the socialists to bankrupt us, to drive our country into the ground." Many Democrats, mainly People Power Democrats, joined in the anti-Geithner chorus, with Senator Feingold declaring he would vote against Geithner saying, "Mr. Geithner does understand economics. Unfortunately, he reaches the wrong conclusions. We can't afford the continued failed policies that have wrecked our economy, that have wrecked Main Street. I have no confidence Geithner would herald a break with those policies, rather than ramping them up." Looks like relations between the White House and Congress will go from bad to worse.

HILLARYCARE 2.0 GETS 52 VOTES, FILIBUSTERED-NOVEMBER 5, 2013

TYPHOON HAIYAN HITS PHILIPPINES-NOVEMBER 8, 2013

ROJAVA IN SYRIA TO HOLD REFERENDUM ON JOINING KURDISTAN BY 2014 AS PESHMERGA THREATEN INVASION OF SYRIA-NOVEMBER 14, 2013

HEALTHCARE REFORM WATERED DOWN, NEW BILL PROPOSED WHICH ESTABLISHES EXTRA SUBSIDIES, NO MANDATES-NOVEMBER 15, 2013​

In a humiliating climbdown for the White House, the Health Choices Act (Hillarycare 2.0) has been gutted, with mandates and many of the programs in it eliminated, reducing it to a bill subsidizing health insurance with some cost-cutting measures and minor reforms. This came about after the filibuster of Hillarycare 2.0. The Democrats were then unwilling/unable to get rid of the filibuster, because they felt they might need it when they return to the minority, especially as it came in handy during the Romney years. So, they were left with no choice but to abandon any hope of universal healthcare and resort to a gutted healthcare reform bill. Republicans, and the rising libertarian/conservative Minutemen movement rejoiced at the result, mocking the Democrats. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann declared, "This is the first step in saving our country from socialism." The Democratic base was furious, and several Senators, including Russ Feingold, vowed not to vote for the amended bill to protest the 'surrender.'

FIRST GENTLEMAN GIVES AWAY $1 MILLION COMPENSATION TO END SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUIT-NOVEMBER 15, 2013

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING SLUMPS TO 43%-NOVEMBER 17, 2013

ILLINOIS LEGALIZES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE-NOVEMBER 20, 2013

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[Montgomerie Ward]

PROTESTS BEGIN IN UKRAINE AS UKRAINE PRESIDENT REJECTS CLOSER TIES WITH EUROPE-NOVEMBER 21, 2013

AMENDED HEALTH CHOICES ACT PASSES SENATE 60-40
16 REPUBLICANS, 42 DEMOCRATS VOTE FOR IT-NOVEMBER 28, 2013

NEW CONSTITUTION FOR SYRIA COMPLETED, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS LUKEWARM AT BEST ON IT, CRITICIZE LACK OF PROTECTION FOR MINORITIES-DECEMBER 7, 2013

ROJAVA REFERENDUM HELD, 65% VOTE TO JOIN KURDISTAN-DECEMBER 14, 2013

ETHNIC FIGHTING BETWEEN DINKAS, NUERS IN SOUTH SUDAN TRIGGERS CRISIS-DECEMBER 15, 2013

VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN ROJAVA, PRO-GOVERNMENT MILITIAS MASSACRE HUNDREDS-DECEMBER 16, 2013

IRAQI PM ALLAWI'S STAFF KILLED IN BOMBING, ALLAWI ESCAPES UNSCHATHED
AL-QAEDA AFFILIATES BLAMED, THOUGH MANY SUSPECT SHI'ITE EXTREMISTS-DECEMBER 18, 2013

HOUSE PASSES HEALTH CHOICES ACT 244-191, PRESIDENT SIGNS IT INTO LAW-DECEMBER 19, 2013

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 44%-DECEMBER 23, 2013

LATVIA JOINS EU, ADOPTS EURO-JANUARY 1, 2014

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[Montgomerie Ward]

15 STATES RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE, COLORADO LEGALIZES CANNABIS-JANUARY 1, 2014

US WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN BEGINS, MOST TROOPS TO BE GONE BY 2016

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The light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible. The US and its partners are ending their wars in Afghanistan, though Romney and Zoellick managed to achieve a Status of Forces agreement, ensuring that 14,000 troops will remain in Afghanistan indefinitely, though many of them will move from a combat role to a training role for the Afghan army. Secretary of State Biden, in a mic slip, hailed this as a "big f***ing deal!"

GEITHNER CONFIRMED 52-44 IN CLOSEST CONFIRMATION IN HISTORY-JANUARY 8, 2014

WOUNDED WHITE HOUSE LOOKS TO MAKE THE MOST OF 2014

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After 2013, President Hillary Clinton emerges wounded, under attack from the left and right. Her immigration reform bill, while passing Congress, roused the anger of the right and much of Middle America, who saw it as amnesty for illegals and a job-killing bill. Republican rhetoric on immigration has hardened with 2016 Republican frontrunner and Virginia Senator George Allen saying, "If you're white, and you're a man, this administration will spit on you." The comments have ignited a firestorm, but Allen defended them declaring, "The majority of Americans didn't vote for Hillary, so it's no surprise that she's working against the majority for a criminal minority." The Minutemen are rising, threatening incumbents from both parties with their conservative, populist, libertarian message. The economy, while growing, is growing at a slow pace. Many Americans feel that the new President has not lived up to their hopes, with gridlock in Congress, a stagnant economy, an agenda either too right-wing or too left-wing and the resumption of the Clinton Wars. The left, always suspicious of Clinton, sees her entire agenda as inadequate and a sellout. There's even talk of Feingold or another People Power Democrat challenging her in 2016. Still, the White House wants to use 2014 wisely. The Senate hangs in the balance, and even if the Democrats win in 2014, the maps in 2016 and 2018 look dangerous, full of vulnerable incumbents. So, the White House is keen to advance the rest of their agenda, banking reform, certain to be a contentious subject with People Power, is on the agenda, while cap and trade and deficit reduction linger in the background. Let's see how that works out.

NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR ELIZABETH DOLE TO RETIRE FROM POLITICS-JANUARY 15, 2014

RON PAUL'S SON RAND TO CHALLENGE MITCH MCCONNELL IN GOP PRIMARY-JANUARY 17, 2014

ROJAVA CONFLICT ESCALATES
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The conflict in Rojava has escalated, with Kurdistan and Syria edging towards full-out war. During the independence referendum, there were several clashes at polling stations, and Kurdish Peshmerga claimed to be repulsing Syrian attacks on the polling stations, while Syria claimed Peshmerga were stuffing ballot boxes. Violence escalated afterwards as pro-government militias massacred hundreds, and Peshmerga retaliated by forcing out hundreds of non-Kurdish civilians. Kurdistan sent troops across the border into Rojava in late December, but the FSA mounted an offensive on the regional capital, Al-Qamishli. Nearby towns saw heavy fighting. Meanwhile, Turkey closed the border to fleeing refugees and blocked the supply of aid to Kurdish-controlled areas, while sending weapons to the FSA. Secretary of State Biden has met with envoys from the Syrians and the Kurds, but with little success. The Syrian parliament then passed a resolution that declared Rojava was part of Syria. Speculation has it that Kurdistan is about to declare war on Syria.

BIDEN PULLS IT OFF! CEASEFIRE AGREED IN ROJAVA-JANAURY 23, 2014

PRESIDENT CLINTON DELIVERS STATE OF THE UNION-JANUARY 28, 2014

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President Clinton declared, "The State of the Union is strong. In fact, it is more than strong. We are soaring, we are growing, we are coming closer and closer to that shining city on a hill. We are coming back after the failures of the past, and we need to continue the economic recovery." She defended her record, lambasting "extraordinary obstructionism from Republicans" and saying "Despite all the doubters, we have accomplished great things. Yes, we have accomplished great things. Our broken immigration system is on the mend, our broken economy is recovering, the wars are ending, and we have a fairer tax system than we had one year ago. And we can go back into the darkness, or stay in the light." The President also implored Congress to pass the next round of her agenda saying, "We still don't have any reforms to stop the financial crisis from happening again. That is something we need to do. We still don't have a plan to combat climate change. We still don't have paid parental leave, we still don't have equal pay. We have much that we still need to do. In the following weeks, I will give a bill to Congress to reform our regulations, to fix our banking system and stop the financial crisis from ever happening again." The Democratic Congress cheered.

EBOLA EPIDEMIC RAVAGING WEST AFRICA, THOUSANDS ALREADY DEAD

MINUTEMEN PRIMARY CHALLENGERS OPEN FIRE ON INCUMBENTS, MCCONNELL CALLED 'BELTWAY TURTLE'

PEOPLE POWER MOVEMENT EAGER FOR BLOOD OF DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS

BELGIUM LEGALIZES EUTHANASIA-FEBRUARY 13, 2014

SCHUMER-WATERS ACT GOES TO SENATE TO REFORM FINANCIAL REGULATIONS-FEBRUARY 20, 2014

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The Schumer-Waters Act is going before the Senate. This bill will reform financial regulations with the objective of preventing another 2008-style collapse. It consolidates regulatory agencies, increases transparency of derivatives and regulation, tightening of credit rating agency regulations, and numerous other standards and reforms. The Republicans have attacked the bill saying it, "does not attack the problems in the economy that caused the crisis" and "will shoot ourselves in the foot." People Power was also up in arms against the bill with Senator Feingold calling it, "pretty disappointing" and several Democratic Senators vowing not to vote for it because it doesn't break up the banks or stop 2008-style bailouts. Given the complexity of the bill, the White House has struggled to give a persuasive explanation of what the bill does. The opposition, especially on the left, has been more effective. It looks like the Schumer-Waters bill will struggle to get through the morass of Congress.

PRO-RUSSIAN UKRANIAN PRESIDENT YANUKOVYCH TOPPLED-FEBRUARY 22, 2014

HILLARY CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 44%-FEBRUARY 24, 2014

PRO-RUSSIAN MILITANTS TAKE OVER CRIMEA, WANT TO JOIN RUSSIA-FEBRUARY 26, 2014

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[Montgomerie Ward]

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 8.7%-MARCH 1, 2014

SENATE REJECTS SCHUMER-WATERS BILL!-MARCH 5, 2014

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The US Senate voted astonishingly, to reject the Schumer-Waters financial reform bill, with every single Republican and several People Power Democrats voting against it so 51 against-48 for. People Power declared the bill did not go nearly far enough, with Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar saying that, "The too big to fail banks would still be too big to fail, they'd still get bailed out, it fails to stop a crisis like 2008 from happening again." This is a shock to the President and to the Democratic establishment. Just when they thought People Power had gone away, it is back, with a vengeance.​

MH370 DISAPPEARS, PROMPTING MASSIVE SEARCH-MARCH 8, 2014

SCHUMER-WATERS TO GO BEFORE SENATE AGAIN, UNAMENDED
PRESIDENT CAUGHT ON MIC SAYING, "PEOPLE POWER, THEY'RE IDIOTS, THEY'RE STUPID"-MARCH 9, 2014

TRUMP TO RUN FOR NEW YORK GOVERNOR-MARCH 14, 2014

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Billionaire Donald Trump jumped into the race for Governor of New York, promising to be "the most fantastic governor in history. The other governors-I'll be so, so much better." Trump, executive producer of The Apprentice and real estate mogul said, "The party leaders, they're losers. I'm a winner. I'm a winner. Just look at this crowd, it's beyond my wildest dreams." Trump is running as a Republican and has said, "I used to be friends with Hillary. Yes, I was, I'll put it out there. We're not friends anymore. I'm very disappointed with her. She's been bad." Trump has a history of outlandish positions, but has the highest profile by far of all the Republican contenders. One thing can be said, that this shakes up the race, in a big way.​

SENATE AGAIN REJECTS SCHUMER-WATERS BILL, PEOPLE POWER STUBBORNLY DEMANDS MORE-MARCH 16, 2014​

CRIMEA VOTES TO JOIN RUSSIA, UKRAINE, WEST DISMISS RESULT AS ILLEGITIMATE

FINANCIAL REFORM SCRAPPED AS CHANCES OF PASSING CONGRESS LOOK 'INSURMOUNTABLE'

ROJAVA PEACE AGREEMENT REACHED-MARCH 21, 2014

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A peace agreement between Syria and Kurdistan has been reached, mediated by US Secretary of State Joe Biden, over the fate of Rojava. Rojava has been partitioned, with three Rojava cantons going to Kurdistan, but the rest of the land claimed by the Kurds going to Syria. With two Kurdish enclaves deep in Syria, the agreement's viability has been questioned, however both sides declared that this was an appropriate solution. The Kurds were also forced to concede that no Syrian figures will ever, in the foreseeable future, be brought to justice for their role in the Rojava conflict. And so Kurdistan expands into Syria. Turkey and Iran, with strong Kurdish minorities, look on warily.

RUSSIA SUSPENDED FROM G8, FACES HARSH SANCTIONS-MARCH 24, 2014

HILLARY CLINTON APPROVAL RATING: 46%-MARCH 30, 2014

DONETSK, UKRAINE SEIZED BY RUSSIAN SEPARATISTS-APRIL 6, 2014

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[Montgomerie Ward]

POLLS SHOW CLOSE RACE FOR THE HOUSE

HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLGIRLS ABDUCTED IN NIGERIA-APRIL 14, 2014

REPUBLICAN HOPES OF GAINING SENATE HAMPERED BY SENATE MAP​

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Republicans would dearly like to take back both houses of Congress, but they might have to settle for one this election. That's not because the Democratic majority in the Senate is so huge, if the Republicans gain 5 seats they would win a majority. The problem is where to gain those 5 seats. The Senate elections are Class 2 seats, which when they last went up for election, in 2008, saw a Republican blowout. Now, Republicans have few pickings to gain, and have to defend vulnerable seats, including open seats in Georgia and Oregon. What's more, Republican leaders fear that the Minutemen could cost them valuable seats, just as People Power did in 2010 to the Democrats. Still, Republicans have a reason to be hopeful. President Clinton's approval rating remains mired in the mid-40s, and Republican voters are energized, ready to deliver a sucker punch to the White House, while many Democratic voters are apathetic about the upcoming elections. And the House is far more vulnerable, given it goes up for election every two years. That could be where the real test lies for the Republicans.
CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 46%-APRIL 20, 2014

AUSTRALIAN ELECTION HELD, PM RUDD RE-ELECTED TO GET REDUCED MAJORITY-APRIL 25, 2014
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SUPREME COURT DEFENDS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, OVERTURNS MICHIGAN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION-APRIL 22, 2014

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The United States Supreme Court, in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action voted 5-4 to overturn a Michigan ban on affirmative action, with Chief Justice Sotomayor arguing "[a] majority of the Michigan electorate changed the basic rules of the political process in that State in a manner that uniquely disadvantaged racial minorities." Sotomayor also said she was an "affirmative action baby" and defended the practice. Republicans protested against this 'liberal court', and several Republican leaders expressed frustration at 'judicial activism' by the Court. Democrats and minorities celebrated the result.​

AFGHAN ELECTIONS PRELIMINARY RESULTS ANNOUNCED, ASHRAF GHANI AND ABDULLAH ABDULLAH TO GO TO RUNOFF-APRIL 26, 2014

ROMNEY MEMOIRS THE PURSUIT OF THE DIFFICULT RELEASED-MAY 1, 2014

US UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 8.4%, GROWTH AT 4%-MAY 1, 2014

HUNDREDS KILLED IN NIGERIA TERRORIST ATTACKS-MAY 5, 2014

SYRIA SEES RIOTS, ETHNIC VIOLENCE AS FRUSTRATIONS BOIL OVER-MAY 12, 2014

NEW YORK REPUBLICANS NOMINATE TRUMP FOR GOVERNOR
TRUMP: "I'LL MAKE NEW YORK GREAT AGAIN"-MAY 15, 2014

MITCH MCCONNELL PRIMARIED BY RON PAUL'S SON RAND!-MAY 21, 2014

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Republicans are now going through the same experience as the Democrats in 2010. A party establishment, shocked and frightened, watches as one of its leaders is toppled by an upstart challenger, promising a new vision for America and the party. Mitch McConnell has been toppled, primaried by Minuteman challenger Rand Paul. Paul, the son of Ron Paul-the Libertarian firebrand many blame for Romney's defeat- has won, if anything benefiting from association with his father. Republican voters opted to turn the page on decades of traditional politics, going instead with a new, firebrand insurgency. The establishment meanwhile knows, deep down, that this has only just begun. As always, the electorate is angry. That electorate saw McConnell as a symbol of the establishment, and felled him. The question now is: who's next?​

REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT IN SHOCK AFTER MCCONNELL DEFEAT, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER BOEHNER ATTACKS MINUTEMEN AS 'INSANE'​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

ANOTHER COUP IN THAILAND, CARETAKER GOVERNMENT OVERTHROWN-MAY 22, 2014

LIBYAN GOVERNMENT MOUNTS CRACKDOWN ON MILITANTS WITH US SUPPORT-MAY 23, 2014

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Since the Arab Spring in 2011, Libya has seen constant low-level violence. The current government has been bolstered by US support, and is now ramping up its effort to impose order on the fractious country. US influence, funding, and weapons have helped keep the nascent democracy afloat, but now it has a chance to take another step closer to the ideals of the Arab Spring. Violence has continued to engulf Libya though, with Al-Qaeda affiliated militants reported to have influence in Benghazi and the country's east. Weapons coming from Libya has also fueled regional conflict, such as helping Islamist terrorists take over large swathes of Mali.

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 8.3%, CLINTON APPROVAL RATING RISES SLIGHTLY TO 47%-JUNE 1, 2014

ALAWITE MILITIAS REVOLT AGAINST SYRIAN GOVERNMENT, WESTERN SYRIA SEES WORST VIOLENCE SINCE 2012-JUNE 7, 2014

IRAQ IN CRISIS! SADR CALLS FOR JIHAD AGAINST GOVERNMENT-JUNE 11, 2014

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Iraq's fragile stability is collapsing. Prime Minister Allawi's government has come under attack from Shi'ite extremists, and the Mahdi Army, led by Muqtada al-Sadr. The Mahdi Army has de facto control of much of southern Iraq including the city of Basra. Recent secularist measures from the Allawi government have enraged al-Sadr, and ordinary Iraqis are increasingly frustrated at the corruption, stagnation, and instability. Allawi and al-Sadr clashed bitterly in recent weeks, leading to Sadr's call for jihad against the central government. Sunni tribal leaders were neutral, many of them too busy fighting Al-Qaeda remnants and affiliates in Anbar Province.

REPUBLICANS LEAD POLLS FOR HOUSE, THOUGH ONLY HAVE VERY SLIM LEAD-JUNE 17, 2014

KING JUAN CARLOS I OF SPAIN ABDICATES-JUNE 19, 2014

IRAQI PM ALLAWI ASSASSINATED IN BOMBING-JUNE 25, 2014

Ayad Allawi (1944-2014)

MIDTERMS POISED TO BE REJECTION OF ESTABLISHMENT AS VOTER ANGER REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

NEW YORK GUBERNATORIAL POLL: CUOMO 60%, TRUMP 35%-JULY 1, 2014

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[Montgomerie Ward]

IRAQ IN CHAOS, NEW PM ABADI STRUGGLES TO AS VIOLENCE ERUPTS
ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ (ISI) TERRORISTS SEIZE FALLUJAH-JULY 4, 2014

PRELIMINARY COUNT GIVES ASHRAF GHANI THE EDGE IN AFGHAN ELECTION-JULY 7, 2014

NEW FIGHTING ERUPTS IN GAZA AS ISRAEL AND HAMAS EXCHANGE TIT FOR TAT-JULY 8, 2014

PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCES NEW SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, ARMS FOR UKRAINE-JULY 15, 2014

MH17 DOWNED BY MISSILE IN UKRAINE, HUNDREDS DEAD
US, WEST BLAMES RUSSIA, RUSSIA BLAMES UKRAINE-JULY 17, 2014

2016 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY POLL: 15% UNDECIDED, 15% GEORGE ALLEN, 13% JOHN THUNE, 12% RICK PERRY, 11% MIKE HUCKABEE, 10% TOM KEAN JR., 8% JEB BUSH, 6% BOBBY JINDAL, 11% OTHER-JULY 25, 2014

ARKANSAS SENATOR HUCKABEE: "CLINTON IS ATHEIST, WANTS TO DESTROY CHRISTIANITY"-JULY 27, 2014

GRASSROOTS IN REVOLT! PEOPLE POWER CHALLENGERS AND MINUTEMEN ALIKE SKEWER ESTABLISHMENT

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 8.0%, ECONOMIC GROWTH AT 3.9%
CLINTON: "ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS FANTASTIC", BOEHNER: "'RECOVERY' IS ABYSMAL, CLINTON IS FAILURE"-AUGUST 1, 2014

ISI MILITANTS ADVANCE IN ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ DESCENDS INTO CHAOS

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 45%, VOTER FRUSTRATION AT WASHINGTON REACHES BOILING POINT YET AGAIN-AUGUST 10, 2014

BLACK TEENAGER MICHAEL BROWN SHOT IN FERGUSON, MISSOURI-AUGUST 9, 2014

UNREST IN FERGUSON AS DISCORD BETWEEN BLACK COMMUNITY BOILS OVER

STATE OF EMERGENCY ISSUED IN FERGUSON, MISSOURI AS RACE RIOTS ERUPT-AUGUST 16, 2014

US EMBASSY IN SYRIA STORMED, A DOZEN AMERICANS KILLED-AUGUST 20, 2014​

Last night, terrorist militias, suspected to be linked to Jabhat al-Nusra stormed the new US embassy in Syria. 12 Americans were killed in the attack, which is already being blamed on a lack of security from the US government. Militants stormed the compound at dusk, and a firefight erupted, quickly ending as the security was overpowered and the embassy staff slaughtered. The embassy was burnt to the ground, and while some escaped the status of the Ambassador is unknown. The attackers then dispersed and gunfire was reported later in the night through Damascus. The Syrian government mounted a hunt for the terrorists and a new push to defeat the terrorist groups. The situation is uncertain. Already, Republicans are using the attack to skewer the administration. Stay tuned for more, the situation will hopefully clarify itself soon.

THE FALLEN
THE ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATES WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE ODDS IN THEIR FAVOR

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For the sake of time, this list will only comprise those Senate candidates who have fallen.
Democrats
Massachusetts: Senator Tom Reilly was primaried by liberal Congressman Michael Capuano.
New Jersey: Cory Booker lost the primary to open government and campaign finance reform advocate and councilwoman Beth Mason. The upset was believed to have been caused by Russ Feingold's endorsement of Mason.
Republicans
Alaska: The seat of Ted Stevens is now likely to be won by Minuteman Joe Miller, who defeated the more establishment-orientated candidates.
Delaware: In the election for the seat of now Secretary of State Joe Biden, a ripe pick for the Republicans was blown by an upset by Christine O'Donnell over 'electable' establishment candidate Mike Castle.
Georgia: Minuteman Jack Kingston won the primary over businessman David Perdue, endangering the Republican hold on the open seat. Kingston vowed to "sucker-punch Washington," and told the Republican party, "there is no excuse for cowardice."
Iowa: Joni Ernst rocketed to victory with an endorsement from former President Romney and a populist campaign where she boasted of 'castrating pigs on an Iowa farm.'
Kansas: Minuteman Milton Wolf toppled unpopular incumbent Pat Roberts, despite being caught in a scandal where he posted X-ray images of dead patients on Facebook with macabre commentary (OOC: Yes, seriously!) Independent Greg Orman has an edge in latest polls for the Kansas seat.
Kentucky: The fall of Mitch McConnell and rise of Rand Paul and his libertarianism in a shock upset.
Mississippi: Chris McDaniel crushed incumbent Thad Cochran, and despite being unpopular is set to wallop the Democratic challenger.
North Carolina: After the retirement of moderate, establishment leader Elizabeth Dole, her seat is likely to fall into the hands of Republican nominee Minuteman Greg Brannon. However, 2008 and current Democratic candidate Kay Hagan is mounting a surprisingly strong challenge.
Tennessee: Minutemen and State Representative Joe Carr toppled establishment, moderate incumbent Lamar Alexander, who by all accounts ran a lackluster campaign. Carr has a double-digit lead in polls for the seat.

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLS FOR REVIEW OF POLICING PRACTICES, BUT WARNS AGAINST 'MILITANCY'
MOST REPUBLICANS BACK POLICE, HOUSE MINORITY WHIP CANTOR CALLS CLINTON 'LIAR', SAYS 'COPS ARE UNDER ATTACK'-SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 44%-SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

TRUMP ATTACKS GOVERNOR CUOMO AS 'WEAK', 'RETARDED' AS HE FALLS IN POLLS-SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

REPUBLICANS SKEWER CLINTON ON DAMASCUS ATTACK, CALL FOR ARRESTS FOR 'NEGLIGENCE'
GEORGE ALLEN: "CLINTON SPITS ON NATIONAL SECURITY"-SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

WHY ARE VOTERS SO ANGRY?

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The midterms aren't going well for the Democrats. Having toppled Mitt Romney and the Republicans huge majorities in 2010 and 2012, the shoe is on the other foot. The Clinton presidency has seen scandals, a still struggling economy, unpopular initiatives in healthcare and spending, and extraordinary gridlock on Capitol Hill, blamed partly on a divided Democratic party as well as Republican obstructionism. Also, Republican voters are energized in opposition to the immigration reform passed by the administration, and both libertarians and People Power are furious at the spying scandals. Many factors combined are now giving the Republicans the chance to retake Congress, and perhaps, in 2016, the presidency.

MIDTERM CAMPAIGN HEATS UP; PELOSI CALLS REPUBLICANS 'INSANE, MURDEROUS', SENATE LEADER CORNYN FIRES BACK AT 'SOCIALIST' ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL WINS MAJORITY IN NZ ELECTION, FOOLS MMP SYSTEM
INCUMBENT KEY REWARDED FOR 'ROCK-STAR ECONOMY', INITIAL COUNT PUTS HIS NATIONAL PARTY AT 63 SEATS-SEPTEMBER 20, 2014

MCCONNELL, PAUL CAMPAIGN TOGETHER, CALL FOR REPUBLICANS TO UNITE AGAINST 'MAD, BAD' DEMOCRATS-SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

EBOLA CASE REPORTED IN US-SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

IRAQ IN COLLAPSE, ISI CAPTURES FALLUJAH AND RAMADI, BASRA AND THE SOUTH FALL OUT OF GOVT CONTROL, BAGHDAD A KILLING ZONE

UNEMPLOYMENT FINALLY FALLS BELOW 8%, HITS 7.9%, GROWTH AT 4.5%-OCTOBER 1, 2014

REID DEFENDS CLINTON, BOASTS 'CLINTON RECOVERY' AGAINST 'ROMNEY RECESSION'-OCTOBER 3, 2014

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELIVERS SPEECH ON EBOLA, SPEECH ROUNDLY CRITICIZED-OCTOBER 11, 2014

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Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell delivered a speech with President Clinton on the Ebola pandemic. It fell flat. Burwell's speech was short, at 8 minutes, and was criticized for a lack of detail. In those 8 minutes the Secretary somehow managed to repeat 6 times that, "America has the best healthcare system in the world. Ebola is not a threat to us. We are not Africa. We are America, and we will handle Ebola." Yes, all that 6 times in an 8-minute speech. Undoubtedly the panic over Ebola will only rise. Republicans are already fanning the flames, with former Senator Tom Kean, Jr. of New Jersey and potential 2016 contender saying, "We are all at risk because the administration fiddles away while Ebola attacks us." Calls for a travel ban to Africa are mounting.

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING HITS NEW LOW AT 42%-OCTOBER 12, 2014

POPE PAUL VI BEATIFIED-OCTOBER 19, 2014

VICE-PRESIDENT STRICKLAND KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS BY PROTESTER-OCTOBER 25, 2014

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While campaigning in Ohio for Democratic congressmen, a People Power protester threw a broken-off piece of railing at the Vice-President. The Vice-President was hit directly on the forehead in the eyes and was knocked unconscious. The protester, John Dunne shouted, "Break up the banks or I'll break up your face!" just before he threw the railing. At that point, Strickland stared at him and froze still instead of moving. Despite the hit, Strickland has not suffered any permanent injuries, but has been told to rest from campaigning or work for the next few weeks. This is not the first time in recent years a sitting Vice-President has been attacked, in 2009 a protester spat on Vice-President John Thune. One pundit summed it up by saying, "This is another sign of the contempt people have for their elected officials."

POLLS FOR HOUSE SHOW NARROW REPUBLICAN LEAD, NATE SILVER GIVES GOP 60% CHANCE OF WINNING THE HOUSE-NOVEMBER 1, 2014

NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER OPENED-NOVEMBER 3, 2014

CLINTON, PELOSI RALLY TOGETHER, CALL FOR VOETRS TO "VOTE FOR THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY"-NOVEMBER 3, 2014

RAND PAUL, MCCONNELL RALLY MINUTEMEN AND ESTABLISHMENT FOR "TRUE LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON"-NOVEMBER 3, 2014

THIS IS THE CLOSEST MIDTERM IN YEARS! MAKE SURE TO KICK THE BUMS OUT-ONCE YOU DECIDE WHICH BUMS!​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

GOP WINS HOUSE!
REPUBLICAN: 223+28 49.6%, DEMOCRATIC: 212-28 47.1%-NOVEMBER 4, 2014

REPUBLICANS OVERCOME DEMOCRATIC GERRYMANDERING TO RETAKE HOLD ON HOUSE

PELOSI TO STAY ON, VOWS TO RETAKE HOUSE IN 2016

HILLARY CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 43%

MCCONNELL'S FINAL FAILURE: DEMOCRATS RETAIN MOST SENATE SEATS, REID CELEBRATES 'TREMENDOUS VICTORY'
DEMOCRATIC: 49-3, REPUBLICAN: 48+2, INDEPENDENT: 3+1

​

OOC: Given that the 2008 Senate elections went so differently, I will have to list all the results that saw a different winner in 2014, whether that winner is from the same party as the OTL winner or not. Every election not shown here went the same as IOTL, same nominees and same results (well, same winner.) This may take a while, but it'll be necessary, comprehensive, and informative.

ALASKA: JOE MILLER (R) DEFEATS MARK BEGICH (D)

ARKANSAS: INCUMBENT MIKE HUCKABEE (R) DEFEATS BOBBY TULLIS (D)

COLORADO: INCUMBENT BOB SCHAFFER (R) DEFEATS MARK UDALL (D)

DELAWARE: INCUMBENT CHRIS COONS (D) DEFEATS CHRISTINE O'DONNELL (R)

GEORGIA: MICHELLE NUNN (D) DEFEATS JACK KINGSTON (R)-NO RUNOFF, NUNN GAINS SHOCK MAJORITY!

IOWA: JONI ERNST (R) DEFEATS BRUCE BRALEY (D)

KANSAS: GREG ORMAN (I) DEFEATS MILTON WOLF (R)

KENTUCKY: RAND PAUL (R) DEFEATS ALLISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES (D)

LOUISIANA: INCUMBENT JOHN NEELY KENNEDY (R) DEFEATS EDWIN EDWARDS (D)

MASSACHUSETTS: MICHAEL CAPUANO (D) DEFEATS GABRIEL GOMEZ (R)

MINNESOTA: INCUMBENT NORM COLEMAN (R) DEFEATS YVONNE PRETTNER SOLON (D)

MISSISSIPPI: CHRIS MCDANIEL (R) DEFEATS TRAVIS CHILDERS (D)

MONTANA: STEVE DAINES (R) DEFEATS AMANDA CURTIS (D)

NEW HAMPSHIRE: INCUMBENT JOHN SUNUNU (R) DEFEATS JEANNE SHAHEEN (D)

NEW JERSEY: BETH MASON (D) DEFEATS JEFF BELL (R)

NEW MEXICO: HEATHER WILSON (R) DEFEATS INCUMBENT TOM UDALL (D)

​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

NORTH CAROLINA: GREG BRANNON (R) DEFEATS KAY HAGAN (D)

OREGON: TED WHEELER (D) DEFEATS MONICA WEHBY (R)

SOUTH CAROLINA: JOE WILSON (R) [PRIMARIED LINDSEY GRAHAM] DEFEATS BRAD HUTTO (D)

SOUTH DAKOTA: MIKE ROUNDS (R) DEFEATS RICK WEILAND (D), LARRY PRESSLER (I)

TENNESSEE: JOE CARR (R) DEFEATS GORDON BALL (D)

VIRGINIA: ED GILLESPIE (R) DEFEATS INCUMBENT MARK WARNER (D)

​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

REPUBLICANS WIN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS​

REPUBLICAN: 28+4, DEMOCRATIC: 20-4, INDEPENDENT: 2​

​

ARIZONA: DOUG DUCEY (R) DEFEATS INCUMBENT TERRY GODDARD (D)

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ALASKA: SEAN PARNELL (R) DEFEATS BILL WALKER (I)

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​

FLORIDA: PAM BONDI (R) DEFEATS INCUMBENT ALEX SINK (D)

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GEORGIA: NATHAN DEAL (R) DEFEATS INCUMBENT ROY BARNES (D)

IOWA: INCUMBENT CHET CULVER (D) DEFEATS BOB VANDER PLAATS (R)

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MAINE: INCUMBENT ELIOT CUTLER (I) RE-ELECTED

​

​

MASSACHUSETTS: DON BERWICK (D) DEFEATS CHARLIE BAKER (R)

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​

MICHIGAN: MARK SCHAUER (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT RICK SNYDER (R)

​

​

NEW MEXICO: STEVE PEARCE (R) DEFEATS INCUMBENT DIANE DENISH (D)

​

​

NEW YORK: INCUMBENT ANDREW CUOMO (D) 'SCHLONGS' DONALD TRUMP (R)
CUOMO: 58%, TRUMP: 37%

​

​

OHIO: JOSH MANDEL (R) DEFEATS TIM RYAN (D)

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​

PENNSYLVANIA: INCUMBENT DAN ONORATO (D) DEFEATS SAM ROHRER (R)

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​

SOUTH CAROLINA: GRESHAM BARRETT (R) DEFEATS INCUMBENT VINCENT SHEHEEN (D)

CLINTON AFTER MIDTERMS: "WE CAN DO BETTER"-NOVEMBER 5, 2014​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

ALLEN MAKES SHOCK DECISION, WON'T RUN IN 2016-NOVEMBER 6, 2014

​

Virginia Senator George Allen, the presumed frontrunner for the 2016 Republican nomination, has declined to run for President. Allen issued a short statement saying that after "the rigors of my last run in 2008" that he "just don't have the fire in the belly to put myself and my family through constant attacks." Most polls had shown Allen leading the Republican contest, though with a precarious lead over other contenders such as former Vice-President John Thune and numerous other candidates. Allen also now is very likely to be elected to replace Mitch McConnell as leader of the Senate Republicans, having formed a respected status in the US Senate and establishment connections after his failed 2008 run.

ISI ADVANCES ON BAGHDAD, IRAQ CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL HELP TO STOP COLLAPSE-NOVEMBER 11, 2014

GRANT ROBERTSON ELECTED LEADER OF NZ LABOUR PARTY AFTER LANDSLIDE DEFEAT-NOVEMBER 18, 2014

​

After a landslide defeat in the 2014 New Zealand General Election, in which the National Party won a historic majority, the New Zealand Labour Party has booted out its leader David Cunliffe for Grant Robertson. Robertson promised to expand Labour's appeal, but is set to struggle with disunity in the party as previous leaders have. The triumphant National Party seems blissfully unconcerned about this. Perhaps they should be.

PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACT ON IRAQ

FEINGOLD PRIMARY CHALLENGE?
NEW POLL: PRESIDENT CLINTON 58%, FEINGOLD 32% FOR 2016 DEM PRIMARY

US, NATO BEGIN OPERATION SANDBANK, BOMB TERRORISTS IN IRAQ-NOVEMBER 27, 2014

ADMINISTRATION TRIES TO RAM UNPOPULAR SPENDING CUTS THROUGH BUDGET
REPUBLICANS, PEOPLE POWER ATTACK BUDGET

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 7.6%-DECEMBER 1, 2014

LIBYA UNITY GOVERNMENT EMERGES AS VIOLENCE FALLS TO LOWEST LEVELS SINCE REVOLUTION-DECEMBER 7, 2014

CONGRESS REJECTS CLINTON'S BUDGET, GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN-DECEMBER 11, 2014

​

The administration's budget lost by 5 votes last night in the House, causing a government shutdown. The budget contained spending cuts to the military, as well as to social spending and government programs, and People Power was also enraged by loosening of campaign finance laws. The result is a government shutdown, the first since 1996. The President was quick to blame 'extremists' for the shutdown, while John Boehner and Republican Senate Leaders blamed the President's "bleeding heart liberal agenda."

PEOPLE POWER, MINUTEMEN REFUSE TO BUDGE ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

STOCK MARKETS SLUMP AS PARTISANSHIP ESCALATES-DECEMBER 12, 2014

SHUTDOWN ENDS, HOUSE PASSES BUDGET BY 2 VOTES-DECEMBER 18, 2014

2014 ENDS, 2015 SET TO BE A YEAR OF PARTISANSHIP AND ELECTIONEERING

EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION COMES INTO EFFECT; RUSSIA, KAZAKHSTAN, BELARUS, ARMENIA, AND KYRGYZSTAN FORM SINGLE MARKET-JANUARY 1, 2015

​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

NEW CONGRESS INAUGURATED, SPEAKER BOEHNER TAKES THE GAVEL-JANUARY 3, 2015

ROMNEY DECLINES TO RUN OR ENDORSE THUNE-JANUARY 7, 2015

FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT JOHN THUNE FORMS EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE, SAYS "THERE'S ABOUT A 75% CHANCE I'LL RUN"-JANUARY 12, 2015

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE ON GAY MARRIAGE
CONSERVATIVES TERRIFIED 'LIBERAL COURT' ABOUT TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE-JANUARY 16, 2015

PRESIDENT CLINTON DELIVERS STATE OF THE UNION

​

President Clinton gave her State of the Union address today, and staunchly defended her record while warning Republicans against overreaching on their midterm victories. The President declared, "In the last two years, we have reformed our broken immigration system, created a fairer tax system, and are reviving our economy. The Great Recession is coming to an end, unemployment is falling, growth is up." She called on voters to "Reject the calls of doom and gloom. America is growing, America is reaching ever greater heights. We are undoing the failures of the past administrations and reviving prosperity for all." Yet, "there is still work to do. We need universal healthcare. We need to finish the recovery. We need to reform our financial system. We need to bring our debt down and avoid the fates of nations such as Greece." She also issued a thinly-veiled threat to Republicans saying, "There are people sitting here who want to bring down the stability of our government for political purposes. I warn you, you tried this before. You lost. We need to enact new solutions, solutions that work, not the failed policies of the previous administration. And until January 20, 2017, and hopefully January 20, 2021, I am President and I have a mandate from the voters to make this country work." The Republican response, coming from new Senator Joni Ernst, disdained Clinton's policies as "failed" and her as "part of a cadre of partisans who must be stopped." Senator Ernst warned, "A political revolution is coming."

ALEXIS TSIPRAS, FAR-LEFT SYRIZA ELECTED GREEK PM, VOWS END TO AUSTERITY-JANUARY 25, 2015

HILLARY CLINTON APPROVAL RATING RISES TO 47%, UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 7.3%-FEBRUARY 1, 2015​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR JIM DEMINT FORMS EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE FOR 2016 RUN-FEBRUARY 6, 2015

DONORS, ESTABLISHMENT RALLIES BEHIND THUNE, MILLIONS ALREADY GIVEN TO PROSPECTIVE THUNE CAMPAIGN

VIOLENCE WINDS DOWN IN SYRIA BUT LEADERSHIP STRUGGLES TO DEAL WITH ECONOMIC STRUGGLES

IRAN RAMPS UP NUCLEAR PROGRAM, US THREATENS TO TAKE 'ALL NECESSARY MEASURES' TO STOP IRAN GETTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS
US-IRAN NEGOTIATIONS CRUMBLE IN ACRIMONY-FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEW SYRIZA GOVERNMENT FACES OFF AGAINST TROIKA, MARKETS FEARFUL

DONALD TRUMP: "RUN FOR PRESIDENT? NO WAY!"-FEBRUARY 28, 2015

RAND PAUL DENIES INTENTION TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT SAYS HE WANTS TO FOCUS ON SENATE
"LET'S NOT GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES" SAYS NEW SENATOR-MARCH 2, 2015

BANKING AND HEALTHCARE REFORM DEAD BEFORE ARRIVAL TO THIS CONGRESS

HERMAN CAIN, GODFATHER'S PIZZA CEO, TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT
CAIN GETS 1% IN POLLS-MARCH 13, 2015

NETANYAHU LOSES 2015 ISRAELI ELECTION, ZIONIST UNION GAINS MOST SEATS, SET TO FORM GOVERNMENT-MARCH 19, 2015

​

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party have lost the 2015 Israeli Legislative Election. The center-left Zionist Union, led by Isaac Herzog, won 26 seats while Likud won 25. Netanyahu refused to outright concede the chances of forming a government to Herzog, but his chances are slim and the arithmetic in the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) is against Netanyahu. The international community is cautiously optimistic after the results, hoping that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process can begin to go in the right direction. However, there remains a deep distrust between Israelis and Palestinians, and while the Zionist Union is in the 'peace camp', they are cautious on the issue and the obstacles to peace are still very high. Netanyahu's campaign is being indicted by Israeli pundits for focusing too much on the supposed terrorist threat and tension with Iran. By contrast the opposition skewered his record on economic issues, and promises a sweeping program to produce affordable housing and address the cost of living. This has been inspired by the 2011 social justice protests. Netanyahu ultimately just could not win over the Israel of 2015, because he was stuck in an earlier Israel. And so, Israel may be on a different path.

UKRAINE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IN TATTERS, US TO SEND MORE ARMS AND 1,000 SPECIAL FORCES TROOPS TO UKRAINE-MARCH 19, 2015

TOM KEAN, JR. FORMS EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE SAYS, "AMERICA NEEDS TRUE LEADERSHIP. I AM A LEADER, NOT A BICKERER"-MARCH 24, 2015

NZ NATIONAL PARTY WOUNDED AFTER WINSTON PETERS WINS UPSET VICTORY IN NORTHLAND BY-ELECTION
LABOUR STILL STRUGGLES, AROUND 30% IN POLLS-MARCH 28, 2015

IT BEGINS! JIM DEMINT LAUNCHES BID FOR PRESIDENCY!-MARCH 28, 2015

​

The media has been lying in wait, like impatient children, waiting for the show to begin. Well, the wait is over. The 2016 election has begun. First to announce, former South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint announced his run for the presidency. DeMint, running for the GOP nomination, is a staunch Minuteman, even nicknamed 'Mr. Minuteman' and it has been said he was 'a Minuteman before it was cool.' DeMint served in Congress from 1999-2005, and then as Senator for South Carolina from 2005-2013, before retiring to chair the Heritage Foundation, and possibly to plan and organize a 2016 run. DeMint, described by a Democratic strategist as a "hyper-conservative" is just that. He has led efforts to stymie immigration reform and supports a 'border security' policy, calls the latest budget cuts "peeing in the lake," wants to defund Planned parenthood and supports declaring unborn fetuses people. DeMint also wants term limits for Congress, supports abolishing the IRS, wants to replace the income tax with a sales tax, is a strong proponent of free trade, has advocated for the privatization of Social Security benefits and has a foreign policy record mixed between hawkish and libertarian positions. He also has called gay marriage an infringement on religious liberty. The Republican race is heavily fractured, though so far Thune is the frontrunner.
A recent CNN/ORC poll had this result:
24% John Thune
13% Undecided
13% Tom Kean, Jr.
11% Jeb Bush
10% Jim DeMint
8% Rand Paul
6% Bobby Jindal
6% Mike Huckabee
5% Rick Perry
5% Other

PRESIDENT HILLARY CLINTON BOASTS 'ECONOMIC RECOVERY' AS ECONOMIC GROWTH UP TO OVER 4%-APRIL 1, 2015

​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

FEINGOLD RULES OUT PRIMARY CHALLENGE TO HILLARY CLINTON
FEINGOLD: "I ADMIRE, RESPECT, AND SUPPORT HILLARY CLINTON, PERIOD."-APRIL 3, 2015

NEW POLLS SHOW HILLARY IN LEAD OVER ALL OPPONENTS
46% CLINTON-44% KEAN, 47% CLINTON-43% THUNE, 50% CLINTON-38% DEMINT, 49% CLINTON-43% JINDAL-APRIL 9, 2015

​

President Hillary Clinton, despite having tepid popularity, so far remains ahead of the entire Republican field, in the latest RCP polls. The closest a Republican that comes to beating her is former Senator Tom Kean, who only loses by 2-points. The only candidate so far in the race, former South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, gets blown out of the water. Current fronrtunner John Thune comes close but not as good as Kean. Republicans were quick to dismiss the polls with DeMint saying, "People would bring out polls a year before the election showing Jimmy Carter in the lead. We know how well that turned out." He later added, "The pundits perform no service to society. They should get a real job."

ISAAC HERZOG FORMS GOVERNMENT IN ISRAEL, NETANYAHU'S LONG CAREER COMES TO AN END-APRIL 13, 2015

TOM KEAN, JR. LAUNCHES PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN-APRIL 18, 2015

​

Former New Jersey Senator Thomas 'Tom' Kean Junior just launched his presidential campaign. Kean was elected Senator from New Jersey in 2006, defeating long-lasting incumbent Bob Menendez, who he 'swift-boated' as a corrupt sleazebag tied to John Kerry. He, by all accounts, proved an effective, bipartisan Senator who formed strong Washington connections, but he was swept away in the 2012 Democratic wave, losing his seat. Kean followed his father Tom Kean, a Governor of New Jersey and Chairman of the 9/11 Commision, into politics. Kean is a moderate to liberal Republican (by current standards), who believes in global warming and supports cap and trade, campaign finance reform, the gun control proposals of Hillary Clinton, opposes 'litmus test' for Supreme Court nominees and wants to ban abortion but with the exception of rape, incest, and life and health of the mother. Kean has more standard conservative positions on taxes, wanting to restore the Bush and Romney tax cuts, on foreign policy, in which he supported the Iraq War and now calls for more US intervention there. Kean also opposes gay marriage, marijuana legalization, free trade and takes a strongly conservative position on illegal immigration, having accused Hillary Clinton of 'supporting amnesty' and 'encouraging law-breaking and illegal, criminal behavior'. Kean's strategy is to win New Hampshire, where he is almost a favorite son and has a much closer connection with the state than Thune, DeMint, Jindal, or whoever. New Hampshire voters also like brands like his, of the moderate, independent, bipartisan reformer. But ultimately, Kean is essentially a Rockefeller Republican. And they just don't win anymore. Perhaps 2016 would be the exception. Perhaps not.

BAGHDAD IS SAFE! ISI REPULSED FROM BAGHDAD-APRIL 25, 2015

JEB BUSH DECLINES TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT
JEB: "AMERICA DOESN'T WANT ANOTHER BUSH"-APRIL 26, 2015

ARKANSAS SENATOR HUCKABEE RULES OUT RUN FOR POTUS: "NOT INTERESTED"-APRIL 28, 2015

TIM PAWLENTY TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT
DEMINT SLAMS PAWLENTY AS 'WASHINGTON LOBBYIST, INSIDER" AND SAYS HE "SUPPORTS FAILED POLICIES"-APRIL 29, 2015

US ECONOMY GROWS BY 4.3%, UNEMPLOYMENT SHRINKS TO 7.2%-MAY 1, 2015

HILLARY CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 46%-MAY 1, 2015

CONSERVATIVES WIN UPSET MAJORITY IN UK ELECTION, DEFY POLLS-MAY 7, 2015

FORMER PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR RICK SANTORUM, FORMER MINNESOTA CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELE BACHMANN ANOUNCE CANDIDACY ON SAME DAY!-MAY 11, 2015
BACHMANN, SANTORUM BOTH IN LOW SINGLE-DIGITS, DISMISSED BY PUNDITS AS NO-SHOTS

AMTRAK TRAIN CRASHES IN PHILADELPHIA, 8 DEAD, 200 INJURED
DEMOCRATS BLAME ROMNEY CUTS TO INFRASTRUCTURE, PEOPLE POWER BLAME HILLARY'S 'AUSTERITY'-MAY 12, 2015

JOHN THUNE ANNOUNCES HIS BID FOR PRESIDENT, STATES THE OBVIOUS-MAY 16, 2015

​

The race now truly starts. John Thune has announced he will run for President. Thune promised to "bring conservatism to a new generation" and to "mend and heal America" and "make America great again." Thune, despite a solidly conservative record in the Senate, is regarded as a moderate and establishment candidate. And not without reason. Thune was elected in 2004 to the Senate when he unseated Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, the leading Democrat. Thune was then picked by Mitt Romney in 2008 as his running mate, being seen as both a conservative choice who could rally the base while appealing to moderates. Thune's most famous moment as Vice-President was getting spat on. After 2012, Thune has been constantly working on his 2016 run. Yet, his weakness remains. The weakness is not him, but Mitt Romney. However, Thune also lacks charisma and as the favorite of the donor class and elites, has an unattractive smell to voters. Still, he leads the polls. For now.

USA FREEDOM ACT PASSES SENATE, REPEALS PATRIOT ACT-MAY 23, 2015

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The Patriot Act, the heavily controversial legislation that had expanded the NSA and led to vast data collection by intelligence agencies, has been repealed. Rand Paul and Justin Amash were leaders in the effort, and the replacement USA Freedom Act accomplished many of their objectives. The NSA bulk data collection program has been ended, however civil libertarians are still disappointed in parts of the bill, saying it could have gone even further. However, this is a major reform of intelligence agencies in the US. The bill passed the House by 320 votes to 113 and got 61 votes in the Senate. President Clinton signed the bill into law saying, "We need to reform the way we safeguard our national security. This bill ensures that we can have liberty and security."

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

FORMER TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PERRY DECLINES RUN FOR PRESIDENT-MAY 28, 2015

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LINDSEY GRAHAM, FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR, ANNOUNCES RUN FOR PRESIDENT-JUNE 1, 2015

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FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP BLATTER RESIGNS AMID CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS-JUNE 2, 2015

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 48%-JUNE 14, 2015
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BOBBY JINDAL JOINS 2016 RACE-JUNE 20, 2015

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has announced his bid for the Presidency. Jindal is a young, solidly conservative, Indian-American Governor that many pundits have rated highly as a strong contender. Jindal, however, is deeply unpopular in the state he governs, and has not yet formed a clear image with voters. In fact, Jindal is so unpopular in Louisiana that new polls showed Hillary Clinton having an approval rating 4 points higher in Louisiana than Jindal's. Jindal was confident about his chances, and his campaign has expressed confidence his conservatism will win over Iowans and Republican voters. Jindal is currently in single digits in the polls, but gets close to double-digits in some polls.

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THUNE LEADS LATEST POLLS BUT IS WEAK IN EARLY STATES-JUNE 24, 2015​

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National poll
Thune-33%
DeMint-20%
Kean-14%
Graham-9%
Jindal-8%
Pawlnety-7%
Cain-5%
Other-4%

Iowa
Thune-31%
DeMint-26%
Jindal-10%
Graham-8%
Cain-8%
Pawlenty-7%
Kean-6%
Other-5%

New Hampshire
Thune-25%
Kean-22%
Graham--12%
DeMint-9%
Pawlenty-7%
Jindal-6%
Cain-6%
Other-6%

South Carolina
Thune-26%
DeMint-20%
Graham-20%
Kean-10%
Pawlenty-7%
Jindal-6%
Cain-5%
Other-6%

​

HISTORIC RULING FROM SUPREME COURT! COURT RULES 7-2 THAT GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL IN ALL 50 STATES!-JUNE 26, 2015

The US Supreme Court has made a historic decision. Gay marriage has been legalized in all 50 states, by a thumping 7-2 margin in the Court. Chief Justice Sotomayor delivered the Court's decision, declaring that homosexuals ask for "equal dignity in the eyes of the law", which is granted by the Constitution. The White House lit up in rainbow colors, and millions of Americans celebrated the historic ruling of Obergfell v. Hodges. One hashtag defined the nation's mood. #LoveWins.

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

CONGRESS REJECTS 'FAST TRACK' FOR TPP-JUNE 28, 2015

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Fast-track for the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) has been rejected in the US Congress, only getting 51 votes in the Senate and so being slain by a filibuster. TPP has proven a controversial free trade agreement and drew the virulent opposition of People Power. The Democrats openly rebelled en masse against the President to stop TPP, which labor unions and activists fear is a secret agreement that will hurt working Americans and advance corporate power. Fast-track, a mechanism designed to force Congress to vote a straight yes or no, without amendments, on TPP. The battle in Congress is expected to go on, but this latest vote has endangered the future of TPP.

GLOSSIP V. GROSS: SUPREME COURT BANS CONTROVERSIAL DEATH PENALTY DRUG-JUNE 29, 2015

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The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, banned the use of the drug midazolam in death penalty executions. The court ruled that midazolam was 'cruel and unusual punishment', due to being linked to several botched executions, and therefore unconstitutional. The Court mandated that states seek much higher standards for drugs used in executions. Sonia Sotomayor said that it “would not matter whether the state intended to use midazolam, or instead to have petitioners drawn and quartered, slowly tortured to death, or actually burned at the stake.” Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia filed a scathing dissent, accusing the Court of "consistently making, not interpreting, the law. This Court routinely oversteps its authority to trample on the Constitution it claims to defend, while basing its decisions on myths, half-truths and pseudo-science." Several Jutsices, including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, have called for the death penalty itself to come to trial. Ginsburg said, "The death penalty is highly likely to itself be unconstitutional, and needs to be carefully examined." Polls show more than 60% of Americans support keeping the death penalty in some form.

GREECE MISSES PAYMENT TO IMF AS NEGOTIATIONS COLLAPSE, GREECE ON THE BRINK OF GREXIT-JULY 1, 2015

ÓXI! GREECE REJECTS AUSTERITY IN REFERENDUM, DELIVERS SHOCK TO WORLD -JULY 5, 2015

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Greece has delivered a resounding vote of 'Óxi', no, to austerity. This was after just a few days ago Greek Prime Minister Tsipras called a referendum on the troika's bailout plans as a negotiating ploy. Greece has been suffering from a debt crisis for the last few years and has been forced by the 'troika' of its creditors, the EU, and the IMF to engage in brutal austerity measures. In January, a new anti-austerity government was elected that has now rejected the austerity and is trying, but struggling, to stand up to the troika. European officials criticized the referendum as a ridiculous, ill-thought out ploy, noting that the bailout proposal in the referendum was not in fact the latest bailout proposal. Tsipras has claimed that the vote gives him a a mandate to stay in the EU but without austerity, the EU does not see things the same way.

GREECE GIVES IN, AVOIDS GREXIT BUT FORCED TO HAVE MORE SAVAGE AUSTERITY-JULY 13, 2015

PLANNED PARENTHOOD COMES UNDER ATTACK AS ANTI-ABORTION GROUP RELEASES VIDEO OF TRADE OF ABORTED FETUSES
REPUBLICANS DEMAND PLANNED PARENTHOOD BE DEFUNDED, PRESIDENT CONDEMNS 'DISGUSTING SEXISM' BY GOP-JULY 14, 2015

BUDGET IMPASSE AS PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TRY TO RAM THEIR AGENDAS DOWN THE OTHER'S THROAT

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Tensions have mounted even higher between President Clinton and Congress. President Clinton proposed a budget that contained $200 billion in added stimulus, $100 billion in extra spending on infrastructure, and education, paid for with tax increases on the wealthy and $100 billion in spending cuts targeted at the military and discretionary spending. The budget appealed to People Power, and passed the Senate. However, the House Republicans shot down those proposals, instead passing a budget restoring the Bush and Romney tax cuts, defunding Planned Parenthood, refusing to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, and cutting $250 billion from spending, much of which was targeted at welfare and at social programs. Democrats instantly refused to pass that budget. The Minutemen and People Power have rallied behind the respective budgets and so an impasse has been created. The Minutemen have also adamantly refused to raise the debt ceiling, bringing out the specter of default. Polls show both budgets are unpopular, and neither has managed to get over 45% support in the polls, legitimizing each party's stand against the opposing budget.

DEMINT CALLS FOR BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, DEMANDS OTHER CANDIDATES NOT BE 'COWARDS' AND ALSO SUPPORT BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT-JULY 21, 2015

SENATE MINORITY LEADER GEORGE ALLEN SAYS HE'S 'OPEN TO COMPROMISE', THEN RULES OUT MOST POSSIBLE COMPROMISES-JULY 24, 2015

TURKEY, PKK BREAK CEASEFIRE AND CONTINUE CONFLICT
FEARS INCREASE OF TURKEY-KURDISTAN WAR-JULY 27, 2015

TPP FAST TRACK REJECTED YET AGAIN-JULY 27, 2015

FIRST REPUBLICAN DEBATE HELD-AUGUST 6, 2015

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Candidates currently in the race who attended debate

• Former Vice-President John Thune
• Former South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint
• Former New Jersey Senator Tom Kean, Jr.
• Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal
• Former South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham
• Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
• Businessman Herman Cain
• Former Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
• Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum

The race has well and truly started now. The candidates are in the ring and the battle for the White House started. Fox News hosted the first Republican debate, with Megyn Kelly, Bret Baier, and Chris Wallace moderating. Frontrunner John Thune came under attack from the start with Tom Kean saying, "Vice-President Thune is just like Bob Menendez in New Jersey. He's an insider. If you vote for Thune, you can expect the same old failures from Washington." Jim DeMint followed up by saying, "Thune is not a true conservative. He's a crony of Washington, and he won't bring the change we need. We won't get secure borders, a strong foreign policy, a thriving economy or a balanced budget with John Thune." Thune fired back saying, "My opponents are trying to smear my record but it won't work. I am the most qualified and experienced person on this stage. Senator DeMint and Senator Kean are insulting me and good Republican Presidents because they don't have a leg to stand on if we are debating based on records and on the issues." Bobby Jindal then joined in saying, "Me, and Governor Pawlenty, are the only ones here with executive experience. I am a solid conservative governor." The debate continued like this, with candidates attacking Thune and Thune returning fire. Pundits are saying Thune lost the debate, and the trophy for first place would have to be split between Kean and DeMint. An online poll showed that only 24% of respondents thought Thune won the debate, with 32% giving it to Kean and 37% giving it to DeMint.

THUNE FALLS IN EARLY STATE POLLS, TIES DEMINT IN IOWA, TIES KEAN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE-AUGUST 8, 2015

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