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

[Montgomerie Ward]

REBELS BREACH CITY OF ALEPPO-FEBRUARY 29, 2012

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WYOMING GOES TO FEINGOLD-FEBRUARY 29, 2012
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Russ Feingold-60%
Hillary Clinton-39%

FEINGOLD WINS WASHINGTON STATE-MARCH 1, 2012
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Russ Feingold-68%
Hillary Clinton-30%

SUPER TUESDAY RESULTS:-MARCH 6, 2012​

Alaska:
Russ Feingold-66% 16 delegates
Hillary Clinton-33% 8 delegates

Georgia:
Hillary Clinton-53% 44 delegates
Russ Feingold-45% 32 delegates

Idaho:
Russ Feingold-64% 32 delegates
Hillary Clinton-31%

Massachusetts:
Hillary Clinton-60% 38 delegates
Russ Feingold-40%

North Dakota:
Russ Feingold-59% 20 delegates
Hillary Clinton-36% 8 delegates

Ohio:
Hillary Clinton-55% 42 delegates
Russ Feingold-43% 24 delegates

Oklahoma:
Hillary Clinton-53% 23 delegates
Russ Feingold-47% 17 delegates

Tennessee:
Hillary Clinton-52% 34 delegates
Russ Feingold-47% 21 delegates

Vermont:
Russ Feingold-63% 14 delegates
Hillary Clinton-35% 3 delegates

Virginia:
Hillary Clinton-51% 24 delegates
Russ Feingold-49% 22 delegates

Ultimately, Super Tuesday 2012 was a victory for Hillary Clinton, who now has over 100 more delegates than Senator Feingold. Still, given fewer states and delegates were being contested this Super Tuesday than usually, we can expect the contest to go on for a few more weeks at least. When historians look back at this day, they will either see what an extraordinary comeback Feingold had, or far more likely, see this as one of the moments where Hillary Rodham Clinton secured the Democratic nomination. Feingold is right when he says the race isn't over yet, but this result is a pretty good signal of the likely outcome of the race. Unless of course, Feingold stages a comeback. Still, Hillary Clinton has the upper hand now, and so increasingly, she is regarded as the person who will be the nominee in 2012.

FEINGOLD WINS MARCH 10 CONTESTS-MARCH 10, 2012

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Guam:
Russ Feingold-52% 4 delegates
Hillary Clinton-48% 2 delegates
Kansas:
Russ Feingold-74% 33 delegates
Hillary Clinton-26% 7 delegates
North Mariana Islands:
Russ Feingold-60% 6 delegates
Hillary Clinton-40% 3 delegates
US Virgin Islands:
Russ Feingold-57% 6 delegates
Hillary Clinton-42% 3 delegates​

IRANIAN SUPPLY PLANE SHOT OVER SYRIA ATTEMPTING TO VIOLATE NO-FLY ZONE-MARCH 12, 2012

MARCH 13 CONTESTS FAIL TO UPEND THE RACE-MARCH 13, 2012

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Alabama:
Hillary Clinton-55% 30 delegates
Russ Feingold-42% 17 delegates
American Samoa:
Hillary Clinton-6 delegates
Russ Feingold-0 delegates
Hawaii:
Russ Feingold-72% 14 delegates
Hillary Clinton-28% 3 delegates
Mississippi:
Hillary Clinton-52% 22 delegates
Russ Feingold-48% 14 delegates
Now, the Feingold campaign will mount its last stand in Illinois on the 20th, with its coffers running low and Clinton retaining a delegate lead. Senator Feingold expressed hope that he could yet triumph, pointing to having shrunk Clinton's delegate lead. The polls in Illinois are close, and so both campaigns are investing a large amount of time and effort there now.
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CLINTON WINS PUERTO RICO-MARCH 18, 2012

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Hillary Clinton-85% 20 delegates
Russ Feingold-9% 0 delegates​

CLINTON WINS ILLINOIS, FEINGOLD DROPS OUT!-MARCH 20, 2012

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Hillary Clinton-51% 31 delegates
Russ Feingold-47% 23 delegates

Senator Feingold has ended his campaign for the presidency after being defeated in Illinois, and he endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton, who is set to be the nominee of the Democratic Party. Feingold vowed to, "continue fighting, continue to hold the torch for progressive causes and working to improve our society for everyone and fix our broken political system." Reasons for Feingold's defeat have been attributed to Clinton's strong support among minority voters, fears over electability, establishment support for Clinton, and a possible backlash against the People Power movement. One observer commented that this was more like 1968 or 1976 than 1980 for the Democrats, in the sense that the party and the country might not be ready for a transformative figure who would shift the country to the left, like a reverse Reagan. Senator Clinton promised to "listen to all wings over our party and be the champion of our party's principles," and to "take the fight to President Romney and the Republicans."​

MALI PRESIDENT DEPOSED IN COUP, MALI SLIPPING INTO CHAOS-MARCH 22, 2012

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[Montgomerie Ward]

US FIGHTER JET SHOT DOWN BY SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES, 2 KILLED-MARCH 24, 2012

CLINTON DECLARES, "MITT ROMNEY IS A FAILURE AT HOME AND ABROAD"-MARCH 25, 2012

LATEST POLL: CLINTON 47%, ROMNEY 45%-APRIL 1, 2012

MALI TUAREGS DECLARE INDEPENDENT STATE OF AZAWAD-APRIL 6, 2012

ROMNEY APPROVAL RATING AT 44%-APRIL 8, 2012


KURDISTAN, KIRKUK REFERENDUMS TO BE HELD IN 3 MONTHS
IRAQI GOVERNMENT PROTESTS THAT REFERENDUM WOULD BE INVALID, KURDS SAY IRAQ HAS NO LEGITIMACY-APRIL 13, 2012

ASSAD OFFERS PEACE AGREEMENT, OFFER REJECTED BY REBELS AND US AS 'INADEQUATE' AND A 'PLOY'-APRIL 18, 2012

CAMPAIGN HEATS UP AS ROMNEY, CLINTON TRADE BARBS
CLINTON ATTACKS ROMNEY'S ECONOMIC RECORD, ROMNEY HITS CLINTON ON 'SCANDALS', CALLS HER 'TOO LIBERAL'

BILL CLINTON TOURS OHIO, COMPARES HIS "RECORD OF PROSPERITY" TO ROMNEY'S "RECORD OF FAILURE"-APRIL 24, 2012

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RON PAUL TO RUN FOR LIBERTARIAN NOMINATION-MAY 1, 2012

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Congressman Ron Paul, the primary challenger to President Romney and a leader of the libertarian movement, is running as a Libertarian. Paul cited his "lack of hope" that, "either party can govern America in a way that is consistent with my views and address the issues that need addressing." Paul is a staunch libertarian, opposing the surveillance state and the wars. His philosophy on the proper role of government in America is, "to provide national defense, a court system for civil disputes, a criminal justice system for acts of force and fraud, and little else." He has frequently been the single vote against legislation, due to being a strict constitutionalist and insisting all laws must be explicitly authorized by the Constitution. Paul has performed well in polls for a third-party candidate, often polling over double digits. It remains to be seen whether that initial support can translate into votes on Election Day and the advancement of Paul's views.​

NEW POLL SHOWS PAUL IN DOUBLE DIGITS: 13% PAUL, 35% ROMNEY, 42% CLINTON-MAY 3, 2012

PAUL CANDIDACY SENDS SHOCKWAVES THROUGH REPUBLICAN EFFORT, WIDENS CLINTON LEAD-MAY 4, 2012​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

REBELS BREACH DAMASCUS, BATTLE BEGINS FOR SYRIAN CAPITAL-MAY 10, 2012

ROMNEY APPROVAL RATINGS LANGUISH TO LOW-TO-MID 40s, REPUBLICANS VERY VULNERABLE

REPUBLICANS FIRE BACK AT PAUL, CALL HIM 'LOONY EXTREMIST'

ATTACK ADS BEGIN TO EMERGE AS CAMPAIGN ACCELERATES

REBELS CONTINUE TO ADVANCE AS BITTER FIGHTING ENGULFS DAMASCUS -MAY 18, 2012

POLLS SEESAW BETWEEN TOSSUP AND COMFORTABLE CLINTON LEAD



ASSAD REGIME ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE AS REBELS ADVANCE, RUSSIAN & IRANIAN AID DRIES UP AND US BOMBS KEEP LANDING



FEINGOLD, CLINTON CAMPAIGN TOGETHER IN MICHIGAN AND PENNSYLVANIA-MAY 22, 2012​

ZOELLICK CALLS ON PAKISTAN TO 'GET TOUGH' ON TALIBAN-MAY 23, 2012

ASSAD REGIME FALLS!-MAY 26, 2012

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After fierce fighting in Damascus, the city has fallen to the rebels. The deposed dictator, Bashar al-Assad has escaped. Assad's brother Maher, a leader of the regime's security forces, has been found dead. Thousands are fleeing Damascus after the battle, many of them Alawites or people associated with the regime. The Assad regime of Syria has been the latest victim of the Arab Spring, with rebels aided by US intervention, resulting in the regime's fall despite strong Russian and Iranian support. Assad loyalists are expected to continue the fighting in Latakia and the surrounding areas. These areas are where the Alawite sect is dominant, with the Alawites being the sect the regime belonged to. Uncertainty exists over what new regime will replace Assad. The Syrian National Council (SNC) claims to be a government-in-exile, but it lacks a connection or appeal to the rebels on the ground, and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) is expected to take a lead. Still, Syria's future looks uncertain as civil war continues and chaos ensues, but hopes are high for a fresh start.

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SNC FORMS INTERIM GOVERNMENT IN SYRIA, FSA EMERGES AS INTERIM MILITARY, ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR 2013

ASSAD CALLS NEW REGIME A 'TERRORIST RABBLE', VOWS TO KEEP FIGHTING-MAY 27, 2012

LATEST POLL: 41% CLINTON, 35% ROMNEY, 12% PAUL-MAY 27, 2012

PAUL JUMPS TO 16% IN NEW POLL: 16% PAUL, 37% ROMNEY, 40% CLINTON-MAY 28, 2012

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[Montgomerie Ward]

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 10.1%, INFLATION FALLS TO 0.5%, ECONOMY PREDICTED TO GROW BY AS MUCH AS 3%-JUNE 1, 2012

REPUBLICANS STRUGGLE IN MIDWEST AS RECESSION WORSE THERE THAN OVERALL NATIONALLY

ASSAD FORCES HOLD LATAKIA, CONTINUE TO RESIST NEW REGIME

ROMNEY DECLARES, "THE ECONOMY IS RECOVERING"; CLINTON, PAUL SAVAGE HIS CLAIMS-JUNE 10, 2012

FEINGOLD, CLINTON HOLD RALLY IN WISCONSIN
FEINGOLD WARNS LIBERALS NOT TO BE SWAYED BY PAUL, SAYS HE IS A 'REGRESSIVE' AND 'FOOLISH'-JUNE 15, 2012

KURDISH PESHMERGA MOBILIZE TO PROTECT ANTICIPATED KURDISH STATE-JUNE 18, 2012

HILLARY, ROMNEY BOTH CALL EACH OTHER 'ELITIST' AND 'OUT OF TOUCH WITH MIDDLE-CLASS AMERICANS'-JUNE 20, 2012

TENSIONS MOUNT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN, NETANYAHU URGES WORLD TO RESPOND TO 'IRANIAN THREAT'-JUNE 26, 2012

REPUBLICANS MASS UP HUGE WAR CHEST, BEGIN UNLEASHING IT ON CLINTON AND PAUL-JUNE 28, 2012

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Despite recent struggles in the polls, Republicans are still hopeful they can win. Having amassed an impressive war chest, the Republicans have at least one ace up their sleeves. While Romney is unpopular with many voters, Clinton isn't very popular either. Republican strategists are convinced this election is winnable, and believe that Congress and the Democrats, as well as the President, can be forced to shoulder part of the blame for the poor economy. Still, at the moment the Democrats hold the lead in the race for the Presidency, and for Congress.

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[Montgomerie Ward]

VEEPSTAKES: FEINGOLD, OBAMA, STRICKLAND, BAYH, OR SOMEONE ELSE?

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Speculation has begun about who Senator Clinton will pick as her running mate. One option, touted by liberals, is Senator Feingold himself, with the argument that a Feingold pick would rally the base and unite the party. However, many in the establishment are skeptical, fearing Feingold would be too liberal even for the vice-presidency, and rumor has it that relations between Senators Clinton and Feingold are poor. An alternative idea is Senator Obama, who is still popular with liberals and has charisma, but he, unlike several other options, would not help in any swing state, due to being Senator for Illinois, a safe Democratic state. Governor Strickland, in Ohio, is also one of the heavily touted options. Perhaps though, it might be someone else, or perhaps not.

NEW POLL: 38% CLINTON, 35% ROMNEY, 14% PAUL-JULY 13, 2012

SHOCKWAVES SENT ACROSS MIDEAST AS IRAQI KURDS VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE
DISPUTED AREAS (KIRKUK) VOTE TO JOIN NEW KURDISH STATE-JULY 13, 2012

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Iraqi Kurdistan voted 99% to 1% to become an independent nation, and the disputed areas, mainly the city of Kirkuk, voted 67% to 33% to join Kurdistan. This result has sent shockwaves across the region, threatening to unravel Syria, weaken Iraq even further, and cause major tensions with Turkey. US President Romney congratulated Kurdistan on its new independence, and promised to, "Safeguard and protect the sovereignty of Kurdistan." The Iraqi government has called the declaration of independence 'illegal' and Prime Minister Allawi has sent thousands of troops north to threaten Kurdistan. However, with Iraq still racked by low-level conflict, disorder, a failing economy, and a south controlled by Shi'ite militants, it would be very hard-placed to stop, or even hurt, the Kurds. Yet, that does not mean this new state will not be challenged. Still, right now the Kurds are celebrating, even as Peshmerga mobilize against any threat. One thing is certain. This move will be a dramatic change in the region, and adjusting to it is going to be challenging for many.

DOZENS OF IRAQI SOLDIERS KILLED IN CLASHES NEAR KIRKUK

NO BREAKTHROUGH ON EITHER SIDE: POLLS STABILIZE WITH CLINTON IN THE LEAD, ROMNEY CLOSE BEHIND AND PAUL IN DOUBLE DIGITS

ASSAD IS STILL ALIVE!
US, FSA EFFORTS TO KILL HIM COME TO NO AVAIL, LATAKIA REMAINS IN ASSAD'S HANDS-AUGUST 2, 2012

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[Montgomerie Ward]

PAUL CANDIDACY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF FADING, PAUL CONTINUES TO HOVER AROUND 15% IN POLLS

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In one of the most unexpected phenomenons of this election cycle, Ron Paul's candidacy has been surprisingly successful, at least so far. With massive frustration with the establishment, Paul has surged to around 15% in the polls. Many of the votes come from Romney, though some liberals are attracted to his anti-war and more socially liberal positions. The Paul candidacy continues to prosper for now, but the conventions are likely to detract attention from Paul to the major parties. Many pundits remain convinced that Paul will fade as the race goes on. It remains, ultimately, up to the voters to prove them wrong, or prove them right.

KURDISTAN EMERGES INDEPENDENT WHILE IRAQ IMPOTENT

CURIOSITY LANDS ON MARS-AUGUST 6, 2012

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[Montgomerie Ward]

CLINTON PICKS STRICKLAND-AUGUST 13, 2012

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Hillary Clinton has picked Ohio Governor and one of the former Democratic candidates this year, Ted Strickland, as her running mate. The Democrats hope that the Strickland pick will ensure victory in Ohio, but Republicans are adamant they have a strong chance in Ohio and for the election. The Strickland pick ejected other speculated options, such as Senator Obama-who many Clinton campaign staffers contend was high on the VP shortlist-and Evan Bayh. Russ Feingold was also a name thrown around many times, though Clinton aides assert it was unlikely.

ISRAEL-IRAN TENSIONS MOUNT, NETANYAHU DECLARES HE WILL STOP 'IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM'-AUGUST 17, 2012

ECONOMIC STATISTICS PREDICT STRONG GROWTH, BUT ECONOMY STILL SET TO HURT FOR VOTERS, ROMNEY

SHOOTING OCCURS IN EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, 9 WOUNDED, 2 DEAD-AUGUST 24, 2012

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[Montgomerie Ward]

2012 RNC HELD
ROMNEY, REPUBLICANS BURST AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS-AUGUST 30, 2012

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The 2012 Republican National Convention was a success for the Romney campaign, and a much-needed one. First Lady Ann Romney attested to her husband's character and leadership, and black Utah congressional candidate Mia Love also gave a strong speech. President Romney, for once, proved almost charismatic, defending his record, saying "We entered office facing a potential depression from the extreme left policies of the Democrats. Thanks to our leadership, we're back on track and growing again. But the Democrats want to try the same old failed policies." The Republicans are expected to receive a poll bounce from the convention. Whether it would be enough, especially with Bill Clinton set to make a strong performance at the Democratic National Convention remains to be seen.

POST-CONVENTION POLL: 11% PAUL, 39% ROMNEY, 39% CLINTON-SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

2012 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD
BILL, HILLARY CLINTON SPEECHES GET STRONG RECEPTION-SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

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The Democratic National Convention saw Hillary Clinton and Ted Strickland officially nominated for the election. Democrats wasted no time in skewering Romney and the Republicans, with the 10% unemployment rate being repeatedly thrown at Romney. Bill Clinton's speech was probably the best, with his declaration that the Republican case was, "We were given the job to clean up a total mess, instead we messed it up some more. But this time, we'll clean it up, honest!" Russ Feingold also got a slot declaring, "We can't afford to double-down on trickle down!"

PAUL STRUGGLES IN LATEST POLLS, FALLS TO 9%: 9% PAUL, 39% ROMNEY, 41% CLINTON-SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

US PLANE SHOT DOWN OVER SYRIA, PILOT PROBABLY DEAD-SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

MUSLIMS PROTEST, RIOT AGAINST INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS FILM-SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

ROMNEY GAFFE: "UNEMPLOYED NEED TO MAKE MORE OF AN EFFORT"
CLINTON CONDEMNS ROMNEY SAYING, "IT'S HIM WHO NEEDS TO MAKE MORE OF AN EFFORT"-SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

EARLY VOTING BEGINS IN 12 STATES-SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

AL-QAEDA FORCES GAIN FOOTHOLD IN EASTERN SYRIA, FSA SECURES LAW AND ORDER IN MOST MAJOR CITIES

FSA BEGINS OFFENSIVE TOWARDS LATAKIA, US BOMBS ASSAD LOYALISTS-SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

RUSSIA CLINGS ONTO TARTUS MILITARY BASE IN SYRIA-SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

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In Syria, Russia maintains its Tartus naval base, even as the new regime demands it leave. In a potential crisis, the area remains under Assad's control, and so Russia is retaining the base, refusing to recognize the demands of "terrorists and bandits." Secretary of State Zoellick and the US government are currently negotiating with Russia over the base's fate. However, Putin remains determined to keep the base, insisting the remnants of the Assad regime holding the Syrian coast are the legitimate regime.​

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NEW POLL: 11% PAUL, 40% ROMNEY, 42% CLINTON-SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

UNEMPLOYMENT STILL AT 10%, GROWTH AT 1.5%-OCTOBER 1, 2012​

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[Montgomerie Ward]

ROMNEY LOSES DEBATE, CLINTON WINS, PAUL FURIOUS AT NOT BEING ON STAGE-OCTOBER 3, 2012

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Senator Clinton won the first presidential election debate, walloping Romney. On the economy Clinton said, "I don't think that double-digit unemployment for three years can be considered a 'stellar economic record', Mr. President." Romney also made a gaffe when he said that he had hired "binders full of women" as President. Ron Paul was denied the chance to be on stage with Clinton and Romney, failing to get 15% in the polls. Paul railed against the "establishment attempts" to deny his campaign oxygen, and urged the candidates to debate him. Romney ruled out Paul's offer of a debate saying, "no can do." Senator Clinton was more sympathetic to the offer, saying a debate with Paul was "on the cards."

PPP POLL: 12% PAUL, 40% ROMNEY, 45% CLINTON-OCTOBER 4, 2012

ROMNEY APPROVAL RATING AT 44%-OCTOBER 7, 2012

US BOMB HITS ASSAD COMPOUND, ASSAD'S STATUS UNKNOWN-OCTOBER 9, 2012
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A US bomb has reportedly hit the compound of Bashar al-Assad. Assad's status is unknown, with some crowds cheering his death while Assad loyalists declare he is still alive.

ASSAD ALIVE BUT WOUNDED-OCTOBER 10, 2012

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The dictator-turned-rebel leader Bashar al-Assad has been confirmed to still be alive, with photos of him in hospital released by his followers. However, he has apparently been seriously wounded by the US bombing of his compound. Meanwhile, FSA forces continue to advance through western Syria.

VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE HELD, VP THUNE BEATS STRICKLAND-OCTOBER 11, 2012

LATAKIA BESEIGED BY FSA-OCTOBER 13, 2012

AL-QAEDA LINKED JABHAT AL-NUSRA SEEN OPERATING IN MAJOR SYRIAN CITIES-OCTOBER 15, 2012

SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE ANOTHER CLINTON WIN-OCTOBER 16, 2012

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Again, Mitt Romney failed to recover his lost momentum, instead having his economic and domestic record savaged by Senator Clinton. Clinton claimed that she was not too liberal because, "I played a huge role in one of the most centrist, responsible, and strong administrations in our history." Romney tried to promote his foreign policy record but Clinton declared, "We need a pragmatic foreign policy. And when we've ignited half the Middle East, that's not pragmatic or sensible. We should be more cautious rather than engaging in reckless adventurism."​

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20 US SOLDIERS KILLED IN TALIBAN ATTACKS-OCTOBER 18, 2012

FSA, JABHAT AL-NUSRA CLASH IN DARAA-OCTOBER 19, 2012

THIRD DEBATE HELD, ROMNEY DEFENDS FOREIGN POLICY RECORD, DEBATE DEEMED ROMNEY WIN-OCTOBER 22, 2012

LATAKIA SIEGE PAUSES WITH ASSAD CONTROLLING THE CITY, REST OF SYRIA UNDER FSA CONTROL-OCTOBER 23, 2012

PEW POLL: PAUL 9%, ROMNEY 41%, CLINTON 44%-OCTOBER 24, 2012

HURRICANE SANDY HITS EAST COAST-OCTOBER 29, 2012

PRESIDENT ROMNEY VISITS AFFECTED DISASTER AREAS
DEMOCRATIC NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CORZINE: "ROMNEY'S DOING A GREAT JOB"-NOVEMBER 1, 2012

UNEMPLOYMENT FINALLY IN SINGLE DIGITS, AT 9.8%-NOVEMBER 1, 2012
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Unemployment has dropped into single digits after years of double-digit unemployment. This is a double-edged sword for the Republicans, while it is a sign of a recovering economy, it is also a sign of how slow that recovery is. And in the Midwest, unemployment is higher. Michigan (coincidentally where Romney was born) has an unemployment rate of 13.5%, while Ohio has an 11.3% unemployment rate. Heading into Election Day, Clinton retains a slight lead, though there is speculation Hurricane Sandy could give Romney a boost in the polls by showing his 'leadership' and stalling Clinton's momentum. Whether that happens remains to be seen.​

ROMNEY HOLDS MEGA-RALLY WITH THUNE, FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH-NOVEMBER 5, 2012

PAUL CALLS ON VOTERS TO "BREAK THE TWO-PARTY MONOPOLY" AND "LIBERATE AMERICA"-NOVEMBER 5, 2012

BILL, HILLARY, DEMOCRATS RALLY IN OHIO
BILL CLINTON "A VOTE FOR HILLARY WILL RESTORE AMERICA'S GREATNESS!"-NOVEMBER 5, 2012

FINAL GALLUP POLL: 11% PAUL, 42% ROMNEY, 43% CLINTON-NOVEMBER 5, 2012

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[Montgomerie Ward]

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Hillary Clinton has been elected America's first female president, and Democrats routed Republicans across the board. It was a wholesale rejection of Romney and the Republican Party. Both houses of Congress went to the Democrats as well.

President Romney struggled with a poisonous inheritance and an inability to heal the struggling economy. Until days before the election, unemployment was in double digits. And Republican hopes that the opposition would be unacceptable to voters were in vain. Russ Feingold, a potentially easier opponent, failed to win the nomination, and instead Hillary Clinton was the Democratic nominee. She managed to make voters remember the Democrats as the party of the 1990s prosperity-under her husband Bill Clinton-and not of John Kerry's failed presidency.

The Republicans performed even worse than nationally in the Midwest, especially Ohio, which happened to be a state that you virtually need to win to be President. The collapse of the auto industry dogged Romney there, and to make matters worse, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland became Hillary's VP, helping ensure Ohio went to the Democrats. The result was that on election day Hillary won an astonishing 9-point victory in Ohio. The straw that broke the camel's back could well have been Ron Paul's third-party run. Republicans are already trying to make that case, with Romney's Chief of Staff Beth Myers saying, "If Ron Paul hadn't run, we'd have won. If you add up the two Republicans-Congressman Paul was a Republican, if you add them up, you find that we would have won. And you can play with your arithmetic and formulas, but the fact is that Ron Paul was a spoiler. He is just like [Ross] Perot."

Now that might not be true. Another cause of the defeat was how the last month of the campaign went badly for Romney. The debates-with the exception of the third one-were Clinton blowouts. Hurricane Sandy had a big impact, but not enough to save the flailing Republican campaign. Indeed, several pundits have claimed Sandy hurt Romney by taking away any time he might have had to reset his campaign. The polls which showed a close race, were wrong, and Nate Silver, the data geek who predicted the outcome in all 50 states, was spot on. But ultimately, the cause of the defeat could lie in Romney's fateful decision not to follow most other world leaders in doing a Keynesian, spending-focused stimulus in 2009 and not saving the auto industry. Mitt Romney had positive achievements in his presidency, and could well have saved the economy from an even worse fate. But hypotheticals don't matter to voters. And so Mitt Romney will join George W. Bush and John Kerry as the third president since 2004 to be booted out of office.

Yet, the Democrats cannot rest on their laurels. The new President, whatever her historical status, will come under pressure from a resurgent left and a defeated right. Voter disillusionment is high, only 55.1% of voters bothered to turn up. While Ron Paul took Republican votes, he also took Democratic ones. Voters are sick of recession, they're sick of war and they're sick of a political establishment that keeps on failing them. Hopefully Hillary Clinton can restore the 1990s and break the revolving door of one-term presidents in Washington. But she and her party have to make the effort to accomplish that. Voters have resoundingly chosen change. If change fails, a new change is likely to be put in place. Welcome to Washington, Madam President.

DEMOCRATS CONTROL BOTH HOUSES WITH COMFORTABLE MARGINS, REPUBLICANS GET WALLOPED!-NOVEMBER 6, 2012

DEMOCRATS RETAIN HOUSE, MAKE GAINS
DEMOCRATIC: 240+11 52.7%, REPUBLICAN: 195-11 43.6%

RON PAUL'S DISTRICT GOES DEMOCRAT

SENATE GOES DEMOCRAT
DEMOCRATIC: 52+6, REPUBLICAN: 46-7, INDEPENDENT: 2+1

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[Montgomerie Ward]

ARIZONA: RICHARD CARMONA (D) DEFEATS JEFF FLAKE (R)

CONNECTICUT: NED LAMONT (D) DEFEATS LINDA MCMAHON (R)

DELAWARE: KEITH SPANARELLI (D)* DEFEATS KEVIN WADE (R)

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*OOC: Spanarelli was a People Power insurgent who unseated incumbent Senator, free trade supporter, and DLC member Tom Carper in the primary and then was elected Senator. He is virtually unknown IOTL.

INDIANA: INCUMBENT RICHARD LUGAR (R) DEFEATS JOE DONNELLY (D)

MARYLAND: BEN CARDIN (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT MICHAEL STEELE (R)

NEVADA: SHELLEY BERKLEY (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT DEAN HELLER (R)

NEW JERSEY: BARBARA BUONO (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT THOMAS KEAN, JR. (R)

OHIO: CAPRI CAFARO (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT MIKE DEWINE (R)

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RHODE ISLAND: PATRICK KENNEDY (D) DEFEATS JOHN LOUGHLIN (R)

TEXAS: DAVID DEWHURST (R) DEFEATS PAUL SADLER (D)

VIRGINIA: INCUMBENT GEORGE ALLEN (R) DEFEATS TIM KAINE (D)

WEST VIRGINIA: JOE MANCHIN (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT JOHN RAESE (R)

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[Montgomerie Ward]

DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS EACH HAVE 24 GOVERNORSHIPS
DEMOCRATIC: 24+2, REPUBLICAN: 24-2, INDEPENDENT: 2-NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Democratic Governor's Association head Martin O'Malley celebrates the Democratic wins in the 2012 elections​

INDIANA: JOHN GREGG (D) DEFEATS MIKE PENCE (R)

NORTH CAROLINA: WALTER H. DALTON (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT PAT MCCRORY (R)

WASHINGTON: JAY INSLEE (D) DEFEATS INCUMBENT DINO ROSSI (R)

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[Montgomerie Ward]

PRESIDENT-ELECT CLINTON PROMISES 'JOBS PROGRAM', INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT, AND ACTION ON 'THE ISSUES THAT MATTER'-NOVEMBER 7, 2012

ASSAD FLEES INTO EXILE IN RUSSIA, ASSAD LOYALISTS SPLIT AND DISBAND
US AGREES NOT TO PROSECUTE ASSAD, TOP REGIME FIGURES ALLOWED TO GO INTO EXILE-NOVEMBER 8, 2012

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W. BUSH: "PAUL GAVE THE ELECTION TO CLINTON, I KNOW BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME"-NOVEMBER 8, 2012

AUSTRALIA'S RUDD GOVERNMENT STRUGGLES WITH RISING DEBT, SCANDALS, AND INTERNAL DIVISONS
LATEST POLL SHOWS 50-50 TIE IN TPP
OPPOSITION LEADER TURNBULL ATTACKS, CALLS RUDD 'INCOMPETENT'

RON PAUL DECLARES: "THE LIBERTARIAN MOVEMENT IS STRENGTHENED"
PAUL CALLS ON WASHINGTON TO DEAL WITH THE DEFICIT, WARS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

MCCONNELL: "WE WILL STOP ANY 'LIBERAL NONSENSE' FROM PASSING CONGRESS"-NOVEMBER 10, 2012

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The now-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to stop any 'liberal nonsense' from passing Congress. The comments caused a media firestrom, along with McConnell's other comments that, "we will not hesitate to use any procedural techniques, and the filibuster, for the good of America." Democrats alleged McConnell was admitting that Republicans planned on obstructing the President's legislative agenda. House Minority Leader John Boehner said, "Hillary Clinton needs to be very careful. She lacks legitimacy as President, most Americans didn't want her." Democrats quickly fired back, saying that Hillary Clinton had a substantial mandate and that Republican policies had been resoundingly rejected in the election.​

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ISRAEL BOMBS GAZA, ATTACKS HAMAS-NOVEMBER 15, 2012

EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MORSI NEGOTIATES GAZA CEASEFIRE-NOVEMBER 21, 2012

JABHAT AL-NUSRA, FSA IN OPEN WARFARE FOR DARAA-NOVEMBER 29, 2012

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 9.7%, ECONOMIC RECOVERY MIGHT BE PICKING UP SPEED-DECEMBER 1, 2012

5 NATO SOLDIERS KILLED IN TALIBAN ATTACK ON MILITARY BASE-DECEMBER 2, 2012

CLINTON PROMISES TO SPEED UP AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL, ALL BUT 4,000 TROOPS TO LEAVE BY 2016-DECEMBER 6, 2012

ROMNEY APPROVAL RATING RISES TO 48%-DECEMBER 10, 2012

27 PEOPLE KILLED IN SANDY HOOK SCHOOL SHOOTING
20 OF THE DEAD WERE CHILDREN-DECEMBER 14, 2012

ROMNEY MOURNS SANDY HOOK DEAD, CALLS FOR POLITICIANS TO "RESPECT THE VICTIMS, RATHER THAN DEFILING THEIR MEMORY FOR POLITICAL REASONS"-DECEMBER 15, 2012

CALLS FOR GUN CONTROL MOUNT

NRA HEAD LAPIERRE ATTACKS GUN CONTROL, CONNECTS GUN VIOLENCE WITH 'GUN FREE ZONES'
LAPIERRE COMES UNDER FIRE AS A 'GUN NUT'-DECEMBER 21, 2012

CLINTON AND CONGRESS PREPARE 'GUN SAFETY ACT' WITH ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, BACKGROUND CHECKS, HEAVIER REGULATION OF GUNS

FRANCE INTERVENES IN MALI TO STOP TERRORIST ADVANCE-JANUARY 11, 2013

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[Montgomerie Ward]

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON INAUGURATED POTUS-JANUARY 20, 2013

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America has its first female president. Hillary Rodham Clinton took the Oath of Office today and in her inaugural address promised, "a new era of peace and prosperity, an end to the crises of the last decade and a return to an America where everybody can succeed." Bill Clinton became First Gentleman, and took on a unique role that has never been tried on a national scale in the US before. The new President promised a jobs program with infrastructure spending, healthcare reform, new 'gun safety' laws, immigration reform and the accomplishment of numerous other Democratic priorities. The new President took office with a hegemony for their party, the opposition discredited, and a resounding mandate to implement their policies and cast America on a different course. Yet, the nation faces a deep economic crisis and bloody wars abroad. America is at a low ebb, and the new President faces immense pressures. That could be a description of the situation now, or of the situation four years ago. Good luck Madam President, you're going to need it.

AMERICAN JOBS ACT TO BE VOTED ON BY THE HOUSE-JANUARY 22, 2013
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The American Jobs Act, centerpiece of President Clinton's economic agenda, has now come before the House. The plan contains $327 billion in new spending, of which $201 billion is Keynesian spending on infrastructure. It also contains $300 billion in tax credits and tax cuts for middle and lower-income earners. To pay for the bill, the Romney tax cuts and the Bush tax cuts are to be repealed. While the bill is mainly an economic stimulus bill, there are billions allocated to long-term spending on Democrat priorities, such as renewable energy. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell declared his opposition to the bill, saying "This is typical tax and spend liberal baloney that will wreck our economy. This bill will hike your taxes, waste your money, balloon the debt and hurt the economy." House Minority Leader Boehner expressed similar sentiments, declaring "Reasonable Americans should say 'no' to this bill. It is filled with pork and tax hikes, and not an iota of measures that will grow our economy into the future."

CLINTON CABINET NOMINEES ANNOUNCED-JANUARY 22, 2013
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CHIEF OF STAFF JOHN PODESTA
SECRETARY OF STATE JOE BIDEN
TREASURY SECRETARY LARRY SUMMERS
DEFENSE SECRETARY ASH CARTER
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR KEN SALAZAR
ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET NAPOLITANO
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE KATHLEEN SEBELIUS
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYLVIA BURWELL
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN
SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT JULIAN CASTRO
SECRETARY OF LABOR DICK GEPHARDT
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE OLYMPIA SNOWE
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY ANTHONY FOXX
ENERGY SECRETARY JEFF BINGAMAN
SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MAX CLELAND
SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY RICHARD DANZIG
DIRECTOR OF THE OMB ALAN BLINDER
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE EPA CAROL BROWNER

CLINTON CABINET NOMINEES CONFIRMED EASILY

HOUSE PASSES AMERICAN JOBS ACT, WITHOUT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE-JANUARY 28, 2013
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The American Jobs Act passed the House, but by a 237-198 margin, with not a single Republican vote for it and 3 Democrat defections. President Clinton declared "This is the first step in setting our economy back on track and beginning a strong recovery for all Americans." However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell thought differently, saying "It's sad that the House has failed to use common sense. More spending, more taxes more debt won't solve our problems." The bill seems likely to struggle in the Senate, with Democrats far below the 60-vote margin needed to avoid a filibuster.

UNEMPLOYMENT NOW AT 9.6%-FEBRUARY 1, 2013

HILLARY CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 57%-FEBRUARY 3, 2013

DONALD TRUMP: "HILLARY'S DOING A GREAT JOB, SHE'S A GREAT LEADER"-FEBRUARY 2, 2013

JABHAT AL-NUSRA ROUTED FROM ALEPPO, WHILE MAKING ADVANCES IN DAMASCUS

NORTH KOREA CONDUCTS UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TEST, TENSIONS RISE AND NORTH KOREA AGAIN MET WITH INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION-FEBRUARY 12, 2013

GUN SAFETY ACT REACHES THE HOUSE-FEBRUARY 15, 2013

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The Gun Safety Act, a new gun control law after the Sandy Hook shooting, has reached the House. It has universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, limiting magazines to 10 rounds, and numerous other programs. Most Democrats, and several moderate Republicans support the bill. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, a moderate Republican said, "We need to reform our gun laws in order to stop these mass shootings. Some of the proposals from the Democrats...are good proposals." However, most Republicans, and even a few Democrats, were opposed or leaning to opposing it. Even Vermont Senator Sanders, typically a liberal champion, said he is "concerned" about the proposed law and called for "consensus" on gun control. Congressman Cantor, a House Republican leader said, "This bill takes guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens and lets criminals terrorize the streets."

AMERICAN JOBS ACT GETS 54-46 MAJORITY IN SENATE, IS FILIBUSTERED-FEBRUARY 20, 2013

CLINTON CONDEMNS 'REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISM', GRIDLOCK INCREASINGLY LIKELY IN WASHINGTON-FEBRUARY 21, 2013

GUN SAFETY ACT PASSES THE HOUSE 235-200-FEBRUARY 24, 2013

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 55%-FEBRUARY 25, 2013

16 AFGHAN SOLDIERS, 4 US SOLDIERS KILLED IN TALIBAN ATTACKS-FEBRUARY 27, 2013

BENEDICT XVI RESIGNS AS POPE!-FEBRUARY 28, 2013

AMERICAN JOBS ACT FILIBUSTERED YET AGAIN-FEBRUARY 28, 2013

GUN SAFETY ACT FILIBUSTERED TOO-MARCH 1, 2013
GOT 53-47 IN FAVOUR, BUT FAILED TO OVERCOME FILIBUSTER

UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS DOWN TO 9.5%-MARCH 1, 2013

FORMER NJ SENATOR THOMAS KEAN JR CALLS CLINTON 'TOO PARTISAN'
KEAN TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016?-MARCH 2, 2013

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[Montgomerie Ward]

AL-QAEDA AFFILIATED MILITIAS SEIZE RAQQA-MARCH 4, 2013

AMERICAN JOBS ACT TO BE INSERTED INTO BUDGET, PASSED WITH RECONCILIATION
MCCONNELL: "THIS IS TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY, ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY"-MARCH 7, 2013

PUBLIC WAVERING ON JOBS BILL, REPUBLICANS DECLARE BILL IS "TAX AND SPEND LIBERALISM"
POLL SHOWS SUPPORT FOR JOBS BILL AT 48%-MARCH 10, 2013

CARDINAL BERGOGLIO ELECTED POPE, TAKES NAME FRANCIS-MARCH 13, 2013

LIBERALS, LIBERTARIANS FURIOUS AS CLINTON PRESERVES DRONE WAR, GUANTANAMO

PEOPLE POWER MOVEMENT TURNING ON CLINTON, BARBARA LEE CALLS HER "DEMOCRAT IN NAME ONLY"-MARCH 16, 2013

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING FALLS TO 52%-MARCH 25, 2013

GUN SAFETY ACT DECLARED DEAD-MARCH 27, 2013

HOUSE PASSES BUDGET 240-195
NOT A SINGLE PERSON BREAKS RANKS, EVERYBODY VOTES WITH THEIR PARTY-MARCH 27, 2013

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 9.3%, GROWTH AT 3.3%-APRIL 1, 2013

KURDISH PRESIDENT BARZANI DECLARES KURDISTAN WILL ACT IF SYRIAN KURDS THREATENED-APRIL 3, 2013

SYRIAN ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 1-APRIL 3, 2013

DOZENS KILLED IN TALIBAN ATTACKS-APRIL 3, 2013

SENATE PASSES BUDGET 54-46, CLINTON JOBS BILL PASSES-APRIL 5, 2013

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The Senate passed the budget, and with reconciliation and clever legislative tricks managed to get the Clinton jobs bill passed without being filibustered. Every single Democrat Senator, and both Independents, voted for the budget, despite Republican attempts to peel off red-state Democrats. Republicans were quick to denounce the bill, with Senator McConnell declaring "This is a tragedy for America. We are being buried under debt and taxes. And every single Democrat voted for it, they are all responsible."​

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2016 GOP PRIMARY POLL:
15% GEORGE ALLEN, 13% RICK PERRY, 13% THOMAS KEAN JR, 13% JOHN THUNE, 11% JEB BUSH, 9% MIKE HUCKABEE, 4% BOBBY JINDAL, 16% OTHER, 23% UNDECIDED-APRIL 12, 2013

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[Montgomerie Ward]

TERRORISTS BOMB BOSTON MARATHON-APRIL 15, 2013

BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL GOES BEFORE THE SENATE -APRIL 16, 2013

12 KIDNAPPED BY TALIBAN-APRIL 22, 2013

KURDISH TROOPS MASS ON BORDER WITH SYRIA-APRIL 23, 2013

PELOSI, REID EXPRESS HOPES HEALTHCARE REFORM CAN BE PASSED BY 2015-APRIL 25, 2013

UNEMPLOYMENT AT 9.3%, INFLATION AT 0.9%-MAY 1, 2013

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 50%-MAY 5, 2013

FORMER PRESIDENT ROMNEY WORKING ON MEMOIRS-MAY 11, 2013

SECRETARY OF STATE BIDEN BEGINS NEGOTIATIONS WITH SYRIANS AND KURDISTAN OVER FATE OF SYRIAN KURDS

PEOPLE POWER MOVEMENT CALLS ON CLINTON TO BREAK UP THE BANKS, SHIFT TO THE LEFT
TALK BEGINS OF PRIMARY CHALLENGE TO CLINTON IN 2016

WHITE HOUSE INTERN FILES SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE AGAINST FIRST GENTLEMAN BILL CLINTON
BILL CLINTON CALLS CLAIMS 'BUNK', WHITE HOUSE CALLS ACCUSATIONS 'REPUBLICAN PLOT'-MAY 26, 2013

REPUBLICANS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION INTO CLINTON SCANDAL, DEMOCRATS STAND WITH THE CLINTONS

ANTI-CLINTON STORY DOESN'T ADD UP-MAY 28, 2013

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In recent days, a media firestorm has been set off after former White House intern Jeanine Sholtz accused First Gentleman Bill Clinton of sexual harassment. Sholtz, who was a White House intern from 2011 until her resignation on May 18, said that Clinton had repeatedly grabbed her in 'sensitive and private places.' However, the story came under fire when Sholtz said three days ago that she had had 5 encounters with Clinton, now she doubled the number to 10. Also, photos were released of her at a Republican Party rally in 2010 and she was reportedly heard to be saying, "F*** the Democrats!" There are conflicting accounts of what really happened, with several other anonymous interns coming out and saying that they had seen Clinton's behavior and/or also been harassed by him. However, other accounts claim the First Gentleman had never engaged in sexual harassment behavior, and even disputed whether he had even been in the location that the harassment reportedly occurred. Republicans still were quick to skewer Clinton, calling him "shameful" and one Congressman saying that he is "a monster and a creep."

CONGRESSMAN CANTOR: "BILL CLINTON IS SEXIST"
PRESIDENT: "CANTOR, REPUBLICANS ARE THE REAL SEXISTS"-JUNE 1, 2013

SYRIAN ELECTIONS HELD, SECULARISTS BEAT ISLAMISTS-JUNE 1, 2013

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Syria held democratic elections yesterday, in a historic moment for the nation. The Coalition of Secular and Democratic Syrians (CSDS) won the parliamentary elections, getting 40% of the vote and 100 seats in the 250-seat parliament. The Muslim Brotherhood was relatively close behind, with 32% of the vote and 80 seats. The socialist SDPP (Syrian Democratic Peoples' Party) came third with 25 seats. A coalition is expected to be formed between the CSDS, SDPP, and other opposition parties. CSDS leader Randa Kassis is expected to win the upcoming presidential elections. The turnout was varied, with low turnout from the Alawite minority and high turnout in Sunni areas. The election was largely successful, despite the attempts of terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah and Jabhat al-Nusra, to disrupt it. 20 people were reported dead due to being killed attempting to vote. Presidential elections are scheduled for July 1. US President Hillary Clinton celebrated the election as "a victory for freedom and democracy." However, Syria's long road to freedom is far from complete. The nation remains unstable, divided and fragile.

BILL CLINTON FIRES BACK AT CRITICS, CALLS ACCUSATIONS 'RIDICULOUS'

US MASS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM DISCLOSED BY EDWARD SNOWDEN-JUNE 6, 2013

SNOWDEN REVELATIONS CONTINUE TO ESCALATE AS NSA REVEALED TO BE COLLECTING VAST AMOUNTS OF PERSONAL METADATA

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[Montgomerie Ward]

PEOPLE POWER MOVEMENT REVOLTS! CONGRESSMAN MARK POCAN (D-WI) CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION, POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT-JUNE 8, 2013

THOUSANDS PROTEST OUTSIDE WHITE HOUSE
PROTESTERS COMPARE CLINTON UNFAVORABLY TO ROMNEY-JUNE 9, 2013

LAWSUIT FILED BY INTERN SHOLTZ AGAINST FIRST GENTLEMAN BILL CLINTON-JUNE 10, 2013

HILLARY CLINTON'S APPROVAL RATING FALLS TO 47%-JUNE 10, 2013

FSA COMMANDER RIAD AL-ASAAD TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF SYRIA

23 US SOLDIERS, 25 TALIBAN KILLED IN BATTLE NEAR KABUL-JUNE 18, 2013

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS ENTIRE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

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The Supreme Court, in the Shelby County v. Napolitano case, ruled that the Voting Rights Act would be upheld in its entirety. The case was caused by several southern, red states attempting to institute voter ID laws which had not gotten 'preclearance' (permission) from the federal government. Under the Voting Rights Act, states with a history of racial discrimination in voting need to obtain preclearance from the federal government for any changes in voting. The Supreme Court ruled that the entire Voting Rights Act would be upheld, including the preclearance requirement. Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued the Court's statement, in a 6-3 ruling, "The right to vote is as important and treasured as it was 50 years ago, and it always shall be. Given that the Voting Rights Act has been imperative in reducing racial discrimination voting, it makes no sense to take off your umbrella in the storm." The White House, Democrats, and minorities celebrated the result with President Clinton applauding the Court for, "protecting and enhancing our Constitution and our liberty."

IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL PASSES THE SENATE 62-38

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The Senate passed a comprehsnive immigration reform, with 10 Republicans and every single Democrat, as well as the two Independents, voting in favor. The bill, called the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, is now going to the House where it is expected to pass. The bill would make it possible for many undocumented immigrants to gain legal status and eventually citizenship. It would also make the border more secure by adding up to 40,000 border patrol agents. It also advances talent-based immigration through a points-based immigration system. New visas have been proposed in this legislation, including a visa for entrepreneurs and a W visa for lower skilled workers. Republicans rallied against the bill, though several in their party, including Florida Senator Charlie Crist, called for the party to support the bill to avoid alienating key, growing sections of the voting population. Yet, with an increasingly militant right, Republican incumbents might be forced to do just that. President Clinton meanwhile called on the House to pass the bill saying, "For too long we have lived with a broken immigration system. This bill is the fix our immigration system needs."

RIAD AL-ASAAD ELECTED PRESIDENT OF SYRIA, GETS 60% OF THE VOTE-JULY 1, 2013​

Syria has its first-ever democratically elected President in FSA commander Riad al-Asaad (no relation to deposed dictator), who won a landslide victory, though was the first Syrian to win a presidential election with less than 90% of the vote. The election was successful in many areas, with high turnout and little violence. There was a violent incident in Latakia where a crowd of Sunnis and Alawites turned up at the same time to the polling station. The Alawites then revealed themselves as a violent militia and began killing anyone who attempted to vote. 16 people died in the massacre, and in revenge the FSA killed 32 Alawites. Still, Syria looks set to begin forming a functioning democracy. Violence is down, though the city of Raqqa remains in the hands of Jabhat al-Nusra, and numerous remote areas and outposts serve as a breeding ground for ethnic and criminal militias. The new President now takes office promising to restore order and create a prosperous, free society. That certainly, would be a tall order, but then again overthrowing the Assad three years ago seemed a tall order. Syria has its chance now, but will they seize it?

CROATIA JOINS EU-JULY 1, 2013

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[Montgomerie Ward]

BATTLE BY NATO HEADQUARTERS IN KABUL, NEARLY A DOZEN DEAD-JULY 2, 2013

EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMMED MORSI DEPOSED IN MILITARY COUP-JULY 3, 2013

SECRETARY OF STATE BIDEN SEEKS TO PROP UP LIBYAN GOVERNMENT, NEGOTIATE PEACE THERE​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, SHOOTER OF BLACK TEENAGER TRAYVON MARTIN, ACQUITTED
RACIAL TENSIONS MOUNT AS BLACKS FURIOUS AT VERDICT-JULY 13, 2013

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FSA MOUNTS OFFENSIVE ON RAQQA, NEWLY-ELECTED PRESIDENT TO LEAD ARMY IN THEIR BATTLE-JULY 19, 2013

HOUSE PASSES IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL 249-186, PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNS IT INTO LAW-JULY 25, 2013

RIGHT-WING POPULIST 'MINUTEMEN' RISE AGAINST IMMIGRATION REFORM, CLINTONS

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The left isn't the only one with an insurgent, populist wing on the rise. It's the GOP's turn. In opposition to the Clintons, immigration reform, the latest scandals and the party establishment the Minutemen are rising. This new movement is distinctly libertarian in flavor, with opposition to the powers of the NSA, and in many cases admiration of Ron Paul and his ideals. Yet, social conservatism is also a key part, with Congressman Tim Huelskamp saying the immigration reform bill will lead to "swarthy brown Mexicans overruning our country, taking our jobs, our land, our culture, maybe even our lives. Congress has passed, it's a form of cultural genocide." Also added in is the old, burning hatred of the Clintons, with conspiracy theories about Whitewater, Vince Foster, Juanita Broaddrick, and numerous others abounding, along with new theories, including that Hillary Clinton is trying to impose a socialist dictatorship and that Bill Clinton was engaging in numerous, well, horrible practices.So far, the party establishment has been largely mute as the Republican base rises up and unleashes its anger, at Clinton, Romney, Kerry, and the other Clinton, as well as Washington in general. Is another Republican Revolution coming? Perhaps, we'll need to wait and see. One thing is certain. America is very angry at Washington and their leaders.

RON PAUL RELEASES NEW BOOK: TAKING OUR COUNTRY BACK-AUGUST 1, 2013

UNEMPLOYMENT NOW AT 9.2%, ECONOMIC GROWTH AT 3%
MCCONNELL CROWS "THE JOBS BILL IS NOT WORKING, IT'S A TERRIBLE FAILURE!"-AUGUST 1, 2013

HILLARY CLINTON'S APPROVAL RATING AT 48%-AUGUST 5, 2013

BATTLE OF RAQQA ENDS WITH TERRORIST ROUT, SYRIAN GOVT GAINS CONTROL OVER CITY
US ARMS, SUPPORT CREDITED AS PIVOTAL IN SYRIAN GOVT VICTORY-AUGUST 13, 2013

EGYPTIAN ARMY MASSACRES THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS, BEGINS MASSIVE CRACKDOWN ON ALL OPPOSITION-AUGUST 14, 2013

BIDEN CRAFTS 'LIBYA FRAMEWORK', LIBYA TO BE FEDERALIZED, US FUNDING GIVEN TO GOVT IN EXCHANGE FOR PROGRESS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY-AUGUST 17, 2013

HEALTHCARE REFORM NEXT ON AGENDA-WHITE HOUSE
RON PAUL BOOK PROVES BESTSELLER, FUELS NASCENT MINUTEMEN MOVEMENT

FEINGOLD, SANDERS EXPRESS 'DISAPPOINTMENT' WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON-AUGUST 27, 2013

TROUBLING SIGNS FOR DEMOCRATS LOOM IN MIDTERMS, GENERIC CONGRESSIONAL BALLOT NEARLY TIED

BILL CLINTON LAWSUIT CONTINUES, TWO OTHER INTERNS COME OUT TO ACCUSE CLINTON OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
BILL CLINTON CALLS ON REPUBLICANS TO 'QUIT THE DISGRACEFUL GUTTER TACTICS, FOR YOUR OWN SAKE' -SEPTEMBER 2, 2013

CLINTON APPROVAL RATING AT 49%

PRESIDENT FENDS OFF CRITICS, VOWS TO ADVANCE HER AGENDA AND 'SECURE THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY'-SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

JELLO BIAFRA TO RUN FOR NANCY PELOSI'S SEAT IN CONGRESS
BIAFRA CANDIDACY NOT EXPECTED TO SUCCEED, THOUGH GREEN PARTY COULD GAIN MOMENT OF ATTENTION-SEPTEMBER 10, 2013​

 

[Montgomerie Ward]

VIOLENCE IN SYRIA, LIBYA FALLS TO LOWEST POST-2011 LEVELS

PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS HEALTHCARE REFORM-SEPTEMBER 18, 2013
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President Hillary Clinton called on Congress to pass healthcare reform. The White House released a detailed proposal, written by the administration and Democratic congressional leaders (this has spurred Republican attacks on the bill as too partisan and claims that the administration was disregarding bipartisanship.) The Healthcare Malpractice Act of 2006, which already banned denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, would be expanded. The bill contains an individual mandate, which requires everybody to buy health insurance or pay a fine, and a public option for insurance and insurance exchanges help provide health insurance. Subsidies are given to those who cannot afford health insurance. An employer mandate is added onto the bill, where businesses with over 50 employees must provide health insurance. The bill is filled with measures to control healthcare costs, from new taxes to other regulations and measures to curtail the bloated bureaucracy in the industry. Most of the bill, if passed, would not go into effect until 2018, a provision which has caused an outcry among Republicans who are arguing that the administration wants to avoid the effects being felt by the 2016 election due to, according to Mitch McConnell, it being 'an unmitigated disaster, a poisonous government bureaucracy of mandates, taxes and regulations that will strip you of your coverage, and wreck our healthcare system.' Democrats were quick to promote the bill, called the Health Choices Act with Nancy Pelosi declaring, "This bill will fix our bloated healthcare system and finally give healthcare to all Americans."

AL-SHABAAB ATTACKS NAIROBI MALL, 62 DEAD, NEARLY 200 WOUNDED-SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

HEALTH CHOICES ACT FACES DEATH OR BEING WATERED DOWN AS REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO PASS IT

MINUTEMEN MARCH ON WASHINGTON-SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO 9%, GROWTH AT 3.2%, NATIONAL DEBT RISES TO $18.5 TRILLION-OCTOBER 1, 2013

REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS BLAME EACH OTHER FOR RISING DEBT
MCCONNELL: "TAX AND SPEND LIBERALS ARE BURYING US IN DEBT"
REID: "ROMNEY'S TO BLAME, REPUBLICAN POLICIES ABYSMAL FAILURE"-OCTOBER 2, 2013

HEALTH PROTECTION MINAMATA TREATY SIGNED BY OVER 140 COUNTRIES-OCTOBER 10, 2013​