Gamechanger 2004

It's October 17, 2004 and Game 4 of the American League Division Series. The New York Yankees are facing their long time rivals the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees have won the fist three games of the Series and if they win the fourth, they head to the world series. It's the ninth inning and the Yankees have a 4-3 lead over the Red Sox. With their star closer Mariano Rivera on the mound giving three outs to the Red Sox and winning the Series and keeping the Curse of Babe Ruth intact is a piece of cake. Or is it?

Rivera grips the ball tightly in his hand. All of the sudden, Rivera experiences a period of motivation. He knows he can win the game. Rivera strikes out one Red Sox player. And then another. A third Red Sox player steps onto Home Plate and Rivera deals him one strike, then another strike and then.....a hit :(

But wait. The Red Sox player rounds first base and then second. He nears third base. At the same time, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter throws the ball to third baseman Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod catches the ball and the Red Sox player is out! The Yankees win! And the Yankees win! :D

The Yankees after sweeping the Red Sox go on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals and win their 27th World Series.

But that's not the only victory of the year. With their team out of World Series, the city of Boston is given a chance to further support their own presidential candidate John Kerry. Kerry's daughter Alexandra gets the bright idea to make a documentary to serve a last minute boost to her father's campaign. The citizens of Boston unoccupied with watching baseball are happy to help with the film and a week later, the short film titled Kerry of Boston in released online.

Alexandra Kerry's film instantaneously goes viral as numerous Americans are exposed to positive things about Kerry's character. As a result, Kerry's ratings in the polls dramatically increased.

On November 2, 2004, Kerry wins the election with 284 Electoral Votes to Bush's 254. He wins all the states he wins IOTL plus Iowa, New Mexico, Ohio and all the votes of Minnesota. He also wins the popular vote by one point. And he has to thank Mariano Rivera. :D

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So what do you think so far?
 
It's a fun concept, kind of like Laugh-In (potentially) bringing in visibility and votes for Nixon. I don't know if more politicians will actually embrace social media as a result, but it could happen. The big issue later on will be how the Kerry administration will react when Edwards' scandal breaks out (deja vu, anyone?).
 
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