Excellent update. I especially liked the "Something of the Inquisition" line. Couple of things that sprung out.
Thank you very much
Let me guess. Too many voted for Portillo and not enough for Smith. I feel like this is a reference to something that happened but I can't remember the details.
Yes, the same basic plan was tried and succeeded IOTL by IDS' supporters, here it doesn't work so well.
Both President's Biden. Hilary Rodham Biden by any chance?
Yes indeed.
Was he drinking it in pints by any chance?
Of course.