In Iowa the first contest of the Republican Presidential Primaries took place. The winner of the night was Mayor of New York City Curtis Sliwa with 24 delegates going to him. This was an expected result as he had led in the State for some time. In second was Governor of Pennsylvania Mark Roosevelt who got 16 delegates. This was a respectable showcase and he is considered the closest challenger to Sliwa's front-runner status. Former Governor of Ohio Clancy Brown was third with 10 delegates to his column. He is from the region, so he had some benefits on his side. Right on his toes was former Senator from Texas Ron Paul with 9 delegates. Not the best showing, but Libertarians are generally not expected to do well in the State. Finally, there was another Candidate who had a terrible night. Looking at the results, the outcome was not surprising for the campaign of said Candidate. It is...

Senator from California Condoleezza Rice Dropping out of the race and Endorsing Mark Roosevelt

Now the Candidates are looking at New Hampshire Primary, some to cement their status, others to survive.

So the Candidates now are:

"America Needs a Guardian"

Curtis ⁠Sliwa, Mayor of New York City, Member of the National Conservative Caucus, Socially Moderately Conservative, Economically Populist, Moderately Interventionist, Populist, Charismatic, Catholic, (He gets 2 Additional Points in the polls due to the Competition Contest result)

"Change for All Americans"

Mark Roosevelt, Governor of Pennsylvania, former Senator from Massachusetts, Official American Solidarity's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Moderate, Internationalist, Reformer, Great-grandson and Grandnephew of former Presidents

"Are You Americans?"

Clancy Brown, former Governor of Ohio, Founder of Ordinary American Party, Backed by the Prosperity Party, Socially & Economically Moderate, Populist, Maverick

"rEvolution Can't Be Stopped"

Ron Paul, former Senator from Texas, Representative and Governor, Official Libertarian League's Candidate, Jeffersonian Libertarian, Socially Progressive, Isolationist, Really Old

Endorsements:

• American Solidarity and Senator from California Condoleezza Rice Endorse Governor of Pennsylvania Mark Roosevelt;
• Libertarian League Endorses former Senator from Texas Ron Paul;
• National Conservative Caucus, Senator from Missouri John Ashcroft and the Governor of Louisiana Piyush Jindal Endorse the Mayor of New York City Curtis Sliwa

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First four years of Petr Simonenko's presidency have been more than a mixed bag, combining nascent economic growth driven by rising oil prices with the onset of counterreforms and Simonenko's firm desire to roll back all the achievements of Gorbachev and Rutskoy and return to 1985, but with the opportunity to open his own cafe. Elected through blatant fraud, Simonenko clearly alienated the moderates of Titov's coalition and made many unpopular moves, yet the president remains confident in his course despite rising oil prices. Simonenko's administration has been mired in numerous corruption scandals, but the generous spending of oil revenues, which began flowing into the budget after 2001, on social security, benefits, and pensions has allowed him to maintain his popularity among pensioners and those dependent on state aid. On the other hand, the new government, led by the weak and domineering Prime Minister Adam Martynyuk and First Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Lukashenko, who defected to the UCP, rolled back even the reforms initiated under Titov, abandoning the proposal to reduce business taxes from the stifling 35%. This did not come without consequences, and the Communists suffered a series of painful defeats in regional elections.

In response, Communists introduced term limits for mayors, governors, and the head of the republic, limiting them to two terms of no more than ten years in total, attempting to undermine local authorities.

However, the most striking criticism of Simonenko is expressed in the context of high-profile criminal cases that occurred during the first part of his presidential term, which, in general,
reflect all aspects and qualities of Simonenko, who refuses to accept new developments in life.

t.A.T.u. case

Musical duo t.A.T.u. formed in 1999, became one of the most popular groups in the Soviet Union, enjoying notable success abroad. Lead singers Yulia Volkova and Lena Katina actively exploited the stage image of lesbians (though neither of them were lesbians), successfully shocking audiences and gaining popularity among Soviet youth seeking freedom. However, this loud image, and the fact that Soviet culture now appears precisely this way in the West, irritated the upper echelons of Communist Party, which was then engaged in a campaign for morality. Formally, this purely commercial duo violated nothing—the criminal law against homosexuals had already been repealed
by Rutskoy—but the "red prosecutors" found a pretext to comply with the wishes of the country's top leadership. A criminal case was opened against t.A.T.u. for producing pornography, some of the group's producers and songwriters were arrested, and the lead singers themselves were restricted in their ability to leave the Soviet Union just before a European tour. Despite the band's attempts to quietly negotiate, these high-profile arrests sparked a new wave of mass protests, primarily among young people, releasing pent-up tensions. A significant portion of the population recognized Simonenko's illegitimacy and his restoration of an authoritarian regime, but only a few
were prepared for active action.

t.A.T.u.

 Occupation of the Ministry of Culture building by National Liberals and criminal case

Among all the new youth protest movements, youth wing of the National Liberals stood out, holding street protests and "direct actions." The most notorious incident was when NLP activists
doused the head of the Central Electoral Commission with mayonnaise following the highly questionable results of the regional elections in Belarus. Their actions were considered more radical than the "pomidorings" (throwing tomatoes at communists) carried out by democratic youth movements. It's no surprise that the National Liberals became the vanguard of the street protests against t.A.T.u. case. However, the National Liberals' most daring and courageous action resulted in a far more high-profile criminal case.

Forty NLP supporters, through deception but without violence, occupied the Ministry of Culture building and barricaded themselves inside, throwing portraits of President Simonenko and red flags out of the windows, demanding an end to the prosecution of t.A.T.u. This action was suppressed by police, who brutally arrested the National Liberals, and a criminal case was opened against the activists for attempting to seize power, which only led to a new wave of street protests.

Sergey Smirnov (second from the left) was charged even though he did not enter the ministry building.

Lev Rokhlin Case

General Lev Rokhlin was considered a prominent democratic sympathizer: elected to the Council of People's Deputies with the support of the United Democrats, he remained an independent member of parliament, but in fact, he organized the Movement in Defense of the Army, a democratically loyal movement, attracting officers and generals disillusioned with the communists' return to power, as well as veterans of past wars. At the same time, Rokhlin retained significant influence among his former units, remaining popular within them. Rokhlin negotiated the nomination of Nemtsov and Kasparov among the top three candidates before he was unexpectedly arrested on
charges of organizing an armed coup against the legitimately elected president. Rokhlin's case was initially aimed at the entire democratic opposition, but the charges against Nemtsov, whom he believed Rokhlin wanted to make himself interim president, but no charges were ever brought. Rokhlin's prosecution finally brought together two mutually distrustful opposition forces—disillusioned military personnel, patriots, and anti-war democrats. A verdict has not yet been handed down, but Rokhlin's defense has already become an important identity for the democrats.

Closing of NTV and Echo of Moscow

By 2002, only one major independent television channel remained in the media market that had emerged in the Soviet Union: NTV, owned by banker Vladimir Gusinsky. Gusinsky effectively abandoned Russia after 2000, having emigrated to Israel. However, he maintained his media empire, which, in addition to NTV, included the radio station Echo of Moscow and the
newspaper Segodnya (Today). Having failed to find common ground with the new government, Gusinsky thus remained the sole defender of opposition views on national television, while the journalistic collective that had formed at NTV and Echo of Moscow eventually adopted a clear anti-government stance, becoming the opposition's main mouthpiece. An irritated Simonenko ordered NTV and Echo silenced, which was followed by a series of searches of their editorial offices. Formally charged with tax evasion, and later, despite major protests in defense of freedom of speech, NTV and Echo were taken off the air and radio and their licenses were revoked.

Anti-Alcohol Campaign and Pressure on the Church

President Simonenko considered the new anti-alcohol campaign, this time more effective than the one under Gorbachev, to be his greatest achievement. The Soviet Union did indeed have a significant problem with counterfeit alcohol, as well as a rising alcohol-related mortality rate. The administration achieved notable success in limiting the hours of legal alcohol sales, while Chechen-Ingushetia and several other Muslim regions almost completely banned or severely restricted the legal sale of alcohol. However, Simonenko's measures failed to curb the spread of counterfeit alcohol, only worsening the situation and undermining the nascent shift from vodka to beer as the preferred alcoholic beverage, as well as undermining budget revenues.

Unlike President Rutskoy, who was sympathetic to the Russian Orthodox Church, and Titov, who was neutral and acknowledged the new realities, Simonenko was initially anti-clerical and considered religious organizations hostile to him and working for foreign powers. Under Simonenko, all the privileges of the Rutskoy era were revoked: religious organizations were again subject to taxes, preaching outside religious sites was prohibited, foreign funding for religious organizations was banned, and the registration of new religious organizations was suspended. This dealt a serious blow to both freedom of conscience and stability: while more and more Muslims were turning to radical forms of Islam, a faction within the Russian Orthodox Church advocating active participation in politics gained the upper hand, and other Christian organizations, one after another, officially supported the opponents of the communists.

The failure of Simonenko's project to reintegrate Moldova was a significant slap in the face for the communists. The communist-elected president of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, used all the money and preferences he received from Moscow to come to power. However, once in power, he pivoted toward European integration, enjoying the support of the pro-European opposition and securing significant European loans for Kishinev. Despite Voronin's opposition to the unification of Moldova and Romania and his avoidance of Moldova's accession to NATO, this was still a serious blow to the Kremlin, due to the deterioration in Soviet-American relations.

However, the most unpleasant wake-up call for Simonenko was the Rose Revolution in Georgia, where former Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze, who with Rutskoy's help became president of Georgia after the overthrow of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, chose to cede power to the young opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili rather than allow Moscow to suppress the protests. This, along with the failure to prevent the American invasion of Iraq, fueled Simonenko's besieged fortress rhetoric, but also exposed him as a weak leader.

America is going to war.

A key factor in foreign policy was the sharp deterioration of Soviet-American relations following the series of terrorist attacks using hijacked passenger planes carried out by Islamist terrorists on
September 9, 2001. Al-Qaeda suicide bombers managed to evade radar and ram the White House and bring down the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Vice President Joseph Lieberman was sworn in after the confirmed death of President Al Gore. 9/9 had a profound impact on the world, destroying any positive hope for the future of the 1990s. It marked the beginning of a new series of US wars against al-Qaeda allies, which was negatively received by the Soviet Union, which attempted to block all US resolutions at the UN.

Simonenko, who had grown up with career diplomats, adopted a hawkish attitude, blaming America for 9/9 as punishment for unleashing imperialist wars. This failed to stop the American interventions
in Afghanistan (2001), Somalia (2002), and Iraq (2004), but only pushed NATO to expand – soon, almost all independent Eastern European countries joined NATO, and Georgia received NATO candidate status. This marked the beginning of a new Cold War, and even Yugoslavia, which had seemed an ally of Moscow, now sought to distance itself from the Kremlin.

Joe Lieberman and his crusade

Under these circumstances, Communists had to defend their tenuous majority in the Supreme Soviet, significantly damaging relations with all other parliamentary factions.

United Communist Party

The party, which had been a broad coalition under Titov, had changed significantly over the intervening period. Simonenko's purges of disloyal individuals, as well as the organized exodus of centrist communists and worker radicals, significantly altered the intra-party landscape. Simonenko ousted Titov's allies from all key positions, replacing them with his own protégés and imposing strict discipline. At the same time, the left wing of the socialists, led by Alexander Lukashenko, who were unwilling to break with power and lose their positions, joined the UCP. The communists promote their successes in improving living standards and employ patriotism and the rhetoric of a besieged fortress, while trying to ignore all of Simonenko's failures, promising to continue their successful policies. At the same time, the communists are trying to simply ignore a significant portion of the problems that have arisen, instead promising to reintegrate Tajikistan into the
Soviet Union and support a global axis of resistance against the United States.

Top three candidates on the all-Union list: President Petr Simonenko, Prime Minister Adam Martynyuk and First Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Lukashenko.

Simonenko and Martynyuk

Progressive Workers' Party

This new contender for parliament is an alliance of two exiles: Viktor Anpilov, the leader of Labor Russia, expelled from the UCP by Simonenko, and Natalia Vitrenko, the leader of the Progressive
Socialists. This populist alliance manages to simultaneously attack the communists from both the left and right, accusing Titov's coalition of betraying their voters, aggressively seizing power within the party, and fighting independent trade unions. At the same time, the Progressive Workers oppose pressure on the Orthodox Church and support populist measures such as the direct redirection of excess oil revenues to pensions and social spending, while also accusing Simonenko of corruption and election fraud. The Progressive Workers' Party is also flirting with environmental issues, attracting left-wing environmentalists to its ranks. Anpilov and Vitrenko consider the "red
directors" oligarchs and demand the actual nationalization of their industries, promising not to enter into a coalition with the communists as long as Simonenko is in power.

Top three on the all-Union list: PD Viktor Anpilov, PD Natalia Vitrenko and PD Yerasyl
Abylkasymov.

Natalia Vitrenko

Revolutionary Workers' Party

Having achieved significant success in the presidential elections, trotskyists are planning to storm parliament, actively protesting against Simonenko from the left. Biets has strengthened his list not
only with activists but also with locally elected officials, and has also included Valery Gartung, the Titov-era Minister of Labor, in the top three. RWP has a short but compelling platform, defending trade unions, internationalism, and the rights of Central Asian migrants, while attacking the red oligarchs and their patrons. The Trotskyists also have a significant socially progressive and feminist wing, having joined the protests against the persecution of t.A.T.u., but their core is still made up of young activists and veteran trade unionists. Trotskyists support the restoration of republican status for Tajikistan and pressure on the church, but oppose imperialist foreign policy.

Top three on the all-Union list: former presidential candidate Sergey Biets, former Labor Minister Valery Gartung, and mayor of Kovrov (Vladimir oblast) Irina Tabatskova.

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Social Democratic Center - Socialists and Civic Union

The double split depleted the socialists, leaving only their right wing and the apparatus loyal to Alexander Moroz. Rutskoy's departure depleted the Civil Union. It was clear that both these parties, despite having no significant differences in their views, were competing for the same electorate, dividing it. Former Moscow Mayor Gavriil Popov and Socialist leader Alexander Moroz agreed on a path to unification, at least for one term, seeking to create a viable third force between the left and right. Social Democrats were joined by a number of prominent figures from Titov's administration, expelled from the UCP for disloyalty to Simonenko, most notably former Finance Minister Yuri Boldyrev, as well as a number of left-wing Yabloko members led by deputy Vyacheslav Igrunov and the popular general Alexander Lebed, who was elected governor of Krasnoyarsk Kray. Social Democrats are attacking the Communists from the right, seeking to regain their status as the country's second party, promising a revival.

Cautious market reforms and tax reductions while maintaining the social character of the state and fighting corruption. Social Democrats also support religious organizations, promising to repeal recent laws against them. In foreign policy, Social Democrats strive to maintain a moderate position, criticizing both Simonenko's aggressive anti-American policies and NATO's eastward expansion. Social Democrats advocate for the independence of Tajikistan and the regulation of labor migration from Central Asia.

Top three on the all-Union list: Former Moscow Mayor Gavriil Popov, PD and former Chairman of the Congress of People's Deputies Alexander Moroz and Krasnoyarsk Governor Alexander Lebed.

Alexander Moroz

Yabloko

Yabloko is still the country's second-largest party, but after losing the presidential election and undermining Yavlinsky's authority, the party suffered significant losses in popularity. The coalition
with Rukh and United Democrats collapsed. Yavlinsky carried out significant purges of disloyal party members, which only accelerated the exodus. Despite this, Yabloko managed to elect PD Galina
Khovanskaya as mayor of Moscow, as well as win several important gubernatorial seats and lead the ruling coalition in Central Russia. However, Yabloko suffered a series of crushing defeats at the hands of the Democrats in its traditional strongholds, failing to win in St. Petersburg and northern Russia, and being routed in Siberia.

Yavlinsky is running with the same market reform platform as in the previous elections, criticizing Communists for wasting an opportunity for the Soviet economy and their leftist opponents for
amateurism and madness. He also strives to take a moderate stance on foreign policy, criticizing both the American invasions and Simonenko's inappropriate response to the 9/9 attacks, while supporting world peace. Yabloko advocates for the sovereignty of Tajikistan and opposes all forms of nationalism. Yavlinsky is trying to portray himself as the only mature and experienced figure among all the opposition parties, criticizing democrats, progressive workers, and trotskyists even more harshly than the communists.

The top three on the all-Union list: PD and former First Deputy Prime Minister Grigory
Yavlinsky, UCD Sergey Ivanenko and Moscow Mayor Galina Khovanskaya.

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"Russia Against Lawlessness and Corruption" ("Rus' Against Lawlessness and Corruption" in Ukrainian)

Yavlinsky's immediate capitulation crushed all sympathy for him among Democrats and Rukh. The United Democrats and Rukh faced an exodus of defectors from Yabloko, some enraged by Yavlinsky's betrayal and some ousted in the subsequent purges. Democrats lost their bid to elect Garry Kasparov as mayor of Moscow, but later gained revenge in the St. Petersburg mayoral election. Marina Salye unexpectedly defeated both the incumbent governor, Vladimir Yakovlev, backed by Communists, and Yabloko candidate, Igor Artemyev. Thus, for the first time in the history of the Soviet Union, two of the largest cities were headed by women. Furthermore, the Democrats managed to recapture Novosibirsk and, for the first time, in alliance with Rukh, elect
their own mayor in Kiev: professional boxer Vitaly Klichko.

The resulting alliance between United Democrats (both Nemtsov's and Kasparov's wing reconciled in the face of a common enemy) and Rukh (in which the moderates routed the nationalists) became the basis for a new broad populist coalition, formed in stark opposition to the Communists,
who had "shed their sheep's clothing." The experience of Boris Nemtsov, one of the most effective governors of the Soviet Union, as well as that of several other prominent governors and heads of republics, has garnered support from a young protest movement enraged by communist rule. Coalition's platform combines broad market reforms, stifling tax cuts, and the fight against corruption. Democrats demand an end to political motivated criminal cases, repeal of the destructive prohibition, an end to hawkish foreign policy, and an unequivocal condemnation of Islamic terrorism. They also demand a restoration of relations with the United States and Europe and a rejection of a new Cold War. Democrats advocate for religious freedom; the coalition's pre-election congress in Kiev was consecrated by Metropolitan Filaret of Kiev. Nemtsov and Kasparov united the broadest possible forces and held effective primaries among the Democrats. However, the NLP's entry into the coalition failed: instead, the Democrats and National Liberals effectively divided single-mandate constituencies, supporting most of each other's candidates in them.

The top three on the all-Union list: President of the Volga-Vyatka Republic Boris Nemtsov, PD Garry Kasparov and Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klichko.

National Liberal Party

The issue of the National Liberals' participation in the elections was not resolved until the last minute, but an attempt to ban the NLP was unsuccessful in time, and Limonov's party was
allowed to participate. National Liberals are running in the elections as the main protest party, putting forward a highly populist program consisting of a mixture of anti-corruption and anti-oligarchic agendas, demands for the release of political prisoners, and market libertarianism, nationalism (visa regime for Central Asia and Tajikistan's independence), and social progressivism (Limonov was the only one to openly support the rights of same-sex couples after t.A.T.u. case). Limonov managed to assemble a truly high-profile and stellar lineup, convincing many prominent celebrities to run for his party, as well as such unexpected figures as former LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

The top three on the all-Union list: PD Eduard Limonov, singer Yegor Letov and journalist Alexander Khinshtein.

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VOTE HERE

More Context:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Presidentialpoll/s/6hKcHoJC4k

Candidates:

"Like it? Vote Ford"

Harrison Ford, the current President of the United States of America, former Senator & Governor of Illinois, former Actor, Leader of the Nelsonian Coalition, Socially Progressive, Pro-Free Market, Supports Technoliberalism, Moderately Interventionist, Inventor of Fordism, Kinda Old

"He is Taking Care of Business"

Eric Mays, Governor of Michigan, Economically Really Progressive, Socially Progressive, Isolationist, Populist, Without filter

"Don't Sell Out People"

Ron Dellums, former Governor of California & Representative, Socially & Economically Really Progressive, Soft Interventionist, Really Old

Endorsements:

• Nelsonian Coalition, Third Way Coalition, Rational Liberal Caucus and National Progressive Caucus Endorse President of the United States Harrison Ford

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Background: With President Young now seeking a second term in the White House, the Democrats are now scrambling to nominate someone who could unify a fractured party against the growing Republican establishment. With geopolitics, discussions around antisemitism, the ousting of House Speaker Joseph Crowley, and the rising fringe movement of far-left and socialist activism in the party, the DNC is desperate to nominate a candidate who can retain political power without alienating either side of the party. A major threat has already been presented with the rising prominence of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former Assistant Attorney General under President Becerra, who has begun building a growing anti-establishment coalition that could undermine the Democratic establishment despite his fringe rhetoric and conspiracy theories. This puts him squarely against a slew of mainstream candidates including former Homeland Security secretary and Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, Senators Michael Bennett and Cory Booker, former House Representative Cheri Bustos, and Governors Gina Raimondo, Jay Inslee, and John Bel Edwards.

The debates have largely circulated around President Young's response to foreign crises, immigration policy, anti-Israel and anti-American protests, healthcare, and divisions within the party.

The majority of candidates have largely agreed towards the need to end the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza through varying means of military support, but the candidates differed on following responses. O'Malley, Bennett, Edwards, Bustos, and Raimondo have remained adamant in avoiding any further interference in Israeli politics that may exacerbate current tensions, while Booker and Inslee have pushed for a more critical analysis of current U.S. policies in the Middle East. RFK Jr. would argue for a reduction in funds and military presence in hostile nations to prioritize intelligence operations.

While the vast majority of candidates pledged support for Ukraine, RFK drew controversy in his arguments that U.S. meddling in European politics spurred Russia's invasion, although he did support the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes committed under Putin.

Throughout the campaign, Inslee and Booker have fought to galvanize progressive voters by courting to hardline leftists in various state legislatures. Edwards and RFK Jr. have in turn focused on energizing populist and independent blocks by promoting themselves as political outsiders willing to stand as critics and mediators between both sides of the political aisles. The remaining candidates have played a varying balance of moderate and liberal policies to court establishment Democrats.

As the top candidates encroach on New Hampshire to begin the primary season, Cory Booker, RFK, and O'Malley are stuck in a perpetual three-man race as the remaining candidates look for potential avenues to cement themselves as the top Democrat in the race.

Candidates:

Martin Joseph O'Malley: 5th Secretary of Homeland Security (2017-2021), 62nd Governor of Maryland (2007-2015), 48th Mayor of Baltimore (1999-2007), Member of Baltimore City Council (1991-1999).

Martin O'Malley: With nearly thirty years in the political sphere, O'Malley has climbed up the ladder to go from a popular mayor to a top cabinet official in the White House. Now, he makes an official White House bid under the platform of an experienced leader with a proven record of strong leadership and liberal policies. O'Malley's campaign has promised to allow fracking under strict regulation, abolition of the death penalty, protecting abortion rights, and strict regulation of border policies.

As the former Secretary of Homeland Security, O'Malley has touted his work in combatting human trafficking across the southern border, mitigating damages caused by hurricanes through swift FEMA responses, and boldening the country's responses to domestic terror and mass shooters. A major weakness, however, comes from accusations that his lax stance on illegal immigration caused many states along the southern border to suffer worse infection rates during covid with many potentially-infected migrants being allowed through the border without check. O'Malley has also proposed providing temporary tactical support in Israel to bring a swift end to the Gaza conflict in order to allow swift aid into Gaza; furthermore, he also also supported the goal of an eventual two-state deal between Israel and Palestine.

Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Ed Rendell (PA), Frmr Secretary Tom Perez (MD) Frmr Senator Bill Nelson (FL), Frmr Secretary Michelle Nunn (GA), Frmr Secretary Donna Edwards (MD), Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Senator Chris van Hollen (MD), Senator Tom Carper (DE), Senator Chris Coons (DE), Senator Jon Ossoff (GA), Senator Kasim Reed (GA), Representative Ritchie Torres (NY), Representative Jamie Raskin (MD), Frmr House Speaker Tim Ryan (OH), Governor Wes Moore (MD), Governor John Carney (DE), Governor Josh Green (HI), Governor Tom Suozzi (NY), Frmr Governor Steve Bullock (MT), Frmr Governor John Bohlinger (MT), Frmr Governor Deval Patrick (MA).

Michael Farrand Bennet: Senator from Colorado (2010-present), Superintendent of Denver Public Schools (2005-2010).

Michael Bennet: A veteran of the Democratic Party, Bennet has built a reputation as an effective mediator for bipartisan policies, an advocate for education reform, and using pragmatic leadership to promote progressive values. On the campaign trail, Bennet has championed international partnership to end the wars in Ukraine and Israel, reducing the national debt, giving tax credits for use of renewable energy, and undoing Chinese influence in America's infrastructure and social media.

While seen as a front-runner for his mainstream appeal, Bennet suffers among progressives for his pro-Israel stance, support for fracking, and history of working with Republicans. Bennet has benefitted mostly from his appeal among rural and suburban voters, but suffers in larger urban and metropolitan communities.

Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Dianne DeGette (CO), Frmr Secretary Tom Udall (NM), Frmr Ambassador Mark Dayton (MN), Senator Ed Perlmutter (CO), Senator Mark Kelly (AZ), Senator Kirsten Sinema (AZ), Senator Jackie Rosen (NV), Senator Kate Marshall (NV), Senator Martin Heinrich (NM), Representative Joe Neguse (CO), Representative Jason Crow (CO), Representative Yadira Caraveo (CO), Frmr House Speaker Joseph Crowley (NY), Governor Jenna Griswold (CO), Governor Josh Shapiro (PA), Governor Katie Hobbs (AZ), Governor Shelley Berkley (NV), Howard Schultz (WA), Jamie Dimon (IL), Stephen Colbert (NJ), Bill Gates (WA).

Cory Anthony Booker: Chair of the Democratic Steering Committee (2021-2023), Senator from New Jersey (2013-present), 38th Mayor of Newark (2006-2013), Member of Newark Municipal Council (1998-2002)

Cory Booker: A staple figure among Democratic leadership, Booker has launched a bid to oust President Young who he has accused of being beholden to special interests and corporations. Running on a progressive platform, Booker has built a strong coalition of Black voters, suburban women, and urban liberals who have vouched for his liberal credentials. Booker's campaign has centered on deregulating the tech industry, implementing carbon taxes on corporations, restricting and tracking lobbyist activities in the federal government, repealing SCOPPA and passing universal protections for abortion access, providing amnesty for illegal immigrants not convicted on felony charges, and investigating price gouging accusations against the pharmaceutical industry,

When asked on his foreign policy ambitions, Booker has called for an eventual two-state negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians once all hostages have been returned to their countries of origin. Booker has been vocally critical of US intervention in the Middle East, instead proposing a minimum-activity approach while referring to UN policy to direct its visions towards the Middle East. This proposal has garnered some backlash over accusations that Booker is being too soft on the Afghani and Iranian oppression of women's and LGBT rights.

Endorsements: Frmr Vice President Russ Feingold (WI), Frmr National Security Advisor Susan Rice (DC), Senator Stephen Sweeney (NJ), Senator Barack Obama (IL), Senator Raja Krishnamorthi (IL), House Speaker Pete Aguilar (CA), House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ), Representative Andy Kim (NJ), Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL), Representative Val Demmings (FL), Representative Barbara Lee (CA), Representative Katie Porter (CA), Representative Eric Swalwell (CA), Representative Seth Moulton (MA), Representative Collin Allred (TX), Representative Marc Veasey (TX), Representative Veronica Escobar (TX), Representative Steven Horsford (NV), Representative Jim Clyburn (SC), Representative Don Davis (NC), Representative Cedric Richmond (LA), Representative Bennie Johnson (MS), Governor Phil Murphy (NJ), Governor Stephen Lynch (MA), Governor Janet Mills (ME), Frmr Governor Deval Patrick (MA), Mayor Eric Adams (NY), Mayor Albio Sires (NJ), Mayor Ras Baraka (NJ), Bon Jovi (NJ).

Cheryl Lea Bustos: Vice Chair of Democratic Caucus (2021-2023), Co-Chair of Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (2017-2019), Representative for IL-17 (2013-2023).

Cheri Bustos: As a rising star of Democratic leadership, Bustos' bid for president came as a shock to some as she forfeited what some argued to be a potential path to the Speakership for a chance in the White House. The former representative has painted herself as a consensus builder who built her tenure around protecting American jobs, protecting women's rights, and promoting strong national security without excessive funding increases to the defense budget. Bustos' campaign has centered around expanding healthcare coverage with expansion into birth control provisions, reducing trade barriers to promote agricultural growth, and investigating the sports industry for potential financial fraud.

On the campaign trail, Bustos has pledged to end the wars in Israel and Ukraine, and work to hold Hamas and Russian leaders accountable for war crimes. While progressives have pressured Bustos to take a more vocal stance in support of Palestine, she has argued that the party should focus first on ending the war before making any further decisions on geopolitics. She has, however, supported the end goal of a two-state solution.

Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Julian Castro (TX), Frmr Secretary Jay Nixon (MO), Frmr SBA Director Penny Pritzker (IL), Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI),Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), Senator Betty McCollum (MN), Senator Gary Peters (MI), Senator Mazie Hirono (HI), Senator Brian Schatz (HI), Frmr Senate Leader Dick Durbin (IL), Representative Mikie Sherill (NJ), Representative Abigail Spanberger (VA), Representative Robin Kelly (IL), Representative Mike Quigley (IL), Representative Sean Casten (IL), Representative Jan Shakowsky (IL), Representative Lauren Underwood (IL), Frmr Representative David Cicilline (RI), Frmr Representative Joe Cunningham (SC), Frmr House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM), Governor JB Pritzker (IL), Governor Dean Phillips (MN), Governor Tina Kotek (OR), Frmr Governor Jennifer Granholm (MI), Frmr Governor RT Rybak (MN), Mayor Joyce Craig (NH), Mayor Miro Weinberger (VT), Mayor Paul Vallas (IL).

Gina Marie Raimondo: 75th Governor of Rhode Island (2019-present), 30th Treasurer of Rhode Island (2011-2019).

Gina Raimondo: Ever since the covid pandemic, Governor Raimondo has slowly built up a political profile as a strong female leader in the party, gaining prominence for her leadership during the covid pandemic. Raimondo's campaign has centered around expanding Medicare coverage, repealing the McCain school voucher program, modernizing American infrastructure for education and energy, and expanding the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Using her history as a business executive, Raimondo has touted herself as a supporter of business growth and promoting health benefits. While Raimondo benefits from a well-funded campaign, she notably suffers from a lack of foreign policy experience and low name recognition among general voters. While Raimondo has supported both Israel's existence and a two-state solution, she has been critical of Netanyahu's reckless actions and disregard for the safety of innocents in Gaza.

Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Frmr Ambassador Patrick Kennedy (RI), Senator Jack Reed (RI), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Senator Antonio Delgado (NY), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Senator Collin Van Ostern (NH), Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), Senator Bob Casey Jr. (PA), Senator Chris Murphy (CT), Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT), Senator Ed Markey (MA), Frmr Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), Frmr Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Frmr Senator Chris Dodd (CT), Governor Roy Cooper (NC), Governor William Tong (CT), Frmr Mayor Rahm Emmanuel (IL), Shawn Fain (IN), Oprah Winfrey (CA), Randi Weingarten (NY), Mark Cuban (TX).

Jay Robert Inslee: 23rd Governor of Washington (2013-present), Representative for WA-01 (1999-2021), Representative for WA-04 (1993-1995), Member of Washington House of Representatives (1989-1993).

Jay Inslee: A veteran of Washington politics, Governor Inslee has entered the race for president as a liberal leader with a strong background environmental policies, business growth, and drug reforms. Inslee has positioned himself as the most left-wing candidate in the race, calling for Medicare expansion, a federal ban on assault weapons, combatting climate change through radical environmental policies, universal pre-k, increased regulations on farming and hunting wild animals, decriminalizing marijuana, and increased funding for STEM and clean-energy jobs.

While Inslee has mostly focused on domestic issues, he has made light stakes in foreign policy. Inslee has proposed a deal with Poland to have them act as a venue state to funnel humanitarian aid to Ukraine, called for the resignation of Netanyahu in turn for further military aid to defeat Hamas, and furthering efforts to further develop relations with Islamic states rather than continual antagonization. Inslee's campaign has suffered from a lack of a strong coalition, as well as criticisms towards his failure to act on the CHOP zone in 2020 that left two people dead. His financial backing from MID executives in Boeing and Raytheon, as well as Amazon, have also been subject to criticism.

Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Tom Steyer (CA), Frmr Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Warren (MA), Frmr Secretary Maria Cantwell (WA), Senator Howard Dean (VT), Senator Molly Gray (VT), Senator Jeff Merkley (OR), Senator Ron Wyden (OR), Senator Adam Schiff (CA), Senator Loretta Sanchez (CA), Senator Darren Soto (FL), Representative Morgan McGarvey (KY), Representative Jim McGovern (MA), Representative Dan Kildee (MI), Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI), Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI), Representative Ilhan Omar (MN), Representative Gwen Moore (WI), Frmr House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (MO). Frmr Representative Luis Gutiérrez (IL), Governor Gavin Newsom (CA), Governor Josh Kaul (WI), Governor Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Frmr Governor Gary Locke (WA), Mayor Karen Bass (CA), Mayor Bruce Harrell (WA), Mark Zuckerberg (CA), JJeff Bezos (WA), Oprah Winfrey (CA).

John Bel Edwards: 56th Governor of Louisiana (2016-2024), Minority Leader of Louisiana House of Representatives (2021-2015), Member of Louisiana House of Representatives (2008-2015).

John Bel Edwards: Running on a more conservative platform than his progressive counterparts, Edwards has tried to build himself up as the universal leader with a populist platform that every American can find agreement in. Edwards has criticized President Young's economic policies and labor stances as out-of-touch and unaligned with American families. The former governor's campaign has centered on expansion of Medicaid coverage, protection of LGBT+ individuals from discrimination, increasing funding for public education, expanding access to healthy foods in rural communities through small business promotion and protections, and reforming FEMA policies to better protect vulnerable states from natural disasters. A key promise made by Edwards is that he would expand President Young's crusade against human traffickers, a pledge that has given him unexpected support among Republican voters.

Edwards has faced skepticism from progressive voters due to his anti-abortion policies, having signed a 15-week ban, something the governor has not backed down from. Edwards has labeled himself as a pro-life Democrat, in support of banning the death penalty outside of extreme stances and protecting unborn lives with similar care. Edwards has also made pledges to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine and Israel, but with the goal of ending both wars by the end of 2025 and gradually reducing funds for military aid.

Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Gwen Graham (FL), Frmr Secretary Tom Vilsack (IO), Senator Jeff Jackson (NC), Frmr Senator Mary Landrieu (LA), Representative Jared Golden (ME), Representative Jared Moskowitz (FL), Representative Sanford Bishop (GA), Representative Vincente Gonzalez (TX), Representative Josh Gottheimer (NJ), Governor Andy Beshear (KY), Governor Doug Jones (AL), Governor Brandon Pressley (MS), Governor David Toland (KS), Governor Roy Cooper (NC), Frmr Mayor Mitch Landrieu (LA), Stephen A. Smith (NY), Sean M. O'Brien (MA).

Robert Francis Kennedy Jr.: Assistant Attorney General for Environmental and Natural Resources (2018-2020), 64th Attorney General of New York (2007-2018).

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Considered the black sheep of the Democratic Party, RFK has become a rising star in the primaries due to his independent, populist campaign. Focusing his message to be on addressing declining health among the public, combating corporate influence in politics, and drastic environmentalist goals. If elected, Kennedy has promised to expand healthcare coverage for low-income Americans while reducing costs for private insurers, introduce stricter regulation on carbon emissions, and combat the social media industry and similar tech giants for enabling child exploitation and endangerment.

When asked about his position on the conflict in Gaza, RFK has criticized Palestinian leadership for continually mismanaging federal aid and refusing previous peace and land agreements, as well as criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu for what he argued was an increasingly erratic military policy.

RFK's controversial past of anti-vax comments, an issue that led to his departure from the Becerra Administration during the covid pandemic, has made him a pariah in recent years. Many Democrats, including the influential Kennedy family, have called RFK's campaign dangerous due to its fringe beliefs and threat to secure President Young's reelection. Despite this, RFK has managed to build a growing coalition of youth, independents, and dissatisfied Democrats frustrated with the out of touch Democratic leaders.

Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Harold Ford Jr. (TN), Frmr Secretary Joe Manchin (WV), Frmr General Wesley Clark (AR), Senator Jon Tester (MT), Senator John Fetterman (PA), Frmr Senator Lincoln Chafee (RI), Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI), Representative Jared Polis (CO), Representative Henry Cuellar (TX), Frmr Governor John Kitzhaber (OR), Frmr Governor Jesse Ventura (ME), Jack Dorsey (CA), Tony Robbins (CA), Andrew Yang (NY), Nichole Shanahan (CA), Zachary Levi (LA), Aaron Rodgers (PA).

Link to poll:

https://strawpoll.com/kjn1DkjYGyQ

VOTE HERE

Benjamin F. Butler, 19th President

Joseph E. McDonald, 18th Vice President

Cabinet

President: Benjamin F. Butler (1881-1885)

Vice President: Joseph E. McDonald (1881-1885)

Secretary of State: Allen G. Thurman (1881-1884), Henry M. Teller (1884-1885)

Secretary of the Treasury: Richard P. Bland (1881-1883), Francis Marion McDowell (1883-1885)

Secretary of War: Thomas Ewing Jr. (1881-1884), Adelbert Ames (1884-1885)

Attorney General: Hendrick B. Wright (1881), William Windom (1881-1885)

Postmaster General: William M. Ireland (1881-1885)

Secretary of the Navy: Edward Cooper (1881-1885)

Secretary of the Interior: Henry M. Teller (1881-1882), James B. Weaver (1882-1885)

Secretary of Agriculture: Oliver Hudson Kelley (1882-1885)

Events

March 1881: Benjamin F. Butler is inaugurated as the 19th President of the United States; Joseph E. McDonald is inaugurated as the 18th Vice President of the United States

March 1881: Associate Justice Noah Swayne retires; Despite being a Republican, Stanley Matthews is resubmitted for approval as Swayne's replacement by President Butler and narrowly confirmed.

April 1881: Congress passes the Pendleton Currency Act which reimburse treasury bonds in greenbacks and to begin repayment of US debt in paper currency. News of this causes the Panic of 1881 and many foreign investors begin to withdraw capital from the United States.

June 1881: The Industrial Safety Act of 1881 is the first federal law to mandate workplace safety regulations for industry with regular surprise inspections by the Treasury Department

September 1881: Attorney General Hendricks Wright dies in office; He is replaced by Minnesota Senator William Windom

October 1881: Congress passes the Tariff Reduction Act of 1881 which reduces tariffs on "products of stable domestic industries" while keeping them higher on emerging industries over the protest of the Laborite wing of the FLP and Republicans. The Act results in the collapse of several manufacturers in the US already hurt by the Panic

January 1882: Following the passage of special measure allowing him to retire with a full pension, the paralyzed Associate Justice Ward Hunt steps down from the bench; Walter Q. Gresham is confirmed as his successor.

March 1882: Congress passes the Weaver Act creating an independent, cabinet-level Department of Agriculture to provide technical assistance to farmers, promote agriculture trade, oversea food safety and protect natural resources. President Butler appoints Oliver Hudson Kelley as its first Secretary

April 1882: The Naval Modernization Act of 1882 redirects significant portions of the budget to a full modernization of the US Navy after the lobbying of Secretary Cooper. The construction of new ironclad ships is hoped to provide relief to struggling eastern cities.

May 1882: Following increasing conflict between illegal settlers and the Apache, President Butler breaks with the previous peace policy under pressure from his agrarian supporters and orders the US Army to capture Geronimo; Interior Secretary Teller resigns in protest

June 1882: The Interstate Commerce Act is passed to regulate the railroad industry and creates the Interstate Commerce Commission with 5 members appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. It is the first independent Federal agency

November 1882: The Chinese Exclusion Act is passed allowing the US government to ban all Chinese immigration into the country and to deny those Chinese immigrants already in the ability to become citizens. Chinese people travel in or out of the country are required to carry a certificate of their status or be deported

November 1882: The mid-term elections result in significant gains for the Republicans and Liberals over anger at the economic depression resulting from the monetary policies of the Butler Administration

January 1883: In a surprise move, President Butler signs the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, requiring 10% of Federal jobs to be subject to competitive exams. The US Civil Service Commission is made a permanent agency of the government to enforce the Act.

March 1883: A Congressional coalition of Republicans and Liberals repeals the Pendleton Currency Act and replaces it with the McKinley Act which returned the US to the gold standard and repayment of US bonds and debts in gold or silver. President Butler neither signs or vetos the act

August 1883: The territory of Santo Domingo votes overwhelmingly to become the 39th State on August 3 and is approved by Congress a week later. It is the only majority Catholic state and only state with Spanish as a co-equal language to English in official business

February 1884: President Butler nominates his Son-in-Law Adelbert Ames for Secretary of War to replace Thomas Ewing Jr; the nomination is met with intense resistance and accusations of nepotism but is ultimately approved

It is time for the Iowa Caucus. The race for the Republican Presidential Nomination becomes more condensed with two clear front runners and others looking for the opportunity to strike. There were debates, and they didn't change anything except for introducing the most recent entry. However, it didn't affect the positioning of the top two Candidates.

In the polls right now, Mayor of New York City Curtis Sliwa is leading by a decent margin. In the second place, not that far behind is Governor of Pennsylvania Mark Roosevelt, who looks for a way to surpass the Mayor. Far from them is former Senator from Texas Ron Paul, who has built a strong base but ought to expand it if he wants to have a real shot at the Nomination. Former Governor of Ohio Clancy Brown is on his toes in the polls, climbing from relative obscurity. Senator from California Condoleezza Rice saw somewhat of a drop in the polls, as in the eyes of people she doesn't present anything new. And finally there is a Candidate who is far behind everyone else. This Candidate sees the writing on the wall and decided to call it quits. He is...

Governor Piyush Jindal Withdrawing from the race and Endrosing Curtis Sliwa

There are now 5 Candidates left coming into Iowa. Some look for victory, some look for momentum, but what's for sure is that all want to make an impact.

So the Candidates coming into the Iowa Caucus are:

"America Needs a Guardian"

Curtis ⁠Sliwa, Mayor of New York City, Member of the National Conservative Caucus, Socially Moderately Conservative, Economically Populist, Moderately Interventionist, Populist, Charismatic, Catholic, (He gets 2 Additional Points in the polls due to the Competition Contest result)

"Change for All Americans"

Mark Roosevelt, Governor of Pennsylvania, former Senator from Massachusetts, Official American Solidarity's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Moderate, Internationalist, Reformer, Great-grandson and Grandnephew of former Presidents

"rEvolution Can't Be Stopped"

Ron Paul, former Senator from Texas, Representative and Governor, Official Libertarian League's Candidate, Jeffersonian Libertarian, Socially Progressive, Isolationist, Really Old

"Are You Americans?"

Clancy Brown, former Governor of Ohio, Founder of Ordinary American Party, Backed by the Prosperity Party, Socially & Economically Moderate, Populist, Maverick

"Stability Abroad, Stability At Home"

Condoleezza Rice, Senator from California, Official National Union Caucus's Candidate, former Vice Presidential Nominee, Socially Moderate, Economically Moderate, Foreign Policy Expert, Strongly Interventionist, Hawkish

Endorsements:

• National Union Caucus Endorses Senator from California Condoleezza Rice;
• American Solidarity Endorses Governor of Pennsylvania Mark Roosevelt;
• Libertarian League Endorses former Senator from Texas Ron Paul;
• National Conservative Caucus, Senator from Missouri John Ashcroft and the Governor of Louisiana Piyush Jindal Endorse the Mayor of New York City Curtis Sliwa

View Poll

By most accounts, Harrison Ford had a successful First Term with legislation that satisfies his supporters and Social Progressives. He isn't loved by every American or even every member of his Party, but Ford is still considered popular, and many wouldn't expect someone to challenge him for the People's Liberal Party's Nomination. And although the President doesn't face a full-blown revolt from other Factions, there are two Candidates who decided to battle Ford.

The People's Liberal Party

Both of the President's opponents are from the most Economically Left-wing Faction in the Party - the Commonwealth Coalition. This shows that the Party's biggest Faction is not fully on board with Ford's agenda. Even with that, Harrison Ford is expected to win the Nomination without any struggles. The Iowa Caucus will show if that's true.

So who are the Candidates?

"Like it? Vote Ford"

Harrison Ford, the current President of the United States of America, former Senator & Governor of Illinois, former Actor, Leader of the Nelsonian Coalition, Socially Progressive, Pro-Free Market, Supports Technoliberalism, Moderately Interventionist, Inventor of Fordism, Kinda Old

What could be said that wasn't said before? Harrison Ford brought the most success the Liberals had since the days of Nelson Rockefeller. Quite fitting, after all, Ford is the Leader of the Faction that has his name. President Ford was able to pass the legislation that will probably have long-term consequences for the country while governing through the big social changes that happened during his term. From the establishment of the Department of Development and Renewal to the rise of AI. From the Economic Phoenix Act to the legalization of same-sex marriage. From the country becoming more green in terms of energy to the new state being added to the union. Because of this, President Ford feels comfortable with not actively campaigning for the Nomination. His supporters do the task for him, arguing that his record shows that he is the best person to lead the nation. Only time will tell if this is the right strategy.

"He is Taking Care of Business"

Eric Mays, Governor of Michigan, Economically Really Progressive, Socially Progressive, Isolationist, Populist, Without filter

Considering who this is, you can't be that surprised to see Eric Mays challenging the sitting President for the Party's Nomination. After all, this is a person who doesn't care what you think about him; he just does what he wants. Rising from the bottom, Mays won the Nomination for the Governor of Michigan and won through clear Populist rhetoric. During his time as Governor, he was accused of everything to the point that you wouldn't believe that he is a sitting Governor. Still, Eric Mays won his Re-Election with his loyal supporters behind him. He governed like he talked - aggressively and with the people in mind. Now in this fight he is not scared of calling out the President, even insulting him personally. This may cause many Moderates to be scared of him, but Mays doesn't care. Maybe this unorthodox approach could be effective in taking out the titan. After all, Mays shocked people before.

"Don't Sell Out People"

Ron Dellums, former Governor of California & Representative, Socially & Economically Really Progressive, Soft Interventionist, Really Old

Many thought that Ron Dellums was long retired. After his time as the Governor of California ended, many would put their money on him not seeking another political office ever again. Mostly because of his age and the fact that he faded from the headlines. Yet, Dellums is here, challenging the President he believes is a sell-out. He may not be energetic or as youthful, but he is as Progressive as ever. Although Dellums and Mays fight for a similar base, Eric Mays's supporters are younger and more from the Steel Belt, while Ron Dellums's supporters are older Progressives who come mostly from the West. Even if Dellums lacks energy, he was in the game the longest and may use this experience to transform his chances from a long shot to something closer.

Endorsements:

• Nelsonian Coalition, Third Way Coalition, Rational Liberal Caucus and National Progressive Caucus Endorse President of the United States Harrison Ford;

Popular Vote: Becerra (D): 48.72%. Young (R) 49.21%.

Election Results: After a heated and ugly fight between President Becerra and Senator Todd Young, the Indiana senator would narrowly clutch victory through the Electoral College. Thanks to increased Republican campaigning in the Rust Belt, a low turnout of Democrat voters on Election Day, and Becerra's own loss of support from moderate voters, Becerra would become the first president to lose reelection since Cecil Andrus was unseated by Peter Ueberroth in 1984. While Becerra was able to clinch the popular vote by a thread, the election results were still firmly in Young's favor.

Young's victory was soured by Democrats successfully flipping Senate seats in Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, and North Carolina. While Republicans did pick up two seats in Michigan and New Jersey, the results would leave the Republican majority at to a 51-49 split. This loss for the Republicans was heavily blamed on weak incumbents residing in states now considered to be increasingly competitive like Georgia and Arizona, along with a strong series of grassroots campaigns championed by the Senate Campaign Chairman Howard Dean. The GOP was able to retain its House majority, expanding its numbers in the New York and California suburbs while picking up additional seats along the Midwest that had already become increasingly conservative.

With Senator Young now set to build the first Republican cabinet in more than a decade, he would be forced to draft a large number of political allies to fill the seats in absence of more experienced government officials. These key appointments would include Ohio's Senator Rob Portman for the Secretary of State, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds to head the Department of Agriculture, former presidential candidate and Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the HHS Secretary, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for Homeland Security.

After departing the Senate, Young and Portman would be replaced by Attorney General Todd Rokita and university president Jim Tressel. With the lessened Republican majority, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell would begin to face increased calls from his own party as many blamed him for a lack of vision for the party and pattern of compromising with Presidents Schweitzer and Becerra. Despite this increased pressure mounting on the longtime Senate leader, McConnell would remain in charge of the Senate Republicans for another term as their leader.

Background:

President Young would be elected at a point where many would argue no presidential newcomer should be elected, now being assigned the role of rebuilding the world during the later end of the covid-19 pandemic, healing the national divide, and rebuilding the American economy with

2022 midterms were incredibly contentious. GOP infighting as Young-backed candidates, generally more mainstream or moderate, faced fierce competition from right-wing challengers. While Young managed to get several wins with the elections of Chuck Morse and Mike Gallagher to the Senate, the GOP faced heavy losses with defeats in Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. These flips helped to finally put the Democrats control of both chambers of Congress for the first time since 2010. This blue push would allow Senate Leader Patty Murray to become the highest-ranking woman in Senate history. Some issues would come, however, when Minority Leader Joseph Crawley faced a challenge from Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal challenged the New York Democrat for the Speakership. While Crowley did win his position, the progressive challenge has led some in the party to express concerns about the new House Speaker's ability to manage a divided Congress.

In March of 2023, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell would be hospitalized for serious health concerns, but refused to step down from his position in spite of widespread calls for resignation. This would spark increased concerns of the advanced age of incumbent political leaders as numerous members have suffered from major health concerns and frequent absences during increased periods of time.

Todd Christopher Young: 49th President of the United States (2021-present), Senator from Indiana (2017-2020), Representative for IN-09 (2011-2017).

.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

President: Todd Young

Vice President: Ken Buck

Chief of Staff: David Urban (2021-2022) Randy Barnett (2022-present)

Secretary of State: Rob Portman (2021-2023) Kelly Craft (2023-present)

Secretary of Defense: John E. Hyten (2021-2022) Matthew Donovan (2022-present)

Secretary of the Interior: Raul Labrador

Secretary of Agriculture: Kim Reynolds

Secretary of the Treasury: Scott Bessent

Attorney General: Donald W. Washington

Secretary of Commerce: Karen Dunn Kelley

Secretary of Labor: Elise Stefanik

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Pam Pautenaude

Secretary of Transportation: Dan Lipinski (2021-2023) Nikki Haley (2023-present)

Secretary of Health and Human Resources: Mike Huckabee

Secretary of Education: Timothy Sands (2021-2023) Peter Oppenheim (2023-present)

Secretary of Energy: Mark Menezes

Secretary of Veteran Affairs: Stephanie Barna

Secretary of Homeland Security: Dan Patrick (2021-2022) Utta Dhillon (2022-present)

Ambassador to the League of Nations: Chad Connelly

Administrator of the EPA: Lenny Curry

Administrator of the SBA: Scott Turner (2021-2023) Nate Morris (2023-present)

Director of the OMB: Kevin Hassett

Chair of Economic Advisers: Stephen Miran

U.S. Trade Representative: Lisa Kenna

.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Covid-19: On a pledge to lead the country out of the pandemic, President Young would have to work with narrow majorities and a slim number of moderate Democrats who would be willing to find compromise. Ultimately, Congress would pass the American Recovery Act of 2021 on January 28 that year. This would loosen federal lockdown laws on public schools, grocery stores, and state-ran departments. $1.4 thousand stimulus checks were sent to households with annual income under $75 thousand or $80 with deaths of immediate family members. Small businesses, with larger emphasis on general stores and restaurants, were given revitalization funds. Child tax credits were also extended by $1,000 for the 2021 fiscal year.

President Young would assign HHS Secretary Mike Huckabee and Surgeon General Scott Rivkees the goal of national vaccination efforts to get 1 million vaccine doses distributed per day from January 25th to July 30th 2021, with the goal being increased to 2 million per day starting in March. Teachers, police officers, public employees, and employees in the agricultural and industrial fields were prioritized.

Throughout Young's term, numerous investigations and lawsuits were filed looking into welfare fraud that the president argued had exploded under Becerra's tenure due to lax regulation and rules for the welfare packages given out during the pandemic. Ultimately, President Young would declare that the covid pandemic would no longer be recognized as a national emergency on September 27, 2022.

Economy: The American economy had taken a massive hit from drastically-increased government spending, mass unemployment, and reduced commercial spending. President Young would take extensive action throughout his first two years to deregulate the agricultural and transportation industries to stimulate job growth, reduce federal spending, and invest billions into funding to stimulate growth via the energy, automotive, and tech sectors.

With rising concerns of an incoming recession in 2022, President Young would pass the Inflation Reduction Act on January 12, 2022. This would cut nearly $6 billion in pandemic-related spending, reduce red tape in job applications for low-level jobs, and increased the number of leases for domestic mining and drilling for key minerals and oil. Increased regulations were placed on Medicaid, requiring those who weren't physically disabled or providing immediate care for disabled family members to find employment.

Foreign Policy: The Young Administration would predominately focus on bolstering strategic alliances, signing several arms deals with Poland, Taiwan, South Korea, and Israel with the goal of increasing sales of military tech and weaponry in exchange for intelligence on major political rivals like Russia and Iran.

US-Chinese relations would begin to shift after President Young announced a new series of tariffs and sanctions on Chinese leaders associated with the Uyghur Muslim concentration camps. Through May of 2022, President Young, with the aid of Senator Marco Rubio and House Representative Andy Levin, major legislation would be put to the table to drastically reduce U.S. industrial activity in China as a means of bolstering domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on the communist state. Major opposition was presented by free trade advocates, arguing that the move would only worsen destabilizing relations with China that could devolve into outright trade wars. Ultimately, the Restoring American Manufacturing and Industry Act would narrowly pass Congress on May 21, 2022, receiving substantial support from Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio Democrats. The bill would place heavy restrictions on China-made products, increased economic incentives on state-produced goods while also allowing for a 5-year period of tax cuts for U.S.-based companies to build and run manufacturing plants on American grounds.

Throughout 2021, President Young would continue Becerra's gradual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan as more American personnel and civilians were transported out of the unstable region.

With Russia building up its military forces in February 2021, President Young would pass numerous sanctions on the state and its leaders, pressuring NATO allies to follow suit in order to create enough economic and political incentives to ward off a looming invasion on neighboring Ukraine.

On October 7th, 2023, Hamas forces would commit a mass-terror attack on Israel that would leave approximately 1,200 dead with more than 240 kidnapped. The shocking attack would be met with swift condemnation by President Young, who would pressure a divided and broken Congress to appoint a new Speaker in order to begin strategizing a response. When Congressman Aguilar was eventually elected as House Speaker, he would lead Congress to pass a massive relief package to provide humanitarian and military aid to the Jewish state. Over the following year, the Israel-Hamas War would place heavy strain on the U.S. government over widespread allegations of war crimes and genocide being committed within the Gaza Strip. Further reports alluding to President Young considering requesting Congress to allow US troops to enter the conflict would spark backlash from isolationist Republicans and an increasing number of anti-Israel progressives would put the president in a tougher situation as he looked to find a way to end the war swiftly. He would pledge a goal to return all U.S. hostages, alive or dead, back to the country and to ensure security in the Middle East once Hamas has been stopped entirely.

Immigration:

In a stark reverse of his predecessor, President Young would take stricter policies on illegal immigration, using his first days in office to begin organizing what would be the strategy laid out under his executive order directing the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to capture and detain more than 2 million illegal immigrants over the span of four years. His goal would be to target aliens already convicted or wanted on federal charges of violent assault, murder and attempted murder, drug or sex crimes, white collar crimes ranging from fraud to embezzlement, ties to organized crime, trafficking, and distribution of illegal products. The second wave of arrests would be made towards illegal immigrants who had unlawfully entered the country since 2015. Criticism was levied by both parties for varying reasons, with progressives arguing that the policies were an explicit attack against the Schweitzer and Becerra administrations' dreamer status policies, meanwhile conservatives argued that the overall process was too slow and didn't go far enough. In the first two years, over 230,000 illegal aliens would be detained with more than 5,000 having been successfully sent back to their countries of origin.

Major Legislation:

In order to address widespread concerns of corruption in the federal government, President Young would sign the bipartisan HONEST ACT on December 12, 2022, banning the purchasing and ownership of stocks for the immediate families of public officials and employees of Congress along, the federal government, and Supreme Court. While the president touted it as a strong victory against political corruption, some critics argued that the proposed punishments and lack of strong surveillance methods to enforce said law made it more performative than substantial.

Two key victories made by the president in 2021 came from the Personal Data Protection Act and Full Disclosure Act, barring companies from selling or transferring private data to foreign entities and restricting company contracts' usage of extensive length and deceptive letter sizes to manipulate consumers' decisions.

Major Events:

On June 4, 2022, the Supreme Court would make a historic ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade. President Young would celebrate the decision as a monumental victory for the pro-life movement, allowing conservative states and communities to enact policies protecting unborn lives and provide expecting mothers with resources needed for early motherhood. The Democratic Party, however, would galvanize pro-choice activists in what they argued was an attack against reproductive rights, utilizing the political shock to spearhead numerous pro-choice candidates in competitive states paired with pro-choice amendments on state competitions.

After the 2022 midterms put Republicans in the minority, President Young would be forced to begin playing a narrow middle-ground to ensure Democrats the ability to enact pro-abortion legislation without federal overreach in the same way Republicans sought to pass pro-life legislation. In March 2023, President Young and House Speaker Joseph Crowley would begin negotiating the States Choice On Prenatal Policies Act (SCOPPA) to recognize states' rights to enact abortion policies independent from the federal government without promoting extremes on either end of the spectrum. The bill ultimately failed to pass the House, with conservative and progressive coalitions calling the bill too soft.

On October 3rd, 2023, House Speaker Joseph Crawley would become the first House Speaker in U.S. history to be vacated from his office after the party's far-left wing, being led by Representatives Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Pramila Jayapal, and Rashida Tlaib filed a motion to vacate the House Speaker for his role in passing a controversial spending bill that would have increased funding for the Department of Homeland Security by $20 billion. The political chaos would last for 21 days as the House Democrats scrambled to elect new leadership, with both Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and progressive Jamie Raskin failing to get full support from the party. After a night of deliberation and deal-making, the House Democrats would formally nominate Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar to the top position on October 26. With a near-unanimous party vote, Augilar would be elected as the new House Speaker.

After the October 7th attacks, the country would become heavily divided over the ongoing war and an increasingly-prevalent anti-Israel and pro-Hamas movement. With antisemitism blowing up in the wake of the attacks, the president would deploy the National Guard to New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis to quell violent mobs that were caught destroying public property and obstructing college campus operations for both staff and Jewish students. President Young would make a public address condemning both political violence and antisemitism, warning that both national and geopolitical debates needed to remain civil and to avoid using global conflicts to justify harassing and attacking innocent civilians.

Some time has passed. The Iowa Caucus is closer and closer. And the Republican field looks more and more interesting. There were some debates in this time, which actually influenced public opinion.

The overall picture from them was as such: Mayor of New York Curtis Sliwa came off the best as a Charismatic debater who made people laugh and cheer for him; Governor Mark Roosevelt of Pennsylvania seemed deeply knowledgeable about the issues and he with Sliwa had a series of fascinating critiques of President Ford's Policy; Senator from California Condoleezza Rice shined when talking about Foreign Policy while being fine on other stuff; Former Senator Ron Paul of Texas often fought against Rice on Foreign Policy, rarely coming out on top in the eyes of people and receiving more praise when talking about Domestic issues; Governor fo Louisiana Piyush Jindal didn't come off as the best speaker, although people at-large liked his message; Then there was another Candidate who just didn't seem to have any good moments during the debates and the moments that he had didn't portray him in the best of light. With bad poll numbers, this Candidate decided to call it quits. He is...

Senator John Ashcroft Dropping Out of the race, Announcing run for Re-Election and Endorsing Piyush Jindal

However, this was not the only development during the race so far. As another Candidate entered the race for the Nomination. This one shows the phenomenon that we saw before - somebody from a Third Party running for the Nomination of the Major Party. This time such a Candidate has the support of two Third Parties. He is...

Clancy Brown, former Governor of Ohio, Founder of Ordinary American Party, Backed by the Prosperity Party, Socially & Economically Moderate, Populist, Maverick

"Are You Americans?"

Clancy Brown went from the Chief of Police to the Governor of Ohio. Although he comes from a political family, at first, Brown seemed to not want to do anything with any political machinations and just served people in the police. After some time, he understood that the politicians in his State care too much about personal ambitions and visions. That's why Clancy Brown stepped up and ran for Governor with a Party he created, with the name that tells you exactly what its purpose is. Initially not gaining a lot of momentum, Brown rose to upset the establishment and win. He governed through cooperation and the desire to help people case by case. With a split opposition, he won the second term and implemented a Ranked-Choice voting system in the State. Now he runs for the Presidency with the desire to work for all Americans. Brown has a loyal base in Ohio and may be an interesting character, but he needs to build his name recognition and fast. He doesn't like Major Parties, but he may need one for the support. And maybe Brown is just what the Republican Party needs to stand on its feet.

So the Candidates at the moment are:

"America Needs a Guardian"

Curtis ⁠Sliwa, Mayor of New York City, Member of the National Conservative Caucus, Socially Moderately Conservative, Economically Populist, Moderately Interventionist, Populist, Charismatic, Catholic, (He gets 2 Additional Points in the polls due to the Competition Contest result)

"Change for All Americans"

Mark Roosevelt, Governor of Pennsylvania, former Senator from Massachusetts, Official American Solidarity's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Moderate, Internationalist, Reformer, Great-grandson and Grandnephew of former Presidents

"Stability Abroad, Stability At Home"

Condoleezza Rice, Senator from California, Official National Union Caucus's Candidate, former Vice Presidential Nominee, Socially Moderate, Economically Moderate, Foreign Policy Expert, Strongly Interventionist, Hawkish

"rEvolution Can't Be Stopped"

Ron Paul, former Senator from Texas, Representative and Governor, Official Libertarian League's Candidate, Jeffersonian Libertarian, Socially Progressive, Isolationist, Really Old

"For Fair America"

Piyush Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, former Congressman, Official American Dry League's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Conservative, Moderately Interventionist, Technocratic Reformer, Hindu, Really Young

"Are You Americans?"

Clancy Brown, former Governor of Ohio, Founder of Ordinary American Party, Backed by the Prosperity Party, Socially & Economically Moderate, Populist, Maverick

Endorsements:

• National Union Caucus Endorses Senator from California Condoleezza Rice;
• American Dry League with Senator from Missouri John Ashcroft Endorse the Governor of Louisiana Piyush Jindal;
• American Solidarity Endorses Governor of Pennsylvania Mark Roosevelt;
• Libertarian League Endorses former Senator from Texas Ron Paul

View Poll

VOTE HERE

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For 10 years Santo Domingo, formerly the Dominican Republic, has been the most active territory in the United States's growing empire of liberty. Annexed after a fierce Senate debate and dubious plebiscite on the island, Santo Domingo was quickly flooded with American capital and migrants. While corporations from the mainland definitely boosted the territory's economy, it was the advent of the Cuban War which truly transformed Santo Domingo. The Federal Government poured in money to modernize and expand the port at Samana Bay while its local businesses grew rich off the newly arriving American soldiers and sailors always eager to spend their pay on drinks, tobacco, and the company of women. In fact the soldiers enjoyed themselves so well that word quickly spread back home about the beauty of the island and its people, turning Santo Domingo into a top tourist destination for those Americans lucky enough to afford it. In addition many of the former Independence fighters who had fought against the Spanish only 10 years ago now became valuable advisors to the War Department in tropical warfare. Finally, many newly freed Black Americans began to move to the island in search of safe haven from rising white violence in the American South though it has not met the expectations that many in the Grant Administration might have hoped for it. Still though, the United States has brought a level of stability to Dominican politics not previously experienced and many feel glad to get on with life in peace

Of course where there is light there must be shadow and Santo Domingo is no different. In the hill country there is still a fierce guerrilla force determined to remove all foreign invaders whether they be Spanish, Haitian or now American. As a territory it is not surprising the United States has come to dominate the area's economy but it has nonetheless created resentment at the increasing number of Yankee bosses. Although far more industrialized than other Caribbean states, Santo Domingo remains largely dependent on sugar exports to the United States as well. However the real tensions in Dominican society over annexation are cultural. Though Spanish remains the official language of the territory, the influx of Black Americans and military personal has imposed English on many natives far quicker than they were ready for. Additionally, the majority Catholic population grows more and more irritated at their new Protestant neighbors' constant sermonizing and disparaging of their faith as a false religion.

Now voters must go to the polls and decide whether to formerly become a state or return to independence as are the conditions set out in the Santo Domingo Act of 1878. The people of the territory will have to ask themselves if surrendering their pride as a separate nation is truly worth the stability brought by American money and institutions.

Does anyone have advice about how to create maps for electoral results that actually look like the ones on wikipedia? The website I use is fine but it never looks like the actual wiki maps and it's a big pain in the ass to upload everything to wiki commons.

Also I'm currently running a poll to see if the Dominican Republic becomes a state and I need to figure out how to add it to future electoral maps if it does get added.

Any advice is very appreciated

Decade of Resentment

The term Salutary Neglect, first coined by Edmund Burke in a speech to the House of Commons in 1775 described the unofficial policy of the British crown towards the 13 colonies from the collapse of the Dominion of New England in 1689 to 1763, allowing them a great deal of local autonomy, so long as they remained loyal to the government. It helped develop a sense of independence and self-sufficiency and enabled colonial assemblies to wield significant power over the royally-appointed governors through their control of colony finances. After the Seven Years' War in which Britain had gained large swathes of new territory in North America at the Treaty of Paris, it was decided by Parliament that the colonists should help pay for the large debts that Britain had accrued on their behalf. The Sugar Act of 1764, the Currency Act of 1764, and the Stamp Act of 1765 all aimed at increasing authority in and revenue from the colonies, all passed without any consultation from the colonies themselves. These provocations would be the fuel for the first attempt to establish an independent American nation.

Riots against the Stamp Act of 1765

After the rebellion was successfully put down, the British government enacted a brutal policy of subjugation, restructuring, and financial extraction upon the 13 colonies to ensure that a revolt against British rule could never again take shape. First, Parliament passed the Authority Acts, formally dissolving the local colonial governments and reorganizing the 13 colonies into direct crown colonies under a state of permanent martial law, with British generals appointed as military governors endowed with absolute power. To enforce the Crown’s will, British regiments were permanently stationed in major troublesome hubs like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia and colonists were forced to house and feed these occupying troops at their own personal expense.

British troops sent to Boston to enforce the Authority Acts

British soldiers were empowered to search towns, farms, and private homes to systematically confiscate all firearms, gunpowder, and cannons at their discretion. Trial by jury was suspended along with all other civil liberties. The Church of England was established as the official state church for all of the 13 colonies and all other religions were banned, forcing the sizable Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Quaker populations to pay taxes to support Anglican bishops sent from London. Massive new levies were exacted against the colonists to finance British war debts incurred while crushing the rebellion in addition to taxes imposed to pay for the Seven Years’ War. The Royal Navy placed a permanent blockade on American ports to foreign trade, forcing the colonists to sell raw materials exclusively to London at rock-bottom prices. The estates, plantations, and businesses of executed rebel leaders like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, John Hancock and the Washington family were seized by the Crown with millions of acres of land gifted to loyalists, British soldiers and Hessian mercenaries. The sons and daughters of African bondage toiling on southern plantations would merely trade one set of chains for another. Promises made by the British to enslaved people owned by Patriots that they along with their families would be emancipated were completely hollow.

Et tu, Benedict?

In formal acknowledgement of the indispensable role his betrayal played in crushing the First Revolution, Benedict Arnold was appointed Royal Governor of the Province of New York in 1784. Living a life of isolated luxury with his increasingly paranoid wife Peggy, Benedict would gain a reputation as a brutal enforcer of the Crown's will. The name Benedict Arnold was as likely to evoke strong feelings of disgust and betrayal among the everyday colonist as that of Judas Iscariot. Even among the Loyalist aristocracy that controlled New York, the Arnolds were looked down upon and many of them found Benedict’s treachery to be distasteful. Arnold never dared to travel outside of his mansion at Fort George without a sizable security detail first accompanying him.

Benedict Arnold's home at Fort George, Province of New York

This was for good reason, as underground resistance groups like the Sons of Liberty constantly hatched assassination plots against him and most of the servants who worked at his mansion were in fact posing as spies for the Patriot resistance. Benedict Arnold would spend the rest of his life wracked by guilt and regret over his decision to sell out his comrades for a gilded existence working as a stooge for King George III.

Seeds of Resistance

After spending over a decade studying abroad in France and Switzerland, an 18-year-old Benjamin Franklin Bache returned to Philadelphia only to find his family's printing press destroyed by a gang of British loyalists in September 1787. Vowing to carry on the legacy of his grandfather, he managed to restore the press, secretly publishing vehement editorials and pamphlets against the tyrannical British to arouse the desire for liberty among the people. With the help of couriers from the Sons of Liberty, these inflammatory documents were smuggled to sympathetic households across the colonies right under the nose of unsuspecting British soldiers, cementing Bache’s role as a key figure in the vanguard of the post-revolutionary opposition to British rule. The example first set by the colonists in demanding their natural rights from an oppressive monarchy would inspire another revolution in the heart of Old Europe, the consequences of which no one could possibly have foreseen. Such is the tempestuous nature of history.

More Context:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Presidentialpoll/comments/1ukkjzi/recontructed_america_the_2012_rnc_preview/

Candidates:

Condoleezza Rice, Senator from California, Official National Union Caucus's Candidate, former Vice Presidential Nominee, Socially Moderate, Economically Moderate, Foreign Policy Expert, Strongly Interventionist, Hawkish

"Stability Abroad, Stability At Home"

Piyush Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, former Congressman, Official American Dry League's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Conservative, Moderately Interventionist, Technocratic Reformer, Hindu, Really Young

"For Fair America"

Mark Roosevelt, Governor of Pennsylvania, former Senator from Massachusetts, Official American Solidarity's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Moderate, Internationalist, Reformer, Great-grandson and Grandnephew of former Presidents

"Change for All Americans"

Ron Paul, former Senator from Texas, Representative and Governor, Official Libertarian League's Candidate, Jeffersonian Libertarian, Socially Progressive, Isolationist, Really Old

"rEvolution Can't Be Stopped"

Curtis ⁠Sliwa, Mayor of New York City, Member of the National Conservative Caucus, Socially Moderately Conservative, Economically Populist, Moderately Interventionist, Populist, Charismatic, Catholic, (He gets 2 Additional Points in the polls due to the Competition Contest result)

"America Needs a Guardian"

John Ashcroft, Senator from Missouri, former Governor, Member of the American Dry League, Socially Conservative, Economically Conservative, Interventionist, Old

"For Tradition and Against Chaos"

Endorsements:

• National Union Caucus Endorses Senator from California Condoleezza Rice;
• American Dry League Endorses the Governor of Louisiana Piyush Jindal;
• American Solidarity Endorses Governor of Pennsylvania Mark Roosevelt;
• Libertarian League Endorses former Senator from Texas Ron Paul

View Poll

President James Hamilton

President of the United States since 1845 (NP-M)

House

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Speaker

Cirilo Villaverde Of Cuba (NP-L; Speaker since 1849, Congressman from Cuba since 1841)

Senate

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Pro Tempore

John Berrien of Georgia (NP-L; Pro Tempore since 1849, from 1841-1847, Senator from Georgia since 1835, from 1825-1829)

Major Laws

• Federal Interior Management Act of 1849 (Established the Department of the Interior.)
• Judicial Act of 1849 (Expanded the size of the Supreme Court from 6 to 8.)
• Legal Tender Act of 1849 (Established a secondary currency to be used until 1855, used to battle rising costs, “greenbacks”.)
• Federal Lands Lending Act of 1849 (Allows easier sale and auction of federal land, especially to farmers, allowing them to partially pay their debts in crops.)
• Tariff of 1850 (Within the confines of the American System, lowers tariffs on Agricultural goods until 1853 to their minimum allowed amount.)

Major Events

• Rising costs, inflation, and food shortages.
• Texas put on an annexation plan by 1855.
• Liberia made a Territory.
• Aided Haiti in establishing a Dominican republic, kicked Spain off of Hispañola peacefully.
• Mormon-based Republic of Deseret established, seceded from northern Mexico.

Constitutional Republic Party

Also called the “Constitution Party,” this new group was made up of mostly conservative members of Congress, including any that felt the executive branch held too much power. They called for the return of several powers to Congress, as well as ending the suspension of Habeas Corpus Nationwide.

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Presidential: VOTE HERE

Congressional: VOTE HERE

Context

For the first time in 52 years an American election will not feature a Democratic candidate for President. The Party of Jackson had been defeated over an over again over the course of 16 years by the Republican Party at both the Federal and State level. When the Liberals emerged in 1872 it further fractured what support in the South they might have counted on and by 1879 the party was a dead letter. From the ashes of the Democrats rose a transformed Liberal Party and the new Farmer-Labor Party. Now the Republicans will see if their electoral success can outlive the death of their rival or if a new paradigm will emerge in November.

Major issues this election will revolve around tariffs, immigration, civil service reform and currency. The Republicans are unified around a general continuation of Grant era policies, presenting Washburne as the President's natural successor. The Republicans are banking on the good economic recovery and military successes abroad to carry them to victory while downplaying their Indian Peace Policy and more moderate restrictions to Chinese immigration. The usual tactic of waving the bloody shirt won't work as well with the Democrats gone but with the Liberal candidate being a known Peace Democrat they can still use it to some effect.

Speaking of the Liberals, they'll be hoping to use their increased strength in the South and strong campaigning New York and Indiana to hopefully carry them to victory. Bayard has attempted to swipe the anti-Chinese rhetoric from Farmer-Labor and is advocating a huge new restrictions on immigration, needling the Republicans as the puppets of eastern business leaders only concerned with depressing native wages. Perhaps attempting to invoke the founding spirit of the party, Bayard has also promised robust and extensive civil service despite many of his own political allies relying on patronage to secure their power.

The Farmer-Labor Party is coming out of the gate swinging. The quick nomination of Ben Butler has given them a burst of energy necessary to making an impact come November no matter what happens. While Butler himself is a brash urban, easterner his party is actually dominated by agrarian interests. Westerns have gotten their wish to have a total ban on Chinese immigration made a plank in the party platform this year. On tariffs the party has gotten in hot water for attempting to play both sides of the issue with Laborites promising a high protective tariff while agrarians promise to pursue free trade. Of course the one unifying issue of the party is the currency issue and Butler has promised to adopted an inflationary monetary policy immediately, abandoning the gold standard and printing greenbacks as soon as possible.

Candidates

The Republicans

US Minister Elihu Washburne of Illinois

By far the least known person seriously in the running for President, Elihu Washburne is the man most responsible for the rise of Ulysses S. Grant. Taking a shine to the Galena Tailor, Washburne placed Grant in charge of the raising and training of the areas volunteers during the early days of the Civil War. When Grant began to prove himself incredibly capable as a battlefield commander, it was Washburne who sung his praises to President Lincoln and helped elevate Ulysses in the war hero he would become. For these years of support, Washburne has expected to be made Secretary of State when Grant was elected President but when the nomination faced a major backlash, the Illinois Congressman was instead made Minister to France were he played a crucial role in mediating the final peace negotiations between Germany and France following the Franco-Prussian War of 1871. Now Washburne has arrived in Chicago determined to step out of the shadow of his former acolyte and the President has made subtle shows of support if only to keep an old friend happy.

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Representative James A. Garfield of Ohio

If ever there was a man to embody the best of the 19th Century it might be James A. Garfield. Born in a log cabin when Ohio was still the doorstep of the frontier, Garfield would obtain a college education and go onto be become a preacher in the Restoration Movement during the Second Great Awakening and even became President of Reserve Eclectic Institute. During the Civil War he rose to the rank of Major General, seeing action at the Battles of Middle Creek, Shiloh, and Chickamauga. In 1862 he entered Congress as a Radical Republican with a reputation for skilled oratory and an unyielding defender of the gold standard. In the early 1870s he broke with Republicans over civil service reform and joined the Liberal Party before returning by 1880 over the increasing influence of former Southern Democrats in the party. A firm believer in Federal support for education, Garfield has a strong aptitude for mathematics and advocates the use of the emerging field of statistics to inform government policy.

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The Liberals

Senator Thomas F. Bayard of Delaware

The scion of a long running Delaware political dynasty, Thomas Bayard is the leading Southern Liberal and most prominent arch-conservative in the running this year out of any candidate for any party. A Peace Democrat during the Civil War and a staunch opponent of the Republicans' Reconstruction Policies, Bayard failed to secure the Democratic nomination in 1876 and organized a mass defection of the remaining Southern Democrats to the Liberals in 1879. Though Bayard and his colleagues have publicly accepted the new post-Reconstruction order in the South, he nonetheless wishes to seriously curb Federal authority in the name of Staes' Rights and fiscal responsibility. A staunch gold man, Bayard promises to conduct major audit of Federal expenditures which will likely lead to major spending cuts along with a push to reduce tariffs and a reduction of the growing Federal budget surplus.

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Former Governor Richard M. Bishop of Ohio

A successful Cincinnati businessman turned state politician, Richard M. Bishop has just completed a 2 year term as Governor of Ohio. He rose quickly up through the ranks of the Cincinnati City Council in the late 1850s before serving as Mayor from 1859 to 1861 during which the Prince of Wales accepted his invitation to visit the city during his tour of the United States. Bishop established himself as War Democrat when he gave a welcome speech to President-Elect Lincoln as the latter passed through on his way to be inaugurated. During the 1860s he was President of the Ohio Missionary State Society and General Christian Missionary Convention. He was a member of the Ohio State Constitutional Convention in 1873 and was nominated for Governor by the Liberals for 2 year term in 1878 which he won. His lack of consultation of party leadership in patronage and policy decisions and the undue influence of his son on his administration resulted him not being nominated for reelected which hurts reputation amongst party leaders.

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Farmer-Labor

Representative Benjamin F. Butler of Massachusetts

Ben Butler is one of the strangest characters in American politics ever. An anti-war Democrat and Southern sympathizer before the Civil War, Butler made a massive about face when he joined the Union Army and became a Major General. He gain national renown for his refusal to return escaped slaves to their masters while serving as military governor of Louisiana, preceding the Lincoln Administration's own Emancipation Proclamation. His questionable military skills and dealing across enemy lines eventually led to his removal from command at the request of General Grant later in the war. Soon though he was in Congress causing havoc as a Radical Republican. He advocated harsh measures against the South and was the authored of the Klu Klux Klan Act and Civil Rights Act of 1875. Eventually he broke with the Republicans over the issue of hard vs. soft money and joined the Liberals before breaking again for Farmer-Labor once they became the champions of soft money. His abrasive, showboating personality puts off most other politicians but gives him a certain populist appeal.

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Senator Joseph E. McDonald of Indiana

A longtime figure of Democratic politics in Indiana, Joseph E. McDonald is the state's most prominent pro-inflationary figure. Working a variety of jobs before settling into law in the 1840s, McDonald would first enter politics as a Representative for 1 term before serving as the state's Attorney General from 1856-1860. He would unsuccessfully run for Governor in 1864 but 11 years later would ride a wave of public frustration over the Great Depression into the Senate where he currently sits. While he and Butler generally agree on inflationary fiscal policies to benefit farmers, they will clash over social issues which McDonald is completely disinterested in.

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The Faction Primaries have ended, and we are on the road to the General Primaries. The first Primary will be the Iowa Caucus, but we have to wait some time to reach it. Overall, the state of the country is the same. President Ford is still popular, the Economy is still recovering, and the Republican Party is still divided on the strategy. However, two people have decided to challenge Ford for the People's Liberal Party's Nomination. This presents the opportunity for the Republicans to use something against Ford in the upcoming Election. But before that, they need to determine their Nominee.

The Republican Party

Right now in the race there are four Candidates who are the Official Faction Candidates, one who is just backed by his Faction and another one who just decided to run without his Faction's support.

So who are the Candidate?

Condoleezza Rice, Senator from California, Official National Union Caucus's Candidate, former Vice Presidential Nominee, Socially Moderate, Economically Moderate, Foreign Policy Expert, Strongly Interventionist, Hawkish

"Stability Abroad, Stability At Home"

Senator Condoleezza Rice managed to dominate her Faction Primary, winning with 47,14% of the vote. It seems like many see her as clear leader of the Faction and somebody who the National Union Caucus believes is the best person to face Harrison Ford. She has a name recognition, the knowledge and the appeal. The only thing that she needs to improve on in her perceived lack of Domestic Policy ideas. Rice might also want to show the contrast between her and President Ford, as she hasn't been seen as the biggest opponent of his agenda. The Senator may just pull off the victory, if she plays her cards right.

Piyush Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, former Congressman, Official American Dry League's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Conservative, Moderately Interventionist, Technocratic Reformer, Hindu, Really Young

"For Fair America"

Governor Piyush Jindal won his Faction Primary with stronger than expected showing. The results revealed that he dominated his opponents with 38,01% of the vote with nobody else coming close to him. His victory caused some friction in the Faction as some people see him as too soft on the Social issues, in particularly the Prohibition. Still, most of the ADL line up behind him to get another Dry Candidate the Republican Nomination. However, the road ahead to it is probably easier said than done. Jindal needs to fight the claims of inexperience, the religious discrimination and just the idea that he is too Moderate. If he can overcome that, he may just make history.

Mark Roosevelt, Governor of Pennsylvania, former Senator from Massachusetts, Official American Solidarity's Candidate, Socially Progressive, Economically Moderate, Internationalist, Reformer, Great-grandson and Grandnephew of former Presidents

"Change for All Americans"

Mark Roosevelt was in this place before. In the past it was as the Senator from Massachusetts, now it is as the Governor of Pennsylvania. He came to represent his Faction in this Primary after a solid win in American Solidarity's Faction Primary, despite a good challenge from Christine Todd Whitman. Roosevelt, the household name in the Republican Party in the past, looks to reclaim its place as the Name of the Republicans. It doesn't mean that Governor Roosevelt will have straightforward path towards the Nomination. His lack of Conservative credentials will rub some people the wrong way. However, maybe Mark Roosevelt knows the way for the Republicans to move into the future.

Ron Paul, former Senator from Texas, Representative and Governor, Official Libertarian League's Candidate, Jeffersonian Libertarian, Socially Progressive, Isolationist, Really Old

"rEvolution Can't Be Stopped"

Ron Paul doesn't give up easily. Even if he is out of the office, no longer being the Senator, he still continues what he calls rEvolution. Winning the Libertarian League's Faction Primary, with Jeb Bush being the strongest challenger, former Senator Paul seems to be looking at the bigger picture. Many in his Faction claim that Harrison Ford is their ally as he supports the Free Market. However, Ron Paul thinks he knows what President Ford is - just another part of the system, which will make sure the politicians profit and continue the endless Foreign entanglements. He needs to stop it, not anybody else. This is why he is here, maybe his final run. Even if he doesn't succeed, at least he will try.

Curtis ⁠Sliwa, Mayor of New York City, Member of the National Conservative Caucus, Socially Moderately Conservative, Economically Populist, Moderately Interventionist, Populist, Charismatic, Catholic, (He gets 2 Additional Points in the polls due to the Competition Contest result)

"America Needs a Guardian"

Now we come to Harrison Ford's biggest opponent throughout his term so far - Curtis Sliwa. In many ways the rise of Sliwa is because of Ford as he was Elected Mayor of New York City because of the backlash to the President and his allies. The fires may be not as big as they were when Sliwa got to business but he knows how to pour fuel into the battle machine. If the Republican Party wants to present the Nominee that is completely different from their opponent's, there may be no better choice as Sliwa disagrees with Ford on everything expect the Foreign Policy. Maybe going on the offensive is what the Party just needs right now.

John Ashcroft, Senator from Missouri, former Governor, Member of the American Dry League, Socially Conservative, Economically Conservative, Interventionist, Old

"For Tradition and Against Chaos"

Senator from Missouri is probably someone who most people don't have any faith in succeeding. He lost his Faction's Candidacy and still decided to jumb into the race. The most Conservative Candidate in this Primary, Ashcroft thinks that Jindal shouldn't have a place representing his Faction, let alone being considered as a plausible Candidate for the Presidency. Senator Ashcroft chose this fight, knowing that he won't have a lot of people on his side. Indeed, the American Dry League doesn't support him really. Because of that Ashcroft needs to find how to grow his numbers. Maybe he can present himself as THE Candidate for the Conservatives. Or maybe he is just doomed.