The McCain Presidency

[Progressive]

January 20,2009 McCain and Palin are sworn in as President and Vice President. The two focus on healing the nation, as many groups in the country are angry at McCain's surprise victory, especially liberals, African Americans, and others.

January 21, 2009 President McCain announces that Council of Economic Advisors Chief Carly Fiorina and  Secretary of Labor Linda Lingle will start a task force on repairing the state of the economy. Vice President Palin will travel to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Syria, along with Secretary of State Joseph Lieberman to discuss the recent Hamas shellings of Jewish towns in Israel.

January 23, 2009 President McCain announces to the Senate that he and Secretary of Defense Gates plan on keeping Guantanamo Bay open but with more transparency and a special advisor to the President to oversee lawful treatment of prisoners. Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joseph Biden announce plans to submit a bill guaranteeing the closure of Guantanamo Bay by 2011.

January 24, 2009 Secretary of Homeland Security travels to New York where he is booed by NYC firefighters who tried to derail his campaign. He is met by angry Democrats as well. Giuliani announces in NY his plan to communicate with mayors and city leaders who wish to "justly and lawfully" use racial profiling to protect their constituents. CNN, MSNBC, the Huffington Post, Al Sharpton, and other leaders/news networks call out Giuliani and call on President McCain to dismiss the Secretary of Homeland Security.

January 25, 2009 CNN releases a poll of popularity for President McCain, Vice President Palin, Secy of State Lieberman, Secy of Homeland Security Giuliani

McCain
Approve:     59%
Disapprove: 33%
Unsure:        8%

Palin
Approve:     57%
Disapprove: 36%
Unsure:        7%

Lieberman
Approve:       62%
Disapprove    35%
Unsure:          3%

Giuliani
Approve:     53 %
Disapprove: 44%
Unsure:        3%

January 28,2009 The United States Senate with a Democrat majority, rejects President McCain's nomination for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Mike Pence, Congressman from Indiana. This is seen as a slap in the face to the McCain administration. Secretary of Commerce prospect Charlie Crist is confirmed, however.

January 30,2009 Vice President Palin's convoy arrives in Israel. She is greeted with protesters galore. In the Palestinian territories, Palin refuses to wear a burka, thus becoming extremely unpopular in the Muslim world, and a sign of disrespect to many. Vice President also referred to the Gaza Strip as the West Bank twice in a speech given from Tel Aviv. Secy of State Lieberman fixed the mistakes and said they were "minor gaffes, not reflective of policy choices."

February 2, 2009 Arnold Schwarzenegger is confirmed as Secretary of Energy. He begins the "Greener America" Task Force and faces criticism from former Vice President Al Gore and Senator Russ Feingold from Wisconsin (who voted against confirmation) for not citing global warming as a major factor of environmental decay.



 

[Progressive]

February 3, 2009 It has been almost two weeks since President McCain took office. On this day, seven US troops were killed during Iraqi provincial election recounts. President McCain is left defending the US' presence in Iraq.

Vice President Palin and her convoy return home from the Middle East. She makes a major speech to the nation declaring that we must support Israel in all of its efforts (which I personally agree with although I am a Democrat not a Palinista). She then stated that G-d would look down at the Palestinians and Lebanese for shedding blood in G-d's country. Liberal pundits and non-religious people chided the Vice President. Fmr Gov Mike Huckabee commeded Palin and says she is an excellent VP.

February 12, 2009 On the day of the plane crash in Buffalo, President McCain makes an address to the state of NY giving his sympathy. The Senate approves Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison as Secy of Housing and Urban Development, and Senator Susan Collins as Secy of Health and Human Services.

February 19, 2009 On the eve of his first month anniversary in office, President McCain has to announce to the country that the unemployment rate has hit 9.7%, and that more job losses were expected. Senator Clinton makes a speech urging Americans to pressure President McCain to push healthcare reform. When Vice President Palin is asked about this, she says that healthcare in the United States is "not too huge of a concern for us, we're focusing on getting jobs back for so many Americans."

February 20, 2009 On the one month anniversary of President McCain's presidency, an American family of five is killed by terrorists in Hyderabad, India. 27 Indians died in the same bombing that killed these Americans. President McCain's approval rating has sunk to 54%, and his disapproval rating flirts with the 43% mark.

February 21, 2009 The United States Senate passes a resolution calling for the dismantling of Guantanamo Bay by 2011. President McCain calls the resolution "ridiculous and un-American." He vetoes the bill. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) switches to the Democratic Party in protest of "state sponsored torture.

[Progressive]

February 25, 2009 The United States Senate approves the nomination of Connecticut Gov Jodi Rell as Secretary of Education. Rush Limbaugh calls McCain " a coward" for putting so many "liberal wusses" in the cabinet. Senator John Kerry announces that he will write the legislation for preventing mayors from using Secy Giuliani's "lawful racial profiling."

February 28,2009 President McCain along with Secretary Gates announce that the War in Iraq will be over by 2013 as promised in campaign ads. This brings some relief to Democrats. United States Senate rejects Oklahoma Sen Tom Coburn as Secretary of Interior. McCain Chief of Staff Eric Cantor reveals that the White House is furious with Congress and fears that they will destroy McCain's presidency.

[Progressive]

Good idea, but, well it's not at all realistic to stuff the cabinet with so many senators and governors ! And dangerous when you need to control the Senate, at least a bit...

meg whitman, carly fiorina, eric cantor, rudy giuliani

[Progressive]

March 3, 2009 Treasury Secretary Whitman announces that consumer spending rose for the first time in several month during February. President McCain announces a "new tax plan for small businesses" which calls for lowering their federal taxes by 2.2%. Democratic Senators Bob Casey and Bob Menendez claim that the government will "pick and choose" what is considered a small business and that this plan could possibly exclude one third of all small businesses.

March 4, 2009 Press Secretary Nancy Pfotenhauer announces that President McCain will spend 3 days in Arizona "to catch up with family and take a breather" and that Vice President Palin will be in charge of executive duties until March 8th. Although this kind of event has happened many times before in the GWB administration, liberals seem to be outraged and criticize the President.

There are also pictures circulating throughout the internet that allege that Todd Palin was seen at a bar//lounge that featured strippers and less than appropriately dressed cocktail waitresses. Todd Palin admits he was in the bar but denies any wrongdoing.

March 6, 2009 Former Governor Judy Martz of Montana is confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture (barely) after facing tough criticism from the Senate.

March 7, 2009 Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts claims that President McCain has abandoned his promise for healthcare reform and that any chance at this must be done in the Senate. Secy Collins claims that the government is actively working on a plan to create healthcare tax breats for millions of families. But Collins' plan seems lackluster and has few specifics.

March 8, 2009 In an interview with Meet the Press, Chief of Staff Eric Cantor tells David Gregory that Vice President Sarah Palin is "in charge of all of the special task forces" that the McCain administration has set up. President McCain returns to Washington DC. Senator Barbara Boxer calls the White House to personally ask President McCain to use an executive order to remove the ban on stem cell research. Vice President Palin tells some reporters that there will be no change of the Bush stem cell policy. McCain says that he will "look into it to see if it will have immediate effects on people's health."

March 10, 2009 The Employee Free Choice Act is introduced into Congress. As is the Small Business Recovery Plan that Senator McCain claims will be a major lifeline in restoring the economy. Sen. Chuck Schumer says that he will vote for the Small Business Recovery Plan if President McCain promises not to veto the Employee Free Choice Act.

March 18, 2009 President McCain announces a new strategy in Afghanistan. The "Afghan Surge" will send in 36,000 troops to Pakistani-border provinces to help destroy Taliban and Al Qaeda along the mountain regions. Secretary of State Lieberman will visit China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and India in the next few days. Senator Hillary Clinton urges Lieberman to call out the Chinese on their abusive actions toward its citizens.

March 22, 2009 The US House of Reps votes in the 90% tax on executive compensation. Breaking News A shooting takes place on Capitol Hill between Capitol police and a man who shoots his ex girlfriend and her boyfriend in the chest. Both are killed. Washington DC City Council passes a resolution calling on President McCain to ask the Senate to raise taxes on bullets and guns and make it more difficult to purchase one. McCain says that "he feels sorry for the ones who died near the Capitol but American's have a right to defend themselves." Gun control advocates are outraged and will protest in Washington next week.

March 27, 2009 US troops kill three top Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan.

March 28, 2009 President McCain approval ratings:
Approve:     52%
Disapprove  45%

Vice President Sarah Palin
Approve:     48%
Disapprove: 48%

[Progressive]

March 31, 2009 The United States Senate approves Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as United States Attorney General. President McCain will hold town hall meetings in 12 states to discuss his accomplishments thus far including victories in the War in Afghanistan and the passage of the Small Business Recovery Act.

April 1, 2009 Newly crowned AG Steele announces that he will oversee a panel of investigators to ensure that torture does not take place at ANY U.S. corrections facilities including Guantanamo Bay. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) of Arkansas declares that she will petition the White House to give larger tax breaks to small businesses and include farms as a small business.

April 5, 2009 President McCain calls President Medvedev of Russia and asks for peace talks. Russia agrees to limit nuclear proliferation for defense purposes. This is seen as a huge victory for President McCain. His approval rating soars to 57% according to an online CNN poll. That same day, however, the stock market drops 275 points and more job losses are expected. McCain's approval sours back to the low 50s range.

[Progressive]

Aprill 10, 2009 As North Korea launches satellites into the sky, President McCain calls the North Koreans "the buckle on the belt of evil." Kim Jong Il rebuts and calls McCain "a sham leader of the supposed free world."

Aprill 11, 2009 Senator Obama (D-IL) makes a major speech to his colleagues.

"We need to pass all of the President's Small Business Recovery initiatives, and support him on all of his economic proposals so long as they do not  burden the middle class or take away from social welfare programs. The United States Senate would be remiss in allowing a half baked economic solution to come into existence. Let's give President McCain a full ride for his economic plans. If things get worse, we'll pull the plug. If they get better, we'll keep on voting his programs in."

The next day the United States Senate overwhelmingly passes the Small Business Employee Benefits Plan. This $27 billion grant program is meant to give small business owners money to save employee's  benefits such as healthcare or stock options.

Walmart later announces that it will lay off 1,200 workers in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

April 15, 2009 Happy Tax Day! Housing Secretary Hutchison announces that she will put a plan in place requiring homeowners to fill out an extra sheet of paper when applying for a mortgage. This sheet asks even more personal questions including more detailed ones on financial history. McCain's approval rating reaches 56% again. Palin's approval rating hits 40%. She is rarely in Washington to oversee the "task forces" and is seen as the "wild child" of the White House.

April 17, 2009 Former President Bill Clinton states that "the McCain economic plan has utterly failed." He challenges Senator McCain to provide a "real" solution for the working class of the country. Unemployment is hovering around 9.9%. Today, GM will lay off 900 workers in Michigan.

[Progressive]

Keep it up. I'm a big fan of McCain, so here's hoping to a good story!

And I'm a big fan of Hillary so I resent the poster on your thing. Lmao. But thanks for the encouragement for the timeline! any suggestions?

[Progressive]

Good idea, but, well it's not at all realistic to stuff the cabinet with so many senators and governors ! And dangerous when you need to control the Senate, at least a bit...

meg whitman, carly fiorina, eric cantor, rudy giuliani

Arnie, Crist, Lingle, Lieberman, Hutchison, Collins, Rell
And almost Coburn.
And, wait, I wanted to say "congressmen", so Cantor is included in this long list.

McCain knew he was facing Democratic control of both houses and wanted members of Congress and governors with a presence to help negotiate to get bills passed.

[Progressive]

April 20,2009 President McCain and Rep. Clyburn (D-SC) hold a forum on race relations in Charleston to try to heal the divide between McCain and the African American community.

Polls have been released by CBS, NY Times, CNN, and Strategic Vision on approval of certain McCain policy. The mean percentages of the polls are being shown.

War in Afghanistan (not war but handling of it)
Approve:      58%
Disapprove:  33%

War in Iraq (not war but handling of it)
Approve:      54%
Disapprove:  43%

Economy
Approve: 44%
Disapprove: 49%

HealthCare
Approve:     39%
Disapprove: 57%

Environment//Energy
Approve:     45%
Disapprove: 49%

Social issues (abortion, stem cell)
Approve:     41%
Disapprove: 53%

Choice of Cabinet
Approve:     38%
Disaprrove: 58%

April 25, 2009 President McCain and Health Secy Collins announce that our neighbor, Mexico, has reported a major outbreak of Swine Flu. McCain says that he will wait for results from Mexico before consulting FEMA and the CDC on immediate steps to be taken. However many Americans continue to be affected.

April 26, 2009 President McCain announces that Vice President Sarah Palin has been infected with the H1N1 Swine Flu virus after meeting with the Ambassador from Mexico. The US Senate confirms President McCain's Transportation Secy pick, former New Mexico Dir. of Transportation, Gary Giron, the only Latino to serve in the President's cabinet. New polls (shown above) indicate that McCain's handling of the economy is mediocre but foreign policy is pretty decent. McCain's current approval rating is 55%, disapproval rating, 43%.

May 1, 2009 After Chrysler declares bankruptcy, President McCain says there is nothing more the def. gov't can do to help the auto-industry. The UAW is furious and tried to hold a "million man" protest at Washington DC to call on President McCain to resign. Meanwhile the race for 2012 seems to heating up already. Senator Clinton has addressed Americans live on TV nearly 20 times since President McCain took office. Governor Richardson has traveled to twelve states in the past few months of the McCain presidency and Sen. Evan Bayh declared that he will visit Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, and Ohio in the next few weeks to discuss Democratic small business solutions. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is heard calling McCain a "lame duck president." Rumors spread that Sessions may challenge McCain in 2012 for the nomination.

May 5, 2009 Vice President Sarah Palin announces that she has fully recovered from Swine Flu. RNC Chair Katon Dawson says that he will support President McCain in 2012 if he chooses to run. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) calls the McCain administration "unstable and uncoordinated; everyone in the Cabinet has special interests."

May 17, 2009 GM announces it will close 1,100 dealerships in the United States. Secy of Labor Linda Lingle resigns her post citing "personal conflcts." It is rumored that Secy Lingle did not feel comfortable reporting all of her findings of the Labor Task Force to Vice President Palin who is in charge of all of the task forces. Nancy Pfotenhauer, Press Secretary, announces that President McCain will nominate former Rep. Susan Molinari (R-NY). She is widely confirmed.

[Progressive]

May 20, 2009 Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) tells Wolf Blitzer (CNN) during an interview that he feels that President McCain "either folds over too easily to Demcoratic demands, or staunchly opposes Democratic ideas without even considering them. He takes no middle road with these issues. He's gonna' cause a lot of damage this way." Speculation continues to grow that Sessions may be gearing up to challenge McCain in a primary in 2012.

May 25, 2009 President McCain nominates Viet Dinh, an attorney who served as Assistant Attorney General of the United States for the Supreme Court following Justice Souter's retirement announcement. He is of Vietnamese descent and is currently a professor of law at Georgetown University. But he is met with much controversy. He was one of the founders of the USA PATRIOT act.

May 31, 2009 The unemployment rate drops from the 10s to 9.7% This is seen as a good sign for President McCain. UAW has organized nearly 230,000 people to march on the Washington mall. This is seen as bad PR for McCain as many elected officials and union workers from many states attended the rally. Among union members, McCain's approval rating is 33%, disapproval, at 61%.

June 5, 2009 During deliberations and discussions with Supreme Court nominee Dinh, it becomes clear that this man is a staunch conservative. He supports the Patriot Act, right to guns, racial profiling to an extent, and the procedures at Guatanamo Bay. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Max Baucus (D-MT), and  Mark Begich (D-AK) announce that they will vote to confirm Dinh. No word on Obama, Clinton, Biden, Bayh or other top level Senators.

June 13, 2009 The day Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is declared the winner of the Iran election, Secy of State Lieberman releases a statement saying that the USA does not recognize this "sham, and fraudelent victory," and that the government of Iran, including Ahmadinejad, clearly see now that they need to cheat to win, because they are hated by their own people. Vice President Palin says that Ahmadinejad "needs a lesson on how to be a statesman, and a leader for the people of Iran."

June 15, 2009 As Iran election protests seem to augment, President McCain says that the USA needs to wait for events to "play out" before making any incendiary remarks. This move seems to please moderates and Democrats, but upsets Republicans, including, you guessed it, Sen. Jeff Sessions. Sessions is quoted saying on Meet the Press the day before that "McCain must no longer yield to the demands of Ahmadinejad. Now is the time to declare the Iran elections a fraud for the world to see. It is time to rid the Earth of the evil who walk on it."

June 20, 2009 President McCain extends his sympathy to the family and friends of Neda, the girl murdered by Iranian basij. He also says that the Basij and other Iranian militants of evil must be defeated, but now is neither the time nor place for a USA intervention. Democratic Sen Jim Webb and former Republican Sen Chuck Hagel both commend the President for that statement saying the US must wait until the conflict boils down to start choosing sides. President McCain also announces $1 billion of USA aid to refugees in Darfur. McCain's approval rating hits 58%, the highest in months.

[Progressive]

I would guess McCain won't run for re-election, hopefully Mark Warner will take his place, or maybe Deval Patrick will run and we get to test a "second" Obama.

Obama still can run again, as many people may saw his loss as not einterly his fault ("Bradley Effect", not earased ITTL).

By thay way, can we see a TTL map of 2008 race and percentage nationwide?

Absolutely, but what is TTL? lol

[Progressive]

A finalized result of the 2008 Presidential Election

McCain 274
Obama 264

McCain 50.3%
Obama 49.3%

[Progressive]

July 1, 2009 President McCain announces that he will overturn President Bush's ban on stem cell research. Base Republicans seem furious. Katon Dawson, RNC Chair, says he is disappointed but supports the President's plan.

July 4, 2009 President McCain makes a major July 4 address to the nation. He calls on renewed support for our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. He announces that he will deploy 8,000 more troops to Iraq to help make a final push to destroy Al-Qaeda there.

July 10, 2009 Focus is drawn once again to the resignation of former Secretary of Labor Linda Lingle. There is evidence that a power struggle exists between Chief of Staff Eric Cantor and Secretaries of various cabinet departments. Sen. Olympia Snowe (D-ME) [formerly a Republican] announces that she will vote in favor of confirming Viet Dinh.

July 15, 2009 Unemployment reaches 9.9% again. Economists voice concern that the McCain administration may not be doing enough to stop unemployment. Sen. Obama insists on a stimulus package to create millions of jobs. Vice President Palin announces that the White House will create a plan to secure hundreds of thousands of jobs within the next 6 months. Part 3 of the small business plan, Small Business Technology Initiative Act passes in both houses. This will give tax breaks to companies to purchase environmentally safe and more efficient technological devices to eliminate waste and unnecessary spending.

July 25, 2009 27 troops in Iraq are killed in Iraq after tanks transporting US troops hit massive IEDs. President McCain calls for a night of mourning and respect for the families of these troops. Move-On will launch a $1 million ad campaign to convince Americans that the War in Iraq must end. McCain's approval rating slips to 52%, disapproval, around 45%.

August 1, 2009 With Democratic support, Viet Dinh is confirmed as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 61-38.

August 5, 2009 Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) insists that Iran is currently building nuclear weapons to attack the US after President McCain announced his disapproval of Ahmadinejad. President McCain insists that the White House is actively watching the situation. Transportation Secy Giron announces a $5 billion plan to restore the nation's thoroughfares.

[Progressive]

August 15, 2009 President McCain and Secy of Homeland Security Giuliani announce plans to create a "virtual wall" between Mexico and the US. The number of paid border patrol troops will quadruple. They will be armed and are prepared to defend themselves. 250 precincts will be placed along the border to house   office workers who will serve as clerical staff for the border patrol troops. In addition, those who are stopped at the border who need attention, whether it be food or medical, can receive it at the station before being deported. In this plan, there is also a provision to deport ANY and ALL illegal immigrants accused of committing a crime in the USA. Mitt Romney praises the plan. Democrats strongly oppose the plan calling the McCain administration too focused on policing and not focused enough on constructive immigration policy.

August 20, 2009 Secy Giuliani will travel to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California to discuss this new policy. He is met with angry protesters and a fair number of supporters as well. Former Governor (now Senator) Napolitano says that she supports President McCain's attempt to reform immigration policy, but fears that violence may occur at the borders. President McCain rescinds a provision in the plan to arrest/detain immigrant families who cross the border. Some Republicans are furious, including, take a guess....Sen. Jeff Sessions. Sessions says that McCain has "abandoned his promise to defend our borders and secure the American people."

September 1, 2009 The unemployment rate has dropped to 9.4%. Vice President Palin associates this with "the administrations strong support for small businesses." President McCain's approval numbers reach 55%. Interestingly, he is growing more popular with Democrats, and less popular with Republicans.
August 1, 2009 90% of Republicans approve McCain. As of September 1, 81% of Republicans approve of President McCain. In a mock primary matchup between McCain and Sessions, McCain edges Sessions, 37%-28%. This is less than stellar for an incumbent president with a 55% overall approval rating.

September 7, 2009 Sen. Jeff Sessions, during a speech about immigration policy at Iowa State University, denies that he is seeking the Republican nomination in 2012, but says that he will rule nothing out.

September 11, 2009 On 9/11 President McCain attends a memorial in NYC with Giuliani. Vice President Palin holds a memorial brunch on the White House lawn. Later on that day, President McCain announces Part 4 of his small business recovery plan. The Family Farm Recovery Act, which will give nearly $6 billion in tax breaks to family owned and operated farms across the country.

September 21, 2009 President McCain announces that he will NOT seek to overturn Roe v Wade because it would be unfair to people in Hawaii or Alaska who may want to seek an abortion if their states ban it. The GOP base is beyond outraged. Vice President Palin says that she overall supports President McCain's reasoning but disagrees with the conclusion. Focus on the Family's James Dobson calls McCain "a pawn in the anti-family takeover of the US government. I call on President McCain to resign office immediately. If he refuses to do so I will see to it that a Republican primaries the President. And I will see that this person is well funded." Sen. Hillary Clinton calls President McCain a "bold" president for sticking up for "what is right for America."

October 5, 2009 Unemployment has dropped to 9.1%. Many of the precincts have been constructed along the border. And President McCain's cabinet is finally, fully confirmed. The President has made enemies among members of his party. A poll released by Strategic Vision shows possible matchups between President McCain and other Republicans during a primary and Democrats during a general election.

McCain 38% Sessions 31% -- McCain 40% Huckabee 30% -- McCain 39% Romney 33% -- McCain 41% Jindal 24%

Clinton 47% McCain 40% -- McCain 45% Obama 45% -- Bayh 46% McCain 44% -- Richardson 45% McCain 42%

It is clear that McCain is not in the best shape during the GOP primaries as he could potentially face a difficult challenger.

[Progressive]

Get excited for some Midterm Madness and the stuff that follows.

[Progressive]

October 15, 2009 Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) says that he "supports President McCain but does not approve of the job he has done in regards to social issues. He threw his conservative supporters under the bus." It is clear that a rift exists in the Republican Party. Vice President Palin and her family have contacted realtors in search of homes in Northern Virginia. Despite this, Vice President Palin denies that she will resign her post as VP. Rumors are also circulating that Palin and McCain have not spoken personally since right after President McCain announced that he will not fight to overturn Roe V. Wade

October 25, 2009 It seems as if President McCain has made a home in the Democratic Party. Democratic Senators are now more frequently passing his bills, and Republicans are voting against them. President McCain supported the Clean America Act which put taxes on industrial businesses that emitted certain chemicals and pollutants. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) says that McCain has given in to Democratic demands and is essentially a Democrat. President McCain's approval is at 48%, Disapproval 47%. Unemployment is around 9.3% again, a bit higher than before. Pundits call his administration the "do nothing cabinet" because of its internal conflicts. Sen. Clinton and Sen. Kennedy suggested that Health Secy Susan Collins be forced to push healthcare reform.

November 4, 2009 The day after Election 2009 rolls around. Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) has defeated opponent Rep. Chris Cristie (R-NJ), 52%-47%. In VA, Creigh Deeds is behind O'Donnell 48%-49%. President McCain announces that he will seek the GOP nomination for 2012. Multiple TV news sources are reporting that Vice President Palin has resigned her position from director of the Task Forces that the different cabinet members were supposed to consult the Vice President on. She has also canceled a joint appearance with Cindy McCain in Pittsburgh to discuss women's issues. Rumors are circulating that Vice President Palin no longer feels that she has a place in the McCain administration.

December 1, 2009 President McCain is ill with pneumonia. Vice President Palin assumes duties as President. According to Meghan McCain, her dad is conscious and talking, but has lost a lot of weight. He is able to move around fine, she says. The President hopes to resume work by the new year. Palin announces that she will lift the federal moratorium on domestic oil, as per the orders of President McCain. Democrats are furious and allege that Vice President Palin has hijacked the White House.

December 15, 2009 President McCain has mad a quicker than expected recovery but will not assume office until January 2, 2010. Vice President Palin, in a major address to the nation, announces that she will not seek the Vice Presidency in 2012, but will finish the remainder of her term. Leading to speculation that she may challenge President McCain in a primary. Unemployment has risen to 9.5%. The stock market continues to go down. It seems that the economy/Wall Street does not react well to a Palin "presidency." Palin's approval rating is 41%, disapproval, 55%.

January 2, 2010 President McCain is restored as full President. A bomb explodes outside Baghdad, killing over 130 civilians, and 8 US soldiers. A blizzard is has hit the New York metropolitan area, causing power outages for much of Long Island, NY, Northern New Jersey, and Connecticut. President McCain says that FEMA will deploy agents out there as soon as possible. Vice President Palin says that "no FEMA people ever come over to Anchorage when it's snowing real hard outside." Northeasterners take this as a diss. President McCain's approval rating for Republicans is 72%, for Democrats, 35%. His overall approval rating is 45%, disapproval, 49%. In a Republican Primary matchup with Sen. Jeff Sessions: McCain 40% Sessions 33%. According to a poll compiled by Republicans in all 50 states, 41% of Republicans want President McCain to win the 2012 GOP nomination, and 46% want "another Republican." Clearly, McCain is facing great challenges from his party. Although most GOPers claim to support the President, they would rather see another Republican in the White House.

[Progressive]

January 20, 2010 A skirmish on the New Mexico/Mexico border between border patrol police and a family of six coming from Mexico leaves 4 people dead, the two parents, a child, and a border patrol agent. Gov. Bill Richardson says that this is "clear evidence that the McCain-Giuliani border fiasco has utterly failed. And now a bold border trooper and innocent Mexicans have to suffer, including a child." Meanwhile, Swine Flu continues to spread throughout the nation. President McCain has not made a major speech about it, he has just said that the White House is carefully monitoring the situation. On the one year anniversary of becoming President, President McCain tells the GOP to "stop treading over my plans, and let me do what's best for the nation."

February 1, 2010 President McCain's approval rating has fallen to 42%, disapproval, 52%. Even with a series of small business recovery plans, President McCain hasn't been able to get the unemployment rate down to comfortable levels. While the economy seems to be making its natural cycle and improving, the unemployment rate is around 8.8%, but few if any economists are crediting the White House.

February 20, 2010 Vice President Palin will spend six days in Alaska with her family. An oil spill occurs in Florida waters. Domestic oil drillers, accidentally hit a vein of oil that was unmarked. Tons of oil are spilling into the pristine waters of Florida's Southeastern coast. To make matters worse, a large cruise ship is sailing in the vicinity. As lightning strikes off the coast, Florida Coast Guard fears a possible marine fire. The Governor of Florida declares all offshore drilling stopped until further notice. President McCain, in a major address, says that the Department of Energy will review all offshore drilling locations, and that until then, all domestic drilling in US waters will close. Secretary of Energy Arnold Schwarezenegger is on the hot seat now.

March 5, 2010 Rumors are floating around about possible Democratic presidential candidates for 2012. Everyone is all but sure that Hillary Clinton will run. Who else? The top contenders are considered to be Bill Richardson, Evan Bayh, and possibly Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, or Kathleen Sebelius. A poll released by Fox News has startling results for the McCain re-election team. Overall, Republicans favor McCain 41% to Jeff Sessions' 36%. Moderates favor McCain against Sessions 56%-27%, but White Evangelical Conservatives favor Sessions 56%-22%.

April 1, 2010 Another oil spill, this time off the coast of Georgia, has prompted even more outrage. President McCain will once again call off East Coast drilling until further notice. Additionally, Vice President Palin says that "oil spills just have to be expected if you want real cheap gas." Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) said on Fox News Sunday that "President McCain has put together a failed energy program, and the American people are hurting. President McCain is a great, beautiful person, but his administration is weak, his leadership skills are lacking, and his ability to lead, quite frankly, has diminished. I fear that we will need to replace the President." This is so far the biggest clue that Sessions may in fact seek the presidency.

Stay tuned for some exciting events and Midterm MADNESS!!

[Progressive]

April 15, 2010 Happy Tax Day! President McCain will announce today a "slight tax increase" on those making above $500,000 a year to try and repair the income inequality that so negatively affects our economy. Treasury Secretary Meg Whitman insists that these taxes are necessary for the well being of our country. President Bill Clinton says that "President McCain is doing the right thing with these new taxes." The National Tea Party political action committee has officially selected Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as their nominee for President in 2012. Sen. Jeff Sessions coyly denies his intention to seek the presidency, saying it is not off the table, but not necessarily in the cards. McCain's approval rating is around 38%, 56% disapproval.

May 15, 2010 As Congress enacts the new McCain tax plan, "tea baggers" and other conservatives protests outside of the White House and the McCain family compound in Arizona. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) says that "President McCain can not expect Republican support with such liberal economic and social policies." To President McCain's defense, Sen. Obama (D-IL) says that President McCain is taking the necessary steps to fix the George W. Bush economic mess.

According to a CNN poll of registered Republican primary voters, President McCain edges Sen. Sessions 38%-32%. According to a CNN poll of "likely" Republican voters, however, President McCain is ahead of Sessions 39%-38%. It is becoming clear that the GOP activists and Republicans with stronger conservative convictions are "dumping McCain."

June 15, 2010 President McCain says that he will not endorse an amendment to ban gay marriage throughout the entire United States. Conservatives are once again furious. But this puts Democrats in a rather sour pickle. (Ok never again, lol). If they show their support for President McCain, they will likely have a weaker primary turnout and less zealous Democratic supporters. But if they denounce President McCain, they will throw under the bus one of the few Republicans willing to work with Democratic Congressmembers to get work done. It seems as if Democrats are praying for Jeff Sessions or any other Republican to be the nominee. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee says he will no longer support President McCain's 2012 re-election effort. Vice President Sarah Palin refuses to endorse the President as well.

July 15, 2010 The Iraqi Parliament has decided to poll all of its members. 86% of them say that they would like to see US troops leave within 6 months. 12% say they would like to see US troops stay until 2013, and 2% want US troops in Iraq forever. President McCain says his stance on Iraq will stand-2013.

President McCain announces a $12 billion initiative to put new technology in public school classrooms throughout the nation. This bill is well received by most Democrats and Republicans. It is easily passed in both houses.

McCain approval rating 39%, disapproval rating 56%.

 

[Progressive]

August 15, 2010 It seems as if the hot 2010 races are heating up. Rush Limbaugh suggests that President McCain might "pull a Specter" and run for the Democratic presidential nod. It seems that Democratic frustration with the GOP has increased. President McCain insists that he has filed re-election papers with the RNC and will run for the GOP nomination. President McCain will take a tour of national parks, harbors, ocean fronts, and mountains for 5 days with his family, to push environmental/energy reform. Meanwhile, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) will be hosting a town hall meeting in...Des Moines, Iowa!!! He says the focus of this town hall will be on fiscal conservatism and deficit spending. About 2,000 Iowans show up to the speech. Jeff Sessions' PAC, called SessionsPAC has a total of $1.8 million compared to President McCain's re-election campaign which has around $7 million to spare. If Sessions wants to run for president, he needs to make up for this financial gap.

September 15, 2010 A major hurricane has hit the coast of Florida. President McCain pledges millions of dollars in aid. 47 people were killed in total. President McCain's handling of the hurricane is considered decent not great. North Korea has launched a missile that landed on the shores of South Korea. President McCain speaks and says that North Korea is "acting aggressively out of fear." Vice President Sarah Palin says that she will "not seek the presidency" in 2012. Sen Jeff Sessions attacks McCain's NKorea response calling it "weak and insincere."

October 15, 2010 Unemployment is around 8.9%. A week earlier, an domestic oil worker was killed drilling for oil off the coast of Florida by a stray lightning strike. Cindy McCain will do a 12-state children's literacy tour. President McCain has made a major address to the nation tonight. He calls for understanding and patience for the two wars, and understanding that he does not want to change the social fabric of the nation by supporting certain legislation. This address is seen as somewhat awkward, almost as President McCain giving in. Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) makes an address after this, stating that while he and other Democrats respect President McCain for his bipartisanship, his presidency has ultimately been a failure at worst, and mediocre at best.

November 10, 2010 The 2010 midterm elections are said and done. To make things short, not much changed. Democrats have a filibuster in both Houses. Sen. Gillibrand defeated George Pataki in New York. Beau Biden defeated Mike Castle in Delaware. The Republicans kept their Senate seat in New Hampshire, however.

December 15, 2010 As holiday season reaches its prime, we have some 2012 news to report. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY),  Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) will run for the Democratic Nomination. Sen. Obama (D-IL) will not run in 2012.

On the Republican side, we can in fact confirm, that President McCain will face three opponents. Former  Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), former Gov and Secy of HHS, Tommy Thompson (R-WI), and yes, you guessed it, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL). Tom Tancredo's bid is short lived however. Facing a lack of funds and support, he drops out almost immediately. The two opponents are Thompson, and Sessions.

According to a Strategic Vision poll, McCain leads the pack followed by Sessions followed by Thompson. 33%-30%-8%.

 

[Progressive]

January 15, 2011 The first primary election of the 2012 race will take place on year from now. Sen. Hillary Clinton leads the Democrats, and Sessions is starting to lead President McCain in recent polls. Gov. Tommy Thompson dropped out due to lack of funds. President McCain has traveled to 12 crucial swing states.

Polling for New Hampshire     Polling for Iowa      Polling for South Carolina
McCain   41%                       Sessions 38%        Sessions 39%
Sessions 27%                       McCain   34%        McCain   30%

It seems as though President McCain must win big in New Hampshire to prove that he is even a viable candidate. Bad news in Iraq. Iraqi Parliament has struck a law banning US soldiers from certain parts of Baghdad. This is Iraq's loudest scream telling the US not to stay in Iraq. Secretary of State Lieberman says that "Iraqis are frustrated but we must defeat the enemy."

February 15, 2011 Former Gov. Mike Huckabee has endorsed Sen. Jeff Sessions for President. So has Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and North Carolina Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). President McCain has been endorsed by both South Carolina Senators, and various other GOP political figures including former Gov. Mitt Romney. President McCain has returned from a visit to Iraq. He has announced that next month, US troops will start to leave Iraq because "the job, for the most part, is done, and an overwhelming presence of US troops will only hurt freedom's cause in the Middle East."

March 15, 2011 Unemployment has reached 9.2% again. White House Press Secretary Nancy Pfotenhauer announces that President McCain will announce the Small Business Employment Recovery Plan. This plan will give nearly $68 billion in tax relief to small businesses to hire workers. Wall Street reacts well to this plan. Hardline Republicans including Sen. Jeff  Sessions call this plan "a fluke that only masks the crippled US economy."

April 15, 2011 Happy Tax Day!! President McCain and Sen. Sessions debated in a "Forum on the Family" hosted by Focus on the Family. According to the audience, Sen. Sessions defeated President McCain 62%-29%. These numbers, however, were expected.

May 15, 2011 Sen. Sessions now leads McCain in both the "likely" and "registered" Republican voters. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) will endorse Sen. Jeff Sessions. Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) will also endorse Sessions. President McCain has been endorsed  by AZ Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Texas Gov. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). It is unclear as to who the Bushes or Cheneys support. Unemployment has fallen to 9.0%. Sen. Sessions says that the McCain administration has made a fluctuating unemployment rate "the norm for our country, and its effects could be devastating." Former Pennsylvania Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA) will be a chairman of Sessions for America, and thus a Jeff Sessions supporter.

[Progressive]

June 15, 2011 The major news of the day is that influential former Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) has endorsed Sen. Jeff Session for President. President McCain largely ignores the news, and tells the public that he will stay in Washington and will not do much campaigning over the summer. Sen. Sessions is spending a lot of time in Iowa holding town halls, giving speeches, and accepting endorsements from local elected officials. Former NH Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) has endorsed McCain.  A domestic oil driller off the coast of California was killed after a large wave swept him off of his post at an oil rig. President McCain will suspend domestic drilling until further notice. Gas prices will shoot up around 10-15¢ per gallon. Jeff Sessions accompanies tea baggers in New Hampshire at a protest of this drilling suspension.

Overall favorability among Republicans: Sessions 37%-McCain 34%
Iowa: Sessions 36%-McCain 30%                 New Hampshire: McCain 46%-Sessions 25%
South Carolina: Sessions 42%-McCain 28%  Nevada: McCain 35%-Sessions 28%

These first four states will vote in the Republican primaries. After them, the Republican "Ohio Plan" of four primaries will be followed.

August 15, 2011 Democrats in the Senate and House propose a bill clearly stating that concealed weapons can not be brought in to national parks. President McCain will not veto this bill. The Republican base is outraged, but moderate Republicans start to more zealously support McCain. At a debate hosted at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Sen. Jeff Sessions says that McCain has "abandoned Republican principles and has agreed to be a pawn for the socialist left wing." McCain still won the debate 40%-31% among undecided Republicans.

September 15, 2011 President McCain has visited South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Iowa. He will now return to Washington until the New Year gets closer. President McCain's approval rating is around 41%, disapproval 57%. 1,500 troops came home from Iraq since the summer. Violence in Iraq is down, but the GOP extreme right wing insists that Al Qaeda is just waiting for troops to leave to re-take over the country.

October 15, 2011 The Iowa Caucuses are two and a half months away. McCain for President has raised nearly $13 million, while Sessions for America has raised a little over $ 5 million. President McCain has used an executive order to restore domestic drilling. Secretary of Energy Arnold Schwarzenegger will resign. The Senate has confirmed T. Boone Pickens as the next Secretary of Energy.

November 15, 2011 The Mayor of Washington DC and other DC officials are calling for DC statehood. President McCain says he will "under no circumstances accept DC statehood." DC Statehood supporters try to march on the Washington Mall. Nearly 100,000 arrive. They are zealous, loud, and determined. A capitol police agent allegedly hits a protestor. The protestors fight back. Capitol police shoot at two "clear suspects." A reverend, and a 19-year old girl, are killed. Police claim that these individuals threatened to shoot the police officers and reached into their pockets. This is a bad PR day for the White House. President McCain says that he is sorry for what has happened but he will not launch a presidential investigation into the events.

December 15, 2011 The Iowa Caucuses are in less than a month. And President McCain has the flu. He is recovering, but looks very pale, tired, and has clearly lost some weight. Recent events have taken a toll on him.

STAY TUNED FOR IOWA CAUCUS, NH PRIMARY, NV CAUCUS, and SC PRIMARY RESULTS!!!!

YOU WONT WANT TO MISS IT!!!

[Progressive]

January 15, 2012 Happy New Year!!!!

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RESULTS

NOTE: Italicized  numbers are delegate numbers

Iowa
Jeff Sessions 51.2% 24
John McCain     44.6%   13

New Hampshire
John McCain   63.7%   11
Jeff Sessions   35.9% 1

Nevada
John McCain 49.6% 19
Jeff Sessions   48.3% 15

South Carolina
Jeff Sessions 56.2% 22
John McCain 40.8%  2

Delegate Count
Sessions: 62
McCain:45

Both camps are claiming victory. But Jeff Sessions leads in the delegate count. Jeff Sessions is now, officially, the front runner of the race. The McCain camp is clearly nervous.

February 15, 2010 The "orange" or second round of small states has voted!

Maine
John McCain 59.6% 18
Jeff Sessions 37.5% 3

Vermont
John McCain 56.3% 13
Jeff Sessions  35.2% 1

Rhode Island
John McCain 68.2% 15
Jeff Sessions  28.3% 2

Delaware
John McCain  55.3% 18
Jeff Sessions  43.6%

West Virginia
Jeff Sessions 55.7% 18
John McCain 43.9%

North Dakota
Jeff Sessions 61.2% 21
John McCain 35.2% 5

South Dakota
Jeff Sessions 66.4% 21
John McCain 32.1% 3

Nebraska
Jeff Sessions 59.3%  23
John McCain 39.8% 6

Wyoming
Jeff Sessions 77.4% 27
John McCain 20.6% 1

]Montana
Jeff Sessions 54.2% 25
John McCain 43.6%

Idaho
Jeff Sessions 60.2% 22
John McCain 38.4% 4

New Mexico
John McCain 58.7% 29
Jeff Sessions 40.4%

Alaska
Jeff Sessions 57.6% 20
John McCain 41.3% 6

Hawaii
John McCain 75.3% 20
Jeff Sessions 21.7%

Washington DC
John McCain 58.3% 16
Jeff Sessions 34.7%

Puerto Rico, Guam, VI, American Samoa
All go for McCain 65%+

Total Delegates
Sessions: 275
McCain: 195

It becomes clear that President McCain has lost with the base of his party who make up most of the voters in these states. But can President McCain make a comeback in larger states! Wait to find out!!

[Progressive]

It is becoming clear that Jeff Sessions is the favorite among the conservative base. He is more popular among men, whites, Evangelicals, rural people, and those with less education/income. The McCain campaign insists it will pull through to clinch the  nomination. Conservative Republicans seem to be "rebelling" against the established candidate, President McCain. They're coming out in higher numbers than the moderate Repubs. The next round of primaries will have states in the Ohio Plan that generally lean Sessions.


March 5, 2010

Maryland
John McCain 56.3% 37
Jeff Sessions 42.2%

Kentucky
Jeff Sessions 54.3% 42
John McCain  44.5%

Wisconsin
John McCain  53.2% 29
Jeff Sessions  45.7% 11

Missouri
Jeff Sessions 55.6% 58
John McCain  43.1%

Minnesota
John McCain 52.8% 41
Jeff Sessions 46.6%

Alabama
Jeff Sessions 77.4% 43
John McCain 20.6% 2

Mississippi
Jeff Sessions  75.6% 35
John McCain  22.3%

Louisiana
Jeff Sessions 69.5% 20
John McCain 29.2%

Arkansas
Jeff Sessions 64.6% 24
John McCain 33.8% 7

Texas
Jeff Sessions 55.2% 100
John McCain 43.9% 37

Oklahoma
Jeff Sessions 71.3% 36
John McCain 27.5% 2

Kansas
Jeff Sessions 70.5% 36
John McCain 28.2%

Colorado
John McCain 51.6% 43
Jeff Sessions 47.9%

Utah
Jeff Sessions 73.3% 36
John McCain 25.8%

Oregon
John McCain 57.1% 23
Jeff Sessions 41.9% 7

Washington
John McCain 56.3% 18
Jeff Sessions 42.5%


Total Delegate Count:
Jeff Sessions: 723
John McCain: 434


Senator Jeff Sessions now has nearly 300 more delegates than President McCain does. Some GOP leaders are calling on McCain to abandon his bid, and have the President say he only wants one term in office, instead of fighting for each primary. The Bushes (George, Jeb, Papa, Laura, and Barbara) will endorse Sen. Sessions in Texas. Sessions has traveled to New Jersey, Connecticut, and ALL of the purple voting states that are next in session to vote. President McCain traveled to Virginia twice. It is growing clear that President McCain's election fatigue is resonating with voters. According to a poll in NJ, President McCain leads Sessions 43-36.

But could Senator McCain energize his base? Does he have a secret weapon? Will Sessions be forced to drop out? Will McCain drop out?

Stay tuned folks...

[Progressive]

The Bushes Endorsing Sessions must have been a blow. Normally former presidents wait untill their party has a nominee to endorse. (With the exception of Bill Clinton)

This was not seen as a blow as far as the media or any other pollsters could tell. Of course the Democrats will use this against Sessions if he is the nominee. But the McCain camp can't attack the Bushes or he may lose cultural-conservative votes. The one who made the announcement was Laura Bush-the only well liked one.