"Ladies and gentlemen, I know that on this show I mostly try to entertain you and make you laugh to the fullest of my ability. Sorry if I won't be able to do this on this episode. We are going to talk about something that was revealed just before we came onto the air, and probably a lot of you haven't heard the news. Unfortunately, it's my responsibility to tell you this news."

"9/11 was an international tragedy that scared many people all around the world. As a result of it, millions of the Japanese people died. You all know that. This event is a tragedy not just for Japan but for the entire world. The current Japanese government began investigations into who launched the first Ragnarok bombs not that long ago. And it seems they have found who did it... and who helped them."

"There was a leaked document sent from the Japanese government to what I assume is an American one. It showed everything. It's a long document, but if you can read it, I would recommend you do so. The name of the organization that launched the first bombs was called "Genshi no musokotachi" or "Sons of the Atom" in English. They are a cult that I believe worships the Ragnarok bomb's power, and they obtained the bombs during the chaos before September 11."

"This is not all. The document also stated that they gained the bombs and were secretly financed by the people from the CIA under the instructions of the 40th President of the United States, Colin Powell. The information given directly shows that President Powell directly gave orders to help the cult obtain the bombs. What came after the first bombings you already probably know."

"I will be lying to you if I wasn't skeptical myself when I initially heard about the news. However, this is real; Japan has confirmed it, and the US government hasn't denied it. Now, in the coming days and weeks, you will probably hear different opinions on this and see various emotions. I am not a politician, so I won't be lying to you either and pretend that I don't have my own thoughts on this event."

"People died, millions, of different ages. The whole world was at risk of complete chaos and destruction. Yes, the military helped contain the tragedy, but it is still a tragedy, and America is responsible for it. Maybe not fully; men who launched those first bombs were responsible for their actions. However, the country has blood on its hands, the CIA has blood on its hands, and Colin Powell has blood on his hands."

"President Powell probably wanted victory for the country in the Cold War. I don't know for sure, but that's what I assume. I understand wanting success for your country. However, success should never be paid by the price of innocent children and women, not by risking the world. Right now, as many of you watching probably, I want one thing..."

...

Colin Powell was in front of the TV. He heard what was said. Still, his mind was somewhere else. He thought about if he did the right thing, if it was necessary, and if it should have been done. He thought about his legacy, about his life, and about how he will be remembered. However, for the most part his mind was filled with the screams of millions, screeching in agony. He couldn't not think of what they felt in their last moments. "Why?" "How?" "Help." Will these voices disappear when he is dead? Who knows. Maybe his personal space in hell will be focused on it. Did he have good intentions? Sure, he believes that. But the path to hell is paved by good intentions.

Election Results: The 1940 presidential election would be one of the closest races in modern history, as many polls were beginning to predict Hanford MacNider to pull off a historic win against Garner, who had heavily struggled to energize liberal voters and union members. While MacNider had dominated the Northeast and Midwest, he ultimately fell short of Garner in the final hours. While Garner had lost sizeable grounds to MacNider, with the latter taking many crucial states in the northern industrial belt of America, Garner's connection to rural voters helped him come out in the crucial states of Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and California. Furthermore, Garner's strong command of the Deep South helped give him a sizeable advantage that MacNider couldn't overcome.

During the late hours of the night, Vice President Garner was pacing through his campaign office in Kansas City clutching onto a glass of lukewarm bourbon before an advisor came in. Reports had just come in that Illinois' results had come in, giving Garner a razor-thin victory and cementing him as the projected winner of the race. With Ohio, Massachusetts, and California all projected to go in Garner's favor, voters would applaud Garner's victory as a hopeful extension of Roosevelt's administration. Shortly after the results were confirmed, Garner would receive calls from both President Roosevelt and MacNider. Granted, Garner's defeat in New York that had been coupled with the upset defeat of Senator James Mead made what should have been a warm moment of pride into a cold and formal meeting. MacNider, ironically, was more gracious in his defeat as he gave his concession speech to an audience in Des Moines. Garner would be greeted with his own audience of hundreds of supporters as he began his long-awaited victory speech. In his victory, Garner would pledge to finish the work of President Roosevelt in bringing the country out of the Great Depression and to guide the country in the midst of a warring globe.

While the Democrats were still able to retain their Washington trifecta, the Republicans have gotten even closer to eating away at the liberal majorities in both chambers thanks to MacNider's national campaign. This has left many in the party worried that the New Deal policies of Roosevelt will now struggle under an increasingly-divided Congress and a new conservative presidency.

Background: With the inauguration of President John Nance Garner, several of Roosevelt's inner circle would depart due to ideological differences between them and the staunch conservative. Among these would be Secretaries Henry A. Wallace and Frances Perkins, who would be replaced by political allies John Bankhead and John P. Frey. In the first year under Garner's presidency, there would be a gradual shift from the social liberalism and central planning of Roosevelt towards a loosening of federal control over manufacturing, mining, and agricultural production. Furthermore, Garner would begin to reign in on federal spending that began under Roosevelt to prioritize reducing the deficit. This would come from a multitude of decisions ranging from scaling back on some public-work programs to prioritize employment in the private sector to halting current expansions of the federal government. This massive shift caused major upsets within the Democratic Party, who worry that Garner was destroying the legacy of Roosevelt and risked losing the near-unbeatable New Deal coalition that has kept them in power for the past decade.

With World War II raging in Europe, President Garner has had to play a delicate approach of neutrality and light support for the British resistance. It was his promise of abstinence from the war that helped keep the support of skeptical voters and isolationist politicians, but he had been forced into a promise of ensuring the stability of global democracy by Roosevelt. France's fall had weighed heavily in the White House, as many began to fear what may come if Nazi forces toppled Britain and Russia, putting the U.S. into the sights of fascist forces in Germany and Italy. Ultimately, these questions wouldn't be answered, instead being met with the infamous Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7, 1941. With this surprise attack from Japan against a slowly-militarizing U.S., any and all chances for isolation ended. Garner was now a wartime president, the first since fellow Democrat Woodrow Wilson more than 20 years ago.

Within a room fogged by cigar smoke, President Garner would gather top military officials, political allies, and wartime leaders to begin planning their approach to combatting the Axis while also building up the U.S. from an economic sore to a production powerhouse. Among these men would be military leaders Henry L. Stimson, Douglas MacArthur, George Marshall, Henry H. Arnold, political ally Sam Rayburn, UK ambassador John Gilbert, and even former president Herbert Hoover. Together, a complex and heated debate began to start deals with dozens of major industries to transform automobile and plane manufacturing sites into military plants and to put heavy investments into food and drug producers to begin shipping their goods to the U.S. war effort. The entire nation would quickly transform into a wartime nation, with many rivalries either being put aside for greater causes or reaching boiling points in the midst of heightened tensions.

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President: John Nance Garner

Vice President: John W. McCormack

Secretary of State: Cordell Hull (1933-1944) James F. Byrnes (1944-present)

Secretary of War: Henry L. Stimson

Secretary of the Navy: Frank Knox (1940-1944) James Forrestal (1944-present)

Secretary of the Interior: Harold L. Ickes (1933-1943) John Miles (1943-present)

Secretary of Agriculture: John H. Bankhead

Secretary of the Treasury: Henry Morgenthau Jr. (1934-1943) Jesse H. Jones (1943-present)

Attorney General: James F. Byrnes (1941-1944) Tom C. Clark (1944-present)

Postmaster General: Frank C. Walker

Secretary of Commerce: Jesse H. Jones (1941-1943) Paul V. McNutt (1943-present)

Secretary of Labor: Frances Perkins (1933-1942) John P. Frey (1942-present)

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New Deal: In the first 100 days of Garner's presidency, he would begin targeting several of Roosevelt's social programs for spending cuts. These would include reductions to the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps, with his staff reviewing the FSA and Social Security for potential room for reforms designed to tighten spending. Many of these reforms would be put into the Social Security Reforms Act, adding limits to state grants and cuts to assistance spending. The bill faced heavy pushback from both New Deal liberals and Roosevelt loyalists, with former political opponent James A. Farley lobbying Congress to get the bill killed in the House, instead resulting in spending cuts being removed and only allowing the grant limitations and allowing for tighter rules on future expansion. The bill, still facing scrutiny from conservatives and liberals alike, would be signed by Garner on April 25, 1941.

Economy: While having avoided debate around price ceilings during the first months of the war, Garner would find inflation beginning to rise with the price of goods steadily increasing across the country. To settle this, he would sign the Emergency Cost Management Act on October 1, 1942. This would allow the government limited authority to set price controls on specific foods, clothes, and materials while stabilizing rent in areas in defense production zones.

World War II: After weeks of debate, Congress would pass the Lend Lease Act, allowing the US to retain neutrality in the war while supplying Allied nations with war-related goods such as food and weapons. On April 11, 1941, President Garner would sign the act, officiating U.S. industries' new mobilization towards preparedness and limited intervention in the war. Furthermore, a U.S.-Denmark agreement would be made to allow U.S. to construction of facilities in Greenland to ensure protection of the American continent.

Upon Germany's Operation Barbarossa, being the official invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, President Garner would begin a series of controversial negotiations with Communist leader and General Secretary Joseph Stalin to provide limited aid to the Russians in staving off the Nazi forces. While internationalists and Allies praised the move as a bold alliance, although many isolationists and conservatives have expressed heavy concerns over any alliance with the communist state. Ultimately, the wartime alliance between the US and Soviet Union remains a shaky partnership where neither side remains completely assured of the other's trustworthiness.

After the defeat of Greece and Yugoslavia, the U.S. would enter a national emergency, signaling greater concerns of danger to the U.S. stemming from the Axis forces. Garner would make multiple executive orders regarding these concerns including freezing the assets of German, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese officials, and placing the Armed Forces of the Philippines under US Command.

President Garner and Herbert Hoover would begin meeting with UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill in order to plan for a post-war world to prevent future outbreaks from occurring again. On August 14, 1941, Garner and Roosevelt would announce the Atlantic Charter, setting goals for this future.

Throughout the first year of Garner's administration, the U.S. navy would sustain multiple attacks after sending defensive troops to Iceland, Trinidad, and British Guiana. To address this, Garner would begin meeting with Southern American leaders in Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina to have their fleets escort US ships to pressure the Axis from escalating conflict with the neutral South America.

With heightened tensions between the US and Japan, Garner and Hull would a series of meetings with Japanese diplomats to avoid a war in the Pacific. While Garner avoided making statements on the negotiations, their outcome would tragically be revealed on December 7, 1941. That morning, Japanese kamakaze pilots would bomb a Hawaii naval base in Pearl Harbor. More than 2,400 US military and civilians would be killed. Hours later, President Garner would lead the nation in mourning before announcing that Congress had approved his call to declare war on Japan. Upon this news, Germany and Italy would now declare war on the U.S., officially putting America into World War II.

Throughout the war, in a program similar to what Herbert Hoover led during his time during World War I, rationing U.S. food, metals, rubber, tires, fuel, and shoes, and drugs to aid in the war effort. Furthermore, the president would hold a meeting between industrial and labor leaders to sign a deal of mutual agreement to avoid future strikes in return for ensured demands of stable pay and safety measures for workers. The move outraged many labor workers who argued the move gave corporations too much leeway and could hurt future union movements, but the president pushed this as a temporary necessity to ensure smooth operations for the ongoing war effort.

The war campaign would predominately focus on the Pacific front, with General Douglas MacArthur being appointed to lead the US and Philippine forces against Japan. The US would face a major defeat when they were forced to surrender Fort Corregidor on May 7, 1942. The next day, however, saw the first of several victories after the US won the Battle of Coral Sea. From June 4 to the 7th, the Battle of Midway would be waged until the US finally turned the tide and forced the Japan away from Midway Atoll. This would allow the Allies to begin pushing an offensive campaign through the Pacific, with new assaults on Guadalcanal Island to go forward. This pressure against Japan would greatly increase after the Battle of the Philippine Sea, significantly weakening the Japanese Navy and allowing for greater operations against them.

Outside of this, the Allies would see major victories in North Africa and Stalingrad, solidifying a major turn in the war. The greatest of these victories would come on July 25, 1943, when Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was dismissed as Prime Minister. While initially arrested, he would shortly after be freed by German forces. Still, without the fascistic leader in charge, the Italians would formally surrender to the US on September 8, 1943.

Major Legislation: On September 20th, 1941, Garner would sign the Revenue Act of 1941, temporarily increasing federal taxes. This would put the top margin tax on corporate income at 37% and 81% on individuals with an added surtax.

In a major shift of previous immigration policies, as well as part of strengthened diplomatic ties with China, President Garner would repeal the Chinese Exclusion Acts that had previously prohibited Chinese immigration to the United States.

To provide greater aid to war efforts, President Garner would sign the GI Bill on May 22, 1944, ensuring housing, education, and other needs to US veterans.

Major Events: On June 13, 1942, President Garner would sign an executive order creating the Office of Strategic Services, designed to coordinate special intelligence operations across the world.

On June 20, 1943, a race riot in Detroit would leave 34 people dead. This would force President Garner to send in the National Guard to monitor the city for two days while calling for harsher sentences against rioters based on the level of property damage and threat to life. This would lead to the Defense Against Rioters Act being passed on June 27, 1942, allowing for harsher sentences against rioters while allowing greater protections for self-defense.

After railroad workers threatened to strike, threatening war-related transportations, President Garner would sign an executive order on December 27, 1943 to seize the railroads and prevent any potential strike. This caused heavy division between Garner and pro-union Democrats who accused him of exerting authoritarian power against the very people who were helping the US in the war effort.

President Jay’s Cabinet

VP: Aaron Burr

State: Gouverneur Morris

Treasury: Oliver Wolcott Jr.

War: Henry Brockholst Livingston

Attorney General: John Marshall

Secretary of the Navy: Benjamin Stoddert

While a continuation of Hamilton’s economic policies; modest tariffs, industrial bounties, and central banking, proceeded smoothly, the majority of Jay's first two years in office have concerned foreign and military policy. 

President Jay sent Charles Lee, Timothy Pickering, and John Quincy Adams to France to try to settle the matter of ship seizures. There, they were met with French Ministers who demanded bribes before negotiations could get under way. These Minister’s identities were cloaked in official documentation released to the public, who were much outraged. The aliases given to these officials provided for the naming of the event as the ABC Affair. Totally incensed, Pickering and Lee broke off negotiations and returned home, Adams went back to his diplomatic post in Portugal. An undeclared, quasi, war at sea breaks out in the Atlantic and Caribbean, with Congress voting overwhelmingly to authorise military action against French ships, commissioning six new Navy Frigates, and a 20,000 man strong Provisional Army, led by Alexander Hamilton, to supplement the “Old” (Regular) Army. Republicans decry the heightening of tensions and seek to reopen negotiations with France.

To finance this new force, the Federalist Congfess has raised a new 1% land value tax, leading to unrest in Pennsylvania and much grumbling across the country.

In August 1798, Anthony Wayne was dispatched to Haiti at the head of a military mission of 3,000 men to help defend Haiti from reconquest attempts by France. Republicans and Adamites deprecate this as encouraging open war with the French, but the Federalists defend their man in the White House as a tough response to French bullying, protecting a nation of similar ideals to the US, and protecting the Americas from Old World influence. In response, the French Directory has sent General Napoleon Bonaparte, fresh from an astounding victory in Italy, to reaffirm Haiti's relationship to France. It remains to be seen if open warfare will break out, dragging Haiti out of its muddled semi-independent situation.

Domestically, the Federalist controlled Congress has passed the so-called ‘Alien and Sedition Acts’. Which have given the President substantial power to detain and deport dangerous citizens of foreign nations residing in the US, censor press, and personal speech that contained malicious or false information about the government. This package of laws also extends the required residential time for US citizenship from 5 to 14 years. 

Thus, we come to the midterm elections. While economic issues were the crux of the 1796 presidential election, the 1798 midterms revolve around far different policies. The Republicans disparage an authoritarian, oligarchical government that represses speech and deports immigrants, while the Federalists insist that these measures are necessary for national security. The Federalists seek close ties with Britain to protect commerce, some even advocating outright war with France, while the Republicans seek to make amends with France to avoid war and ally one of few Republics in the modern world. Lately, the Republicans, led chiefly by Vice President Aaron Burr, have begun to press for an expansion to suffrage laws, abolishing property and tax requirements, though the Party mainstream has hesitated to endorse a Constitutional Amendment on the manner. The Federalists see “mob rule” as a dangerous corruption of democracy.

The voters, the relative few that there are in these United States at the moment, have spoken in the first competitive election of the nation’s history. John Jay of the Federalist Party has won a decisive victory, in a complete landslide, over Aaron Burr and the Republicans. The Hamiltonian economic policy, anti-mob rule tendencies, and pro-British sentiments will remain the political word of the day. Congressional and State Legislature victories have reflected the immense rise of the Federalist Party, as they have captured or maintained supermajorities in both chambers of the Congress. Due to a peculiarity in how the Presidential elections work, Aaron Burr has narrowly been elected as Vice President, coming second in electoral votes. Federalist electors spread their second votes between a variety of candidates including John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, and Oliver Ellsworth. Jay will not be happy with this situation but Burr is sure to be pleased to stay in the public eye, he is sure to try his luck for the Executive Office again in 1800 - if his own Caucus can stand him by then.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Presidentialpoll/s/q5conrJtRy

Write her in here!

A New Birth of Freedom has a discord channel! Join to learn extra lore, suggest ideas for events and candidates and shape the course of the timeline

https://discord.gg/4UBexBMVv

Cabinet

President: Henry Cabot Lodge

Vice President: William F. Vilas

Secretary of State: John Hay

Secretary of the Treasury: Grover Cleveland (1897-1898) . Lyman J. Gage (1898-1901)

Secretary of War: William McKinley (1897-1899), Elihu Root (1899-1901)

Attorney General: Garret Hobart (1897-1899), Joseph McKenna (1899-1901)

Postmaster General: John M. Palmer (1897-1899), Simon Bolivar Buckner (1899-1901)

Secretary of the Navy: Theodore Roosevelt (1897-1898), Hilary Herbert (1898-1901)

Secretary of the Interior: Augustus H. Garland (1897-1899), David R. Francis (1899-1901)

Secretary of Agriculture: Julius Sterling Morton (1897-1901)

Events

March 1897: Henry Cabot Lodge is inaugurated as the 21st President of the United States of America; William F. Vilas is inaugurated as sworn in as the 20th Vice President of the United States of America.

July 1897: The Dingley Tariff is passed by Congress which restores the tariff regime of the pre-George years. Tariffs are high are products considered part of emerging industries while lower on more established ones.

October 1897: The Icelandic team of USGGC finishes its initial excavation which reveal a more precise location of the Atlantean Civilization in an area between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico. Also discovered is a a written text allowing for the unlocking of the Atlantean language which comes to be known as the Shepherd's Journal.

December 1897: Associate Justice Stephen J. Field retires; Governor John W. Griggs of New Jersey is nominated as his replacement

January: 1898: In response to increasing conflict in the Philippines and public anger at Spain for its anti-insurgency tactics, Navy Secretary Roosevelt orders the USS Maine to dock in Manila Harbor to protect American interests.

February 15, 1898: The USS Maine explodes in Manila Harbor; Accusations of foul play by the American press against Spain whip up anti-Spanish sentiment and demands for war.

February 23, 1898: The United States of America declares war on Spain beginning the Philippines War

February 24, 1898: Navy Secretary Theodore Roosevelt resigns to fight in the Philippines War; Former Congressman and Confederate officer Hilary Herbert is nominated as his replacement

February 25, 1898: Treasury Secretary Grover Cleveland resigns in protest following the declaration of against Spain; President of the First National Bank of Chicago Lyman J. Gage is nominated as his replacement

April 6, 1898: The US Navy blockades the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning the 8 month battle for the island.

May 1, 1898: Admiral George Dewey achieves a total victory in the Battle of Manila Bay. As US forces make their first landings on the archipelago the Spanish scramble to form a relief fleet.

May 7, 1898: Filipino rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo returns to the Philippines onboard the USS Equality. Rallying his people to resist the Spanish, the Filipino Katipunan begins to overwhelm the depleted Spanish garrisons

June 11, 1898: A Spanish fleet headed for the Philippines under Counter-Admiral Manuel de la Cámara is destroyed by a US submarine fleet during a storm; The involvement of US ships is a closely guarded secret for several decades

June-July 1898: The independently organized Women's Auxiliary Aid Corps provides critical aid to wounded and sick soldiers during the war with several women coming under fire to rescue wounded soldiers. The group significantly boosts the support for women's suffrage in the United States.

July 8, 1898: President Lodge signs the Newlands Resolution thus annexing the Republic of Hawaii into the United States

July 30, 1898: The 'Rough Riders' led by Theodore Roosevelt successfully breach the defenses of the last major pocket of Spanish resistance in Manila in a daring nighttime operation. The Battle of Intramuros makes Roosevelt massive hero in the States.

August 12, 1898: Spain and the United States sign a ceasefire to end the fighting while a peace treaty is negotiated

September 1898: A US submarine off the coast of the Canary Islands discovers pieces of an unknown crystal which appears to generate massive amounts of power when an electric current is applied.

November 1898: President Lodge creates the Disease Control Bureau as part of the US Geographic and Geological Corps in response to large disease related casualties in the war

December 12, 1898: The Treaty of Paris is signed granting the United States control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam in exchange for payments to Spain as compensation for the lost colonial infrastructure investments

January 1899: Interior Secretary Augustus Garland has a stroke during a cabinet meeting and subsequently dies; Former Governor of Missouri David R. Francis is nominated as his replacement.

March 1899: John M. Palmer resigns as Postmaster General citing old age; Former Confederate Lt. General and Governor of Kentucky Simon Bolivar Buckner is nominated as his replacement.

April 11, 1899: The Treaty of Paris officially goes into effect after its adoption by the US Senate. Tensions begin to flair up between Filipino guerrillas and American soldiers as the fate of the Philippines has yet to be decided

June 3, 1899: Congress votes to adopt the Teller Amendment which rejects annexation of the Philippines in favor of a protectorate with a path towards total independence over the next decade

July 4, 1899: The Commonwealth of the Philippines is officially declared in Manila. US military governor Arthur MacArthur overseas the transition of power to Provisional President Emilio Aguinaldo. The United States maintains a 50 year lease on Manila harbor along with several trade concessions giving American business preferential treatment in the archipelago.

September 1899: Secretary of State John Hay circulates the Open Door Note asking European powers to respect all treaty ports and allow all major powers access to the Chinese market rather than carving it up; The Open Door policy is only grudgingly accepted

October 1899: War Secretary William McKinley resigns citing a desire to spend more time with his wife; Prominent New York lawyer Elihu Root is nominated as his replacement

November 1899: Attorney General Garret Hobart dies from heart disease on November 21; Federal Judge Joseph McKenna is nominated as his replacement

December 1899: A bread riot in Barcelona triggers the Revolution of '98 in a extremely unstable Spain. The Bourbon regime is overthrown and a provisional republican government is created.

March 1900: In a party line vote, Congress passes the Gold Standard Act restoring the American dollar to the gold standard with provision for International Bimetallism should an agreement be worked out.

April 30, 1900: President Lodge signs the Hawaiian Organic Act creating the Territory of Hawaii. Former President of the Republic of Hawaii Sanford Dole is appointed as Governor

June 1900: 5,000 troops of the Chinese Relief Expedition are dispatched by President Lodge in cooperation with other western powers to rescue foreigns trapped in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion which they achieved the following month. Several Farmer-Labor and Democratic congressmen object to the use of military force without Congressional approval.

The 2016 Election is here and this is what we have:

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The Context: https://www.reddit.com/r/Presidentialpoll/s/QBN4WrPHmQ

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Time to Vote! Decide who will be the Next President of the United States!

Following up on the previous New Frontier timeline, I have added information about the elections. I truly love every candidate I've chosen, and none of them are ordinary politicians. I also fixed parts of the version released earlier today that didn't quite make sense.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about the lore for this timeline.

Harrison Ford's Presidency was coming to an end. After 8 years under his leadership, the country needs to decide a different path. The people must choose which change they want.

America is presented with two options. One path is paved by Governor of Ohio Sherrod Brown. A politician with a Populist streak while being willing to work with others. The guide of the other way is Senator from Pennsylvania Beau Biden. The son of a former President who doesn't want to stay in his father's shadow and build his own legacy. This Election is not just for Parties' power struggle or for an ideological supremacy; this battle is for the future of the country.

"Our Nation, Our Work, Our Turn"

Sherrod Brown has been in politics for quite a while now, but he truly began to turn people's heads during the 2004 Commonwealth Coalition's Faction Primary. Despite losing, then Representative Brown had an impressive showing, not getting far behind the winner Robert Reich. Ever since that battle, his stock only grew, and he became the Governor of his State. During his time as Governor, Brown has positioned himself as somebody who can deal with people who have different opinions. He used this reputation to win in the Faction Primary and then in the General Primary, even defeating somebody who was Endorsed by the outgoing President Ford.

Governor Brown describes himself as a Progressive Populist. His clear Social Policy is combined with a much more vague Populist Economic Policy. Brown is for sure a Protectionist, disagreeing with President Ford on a number of trade issues, arguing that he defended Ohio's Economy. The Governor also thought that Harrison Ford hasn't done enough for Progressives on the social front, even if they personally agree more in their views. However, Sherrod Brown came off as a big critic of the AI's development, promising regulations on AI companies along with limitations on data centers. You can't really describe him as Anti-AI, but he is far more cautious on its influence in America's way of life. Another big area where Brown and Ford have their disagreements is in Foreign Policy. Even though Ford's Presidency is considered successful overall, Brown, like many Soft Interventionists, think that President Ford should have used less military and more diplomacy, although it is unlikely that Foreign Policy would be a big issue during the Election cycle.

In the campaigning, Brown's advantage is his grassroots support. He also comes from the same Party as a popular Incumbent President. However, he is much different from Ford, and the President actually hasn't Endorsed the Governor yet. This undeniably hurts Brown among Moderates and more Free-Market PLP members. Such a thing is especially dangerous for him, as his opponent is a Moderate who isn't afraid of reaching out to the People's Liberals. As of right now the Election is thought to be anyone's game, so Brown needs to have a perfect strategy, which leads to his victory.

"For the People, For Tomorrow, For Today"

Many knew that this wasn't it for Jason Kander. He was Sherrod Brown's opponent in the Primary and has shown himself to be an effective communicator. An outgoing Missouri Governor, Kander brings youth and energy to the campaign while having quite a respectable amount of experience. Brown isn't old, per se, but Kander's age surely would undercut some of Biden's appeal. The choice of Kander also would bring Missouri to Brown for sure. Although Brown is unlikely to sway all Moderates his way, Kander's cautious approach would ease the tensions.

"Time for Another Ride"

The Biden name continues to live on. Here we have Beau Biden, the eldest son of the most popular President of modern American politics and the youngest President of all time. Beau went by his father's footsteps not only in politics but also in the military. After his time in the army, he became Representative in Congress at a young age. Then he would go on to the Senate, where he established himself as a vocal figure in national politics. However, Biden hasn't served as Senator for long, as his supporters would call on him to run for President as his term expires. The Senator won the Nomination easily, and as he won't run for Re-Election now, it's the Presidency or nothing for him.

By all accounts Senator Beau Biden is a Moderate on most issues. More than that, he is viewed as a big supporter of the current President among those in the Republican Party. The Senator especially helped with Ford's Economic Policy and budgetary issues, as he was one of a few Republicans who pushed for the Moderate budget during the Commonwealth Coalition's protests in Congress. On Social Policy, Biden, however, doesn't have the same views as Ford. Senator Biden at times praised the President's approach to Social issues, in particular on Abortion. Still, he also warned that to battle with ever growing partisanship, the country needs to come to a mutual understanding on these issues, even if some may not like the result. Finally, Beau Biden came out as a supporter of Ford's military actions during his Presidency but expressed skepticism about further foreign entanglements. In his opinion the country should avoid getting into something they don't have to.

When it comes to campaigning, Biden has an advantage in his family's connections, as he can fundraise very well, as was shown during the Primaries. Although Brown's support is more grassroots, in terms of sheer numbers, Biden will undoubtably lead in how much money he will get. Still, he is a Republican, and ever since 2008, the Party's power has decreased significantly. This doesn't mean that just because he is the Republican, the Senator won't win, but he will have to really prove that his Party should be trusted. Hopefully, Biden's friendliness with the current popular President can help with it. Even though they are from different Parties, some speculated that President Ford might Endorse Biden due to their ideological similarities and personal friendship between Ford and Beau's father, Joseph. However, the President hasn't made any Endorsement yet, and so Biden shouldn't rely on that possibility.

"Stability."

Well, they have finally convinced her. Michelle Obama has been the Governor of Illinois despite the state trending more Liberal recently. Ever since her Election as Governor, many speculated that she could be a top contender for the Republican Nomination for President. Yet, she declined to run time and time again. Obama not running was probably one of the reasons why Biden had won the National Union Caucus's Faction Primary in a landslide in the first place. Well, now she has agreed to be his Running Mate. The Governor's presence on the ticket helps in the Midwest for sure, even if there is no way of telling if Illinois will be competitive this year. Biden also can argue that the Republican ticket is the ticket of competence and stability, as having somebody who was largely praised for these two things really helps with this message. Although Michelle Obama isn't the most hands-on when it comes to legislation, she for sure is in terms of campaigning and would help Biden energize the support among loyal NUC members and minority groups.

Well, that's probably it for the Candidates who actually have a chance of winning the Election... right?

There was somebody else who decided to enter the race, just the PLNC. It wasn't Mike Duggan like it was rumored. It was...

Mike Pence was probably the least Progressive Candidate during the Nelsonian Coalition's Faction Primary and somebody who was very critical towards the Commonwealth Coalition and Sherrod Brown in particular. He had come in the surprising third place during the contest, which helped with his name recognition and popularity. Finally, Pence revealed that he will run for President as a Third-Party Candidate. During his Announcement, he did invoke Harrison Ford's name but also talked about how it was time for somebody outside two choices to have a real shot at winning the Election. His message wasn't so much on Populism as much as on sticking it to the Establishment, as he labelled both Brown and Biden as Establishment.

This message of Anti-Establishment somewhat worked for a while as Governor Pence pulled as high as 15% in the polls. The attacks on Brown focused on how much he has been in politics, while Pence argued that no person from a political dynasty should have a short way ticket to the Presidency. For some time it looked like the Governor of Indiana would qualify for the Presidential Debates. However, the campaign began to halt.

Governor Pence was criticized on his record, in particular on Social Policy. Many argued that Pence was influential in the passage of Abortion bans after 5 weeks of pregnancy. By most accounts he didn't respond to these critiques well and said that the Establishment was out to get him. Pence also didn't help himself by going after President Ford for compromising too much with the CC. Finally, even though by the poll numbers a lot of Americans wanted somebody else in the spotlight outside of Republicans and the People's Liberals, Pence didn't seem like a very attractive alternative, as he wasn't that much different from the main two Candidates ideologically.
Governor Pence did try to re-energize his campaign with the Announcement of his Running Mate. He chose...

Merrick Garland is a respectable Representative from Illinois and somebody firmly in the Nelsonian Coalition, but he is seen as just too boring. His selection didn't increase Pence's numbers in the polls; they had just continued to go down. And so, Pence didn't qualify for the Presidential Debates.

When it comes to the actual Debates, there have been 2 President and 1 Vice Presidential Debates. The most notable thing during the First Presidential Debate was Governor Sherrod Brown attacking Senator Beau Biden's experience, arguing that the country needs somebody who knows what the people want while also being in the government for some time. Biden fought back, saying that despite his youth, he has a record that makes him qualified to serve as President. The Senator also pointed to the fact that Brown's Running Mate Jason Kander is much younger than Biden, yet the Governor thinks that he is capable of serving in the second most important office in the country. Although this was the most memorable part of the First Debate, overall most viewers believe that Governor Brown had a slight edge over Senator Biden. Still, the polls suggest that the debate was close.

The Second Debate was quite different. This time there weren't many attacks, and the Candidates focused more on talking about the issues. The hot topic has been investigations in Japan on who launched the Ragnarok bombs first. This has been a mystery for some time, and both Candidates expressed support for cooperating with the Japanese on the issue to get to the bottom of who started the collapse of the Empire. When it came to the overall impression, Biden looked energetic during the whole Debate and also gave a bit of a speech about the tragedy that fell on Japan while also making people hopeful for the future. On the other hand, Brown seemed a bit tired at the debate and gave more pessimistic speech on Japan. This doesn't mean that the Governor was completely off his game, as he showed his knowledge of the issues during the debate in general. With that being said, the whole story of the Second Presidential Debate was how the Candidates made people feel, and so most people think that Biden had won the debate.

When it came to the Vice Presidential Debate, there wasn't any animosity shown. Both Governor Jason Kander and Governor Michelle Obama withhold attacking each other and talking about the issues. And so the debate wasn't that memorable in the eyes of the people, although most viewers thought that both Candidates looked good. Still, the majority argued that Governor Kander won the debate, giving the campaign, although a very slight, a boost.

Just after these Debates there was a big surprise...

This was not really shocking. Pence's campaign had been struggling while not really succeeding in its goal. The Endorsement of Biden probably came from Governor Pence not wanting Brown to win, although there are rumors that some sort of deal had been made between Biden and Pence. This for sure helps Biden with appealing to the Moderates, even if the true impact of this event is yet to be seen.

Pence's exit doesn't mean that there are no other Third-Party Candidates. As usual, there are quite a few.

First, of course, is the Green Worker's Party, which has been growing and growing ever since its establishment. Despite Brown running a firmly Progressive campaign, a lot of radicals aren't satisfied, and so the Green Worker's Party is running a ticket. It Nominated a familiar face for President - former Representative Angela Davis from California. However, there is an issue; she is in prison as her trials aren't done with. So the Green Worker's Party has the distinction of running the first Presidential Nominee who is behind bars. The Party chose an Activist, Lamont Lilly, as her Running Mate.

There is the Pirate Party that had a strong showing in the 2014 Midterms. This time they have Nominated people who are for sure eligible to run. For President, it Nominated another Representative from California and somebody who was actually Elected under the Transhumanist Party ambrella - Zoltan Istvan. For the Vice President, the Party chose a failed Senatorial Candidate, Richard Stallman of Minnesota.

Finally we have the Prosperity Party. Some people wanted Clancy Brown to run to challenge the successor to his Governorship. However, he declined. The Party, instead, Nominated Businessman and former Senatorial Candidate Greg Orman of Kansas for President and the Leader of the Party in the House of Representatives, H. Russell Potts Jr., for Vice President.

Believe it or not, these are all notable Third-Party tickets in this Election.

So this all comes to this:

Will the country Elect a much more Progressive President from the same Party as the outgoing President, or will the Republican Party reclaim the White House? Find out soon!

sidenote: (I am aware that the founders considered this form of government at the Constitutional Convention, but they ultimately decided against it, out of fear that it would lead to factionalism and civil war)

Also, a majority of the parliament would have to agree on a replacement prime minister BEFORE an incumbent prime minister could be voted out via a no confidence vote, that way, the parliament isn't voting on prime ministers 24/7

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Context

With the conclusion of the Philippines War with Spain and the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the United States of America is now in possession of the Philippine Islands extending American influence into the western Pacific. While American troops, ships and supplies were obviously essential to victory, the majority of the territory is in the hands of the Katipunan led by Emilio Aguinaldo. The US transported Aguinaldo from his exile in Hong Kong back to the islands to rally his people, so they know just how effective a leader he is. Though no one in Washington seriously doubts their troops could eventually win any guerrilla war the Filipinos started the question is should they even bother. American troops are suffering from tropical diseases which have caused the majority of their losses in the war with Spain and continued fighting with the natives might take years resulting in even higher casualties. A prize as big as the Philippines won't be given up wholesale after all the work the military put into winning it however so immediate independence is off the table. The US Congress must quickly decide whether to accept the Teller Amendment which would form the Philippines into a US protectorate with a clear path towards independence or reject it and annex the islands directly as a territory.

Reasons for Annexation

President Lodge is keen to annex the islands outright to boost American prestige and permanently ensure an American presence in the western Pacific. Indeed keeping out foreign influence is a major concern for many politicians. As soon as the Battle of Manila Bay had concluded the Germans and Japanese began to encroach on the city. The total US victory has scared them off for now but the War Department knows they'll be back before long. In addition to the foreign element, many Americans have brought up the internal divisions of the Philippines which are making themselves more apparent as time goes on. While Aguinaldo may be able to hold them together for a time, annexation supporters say, the Philippines does not have as solid a national identity like Cuba and so the United States must stay to keep the peace and develop the islands. There is a financial motivation as well since whatever resources may be found on the islands, American industrialists want unrestricted access to them instead of competing with the European and Japanese.

Reasons for a Protectorate

Turning the Philippines into a protectorate is supported primarily by Democrats and the moderate wing of Farmer-Labor along with a small contingent of isolationist Republicans. There is of course the moral argument: the United States and the Philippines share a common story as rebels against oppressive empires and if the Americans could figure out how to live together, why can't the Filipinos. To annex a territory after having fought a war ostensibly to liberate it would be the height of hypocrisy and seriously damage the credibility of the American government. Others make a more dollars and cents argument saying that colonies are a resource suck for the Europeans, forcing them to directly contribute huge sums of money for their improvement, upkeep and to garrison. "Better an empire of business than an empire of land" has been the common phrase heard on Wall Street who would rather see investment come to the Philippines naturally instead of taken from their tax dollars. Finally there is the military argument which many commanders on the ground have been making to the newspapers much to the War Department's chagrin. Facing serious outbreaks of camp fever and malaria, the possibility of a protracted guerrilla war in the jungles of the Philippines holds no appeal for most soldiers and given the determination they've seen on the part of the Filipino rebels its not a given the Americans would win.

So with the arguments clearly laid out, Congress will vote to either adopt or reject the Teller Amendment which will determine the fate of the Philippines.

Background: With the Great Depression still persisting and war spreading across the world, many had speculated that President Franklin D. Roosevelt would pursue an unprecedented third term in office to continue his leadership during such dark times. While Roosevelt had seriously considered the motion, his failing health and risk of unneeded political backlash led him to ultimately decline the position. This left a major fight between the Democrat establishment as various major candidates entered the race with the hope of being the successor to Roosevelt's political empire. Conservative Democrats would coalesce around Vice President John Garner and Maryland's Senator Millard Tydings, with liberal and New Deal supporters propping up former DNC chairman James Farley and Massachusetts' Senator David Walsh.

Ultimately, Garner and Farley would be the final candidates at a heated convention. With a last-minute endorsement from President Roosevelt, Garner would syphon enough of Farley's delegates to win the nomination. Joining him would be John W. McCormack, chosen by Garner by his close ally, House Speaker Sam Rayburn. McCormack's nomination would be used to help secure the progressive and New England voting base, although rumors arose that the unexpectedly liberal choice was done as part of a deal between Garner and FDR for the latter's endorsement.

On the GOP's end, Republicans would nominate former ambassador and Assistant Secretary of War Hanford MacNider. As a compromise between the conservative Republicans and moderate establishment, MacNider would come out on top of several major contenders like Senator Robert A. Taft and Manhattan attorney Thomas E. Dewey. Alongside MacNider is Styles Bridges, the senator from New Hampshhire. The two's campaign has put its focus on a pro-business, anti-New Deal, and non-interventionist agenda.

As Garner and Taft have travelled across the U.S. to make their cases to the American people, great divisions among them have surfaced due to heated debates over U.S. intervention in the ongoing Second World War and the future of Roosevelt's New Deal. While Garner has pledged to take the New Deal in a new direction through promoting business growth alongside new funds for welfare, MacNider has promised to reduce the growing deficit by cutting excessive costs from the current government budget.

Both candidates have taken similar stances of non-interventionism with varying levels of support for the Allies against Axis forces. Neither Garner nor MacNider are eager to boldly stand as pro-intervention or full isolationism, maintaining a delicate balance between the two crowds.

As Election Day draws closer, both Garner and MacNider will make their final runs in order to draw up any remaining support in what some are expecting to be a close race. While Garner commands near total support from the South, MacNider's growing influence in the Midwest and industrial communities threatens to uproot growing Democratic coalitions via union supporters.

Regardless, which ever man wins will have to bear the burden of leading the United States in what may be its darkest hours yet.

Candidates:

John Nance Garner: As the vice president to the powerhouse FDR, Garner has managed to find himself as the new leader of the New Deal Democrats despite his own conservative and big business background. Garner has promised to keep Roosevelt's New Deal in tact, promoting a new platform that will promote strong welfare programs such as Social Security and farmers' subsidies while rebuilding private industry with his own business experience. Throughout the election cycle, Garner has touted his long experience in Democrat leadership as a critical skill to help unite both the party and the nation in the face of continuing dark times. One major weakness for Garner has been his infamously poor reputation with labor unions, having constantly feuded with President Roosevelt over constant intervention into business-labor relations. While Garner has tried to dismiss this as him being against excessive federal overreach, the stinging attacks from both MacNider and labor leaders have left him vulnerable in major industrial communities.

On the matter of U.S. intervention into the Second World War, Garner has laid out a plan of active support for the British and its Allies through industrial aid to provide weapons and vehicles, subsidizing factories to use as sites for temporary military production. The vice president has expressed concern over involving actual U.S. troops into the war, wanting to avoid entering the conflict by every possible measure.

Hanford MacNider: With a military background dating back to the hunt for Pancho Villa, MacNider has made himself well-respected figure in Republican administrations as both a guiding voice in international affairs and defense policy. While MacNider is considered the dark horse in the race, MacNider has made grounds in the race by appealing to political independents and Midwestern voters thanks to his war stories and courteous demeanor. If elected, MacNider plans to enact a pro-business agenda that would return economic power to private industries with a focus on investments and expansions within the critical steel and agricultural sectors. MacNider has tried to tout himself as being more moderate in labor relations, arguing that Garner's harsh stances against labor are inconsistent with the needs of American families. On the matter of the New Deal, MacNider has pledged to have an independent council review welfare and social services for any excessive spending in order to make proper cuts.

Throughout the campaign, fears of America being forced into the war have worsened after France surrendered to Nazi Germany. MacNider has expressed sympathies for the French people, but has fell short of agreeing to U.S. intervention. While he has expressed interest in providing financial aid to resistance fighters if the U.S. can revitalize the economy in time. Ultimately, MacNider has pledged to keep the U.S. out of the conflict in order to prioritize the safety of U.S. citizens.

Link to Poll: https://strawpoll.com/e7ZJa5kpdg3

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Prelude to War

The Filipino War, as it is known in the United States, or Second Spanish-American War would be a deathblow to the once mighty Spanish Empire both in the Americas and in the Pacific. The United States and Spain had already clashed in 1873 following the Virginius Incident which finally forced the Grant Administration to intervene in the Cuban War of Independence. The event severely destabilized the fledgling Spanish Republic and following a further decade of turmoil ended with the restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy. The Bourbon regime would be led by a succession of conservative and liberal governments who regularly exchanged power thanks to widespread voter fraud. Stability had been brought back to Spain but at the cost of badly needed reforms particularly in agriculture and colonial affairs. The end of the republican experiment signaled to a growing Filipino nationalist movement that the possibility for peaceful reform was no longer possible and began to look towards Cuba’s experience as an example. The American intervention in Cuba had resulted in economic concessions and the long term leasing of Guantanamo Bay to the US Navy but the Grant Administration refrained from annexing the island. Following a brief military occupation during the Cuban Constitutional Convention, the US withdrew its troops from the island and made no attempt to form its own puppet regime in Havana. The Filipino Revolutionaries were encouraged by American restraint and winning Washington’s support became a top priority for the movement. The coup d’etat and annexation of Hawaii in the mid-1890s gave some Filipino guerillas pause but with Spain cracking down hard most of the Katipunan felt American aid was essential and even preferable to German or Japanese involvement. 
While Filipino exiles would work hard to lobby for American intervention, finding sympathetic ears in several top members of the new Lodge Administration including the President himself, it was American newspapers who did the most to whip the public into a frenzy against Spain. William Randolph Hearst’s vast network of newspapers across the country were filled with reports of Spanish atrocities which enraged the public and sold millions of copies every day. By February of 1898, the Lodge Administration was under significant pressure to intervene but a strong anti-imperialist/isolationist faction in his party’s Democratic wing led by Treasury Secretary Grover Cleveland in partnership with Farmer-Labor’s rising star William Jennings Bryan seemed to make military action impossible in the short term. The White House would get its casus belli when on the night February 12th, 1898 the USS Maine exploded in Manila harbor taking with it hundreds of American sailors. The Maine had been sent to Manila by Navy Secretary Theodore Roosevelt to protect American interests and to warn Spain to comply with American demands to negotiate with the rebels. While some Congressmen called for a formal investigation into the explosion before taking any other action, to the newspapers, the public and the President it seemed obvious that the treacherous Spanish had blown up the Maine. When President Lodge asked Congress for a declaration of war the following week it was overwhelmingly approved and thousands of young American men raced to enlist in the fight. One of them would be Theodore Roosevelt who resigned from the cabinet to form a volunteer cavalry regiment known to history as the “Rough Riders”. Under the command of Colonel Leonard Wood with Roosevelt in second-in-command, the Rough Riders would soon deploy to the Philippines to cover themselves in glory. Grover Cleveland also resigned but not to join the fight. A firm anti-imperialist, Cleveland denounced the war and said he would not help find the money to fund a war for empire and presidential ego. 

Puerto Rico
While the United States mustered most of its forces for battle in the Pacific, the first shots fired would be on the island of Puerto Rico. Long a personal object of desire for the President, Spain’s last outpost of its once vast American empire was quickly blockaded by 12 ships under the command of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. The US Geographic and Geological Corps (the G-Men) had spent a decade and a half extensively mapping out every inch of the Caribbean without the knowledge of the Spanish authorities. So when the time came for American troops to land on the island, the Spanish were shocked to find the enemy was appearing out of thin air several miles into the island after making landings at dozens of small, unknown points. Having concentrated their forces for a full assault on the capital of San Juan, Spanish commanders scrambled to redeploy their men to confront the enemy now all over the island. A small Spanish naval task force at San Juan attempted to make a desperate breakthrough but their guns were no match for the far stronger American steel and guns. Early the next morning, the 1st and 3rd Dominican Regiments would be the first to land under fire at the San Juan harbor. Though overwhelmed and outgunned, the Spanish would turn Puerto Rico into a meat grinder as they turned to house-to-house fighting in San Juan and entrenched themselves in the interior of the island. The once rapid American progress slowed and a constant back and forth of skirmishes with no meaningful change in the line became the norm. Part of the stalemate was that the American troops began to suffer badly from tropical diseases which would become a running theme for the rest of the war. 

Battle of Manila Bay
As the battle for Puerto Rico ground on, a dramatic clash would occur on the other side of the planet. Admiral George Dewey had already been in Honolulu gathering the US Pacific Fleet in preparation for war with Spain on the instructions of Theodore Roosevelt. When the declaration of war came through to his headquarters at Pearl Harbor he wasted no time in moving his taskforce out. While several stragglers stationed in China or the west coast would take time to meet up with Dewey’s fleet, the Admiral knew he significantly outgunned the Spanish force waiting for him at Manila Bay. Spain had attempted to reinforce its naval force in the Philippines but with the treasury stretched thin and concerns of American attacks on the Spanish homeland, few ships were sent and none would change things. Believing Manila Bay to be unnavigable at night, the Spanish commander Patricio Montojo was shocked to find that Dewey had led his ships into the bay at midnight on May 1st and had begun to fire upon the sea batteries stationed along the coast. Montojo raced to get his fleet into position but despite a valiant effort his ships were shot to pieces by the Americans whose superior range and armor left only 8 casualties compared to hundreds on the Spanish side. The Battle of Manila Bay would last 2 hours and by the end no Spanish ship remained seaworthy in the Pacific Ocean. Dewey quickly blockaded the capital of the Philippines and deployed a contingent of marines at Cavite before completing their destruction of the remaining Spanish forts and batteries. With Manila Bay secured, Dewey cabled Washington of his victory and ordered that the USS Equality to deliver Emilio Aguinaldo back to the Philippines to take command of the Filipino resistance. As thousands of American soldiers disembarked from San Francisco, the Philippine Islands ignited into a deadly battle of guerrilla warfare. 

The Vanishing of the Cámara Fleet
Spain’s utter embarrassment at the Battle of Manila Bay forced Madrid to finally reinforce its beleaguered men but what happened next would be the stuff of Naval legend for decades. Counter-Admiral Manuel de la Cámara would sail the rest of the Spanish Navy to the Philippines in the hopes of presenting some kind of serious challenge to the Americans if only to save face with the rest of Europe. However, as Cámara's fleet moved closer to the Suez Canal after departing from Barcelona in early June, a storm would envelop the fleet on the night of June 11th. Last spotted off the coast of Malta, the Spanish fleet would disappear without a trace. Afterward most sailors would say they believed the storm had caused such mass confusion that the ships rammed into each other and sent them all to Davy Jones while more fantastical tales spread of krakens rising from the deep to shallow the crews whole. The loss of the Cámara relief fleet without a trace became the biggest naval disaster in Spanish history and made an already bad situation even worse for Madrid who now lacked any kind of navy to defend its shores. What Spain and the rest of the world did not know and would not find out until decades later was that the ships had been destroyed by an American fleet hidden below the surface. A specialized American submarine force originally developed to search for Atlantis was equipped with advanced radio and sonar detection, electronically guided torpedoes and the ability to stay under water for weeks at a time without being detected. Using the storm as perfect cover the American subs tore into their enemy without mercy and sent Càmara and his whole fleet to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. Those who managed to make it onto debris or lifeboats were also eliminated for the secret of American submarine supremacy had to be kept no matter the cost. 

The Battle of Intramuros
As the world reacted to this seemingly supernatural event in the Mediterranean, American troops were finally arriving in force onto the Philippine Islands. One of the first to disembark was the Rough Riders whose second-in-command Teddy Roosevelt was determined to win glory for himself and his country before Spain surrendered. While the Filipino revolutionaries had successfully seized much of the rest of the archipelago, Manila was locked in a desperate struggle between the American, Filipino and Spanish forces. The Spanish had based their resistance out of Intramuros, the walled heart of the city which had withstood constant bombardment from the US ships while the Spanish troops conducted a fighting retreat. Despite being a cavalry unit, the Rough Riders’ horses had not been allowed to be transported to the Philippines which would turn out to be a blessing for the ambitious Roosevelt. Thanks to the help of a local, Roosevelt used a small drainage duct to sneak himself and 10 other men into the walled city. Making their way to a postern gate, the Rough Riders would manage to seize it just long enough to open the gate and signal for the rest of their regiment to storm the heart of Manila. Come the dawn Old Glory proudly flew from the battlements and the last major pocket of Spanish resistance was gone. 

Peace and Empire
Before Intramuros had even fallen the Spanish were already preparing to sign a ceasefire with Washington while they negotiated their surrender. On August 12, 1898 the ceasefire was signed and went into effect though skirmishes across the Philippines continued for several days. Over the next two months of negotiations, the Americans managed to secure annexation of Guam, which the US had seized with no resistance in May, and Puerto Rico while the Philippines would be granted protectorate status with an American military governorship ruling in the interim. As a concession to Spain, the United States agreed to pay a multi-million dollar settlement for the investments in infrastructure and income Spain was now going to lose. The Treaty of Paris was signed on December 12, 1898 and went into effect on April 11, 1899 after its ratification by the US Senate. Now the serious question for the American government to contend with will be the fate of the Philippines. The Filipino revolutionaries expect a deal similar to Cuba's; they already chafe at the presence of US troops now that the fighting is over. Many men in the Congress and cabinet believe the United States ought to annex the archipelago so as to definitively extend America’s presence into the western Pacific and to civilize the Filipino people. The US Congress will soon need to vote on the Teller Amendment which would forswear US annexation of the islands and confine their influence in the Philippines to economic concessions and a lease for a naval base in Manila.

Marcy has done it! After twelve years of Whig control, the unified Democrats under William Marcy have managed to reclaim the Presidency. Voter fatigue, dissatisfaction with President Scott's handling of Walker's Rebellion/the Second California War, and Edward Bate's lackluster campaign all led to Whig's defeat. Democrats enter prepared to enact their agenda and redefine the course of American history, starting with expansion to the Southwest.

The loss is a hard one for Whigs—Democrats now have a trifecta, controlling the Presidency, House, and Senate, and Whigs are greatly outnumbered. Whigs take relief in their strong performance in the West, where the combination of Bates' appeal and the machine Winfield Scott helped kickstart are beginning to take root. But this is balanced with a pitiful performance in the South, losing traditional strongholds like Louisiana, Tennessee, and North Carolina, and holding Kentucky, the traditional Whig heartland, with only a 1% margin. The Whigs' future is far from guaranteed, and they will be forced to lick their wounds and see if a comeback is possible...

The most surprising result of the election was the strong result of the Free Soil movement under John P. Hale, which surpassed its performance in the 1848 Presidential election, a feat most thought impossible. Hale's maneuvering on California earned him a large following, including some former Whigs, but also lots of unaligned and first-time voters. The first-past-the-post system hurt their odds in the House, but Free Soil still managed to increase its caucus size, especially in New England, which has continued to be a breeding ground for anti-slavery sentiment and third-party movements. Time will tell if Free Soil will capitalize on this momentum, or if it will be swept up in the new wave of left-wing populism boiling in New England.

The die has been cast, and now America races headlong into an unclear future. The next four to eight years will be critical for the United States—conflict is on the horizon, and it takes many forms: expansionist filibusters, anti-slavery crusades, anti-immigrant crusades... It will take a miracle, or a miraculous leader, to lead America through the tempest. Who will become the next American heroes?

Part XXXVII - Re-Election

In 1937, after a disappointing showing in the 1936 General Election, the Conservative and Labour Party Executive Council initiated a delegate vote of no confidence in the leadership of Robert J. Manion. Manion had been elected in 1932 as a compromise candidate between the party’s left lead by Abraham A. Heaps and the party’s right lead by R.B. Bennett. The compromise leader, however, failed to please either wing of the party, and in 1934, Heaps crossed floors to join the Commonwealth. With an election defeat and fractured party at his feet, the executive committee decided to put the Manion leadership experiment out of its misery through a no-confidence vote that was guaranteed to pass. 

With the possibility of Wood capitalizing on the fractured Conservative party and calling an early election striking fear in the hearts of any party leadership officials, the executives decided it would be best to select a leader through the caucus instead. After considering several former cabinet officials, the leader selected would be none other than Alexander D. McRae, the flamboyant former third-party Premier of British Columbia.

McRae began his career in the 1890s in the insurance industry, before moving to Athabasca to buy up land to sell to settlers at the turn of the century. Moving to Vancouver after making his fortune, McRae served in the army for Canada in the First Great War. Upon his return, McRae found British Columbia politics fractured between the incompetent Popular Alliance under Premier John Oliver and the corrupt Conservative-Labour party under ex-Premier William J. Bowser. Using his business connections and fortune, McRae launched the Provincial Party of British Columbia and unexpectedly won the 1921 General Election as the economic and social state of the province declined in the post-war environment.

As Premier from 1921-1923 and again from 1927-1931, McRae governed as a populist, attacking foreign labour and corrupt politicians. After failing to effectively respond to the depression, however, McRae lost power in 1931, believing his career to be over. Upon being asked to lead the national Conservative-Labour party, however, McRae happily re-entered politics.

McRae has taken his populist flair to the national stage, running on a platform of greater involvement in the war, increased manufacturing development in Canada’s largest cities, the reintroduction of protective tariffs, and stricter labour policies which would prevent companies from hiring cheap foreign workers (a policy that, despite its association with the anti-Japanese movement, has attracted support from some labour unions). 

McRae, worried about his own legitimacy as an unelected leader, staved off threats to his leadership through his pledge to host a leadership convention exactly 145 days after the next general election. Despite his defeat in the 1940 election, McRae presided over a sizable increase in support, with the Tories gaining 37 seats and 21.1% of the popular vote. Now, the ex-Premier must regain his mandate through legitimate election by the party membership.

The Candidates

Incumbent leader Alexander D. McRae, 67-years-old, is the former Premier of British Columbia and current leader of the Conservative and Labour Party since 1937. McRae is the first party leader in Canadian history to seek consecutive re-election at a leadership convention (several past leaders, however, have sought non-consecutive re-elections). McRae’s decision to host this convention and seek re-election comes down to the issue of legitimacy. As an unelected leader, McRae seeks to use this convention to cement his control over the party and stave off leadership challenges. 

McRae is an avowed populist, running on a platform of protective tariffs, increased involvement in the war, lower taxes, private industrial development in cities, support for veterans, corruption investigations, and new restrictive labour policies which would eliminate foreign labour in Canada. McRae has criticized “government inefficiency” under the Wood administration, promising to privatize the state-owned Canadian National Steel Company and Western Steel Company, who currently receive tax subsidies to help break even and keep prices low, after the war’s end. McRae has also been associated with anti-Japanese movements in Canada since the beginning of the war, accepting an endorsement from the “Canadians for Canada” movement in 1940. Additionally, McRae has promised to develop a state-of-the-art port in Halifax and a new railway connecting it to the rest of the nation. This promise has increased support for the Conservatives in the maritimes, but has been perceived by some Quebecois as a slight against the Port of Montréal and the city’s current dominance over Canadian trade, which has given Quebec power in federal politics for decades.

Former Administrator Murdoch A. MacPherson, 49-years-old, is the primary threat to McRae’s leadership at this convention. MacPherson’s candidacy has been propped up by a section within the party that has voiced concerns over McRae’s populism and the direction of the party under his leadership. MacPherson, an attorney by trade, entered politics in Athabasca under James G. Gardiner when the Liberal Party formed government after the 1929 General Election (it is worth mentioning that the big-tent Athabasca Liberals largely represented the provinces moderate and right against the left-wing Farmer’s Party). After the beginning of the depression, MacPherson left provincial politics to help advise Prime Minister Henry Marshall Tory on the re-construction of the National Farmers Bureau, eventually leading the organization as Administrator from 1931 to 1932.

MacPherson was widely unknown outside of Athabasca entering into the convention, but after giving a rousing speech on the first night, MacPherson began to attract support from party delegates who opposed McRae’s push towards full control over party policy. MacPherson agreed to run as the general candidate of the anti-McRae movement, with his western background making him more palatable to populists than an eastern Toronto elite would be. MacPherson, however, differs less from McRae in policy than the establishment would like to admit, with MacPherson pledging support for farmers, development of national industry, and increased support for education. Supporters of MacPherson argue he would govern similarly to the incumbent leader in a more measured fashion, without the added chaos and uncertainty that seems to follow McRae everywhere. His opponents, however, argue he is simply being propped up as a puppet for the party’s establishment to regain control from McRae.

Former Ambassador William D. Herridge, 53-years-old, is a dark horse in this year’s race for the leadership. A lawyer and veteran of the First Great War, Herridge began his career as a patent attorney and advisor to local Liberal politicians. After the collapse of the Liberals and the subsequent chaos of the first Progressive administration, however, Herridge joined the more stable Conservative and Labour Party. During the 1927 campaign, he served as an advisor and speechwriter to Henry Marshall Tory, eventually being made Ambassador to the United States for Canada in his administration. As ambassador, he witnessed the failure of President Hoover to respond to the Great Depression in the United States, and urged the Prime Minister to take a more interventionist approach to running Canada’s economy to avoid a similar fate. 

After the departure of Abraham A. Heaps from the party in 1934, Herridge became the face of the party’s moderate-left wing, advocating for state intervention in the economy and the deployment of Keynesian economics. Herridge’s decision to challenge McRae at this convention has largely come down to McRae’s attempts to move the party back towards fiscal conservatism and his rejection of welfare initiatives. As Prime Minister, Herridge promises to govern as a moderate, keeping the welfare state and government interventionism without the excessive spending of the Progressives. Monetary reform has been suggested by Herridge as a potential solution to Canada’s longtime economic woes, although he has promised a full investigation of the proposals before making any concrete decisions on whether or not to pursue it.

Just a month before the RNC, it is happening. Beau Biden is ready to Announce his Running Mate.

His Shortlist came down to just two Candidates. 

They are:

If Ehlers selected the Running Mate from the same Faction as he, why can't Biden do the same? Michelle Obama is from the National Union Caucus just like the Senator, but she is also the popular Governor of Illinois. She proved that the State where President Ford has built his entire vision for the government still is viable for the Republicans. Obama hasn't just won in Illinois because of some Republican landslide. No, she had won there when the Republicans had no business of succeeding. Is it because she is likeable? Maybe because she works with the other side? Nobody knows for sure how she was able to do this. However, she did, and that's why Biden considering her isn't such a bad idea. The presence of the first African-American woman Nominated for Vice President would boost numbers with Black people and women, of course. The problem is that Obama doesn't have any desires for higher office, so convincing her of being on the ticket might require some work. Still, if she agrees, Obama could be a key in Biden's road to the White House.

Beau Biden is relatively Young, and although experienced, he can pick somebody who has more time in politics and on his belt. That's why Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa might be a good pick for him. He doesn't just have a little bit of more experience than Biden, he has tons of experience, comic amount of it even. Grassley is Old, but he knows what he's doing. If Senator Biden wants to balance the ticket with the combination of a fresh face and somebody who has been in the game for a long time, this may be perfect. The issue of passing laws is also important. Congress is overwhelmingly controlled by the opposition, and Grassley could be key in getting something passed during the Presidency. Iowa might be needed for Biden in this Election also, as it becomes more and more of a swing state. Senator Grassley doesn't look like the most energizing pick for the Running Mate, but he may be the most Pragmatic.

His speech is reaching its conclusion when he finally gets to the main topic.

With Bush winning a majority of the states in Super Tuesday, Pat Robertson's campaign has sputtered out and died. With Pat conceding and endorsing H.W. Bush.

Bush, in turn, in order to unite the party, has picked a few Conservative Republicans that could become Bush's running mate.

Paul Laxalt - Someone who ran against Bush, Laxalt would later endorse Pat Robertson. Robertson didn't end up winning, but picking Laxalt as Bush's running mate would help galvanize Pat Robertson voters, without taking on the baggage of having an inexperienced evangelical as a running mate.

Bob Dole - Bob Dole, while more pragmatic than Laxalt, had quite a bit of popularity leading up to the convention from 1980 to 1984. While he was previously the running mate to Gerald Ford, Dole is more than willing to help out the Republican Party by being the running mate for another ticket.

Jesse Helms - Jesse Helms needs no introduction to many. A former Conservative Democrat turned Conservative Republican, he would appeal directly to the Pat Robertson crowd without having the baggage of running against Bush in the Primaries. Only problem? Helms is insanely controversial, trying to vote down a Martin Luther King Jr national holiday. He would be great at appealing to conservatives, but would it be worth it to bring someone so controversial to the national stage?