pman Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) @vcczar -2016 Playtest Highlights The one constant in the 2016 playtest has been a Senate Majority Leader, not a President. Senator John Thune, a 5 legislative, iron-fist Majority Leader has been a force in Washington since becoming leader of the Senate Republicans. Over his time in power he has seen through the impeachment of a President, managed to grow the Red Team's majority in the Senate to 65 seats, singlehandedly defeated, then picked a rival's cabinet and became a kingmaker to the first female President in any playtest, Nikki Haley. President Haley has proven to be a mostly ineffective and hands off President- constantly deferring to her cabinet including taking the advice to ignore one of the worst hurricanes in American history. With the country facing a list of crises longer than a Dostoyevsky play, only Majority Leader Thune and a strong legislative session can stem the emerging blue storm brewing throughout the country. While the country crumbles from within, a weakened US military faces the very real threat of war with China and a climate crisis that threatens to end the game if action is not taken soon. Edited February 19, 2023 by pman 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jnewt Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 This is a bit delayed, but definitely a moment worth noting in my opinion: in the 1948 playtest former Speaker Richard Nixon retired after the 1954 midterms. This was just a little more than two years removed from being one heartbeat away from the Presidency while a bed-ridden President Barkley continued to serve after having a stroke with no mechanism to fill the Vice President’s vacancy. 1 1 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OrangeP47 Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) @vcczar 1840 Playtest Presidents 9th - William Henry Harrison (W-OH) 1841-1845: Did not die in office as he did in real life, but did not win re-election. Oversaw an early admission of Texas to the Union and war with both Mexico and Spain. These wars would not be resolved for many years, and Harrison's incompetent overall administration soured many on the Whigs overall, leading to massive gains for the Democratic Party in both the 42 mid-terms and the 44 general elections. Nearly all major accomplishments during Harrison's two half-terms focused on military matters or settlement of Westward territories, with the exception of the passage of an Amendment that required a vacancy in the Vice-Presidency to be filled should one arise. 10th - William Marcy (D-NY) 1845-1849: Marcy was a key figure in the Democratic Party machine and was controversial because of alleged corruption. He was able to end the war with Spain, but only late in his term, the Mexican war continuing on past the inauguration of his successor, though that would end in eventual victory as well. Policy wise, Marcy actually wasn't that different from Harrison, merely more competent. That made the 1848 election close, but he too failed to be re-elected. The major policy accomplishment of his two-half terms that would be remembered would likely be the creation of the Department of the Interior. 11th - Millard Fillmore (W-NY) 1849: Unfortunately, history will forget Millard Fillmore, except for the spectacular way he died. At an event aboard the USS Princeton, a test firing of a new experimental cannon went awry, killing not only Fillmore, but Senator John Berrien and famed elder statesman Henry Clay as well. Vice President Jacob Broom II ascended to the Acting Presidency. 12th - Jacob Broom II (W-PA) 1849-1853: As the the first Vice President to ascend to the Presidency, Broom's legacy is largely legitimizing the practice. He struggled greatly for recognition, and it was not until the very last days of his term when a deadlocked Whig National Convention considered him as their 1852 candidate did he really have any political clout. He was unable to secure re-election, however. Ironically, he would have a hidden, lasting impact, as he named several justices to the Supreme Court which would remain firmly Whig controlled for the 1850s. 13th - James Polk (D-TN) 1853-1861: Polk was a master political operator the likes of which America had not seen for some time. He brought some stability to a chaotic system that saw rapidly swinging fortunes between the parties, and was the first President to be re-elected since Andrew Jackson in 1832. This was all the more impressive because he often times had to work with a downright hostile Congress. Polk's accomplishments focused on cementing control of the newly acquired Western lands as well as expanding the voting franchise (for white males), in the best of the Jacksonian tradition. He would break precedent and attempt to run for a third term in 1860, but would not win that election. 14th - Francis Granger (W-NY) 1861-present: His election precipitated a crisis that resulted in Civil War, with the Southern States breaking away over the issue of slavery. Granger won the Civil War in two short years, however, and while the Whig Party has continued to be internally fractious, Granger personally has long remained personally popular and even more of a beacon of stability than Polk was. He has continuously passed civil rights legislation and maintained political control at a time when even a united front of Whigs is unable to get much done in other policy areas. Indeed, he has succeeded where no other has before, in 1868 he was elected to a third term. The length of his time in office has meant that the Democrats have never had a chance to take back control of the Supreme Court either. While more time in the future will be needed to know the full extent of his legacy, Granger is already being touted as an all time American great. Edited February 19, 2023 by OrangeP47 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwa777 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 1948 started with Harry S. Truman having won the last election only to be forced to resign due to a scandal. He was replaced by his vice president Barkley. Barkley was doing ok until a scandal broke out on him but he refused to resign and days later fell in the White House never being the same. Rumors have it his wife was running the country. 1952 saw Robert Taft elected president after running against Ronald Reagan who is still a Democrat. Taft managed to pick a very bad running mate and moved to the left yet still won. However he did not bring Congress with him. Among his highlights are passing most of his platform and sending federal troops to the south to force an end to Jim Crow. 1954 midterms were awful for the GOP. It remains to be seen if 1956 will see Taft win another term. @vcczar 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPotatoTed Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 (edited) In 2024, after Louisiana was struck by a hurricane 16x as deadly as Hurricane Katrina, progress was finally made on real climate change legislation. Despite a Republican majority in the House and Senate and a Republican President, we've passed Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz "Green New Deal!" This was the result of lengthy negotiations between Rep Wasserman Schultz, Senator Cory Booker, President Nikki Haley, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. In return, Democrats have agreed to be the public face for raising the debt ceiling yet again, taking the potential party popularity hit for the good of the planet's survival. (We came extremely close to passing funding for the US to meet 100% of its power needs with alternate energy too, but it got filibustered.) Edited February 25, 2023 by MrPotatoTed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 3 minutes ago, MrPotatoTed said: In 2024, after Louisiana was struck by a hurricane 16x as deadly as Hurricane Katrina, progress was finally made on real climate change legislation. Despite a Republican majority in the House and Senate and a Republican President, we've passed Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz "Green New Deal!" This was the result of lengthy negotiations between Rep Wasserman Schultz, Senator Cory Booker, President Nikki Haley, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. In return, Democrats have agreed to be the public face for raising the debt ceiling yet again, taking the potential party popularity hit for the good of the planet's survival. (We came extremely close to passing funding for the US to meet 100% of its power needs with alternate energy too, but it got filibustered.) More blood Louisiana for the blood god! -Congress passing the Green New Deal, 2024. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pman Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 (edited) 51 minutes ago, MrPotatoTed said: In 2024, after Louisiana was struck by a hurricane 16x as deadly as Hurricane Katrina, progress was finally made on real climate change legislation. Despite a Republican majority in the House and Senate and a Republican President, we've passed Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz "Green New Deal!" This was the result of lengthy negotiations between Rep Wasserman Schultz, Senator Cory Booker, President Nikki Haley, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. In return, Democrats have agreed to be the public face for raising the debt ceiling yet again, taking the potential party popularity hit for the good of the planet's survival. (We came extremely close to passing funding for the US to meet 100% of its power needs with alternate energy too, but it got filibustered.) Great write up Ted. It was a team effort but really it’s just another victory for John Thune who routinely shows everyone what a strong, we’ll intentioned , pragmatic Majority Leader could be Edited February 25, 2023 by pman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 Famed VA Gov and Union Loyalist Robert E Lee has been elected President on the Whig ticket in 1872 in our 1840 playtest. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ich_bin_Tyler Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 2 minutes ago, OrangeP47 said: Famed VA Gov and Union Loyalist Robert E Lee has been elected President on the Whig ticket in 1872 in our 1840 playtest. Electoral Vote: 282-97 Popular Vote: 52.4%-43.8%-3.8% 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pman Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 (edited) In the 1956 Presidential Election the Democrats nominated LW Pop Hollywood actress Tallulah Bankhead as their nominee for President. She becomes the first female major party nominee for President, in any playtest before the Civil Rights Act gets passed (correct me if I am wrong). May I add this happened on the night of the Academy Awards. Rumor has it that the Republicans will also be making history with their choice of running mates. So regardless of who wins (fictional) history will be made in 1956. Edited March 13, 2023 by pman 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bushwa777 Posted March 13, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 13, 2023 1 hour ago, pman said: In the 1956 Presidential Election the Democrats nominated LW Pop Hollywood actress Tallulah Bankhead as their nominee for President. She becomes the first female major party nominee for President, in any playtest before the Civil Rights Act gets passed (correct me if I am wrong). May I add this happened on the night of the Academy Awards. Rumor has it that the Republicans will also be making history with their choice of running mates. So regardless of who wins (fictional) history will be made in 1956. Bankhead is also the first candidate who is openly LGBT so that is a first for 1948 playtest 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted March 13, 2023 Author Share Posted March 13, 2023 Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnewt Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 55 minutes ago, vcczar said: Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? Reagan was elected Governor of California as a Democrat 12 years earlier than in real life (1954), and two years after losing in the general election for President in 1952 Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. was elected Senator from New York in 1952 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrman104 Posted March 13, 2023 Share Posted March 13, 2023 47 minutes ago, vcczar said: Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? In 1952 the election was very narrowly won by Senator Robert Taft over still Actor Ronald Reagan, however, it was so close that the election hinged on the Supreme courts awarding of Illinois as if the state was awarded to Reagan the election would be thrown to the house. However, in a 6:3 ruling the court awarded the delegates, and the election to Taft. Basically an early Bush V Gore. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewyoung123 Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 57 minutes ago, vcczar said: Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? @OrangeP47 @Ich_bin_Tyler I know that at least 3 elections in our 1840 playtest have gone to the House & Supreme Court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10centjimmy Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 1 hour ago, vcczar said: Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? In 1954, Governor Earl Long of LA challenged the federal death penalty and won in the Supreme Court. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 1 hour ago, matthewyoung123 said: @OrangeP47 @Ich_bin_Tyler I know that at least 3 elections in our 1840 playtest have gone to the House & Supreme Court. Yeah, in our 1840 playtest, for nearly 32 years, the SCOTUS has always been Whig due to the set of circumstances we've had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVProgressive Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 2 hours ago, vcczar said: Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? David Duke served as Louisiana’s Governor for two terms in the 2016 playtest. Sarah Palin returned to the Alaskan Governor’s Mansion in after unsuccessfully running for President in 2016. Matt Gaetz was appointed to the Senate after Senator Ron DeSantis was elected governor. Actually, maybe these are all worst moments instead of best moments. Here’s something good, Condi Rice, and Jennifer Granholm broke glass ceilings after being appointed to be the Director of the CIA, and FBI respectively. Meghan McCain was appointed to her father’s seat after his death, and continues to serve to this day These might not be all that notable in the grand scheme of things, but they are pretty interesting to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrman104 Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 Mike Huckabee became the first man since Sam Houston to serve as the governor of 2 different states when he moved to Florida and became it's governor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pman Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 2 hours ago, vcczar said: Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? Senator John Thune is the iron fist 5 leg Senate Majority Leader in the 2016 Playtest. He led the Senate through one President's impeachment, singlehandedly defeated and then picked that same President's cabinet only before deciding to work with the same President to end an economic and revenue crisis. He also worked with Democrats to pass the Green New Deal and remains the most powerful man in DC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShortKing Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 3 hours ago, vcczar said: Does anyone have any "best playtesting moments" involving the Supreme Court, governors, or Congress? Liberal Republican Governor of Wyoming Frank Emerson (most notable irl for dying in office of pneumonia) embarks on a successful jobs program in Cheyenne that proves so successful that it provides a national blueprint for lowering unemployment and helps stabilize the periodic protests plaguing the nation, with some going so far as to call him a future President in waiting. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rezi Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 On 3/12/2023 at 9:10 PM, pman said: In the 1956 Presidential Election the Democrats nominated LW Pop Hollywood actress Tallulah Bankhead as their nominee for President. She becomes the first female major party nominee for President, in any playtest before the Civil Rights Act gets passed (correct me if I am wrong). May I add this happened on the night of the Academy Awards. Rumor has it that the Republicans will also be making history with their choice of running mates. So regardless of who wins (fictional) history will be made in 1956. This election produces the ugliest map to ever exist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperator Taco Cat Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 (edited) Quote This election produces the ugliest map to ever exist Don't speak to soon, it might gain faithless elector bubbles. Edited March 14, 2023 by Imperator Taco Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 17 minutes ago, Rezi said: This election produces the ugliest map to ever exist It almost seems to work if you cross the 1880s with the 1940s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperator Taco Cat Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 (edited) [Removed by poster] Edited September 29, 2023 by Imperator Taco Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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