Washington 2017: The U.S. Political RP: IC [CLOSED]

[Velahor]

Notorious P.I.G. BBQ, Missoula, MT
(Image)

Mitch Cory had woken up fairly early that day, and worked with his "team" of four other guys in his studio to edit the previous evening's podcast. It was a fairly interesting show, he had discussed the death of Winston with a comedian who had Skyped in, and a local Montana GOP committee member. But now he had a rather important meeting with a former rival at one of his favorite joints to discuss making amends.

He liked the guy, and his policies. It was one of the closest races in the country, and was a great way to get his feet wet politically. He would not be leaving politics. Ever since his show had taken a political bent, and he wrote his books condemning Winston, it was going to happen. While he could influence politics from his basement in some ways, no one would think of him as anything more than a UFC fighter until he took office and served.

Cory entered the restaurant, smiled and nodded to a fan who recognized him, waved to the Governor, and sat down across from him.

"Hey man, how's it going?"

Stephens, surprised at the lack of formality but actually a bit relieved by it, said "Hey Mitch, it's all going pretty good. How's the show been? Haven't kept up much the past few week."

[Vaquas]

(Image)
Carter Roberts for Senate HQ
New Haven, CT

Normally, either Roberts's secretary or one of the volunteers manning the phones would have answered, but at the moment, they were all hovering over the Chinese food that Carter's wife Kara had brought to the office. Josiah, Carter's younger son, picked up the phone instead, as he was sitting at one of the desks watching basketball highlights on YouTube.

"Roberts for Senate, this is Josiah, how may I direct your call?"

"Hello this is Representative Yang from the state of Oregon, soon to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, I'd like to speak with Mr. Roberts if that's at all possible?'

[Sanabel]

Notorious P.I.G. BBQ, Missoula, MT

"It's been great. The gubernatorial race got me a lot of publicity, so we are doing better than ever, nice audience."

He took his hat off, and folded it up in his lap.

"Great place you've picked!"

[Prolieum]

Kent Falls, Kent, Connecticut

Also seeing nothing in his scan of the surroundings, Reed frowned slightly at the comment, out of confusion rather than displeasure.

"Ask me for advice? Well...sure. On something in particular?"

[Sanabel]

Kent Falls, Kent, Connecticut

Denisevich was noticeably awkward, due to his poor ability with such conversations.

"Yes...it is rather personal. It's about, I guess you could say relationship issues. Maybe- actually, never mind. Forget I said anything."

[Prolieum]

Kent Falls, Kent, Connecticut

"No-by all means. I'll be happy to lend a hand, or an ear, or whatever you need."

[Sanabel]

Kent Falls, Kent, Connecticut

"Well, I can't say for certain, but it seems as though you and Aubrey have things figured out. I've been having issues with my fiance Catherine for a bit, roughly since I began working for you."

[Prolieum]

Kent Falls, Kent, Connecticut

Cal brushed some snow off of a long-dead log, clearing a spot and taking a seat, resting the butt of the shotgun on the ground.

"What kind of issues, in particular?"

[Velahor]

(Image)
Carter Roberts for Senate HQ
New Haven, CT

Normally, either Roberts's secretary or one of the volunteers manning the phones would have answered, but at the moment, they were all hovering over the Chinese food that Carter's wife Kara had brought to the office. Josiah, Carter's younger son, picked up the phone instead, as he was sitting at one of the desks watching basketball highlights on YouTube.

"Roberts for Senate, this is Josiah, how may I direct your call?"

"Hello this is Representative Yang from the state of Oregon, soon to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, I'd like to speak with Mr. Roberts if that's at all possible?'

"Sure thing, hold on and let me find him." Josiah walked around the building trying to find his father, finally finding him in his office.

Carter had a long standing habit in his playing days of watching his game film at least 3 times after every game. He had recently learned that this way of critiquing himself worked well for debates.

He had watched a particularly cringe-worthy moment of the last debate about 10 times when his son walked in with the phone. "Hey dad, there's some lady on the phone. I forgot her name. Sounds important though."

Carter took the phone from his son's hand, and leaned back in his chair, propping his injured leg on his desk. "Hello, Carter speaking. May I ask who this is?"

[Velahor]

Notorious P.I.G. BBQ, Missoula, MT

"It's been great. The gubernatorial race got me a lot of publicity, so we are doing better than ever, nice audience."

He took his hat off, and folded it up in his lap.

"Great place you've picked!"

"Best barbecue outside of the south, in my opinion. After my short stay in DC years ago, I began to crave good barbecue, so it's a good thing these guys opened up. I stop here when I can on my way through town."

Stephens looked down at the table and then back up at Cory.

"Before we get started, I want to apologize. Sorry we got things started on the wrong foot. All that stuff I said, inexcusable. I won't even try to make excuses for it."

[Sanabel]

Kent Falls, Kent, Connecticut

"Issues of balancing my career, what we are doing with our movement, and her. Essentially."

He remained standing, ready in case a pheasant showed itself. The sun began to poke through the clouds and flurries, illuminating the white snow.

[Sanabel]

Notorious P.I.G. BBQ, Missoula, MT

Cory laughed. "Don't worry too much Doc, I can be a douche sometimes myself. It probably cost me the election, but that's fine." He winked.

"I fought in the UFC. All of those feuds, and the trash talking- it gives you a thick skin. I got an even thicker skin doing publicity for the UFC than when I was a fighter! And plus, I would never have gotten into politics if I was a whiny bitch, pardon my French."

The waiter came by, and dropped a coke in front of Cory.

"Look, all I really want in return is a written, public apology. Not because I particularly care, but because I have plans, and because it would probably be good on you, man."

[Prolieum]

Kent Falls, Kent, Connecticut

"So changing positions, working like this, Chief of Staff-it's been a greater workload, greater time commitment than being Governor, I take it?" Reed queried.

[Velahor]

Notorious P.I.G. BBQ
Missoula, MT

Doc said with a straight face "So...you need it in writing? Don't know if I can do that."

He paused for a second, just long enough for him to gauge the look on Cory's face. Then he laughed.

"I'm just giving you shit. I'll write up an apology as soon as I'm done here and have my secretary send it wherever it needs to go."

"Honestly, you do come across as a tough sonofabitch. Toughest competition I've ever had for office, with quite the close finish too. We need more guys like you in office. Too many liberal snowflakes and fascist knuckleheads running around these days. We need honest and straightforward Americans in office. Shame you had to run against me first time around."

[Tallahassee News Station]

Continental Divide


The split between the Legislative and Executive branches varies in its width and depth. When the Congress and the Presidency are held by different parties, the breach is wide. When they are the same, it often closes, though intraparty fights may push it open again. In 2017 though, the divide between the two branches is quite literally hemispheric.

The Mississippi River was first the western border of the United States, but as Manifest Destiny pushed west it turned into the midpoint, and the threshold of East and West, a dividing line between the country's younger and older halves. The population midpoint of the U.S. has been shifting steadily west through its history and crossed the Mississippi River in 1980. In the coming government in Washington, this shift west seems to have turned into a division, one branch pushing it further, the other turning back against it.

Though it may be more coincidence than contrivance, for perhaps the first time in American history every major leadership position in the U.S. Congress is held by a citizen of a state west of the Mississippi. While that would be remarkable in itself, this landmark occurrence happens in a year in which the revealed Presidential cabinet has come almost exclusively from the eastern side of that river.

Both parties saw changes in party leadership, and all those changes went west. For the Democrats, Minority Leaders Harper and James (Illinois and Louisiana) both lost reelection, and were replaced by Senator Allison and Representative De Nieto (Oregon and California). Susan Keating, the Californian minority whip, kept her position. For the Republicans, the change was in an unseating of Senate Majority Leader Carter. (Ohio) in favor of Joanne Winslow (Montana) New Mexican Senator Villanueva de Pena was confirmed as Majority Whip, while both the Majority Leader and Speaker of the House positions stayed in Western hands, (South Dakota and Washington).

The Executive branch bucks that trend. The two closest men to the President, Vice President Havich and Chief of Staff Denisevich, both hail from Connecticut. New York dominates the other slots, with Attorney General Alicia Florrick, Secretary of Commerce Jeremy Beaumont, and Press Secretary Coby Clement all from the state. Nearby Pennsylvania holds Ambassador Jeffries. The middle south has Secretary of State Abelard Bell, Secretary of Energy Trent Wright, Secretary of Defense Bill Rodham, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Donald Overstein, from Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and North Carolina again. Secretary of the Treasury Emma Bellefontaine is the most occidental of the group, of eastern Louisiana. Of the entire announced cabinet, Amelia Yang of Health and Human Services is the only one hailing from west of the river.

The divisions drawn could be chalked up to happenstance, or deliberate. Democrats may be making a play for the West coast, where the Progressives have gained significant ground. For Reed, a cabinet heavy in northeastern and coastal eastern states could be a symbol of a moderate cabinet, with several Democrats selected, or a nod to greater political experience nearer to the Beltway.

The President-Elect himself could be seen as a product of both worlds. Born and raised in Montana, it was in Maryland where he made his mark both in charity, and in politics. Reed will spend the next four years on the East coast, but spent most of the last five farther west in Colorado. The President-Elect has a foot in both camps, which could be a means to bring together, or force him to do the splits.

No matter what the reasons are, the geographic division in Washington in 2017 is truly unique. All politics is local, as they say, whether they'll turn regional, this year will see.

[Vaquas]

"Hello this is Representative Yang from the state of Oregon, soon to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, I'd like to speak with Mr. Roberts if that's at all possible?'

"Sure thing, hold on and let me find him." Josiah walked around the building trying to find his father, finally finding him in his office.

Carter had a long standing habit in his playing days of watching his game film at least 3 times after every game. He had recently learned that this way of critiquing himself worked well for debates.

He had watched a particularly cringe-worthy moment of the last debate about 10 times when his son walked in with the phone. "Hey dad, there's some lady on the phone. I forgot her name. Sounds important though."

Carter took the phone from his son's hand, and leaned back in his chair, propping his injured leg on his desk. "Hello, Carter speaking. May I ask who this is?"

"Hello Mr. Roberts, this is Representative Amelia Yang, soon to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. I was looking over the debate, as well as some of your political positions, and I have to say that you and I have a lot in common in regards to policy. I served as a co-prosecutor in the impeachment trial of Albert Winston and with that has come a certain amount of fame. I would be more than happy to put that influence to use by providing you with my endorsement and unwavering support of your election bid."

[Velahor]

Roberts Campaign HQ
New Haven, CT

Roberts nearly dropped the phone when he heard this news. A gift, having fallen right into his lap. Maybe if Yang endorsed him, it could swing the cabinet too. Let's not get too greedy...stay thankful that we have one person interested, he thought to himself. In his head, he said a quick prayer of thanks for this opportunity.
"Representative Yang...or Secretary Yang...which do you prefer? Uhhh anyways, I'm really glad to hear you like where I stand on things. I have to tell you, I really admired your work on the Winston case. And congrats on the cabinet spot...Reed is lucky to have you there.

Very glad to meet you by the way. On the phone, but still, nice to meet you.

Wow, "unwavering support"...those are strong words. It's a major honor to have someone like you have my back in this...your endorsement could be big for the campaign. So what's the catch? The strings attached that I need to get the endorsement? Or is this a straight deal?"

[Vaquas]

Roberts Campaign HQ
New Haven, CT

Roberts nearly dropped the phone when he heard this news. A gift, having fallen right into his lap. Maybe if Yang endorsed him, it could swing the cabinet too. Let's not get too greedy...stay thankful that we have one person interested, he thought to himself. In his head, he said a quick prayer of thanks for this opportunity.
"Representative Yang...or Secretary Yang...which do you prefer? Uhhh anyways, I'm really glad to hear you like where I stand on things. I have to tell you, I really admired your work on the Winston case. And congrats on the cabinet spot...Reed is lucky to have you there.

Very glad to meet you by the way. On the phone, but still, nice to meet you.

Wow, "unwavering support"...those are strong words. It's a major honor to have someone like you have my back in this...your endorsement could be big for the campaign. So what's the catch? The strings attached that I need to get the endorsement? Or is this a straight deal?"

"Whatever you are most comfortable with is fine regarding my formal title, and I thank you for your congratulations. In regards to my support, it is unconditional, provided of course you do not loosen your commitment to preserving the rights of the unborn."

[Velahor]

Roberts Campaign HQ
New Haven, CT
"If there's one thing you should know about my campaign and reasons for running, it's that I'm running for Senator to help care for future generations. Guaranteeing that those future generations will get to live to see their own birth is step one in giving our children and grandchildren a better world."

[Vaquas]

Roberts Campaign HQ
New Haven, CT
"If there's one thing you should know about my campaign and reasons for running, it's that I'm running for Senator to help care for future generations. Guaranteeing that those future generations will get to live to see their own birth is step one in giving our children and grandchildren a better world."

"I could not agree more. If there is anything you need, you can call this number and I'll rearrange my schedule as necessary. In what manner would you prefer I make this endorsement public?" Yang asked, looking over the recent polling now.

[Velahor]

Roberts Campaign HQ
New Haven, CT
"If there's one thing you should know about my campaign and reasons for running, it's that I'm running for Senator to help care for future generations. Guaranteeing that those future generations will get to live to see their own birth is step one in giving our children and grandchildren a better world."

"I could not agree more. If there is anything you need, you can call this number and I'll rearrange my schedule as necessary. In what manner would you prefer I make this endorsement public?" Yang asked, looking over the recent polling now.

Now that the endorsement seemed secure, Roberts perked up a bit, speaking more confidently.

"I'm not terribly far ahead of Brennan, though it looks like most of the votes he's drawn since the debate are ones that left Ruger. Here's the big issue at the moment: my campaign has hit a bit of a lull since my accident at that marathon in Hawaii. It's been physically hard getting around on a bum ankle, and that's kinda sucked the morale of my foot soldiers here.

If I could get you up to Connecticut as soon as your schedule in the House and then the cabinet goes, it might be just the boost that me and my volunteers need to get us back up on our feet. Well, me, I'll still be up on crutches for another few weeks, but you get what I'm saying. Actually, the more I think about it, the better it sounds. We hit up a few campaign stops when you're here, let the voters know that you are endorsing me and believe in what I'm doing. It will catch some local headlines, get some people talking, and give my supporters an energy boost in getting the word out about my campaign. So what do you think, wanna come spend a few days in Connecticut?"

[Vaquas]

"I could not agree more. If there is anything you need, you can call this number and I'll rearrange my schedule as necessary. In what manner would you prefer I make this endorsement public?" Yang asked, looking over the recent polling now.

Now that the endorsement seemed secure, Roberts perked up a bit, speaking more confidently.

"I'm not terribly far ahead of Brennan, though it looks like most of the votes he's drawn since the debate are ones that left Ruger. Here's the big issue at the moment: my campaign has hit a bit of a lull since my accident at that marathon in Hawaii. It's been physically hard getting around on a bum ankle, and that's kinda sucked the morale of my foot soldiers here.

If I could get you up to Connecticut as soon as your schedule in the House and then the cabinet goes, it might be just the boost that me and my volunteers need to get us back up on our feet. Well, me, I'll still be up on crutches for another few weeks, but you get what I'm saying. Actually, the more I think about it, the better it sounds. We hit up a few campaign stops when you're here, let the voters know that you are endorsing me and believe in what I'm doing. It will catch some local headlines, get some people talking, and give my supporters an energy boost in getting the word out about my campaign. So what do you think, wanna come spend a few days in Connecticut?"

"That sounds fantastic, our offices will work out the exact dates and such, I look forward to it. We need more principled individuals in Congress right now to mirror those that have taken the executive branch, and I believe you're an ideal candidate in that regard particularly." Yang said, being very generous with her wording on purpose, hoping to bolster enthusiasm.

[Main Nation Ministry]

January 3, 2017

Taylor Cox

At the Los Angeles Journal building in the city, Cox was at the office, upon getting word that the news company has gotten extra money to have their own online news channel on YouTube. "We're going online?" Cox asked editor in-chief Sinclair as he examined on the news set where an anchor sits in front of a desk and reads from the teleprompter. "This isn't live, you know. This is mainly we record city to state wide news. I say anything that can get to 30 minutes or more will land on the YouTube channel."

"You think people will get mad that we're going to be another Breitbart or Fox News?" Cox asked Sinclair. "As long as CNN doesn't try to sue or buy us. Now, who should we hire for reporters and what not? I mean, I know this local news anchor who can sit here." "Actually. I can have my wife be possibly a reporter. She can just read from some guy with a giant sign." Cox suggested.

"Wife? No one got word of a wedding, though?" Sinclair questioned Cox. "Both of us thought it would've been best to keep it private from the media, Sinclair. Also, we need to have actual people responding to people's calls instead of a robot. It will be excellent for customer support."

[Velahor]

Now that the endorsement seemed secure, Roberts perked up a bit, speaking more confidently.

"I'm not terribly far ahead of Brennan, though it looks like most of the votes he's drawn since the debate are ones that left Ruger. Here's the big issue at the moment: my campaign has hit a bit of a lull since my accident at that marathon in Hawaii. It's been physically hard getting around on a bum ankle, and that's kinda sucked the morale of my foot soldiers here.

If I could get you up to Connecticut as soon as your schedule in the House and then the cabinet goes, it might be just the boost that me and my volunteers need to get us back up on our feet. Well, me, I'll still be up on crutches for another few weeks, but you get what I'm saying. Actually, the more I think about it, the better it sounds. We hit up a few campaign stops when you're here, let the voters know that you are endorsing me and believe in what I'm doing. It will catch some local headlines, get some people talking, and give my supporters an energy boost in getting the word out about my campaign. So what do you think, wanna come spend a few days in Connecticut?"

"That sounds fantastic, our offices will work out the exact dates and such, I look forward to it. We need more principled individuals in Congress right now to mirror those that have taken the executive branch, and I believe you're an ideal candidate in that regard particularly." Yang said, being very generous with her wording on purpose, hoping to bolster enthusiasm.

"Yeah, our offices can work out the details as far as when and where" said Roberts.

"Well thank you for your kind words Ms. Secretary! I will work my hardest to live up to the standards of integrity that will be set by the Reed administration. Finally, some good people in the White House. We need that in Congress too, and I believe I can do that.
My family and I are looking forward to meeting with you in person. I want to thank you so much for the endorsement. Anything else you want to talk about before I get back to helping out my campaign callers?"

[Prolieum]

Rossi Apartment, Washington D.C.

Anna Rossi was all smiles as she made her way back to her apartment, purse slung over her shoulder, a spring in her step under her increasingly ratty, but much-loved, old winter coat. Her smile broadened at the sudden barking that broke out as she turned the key in her apartment door, and dropped to one knee to embrace the big golden retriever that seemed dedicated to run her down, scratching behind his ears as he snuffled about her face.

"Easy, easy Jeremiah!" she laughed, falling over. "Sit! Sit!" The hairy beast finally acquiesced, tail thumping loudly against the ground as he stared her down.

Still laughing, Rossi pushed herself up to her feet, patting the dog on the head as she walked in, Jeremiah following inside at her heel. She reached over and set her keys in the little pocket for them by her tackboard, and hung up her purse and coat on the hooks, taking a moment to stretch broadly.

"Ahhhhhh."

She really did feel like she was walking on clouds right now. Not a junkie kind of thrill, but a real contentedness. She'd always been so unsure of what she'd been doing when she decided to run for office. A whole swathe of potential legal positions, from the lucrative to the fulfilling, had stood open to her, but she had gone off sideways. In the few years she had been there, she hadn't stopped wondering over that choice. Though they didn't say it, she knew her family was doing the same.

The prosecution of Winston had been a change, but not something that really bolstered her-the new attention and fame had put her more on edge than anything else. Christmas had helped with that tension, but this, this was something else.

What she had, what she felt now, for the first time, was a feeling of justification, that she had made the right decision when she made her run. The tension in that chamber had been excruciating. She had felt herself on the edge of seeing it all go down in one great, fell, swoop. That bill had tied her up in knots. She had started identifying with it more than as a piece of legislation, but as the hanging verdict in what she had chosen for herself. It had been stupid to do so. If she thought about the whole thing honestly, in retrospect, she would not have been well approving of the emotional tumult that had encouraged, or much accepting of her anger at the time. Still-she wasn't exactly doing that without brightly-colored lenses at the moment. She was too propped up on the success of that legislation, born as an attempt to make a positive change for families and repentant prisoners, delivered with far more stakes placed on it than perhaps it deserved, to really drive herself down.

She realized that she should have been angry at Brennan, having turned on her like that, but she wasn't, really. She could probably go and try to trip him up now, but she wouldn't. That was over, now was now. She wasn't going to endorse him after that, not that she probably would have anyway, but she wasn't going to turn over to condemnation or assault. Maybe she'd end up endorsing Roberts, she was considering a tweet about it, but she'd deal with that later.

She had some work she had planned for the night, but wasn't doing that now. Having completed changing as she went over her thoughts, she picked up her casual purse, and patting Jeremiah-she'd have to take him out when she got back-went to the door. She didn't know what she was going to do-a museum, probably, if she was honest with herself-but Anna Rossi was giving herself a night out.