2004 U.S. Presidential Election Scenario
It is election season and America is at war. After 8 years of Democratic White House, George W. Bush narrowly won the Presidency. Since then, Bush’s plans have been derailed by terrorist attacks on 9/11. Bush responded by invading Aghanistan and Iraq. Now, as he faces re-election, Bush’s once towering approval ratings are declining. In face of two wars, a controversial election, and a sluggish economy, can Bush, like his father, end up as a one term President?
The populist Dean with his new internet fundraising. John Kerry and ‘flip-flopping’. The charismatic John Edwards. Joe Lieberman’s “Joementum.” Wesley’s Clark’s foray into politics. Karl Rove’s political machine and the Swift boat Veterans for Truth. Latinos cheering “Viva Bush.” Down to the wire vote getting in Ohio. The 2004 election is yours to write.
There are numerous what if scenarios:
1. What if Al Gore listened to the chorus of Democrats who wanted him to challenge Bush for re-election? Past Democrat Presidents who won the popular vote but lost the electoral college-Andrew Jackson and Grover Cleveland-managed to make a comeback and win the White House. Can Gore be next?
2. What if other high profile Democrats entered the race? Hillary Clinton was on the verge of making her own bid for the Presidency. Could have she won? What about other experienced Senate Democrats like Daschle, Biden, Dodd, could have they used their gravitas to make Bush a one term president?
3. What if Gary Hart, the Democrat who nearly beat Mondale, and some would say, paved the way for Bill Clinton’s New Democrats, embarked on a long shot comeback? He reportedly was close to making the plunge. Could Hart rise from the political dead and win the White House?
4. What if Lincoln Chafee continued his bid in challenging Bush as an anti-war Republican? Or what if Bush faced other primary challenges, such as from Colin Powell, Ron Paul, or his one time rival, John McCain? And what if Bush dumped Cheney for a more charismatic VP?
Note: I haven’t been able to figure out when the various U.S. territory primaries occurred, so they’re currently just on the days they were in 2008 (which I know, of course, is incorrect). I also need to update the U.S. Territory endorsers.
You should have Nader on since he did run. Also, will you add the Libertarian party? Also, if you included the Green Party, you could have Nader as an of candidate for them. You could also add the Constitution Party.
Also, for the Democrats, you could add Jesse Jackson and Bill Bradley as off candidates.
The territories for the Democrats:
American Samoa is March 9th.
US Virgin Island is April 17th.
Guam is April 24th.
Puerto Rico is June 6th.
Territories for Republicans:
American Samoa Caucus: 2/28
Guam Caucus: 2/21
Puerto Rico: none
US Virgin Islands Caucus: 2/28
Northern Mariana Islands: none
Also, all the Territories for the Democrats had caucuses.
Been waiting for this! Will be awesome.
Thank you!!!!!! I’ve been waiting for a 2004 one for a while-that’s my evening sorted 😀
Stupid question but, why doesn’t Bush ever debate his Republican challengers?
Hey could you make it a ZIP file?
Thanks Jacob
@jacob I converted the file to zip. Hopefully it works.
@chad Bush never debates his challengers because they’re too low in the polls. Most of the debates for the GOP have a 25% threshold because it’s unlikely that an incumbent would give credence to a challenger by debating them unless they became a serious threat.
Heres how mine turned out:D!
(Ran as ralph nader)
Al Gore-57.1 vote 75,637,346 386 EV
George Bush-40.7 53,991,836 152 EV
Bush did win NY and RI,VT preety libral states
and Gore won Texas that would never happen especially being the state bush won most by in 2000 but overall a great scenario! you should make 1992 scenario with Ross Perot who was the last 3rd party candidate with a good percentage of votes would be awesome thanks cheers!
Great job with both of you scenarios! Are you thinking about making others? Like 84 or 88?
Did anyone else have any problems with the balancing? I played as Gary Hart and ended up winning the primaries. in the general election (on medium) I consistently out-debated and out campaigned Bush and the result ended up being 78 percent to 22 percent in favor of Bush. Even if a candidate did atrociously in an election it wouldn’t be that lopsided.
I’ve finally downloaded this scenario. Excellent work. I was going to make my own 2004, but this one isn’t too far off from how I would make it myself. So I’ll endorse your version. I would make some changes in the candidate abilities, however. I hope you can create events for it.