Politics Blog

See if you can figure out who I’m talking about here:

After winning an exhausting global war, America experiences an eight year period of peace and prosperity. While one party controls congress and the white house for two years, control is split for the next six. Despite (because?) of the gridlock in Washington, the economic expansion seems boundless and the stock market triples, soaring to unprecedented levels. However, storm clouds are on the horizon as a new and powerful foe flexes its muscles. The economic expansion is grinding to a halt as overcapacity creates a supply glut.

Now, after the president’s two terms are up, his vice president seeks and gets the nomination to run for his party. The vice president is considered smart, but unlikeable. Ethical troubles have haunted him in the past; but he has put them behind him now. From the other party, his opponent is young and relatively inexperienced. A son of privilege and a former playboy, the closely divided country has serious doubts about him. However, the televised presidential debates make the difference. Coming off as much more sincere and trustworthy than the sitting vice president, the young challenger moves within the margin of error in the polls.

The closely divided, centrist nation is unsure of who deserves its votes. Political commentators comment on the quietness of the election and insipidness of both candidates, who try to present themselves as moderates.

On election night, it’s the closest election in presidential history. The challenger wins by a hair. The vice president suspects that his opponent did not really win; but he is denied victory by a party machine controlled by his opponent’s party in a critical, closely fought big swing state. The vice president will try to rehabilitate himself as a party elder statesman; but is unloved in his home state and cannot win the support of the party establishment. People write his political obituary.

Doubts reign about the new, young, president. He is undeterred. His more sober, younger, brother, was supposed to be the family hope. Now the brother helps the president shoulder the political and policy burdens of being president.

The president calls for a big across-the-board cut in income tax rates to stimulate the economy. Though his party controls both houses of congress, he has trouble getting his agenda through. His tax cut passes; but most other legislation stalls in the closely divided congress. The president is determined to see his allies take firm control of congress in the midterm elections.

As the midterm elections draw near, the stock market drops and the economy remains weak. The pundits say that the president’s party could be in trouble.

However, weeks before the midterm elections, a crisis (manufactured? real?) presents itself. The president acts to diffuse the problem. His actions are of dubious legality and inspire rancor across the world; but the American people are solidly behind him. The crisis is diffused. The midterm elections, rather than being a referendum on domestic issues, turn into a whole hearted endorsement of the president. His party defies history by winning seats in the senate and retaining its house majority, thereby enabling the president’s legislative agenda to sail through.

George W. Bush? No. JFK!

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 5th, 2002 at 12:00 am and is filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.