2008- US Elections
2008 would be an interesting time for politics. After all, the 2000s were a peaceful and prosperous time for many nations. There was not many military conflicts and the economies were doing well for the most part. While 2008 would see the beginnings of a recession, it wouldn't be anything to drastic or concerning. At the same time, it still highlighted issues that the voter may be concerned about. The housing market was still a bit of an odd duck and while more tightly regulated, had a weird tendency of going up and down. It didn't help either with some wondering if they need to relax loaning standards while others believed that it was an issue of home costs potentially becoming too expensive. On the other hand, this was mainly with single family homes as duoplexes, triplexes and similar homes were becoming increasingly popular, especially among the young. Regarding the economy, there was a growing dominance of people using computers and furthermore, how they were being used in conjunction with the internet. More and more companies were having websites and creating features to enable services being utilized on there. Overall, the economy was beginning to change faster than some people can keep up and some were having to be left behind. Furthermore, various tech companies were trying to navigate the new system and new management would be shaking things up in trying to maintain long-term profitability and stability. These newcomers maintained the lessons of the older guard and while more ambitious in what they were seaching, would still be rather cautious. This would especially be the case as they would witness some overly ambitious colleagues be taken down by either regulations or their own hubris in trying to make a quick buck and instead cause damage to the brand.
Socially and culturally, it was a mixed bag. The young embarked on journeys of self-discovery and exposed to many varied viewpoints and perspectives on the Internet, becoming the growing masters of this world wide wild web west. This would be reflected in the mass general concensus of things such as solidarity for SATMIN+ folk as more and more of the young got to know them and normalize bonds with them. Culturally though, people were looking to remain content and enjoy the current good times. And this would be reflected in the media, including with some bits of escapism in reinforcing good times. All of these elements would be reflected over in the upcoming election. Who would become the next President of the United States? Gore would find his lead shrinking in the last few months, which some attributed due to the growing economic concerns and on if he would be willing to address them, especially since it seemed they were partially enabled by the Clinton Administration's relative lax approach to enforcement of said regulation. Additionally, when it came to campaigning, alot of the older folk were looking for a sense of stability and certainty. Someone who could reassure them that they would do what they say they will and maintain a sense of order to help people. The younger folk were looking for change and someone fresh to come in more or less. However, because of the new electoral system, peoples' tastes and approaches were becoming increasingly diverse and complicated. As such, older strategies were becoming even less relevant. And it would come down to the records of the party and the individual themselves.
The United Central Party felt pretty strongly over about their chances, even if they were nervous with Gore. After all, would people be wanting the same or perhaps go and choose someone else? Their policies were good for the most part though there was some growing conflicts in the party regarding the level of economic intervention they should have been doing alongside with their own potential concerns regarding their image. They were no longer the new kid on the block anymore and they couldn't rely on that sort of novel energy to keep it up. Regardless, they still focused over on where they could. After all, they are a successful third party and even if they lost now, they wouldn't have to be worried about what would come next.
Meanwhile, the Federalist Party was feeling pretty confident. Olympia Snowe after all is a fairly popular candidate. She was a very moderate candidate and promoted such views over not just in her party and in general. She developed an ability to go and reach across the party line to get support for bills. At the same time, she knew how to stand firm and assert herself if need be. The fact that she won her primary over for her party gave a surge of inspiration for women in terms of becoming President. As for the party itself, it was beginning to consolidate itself. Not just as the party for the American conservative, but also for the values regarding order and the rule of law. At the same time, their commitment to aspects such as agrarianism and equity meant they would be willing to go and use their power to maintain peace and prosperity. Their focus on practical reasoning and social ties would also win over voters. Most of all, they would also focus on countering the ugliness of the past; they proclaimed racism, sexism, and other forms of bigotry as the haunting ghosts that needed to be exorcised from the nation. It would also further prove their point as such viewpoints would be viewed as antithetical to practical reasoning and that they would lead to decline of social order. And this viewpoint would be increasingly common among the American conservative, especially as there would be pressure to go and do so.
As for the Democrats, they remain in a state of transition. While there is still the prominence of progressive politics and decisions to be made, there is a lack of true direction within the party. While they have been working for smaller victories such as expanding workers' rights and the like, many of them feel unsure as to what more they could actually do. At the same time, there has also been a growing generation gap in the meanwhile and some have even attributed the decline to the rising prominence of the Green Party. That said, Dennis Kucinich would still be doing good in maintaing a fair interest in the party among progressive voters and would still be looking to raise awareness on potentially troubling concerns. This included the rising costs of university compared to what people were earning (especially with the questions on where the money was going) along with greater cannabis reform. After, the substance was decriminalized and was getting growing acceptance in states, so why not go and just legalize the whole thing now? He also proposed lowering the voting age over to 16, believing that this will help further promote a healthy democracy.
In 2008, the voters would go and choose. After all, alot of progress have been made and more people were feeling comfortable with the candidates. With what could be done and how they could do it. They were looking for someone who could build bridges, but also help maintain a face of order and stability. This would especially be the case as more political parties were appearing and taking the focus out of what was already present, leading to a growing varied field. But ultimately, the people would speak. They were looking for someone to keep things orderly and tidy. They were also believing it was time for a woman to go and assert herself.
Olympia Snowe would become the 44th President of the United States.
44th President Olympia Snowe & 46th Vice President Bill Weld.