If Newsweek can fantasize absurdly about what might have happened had Al Gore beaten George Bush in 2000, I can indulge in a little counter-history myself.  Of course, even in my wildest dreams I could not imagine John McCain being a flawless conservative comparable to the imaginary Al Gore's liberal perfection and prescience.  (I would need to imagine a President Fred Thompson in order to entertain that sort of hippie-soul-crushing dream.)



After the race riots are over, the Democrat-controlled House and Senate pass a $500-billion stimulus package based significantly on Lawrence Lindsay's formulation of a partial payroll tax holiday, with a few spending sweeteners thrown in for the ultra-liberal members.  Unemployment peaks out around 9% (instead of breaking 10%).  The media thinks this is the worst thing ever, and Democratic politicians decry the failure of tax cuts as an economic policy instrument.  GDP is positive in the 2nd quarter of 2009.  By the end of 2009, unemployment has pulled back to 8%.  The media complains about the jobless recovery.

Libertarians and some conservatives grumble at the half-trillion stimulus, but the stimulus vote does not turn out to be a career-killer for members of Congress.  Arlen Specter remains a Republican, and holds the support of the PAGOP and NRSC.  Pat Toomey enters the PA Gubernatorial race.  The Tea Party protests never happen.

Mindful to pass something President McCain will sign, the House and Senate pass a more workable but still flawed Cap & Trade regime.  Over the protests of conservatives, McCain signs the bill, which at least contains a vastly expanded nuclear power strategy. 

On health care, McCain strikes a deal with Congressional Democrats to modestly expand MedicAid, tax high-dollar insurance plans, give tax credits for individual buyers, allow interstate insurance competition, and a very modest reduction in MediCare growth.

With her father as President, Meghan McCain's off-the-reservation conservatism does not land her a spot at the Daily Beast.  The world is spared her incoherent ramblings.  Andrew Sullivan checks himself into a mental health facility.

Vice President Sarah Palin convinces McCain to allow some limited oil exploration offshore.  Palin resembles the Secretary of the Interior more than the VP.  However, the low price of oil limits the immediate interest of the oil companies in this expansion.

Meg Whitman declines to accept McCain's offer to be Secretary of the Treasury, instead choosing to run for Governor of California.  Mitt Romney is then tapped for the job, reassuring the American public by his competency and moral straightness.  Healthy banks are allowed out of TARP faster, and with fewer penalties.

Being an irredeemable outcast among Senate Democrats, Joe Lieberman is appointed Secretary of State.  Lindsay Graham is appointed Attorney General, and has military tribunals up and running by May 2009.  Several GITMO prisoners are executed as a result.  GITMO is near closing by the end of 2009. 

The Iranian government does not fix the election for Ahmadinejad.  Moussavi is installed as President, and nothing changes in Iran.  No protests occur.  Moussavi continues the nuclear program, but is less bellicose about it.  Iran entertains the idea of Russian nuclear supervision.

General McChrystal recommends a 50k - 100k troop increase in Afghanistan.  President McCain orders a 60 thousand troop increase -- in June.  The Taliban never senses any lack of resolve, and never executes its own offensive to influence American decision making.  The Taliban entrenches itself in the countryside, its influence decaying.

Posted by: JoeCollins at 02:28 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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