U.S. Presidential Election 2036

The U.S. Presidential election of 2036 centered around trade-some 20 years earlier Donald Trump nearly snagged the White House for protectionists everywhere but came up short to Fmr. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton's disastrous term gave rise two two terms for Speaker of The House Paul Ryan, R-WI followed by a term from his running mate and VP, Fmr. Texas Governor George P. Bush, grandson of the 41st President, George H.W. Bush and nephew of the 43rd, George W. Bush.

Though Ryan's moderate social stances and actuarial skill served him well, by the time Bush defeated the Democratic challenger in 2032, Hawaii Senator Tulsi Gabbard, the economy was slowing. By the middle of Bush's term he was struggling to maintain 40 percent approval, and this invited a slew of Democrats to challenge him. Most prominent and heavily favored, N.J. Senator Cory Booker, struggled to reach his base with a message that seemed to be presumptive. Unbeknownst to Booker, Texas Rep. Todd Bennett, was spending most of the previous four years making inroads into the deep south, connecting with African-American voters and securing the support of prominent politicians and Pastors. This enabled Rep. Bennett to highlight Booker's Wall Street loyalties in a manner that stuck.

Mindful of the lesson of Bernie Sanders in 2016, he essentially ignored N.H., focused on white liberal Iowa, which he won handily, and split N.H. with Booker. After scoring a surprise win in Nevada, Bennett trounced Booker in South Carolina, winning the black vote by 50 points. By the time Super Tuesday came Bennett had massive momentum, and won his home state of Texas by 40 points, creating a delegate lead that only grew from there. Excited to nominate a progressive from a state the Dems had not carried since 1976, Bennett went on to rout Booker and take the nomination.

Thus the 2036 election pitted two Texans, one a brand name President with pedigree to match, the other an upstart former internet entrepreneur with enticing charisma. The economy notwithstanding, Bush never had a chance. The youthful, but seasoned Bennett routed Bush coast to coast en route to winning 48 states, including the great state of Texas, and became the 48th President of The United States with a 20 pt. win nationally.