Charles Malcolm Edwards (An Independent in 2000)

Charles Malcolm Edwards (adopted February 24, 1963) was the forty-third President of the United States. He served as the Mayor of Seattle from 1995 to 2000 before being sworn in as President on January 20, 2001.

Edwards is widely considered to be the greatest President in U.S. history. A President of many firsts, Edwards was the first Independent candidate to win the Presidency, the first Bachelor President, and the first President of the New Millennium. Under his administration the US entered into the Global War on Terror, got off of foreign oil, established Universal Health Care and Universal Education, and expanded the US over the entire North American Continent.

Early Life
Charles Malcolm Edwards was discovered lost in Mt. Rainier National Park in the fall of 1963 by Seattle couple, Lisa and Forest Edwards. While the complete details of his birth are shrouded in mystery, it is estimated that Charles was only a year old when he was discovered, though where he was born has been the subject of great debate, which was enough to nearly disqualify him from running for president. Within his first year as the Edwards' child, young Charles displayed a very high aptitude for any field he attempts. By grade six, Edwards had already written a his first novel. By grade seven, young charles has already won the national science fair for his study of Vertical TakeOff and Landing. The Project is such a success that it attracks the attention of the University of Berkley. While only 13, Edwards is quickly achieves a status as Berkley's top student. In 1978 Edwards experiences tragedy when his mother dies of untreated ovarian cancer. While only a teenager, Edwards discovers that his mother had been wrongfully denied coverage from their insurer, and that both he and his father were labeled as liabilities, and would likely be dined if they ever required serious treatment. With this knowledge in mind Edwards vowed to remedy the injustices that the powers that be had done to his family and all Americans. The next day young Charles changed his major to Political Science, but maintained a Propulsion Engineering minor.

Personal Life
President Edwards is one of the few Presidents in US history to have lived the first half of his life almost impoverished, and he is the only President to have been raised with parents of a different ethnicity the himself. His adoptive parents were both political activists in their spare time, and had taken young charles to the March on Washington. This humble upbringing gave Edwards a sense of principle and empathy that few Presidents can attest to having. This sence of principle, ironically enough, was what drove Edwards away from religion, and ultimately ideological accociation. Edwards was raised under one of Seattle's all black churches, and as he grew he and the church's pastor would have increasingly heated debates on almost any theological or philisophical subject. Ultimately Edwards could no longer bring himself to go to what he saw as a corrupt institution of undiserving authority. This philosophy ultimately defined Edwards as the Independent, and moved him towards being completely unapologetic about what he believed. This philosophy ultimately alienated Edwards from the Far Right of his country, particularly for, what some have called, his deviant sex life. As Mayor and then President, Edwards was known to be dating at least one new woman per month, and often times not even dating. Though only one of his books is specifically spoken about, Edwards was also the author of some of the most controversial books and philosophy, theology, and politics. His first novel, The Misconception of God, is widely attributed to his failiure to secure the Christian Right for its questions on the premis of morality, the corruption of the religious establishment, and worst yet, the real story behind the major prophets of most religions. His second novel, "Democracy: An Examination" brought to light the blatent disregard of the Constitution by some of the most notible Presidents and Congressmen.

2000 Election
2000: After being increasingly disappointed in the candidates for the 2000 election, and rising calls from many people in his own state, Edwards announced his candidacy for President shortly after Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Running as an independent he pledged to be a bridge between party lines by looking beyond partisan policies and focusing more on logical conclusions to complicated problems. Utilizing his ties to California and the Pacific North West, along with his limitless budget, and exploitation of the internet, Edwards quickly amassed support along the West Coast with his socially liberal, while fiscally conservative rhetoric. By June when the party's were still planning their respective conventions, Edwards was drawing support from popular Illinois State Senator Barack Obama, and taking the lead in the polls along the Rust Belt, and even in the Midwest. By August the first debate of the election quickly went in Edwards' favor when he stopped the debate to scold then Vice President Al Gore Jr. for disrespecting Gov. Bush during his oratory. Edwards' established himself as calm under pressure, and well mannered to even his opponents. What defined his campaign was his personal understanding of the failures of the health care system, and his record with fiscal responsibility in and out of government. He promises to provide Universal Healthcare by the end of his first term, provide a massive overhaul of the education system, and decrease military spending by increasing fiscal accountability. In September he announces popular Senator John McCain as his running mate, and begins to cement his lead in certain red states.

Outcome of Election While no clear majority is established, Edwards wins a 40% plurality, and is sworn in as the 43rd President of the United States of America on January 2001.

First Term
2001: Edwards immediately sets off to work on his "Right Track" education reform Bill, and his Universal Healthcare Bill. After he finishes off the first draft, he meets with his newly appointed Cabinet to begin drafting the new budget. He waves the secret service to lock the doors and to not let anyone out until the budget is finished. Edwards immediately sets off to trim as much waste from the budget as possible, and in the course fourteen hours some thirty billion dollars are removed as government waste. In his first State of the Union Address, Edwards states that the State of the Union is mediocre. He is the only president to say as such. He goes on to say that, "in the richest, most powerful country in human history, a country founded on the dream that everyone is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the government which is established to insure the protection of those rights has done only a marginally good job in recent history." He immediately puts forth his Universal Healthcare, Education Reform, and the budget for FY 2001. He closes with, "With these proposals our government can make the two crucial steps to ensure the pursuit of happiness for every American." He leaves with applause on both sides of the isle. By March "Right Track" has passed. Utilizing the surplus from the Clinton years, edwards pumps billions into the education system to increase tracking to give students early opportunity to develop their skills and pursue the subjects that most interest them at thousands of new charter schools. The plan also provides for higher pay for teachers in exchange for more accountability. The only controversial section of the plan is the provision for year round school, with staggered three week vacations during major holidays and the height of summer. The Universal Healthcare Act, however, has only just gotten out of committee by August facing scrutiny from paranoid conservatives fearing a welfare state. The act is nearly identical to Barack Obama's plan in OTL but has the coverage plan outlined in OTL's | HR 676

Response to 9/11
While sitting in at a Kindergarden Photo Op, President Edwards was informed by one of his aides that a plane had just hit one of the Twin Towers. Edwards immediately stood up and excused himself from the Photo Op stating that if the children have parents who work in New York, they should call them immediately. He rushes out of the room and orders the FAA to ground all flights, scramble all fighters to shoot down any aircraft that fail to comply, and that the Joint Chiefs to meet with him immediately. Once Marine 1 arrives in Washington, Edwards runs past security into the War Room. The Chiefs inform him that they have very little evidence since the attack is still going on, and all they have is a list of possible agencies that had the capabilities to launch an attack on this scale. The President exits the room and orders that every shift be called in at the CIA, NSA, and FBI to find which agency caused the attack. Edwards leaves for Marine 1 and orders that he be taken to Ground Zero. Upon his arrival he gives a speech stating that every agency is trying to find the guilty party, and that he urges anyone who can to come and help with finding those still trapped in the rubble. Edwards takes off his jacket and walks to help find survivors. By the time it is confirmed that Al Qaeda conducted the attack, the President is found puling a slab of concrete up to help a woman trapped under the rubble get free. When informed of the attackers he leaves the sight and asks for a meeting with Defense Secretary Clark. After the secret meeting the President is not heard from for days, and many begin to question his leadership. One week after the attack the President holds a press conference and states that the attackers have been dealt with, upon which he informs the world of the secret plan conducted by US Delta Force operatives over the week. After parachuting over Afghanistan airspace the squad made their way into the mountains just outside of Kabul where their intel had stated the leaders of Al Qaeda would be hiding within the old bunkers form the war with the Soviet Union. After entering the bunker the soldiers bound and questioned Bin Laden and his followers for several hours until all usable information had be drained. After the interrogation, the agents followed their final order from the president. Edwards then released the video from the bunker, it shows a bloodied Bin Laden and his cohorts surrounded by twelve Delta Force members. Each holds a knife and each proceeds to slowly and methodically torture and eventually kill the terrorists. The images are so gruesome that some reporters run out of the conference to vomit. The president states that this video will be aired uncensored on international television and across the internet as, "A warning to all who believe that they can attack the United States and get away with it." Edwards announces the following day that he will be asking Congress to declare a state of war against the Al Qaeda sponsored Taliban Government, and promises that, "all other nations who sponsored this heinous act against the people of this country will suffer similar fates." The President's approval ratings rise to as high as 90% and his Universal Healthcare and Declaration of War are quickly passed.

The War in Afghanistan
US Marines invade Afghanistan on October 7th, 2001 and the Taliban government is quickly removed from power. The war goes quite smoothly with the use of the new Mobile Palisade, designed by President Edwards. A self powered wall the Mobile Palisade is used to block off entrance to cities with several ten foot high five foot thick reinforced concrete, powered by its own engine and tank treads. These allow key cities like Kabul to be secured with little effort by containing the conflict and starving out militance. They also allow for a city to be developed while the war continues. The Afghan government is reorganized into a Tribal Confederacy with the cities being the main focus of development. By 2002 The region of Pashtunistan is completely secure and cities are being built with schools, hospitals, markets, and public transportation. While some cities are abandoned this allows others to prosper as hordes of refugees seek better lives behind the walls. As the violence disappears between two cities the walls detach and link to contain a region. The United States funds billions into building a sustainable farming industry in Afghanistan, and even while the war rages on, the country's economy actually booms. By 2003 The country is completely pacified within the dense population centers. Edwards Fiscal Accountability policy has also lead to better protection for soldiers, when an investigation found certain military officials linked to bribery by body armor contractors, thusly preventing soldiers from accessing the superior scale like Mithril body armor recently produced. Edwards gives an executive order requiring the Mithril armor to be made the standard of the military. Edwards also sends extra funds to the new electrically fired weapons recently developed, and by 2003 he mandates that the new technology be used in all Military weaponry by 2008. By the End of 2005 the Confederation of Afghanistan is a Middle Eastern power house. Following the success of Afghanistan, President Edwards sends the Clean Drinking Water Act to the US Congress, the bill allocates some twenty billion dollars to make clean drinking water available to the some 1 billion people around the world who do not have access to clean water.

2003: President Edwards maintains high approval ratings with the success of the Afghan War, Right Tract's early successes, and the drop of citizens without medical insurance to 5%. Utilizing this wave of support Edwards proposes increased funding for Adult Stem Cell Research, which has been showing much more promise, and is far less controversial than Embryonic Stem Cell Research. The plan passes as one of more successful bipartisan measures of the administration. By February, Vice President McCain begins suggesting a possible war with Iraq if rumors of Uranium Enrichment are true. Respecting his Vice President's council, President Edwards asks the UN to send inspectors into Iraq to investigate any potential enrichment facilities. No evidence is found of Uranium enrichment, but it is made clear that the Hussein regime did use VX Nerve gas during the Kurdish Genocide. In response to this revelation the UN Security council under US support arrest Saddam Hussein for war crimes and begin efforts to Patrician Iraq. The multilateral operation is a success and Saddam is sentenced to exile for crimes against humanity. The conflict between President and VP continues, however, as McCain pursues a more militant agenda, and begins suggesting war with Iran, North Korea, and even Saudi Arabia. Edwards, having no reason to invade countries that either had no part in the 9/11 attacks, or haven't already handed over the plotters in their country, begins to have a colder relationship with his VP. Eventually Edwards and McCain are having out and out screaming contests, and it isn't long until Edwards and McCain have their ultimate conflict.

NeoConGate
In 2003, when NeoConGate officially began, the consensus was that one of two outcomes was bound to happen. President Edwards would resign, or claim ignorance and likely loose his re-election. No one ever suspected what did happen. The day the story broke, was the day after Edwards himself first learned about the conspiracy, fired Vice President McCain, and told the press in person of what happened. He claimed full responsibility for not realizing the conspiracy earlier, and requested Congress to begin a full investigation with impeachment hearings for all parties involved, including himself. Edwards was never removed from office, the investigation found no ties to Edwards from the Project for the New American Century, the main think-tank that originated the plan to invade Iraq to secure American interests. When the subpoenas began to fly, Edwards made sure every single member of his cabinet testified, denouncing executive privilege as unconstitutional, which the Supreme Court confirmed in a 5-4 decision when, CIA head Dick Cheney refused to answer his subpoena. Arguably the moment that defined Edward's respect for the Constitution, was the refusal of Alberto Gonzales to acknowledge his subpoena, and the President was seen dragging his Attorney General by his collar to the Senate for his hearing. By the end of the affair, Edwards was hailed as a champion for government accountability.

New Space Program
NeoConGate continues to eat up the headlines and to make matters worse, on February 1st, the Space Shuttle Columbia explodes as the result of a piece of foam debris. Edwards is recalled as being seen in a state of shock comparable to 9/11. After consoling the nation and the families of the fallen astronauts, he holds a press conference at Kennedy Space Center. It is said to be his most personal speech,


 * "Thank you, please be seated. How's everybody doing today? Good? Good. Did any of you know that I originally wanted to be an astronaut? I've always been fascinated by flight, its what got me into the propulsion business, and I'd always planned on becoming one when I was in school, but... when my mom died...(sobs) Excuse me (he wipes away a tear from his eye, and exhales.) When my mom died in 79' because our insurance wouldn't cover her treatment, I swore I would never let that happen to anyone ever again, and, well here we are. When I was first informed that Columbia had exploded, I at first treated it like any other disaster, I calmly called in my staff and told them to send my condolences to the families, and to call in Chairman O'Kief for me to get a better idea of the situation, when it hit me. I had wanted to go to space since as long as I can remember, and when that ship exploded I remembered why I wanted to go to space, and how hard it was for me to abandon that dream for what I felt was required of me. I wanted to inspire the people of the Earth again, make them feel connected by a truly universal calling. I felt that if space was developed, if the resources that it had were tapped, a new golden age would be born for our children. This wasn't just a childhood fantasy, I'd seriously examined it while I was at Berkley, all too often with people much smarter than I, and had concluded that the rewards from mining the sky are far greater that its costs could ever hope to be. And my personal belief that the rewards felt by all humanity, the belief that we all share a single event, a single achievement, would unite the world in a moment of serenity. That is why I called you all here today, that is why I feel that this country needs a vision that goes beyond the confines of the atmosphere. Today I announce a new vision for man's continued exploration and development of space. Over the next ten years I plan to infuse NASA with well over half a trillion dollars in new funds, with potential expansion of the budget during a later date. These funds are to be first directed at the immediate development of a new space shuttle by a private firm, within two years. (clamor) Please. People, please let me continue. Thank you. All of NASA's effort must go into the creation of this new vehicle. During my time at Seattle Dynamics I designed such a shuttle, and have discussed with Burt Rutan about the possibility of him building one for some time. Design is not an issue. Secondly, by 2006 I expect the new shuttle to have completed the International Space Station, in concert with our friends and partners abroad. The space shuttle shall be retired immediately, and all future flights until this new shuttle's completion shall be directed by the Russian Federation. Thirdly, upon the completion of these new shuttles, and their will be many of them, we must begin our belated return and development of the Moon, along with the other Near Earth Objects that are both a threat, and an opportunity. Finally, within a decade, we must finally make the next great leap we have been unwilling or unable to make, the manned exploration of Mars. This will require a far more versatile ship, an Interplanetary Exploration Vehicle if you will. To be designed and built for mankind's long term march into the heavens. We can do this, we must do this, as our population continues to grow, as the Earth is stretched for resources more and more, space will become our saving grace. Our greatest folly is our complacency, our unwillingness to try what would be called impossible. But defying the impossible is what those brave souls aboard Colombia, and ever astronaut, represents.

2004 Election
With McCain now humiliated by his former boss, he takes revenge the only way he can, by turning the Republican Party against the President, and announcing his candidacy for President. The Democrats, bloodied and unable to convince Gore of leaving the EPA, nominate John Kerry as a throw away candidate. Edwards meets with Party Chairman Howard Dean and discusses his frustration with the conservatives. He asks Dean, if the party would be overtly against having Defense Secretary Wesley Clark Promoted to Vice President, since Colin Powell has absolutely no interest in the job. Dean falls in love with the idea, and the party consolidates its efforts more behind a Clark VP slot than a Kerry Presidency. With Democrats and Republicans split on their support of the President, Edwards ralleys a very untapped resource, Libertarians and Independents. Agreeing to speak for many fresh faces for the two new political entities, Edwards campaigns not only for himself, but for many Republicans and Democrats who have joined the new Party, and anti-Party. Now without a Defense Secretary, Edwards drafts Ret. General Anthony Zinni, gaining further support from the fractured Democrats. By November Independents have robbed Republicans and Democrats of most of their moderate members, and Libertarians raiding the fiscal conservatives. By election night, John Kerry does not win a single state, and McCain is left to return to Arizona in shame.

Outcome of Election A far cry from Edwards near loss in 2000, the incumbent now holds some 70% of the electorate, with 85% approval ratings.

Second Term
2005:The election has left Congress with no clear majority, only a plurality of Independents by one seat in the senate, and three in the House. This results in some very confusing rules proceedings that ultimately rewrite the Rules for the House and Senate. The new Speaker of the House is now Democrat turned Independent, Nancy Pelosi. The victory of the 2004 election is relatively short lived, by August all eyes are on what is said to be the storm of the century, Hurricane Katrina. Edwards quickly consults FEMA director James Lee Witt, and orders an evacuation of New Orleans after declaring a state of emergency. When it becomes blatantly clear that the older population of the state are refusing to leave, Edwards orders the National Guard to forcibly remove the people from their homes and take them to a safe location with the other evacuees. It is a very controversial decision, which the President defends by stating, "I have no tolerance for idiots in a time of crisis." Edwards never really had high approval ratings in the south, so the comment was virtually irrelevant to his status. When the storm hits their are still thousands trapped, who either could not get out in time, or were not rescued in time. Edwards immediately recalls all troops from Afghanistan and leaves the relatively stable country to UN peacekeepers and the new Afghan Armed Forces. The troops are greeted as liberators in the devastated region, and the use of aircraft carriers to block the levees is considered one of the most ingenious acts of disaster relief ever conducted. When it is all over, New Orleans is completely devastated, but their is minimal loss of life, and President Edwards is hailed for his brilliant handling of the situation. By September he holds a press conference after consulting with climatologists. He states that after meeting with scientists from the international community, their is evidence to suggest that the Hurricane was the result of Global Climate Change (The correct term unlike OTL) caused by the natural cycle of polar warming, and made exponentially worse by human carbon emissions. He proposes amending his increase on the CAFE standards from 2002 from 35 mpg standards to 100 mpg by 2016. To ease the burden on auto makers, he promises that any bill containing this increase would also include subsidies from the oil company's windfall profits tax to aid with retooling. He also proposes tax incentives for American businesses and family's that buy Green and contribute less emissions. The bill is met with a great deal of skepticism from both libertarians and Republicans, but the few remaining democrats and the Independent Plurality manage to coerce the bill through Congress. Edwards signs the Green America Act into law after the midterm elections drive most of the remaining Republicans and Democrats to a shell of their former glory. With an actual majority the Independents control both houses of Congress. The year ends with ten new shuttles making regular flights to the ISS, and more on the way, causing a boom in the private space flight industry.

2006:America returns to the moon at the start of the year with the new shuttle, commanded by Eileen Collins, the first female shuttle commander, and the first woman on the Moon. Construction of Tranquility Base begins immediately. To show his support for the program, Edwards trains for a mission to the ISS and flies into orbit at the end of January, where he becomes the first world leader in space. But, all of Edwards accomplishments are dwarfed by the events of March 7th, 2006. A team of twenty astronauts land on 433 Eros, the second largest Near Earth Asteroid. The team sets up a base and initial mineral scans yield over a hundred trillion dollars in minerals. Edwards gives an executive order to mine the asteroid immediately, claiming mineral rights for the United States. He orders several other asteroids to be claimed, and by April the US government has the largest surplus of any country in history. The economy explodes, with mineral prices falling like a stone. Gold quickly becomes nearly worthless and the dollar rises in value to what it was in the 1800s. US automobile makers immediately plan far more advanced and luxurious cars to keep up with the drop in mineral value. At a joint secession of Congress Edwards proposes a new budget and countless new bills. He increases subsidies to auto makers to retool by the end of his administration, provide free college education for all citizens, and increases funding to NASA by a trillion dollars to build the IEV. He also increases funding to develop the poorest nations on Earth by several trillion dollars, and puts forth legislation to end poverty, hunger, and unemployment in America. He also puts forth a Bill allowing any US territory to apply for statehood, which they all except. His most popular piece of legislation is the cancelation of all taxes in the US. By the end of the year Edwards has a 93% approval rating, and the US economy is more powerful than any economy in history.

The Unification of North America
By late 2006 the United States has supplanted the economies of all other North American nations. With Latin American Nations now dependant on subsudies from the US, and Canadian buisnesses simply unable to compete with the US, it comes as no surprise when millions of people from every North American nation come flooding into the US. By 2007 there are over 100 million illegal immegrants in the United States, and more still flooding in on a daily basis. This is said to be the final straw that lead to the America's greates expansion of territroy.

2007: US goods are now the most popular in the world; with mineral value down to next to nothing and subsidies going to every industry to retool, the US economy supplants those of every country. So much so that by the end of the year their are calls all over North America from countries who want to join the United States. Edwards holds a meeting in Washington DC with the Organization of American States, and all those in North America have stated that popular referendum dictates that they join. Edwards puts the proposal before congress, and after weeks of heated debate, the US annexes the entire continent. The North American Union Act was solidified when Cuba overthrew Castro from power and elected to join in referendum. The Act was constructed as follows:


 * All New states shall be given the same rights and freedoms as any other state.
 * All New states must amend their current constitutions to comply with the US Constitution.
 * The US House of Representatives will expand to 600 seats to accommodate the increase of citizens.
 * All previously illegal immigrants will be pardoned and given citizenship.
 * The Continental United States will become Metric Standard by 2010.
 * All Military Personnel will be refitted and rearmed with the current US Arsenal.
 * English must be taught in every school by 2010.
 * Spanish and French must be taught as a second languages.
 * A new network of highways and rail lines will be built to unite the continent.
 * All Identification must be replaced by 2008.
 * This includes all drivers licenses, passports, medical licenses, Weapons Permits, etc.
 * States will be reorganized to accommodate the US federalist system, and demographics of the area.

Final Days of Office
2008:President Edwards closes out the year with a meeting with all nuclear powers and proposes a nuclear proliferation that would decommission all ICBMs by 2010, and use them for a series of Nuclear Pulse Detonation Rockets for interstellar Probes. The provision only passes after the US agrees to pay for it. With growing pressure to announce his successor, President Edwards consults with Vice President Clark, and Secretary of State Powell. Neither one wants the job, and both would rather retire with their heads held high. The President then nominates Senator Barack Obama to succeed him as President. The independents immediately rally behind him, and only have Libertarian Candidate Ron Paul to deal with. Obama is already leading in the polls with 65% of the electorate by mid April. With Afghanistan an agrarian powerhouse in the Middle East, and the rest of the region finally warming to the West, Edwards decides to announce the end of the War on Terror when the governments friendly to Al-Qaeda have been overthrown. The statue is a gift to the United Nations. Edwards also encourages Europe to United in popular referendum as a parliamentary democracy. Local elections with the revised European Constitution are complete within the year, and the European Union is a single confederation of states by the end of the year.

Aftermath
President Charles Malcolm Edwards entered the Presidency as an unpopular leader who won less than half of the popular vote in America, and left as the most popular president in US history and widely considered to be the greatest president ever to serve office. As the world heals from the age of violence that was the 20th Century, President Edwards has left the world a better place than he found it; since his Presidency began in 2001 the United States has expanded over the entire North American continent; health care is free and universal, and genetic engineering via stem cells has led to countless cures and treatments for once unstoppable diseases; the income tax has been abolshed, and the federal reserved is used only to act as a central storage and management unit for the resources allocated from Near Earth Objects; the US is known throughout the world as the country the provided clean drinking water for every developing nation, and stands as an arbiter of peace; the Middle East is far more stable than ever before, and the nations of Kurdistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE stand as beakons of prosperity in what was once a desert of hopelessness. The Obama administration that followed oversaw the completion of many of President Edwards legislation, and built off of his ideals to decommission and destroy all Nuclear weapons by 2015. The Obama administration also saw the first drop in emission levels and proclaimed the beginning of the end of global warming. By 2012 an American had landed on Mars. Commanded by Leland Devon Melvin the first crew of 100 spends two years building the first base on Mariner Valley. The Lunar Project yields ever expanding towns on the moon, and some have suggested a Lunar State.