Donnellism

Donnellism is the ideology of Ed Donnell (born 1978), a fictional US politician who served as President between 2017 and 2021, and as United States Senator for Virginia between 2008 and 2016. Donnell is a member of the Republican Party.

Background of Ed Donnell
Edward Rourke Donnell was born in Blacksburg, Virginia in July 8th, 1978 to Martin Donnell, a firefighter and Natalie Rourke, a nurse. Donnell became interested in politics at age eight. Coming from a right-wing family, he sympathized with George H. W. Bush in both of his presidential bids. From age 12, Donnell wanted to join the military. In 1996, Donnell enlisted in the US Army, being deployed to Saudi Arabia.

Donnell participated in the frontline during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He had a kill count of 58, and participated in several battles, including Baghdad. He remained in Iraq for years afterward, trying to help stabilize the country. Donnell was injured several times.

In 2006, Donnell retired from the Army in order to fulfill his political ambitions. That year, he joined the Republican Party.

Political Rise
Donnell's war record made him a pretty well-known figure in parts of Virginia. Given this, he decided to run for Senate as a Republican. He defeated governor John Warner at the state convention by 1 vote. Donnell faced Democrat Mark Warner, defeating him by two thousand votes. He was sworn in as a Senator in January 3, 2009

As Senator, Donnell focused on economic policy. He was one of the main proponents of cap and trade, a free-market solution to climate change. His main legislative accomplishment was the implementation of cap and trade by the Obama Administration. However, his proposals for a Balanced Budget Amendment, tax reform and ending late-term abortions failed. He was a supporter of the Tea Party movement.

In the 2012 Republican primaries, Donnell endorsed Herman Cain, then Ron Paul.

Two years lawyer, Donnell was successfully re-elected to the Senate, defeating Terry McAuliffe by a decisive margin.

In March 2015, Donnell threw his hat in the ring for the Republican presidential nomination.

2016 Presidential Election
Donnell's presidential campaign focused on a Balanced Budget Amendment to the US Constitution, reducing taxes to an 8% corporate tax, 8% sales tax and 8% personal income tax, free trade while looking out for America in these deals, ending late-term abortions and implementing the Hyde Amendment, school choice and trade schools, scaling back military interventionism, protecting the First, Second and Fourth Amendments, a healthcare system based around high-quality care, freedom of choice and the genuine competition of health and insurance providers, fighting climate change through developing advanced technology, developing initiative among black and minority business owners, and LGB rights. Candidates Jeb Bush, Rand Paul and John Kasich dropped out and endorsed Donnell. He then defeated Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio to win the Republican nomination.

Donnell let his surrogates attack Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, instead taking the high road and striking a tone of optimism and American renewal. He won the general election by carrying the state of Virginia by a few votes.

Presidency
His first action was to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Donnell's presidency focused on the issue of the national debt, implementing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the US Constitution (although it was only ratified by all needed states in the last month of Donnell's presidency), ending all of corporate welfare and 1/3 of subsidies, cutting regulations "that only helped corporations", and most importantly, gradually implemented a radical change to the United States' tax code. He believes in climate change and his Administration ended part of federal subsidies for fossil fuels, made progress in cutting emissions and working with America's global partners, and remained in the Paris Agreement, aside from expanding the cap and trade program started under Obama. The Donnell Administration renegotiated NAFTA and TPP, and was tougher on China. Diplomacy was successfully used with Iran, and in February 2020 US troops orderly withdrew from Afghanistan. The education policy focused on school choice and trade schools.

2020 Election
In 2020, the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. Donnell refused to implement a nationwide lockdown or mask mandate due to his belief in individual freedom. This made the United States be harshly hit by COVID. However, Donnell always wore a mask when outside, physically distanced and regularly washed his hands. After a tough primary battle, former Vice President Joe Biden became the Democratic nominee, picking Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin as his running mate as an olive branch to progressives. Donnell highlighted the successes of his Administration, however the COVID issue always lingered in the background, and Donnell still lost.