re: #194 KGxvi

My basic idea, possible universe building:

young president (in his/her 40s), decides not to run for a second term (not entirely sure why, strain on marriage, family crisis, something like that). After a couple cycles away, writing, possibly teaching, a leadership vacuum forms in the party and they decide to run again.

Part of me wants to tell the story from a staffer point of view, sort of early West Wing style. Just not entirely sure about it - I have a feeling it could turn into ASOIAF style story where it spans several books.

He could’ve narrowly lost his reelection campaign due to the EC, though what you described is what T.R. did.