The 2044 presidential election is the high-stakes battleground of the dystopian political thriller, What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose. As the first installment in the Bull Moose political thriller series, the novel plunges readers into a near-future America where democracy teeters on the brink of collapse. The election isn’t just another campaign—it’s a defining moment that could determine whether the nation regains its democratic ideals or descends into authoritarian rule.
A Dystopian Political Landscape
By 2044, the American political system has become unrecognizable. Following years of deepening divisions, corruption, and systemic decay, the once-healthy two-party system has collapsed, returning the type of corruption and deal-making behind closed doors that characterized much of the late 19th Century. Although Fedor chooses not to name the political parties by name – referring to them as the Old Party and the Other Party – any savvy reader can discern which might be analogous to today’s Democrats and Republicans.
In Act two, a new political party emerges: The Bull Moose Party. It is a grassroots movement seeking to restore integrity and reforms from all angles of the political spectrum. It emerges as a formidable force against an entrenched political establishment that has abandoned the people in favor of corporate and elite interests.
At the heart of this dystopian political thriller is Jackson Piper, a former Senator who suffered a crushing high-profile, career-ending defeat. Drawn from his respite in the Colorado Rockies by pleas from former aides who still believe Piper is the president America needs, Piper relaunches onto the national scene with some daring and unprecedented political maneuvers. Piper’s campaign isn’t just about winning an election—it’s about challenging an entire system rigged against outsiders.
In the book, Michael Fedor paints the 2044 campaign as defined by power plays, clandestine deals, and the ever-present threat of political violence, making it the perfect setting for a gripping political thriller series.
Key Locations of the 2044 Presidential Race
The novel takes readers across a fractured America, showcasing cities and regions that play pivotal roles in the campaign.
- Washington, D.C.: Once the epicenter of American democracy, the capital is now a fortress of secrecy and control. The halls of power are rife with backroom deals, surveillance, and a political elite desperate to maintain their grip on the nation. For Piper and his team, navigating D.C. means confronting the very institutions they seek to reform.
- New Hampshire: The location of the first in the nation primaries, New Hampshire quickly becomes the place where Jackson Piper and his allies mount their first stand against President Warner and the two Parties.
- Phoenix, Arizona: Long a bastion of conservative power, the region is now a divided landscape of private militias, rogue governors, and secessionist movements. Winning support here means confronting a volatile mix of ideology and desperation.
- Texas: Texas has evolved politically by 2044, due in large part to a maverick governor who grew up in a political dynasty. There is a tenacity and a rugged truth that Valerie Lawrence embodies that comes to represent the larger population of Texas as well as much of the nation.
- Pennsylvania: As a swing state with deep historical significance, Pennsylvania becomes a microcosm of the national struggle. Piper’s campaign efforts here highlight both the resilience of the American people and the corruption that threatens to silence them.
Major Events That Shape the Election
The 2044 campaign is defined by a series of electrifying events that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
- The Assassination Attempt: Early in the novel, a brutal assassination attempt on Piper shakes the campaign to its core. The attack, goated on by powerful enemies seeking to eliminate Piper’s movement before it can gain traction, sets the tone for the life-or-death stakes of the election.
- The New Convention: With the mainstream political machine working against him, Piper and his allies organize a new kind of political convention, bypassing traditional party structures to connect directly with the people. This event marks a turning point in the campaign, solidifying the Bull Moose Party as a movement of the people rather than the elites.
- The Cyberwarfare Scandal: In an era where elections are no longer decided solely at the ballot box, the novel delves into the use of cyberwarfare and digital propaganda. A massive data leak reveals shocking evidence of election interference, forcing Piper to make a strategic decision that could either save or destroy his campaign.
- The Debate of the Century: A televised debate turns into a spectacle as Piper confronts his primary rivals, a hapless patsy inept for the moment and a corrupt incumbent willing to use every dirty trick in the book. The debate exposes deep divisions as well as introduces a stunning twist.
- The Final Showdown in D.C.: As election night looms, tensions reach a boiling point in Washington. The book’s climax is an explosive confrontation between the forces of reform and those clinging to power, culminating in a dramatic revelation that changes the course of history.
Leading Characters in the 2044 Campaign
Former Senator Jackson Piper of Pennsylvania lost his first election ever in 2040 after a meteoric 14-year rise that had many speculating he would be destined for the White House. Licking his wounds and seeking to reinvent himself, Piper chooses a life of anonymity and seclusion with his family thousands of miles west in Denver, Colorado. But when evidence of a plot to rig the presidential election of 2044 lands on his doorstep, Piper feels unable to ignore powerful forces that seem to be calling him back to public life. Piper soon discovers that to pursue the presidency, he will have to defy norms and risk his career as well as his life to try to defeat Warner in what could be America’s final election.
Beyond Jackson Piper, a cast of compelling characters brings the 2044 election to life:
- Vice President Jessica Brown: Once a member of Piper’s Party, Jessica Brown was nominated after the financial crash of 2039 to be on a unity ticket with President Warner. Facing a personal crisis and, she receives shocking news that shakes her belief in her country and the very nature of truth to the core.
- Speaker Sylvester Billings: A cunning political kingmaker who operates cautiously, Billings once embodied the corruption and power plays that define this dystopian landscape. But Piper draws out a new side to Billings, and the Speaker of the House suddenly plays a powerful role in shaping the outcome of the election.
- Senator Eileen Frazier: A fearless Old Party Senator drawn to Jackson Piper’s charisma and deep faith. While they share little in common in terms of political ideology, she brings a faith to his side that keeps Piper pushing forward even when he lacks to courage to take the next step.
- Ronald Bender: Piper’s chief campaign strategist, Bender is a master tactician navigating the treacherous waters of future politics. His loyalty to Piper is tested as the campaign grows more dangerous and his deepest secrets threaten Piper’s candidacy.
- Governor Valerie Lawrence: The maverick and highly effective governor of Texas comes to the aid of Jackson Piper just when he believes he might be sentenced to the political wilderness. Packing a six-shooter on her stylish belt to show her political rivals she means business, there is plenty of the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt in the Texas Governor that could prove powerful to the new Bull Moose Party’s chances.
- President Russell Warner: The incumbent president and one of Piper’s two primary opponents, Warner embodies a man who rode populist sentiments to the pinnacle of power and now will make any concession of his ideals to maintain power. His administration’s mastery of propaganda, unchecked surveillance, politicization of the Justice Department, voter suppression tactics, and willingness to silence opposition make him a formidable antagonist.
- Ziggy: Perhaps the most loyal member of the Piper for President campaign team is the sentient A.I. named Ziggy. The property of Ronald Bender, Ziggy is funny, flirtatious, always listening, and programmed always to be of service. But just when you think Ziggy is just a glorified digital assistant, her origins reveal powers no one had anticipated.
- Marco Alvarez: The richest man in the world with a fortune that rivals nearly all countries on earth, Alvarez and his company Juniper are at the center of future A.I. development. Juniper has complete control over what Americans understand as truth and fiction via an A.I. tool called The Mark. Marco’s plans may be less innocent than helping his favorite president win reelection.
The Bull Moose Party and the Future of American Politics
The Bull Moose Party isn’t just a backdrop for the novel—it’s a symbol of resistance against a failing system. Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive movement, the party represents a return to accountability, people-powered politics, and a rejection of corporate-controlled governance.
In What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose, the party’s rise mirrors real-world frustrations with political dysfunction. The movement’s supporters include disillusioned voters from across the political spectrum, from working-class Americans to tech-savvy reformers, all united by a shared belief that the country needs radical change.
Conclusion: A Political Thriller for Our Times
What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose by Michael Fedor isn’t just a dystopian political thriller—it’s a mirror reflecting the anxieties and possibilities of our own political reality. The 2044 election at the heart of the novel serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying cry, challenging readers to question the trajectory of modern politics and the role they play in shaping the future.
As the first entry in the Bull Moose political thriller series, this novel sets the stage for an epic saga of power, resistance, and the fight for democracy. With its gripping narrative, rich world-building, and unforgettable characters, What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose delivers a thrilling ride through a political landscape that may not be as far-fetched as it seems.
