JFK Lives

[Kaine for Senate '18]

BUMP. Ben, when are you going to update?

Some point in the distant future.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I simply don't have the time to put out a good update; sorry

[Kaine for Senate '18]

BUMP. Ben, when are you going to update?

Some point in the distant future.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The First Term of John F. Kennedy Jr.

“My fellow Americans, we are at the precipice of a new century.  As we move forward, we must look to innovation, to technology, and to knowledge to keep our country strong.”

Secretary of State: Colin Powell (R-VA)
Secretary of Treasury: Lawrence Summers (D-MA)
Secretary of Defense: Ike Skelton (D-MO)
Attorney General: Robert C. Clark (D-MA)
Secretary of the Interior: Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Secretary of Agriculture: Kit Bond (R-MO)
Secretary of Commerce: Bill Richardson (D-NM)
Secretary of Labor: Alexis Herman (D-AL)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Donna Shalala (D-WI)
Secretary of Education: Hugo Sonnenschein (I-IL)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Andrew Cuomo (D-NY)
Secretary of Transportation: Rodney Slater (D-AR)
Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs: James Webb (R-VA)

As John F. Kennedy Jr., the youngest elected President in America history takes office, he promises vigorous activity to improve the country.  To that end, on January 28, 2001, he presents to Congress the Education Reform Act of 2001.  The legislation, written jointly by Kennedy, his new Secretary of Education (the outgoing President of the University of Chicago), his uncle Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), and Congressman Dale Kildee (D-MI), would institute major reforms to the American education system.  It provided for a standard national curriculum, standard national tests, funding for charter schools, as well as other measures to cut tuition for education.

From the outset, the legislation faces opposition on both sides.  Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN) calls the bill “a slap in the face of American children.”  Various teachers’ unions from throughout the country attack the section on merit pay, promising to work to defeat any Congressman who votes for the bill.

President Kennedy goes out on the offensive, appearing on numerous news networks to defend his bill.  On Meet the Press he tells Tim Russert, “The American system of education is broken.  This bill will go a long way towards fixing that.”  Secretary of Education Sonnenschein tells Fox News, “This bill was written with an eye towards preparing Americans to deal with a modern economy.”

Throughout the spring, hearings are held in Congress about the bill.  The only interruption comes in June, when the Senate confirms Carl E. Stewart of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court following the death of Justice Bownes.

On July 15, 2001, the House ends debate on the ERA.  Up until the hour of the vote, the President and his allies had been gathering support, and by a vote of 223-212, the ERA passes and is sent to the Senate.

In the Senate, debate continues, with Senators Kennedy (D-MA) and Brownback (R-KS) being the main supporters.  On September 3, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) announces his opposition to the ERA; he is followed by Whip Harry Reid (D-NV).  The Republican leadership is more supportive, though.  On October 25, the Senate finally votes; the ERA ties, 50-50, with Vice President Breaux breaking the tie in favor.  On October 30, President Kennedy signs the legislation.

In his State of the Union Address on January 18, 2002, President Kennedy declares, “The State of our Union is strong.  Our economy is growing, but not fast enough.  We need to encourage businesses to grow.  That is why I am asking Congress to pass a comprehensive tax reform bill.”

This reform, called the Kennedy Tax Cuts, cut taxes for all Americans by 3% across the board, except for those in the previous 10% bracket – they had theirs reduced by 7%.  The program is immensely unpopular among Democrats.  The House Congressional Progressive Caucus – 62 Democrats – unanimously declares against the Cuts.  Of the 40 Blue Dog Democrats, all but Charlie Stenholm (D-TX) declare in favor of the Cuts.  On March 20, 2002, the House votes 230-205 for the Cuts – 28 Democrats and all 202 Republicans join together for the vote.

In the Senate, the President recoil, and line up against them.  Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) calls the Cuts “A handout to the wealthy.”  After Treasury Secretary Summers defends the bill before the Senate, there is still little traction.  On May 29, the Senate fails to achieve cloture, 54-44, and debate continues.  Following this failure, Senator Kennedy cuts a deal with liberals involving tax rates on the top 1%, and on August 8, by a vote of 60-40, cloture is achieved; three days later the Cuts pass 53-47, and President Kennedy signs them all in on August 10.

The Congressional Elections

On elected day 2002, President Kennedy’s approval rating stands at 54%, an unusual level of popularity.  Overall, Democrats make minor gains.

Senate Results

Democrats: 54 (+1)
Republicans: 46 (-1)


House Results
Democrats: 233 (+2)
Republicans: 220 (-2)
Independents: 1 (-)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Who are the newly elected Senators and Congressman?

Tom Allen in Maine, and Mark Pryor in Arkansas for the Senate.  In the House, Lynwood Lewis defeated Ed Schrock in Virginia's 2nd District.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It's back!

Yes, for a brief update.  2001-2003 was relatively uneventful

[Kaine for Senate '18]

A good center-left timeline. 2000 should've been time for a conservative (social, fiscal and Taftite foreign policy) asendacy. Can we have a Ron Paul Presidency?

What?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It feels like that Ittl conservatives are quite divided.

That is somewhat true.  There was never the backlash against liberalism that there was in our world.  In addition, both parties are less polarized.  There are more conservatives in the Democratic Party, and more liberals in the Republican Party, than we have in our world.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

bump. Where are you, Ben?

I'm here.  I just haven't updated for a while.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

In his State of the Union Address on January 12, 2003, President Kennedy declares, “Our Union is strong.  Our economy is growing, and it will continue to grow.”

However, over the next few months Kennedy’s assessment is proven false.  In early April unemployment, which had been just over 6% in December of 2002, reaches 8%.  In a speech at the Cato Institute on May 7, 2003, Fed Chairman Allen Greenspan says that, “While we may not be in a recession yet, things do not look good long term.”  In June, in order to respond, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduces the Prevent a Recession Act.  The PRA, written by liberal economist Paul Krugman, would provide a stimulus to the American people by cutting taxes for all Americans making less than $40,000 per year.  In a speech to the American people explaining the legislation, Kennedy says “Our current problems are caused by a lack of spending.  Through tax cuts, it is my hope that we can jumpstart the economy, and avoid a recession.”  The legislation is rushed through Congress, and signed by the President on June 25.

The legislation ultimately proves ineffective.  On August 17, the New York Times carries the headline, “It’s Official: America is in a Recession.”  Three days later, President Kennedy gives another televised address to the American people, urging them to “continue spending, and do not panic.”  That does not go over well.  On August 24, President Kennedy’s approvals fall to 42%, providing him with little confidence as he begins his reelection campaign.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

By the way, there's a cycle that I noticed going from 1960 to 2000:
1960-1980
Democrat for eight years
Republican for four years
Democrat for eight years
1980-2000
Republican for eight years
Democrat for four years
Republican for eight years

I wonder if the cycle was rest in 2000 or not.

I totally didn't do that intentionally.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The Democratic Nomination

As the recession deepens in the middle of 2003, rumors abound that President Kennedy will receive a primary challenger.  Much of the speculation centers around Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, but he announces in early July that he will be running for reelection to the Senate.  Finally, on August 21, 2003, Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota announces his candidacy.  “The Kennedy Administration has spent two years working for big business and the wealthy, and it has led us straight into a recession.  If elected, I will work for the people, not the corporations.”

Wellstone runs an insurgent campaign, raising money through small donors and campaigning in caucus states like Iowa, New Mexico, Michigan, etc; while also using big names who have endorsed him like Senator Feingold.

Kennedy, by contrast, uses big money and big names.  His father, the 87 year old ex-President, lambasts Wellstone for “thinking his candidacy will do anything other than doom the Democratic Party.”

On January 19, the Iowa Caucus yields an upset.  Wellstone wins with 54% of the vote, netting 24 of 45 delegates.  On January 27, Kennedy, as expected, takes 78% of the vote in New Hampshire.  February 3 yields split results, with Kennedy taking Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina; and Wellstone taking Delaware, New Mexico, and North Dakota.

February 7 results in two major Wellstone wins, as he takes 60+ in Michigan and Washington, although Kennedy dominates in Maine.  On February 10 Kennedy takes Nevada, Tennessee, and Virginia by big margins.  On February 17 Wellstone dominates Wisconsin, as expected.  February 24 sees Kennedy win 98% of the vote in Massachusetts, despite Wellstone being on the ballot, but Wellstone captures Hawaii and Utah, continuing the stalemate.

On March 2, the stalemate ends on Super Tuesday, where 11 primaries are held in California (Kennedy), Connecticut (Kennedy), Georgia (Kennedy), Maryland (Kennedy), Montana (Wellstone), Minnesota (Wellstone), New York (Kennedy), Ohio (Wellstone), Rhode Island (Kennedy), Texas (Kennedy), and Vermont (Kennedy).  Wellstone, however, refuses to drop out, placing bets on Mini Super Tuesday the next week, when primaries are held in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and New Jersey.  However, after only managing to win Florida, Wellstone drops out.  He does not endorse Kennedy, however, and refuses to speak at the Convention.

At the DNC, Wellstone supporters walk out of the Convention before Kennedy and Breaux are re-nominated.  They instead form the Progressive Party, and offer Wellstone the nomination, which he accepts, and chooses Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders as his running mate.  Thus, heading into Labor Day, the dark horse Republican nominee appears to have things sown up.

The Republican Nomination

From early 2003, Republicans vie to challenge President Kennedy.  On  May 23, Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon enters the ring, followed by Governor George W. Bush of Texas on June 26.  On July 4, a dark horse enters the race: former Governor of Tennessee Elvis Presley.  The former King of Rock and Roll, after retiring from music in the late 1970s, had entered politics.  Serving in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1983 until 1995, he served as Governor of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003.

Although Presley is initially dismissed, he handily wins the Iowa Caucus, taking 43% in a three way race.  He narrowly loses the New Hampshire primary to Smith, but gets revenge by winning Alaska and Michigan the next weekend.

Mini Super Tuesday occurs next for the Republicans, three days later, with primaries and caucuses in Alabama (Presley), Arizona (Bush), Connecticut (Smith), North Dakota (Smith), and Washington (Smith).

The next week, there is a split result in the contests in Arkansas (Presley), Colorado (Bush), and Vermont (Smith).  However, Smith drops out the next week after losing big primaries in Illinois (Bush) and Florida (Presley), as he was unable to compete in terms of delegates.  He endorses Bush.

With only two candidates, Super Tuesday appears to be the decider, with primaries held in California (Presley), Delaware (Bush), Georgia (Presley), Hawaii (Presley), Kentucky (Presley), Mississippi (Presley), New Jersey (Bush), New York (Bush), North Carolina (Bush), Ohio (Presley), Pennsylvania (Presley), South Carolina (Presley), and Virginia (Presley).  Bush then drops out, and endorses Presley.

At the RNC in Philadelphia, Presley selects Smith as his running mate.  He attacks Kennedy’s handling of the economy, and boasts of his achievements as Governor of Tennessee.

The General Election

From the get go, Kennedy faces an uphill battle.  With Wellstone attacking from the Left, and Presley from the Right, Kennedy has little room to maneuver.  In the first debate Wellstone blasts Kennedy for “selling out to Big Business” and Presley blasts Kennedy for “pursuing patently anti-business policies.”  Wellstone, in turn, dismisses Presley as “an entertainer – my favorite entertainer, but an entertainer nonetheless.”  Kennedy is left defending his own policies.

By election day, unemployment is listed at 7.8%, up from 5.7% the year before.  Thus, with attacks from both sides of the political spectrum, JFK Jr. fails to do what his father did, and is defeated for reelection.  The results are brutal for the Democrats, as Wellstone splits the vote to such a degree that Democratic strongholds, like New York, Hawaii and California, fall to Presley, while Wellstone manages to win 5 states and a Congressional District in Maine.  After the election, MSNBC anchor and ardent Kennedy supporter Chris Matthews would note that, “While Kennedy may well have lost without Wellstone, it is clear from the results that Wellstone ended any chance Kennedy had of being reelected.  If you give Kennedy the states where he and Wellstone combined to beat Presley, and give Kennedy the states Wellstone won, then Kennedy is reelected.  Not to mention how Wellstone weakened Kennedy during the primaries.  Certainly JFK Jr. deserves blame for his loss, but Wellstone deserves nearly as much.”

Elvis Presley/Gordon Smith: 43.5% PV, 418 EV
John F. Kennedy Jr./John Breaux: 38.9% PV, 69 EV
Paul Wellstone/Bernie Sanders: 17.6% PV, 51 EV

The Congressional Elections

With the drubbing of President Kennedy, Democrats nationwide lose big.  In some places, though, the candidate is reelected, but the party switches, as in the Alabama Senate race, where Richard Shelby switches parties.

Senate Results

Republicans: 53 (+7)
Democrats: 47 (-7)


House Results
Republicans: 240 (+39)
Democrats: 195 (-38)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Presidents of the United States:
John F. Kennedy (D-MA): January 20, 1961 - January 20, 1969
John Tower (R-TX): January 20, 1969 - January 20, 1973
Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN): January 20, 1973 - August 8, 1975
Warren Hearnes (D-MO): August 8, 1975 - January 20, 1981
Mark Hatfield (R-OR): January 20, 1981 - January 20, 1989
Lawton Chiles (D-FL): January 20, 1989 - January 20, 1993
Carroll Campbell (R-SC): January 20, 1993 - January 20, 2001
John F. Kennedy Jr. (D-MA): January 20, 2001 - January 20, 2005
Elvis Presley (R-TN): January 20, 2005 - ?

Vice Presidents of the United States:
Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX): January 20, 1961 - January 20, 1965
George Smathers (D-FL): January 20, 1965 - January 20, 1969
Sprio Agnew (R-MD): January 20, 1969 - January 20, 1973
Warren Hearnes (D-MO): January 20, 1973 - August 8, 1975
Vacant: August 8, 1975 - January 20, 1977
Frank Church (D-ID): January 20, 1977 - January 20, 1981
George HW Bush (R-TX): January 20, 1981 - January 20, 1989
Joe Biden (D-DE): January 20, 1989 - January 20, 1993
Dan Quayle (R-IN): January 20, 1993 - January 20, 2001
John Breaux (D-LA): January 20, 2001 - January 20, 2005
Gordon Smith (R-OR): January 20, 2005 - ?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

This timeline is 2.5 years old.  I need to update more.  I will update it more.  I will update it soon

[Kaine for Senate '18]

This timeline is 2.5 years old.  I need to update more.  I will update it more.  I will update it soon

Yup.  Eventually

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Yeah, I dunno what the deal is here.  It'll probably be a while.  Sorry

[Kaine for Senate '18]

If Lief is gonna update his timeline, I'll update mine.  Three weeks.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The First Term of Elvis Presley

“My fellow Americans, our economy is like a hound dog, crying all the time.  The failed policies of the past will be repealed; businesses will be set free from regulation, and allowed to do what they do best: create jobs.  That is my word, and my word is good as gold.”  The Presley Administration opens with a warning shot fired at liberals of both parties; the conservative ideology represented by Presley is shown in his Cabinet, where conservatism reigns.

Secretary of State: Paul Wolfowitz (R-NY)
Secretary of Treasury: Thomas Sowell (R-CA)
Secretary of Defense: Donald Rumsfeld (R-IL)
Attorney General: Robert A. Levy (R-DC)
Secretary of the Interior: Jim Geringer (R-WY)
Secretary of Agriculture: Mike Johanns (R-NE)
Secretary of Commerce: Hank Paulson (R-NY)
Secretary of Labor: John Boehner (R-OH)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Edward Miller (I-MD)
Secretary of Education: Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Bill Purcell (D-TN)
Secretary of Transportation: Mary Peter (R-AZ)
Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs: Jim Webb (R-VA)

Within a few weeks of taking office, Presley sends Congress an ambitious series of tax cuts for businesses; dubbed the “Viva Las Vegas Businesses Bill” by both supporters and opponents, the tax cuts represented anywhere from a 10-35% cut for businesses, as well as incentives for creating jobs and not outsourcing.  Upon entering the House, it is enthusiastically backed by Republicans, with Speaker Gingrich calling it “absolutely brilliant.”  Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) praises it as well, noting the tax cuts will “invigorate our stagnant economy.”

Equally vehement, though, is liberal opposition.  Newly dethroned Speaker David Bonior (D-MI) calls the cuts, “An abomination, a travesty, a handout to Big Business.”  House Minority Whip Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) declares her “unending opposition to this monstrosity.”  However, not all Democrats are opposed; Gene Taylor (D-MS) comes out in support of the Cuts; as does Jim Matheson (D-UT).  The Cuts move through the House, being passed on April 18, 2005, by a vote of 256-172.

On June 20, 2005, Justice Bailey Aldrich retires from the Supreme Court.  Presley appoints Clarence Thomas of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to replace him.  Thomas is confirmed without controversy, 97-0, making him the third African-American member of the Court.

In the Senate, Democrats filibuster the Bill; Ted Kennedy gives two speeches totaling nearly six hours during the filibuster.  By mid June, the filibuster seems unbeatable.  However, on June 27, 2005, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) calls for cloture.  The vote ends up at exactly 60-40, with 7 Democrats having defected to join the Republicans; on July 14, the Cuts pass 54-40; the six absent votes are all Democrats who had voted for cloture.  The next day, Presley signs the cuts.

In a speech on August 8, the President announces his intention to introduce federal legislation curbing the rights of unions to organize and bargain.  The legislation is vigorously protested, with labor unions organizing outside the White House and Capital.  Secretary of Labor Boehner tells Congress the bill is necessary; “our economy is being ruined by greedy unions.  The only way to prevent depression is to restrict their power significantly.”  This statement provokes outrage, with Senator Feingold calling Boehner “despicable.”  Despite the protests both inside and outside of Congress, the House passes the “Labor Restructuring Act of 2005” on October 24, by a vote of 237-170.  In the Senate, there is no filibuster; liberals are simply too defeated.  On December 11, just before adjourning for the year, the Senate votes 50-31 to pass the bill; it is signed by the President on December 15.

In his State of the Union on January 23, Presley happily notes that unemployment dropped from 7.9% to 6.6% during his first year in office; the Dow had risen from 8,232 when he took office to having closed at 10,771 earlier in the day.  Presley is given full credit; his approval rating on February 1 stands at 64%, and 71% have a favorable view of the President.

On March 5, 2006, Chief Justice Arnold dies of lymphoma.  To replace him, Presley appoints J. Harvie Wilkinson III to replace him.  Wilkinson’s hearings are mostly spent praising Arnold, and Wilkinson is confirmed on March 20, without fanfare, 91-2.

In early April, leading economists report that the country is officially out of a recession; unemployment falls below 6% in June.  In early July, Presley concludes free trade agreements with South Korea and Venezuela, which leads to an boost in manufacturing and oil jobs.

The Congressional Elections

On election day, with the economy recovering, the President enjoys a 61% approval rating, which translates into major Republican gains, consolidating leads in both the House and Senate.

Senate Results

Republicans: 56 (+3)
Democrats: 43 (-4)
Independents: 1 (+1)


House Results
Republicans: 253 (+13)
Democrats: 182 (-13)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

This is fu cking awesome! Cant say I like the union bit, but having a President propose a "Viva Las Vegas bill" alone is worth it.

That's not the official title; it's the unofficial one - the equivalent of ObamaCare

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Dammit! Well at least we still have his great quote about the state of our economy.

But of course

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I just realizes this thread is nearly 3 years old.  And that it has been viewed 44,492 times.  That's kind of humbling.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

And it is a great one at that, be proud to have written this.

Thanks!  I feel like none of my timelines has ever reached its fullest potential, though.  That makes me sad.

Post #500, btw.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

More than 3 years old; 501 posts, 47,097 views.  Wow.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Update!

Soon, I promise.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'm listening to some Elvis right now; I plan to update this sometime soon.