Westman Timeline Pt. I

[Mechaman]

Alright I'll try to get the election up.  I have to warn you I kind of suck at state by state results so I might just post the election results all at once instead of doing the usual poll closing stuff that most forumites do.

[Mechaman]

By the way, you seem to be mostly concentrating on this, but is there hope for these?

A Rendezvous with Destiny; The Election of Barry Goldwater
The End of Freedom; The Ultimate Cost of the Great Depression
1920, the Year of the Tiger
President Mark Warner in 2008; A True American Love Story

I'll go ahead and say that since it's a joke TL I probably will have only sporadic updates of the Warner TL.  Basically whenever I feel like in a not serious at all mood I update that.
I eventually will get around to Rendezvous with Destiny.  The problem with that TL was that I came up with it at the most random of times and I just couldn't think of events for it.  Hopefully (emphasis on "hopefully") I'll finally concentrate on it around December.
End of Freedom I kind of hit a roadblock.  Pretty much I came up with a totally apesh*t event and it ended up being a "shark jump" so when I am not busy with school (likely Christmas Break on the one or two days I'll have nothing to do) I'll come up with the conclusion to the 1940 Election (with less apesh*t scifi stuff.....which I will save for another TL divergence based on the EOF TL).
I have been brainstorming 1920 for the past few weeks and I hope to make a truly meaningful update within the next three weeks.  I say three weeks because this week I got college project stuff I need to focus on getting complete.
The biggest problem with a lot of these timelines is that due to my ADHD I randomly think them up at the most random of times.  That is why some of my TLs (namely the Harvey Gantt one) go for months without an update and then BAM! there is a ton of updates.  I would say to expect a flow of updates in my TLs around mid-late December and early January, when I'm out of school.
However I can't guarantee I won't get distracted.  Hell I should just give up making promises already........but my insane brain tells me that I will somehow finish my TLs before I die at age 53 of testicular cancer.

[Mechaman]

Finally!  IT IS HERE!

Election Night 1980:
With so much at stake who will win the 1980 Presidential Election!?

Throughout the 1980 General Election Season the American populace had seen the most competitive third party showings in American history.  After the Schmitz episode many had called the race over for the Constitution Party.  However, the infamous gaffes of D'Israeli would prove to be enough for the Constitution Party to poll neck n neck with the GOP ticket and poll more than the Democratic ticket.  Many pundits have predicted that at the very least the Constitution Party will receive more votes than the Democratic Party ticket, the first time a third party ticket would win more votes than a major party since Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive ticket in 1912.  With enthusiasm for liberalism at an all time low it seems unlikely for the Democratic ticket to pull off an upset victory, polling at an alltime low of 18.71% just a day before the election.  Many credit the low approval of the Democratic ticket to not just the unpopularity of the Reagan administration but also to vote splitting to the Moderate Reform Party, which has attracted a great deal of the progressive vote.  Until the most recent controversy about Calpernia Weils it looked like the CL Party would be a massive vote spoiler for the Republican ticket.  Now the CLP looks to receive 5%, if they're lucky.  The loss of support for the CLP is likely to benefit the two major parties.  The Democrats could win back the vital Catholic voting bloc and the Republicans could some of the libertarian voters that the CLP had siphoned away from them earlier.  What may prevent such advantages, however, is the Constitution Party's great moderation since earlier in the decade, which may increase it's appeal to Catholics outraged at the moral hypocrisy of Kennedy Democrats like Scott Westman and make inroads with libertarians who don't want to waste a vote on the CLP ticket and have questions about the sanity of Republican candidate Beauregard D'Israeli.  The general consensus is that the race will be very tight, maybe even resulting in a lack of an electoral majority.  Under this scenario it is the obligation of the US Election Board to initiate the exhaustive ballot process, whereby the candidate with the least amount of popular votes is eliminated and another election is held two weeks from the Election Day.  In the event of a candidate failing to reach electoral majority yet again the next lowest candidate in terms of popular votes will be eliminated and so on and so forth until there is an absolute electoral majority winner.

The Results:

Representative Phil Crane (Illinois)/Senator Jesse Helms (North Carolina) Constitution Party 249 Electoral Votes 30.12% Popular Vote
Senator Beauregard D'Israeli (Wyoming)/Representative Jack Kemp (New York) Republican Party 220 Electoral Votes 31.08% Popular Vote
Senator Walter Mondale (Minnesota)/Former Senator Fred Harris (Oklahoma) Democratic Party 36 Electoral Votes 21.04% Popular Vote
Senator Jacob Javits (New York)/Senator Robert Stafford (Vermont) Moderate Reform Party 33 Electoral Votes 11.56% Popular Vote
Attorney Edward Clark (California)/Senator Scott Westman (Montana) Classic Liberal Party 5.74% Popular Vote
Others=0.46% Popular Vote

It would seem that a run-off election, to be held two weeks after the Election day of November 4, 1980.

[Mechaman]

CBS News Election Analysis with Dan Rather
November 5th, 1980:

Dan Rather: Good evening.  Tonight I will be hosting this special edition of "Election Analysis".  Due to the complex nature of this election I have asked for special guest Alan Kreager, a certified election analyst, to come on the show to give insight on what to expect in the next two weeks.  First off, what do you make of these results Alan?
Kreager: Well Dan I think the results of last night prove that the Two Party system doesn't sit well with a lot of Americans.  Now yes it is true that the majority of people did vote Democrat or Republican, but look at the results.  If the Constitution Party had won Michigan, I wouldn't be here right now.
Rather: What do you think of some of the state results so far?
Kreager: Oh I think we had quite a few surprises.  Namely that New York didn't remain a hold for the Democrats.  It's been awhile since there a non Democrat has been competitive in New York state, and I think that Beauregard D'Israeli owes his victory in that state to Nelson Rockefeller and other moderate GOP members who could've easily endorsed the MRP ticket and give the state to the Democrats.
Rather: Could it be possible that the shift of Catholic votes to the Constitution and Classic Liberal tickets helped make this upset happen for the Democrats?
Kreager: Yes very possible Dan.  In fact I would say that the many of my colleagues have grossly underestimated the effect of William Buckley's speech a few weeks back in getting Catholic voters to the Constitution Party ticket.  With the recent Westman controversy it wouldn't surprise me if the Constitution Party has managed to take a good chunk of usual machine voting Catholic Democrats in places like New York state and Pennsylvania.  I think the shift of Catholic voters to the Constitution Party, as well as the shift of African Americans to the Moderate Reform Party, rattled the Democratic urban machines enough to make such upsets like we have seen in New York and Pennsylvania occur.
Rather: Just want to interject in here quickly Al that in all of the predictions the media had before the election none of them involved the Constitution Party winning Pennsylvania.  What do you make of it?
Kreager: I believe because the Constitution Party appealed to the blue collar population of Pennsylvania more so than the Democratic ticket had been able to this election.  With the GOP ticket chasing libertarian ideology and the Democrats going further down the socially liberal route made it easier for the Constitution ticket to appeal to the traditionalist values of many Pennsylvania citizens.
Rather: Per the precedent set forth by the Voting Reform Act of 1970 the candidate with the lowest popular vote percentage shall be eliminated from the ballot when the run-offs start 13 days from now.  That means that the Classic Liberal Party ticket, which received 5.74% of the vote, won't appear on the ballot.  What do you think this means for the parties left in the game in terms of getting these voters?
Kreager: One thing I can say right now Dan is that none of this is good news for the Moderate Reform ticket, as Senator Westman and Senator Javits don't get along in the Senate.  Due to a common dislike between the candidates I expect the same kind of response from those who voted for the CLP ticket towards the Moderate Reform Party.  The fact that most of the CLP voters lean libertarian, a voting bloc that has very little love for Moderate Republicans, shall prove to be a great albatross for the Moderate Reform Party ticket.  The few lingering CLP Catholic votes could prove very instrumental for the Constitution Party ticket, that is if those votes aren't machine voters who will turn into Democrats votes as is the usual in national elections.  I have to give credit to the Republicans on this one Dan, as most of the left over CLP voters were probably libertarian voters who would have more in common with D'Israeli then they would Crane.  The loss of the CLP ticket is a net gain for the Republican in my humble opinion Dan.
Rather: Do you think the Constitution ticket can pull out a victory over the Republicans two weeks from now considering the net gain advantage you designate the Republican ticket?
Kreager: I think there is a certain level of possibility that the Constitution Party ticket can effectively gain GOP voters by bringing up issues of character.  Not the most clean of political tactics but there is a bit of question about D'Israeli's sanity that could work out to the Constitution Party's advantage.  That and play up the reputation of Crane as a consensus maker and pragmatic conservative who is willing to reach across aisles.  I bet my money that is what it is going to have to come down to, issues of character, who do we want in the White House?  No longer do we ask "libertarian or conservative?" but rather "calm or crazy?"  D'Israeli's extreme rhetoric on a few issues, namely religion, has cost the Republicans a "walk in the park" election, can he keep quiet on delicate issues for two weeks or is he going to say something that gives the Constitution or even the Democratic tickets more ammo in the next two weeks?  I say that it all depends on what cards D'Israeli is holding: is he holding the King of Hearts.....or the Joker?
Rather: Thanks for joining us on this edition of Election Analysis Al.
Kreager: Great to be on here Dan.

[Mechaman]

CRANE!!!!!

Well, this certainly was an interesting election. I was hoping the Classic Liberals would pick up Montana or something.

Nah, the fallout from the scandal proved to be too much.  They did come very close to picking up Montana and New Hampshire but alas they failed.
More juicy details to come (including Congressional results!)

[Mechaman]

Congressional Makeup before 1980 Congressional Election
*Note: Due to multiple tickets come party members change affiliation leading up to election.

House:
Republican: 228 Seats
Democratic: 175 Seats
Constitution: 30 Seats
Liberal: 4 Seats
Classic Liberal: 1 Seat

Senate:
Republican: 44 Senators
Democratic: 42 Senators
Constitution: 9 Senators
Liberal: 1 Seat
Moderate Reform: 2 Seats
Classic Liberal: 2 Seats

Congressional Results:

US House:
Republican: 196 Seats (-32)
Democratic: 115 Seats (-60)
Constitution: 116 Seats (+86)
Liberal: 11 Seats (+7)
Classic Liberal: 0 Seats (-1)

Lighter Color indicates party pickup.

Republican Party: 41 Seats (-3)
Democratic Party: 31 Seats (-11)
Constitution Party: 24 Seats (+15)
Liberal: 0 Seats (-1)
Moderate Reform: 2 Seats
Classic Liberal: 2 Seats

Info
* indicates incumbent retirement
** indicates incumbent defeated in primary
Alabama: Jeremiah Denton (Constitution) gains seat for Constitution Party.*
Alaska: Incumbent Mike Gravel (Democratic) defeated by Walter Hickel (Constitution)
Arizona: Barry Goldwater (Republican) retains seat.
Arkansas: Incumbent Dale Bumpers (Democratic) defeated by Bill Clark (Constitution)
California: Incumbent Bill McKay (Democratic) defeated by Michael V. Hawk (Republican)
Colorado: Incumbent Gary Hart (Democratic) defeated by Mary E. Buchanan (Republican)
Connecticut: Christopher J. Dodd (Democratic) retains seat for Democratic Party.*
Florida: Incumbent Claude R. Kirk Jr. (Republican) defeated by Roy Holland (Constitution)
Georgia: Mack Mattingly (Constitution) retains seat for Constitution Party**
Hawaii: Incumbent Daniel Inouye (Democratic) defeated by Don Djou (Republican)
Idaho: Incumbent Frank Church (Democratic) defeated by Steve Symms (Constitution)
Illinois: Paul Simon (Democratic) defeated by Daniel Crane (Republican)*
Indiana: Robert J. Bietterman (Republican) defeated by Collins McCarns (Constitution)*
Iowa: Chuck Grassley (Republican) defeated by Mark Gladden (Constitution)**
Kansas: Incumbent Keith Sebelius (Republican) defeated by Larry Winn (Constitution)
Kentucky: Incumbent Carl D. Perkins (Democratic) defeated by Gene Snyder (Republican)
Louisiana: Incumbent Joe D. Waggonner, Jr. (Constitution) retains.
Maryland: Incumbent Charles Mathias, Jr. (Republican) retains
Missouri: Incumbent Thomas Eagleton (Democratic) retains
Nevada: Incumbent Paul Laxalt (Republican) retains
New Hampshire: Warren Rudman (Republican) retains seat for Republican Party*
New York: John A. Lindsay (Liberal) defeated by Daniel P. Killian (Democratic)*
North Carolina: Robert B. Morgan (Democratic) defeated by John P. East (Constitution)
North Dakota: Mark Andrews (Republican) defeated by Anthony Williams (Constitution)
Ohio: Incumbent John Glenn (Democratic) retains
Oklahoma: Patrick McPherson (Democratic) defeated by Don Nickles (Constitution)
Oregon: Robert Packwood (Republican) retains
Pennsylvania: Arlen Specter (Republican) defeated by Lawrence Watson (Democratic)*
South Carolina: Ernest F. Hollings (Democratic) defeated by Charlie Rhodes (Constitution)
South Dakota: George McGovern (Democratic) defeated by Sean O'Brien (Constitution)
Utah: Jake Garn (Republican) defeated by Quentin Maxwell (Constitution)
Vermont: Richard W. Mallary (Republican) retains seat for Republicans
Washington: Harry T. Callahan (Republican) retains seat for Republicans
Wisconsin: William R. Goodman (Republican) retains seat for Republicans

[Mechaman]

Congressional Analysis:

Despite the competitiveness between the GOP and the Constitution Party on the presidential level on the Congressional level things couldn't be better for the Constitution Party who were benefiting from a massive exodus of conservative Republicans and Democrats in the American South, the heartland, and the Mountain West.  For the first time in the 20th Century a third party would have more House Representatives elected than a major party as the Constitution Party would have one more representative than the Democratic Party in the US House.  The "Liberal Party", a party of former progressive Republicans would experience decent gains in the northeast and New England but end up losing their one US Senate seat (Senator Javits, who was running for President).  The Classic Liberal Party, which owed it's congressional representation to former Democrats switching in protest of the Democratic ticket, lost it's one House seat (Representative John P. Williams of MT-1) to the Republicans, leaving only Senator Scott Westman (MT) and Senator Raul Ramirez (NM) in the Congress.  Due to the rise of the Constitution Party to major third party status the Republicans have lost majority status in the US House.  It seems for the Republican Party to pass legislation it will have to work closely with the right wing Constitution Party.

One thing remained unsettled, and that was the US Presidential Election which would determine ultimately how powerful the rise of the Constitution Party really was...............

[Mechaman]

November 11th, 1980
Washington D.C. Hilton
Senators Scott Westman (Montana) and Raul Ramirez (New Mexico):

Westman: Today me and my colleague are here to announce that due to our failure to strike a chord with the American voting public that for the sake of unity we will be returning to the Democratic Party.  We wish our fellow Democrats, Walter Mondale and Fred Harris, the best of luck.  Know that in spite of all the division within the party we will back this ticket 110% come run-off day.  Good luck and God Bless.
Rather: With the announcement of Westman and Ramirez returning to the Democratic Party that means that spirits are lifted, as Democrats are assured to have 33 seats in January.  Not only that but it means that Westman's official endorsement of the Democratic ticket throws a wrench into an election many assumed to be between the Republican and Constitution tickets.  We could be in for a long election season folks.

[Mechaman]

Election Run-Off
November 18th, 1980:

In the two weeks before the run-off election the candidates would pull out all stops to shift the electoral advantage to their favor.  Most notably many libertarian Democrats who had voted for the CLP would defect back to the Democratic ticket and support the Mondale/Harris ticket, giving the Democrats a most needed boost of momentum.  Although the chances of the Democrats winning were slim, many Democrat's spirits were raised with the thought of putting a dent in the election.  The Republican ticket would work hard to get the remaining CLP voters who remained unmolested by the party loyalty of Westman and Ramirez while the Constitution ticket would emphasis on the need for competent leadership.  The results:

Representative Phil Crane (Illinois)/Senator Jesse Helms (North Carolina) 253 Electoral Votes 34.03% Popular Vote
Senator Beauregard D'Israeli (Wyoming)/Representative Jack Kemp (New York) 242 Electoral Votes 33.99% Popular Vote
Senator Walter Mondale (Minnesota)/Former Senator Fred Harris (Oklahoma) 40 Electoral Votes  29.81% Popular Vote
Senator Jacob Javits (New York)/Senator Robert Stafford (Vermont) 3 Electoral Votes 2.17% Popular Vote

Westman: Damn it!  Not again.
Rather: According to the precedent put forth by the Voting Reform Act of 1970 voting shall continue until a candidate wins an electoral majority.  Therefore another two weeks from now another run-off election shall be held, this time between the Republican, Constitution, and Democratic tickets.  Hopefully by then we will finally have elected a United States President.

[Mechaman]

Election Analysis with Dan Rather

Kreager: What I think we see happening here is voters deciding "hey this is the guy I'm going to stick with, so tough" mentality.  Usually the case in these exhaustive ballot scenarios is that one candidate starts stealing votes from the other candidates due to the impatient nature of the electorate.  We have seen that so far despite their best efforts the Democrats have been unable to make an gains on the electoral map.  There is speculation that the Democrats, deciding that they have very little chance, to drop out of the race which they can do up to a week before the run-off occurs.  Otherwise we might be here until Robert Byrd finishes reading "Green Eggs and Ham."

November 24th, 1980
Democratic President Ronald Reagan appears before the press:

Reagan: Ladies and gentlemen of the press it would appear that the American people feel that they are not better off now than they were four years ago.  Let me be the first to say to them: I'm sorry.  I did what I thought was right to cure the economic hardships this country was facing in the face of opposition not just from the Republicans and Constitution party members, but from my own party as well.  Now, I have witnessed the full measure of the people's wrath.  I wish to damage my party's reputation any longer, which is why today I have come forward to announce with the blessing of the Democratic nominees as well as Senate leader Lloyd Bentsen that the Democratic Party won't be seeking re-election to the Presidency any longer.  Thank you for all of the wonderful years you allowed me to be your president and God Bless.

In the aftermath of his announcement Reagan's approval ratings would jump from 19% to 53%, one of the biggest jumps in approval in US history of a public official.  With the Democratic ticket out of the running the race is now down to the Republican and Constitution parties.  Who will ultimately win the election?

[Mechaman]

Election Run-off November 28th, 1980:

Finally the day had arrived.  With all but two of the original parties removed from the election there was little doubt that the election would finally reach a conclusion come November 28th.  In the time leading up to that date both Republican and Constitution Party officials pulled all stops to capture the votes of Democrats who would otherwise stay home in the absence of a Democratic ticket.  With D'Israeli appealing to the social liberalism of many voters and Crane appealing to the character preferences of voters the election would be very hard fought.  In the end it would come down to this:

Representative Phil Crane (Illinois)/Senator Jesse Helms (South Carolina) 313 Electoral Votes 51.82% Popular Vote
Senator Beauregard D'Israeli (Wyoming)/Representative Jack Kemp (New York) 225 Electoral Votes 47.22% Popular Vote
Other: 0.96% Popular Vote.

The Constitution Party becomes the first third party to win a Presidential Election.

[Mechaman]

President Phil Crane....
*vomits*

If you like that I promise YOU WILL LOVE WHAT I HAVE IN STORE LATER.
Hehehehe.

[Mechaman]

US Senate as of January 3rd, 1981:

Alabama:
Class 2: Howell T. Heflin (Constitution)
Class 3: Jeremiah Denton (Constitution)
Alaska:
Class 2: Theodore Stevens (Republican)
Class 3: Walter Hickel (Constitution)
Arizona:
Class 1: Morris Udall (Democratic)
Class 3: Barry Goldwater (Republican)
Arkansas:
Class 2: William J. Clinton (Democratic)
Class 3: William Clark (Constitution)
California:
Class 1: Ricardo Montalban(Republican)
Class 3: Michael V. Hawk (Republican)
Colorado:
Class 2: Carlos Mendez(Republican)
Class 3: Mary E. Buchanan (Republican)
Connecticut:
Class 1: Lowell P. Weicker (Moderate Reform)
Class 3: Christopher J. Dodd (Democratic)
Delaware:
Class 1: William V. Roth (Republican)
Class 2: Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (Democratic)
Florida:
Class 1: Lawton Chiles (Democratic)
Class 3: Roy Holland (Constitution)
Georgia:
Class 2: Fletcher Thompson (Constitution)
Class 3: Mack Mattingly (Constitution)
Hawaii:
Class 1: Spark M. Matsunga (Democratic)
Class 3: Don Djou (Republican)
Idaho:
Class 2: James A. McClure (Republican)
Class 3: Steve Symms (Constitution)
Illinois:
Class 1: Farley H. Murray (Democratic)
Class 3: Daniel Crane (Republican)
Indiana:
Class 1: Richard Lugar (Republican)
Class 3: Collins McCarn (Constitution)
Iowa:
Class 2: John Kyl (Republican)
Class 3: Mark Gladden (Constitution)
Kansas:
Class 2: Robert J. Dole (Republican)
Class 3: Larry Winn (Constitution)
Kentucky:
Class 2: Walter Huddleston (Constitution)
Class 3: Gene Snyder (Constitution)
Louisiana:
Class 2: Moon Landrieu (Democratic)
Class 3: Joe D. Waggonner (Constitution)
Maine:
Class 1: Monteaux LeDeax (Republican)
Class 2: William Cohen (Republican)
Maryland:
Class 1: Sargent Shriver (Democratic)
Class 3: Charles Matthias (Republican)
Massachusetts:
Class 1: Daniel M. Lynch(Democratic)
Class 2: Edward M. Kennedy (Democratic)
Michigan:
Class 1: Lenore Romney (Republican)
Class 2: Henry Claymore (Democratic)
Minnesota:
Class 1: David Durenberger (Republican)
Class 2: Walter Mondale (DFL)
Mississippi:
Class 1: John C. Stennis (Dixiecrat)
Class 2: James O. Eastland (Dixiecrat)
Missouri:
Class 1: John Danforth (Republican)
Class 3: Thomas Eagleton (Democratic)
Montana:
Class 1: Scott Westman (Democratic)
Class 2: Max Baucus (Democratic)
Nebraska:
Class 1: Virginia Smith (Republican)
Class 2: Paul Mercanti (Republican)
Nevada:
Class 1: Mike O'Callaghan (Democratic)
Class 3: Paul Laxalt (Republican)
New Hampshire:
Class 2: Doloris Bridges (Republican)
Class 3: Warren Rudman (Republican)
New Jersey:
Class 1: Peter Frelinghuysen, Jr. (Republican)
Class 2: Bill Bradley (Democratic)
New Mexico:
Class 1: Raul Ramirez (Democratic)
Class 2: Harrison Schmitt (Republican)
New York:
Class 1: Daniel P. Moynihan (Democratic)
Class 3: David P. Killian (Democratic)
North Carolina:
Class 2: Bradley Moore (Constitution)
Class 3: John P. East (Constitution)
North Dakota:
Class 1: Robert Stroup (Republican)
Class 3: Anthony Williams (Constitution)
Ohio:
Class 1: Robert Taft Jr. (Republican)
Class 3: John Glenn (Democratic)
Oklahoma:
Class 2: James Robert Jones (Democratic)
Class 3: Don Nickles (Constitution)
Oregon:
Class 2: Mark Hatfield (Republican)
Class 3: Robert Packwood (Republican)
Pennsylvania:
Class 1: H. John Heinz III (Republican)
Class 2: Lawrence Watson (Democratic)
Rhode Island:
Class 1: John Chafee (Republican)
Class 2: Ruth M. Briggs (Republican)
South Carolina:
Class 2: Strom Thurmond (Constitution)
Class 3: Charlie Rhodes (Constitution)
South Dakota:
Class 2: Larry Pressler (Republican)
Class 3: Sean O'Brien (Constitution)
Tennessee:
Class 1: Bill Boner (Democratic)
Class 2: Howard Baker (Republican)
Texas:
Class 1: Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic)
Class 2: James Wright (Democratic)
Utah:
Class 1: Orrin Hatch (Republican)
Class 3: Quentin Maxwell (Constitution)
Vermont:
Class 1: Robert Stafford (Moderate Reform)
Class 3: Richard W. Mallary (Republican)
Virginia:
Class 1: William B. Sprong, Jr. (Democratic)
Class 2: Tobin MacMahon (Democratic)
Washington:
Class 1: Allan B. Swift (Democratic)
Class 3: Harry Callahan (Republican)
West Virginia:
Class 1: Robert Byrd (Democratic)
Class 2: Alan Mollohan (Democratic)
Wisconsin:
Class 1: William Proxmire (Democratic)
Class 3: William R. Goodman (Republican)
Wyoming:
Class 1: Alan K. Simpson (Republican)
Class 2: Beauregard D'Israeli (Republican)

[Mechaman]

Two things:

Republican Party wasn't "third party" in 1860.

I'm glad you're using more than two party system, the way I did earlier in my thread. That's more interesting

First off,

in original Muricana thread D'Israeli calls the Libertarian party victory "the first third party victory since Lincoln", so yeah I went off that.

Secondly, I got the idea due to the fact that D'Israeli's character would be pretty alienating to millions of Republican voters.  He is after all a pretty stubborn arse.  However you haven't seen the last of him just yet...........

[Mechaman]

Since this is labeled "Westman Timeline", will Westman one day win the Presidency or something close to it?

I seriously don't know yet.

[Mechaman]

US Senate Majority Leaders:
1. George Cabot Lodge (Republican-Massachusetts) 1920-November 9th, 1924
Internationalist Republican. Unofficial.  Died in office.
2. Charles Curtis (Republican-Kansas) March 9th, 1925-March 4th, 1929
Traditional Republican. First official Senate leader.  Also first part Native American Senate leader.
3. James E. Watson (Republican-Indiana) March 4th, 1929-March 3rd, 1933
Traditional Republican. Great Depression.  Defeated in 1932 Senatorial Election.
4. Joseph T. Robinson (Democratic-Arkansas) March 4th, 1933-July 13th, 1937
New Deal Democrat. Presided in Senate during Great Depression.  Played key part in New Deal.  Died in office.
5. Alben W. Barkley (Democratic-Kentucky) July 22nd, 1937-January 3rd, 1947
New Deal Democrat. Longest Senate leadership tenure (up to that time).  Presided over Great Depression and World War II.
6. Wallace H. White (Republican-Maine)  January 3rd, 1947-January 3rd, 1949
Conservative Republican. First Republican Senate leader in almost 14 years.  Retired in 1949
7. Kenneth S. Wherry (Republican-Nebraska) January 3rd, 1949-January 3rd, 1951
Conservative Republican. Brought conservative Republican majority into conflict with liberal Republican Dewey administration.  Split causes Democrats to capture Senate in 1951.  Presided during Korean Conflict.
8. Thomas T. Connally (Democratic-Texas) January 3rd, 1951-January 3rd, 1953
Conservative Democrat. Brought Democratic control of Senate for first time in four years due to Republican division.  Would preside during the Korean Conflict.  Retired in 1953.
9. Dennis Wyatt Chavez (Democratic-New Mexico) January 3rd, 1953-January 3rd, 1959
Liberal Democrat. First Mexican-American Senate Leader.  Presided over the “Civil Rights Era” of legislation.  Introduced the 1956 Civil Rights Act before Congress.
10. Prescott Bush (Republican-Connecticut) January 3rd, 1959-January 2nd, 1963
Moderate Republican. First Republican Senate leader in eight years.  Pushed forward legislation dealing with women’s rights and reproductive issues.  Helped get the votes for Operation Havana, which deposed Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.  Retired in 1963.
11. Margaret Chase Smith (Republican-Maine) January 3rd, 1963-January 3rd, 1969
Liberal Republican. First female Senate Leader.  Also highest ranking public official to condemn the American involvement in the Persian War.  Helped push forward major affirmative action and busing legislation.
12. Michael J. Mansfield (Democratic-Montana) January 3rd, 1969-January 3rd, 1975
Progressive Democrat. Presided over US Senate during presidencies of Robert Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.  Helped pass Universal Healthcare and the abolition of the death penalty.
13. Robert Taft, Jr. (Republican-Ohio) January 3rd, 1975-January 3rd, 1977
Conservative Republican. Pushed forward legislation to limit the power of unions and deregulate the airline industry.  Attempts to overthrow UHC also attempted.  Reached congressional alliance with Constitution Party who had long refused any alliance with either party.
14. Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic-Texas) January 3rd, 1977-January 3rd, 1979
Moderate Democrat.  Pushed forward legislation (against progressive opposition from President Reagan and others) to deregulate the airline and train industries.  Also promoted alternative energy movement.  Tried to unite different Democratic factions.
15. Mark O. Hatfield (Republican-Oregon) January 3rd, 1979-present??? (has majority status since Constitution Party caucus with the Republican Party)
Libertarian Republican.  Has taken Reagan administration to task on deregulating economy and pushing forth tax cuts on an already overtaxed populace.  Majority leader position not clear after election of first Constitution Party President and split between Republican and Constitution Parties following 1980 election.

[Mechaman]

December 9th, 1980
The Bentsen Residence
Washington D.C.

Senate Minority Leader Lloyd Bentsen, Democrat of Texas, is in his study having a drink with his Whip Tobin MacMahon, Democrat of Virginia.  The two Democratic Senate leaders had a lot of mulling over to do, as the Democratic Party was at it's lowest level of representation since the days of Theodore Roosevelt.  Hell, proportionally speaking the Democrats might be worse off in 1981 than they were in 1907.  Both men sensed that in the next few years things probably wouldn't get much better.  Granted it was a Constitution Party Administration, but Phil Crane was no idiot.  It seemed that in the period of two years the right wing Constitution Party, which was limited in influence to the South, had got it's act together and managed to win a major victory.  The last thing Democrats needed to do was to laugh off the results and discard them as a "fluke", as has been done in the past.  Bentsen takes a drink of his Redeye Whiskey mixed with coke before speaking up:
Bentsen: This doesn't look bright, at all, Tobin.  We really screwed the pooch with the nomination of Mondale and Harris.
Bentsen glanced at Tobin MacMahon, the 6'1" Irish born Senator from Virginia.  Born May 9th, 1934 in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland to an Irish fisherman named Martin MacMahon and his Celtic musician wife Sorcha, Tobin would spend his childhood in the green countryside of County Kerry.  It wasn't until July 19th, 1956 when he would leave his birth county for the United States of America.  He would arrive 10 days later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and then going south to Virginia Beach, Virginia to seek work in the tourist industry.  He would finally gain his US citizenship on September 8th, 1958.  In ten years Tobin would go from broke immigrant to the owner of one of Virginia Beach's most successful resorts: The Happy Clam.  Although many of his friends thought it sounded like a name more suited for a pub Tobin managed to make tens of millions of dollars off of the name.  He was named in Esquire magazine as "the World's Greatest Rags to Riches Story" in 1966.  Combined with some wise stock investments he would retire in February 1971 with a net worth estimated at around $105 million.  It was around that time when MacMahon started considering getting into the realm of politics.
Tobin paused before taking a sip out of his Bacardi and Cola.
MacMahon: Hells bells Lloyd!  We made a few massive screw ups in the past but I'm sure in the next few years with the influence of the New Deal Coalition lightened we will be back stronger than ever.
Bentsen: It's not just them though, it's upstarts like Westman!  I mean damn it his decision to go VP on that Classic Liberal Party cost God knows how many votes in the Congressional elections.  It would've been one thing if this was just limited to the Presidential Election but no his rebellion happened to kill us off in some other places.
MacMahon: Nonetheless I feel as if his "rebellion" as you called it will only benefit us in the long run.  We have some very hard and trying times ahead Lloyd, but I feel that ten years from now we will look back on what happened and feel like it was necessary.  The New Deal Coalition has grown arrogant, it was only a matter of time before something like this would happen.  The obliteration of these men will be painful in the next few years, but it's in their ashes that we shall create a new coalition.
It wasn't until the early seventies when Tobin would get involved in the politics of Virginia.  In 1972 he would run off an ambitious platform of increased Civil Rights, support of a Universal Healthcare System, as well as a platform of reduced taxes and spending.  In the campaign his Republican opponent, a Michael Johns, would charge that his support of Universal Healthcare violated his stance on reduced taxation and spending.  Although it probably would cost him a number of votes Tobin explained that he supports reductions in Social Security and military spending to help make up for whatever additional cost a Universal Healthcare System would incur.  He also supported reducing income taxes across the board, namely a 15% reduction on the highest of income earners.  His most controversial stance (at the time) was support of a Civil Rights legislation that would've made pay discrimination based on race and gender illegal.  He would also come under fire for voicing support for a bill that would abolish the death penalty, as a majority of Virginia's population support the death penalty.  He would also run into opposition from some women's rights organizations, who disagreed with his pro-life positions on abortion.  He would also be known as one of the first Democrats to openly campaign on a position of free trade.  Other positions of his in the campaign included: Opposition to gun control laws such as the 1967 Gun Control Act, opposition to censorship, support of deregulating the alcohol industry to lower costs, support of deregulating the airline industry, etc etc.  Since his views were quite similar to President Robert Kennedy and Massachusetts Governor (later Senator) Edward Kennedy, Tobin and other Democrats like him would be labeled "Kennedy Democrats" to help differentiate from the New Deal Coalition that had dominated the party.  He would win the election by a 102,500 vote margin, helped in part by the landslide election of Robert Kennedy in 1972.
Bentsen: I admire your passion Tobin, but it is really hard in this current state to imagine the Democratic Party somehow gaining the majority within a decade.  This is Great Depression bad, I mean it.
MacMahon: No it isn't!  You know why?  Because the Republicans were united in their support of the Protective Tariff, a deeply flawed policy that does nothing but destroy economies!  The Democrats were not united in the support of big government interventionism to cure every ail!  That was solely the fault of the New Dealers, who will be wiped out by this time in 1984!  This is our time, this is the time for the New Coalition, never again shall this party become the party of Big Government All the Time.  Once again we shall give more ear to the will of the people instead of a misguided big government ideology.  The other alternative now is no government as proposed by some of these Republicans.  Once the people see that one of the parties at least represents responsible rational government we shall rise from the ashes like a Phoenix.
Tobin MacMahon would, in the first six years of his political career prove to be a man of great eloquence and passion.  If he weren't born in another country he would've been a top candidate for the presidency.  His ability to unite people around a common cause was unequal and once Bentsen retired he would wholeheartedly support any effort to make Tobin the next Democratic Senate Leader.  If there was anybody who could save the Democratic Party it was Tobin MacMahon.  That was why when in 1977 when Bentsen began his tenure as Senate Majority Leader why he pushed for the nomination of Tobin MacMahon to become the first Irish born Senate Majority Whip.  Tobin only seemed to get stronger and more determined as the odds stacked up: in 1978 in a strong wave against the Democrats Tobin managed to win re-election over the decorate war hero and Navy Captain John Warner by a margin of over 212,400.....more than twice the margin he won in a pro-Democratic year against a lackluster Republican.  For an Irish born liberal Catholic Democrat in a Southern swing state that was in the words of Dan Rather "unbelievable".  Tobin MacMahon would go on to do great things, Lloyd Bentsen knew it.
Bentsen: Granted, but the New Dealers aren't the only ones who lost y'know?  Moderates like Gary Hart lost nationwide too.  Did you consider that?
MacMahon: Like I said a temporary loss.  Once the new political realignment is complete the Democratic Party will rise from the ashes.  Mark my words.
Only time could tell how prophetic Tobin MacMahon's words would be.

[Mechaman]

Next update?

Depends on what my schedule looks like.
I might be busy next two weeks or so with school projects (I have two and a half weeks of school left) so yeah.........

[Mechaman]

Time for a break from politics.

December 24th, 1980
Westman Apartment
Washington D.C.

Scott Westman gets himself a cold can of Guinness Draught while watching the news.  It had been nearly a month since that fateful election and now Scott Westman felt certain that come November 1982 his career would come to a crashing end.  The scandal involving his former girlfriend Calpernia Weils was proving to be damning to his viability as a public official.  However most surprisingly while his national approval ratings remained at an all time low in Montana it was down to about 38%.  Maybe there was still some way he could recover his reputation.  And worst of all, now he was all alone on Christmas Eve with nothing to do but get buzzed and watch television.  At least Lawrence would be in the US Senate now.   Then he heard a knock on his door.  He opened it to find a tall beautiful redhead waiting for him: Brea!  What the hell is she doing here?
Brea: Daddy!
She charges into his arms knocking him back a few feet or so.
Westman: Babe, you're here?
Brea: Oh yeah well......private Catholic school.  Advance course schedule, y'know?  Now I'm going to stay up here with my dear old man!
Westman sighs
Brea: I thought you would be glad to see me?  Do you have any idea how long I've been wanting to just stay with you?  Those visits weren't doing me any good, I want to wake up every morning and just see you.  You know how hard it was for me growing up without a father for so many years?
Westman: I’m sorry it just caught me off guard and all.  Besides now that you don’t have any high school left what are you going to do here?  Just stay indoors all day?  This isn’t the safest of towns for a girl your age.
Brea: Yeah I guess so, but I refuse to stay in Missoula with Aunt Nora and her boyfriend.  I can never get any sleep!
Westman sighs once more.
Westman: What to do with you my sweet, what to do.
Westman and his daughter would catch up on old times while watching some movies on Westman’s projector in the living room.  After a few cups of eggnog the two would drift off to sleep on the couch.
Westman wakes up the next morning to the smell of coffee.  He wakes up to find Brea at the coffee machine pouring Irish Coffee into his mug.  He takes a swig.
Westman: About those presents..................

[Mechaman]

January 3rd, 1981:

Westman entered the Senate Chambers and observed the new contingent of Senators being sworn in as a number of his former colleagues packed their bags.  He finds his friend, the newly elected Senator from Pennsylvania, Lawrence Watson.
Westman: Hey Larry!
Watson: Whoa Scott!  You scared the crap out of me!
Westman: So how was your first time kid?
Watson: Oh it was slow and I was glad to finally get it over.  How is Brea treating you?
Westman: How do you think?  You know how pissed off a teenage girl gets when the press is writing articles entitled "Westman's New Love?" with her picture on the front cover?  Either she interprets it as you know icky or that I'm a bad father.
Watson: Well when you have a pretty young woman with you on a dinner date, what are people supposed to think?
Westman: Well at least they're not questioning my sexuality.
Watson: To each their own I guess, though how was it Scott?  I mean Calpernia she isn't like your average everyday wom.....
Westman: My interest in her was strictly physical.  There I said it.  Can we please go onto another topic?  I don't want to be talking about this for the next century.
Watson: Okay.
Westman: Pretty shocking huh?  All of these dinosaurs being axed the same year you get elected.  I didn't know you had it in you kid, anybody else in your shoes would've been decimated, how did you pull off the upset of the century?
Watson: I have no damn clue, must be my sexual charisma.
Westman shrugs.
Delaware Senator Joseph Biden comes over and shakes Westman's hand.
Biden: Take a good look Scott, this could be you in two years.
Westman: Ya think?  I'm already planning my retirement as we speak.
Biden: Really now?  Not so confident after your great passion for women of a certain build was revealed?
Westman: SHE SEEMED PRETTY DAMNED WOMAN TO ME!  HELL SHE WAS MORE WOMAN THAN ANY WOMAN YOU EVER DATED JOE!
Everyone in the Senate Chamber looks at Westman.
Thurmond: Ain't you the little testy fellow?
Stennis: Let it go young man.  Once you leave this chamber you will no longer have to deal with the torment of your inner urges.
Stafford: Don't worry gentlemen, once Westman is ejected by the voters in '82 we can once again focus on advancing legislation over some libertine's sex exploits.
Biden: Come now Robert, that is totally ignoring other details of Westman's life like gee his dedication to the underprivileged of this city, volunteering at the Salvation Army Store when Congress isn't in session, donating his proceeds from the stock market to the Young Boys and Girls Club of America, being a devoted father to his two kids, need I go further?
Westman: It's alright Joe, in two years the opinion of this POS won't matter that much once I've retired to a lodge near Flathead Lake.
Every Senator around Westman freezes and looks towards his direction.
Senator Edward Kennedy walks towards Westman, puts a hand on his shoulder.
Kennedy: Scotty my boy, did I really just hear that?  Are you really planning on retirement........in '83?
Westman looks down, thinking of what to tell Ted Kennedy.  He knew this would happen, that eventually he would have to tell Ted that he would decline to run for re-election in 1982 and pursue life in the private sector.  The past four years had been tumultuous for Westman: the legislation, the unwanted press, the birth of his son Patrick, his involvement in various charity organizations were all taking a toll on his sanity.  He thought he had a future in politics like his grandfather before him had......but maybe like he who came before he realized that the life of the private man was infinitely more pleasurable than that of politician.  He wanted to spend as much time with his daughter, the daughter whom he had spent four years separated from, and he wanted to be a part of his son Patrick's life.  And if he could win her back, he wanted to be part of Laura's life.  He had lied to his friend Lawrence, he couldn't imagine watching his son grow up without being with Patrick's mother.  He had no idea how he would win her back, but for the sake of feeling complete he would find a way.  If only for Patrick.  This wasn't about his own political vulnerability.  If vulnerability had been a concern of Westman he would've found a way to rally back up in the polls by primary time and he would've, against all hope, given his challengers a hell of a primary fight.  He made a lot of friends, a lot of enemies in his short time on the Hill, but now he needed to be there for his family.
Westman faces Teddy Kennedy.
Westman: Yes Teddy, good ole friend.

[Mechaman]

Everything at the moment just seemed so surreal.  Like I was frozen in time.  The craziness of the whole situation, left me shocked to my core.  How was I to know that this could possibly happen.  Oh damn my eyes!
There he is, my friend.  My dear old pal, Teddy...........on the table.  The consequences of my indiscretions......the ultimate price.  If only I hadn't turned around, if only I didn't see it with my eyes.  Teddy, my dear friend, my comrade, my brother............IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME!

[Mechaman]

By the way, Mechaman, are you Catholic (at least to some degree)? You've probably answered this question. In your timelines, I've noticed references to Catholicism or Catholic politicians:
End of Freedom: Tammany Hall incidents and the jailing of Joe Kennedy
Goldwater: Focus on Catholic Conservative William Miller, and on William F Buckley
Westman: Westmans are (to some degree) "Catholic", as is Al Smith
Year o' Tiger: Al Smith, the Tammany Hall candidate and the 1920 Democratic nominee is Catholic

Not really.
My ancestors were Catholics (I've got a deal of Irish blood in me) who converted to Protestantism when they immigrated to the US.  Naturally this lean towards Irish Catholic politicians shows up in historical timelines, since I like other timeline writers create characters who we most identify with our ancestral background.  Though being raised a protestant I always found the stories of my Catholic cousins having a certain romantic air.
Like many others some of my ancestors didn't have detailed records so the ethnicity of some are still in question:

Father's Side:
Grandfather's parents:
Father: Dutch and Scottish
Mother: German and Irish
Grandmother's Parents:
Father: Anglo-Irish
Mother: Irish and Comanche

Mother's Side:
Grandfather's Parents:
Father: English
Mother: Irish
Grandmother's Parents:
Father: German
Mother: Swiss German

[Mechaman]

So will the Mike Gravel Democrats take over the Democrats, or will it evolve into a "purer" form of Libertarianism?

I don't know man.  When I sober up maybe I can give you a better answer.

[Mechaman]

So will the Mike Gravel Democrats take over the Democrats, or will it evolve into a "purer" form of Libertarianism?

If that's the case, it will be interesting to see what happens to a Humphrey Democrat like me, er--- Watson...

Either way, Mechaman is an amazing writer. His Americana contributions had really kept my writing up. We sure miss him.

Nah, Lawrence Watson (a "Humphrey Democrat") will have influence on the direction of the party.  After all it was his idol and Westman's grandfather who made the initial push for Civil Rights in the Democratic Party......

I miss Americana too, but at this juncture I feel that I would've been bound to regular updates.  And as everyone here probably already knows.....me and regular updates do not work.

[Mechaman]

March 30th, 1981
Washington D.C. Hilton Hotel:

Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Scott Westman (D-MT) are leaving the Hilton after giving a joint conference on healthcare reform.  As Westman is leaving the room he notices a tall redhead in the back of the audience......Brea.
Westman: Excuse me Ted, I have to speak with my daughter really quickly.
Kennedy: Take your time Scott, we'll be waiting outside.  Hopefully none of your fans will show up this time.
For the past few weeks there have been protesters showing up to places where Westman was scheduled to be.  The protesters weren't the usual moral crusaders however.  In fact they were mostly union members who were protesting Westman's recommendation to President Crane to fire the air traffic control workers who were in Westman's words "holding this nation hostage."  Commentators around the nation would go into a frenzy over Westman's words, with Dan Rather saying:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Westman: Don't worry about me Ted, I'm bulletproof.
Kennedy: That's what I'm afraid of.
Westman laughs before going to his daughter Brea.
The two meet up and exchange a kiss.
Brea: Father, that was an interesting conference.
Westman: Yes.  Anyway Bee, I have the rest of the day off you want to go shopping in downtown?  I just got a killer return on the market.
Brea: Oh I feel so spoil-
Just then a series of loud blasts was heard.  The aftermath of which resulted in the masses gathered in the lobby of the Hilton to run outside.  On the ground next to the limo was Senator Edward Moore Kennedy of Massachusetts, with blood gushing out of his neck and chest.  It was then that Westman noticed two ominous holes: one in his neck, the other in his sternum.  He then looked up and saw a crazed man being restrained by security.  Then the crazed man started speaking:
Crazed man: NO!!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!! THIS WASN'T THE WAY THINGS WERE SUPPOSED TO GO!!!  WHY!!!!  WHY DID YOU MAKE ME DO THIS TEDDY!?  WHY GOD WHY!?
Westman was half way to the crazed man with his hand outstretched when he was stopped by secret service.
Secret Service man: Sir!  Control yourself!  He might be concealing a knife!  I don't want to take two of you to the hospital!
Is was then when Lieutenant Marx Lombardi looked up from where Senator Kennedy lay when he announced:
Lombardi: He might not make it there.  This is rapid blood loss, if he doesn't get to a hospital in the next ten minutes.........
The crazed man spoke again:
I never meant to hurt him!  Never!  He wasn't supposed to come out that way!  It was supposed to be you! (points at Westman in an accusing manner)  You who screwed around behind my beloved's back!  You didn't deserve her you piece of trash!
It was then that Westman knew.
Westman: My god.

March 30, 1981
6:32 PM
Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, a member of the Kennedy dynasty and Senator from Massachusetts, dies from bullet wounds he suffered from an assassination attempt meant for Senator Scott Westman.  He leaves behind his wife Mary Jo Kopenche Kennedy and his two sons and one daughter: Edward Moore Kennedy Jr. (eldest), Robert Frank Kennedy (named after his late brother Robert Kennedy, former US President), and Shelly Marie Kennedy (youngest).  Funeral service will be held on April 1st in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.  The event will be open to the general public.