Dust In The Wind

[Dallasfan65]

A hero answers, yet is not given the call: 1978

Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits

It was a dark, humid evening in late April when senior Republicans in Maine held a conference on the top floor of a nondescript building in an office park, not too far from Augusta. The conference had included most of the Republican hierarchy, as well as several elected office-holders. The topic of discussion was the pending senatorial election, and the want for a serious candidate.

“I don’t want some obscure State Senator to be our standard-bearer,” said John Tompkins, Chairman of the Republican Party, whom sat at the head of the table. “Maine is a Republican state, damn it, and we’ve been slipping. I want a respectable man, not some bumpkin from the redoubts of Piscataquis.” At his right was Hank Stevenson, the Treasurer, chimed in. “It’s going to be tough running against Hathaway with the wind he’s got at his back. We should resolve the matter here, as opposed to a brutal primary.”

“I agree,” said William Cohen, a sitting Representative. “Which is precisely why, after a lot of thought, I’m just going to file to run for another term as Congressman. “I shan’t be running either,” said David F. Emery. “I’ve been hearing great things about that McKernan guy, though I suspect he’s eyeing the Blaine House,” he concluded. Tompkins’ hand hit the desk, and his eyes rolled. “So who the hell do we have?”

”If none of you have the temerity to challenge him, then I shall do so myself,” a voice declared. All eyes had turned towards the man who had been leaning against the door, that many assumed was Hank Stevenson's guard. The man lifted the tip of his fedora hat and rose to proper posture, appearing to be over six feet in height, though that was in part due to his rather large boots. He withdrew his hands from the pockets of his duster, boldly walking towards them as if they were equals. He was Thad O’Connor, of Eastport fame.

”Who is this shabby, unkempt ragamuffin? He looks like he should be shivering outside this building, not in it!” shouted Mortimer Crowley, a relic of the Landon campaign. “I’d sooner Hathaway run unopposed than to support him,” he railed, indignantly. Thad brushed off his comments, turning to the chairman. “If you really need somebody, I’m your man.” The Chairman was wary, but knew he had little choice.

[Dallasfan65]

Gallup - National

If the election for Democratic nominee for president was today, whom would you vote for...?

Morris Udall: 23%
"Scoop" Jackson: 21%
Fred Harris: 11%
George Wallace: 8%
Others: 3%
Undecided: 34%

If the election for Republican nominee for president was today, whom would you vote for...?

Howard Baker: 28%
Ronald Reagan: 23%
John Connally: 11%
George Bush: 9%
Others: 2%
Undecided: 27%

[CathKhan]

Funny, I always imagined O'Connor being more of a humble looking person, some person who might say "uh, yeah, sure I'll run, I mean if no-one else wants to do it" not some bold, yet mysterious fedora-and-trench-coat wearing figure.

[Communists For McCain]

Fred Harris!!!!
Uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CathKhan]

Fred Harris!!!!
Uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is it you're obsessed with him?

[Communists For McCain]

Fred Harris!!!!
Uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is it you're obsessed with him?

Just cause damn it.

[Dallasfan65]

Funny, I always imagined O'Connor being more of a humble looking person, some person who might say "uh, yeah, sure I'll run, I mean if no-one else wants to do it" not some bold, yet mysterious fedora-and-trench-coat wearing figure.

I meant to say duster, not trench-coat. I'll amend the post.

While Thad is generally humble, he does have a more... enigmatic side to him. Characters need not be one dimensional, lest they become less like humans and more like walking personality traits.

Next update is rather data-intensive and won't be for a bit...

[Dallasfan65]

Don't ever say I ain't dedicated.


1978 Senate Elections

Alabama

Howell Heflin (D), 96.1% - Others, 3.9% (D Hold)

Alaska

Ted Stevens (R), 72.3% - Donald W. Hobbs (D), 27.5% - Others, 0.2% (R Hold)

Arkansas

David Pryor (D), 78.7% - Tom Kelly (R), 13.3% - Others, 7.9% (D Hold)

Colorado

William L. Armstrong (R), 53.2% - Floyd K. Haskell (D), 45.8% - Others, 1% (R Pick-up)

Delaware

Joseph Biden (D), 61.2% - James H. Baxter (R), - 37.6%, Others – 1.2% (D Hold)

Georgia

Sam Nunn (D), 83.,1% - John Stokes (R), 16.9% (D Hold)

Idaho

James McClure (R), 60.5% - Dwight Jensen (D), 39.5% (R Hold)

Illinois

Alex Seith (D), 49.2% - Charles Percy (R), 48.4% - Others, 2.4% - (D Pick-up)

Iowa

Dick Clark (D), 50.8% - Roger Jespen (R), 48.4% - Others 0.8% - (D hold)

Kansas

Joan Finney (D), 56.8% - Keith Sebelius (R), 41.3% - Others - 1.9% (D Pick-up)

Kentucky

Walter Huddleston (D), 63.7% - Louis Guenther (R), 34.2% - Others – 2.1% (D Hold)

Louisiana

Bennett Johnston Jr (D), 100% (D Hold)

Maine

William Hathaway (D), 46.7% - Thad O’Connor (R), 41.2% - Others – 12.1% (D Hold)

Massachusetts

Paul Tsongas (D), 56.6% - Edward Brooke (R), 43.4% (D Pick-up)

Minnesota (special)

David Durenburger (R), 50.2% - Donald M. Fraser (D), 48.7% - Others, 1.1% (R Pick-up)

Minnesota

Walter Mondale (D), 54.6% - Rudy Boschwitz (R), 43.5% - Others, 1.9% (D hold)

Mississippi

Patton Wyde (D), 61.8% - Charles Evers (R), 38.2% (D hold)

Montana

Max Baucus (D), 58.7% - Larry Williams (R), 41.3% (D hold)

Nebraska

James Exon (D), 68.2% - Donald Shasteen (R), 31.8% (D Pick-up)

New Hampshire

Thomas McIntyre (D), 51.8% - Gordon Humphrey (R), 47.4% - Others, 0.8% (D hold)

New Jersey

Clifford Case (R), 52.3% - Bill Bradley (D), 47.7% (R hold)

New Mexico

Bruce King (D), 54.4% - Pete Domenici (R), 45.6% (D Pick-up)

North Carolina

John Ingram (D), 56.8% - Jesse Helms (R), 43.2% (D Pick-up)

Oklahoma

David Boren (D), 71.2% - Robert Kamm (R), 27.3% - Others, 1.5% (D Pick-up)

Oregon

Mark Hatfield (R), 58.3% - Vernon Cook (D), 41.7% (R hold)

Rhode Island

Claiborne Pell (D), 78.9% - James Reynolds (R ), 21.1% (D hold)

South Carolina

Strom Thurmond (R), 53.4% - Charles Ravenel (D), 46.6% (R hold)

South Dakota

Larry Pressler (R), 65.2% - Don Barnett (D), 34.8% (R Pick-up)

Tennessee

Marilyn Lloyd (D), 56.6% - John Duncan (R), 43.4% (D Pick-up)

Texas

Bob Krueger (D), 51.7% - John Tower (R), 46.8% - Others, - 1.5% (D Pick-up)

Virginia

Andrew Miller (D), 50.6% - John Warner (R), 49.4% (D Pick-up)

West Virginia

Jennings Randolph (D), 58.5% - Arch A Moore (R), 41.5% (D hold)

Wyoming

Alan Simpson (R ), 59.6% - Raymond B. Whitaker (D), 40.4% (R hold)


I'll tabulate the total gains/losses a little later. That left me tuckered out.

[CathKhan]

John Tower goes down? Noooo!!!!

[Dallasfan65]

John Tower goes down? Noooo!!!!

He won in a nailbiter in our own timeline's '78.

Jesse went down aswell.

[Communists For McCain]

You know I got to say for a Republican Party that isn't popular they seemed to do pretty well in 1978.
Then again I'm assuming that the Democrats hold more than 60% of the US Senate (in other words they don't have that many more seats to take, lol).

[Dallasfan65]

You know I got to say for a Republican Party that isn't popular they seemed to do pretty well in 1978.
Then again I'm assuming that the Democrats hold more than 60% of the US Senate (in other words they don't have that many more seats to take, lol).

Yeah. By hardly picking up any seats (save for two flukes in Minnesota - I briefly considered having Democrats hold those but that would've brought the pubbies to 1930's levels) they basically got "knocked da f*** out!" I guess a good analogy would be the UK 2001 election.

New Jersey would've been a Democratic pick-up but with this timeline's more anemic conservative movement, Jeffrey Bell flops in his primary attempt.

EDIT: A better analogy is the 1966 Senate elections. Despite it being regarded as a 'Republican year', they only picked up 3 seats, because so many of the seats up were Republican.

[Dallasfan65]

The electoral college calculator - god's gift to man kind.

[MAINEiac4434]

Good job, Dallas. Though Thad failed this time, I'm sure you'll find a way to get him into congress.

PS, where's Ed Muskie and George Mitchell, two Maine Democratic heroes? Is Muskie still in the Senate, and Mitchell still a judge?

[Dallasfan65]

Good job, Dallas. Though Thad failed this time, I'm sure you'll find a way to get him into congress.

PS, where's Ed Muskie and George Mitchell, two Maine Democratic heroes? Is Muskie still in the Senate, and Mitchell still a judge?

Thanks!

Muskie is still in the Senate, serving out his final term. Mitchell has his eyes on succeeding him but hasn't committed to it yet, not knowing what the political winds will be then.

I'll post an in-depth analysis of the '78 election in Maine some time later. It's been a hella crazy weekend.

[Dallasfan65]

1978 Maine Senatorial Election: A recap

While not seen as a particularly strong incumbent, one-term senator William Hathaway was virtually unopposed in his primary. Through closed doors, the Republicans tried to avert a divisive primary and select a candidate hand-picked by the establishment. Although considered the favorite to run (and win), Representative William Cohen instead opted to seek another term as Congressman. After being turned by numerous politicians, sensing the volatility of the cycle, Pinetree Republicans were left with the darkest horse they could find: Thad O’Connor, an everyday brewery worker.

After much trepidation, Chairman Tompkins and the Republican leadership threw their support behind O’Connor’s campaign. O’Connor’s only opposition would be Mortimer Crowley, whose claim to fame was having worked for Republican candidates since the Landon campaign. Crowley, whose core constituency were naught but WASPs and only the most paradigmatic of the “Old Guard” lost handily to O’Connor in the primary, accruing 31% of the vote.

The general election, while not one of the most followed, garnered a significant amount of attention if only for it’s eccentricity. On the national scene, Republicans had been painted as the party of “rich, crooked, oilmen” yet the Republican candidate in this election was a blue-collar Vietnam veteran. Initially, Hathaway went on the offensive, attacking Thad for not owning his own home, subtly touching up on his “shaggy” appearance to paint him as the everyday hobo. Yet, these attacks only endeared the electorate to Thad, and after one poll showing a one-point lead for O’Connor, the Hathaway campaign changed gears and attacked the Republican Party nationally. When it was all said and done, Hathaway won re-election, by a narrow margin.



William Hathaway (D), 46.7%
Thad O’Connor (R), 41.2%
Others, 12.1%

[Dallasfan65]

Soul Searching: 1979

Heart of Gold - Neil Young

While not ecstatic, Thad O’Connor took the results of the election pretty well. Following the declaration that he had lost, Hank Stevenson threw a drinking party in the basement of the brewery, and fifteen beers later Thad found himself getting a consolatory lay from a homely female line worker. Thad went on his life for the next two weeks without incident – then the melt down happened.

Somehow, a letter addressed from his father had found its way from Eastport. The date had squared up with the day Thad obtained it, even. With anxious curiosity and trepidation, he opened the letter, pondering if his father had written to make amends, or congratulate him on having run for office. His expectations were not to be met.

”Dear Mr. O’Connor

This past decade, I have been rather cogitative about something, and I was hoping you could answer. Did you intend for every deed you’ve done to fly in the face of all that I stood for, or was this just by chance? From spurning my intents to continue my trade through you, to joining the army with out my consent, to even running as a goddamn Republican, you have done nothing but disappoint me. You broke your poor mother’s heart, and that is why she passed so early.

I must say, my only regret about this past election was having my ballot sullied by your name. I myself am in poor health now, and intend on taking you out of the will. Considering the state of my constitution, however, I doubt I can weather the trip to the law office. It is my hopes that you respect my wishes regardless, and do not move in to your old house.”

This scathing letter left Thad distraught; his frequent drinking went from recreational to abusive. He would frequently show up to work late (despite living two blocks away) or not even show at all. When he did, his behavior was erratic, dithering from depressive to irate. After one disorderly tirade, Hank Stevenson had finally seized Thad, dragging him away back home.

“Look, it’s obvious that this thing has gotten under your skin,” said Hank. “Now, I ain’t a miracle worker, but I reckon a vacation would do you good.” December was fast approaching though, and with it, Winter. Maine’s notoriously brutal cold would do no help for getting one’s spirits up, so the two set out for the Silver State.



Also, just a note on the lack of character appearances, I've been trying to limit this timeline to stuff that Thad would have access to. Having never been outside Maine (sans Vietnam) Thad wouldn't really have any plausible encounters with politicians from out-of-state.

All of that shall be changing in the 80's, though.

[Senator Napoleon]

Poor Thad is a wreck. He needs ZOLOFT.

[Dallasfan65]

Poor Thad is a wreck. He needs ZOLOFT.

Nah, Thad will turn out fine... maybe.

[CathKhan]

If you want to include Mattingly, Im fine with that. Heck, maybe butterflies could have Mattingly as a Scoop Jackson type Democrat.

[Dallasfan65]

What happens in Vegas... :1979

Sandman - America

Hank and Thad landed in Nevada without a hitch, and headed straight to Las Vegas. Hank had been known to make several trips there, and tried his hardest to acquaint Thad with the scene, yet it left little impression upon him. Gambling sucked, the women were trashy, and the lights were “a hazard to epileptics” in Thad’s own words. After about two hours, Hank bade him to wait in the lobby, saying, “I want you to meet a regular here.”

Half an hour later, Hank returned with a rather eccentric looking man. Standing at roughly the same height as Thad, he wore rather exotic garb: despite the heat, he donned a shoulder-length opaque turban, and loose fitting smock, with an alternating diagonal grid of purple and yellow diamonds, with slacks to match. His skin was a burnt sienna, and while not particularly imposing, he had an air to him that made most men balk. His name was Areus Hok’ee, current Representative and former Governor of Nevada.

Areus brought the two with him to his lavish hotel room. Drinks were served, and spoke for several hours, with intermittent “party favors” entertaining the guests. Thad found Areus to be abrasive one minute and passive the next, always keeping him guessing. Periodically, through the night, he would play mind games, though Hank later assured him “Areus is just being Areus. Trust me, he has a lot of ties and you would do well to get to know him.” At the end of the night, Areus refused his guests’ promises of reciprocity in the future, insisting they “think nothing of it.”

Thad returned to Maine several days later, and received the news that his father had passed. He made preparations to go to his old residence in Eastport, Maine.

[Dallasfan65]

: 1979

Thad received the news upon returning in Eastport. While his father’s passing had an impact on him, he acted emotionally indifferent. He also received the news that he had not been taken from the will, and headed towards his hereditary abode.

After fumbling and jerking the doorknob a few times, he managed to open the door – and felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown on him, despite his extra layers. “Northern Maine is just as cold as it used to be” he mumbled. Newspapers had been strewn all over the floor in a few places, and a powerful musk, possibly mildew, pervaded the area. Thad chalked the untidiness to his father’s ill health, and noted with optimism that no vandals had broken in. “With a little sprucing up, she’ll be as good as new, in a week’s time” he said.

Thad lounged around the house for a few hours, sipping wine and reading. After it got somewhat late, he walked off to his old bedroom, but came across an old photo on the way. It was a picture of himself, his mother, and his father, from when he was nine. With a half-grin, he remembered his father’s words, “It is my hopes that you respect my wishes regardless, and do not move in to your old house.” He mulled it over for a second. “Screw you Dad,” he said aloud.

Thad lazily strolled off to bed, leaving a quarter-full glass at his bedside. After about two hours, however, he awoke to the sound of violent crashing at the other end of the house. Startled, he looked around and quickly lit a candle. There was a vicious downpour and terrifying gales shook the old house violently.

Thad quietly crept around his house in the midst of the storm to see if there had been an intruder. He walked to the room across the hallway, the bathroom, flickering on the light and walking towards the mirror. Thad looked into the mirror and found his reflection to be pale white, much like he felt, in fear and anxiety, due to the current situation. But after a few seconds, the man in the mirror’s expression turned to a cruel sneer, whereby it violently shattered a second later, the light bulb following it.

Violent slamming of doors proceeded almost immediately. A wave of panic flushed over Thad, and he felt as if a vacuum had been taken to his stomach. Overcome, he ran towards the door, yet tripped over the photo that he had held earlier, falling on the ground. A violent gale rocked the house, forcing the rickety old silverware drawer to fling out, sending a potpourri of knives, spoons and forks crashing towards the floor. Thad rolled and scrambled towards his feet, though he got a light cut on his cheek.

By this time, Thad could barely walk, much less run, his knees buckling under the weight of the fear that had enveloped him. Yet, he managed to make it toward the door, and flew out of the driveway. He hearkened his father’s last words to him, and never again set foot in the house.

[ChairmanSanchez]

Eery experiance, I kinda had my own a few weeks ago, though it probaly was my overactive imagination, and the same for Thad...

[Dallasfan65]

Eery experiance, I kinda had my own a few weeks ago, though it probaly was my overactive imagination, and the same for Thad...

I shall be deliberately ambivalent as to why these events happened - I know I am sticking my toes into some risky waters.

I have had quite a few experiences, though certainly not of this severity.

[MAINEiac4434]

This is awesome!

A little mix in of the occult never hurts, either.