The New Republicans - Ended

[sentinel]

The New Republicans

“Today, after losing back-to-back primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, former CIA Director George H.W Bush has endorsed Senator Chuck Percy of Illinois. Percy easily carried Iowa and came in second in New Hampshire to Governor Reagan.” – CBS News

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March 4th 1980

“Senator Percy hits two home runs tonight picking up Massachusetts and Vermont…will Governor Reagan come back in South Carolina?” - ABC Anchor

Senator Percy after being endorsed by former President Ford



Senator Ted Kennedy at a campaign rally. He is challenging Democratic President Jimmy Carter for the Democratic nomination.



Governor Ronald Reagan at a campaign event. The Governor leads Senator Percy in national polls but pundits are unsure if that will carry him all the way to the convention.


The man who’s job everyone is trying to get.

[sentinel]

March 8th 1980

“Governor Reagan today has defeated Senator Chuck Percy and Governor John Connally but the real winner tonight is Chuck Percy who received John Connally’s endorsement signaling the end of his own campaign for the Republican nomination.” – ABC News

“President Carter easily defeated Ted Kennedy in South Carolina. Kennedy’s prospects for the nomination have grown bleaker even since he announced his candidacy.” – Pundit on NBC News

“I’m an Eisenhower Republican.” – Senator Percy describing himself at a campaign rally.

March 11th 1980

“Once again President Carter defeats Senator Kennedy…this time in Alabama, Florida and the President’s home state of Georgia…Governor Reagan has also swept the southern primaries today winning a majority of delegates and votes in the same states…” – Associated Press

“Senator Percy’s campaign is positioning the Senator as a pragmatic centrist capable of defeating President Carter in November…while simultaneously saying that Governor Reagan would be the next Barry Goldwater, who lost to President Johnson in a landslide in 1964…” - Reuters

May 3rd 1980

“Tonight’s Texas primary could be the end for one of the two remaining Republican candidates…since March 11th, Governor Reagan has picked up Kansas and Louisiana while Senator Percy has taken Wisconsin, Connecticut, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Governor Reagan’s lead in national polls has decreased dramatically with Senator Percy now with a slight 46-44 edge.” – ABC

”President Jimmy Carter is also certain the presumptive nominee for the Democrats but Senator Ted Kennedy has vowed to fight until he reaches the Democratic National Convention” - CBS

[sentinel]

*Note: The main story, the meat of my timeline, comes into play after the 1980 election. Assume that all events dealing with the Carter Administration continue to happen as they did IRL until after the election…

May 4th 1980

”Tonight, I end my candidacy for President of the United States. Senator Percy will carry the Republican banner to victory this November…he has my full support…” – Governor Reagan after losing the Texas primary by only a few thousand votes.

Senator Charles Percy of Illinois will be the Republican nominee in 1980

“Senator, do you have any thoughts on who your running mate might be?”

“Actually, I want you to check out Governor Ray Shafer…do some research…look at Senator Hatfield too…I don’t want to have to pick someone and then kick him off the ticket.” – Senator Percy to a senior aide

“Senator Kennedy, I don’t think we’re going to win this. The Party may be better off if we pull out now…” – A senior aide to Senator Kennedy speaking privately

June 1980

”America, today I present to you my blueprint for America called “The American Plan” We must control government spending, we cannot live beyond our means but we must try our hardest to not hurt the most vulnerable amongst us including our seniors and poor. Our tax system is a nightmare, and I’ve proposed a simplification of the system…” – Presumptive Republican Nominee Senator Chuck Percy

”Senator Percy has been coy about his choices for Vice President as we eagerly await…some speculate he will unite the party by picking Governor Reagan or a more conservative individual…” – Associated Press

”It seems Senator Kennedy’s boat has run out of steam.” – Reuters

[sentinel]

July 1980

”Senator Percy has announced that he will ask the Republican National Convention to pick Governor Ray Schafer of Pennsylvania as his running mate. There is no question that the Convention will abside by their nominees request.” – New York Times

Governor Raymond Shafer of Pennsylvania will be the Republican’s nominee for Vice President in 1980

”Today at the Republican National Convention, Republican Nominee Chuck Percy announced his plan for America declaring that the age of unrestrained liberalism is over and that pragmatic and compassionate conservatism, the likes of President Eisenhower, is needed to steer the country into the future. The Convention approved of Governor Ray Schafer of Pennsylvania as the Vice Presidential nominee by a unanimous voice vote.” – Washington Post

”I would have liked to see a more conservative Vice Presidential candidate on the ticket, but I will wholeheartedly support the Percy/Shafer ticket and I plan to campaign for them in California and wherever the campaign might need me.” – Governor Ronald Reagan

August 1980

*Note I edited the name Ronald Reagan in this article and replaced it with Chuck Percy, otherwise, like the last article I posted, its real and accurate.

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[sentinel]

Connally endorsing Percy...unlikely, but it's still a good TL so far. Press on, please!

My reasoning was that, IRL, Reagan's adviser Lee Atwater brought down the Connally campaign in South Carolina by saying that Connally was trying to buy the black vote. Connally was feeling especially spiteful in this TL

[sentinel]

”I will not be a candidate. I fully support Senator Percy in his bid to be President. Had Governor Reagan been the nominee, I would have ran against him...his vision is not the direction America needs to go in...”- John B. Anderson

As the campaign of 1980 progressed on throughout the summer, both candidates managed to agree to one debate due to “scheduling problems with President Carter’s schedule.” The Percy campaign said it was “open to more debates at the date and time of the President’s choosing due to his job” but no more debates were planned. Senator Percy went to far as to comment that “I’m not sure if the President has much to say, we’ve come out with a plan for America and he doesn’t have one. The American people have seen that for the past four years and it hasn’t worked out for us.”

On October 18th 1980, President Carter and Senator Percy participated in the first and only debate of the 1980 Presidential Election…Senator Percy hit President Carter hard for his handling of the Iran hostage crisis with its anniversary upcoming and pointed out that “being a liberal is useless if you’re not going to be pragmatic about it.” During the debate, Senator Percy endorsed women’s rights but added that the “ERA is not necessary but an updating of all federal codes is to ensure that no women are discriminated against.”

   The remainder of the debate was President Carter on the defense regarding inflation, high interest rates and unemployment.

   Post debate polls showed that Senator Percy had won the debate, and even Carter’s polling showed his numbers shrinking before Election Day.

1980 Presidential Election

Senator Charles Percy of Illinois / Governor Raymond Shafer of Pennsylvania  - 448 Electoral Votes, 53.6% Popular Vote

President James E. Carter of Georgia / Vice President Walter Mondale of Minnesota – 90 Electoral Votes, 46.3% Popular Vote

Pundits: A scathing rebuke to the Jimmy Carter Presidency. President Carter managed to hold onto a good bulk of the evangelical vote but virtually lost every other group…narrowly holding onto whites in the south.

[sentinel]

I'm gonna hold off on the next update until I develop it a little more, just feels a little rushed so I want it to be good. I'll post it tomorrow most likely. Also, if you want me to address any 1980 era issues feel free to suggest a few. Doesn't mean I'll take the bait though

[sentinel]

Senate Election Remarks:

Democratic Senator Donald W. Stewart defeats Jim Folsom Jr in Alabama
Democratic Senator Herman Talmadge defeats Mack Mattingly in Georgia
Democrat Bill Gunter defeats Republican Paula Hawkins
Republican Dave O’Neal defeats Alan J. Dixon in Illinois

Senate Composition:

Republicans: 52 (+11)
Democrats: 48 (-11)

House of Representatives Composition:

Democrats: 230 (-47)
Republicans:  205 (+47)


January 20th 1981

Senator Charles Harting “Chuck” Percy is sworn in as the 40th President of the United States and Governor

The Percy Cabinet

President Charles Harting Percy

Vice President Raymond P. Shafer

Secretary of State Robert S. Ingersoll

Secretary of the Treasury Russell B. Long

Secretary of Defense Andrew Jackson Goodpaster

Attorney General Edward G. Biester Jr

Secretary of the Interior Donald P. Hodel

Secretary of Agriculture John Culver

Secretary of Commerce Robert William Packwood

Secretary of Labor John B. Connally Jr.

Secretary of Health & Human Services Margaret Heckler

Secretary of Education Elizabeth Duncan Koontz

Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Kevin H. White

Secretary of Transportation Richard B. Ogilvie

Secretary of Energy Frank Borman

Chief of Staff William E. Brock

President Percy is quickly able to get his cabinet passed the new Republican Senate who elect Senator Howard Baker as their majority leader. Southern Democrats attempt to filibuster Elizabeth Duncan Koontz but are quickly defeated by a bipartisan 60+ vote majority.
 
   On President Percy’s first full day in office the Iran hostages are fully released into custody, the President calling it a “victory for Americans and supporters of freedom.”
The first Gallup poll of the year finds the President’s approval rating at 78%.  Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill has pledged to work with Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker to see what priorities of the President they can work together on.

[sentinel]

Would Percy really have Russell Long in his cabinet? Also, are anything being done with the likes of Kissinger, Bush, Elizabeth Dole, and everyone's favorite Liberal Republican, Edward Brooke?

He had a man crush.

Kissinger, Bush, Dole, Brooke may come into play later --but not right now.

[sentinel]

1981
In January 1981 President Percy creates a Presidential Task Force on Motivating Businesses in which the participations are tasked with the job of looking for regulations by the federal government that inhibit job creation and growth.

The President also asks Congress to form a special oversight committee for government programs saying that “Congress has dropped the ball when it comes to oversight. If a problem is good and its working, I want to know. If a program is bad and not working, I want to know. Right now no one knows if anything is working but we’re funding it anyway.” The President also, discreetly, agrees to look over a committee report on Defense spending once it is completed.

On May 15th 1981 Pope John Paul II was assassinated in Saint Peter’s Square by a Turkish man named Mehment Ali Agca.  The United States immediately condemns the attacks and calls for Ali Agca to be brought to justice by Vatican and Italian police forces. Turkey condemns the attack as well and pledges to cooperate in the investigation. Cardinal Giovanni Benelli of Genoa is elected Pope in the days following the assassination.  Benelli takes the name Pope John Paul III in honor of the late Pope John Paul II and vows to continue his work. President Percy attends the funeral of Pope John Paul II and also has a chance to meet with European leaders.

Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart announces midway through the year that he will retire at the end of this session of the Supreme Court. President Percy nominates Judge for the US Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit Albert J. Engel, Jr.  He is approved on June 23rd 1981.

   In August 1981, President Percy signs the Baker-O’Neill Economic Recovery Act which was passed with bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. The act increased incentives for small businesses, a small decrease in most income tax rates, and additional money –although less than the amount cut –for some industries such as alternative energy.  President Percy said of the act “this will simplify the tax code for all Americans as well as create new jobs.” Treasury Secretary Russell B. Long comments that he “never thought we’d get an act as comprehensive as this passed.”

   Also in 1981, Greece ascends into the European Community.

   In September 1981 President Percy fulfills his campaign promise and issues an executive order prohibiting discrimination against women in the Federal government and calls on Congress to pass legislation ordering them to do the same. Congress complies with the President’s request within the same month.

   In October 1981 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is assassinated by a fatwa squad led by Lt. Khalid Islambouli. Upon hearing that former Presidents Ford, Carter and Nixon are going to attend the funeral, President Percy asks them personally not to saying that Secretary of State Robert S. Ingersoll will be attending instead and that three former Presidents attending is basically an endorsement of the old and new regime. Ford and Nixon comply with the President’s request while former President Carter attends anyway.

   In late 1981 the President calls for a taskforce to look at civil liberties, led by Vice President Shafer. Former Governor Ronald Reagan is on the taskforce. A few days later The “Fair Housing Act of 1981” passes the House of Representatives which outlawed private and public discrimination in housing. The Republican controlled Senate narrowly rejects the bill with conservative Republicans and Southern Democrats blocking the bill.
 

President Percy joking around with the crowd after Governor Reagan’s remarks following the announcement of the taskforce.

Entering December 1981, President Percy’s approval rating is at 70%.

On Christmas Eve a White House aide leaks that President Percy is considering “millions in cuts to the Department of Defense.”

[sentinel]

1982

The leak that President Percy would approve or consider “millions in cuts to the Department of Defense” is not quickly handled by the Administration. Percy’s Press Secretary says that “when the President looks at pork to cut, he doesn’t exclude any Federal Department. Potential cuts are always discussed with Department Secretary’s to ensure that vital programs are not being slashed.” Percy’s approval drops into the 60’s with until January 23rd 1982.

President Percy’s second year in office begins with a bang. On January 23rd 1982 during a trip to the University of Iowa to discuss agriculture subsidies and reform, Blake Peyton –a depressed university student with a criminal record of stalking, shoots a gun at the President’s entourage as they exited a building. Two Secret Service agents are wounded with nonlethal injuries and Secretary of Agriculture John Culver is killed by a bullet. President Percy is not hurt in shooting but Blake Peyton is killed by a Secret Service agent.

President Percy calls Secretary Culver a “great civil servant with insurmountable promise.” Percy goes onto condemn random violence –and investigators find out that Peyton’s gun was received legally. Percy orders a more complete investigation by the FBI.

The assassination attempt takes over the national headlines for the next few weeks and the Defense cuts story falls to the backburner even though the President the day after the assassination gave a speech echoing Eisenhower warning Americans of the military-industrial complex.

 After a few weeks, Percy quietly nominates Allen Ingvar Olson, former Governor of North Dakota, as his Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate gives its consent in early March 1982. At this time, President Percy’s approval rating is still in the 70’s and it is also about the same time that Chief of Staff Bill Brock replaces their Press Secretary.

In May 1982 Secretary of the Treasury Russell Long is arrested for using his political office for campaign purposes and patronage having made several political appointments. President Percy’s Press Secretary maintains the President’s lack of involvement in the scandal as newspapers show photos of the Treasury Secretary being put into the back of a FBI car in handcuffs. President Percy says that he has fired former Senator and current Secretary Long in the aftermath of the scandal and pledges to cooperate fully with the FBI.

Democrats in Congress are unsure how to respond. They want to investigate the President, but they’ll also be hurting one of their own at the same time. Republicans in Congress call for an investigation of the “Democratically controlled Treasury Department” and one senior Republican Congressman goes as far to say “The Democrats would be giving handouts while they had their hands in the coffers.”

Percy’s approval rating drops to 48%, the lowest of his Presidency so far, as the scandal stays in the headlines for weeks. Percy nominates former Secretary of Commerce former Attorney General, former Secretary of Defense, former Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare, former Undersecretary of State, former Ambassador to the United Kingdom Elliot Lee Richardson to be Secretary of the Treasury. The Senate gives its consent 81-19 with all 19 dissenters being of the Democratic Party.

Secretary of the Treasury Elliot Lee Richardson

In summer 1982 President Percy visits the United Kingdom as well as West Berlin calling on the Soviet Union to reduce its nuclear arsenal saying “for every nuclear bomb you dismantle, we will dismantle one of ours. Together, we have enough weapons to destroy the world many times over…surely isn’t once enough?”

The midterm elections prove to be not as bad as the pundits thought for President Percy, who on the day of election still had an approval rating in the low 50’s.

Senate Composition:

Republicans: 52 (No Change)
Democrats: 48 (No Change)

*Senator Howard Cannon defeats Republican nominee Chic Hecht in Nevada

House of Representatives Composition:

Democrats: 240 (+10)
Republicans:  195 (-10)

   Following the midterm elections in November 1982, the Missing Children Act and the Victim & Witness Protection Act is signed providing rights to parents with missing children and protection for crime victims and witnesses. The following day the US House and Senate pass the Valerie Percy Act and John Culver Act, respectively. The former remembered the President’s late daughter and gave more funding to the FBI and the investigative branches of local police forces. The latter created more extensive background checks before someone could purchase a gun or firearm.

[sentinel]

Next update coming tonight (1983).

[sentinel]

Yeah, so, I found the Political Machine 2008 game which has been why the next update has been delayed, but here it is.
----

1983

Following the death of President Percy’s Secretary of Agriculture and a major political scandal involving the Secretary of the Treasury and losing ten seats in the House of Representatives the Administration is on the defense.

New Treasury Secretary Elliot Lee Richardson is busy dealing with his predecessor’s corrupt Department and releases tons of documents to Congress, as well as fires all of his predecessor’s senior staff.

The President’s Approval rating jumps up to around 55% following his annual State of the Union Address in which he tells Congress that corruption will play no part in his administration and that he invites all state and local governments to look inwards and exorcise all elements of corruption. He says “The American people have little faith in us, they think we are all crooked. We must show them otherwise through openness and transparency.” The President then proposes an act to Congress

The President proposes his annual budget to Congress which the Congressional Budget Office says will reduce the deficit but Democrats and some Republicans say the cuts to the military are too extensive and will endanger national security. The Associated Press reports that the President has added more money for “strategic missile defense” and development of a “space-oriented missile defense system.”

   After concessions to House Democrats the budget passes the Senate and House by a slim margin in March 1983. The President’s approval is at 50%.
   In spring 1983 former Vice President Walter Mondale announces that he will seek the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.  Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas and Senator Gary Hart of Colorado and Reverend Jesse Jackson of Illinois announce their candidacies throughout the rest of the spring and summer.

   In October of 1983 a suicide truck bomber crashes into the US Marine barracks in Beiruit killing 241 members of the peacekeeping force. The President calls the bombing an “act of terrorism and desperation” and that “the United States will not be cowed by terrorists.” There is no major retaliation from the US for the strikes, but President Percy privately orders the Secretary of Defense to move all marines stationed in the region offshore and to plan to withdraw them from the region in the coming months. Percy also appoints a fact-finding committee to investigate the attack.
   

[sentinel]

1984

President Percy begins the year with his approval hovering around 56% following his State of the Union speech but most Americans have not forgotten about his corrupt former Secretary of the Treasury who is constantly in the news as the Federal trial continues.

In his SOTU Percy calls, once again, on the Soviet Union to come to the table to dismantle nuclear weapons. The Soviet Union approaches with caution and the State Department reveals that it has been in talks with the USSR but no deal, or agreement, had been reached.

In February 1984, President Percy withdraws all remaining US military forces from Lebanon. The move is applauded by isolationists within the country while others say it US cowering to terrorism.

Former Vice President Mondale, who was expected to win Iowa, is defeated by Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas following bickering in the debates between Senator Hart and Mondale. Eight days later, Senator Gary Hart wins New Hampshire.

Having lost back-to-back losses, Mondale’s national lead crumbles boosting Hart and Bumpers to the front of the pack. In March, Hart carries Vermont, Wyoming, Massachusetts and Rhode Island while Bumpers takes home Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Alabama.

During the primary battle, President Percy signs the “Clean Air Act of 1984” which aims to cut sulfur dioxide emissions, bans production of cholorofourocarbons and hydrocholoroflourocarbons, new mandated pollution control on automobiles and new definitions regarding toxic air pollutants. The bill is passed with bipartisan support with “pro-business” Democrats voting against the bill. The public overwhelmingly supported the passage of the bill. The President says that  “a healthy America is a strong America. We see that in countries and cities with poor air quality that life expectancy decreases, infant mortality increases, productivity decreases…its essential to our nation’s future that we pass on an America in which our children can grow strong.”

After a long primary battle, Senator Dale Bumpers is ultimately the Democratic nominee. Bumpers picks Senator John Glenn of Ohio as his running mate.

Democratic Nominee Dale Bumpers will challenge President Percy in November.

In summer of 1984 President Percy’s approval is at 56% and leads in head-to-head polls with Senator Bumpers. Percy announces that Vice President Shafer will remain on the ticket despite some baseless speculation that President Percy would drop him. Senator Bumpers taps popular Senator and astronaut John Glenn of Ohio to be his running mate.

[sentinel]

August 1984 and on….

Former Secretary of the Treasury Russell Long is found guilty in Federal court of corruption and bribery. In a statement, Long defends himself by saying he was acting on the order of President Percy. Percy’s Press Secretary responds that “The White House has fully cooperated with the investigation of former Secretary Long…we have nothing to hide and the investigation has shown that President Percy had no involvement in this affair. Long’s comments are made out of desperation and intended to undermine the integrity of the President.

Later that month, the White House releases the Civil Liberties Taskforce, led by the Vice President report on Civil Liberties. The report is late, and many commentators speculate that the White House had been sitting on it until an opportune time. The White House comments that “The report was late, but we released it when it was finished.”

The report outlined definitive ways for the Federal and state governments to reduce income inequality between men and women as well as ways to decrease unemployment among black males amongst other policy options. President Percy has stated his intention to send a bill to Congress after the election.

In September, a bomb goes off in a mosque in Boston, Massachusetts killing 13 people. The Jewish Defense League claims responsibility. President Percy calls it “an act of terrorism” and pledges to help state officials in any way possible. In a press conference, Percy is asked if supporting Israel means that he is supporting groups like the Jewish Defense League to which Percy responds “Terrorism is never a justified means to an end. I don’t support this and I don’t think my colleague Shimon Peres would support that either.” Governor Mike Dukakis thanks the President for his support and condemns the attack.

The campaigns agree to two debates between Bumpers and Percy, and an additional debate between Glenn and Shafer. Defense spending becomes a critical issue as does national security and corruption in the campaigns. Bumpers accuses President Percy of critically hurting defense spending, to which Percy replies  “We’ve cut where our generals recommended to me that we cut. We have cut no programs vital to our national security.” The first debate, Bumpers is seen as the winner.

The Vice Presidential debate is a bit more exciting with both candidates trading jabs back and forth, with Vice President Shafer accusing Senator Glenn of being beholden to special interests –but the real doozie of the night was when Glenn ended the debate with “you can vote for an American hero, or you can vote for someone spineless and unprincipled.” Voters took the comment as immature and inappropriate.

The last debate, President Percy comes back with a renewed vigor and speaks about his vision for the future, and says that people should take that into account when voting. Percy says the policies that Bumpers wants to implement will take “us one step forward and two steps back, while I’ll keep marching forward.” Percy wins the debate by a large margin.

1984 Presidential Election

President Charles Percy of Illinois / Vice President Raymond Shafer of Pennsylvania – 465 Electoral Votes, 57.9% Popular Vote

Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas / Senator John Glenn of Ohio – 73 Electoral Votes, 41.7% Popular Vote

Analysis: President Percy wins a huge victory over Senator Bumpers...Percy's support increased in the midwest and decreased much in the conservative west (Wyoming, Utah, Idaho) and still hasn't locked up the south.

Congressional Results:


Senate Composition:

Republicans: 52 (No Change)
Democrats: 48 (No Change)

Noteworthy Results:

Paul Simon defeats the Republican incumbent in Illinois
Roger Jepsen defeats Tom Harkin in Iowa
Carl Levin loses to Jack Lousma in Michigan

House of Representatives Composition:

Democrats: 215 (-25)
Republicans:  220 (+25)

[sentinel]

1985

President Charles Percy is sworn into his second term as President of the United States and Vice President Raymond Shafer is sworn in one again as Vice President of the United States.

The Percy Cabinet – The Second Term

President Charles Harting Percy

Vice President Raymond P. Shafer

Secretary of State Andrew Jackson Goodpaster

Secretary of the Treasury Elliot Lee Richardson

Secretary of Defense Henry A. Kissinger

Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus

Secretary of the Interior Donald P. Hodel

Secretary of Agriculture Allen Ingvar Olson

Secretary of Commerce Robert William Packwood

Secretary of Labor John B. Connally Jr.

Secretary of Health & Human Services Otis R. Bowen

Secretary of Education Elizabeth Duncan Koontz

Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Kevin H. White

Secretary of Transportation Richard B. Ogilvie

Secretary of Energy Dixie Lee Ray

Chief of Staff George H.W Bush


Pundits: President Percy seems concerned with his national security team. He’s moved Goodpaster from Defense to State, and brought former Secretary of State Kissinger back to run the Defense Department. He’s also asked former Republican presidential candidate and former CIA Director George H.W Bush to be his Chief of Staff. Some pundits ask “Is there something we don’t know?”

[sentinel]

The Percy Administration’s second term begins with great pomp and circumstance as his second cabinet is easily confirmed by the new Republican controlled Congress. Almost immediately, President Percy asks for a small increase in the minimum wage which is passed by a large margin.

In the House, Congressman Robert H. Michel of Illinois is elected Speaker of the House. The President had waded into the fight for Speaker by endorsing Michel –who won by an overwhelming majority.

In his inauguration speech, President Percy vows to continue on the road to nuclear disarmament, education reform saying “If America’s schools are not number one in the world then we are doing something wrong…” and a strong and robust military while pushing for further economic prosperity. Ironically, he would begin to regret the last part not soon after.
In March 1985 the unemployment rate would rise from 5.7 to 6.0% sparking fears of a recession. The President and his staff would call it a “blip in the road to prosperity, merely a pothole.” But in April 1985, unemployment rose again to 6.2%. At this Speaker Michel called for “robust tax cuts” while Treasury Secretary Richardson was more hesitant in his approach asking Americans to calm down and personally wanted to see if the Federal Reserve took action.

In June 1985 Secretary of State Andrew Goodpaster traveled to the Soviet Union to meet with new Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear disarmament. Goodpaster said the meeting was “better than previous meetings” but refused to comment on if anything would come of it.

Late June 1985 would see a major earthquake in southern California killing several hundred people and leading Congress to take up hearings on building codes near earthquake fault zones and emergency preparation after a somewhat botched federal response. The Federal Reserve would also lower the discount rate in July 1985.
By September 1985, unemployment had reached 6.7% and the President’s approval has dropped to the 40’s. Congress has passed tax cuts for some Americans but many are starting to have to tighten their belts. Percy also signs legislation for enhanced unemployment benefits including job training for a short period of time.

By the time 1986 rolls around Congress has taken steps towards education reform by aiding more teacher training programs in the form of block grants to states and President Percy has committed to funding Head Start even though many Republicans say it does not work. By January 1986 many economists are saying that the United States has gone into a recession with unemployment hitting 7.1% by February 1986.

President Percy, with his approval at 35%, travels to Moscow for a meeting with General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in February 1986 to sign a historic nuclear arms reduction treaty that would reduce stockpiles by 25%. Upon the President’s return the measure fails to pass the Senate with a handful of Republicans and all Democrats opposing the treaty saying it would be detrimental to national security. Percy’s approvals drop to 28% after the defeat of the treaty.

The treaty’s defeat would also be the reason that the critical report on the federal government’s response to the Southern California earthquake would be swept under the rug.

[sentinel]

The problem with writing this timeline is that I know where I want the Republicans to end up, but I'm going back and forth on the Democrats.

[sentinel]

President Percy would not recover from the defeat of his nuclear arms treaty in 1986. Conservative Republicans and Democrats would no longer support what Percy viewed as a “bipartisan agenda.” In the November midterm elections Democrats framed Republicans as weak on national security and lack of economic agenda was hurting the country.

Midterm Election – 1986 Results

Senate Composition:

Democrats: 55 (+7)
Republicans: 45 (-7)

Notable Results:

Senator Donald Stewart (D-AL) wins reelection
Senator Herman Talmadge (D-GA) wins reelection
Senator Bill Gunter (D-FL) wins reelection
Senator Dave O’Neal (R-IL) is defeated by Democrat Alan Dixon
Republican John McCain is elected in Arizona
Democrat Steny Hoyer defeats Senator Charles Mathias (R-MD)
Senator James Broyhill (R-NC) is defeated by Terry Sanford
Senator Mark Andrews (R-ND) is defeated by Kent Conrad
Senator James Abnor (R-SD) is defeated by Tom Daschle
Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA) is defeated by Brock Adams
Former Governor Mike O’Callaghan is elected in Nevada

House of Representatives:

Democrats: 248 (+33)
Republicans: 187 (-33)

Noteworthy Gubernatorial Results:

Florida – Son of Chief of Staff George H.W Bush, Jeb Bush defeats Steve Pajcic


In the House, former Speaker Tip O’Neill opts to retire instead of returning to the House.  Congressman Jim Wright loses the battle for Speaker to Congressman Richard Gephardt after allegations of ethical misconduct.

[sentinel]

January 1987

President Percy’s approval ratings recover slightly after his State of the Union address to 38%. His disapproval numbers are also down after the address. In it he calls on Congress to stop being cowards and to stand up to the military industrial complex and help eliminate nuclear weapons from the world. “It would take 50 nuclear missiles to destroy the human race, and we have thousands.” Percy declared.

Percy’s State of the Union also addressed environmental pollution which he said he would tackle without hurting small businesses and while still promoting growth in what looks very much like an economic recession with unemployment rising to 6.8% in the new year.

The State of the Union is well received by independent and Republican commentators –but Democrats are beginning to frame the second term of Percy as “do-nothing” or “lame duck” term. Speaker Gephardt has pledged to work with the President on his priorities.

In February Vice President Raymond Shafer announces that he intends to seek the Presidency in 1988.  Also that month, Senator Roger Jepsen of Iowa announces that he will also seek the Republican nomination.

By March of 1987, Senator Birch Bay of Indiana has announced his intent to seek the Democratic nomination as does Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts and Jesse Jackson of Illinois.

At the beginning of the spring in 1987, President Percy –going behind the backs of Congress says he will honor the failed nuclear armament treaty no matter if Congress signs it or not and begins to disband the United States’ nuclear arsenal. In an address to the nation President Percy calls nuclear weapons “the biggest threat to our nation” and that the only way to stop the threat is to downsize the United States stockpile. Soviet Premier Gorbachev agrees to do the same. Percy’s approval goes back up into the mid 40s after the address. Around this time Secretary of State Andrew Jackson Goodpaster announces his intention to retire as soon as President Percy gets a replacement confirmed by the Senate.

In June of 1987, Governor Mario Cuomo of New York announces that he will seek the Democratic nomination and Senator Bill Armstrong of Colorado announces that he will seek the Republican nomination. In a change from his 1976 campaign, Bayh has layed out a more conservative platform while Cuomo and Dukakis run on a more liberal platform, as is Jesse Jackson.

President Percy’s pick for Secretary of State, Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon is confirmed by the Senate by a unanimous voice vote in the summer of 1987. At the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, President Percy nominates his relatively new Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus to the Supreme Court. The environmental community applauds the appointment while businesses known for pollution overwhelmingly tend to condemn the nomination. Ruckelshaus is confirmed by the Senate with all Republicans supporting the appointment and liberal Democrats. The same day, President Percy’s new nominee for Attorney General Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York –is confirmed by the United States Senate.

In the Republican primary, Vice President Shafer leads in the polls while in the Democratic primary Governor Cuomo leads in the summer of 1987.

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I'm going to write more tonight, as soon as I finish this paper.

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I did not finish the paper. Still need to finish the paper.

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In November of 1987, Birch Bayh makes headlines after a debate in which he said “Look, the liberal wing of our party has led us to defeat. Humphrey in ‘68, McGovern in ’72, Carter in ’80 –what we need is a conservative Democrat. Cuomo or Dukakis ’88 are going to end the same way.” – Pundits agreed that Senator Bayh is setting a starkly different tone than what he had during his 1976 campaign.

President Percy ends the year on a high-note announcing that the FBI has successfully stopped what would have been a terrorist attack by Hasan Mahsum, leader of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement a terrorist organization. The attack was to take place on a transnational flight between China and the United States therefore the President announces that both countries are cooperating with the investigation, however; suspects will be tried on American soil if found and detained by American (or allies of) authorities.

In early 1988, Senator Birch Bayh and Vice President Shafer both win Iowa, respectively for their parties. Governor Michael Dukakis takes New Hampshire over Cuomo by a slim margin for the Democrats and Vice President Shafer winning New Hampshire for the Republicans.  After this, Senator Jepsen drops out of the Republican primaries.

President Percy, a few days before Super Tuesday, formally endorses Vice President Shafer and campaigns heavily for him in those respective states. Shafer would go onto sweet Super Tuesday and from that point on –be the presumptive Republican nominee. Senator Armstrong would endorse him in the following weeks.

On the Democratic side, Governor Dukakis and Cuomo would split their core demographics’ vote and Senator Evan Bayh would emerge as the presumptive nominee after several more weeks.

Vice President Ray Shafer of Pennslyvania
v.
Senator Birch Bayh of Indiana

Next: Crisis in 1988 and the General Election

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May 1988

Vice President Ray Shafer, only a few months after winning the nomination, announces that General Andrew Jackson Goodpaster will serve as his running mate. Goodpaster had served as President Percy’s Secretary of Defense and then as Secretary of State in the President’s second term.

Goodpaster in his first public statement pledges to “Convince Congress and all Americans that nuclear weapons are seen to constitute a nuisance and a danger, rather than a benefit or a source of all strength” openly supporting the President’s nuclear containment policies that Congress had rejected in 1987.

A spokesperson for presumptive Democratic nominee Senator Birch Bayh responds saying that nuclear weapons should be contained but that President Percy’s plan is wrong for the country and that the American people agree.

Senator Bayh leads Vice President Shafer in head-to-head matchups 55-40.

June 1988

President Percy’s overall approval dips to 40% with his disapproval rating standing at 45%.  Pundits and experts are calling President Percy a lame duck demonstrated by his failed nuclear containment bill and his acting without Congress.

Senator Bayh announces his Vice Presidential pick, Governor Bruce Babbitt of Arizona.

August 1988

The Democratic National Convention, unlike past conventions, turns out to be slightly more conservative than usual –striking a tone of fiscal sanity and strong on defense –two things they say that the Republican Party lacks. In his nomination speech Bayh asks listeners “What has the President done? What has the Vice President done? Nothing. Do you want eight more years of nothing?”

The Republican National Convention goes off without any major hitches. The party platform creates large controversy within the party. More conservative Republicans call the platform weak and pandering too much to the middle, behind closed doors. The Vice President’s campaign team says that in order to win they must look in the direction that America is going. Reluctantly conservatives within the party agree to the platform after reaffirming the Vice President’s support for pro-life policies and family value legislating in regards to welfare.

October 1988

A week before the only Presidential debate, and after an uninspiring Vice Presidential debate, China begins massing troops near a port with what intelligence operatives say are a growing number of amphibious vessels. Military officials say the spot would “be perfect for an invasion of Taiwan.”  President Percy orders US naval forces to protect the island nation and threatens the Chinese that if they should attempt to take the island by force the United States would protect the Taiwan.

After the threat, China continues to mass troops but not move on Taiwan. President Percy’s approval ratings bounce to 50% during the crisis with his disapproval dropping to 42%.
At the Presidential debate, Senator Bayh says that “This is China trying to show its muscle –and if we had a President who was strong on national security, China would be more hesitant to do just that. Vice President Shafer has nearly always agreed with the President and has yet to step out of his shadow. China has human rights violations on its own soil, and if they have no problem throwing the lives away of their own citizens, they won’t have a problem using nuclear weapons against us either.”

Vice President Shafer comes off decently hitting high notes on economic policy but in the end, polls say Bayh won the debate.

By Election Day, the Chinese still have not made their move and the President’s team takes credit for stopping what could have been a bloody conflict even though China still has forces at its port.

 November 1988

Election Day

Vice President Raymond Shafer of Pennsylvania / Former Secretary of Defense Andrew Jackson Goodpaster – 243 Electoral Votes, 46.9% Popular Vote

Senator Birch Bayh of Indiana /Governor Bruce Babbit of Arizona – 295 Electoral Votes, 51.7% Popular Vote

Other – 1.4% Popular Vote

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I’m going to try to do this a little bit faster.

1989

The Cabinet of President Birch Evans Bayh

Vice President Bruce Edward Babbitt
Secretary of State Mario M. Cuomo
Secretary of the Treasury Donald W. Riegle, Jr.
Secretary of Defense John W. Warner
Attorney General Dennis DeConini
Secretary of the Interior Edgar J. Herschler
Secretary of Agriculture Otis G. Pike
Secretary of Commerce Reuben O. Askew
Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich
Secretary of Health & Human Services Robert A. Whitney
Secretary of Education Warren E. Hearnes
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Kenneth A. Gibson
Secretary of Transportation John C. Danforth
Secretary of Energy James M. Beggs

President Bayh’s cabinet is confirmed without a problem by the Democratic Congress, however; his appointment of former Navy Secretary John W. Warner to the Department of Defense had many scratching their heads since Bayh campaigned on Republicans being weak on defense. Women’s Groups criticize the President for not having any women in his Cabinet.
President Bayh’s term starts off with a 70% approval rating. Two key priorities of Bayh’s first term would be reform in the line of succession and an economic stimulus package. The Democratic Congress would pass an economic stimulus package in February 1989 including a raise in the federal minimum wage. The stimulus package was largely made up of tax cuts which Republicans criticized for being “unpaid for.”

In late May a commission would come back with a report on Presidential succession and recommended changes to the line of succession removing the Speaker and Senate Pro Tempore calling the initial law that put the Speaker and Senate Pro Tempore in place “cronyism” and a “violation of separation of powers.” Due to the fact that an attack could simultaneously wipe out everyone in the line of succession, the commission recommended that Governor’s be included in the line of succession after executive departments. The commission cited the reasoning for this that Governor’s already receive intelligence briefings, control their own national guard, and have a variety of constituencies within their state already –not just one department. Governors, obviously, are also elected unlike executive secretary’s which may just be bureaucratic technocrats unable to lead a country.  The commission recommends that the President choose a select number of Governor’s to be on the line of succession, which would take effect after Congressional approval.

In November 1989 Attorney General Dennis DeConcini is subpeonad by Congress for corruption charges as part of a Savings and Loan crisis. Secretary of the Treasurey Donald Riegle is also indicted. President Bayh issues a statement calling the subpoenas “partisan recklessness” and says that “my appointees have done nothing wrong besides serve their country well.” Also indicted are Senators John McCain, Alan Cranston, and John Glenn.

As the trial looms, President Bayh proclaims his appointees innocence as Republicans in Congress pounce on the chance to take down the new President. Ultimately in January 1990 Dennis DeConcini resigns along with Donald Riegle both saying that “this investigation has become detrimental to the President’s agenda.”  In February 1990 John McCain, Alan Cranston and John Glenn would all also resign. Years later, historians would find that they resigned in exchange for the charges being dropped which they ultimately were. By February 1990 the Bayh agenda has rolled off track and his approval sits at 40% down from 70% a year prior.
In February 1990 Congress passes a new line of succession law, as recommended by the commission adding Governor’s to the line of succession and removing Speaker and Senate Pro Tempore.