Four More Years: The 1960 Election

[Jerseyrules]

The Second Term of President Kennedy, Part II:



02-17-1979:
President Kennedy announces that the Concert of Democracies will hold its meetings in New York City, and will begin in late August, once the Concert of Democracies Building is complete.

04-19-1979:
Senator Ted Kennedy is assassinated by a rogue lunatic while driving home from a party.  He was shot while in his car by John Hinckley, Jr., who shot him using a sniper rifle.  Further investigation reveals a young woman, Mary Joe Kopechne, was in the car with him, and was flung from the vehicle after it swerved into a telephone pole.  She died instantly, and there are whisperings of marital infidelity.  The nation mourns the loss of the "Cold Warrior of the Senate."  Meanwhile, attacks on other Kennedys were planned not followe through with; an attack on the president failed entirely, and Governor RFK was shot, but his security detail sped him away.  Many draw comparisons to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the simultaneous attempts on the lives of Sec. State William Seward and Vice President Andrew Johnson.

05-03-1979:
Governor Robert Kennedy announces he will seek re-election as Governor, but will not rule out a presidential campaign.  Many analysts are curious about the potential interference with a third term bid by his brother, who has been silent so far on his intents in the 1980 election...

06-13-1979:
President Kennedy sends Bobby on a trade mission to China, and he begins to contemplate his old plans for a third term; he mulls it over, and finally decides to seek a third term, but will not do any campaigning.  He promises himself and his brother that he will not make it a dirty campaign, and will accept not being nominated by his party again.  Both promise to bow out once the other receives enough delegates to win the nomination on the first ballot.

07-18-1979:
Senator James Buckley (R/C-NY) announces his candidacy for President.  He is well-known and admired by "big-C" Conservatives in both parties, and as Senator has worked closely to develop the conservative coalition.  He is heavily favored to win the nomination.

09-13-1979:
President Kennedy is shot, and though he will recover quickly, Jackie convinces him it is a sign to not seek re-election.  He announces he will not seek a third term and gives Bobby his blessing.  The more conservative Bobby will have some difficulty appealing to an increasingly liberal Democratic Party...

09-22-1979:
Governor Winthrop Rockefeller of Arkansas, and brother of former Governor Nelson Rockefeller, announces that he will seek the GOP nomination for President.

11-14-1979:
Fmr. Senator Gary Hart of Colorado announces his candidacy for President.  He is believed to be a long-shot candidate, and will appeal to more Progressive Democratic voters.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Shouldn't it be 1979?

[Jerseyrules]

Shouldn't it be 1979?

Whoops... thanks cathcon

[Jerseyrules]

Bump...I'll have my next update up later tonight.

[Jerseyrules]

The Second Term of President Kennedy, Part III:



01-10-1980:
President Kennedy will pass Congress' budget.  To many political experts, it appears that he has shifted in order to help his brother's campaign.  He will, however, be called on by the GOP to reduce inflation by reinstating the Gold Standard, which he opposes, but his brother remains silent on the issue.

03-14-1980:
Former President Goldwater campaigns for his protege, William E. Miller, in New York.  He holds a fundraiser for his friend, and praises his "pro-American ideals" and "great conservative credentials."

05-29-1980:
Governor Goldwater campaigns for Senator Buckley in California, and lambasts the "liberal hypocrisy" of Governor Rockefeller.  Meanwhile, Nelson Rockefeller holds a fundraiser for his brother in New York, criticising the "extremism" and "bigotry" of Buckley.  The race begins to heat up between these two firebrands, and many draw parallels to the Goldwater-Rocky rivalry.

06-17-1980:
President Kennedy campaigns for his brother in Oregon.  He is heavily favored to win the primary, but after several upset primary victories by Gary Hart, he doesn't want to allow Hart to pull off a squeaker in such a critical state.

07-11-1980:
The economy continues to slide, and the Dow closes at a record low.  The world economy is collapsing, and the economic situation will play a key role in the upcoming election.

07-14-1980:
Senator Buckley wins the GOP nomination, and in his acceptance speech he praises the values and positions of Presidents Eisenhower and Goldwater.  He will choose, to the surprise of many pundits, Majority Leader Paul Laxalt as his running mate; both pledge to usher through a balanced budget amendment, line item veto, and a re-adoption of the Gold Standard.

08-11-1980:
Governor Kennedy clinches the Demoratic nomination on the first ballot.  He gives a well-received speech to the delegates, and many believe that the Kennedy charm may allow him to pull off an upset in the election.  He will select Senator Robert Byrd as his running mate.

09-24-1980:
Inflation has hit 12%, a record high for the United States.  According to recent polling, Buckley is heavily favored to win.

11-04-1980:
James Buckley wins the election in a landslide to become the 38th President of the United States.

James Buckley / Paul Laxalt (Republican): 54.1% PV; 491 EV
Robert F. Kennedy / Robert Byrd (Democrat): 45.3% PV; 47 EV

[Jerseyrules]

The First Term of James L. Buckley, Part I:



01-23-1981:
President Buckley passes a package of bills (sponsored by freshman Senators Ron Paul and Senator Alphonse D'Amato) which will cut taxes, tariffs, and put America back on the Gold Standard, restoring it fully for the first time since President Franklin Roosevelt.  Many Americans cheer this, and as a result, the Dow will shoot up 87 points, closing with a net gain for the first time in months.

02-11-1981:
President Buckley signs another tax cut, which will lower taxes to the lowest amount since the mid 1920's.  Another component is a tariff reduction, which lowers them to a rate not seen since the James Polk tariff act; Governor Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., jokes that although he approves of the bill, his grandfather, Henry Cabot Lodge, is turning over in his grave over it.

05-17-1981:
President Buckley approves a bill which will increase private grants to non-government space agencies.  It will also put money into SDI, and plans for a manned mission to Europa by the end of the year, a space station over Mars by 1985, and an orbital lunar base by 1984.

07-11-1981:
Congress passes a Balanced Budget Amendment, which will be ratified by the states by 1982.  It provides that a 2/3 majority will be needed to pass an unbalanced budget, increase spending above inflation, or raise taxes.

08-29-1981:
President Buckley passes a bill, sponsored by Senators Paul and Castro, which will audit the Federal Reserve.  Senator Paul declares it is "a bold step in the right direction."

10-18-1981:
President Buckley signs the Read the Bills Act, crafted by Senator Paul; it provides a maximum of 12 pages for each piece of legislation, and each page of a bill must allow for at least one day of debate.  It passed by overwhelming majorities.

12-05-1981:
Young astronaut Bill Nelson lifts off aboard the Aphrodite, which is destined to land on Europa by the end of February.

02-08-1982:
President Buckley visits Goldwater Space Center in Miami, flanked by former Presidents Goldwater, Kennedy, and Truman (in a wheelchair), to speak with the astronauts of the Aphrodite.  Bill Nelson enjoys speaking with his idols, Presidents Goldwater and Buckley, and begins to consider a life in politics himself.

03-14-1982
Taxes are cut once again, and this time a flat tax is created, putting taxes at their lowest point since the income tax was first introduced.  The economy continues to grow, and President Buckley remains very popular with the American people.

05-07-1982:
The Dow closes at its highest point in history, gaining a net 123 points throughout the day, and inflation has decreased greatly, after peaking in 1979; unemployment stands at 3.7%, down from its peak of 7.3% in April 1980.

07-10-1982:
Chief Justice Burger and Justice Brennan retire.  President Buckley elevates Justice Scalia to replace Burger, picks Senator Castro to replace Brennan's seat, and fills Scalia's seat with New Jersey Judge Andrew Napolitano.  Rep. Connie Mack III will fill Castro's senate seat.

Chief Justice: Antonin Scalia
Associate Justice: Byron White
Associate Justice: William Rehnquist
Associate Justice: William F. Buckley, Jr.
Associate Justice: Bernard Siegan
Associate Justice: Lloyd Bensen
Associate Justice: William Knowland
Associate Justice: Raul Castro
Associate Justice: Andrew Napolitano

09-11-1982:
Senator Al D'Amato (R/C-NY) creates a bill which will create grants awarding scientists who invest in clean coal, nuclear, and solar energy; it is quickly shepherded through Congress by GOP leadership.  President Buckley proudly signs the bill, calling it "A smart free-market approach to alternative energy."  The bill passes with heavy progressive support, including that of Rep. Bernie Sanders of New York, who called it "A necessary step in the right direction to a permanent solution to this global pollution epidemic."

[Jerseyrules]

The First Term of James L. Buckley, Part II:



11-02-1982:
President Buckley is satisfied with the midterm elections, as the Democrats only managed to carve a few seats out of the GOP majorities in both houses.  The greatest upset of the night is that of New York City Congressman Jack Kemp winning the New York Gubernatorial election by the skin of his teeth, thanks largely to a split of the liberal vote between former New York City mayor John Lindsay (the liberal nominee) and Democrat Mario Cuomo, the incumbent Governor, who took office when Kennedy resigned to focus on his presidential campaign.

01-15-1983:
President Harry S. Truman dies at the grand old age of 100 years old, and his death is mourned by millions of Americans.  President Buckley refuses to give a eulogy, refusing to "turn the death of this great American by making it a political event."

02-11-1983:
The Soviet Union collapses under its own weight after months of economic depression.  President Buckley announces that "communism has finally proven to be an ineffective means to maintain economic stability.". The free world cheers an end to communism.  East Germany and Czeckoslovakia are ceded to West Germany, marking the first time since the end of World War II that Germany has been reunified.

03-06-1983:
Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his CSU/CDU win in a landslide thanks to high public support and in the wake of the German Reunification.  This also marks the first time the FDP joins the CDU in government.  He will continue his pro-capitalist foreign policy and his domestic low-tax privatization actions.

04-17-1983:
The Dow closes at 8000 points, its highest total ever, with a net gain of 79 points.  It appears that businesses and the economy agree with President Buckley's economic policies.  Unemployment is down to 2.4%, and inflation is at 2.1%.

05-19-1983:
President Buckley welcomes the Aphrodite at Goldwater Space Center.  It has completed its third run to the Apollo Space Station over Mars, and Bill Nelson is happy to see President Buckley.  The two meet at the White House afterwards, and discuss his political career; Nelson plans to run for the Florida senate seat up in 1986 as a Republican, but for now will continue to recruit for NASA and participate in missions.

06-09-1983:
Margaret Thatcher's Cinservative Party is given a great majority in the United Kingdom elections today, winning 407 seats in the House of Commons and 43.1% of the popular vote; the Labour Party will win 198 seats with 26.9% of the popular vote, and the Liberal Party will win 32 seats and 26.2% of the popular vote, in a great surprise to many political pundits.  Thatcher carried the day thanks to high popular opinion and domestic prosperity.  President Buckley is thankful for the results of the election, and suggests Thatcher use the mandate to create an American style private healthcare system, which she admits she has considered, and will attempt to bring to the table at her next cabinet meeting.

09-14-1983:
Prime Minister Thatcher ushers through a bill which will privatize the NHS in favor of a market-based healthcare system by 2000, citing the successful American system to attract Liberal Democrats and a few Labour Party votes.  Nevertheless, the vote is largely along party lines.

10-29-1983:
Gary Hart announces that he will be a candidate for President of the United States.

01-17-1984:
In Canada, Progressive Conservative Leader Joe Clark is sworn in as Prime Minister for a second time, after winning the general election in a landslide, with the PC winning over 50% of the popular vote.  It appears he has recovered greatly from his embarrassment in the 1980 elections.  He will dismantle Petro-Canada, because although he knows it will be unpopular (especially in his home, Alberta), he is following in the pro-privatization footsteps of his European counterparts, Thatcher and Kohl, as well as President Buckley in order to improve Canada's economic situation.  He will deliver a tax cut and tariff reciprocity with the U.S. and U.K. within weeks.

03-18-1984:
Prime Minister Thatcher is successful in privatizing the BBC.  She will continue to slash spending, but remains popular among the British people.

05-17-1984:
President Buckley welcomes actor Ronald Reagan to the White House, and talks politics with him.  He is surprised at the aging actor's conservativism, and confides to him he would have supported him for president had he run.  Reagan laughs, and replies "I don't think there's any way I would or could ever enter politics, not even in this world."

06-21-1984:
Massachusetts Governor Hillary Clinton (R) writes a book, detailing a possible scenario in which John Kennedy and his running mate, Lyndon Johnson won the election of 1960, defeating Vice President Nixon, and then goes on to fail to overthrow Castro in Cuba, forcing Soviet deadlock with the U.S.  Nixon loses the governorship in 1962, and although Goldwater receives the GOP nod in 1964, he will lose the election in a landslide to Kennedy's successor, Lyndon Johnson, after Kennedy is assassinated by Soviets.  Nixon will win the election in 1968 against Hubert Humphery (after RFK's assassination) due to U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and then resigns early in his second term due to corruption charges, leaving Gerald Ford, Speaker of the House, in charge, and fails to accomplish much after democrats make major inroads in the 74 midterms, leaving Jimmy Carter to take over in 76, who fails to accomplish much because of a faltering economy.  California Governor Ronald Reagan wins the election in 1980, and to this day the Soviet Union is communist.  It wins many awards, and is praised as a great example of dystopian literature.

*Note: Canadian Medicare was never passed

07-16-1984:
Fmr. Senator and Governor Gary Hart of Colorado is nominated for president on the first ballot.  He selects Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale as his running mate.  This all-liberal ticket will face a very steep uphill battle to unseat popular President Buckley, however.

08-20-1984:
President Buckley is nominated for President nearly unanimously, with only two dissenting delegates casting their ballots for Fmr. Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen; Vice President Laxalt is renominated unanimously.

11-06-1984:
President Buckley is re-elected over Gary Hart by a wide margin, largely due to his foreign policy successes and the expanding economy.

President James L. Buckley / Vice President Paul Laxalt (Republican): 57.9% PV; 535 EV
Fmr. Governor Gary Hart / Senator Walter Mondale (Democratic): 38.7% PV; 3 EV
Ed Clark / David H. Koch (Libertarian) 3.4% PV; 0 EV

President Buckley's victory also has coat tails; the GOP picks up a few seats in the House and Senate, and the Libertarians get their first congressmen, David Bergland, in California and Andre Marrou is elected Senator from Alaska.

[Jerseyrules]

The Second Term of James L. Buckley, Part I:



03-17-1985:
Lloyd Bensen and William Knowland announce their retirement; Bensen hopes to run for Governor of Texas in 1986, which he intends to use as a springboard for the presidency in 1988; Knowland wishes to retire due to his old age, and has no desire to continue public service after a life in politics.  President Buckley will appoint Clarence Thomas and Majority Leader Bush to replace them, but Bush declines the seat.  He then picks New Jersey Senator Christine Todd Whitmanin his place.

Chief Justice: Antonin Scalia
Associate Justice: Byron White
Associate Justice: William Rehnquist
Associate Justice: William F. Buckley, Jr.
Associate Justice: Bernard Siegan
Associate Justice: Raul Castro
Associate Justice: Andrew Napolitano
Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas
Associate Justice: Christine Todd Whitman

05-30-1985:
Texas Secretary of State Ann Richards announces her candidacy for Governor of Texas next year; high-ranking Texas Democrats clear the field for her, and she is heavily favored to win.

06-26-1985:
Senator Al D'Amato rams through a bill which will move election day from Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday, as well as establish a system of absentee voting.  President Buckley will sign the act, holding it up as "A great stride for electoral reform in this great nation."  Senator Paul remarked that he approved of the new law, and that he voted for it.

09-08-1985:
Admiral James Stockdale is promoted to the rank of Fleet Admiral, notable for being the only such peacetime promotion in modern history; President Buckley admired him as "a man of clear convictions, a man who fought and suffered for his country, a great man, and an amazing American."  Meanwhile John McCain is given the nod to fill his now-vacant admiralty.  The McCains have now produced three generations of Admirals in a row, and McCain is now considering a life in politics.

[Jerseyrules]

The Presidency of James L. Buckley, Part II:



10-03-1986:
Speaker William E. Miller dies after serving as the longest continuous Speaker in U.S. history.  He is mourned throughout the nation, and President Buckley delivers his eulogy, calling him "a great man."  He will write in his memoirs that Miller was on his shortlist for the VP nod, as he was on Goldwater's.

02-09-1986:
Texas gubernatorial candidate Ann Richards rails against the new cuts, going on to say "We need a President who looks out for the common man, woman, and child, but President Buckley's presidency has been one big Christmas party for the rich!  And the only way to get rid of his policies is to ensure that someone with competant leadership is running the show!  Mark my words, James Buckley will be A TWO TERM PRESIDENT!"  Richards will receive a slight bump in the polls after her speech, and many pundits believe she may be planning to run for president as early as 1988.  Representative George W. Bush (son of Majority Leader George Bush) will stay out of this race.




05-11-1986:
Astronaut Bill Nelson announces his candidacy for the U.S. senate seat in Florida as a Republican.  This comes as a great surprise to everyone but President Buckley and Senator John Glenn, who he spoke with extensively about jumping in, and he is widely considered as the most likely Republican to win the senate seat, which has been held by Democrats since Reconstruction.

07-28-1986:
Senators Al Gore and John Glenn draft a NASA funding bill, which will provide for an interstellar mission by 2000.  President Buckley will sign the bill happily, but in order to curb wasteful spending, he made sure that it also cut much of the bureaucracy out of the space program, and he will also remove many troops from Germany and Cuba, as well as cutting foreign aid.  The budget will remain balanced, and the national debt is nearly paid off.

11-8/9-1986:
The first-ever Saturday/Sunday elections are held, in accordance with the Electoral Reform Act of 1985.  The "Six-Year Itch" returns, and the Democrats make key gains, though not enough to take back either house of Congress.  Thanks to Buckley's use of Vice President Laxalt, many seats are saved, and Laxalt appears very presidential, clearly the frontrunner going into 1988 (though he has not yet mentioned his intentions regarding his own run yet.)  Ann Richards beats out Former Governor Bill Clements to become the 44th Governor of Texas.  Notable freshman senators include John McCain and Bill Nelson.  Freshman Representatives include John F. Kennedy Jr. (D-NY)

03-22-1987:
President Buckley appoints Admiral Stockdale Secretary of Defense.  He will be easily confirmed with bipartisan support.

06-11-1987:
Thatcher's Conservatives steamroll Labour, 42%-28%, while Steel's (newly-renamed) Liberals pick up a few new seats, earning 27% of the popular vote.  Kinnock resigns as Labour Party leader in disgust, to be replaced by the very young Tony Blair.

07-08-1987:
Freshman Rep. John F. Kennedy Jr. and his cousin, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., establish the New Democratic Caucus, where many moderate congressional Democrats find themselves a home.  Their goal is to expand the Democratic "big tent" to include moderates and independents.

09-17-1987:
Following the example of the brothers Kennedy, Tony Blair calls for "A New Labour, which is not as ferocious in its socialism," and wishes "to fundamentally transform Labour into a grand vehicle for intellectual ideas, which will govern from the radical center."  Pundits joke that "Mr. Blair has forgotten a critical detail: in order to govern, one must first win an election."

[Jerseyrules]

The Presidency of James L. Buckley, Part III:



09-12-1987:
Senate Majority Leader George Bush announces his candidacy for the president; he will be in the unique situation of serving as the incumbent Majority Leader while running.

09-23-1987:
California Governor George Dieukmijian joins the fray, announcing his candidacy for president with the Statue of Liberty as his backdrop.  Vice President Laxalt still has not been heard from on his plans for the 1988 election.

10-19-1987:
Texas Governor Ann Richards announces that she will not be a candidate for President this year, citing that there is still much to be done in Texas, as well as the lack of a Democratic Lietenant Governor.

10-29-1987:
Former Governor Jerry Brown of California announces that he will run for president, claiming his Desire to "take the fight to President Buckley and his Republican't Party."

11-07-1987:
Tennessee Governor Al Gore announces he will run for President.  He is joined by Elizabeth Dole on the Republican side, and will be promptly endorsed by Governor Ed Koch.

11-17-1987:
Jesse Jackson announces his candidacy for President.  He has a dedicated base of support, and will be a threat to Senator Gore, taking many southern votes.

11-08-1987:
President Buckley announces he will not seek re-election, and endorses Vice President Laxalt for the presidency. He will still face a decent primary challenge from Majority Leader George Bush and Governor George Dieukmijian of California.

11-09-1987:
With time running out, Vice President Laxalt announces his candidacy for President.  He is the establishment favorite, and the most likable and winnable, according to polling.

01-07-1988:
President Buckley signs the Marijuana Decriminalization Act of 1988.  It took a lot of arm-twisting from Democrats in the senate, and John F. Kennedy Jr. and Al D'Amato receive much of the credit.

The Republican primaries:

Blue = Laxalt
Red = Bush

Laxalt has a clear majority of delegates going into the convention, and Bush releases his delegates to Laxalt in the name of party unity.

The Democratic primaries:

Blue = Brown
Red = Gore
Green = Jackson

None of the Democratic candidates have a majority of delegates going into the convention, and Laxalt quips "As usual, the Democrats can't decide on a candidate; I seek party and national unity, not divisiveness.  Remember the Eleventh Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican, and thou must withdraw when it is clear thou shalt not win the nomination."

04-18-1988:
President Buckley oversees the invasion of Iraq, which has invaded Kuwait.  The Congress has approved of the invasion, and troops are being deployed immediately after the Declaration of War is passed, over the loud objections of Senator Paul.

07-13-1988:
President Buckley announces that Saddam Hussein has been captured and killed, and that now occupation is being turned over to Turkish and British military forces.  Turkey will annex Iraq, over the private objections of the President, but the President feels it is better than Hussein, who was a crazed madman.  The invasion brings Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell to national prominence.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

How did HIllary end up with the same last name as OTL. In one of my timelines, I'm planning on her being a Republican married to a guy who in real life was IL AG. Also, how'd she end up in MA?

[Jerseyrules]

How did HIllary end up with the same last name as OTL. In one of my timelines, I'm planning on her being a Republican married to a guy who in real life was IL AG. Also, how'd she end up in MA?

Well she grew up there, and ITTL she didn't marry Bill because they felt there were too many differences (especially politically.).  IOTL she worked for the Goldwater campaign in 64 as an unpaid volunteer.

[Jerseyrules]

The Second Term of James L. Buckley, Part IV:



07-21-1988:
On the eleventh ballot, Senator Gore drops out of the running.  Fmr. Senator Jerry Brown of California is nominated for President, and chooses Texas Senator Lloyd Bensen as his running mate, attempting to reclaim the "Solid South."  Brown will give a lackluster acceptance speech, Bensen gives a great speech, saying "We must win in November, or we will be faced with former years of Herbert Hoover with a smile!  We need a man who looks out for America's common people, not one that throws a Christmas Party for the rich! We have to make sure that a competent president is elected in November, one with the clear credentials and proven strength to stand up for American interests!"  Pundits see Bensen as more presidential than Brown, which is not a good sign for the young former governor.

08-15-1988:
Vice President Laxalt is nominated for President at the Republican National Convention in New Orleans.  Laxalt makes a great acceptance speech, calling on the nation to "maintain the course America has followed since Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Goldwater, and continued by President Buckley.  It is morning again in America, unemployment is at 2.3%, inflation is at a record low, taxes have not been lower in eighty years, and our opponents think they can improve THAT by raising taxes and restoring the paper standard?!"  He will select Governor Maureen Reagan of California as his running mate, explaining his strategy "Well, we already have a lock on the south, so let's make sure we hold even in the west coast, Midwest and northeast.  And a moderate woman governor who did a fine job will help us do that."

10-19-1988:
The Laxalt debates Governor Brown; many analysts believe the winning line of the night belongs to Laxalt: when asked about his age (62) versus Brown's (only 46), he replies "Well, I will not make age an issue of this campaign; I will not exploit for political purposes, my opponents youth and inexperience.  And by the way, you claim to have the same amount of experience as Barry Goldwater, but let me tell you something, governor.  I knew Barry Goldwater.  I worked with Barry Goldwater.  And governor, you're no Barry Goldwater."  Governor Brown responds "I don't think that was necessary, Mr. Vice President," to which Laxalt replies "Well, you made the comparison, Governor."  The debate is a clear win for the Vice President.

11-5/6-1988:
Paul Laxalt is elected over Jerry Brown in a landslide to become the thirty-eighth president of the United States.  He will have some significant coattails, with the GOP gaining in both houses of Congress.  Many believe the magnitude of his victory was due to President Buckley's conduct of the Iraq War, and his resulting 91% approval rating.

Vice President Paul Laxalt / Governor Maureen Reagan (Republican): 58.4% PV; 490 EV
Fmr. Governor Jerry Brown / Senator Lloyd Bensen (Democrat): 39.8% PV; 44 EV
Senator Andre Marrou / Rep. David Bergland (Libertarian): 11.7% PV; 3 EV

[Jerseyrules]

The First Term of Paul Laxalt, Part I:



01-24-1989:
President Laxalt signs a bill which will scrap much of the Cold War nuclear weapons, and transfers 60% of the money saved to the treasury, with the rest going into the space program.  The bill also includes a provision accelerating the first interstellar space mission to 2001, and will construct a civilian station with artificial gravity by the end of 1995.  The artificial gravity will be used in the interstellar space mission, now called the New Horizons.  Senator D'Amato helps get Cold Warrior Republicans to sign onto the bill, as well as more Liberal Democrats shepherded by Rep. John F. Kennedy Jr.

04-17-1989:
President Laxalt signs the Flat Tax Act of 1989, which establishes a flat 7% rate on all Americans who make more than $15,000 a year, which will be indexed to inflation.  In order to curb the income loss, a provision includes the elimination of many federal cabinet positions, reducing them to 7 total.  It also eliminates many underlings in the defense department, which he calls "clearing out the cobwebs."  Secretary of Defense Colin Powell thanks the president, as this move will greatly streamline command.

08-21-1989:
Justice Byron White retires from the court at age 70.  President Laxalt will appoint Attorney General Clarence Thomas to replace him, after much urging from Secretary of State George Bush.  President Laxalt was pleased with the judge's conservative/libertarian streak, and was proud to appoint the first African-American Supreme Court Justice.  The balance of the court is now thus:

Chief Justice: Antonin Scalia
Associate Justice: William Rehnquist
Associate Justice: William F. Buckley, Jr.
Associate Justice: Bernard Siegan
Associate Justice: Raul Castro
Associate Justice: Andrew Napolitano
Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas
Associate Justice: Christine Todd Whitman
Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas

[Jerseyrules]

The First Term of President Laxalt, Part II:



01-27-1990:


Representative John Kennedy, Jr. and Senator Ron Paul co-sponsor a Federal Reserve reform which will provide for greater Congressional oversight and a more comprehensive audit, which will pass after a great deal of arm-twisting by leadership in both parties.  Kennedy is seen as a great future leader of moderate Democrats everywhere.

06-12-1990:
Generals Colin Powell and David Petraeus meet with President Laxalt to discuss the current situation in the Middle East and Latin America, which have become increasingly pro-U.S., though such progress has declined since the Gulf War.  President Laxalt will attempt to repair American foreign relations throughout his tenure; he is already beginning to grow some more gray around his temples due to the strain his term has put on him.

[GLPman]

I like it so far. I have two minor issues, though. First, I doubt that Goldwater would be re-elected to a second term. I don't see a way, even in your scenario, that the GOP would've been elected for four terms. I also doubt that RFK would've been the nominee after President JFK. Nonetheless, good job. Keep it coming.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I tend to beleive that a certain political alignment isn't indefinite. America's gone through liberal and conservative swings. Speaking in terms of presidencies, 1901-1921 was more progressive, 1921-1933 more conservative, and 1933-1981 more liberal (though a slow move to the right through the seventies), and now we may be seeing either the end of a conservative era in a more progressive obama second term, or its continuance thanks to a moderate obama policy giving way to a center-right government in 2017. This tl has obviously shifted america far to the right. I'm wondering if, despite personal political bias which can be hard to get over, the progressives and liberals might see a return to the mainstream, if only for an eight to twelve year period. A Howard Dean, John Kerry, or Tom Daschle Presidency in the 2000's might be interesting. (for example, democrat 1993-2001, republican 2001-2005, and then the progs have their day in 2004. this would actually somewhat resemble the Nixon/Ford-Carter-Reagan cycle)

[Jerseyrules]

I like it so far. I have two minor issues, though. First, I doubt that Goldwater would be re-elected to a second term. I don't see a way, even in your scenario, that the GOP would've been elected for four terms. I also doubt that RFK would've been the nominee after President JFK. Nonetheless, good job. Keep it coming.

Thank you.  Goldwater was the VP of a very popular president; the POD was no recession in 1958.  Jack was originally planning a third bid but was shot, which made him reconsider; Bobby was the next best thing (and had been running for president himself since 1976.)  So great economy, lackluster opponents, and heavy Democratic support were the deciding factors.  He was elected on Ike's coattails more than on his own merit, never called the Eisenhower administion a "dime store new deal," and toned down his views on civil rights, even passing the Civil Roghts Act of 1965.

[Jerseyrules]

I tend to beleive that a certain political alignment isn't indefinite. America's gone through liberal and conservative swings. Speaking in terms of presidencies, 1901-1921 was more progressive, 1921-1933 more conservative, and 1933-1981 more liberal (though a slow move to the right through the seventies), and now we may be seeing either the end of a conservative era in a more progressive obama second term, or its continuance thanks to a moderate obama policy giving way to a center-right government in 2017. This tl has obviously shifted america far to the right. I'm wondering if, despite personal political bias which can be hard to get over, the progressives and liberals might see a return to the mainstream, if only for an eight to twelve year period. A Howard Dean, John Kerry, or Tom Daschle Presidency in the 2000's might be interesting. (for example, democrat 1993-2001, republican 2001-2005, and then the progs have their day in 2004. this would actually somewhat resemble the Nixon/Ford-Carter-Reagan cycle)

There will be a Democratic POTUS by the turn of the millennium you can count on it .  And a certain someone will be president by next year.... . And yes, this America is more conservative than OTL by a decent amount; registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats as well

[Jerseyrules]

The First Term of President Laxalt, Part III:



05-12-1990:
President Laxalt visits Turkey, (after their annexing Iraq in the aftermath of the Gulf War), and speaks with Prime Minister Erdogan to discuss Iraqi participation in democratic elections.  Erdogan makes no promises, but hints at supervised participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections.  President Laxalt is pleased with the results of the meeting, and will correspond with Erdogan frequently in coming months.

08-23-1990:
In Chinese parliamentary elections, the conservative-libertarian National Democratic Party wins an increased majority of seats, good news for President Lee Teng-Hui.  President Hui will now use his political capital to push for term limits, relaxed taxation, as well as other such reforms.  President Laxalt calls him to congratulate him on his victory, and the two will remain close allies and friends.

11-4/5-1990:
The Democrats make inroads into both houses of Congress, though not enough go flip either house.  However, the Democrats do much better than expected, and many believe Rep. Kennedy's tireless campaigning was a major factor in the results, even though his brother's seat is taken by a Republican.  Many of the new freshman will become DLC members (such as Rep. Michele Bachman in Minnesota.)  Republican Governor Howard Dean wins re-election in Vermont.

02-07-1991:
Russia and China join the Concert of Democracies, promising to "fight for freedom around the globe."  President Laxalt is praised for his role in encouraging them to do so, and will continue to expand the "big tent" of the COD, bringing in many new countries such as Rwanda and the South Africa.

04-11-1991:
President Kosygin endorses his protege Mikhael Gorbechev for the presidency against left-wing mayor Boris Yeltsin; the race is heating up between these two popular Russian politicians, though the campaign has yet to get dirty between these two men.

07-30-1991:
Representative John Kennedy, Jr. helps to push for further military cuts, satin "we don't need this much weaponry anymore; the Cold War is over."  President Laxalt will sign the bill, believing it will help to keep the budget balanced in 1992.

10-06-1991:
President Laxalt issues an executive order which will remove all troops from Korea and Germany, a move praised by his own party, as well as many progressives and libertarians.  This move is estimated to save the United States tens of billions of dollars annually, in addition to his plans to cut back on Naval warships, set to be put to a vote in a few weeks.

11-02-1991:
President Laxalt signs the Military Reform Act of 1990, shepherded through Congress by Rep. Kennedy and Senators Paul and Phill Gramm, who are gaining reputations as the "First Friends" of the Laxalt administration.  It will reduce the American Naval Fleet by several hundred ships, as well as reduce nuclear warheads, streamlining command, and giving the president more oversight on the CIA, FBI, and military.

11-17-1991:
President Laxalt announces he will seek re-election as president.  Many feel this was inevitable due to the president's popularity, and no Democrats have yet stepped forward to challenge the president.

11-29-1991:
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) announces his candidacy for President.  He is the first to do so, and with time running out, he is likely going to be one of a few.

11-30-1991:
Senator Al Gore of Tennessee announces his candidacy for President to a crowd in New York City.  He is regarded as "the weak frontrunner in a weak field" quips actor Ronald Reagan.

12-01-1991:
Senator Linda Lingle (R-HI) campaigns for President Laxalt in Hawaii.  She is seen as a rising star of the GOP, along with Vice President Reagan.

03-15-1992:
Attorney Chris Christie of New Jersey announces that he will run for the open senate seat this year.  He wins the support of Conservative Senator John Marchi and GOP senator Alphonse D'Amato.

04-04-1992:
Justice Buckley announces his retirement from the Supreme Court upon confirmation of his successor; President Laxalt will appoint Samuel Alito to succeed him.  The current composition of the court is now thus:

Chief Justice: Antonin Scalia
Associate Justice: William Rehnquist
Associate Justice: Bernard Siegan
Associate Justice: Raul Castro
Associate Justice: Andrew Napolitano
Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas
Associate Justice: Christine Todd Whitman
Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas
Associate Justice: Samuel Alito

[Jerseyrules]

The Presidency of Paul Laxalt, Part IV:



04-08-1992:
Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wins a record fourth term in the United Kingdom general elections held today.  Thatcher's Conservatives will lose a few seats in the House of Commons, but due to a great economy and low taxes, the British people stand by her and her party.  Labour does better than expected however, thanks to the charisma of Labour Party Leader Tony Blair.

08-14-1992:
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) is nominated for president at the Democratic Convention.  He selects Texas Governor Ann Richards a his running mate, but the southern mavericks will face an uphill battle to defeat President Laxalt in November.

08-21-1992:
President Laxalt is easily renominated for President, as is Vice President Reagan.  Their "post-convention bump" shows them leading their Democratic opponents by over seven points, thanks to economic prosperity at home and peace abroad throughout their time in office.

11-7/8-1992

President Laxalt is easily re-elected over Senator Biden by 54%-43%:

[Jerseyrules]

Anyone still reading?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Yeah, waiting for a new update.

[Jerseyrules]

Alright then, this should be done by next week:

The Presidency of Paul Laxalt, Part V:



2-26-1993:
The World Trade Center in New York City is bombed, killing ten people and injuring thousands.  President Laxalt condemns the attacks, calling them "cowardly acts of terrorism."  At the advice of Senator Ron Paul (R-TX), the President orders the payment of vigilantes to take out the masterminds behind the attacks, Osama Bin Laden, Kalid Sheikh Muhammad, and other Al Qaeda members.  This costs the United States a total of over $500,000, including equipment and vehicles.  The vigilantes call themselves the Young Freedom Fighters.  Many Americans cry for bloodshed, such as Governor Ann Richards (D-TX) who quips "I'd kill that slimeball myself, but my back's been bothering me, so I'd leave it up to our troops."  However, House Majority Leader George W. Bush (R-TX) (who is widely rumored to be gearing up for a run against Richards next year) has defends the president, saying "We can't go around the world, spreading our troops thin across the world; that's what the Romans did, and look how that turned out."

4-29-1993:
Senator Al D'Amato journeys to Afghanistan, where he visits with several of the Young Freedom Fighters and trains with them for several days.  He announces his support of the President's choice of nonintervention, claiming that "it would be a disaster to unilaterally attack Afghanistan in search of one man."

7-30-1993:
The Department of Defense discovers a compound rumored to be Osama Bin Ladin's hideout is discovered.  After several hours of briefing, President Laxalt decides to send the YFF to kill Bin Ladin.  He soon hears word that the YFF has killed the man responsible for the bombing of the World Trade Center, and several of his goons.  The man who fired the fatal bullet: Senator D'Amato himself.



1-24-1994:
Rep. George W. Bush announces his campaign for Governor of Texas.  Gov. Richards has still not commented on whether she will seek re-election in the fall, though she is clearly the favorite in the Democratic primary, and by far the best Democrat to take on the well-funded Bush campaign.

3-16-1994:
Lt. Gen. Jesse Ventura announces his run for Govenror of Minnesota as an independent.  He is widely favored to win, and he receives over 50% in some polls.

5-7-1994:
Governor Richards announces she will not run for Governor of Texas.  Many are surprised, and when she is pressed for further information, she says she'd much rather run for president in 1996, and says that "anyone who runs for public office oughtta serve out his term fully before leapfrogging to the next step."

6-27-1994:
Vice President Reagan announces she will run for president in 1996.  She is the first to announce, and many see her as the frontrunner for both the nomination and the general election, with President Laxalt's approval ratings at 79% in the wake of Bin Ladin's death.

11-7/8-1994:
The GOP makes slight inroads in the midterms, many believe due to the popularity of President Laxalt and the bump given to him in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, widely dubbed the "2/26" attacks.  Thanks in no small part to the tireless campaigning of Vice President Reagan, the GOP will hold on to both houses of Congress, and many analysts see this as a prelude to the 96 election, and some GOP even claim "another 8 years with Marueen is on the way!"  Among the pickups is the election of Congressman Bush as Governor of Texas, State Senator George Pataki as Governor of New York, as well the landslide re-elections of Governors Jeb Bush (R-FL), John Engler (R-MI), Pete Wilson (R-CA), William Weld (R-MA) and the election of Mitt Romney to the open senate seat in Massachussetts.

[Jerseyrules]

The Presidency of Paul Laxalt, Part VI:



2-13-1995:
The President meets with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Chancellor Helmut Kohl to discuss further free trade agreements.  The Congress approves the President's proposal for full reciprosity, with the goal of complete elimination of tariffs between the three nations by 1997.

3-17-1995:
Senator John Glenn (R-OH) rockets into space for the last time, alongside his protege Bill Nelson (R-FL) and schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe (the first schoolteacher in space, who has been aboard several successful missions in years past.)  The President watches proudly from the ground at Goldwater Space Center as his brainchild, the Orion rockets into space; the Orion will make a stop at Mars, then onto Ceres and the asteroid belt, and further to the Jovian moons, Saturnian moons, Neptune, and finally Pluto.  The Orion is the first of its kind, utilizing a solar sail to reach "speeds never in the wildest dreams of the most innocent child twenty years prior," as the President proclaimed proudly at liftoff.  It is a great day for the President, and his approval ratings are hovering comfortably in the high 80's.

5-6-1995:
President Laxalt meets with his European counterparts once again, this time to work on a joint space program between the nations, whom will lead the Concert of Democracies (along with China and Russia) to help develope future space ventures, including the seemingly far-off interstellar space missions which are in developement.  The Concert of Democracies now encompasses nearly all countries in the world, with several exceptions including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen.

6-21-1995:
Fmr. Governor Ann Richards (D-TX) declairs herself a candidate for President, joining fellow Texan Lloyd Bensen.  Both are considered to be the frontrunners in the Democratic Field, among minor candidates such as former governor Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts and Rep. Bill Clinton of Arkansas.  Though the Democratic campaign is in full swing, the only GOP developments are the discreet grassroots campaign of Senator Ron Paul and the endorsement-collecting of Vice President Reagan, the only two candidates.  Although the establishment is clearly behind the Vice President, Paul has received the endorsement of Senator Jesse Helms and Governor Howard Dean, as well as some cross-party endorsements, such as those of Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), Rep. Ralph Nader (Progressive-CT), Rep. Bernie Sanders (P-VT), and Governor Jesse Ventura (Independence-MN).

11-17-1995:
The Concert of Democracies is amended to include an elected parliament in the style of the European Union.  President Laxalt praises this move as "what is best for America," though he is not without critics.  Senator Paul rails against this as "an unconstitutional and disturbing power grab by the surging internationalist movement."  Paul receives a bump in the polls after the speech, but will still need to overcome a wide gap with the vice president before the primaries begin.

3-2-1996:
In a stunning upset, Ron Paul beats out Vice President Reagan in the Iowa caucuses, privately blaming the president for his lack of campaigning on her behalf.  However, the convention is still a long way away.

6-14-1996:
After losing out on Super Tuesday, Paul Tsongas, Ron Paul, Bill Clinton, and Lloyd Bensen withdraw, leaving Vice President Reagan and Governor Richards as the presumptive nominees.  Senator McCain, Gen. Colin Powell, businessman H. Ross Perot, Senator Paul, Senator Tsongas and Governor Jesse Ventura meet together at Perot's compound in Texas to discuss the formation of a third party to compete in the 1996 elections.  It is decided that Senator McCain and Governor Ventura will be the presidential and VP nominees, respectively, and ballot access will be required in all 50 states before proceeding with the campaign, under the Independence Party ticket.  The third party bid will alienate McCain from many of his GOP colleagues, however McCain is used to this due to his "maverick" record.

7-24-1996:
Governor Ann Richards retakes "Buckley Democrats" in her acceptance speech, outlining her opinions on the issues, and saying "to those of you who don't agree with me, you wouldn't vote for me or anyone with a D next to their name.  But to those of you who are still undecided which name to check in November, let me tell you that I am not a regular Democrat.  I am a new kind of Democrat, strongly in favor of capital punishment, greatly opposed to gun control, and I will not try to reinstate any of the programs done away with in recent years.  I am for smart government, not big government.  I am in favor of fair taxation, and firmly believe that that government is best which governs least.  So, America, are you going to go with the same old person who rails against a candidate for being 'liberal,' or are you going to vote for change?  I say bring it on!"



9-23-1996:
Polling consistently above 20%, Senator McCain is allowed into the presidential debates.  What at first seemed like an easy win for the Vice President has become a very close race, sure to be a nail-biter down to the very end.  Governor Richards comes across as a "common-sense liberal" and pledges "the era of big government is over."  The Vice President makes a few winning lines, but appears out-of-touch, and some say she comes across as not even desiring re-election.  Senator McCain came was seen by many as a common-sense visionary, and lives up to his maverick reputation.

10-18-1996:
Governor Ventura shines in the Vice Presidential debate, making Bill Clinton look slick and over-prepared, while Governor Weld appears tired, after a long day of campaigning beforehand.

11-10/11-1996:
In a nail-biter election, Governor Richards does much better than expected, though does not win an outright majority in the electoral college.  Angered by days of bitter recounts, Reagan implores her electors to vote for Governor Richards, who won a plurality in the electoral college.  President Laxalt is eager to begin the transition progress, after an exciting three-way election, with not only the first-ever female nominee from either party, but the first time that both major-party nominees were women.

Ann Richards / Bill Clinton (D): 39.8% PV; 253 EV
Maureen Reagan / William Weld (R): 37.4% PV; 214 EV
John McCain / Jesse Ventura (I): 21.6% PV; 71 EV