I Like Mike: A Biotimeline

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This is my first crack at a biotimeline. I hope to write a book like this some day. Please tell me if you have any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.

Governor Mike Pulaski (R-FL) meets with his two advisors and Confidants Jim Kent and Frank Carol, May of 2011

Jim: Mike, I've done some polls, and it looks like you could walk away with the nomination.

Mike: Jimbo, that's what they said about Ted Kennedy before Gary Hart beat him back in '84. I'm not going to jump into the race simply because of one poll...

Frank: But, Mike, conservatives are hoping for someone other than Senator Romney. They all remember how his father was of the Rockefeller wing when he took over from Nixon. Romney's...

Mike: It's not fair to criticize a man based on his father. He's a nice guy, has a wonderful family. Besides, even if I did want to run for president, how could I stab Mitt in the back after he endorsed me for he governorship back in '06?

Jim: It won't be stabbing him in the back. It's simply politics.

Frank: There's something else you should know.

Mike: What?

Frank: We have received a call from Romney's people. They say he's going to announce his candidacy next month. They want you on board.

Mike: They have every right to. The thing is...

Jim: Whether it is best for you.

Mike: No, but...

Jim: But what?

Mike: I don't know. Something tells me I shouldn't endorse Mitt...yet.

Jim: See? You DO want to run for president.

Mike: No...

Jim: Mike, I have known you for twenty years. No one other than God has cared about your future than I do...

Mike: I wouldn't ...

Jim: No, listen to me. I've helped you through the State House, and the Governor's mansion. Believe me, I'm not going to give up on you now.

Mike: But why the presidency? Jeb Bush will retiring from the Senate soon. Why couldn't I just...

Jim: How many times do I have to tell you: There's no future for you in the Senate. Look, you're pushing 65. If you get in the Senate, you'll have the spend the rest of your career there, trying to get in a position of influence.

Frank: He's right.

Jim: Mike, you seem to have a pipeline to God...

Mike: Not one you couldn't have...

Jim: Yeah, yeah. Anyway, do you think He might want you in the White House? That's obviously the next step if he's really looking out for you. Wouldn't He want you to be in the place of most influence. You've said yourself you believe that God has called you into politics, though you might be to nice for this business. Why wouldn't He want you to help yourself if that means you help others. Isn't that what your Book says?

Mike: No, the Bible does not say "God helps those who help themselves"...

Jim: Well, if He won't help you, I will. I'm telling you, why don't you at least consider...

Mike: I'll pray about it.

Jim: I might pray to... that God will give you some sense.

Mike: I'd appreciate it.

Jim: Uh, huh.

Mike: But what about Senator Cain, Governor King?

Frank: No one will take Cain seriously. And King's all bark and no bite. And with Mike Huckabee's death in last month's plane crash, no one else can credibly carry the conservative torch.

Jim: And you have the added benefit of being governor of Florida. You could make the case that you could win as a conservative.

Mike: Perhaps...

Jim: Anyway, I'll call you in the morning. Maybe God would have sent you a telegram by then.

Mike: Well, thanks Jim, Frank. I'll see you around.

Jim: Evening, Mike.

Frank: Evening, Governor.


What do you think?

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First, we need some background information. Throughout this timeline, I'll switch from History, to Mike's biography, to the "Present" starting with the introductory passage.

1968

The POD (point of divergence) is when George Romney gives his infamous "Brainwash" interview. In this timeline, he doesn't make the remark, and becomes a considerable challenger to Richard Nixon and Nelson Rockefeller.  Romney, however, focuses most of his attacks on Rockefeller instead of Nixon, a move, which some historians believe, to be an attempt to land a place on the Nixon ticket.

At the convention, the delegates are split between Richard Nixon, George Romney, Nelson Rockefeller, and a favorite son of California by the name of Ronald Reagan. Many backroom deals were cut between Nixon's, Romney's, and Thurmond's people, whose approval was needed for Nixon's VP pick.

After Thurmond gave his approval of Romney, the convention nominated the Michigan governor for Vice President, much to the dislike of conservatives. William F. Buckley, who had been let into Nixon's inner circle, concluded in retrospect "Romney wasn't the best, but he wasn't Rockefeller."

As conservatives reluctantly supported Nixon as he attempted to reach out to this growing movement. Nixon ran on a platform of "Peace with Honor" in Vietnam, and appealed to the "Silent Majority" of those who had not lost their cool during either the Civil Rights movement nor the Anti-War movement.

The Democrats nominated Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Maine Senator Edmund Muskie, a descendant of Polish immigrants. The convention in Chicago, however, was disrupted by anti-war protesters. The image of the delegates fleeing the convention hall due to the smoke bombs remained embedded in the voters' minds as the Democrats attempted to put their best face on an increasingly unpopular administration.

Although the results were close, especially with Governor of Alabama George McGovern running as an independent, Nixon was able to carry the day, including Romney's home state of Michigan.

Upon his becoming President, Nixon knew he would have to expand beyond the Northeast to solidify his power base. Not only did he need the South, but he also needed the Unions. His Vice President, a former car executive, had an unusually sound relationship with the UAW. Romney could prove to be a valuable ally in creating Nixon's new coalition.

_{President Richard Nixon with then Vice President George Romney}

Still, those in the Nixon administration found Romney to be difficult to handle, especially since he had a tendency to shoot from the hip, and sometimes at his foot. Romney, a known dove, was assigned to the mundane domestic tasks that Nixon abhorred as he sought to craft his vision for world peace and detente. Romney would often visit factories, construction projects, and schools. Primarily, Romney acted as Nixon's ambassador to the Unions, who proved to be the foot shoulders against the anti-war hippies.

But Romney was often kept out of the loop. Charles Colson, in his autobiography Born Again, described it this way:

Although [Romney] was closer to the President ideologically, no two men could be further apart. They both believed in Civil Rights, and peace in Vietnam, but they differed in their approach. Romney believed in perhaps the naive notion of an immediate withdrawal, whereas the President wanted to secure peace with China first as part of his dream of world peace...[Romney and Nixon] rarely met. I suspect that the President felt threatened by Romney's potential.

After Nixon's trek to China, the bombing of Vietcong targets, and the summit in Paris, Nixon was riding high. He easily won reelection against George McGovern.

1972

Then came Watergate...

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George Marcin Pulaski (1917-1999)

Born in Warsaw during the middle of World War I, Jerzy Pulaski seemed to be destined to live through trouble. Within two years of his birth, the 200 year dream of a revived Polish state came true as Poland declared her independence in 1918, and received official recognition at the Conference at Versailles in 1919.

However, the boundaries between some of the newly formed states made by the Treaty of Versailles, including Poland's, were vague and in dispute. War soon broke out between Soviet Russia and Poland. Although Poland make key advancements initially, the Soviets succeeded in a counter-offensive that lead all the way to Warsaw. Jerzy's father, Jozef, fought as a volunteer to defend the city. Although the Soviets were ultimately repelled, Jozef died in the fighting. George would grow up never knowing his true father.

His mother, Maria, married again by a general in the Polish military, and a key player in  the 1926 coup which established Jozef Pilsudski as Poland's de facto dictator. Up until Pilsudski's death in 1935, George ran around with children of Warsaw's ruling class.  But still, George had a great affinity for history and politics.

 His mother financed his education at the University of Warsaw. During his education there, anti-semitist organizations plagued the universities. Considering himself a socialist after the manner of Pilsudski, Jerzy was appalled at the trend of anti-semitism sweeping across the academic institutions of Europe. he considered such attitudes to be "un-Polish." He was even involved in a brawl with one of the anti-semitic leaders.

Jerzy also developed an interest in learning English. His mother also financed his tuition at the University of Oxford in 1939. Within weeks of his admission at Oxford, on September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Russia, after signing a non-aggression pact with Germany, joined in its own invasion of Poland 16 days later. Jerzy was devastated. He tried desperately to contact his mother, but to no avail. She was believed to have died after her home was destroyed in a blitzkrieg air-strike.

Because of Jerzy's connections, he became actively involved in Poland's government-in-exile, headquartered in London. He became part of a delegation to the British, and later American governments. He began to associate with Americans socially, and began to enjoy their company. He met an American WAC officer from Polish Downtown Chicago, Tanya Borski. The two fell in love, and married in 1945.

Jerzy had hoped to take his new bride back to Poland, but the l'liberation" of Warsaw by the Soviets crushed his spirit. He decided to move to Chicago, and assimilate into the Polish community there.


Ed. If anyone of Polish descent, or any knowledge of Polish history, forgive me for butchering Polish history. My knowledge is scanty at best, and most of this was on-the-fly research. Thanks for your understanding.

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Romney Rises

On June 17, 1972 Watergate security guard Frank Wills discovered a break in pf the DNC offices at the Watergate complex. Five of the alleged perpatrators were arrested, as well as E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy. They were convicted in January of 1973.

Questions immediately arose over the President's involvement, especially after one of the "Watergate Seven" alleged that he was pressured into committing perjury on the witness stand. Eventually, the questions and implications became so great, that President Nixon was forced to resign.

Nixon officially left office on August 9, 1974. Vice President George Romney officially succeeded him as President.

_{George Romney taking the Oath of Office, August 9, 1974}

George Romney immediately gave an address to the nation:

My fellow Americans,

I am pleased to say that our national nightmare is over. Now is a time for healing, but it is also a time to face facts. People on both sides of the aisle have cultivated this culture of corruption. We have tried hard to work for the benefit of the powerful over the weak...Now is a time where we need to change these practices. For starters, I will not accept any pay as your president. Second, I will begin anew with a fresh cabinet, with Republicans and Democrats. Finally, I will select a Democrat for my Vice President...

This announcement of a bipartisan administration sent shock waves through out the political world. Speculation began over the future Vice President.

 Three days later, Romney announced that Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan would act as Vice President. The Senate confirmed the President's appointment.

President Romney

Romney fired the entire cabinet, including then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, whom he referred to as a "Meglomaniacal Metternich." He appointed Republicans and Democrats, as well as associates from his days in the private sector. The Romney Administration soon reflected the President's moderate views, although, in a surprise appointment, the Romney nominated Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson of Washington, a hawkish Democrat, to the position of Secretary of Defence.

Reaction from the conservative community was mixed, but tended to be negative. In an unauthored editorial by National Review, the magazine expressed its concerns over whether the Romney Administration would take a leftward path, based on the administration's appointments.

The President continued the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam set forth by his predecessor. Then North Vietnam invaded the South in violation of the treaty signed years earlier. Romney ordered that American Embassy in Saigon be evacuated. Images of desperate Vietnamese clinging to the American helicopters leaving the Embassy would represent an low point in American prestige.

Yet Romney's approval ratings soared, peaking at 56% approval in mid-1975.  Apparently, Romney had been able to escape any negative stigma attached to Nixon. Democrats despaired over taking the White House in 1976.

Only one man was considered strong enough to challenge the President: Edmund Muskie of Maine.

To be continued...

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Awesomeness!

It will get better.

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Thanks, Kawlejt. I have a great admiration for the Polish people, especially since I spent two weeks with five Poles as part of a trip. This timeliness is, in part, dedicated to them.

Any more suggestions, comments, criticisms?

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George Pulaski

 Once Jerzy immigrated to Chicago, he changed his name to George, the English equivalent of his birth name. His mastery of English had improved greatly during his time in Britain, although he still woke with a noticeable accent.

Despite his Polish ancestry, George determined to speak primarily English, and rarely spoke Polish again. He was determined to assimilate onto his new American homeland.

George had lived a life of privilege during his life in Poland and Europe. He had expected to receive some inheritance from his deceased mother.  He had learned that he would have to return to Poland in order to receive his share of his mother's estate. Knowing how his participation in the Polish government-in-exile, which had now begun opposing the Communist government, he knew he would not be safe.

The new American had to work. The economic slowdown following World War II made it difficult for George to find a job. He finally found work at a Polish grocer in Polish Downtown Chicago. He felt the work beneath him, but realized he had to support his wife, who was now pregnant with their first child.

Tanya gave birth to Michael Gabriel Pulaski on November 17, 1946. George felt the full weight of being a father fall in his shoulders; he suddenly felt a need to work his hardest to provide his son a future. In this land of opportunity, George could provide a way for his son to succeed in life. Who knows? Maybe little Michael might become President of the United States. Michael vowed to do anything, even if it meant to stoop to hard laborious, to make sure his son could have the opportunities that the child would not have in Communist Poland.

Six months after Michael's birth, George received word from an American friend from the depths of World War II. The man promised George an executive job at a shipping company in Tampa, Florida. George immediately began makig arrangements to make the trip to Florida by selling most of his possessions in Chicago. With just enough cash to buy train tickets and maybe a car, George, Tanya, and Michael took the train to Tampa in anticipation of a well-paying job.

The job never came.

Apparently, someone else snatched the job before George. Also George found out that his friend was in no position to offer him a job. He found himself with no job, no food, no home: all seemed hopeless. Distraught, George felt the need to return to the faith of his homeland: Catholicism. He begged, pleaded, and simpered before God, begging forgiveness, as well as various promises to return to the Faith.

His prayers seemed to be answered in the form of a priest of Cuban descent who was visiting Tampa from his Parish in Bartow. The priest, Father Rodriguez, allowed the Pulaskis to stay at his parsonage until George could find a job.

And so began the Pulaskis' residence in Florida.

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At the Goldwaters' Home in Arizona

Nancy Reagan's family had enjoyed close ties with the Goldwater family for years. Nancy's mother was close to the Goldwaters. Ronald Reagan, before he ran for the governorship of California in 1966, endorsed Barry Goldwater for the Presidency in 1964.

The year is 1975, and although President Romney was initially successful in distancing himself from his predecessors, other problems plagued his administration.

One, Romney had upset conservatives by proposing healthcare reform that involved a federal mandate. The proposal met tremendous criticism from those on the Left, who wanted a "public option", and those on the right, who saw it as a threat to federalism. "Romneycare," as it came to be known, stalled in the Senate thanks to the work of Senator Ted Kennedy, who had his own plan for healthcare reform. Romney's failure cost him great political capital.

Second, although he reputed Kissinger's plan of "detente," he did seek to reach out to he Soviets. He pushed for a bold reduction of nuclear armaments, something conservatives were not ready to do. Romney even faced a rebellion from his Vice President and Secretary of Defense.

Finally, the appointment of moderate to liberal justices to the various federal bureaucracies and courts, including one John Paul Stevens, led to great dissatisfaction within the GOP base.

These events led the former governor of California to pull his friend Barry Goldwater aside at one meeting

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Continuation of Previous Post

 Reagan: Now that we're by ourselves, I'd like to ask you something.

Goldwater: What is it Ron?

Reagan: I've talked it over with Nancy, and my mind is made up: I'm going to challenge Romney in the primaries.

Goldwater: You can't be serious.

Reagan: Would I lie to you? Of course I'm dead serious. As serious as I could be about anything.

Goldwater: But, why?

Reagan: Look, Barry. George is a great guy, but he is blurring the lines between ourselves and the Democrats. He seems to have more in common with them anyway.

Goldwater: Normally, I would agree with you. I'm no fan of him myself. But should you challenge him, with the all too likely prospect of you losing anyway, that would boost the confidence of the Democrats, and provide them a narrative of a squabbling GOP.

Reagan: I think we are already in trouble. I've been trying to convince some friends of mine to avoid a third-party solution, which would definitely hand the election to Muskie, or whoever. Conservatives don't want another "lesser of two evils" election like they have had the past two cycles.

Goldwater: Still, you have no chance of winning...

Reagan: I think I do. Besides, maybe we could force Moynihan off the ticket if I garner enough support at Kansas City next year.

Goldwater: Why are you telling me?

Reagan:  I would like your endorsement.

Goldwater: Well...

Reagan: I'm no asking you to return the favor, I'm asking you as a friend as a believer in our cause.

Goldwater: I can't make any promises...

Reagan: Just think about it. That's all I ask.

Goldwater: I will. By the way, who was the young guy you were telling me about, Mike, Mike...

Reagan: Mike Pulaski. Yeah, he is regular genius. His knowledge of history, and his way with words are unparalled. Plus, Mike's a first-generation American, which shows itself in his deep, abiding love for his country. That's why I want to hire him as a speech writer when I begin the campaign. His father actively campaigned for you in Florida.

Goldwater: Will I get to meet this prodigy?

Reagan: You might. He will be attending CPAC next year.

Goldwater: I look forward to it.

Reagan: Want to rejoin the ladies?

Goldwater: Let's.

Preview: Muskie will be the Democratic nominee in '76. Expect to see a young Karl Rove and Mitt Romney.

Note: I know this sounds perilously close to a Cathcon timeline. No plagiarism intended.

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Pulaski Family

George Pulaski finally secured a lower level white collar job at a nearby salt mine in Polk County. His impressive mastery of English caused his employers to look past his accent. He eventually earned enough money to purchase a house.

Although George struggled for acceptance in Bartow, he continued to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. That is, until Joe McCarthy.

George followed the news avidly, subscribing to the Tampa Tribune and the Polk County Democrat.  He eventually purchased a television set in 1951, and quickly became engrossed in the McCarthy hearings of the early 1950's. Because of his own experiences with the loss of his native land to Communism, he dedicated himself to prevent the "Reds" from taking over America. He promptly joined the local Republican Party, the party of Richard Nixon and Joe McCarthy, and engrossed audiences about his grief over the fall of Poland to Communism, his gratitude for America for providing a home, and his avowed animosity against Communism.

Soon, Mr. Pulaski became requested at all sorts of events and clubs. He earned extra money at these speaking engagements, and gained respect and admiration throughout central Florida. Then, he was approached by several Republicans to run for the State House.

Polk County, a "Yellow Dog" Democrat region, did not elect Pulaski when he ran in 1954. Still, he had earned a place in the Florida Republican Part leadership when he was made Chairman of his congressional district's party.

It was in this environment little "Mike" received his political. education.

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By the way, Michael Pulaski will be portrayed by Tony Snow.

Any thoughts about the timeline so far?

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I like! I've often wanted to do a President Romney scenario, I'd like to see how the 1970's would take place with him at the helm. Quite interesting, I'd say. Civil Rights, maybe deficit reduction though no big aiming at social programs, maybe earlier welfare reform. Anyway those are my plans for a timeline someday. Poor George seems to be in more than he can handle. Who's his Secretary of State? I can see Mark Hatfield, Oregon Senator, Nuclear Freeze Proponent, and anti-war Republican getting the job.

Also, a minor critique, Moynihan was only elected to the Senate in 1974, taking office in 1975.

I haven't focused much on the cabinet. Hatfield is now Secretary of State.

Maybe Moynihan could be butterflies into the Senate. I'll work on that.

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I wont focus too much on Romney. I gotta keep the timeline going.

But Romney has already faced a rebellion from Moynihan and Jackson.

My guess is that George is regretting his "coalition cabinet."

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Decision 1976

 Speculation arose over who would face President Romney in the fall. Senator Ted Kennedy, whose efforts of stalling Romneycare in the Senate had fueled expectations of his own run for the White House, declined to run, over what some believed to be the incident at Chappaquiddick involving him an unmarried woman. Governor Jerry Brown, who succeeded Ronald Reagan as California's governor in 1975, briefly toyed with a run before he also declined. A little known former governor of Georgia who went by "Jimmy,"  threw his hat into the ring, along with Arizona Governor Mo Udall, who shared Romney's faith.  The real person everyone looked toward was the Senator from Maine, Edmund Muskie. He was a favorite to win in 1972 before he was hospitalized by a car accident before the Iowa Primary. He dropped from the race, but failed to endorse a candidate.

Edmund Muskie, tall and charismatic, was the only Democrat that polled better than the President in a hypothetical match-up. He easily carried Iowa and New Hampshire in an unprecedented sweep, and well secured his nomination in a matter of weeks.

Still, Romney enjoyed fair approval ratings. His advisors encouraged him to initially assumed an air of inevitability. That was, until Ronald Reagan began his challenger candidacy.

Reagan failed to garner enough support in Iowa and New Hampshire, but began to gain momentum in the Southern and Western States. By the time of the Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Reagan nearly tied the President. The possibility of a sitting President being rejected by his own party became real, and those in the Romney camp became frightened.

One bright spot for the President during the Convention was that his son Mitt, who was attending Harvard at the time, had been selected as a delegate from Massachusetts. Mitt would also announce the vote totals from the Bay State's delegation. George invited his son to the Presidential suite at the Marriott...

George: Son!

Mitt: Hey, dad!

George: How are you, Mitt? How's Ann and the kids?

Mitt: We're all fine.

George: Son, I'm proud of you. Getting to call the votes from Massachusetts...

Mitt: It was a real honor, dad. How is the delegation situation?

George: Well, Reagan's guys won't have enough to get him the nomination since some states like Kentucky are supposed to nominate the President on the first ballot. What we do have to worry about is how Reagan's people will react. They want to change the Vice President as well as certain planks in the platform.

Mitt: What are you going to do?

George: (sigh) I don't know, Mitt. I don't know. Anyway, how's school?

Mitt: Great, dad. That new degree program combining business and law should come in handy...

George: When you decide to run?

Mitt: Aw, dad...

George: I can see the headlines now: "Successful Businessman Mitt Romney beats Ted Kennedy in Senate Race." How does that grab you?

Mitt: Well...

George: You may very well be President. I got a lot of confidence in you Mitt. Whatever you do, I'll always be proud of you.

Mitt: Thanks, dad. I hope I can live up to your expectations.

George: You will, my boy. You will.

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I wonder what the map dynamic will be sans Carter. As well, who's Muskie's VP pick?

Don't count out Jimmy yet .

I call 1976 the "dying gasp" of the religious left. Jimmy Carter, a born again Christian, tapped into what would become a powerful voting block. When Carter seemed to be swayed more by hardcore liberal forces, Evangelicals left him in droves to Reagan.

Remember, George is a Mormon (I can't believe I forgot to touch on that). Coupled with his center-left dencies, southern conservatives, who have just barely became used to voting Republican, would have difficulty supporting Romney. Since George Wallace is out of the picture by his near assassination, the Democrats would have been in a better position to retake "Solid South."

Muskie, I think, would have to pick someone from the Midwest or South: someone that could appeal to
religious, rural voters. Two men come to mind: Jimmy Carter and Harold Hughes, Senator from Iowa and supporter of Muskie after his failed bid in 1972.

But that's all I will say...

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Mike Pulaski, the Early Years

 Michael Gabriel Pulaski, although born in Chicago, grew up in Central Florida. His father named him after the two archangels mentioned in the Bible, believing that his son was bound for great distinction.

Mike grew up as an introvert. He always felt different from the other children, maybe because of his Polish identity or his unusual intelligence. The young Pole felt more comfortable at home reading his father's Encyclopedia than playing with his classmates after school.

He demonstrated a unique ability for retention of information, as well as articulating that information in writing. At age thirteen, he wrote the manuscript to a historical novel that earned much acclaim from his teachers, and was urged to publish it. Mike, embarrassed from the attention, continued to write, but in secret.

His father, although not one to give out complements, took great pride in his son. George and Mike enjoyed more of a "silent bond," simply enjoying the other's company. Mike admired his father's resilience and piety, hoping to emulate both as an adult. Mike would always have a picture of his father with him, constantly reminding him of his idol.

He graduated as a valedictorian from Bartow High School in 1965, and went to University of Florida. There, he promptly joined the College Republicans, and quickly rose to become the state chairman once he began graduate school.

As chairman, he met another leader of the College Republicans who would also rise to prominence...

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Edmund Muskie announced that he has chosen the little known governor from Georgia,  Jimmy Carter. Carter's down-to-earth manner, and Evangelical image reassured the South that the Democrats had not forgotten the South, and still believed it to be key in their overall strategy.

President Romney, on the other hand, agreed  to modify the Republican platform to suit the Reaganites' demands, but refused to budge on his VP. "Pat's my choice, and I'm sticking with him." It took all Reagan could do to prevent his own delegates from walking out of the convention.

In his acceptance speech, Romney challenged his opponent to an unprecedented debate, the first one featuring a sitting President. Muskie agreed.

A series of three debates were held, but proved to be inconclusive.

Throughout most of the race, both the President and Muskie tied in the polls. Romney ran on a "don't change horses in midstream" campaign, while Muskie ran on a "change" campaign. Romney emphasised his reform credentials, while Muskie urged further change. Muskie further charged that Romney lacked a consistent message, citing the President's "hodge podge" cabinet, and failures in healthcare reform. However, Romney seemed to be made of teflon, brushing off the criticism as "the desperate attacks of an equally desperate candidate."

In mid-October, stories of cabinet fights between Moynihan, Jackson, and Hatfield made their way to the press. Rumors of shouting matches and threatened resignations seemed to confirm Muskie's narrative of an incoherent, unfocused administration. Further stories also seemed to paint Romney as an unruly, angry manager as he joined in the fights as another combatant than as a mediator. Muskie promised cool, competent leadership without the rancor and vitriol of "Mad George," referencing King George III's bout with mental illness.

This October surprise only provided a modest boost to Muskie, and the race still proved to he close up until the election...

Muskie won the election by narrow margins, carrying the South, New England, and several Midwestern states. Conservatives howled immediately, claiming that Reagan would help carry key votes in the South were he on the ticket.

Meanwhile, Democrats celebrated. Once again, the Democrats would be in a better position to fulfill their vision for the country. With Watergate and Romney's failures seeming to pave the way for a solid Democratic majority, Muskie's supporters had high hopes for the future. After the electoral votes were counted before Congress, nothing seemed to stand in the way.

That was until December 27...

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More like this, although yours works:

Muskie/Carter: 351
Romney/Moynihan: 187

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I think I might add an extra thread to cover the minutiae (profiles, cabinets, wikiboxes, etc.) in the near future. For those of you who are members of AH.com, expect this to also show up.

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I'm going to backtrack a little on Mike's bio. The writing style has been haphazard at best, and will be improved if I do a second version.

Mike Pulaski (Continued)

Before he enrolled at the University of Florida in 1965, he had his heart set on acquiring an English degree, and to live out his life as a fiction writer. The previous year's presidential election radically changed his ambitions.

George Pulaski, as a leader in the Republican Party of Florida, was selected as a delegate to the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco. Wanting to share this historic moment with his son, George arranged for Mike to come with him. The excitement and emotion of a political convention riveted and thrilled Mike unlike anything he had experienced before. he felt as if he were in the middle of history. indeed, he was.

A conservative revolt within the party launched their hero, Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, to the nomination. The hard line, gritty, bespectacled Arizonan was well known for his strong, anti-communist position, which appealed to the Polish expatriate. His book Conscience of a Conservative became an runaway best seller four years, also a favorite of the senior Pulaski. George felt that he had found his ideal candidate in Goldwater, and he was determined to win Florida for Goldwater.

Unfortunately for the Republicans, the 1964 Convention turned out to be disastrous. Barry Goldwater's no-vote on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 allowed him to be caricatured as the candidate of the Klan and the John Birch Society. In response, civil rights groups protested outside the Cow Palace, the convention's venue. Also, hostility between GOP conservatives, and liberals and moderates resulted in New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, a prominent liberal Republican and Goldwater's primary opponent, being interrupted several times in his speech by Goldwater's delegates (George being one of them). When Goldwater officially secured the nomination in the vote tally, Michigan Governor and future President George Romney stormed out of the convention hall with his teenage son, Mitt. Finally, those in the GOP leadership felt their candidate's doom to be secured for sure when Goldwater stated in his acceptance speech that "extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice,...and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

George and Mike did get to meet one of the speakers, an actor and activist Ronald Reagan. Afterwards, George confided to his son, "that man will be president someday."

Also during the convention, Mike ran into a young Mitt Romney. The two chatted briefly, with young Mike being absolutely fascinated by Mitt's dad being a governor and a rising star within the party. Mitt, on the other hand, took unique interest in Mike's family's history. The two, although being from two different wings of the party at the time, enjoyed a great rapport. It would not be the last time their paths crossed. If George thought Reagan would be President, Mike thought Mitt Romney would be.

to be continued...

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By the way, here are some signs from the period.

1968

1976

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Mike Pulaski (continued)

Johnson's incumbency and Goldwater's radical image allowed the Presidency to coast to victory in '64.

Although crushed by this defeat, Mike felt the need to become more involved in politics. Upon his acceptance into the University of Florida, Mike joined the College Republicans and began to pursue a degree in political science.

He worked on his first campaign in 1966, volunteering for Claude Kirk's successful bid for Governor of Florida, the first Republican to be elected to that position since Reconstruction.

In 1968, Mike had the privilege of being a delegate to the 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami. Rumors abounded over who would be Nixon's running mate. The former Vice President emerged from the fray caused by the fighting between George Romney and Nelson Rockefeller, and many presumed he would choose someone to his right. Florida Governor Kirk, Democratic Governor of Texas Jack Connally, Michigan Congressman and House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, and even the newly elected California Governor Ronald Reagan were rumored to be on Nixon's short list for Vice President. Ultimately, George Romney was announced for VP, a decision which shocked many conservatives.

Although Mike tried to lobby for Kirk as VP, he felt comfortable with Romney on the ticket, after having
met the Michagan Governor's son four years earlier, and who was now in France as a missionary. Still, Mike could not help but be impressed by California's favorite son candidate. Unlike Goldwater, he seemed to be far more amiable, and might just be the one to articulate the conservative message. Mike kept a "Reagan for President" button from the convention, just in case...

[Vote UKIP!]

I found this great picture. I should have used it earlier.

^{President George Romney meeting with Fmr. Governor of California during the deadlocked 1976 Republican National Convention}

By the way, I am beginning posting on AH.com.
http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=235743

Any suggestions, comments, guesses about where this timeline is going?

[Vote UKIP!]

Readers:

Don't worry, I haven't abandoned the timeline. I've just hit writer's block, but I'll need to make at least one change.

I alluded earlier to Mike meeting a young Karl Rove. To keep the story moving, I will need to drop thar element.

Expect one more chapter involving Mike's personal life before we get to the cliffhanger a while back.

Thank you for your patience,

MasterSanders

[Vote UKIP!]

FYI, my man Karl was president/chairman/whatever of the college republicans 1973-1977.

Since Mike will be made the leader of the University of Florida's College Republicans, I was thinking I could have Karl meat Mike. Other than that, Karl's and Mike's paths won't cross again, so that would just weigh down the story.