1976 and On

[NHI]

Vice President Edward Brooke is the Republican Nominee for President

After two successful terms in office, Pres. Nixon prepared to hand the torch to his Vice President and successor for The Republican Nomination, Edward Brooke. Following the resignation of Spiro Agnew, per health factors, Nixon nominated Brooke who was easily confirmed by the Senate and became the first Black Vice President in American History, and was now poised to become the First Black President of the United States of America.

"I want to wish him well. He is a decent man and one whom I respect and have enjoyed his counsel and leadership in the office of Vice President and I look forward to his work as the next President of the United States!" -- Pres. Richard Nixon at the Republican Convention.

Brooke stood at the helm of a party still divided after the long primary campaign. His closest rival Governor Ronald Reagan gave him a real run for his money. But with the backing of Nixon and the establishment Brooke secured the nomination after a crucial victory in the New York Primary, where he defeated Reagan: 60%-36%.

In a show of unity Brooke tapped Reagan for Vice President and left the convention with a united Republican Party, ready to face Democratic nominee, Jimmy Carter in the fall.

"Let's get on with this thing." -- Vice Pres. Edward Brooke

Carter v. Brooke:

Carter: 49%

Brooke: 46%

[NHI]

I'm assuming no watergate?

Correct.

[NHI]

Exposition: Carter's Rise from the Bottom:

Candidates:

Hubert Humphrey

Henry Jackson

Robert Byrd

Jimmy Carter

Lloyd Bentsen

Birch Bayh

Edmund Muskie

Jimmy Carter emerged as the dark horse candidate, by building a strong organization in the state of Iowa, though many doubted whether he could build a national campaign. The favorites for the nomination were Humphrey, Jackson and Muskie, though none of them seem to be breaking free from the pact, which allowed Carter to dominate the Iowa Caucuses.

Iowa:

Carter: 43%

Jackson: 19%

Bayh: 15%

Humphrey: 10%

Bentsen: 8%

Byrd: 2%

Carter's win in Iowa changed the dynamics for the nomination and the focus shifted to New Hampshire, where Bayh, who originally led, now held onto a narrow lead over Carter who was gaining in momentum. Carter ultimately bested Bayh in New Hampshire and eliminated him from the race.

New Hampshire:

Carter: 49%

Jackson: 17%

Bayh: 13%

Humphrey: 10%

Muskie: 9%

Many were shocked by Carter's sudden rise, but he based his campaign on Republican fatigue, as well as being a fresh face on the political scene. The people responded to him well and that wave of support helped carry Carter from obscurity to the nomination.

By the Illinois and North Carolina primaries, Carter's main rival for the nomination was Jackson. Jackson, who had defeated Carter in Vermont and Massachusetts, looked to deliver a knock out in Illinois, which would propel him to a victory in North Carolina. But Carter's persistence, as well as aggressive campaigning helped carry him to victory in Illinois.

Illinois:

Carter: 47%

Jackson: 41%%

Other: 12%

Carter's win in Illinois set him up for a landslide win over Jackson in North Carolina, followed by wins in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania a few weeks later. As Carter looked to be unstoppable a movement, ABC (Anyone But Carter) formed by Congressman Mo Udall brought Gov. Jerry Brown and Sen. Frank Church into the race to challenge Carter in Texas and beyond.

With Church receiving the endorsement of Sen. Bentsen, he managed to trump Carter easily in the state.

Texas:

Church: 51%

Carter: 35%

Brown: 11%

With a decisive win in Texas, Church became the first serious challenger to Carter since Jackson and went onto beat him in Indiana and DC a few weeks later. Though with the fears of a brokered convention becoming a reality, Carter hoped to drive Brown and Church out of the race. On the May 11th primary Carter trumped Brown and Church in the states of Connecticut, West Virginia and Nebraska.

Church remained through the Michigan primary, but following a crushing defeat by Carter he bowed out of the race, leaving Jerry Brown as the only contender. Brown remained through to end of the race, and only carried his home state of California, on the last day of the primary contests. Carter managed to claim victory and headed to the convention.

Carter chose Sen. Jackson as his running mate, in hopes of uniting the Democratic Party.

Though, a virtual unknown, when compared to the Vice President, Carter managed tom hold a narrow lead over Brooke, prompting speculation that the one time Governor and former peanut farmer might pull off the greatest upset of the 20th century.

Carter v. Brooke

Carter: 49%

Brooke: 47%

Carter: 205
Brooke: 181
Tossup: 152

[NHI]

The question which was on everyone's mind was whether or not America was ready to elect a Black man, President of the United States. Most polls indicated that most Americans were split on the subject, though the power of the Vice Presidency did seem to help Brooke in some instances.

"Of course this country can an African-American President, we are a compassionate nation and one of tolerance, but I believe the American people are tired of the Republican way of doing things and want a change." -- Jimmy Carter

"My race is not a factor, or I should say it is not the deciding factor. I present a very different course for American, than that of Mr. Carter, we've had peace and prosperity during the eight years of President Nixon and Mr. Carter wants to reverse it." -- Edward Brooke

Carter. Brooke:

Brooke: 48%

Carter: 48%

"This race is a coin toss, like any election, but I do believe that we'll win." -- Gov. Ronald Reagan

[NHI]

Carter campaigns for the Presidency in Ohio.

"There is a new mood in America. We've been shaken by the turmoils of the 1960s, a tragic war abroad and fatigue, with the same politics and same policies. It is time for America to renew, it is time for a change, America." -- Jimmy Carter.

Most polls showed either Carter head by a point, or tied with Brooke and the two prepared for an election night that was expected to be extremely close. In their single debate Carter attempted to present himself as an outsider and that Brooke was apart of the Washington establishment. When the question of race was finally brought up Brooke gave an answer that brought the audience to their feet.

"I do not see my skin color as neither an asset or a hinderance in my seeking of this historic office. I think the fact that me, or anyone can run for President illustrates the greatness of this country. For, I am not running as black man in America, I am running as an American, a Republican, as a father, a husband and a citizen."

Carter v. Brooke

Brooke: 48%

Carter: 47%

Election Night: 1976

"As we begin our coverage of election night 1976, we are able to project some early states at this hour. In the state of Kentucky we project that Governor Carter has won the state."

Kentucky:

Carter: 59.9%

Brooke: 39.2%

Carter: 8

Brooke: 0

"Governor Carter is off to an early lead, but we still have many more states to project. The expectations is that Governor Carter will sweep the south and with an impressive win in Kentucky that seems to be the case."

"It seems we are now able to project Governor Carter the winner in his home state of Georgia."

Georgia:

Carter: 66.0%

Brooke: 32.3%

Carter: 21

Brooke: 0

[NHI]

"Jimmy Carter continues to build upon his lead in the electoral college. We can now add the state of Louisiana to his column as well."

Louisiana:

Carter: 55.0%

Brooke: 43.7%

Carter: 106

Brooke: 31

["Vice President Brooke has carried three states, that includes his home state of Massachusetts. We have a fair numbers of states, including the states of Ohio and Florida that are too close to call at this time, and we've colored them in yellow on the map."/center]

"The Vice President certainly has a lot of ground to make up, and it is quite shocking looking at the map tonight. President Nixon carried all but Massachusetts four years ago and tonight Jimmy Carter is running up the board, especially in the south, where he has carried closed to sixty percent of the vote in most of the states. The highest was in Georgia with sixty-six percent."

"We do have a projection to make for the Vice President, he has won the state of New Hampshire. A reliably Republican state, save for 1964 when it voted for President Johnson."

New Hampshire:

Brooke: 50.9%

Carter: 47.6%

Carter: 106

Brooke: 35

"An improvement, but he still trails Carter by a large margin in both the popular and electoral vote."

"We do have another projection. The state of Vermont and it's three electoral votes will go to Brooke after some trading places with Carter throughout the evening. All eyes now shift to Connecticut, where it looks like Brooke's is in trouble."

Connecticut:

Brooke: 49.7%

Carter: 47.9%

"Brooke needs to take one of the big states if he wants to remain competitive tonight."

"It does appear we can project that Vice President Brooke has won the state of Connecticut."

Carter: 106

Brooke: 46

"We knew this election was going to be close, but tonight it seems to quite the opposite, I guess are we being premature or is Jimmy Carter on his way to the Presidency tonight?"

"It is looking that way, because we can now project the state of Florida for Governor Carter."

Florida:

Carter: 51.1%

Brooke: 47.4%

Carter: 123

Brooke: 46

"It is almost a complete sweep of the south and it looks like he may take Virginia and Missouri before the night is through. I'll be looking to Texas and Illinois. Texas has gone with the winner every time and Illinois was supposed to be friendly territory to Brooke, but he is struggling as we look at the polls."

Illinois:

Brooke: 49.6%

Carter: 49.4%

Ohio:

Brooke: 49.9%

Carter: 49.4%

Pennsylvania:

Carter: 50.2%

Brooke: 48.6%

New Jersey:

Brooke: 49.8%

Carter: 49.7%

Missouri:

Carter: 49.9%

Brooke: 48.4%

Virginia:

Carter: 49.7%

Brooke: 49.2%

"And we can now project that Governor Carter has won the state of Pennsylvania."

Carter: 150

Brooke: 46

[NHI]

"Governor Carter has just won the state of Virginia. No doubt an important victory for the Governor."

Carter: 172

Brooke: 61

"Vice President has won both Oklahoma and Kansas, though he still has a long way to catch up."

"I am quite impressed by Carter's victories in the south. Virginia was the closest, but it is a sweep. Now Vice President Brooke needs to make victories in Missouri and Ohio."

"Brooke's lead is shrinking in Ohio and Carter is expanding his lead in Missouri and it looks like we can project it for him now."

Missouri:

Carter: 50.9%

Brooke: 48.1%

Ohio:

Brooke: 49.61%

Carter: 49.50%

Carter: 184

Brooke: 61

Later...

Carter: 229

Brooke: 80

"While some states remain undecided it is hard to see how the Vice President is able to pull this off tonight."

"Well the campaign has not given out hope, and as you can see the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas and Ohio has yet to yield a winner, so it's still anybodies' race, and with Governor Reagan on the ticket California is sure to come their way."

"The Brooke campaign can breathe a sigh of relief as we can now project that he has won the state of Ohio. So for those holding out for the Vice President, here is an opportunity."

Ohio:

Brooke: 49.62%

Carter: 49.47%

Carter: 229

Brooke: 105

"Looking back to New Jersey, The Vice President is still holding onto a lead, but we cannot project him a winner."

"The state of Michigan, Texas and Wisconsin are much closer."

Wisconsin:

Carter: 49.86%

Brooke: 49.80%

Michigan:

Brooke: 49.90%

Carter: 49.72%

Texas:

Carter: 49.59%

Brooke: 49.40%

"We can now project that Vice President Brooke has won the state of New Mexico."

New Mexico:

Brooke: 50.0%

Carter: 48.5%

Carter: 229

Brooke: 109

"And we can add Michigan to Brooke's column as well. So perhaps his strategy is to lead from behind. This night may have a few surprises yet."

Michigan:

Brooke: 49.90%

Carter: 49.67%

Carter: 229

Brooke: 130

[NHI]

"All eyes remain on Texas, as Governor Carter attempts to hold onto his narrow lead over Vice President Brooke. Turning now to the state of New Jersey, we are able to project that Vice President Brooke has won the Garden State."

New Jersey:

Brooke: 50.3%

Carter: 47.9%

Carter: 229

Brooke: 147

"An important and needed win for the Vice President by eight-two electoral votes."

Texas:

Carter: 49.57%

Brooke: 49.50%

"And it appears we can now add Wisconsin into the Brooke column, he has surpassed Governor Carter and has held onto his lead."

Wisconsin:

Brooke: 49.97%

Carter: 49.80%

"It appears that Brooke surge we were discussing earlier maybe reaching fruition.

"At this point if he can hold onto Texas, then secure withs in the west he might just be able to pull this off."

"Hold that thought, because we can now project that Governor Carter has carried the state of Iowa and it's eight electoral votes."

Iowa:

Carter: 51.4%

Brooke: 47.0%

Carter: 237

Brooke: 158

[NHI]

"The west is expected to be much friendlier to Brooke, and that is evident by his victories in Arizona and Nevada.

Carter: 237

Brooke: 175

"The focus shifts to Illinois and Texas, which was likely to decide this race."

"Yes, Washington will probably go for Carter with Scoop Jackson the ticket, but everything else should go Brooke's way."

"We can now project that Illinois is going to be won by Vice President Brooke tonight."

Illinois:

Brooke: 49.70%

Carter: 49.57%

Carter: 237

Brooke: 201

"The margins are just astounding tonight, but a win is a win and he clearly needed that state. He must now look to take Carter in Texas, for if he doesn't I don't see how he can hold this out."

Texas:

Carter: 49.59%

Brooke: 49.56%

"It is really close, Governor Carter holds onto his lead, but the Vice President could overtake him."

"The polls are closing in the west as we speak and we can project that California has been won by Vice President Brooke."

California:

Brooke: 56.9%

Carter: 42.6%

Brooke: 249

Carter: 237

"Vice President has overtaken Governor Carter for the first time tonight, but he still not at the number needed to be elected president."

"We cannot project a winner in Washington, the home state of Scoop Jackson, it appears Governor Reagan is helping in that the north west as well."

Washington:

Brooke: 50.0%

Carter: 49.2%

"It does appear we can now project a winner in the state of Texas. The state will be carried by Governor Carter this evening."

Carter: 263

Brooke: 249

"That brings Mr. Carter closer to the number required to be elected President, I suppose at this time we should ask ourselves, is it over?"

"The states in the northwest like Oregon and Washington are still undecided and Brooke leads in those states presently."

"Sorry to cut in, but we project that the Vice President will carry the state of Idaho."

Idaho:

Brooke: 57.0%

Carter: 41.5%

Carter: 263

Brooke: 253

Oregon:

Brooke: 50.9%

Carter: 49.0%

[NHI]

The results are still coming in, but it appears we are ready to project that the Vice President has carried the state of Oregon, and Mr. Carter has carried the state of Hawaii.

Oregon:

Brooke: 50.5%

Carter: 48.6%

Hawaii:

Carter: 52.2%

Brooke: 45.9%

Carter: 267

Brooke: 262

"All eyes shift to the state of Washington, the home state of Vice Presidential nominee Scoop Jackson. Now Governor Reagan has helped Brooke in carrying all of the western states and by looks of at the numbers the Vice President is still leading narrowly."

"Should Governor Carter loose the election, which at this point is possible given the closeness he could be a candidate in four years."

"He has done very well from someone who came out of nowhere, to win the nomination and has a fighting chance to become the President of the United States."

Washington:

Brooke: 49.6%

Carter: 49.4%

[NHI]

"Well the time has come, and based on our projection, Vice President Edward Brooke is elected President of the United States."

"The state of Washington put Vice President. Brooke over the top with 271 electoral to Governor Carter's 267.

"This is closest election I've seen in my lifetime. The popular vote is still tallying up, but it does look as though Mr. Carter may in fact be the winner in that area, which has not happened in a presidential election since in 1888."

Vice Pres. Brooke Elected President!

"Though this is a close election, we have to look at the historic nature of this election. Just eleven years ago was the passage of the Voting Rights Act, eight years after the death of Dr. Marin Luther King, JR. After the tumultuous decades of the sixties, an African-American has been elected President of the United States. This is a moment many Americans never thought possible, and tonight we are living history."

Brooke: 271 (49.0%)

  Carter: 267 (49.1%)

Part II: The Presidency of Edward Brooke

To be Continued...

[NHI]

Close to the map I was expecting, though I thought OK would go Dem.

It was a close one:

OK:

Brooke: 49.6%

Carter: 49.3%

[NHI]

Brooke Cabinet:

Pres. Edward Brooke
Vice Pres. Ronald Reagan
Chief of Staff: Dick Cheney
Sec. of State: Henry Kissinger
Sec. of Treasury: Nelson Rockefeller
Sec. of Defense: George H.W. Bush
Attorney General: Edward Levi
Sec. of Interior:  Don Regan
Sec. of Agriculture: Roy Ash
Sec. of Commerce: Elliot Richardson
Sec. of Labor: William Scranton
Sec. of Health, Education and Welfare: John Lindsay
Sec. of Housing and Urban Development: Carla Anderson Hills
Sec. of Transportation: William Thaddeus Coleman

Stay tuned for the Narrative: 1977-1981, Brooke's First Term:

"I Edward Brooke do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."

[NHI]

Were there any significant career changes for H.W., Rumsfeld, or Cheney given that the post-Watergate cabinet shake-ups haven't occured?

Cheney served as Deputy Chief of Staff under Nixon, during his second term, before becoming Brooke's Chief of Staff. George H.W. Bush served as Ambassador to the United Nations under Nixon from 1971-1973 and was then asked to head up the CIA from 1973-1976. Brooke then tapped him for Defense and he agreed.

Rumsfeld served as a member of Congress until 1969, before being tapped by Nixon to serve as the US ambassador to NATO, where he served until 1974, when he ran for the senate in Illinois and defeated incumbent Adlai Stevenson, III in his reelection bid by a narrow margin: 49.79%-49.77%.

[NHI]

Senator Rummy! I'd like to see him have a future of some sort.

We'll see. I have a plan to continue this and see where it goes.

[NHI]

The Presidency:

On January 20, 1977, Edward Brooke became the 38th President of the United States, and the first black man to occupy the Oval Office. Despite having narrowly lost the popular vote to Carter, excitement did build around the Brooke Presidency, for as well as his historic victory, America looked the future with confidence and pride.

The Vietnam War still lingered in the minds of the American people, and wanting to end the discussion once and for all, on his second day in office, via Executive Order, President Brooke granted amnesty to Vietnam, Draft-evaders. The move was controversial, but was done in part to close the book on Vietnam. "The past is the past," Brooke said upon signing it. "Let's move forward into the future."

Though he had broken racial barriers, once thought unbreakable, Brooke did receive an even more heightened sense of security, unlike any President before him. Multiple threats were made against his life, and while at a visit to Detroit for a speech, secret service had to intervene to and prevent a crowd from getting out of hand, when a heckler started screaming incendiary language at Brooke.

Continuing on where President Nixon left off, Brooke worked to normalize relations with China, and made his first trip to the nation six months into the Presidency. He continued the policy of detente, started by Nixon, but began to shift away from it near the end of his second year in office.

He did labor for the SALT II Treaty, while at the same time calling out the Soviet Union for their conditions of human rights, and the barbaric nature of communism. While never acknowledged most believed it was Vice President Reagan, who was pushing for Brooke to take a harder line against the Soviets.

On the Domestic front, Brooke, whose legislature was predominately Republican, though the Democrats had small edges in the House, he pushed for a balanced budget and a need to curb government spending, in light of the continuing recovery from the 1973-1975 recession.

"We cannot keep going in this vicious cycle and expect different results. It is time for Congress to get serious. Balance the budget. Balance the budget by January 1981."  -- Pres. Brooke, State of the Union. 1978.

When oil prices started to rise he issued an executive order ending price control on domestic oil, and the potential problem subsided. By the start of 1979 Brooke's approval rating stood at high of 56% percent, and with the Republican taking control of the House in the '78 midterms, things seemed to be going well for the President.

As the '70s drew to a close, with the economy recovered, and America generally at peace in the world, Brooked looked to be heading for an easy reelection. Against a likely challenger in Ted Kennedy, Brooke trounced Kennedy 54% - 40% in a hypothetical matchup.

But, then the bubble burst. In the spring of 1979, a news story started to unravel that posed dire consequences for the President and his reelection effort. A news story broke, arguing that Brooke and TV journalist Barbara Walter had an ongoing affair from 1971 up until 1976, right before Brooke was elected President. The White House remained mum on the charge, calling it tabloid junk, but the story did not go away, and the President was being put in a compromising situation.

[NHI]

Brooke Approval Rating:

Approve: 46%

Disapprove: 51

No Opinion: 3%

Kennedy v. Brooke:

Kennedy: 48%

Brooke: 42%

Carter v. Brooke:

Carter: 51%

Brooke: 40%

Pressure continued to build on the White House for Brooke to make a statement. While at the same time Barbara Walter was inundated with questions regarding the story and her response was always, "I have no comment.", which only prompted more speculation that she was guilty.

As spring turned to summer the story became an increasing distraction and being unable to focus on his domestic agenda Brooke finally broke his silence and spoke to the American people in a live address on July 9th.

"In the recent months an allegation came to light, and I largely, and wrongly ignored it. I should have addressed the claims promptly and swiftly, rather than leave the American people guessing. This has not been an easy time for me, for my family to have a matter played out on the national stage is nothing short of an embarrassment, and I deeply apologize for the pain I have needlessly caused them.

So what are the facts in this case? In order to put it to bed once and for all and to continue on with the business of the nation I will not be mincing words in this address. The charges are true. From the winter of 1971 to the fall of 1976 I engaged in an extramarital affair. My wife, only recently became aware of my indiscretion, as the affair ended following the Republican national convention in 1976. I was irresponsible in my actions and wish I could back and reverse them. But I can't and now I must live my decisions for the rest of my life. I apologize to my family, I apologize to my staff, to the members of Congress, and I apologize to the American people. I am not asking you to forget or even for your forgiveness in what I have done, but I am asking for your prayers.

Good night, God Bless and God Bless America.

Responses to Brooke's speech were mixed. Some applauded him for taking responsibility and apologizing, other called him unfit to lead and was a disgrace to the country.

"It is a very sad in America when the President must be looked at through a lens of mistrust. The same brought to that office will take a long time to remove." -- Jimmy Carter.

"In light of all that has happened I will be taking an extended hiatus from ABC and will not be taking any questions on the matter." -- Barbara Walters.


As the nation tried to settle down after the uproar, Brooke's popularity remained low. The people now saw him as a liar and already were calling on his defeat in in the 1980 Presidential election. Angered and humiliated Brooke retreated to Camp David in the Fall on 1979 for deep contemplation and solace. His reelection campaign was put on hold until he had a clear idea of what his next move would be.

Unfortunately, Brooke didn't have much time for contemplation. On November 4, 1979, 52 American were taken hostage by a group of Islamist Students and militants who overtook the US Embassy in Iran. The news shocked the nation and Brooke quickly responded,

"The actions of Iran will not be tolerated, but the United States will not be engaging in a game of blackmail with them or any other nation."

With the public crying out for action, Brooke began organizing a rescue mission to save the hostages. When asked by one of his advisors if it failed, he did not hesitate in responding, "You know what the next option will be."

In political news, Democratic candidates slowly began to emerge in forming their bids to challenge Brooke for the presidency. Among them included Ted Kennedy, who many believed would be damaged as a result of the Chapaquidick incident. Other candidates included, Jerry Brown, Mo Udall, and Birch Bayh. The one candidate the party still looked to was Jimmy Carter who has narrowly lost the Presidency to Brooke in '76, but still managed to win the popular vote.

Carter remained mum on the subject when asked, saying, "Politics is secondary now. We need to be focused on seeing the safe return of the hostages." In all polls either Carter led or tied with Kennedy as the frontrunner for the nomination.

Carter toys with running again in '80.

By the end of the November the field looked to be set, with Kennedy, Brown, Bayh and Udall as the prospective candidates. A late entry by Lloyd Bentsen occurred in early December, but most did not anticipate him to go far. As for Jimmy Carter he ultimately bowed out of the race and held off with endorsing Kennedy, citing, "Let's see what happens."

With Carter out of the race, Kennedy looked to wrap up the nomination quickly, and with large embrace by many in the Democratic Party he looked unstoppable. The first poll out of Iowa put him at the head of the pack. Yet, the Iowa Caucuses proved to be a thorn in Kennedy's side and in a surprising defeat he lost the contest to dark horse candidate Lloyd Bentsen.

Iowa:

Bentsen: 40%

Kennedy: 29%

Bayh: 21%

Udall: 7%

Brown: 2%

A triumphant Bentsen headed into New Hampshire.

The Bentsen campaign believed a knockout blow to Kennedy in neighboring Massachusetts state, New Hampshire, they could effectively drive him from the race. Kennedy campaigned heavily in New Hampshire, with Bayh and Udall nipping at his heels. On election night it looked as though Bentsen would sweep the first in the nation primary, but a surprise upset by Kennedy forced Bentsen to reorganize his campaign going forward.

New Hampshire:

Kennedy: 38.7%

Bentsen: 38.0%

Udall: 10.2%

Bayh: 8.8%

Brown: 3.3%

Kennedy, as expected swept Massachusetts, but Bentsen rebounded and carried Vermont. By this point all the candidates, save for Brown ended their bid and either endorsed Bentsen or Kennedy for the nomination. Heading into the south, Bentsen was poised for victory, while Kennedy planned to hold out until the Illinois Primary. By the time of South Carolina, Jimmy Carter broke his silence and endorsed Bentsen for the nomination, allowing him to sweep all the southern contests handily over Kennedy.

The focus shifted to Illinois where Kennedy hoped to rebound. As he began to gain traction in the state Bentsen's surrogates attacked Kennedy for the Chappaquidick incident and one supporter called him, only slightly different from President Brooke, "At least with Brooke no one died." The campaign turned ugly in the state and both men appeared to be dead even as voting day approached. In a close, but decisive victory, Bentsen defeated Kennedy.

Illinois:

Bentsen: 48%

Kennedy: 44%

Brown: 7%

Though Bentsen's won in Illinois, Kennedy did manage to eek out a narrow in Connecticut, but by this tim party elders were calling on the senator to concede to Bentsen who's delegate count outpaced Kennedy's. Kennedy persisted and remained through the month of April, losing every contest to Bentsen. Following a loss of 56%-41% in Pennsylvania, Kennedy decided against challenging Bentsen in the upcoming contest which was his home state of Texas.

Kennedy ended his bid on April 23rd and endorsed Bentsen for President.

Kennedy concedes to Bentsen. He carried only three states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut

[NHI]

Bentsen, considered the presumptive nominee still had to face Brown who had yet to concede.

Following Kennedy's withdrawal from the race Bentsen still needed to dispatch Brown who remained in the race. Brown vowed to stay in the race until the very end, but following a series of defeats, Brown conceded the election, but did not offer an endorsement of Bentsen. With Bentsen now the presumptive nominee the focus shifted to the Vice Presidential selection, which included Ted Kennedy, Michael Dukakis, Mo Udall and Walter Mondale.

The selection was finally announced to be Ted Kennedy, which was seen as a way of bridging the two wings of the party: The Conservative and liberal win. With the ticket set, the focus shifted to the general election against Brooke.

The Presidency of Edward Brooke:

The hostage situation in Iran had lingered on into the early months of 1980, as the rescue mission was planned. With Brooke dismissing the demands of Iran, he ordered a rescue mission in April of 1980, which Brooke saw as an opening to save the hostages. With the American people distraught over the hostage taking, they saw Brooke as failing to show leadership on the matter.

The mission Operation Eagle Claw took place in April of 1980 and after a near miss, all 52 of the hostages were rescued and returned home safely. The successful mission saw a huge uptick in Brooke's approval rating. Prior to the rescue his approval stood at 39%, but following it his approval jumped to an astounding 61%.  

The pundits declared this a major victory for the Brooke campaign going into his reelection.
"This doesn't erase his affair, because that will hurt him, but this shows real leadership, it shows him strong as a commander in chief, and that is something Bentsen can't run on. If the rescue mission failed he'd go down in defeat."

However, the rescue mission did not deter Bentsen who was seen as the Democrat's hope of taking back the White House after twelve years of Republican rule. Rather than attack Brooke on his infidelity, which many Democrats felt was the perfect mode of attack, Bentsen instead focused on the ideological difference between the two, mostly on the size and scope of government.


"He has served this nation well, and I am grateful he made the decision to order that mission, but that does not erase what is going in this country. The poor have suffered greatly under his leadership, the middle class has been weakened due to the shrinking of wages. It's time for a return of government that works." -- Bentsen

"The fact is this, Brooke is more liberal republican, but the Republican party has been taken over in a coup d' etat by those like his Vice President and the likes of Goldwater who have seen the need to push the Republican brand further and further into the right! Well in November, let's push them over the edge and get back to basics. Fairness, justice and economic opportunity and equality." -- Kennedy

Though the rescue of the hostages was seen as a win for Brooke, his infidelity continued to dog him as he campaigned for reelection. Tabloid papers surfaced, running the rumor mill wild; Brooke largely ignored the charges and focused on his campaign. As the election neared most pundits declared that while he had scored a major accomplishment with the hostage crisis, his infidelity hurt his credibility, and in the fall of 1980, after relative stability with the economy, cracks began to appear in the armor, as unemployment saw an uptick.

The recession of the late seventies had subsided, but many economist argued that the solutions were only bandaids and that it was only a matter of time before the economy crashed again. As the economy started to weaken, Bentsen seized the momentum and tried to frame his argument around Brooke. While Bentsen never attacked Brooke on his infidelity, Democratic surrogates sure did and he was felt the effect as Election day approached.

"This election is going to be a coin toss. It could go either way." -- Vice Pres. Ronald Reagan
"I think the momentum is with us, and I do believe we'll win on Tuesday." -- Ted Kennedy

By election day the polls showed a dead heat. Following the rescue of the hostage, Brooke led Bentsen by a range of four to five points depending on the poll, but when the Rescue Mission Bump wore off and Brooke's approval ratings came back down to Earth, Bentsen managed to close the gap.

Bentsen v. Brooke:

Bentsen: 48%

Brooke: 48%

"Good Evening and welcome to Election Night 1980, the campaign for the Presidency between Democrat Lloyd Bentsen and President Edward Brooke. We have our first projection make in the race and it is in the state of Kentucky and we project that Sen. Bentsen has carried the state."

Kentucky:

Bentsen: 56.6%

Brooke: 42.7%

Bentsen: 9

Brooke: 0

"We can also project that Pres. Brooke has carried Vermont. The state of Georgia is too close to call. at this time."

Vermont:

Brooke: 52.2%

Bentsen: 46.0%

Georgia:

Bentsen: 50.2%

Brooke: 49.2%

Bentsen: 9

Brooke: 3

[NHI]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Oops. "Georgia is to close to call at this time." Thanks for catching it.

[NHI]

Bentsen: 31

Brooke: 19

"We do have a big projection to make in the state of Massachusetts. It will go for Senator Bentsen. No doubt Senator's Kennedy' presence on the ticket helped, and looking at the numbers it is no contest between Bentsen and Brooke.

Massachusetts:

Bentsen: 54.0%

Brooke: 44.9%

Bentsen: 45

Brooke: 19

"That brings Sen. Bentsen's total to 45 delegates, to the President's 19. An early lead for the senator, but there are many states undeclared at this time. It is a tight race in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina."

"It'll be interesting to see how Sen. Bentsen does in the south. Jimmy Carter swept it last time, including Texas. Bentsen has taken Kentucky and is doing well in Virginia, a relatively reliable Republican state, but it did vote for Carter in '76."

"We can now project that Connecticut has been won by Sen. Bentsen."

Connecticut:

Bentsen: 52.9%

Brooke: 46.3%

...

Bentsen: 125

Brooke: 39

"...We project that Sen. Bentsen has carried the state of New Hampshire. This marks the first time the Granite State has gone fora Democrat, since 1964."

"Lyndon Johnson's landslide. So far the President has carried two states that he lost badly in 1976, although he is not walking away with it. Tennessee is still undecided, as is Louisiana, Arkansas and Ohio."

"We are calling that Sen. Bentsen has won the state of Arkansas."

Arkansas:

Bentsen: 53.0%

Brooke: 45.9%

Bentsen: 131

Brooke: 39

Brooke is behind by over a hundred delegates. Now four years ago similar events happened and he still managed to win the presidency, though tonight there is a different feeling in the country."

"People, I think are tired of the Republican lock, certainly the infidelity has to be hurting, and largely that issue has not been addressed in the campaign, but it still was there and I think people haven't forgot it. Now couple that with a weakening economy and you've got a Bentsen surge."

"Tonight could very well where the polls are dead wrong. Four years ago it was a toss up race and then Sen. Brooke beat Governor Carter, this time the polls show the two men essentially tied, but the momentum seems to be on Bentsen's side. Now there are many more states left and certainly the west will be friendlier to him, but we cannot dismiss the fact that he lost his home state."

"Yes, now Sen. Kennedy is on the ticket, so that has helped with that, but it still is begs the questions, if he can't win his home state, can he win at all?"

"We do have some breaking news, we can now project that Pres. Brooke has carried the state of New Jersey. Certainly a needed win for the President tonight."

New Jersey:

Brooke: 50.7%

Bentsen: 47.9%

Bentsen: 131

Brooke: 56

[NHI]

Bentsen: 183

Brooke: 75

"Here stands the electoral map at this hour. We just projected that Sen. Bentsen won the state of Florida and that President Brooke is the winner in North Carolina. That now brings the Senator's electoral vote to 183, and the President's to 75 electoral votes."

"The jury is still out on Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee now. Virginia looks to be returning to the Republican column, as the President is holding onto a small lead there, but it is still too close to call. Now in contrast to four years ago Bentsen has lost three states that Carter won handily, but has picked up his picked up four states that Carter lost to Brooke."

"New Hampshire and Michigan are impressive wins for the Senator as this election night moves along. The only state that was close last time and this time is New Jersey and Pres. Brooke has held onto it again."

"We can now project that Pres. Brooke is the winner in Alabama.

Alabama:

Brooke: 49.8%

Bentsen: 48.2%

Bentsen: 183

Brooke:

"Nowhere near the margins of Carter last time, but it is impressive that Brooke is able to carry these southern states tonight."

"Perhaps we have spoken prematurely. We can now project that Sen. Bentsen is the winner in Louisiana."

Louisiana:

Bentsen: 50.5%

Brooke: 48.3%

Bentsen: 193

Brooke: 84

"Continuing with that trend we can now project that Sen. Bentsen is the winner in more states at this time. We project him the winner in Missouri, Wisconsin and Tennessee."

Bentsen: 226

Brooke: 84

"Bentsen is now well over the two-hundred mark and is quickly approaching the number needed to become President."

"I can't help but think about what happened four years, Carter was ahead of Brooke by a large margin, but with the help of states in the west managed to close the deal. I don't get that sense tonight."

"No and the reason is the because of the states Bentsen has already carried and ones he looks likely to carry, likely Ohio. No Republican has won the White House without Ohio, save for 1960, when Pres. Nixon, then Vice President lost to Kennedy, despite winning Ohio."

"The numbers in that state are close, but Bentsen's lead is holding and it looks at if Brooke's numbers have stalled."

Ohio:

Bentsen: 50.9%

Brooke: 47.7%

"Before we go to break we do have another projection to make. By our estimations we project that Sen. Bentsen has won the state of Ohio. Repeat, we project that Sen. Bentsen has won the state of Ohio."

Bentsen: 251

Brooke: 84

[NHI]

"We project that Mississippi will return to its Republican roots and vote for Pres. Brooke tonight, bring the President' total now to ninety one electoral votes."

Mississippi:

Brooke: 49.7%

Bentsen: 49.2%

Bentsen: 251

Brooke: 91

"That is a sweep of the deep south, save for Florida that has gone for Sen. Bentsen."

"Interestingly though, Sen. Bentsen did not spend much time campaigning in those states. Jimmy Carter won them relatively easily in 1976, and most polls showed a stiff race between Bentsen, and he chose to concentrate on the key states, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, all states lost by Carter last time. He even played in New Hampshire and won there."

"He also invested some time in the mid and southwest, particularly in New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma, so it will be interesting to see how he performs there."

"He is leading, narrowly over Brooke. Jimmy Carter nearly took this state four years ago, so it'll be interesting to see if he takes it tonight."

Oklahoma:

Bentsen: 49.8%

Brooke: 49.7%

Kansas:

Bentsen: 49.77%

Brooke: 49.70%

Illinois:

Bentsen: 50.4%

Brooke: 48.1%

"And it appears we have another projection to make, we project that Sen. Bentsen has carried his home state of Texas. Now by our calculations that puts Mr. Bentsen over the finished line and has been been elected President of the United States."

Texas:

Bentsen: 58.1%

Brooke: 40.6%

Bentsen Elected!

Bentsen: 277

Brooke: 91

"Adding to that projection we can now call that Sen. Bentsen in the winner in Illinois, New Mexico and Iowa."

New Mexico:

Bensten: 51.0%

Brooke: 47.6%

Illinois:

Bentsen: 51.6%

Brooke: 46.9%

Iowa:

Bentsen: 53.9%

Brooke: 45.0%

"What was thought and frankly expected to be a close race is turning into quite the victory for Sen. Bentsen tonight."

Bentsen: 315

Brooke: 94

"We can project that Pres. Brooke has won the state of Wyoming, which as expected, wasn't even contested."

...

"Back now with more projections. Virginia is still undecided, but is leaning towards Mr. Brooke at this hour. Though as we went to break we projected that Sen. Bentsen, now President-elect Bentsen is the winner in Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, and Colorado."

Bentsen: 341

Brooke: 94

"Looking at the map, there is a lot more red than four years ago. Sen. Bentsen is doing well in the west, states typically favored for Republicans, but with wins in Montana, Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas, it is clear that Bentsen is changing the scope of the electoral map."

"Now a state we projected earlier in the evening, New Jersey, for Pres. Brooke has now been moved back into the undecided column, as has North Carolina. There has been a great shift in the popular vote in those states and we now feel that those states are too close to call."

Bentsen: 341

Brooke: 64

New Jersey:

Brooke: 49.88%

Bentsen: 49.74%

North Carolina:

Bentsen: 49.67%

Brooke: 49.59%

...

"Here stands the electoral count at this hour. Sen. Bentsen has carried Nevada and Arizona, two old Republican strongholds. He is also the winner in North Dakota, a surprising victory for the Senator tonight as well."

Bentsen: 357

Brooke: 72

"I don't think anyone quite expected this victory."

"We can project Pres. Brooke the winner in California, a state that for a while we thought my go for Sen. Bentsen, but Mr. Reagan's home state remains Republican again.

California:

Brooke: 50.9%

Bentsen: 47.5%

Bentsen: 357

Brooke: 117

"We can now project that Sen. Bentsen has won the state of Washington."

Washington:

Bentsen: 51.0%

Brooke: 47.9%

Bentsen: 366

Brooke: 117

"Sen. Bentsen has gone wellover the needed number of delegates to become President and yet there are still some more states that may trend his way, Oregon, South Dakota, North Carolina and it looks like Virginia too."

"We project that that South Dakota has been won by Sen. Bentsen."

South Dakota:

Bentsen: 50.1%

Brooke: 49.1%

Bentsen: 370

Brooke: 117

November 5th, 1980

Bentsen Elected President; Defeats Brooke in a landside

Bentsen: 412 (54.9%)

Brooke: 126 44.0%

[NHI]

The Cabinet:

Pres. Lloyd Bentsen
Vice Pres. Ted Kennedy

Sec. of State: Edmund Muskie
Sec. of Treasury: Birch Bayh
Sec. of Defense: Harold Brown
Attorney General: Walter Mondale
Sec. of Interior: Cecil D. Andrus
Sec. of Agriculture: Jimmy Carter
Sec. of Commerce: G. Edward Miller
Sec. of Labor: Ray Marshall
Sec. of Health, Education, Welfare: Shirley Chisholm
Sec. of Housing and Urban Development: Walter E. Fauntroy
Sec. of Transportation: Brock Adams

Forthcoming: The Presidency of Lloyd Bentsen

[NHI]

And what does the Congressional composition look like?

Democrats swept both Houses of Congress with super majorities.

[NHI]

The Presidency of Lloyd Bentsen: Prologue

Lloyd Bentsen became the 39th President of the United States, amid a growing recession. Unemployment was on the rise, spirits were low and though largely forgotten the infidelity of Pres. Brooke left a stain on the Presidency. Bentsen knew his task would be preventing the recession from worsening, and restoring trust in the President.

Bentsen took an unprecedented step, and decided to walk the route up to the White House following his inaugural. A determination to be a president of, by and for the people. Upon entering the White House he proudly declared, "We've got work to do, so let's not wait around here."