An America That Never Was

[MadmanMotley]

The Prelude:
The 1960 election would be one of the closest in history, and the Democratic primaries were even more interesting.

Whilst Kennedy had won a majority of states in his bid for the Democratic nomination, Lyndon Johnson sought the backing of the Democratic establishment. Johnson cited that Kennedy was “Unelectable” and “Too young and controversial” to become President. Through a wonder of political feats he was able to clinch the nomination. He offered Kennedy the office of Vice-President and Kennedy begrudgingly accepted on one condition, his brother Bobby would be campaign manager.

Johnson accepting the Democratic nomination.

With a united Democratic Party, and a popular Vice-President, this election was going to be interesting.

[Enderman]

Yay! New timeline!

[MadmanMotley]

The Election Campaign:

The election campaign was fierce, with ads and campaign rallies for and against both sides across the nation. Nixon tried to portray himself as the calm, resolute voice of reason and experience. Johnson portrayed himself as the one who knew how to get things done, and be the voice of the people. Nixon threw attack ads against Johnson, saying that he stole the democratic nomination, and he was no friend to democracy. A hot head with no reason and someone who wanted to gain power only for his ego. Johnson by the same stroke attacked Nixon, saying he was merely a political power grabber, willing to take anything that came his way.

The debate was a fine show of political prowess. Nixon while not used to the cameras, hammered at Johnson's character. Unfortunately for him Johnson retaliated with facts and figures and boasted his experience as Majority Leader in the senate. Overall Johnson was declared the winner.

Nixon and Johnson shortly before the debate.

Soon the election results would be pouring in, and the next leader of the United States would shape the course of history for years to come.

[MadmanMotley]

The Results:

"Unbelievable, this is an outrage!" - Vice-President Richard Nixon after all the ballots were counted.

FIRST TIME SINCE 1888, NIXON WINS POPULAR VOTE, JOHNSON THE ELECTORAL

Sen. Lyndon Johnson/Sen. John Kennedy 290EV 49.6%
Vice-President Richard Nixon/Fmr. Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr 247EV 49.7%

[MadmanMotley]

Sorry for taking so long on this, been super busy with school.

The beginning of an era.

I, Lyndon Baines Johnson, do solemnly swear...

[MadmanMotley]

The Cabinet of LBJ:


Vice-President John F. Kennedy (D-MA)


Secretary of State Dean Rusk (D-NY)


Secretary of Defense Henry "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA)


Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach (D-Wash. D.C.)


Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall (D-AZ)


Secretary of Agriculture Orville L. Freeman (D-MN)


Secretary of Commerce John T. Connor (D-NJ)


Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz (D-IL)

[MadmanMotley]

1962 - The First Crisis:


With the failed Bay of Pigs incident, the tensions between Cuba and the United States was hot to say the least.

“Mr. President, we have a problem.”
“What!?”
“You better take a look at this.”

(The defense secretary puts photographs on the President’s desk.)
“What the hell am I supposed to be looking at?”
“Here sir… Nuclear missiles, Soviet missiles.”
“Call a cabinet meeting. NOW.”


The cabinet meeting ends in chaos, the hawks and doves of the Democratic Party make it one big shouting match. Secretary of Defense Jackson goes so far to declare that, “We should retaliate with every nuclear weapon in our arsenal if we have to!” Johnson shouts “ENOUGH! Get me Khrushchev on the phone."

[Enderman]

Oh no... WW3?

[MadmanMotley]

Oh no... WW3?

Update to come soon, thoughts so far?

[MadmanMotley]

The Phone Call:

“What in the hell are you doing putting those missiles in Cuba!”

“Only in response to your putting missiles in Turkey, Mr. President.”

“Son of a Bitch! If you don’t take those missiles out of Cuba, those missiles won’t be in Turkey anymore, they’ll be in Moscow!”

“Is that a threat Mr. President?”

“Damn it’s no threat, it’s a goddamn promise!”

“Very well then.”

“Very well? Very well what?”

“If that is America’s wish, then I shall only respond in the way America seems to know.”

(Click)

“Goddamn SOB hung up on me!”

[Illuminati Blood Drinker]

welp

[MadmanMotley]

A few hours later….


“Sir, we have nuclear missiles and Russian planes on RADAR.”

“Scramble! I want every missile pointed and fired at every goddamn commie in the world.”

“Yes sir.”

“Mr. President, we need to get you to the bunker with the rest of the Government officials.”

“Very well, I don’t need Kennedy replacing me. I want Moscow on the phone when we get there. We may still be end this quickly.”


(In the bunker)

“Damage report gentlemen?”

“Not good sir, the gulf coast is basically gone, and major cities on the west coast are toast, we have causality reports in the millions.”

“And the Commie bastards?”

“They’re worse off, our nukes in Turkey have taken out most of the major soviet cities, and we are getting reports that we hit a nuclear testing site in Russia, causing a massive explosion, vaporizing most of the surrounding area, and creating a massive crater. Cuba is completely wasted. We also have reports of radiation clouds. If we don’t stop this soon, we may have more to worry about than just nuclear blasts.”

“Do you have Khrushchev on the phone yet?”

“We have him sir.”

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

[Middle-aged Europe]

... and we are getting reports that we hit a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, causing a massive explosion, vaporizing most of the city, and creating a massive crater.

Historical inaccuracy: The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant didn't exist in 1962. Construction of the plant started in 1970 and it became operational in 1977.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_Nuclear_Power_Plant

As a side note, LBJ comes across as mentally unstable in this scenario.

[MadmanMotley]

... and we are getting reports that we hit a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, causing a massive explosion, vaporizing most of the city, and creating a massive crater.

Historical inaccuracy: The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant didn't exist in 1962. Construction of the plant started in 1970 and it became operational in 1977.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_Nuclear_Power_Plant

As a side note, LBJ comes across as mentally unstable in this scenario.

Fixed, also I don't think LBJ getting pissed off is too far out of the question.

[MadmanMotley]

“Let’s end this now, before we lose more life, Mr. Premier.”

“What is your proposal Mr. President?”

“Cease fire, starting now, and peace accords in a neutral city.”

“What are you willing to bring to the table?”

“No more killing, and the end of the world as we know it. We can keep this war cold for now.”

“You make a compelling case, I will order a cease fire. One false move Mr. President, and this
starts again, and I will show no mercy.”

“Neither shall I.”

(click)

“CEASE FIRE!”

(Cheers from everyone in the control room except Kennedy.)


“Have a problem there Mr. Kennedy?”

“We could have solved this without the bloodshed.”

“No sense looking back now.”

“GOD DAMMIT MAN! MILLIONS OF LIVES ARE ON YOUR HANDS AND THAT’S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY!”

“Why you little…”

“Consider this my resignation, Mr. President. I will not serve under someone so careless with our country.”

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Please for the love of all that is good, fry LBJ followed by a turn of Jack and Bobby Kennedy into conservative Republicans.

[Enderman]

Jack and Bobby Kennedy into conservative Republicans.

ITTL, it could be possible, due to his hatred of LBJ gaining merit.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Jack and Bobby Kennedy into conservative Republicans.

ITTL, it could be possible, due to his hatred of LBJ gaining merit.

From what I could tell, LBJ lost all credibility ITTL.

[MadmanMotley]

The Day After Hell:

OVER 30 MILLION DEAD IN SOVIET ATTACK, PRESIDENT JOHNSON NEGOTIATING A PEACE TREATY IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

VICE-PRESIDENT KENNEDY RESIGNS, CITING “THE PRESIDENT DOESN’T CARE FOR THE LIVES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS."


"Hell has been unleashed by the Soviet Union, but thanks to our planning of defense, we have made the Soviet Union pay for the American lives they have taken. We have secured a cease fire, and we will be ensuring peace that will last generations! We must work together to rebuild after the Soviet destruction, and we shall! Together America can accomplish anything.

(The crowd remains silent as LBJ leaves the stage)

[MadmanMotley]

ZURICH PEACE ACCORDS:

PRESIDENT STRIKES DEAL WITH SOVIET UNION, NORTH KOREA TO BE SURRENDERED TO SOUTH KOREA, NATO FORCES TO LEAVE VIETNAM, CUBA TO BE A NEW TERRITORY OF USA.

PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATINGS AT ALL TIME LOW, ONLY 12% APPROVE, REPUBLICANS TO SWEEP MIDTERMS.

1962 ELECTIONS:

Senate: R+18 55R-45D
House: R+56 231R-204D

*It's back! Don't worry, I still intend to continue my other timelines.

[MadmanMotley]

1963 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:

FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT KENNEDY INTERVIEW: "PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S UTTER LACK OF CARE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TERRIFYING."

SENATOR GOLDWATER TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, BACKED BY ACTOR RONALD REAGAN AND FORMER PRESIDENT EISENHOWER.

THE BEATLES RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN UNITED STATES!

BATTLE OVER SEGREGATION STARTS RIOTS IN WAR-TORN SOUTH!

FIDEL CASTRO EXECUTED FOR WAR CRIMES.

RIOTS CONTINUE IN FRONT OF WHITE HOUSE, SHOTS WERE FIRED AT THE WHITE HOUSE BY PROTESTERS, NATIONAL GUARD CALLED IN.

TWELVE PEOPLE KILLED WHEN WASHINGTON D.C. RIOTS ESCALATE, PRESIDENT JOHNSON ORDERS ALL NON-GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL OUT OF THE CITY.