Dukakis beats Bush:An alternative America

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Michael Dukakis/Lloyd Bentsen 280 EV
George H.W. Bush/Dan Quayle 258 EV

CNN:In a truly shocking election outcome Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis has defeated Vice President George HW Bush to be elected the 41st President of the United States.  Dukakis who campaigned on criminal justice reform, an non interventionist foreign policy and significant across the board spending increases, represents a true contrast to outgoing President Ronald Reagan. For republicans it seems that these next 4 years will be key to determine what direction they will head in as a party.  

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Down Ballot races (results different then in RL)

House 264-171 Democratic Majority
Democrat in TL, Republican in RL
CA-12
CA-19
FL-4
NM-1

Senate 56-44 Democratic Majority  
Democrat in TL, Republican in RL
Florida

[Maxwell]

Interesting concept! If history goes as we kind of saw it play out from that era, my guess is Dukakis goes down in flames.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

The Dukakis Cabinet (All Confirmed)
Secretary of State: Mario Cuomo
Secretary of the Treasury: Geraldine Ferraro
Secretary of Defense:Sam Nunn
Attorney General:Ted Kennedy
Secretary of the Interior: Bruce Babbitt
Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Harkin
Secretary of Commerce: Reubin Askew
Secretary of Labor:Mike Espy
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jesse Jackson
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development:Leon Panetta
Secretary of Transportation:George McGovern
Secretary of Energy:Hazel O'Leary
Secretary of Education:Madeleine Kunin
Secretary of Veterans Affairs:Jesse Brown
Secretary of Homeland Security:Lee Brown

All Cabinet officials are confirmed

Michael Dukakis Sate of the Union

In President Michael Dukakis first Sate of the union address, he lays out a bold progressive agenda for the next four years. Dukakis called for a nuclear arms freeze and an end to the Cold War. Dukakis called for criminal justice reform, and significant funding increases for health, education and infrastructure. 

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Good TL.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Interesting concept! If history goes as we kind of saw it play out from that era, my guess is Dukakis goes down in flames.

Good TL.

Thanks, glad you like it.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Special Elections and appointments to fill vacancies
New York Governor-New York LT Governor Stan Lundine (D) succeeds Mario Cuomo to become Governor.
Massachusetts Governor-Massachusetts LT Governor Evelyn Murphy (D) succeeds Michael Dukakis to become Governor.  
Georgia Senate- Georgia LT Governor Zell Miller (D) appointed to USA Senate,Special election scheduled alongside regular scheduled election on November 6, 1990.
Massachusetts Senate- Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn (D) appointed to the USA Senate, Special election scheduled for June 6th 1989. Primary election scheduled for April 25th 1989.
Texas Senate-Clayton Williams (R, R Gain) appointed to USA Senate, Special election called March 27th 1989, Primary election called February 28th 1989.
Iowa Senate-Former US Senator Roger W. Jepsen (R, R Gain) appointed to USA Senate,Special election scheduled  on November 6, 1990.
MS-2-Special Election called for June 6th 1989, Jungle Primary election called for April 4th 1989.
CA-17-Special Election called for May 29th 1989, Jungle Primary election called for May 16th 1989.
Vermont Governor- LT Governor Howard Dean (D) succeeds  Madeleine Kunin as Governor.
 
 
  

[NHI]

Looks good!

[Progressive]

Very cool

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Looks good!

Very cool

Thanks

[Pragmatic Conservative]

January-March 1989
January 21-President Dukakis commuted the sentences of all current death row inmates to life in prison with no chance of parole. Dukakis said it is time for the USA to abolish the death penalty, stating that today's move is a step in the right direction in fixing are criminal justice system.

January 23rd-In a major deal for President Dukakis and Democrats, Senate majority leader George Mitchell moves to have the filibuster nixed for ordinary legislation, oddly he keeps it for Justices. The move was considered controversial at the time, with many accusing Mitchell of making it easier for the Senate to pass liberal legialtion.

February 12th- Dukakis signs into law a bill to immediately  freeze production of any future production of nuclear weapons.

February 15th- Dukakis first international visit is to the Soviet Union in an attempt to reach a peace treaty to end the Cold War. Both countries indicate that they are open to negotiating a treaty to end the Cold War.

February 28th-Texas Senate Primary

Republican Primary
Clayton Williams (I) 60%
Ron Paul 33%
Other assorted candidates 7%

Democratic Primary
Ann Richards 95%
Other assorted candidates 5%

March 5th-Dukakis announces that he will reenter negotiations with Canadian PM Brian Mulroney on the creation of an acid rain treaty.

March 21st-Dukakis signs into law his second major piece of legislation, this time an comprehensive gun control package;the bill instituted universal background checks for all gun purchases, institutes a long gun registry,and bans the import of certain guns into the USA.  An blanket ban on assault rifles is voted down by the Senate.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

March 28th 1989 Texas Special Senate election


Ann W. Richards 51.5% (-7.7%)
Clayton Williams (I,appointed Senator) 48.5% (+8.5%)
Democratic gain from Republicans

In an closely contested contest State Treasure  Ann W. Richards defeated appointed Senator Clayton Williams to be elected to the remainder of Lloyd Bentsen Senate term. Many commentators at the time pointed towards at the strong trend in Texas and much of the south towards the Republican party. Most pundits see 1990 as a good test to see if these trends continue or if Democrats can find a way to to reverse them.

Exit Poll data (non top lines)
(approval/disapproval/neutral)
Clayton Williams 45-40-15
Ann W. Richards 56-40-4
Lloyd Bentsen 60-37-3
Michael Dukakis 45-47-8

Nuclear Freeze 43-40-17
Death Row blanket sentence commuted order 39-47-14
Gun Reform act 39-50-11