The Improbability of this Moment

[Joe Biden 2024]

William

The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court stood and waited. His face appeared expressionless, as judges are well known to be, but the full weight of the moment did not escape him. For months, the nation had not torn itself away from their televisions to follow the events taking place. Everyone knew what had happened, and what was about to happen.

The East Room was mostly empty. A few photographers and reporters gathered around to witness the moment. Speaker Boggs, Senate Majority Leader Kennedy, and Minority Leaders Arends and Cooper stood by, a few words here and there, but otherwise said nothing. Secretaries Reagan and Franke stood off to one side, as did Attorney General Walsh. The three of them were talking amongst themselves, hopefully discussing some policy initiative or proposal. Or rather, whether or not this one's gonna work better he thought to himself. Even so, he couldn't blame them. Everyone was hoping this new one would work out better. He took a look at Reagan. After all, Reagan had been the one to receive the letter. But any thoughts the Secretary might have were well hidden.

At that moment, the doors opened. The Vice President and his wife walked in. Some of those in the room murmured as they passed by, but they paid no notice. The two walked to the podium and to the Chief Justice.

"Are you ready, sir?" the Chief Justice asked.

"I am," replied the Vice President.

"Then place your left hand on the Bible, raise your right, and repeat after me." The Vice President's hands moved into position and stood upright. "I, Richard Schultz Schweiker, do solemnly swear..."

[Joe Biden 2024]

Ike Dumps Nixon, will replace him on Presidential Ticket

August 18, 1956


A stunning announcement mere day before the start of the Republican Convention has rocked the political world as President Eisenhower has announced Vice President Nixon will not be serving with him on the ticket in this year's election. In a brief announcement, Eisenhower thanked Nixon for "his many years of public service and his unwavering dedication to America and her people." Vice President Nixon offered no statement, nor gave any indication when one would be made.

With the Republican Conventions on the verge, what was once thought to be a mere ceremony will now turn into a battle for the second spot on the ticket. The President gave no indicators as to who his preference would be, though sources close to the White House indicate Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert B. Anderson, who had previously served as Eisenhower's Secretary of the Navy, is thought to be the President's favorite.

Conversely, the campaign of Democratic nominee Adlai Stevenson II is thought to be ecstatic at the thought of the convention being able to harm the incumbent. With the Democrats' own convention over, a convention that had ironically resulted in a floor battle for the Vice Presidential nomination before Senator Estes Kefauver was nominated, Governor Stevenson has shifted focus towards his re-match with the President. The campaign has announced the Governor will first swing through the Industrial Midwest before heading to the Mid-Atlantic states.

[Joe Biden 2024]

Anderson nominated for VP after chaotic balloting

August 23, 1956


After four ballots of voting in the Cow Palace in San Francisco, Robert B. Anderson secured the Republican nomination for Vice President last night.

Mr. Anderson, who served as Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1954 to 1955, was said to be President Eisenhower's preferred choice for his running mate, but conservative delegates who preferred Vice President Nixon attempted to keep him on the ticket. The conservative wing of the party succeeded in delaying the nomination of Mr. Anderson until the fourth ballot, a number of ballots once thought impossible, before Anderson's nomination was successfully passed.

In his acceptance speech last night, Mr. Anderson praised "the long success of the Eisenhower administration and the Republican Party in protecting America and ensuring her prosperity." Mr. Anderson is expected to appear tonight at the final night of the convention before hitting the campaign trail with the President. President Eisenhower is currently favored to win re-election over his opponent, Democratic nominee Adlai Stevenson II.

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Intriguing

[Prez_zf]

This looks really promising!

[Joe Biden 2024]

Richard

"So that's it" The Vice President asked. "I'm off the ticket."

"Yes, sir," his aide replied. "We pressured as many of the delegates as we could. I met with everyone I could. I personally called God knows how many. But we couldn't get it done.

"Thank you," Nixon said in acknowledgment. "You may go." The aide nodded and quickly left the room, leaving the Vice President alone.

Richard Nixon put up a facade for his staff, but behind the mask, he was beyond furious. He had stood faithfully beside Eisenhower these past four years. He had to humiliate himself by defending that fund back in '52. Now, he had been discarded, like he was some minor congressman, not the incumbent Vice President. Even worse, the party stood by and let it happen.

They might forget me Nixon thought to himself. But I'm not going to forget them.

And I'm not going to forget this.

[Joe Biden 2024]

Eisenhower Wins Re-Election

November 7, 1956

President Eisenhower was re-elected as President of the United States last night. The incumbent President won an expected landslide victory in his re-match over his opponent, Democratic nominee Adlai Stevenson. Despite some drama at the Republican Convention over the second spot on the ticket, the President had little difficulty in securing a second term. With a second consecutive landslide for the Republican Party, the incumbent Eisenhower looks to continue the path he laid out over the last four years, both domestically and abroad.

Congressional results still continue to come in, but it's all but assured that the Democratic Party will maintain control of both houses of Congress. Despite the differences, it appears that President Eisenhower would have little trouble working with Congress to pass his agenda, though he may face resistance from conservative Democrats in the South over his support of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision to de-segregate all public schools in the United States. Internationally, President Eisenhower is all but likely to continue to meet the challenges of dealing with the Soviet Union and keeping U.S. foreign alliances intact and working well.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R-PA)/Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert B. Anderson (R-TX): 446 EVs, 54.8%

Former Governor Adlai Stevenson II (D-IL)/Senator Estes Kefauver (D-TN): 85 EVs, 44.6%