The Presidency of Harold Stassen

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The 1948 Republican National Convention

At the convention in Philadelphia, Harold Stassen, Arthur Vandenburg, and Robert Taft meet in a hotel room in order to devise a "Stop Dewey" movement.  After a lot of negotiations, the three men agree to unite behind Stassen.  After the first ballot, Taft and Vandenburg withdraw and endorse Stassen.  On the seventh ballot, Stassen is made the Republican nominee for President.  As a show of good faith to Taft, he selects Indiana Senator Homer Capehart as his running mate.

The 1948 Democratic National Convention

With a mood of deep depression hanging over the Convention, the party renominates President Truman, who selects Kentucky Senator Alben Barkley as his Vice President.  Following a fiery Civil Rights speech by Minnesota Senatorial Candidate Hubert Humphrey, the delegations from South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana walk out of the convention.

The 1948 State's Rights Convention

After walking out of the DNC, Southern leaders meet in Birmingham, and nominate a ticket of South Carolina Governor J. Strom Thurmond, and Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright.

The 1948 Presidential Election

Even as Truman launched into a blistering attack on him, Stassen returned in kind, saying that these attacks were "the last attempt of a desperate man."  On election day, the American public agreed, and gave the election to Stassen.

Harold Stassen/Homer Capehart: 50.8% PV, 352 EV
Harry Truman/Alben Barkley:42.7% PV, 132 EV
Strom Thurmond/Fielding Wright: 5.5% PV, 47 EV
Henry Wallace/Glen Taylor: 1% PV, 0 EV

The 1948 Congressional Elections

Despite the Presidential landslide, the GOP loses a majority in the Senate, as the Democrats pick up seats in Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.  They pick up several seats in the House.

House Results:
Republicans: 264 (+18)
Democrats: 171 (-17)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 51 (+6)
Republicans: 45 (-6)

Next: The First Term of Harold Stassen!

[TommyC1776]

keep this going.  it seems good so far.

[gorkay]

Pretty good so far. This timeline is a kind of parallel to the one I have going, in which Taft won the 1948 GOP nomination and the Presidency. (Poor Dewey-- someone's always trying to deprive him of that 1948 nomination!) I'll be interested in seeing how Stassen performs as President (I'm not so sure he would have been able to beat Truman, but for the sake of argument I'll go along with your scenario there). I'd think he would have a good chance at working well with a Democratic Congress, since he was a pretty liberal Republican. I'm also interested to see who he chooses for key Cabinet posts.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The First Term of Harold Stassen

On January 20, Stassen is sworn in by Chief Justice Fred Vinson.  In his Inaugural Address, Stassen states that he will work hard to prevent the spread of communism.

For his major cabinet jobs, Stassen names Arthur Vandenberg Secretary of State.  He names George Humphrey Secretary of the Treasury, Charles Thomas Secretary of Defense, and Alexander Wiley as Attorney General.

On April 4, Stassen announces that the United States has officially joined NATO.  The
announcement is greeted with consternation from conservatives, but praised by liberals.

On July 19, Justice Frank Murphy dies fo a heart attack.  Stassen appoints Judge John Parker, who had been rejected in 1930.  Parker is confirmed by a vote of 47-46, with three Senators not voting.

On September 7, a tired looking Stassen announces that the USSR has detonated their first atomic bomb.  He reassures the American people, but confides to Defense Secretary Thomas that he is worried.

On September 10, Justice Wiley Rutledge dies of a stroke.  Stassen names Harrie Chase of the Second Circuit as his replacement.

On December 21, 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and his National Revolutionary Army leave mainland China, fleeing to Taiwan in the face of successful attacks by Mao Zedong's communist army during the Chinese Civil War.  Stassen asks for an end to all violance on both sides.

On June 25, 1950, the North Korean People's Army, under the command of Kim Il-sung invades South Korea. Poorly trained and equipped, without tanks or air support, the South Korean Army is rapidly pushed backwards, quickly losing the capital, Seoul.

Stunned, Stassen debates between using military or diplomatic means to end the war.  Finally, he sends Secretary of State Vandenberg to Korea to try and find a solution.  On July 8, a treaty is reached.  From then on, there would be two countries, North and South Korea, separated by a buffer zone at the 38th Parallell.

Beginning in August, the White House is renovated, due to it being structurally unsound.

The 1950 Congressional Elections

With Stassen's approval ratings in the mid to high 50's, the public gives a vote of confidence to the GOP, giving them a majority in the Senate, and adding seats in the House.  In the Senate, the GOP picks up seats in California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Utah.  The Democrats pick up one seat in Missouri.

House Results:
Republicans: 275 (+11)
Democrats: 164 (-11)

Senate Results:
Republicans: 50 (+5)
Democrats: 46 (-5)

On February 22, 1951, the 22nd Amendment is passes, limiting Presidents to two terms each.  The Amendment contains a grandfather clause, so it does not apply to Hoover, Truman, and Stassen.

On April 16, 1951, the Senate, led by Estes Kefauver, investigates numerous charges of corruption among senior administration officials, some of whom received fur coats and deep freezers for favors.  After almost a year's worth of hearings, which involved the IRS, a small number of IRS employees were indicted, but on major officials were convicted.

On November 29, Stassen announces that he will seek reelection.  The next day, Capehart says that he, too, will seek reelection.

The 1952 Republican National Convention

At the Convention, Stassen and Capehart are renominated unanimously on the first ballot.  They pledge to continue the work of the past four years.

The 1952 Democratic National Convention

The race for the Democratic Nomination is down to two major candidates, Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee and Governor Frank Lausche of Ohio.  On the first ballot, Kefauver had a commanding lead, but was still short of a majority.  After the fourth, Lausche managed to convince several Southern states to switch over to him, in exchange for certain promises, including a Southern running mate.  On the fifth ballot, Lausche was nominated.  True to his word, he selects Arkansas Senator J. William Fullbright as his Vice President.

The 1952 Presidential Election

With America enjoying a time of prosperity, there was never any doubt that Stassen would be reelected.  On election day, Stassen enjoys one of the biggest landslides in modern times, winning over 60 percent of the popular vote.

Harold Stassen/Homer Capehart: 60.7% PV, 474 EV
Frank Lausche/J. William Fullbright: 39.3% PV, 57 EV

The 1952 Congressional Elections

In tune with the Presidential results, the GOP gets a huge landslide in the House and Senate.  In the Senate, the GOP picks up seats in Arizona, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, and Wyoming.  The Democrats pick up seats in Massachusetts, Missouri, and Washington.

House Results:
Republicans: 285 (+10)
Democrats: 150 (-10)

Senate Results:
Republicans: 53 (+3)
Democrats: 43 (-3)

[gorkay]

Two questions:

1. Why was Adlai Stevenson not a factor in the race for the 1952 Democratic nomination?
2. What has become of Eisenhower?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Two questions:

1. Why was Adlai Stevenson not a factor in the race for the 1952 Democratic nomination?
2. What has become of Eisenhower?

1.  Stevenson originally didn't want to run, and he only ran after a lot of pressuring by Truman, so I figure he really didn't want to get involved.

2.  Eisenhower is retired from the military, and is not really involved in politics.

[Person Man]

Can we see the dissolution of the democratic party?

[gorkay]

Two questions:

1. Why was Adlai Stevenson not a factor in the race for the 1952 Democratic nomination?
2. What has become of Eisenhower?

1.  Stevenson originally didn't want to run, and he only ran after a lot of pressuring by Truman, so I figure he really didn't want to get involved.

2.  Eisenhower is retired from the military, and is not really involved in politics.

I'll go along with your explanations as part of your timeline. IRL, though, I think Stevenson only gave the impression that he didn't want to run for president. He was laying in wait all along, and benefitted from a skillfully orchestrated "draft" strategy.
BTW, Stassen's cabinet choices were good ones, although I was a little disappointed not to see George Marshall in there somwhere.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The Second Term of Harold Stassen

In his Inaugural Address, President Stassen calls for a Civil Rights bill to be passed by Congress by the end of the session.  He also calls for an end to segregation.

On September 8, Chief Justice Fred Vinson dies of a heart attack.  Stassen appoints California Governor Earl Warren to replace Vinson.

On October 9, Stassen opens relations with Spain and Francisco Franco.

On May 18, the Supreme Court strikes down the "separate but equal" doctrine in Brown v. Board of Education.  Stassn approves of the unanimous decision, and promises to work hard to make sure it is implemented.

The 1954 Congressional Elections

After six years of Republican leadership, the country votes for change and gives the Democrats majorities in both Houses.  In the Senate, the Democrats pick up seats in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Wyoming.  The GOP picks up one seat in Colorado.

House Results:
Democrats: 230 (+80)
Republicans: 205 (-80)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 49 (+6)
Republicans: 47 (-6)

In early 1955, Stassen sends Secretary of State George Marshall, who had replaced Vandenberg, to Geneva to divide Vietnam into two countries.  Shortly afterwards, Stassen sends soldiers to Vietnam as military advisers to Ngo Dinh Diem.  After Diem announces the formation of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN, commonly known as South Vietnam) in October, Stassen immediately recognized the new state and offered military, economic, and technical assistance.

On February 2, Justice Robert Jackson dies of a heart attack.  Stassen appoints Arthur Vanderbilt of the New Jersey Supreme Court to replace him.

The 1956 Republican National Convention

Although he was not limited by the 22nd Amendment, Stassen does not seek a third term in office.  At the Convention, the nomination is between Vice President Capehart and Senator Richard Nixon of California.  On the 11th ballot, Nixon is nominated, and chooses Illinois Senator Ev Dirksen as his running mate.

The 1956 Democratic National Convention

Just like the GOP, the Democratic nomination is down to two candidates: Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson, and Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson.  For eight ballots, the lead alternates between the two candidates, but on the ninth ballot, Johnson gains the endorsement of Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, and is able to pull out the nomination.  In return, he makes Kennedy his running mate.

The 1956 Presidential Election

The election is close from day one, with Nixon staying close to the Stassen legacy, and Johnson attacking Nixon as a right-wing extremist.  Election day in one of the closest in history, with Johnson just barely pulling out a victory.

Lyndon Johnson/John F. Kennedy: 50.17% PV, 276 EV
Richard Nixon/Everett Dirksen: 49.83% PV, 255 EV

The 1956 Congressional Elections

Reflecting the close Presidential race, there is little change in Congress.  In the Senate, the Democrats pick up seats in Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  The GOP picks up two seats in Kentucky, New York, and West Virginia.

House Results:
Democrats: 232 (+2)
Republicans: 203 (-2)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 50 (+1)
Republicans: 46 (-1)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The First Term of Lyndon Johnson

After being sworn in by Chief Justice Warren, Johnson takes the podium as the first Southerner to be elected President since 1848.  In his speech, Johnson comments on the fact that the country is still divided, and promises to help reunite the country.

In this vain, Johnson makes bipartisan appointments to his Cabinet.  He names Dwight Eisenhower his Secretary of State, Eugene Millikin as Secretary of the Treasury, Matthew Ridgway as Secretary of Defense, and names fellow Texan Hatton Sumner as his Attorney General.

On March 16, 1957, the Soviets launch Sputnik, the first space craft.  Johnson appoints a five man commission chaired by Senator Richard B. Russell of Georgia to study the issue, and approves budgetary funds for a new department, called NASA.

Beginning in August, the US enters into a recession that it will be stuck in until March of the next year.

On October 2, Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states to enter the Union.

The 1958 Congressional Races

In one of the best years for the Democrats in the 20th century, they pick up a record number of seats in both Houses.  In the Senate, the Democrats pick up 2 seats in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah, Wyoming, two seats in West Virginia, and one seat in Hawaii, for a net gain of 16 seats.  The GOP picks up one seat in Hawaii.  They pick up 47 seats in the House.

House Results:
Democrats: 279 (+47)
Republicans: 156 (-47)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 66 (+16)
Republicans: 34 (-12)

On January 4, Justice Parker dies in his sleep.  Johnson appoints William Brennan to replace him.  On March 26, Justice Reed retires.  He is replaced by David Bazelon of the DC Court of Appeals.

In July, President Johnson goes to Little Rock to confront Governor Orval Faubus, and force him to integrate the schools, following the Supreme Court decision.

On August 9, Justice Harold Burton retires.  Johnson appoints Peter Woodbury to replace him.

On December 2, Johnson and Kennedy both announce they will seek reelection at a joint conference at the White House.

The 1960 Democratic National Convention

At the convention, there are a small number of Southern delegates who attempt to bolt the convention, but they are kept in check and Johnson and Kennedy are renominated without opposition.  Johnson highlights the great work of the past 4 years.

The 1960 Republican National Convention

Entering the convention, there are two frontrunners, 1956 nominee Richard Nixon, and Senator Prescott Bush of Connecticut.  On the first ballot, Nixon falls just a few votes short of the nomination, but Bush refuses to concede, and the balloting continues.  On the 8th ballot, Nixon is nominated by just three votes.  As a peace offering, he names Bush as his running mate.

The 1960 Presidential Election

Throughout the election, polls show Johnson and Nixon almost tied, with a few states holding the key.  On election night, though, Johnson is able to pull away with a clear victory.

Lyndon Johnson/John F. Kennedy: 53.71% PV, 342 EV
Richard Nixon/Prescott Bush: 46.29% PV, 195 EV

The 1960 Congressional Elections

Despite a Democratic Presidential win, the GOP gains seats in the Congress.  In the Senate, they pick up seats in Delaware and Wyoming, while the Democrats gain one seat in North Dakota.

House Results:
Democrats: 270 (-9)
Republicans: 165 (+9)

Senate Results:
Democrats: 65 (-1)
Republicans: 35 (+1)

[Person Man]

blump

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Sorry this hasn't been updated; people seem not to miss it, though

[Hash]

Emo.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Emo.

What gives you that mistaken impression?

[Хahar 🤔]

Emo.

I'm confused.

[Hash]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Of course added to your other emo actions elsewhere.

[CPT MikeyMike]

Emo.

What gives you that mistaken impression?

It's a fact by the way you constantly ask for approval on everything.

You are the gporter of the left.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Emo.

What gives you that mistaken impression?

It's a fact by the way you constantly ask for approval on everything.

You are the gporter of the left.

I do not ask for approval; I ask for feedback.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Why does Robert A. Taft and Arthur Vandenberg endorse Harold E. Stassen? I know it has to do with a 'Stop Dewey' Movement at the 1948 GOP Convention, but why Stassen. He'd be the last person they'd endorse.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Why does Robert A. Taft and Arthur Vandenberg endorse Harold E. Stassen? I know it has to do with a 'Stop Dewey' Movement at the 1948 GOP Convention, but why Stassen. He'd be the last person they'd endorse.

Stassen promised to make some concessions to them.  He named a Taft man as VP, and made Vandenberg his Secretary of State.

[Person Man]

Emo.

What gives you that mistaken impression?

It's a fact by the way you constantly ask for approval on everything.

You are the gporter of the left.

So there are emo rightists? Oh snap! I was right! I think I am the opposite of the emos. My wife hates 'em because they celebrate mental illness.

[Person Man]

What about the presidency of Harold Saxon, the master on Dr.Who?