The George Wallace Presidency

[Senator Barnes]

July 1968: The campaign begins to heat up, as the Conventions begin to draw near.  Humphrey and McCarthy are almost tied, and McGovern has said he would not be a candidate in 1968, and endorses McCarthy.  Nixon is seen as the presumptive nominee for the Republicans, and questions over who’ll he’ll choose as his running-mate begin to buzz.  Wallace spends the month mostly in the Northeast trying to tie up union vote, while Rhodes goes to the south, to familiarize voters with him. 

On July 19, Humphrey gives one of his most famous speeches from the campaign, to a group in San Francisco:

“I might be Vice President, and I might have been a Senator, but I’m also an American.  I’m no different from anyone else in this country, except for one fact: I do what the people say.  It is so humbling to hear the voice of the people, and to know that you were chosen by millions of Americans to carry out their wishes; their hopes; and their dreams.  The President is the voice of the people, and as a citizen, I want that to be a strong, clear voice.  Whether they’re a Republican or a Democrat, man or woman, the President must hear the people, and I truly believe that some of the candidates in this campaign don’t want to hear all of America.  And I’m not saying that Richard Nixon, or Gene McCarty, or George Wallace, or whoever, is a bad person…I’m saying that they need to re-think what the Presidency is for. Thank you.”

July 21, 1968 Poll
Nixon   32%
Dem.   31%
Wallace   29%
Unsure   8%

Nixon is worried by these new numbers, and Wallace is thrilled.  He’s only three percent away for tying for first place.
 

[Historico]

That Speech should really help Humphrey out alot more, If he is able to find his voice earlier ITTL, and distance himself as far from the Johnson Adminstration as possible for a sitting Vice President, he should do better in the electoral college. But now it's Wallace's job to paint HHH and LBJ as one of the same.

[Historico]

When's the next installment arriving Barnes?

[Senator Barnes]

When's the next installment arriving Barnes?

I'm sorry for the delay.  I've been caught up in the runoff election and working with the ARNA.  So for the moment, I'll be putting the timeline on hiatus.  I'll be back sooner or later to continue it, but please feel free to expand it yourself if you want.

[Historico]

When's the next installment arriving Barnes?

I'm sorry for the delay.  I've been caught up in the runoff election and working with the ARNA.  So for the moment, I'll be putting the timeline on hiatus.  I'll be back sooner or later to continue it, but please feel free to expand it yourself if you want.

Any idea when this timeline will be taken off Hiatus, Barnes?

[Lahbas]

Darn, this is the one timeline I was thinking of doing.

Well, I like what you have done, and am waiting for the next update.

[Historico]

Darn, this is the one timeline I was thinking of doing.

Well, I like what you have done, and am waiting for the next update.

I would say go ahead, Lahabs, i really don't think this timeline really got out of its planning stages really, I'd love for someone to take a crack it.

[Senator Barnes]

Darn, this is the one timeline I was thinking of doing.

Well, I like what you have done, and am waiting for the next update.

I would say go ahead, Lahabs, i really don't think this timeline really got out of its planning stages really, I'd love for someone to take a crack it.

I'd love to see you do! It would be nice if you started where I left off, though.

[Lahbas]

Very well. However, I am going both of you, Historico and Barnes, credit for the timeline in its entirety. I will also likely need you help Historico, because I am not fully versed in the political ideaology of Wallace, outside of his famous segregationist views. Also, in respect to this timeline, Rhodes shall be the VP rather than my previous choice, Happy Chandler.

[President Mitt]

Very well. However, I am going both of you, Historico and Barnes, credit for the timeline in its entirety. I will also likely need you help Historico, because I am not fully versed in the political ideaology of Wallace, outside of his famous segregationist views. Also, in respect to this timeline, Rhodes shall be the VP rather than my previous choice, Happy Chandler.

Well George Wallace is definitely not a Conservative. I'd like to think of him as a New Deal Racist, while highly supportive of liberal spending policies, he was a populist on Social issues. He will definitely not choose Rhodes for VP. Rhodes is a Conservative Pro Business Republican, Wallace is not business friendly. Teh only thing these two have in common is their hatred of hippies. I'd recommend Democratic Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson as a running mate, who appeals to the South, minorities, and Northern Liberals.

[AndyTheMan]

war eagle