A Second Chance - CONCLUSION

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

From the desk of Chairman Robert Dole, December 3rd, 1969

Going into 1970, funds have been decided to be allocated to three key states that the Republican National Committee believes can go Republican in the mid-term elections. All three likely candidates have declared. Information on these three states is below.

    Ohio: Congressman Robert Taft Jr. has announced his candidacy and intends to win the Republican nomination for Senate
    Texas: Congressman George Bush has announced his candidacy and intends to win against Senator Ralph Yarborough. Texas Governor John Tower has declined Senate candidacy, so it is believe the Bush will be the nominee
    Michigan: Former Governor George Romney is still deciding, however, he leans very much for running for the Senate seat, and no other major candidate has expressed interest in running. This leads the committee to believe that Governor Romney will be the nominee.

Republicans are expected to make modest gains in the mid-term elections next year because of fatigue with Democratic policies. The committee is hoping that this fatigue will continue into next year.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The Year in Perspective
During the rough and rowdy year of 1969, many things happened. Politically, the spirit of upheaval and anarchy that existed for the past three years seemed to continue with filibusters, outcry, and a new strategy in Vietnam. Senator Ted Kenned of Massachusetts, called by some the "Playboy Senator", was hopsitalized last month because of a car accident where it is believed that he was under the influence. Both he and the woman in the car survived, though Senator Kennedy is facing probation and charges for drunk driving.

With the war in Vietnam, President John F Kennedy has proposed what soem call the "final solution" in Vietnam. This solution is Operation HANOI, which involves a full invasion of Northern Vietnam. So far, the Operation has received mixed success, though the Whitehouse and the Pentagon are optimistic.

In the cultural perpective, some would say that many things went horribly wrong. Singer and guitar player Bob Dylan, known for such songs as "Like a Rolling Stone" and "All Along the Watchtower", died in a motorcycle accident in April. Singer Jim Morrison of The Doors was arrested this March for "lewd behavior and indecent exposure" in Miami's Dinner Key Auditorium.

Robert Alen Zimmerman, who went by the name Bob Dylan; May 24, 1941-April 15th, 1969

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

December 5th, 1969
In the Oval Office, President Kennedy and his brother Bobby are alone, discussing who to replace UN Ambassador James Roosevelt with.
    Jack: It's obvious we need a qualified replacement fro Roosevelt. We need good international relations when dealing with this whoe situation in Vietnam.
    Bobby: I had my secretary draw up a list of possible picks.
(Bobby hands the list, which is on a single sheet of white paper, over to Jack)
   
List of possible replacements for Ambassador to the United Nations James Roosevelt:
    Director of Central Intelligence R Sargent Shriver
    Labor Secretary Lloyd Bentsen
    Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Daniel Patrick Moynihan
    Deputy Attorney General Gary Hart
    Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas
    Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson of Texas
    UnderSecretary of State Richard Perle
    Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine
    Senator Mike Gravel of Alaska
   
This is a list of names of people that have been seen as either qualified for, or willing to take the job of Ambassador to the United Nations. Other names on this list are seen as able to retie knots with other wings of the Democratic Party.
       

The President looks up from reading the list
    Jack: Hmmm....Who's this Gary Hart?
    Bobby: A lawyer that joined my department in 1966. He's a good man and I would trust him with the office.
    Jack: I don't think any of the major Liberals on this list, such as Yarborough or Muskie would be willing to accept.
    Bobby: I didn't either, but we need to reforge a connection to the Liberal wing of the party, otherwise, Sanford won't have the support he needs in 1972 to win the nomination.
    Jack: Senator Gravel definitely won't accept. He's too much of an ideologue.
    Bobby: What about Lloyd?
    Jack: Nah, he's too valuable in his current position.
    Bobby: Well, you have to make a decision, Jack.
    Jack: I'll talke to you tomorrow.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

December 5th, 1969
President Kennedy Announces Choice for UN Ambassador!
After four days of silence from the Whitehouse, President John F Kennedy has announced that he has made his choice for Ambassador to the United Nations. The choice, Deputy Attorney General Gary Hart, is unexpected. Gary Hart is a young attorney that was a legal adviser on President John F Kennedy's 1964 bid, and has served as Deputy Attorney General since 1967. People are wondering first and foremost, why Kennedy has made this choice. Other, seemingly more qualified picks, such as UnderSecretary of State Paul Wolfowitz, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Daniel Patrick Moynihan, were dismissed. Kennedy's only respons came from his Attorney General and brother Robert F Kennedy, who has been Hart's boss since 1967. He said 'We in the administration have determined that it is now time for some fresh, clean blood representing us in the United Nations'. No other response has been forthcoming from the Whitehouse.

Deputy Attorney General Gary Hart, soon to be the new Ambassador to the United Nations

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I want to speed up this timeline, but at the same time, I want one of those epic TLs that span like 30 pages (some more). Right now, I'm not sure how to progress this to the 1970 mid-terms, which is right before candidates will begin gearing up for the election.

Are there any candidates that you would like to see?

Possible contenders for the Democratic nomination:
Sanford
Wallace
Liberal (McCarthy, McGovern, Gravel)

Possible contenders for the Republican nomination:
Hatfield
Reagan
Agnew
Rockefeller

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

January 4th, 1970
Actor Charlton Heston is Candidate for Governor of California!
In this time of doubt, California needs competent leadership. Not the shifty ways of our current Governor. Since taking office, Finch has passed extremely unbalanced budgets, raised taxes, not taken clear positions on both Civil Rights and gun control laws, and allowed racial riots to continue to burn portions of Los Angeles and San Francisco. As a Democrat, I promise to balance the busget, ensure complete racial equality, keep guns out of the hands of criminals, and to restore Law and Order to this great state!

-Actor Charlton Heston announcing his candidacy for the Governorship of California

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

January 6th, 1970
Kennedy Chooses EPA Director!
The Environment Protection Agency, which, according to the Environmentl Protection Act passed last year, is scheduled to open its doors on January 10th. After having consulted with advisers, Kennedy has chosen consumer activist and environmentalist Ralph Nader for the job. Nader has recently worked for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Daniel patrick Moynihan as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and worked on the drafting of the Environmental Protection Act.Some inside the Whitehouse seem to think that Kennedy's choice of Nader was a political decision in order to try to make peace with Liberal Democrats in the Senate, such as Frank Church of Idaho and George McGovern of South Dakota. However, Kennedy claims that Nader is qualified and that Nader deserved the position because of his hard work in drafting the act, along with a team of Congressmen and Congressional aides.

Future EPA Director Ralph Nader at a press conference earlier today

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

May 12th, 1970
In the Whitehouse, spirits are running high as Operation HANOI makes headway. The invasion of Northern Vietnam has only gone slightly worse than expected and the President's approval ratings stand at 56%.
    Jack: Bobby, what do you think our next move should be? We've ended the Civil Rights debate, we've created the EPA, and we should win in Vietnam by 1972.
    Bobby: There is one glaring point that we need to tackle, and that is the war on poverty. We need to find a permanent solution to out inner cities and create a path to a better life.
    Jack: How do your propose we do that?
    Bobby: Educational reform and a jobs program.
    Jack: It could be one of the hallmarks of what we've done. It sounds like a good idea. I want an appointment with Moynihan tomorrow. You should be there.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I am still enjoying this. Keep it coming!

As for candidates for 1972, I think you've covered most of the logical choices. Right now I see Sanford (as the VP and logical successor to Kennedy's legacy) and Reagan (as a vocal opponent of the Kennedy administration) as the frontrunners for their parties' nominations. Both candidates will certainly see challenges from the left, and the Dixiecrats will likely make an appearance as well.

I'll come out with a full list when the primaries start, or before that. There'll be a couple favorite sons, as well as some minor candidates. Reagan isn't so much a vocal opponent of the Kennedy Administration, as an opponent of certain parts of it (EPA, sonn to be declared War on Poverty), and Kennedy as receiving the most grief from Liberal Democrats, as he seems to be for the most part governing from the center. Kennedy has yet to establish a true "legacy", having faced problems in his first term. However, he hopes to be the President who wins Vietnam, and be the President to declare War on Poverty.

Nixon might also try to make a re-appearance in 1972, depending on how well Kennedy fares for the next two years. If Finch survives his challenge from Charlton Heston, he'll be a candidate, but we shall see.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

May 19th, 1970
At a press conference, President Kennedy unveils what he hopes will be the hallmark of his second term and also win him back public support from Liberals.
    Kennedy: After having talked with my domestic advisers, including Secretaries McNamara, Moynihan, and Bentsen, a new piece of legislation will be introduced near the end of this month. After having been President of this great nation for over six years, it is time that I give back to all those that elected me with a sens of hope and optimism. The Great Society; which is a final solution to poverty just as the Civil Rights Act of 1969 was the final solution to segregation and Operation HANOI is the solution to the war in Vietnam; will be introduced to Congress within three weeks. It will include fully payed dental and health coverage as well as the creation of the Office of Economic Opportunity, which will work with the inner cities to show a way out of the vicious cycle of poverty.
    Reporter One: What will this add to the deficit, which Republicans in Congress claim is spiraling out of control?
    Kennedy: As I answer your questions, aides and Congressmen alike are working to make this deficit neutral. This will entail the curbing of waste in several departments as well as imposition of new taxes on the top 5% income earners in the country.
    Reporter Two: How will you respond to such Conservatives as Senator Reagan and Goldwater who will most likely claim that this leads us on to the route of socialism and communism?
    Kennedy: Is it socialist to provide a road out of poverty? Is it in the style of our enemies to have a compassionate and caring government? Is it socialistic to provide opportunity and education to out inner cities? I think not. These claims which will doubtlessly come forth are naught but lies and desperate fear mongering. From this moment forth, my Administration, with the full power of the Whitehouse has declared War on Poverty!

President Kennedy declaring War on Poverty

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Oh, by the way for you fans of the Kennedys, the sixties/seventies, and the Cold War, if I don't put in an update soon about the Space Race and/or the Moon Landing, remind me. I've always found the sixties-seventies-eighties era of politics very interesting and I wouldn't want to leave out important parts (stagflation, detente, growing terrorism, hostage crisises).

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

May 20th, 1970
Using the radio, his original form of communication, Senator Reagan embarks on what some see as a crusade as he attempts to destroy public support for Kennedy's Great Society.
    Reagan:...And I tell you listeners, that the only possible result of all of this can be socialism. That is the unequivocal end result. With this, President Kennedy does not attempt to ease the pain of the poor. No, he intends to reach government's greedy hand even more into your lives than he already has, by deciding what doctors, what medical coverage, you should have. And in order to pay for this massive beauracracy that Kennedy wants to use to do all this, he will require money. The way for the government to get money is, you guessed it, taxes. He can not get the money for this only from the rich. Once they are drained, who next is there to take money from? The Middle Class. And after that, he will tax the poor until there is nothing left to tax in order to fund this Holy War of his. When all is said and done, our economy will be in ruins, our lives under complete control by the government, and we will no longer live in the America we love.

Senator Ronald Reagan on the air, campaigning against the Kennedy Administration

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

May 23rd, 1970
As Conservative begin mobilizing against pieces of legislation, called the Great Society, which are soon to be introduced to Congress, another, older and now less upblic face rises to oppose the Kennedy Administration...For the first time using television to his advantage, former President Richard Nixon becomes one of the many voices united in opposition to President Kennedy...
    Nixon: This path that President Kennedy attempts to lead us down is down right foolish. It is constructed of the grandest Liberal fantasies, compiled into a financial monster that will take approximately one tenth of the entire United States budget to fund. Not only this, it will lead to beuracracy, massive government outreach, and will lead urban communities into complete dependence on the Federal Government. I can not and will not stand while this continues and President Kennedy sells our nation down the stream and into bankruptcy. Yes, I believe the government can provide healthcare, and yes I believe that we can work together to provide better quality of life for all. However, this is nowhere near how to do it, and is an outrage to all those proponents of limited government and fiscal responsibility, myself and former President Eisenhower included.

Former President Nixon re-appears from retirement in order to oppose President John F Kennedy, who is among his greatest political enemies.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

May 27th, 1970
Despite Conservative backlash against the Great Society programs, which are to be introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) on the 28th, the President receives some support, with Liberals such as Vice-President Sanford (D-NC), Senator George McGovern (D-SD), and Senator Hubert H Humphrey (D-MN) supporting him. Another vocal supporter of Kennedy is actor and gubernatorial candidate Charlton Heston (D-CA)...
    Heston: Finally, the President has shown his ability to lead on certain issues, which my opponent, Governor Finch has not. Finally, we see a man willing to take up the reigns of leadership and make footsteps, which my future opponent Governor Finch has not. It is because of the greatness of men like President Kennedy that I am running for Governor of California.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

May 28th, 1970
Martin Luther King Jr. Endorses the Great Society!
As the first piece of legislation that President Kennedy hopes will make up the Great Society as he envisions it, the Economic Opportunity Act, was introduced earlier today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., famed Civil Rights Activist met with President Kennedy at the Whitehouse. Later this afternoon the two met on the same stage, where King endorsed the Great Society calling it 'a great step towards the rescue of our inner cities'.

Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King Jr. greeting supporters before he announces his support for President Kennedy's Great Society

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

June 17th, 1970
The Economic Opportunity Act Passes!
Today in the Senate, the Aconomic Opportunity Act, introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and the first piece of President John F Kennedy's Great Socirty, passed the Senate, after nearly a week before having been passed in the House of Representatives. The margin was a surprising 61-39, given that the balance of the Senate in 59-41. Among the  Republican defectors are Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Senator Jacob Javitts of New York, Senator George Aiken of Vermont, and Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts. Democrats who refused voting for the bill wre led by Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. While Conservative attempted to filibuster the act, it passed easily.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

June 18th, 1970
Conservatives Unite Against Kennedy!
Conservative, both in and out of Congress have been working non-stop since yesterday's passing of the Economic Opportunity Act to build a working coalition in Congress to stop President Kennedy's further plans. The coalition, according to plans leaked from RNC Chairman Edwin Meese's office, include Southern Democrats, Western Conservatives. However, this is not enough to stop Kennedy and according to the plans, Conservatives hope to drag North-Eastern Republicans into the folds to work to stop Kennedy decisively. House Minority Leader Gerald R Ford has been working with Conservatives and Moderates alike to stop Kennedy since yesterday's Democratic success. Conservatives working outside of Congress include writer William F Buckley, Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt, and former Presidenc Richard M Nixon.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

June 24th, 1970
Republicans Face Inability to Unite!
In memos leaked from the Republican National Committee, and from RNC Chairman Edwin Meese, it has been found out that apparently the Republicans don't want a Republican victory in New York. New York Senator Charles Goodell; who was appointed by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1968 following Senator Keatings resignation in order to become Ambassador to the Soviet Union under the Kennedy Administration; is unliked by Conservative Republicans, and it was reported in these leaked documents that a number of Conservative Republicans plan on supporting Conservative opponent James L Buckley, and that even RNC money has gone to Buckley. It is seen by Liberals, Democrat and Republican alike, as an attempt to permanently shift the Republican Party to the Far Right of Senators Goldwater and Reagan. A copy of one leaked memo is below.

From the Desk of Chairman Edwin Meese, June 19th, 1970
As a large number of you most likely know, Conservative Party nominee James L Buckley, brother to writer William F Buckley, is challenging Senator Charles Goodall for the Seante seat up for election this year. As has been stated before, a large part of the Republican Party would prefer that Buckley win, rather than fellow Republican Goodall. As there are still a few months to the election, it has as of yet been undecided as to whether Goodall shall receive continued funding despite the possibility of a tight race. In the future, it may be determined that funding would better be used elsewhere on different candidates.

The total response from moderate members of the Republican Party, including Senators Hatfield, Brooke, and of course, Goodall, has not been seen. However, this is the first time these documents have escaped the confines of the now Conservative dominated Republican National Committee, and the first real indication of a continued Conservative lean by the Republican National Committee, controlled by former Attorney Edwin Meese.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

June 24th, 1970
In the Oval Office, certain higher up members of the cabinet are milling around, while Treasury Secretary Robert McNamara reads a newspaper.
    McNamara: (reading newspaper) 'In memos leaked from the Republican National Committee, and from RNC Chairman Edwin Meese, it has been found that apparently the Republicans don't want a Republican victory in New York'. It goes on to say how the RNC is beginning to get behind the Conservative candidate Buckley.
    Sanford: Jack, this could be our ticket top victory this fall! The Republicans are beginning to crack wide open!
    Bobby: Not only that, these two factions are growing physically more separated, especially in New York and the North-East. with Conservative Independent candidates running in some races, those seats could be ours for the taking.
    Jack: I'm not sure...This might not harm us as much as you think.
    Bobby: How so?
    Jack: If the Republican Party continues along this path, it might not hurt us this year, but in 1972, when you Terry are running, they might be more formidable a force than ever.
    Sanford: How?
    Jack: The south.
    McNamara: Republican? Places like Alabama and Mississippi won't be going Republican until Hell freezes over!
    Jack: Think about it. If the Republicans can get the South under their belts, by forfeiting the North Eastern Liberals, while at the same imte nailing down states like California, 1972 will be theirs for the taking.
    Mcnamara: The South will go along with the Dixiecrats, and whatever doesn't vote Dixiecrat is sure to go for us!
    Kennedy: Not with Civil Rights. Since re-election, we've been working to position ourselves as the party of Civil Rights. I don't know how that will affect us in the future. The Dixicrats, with continued loss, will surely collapse, and who's to take their place?
    Sanford: I never thought about it that way...

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

June 24th, 1970
Speechwriter Pat Buchanan paces his office holding a telephone and a newspaper, talking to Republican Nationanal Committee Chairman Edwin Meese who is on the other line.
    Buchanan: We can't have any more leaks! Do you want to sell them our entire electoral strategy?
    Meese: Look, Pat, I knwo what you mean. Right now, I'm firing people by the hour for being the least bit suspicious looking. I suspect it was one of the more moderate members that got into my office.
    Buchanan: Really. This can not happen again. I don't care if that sentence makes it sound like we're guarding some massive secret, just stop the leaks!
    Meese: You know I hate this as much as you do. I've cleared out all the correspondents, I've fired fifty newbies, I've gotten new janitors, and I'm currently wondering about my secretary.
    Buchanan: Well, id you ever consider that the people you just hired aren't spies? How about the more senior members? Anyone is worthy of suspicion. This could break the party apart, leaving us with neither momentum or a unified front in November.
    Meese: I know what you mean. This will not happen again.
    Buchanan: Make sure of it.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

July 2nd, 1970
In the Oval Office, President Kennedy sits down with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Treasury Secretary Robert McNamara, and of course Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
    Jack: After the last passing, I think we need to move forward again. We'll introduce the Excellence in Education Act next.
    Bobby: Are you sure? What about the whole 'Conservatives Unite Against Kennedy' thing?
    McNamara: Jack's right. This is the perfect time to do it, right when the Republican Party itself can't unite. You heard about the leak from the RNC right?
    Bobby: Yeah, but the South will never vote for this. What they value most is 'States Rights'. They'll never go for the 'Department of Education'.
    Moynihan: However, I think we can get anough moderate Republicans to vote for it merely to spite the Conservatives.
    Jack: That's what we're banking on.
    Moynihan: How is the draft of the EEA coming, anyway?
    Bobby: Tip is working on it.
    Jack: Right, then we'll have it introduced next week, if it's ready by then.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

July 11th, 1970
The Excellence in Education Act Introduced to Congress!
In today's session of Congress, in a bold move, the Excellence in Education Act, the second phase of President John F Kennedy's Great Society, was introduced today to Congress by Congressman Thomas O'Neil of Massachusetts. The act includes the creation of the Department of Education which shall oversee schools at a federal level, along with several reforms including the improvement of inner city schools, and standards in teacher hiring and curriculum. It is expected that Conservative Republicans will attempt to filibuster the act.

Congressman "Tip" O'Neil (D-MA), right, with House Minority Leader Gerald R Ford (R-MI), left

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

August 3rd, 1970
As President Kennedy attempts to leave the Whitehouse, protesters, despite success in Vietnam, mob his limousine, nearly stopping the car dead in its tracks and slowing its pace to a halt.
    Jack: Look at these kids. No matter what I do, they'll never be happy. They want surrender, as do those damn Liberals on capitol hill.
    Bobby: They probably come from some of those Northen colleges, nothing better to do but come down here, complain, and smoke pot.
    Jack: It's outrageous. I give them the Peace Corps, I give them the Great Society, and all ther minds are stuck on is Vietnam and drug fumes. Christ.
(As the limousine slowly winds out of the gates, a chant starts)
    Students: Hey, Hey JFK! How many kids did you kill today! Hey, Hey JFK! How many kids did you kill today!
    Jack: You hear that? I'm trying to win this damn war and all those f#cking hippies can do is talk about 'killing kids'.
    Bobby: With all those damn marijuana fumes floating around in their heads, thay probably haven't given themselves the chance to comprehend this war, or the Cold War. All they think about is what happens directly, if that.
    Jack: One day, these damn kids will control the world, damn them.
    Students: Hey, Hey, JFK! How many kids did you kill today! Hey, Hey, JFK! How man kids did you kill today!
Do you approve of President Kennedy's performance in office so far?
Yes-51%
No-43%
Undecided-6%