Talk Elections

Since I have now completed my TR Wins in 1912 timeline, I shall be moving on to write a timeline on what would happen if President John F. Kennedy survived his 1963 assassination attempt.  I hope to have the first update ready by Monday.

I look forward to it, :)

Good luck Ben. Should be interesting.

AWESOME!!!!!!!
That being said, if you need any help on anything (in particular senate and congressional issues) i would love to help, as my grandpa was quite active at the time as an advisor to Kennedy and later Johnson on veterans issues.

I never knew you liked to do threads on JFK. ;)

A dream day had turned into a nightmare.  In two separate hotel rooms in Dallas, the President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and the Governor of Texas, John Bowden Connally fight for their lives following a shooting while the President, Governor, Vice President Johnson, Senator Yarborough and their families ride through Dallas.

In the late hours of the evening, word leaks out that Governor Connally, despite the best efforts of his doctors, had died from bullet wounds to the arms, chest, and legs.  A distraught Vice President Johnson openly weeps at the loss of one of his closest and oldest friends.  No word is sent about the President, other than that he is in critical condition, and hovering between life and death.

All across the country, business grinds to a halt as people await news on their fallen leader.  In the late afternoon of the next day, it is reported that the President, although alive, was in weak condition, and would return to the White House to rest.

On November 26, the President is seen returning to the White House, appearing worn and haggard.  In a statement to the press, the President jokes about the assassination attempt, attributing his wounds to his forgetting to duck.   He announces that he will spend the next several weeks recovering, and will most likely return for his State of the Union address.

I have trouble believing Kennedy would be joking after John Connally's death. Besides that this seems like a good start.

Are we to assume, then, that Oswald's bullet struck Kennedy somewhere other than his head?

That bullet actually missed Kennedy completely.

Where was he wounded, then?

He was wounded in the hip and arm.

Gotchya. :D

[/derailment]

Can't wait for the next installment.

On January 8, 1964, President Kennedy, for the first time since the assassination attempt, appears before Congress.  He starts off by paying tribute to the late Governor Connally, calling him “A truly great American.”  He asks the Congress to pass his Civil Rights Act, which had been bottled up in the Rules Committee by Chairman Howard Smith (D-VA), since before the assassination attempt.  “It is an unholy calumny that some Americans, because of the accident of birth, are not able to seek the fullest opportunities that the good Lord has offered to them.”

The day following the speech, the President gathers a meeting of top Congressional leaders in the House and Senate, as well as Vice President Johnson, to discuss how to get the Act out of Smith’s committee.  At the suggestion of Congressman Emmanuel Celler (D-NY), the House would be presented with a petition to discharge the bill from the Committee. Only if a majority of members signed the discharge petition would the bill move directly to the House floor without consideration by Smith's committee.  Despite reservations about the effectiveness of the petition, Kennedy tells Celler to introduce it.

For several weeks, the petition languishes in Congress, with some members refusing to go against typical procedure and sign the petition.  However, after an intense lobbying campaign by Vice President Johnson, as well as massive letter writing campaign by constituents, Congressman begin signing on.  In order to avoid the embarrassment of the petition, Smith agrees to discharge the Act on February 19.  On March 1, by a vote of 290-130, the Act passes, and is sent to the Senate.

Following the Senate vote, Kennedy meets with Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT), to try and find a way to avoid the Act being bottled up in the Judiciary Committee.  After several days, Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN), comes up with a novel solution.  Instead of initially waiving a second reading of the bill, which would have led sent it immediately to Judiciary, Mansfield would give the Act a second reading, which he did on March 27.

Mansfield proposed that, in the absence of precedent for instances when a second reading did not immediately follow the first, that the bill bypass the Judiciary Committee and immediately be sent to the Senate floor for debate.  Despite several Southerners wanting to filibuster the motion, Senator Richard Russell (D-GA), decides to let the Act come to the floor, which it does on April 8.

As long expected, the South filibusters, with Senator Russell declaring, “We will resist to the bitter end any measure or any movement which would have a tendency to bring about social equality and intermingling and amalgamation of the races in our states.”  The longest speech of the filibuster is given by Senator A. Willis Robertson (D-VA), who speaks for 19 hours and 28 minutes.

On the June 25, Senators Everett Dirksen (R-IL), Thomas Kuchel (R-CA), Humphrey, and Mansfield introduce a substitute bill, hoping to attract enough Republican votes to end the filibuster.  The strategy works, and on July 8, after a 13 hour speech by Senator John McClellan (D-AR), the Senate agrees to grant cloture, by a vote of 70-30, the first time cloture had ever been imposed on a civil rights bill.  Three days later, by a vote of 72-28, the Senate passes the Civil Rights Act of 1964; it is passed by the House on July 9, and the next day, in a grand ceremony, President Kennedy signs the legislation.  During the ceremony, though, Vice President Johnson remarks to an aide that, “We have lost the South for a generation.”

With the legislation finally passed, President Kennedy begins, in earnest, his campaign for reelection.

Good timeline so far. I'm just wondering what you are going to do as far as LBJ being VP? A lot of folks think that he would have dropped him, and the popularity boost from the assassination attempt would have given him the leverage to drop him. His closest aides said that he was thinking Terry Sanford, governor of NC and a symbol of the new south.

Interesting and well detailed installment on the ATL Passage of the Civil Rights Act for TTL. It does sound like more of a backlash might develop in favor of Goldwater in the election(He'll still probably loose but not as bad as in OTL). Assuming that Goldwater is the GOP Nominee, do him an JFK make good on there series of town hall debates that is rumored they had planned in OTL? This, added with information being released about JFK's other women and the medical issues might tip the election in Goldwater's favor. Keep it comming

I guess it's the risk we run in a free society and forum.

The Democratic Nomination

On March 17th, President Kennedy announces that he will seek a second term in 1964.  He says that he hopes to have the Vice President run again, but that he will let Johnson make his own plans.  Three days later, Vice President Johnson addresses the press, “On November 21, 1963, I was resolved to seek a second term as Vice President.  However, following the death of my good friend, Governor Connally, I have decided to not seek a second term as Vice President.  I will, however, campaign very hard for the President, and I hope he is reelected.”

Following Johnson’s announcement, Kennedy begins searching for a new Vice President.  With the conventional wisdom being that Kennedy would need a Southerner, the Kennedy short list includes only members from Confederate and border states.  By early July, the President’s shortlist has been narrowed down to three people: Senators Ralph Yarborough of Texas and George Smathers of Florida, and Governor Terry Sanford of North Carolina.  After conferring with Vice President Johnson, Kennedy decides to select Senator Smathers, making the decision public on July 24, one month before the Democratic Convention begins in Atlantic City.

The Convention opens with a moving tribute to Governor Connally, delivered by a very emotional Vice President Johnson.  The convention nominates Kennedy and Smathers by acclamation, and Kennedy, in a rousing address, promises a victory in November.

The Republican Nomination

As the election season opened, the Republicans faced a looming civil war between the liberal and conservative factions of their party.  Following the announcement of former Vice President Nixon that he would not seek the nomination, several candidates from both sides declare for the nomination, with the frontrunners seemingly being Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, representing the liberals, and Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona standing for the conservatives.

The first primary, in New Hampshire, goes to Governor Rockefeller by a substantial margin, as expected.  The next primary, on April 7 in Wisconsin, goes to Senator Goldwater by a narrow margin.  On April 14, Goldwater scores a major victory in Illinois, and then rolls off consecutive wins in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, and West Virginia, before finally losing in Oregon.  The defeat comes too late, and Goldwater has the nomination wrapped up by that point.  On May 19, after losing in the Maryland primary, Rockefeller ends the active stage of his campaign, and focuses on securing delegates at the convention in San Francisco.

At the convention, Rockefeller insists on a roll call vote, despite Goldwater having more than enough delegates to win the nomination.  Midway through the vote, however, Rockefeller concedes, and Goldwater is nominated by acclamation.  He selects Governor William Scranton of Pennsylvania, a Rockefeller supporter, as his running mate.

The General Election

Throughout the campaign, both candidates maintain a very positive attitude.  The two friends debate each other in numerous televised, town hall debates, which are evenly split between the two candidates.  The final debate, held on October 25, is held on Air Force 1, in one of the most watched broadcasts of the year.

During the campaign, Kennedy appeared to have maintained a solid lead, and on election night, he is reelected by a comfortable margin.

()
John Kennedy/George Smathers: 54% PV, 337 EV
Barry Goldwater/William Scranton: 44% PV, 201 EV
Others: 2% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

Despite Kennedy’s landslide, the Democrats suffer minor losses in the House, owing to their already strong majority.  In the Senate, they maintain their previous numbers.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 64 (-)
Republicans: 36 (-)

House Results
Democrats: 250 (-9)
Republicans: 185 (+9)

Another masterpiece from the great Ben Constantine? We shall see. It looks very good so far.

It's actually Constine, and thank you :)

It's good, but how do you have a presidential debate on an airplane?

Great Installment on the election, I think the results were very probable, and i think we can say a GOP victory in 68. Does Reagan still give "The Speech" in TTL? Can't wait to see what you have in store for us soon...Keep it comming

I read about it in a book on Goldwater, so I included it.


Reagan does indeed give his famed speech, and he campaigns very hard for Senator Goldwater.

I knew that. Its just whenever I see your Display name I think of Ben Franklin and Constantine the Great. This is one of those cases where my brain and my fingers are not on the same wavelength.

Ah, of course.

So when can we expect the next installment?

Very well thought out. Here's a few things I like, and some I don't
1-Smathers makes a whole lot of sense. Anti-communist, southern, and a Kennedy supporter. I would have liked to see Sanford, but Smathers is good too.
2-Johnson withdrawing on his own sounds a little sketchy. It does sound like Bobby and other Kennedy allies persuaded him to do it.
3-Texas going to Goldwater after Dallas!!!!??????!!!!! I can see the south and inner-west, but not Texas.
Besides that, fantastic update!

Drop Johnson? No, certainly not. Johnson had ambition, too.

LBJ was going to seek another term, but Connally's death had a major impact on him, and he just couldn't go again.

()
The Second Term of John F. Kennedy

“This country demands action, and it demands action now!  I am asking Congress to pass the complete legislative package that I am sending them, so that we may achieve our Great Society!”

The first piece of legislation Kennedy sends to Congress in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Written by Attorney General Bobby Kennedy, and introduced into the Senate by Senator Ralph Yarborough (D-TX), the Act would outlaw the practice of requiring otherwise qualified voters to pass literacy tests in order to register to vote, a principal means by which southern states had prevented African-Americans from exercising the franchise.  It would also establish federal oversight of elections administration.

From the beginning, it became clear that the South intended to filibuster the legislation.  Deciding against utilizing the tactic used to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Kennedy asks Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT), to allow the South to filibuster, while working behind the scenes to gain Republican support.  On March 23, Mansfield decides he has enough votes, and calls for cloture.  By a vote of 69-31, cloture is achieved, and on March 30, by a vote of 67-33, the Senate passes the Voting Rights Act.

When the VRA reaches the House, though, it encounters even more difficulty, as Congressman Smith bottles it up in the Rules Committee.  By early June, the VRA had been in the Committee for 2 months, with no action being taken.  Finally, on June 12, the VRA is reported out, and is passed by the House on June 29, 320-115.  It is signed by President Kennedy on July 1.

The next piece of legislation on Kennedy’s agenda is the Economic Opportunity Act of 1965.  Written by Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN), the EOA would be implemented by the Office of Economic Opportunity, and include social programs to promote the health, education, and general welfare of the poor.  The EOA faces little opposition in either House, and is signed by Kennedy on August 6.

When Congress returned in September, it was presented with two pieces of legislation for education: the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and the Higher Education Act of 1965.  The Elementary and Secondary Education Act would fund primary and secondary education for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and parental involvement promotion.  Written by Francis Keppel, the U.S. Commissioner of Education, the ESEA faced little opposition, and was signed by President Kennedy on December 9.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 also written by Keppel, would increase federal money given to universities, created scholarships, give low-interest loans for students, and establish a National Teachers Corps.  Like the ESEA, the HEA faced little opposition, and was signed by President Kennedy on January 7.

In his State of the Union Address in 1966, President Kennedy announces a massive troop escalation in Vietnam, in order to, “Put an end to the Communist threat to South Vietnam and ensure that the North Vietnamese adhere to the treaties which they have signed.”  Not mentioned by Kennedy, though, is any attempt to move into North Vietnam.  Acting on the advise of military officials, as well as Senator Richard B. Russell (D-GA), Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Kennedy makes the decision that a ceasefire similar to the one in Korea was the best possible outcome.

Not everyone, however, approves of the decision.  Senator Henry M. Jackson (D-WA) calls it, “A sellout to the South Vietnamese, as well as all the American soldiers who have worked to prevent the spread of Communism.”  Senator John Tower (R-TX) chides the President for, “Doing what was politically expedient, instead of doing what was right.”  However, Kennedy defends his decision on national television, saying that it was the best conceivable result.

That statement is challenged by General William Westmoreland, the chief leader of troops in Vietnam.  In a speech on February 10, 1966, Westmoreland criticizes Kennedy’s leadership, and asks Congress to give him more troops.  Three days later, Kennedy fires Westmoreland, replacing him with Maxwell D. Taylor, a Kennedy ally.

The Westmoreland firing raises hell amongst Republicans and hawkish Democrats, with the Congress actually passing a resolution condemning Kennedy for the decision.  Kennedy stands by his choice, though, and the fighting in Vietnam continues under new leadership.

In early April, Kennedy submits to Congress two amendments to the Social Security Act, establishing Medicare and Medicaid.  Medicare would serve as government-funded health care for the elderly, while Medicaid would be government-funded health care for the poor.  Despite charges from some conservatives that Medicare and Medicaid amounted to socialism, the Congress passes both amendments easily, and the first cards are given to former President Harry Truman and his wife Bess at the Truman Library.

On June 4, Justice Hugo L. Black dies of a stroke at his home in Washington, DC.  To replace him, Kennedy follows through on a previous statement and appoints William H. Hastie to replace Black.  Hastie, the first African-American ever nominated to the Supreme Court, faces intense opposition from Southerners, including James Eastland (D-MS), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.  After more than two months of grueling hearings, Hastie is finally confirmed by the Senate, 78-22, and becomes the first African-American Justice on the Supreme Court.

The Congressional Elections

As expected during the final election of a two term Presidency, the opposition makes gains in Congress, with the GOP picking up several Senate seats, and a fair chunk of House seats.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 60 (-4)
Republicans: 40 (+4)

House Results
Democrats: 238 (-12)
Republicans: 197 (+12)

Green equals one GOP and one Democratic hold.

Interesting situation, you have arising here...I am assuming we don't see as much Anti-war and Civil Rights protests did in otl? Hmm, the Westmoreland firing does seem as if it's going to have some major ripples down the road...the general might take a swing in at the GOP nomination in TTL? If George Smathers does become the nominee, he may very well be able to win back some of the Southern States in a Carteresque faction, assuming Scoop's fighting Democrats manage to be kept in line. I like where TTL is going and Keep it comming.

The firing of General Westmoreland is an interesting twist in this story. Will the general pull a MacArthur and run for president in 1968? 

And a heart condition.

Good scenario. What of Bobby Kennedy and Ted Kennedy? I'd like to see theirlives without JFK's assassination.

As President Kennedy enters the final two years of his term, his approval ratings stand at an all time low, hovering in the mid 40’s.  This is mostly attributed to the situation in Vietnam.  Despite the massive troop increase, the North Vietnamese refused to allow for a ceasefire, despite failing to inflict any sort of damage to the American troops.

Many members of Congress begin calling for a decisive blow in the war.  Senator Henry M. Jackson (D-WA), says that, “We have an opportunity to win this war now.  With one fell swoop, we can end the threat of North Vietnam permanently.”  Senator John Tower (R-TX) says, “The President is putting his poll numbers ahead of national security.”  Despite the increased pressure, Kennedy does nothing to troop levels.

In a speech on January 29, 1967, President Kennedy boasts that wages were the highest in history, unemployment was at a 13-year low, and corporate profits and farm incomes were greater than ever.  Following the speech, he sends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; written by his brother, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), the ADEA would prohibit employment discrimination against persons 40 years of age or older.  It would also set standards for pensions and benefits provided by employers, and requires that information about the needs of older workers be provided to the general public.  This legislation, like many of Kennedy’s key programs, passes with little opposition, and is signed into law on May 1, 1967.

On June 5, President Kennedy is confronted with a foreign affairs crisis, when Israel launches a pre-emptive attack against the Egyptian air force. Jordan, which had signed a mutual defence treaty with Egypt on May 30, responds by attacking western Jerusalem and Netanya.  Despite calls from Senators such as Henry Jackson, Hubert Humphrey, John Tower, and other hawks, President Kennedy does not respond immediately, allowing Israel to take its own path.

On June 8, Israel captures the Sinai by sending infantry units to Ras-Sudar on the western coast of the peninsula. Sharm El-Sheikh, at its southern tip, had already been taken a day earlier by units of the Israeli Navy.  By June 10, following the capture of the Golan Heights, Israel signs a ceasefire.  During the fighting, Israel had seized the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank of the Jordan River (including East Jerusalem), and the Golan Heights.  During peace negotiations, Israel votes to return the Sinai to Egypt and the Golan Heights to Syria in return for peace agreements. The Golans would be demilitarized and special arrangement would be negotiated for the Straits of Tiran. The government also resolved to open negotiations with King Hussein of Jordan regarding the Eastern border.  Despite the favorable result, Kennedy is still criticized for his failure to send in troops to help Israel.

On June 29, Chief Justice Earl Warren and Justice Tom Clark both announce their retirement from the Supreme Court.  To replace him, President Kennedy nominates David L. Bazelon of the DC Court of Appeals.  Bazelon is confirmed without any controversy.  Clark is replaced by his fellow Texan John Robert Brown.

On 14 July, 1967, the voters in the United Kingdom give a major boost to incumbent Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his Labour Party, giving Labour a gain of 54 seats, giving him a majority of 102 seats.

In September, though, Kennedy asks Congress to pass the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1968.  The INA would abolish the national-origin quotas that had been in place in the United States since the Immigration Act of 1924.  Strongly supported by liberal Democrats and Republicans, it passes the House on October 17, by a vote of 280-129; on December 12 it passes the Senate, 68-32, and is signed by President Kennedy.

In early February, Kennedy asks Congress to pass legislation increasing funding for NASA, saying that it was possible to reach the moon by the end of 1968.  Congress, however, refuses to pass the spending bill, instead making cuts to the NASA budget, overriding Kennedy’s veto on April 25.

On April 4, 1968, in Tennessee, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray.  Following King’s death, Kennedy gives a speech on national television, mourning that slain leader, and ending any possible threat of riots throughout the country.  King’s funeral is Alabama is attended by the President, Vice President, every member of the Cabinet, House and Senate Leaders, and several Presidential candidates, preparing for the campaign.

The heart condition wouldn't get in his way, methinks. He had to be President.

The Democratic Nomination

With it being taken for granted that Vice President Smathers would seek reelection, the major question was who, if anyone, would run against him.  Early attention centered around Senator Henry M. Jackson, of Washington.  A prominent hawk who enjoyed support in every major Democratic constituency, Jackson was considered a premier choice to run for President.  On January 17, Jackson announces that he will indeed seek the nomination.  On February 2, Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin announces that he will seek the nomination, with support from the small, dovish wing of his party.

On March 12, the first primary of the year is held in New Hampshire.  As expected, Vice President Smathers wins an easy victory, garnering 61% of the vote.  Senator Proxmire finishes second, with 23%, and Senator Jackson gets 16%.  On April 2, in Wisconsin, Senator Proxmire wins 67% in his home state, with 23% going to Smathers, and 10% going to Jackson.  Three weeks later, Smathers wins 70% in Pennsylvania, Jackson wins 21%, and Proxmire wins 9%.  On April 30, Smathers wins 72% in Massachusetts, with Jackson getting 23%, and 5% going to Proxmire.  Smathers continues his winning streak on May 7, taking Washington DC, Indiana, and Ohio by large margins.  Jackson drops out following those primaries, and endorses Smathers.  On May 14, Smathers wins Nebraska and West Virginia; he wins Florida and Oregon on May 28; on June 4 he wins California, New Jersey and South Dakota, and ends the primary season with a win in Illinois.

Entering the Convention, Smathers already holds a majority of delegates.  However, Proxmire insists on a roll call vote, which ends with him only winning in Wisconsin.  Smathers selects Senator Jackson as his running mate, much to the anger of the dovish wing of the party.  Smathers and Jackson both give rousing speeches, and march on to the November election.

The Republican Nomination

Following Goldwater’s defeat in 1964, the GOP looked to the moderate wing of the Party, and the first candidate to declare is moderate Nelson Rockefeller, who failed to gain the nomination in 1964.  Shortly after Rockefeller’s announcement, Senator John Tower of Texas, a conservative, announces his bid for the nomination.  An attempt to draft Richard Nixon fails, and on February 23, Nixon endorses Tower for the nomination.

Rockefeller, as expected, wins the New Hampshire primary by a large margin; Tower responds by winning Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, before Rockefeller takes Massachusetts and DC.  Tower responds by winning Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, West Virginia, Florida, Oregon, and California, ending with a Rockefeller victory in New Jersey; Tower ends the primaries with a win in Illinois.

The RNC opens in Miami without a clear nominee.  The first ballot shows a slight lead for Tower, with Rockefeller in second.
Senator John Tower (TX): 623 votes
Governor Nelson Rockefeller (NY): 600 votes
Governor George Romney (MI): 74 votes
Former Vice President Richard Nixon (CA): 35 votes
 Senator Hiram Fong (HI): 1 vote

Shortly before the second vote, Tower makes Rockefeller an offer: if Rockefeller withdraws, then Tower will let him name the Vice President.  Rockefeller accepts, Tower wins the nomination, and Rockefeller supporter Governor Spiro Agnew of Maryland is named the VP nominee.

The General Election

As the campaign gets underway, the race is dead even between Smathers and Tower.  The race changes, though, on September 5, when General William Westmoreland, angry at both candidates for their perceived dovish views on Vietnam, announces his candidacy for President, as the nominee of the American Independent Party, running with Governor Lester Maddox of Georgia as his Vice President.

Westmoreland’s entry into the race radically alters the dynamics of the campaign.  Running to the right of Tower, Westmoreland appears to have thrown the election to Smathers.  During the debates, Westmoreland pounds both candidates on national defense, and jumps in the polls, garnering nearly 25% in early October.  However, Westmoreland is hit hard by the media on his running mate’s segregationist past.  Westmoreland, however, states that his running mate should not effect voter’s views on him, which gets him hit even harder by the media.

On election day, Tower pulls out an extremely narrow victory, with Westmoreland taking a significant chunk of the vote, despite not winning any states.

()
John Tower/Spiro Agnew: 41.7% PV, 317 EV
George Smathers/Henry Jackson: 41.1% PV, 221 EV
William Westmoreland/Lester Maddox: 16.1% PV, 0 EV
Others: 1.1% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

Despite the close Presidential race, the Republicans make major gains in the Senate; in the House, however, their gains are much smaller.
Senate Results
()
Democrats: 53 (-7)
Republicans: 47 (+7)

House Results
Democrats: 232 (-6)
Republicans: 203 (+6)

Great last two installment...I would think Westmoreland's third party run would split the conservative vote esp in the South with Tower, enough so to possibly shift the election to the house? I guess not, It is interesting to see what position the Democrats will take in OTL esp if Support the war Tower in OTL does a Johnsonesque escalation of the war. Perhaps this will allow former Attorney General Bobby Kennedy(Does he still go for the New York Senate seat?) or Mass Senator Teddy Kennedy to run an "We told you so" campaign in '72 or '76 as leader of the growing peace wing? Also picking Agnew is a powder keg waiting to happen, so itll be interesting to see who he nominates if Agnew resigns. Btw what is Tower's stance going to be on the Negative Income Tax and can he bring up enough clout in Congress to get it passed?

Any answers for some of the questions I posted a few day's ago? and how's the next installment coming along? lol

My apologies :)  An update will appear in the next several minutes.

()
The First Term of John Tower

In his Inaugural Address, continuing on the themes of his campaign, Tower promises for a strong military, including victory in Vietnam.  Tower promises for a bipartisan administration, and his Cabinet reflects that.

Secretary of State: William P. Rogers (R-NY)
Secretary of Treasury: George P. Shultz (R-NY)
Secretary of Defense: Olin E. Teague (D-TX)
Attorney General: Richard Kleindienst (R-AZ)
Postmaster General: Winton M. Blount (R-AL)
Secretary of the Interior: Don Samuelson (R-ID)
Secretary of Agriculture: Robert Docking (D-KS)
Secretary of Commerce: Elliot Richardson (R-MA)
Secretary of Labor: James D. Hodgson (R-MN)
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: Caspar Weinberger (R-CA)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Frank E. Curran (D-CA)
Secretary of Transportation: John A. Volpe (R-MA)

Upon taking office, one of Tower’s first actions is to call for a massive troop increase in Vietnam.  He also asks Congress to pass a military pay raise, in an attempt to draw more people into the military.  He does, however, reject a suggestion from hawks such as the recently reelected Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) for a draft, saying it would only have a negative impact on the morale of soldiers.

In deciding to focus on the military, Tower decides to cut spending on numerous domestic programs, including NASA.  The decision, however, raises hell amongst Congressional liberals.  Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), says, “The President is trying to gut all of the programs that have been so beneficial to the American people, simply so he can pay for a foreign war.”  Senator Henry M. Jackson says, “We do not have to sacrifice butter for guns.  The President’s budget has been starved to death, and it does not need to be so.”  On February 12, Congress passes a budget that includes only minor cuts in social spending, and barely any increase in military spending.  The next day, President Tower vetoes the bill, and announces that he will veto any spending bill that lacks major increases in military spending, and major cuts in social spending.

Four days later, though, the Congress votes overwhelmingly to override the President’s veto.  In a statement, the President blames Congress for endangering the American military presence in Vietnam.

On May 12, 1969, Congress passes the Environmental Protection Act of 1969.  Written by Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN), the EPA would establish an Environmental Protection Agency, giving the Agency a large amount of control over the country’s environmental programs.  Despite facing strong opposition from conservatives in Congress, the EPA passes on June 27 in the House, 300-135, and passes the Senate on July 18, 57-43.  Following his stinging spending defeat, Tower signs the legislation on July 19.

In early September, Congress begins debate on the Civil Rights Act of 1969.  Written primarily by Senator Hubert Humphrey (D-MN), the Act would prohibit discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, and national origin.  For the first time since the Voting Rights Act, the South filibusters.  Not all Southerners join in, though.  Senator Al Gore of Tennessee announces he will vote for cloture, as does Ralph Yarborough of Texas and both Senators from Florida, Spessard Holland and LeRoy Collins.

On October 23, by a vote of 79-17, the Senate approved cloture on the bill.  On October 30, they pass the Civil Rights Act of 1969, 73-27.  Upon reaching the House, the Act is bottled up in the Rules Committee by Chairman William Colmer (D-MS), a strong opponent of civil rights legislation.  For nearly a month, pro-civil rights Congressman try to get the Act discharged from Committee, without success.

On December 10, though, Colmer inexplicably releases the Act from Committee, sending it to the full House.  On December 19, by a vote of 280-155, the House passes the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and sends it to the President.  After several days of internal wrangling, the President signs the Act on December 22.

In his State of the Union Address on January 22, 1970, Tower calls for yet another increase in military spending.  He also comes out strongly in opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, despite strong support amongst the voters.

By early February, the situation in Vietnam seems to have deteriorated since Tower took over.  On February 16, General Taylor resigns, and is replaced by General Westmoreland, after serving for a little over a year as Tower’s National Security Advisor.  Westmoreland, speaking to Congress in early March, says that he needs at least 50,000 more troops in order to win the war fully.

Following Westmoreland’s statement, though, criticism of the war effort begins to increase.  Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) says, “We have been in Vietnam for over a decade.  The time has come to pull out, and allow the Vietnamese to handle their own affairs.”  Even hawks such as Henry M. Jackson (D-WA) begin to move towards peace, with Jackson declaring, “There’s no point in spending an extra 5 years to overcome North Vietnam, when we can have a peaceful coexistence.”

Despite the calls, Tower refuses to cut back on troop levels, and begins suggesting that America may remain in Vietnam well into the 1970’s.

On June 3, Justice John Marshal Harlan dies of a heart attack.  To replace him, Tower nominates Clement Haynsworth of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.  However, the Haynsworth nomination runs into opposition from liberals, as well as unions and the NAACP.  On June 20, the Senate rejects Haynsworth’s nomination, 53-46, the first nominee to be rejected in 40 years.  On June 28, Tower nominates Bailey Aldrich of the 1st Circuit; on July 15, Aldrich is confirmed 97-2.

On August 3, Tower leaves for a tour of Europe.  He meets with every major European leader, including newly elected British Prime Minister Edward Heath, just several weeks after his Conservative Party regained the majority in Parliament.  Throughout Europe, Tower is criticized for his position of Vietnam.  Pope Paul VI spends nearly an hour lecturing Tower on the sanctity of life, as protesters rant outside of the Palace.  When Tower returns to the US on August 25, his approval rating stands at an all time low of 42%.

The Congressional Elections

With Tower’s approval ratings sinking very low, the Democrats make major gains in both Houses of Congress, giving them an impressive majority to confront Tower with.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 59 (+6)
Republicans: 41 (-7)

House Results
Democrats: 260 (+28)
Republicans: 175 (-28)

Hmm...It seems someone had to suffer the fate of LBJ ITTL, I just hoped it wouldn't be another Texan lol An interesting twist since we don't have a JFK assasination, would be for Arthur Bremer to actually succeed in killing the president or even causing him paryalsis in a manner like George Wallace. That might boost the GOP's chances of winning the '72 election, if not I can see Ted Kennedy(Assuming there was no Chappaquidick ITTL),George Mcgovern Eugene McCarthy, or even Shirley Chisholm taking over as the Dove wing of the Democrats gain control of the Party. It will be interesting to see where you take this...

In this timeline, actually, the dovish wing of the party is much weaker, since Vietnam did not prove such a divisive issue for the Democrats.  In January, 1971, the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination, all Senators, are (in no particular order):

Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (Minnesota)
Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Massachusetts)
Senator George McGovern (South Dakota)
Senator Henry M. Jackson (Washington)
Senator LeRoy Collins (Florida)

Ah I see, at least there is a pool of candidates for the Democrats...I wonder if any of the Moderate Republicans will run against Tower in an insurgency campaign.?Hmm decisions,decisions lol

I dont think Democrats could have gained Senate seats in 1970 even if it was a really good year for them.  They were still overinflated by their 1958 gains, which they held in 1964. 

So when can we expect the next installment?

They weren't so much overinflated over 1964, although I would not have thought that they could have picked up 6 seats if this were real. Maybe very close races went for the Dems. Remember, Vietnam is not so much a polarizing issue in this TL, and united Democrats could have won some more in 1970, due to Pesident Tower's low approval.

Jackson-Humphrey or (vice-versa) in '72!!!

In the next day or two.

Why would Senator Jackson accept the position as Senator Humphrey's running mate when he was already selected as Vice President Smathers' in 1968? If anything I'm expecting one of the many "New South" Governors, such as Reubin Askew or Jimmy Carter, to be selected by Humphrey, if of course, Humphrey does win the Democratic Nomination in 1972. However, I could be completely wrong.

As for the timeline, Benjamin, continue the good work. Hopefully this timeline does not fall off the wagon like your previous timeline, TR elected in 1912. If you long for your timeline to not meet similar fate I would happily suggest an excellent remedy. Foreign events, such as elections, wars, etc and a lot of them. However, make sure you find the right balance between both domestic and foreign events.

I agree with Prime Minister Chipp on both questions. For one, Jackson would never take a VEEP role, and even with the Democratic party less dovish, he wasn't exactly the most inspirational candidate (plus labor wouldn't give him their full support if Humphrey was the frontrunner). The Prime Minister's second point I also agree with. For my Kennedy timline, I have realized that international events can become solid filler, as well as making things more interesting. For instance, Russia and China have worse relations with the U.S., and Vietnam may very well become a dominant power in southeast Asia.

Yes I suppose you're right.....

Jackson in '72 or an out of the blue candidate.


I know who will be president when this timeline ends....

who do you think? A Kennedy perhaps?

Im thinking that, the Democrats focus for the 72 election will be a successfull withdrawl from Vietnam, that being said I think Jackson will be able to clinch the nomination...and in a fight to regain working-class whites but to also sure up Black Voters unsure of his anti-busing stance, The Fighting democrat picks Kennedy. That way, you also get a balance on Age as well as Jackson was 60 compared to Teddy's 40. Although they probably don't get anything in the South, they may be able to cobble 270 electoral votes everwhere elese.

Nope, and I won't say until It is finished because


1. Benconstine may get mad at me.
2. It is a guess, but a good one.
3. And no, Mark Warner is not my guess.

By all means, speculate.  I have absolutely no problem with speculating, unless I already told you.

When does the timeline end, exactly, if it is present day I have a feeling about who it is.

I'll probably end it with the 2008 elections.

President Jim Webb

No, it will not be Jim Webb.  PBrunsel already did that.

oh. dang it I was wrong.

As Far as speculation goes...For the 1972 Democratic Nominee's im still leaning toward a Scoop/Teddy Ticket(It just makes sense all around) but since TTL is ripe for an asssasination...So Arthur Bremer might be able to take out John Tower(He wanted to get Nixon but was unsuccessful, then he settled on Wallace). So the GOP nominee could be....

As far as who becomes POTUS on January 20th 2009 im going to say either John John or Caroline(Both of whom might get interested in Politics earlier than in OTL, with their real dad being around...so those butterflies could be interesting.)

I can't wait for the next update................................

In his State of the Union Address on January 23, 1971, President Tower declares that, “We have nearly won the war in Vietnam.  I can safely predict that by the end of 1973, Ho Chi Minh will be forced to sue for peace.”

However, shortly after the speech, Tower’s facts are disputed.  In testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary of the Navy John W. Warner says that, “Unless we have a drastic troop increase, and step up our bombing campaign, there will be no definite victory in the foreseeable future.”  In separate testimony, General Westmoreland confirms Warner’s statement.

Following these statements, Senate opposition to the war intensifies.  On March 1, a resolution introduced jointly by Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN), and Charles Mathias (R-MD), calls for a complete withdrawal of troops from Vietnam by December 31, 1972.  The resolution is filibustered, and fails to gain cloture, failing 55-45.

On March 10, the Senate votes on the Equal Rights Amendment.  That same day, a poll showed that 71% of voters wanted the ERA passed, including a majority in 30 states.  However, the ERA fails to gain the necessary votes, getting just 59 in favor, to 41 against.  The vote is seen as a victory for Tower, who had strongly opposed the Amendment.

On April 3, the Senate votes on an Amendment to lower the voting age to 18.  On this Amendment, Tower had not taken a position, as he didn’t want to be seen opposing the right to vote for any group of people.  The Amendment passes, 83-17, and on April 29, it passes the House 374-61, and is sent to the states for ratification.

In the second week of April, Tower begins yet another international tour.  While in England, he meets once again with Prime Minister Heath who, less than 2 years after taking office, appears likely to be voted out in the next election.  Tower, who hasn’t had approval ratings above 50% since early 1970, sympathizes with the Prime Minister, and tells him to ignore the polling, and do what he thinks is best.

On May 4, the Senate begins debate on the Freedom of Information Act.  Written by Senator Humphrey, the FIA would require full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States Government.  The legislation is filibustered in the Senate, due to strong opposition from conservatives, as well the President, FBI, CIA, and other executive departments.

()
Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC) filibustering the Freedom of Information Act

On June 17, the Senate votes on cloture.  In a surprise, the motion passes, 60-25.  On June 26, the Senate passes the FIA, 62-38.  It is then sent to the House, where it moves quickly, due to the illness of Rules Chairman William Colmer (D-MS).  It passes the House on July 25, 234-200.  It is, however, vetoed by President Tower, but on August 25, the Senate votes 70-30 to overrule the veto, and the House follows on September 16, 300-135.

On October 4, former President Eisenhower dies of congestive heart failure at his home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  The funeral is attended by the President and his family, the Vice President and his family, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Richard B. Russell (D-GA), Speaker Carl Albert (D-OK), former Presidents Kennedy and Truman, and former Vice Presidents Johnson and Nixon, Nixon now serving as Governor of California.

In his State of the Union Address, President Tower pays tribute to Eisenhower, calling him “A true American hero.”  He also announces that he plans to up the troop levels in Vietnam, and repeats his statement from 1971 that the war will be over by 1973.

On February 4, 1972, the UK holds elections, and the results are a stunning defeat for incumbent Prime Minister Heath, as former Prime Minister Harold Wilson and the Labour Party regain their majority status.

()
Prime Minister Wilson waving to supporters following the election returns

On February 19, former Vice President Johnson dies of a heart attack at the Johnson Ranch, after being in poor health for several years.  The former Vice President is eulogized by his good friend Richard B. Russell, who calls him, “One of the greatest men to ever serve in the United States Senate.”

On March 5, in a 6-3 decision written by Chief Justice Bazelon, the Supreme Court rules in Roe v. Wade, that states cannot prohibit the right to an abortion.  The decision immediately causes controversy, with conservatives, both Democrats and Republicans, condemning the decision.  President Tower, however, comes out in support of the decision, angering the conservative base as Tower prepares to seek a second term in office.

Excellent Work!

Hmm...I wasn't aware that Tower was Pro-choice in otl...So not only will Tower have to fend off a strong pool of Democratic candidates...He is going to have to face off against both the Conservative and Moderate wings of his own party over Roe V. Wade and Vietnam. He only has two choices that I forsee, unless some miracle happens in Vietnam, is to either withdraw his name from nomination like otl LBJ or go down like otl Carter....Keep it comming!!!

Jackson! Jackson! Jackson! *woot*

Excellent update, as always Ben :).

With Richard Nixon now Governor of California, what's going on with Ronald Reagan? Was he elected Governor in 1966 as he was in RL or did he lose the Republican Primary to the former Vice President? Anyway, I hope he will not make appearance in this timeline. However, I would be pleased if he made a miraculous political comeback and lost whatever political office he were perusing.

Yep Tower was Pro-Choice, so was Baker. It will be interesting as to how the Democratic Party will shift on abortion. Will Jack Kennedy be viewed as pro-choice or pro-life, and if the partisan divide is lessened, will abortion be that big of an issue.

Hmm...It will be interesting to see where the true conservatives fall, especially if Abortion is taken out of the sails of the movement...I forsee a couple of Third Party runs, untill they blend back into the Republicans and Abortion seases to be an issue.

Thank you :)  Ronald Reagan lost the GOP primary to Richard Nixon in 1966, and was appointed US Ambassador to the United Kingdom by President Tower in 1969, a role he has held ever since.  He has a gentleman's agreement with Governor Nixon that Nixon will step down in 1974, and Reagan will run again.

The Democratic Nomination

On March 4, 1971, the first Democrat declares his candidacy for President.  Speaking in Philadelphia, the city that first put him on the national stage, Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota promises, “A brighter future for America.”  On March 22, Senator LeRoy Collins of Florida announces for the Presidency.  Three weeks later, Governor Kenneth M. Curtis of Maine declares his candidacy for President.

Almost immediately, it becomes clear that Humphrey has the edge.  On May 3, Senator Ed Muskie of Maine becomes the first major politician to endorse a candidate, when he announces his support for Humphrey.  Four days later, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota follows, and endorses Humphrey.  By the end of June, Humphrey has been endorsed by 19 Senators, 9 Governors, and 28 Congressman.

During the summer, though, all the talk centers not on Humphrey, but on two non-candidates: Senator Scoop Jackson of Washington, and Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.  Although the polls show Senator Humphrey with a large lead amongst the declared candidates, his lead disappears once Jackson and Kennedy are factored in.

On September 5, Kennedy calls a press conference.  He announces that he will not seek the Presidency, and is instead endorsing Humphrey.  Three days later, Jackson does the same.  By the middle of September, Humphrey appears to have the nomination locked up.

On January 24, the Iowa Caucuses are held.  The result is a resounding win for Humphrey, with 59% of the vote; Collins gets 31%, and Curtis gets 10%.  On March 7, the New Hampshire primary is held.  Humphrey wins, with 50% of the vote; Curtis receives 37%, and Collins receives 13%.

On March 14, Collins wins 98% in the uncontested Florida primary.  A week later, though, Humphrey wins 60% of the vote in Illinois, with Collins getting 26% and Curtis getting 14%.  On April 4, Humphrey wins 67% in Wisconsin, compared to 24% for Collins, and 9% for Curtis.  Following the defeat, Curtis drops out of the campaign, and endorses Humphrey.

On April 25, Humphrey clinches the nomination, with big victories in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.  Collins drops out, and endorses Humphrey.

As the DNC gathers in Miami, several names are floated for Humphrey’s Vice President.  Among the names are Senators Muskie, Kennedy, and Collins, along with Governors Warren E. Hearnes of Missouri, Robert W. Scott of North Carolina, and Mills E. Godwin, Jr. of Virginia.  The day the convention convenes, Humphrey announces his choice: Governor Hearnes.  The speech by Senator Humphrey is widely regarded as one of the best in party history; he delivers a blistering attack on the last 4 years, and promises “Peace with honor,” in Vietnam.

The Republican Nomination

Throughout 1971, there are rumors that Tower will receive a primary challenger.  However, the only candidate to declare is Congressman John M. Ashbrook of Ohio.  Tower, however, easily beats back the Ashbrook challenge, and after failing to reach 10% in any of the first five primaries, Ashbrook drops out, but refuses to endorse Tower.

At the RNC in Dallas, Tower once again promises victory in Vietnam.  The convention in notable for Vice President Agnew’s attack on Senator Humphrey, saying that he stand for just three things: “Acid, amnesty, and abortion.”  The attack fails, however, and comes off as exaggerated.

The General Election

On September 1, the general election moves into full swing.  As in 1968, the American Independent Party nominates a candidate – their 1968 VP nominee, former Georgia Governor Lester Maddox.  As his running mate, Maddox selects Congressman Ashbrook, bringing bipartisanship to the ticket.

On September 20, the first debate is held.  Tower spends the entire debate attacking Humphrey, while Humphrey maintains a positive tone.  Maddox attacks both candidates equally, calling Humphrey a “Soviet spy” and Tower a “Chinese tool.”  The second debate, on October 9, is mostly occupied by Humphrey attacking the failures of Tower’s first term, including his budget cuts for NASA.

Despite the controversy, the election is close until, on October 6, reports break that Vice President Agnew was under investigation by the United States Attorney’s office in Baltimore, Maryland, on charges of extortion, tax fraud, bribery, and conspiracy. On October 19, he was formally charged with having accepted bribes totaling more than $100,000, while holding office as Baltimore County Executive, governor of Maryland, and Vice President of the United States.

Immediately, the numbers swing in Humphrey’s favor.  The Tower charge that the investigation was a political ploy organized by the Democrats does little to help Agnew, and on election day, Humphrey wins a major victory.

()
Hubert Humphrey/Warren Hearnes: 52.6% PV, 336 EV
John Tower/Spiro Agnew: 37.4% PV, 202 EV
Lester Maddox/John Ashbrook: 8.7% PV, 0 EV
Others: 1.3% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

At the Congressional level, Tower’s low approval ratings bring down numerous Congressional candidates, with the Republicans suffering massive losses in the House and Senate.  The margins in several of the losses is attributed directly to Tower’s loss, and he is blamed by Republicans for the Congressional defeats.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 66 (+7)
Republicans: 34 (-7)

House Results
Democrats: 288 (+28)
Republicans: 147 (-28)

Wow, a President Humphrey. Not to shocking if you think about the fact that he was royally screwed by Johnson/Vietnam, as well as pigeonholed as something he was not. I'm look forward to what one might call the most "Pragmatic Liberal" of all presidents.

WOW - I didn't expect Old Hube to defeat President Tower in 1972 ;). An interesting update nonetheless.

However, I do have some questions regarding your latest update and they are as follows:

1. With no violence taking place at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, I assume that the McGovern-Fraser Commission never occurs? thus, the Democratic parties system of electing her presidential candidate remains the same?

2. Why does Senator George McGovern endorse Senator Hubert Humphrey for the Presidency of the United States in 1972? Both men absolutely despised each other, thus I find such an endorsement highly implausible. Unless, of course, there was some secret negotiation between the two men, as seen betweeen Harriman and Stevenson in my TL.

1.  Basically, yes.  The primaries are starting to play a bigger role, but they are still not the only way of choosing delegates.

2.  Actually, Senator McGovern and Senator Humphrey got along very well before Vietnam became an issue; HHH got McGovern a job with the Peace Corps, and campaigned for him in 1962.  In this TL, then, the two men are still close friends.

Thanks for clearing that up :).

I must admit, my queries regarding the friendship between Senators McGovern and Humphrey was purely based on the McGovern/Humphrey relationship seen during the 1972 Democratic primaries, in particular during the time between June and August of that year. However, a bit of anti-Humphrey bias, inspired by the writings of Hunter S. Thompson did also provoke me to ask such questions.

Also, why did President Tower lose the typical Republican strongholds of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to Senator Humphrey? Surely Governor Maddox's campaign wouldn't have had such drastic consequences in the results of those three states. After all, Governor Wallaces' RL 1968 campaign failed to receive more than four percent in those states in question.

Indeed, Governor Maddox had very little support; 3.8% in VT, 4.4% in NH, and 3.3% in ME.  Those three states were the three closest in the country: 0.29% in NH, 0.86% in VT, and 1.08% in ME.  The Agnew scandal caused a major backlash against Tower in those states, and it appears that there was a large number of Republicans voting for HHH at the Presidential level, but staying GOP at the Congressional level.

Interesting so, with Humphrey actually in control of the Party machine and regains his working class base clinches the Democratic Nomination and the Presidency. I thinks it very plausible seeing how close he actually came to beating Nixon in OTL with so much going against his candidacy. Itll be interesting to see what effects a Neo-Great Society and probably a Nixonesque situation in Vietnam will have on the economy? seeing as how badly it drove up inflation on OTL...Also even worse however, America still might go through Three Presidents during the '70's if HHH is able to win a second term only to succumb to bladder cancer. Itll be intersting to see where you take this.

What's going on in Canada? France? Australia? Germany?

Canada: On the whole, Canada remains unchanged.  Canada did send a small number of troops to help in Vietnam, although they were removed in 1968.

France:  As in RL, de Gaulle is reelected President in 1965, although he only needs one round of voting to do so.  He does not order the removal of foreign troops, and keeps France within the military organization of NATO.  De Gaulle is much more supportive of US efforts in Vietnam, and sends troops to help the US in 1966, although he removes them again in 1970.  Although May, 1968 does occur to some extent, there is none of the violent rioting, and de Gaulle does not hold elections until February, 1969, where he gains a major victory.  As of 1972, de Gaulle is still in power, although his health seems to be failing somewhat.

Australia:  In the 1966 General Elections, Harold Holt scores a major victory, and is reelected; his party wins again in 1970, and elections are scheduled for March, 1973.

Germany:  East Germany, in 1973, is basically the same.  West Germany, likewise, is mostly unchanged, although Kiesinger's "Grand Coalition" is still in effect, although it is unlikely the Coalition will stand much longer, and Willy Brandt appears primed to be the next Prime Minister.

Thanks.


1. One round elections would never have occurred. Never. Especially under de Gaulle. It's set in stone.
2. If there is no election in 1968, why does de Gaulle dissolve in '69? Does he seek a larger majority than the one in the original 3rd legislature?
3. I assume the 1969 referendum passes, instead of failing.
4. Why would de Gaulle seek re-election in 1972 under poor health? Or are the 1972 elections not up yet?


Fair enough.

1.  It was very close; de Gaulle barely got through.
2.  de Gaulle tries to get a larger majority, yes.
3.  It does indeed.
4.  He does seek reelection, and wins.  By "health is failing", I don't mean that he cannot run the government; he still seems in good enough health to serve, but he is 82 years old, and so is a little slower than he used to be.

1. Ah. Misunderstood you. I thought you were saying the electoral system required one round only and not a runoff.

Fair enough, however, I believe that if Holt's Government was re-elected in 1970 (that's of course if he returned from his swim at Cheviot Beach on December 17) that his Government would have succumbed to internal scandals, such as the infamous VIP affair seen in RL, and he would have either resigned the Prime Ministership or be removed as leader after the 1970 election.

As always, I do have some questions regarding your timeline. What is Gough Whitlam doing as of 1972, and what are the prospects of the ALP being elected at the next election? and who is Prime Minister Harold Holt's likely successor as Prime Minister, if he and his Liberals lose in 1973?

Ben,

Always a good read, this timeline. :)

Possible; I'm not an expert on Australia, of course :)


Gough Whitlam is currently leader of the opposition, and appears set lead the ALP to victory in the 1973 elections.  If the ALP does win, then Whitlam is set to be the next Prime Minister.


Thank you :)

Excellent.... excellent...

Who is Governor of Massachusetts right now?

Francis W. Sargent, as in real life.

somehow I thought that. It's too soon for RFK....

You know, my grandfather keeps saying that if John Jr. hadn't died, he'd be the 44th President of the United States.

Hmm...After rereading TTL's I don't think HHH adminstration wont stray to far from Nixon's atleast Domestically. In OTL Nixon ruled fairley liberal to have a free hand in foreign affairs...So under Humphrey will probably get the same propasals that Nixon had except that he may have the clout to actually pass Universal Health Care and a strong Apollo like Alt-energy program. However will Humphrey possibly bring in Volcker earlier ITTL? cuz that would really help with Inflation. But if not, I can definatley see a moderate to liberal Republican winning in '80...POTUS Brooke anyone?

What is JFK doing right now, in the Greek Islands on a sailboat I presume...

Actually, JFK is teaching political science at Harvard.

Hmmmm... you know my grandfather met JFK once, he asked him whathe was going to do after his presidency and that is what he said.

Interesting; my grandfather met JFK a number of times, also.

()
The First Term of Hubert H. Humphrey

“It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.  Over the last few years, our Government has failed that test; and I intend for us to once again pass it.”  Humphrey announces that, once his entire Cabinet is confirmed, he will send to Congress an ambitious legislative package, that will help America pass the test again.  His Cabinet, when finally confirmed, seems well acquainted with the task, being made up of experts in each field.

Secretary of State: Edmund Muskie (D-ME)
Secretary of Treasury: Henry H. Fowler (D-VA)
Secretary of Defense: James R. Schlesinger (R-IL)
Attorney General: Edward H. Levi (R-IL)
Secretary of the Interior: Stewart Udall (D-AZ)
Secretary of Agriculture: Orville Freeman (D-MN)
Secretary of Commerce: Lawrence Fox (D-VA)
Secretary of Labor: Lane Kirkland (D-SC)
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: Joseph A. Califano, Jr. (D-NY)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patricia Roberts Harris (D-IL)
Secretary of Transportation: Howard Cannon (D-NV)

Despite his large majorities in Congress, Humphrey expects to have a difficult time getting his legislation through, largely due to the opposition of Senator Richard B. Russell of Georgia.  However, on February 4, Senator Russell dies in Washington, DC.  Humphrey is one of two people selected to eulogize Russell; the other is his friend, John Stennis.  In the eulogy, Humphrey calls Russell, “The epitome of what it means to be a United States Senator.  To replace Russell, Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter appoints Sam Nunn, a well known supporter of Humphrey.

Following Russell’s funeral, Humphrey sends the first major piece of legislation to Congress.  Called the Labor Freedom Act of 1973, it would repeal the Taft-Hartley Act, passed in 1947.  Humphrey had made a campaign promise to various unions to ask for the Bill, and it was written shortly after his election victory.

On March 7, to the surprise of many, the LFA passes the House, 222-213, and is sent to the Senate.  Harrison A. Williams, Jr. (D-NJ), chairman of the Labor Committee, promises to get the legislation quickly through, and on March 29, it is presented to the Senate.  On April 12, the Senate votes, and the Bill is defeated, 50-49.  However, Senator Jacob Javits (R-NY), who had originally voted against the Bill, decides to change his vote, allowing the legislation to pass.  It is rushed to President Humphrey, and, surrounded by Labor leaders, he signs the LFA on April 13.

On April 25, former President Harry Truman dies peacefully in his sleep.  President Humphrey attends the funeral along with 19 Senators, 27 Congressman, every member of the Cabinet, former Presidents Kennedy and Tower, and former Vice Presidents Nixon, Agnew and Smathers; also in attendance is a visibly ill French President Charles de Gaulle, although he insists afterwards that he is in fine health.

On May 3, in a speech to Congress, President Humphrey asks for passage of a comprehensive universal health care bill that would provide health care for all Americans.  The government would pay for between 25-90% of the person’s health care costs, depending on the person’s yearly salary.

The legislation faces intense opposition from conservatives, who claim that the bill will put the country on the road to socialism.  Senator Roman Hruska (R-NE) claims that the bill would, “Rename Washington DC as Moscow.”  Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC) calls it, “An abominable mix of socialism and government handouts.”  However, the legislation does have some supporters; Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) says, “This is not socialism, it is not communism; it is making sure that every American has his G-d-given right to have health care!”

On June 20, the Senate votes on the health care bill; the vote ties at 50-50, and Vice President Hearnes votes for the bill, passing it 51-50 in the most dramatic way.  In the House, the legislation enjoys stronger support, and on July 12, after much debate, the bill passes, 235-200, and is signed into law by President Humphrey on July 14.

That same day, Charles de Gaulle dies in Paris, of a stroke.  Humphrey attends the funeral, along with former Vice President Richard Nixon.

On September 12, in a speech to Congress, President Humphrey announces that, starting January 1, 1974, he will begin withdrawing troops from Vietnam.  The announcement is met with loud applause from a majority of the members of Congress, although some remain noticeably silent.  Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA) calls it “A poor decision, with victory so near,” and Senator John Stennis (D-MS) says that, “The President is making a decision based on the polls, not the facts.”

On January 27, in his State of the Union Address, Humphrey says that, “We are well on our way to passing the great moral test.  We are not there yet, though, and it will take much more effort.”

On February 5, Justice William O. Douglas resigns.  To replace him, President Humphrey nominates Spottswood William Robinson III to replace him.  Robinson is confirmed without controversy, becoming the second African-American on the Court.

In March, Congress begins debate on the Privacy Act of 1974.  Written by Senator Frank Church (D-ID), the Act would require each Government agency have in place an administrative and physical security system to prevent the unauthorized release of personal records.  Strongly supported by both Houses of Congress, it is signed by the President on May 10.

By June 10, the President reports that half of US troops have withdrawn from Vietnam.  He says that, at the current rate, all troops would be out by January of 1975.

The Congressional Elections

With President Humphrey’s approval ratings in the high 50’s to low 60’s, the Democrats make even more gains, adding on to their sky high majorities, reaching their highest numbers since the Great Depression.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 72 (+6)
Republicans: 28 (-6)

House Results
Democrats: 320 (+32)
Republicans: 115 (-32)

Oh noes! Its falling off the wagon once more. Where are all of the foreign events and pictures which you said you would include more of? by my calculations I have only found two, and potentially the possibility of a third. Whilst its good to cover domestic affairs, which you do well, I believe, its integral to an excellent timeline to have a good balance between both foreign and domestic events. Just thought I'd lend a helping hand.

I know, know; I meant for this update to have more picture, but just forgot; the next update will have more international events, as well as pictures.

Who is President of the Senate in France? Alain Poher? Gaston Monnerville?

Monnerville as interim President would be cool. Black guy as President in the '70s France, even for a few months?

Gaston would be cool as interim President, and It would be interesting to see him elected to a full term as President in his own right. It might get the US used to the idea of a Black President alot faster than in otl. Anyways, great installment Ben smart move pulling in some of the better components from OTL Johnson and Carter's cabinents although im suprised he didn't give Scoop State or Defense. Itll be interesting to see what other 2nd Great Society goals HHH can get passed and I look forward to it.

France wouldn't have elected a black man as President in 1972.

How's Lloyd Bentsen? and what is John McCain up to right now?

Hashemite: Poher is the President of the Senate, and so is President at the moment.

NiK: Bentsen is the junior Senator from Texas, and McCain is living quietly in Arizona following the end of his military service.

So Monnerville stepped down in 1969 as in RL to lead the NO campaign to the 1969 referendum?

Yes, he did.

Ok, great Bentsen is one my favorite politicans, it is nice to see him elected.....

When is the next update?

Sorry, I was busy all weekend.  Thursday, at the latest.

Looking forward to the next Installment, I am wondering however what Is Daniel Patrick Moynihan doing in your tl? Might he be working with HHH to try to get some type of Universal Health Care passed like he did with Nixon in otl?

Moynihan was appointed US Ambassador to Israel in 1973, a post he still holds.  He did help President Humphrey write the health care bill that was passed, but didn't play a major role.

On January 23, 1975, President Humphrey appears before Congress to deliver his State of the Union Address.  In the speech, Humphrey notes the large number of returning veterans from Vietnam, many of whom are returning without an opportunity for employment, merely sitting around in their parents’ homes.  Humphrey asks for a massive spending bill that would help pay for the education of many of these veterans.

On January 28, Humphrey sends that bill to Congress.  Called the New GI Bill, the legislation would provide for up to 75% of the cost of college for returning veterans, depending on their family income.  It would be paid for in two ways: a large tax increase on people in the top 5%, and a significant cut in military spending.

Almost immediately, the NGI faces major opposition.  Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) calls the NGI, “The most unwieldy piece of legislation I have ever seen in my entire life.”  Senator James Eastland (D-MS) says, “This bill is one step away from socialism.  In a few years, this city won’t be Washington anymore.  It’ll be Moscow.”

The most fervent opponent, though, is Senator Jess Helms (R-NC).  Helms attacks the legislation as, “Socialism from hell!”  Every day during the Senate debate, Helms speaks for one hour on the floor, and then gives a press conference blasting the NGI.

()
Senator Helms attacking the NGI

Like always, though, the NGI does have some strong supporters.  Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) calls the legislation, “An extremely important, and necessary, action.”  Senator George McGovern (D-SD) says that, “This legislation must be passed, so that our children can have a future.”

()
Senator McGovern giving a speech supporting the NGI

For more than a month, the Senate debates the NGI.  Every day, President Humphrey meets with Senators, trying to sway votes, and reach a majority.  On March 5, the Senate votes, 53-47, to approve the NGI.  In the House, there is considerably less opposition, and on March 28, the House votes 332-103 to pass the NGI.  It is signed by the President on March 30.

On April 5, President Humphrey begins a tour of Europe.  He first meets with Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and moves on throughout Europe, ending at the Berlin Wall.  While there, he gives a speech to the crowd, declaring that, “We in the West will not stop until freedom has spread to all places of the world!”  The speech is well received by the German citizens, and in the US, Humphrey’s approval rating shoots up to 70%.

()
President Humphrey speaking at the Berlin Wall

Upon returning to the US on April 28, President Humphrey collapses following a phone call with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel, following Rabin’s major victory in the Israeli elections of April 25.  Humphrey is rushed to a hospital, where his condition is listed as critical.  Vice President Hearnes is immediately informed, and taken to the White House.

Several hours later, it is announced that President Humphrey is recovering.  He is expected to recover, although he will need to take some time to recuperate.   The President decides to return to Minnesota for his recovery, placing Vice President Hearnes in charge.

On May 17, Humphrey returns to Washington for the first time since his illness.  The President appears gaunt, having lost at least 30 pounds during his illness.  The President meets with his Cabinet, as well as with several Governors who were appearing before Congress.

()
President Humphrey meeting with Governor Jimmy Carter (D-GA)

On June 2, elections are held in West Germany.  The results are a resounding victory for Willy Brandt, a friend of Humphrey, who becomes the new Prime Minister.  Humphrey calls to congratulate Brandt, and Brandt notes that Humphrey sounds very ill.

On June 10, former Vice President Agnew is found dead in his home in Baltimore, of an apparent suicide.  The funeral is attended by former Presidents Kennedy and Tower, former Vice Presidents Nixon and Smathers, President Humphrey, their wives, and numerous other dignitaries.  Following the funeral, former Vice President Nixon remarks to his wife that the President, “Looks like he will soon be a grave man.”

On June 23, President Humphrey collapses while working on a speech about education.  Although doctors say that exhaustion was the cause, Humphrey is kept overnight for observation, and tests are run.  The President returns to the White House the next day, and his pace intensifies.

On June 25, Humphrey gives a televised address.  In the speech, he calls for a national standard of education, so that, “American children will be prepared to face a complex and difficult future.”

In that idea, Humphrey proposes the National Education Act of 1975.  The NEA, written jointly by the President and Senator Kennedy, would set a national standard in math, science, and reading, for all students in grade K-12.  The standards would be updated by Congress every five years, although states could choose to set different standards, with the consent of the HEW Secretary.

The legislation, despite enjoying much support, is filibustered by a small group of conservatives, led by Senator Helms.  For nearly a month, the filibuster continues, until, on July 22, the Senate votes 70-30 for cloture.  Three days later, the NEA passes, 65-31, and is sent to the House.

In the House, the NEA enjoys strong support, and passes on August 5, 400-34.  At the signing ceremony on August 8, President Humphrey appears deathly pale, and his voice is weak.  Although he says that he is merely tired, the President’s hand shakes as he signs, and after the ceremony, he is seen reflexively massaging the left side of his chest while talking.

Upon returning to the White House, the President goes upstairs to take a nap.  Several hours later, his wife comes in to check on him, and finds him not moving.  He is rushed to a hospital, where he is pronounced dead, of an aortic aneurysm, at 6:21 PM on August 8, 1975.  Outside the hospital room, Vice President Hearnes is sworn into office.

Wow, Excellent Installment bc, I was not expecting HHH to dye from an aortic aneurysim...was it a condidtion he suffered from in otl? Or is it a complication from the bladder cancer that he had? Well atleast he was able to get some progressive legislation done in the form of the NEA and the NGI(Which will help alot of the Vietnam veterans get back on their feet and might lead to a larger generation X). After doing some Research, It seems like Hearns was really the best choice to succeed HHH, as he was really pogressive on Public Education, Civil Rights, Traffic Saftey, and the enviorment. He should be a shoe in for the '76 election. But who nows it depends if Ronny runs or not.

Shocking, I did not see that coming. Great update. Very good.

Sorry about the lack of an update, guys.  The next one will probably come on Friday.

President Hearnes!!!President Hearnes!!!President Hearnes!!!lol

Sorry about not having an update; I've been going through a severe case of writer's block.  I hope to have an update by this weekend.

So how's the next installment coming along?

I'm terribly sorry.  I will publish an update tomorrow, I promise.

()
The First Term of Warren Hearnes

Three hours after President Humphrey’s death, President Hearnes speaks to the American people live on national television.  “My fellow Americans, it is with great sadness that I speak to you tonight.  Three hours ago, President Hubert Horatio Humphrey died of an aortic aneurysm at his desk in the Oval Office.  In my first official act as President, I am declaring tomorrow to be a day of mourning for all Americans.  I ask you all to keep the Humphrey family in your prayers.  Thank you, and good night.”

Three days later, Humphrey’s funeral is held in Minneapolis.  He is eulogized by former President Kennedy, who calls Humphrey, “One of the greatest men in our country’s history.”  The former President is widely mourned, and all throughout the country, impromptu memorials are held for the President.

()
Former Vice President Nixon at President Humphrey's Funeral

In the days following Humphrey’s funeral, little is heard from the White House.  President Hearnes schedules a speech to a joint session of Congress on August 14, three days after the funeral.

In the speech, Hearnes says, “We must continue!”  He announces an ambitious set of programs, designed to fulfill Humphrey’s dream of an America marked by equality and prosperity.  The speech is well received, and Hearnes’ approval rating starts out at a whopping 85%.

When Congress returns on September 4, they are presented with the first major piece of legislation: the Public Works Act of 1975.  The PWA, originally written by the President, would create a large number of new jobs for people across the country, by establishing new schools, and other government facilities throughout the country.

The PWA, though, faces stiff opposition from conservatives, claiming that the PWA would spend taxpayer money on unnecessary programs.  Conservatives, led by Senators Strom Thurmond (R-SC), and Herman Talmadge (D-GA) begin a lengthy filibuster.

()
Senator Herman Talmadge (D-GA) filibustering the PWA

For almost a month, the filibuster continues, until, on October 2, by a vote of 71-29, the Senate grants cloture.  Three days later, the Senate passes the PWA, 68-32.

In the House, the PWA faces little opposition, and passes easily, 406-28, on October 17.  It is signed by the President on October 20.

On November 1, the State of Israel holds elections for the Knesset, resulting in a victory for the Likud Party.  For the first time, the left-wing lost an election, with the Alignment’s share of the vote reduced by more than a third.  The Israeli right-wing took power for the first time since Israeli independence in 1948. The left’s spectacular loss of power was attributed to two major causes; allegations of corruption and nepotism (such as the Dollar Account affair and the Yadlin affair), and a perceived favoring of Ashkenazi (European) Jews over Mizrahi Jews (from North Africa and the Middle East).  Likud’s Menachem Begin is elected Prime Minister.

()
Prime Minister Begin speaking to the Knesset.

On November 12, President Hearnes leaves for his first international tour as President.  His first stop is in London, where he meets with Prime Minister Wilson, who appears likely to lose his status once again to Conservative Leader Margaret Thatcher in the upcoming elections, scheduled for 12 January 1976.

From London, Hearnes goes to Spain, where he meets with an ailing Francisco Franco.  He travels then to Paris, meeting with French President Alain Poher, and ends in West Germany, where he gives a speech at the Berlin Wall.

Upon returning to the United States on November 26, President Hearnes gives a speech to the United Nations, where he says that, “We have a collective responsibility to help spread democracy, and ensure that all peoples are completely free.”  Following the speech, Hearnes deplores the oppressive regimes of men such as Idi Amin in Uganda, and the apartheid reign of the National Party in South Africa.

On December 1, the President announces that he will seek reelection.  Three days later, Congress passes the Ethics in Government Act, which required all federal officials to submit financial documents every year, and all officials seeking elected office to submit a complete and total list of everyone who donated over $50 to their campaign.

On January 12, the United Kingdom holds elections, and throw out Prime Minister Wilson and the Labour Party.  Conservative Margaret Thatcher becomes the country’s first female Prime Minister.

In his State of the Union on January 24, President Hearnes asks Congress to pass what he calls the “Equality Package.”  The package contains three major pieces of legislation: the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Native Discrimination Act of 1976.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, written by Senator Mark Hatfield (R-OR), the PDA would prohibit companies from discriminating against pregnant women when hiring, as well as prevent companies from firing women for being pregnant, or denying them employment upon return from maternity leave.  The PDA faces surprisingly little opposition from conservatives, and is signed by the President on February 14.

The ADA also faces little opposition, despite its expansive nature.  Written by Senator Kennedy, the ADA would prohibit, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability, similar to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The ADA defined disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.”  The determination of whether any particular condition is considered a disability would be made on a case by case basis. Certain specific conditions were excluded as disabilities, such as current substance abuse and visual impairment which is correctable by prescription lenses.  The ADA passes the Senate on March 9, 89-10, and the House on March 24, 340-94, and is signed by the President on March 26.

The final piece of the package, the Native Discrimination Act of 1976, prohibits companies from discriminating against people based on their Native American ancestry.  Written by Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), the NDA faces opposition from Southerners such as Jesse Helms (R-NC), who had sat out the two previous battles due to the fact that they were un-winnable.  The NDA, Helms says, would lead to a slew of people improperly claiming Native ancestry in order to get jobs.  Despite Helms’ concern, the NDA passes on April 20, and is signed by the President three days later.

With all his legislative priorities taken care of, President Hearnes begins the long and arduous task of preparing for his reelection campaign.

Who won the snap Presidential election called in France after de Gaulle's death in 1974?

Poher did.

Whose funeral is that really a picture of?

I'm pretty sure it was LBJ's.

Wow that was definatley worth the wait...Hmm It seems President Hearnes isnt taking it slow with his legaslitive agenda. Is his approval rating still floating around 85% or have the've taken a hit? Is the economy in worse shape Stagflation wise with the onset of more Government programs? How's Nasa doing? and I cant wait to see who the GOP runs against Hearnes for the '76 election. Keep it comming

Thanks :)

President Hearnes' approval ratings stand at anywhere between 65-75% as of start of 1976.  The economy is actually in better shape, because the PWA has created a large number of jobs.  NASA isn't really important at the moment, although Humphrey raised their budget to the highest levels since the Kennedy years.

As for the GOP, there are no clear frontrunners.  Vice President Nixon had planned on runnings, but with Humphrey's death, he has decided not to.  There is word in some circles, though, that Governor Reagan will run.

Hmm...So Hearnes really isn't that voulnerable in the '76 election.With that being said, 1976 might be two soon in the voters eyes after the disastorus Tower Presidency, and the growing conservative movement probably takes the backburner. Reagan may run for the nomination but he might not win it. I think moderates take the cake with leading candidates, being Nelson Rockefeller, Robert Dole, and Gerald Ford. I think Rocky ITTL might finally get his shot at the Presidency

Rocky will not run in 1976.

Aww, man...I was really pulling for him too...Shucks, now Im going to throw my support behind another moderate...Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke. Btw, Deeds If you wan't to talk about some of the things that are causing writer's block with the TL feel free to hit me up via pm or in this thread. I find that healthy discussion on issues when writing an indepth Timeline really help solve the curse of writer's block, and may be helpful in your case. That way you don't exhaust you mind in trying to come up with scenario's lol.

The Democratic Nomination

Following his announcement that he intended to seek reelection, President Hearnes was able to focus on his Vice President.  His major desires in the pick are to have someone with foreign policy experience, appeal to as many parts of the base as possible, and be young enough to succeed him in 8 years.  His short list comprises Senators Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Sam Nunn of Georgia, Frank Church of Idaho, and Robert Byrd of West Virginia.  It also includes Congressman Les Aspin of Wisconsin and Ray Roberts of Texas.

As the Convention gathers in Chicago, Hearnes has narrowed the list down to Inouye, Aspin, and Church.  Hearnes initially decides to select Inouye, but, when asked, Inouye turns him down, preferring to stay in the Senate.  Following that, Hearnes decides to select Church, and Church accepts.

At the Convention, a long tribute is paid to President Humphrey, with an especially poignant tribute being delivered by Vice Presidential nominee Church.  Following the Convention, Hearnes appears to have a large, insurmountable lead.

The Republican Nomination

With President Humphrey’s death, multiple top level challengers decided not to seek the nomination.  Former Vice President and Governor Nixon, Governor Rockefeller of New York, and Senator Baker all decide not to run.

Eventually, three candidates emerge: Governor Ronald Reagan of California, Governor Tom McCall of Oregon, and Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts.

From the outset, Brooke attracts a large amount of media attention, as the first African-American to seriously contest the Presidency.  Early polls show Brooke in the lead, although a large number of voters, especially in the South, are undecided.

The first primary, in Iowa, is a close race, with Brooke pulling out a narrow victory, to the shock of everyone, becoming the first African-American to win a Presidential primary.  Following Iowa is New Hampshire, which also goes to Brooke.  Following New Hampshire, though, things take a decided turn towards Governor Reagan.  Reagan wins a string on primaries in Maryland, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Colorado, and California, with only one other candidate winning a primary, as McCall takes Oregon.

By the beginning of April, Brooke is the only other candidate remaining, and with primaries in Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Washington, he needs to win at least three to stay in the race.  However, he wins only Connecticut and Massachusetts, and pulls out of the race, giving Reagan the nomination.

At the RNC in Philadelphia, Reagan chooses a theme of unity.  All of his contenders are given major speaking slots, and as his running mate, he chooses Brooke supporter and retiring Congressman Gerald R. Ford as his running mate.  During the Convention, Reagan promises to “Make American right again,” which draws cheers from the crowd.

()
Reagan and Ford shaking hands after Ford is announced as the Vice Presidential Nominee.


The General Election

As the campaign gets underway, Hearnes has the clear advantage.  His approval ratings stand in the high 60’s to low 70’s, and Reagan is unable to make a dent in the polls, trailing Hearnes 56-35 on October 1.

During the second debate, Reagan commits a serious blunder.  When asked about the USSR, Reagan declares that, “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be.”  The remark loses him support amongst anti-Communist groups, many of whom flock to Hearnes, given his previous record on the issue.

By election day, the polls are showing Reagan losing in a landslide, and the results are little better, as Reagan suffers one of the biggest losses in US history.

()
Warren Hearnes/Frank Church: 58.9% PV, 478 EV
Ronald Reagan/Gerald Ford: 38.9% PV, 60 EV
Others: 2.2% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

Hearnes’ landslide brings even more Democrats into Congress, giving them one of their largest majorities in history.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 76 (+4)
Republicans: 24 (-4)

House Results
Democrats: 335 (+15)
Republicans: 100 (-15)

Reagan loses.....

*NiK starts to cry*

JK. Great update.

Can we see a slice of Japan in the next update, What is their current economic growth levels?

Keep up the good work!

Wow, I was expecting the next installment so soon, and it did not disappoint. Nice to see Brooke coming so close to clinching the nomination. Hmm, it is sad to see Ronnie go the way off Goldwater/Mcgovern ITTL, but It will give the moderates a good shot of winning the election in 1980, if things go as half as bad as they did in otl. Im suprised though that President Hearnes wouldn't an African American as a running mate to sow up the base after Brooke ran so well. If he was looking for someone with foreign policy experience, Hearnes could go after 4 star General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr.  If not Chappie then Andrew Young, Barbara Jordan, Shrley Chisholm and others are all good choices. Can't wait to see how the next four years turn out...Keep it comming

Garrison, you know full well why I have that picture.

Like your previous timeline, this has jumped the shark once more.

Damn it; what happened this time?

I don't understand why you say this timeline has "jumped the shark" It's one of the detailed and interesting timelines on the board. Just because ben likes to focus on American Legislation rather than foriegn affairs, is just a preference of writing style. I find that adding to much detail of foriegn policy rather than domestic can slow the timelines progress down somewhat. So you just have to appreciate the feat ben is trying to tackle here, and if you don't like it...change the channel

Ben,

I really like this timeline and President Hearnes. In my education classes in college I have done a lot of research into how Governor Hearnes modernized the education system in Missouri, which went from in the bottom ten to the top ten durring his eight years as governor. 

Where did you get the idea of making Warren Hearnes the President? It was a fine stroke of writing. :)

Thank you very much :)  I'm glad that Hearnes was a good Governor; I couldn't find much information about him.

I wanted Humphrey to select a Southerner with experience, so it ended up as a tie between Governor Hearnes and Senator LeRoy Collins of Florida, who had previously served as Governor.  Since I intended for Humphrey to die, I wanted someone young enough to replace Humphrey as President, and so Hearnes won on the basis that he was several years younger than Collins.  Thanks again for the compliment :)

Gee, sympathy votes really go a long way I guess!

No chance in hell. Poher had little name recognition, a large part of his own party didn't even support him, and there'd obviously be much stronger candidates in the race, like Giscard or Chaban-Delmas or Mitterrand or whoever.

Ok Ben, son when should we see the next installment...Will a nother Southern Governor fail at resolving the Iranian Hostage Crisis...I eagerly wait to find out.

The next update will come tonight.  Thanks for your patience.

Yes, I am to looking forward to this.

When Will We See another Update Ben? I'm intrested to see how Hearnes handles the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Will He Send the Troops in? Will He Not Send the Troops In? Will there be a revolution at all? I am dying to know!

()
The Second Term of Warren Hearnes

“My fellow Americans, as we enter our third century as a nation, we have a lot of work to do.  We must improve our country, so that we will always be great!”  Thus begins President Hearnes’ second term in office.  As outlined to Congress, Hearnes’ program would include various domestic improvement programs, as well as job creation programs.

The first such program was the Community Reinvestment Act.  Written by Senator Kennedy, the CRA was designed to encourage commercial banks and savings associations to meet the needs of borrowers in all segments of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.  This would be done by requiring the appropriate federal financial supervisory agencies to encourage regulated financial institutions to meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered, consistent with safe and sound operation.  Despite claims from some Senators that the bill would have an adverse effect by giving out unsound loans, the CRA passes without difficulty, and is signed by the President on February 27.

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, written by Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), would abolish the U.S. Civil Service Commission and distributes its functions primarily among three agencies created by the Bill.  As explained by Senator Byrd, “This act is an effort to replace incompetent officials.”  Backed by a strange coalition of earnest reformers and limited government conservatives, the CSR passes the Senate on March 22, 62-37, and passes the House, 229-201, on April 4, being signed by the President the next day.

In a nationally televised speech on April 17, President Hearnes announces that unemployment stands at a remarkable low of 4.6%, that per-person wages have grown each of the last 7 years, and that the country is looking at a likely surplus and balanced budget by 1980.  Following the speech, Hearnes’ approval rating stands at a remarkable 73%.

Three days after the speech, Hearnes, along with Commerce Secretary Fox, Trade Representative Robert S. Strauss, and Secretary of the Treasury Fowler, flies to Canada to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Mexican President José López Portillo about a possible free trade agreement between Mexico, the US and Canada.  The agreement, called the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is signed on May 2, 1977.  The agreement would be finalized after ratification by the three nation’s legislatures.

When Hearnes brings NAFTA to the Senate, it is stalled by Senator Ralph Yarborough (D-TX), Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee.  Yarborough, an opponent of free trade, works with Majority Leader Byrd, another opponent of free trade, to keep NAFTA from being brought to the floor.  Yarborough and Byrd promise Hearnes that NAFTA will receive a vote by the summer of 1978.

On June 28, 1977, Justice Arthur Goldberg retires from the Court.  To replace him, President Hearnes nominates Senator Birch Bayh to replace him.  Bayh is confirmed quickly, without controversy.

Starting July 9, Hearnes begins his first international tour since his reelection.  He starts out in Africa, where he meets with numerous leaders, including Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat.  While in Cairo, Hearnes calls for talks between Israel and Egypt, offering to host a meeting in America.  Sadat promises to consider the offer.

After Egypt, Hearnes goes to Israel, where Prime Minister Begin is equally receptive to the notion of meeting with Sadat.  Begin’s Cabinet, however, is less pleased about the idea, and Hearnes leaves Israel unsure if a meeting will ever take place.

Following Israel, Hearnes takes his requisite trip throughout Europe, attending an economic conference in Geneva from July 22-July 26.  In Spain, Hearnes calls for a transition to democracy following the death of Francisco Franco.  Once again, Hearnes gives a speech at the Berlin Wall, in which he calls for the USSR to ease restrictions of people traveling between the East and West.

After ending his European tour on August 2 with a visit to Portugal, Hearnes decides to visit Latin America.  While in Chile, Hearnes criticizes governments that, “Suspend the rights of the people in order to continue holding power,” a pointed criticism of Chilean President Pinochet.  Throughout his tour of Latin America, Hearnes calls for more communication between Latin America and the United States.

When President Hearnes returns to Washington on August 18, he renews calls for the Senate to pass NAFTA.  Senator Yarborough agrees to have it out of Committee by October 1, although Majority Leader Byrd says that it is unlikely NAFTA will see a vote before the new year.

In September, Congress passes the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (or ANILCA), which would create 15 National Park Service properties, and provide for the designation of 79.53 million acres of public lands, fully a third of which was set aside as wilderness area.  Strongly supported by the liberals in Congress, and conservationist groups throughout the country, President Hearnes signs the ANILCA into law on September 26.

On October 8, NAFTA is finally freed from the Senate Labor Committee.  However, much to Hearnes’ anger, NAFTA is then sent to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Chaired by another opponent of NAFTA, Senator William Proxmire (D-WI).  Proxmire, however, promises to have NAFTA ready for a Senate vote by the beginning on 1978.

On October 28, 1977, Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat visits Israel, and speaks to the Knesset; in doing so, he implicitly recognizes Israel’s right to exist, something never done by any other Arab politician beforehand.  This decision, which was done after clandestine preparatory meetings between Egyptian and Israeli officials, was unknown even to the NATO countries.  Upon hearing of it, President Hearnes and Secretary of State Muskie begin preparation for a meeting in Washington, DC, between the two leaders.

In Sadat’s speech, he talked about his views on peace, the status of Israel’s occupied territories, and the Palestinian refugee problem.  The international response to his speech was not happy.  Hungarian leader Janos Kadar threatened war with Egypt if they signed a peace agreement with Israel, followed swiftly by Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Albania. Yugoslavia and East Germany also threatened to attack Egypt if they did not revoke their recognition of Israel. The Soviet Union, Poland, Finland, and Romania declined to threaten war, but they would enter Egypt should NATO armies intervene. Libya, Iraq, Syria, and other Arab nations called Egypt a traitor, and said they would support an Eastern invasion by any means possible, even by military action.

In a speech to the UN on November 7, US Ambassador to the UN  Robert C. Hill, announced that the United States would happily host a conference between the two nations in the United States.  For the next several months, though, nothing comes of the invitation.

On December 8, Hearnes presents the Torrijos-Hearnes Treaties to the US Senate.  For two weeks, the Senate debates the treaty before recessing until 1978.  When it reconvenes on January 9, 1978, the Senate takes up the Treaty again.  Conservatives, led by Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC), and Strom Thurmond (R-SC) oppose the Treaty, arguing that it hurts US security interests.  Following a speech by the President on January 14 in favor of the Treaty, Senator Thurmond responds by saying, “The canal is ours, we bought and we paid for it and we should keep it.”

Despite the opposition of such conservatives, on February 9, the Senate ratifies the First Treaty, which provided that as from 12:00 on December 31, 1999, Panama would assume full control of canal operations and become primarily responsible for its defense.  The final vote on the Treaty was 62-30, with 8 Republicans, at least 5 of them conservatives, mot voting, led Senator Thurmond to declare that Hearnes had “Bribed my fellow conservatives to not vote, and let the Treaty pass,” ignoring the fact that 14 Democrats switched sides to vote against the Treaty.

On March 22, the Senate ratifies the Second Treaty, which said the U.S. retained the permanent right to defend the canal from any threat that might interfere with its continued neutral service to ships of all nations.  There is less controversy for the Second Treaty, and it passes 78-22, with 5 Republicans joining 73 Democrats to vote in the Treaty’s favor, and 3 Democrats joining 19 Republicans in opposition.

On April 4, the Senate finally begins debate on NAFTA.  For almost two months, the Senate debates the Agreement, with an odd coalition of conservatives like Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond and liberals like Barbara Mikulski opposing NAFTA.  These Senators argue that the Agreement would have a negative impact on American workers, as cheaper labor could be found elsewhere.

Throughout the debate, the Hearnes Administration pressures Democratic Senators to stay for the Agreement.  On May 28, with both sides convinced that they have the votes, cloture is achieved on NAFTA, 69-31.  On June 2, the Senate votes, 54-46, to pass NAFTA.  33 Democrats, joined by 21 Republicans, vote to pass the Agreement, while 43 Democrats and 3 Republicans vote against it.

In the House, the opposition is fragmented, and with NAFTA having the support of the Democratic leadership, there is never any doubt that NAFTA will pass.  On June 20, by a vote of 232-203, NAFTA passes, and is signed by the President.

On June 27, Justice William H. Hastie dies of a heart attack while in his Chambers.  To replace him, Hearnes nominates Hugh H. Bownes of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to replace him; Bownes is confirmed without controversy.

As 1978 continues, the economy begins to drag; a report issued in July of 1978 shows unemployment at 6.2%, the highest it had been since 1975.  Despite some warnings of an oncoming recession, President Hearnes says in a July 4 speech that, “The American economy is strong, and will continue to be strong.”

Despite the falling American economy, the international economy is strong.  Japan, Israel, France, West Germany, the United Kingdom, and other nations in Europe see record levels of economic growth, leading to landslide victories for the ruling parties in elections held in Japan and the United Kingdom.

The Congressional Elections

After four years of extremely high approval ratings, a USA Today survey on August 3, 1978 shows the President’s rating below 60% for the first time in his term, at 56%.  The President’s waning approval ratings lead to several Democratic retirements, creating multiple open seats and pickup opportunities for the GOP.  On election day, the President’s approvals are at 52%, and the Republicans make major gains.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 68 (-8)
Republicans: 32 (+8)

House Results
Democrats: 274 (-61)
Republicans: 161 (+61)

By the Gods an Update lol, I enjoyed very thorughly and suprised how Progressive Hearne's is handling the issues of the day especially on something like NAFTA. Yet as the economy goes, there goes the incumbent...I am looking forward to how Hearnes handels the Iran-Hostage Crisis, and I am pulling for Brooke to geting the GOP nomination....But as far as I know It could go either way(Brokering a Peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, would be one hell of an October Suprise)...Keep it comming

NO NOT NAFTA!!!!!! I thought that would have died a horrible death without a pro-buisness southerner at the helm!

Is Hearnes eligible to run again? If he does, he has my support. If not, I will support a certain Robert Dole or a Gary Hart.

What's Gary Hart up to, anyway?

President Hearnes is eligible to seek another term, since he served less than half of President Humphrey's term.

Gary Hart is currently a Senator from Colorado, as in RL.

Excellent, Excellent.

Sorry for the lack of an update; I've got a lot of stuff going on now, and I probably won't be able to write an update until at least next week.

I'm really sorry for the lack of an update; expect at least 1 on Saturday.

In his State of the Union Address on January 14, 1979, President Hearnes reflects on the weakening economy.  “Although our economy is still strong, we must be wary, and always be ready, for hard times down the line.”  The President’s gloomy predictions do little to help the economy.

Just five days after the President’s speech, economic issues are shunted to the side by a much bigger crisis.  On January 19, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran leaves the country following strikes and demonstrations that had paralyzed the country since August, 1978.  On January 30, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran, being greeted by nearly one million followers.

()
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on his return to Tehran

Over the next few weeks, the Ayatollah cements his power.  He quickly makes Mehdi Bazargan his Prime Minister on February 4.  Within a short amount of time, soldiers began to defect to Khomeini's side.  On February 9 at about 10 P.M., a fight broke out between loyal Immortal Guards and pro-Khomeini rebel Homafaran of Iran Air Force. Khomeini responded by declaring jihad on loyal soldiers who did not surrender immediately.

The final collapse of the provisional non-Islamist government came at 2 p.m. on February 11 when the Supreme Military Council declared itself “neutral in the current political disputes… in order to prevent further disorder and bloodshed.”

Throughout the conflict, the United States had remained neutral.  On July 9, though, the neutrality is broken when the US allows the Shah into the country for cancer treatment.  The Shah's admission to the US intensifies Iranian revolutionaries’ anti-Americanism and spawned rumors of another U.S.-backed coup and re-installation of the Shah.

After several days of protests, though, it appeared that the US wouldn’t suffer for admitting the Shah.  On July 18, though, a group of Islamist students takes over the American embassy and take 66 diplomats hostage.

The Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line, the group responsible for the kidnapping, demanded that the Shah return to Iran for trial and execution, and that the US government apologize for its interference in the internal affairs of Iran and for the overthrow of Prime Minister Mossadeq.  The US refuses, and instead, President Hearnes issues Executive Order 12170, freezing all Iranian assets held in US.

For the next several months, the President attempts to try and secure the release of the hostages.  On October 9, 13 women and 1 African-American are released, but no others.

On December 18, the military launches Operation Eagle Claw to try and rescue the hostages.  The attempt fails miserably, resulting in the death of 8 soldiers, the wounding of another 4, and the deaths of 2 Iranian civilians.

On December 20, in a televised speech, a tearful President claims full responsibility, and apologizes to the families of the hostages.  The speech has no effect, though, and the President’s approval rating falls to 26%, with 72% disapproving.  That same day, a poll shows the President trailing the generic Republican 59-29 in a reelection match-up.

In his State of the Union Address on January 10, 1980, the President announces that, despite the poor poll numbers, he will indeed seek reelection.  He then leaves to campaign, facing a tough bid not only to win reelection, but also to win his own Party’s nomination.

A solid yet sobering installment Ben...I do have a question, who is Hearnes' Secretary of State ITTL? Because it was during this time in OTL, that the Neoconservatives(Scoop Jackson Democrats) left the party under Carter's Idealist foriegn policy views. Would your say that the Neoconservatives are still with the party or might they still bolt, under the plumenting Hearnes' Administration?

Also, it seems that Hearnes may face a primary challenge by any number of Candidates...I doubt anyone from the South(Although im not sure about Jimmy and Askew) will probably challenge him. Scoop may try to make a final run at the thing and either Bobby or Teddy from the left. It will be very interesting.

Things on the GOP side will be interesting as well...Looking at it from a purly Political standpoint after such a massive defeat in the 1976 Election, I don't think a Conservative in the mold of former President Tower or  Governor Reagan can win the 1980 Election. And for the time being the nation is still a Center to Left country. Any number of moderates could throw their hat in the wing; Edward Brooke(Who I am especially pulling for), Howard Baker, George H.W. Bush, David Rockefeller and even former Vice President Nixon(Which would be very interesting, especially if we can get Iran-Contra to a Watergate level of Scandal) would all be very strong ticket my guess...Brooke/Baker(Or the otherway around) or even Nixon/Rockefeller would be some hella strong tickets.

Can't wait to see how the election turns out...Keep it comming

The Democratic Nomination

Because he had served less than half of President Humphrey’s term, President Hearnes was eligible to seek reelection.  It was expected, through 1978, that he would be unopposed.  By the middle of 1979, though, with the Iranian crisis in full swing, rumors emerged that President Hearnes would face a challenger.

On August 5, word leaks out that Senator George McGovern would challenge Hearnes.  McGovern doesn’t issue a statement confirming or denying.  On November 8, though, in a live press conference, McGovern announces that he will forgo reelection to the Senate and challenge President Hearnes.  “President Hearnes has not only failed the American people, he has failed the Democratic Party.  The time has come for him to go.”

As the campaign goes on through the end of 1979 and into 1980, it becomes apparent that McGovern has a large lead.  However, when the Iowa Caucus finally rolls around, Hearnes scores a major upset, winning the Caucus by 3,000 votes.  Hearnes goes on to win New Hampshire and Maine, before finally being stopped in the Minnesota primary.

In March, primaries are held in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Texas.  Hearnes sweeps those primaries, building up his lead.  McGovern finally gets a string of wins Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

Those are, however, McGovern’s  only victories, and Hearnes is able to clinch the nomination at the Convention; McGovern gives a rousing speech, but refuses to acknowledge Hearnes.

The Republican Nomination

As early as February, 1979, candidates begin preparing to run for the Republican nomination.  On April 16, 1979, Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon becomes the first candidate to declare for the nomination.  On June 28, Senator Charles Percy of Illinois enters the race.  On July 15, angry at the lack of a conservative candidate, Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina enters the race, becoming the final of three candidates.

During the campaign, Helms acts as an outsider, blasting both Hatfield and Percy for being too liberal.  As the primaries begin, Helms draws all of his support from religious conservatives, dooming him to failure in the early contests in Iowa (Hatfield), New Hampshire (Hatfield), and Michigan (Percy).

Finally, Helms picks up a victory in the Oklahoma Primary, and the three men begin trading primaries.  Following Oklahoma, Percy wins his home state of Illinois, Hatfield wins Minnesota and Maine, and Helms wins Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.

By early May, the race has become a primarily a two person battle between Hatfield and Helms, with Percy winning an occasional race.  Hatfield sweeps the New England Primaries, and Helms does the same in the South.  However, a group of Midwestern Primaries in Wisconsin, Ohio, Kansas, and South Dakota break for Percy, giving him a sizable number of delegates.

On June 3, the final primaries are held in Alaska (Hatfield), Arizona (Percy), California (Hatfield), Colorado (Percy), Delaware (Percy), District of Columbia (Hatfield), Hawaii (Hatfield), Idaho (Hatfield), Indiana (Helms), Montana (Helms), Nebraska (Helms), New Mexico (Hatfield), Nevada (Hatfield), North Dakota (Hatfield), Oregon (Hatfield), Utah (Helms), Washington (Hatfield), and Wyoming (Percy).

()
Final results of 1980 Republican Primaries

As the GOP heads to the Convention, no candidate holds a majority.  Hatfield holds 828 delegates, Helms has 607, and Percy has 537, with 987 needed for victory.  On the first ballot, those are the results, but on the second, a major shift occurs.  Percy urges his delegates to support Hatfield, and Hatfield is able to win the nomination.  He then selects George HW Bush, a Percy supporter and moderate, as his running mate.

The lack of a conservative on the ticket infuriates Helms, who leads, along with nearly 100 delegates, a walkout at the Convention.  Several days later, he announces that he will run on the American Independent Party ticket, with Governor Otis R. Bowen of Indiana as his running mate.

The General Election

From the outset of the campaign, President Hearnes is on the defensive.  Both Hatfield and Helms attack the President, citing either the poor economy, the Iranian crisis, or any other number of failings over the last 4 years.

In the only debate, on October 8, Helms excoriates both candidates, calling them “Russian stooges.”  When Hatfield suggests that the US should talk with the USSR, given the ill health of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev.  The proposal is attacked by both Hearnes and Helms.

As election day nears, Hearnes makes one final effort, not to reach 270, but to deny Hatfield a majority, and try and win the House.  The effort fails, and Hatfield wins in a landslide.  Three days after the election, it is announced by the Ayatollah that the prisoners will be released on January 21, 1981.

()
Mark Hatfield/George HW Bush: 44.2% PV, 369 EV
Warren Hearnes/Frank Church: 38.5% PV, 104 EV
Jesse Helms/Otis Bowen: 17.3% PV, 65 EV

The Congressional Elections

At the Congressional level, an historic defeat occurs for the Democratic Party, as they suffer unprecedented losses in both Houses, across the nation.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 56 (-12)
Republicans: 44 (+12)

House Results
Democrats: 230 (-44)
Republicans: 205 (+44)

Wow- go President Hatfield- nice to see my favorite Republican getting some love here.

Great job as always, Mr. Deeds.

Thank you.

President Hatfield...Can't say I saw that one coming lol, IIRC, George H.W. Bush is Senator from Texas, as he was appointed to fill Tower's seat when he vacated it for the Presidency Correct? It's sad to see President Hearnes go down in such a massive defeat, hopefully he'll be able to revitilize his legacy, in the Post-Presidency much like OTL Carter did.

Looking at Hatfield's record, we should see a pretty bipartisan cabinent...The more interesting idea however, what will happen to the Social Conservatives ITTL, will they stay as a major third party influence or gravitate back toward either the Democrats or Republicans. In the GOP is can forsee the party taking a more libertarian stance toward economic and social policy, as Hatfield was a big proponent for Gay and Abortion rights. And assuming that Hatfield's sway over white working-class voters in the Rust Belt is not as artificial as I think it is(They voted against Hearnes not for Hatfield).

The Democrats however, can take either two ways...be the Mcgovern Party of 1972 or the Carter Party of 1976. What I mean by that is that the New Deal Coalition died pretty much with HHH, and theres going to be a split over what role to take the party esp if the GOP takes the Industrial states. Either the Upper-Class Liberalism of Mcgovern and the New Left, which doesn't work, or the Born-Again evangelical Centrists of Jimmy Carter and the New South which does.

Seeing how this all plays out without Nixon to help craft and shape effectively both parties for the last 40 years is really cool. Btw what are the other Kennedy's up to? and as always Keep It Comming

No, actually.  Bush served as US Ambassador to the UN from 1969-1971, and Governor of Texas from 1971-1979.


Ted is the senior Senator from Massachusetts, and Bobby and Jack both teach at Harvard.

Hatfield?!? Wow nice one, i wasn't even thinking of him. I have been reading, just not posting.

Please keep posting.  It's the only way I know people are still reading this :)

Update tomorrow.  I promise.

I would think Bobby would do something politically rated.

Or atleast stay within the legal community...He would still be fairly young, and I honestly think he would make one hell of a SCOTUS.

I'm having a severe case of writer's block, so in order to at least give you guys something, here is the county results map from the 1980 General Election:
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ROFLMAO at the Republicans winning Elliot County, KY. Epic fail. Or the Dems losing the solid Democratic mining counties in WV.

lololol

I gave the GOP Elliot?  Crap.  Assume they won that; I had some issues matching up the counties.

Ah, good old constructive criticism at its best.

()
The First Term of Mark Hatfield

“My fellow Americans, the days ahead are long, and we face many challenges.  Together, though, we can overcome those challenges, and enter into a new era of prosperity.”  In order to bring about this new prosperity, Hatfield brings the best of the best into his Cabinet, regardless of political ideology.

Secretary of State: Charles Percy (R-IL)
Secretary of Treasury: William E. Simon (R-NJ)
Secretary of Defense: Caspar Weinberger (R-CA)
Attorney General: Mark White (D-TX)
Secretary of the Interior: John V. Evans (D-ID)
Secretary of Agriculture: Robert D. Ray (R-IA)
Secretary of Commerce: Malcolm Baldrige, Jr. (R-NE)
Secretary of Labor: Elizabeth Dole (R-KS)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Richard Schweiker (R-PA)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Kenneth A. Gibson (D-NJ)
Secretary of Transportation: John Lindsay (R-NY)

Within days of taking office, Hatfield announces that he is sending Secretary of State Percy to Tehran, to try and convince the Ayatollah to order the release of the hostages.  However, on January 24, the day before Percy leaves for Tehran, all the hostages are released by the Iranians.  An explanation is never given by Tehran as to why the hostages were released, although the question is never asked, either.

On February 1, President Hatfield, Vice President Bush, Secretaries Percy, Weinberger, and Schweiker, along with numerous members of Congress, greet the hostages in Washington, DC, upon their return.

On March 2, the Economic Recovery Act of 1981 is presented to Congress.  The ERA would provide temporary tax relief to anyone who had been unemployed for more than four months, would create tax incentives for companies to hire more employees, and other such incentives.  It is quickly passed by Congress, and is signed by the President on March 25.

On April 4, President Hatfield is informed that Justice Potter Stewart has decided to retire from the Supreme Court.  Hatfield nominates Samuel James Ervin III, son of a former Senator, to replace Stewart.  He is confirmed quickly, without controversy.

On April 18, President Hatfield begins his first major international tour as President.  He begins in England, where he meets with Prime Minister Thatcher.  In London, he gives a speech criticizing human rights violations being committed by the Soviet Union.  From London, he travels throughout Europe, ending on May 2, in Berlin.  Standing at the Berlin Wall, President Hatfield beseeches Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev to tear down the Berlin Wall, and allow for more freedom in the USSR.

Upon his return to the United States, President Hatfield proposes a major military buildup to Congress.  The buildup, he claims, would cut unemployment in half by 1984, and have it at below 3% by 1988.  The buildup draws controversy, though, from liberals like Edward Kennedy.  The liberals make the claim that the buildup will send the country further into debt, and is unnecessary.  When the Senate recesses in July, the buildup is still being debated in the Senate.

When the Senate reconvenes in September, the President offers a compromise.  In exchange for the passage of his buildup, Hatfield will hold off on his proposed general tax cuts until FY 1983.  The compromise is accepted by all sides, and the Senate passes Hatfield’s buildup on September 29, 1981, 87-13.  The House follows on October 14, 432-2.

In his State of the Union Address on January 17, 1982, President Hatfield announces that unemployment has fallen to its lowest levels since 1978, and that his Economic Recovery Plan seems to be working.  He also says that, at current rates, the country will have a balanced budget by FY 1988.

On February 18, President Hatfield travels to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Menachem Begin.  While there, he attempts to convince Begin to reopen negotiations with Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat.  The talks that had started under Hearnes had broken down following the Iranian Revolution, and Hatfield wanted to restart the talks.  Begin, however, is reluctant, especially after the failure to achieve anything under Hearnes cost his Likud Party dearly in the 1981 elections.  He promises, though, to consider Hatfield’s offer.

Following his visit to Israel, Hatfield decides to make an impromptu visit to Europe, where he meets in London with Prime Minister Thatcher.  Thatcher, having just recently proposed a major arms buildup in the UK, commends Hatfield for doing the same.  From there, Hatfield tours Europe, ending in Portugal on May 4.  Throughout Europe, he is inundated with requests for foreign aid.

In a speech to Congress on May 9, Hatfield calls for a major increase in the foreign aid budget.  Thanks to intervention by Senator Jackson, the aid is agreed to, despite setting back the deficit.

Since 1981, there had been war in the Middle East between Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Iran.  Acting with at least tacit support from the Hearnes Administration, Iraq had attempted to regain lost territory, and make a client state out of Iran.  The attempts failed, and since early 1981, Iraq had been on the defensive.

On June 14, though, Iran, acting with weapons imported from other countries, began to force the Iraqis back from the position they had held for more than a year, and it appeared that Iran may take Baghdad.

On June 19, Hatfield meets with Congressional Leaders to determine a course of action.  Senator Jackson, backed by the Republican Leadership, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and SecDef Weinberger, urges a major military invasion to help Iraq, and possibly overthrow the Iranian regime.  Secretary of State Percy, along with the Democratic Leadership, advises Hatfield to do nothing.

For several weeks, Hatfield wavers.  On July 13, he announces that he will not send American troops, claiming that the US has no reason to do so.  Although the decision is widely criticized by hawks, by early August, the Iraqi Army had repelled the Iranians, and the stalemate had resumed.

The Congressional Elections

With Hatfield having approvals in the high 50’s to low 60’s, the Republicans are able to make more gains in both Houses, and even manage to retake the Senate for the first time since 1954.

Senate Results
()
Republicans: 51 (+7)
Democrats: 49 (-7)


House Results
Democrats: 221 (-9)
Republicans: 214 (+9)

He gets one county wrong, and that's an epic fail?  Dude,...

Nice update Ben...I know that Writer's block can be a bitch when your trying to get an update out. So I assume the economic package that Hatfield got throught Congress wasn't full scale Supply-side economics but traditional Fiscal conservatism by slashing taxes etc? Was there an assasination attempt by John Hinckley? And have the conditions changed from what started the 82-83 Recession in OTL or have they just been pushed back? Cuz if things were as bad as they were in OTL Early '80's the might hinder Hatfield's reelection chances.

1.  The Hatfield package was a mix of tax cuts, incentives to businesses, short term welfare, and various other things designed to keep the economy running.
2.  No assassination attempt as of now by Mr. Hinckley.
3.  It's a mix.  The economy is still at risk, but things are looking up.

Yes, but Elliot County. Elliot County. Come on now.

Anyways, what's the situation in France? Italy? Chile? Brazil? South Africa? Canada?

Hmm...So a quick fix to the economic troubles, but nothing really longterm like High Speed Rail, Public Work's programs or educational funding...Although Progressive, Hatfield is still probably is a "cut the pork" Republican. And a Hinckley assasination could be waiting for the wings..Can't wait for the next installment and as always...Keep it Comming.

wheres Benconstine?

Sorry guys, I've been busy.  An update will probably come next Wednesday, when summer vacation starts.

k cool. I'm looking forward to the 1984 election.

There will be an update Tuesday evening.

In his 1983 State of the Union Address, President Hatfield devotes the entire speech to the economy.  He reports that, having hit a low in 1982, the economy is back on track, which he of course attributes to his own economic policies.

On January 24, Israel holds elections for the first time since 1981.  The results are a major defeat for the Likud Party, as the Alignment Party, led by Shimon Peres, retakes control of the Knesset.  Peres’ election is seen as good news for Hatfield’s proposed Israeli-Egyptian peace conference, an idea which had been rejected by Likud and Menachem Begin on multiple occasions.

In a speech on February 8, 1983, Hatfield announces that he will make preventing acid rain a major initiative.  He asks Congress to step up regulation, as well as increasing the budget for toxic waste cleanup.  In order to offset the environmental spending, Hatfield cuts spending significantly for the War on Drugs, much to the consternation of conservatives in both parties.

On February 17, the United Kingdom holds elections, with Margaret Thatcher and the Conservatives scoring a major victory.

On March 2, a report issued by the Treasury Department says that unemployment has been cut from 7.1% in February, 1981 to 5.4% as of February, 1983.  In a nationally televised speech, Hatfield trumpets the report as proof of the success of his own economic policies.

On March 19, President Hatfield receives a call from Prime Minister Peres.  He will agree to meet with Sadat in the United States, on the condition that talks start by May 31, 1983.  Hatfield calls Sadat and the next day, and they agree to start negotiations on April 4, 1983, at Camp David in Maryland.

Accompanied by their negotiating teams and with their respective interests in mind, Sadat and Begin arrive in Camp David on April 2, 1983, two days before the start of negotiations, in order to meet privately and informally, and gain a sense of the other man.

For the next ten days, talks move slowly.  By the eleventh day, the dual issues of Israeli settlement withdrawal from the Sinai and the status of the West Bank created so tense a situation that Peres and Sadat had stopped speaking to each other.  Hatfield then made the decision to salvage the agreement by conceding the issue of the West Bank to Peres, and advocate Sadat’s less controversial position on the removal of all settlements from the Sinai Peninsula.  At the same time, in a symbolic gesture, Hatfield took the two leaders to Gettysburg in the hopes of using the Civil War as a simile to their own struggle.

The plan pays off, as on April 16, 1983, Peres, Sadat, and Hatfield jointly release the two-part Camp David Accords.  The first part had three parts. The first part was a framework for negotiations to establish an autonomous self-governing authority in the West Bank and the Gaza strip and to fully implement SC 242.  The fate of Jerusalem was deliberately excluded from this agreement.  The second part dealt with Egyptian-Israeli relations, the real content being in the second agreement. The third part "Associated Principles" declared principles that should apply to relations between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors.

The second agreement outlined a basis for the peace treaty six months later, in particular deciding the future of the Sinai peninsula. Israel agreed to withdraw its armed forces from the Sinai, evacuate its 4,500 civilian inhabitants, and restore it to Egypt in return for normal diplomatic relations with Egypt, guarantees of freedom of passage through the Suez Canal and other nearby waterways (such as the Straits of Tiran), and a restriction on the forces Egypt could place on the Sinai peninsula, especially within 20-40 km from Israel. Israel also agreed to limit its forces a smaller distance from the Egyptian border, and to guarantee free passage between Egypt and Jordan. With the withdrawal, Israel also returned Egypt's Abu-Rudeis oil fields in western Sinai, which contained long term, commercially productive wells.  The agreement also called for the United States to commit several billion dollars worth of annual subsidies to the governments of both Israel and Egypt.

Following the signing of the Accords, a visibly tired President Hatfield returns to his home in Oregon for several weeks of recuperation.  On April 28, the 61 year old Hatfield is hospitalized for exhaustion, and the doctors advise him to rest for several weeks.

For the next several weeks, Hatfield takes a vacation in his Oregon home; on June 2, he returns to Washington.  In a speech the next day to Congress, Hatfield talked about his hospital stay.  “A few doors down from me was a lovely man named Roger.  He was dying, and I saw a man try to enter into his room, only to be turned away by the hospital staff.  Roger was a homosexual, and the man who was trying to see him had been his partner for more than a quarter of a century, and he was not allowed to be with his partner as his partner died.  That is not the American way.”

Hatfield asks Congress to pass a Sexual Orientation Act of 1983; the act had provisions including full custody, adoption, and visitation rights for homosexual couples.  On June 7, he signs an executive order ending the military policy of not allowing anyone who was not heterosexual to serve in the military, opening the military to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.

From the outset, Hatfield faces intense Congressional opposition.  Within days, 29 Republican Senators announce their opposition to his plan; among those in opposition is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Strom Thurmond (R-SC).  At the same time, though, another prominent Republican, Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) announces his support of the President’s plan.

On the Democratic side, opinion is very much on the side of the President.  Except for several holdovers from the South, the entire Senate Democratic Caucus takes the side of the President; even Minority Leader Robert Byrd (D-WV), not known as an advocate of gay rights, sides with the President.

Public opinion, meanwhile, is also divided.  A Gallup poll from June 16-19 finds 48% in support of the President, 46% opposed, and 6% unsure.  Rasmussen shows similar numbers.  In response, Hatfield dispatches numerous advocates of both Parties to try and sway public opinion.  The mission pays off, and by August, Hatfield’s plan bears the support of nearly 60% of the American Public.

When Congress reconvenes in September, there is still division over the plan.  After more than six weeks of hearings, Thurmond allows the Bill to be reported out to the full Senate on October 11.  The debate on the Senate floor is acrimonious.  Throughout the debate, Senators are shouting at each other from across the aisle, and on November 22, Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA) suffers a heart attack during a shouting match with Senator Bob Kasten (R-WI).  Although Jackson recovers, the incident is a stark example of how difficult the debate is.  When the Senate recesses in December, the Bill is still on the Floor.

In his 1984 State of the Union Address, Hatfield chides the Senate for not passing his Gay Rights Bill.  “We are talking about basic human rights, and the Senate is on the wrong side of this issue,” Hatfield says.

On February 22, the big cloture vote arrives.  The results is a 67-33 victory for Hatfield, with exactly the required number.  Scoop Jackson, having not been in the Senate since his heart attack, casts the decisive vote from a wheelchair.  On March 7, by a vote of 62-32, the Senate passes the Bill, and sends it over to the House.

In the House, the legislation has a more favorable reception.  Representative Peter W. Rodino, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, comes out strongly in support of the Bill, as does Claude Pepper (D-FL), Chairman of the Rules Committee.  On March 26, the Bill is reported out of Judiciary, and on April 5, it arrives of the House floor.

The debate in the House is much more civil than in the Senate.  On May 4, by a vote of 223-212, the House passes the Bill, and on May 7, surrounded by leaders from the LGBT community, President Hatfield signs the Bill into law.

Following Hatfield’s signing of the Gay Rights Bill, he returns to Oregon for several weeks, and then officially kicks off his reelection campaign.

I was not expecting such a push on Gay Rights this early by Hatfield, but with his libertarian leanings and the rising of the aids pandemic, I think its pretty plausible. Getting Hatfield to get the treaty between Israel and Egypt will probably cement his Legacy more than anything(Like OTL Carter). I am suprised however, that with Hatfield being such a huge advocate for the nuclear freeze during OTL , that he wouldn't try to get something passed with the Soviets ITTL. Might he try to save it for his second term? cuz I think the movement lost steam in the mid to late 80's IOTL. Eagerly awaiting for the update on the '84 elections.

A great continuation of a fine timeline.

I do have a question, though- before the rise of the Christian Right, Mark Hatfield was regarded as the most visible evangelical Christian in American politics.  Is the Christian Right still behind him?  How are they reacting to an evangelical at the forefront of recognizing gay rights? 

France: In 1981, Valéry Marie René Georges Giscard d'Estaing was reelected President of France, very narrowly defeating the Socialist candidate, François Mitterrand.  Mitterrand, however, is already preparing to challenge d'Estaing again in 1988, and is the leading critic of his policies.  France has been undergoing some economic troubles, with unemployment nearing 8% as of January, 1984.

Italy: Italy is basically unchanged; its recent economic issues, shared by most of Europe, led to the election of Socialist Bettino Craxi in 1983.

Chile: Chile is pretty much the same; Pinochet still holds power, although is he facing US pressure to allow more freedom.

Brazil: Basically the same as IRL.

South Africa: South Africa is pretty much the same, but the movement to end Apartheid is gaining steam very quickly, and a Revolution seems to be brewing in South Africa.

Canada: Not really different from RL; Pierre Trudeau has held power since continually since 1968, although he is starting to lose favor.


The Christian Right movement has not yet taken shape, and is very divided, with a plurality supporting Hatfield, others calling for a new Party, and still others calling for a challenge to Hatfield for the GOP nomination.  There really is no one view of the Evangelical community at this time.

The Democratic Nomination

By the middle of 1983, candidates begin declaring for the Democratic Nomination.  The first to declare, on May 4, 1983, is Congressman Les Aspin of Wisconsin.  On May 29, Governor Dolph Briscoe of Texas throws his hat into the ring.  Despite rumors to the contrary, Senator Ted Kennedy declines to run for President, and on August 24, he endorses the incumbent Governor of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis, who had entered on August 20.  On October 19, Senator Edward Zorinsky becomes the last candidate to enter the race.

On February 20, the Iowa Caucuses are held.  The result is a narrow win for Aspin, a surprising result.
Aspin: 34% (21 delegates)
Dukakis: 31% (17 delegates)
Briscoe: 20% (12 delegates)
Zorinsky: 15%

A week later, in the New Hampshire primary, Dukakis scores a major victory, dominating his three opponents.
Dukakis: 69% (19 delegaes)
Aspin: 14%
Zorinsky: 11%
Briscoe: 6%

On March 6, in Vermont, Dukakis records yet another landslide victory, and jumps into the frontrunner position.
Dukakis: 71% (12 delegates)
Aspin: 12%
Zorinsky: 10%
Briscoe: 7%

Following Vermont, the candidates prepare for the large set of primaries on March 13; for Zorinsky and Briscoe, they need to win multiple primaries to stay in.

Alabama: Briscoe: 48% (24 delegates), Zorinsky: 25% (11 delegates), Dukakis: 20% (10 delegates), Aspin: 7%
Florida: Briscoe: 39% (43 delegates), Dukakis: 32% (34 delegates), Zorinsky: 19% (23 delegates), Aspin: 10%
Georgia: Briscoe: 50% (41 delegates), Dukakis: 30% (22 delegates), Zorinsky: 12%, Aspin: 8%
Massachusetts: 83% (111 delegates), Aspin: 9%, Zorinsky: 5%, Briscoe: 3%
Nevada: Dukakis: 40% (5 delegates), Aspin: 27% (4 delegates), Zorinsky: 20% (3 delegates), Briscoe: 13%)
Oklahoma: Briscoe: 39% (18 delegates), Dukakis: 31% (14 delegates), Zorinsky: 23% (10 delegates), Aspin: 7%
Rhode Island: Dukakis: 63% (18 delegates_, Aspin: 20% (5 delegates), Briscoe: 10%, Zorinsky: 7%
Washington: Dukakis: 47% (33 delegates), Aspin: 27% (15 delegates), Briscoe: 18% (10 delegates), Zorinsky: 8%

Having failed to win any of the first 11 primaries, Zorinsky drops out on March 14, and endorses Briscoe.

Delegate Totals on March 14:
Dukakis: 295
Briscoe: 195
Aspin: 45

With the race apparently a two man game between Dukakis and Briscoe, the upcoming primaries are a gift for Dukakis, as they are held in Illinois, which is a winner take all state, and Connecticut, two Dukakis strongholds:
Illinois: Dukakis: 47% (179 delegates), Briscoe: 30%, Aspin: 23%
Connecticut: Dukakis: 62% (34 delegates), Aspin: 20% (12 delegates), Briscoe: 18% (8 delegates)

On April 3, the only April primaries are held, and they're big contests for all three candidates.
New York: Dukakis: 37% (94 delegates), Aspin: 33% (94 delegates), Briscoe: 30% (94 delegates)
Wisconsin: Aspin: 67% (56 delegates), Dukakis: 19% (19 delegates), Briscoe: 14%
Pennsylvania: Dukakis: 45% (101 delegates), Briscoe: 40% (84 delegates), Aspin: 15%

Delegates Totals on April 31:
Dukakis: 509
Briscoe: 373
Aspin: 195

Shortly before the Tennessee primary, Aspin decides to drop out and endorse Dukakis, giving him a seemingly insurmountable lead.  In order to convince Briscoe to drop out as well, Dukakis promises him the task of selecting a Vice President.  Briscoe agrees, and even though he wins the Tennessee primary with 57%, he endorses Dukakis for President.

At the Convention in Houston, Dukakis announces his selection of Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas as his running mate, and Bentsen delivers an excellent speech attacking the fiscal irresponsibility of the Hatfield Administration, and promising victory in November for the Dukakis/Bentsen ticket.
()

The Republican Nomination

Despite having approvals in the mid 60’s, President Hatfield faces a challenge for re-nomination in 1984.  On September 9, 1983, Reverend Pat Robertson, the son of former Senator Absalom Willis Robertson (D-VA), announces that he will run against Hatfield for the nomination.

Robertson attacks his fellow Evangelical Christian for not being tough enough on issues like abortion, and hits him especially hard on the Gay Rights legislation.  Robertson draws most of his support from fellow Evangelicals, and that is not nearly enough.  He draws just 32% in Iowa, 26% in New Hampshire, and just 9% in both Massachusetts and Vermont.  After getting just 44% in South Carolina, Robertson reluctantly drops out, and announces his support for Hatfield.

At the Convention in Miami, Hatfield and Bush are both re-nominated, and pledge victory in November, and a continuation of the previous 4 years’ policies.

The General Election

From the start, Hatfield has a significant lead.  The Israeli-Egyptian peace program, the economic recovery, and the Gay Rights Bill all place him leagues ahead of Dukakis.

In the debates, as well, Hatfield humiliates Dukakis, who stumbles and fumbles through each question.  Hatfield, by contrast, appears far more Presidential, and his lead only increases after each debate.

On election day, Hatfield receives one of the largest margins in the second half the 20th Century, as Dukakis holds only his home state of Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia.

()
Mark Hatfield/George HW Bush: 60.2% PV, 522 EV
Michael Dukakis/Lloyd Bentsen: 37.6% PV, 16 EV
Others: 2.2% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

Despite Hatfield’s remarkable landslide, the victory is more personal than Party, and the GOP actually loses seats in the House.

Senate Results
()
Republicans: 51 (-)
Democrats: 49 (-)

House Results
Democrats: 232 (+11)
Republicans: 203 (-11)

County Map for 1984:
()

OUCH!!! Poor Mikey.  Despite my "Reagan Democrat" leanings, I really admire the former Bay State Governor. I think he would have been a very solid President with his intelligence and ability to make really good executive decisions.

Also, for the county maps are you just going through paint and doing it manually?

Yup.

Well, Ill be a monkey's uncle, I was not expecting the update on the '84 election so soon lol. Neither was I expecting for Duke to get the nod, but he was the pinacle for the White Ethnics who had begun to dominate the party from the 70's and 80's so it's not suprising he would still run. Zorinsky would have been a good pic if would have had more of a national profile. Btw did Vice President Church still sucumb to pancreatic cancer as he did IOTL. I am looking forward to see what else Hatfield gets done in second term. Keep it comming

Thanks you; sadly, Vice President Church did even earlier, in 1982.

In case anyone's interested, I've uploaded the 1976 county results map into the Gallery.

Hmm. Seems like we forgot Elliot County again.

No, I got Elliot County correct.

Actually, look closer. You didn't.

Who cares? Is one county really going to take away from your enjoyment?

Keep it up Ben.

()

Elliot is absolutely Democratic on this map.

I was referring to 1984, obviously. The blue landslide.

Damn it.  Well, I'm not perfect.  Deal with it.

You made a mistake, that's all. There's no need to be aggressive.

Not being aggressive; internet can't account for tone :P

The county map for 1972 is now in the gallery :)

Your county maps are pretty impressive Deeds, it shows your expertise in the political field to show each candidates perdicted areas of strength. So when can we expect the next installment featuring Hatfield's Second Term.

I'll have the Hatfield Administration done this week.

Cool Beans, I can't wait to see how two reformers such as President Hatfield and General Secretary Gorbachev or going to get along. Keep it comming.

Sorry guys, but I won't have anything done this week.  I'm going to Richmond today, not getting back until Thursday.  Also, my computer is busted, so I don't know how long it will be until I can get an update.  Sorry :(

Very good story. I've always thought of him as a good presidential candidate..I am looking forward to President Hatfield's second term.

Thanks :)

I get home Friday afternoon, and should have an update that night.

Hope you made it home from your vaction alright Ben; Writer's Block can be a stickler right lol?

Tomorrow, tomorrow, an update, tomorrow, it's only a day away!  :)

So much for that :(

I second that sentiment lol.

But seriously Deeds, you cannot simply just give us that snappy jingle and forget about the update.

Writer's Block is kicking my ass.  I'l lget an update out tomorrow, I promise.  I have been working on the 1985-1987 installment, and it will be done tomorrow.

We hope so

Hey atleast you know you have some loyal readers here lol, but yeah like I said you the biggest thing to ease my writer's block is discussing certain aspects that Im having with the timeline with other board members. I find it really helpful...you should definatley try it Ben

()
The Second Term of Mark Hatfield

In his Inaugural Address, Hatfield focuses mostly on the future, particularly a future involving the Soviet Union.  “We cannot let our children, or our children’s children, live in a world where the end could come with the push of a button.” 

To this end, Hatfield decides to travel to Moscow to meet with Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, to discuss a series of arms limitation treaties.  When Hatfield arrives on January 26, he is greeted cordially by Brezhnev.  For the next several weeks, talks go on between the American and Soviet delegations, and on February 27, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, or SALT, is announced.  SALT had several provisions.  The Soviets would reduce Tu-22M production to thirty aircraft per year and not to give them an intercontinental range; it banned new missile programs (a new missile defined as one with any key parameter 5% better than in currently deployed missiles), so both sides were forced to limit their new strategic missile types development although US preserved their most essential programs like Trident and cruise missiles.

Upon his return to the united States, Hatfield begins to push the ratification of SALT to the Senate.  He faces intense opposition from a hardcore group, led by Scoop Jackson, in his first real work since his heart attack.   Jackson argues that, rather than limit  the total arms number, the US should increase production, and force the Soviets to try and compete.  “The Soviets know they can’t compete, and that’s why Brezhnev is suddenly willing to negotiate,” Jackson says.  Senator Jesse Helms takes an even tougher line, saying that Hatfield is endangering America’s security by limiting the number of weapons.

()
Senator Jackson giving a speech opposing the SALT Treaty

In an attempt to place pressure on reluctant Senators, Hatfield takes his case directly to the American people.  In a series of television addresses, Hatfield explains the benefits of the SALT Treaty, and asks the people to write their Senators to support the SALT Treaty.  This appears to succeed, and by the start of April, the Treaty has the support of 64% of Americans.

As the Senate moves into April, the debate becomes even more acrimonious.  Day after day, Senators hurl insults at each other, predicting the apocalypse if the other side wins.  On May 2, Majority Leader Dole announces that the Senate will vote by the end of May.  On May 23, the Senate votes, 67-33, to pass the Treaty.  Three days later, Senator Jackson suffers a second, fatal heart attack.

On June 10, the Congress begins debate on the Immigration Reform Act of 1985.  The Act would make illegal to knowingly hire or recruit illegal immigrants (immigrants who do not possess lawful work authorization), required employers to attest to their employees’ immigration status, and granted amnesty to certain illegal immigrants who entered the United States before January 1, 1981 and had resided there continuously. The Act also granted a path towards legalization to certain agricultural seasonal workers and immigrants who had been continuously and illegally present in the United States since January 1, 1981.

The legislation was strongly supported by the President and the liberal members of Congress, but faced opposition from conservatives.  Jesse Helms, still angry over the SALT passage, decides to filibuster the legislation.  For almost three weeks, he and a group of Republicans talk non-stop, trying to defeat the Bill.  They fail, and on July 15, the Senate votes 64-36 for cloture; on July 23, it votes 57-36 to pass the Bill.

In the House, the Bill faces little opposition, and passes 325-84 on September 16.

On October 22, Iran and Iraq announce an official end to hostilities between the two nations, following almost four stalemated years of conflict.

In early February, the Senate begins debate on the Goldwater-Nichols Act.  The Act would rework the command structure of the United States military, as well as increase the powers of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  It was also the most major changes to the United States Department of Defense since it’s establishment in 1947.

The rationale behind the legislation, according to Senator Goldwater, was to end the organizational troubles that had plagued the military since World War II, and had been evident during the Vietnam War.  The legislation was strongly supported by the military, and passed quickly through both houses of Congress, being signed into law on March 4, 1986.

On April 10, 1986, President Hatfield, in a speech to the UN, condemns South Africa’s apartheid program.  He announces that the United States will not trade, or interact at all, with South Africa until it ends its program, including releasing Nelson Mandela from prison.

On May 1, while having dinner with the Japanese Prime Minister, Vice President Bush collapses.  He is hospitalized for several days, with the doctors unable to find a reason for his collapse.  On May 10, he is released, with doctors still unsure of the reason for his collapse.

On June 6, a report breaks that Oliver North, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, had been surreptitiously sending military aid to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, in order to prevent Iran from winning.  This was in direct violation of an Executive Order issued by the President in 1981.

Three days after the news is broken, North announces his resignation.  Congress begins an inquiry, with a Committee of 12 Congressman, 6 from each Houses, investigating who knew what about the Affair, to be Chaired by Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC), with two Vice Chairman, Senator John Stennis (D-MS), and Congressman Robert Michel (R-IL).

For several weeks, the Committee hears testimony, from nearly the entire DoD.  When they recess in August, they begin writing a report, which is published in December, 1986.  The report places no blame on Hatfield, and says that the entire Affair was organized by North and several other minor officials in the DoD.

The Congressional Elections

The Iran Arms Scandal, coupled with overall fatigue, leads to major losses for the GOP in both Houses, as the Democrats regain control of the Senate.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 57 (+8)
Republicans: 43 (-8)

House Results
Democrats: 250 (+18)
Republicans: 185 (-18)

Im suprised you still have Brezhenv still alive ITTL's 1985-1987, I think Hatfield would have gotten alot more accomplished working with a Reformer like Gorbachev. Things aren't looking to good for the GOP in 1988, especially if Bush's health issues' force him out of the Race early. Maybe a Moderate like Senator Hart and Senator Gore might clinch the nod for the Democrats. Can't wait to see what you come up Ben...and as always Keep it comming.

Any answer to why Brezhenev's still alive an kicking ITTL Ben lol?

Brezhnev never invaded Afghanistan in 1979, and had less stress in general.  This prevented the stroke that basically ended his rule.

Looking forward 1988 race :)

I must say, this is a very interesting timeline.  It appears that the GOP is less of a Southern conservative Party, and more of a Midwestern Party, due ot Reagan's defeat.  I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Thanks :)

Hmm 1988 should be a very interesting race especially if Bush doesn't run due to Health Concerns. First on the Democratic Side, Although I'm a hughe Coumo fan, I don't think the party is stupid enough to nominate a Northern Liberal after The Duke's disastorus '84 Campaign. They will probably shift toward the DLC Democrats earlier than IOTL, that mean's folks like Senator Gary Hart of Colorado, former Governor Bruce Babbitt of of Arizona, Governor Chuck Robb of Virginia, and Senator Al Gore of Tennesse would all be strong choices to win the nomination and possibly beat the GOP in the General Election. Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas and Senator John Glenn of Ohio would be a good choice as well.

On the Republican side, you'd proably have around the same list of Candidates as IOTL, Dole, Kemp, Laxalt, Du Pont, Rumsfeld. However, I think the GOP would proably look for someone who could trully be their heir to the Hatfield throne...John Chafee would be a good choice, but his age would probably work against him...Al D'Amato of New York, George Deukmajean of California, and Big Jim Thompson of Illinois could work as well. Just throwing some ideas out there, nothing wrong with a litte discussioon now and then right? lol, Keep this TL comming

We need an update!

I'm sorry; I totally forgot about this :P  An update will be released in the next couple of days.

Ok thanks.

Update tomorrow.  I promise.

In his State of the Union Address on January 16, 1987, President Hatfield refers to the economy as, “Being in the best shape in the last twenty years!”  Hatfield’s remark is not without basis; unemployment in February, 1987 stands at just 5.8%, and the average American’s wages are higher than ever before.

In early February, Congress begins debate on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.  The legislation had a myriad of services to homeless people, including the Continuum of Care Programs: the Supportive Housing Program, the Shelter Plus Care Program, and the Single Room Occupancy Program, as well as the Emergency Shelter Grant Program. It established the Interagency Council on the Homeless.

Because of its wide scope, the McKinney-Vento Act immediately faces strong opposition from conservatives.  Senator Helms calls it “A throwaway to the laziest members of society,” while Senator Thurmond says, “We might as well be encouraging people to live out on the street.”

For several weeks, acrimonious debate continues in Congress.  By early March, the Congress is in deadlock over the bill, with neither side willing to yield.  Eventually, though, Senate liberals agree to make certain concessions – they agree to cut spending in several other areas, not including defense, to pay for the bill.  On April 7, cloture is achieved 62-38, and the bill passes on April 16, 57-37.  In the House, the debate goes much the same way, and it passes on May 5, 226-200.

On June 4, Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev dies of a stroke.  After several weeks of internal wrangling, Vitaly Fedorchuk, the head of the KGB since 1982, is named to replace him.  Fedorchuk immediately begins rooting out corruption in the Soviet infrastructure.

()
New Soviet Premier Vitaly Fedorchuk

On July 10, President Hatfield arrives in Moscow for his first meeting with Fedorchuk.  During the meeting, Hatfield presses Fedorchuk to open up the USSR, including freeing political prisoners.  Fedorchuk politely declines, and also states that there are no political prisoners in the USSR.

Upon his return to the US on July 16, Hatfield gives a series of speeches criticizing the USSR for its suppression of political freedoms.  He announces that, unless the USSR releases its political prisoners, the United States will cease dealing with the USSR effective January 1, 1988.

Hatfield’s ultimatum cause a major uproar, both at home and abroad.  He is commended by people such as Senator Helms, but is criticized by moderates and liberals; a Gallup Poll finds that 79% of Americans disapprove of Hatfield’s Ultimatum.

Internationally, Hatfield is criticized by every foreign government.  Prime Minister Thatcher, French President François Mitterrand, West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and every other European leader jointly sign a statement disagreeing with Hatfield, and saying that they will not join in.

In a speech on August 15, Hatfield defends his Ultimatum.  “This is the only way we can get the Soviets to act on their human rights abuses.  It is my sincere hope they will accede to our pressures, but we must be prepared for them not to.”

By early October, the Soviets appear to not be giving in to Hatfield’s demands.  Across the country, Americans begin to prepare for a complete cutoff from Russia, buying whatever things they want in bulk.

Inside the Soviet Bloc, Fedorchuk also faces pressure to give in to Hatfield’s demands, or to find a compromise.  Fedorchuk is told that the USSR would collapse if it completely stopped trading the US; its trade with Europe couldn’t compensate.  Fedorchuk, however, is resolute in his refusal to give in.

On December 10, Hatfield and Fedorchuk meet in New York, three weeks before the embargo goes into effect.  Hatfield urges Fedorchuk to give in, but the Premier refuses; he also refuses to try and compromise with Hatfield, as his advisors suggested.

At 12:01 AM on January 1, 1988, President Hatfield issues Executive Order 12483, which officially shut off trade with the Soviet Union.  In a speech on January 10, Hatfield justifies his Embargo, by stating that it will not have a negative effect on the US economy, and that “American must make a stand for human rights.”

By early March, though, Hatfield’s prediction is proving false.  Unemployment, which was 6.1% in December, has risen to 6.9% by March 1.  In June, a report is released stating that the economy had the slowest growth during the First Quarter of 1988 than any year that decade.  By early May, unemployment has risen to 7.5%, and Hatfield’s approval rating has fallen from 63% Approve – 34% Disapprove in a December 15 survey to 49% Approve and 49% Disapprove in a May 14 survey.  Against this backdrop, the 1988 Presidential Election begins to shape together.

Wow wasn't expecting Hatfield to take such an hardline against the Soviets with an trade Embargo, I guess even the best of us gets cantankerous as we get older lol. The Homeless Act was a nice piece of Progressive Legislation, and I can't wait to see what you've got cooked up for '88 Ben...Im assuming a Peace Democrat wins the nomination someone the likes of Ron Dellums of California, Paul Simon of Illinois, Patricia Schoeder of Colorado, George Mcgoven of South Dakota, and Martha Layne Collins of Kentucky would all be good choices...Keep it comming

The 1988 Election will probably come out later today or Thursday.

We look forward to it

The Democratic Nomination

As the 1988 race begins heating up, a large number of candidates declare for the nomination.  The first is Governor Richard Lamm of Colorado, who declares on June 8, 1987.  Governor Scott Matheson of Utah declares for the nomination on June 27, 1987.  On August 25, 1987, Senator Lawton Chiles of Florida declares he will seek the nomination.  On September 15, Governor Richard Riley of South Carolina announces he will run, and on December 5, Congressman Ron Dellums of California declares for the nomination, becoming the first African-American to make a serious bid for the Presidency on the Democratic side.

On February 8, the Iowa Caucuses are held, with a surprising win by Governor Lamm.  One week after Iowa, the candidates descend on New Hampshire, where Dellums' record on defense scores him an upset win with the peace-loving New Hampshire voters.

Following two last place finishes, Governor Riley drops out and endorses Chiles.

One week after New Hampshire two primaries are held in Kentucky and South Dakota; resulting in a Chiles victory in Kentucky, and a Matheson win in South Dakota.

On March 5, primaries are held in Alabama (Chiles), Arizona (Matheson), Connecticut (Lamm), Florida (Chiles), Illinois (Chiles), Massachusetts (Dellums), North Carolina (Chiles), South Carolina (Chiles), and Wyoming (Matheson).

Despite winning two primaries, Matheson decides to drop out, and endorses Lamm on March 7.

Following Matheson's drop-out, a major run of primaries are held on March 15 in Alaska (Lamm), Arkansas (Chiles), California (Dellums), Georgia (Chiles), Hawaii (Dellums), Louisiana (Chiles), Maryland (Chiles), Mississippi (Chiles), Missouri (Chiles), Ohio (Lamm), Oklahoma (Chiles), Rhode Island (Lamm), Tennessee (Chiles), Texas (Chiles), and Virginia (Chiles).

Following Chiles' domination, Lamm drops out and endorses Chiles.  Dellums, however, decides to continue competing, and on March 22 primaries are held in Delaware (Chiles), Indiana (Chiles), Michigan (Chiles), New York (Chiles), and West Virginia (Chiles).

Following the sweep, Dellums finally drops out, and endorses Chiles.

At the Democratic Convention, Chiles decides to select Senator Joe Biden of Delaware as his running mate.

Notable endorsements

Lawton Chiles
•   Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi
•   Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia
•   Senator Ernest Hollings of South Carolina
•   Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas
•   Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia
•   Senator Terry Sanford of North Carolina
•   Senator J. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana
•   Senator David Boren of Oklahoma
•   Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas
•   Governor Jim Hunt of North Carolina

Ron Dellums
•   Representative John Lewis of Georgia
•   Representative Mickey Leland of Texas
•   Representatives Charlie Rangel of New York
•   Representatives John Conyers of Michigan

Richard Lamm
•   Governor Roy Romer of Colorado
•   Senator Gary Hart of Colorado

Richard Riley:
•   Governor Joe Frank Harris of Georgia
•   Governor Ned McWherter of Tennessee



The Republican Nomination

On June 27, 1987, Vice President Bush announces that, due to his health problems, he would not seek the Republican nomination.  On July 5, barely a week after Bush’s announcement, Senator Bob Dole of Kansas declares for the nomination.  On August 18, former Governor Pierre S. du Pont of Delaware enters the race; on October 5, Senator Jack Kemp of New York puts his name in, and on October 24, former Governor Dick Thornburgh of Pennsylvania enters the race.

As the primaries get under way, Dole appears to be the frontrunner, and he wins a resounding victory in Iowa.  One week later, in New Hampshire, Kemp pulls off an upset victory; an angry Dole attacks Kemp for “lying about my record.”

Two weeks after Iowa, a Super Tuesday set of primaries are held in Alabama (Dole), Arizona (Dole), Connecticut (Kemp), Delaware (du Pont), Florida (Dole), Georgia (Dole), Illinois (Thornburgh), Ohio (Dole), Virginia (Dole), and Wisconsin (Dole).  After winning just one primary, Kemp drops out and endorses du Pont.

Following Super Tuesday, Dole sweeps Alaska, California, and Hawaii, forcing du Pont out of the race.  Thornburgh, however, stays in, taking the Pennsylvania primary held the next week.  Dole finally closes him out by winning Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas the next week.

At the Republican Convention in New York City, Dole makes the decision to select Kemp as his running mate.

Notable endorsements

Bob Dole
•   Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina
•   Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska
•   Senator Lowell Weicker of Connecticut
•   Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker of Kansas
•   Senator Warren Rudman of New Hampshire
•   Senator Larry Pressler of South Dakota
•   Governor George Deukmejian of California
•   Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. of South Carolina

Dick Thornburgh
•   Senator Bob Packwood of Oregon
•   Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico
•   Senator H. John Heinz III of Pennsylvania
•   Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania
•   Governor Edward D. DiPrete of Rhode Island

Pierre S. du Pont
•   Senator Bill Roth of Delaware
•   Governor Mike Castle of Delaware

Jack Kemp
•   House Minority Whip Trent Lott of Mississippi
•   Senator Gordon Humphrey of New Hampshire
•   Representative Robert C. Smith of New Hampshire

The General Election

From day one, the election is extremely close.  Chiles immediately goes on the attack, criticizing Dole for supporting the Embargo, which is supported by just 17% of Americans.  Dole, in return, attacks Chiles for being too liberal.

On September 25, at the first debate, Chiles hits Dole hard on the Embargo, while Dole says that he opposed the Embargo from the start.  Following the debate, Chiles and Dole still stand almost even, although people seem to be shifting to Chiles.  Chiles gets a resounding victory in the second debate on October 17, and polls show him pulling away.

On October 26, barely a week before the election, Hatfield finally lifts the Embargo, in an attempt to pull up Dole.  The attempt fails, and Chiles squeaks by on Election Day.

()
Lawton Chiles/Joe Biden: 50.3% PV, 285 EV
Bob Dole/Jack Kemp: 48.1% PV, 253 EV
Others: 1.6% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

Given the extremely close election, the Congressional makeup stays much the same, with on gains in the Senate for either Party, and minor gains for House Democrats.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 57 (-)
Republicans: 43 (-)


House Results
Democrats: 253 (+3)
Republicans: 182 (-3)

Wow you are a master at keeping your Presidential candidates unknown Ben. Having Lawton Chiles as President will be pretty interesting, especially since his health really never recovered after his triple-Bi-pass surgery IOTL 1985. Dole/Kemp in 1988 was a nice touch as well, and it makes sense the Lawton didn't pick Dellums for Vice President, as needed the entire south to coble together even a narrow victory. Biden's youth applies to baby boomer's and his Catholic, White Working class routes appeal to voters in the rust belt. Maybe he should give Dellums the post of Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense. Just ideas, and I look forward to the first term of our nation's 40th President

Sorry, but I won't have an update until at least Saturday, since I'm going on vacation.  Here's the 1988 County Map:
()

Awesome County map, and with the GOP's habit of giving the nomination to the previous Primary's runner up...Im going to perdict either Pete Dupont or Dick Thornburgh in '92 already. Looking forward to the Chiles Presidency...Keep it comming Ben.

Bumpity Bump.

()

An update will come soon.  If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask them.

Ben, what's happens to Al Gore, Bill Clinton, John Kerry and some othe figures?

Also, I think this is strong possibility that Biden will be President ITTL, regarding Chiles poor health (after all, he died in office as Florida Governor, but Presidency is much more harsh), but I don't want to suggest anything ;)

Gore, Clinton, and Kerry are all holding the same jobs in this TL that they held at this point in RL.

Whats going on with my man Rudy Giuliani?

Giuliani worked in the Hatfield Justice Department from 1981-1984, when he was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  As of now, he still holds that position.

Hilarious California results.

How so?

Fresno, Tulare and Kings do not vote D if Santa Barbara and San Benito vote D.

I bump thee.

Tomorrow or Monday, most likely.

Untill then...Here's a recap, for the first half of the timeline...

JFK Lives: Presidents of the United States

35. John F. “Jack” Kennedy (D-MA): January 20th 1961-January 20th 1969
36. John Tower (R-TX): January 20th 1969-January 20th 1973
37. Hubert H. Humphrey (D-MN): January 20th 1973-August 8th 1975*
38. Warren E. Hearnes (D-MO): August 8th 1975-January 20th 1981
39. Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR): January 20th 1981-January 20th 1989
40. Lawton M. Chiles Jr. (D-FL): January 20th 1989-???

Notes

37. Died in office due to an aortic aneurism.

JFK Lives: Vice-Presidents of the United States

37. Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX): January 20th 1961-January 20th 1965
38. George A. Smathers (D-FL): January 20th 1965-January 20th 1969
39. Spiro T. Agnew (R-MD): January 20th 1969-January 20th 1973
40. Warren E. Hearnes (D-MO): January 20th 1973-August 8th 1975
Vacant: August 8th 1975-January 20th 1977
41. Frank F. Church III (D-ID): January 20th 1977-January 20th 1981
42. George H.W. Bush (R-TX): January 30th 1981-January 20th 1989
43. Joseph R. “Joe” Biden Jr. (D-DE): January 20th 1989-???

JFK Lives: Failed Tickets

1964: Barry M. Goldwater (R-AZ)/William Scranton (R-PA)
1968: George A. Smathers (D-FL)/Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson (D-WA):  William C. Westmoreland (A-SC)/Lester G. Maddox (A-GA)
1972: John Tower (R-TX)/Spiro T. Agnew (R-MD):  Lester G. Maddox (A-GA)/John M. Ashbrook (A-OH)
1976: Ronald W. Reagan (R-CA)/Gerald R. Ford (R-MI)
1980: Warren E. Hearnes (D-MO)/Frank F. Church III (D-ID):  Jesse A. Helms Jr. (A-NC)/Dr. Otis R. Bowen (A-IN)
1984: Michael S. “Mike” Dukakis (D-MA)/Lloyd M. Bentsen (D-TX)
1988: Robert J. “Bob” Dole (R-KA)/Jack F. Kemp (R-NY)

Thanks Historico; I regret to announce that an update will not be out for at least 4 more days; I start school tomorrow, and will have a lot to do because of that.

Well, my brain has apparently shut down almost completely, and I have no idea when an update will come.  Sorry :(

Just know that we all love this timeline and are big fans of it. ;D

And believe me, that's encouraging.

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The First Term of Lawton Chiles

“My friends, as we enter the last decade of the twentieth century, I see a bright future for America.  Whatever troubles are ahead, we shall overcome them.  I believe in the American spirit, and I know that nothing is impossible.”  Much like his hopeful Inaugural Address, Chiles’ Cabinet represents a broad cross section of America, in terms of partisan affiliation and ideological views; Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives.

Secretary of State: Dante Fascell (D-FL)
Secretary of Treasury: Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX)
Secretary of Defense: John Chafee (R-RI)
Attorney General: Charles Mathias (R-MD)
Secretary of the Interior: Bruce Babbitt (D-AZ)
Secretary of Agriculture: John W. Carlin (D-KS)
Secretary of Commerce: Al D'Amato (R-NY)
Secretary of Labor: William D. Ford (D-MI)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Pierre S. du Pont, IV (R-DE)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Meyera E. Oberndorf (D-VA)
Secretary of Transportation: Norman Mineta (D-CA)
Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs: Alan K. Simpson (R-WY)

On January 26, Congress begins debate on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  The Legislation, written by Congressman John Dingell of Michigan, would prohibit discrimination based on disabilities, similar to the way the Civil Rights Act of 1964, made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other factors illegal.  The ADA defined a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.”

Because of its far reaching nature, strong opposition to the ADA was expected.  However, there is very little opposition in the House, which passes the ADA on April 23, by a vote of 403-19.  In the Senate, the ADA is actively opposed only by Jesse Helms, and on June 5, by a vote of 87-8, the Senate passes the ADA.  On June 7, the President signs it into law.

On June 27, both Chief Justice Bazelon and Justice Brennan announce their joint retirement from the Court.  To replace Bazelon as Chief Justice, Chiles nominates Judge Richard Sheppard Arnold of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, widely considered one of the greatest Judges to have served in the American Judiciary.  So great was Arnold’s esteem that a statement, signed by all nine Justices of the Supreme Court, was publically released in which they urged that Arnold be confirmed.  The Senate decides to not even hold hearings for Arnold, and he is confirmed on July 8, by a vote of 100-0.

To replace Brennan, Chiles nominates Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the DC Circuit, making her the first woman to be appointed to the Court.  Ginsburg, despite being very widely respected, faces opposition from conservatives like Jesse Helms.  Despite that, she if confirmed on July 26 by a vote of 87-10.

In August, leading up to the 50th anniversary of the start of World War II, President Chiles begins a tour of Europe, culminating with a speech at the Berlin Wall on September 1, 1989.  In the speech, Chiles discusses the need to stand up to tyranny, and to support, “Spreading the enabler of innovation, democracy.”

In October, Congress begins debate on the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989.  The Act, written by Congressman John Conyers of Michigan, protected persons who work for the government that report agency misconduct; it also federal agencies from taking a “personnel action with respect to any employee or applicant because of any disclosure of information by the employee or applicant that he or she reasonably believes evidences a violation of a law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.”

Much like the ADA, the WPA finds little opposition; it passes the House 364-49 on November 7, and it passes the Senate 71-12 on December 15; it is signed by the President on December 18.

In his State of the Union Address in January 15, 1990, President Chiles confidently says that, “The State of our Union is stronger than ever.”  His statement is not unjustified.  Unemployment sits at just over 7%, and per-person wages have risen dramatically since the end of the Soviet Embargo.

On February 17, in a speech to the UN, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein accuses the US of “trying to make my country to give them dirt cheap oil by pressuring our neighbors to not trade with us, forcing us to lower our prices in order to put food on our people’s tables.”  Chiles denies the accusation, forcefully, in a speech at the UN on February 26.

On March 9, Hussein calls Kuwait “a colony of the United States,” and threatens military action if they don’t, “stop letting the United States dictate the economic policies of the entire Middle East.”

On March 29, Hussein follows through on his threat, and on March 30, Iraq officially invades Kuwait.  Despite warnings, the Kuwait military was not fully prepared; 25% of the Kuwait Air Force was lost during the initial invasion.  Iraqi tanks attacked Dasman Palace, the royal residence. Amir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the advice of the United States military, had already fled into the Saudi desert. His younger half brother, Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was shot and killed, after which his body was placed in front of a tank and run over.

Within several weeks of the invasion, members of Congress began demanding military action to force Saddam out of Kuwait.  Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), said, “It is shameful that the United States is allowing a common thug to depose the rightful government of Kuwait.”

On April 17th, President Chiles announces that, in order to defend Saudi Arabia, he will send 200,000 troops into Saudi Arabia.  Over the next few weeks, he builds a coalition of 34 countries, to send troops into Kuwait: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Spain, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States itself; totaling 956,000 troops, of whom 73% were Americans.  Japan and West Germany, while not sending in troops, contribute large amounts of money.  The Senate, on May 1, votes 67-33 to allow military force; the House follows on May 5, 334-101.  On May 8, 1990, Operation Desert Storm officially begins.

Within a few weeks of the invasion, Iraqi troops were being driven out of Kuwait in large numbers.  By July 1, President Chiles states that “We expect Kuwait to be restored to its rightful government by Bastille Day.”  By July 14, only a handful of Iraqi troops remain.  On July 25, 1990, Saddam officially signs a ceasefire agreement, bringing the Gulf War to an end.  Following the ceasefire, Saddam blasts the USSR, which had stayed out of the affair, as “Leaving us to the mercy of the American dogs.”

In early August, with an Approval Rating of 69%, President Chiles takes a much deserved vacation in Florida, before hitting the campaign trail for Congressional Democrats.

The Congressional Elections

Because of Chiles’ sky high Approval Ratings (they would be 64% on election day), the Democrats make incredible gains in both Houses of Congress; in the Senate, this includes taking the seat of Jesse Helms, by Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gant, by 881 votes.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 61 (+4)
Republicans: 39 (-4)


House Results
Democrats: 276 (+23)
Republicans: 158 (-24)
Independents: 1 (+1)

Defending Saudi Arabia?

Disgusting.

Chiles should visit rather a country where the war actually started :P

Anyway, great update as alaway, even if I second Xahar thought ;)

Wow, it's good to see this bird back up again...the Chiles Presidency been pretty good so far, especially with a early yet successful conclusion to the Gulf War. I could see him bringing on board a major piece of Child Health Care legislation. Im just wondering if his he might die sooner than IOTL, due to the stresses of the Presidency...Can't wait to see the rest of the Chiles 1st term and the '92 election...Keep it comming

I wondering if President Chiles health would not get worse during his term. I killed him in 1988 :P

Poor Joe, always a heartbet away, in OTL and TTL ;)

After rereading the last installment, Im actually suprised Lawton doesn't have a really inclusive cabinent Deed's, especially as a progressive New South former Governor. He only has one Female, and one Asian American member of his cabinent. I don't think the African American Democratic Base would be to happy about that especially after the close nature of the Dellums/Chiles shootout in the primaries.

May we see an update on the living former presidents? I'd like to see how they are spending their lives currently.

President Kennedy had been teaching at Harvard since leaving office; he's currently on leave to work full time for his son's campaign for Governor of Massachusetts.

President Tower has largely stayed out of the limelight, living quietly in Texas.

President Hearnes, like President Truman, has been a major figure at his library, giving talks every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  He also campaigns for Democratic candidates, and his popularity has seen an increase in the last few years.

President Hatfield, just starting his retirement, has taken the Bill Clinton route of starting various charities, and managing them.


Dellums was offered SecDef, but he turned it down to stay in the House.  Chiles was looking for the best person for each job, while still maintaining a healthy partisan balance, and this is the best he could do.

Thanks!

Sorry for the lack of an update; school has taken most of my substantive free time.  Hopefully an update will come out this week.

So, I have no idea when another update will come out, but I'm hoping this weekend.

Benjamin

If you can't think of anything to write why not summarise what you were intending to write, provided with complimentary electoral maps! Plenty of other forumites, such as HC have do so and that hasn't hindered the appreciation of their timelines, so I highly suggest you doing so yourself. That's what I was planning on doing but I had no idea what was going to happen after 1958.

I do intend to finish the timeline, and I will hopefully have an update this weekend.  I will not abandon this timeline.

Yes, good to hear, Ben. Abandoning this TL would be... so Liefish

Exactly.  I fully intend to finish this beast.

Yeah...I know University puts big timelines like my Reagan in '68 TL, and TTL's on Ice for a majority of the semester. Atleast this way its in the back of your mind, with Ideas churning on different ways you could take it....Keep it comming Ben

On January 29, 1991, in his State of the Union Address, President Chiles declares that, “The State of our Union is strong, and getting stronger.”  Following the Address, Hatfield makes the first visit to Moscow by an American President since the Hatfield ultimatum.  During his meeting with Soviet Premier Vitaly Fedorchuk, Chiles pushes for a more open relationship between the two countries, both politically and economically.  Fedorchuk, however, is unresponsive to the offer.

On March 8, the Senate begins debate on the High Performance Computing and Communication Act of 1991.  Also known as the Gore Bill, after Senator Al Gore (D-TN), the legislation would create the National Information Infrastructure and begin funding of the National Research and Education Network (NREN).  Primary opposition to the HPCA came from conservatives who were worried about the high costs attached to the HPCA.  Senator Richard Shelby (D-AL) claimed that, “This would plunge our nation deep into debt, from which we would take a long time to recover.”  Eventually, though, the HPCA passes the Senate, 57-36, on April 25, and the House, 227-184, on May 16.

On June 18, Justices Spottswood William Robinson III and Byron White both announce their retirements.  To replace them, President Chiles nominates Harry T. Edwards of the DC Circuit, and Stephanie Kulp Seymour of the 10th Circuit.  They are both confirmed without controversy.

On July 15, 1991, President Chiles, in a speech to a joint session of Congress, calls for an invasion of Panama to overthrow Panamanian leader, general, and dictator Manuel Noriega.  In the speech, Chiles gives four reasons for invading Panama: protecting Panamanian and American citizens, defending democracy and human rights in Panama from Noriega, fighting a serious drug trafficking problem in Panama, and protecting the integrity of the Torrijos-Hearnes Treaties, which Chiles claimed was being threatened by Noriega.  On July 20, by a vote of 60-36, the Senate grants Chiles the authority; the House follows on July 24, 309-104.

On July 26, the invasion, named “Operation Just Cause”, begins.  28,000 American troops attacked strategic installations such as the civilian Punta Paitilla Airport in Panama City, a PDF garrison and airfield at Rio Hato, where Noriega also maintained a residence. U.S. Navy SEALS destroyed Noriega’s private jet and a Panamanian gunboat.  During this attack, one Navy SEAL and two American soldiers were killed.

By August 2, the only objective remaining for the Americans was the capture of Noriega.  He had taken residence in the Vatican Embassy since July 31, but the Americans, on August 4, managed to force him out.  He surrendered, and was extradited to Miami.  Guillermo Endara, who had attempted to overthrow Noriega, then living in hiding, was sworn in as president by a judge on the night preceding the invasion. The casualties were 20 on the American side, and around 200 Panamanian casualties.

()
Manuel Noriega following his arrest

In a speech on September 10, 1991, President Chiles, reacting to a report finding that nearly 13% of Americans lives below the poverty line, announced a series of initiatives on education and job creation to lower that number.  Despite reservations, the House passes the Education Opportunity Act of 1991, which would provide monetary scholarships to low income people attempting to go to University, on November 20, 227-204.  The Senate follows on December 12, 53-43. 

On January 15, the House passes the Employment Jumpstart Act of 1992, which provided funds for unemployed people to seek education in the career field of their choice for three years, 220-212.  On February 9, the Senate passes the EJA, 50-42.  Shortly after signing the EJA, President Chiles begins campaigning in earnest for his reelection.

You mean President Chiles right? ;)

Yes :P

By the Gods...After two months, it has returned to us...Anyways, what a pretty successfull conclusion to Chiles' first term in office. With two Millitary victories, Educational Reform and Minority Judges nominated; Lawton's approval ratings should still remain in the 60's or 70's. The GOP will probably run a pretty strong Fiscal Conservative attacking the high spending policies of the Chiles adminstration. Will Ross Perot still run an anti-deficit independent campaign ITTL ALT 1992 General Election? Maybe Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr. of California, former Governor Pete du Pont of Deleaware, or Governor Carroll Campbell of South Carolina? I don't know why I bother trying to guest your lists, as you always seem to be one step ahead over everyone when it comes to your elections...Keep it Comming

You have guessed one person who will be on a ticket in 1992.

Hooray, it has returned!

The Democratic Nomination

With his approval ratings hovering in the high 50’s for all of 1991 and heading into 1992, President Chiles is virtually unchallenged in his attempt to be re-nominated.  Several minor candidates emerge, but none pose any significant challenge.

At the Convention in Atlanta, President Chiles and Vice President Biden are re-nominated unanimously.  The Keynote Speaker is the 32 year old Governor of Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy Jr.  Kennedy’s speech, praising the Chiles Administration, is very well received by the public, and Chiles heads into the General Election leading in the polls.

The Republican Nomination

President Chiles’ high approval ratings manage to scare away many top tier contenders for the GOP nomination.  On March 9, 1991, Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky becomes the first candidate to declare for the nomination.  On June 23, Governor John Ashcroft of Missouri enters the race.  July 4 sees Governor Carroll Campbell of South Carolina declare for the nomination.  On August 5, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah enters the race, and on August 27, Dick Thornburgh decides to make a second go at winning the nomination.

Entering the primaries, Thornburgh has all of the momentum, coming off his strong showing in 1988.  Thornburgh, however, if upset by Campbell, who wins 34% of the vote; Thornburgh comes in second, with 30%, Ashcroft gets 18%, Hatch gets 16%, and Rogers manages 2%.  Thornburgh follows with a victory in New Hampshire, taking 36% of the vote.

Following Iowa and New Hampshire, the candidates compete in California, which is won by Thornburgh.  After California, they head to Georgia, which goes to Campbell.  Following Georgia, they prepare for primaries in Alabama (Campbell), Alaska (Hatch), Arkansas (Campbell), Delaware (Thornburgh), Illinois (Thornburgh), Louisiana (Campbell), New York (Campbell), South Carolina (Campbell), and Wyoming (Thornburgh).  Following these primaries, Rogers drops out and endorses Campbell.

One week after the first Super Tuesday, the candidates compete in Connecticut (Thornburgh), Idaho (Hatch), Indiana (Ashcroft), Ohio (Thornburgh), and West Virginia (Campbell).  Following the string of primaries, the candidates all move to Florida, where a heated contest is expected.  Campbell, however, dominates the competition, taking over 50% of the vote.  The next week, primaries are held in Missouri (Ashcroft), and Tennessee (Campbell).  With few delegates, and no money, Hatch drops out, and endorses Thornburgh.

Following those primaries, the second Super Tuesday comes along, with contests in Arizona (Thornburgh), Colorado (Thornburgh), Kentucky (Campbell), Maryland (Campbell), Michigan (Campbell), and Texas (Campbell).  With just two primary victories, and no cash, Ashcroft drops out, and endorses Campbell.

With just two candidates remaining, each contest becomes extremely important.  The primary in New Jersey was critical, and Campbell was able to stun the pundits by winning a strong victory, gaining 53% of the vote.  The nomination was expected to come down to Mini Tuesday, a set of 6 primaries in Kansas (Campbell), Massachusetts (Thornburgh), North Carolina (Campbell), Oklahoma (Campbell), Virginia (Campbell), and Wisconsin (Campbell).  By the end of the evening, Campbell had claimed enough delegates to clinch the nomination, and Thornburgh backed down and endorsed him.

At the Republican Convention in Miami, Campbell selects Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate.  The Keynote Speech, given by Governor Bob Martinez of Florida, blasted the Chiles Administration for running a massive deficit.

The General Election

Entering the election, polls show Chiles ahead of Campbell.  The lead, however, is slim.  A Gallup Poll from September 15 shows Chiles at 40%, Campbell at 37%, and 23% undecided.  After the first debate on September 24, which was thought to be a draw, Chiles leads 44-42-14

Throughout the campaign, Campbell attacks Chiles on the economy.  Known for balancing the South Carolina budget, Campbell blasts the “irresponsible fiscal policies of Lawton Chiles” in speech after speech.  Economic conditions, too, begin to hit Chiles.  On October 2, a report from the Department of Labor shows unemployment to be at nearly 7%, the highest since 1990.  Campbell claims that the spending policies of the Chiles Administration are responsible for the job loss, and after Chiles fails to defend himself during the October 20 debate, polls show Campbell ahead 47-45-8.

The last poll before the election, taken on November 2, shows Campbell and Chiles tied at 46%, with 8% still undecided.  On election night, the voters split nearly evenly, but Campbell pulls out an extremely narrow victory.

()
Carroll A. Campbell/Dan Quayle: 49.5% PV, 285 EV
Lawton Chiles/Joe Biden: 49.4% PV, 253 EV
Others: 1.1% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

Once again, the extremely close Presidential election results in minor Congressional changes, with the GOP netting just one Senate seat, and a few House seats.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 59 (-2)
Republicans: 41 (+2)


House Results
Democrats: 271 (-5)
Republicans: 163 (+5)
Independent: 1 (-)

Awesome update...Can't say I was expecting Chiles with his strong foriegn policy achievments but It was nice to see Governor Campbell finally getting his shot at the White House in which he never did IOTL. I guess "It's the economy stupid." still rang true ITTL, and for Campbell's Presidency...I will be looking at whether he continues to govern as the Nondoctrinate Conservative as he did in South Carolina. I know the next update might be a while, but Ill still be patiently waiting lol.

Gotta love being on Vacation, just sat through and read every single line of this freakin awesome Timeline and Im still impressed. Your writing style, is short and too the point, but yet it leaves the reader feeling satisfied enough both on Domestic and Foreign Policy issues as if they read my textbook format tls lol. Can't wait to see what happens in the Campbell Presidency...Keep it commin Ben!!!

I expect to see an Installment on the Campbell Presidency in the next few weeks Good Sir...lol jk

Definitely in the next few weeks ;)

An update will come next week.

I'm looking forward to it.

What's going on in Russia? Has the USSR collapsed, or is Fedorchuk still General Secretary?

As for the US...perhaps Campbell will try to repeal Humphrey-Care, though with Democratic majorities in both houses that looks like a difficult goal...

So, to sum it all up: when can we expect the next update, Ben?

LIAR!

Sorry, guys.  I've started the 1993-1995 update, but I dunno when I'll be able to finish it.

While y'all wait, here's the 1992 county results map:
()

Bump...still waiting on that Campbell Presidency, Ben...

Ben, can you hear us?

Maybe this weekend.

You guys would be surprised how hard it is to stick to something. I know I wouldn't have been able to get as far as Ben has.

I'd like to say, also, that I really appreciate the fact that you guys still like this timeline, and want it updated.  It's very encouraging to a writer.

Can I have updates on what these people are doing?

Mark Warner

Mitt Romney

Tony Blair

George W. Bush

Barack Obama

AMAZING timeline. Keep up the great work!

Good TL.

Although Wehaven't seen a real update on TTL in almost 3 months, I am still one of it's loyal fans as I know how hard it is to be a full time Undergrad Student and trying to write a Well-Written TL at the Same time. But once again Ben, if you need any help coming up legistlation, butterflies or any ideas feel free to PM me. The best tl's are written with a collabrative effort in my opinion, so you don't have to stress yourself out trying to think of everything by yourself.

Wow; I didn't realize how long it had been.

I solemnly promise an update this weekend.

 Is it coming today?

Yes it is; I am working on it right now.

:D

()
The First Term of Carroll Campbell

“As we enter the last seven years of this century, we cannot be content with our past achievements.  We must look ahead to a century, and new accomplishments.”  The Campbell Cabinet, as it is filled out, is filled with men of good experience, and a wide range of views and partisan affiliation, including the first African-American Secretary of State, Colin Powell.

Secretary of State: Colin Powell (R-VA)
Secretary of Treasury: William V. Roth Jr. (R-DE)
Secretary of Defense: Sam Nunn (D-GA)
Attorney General: Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Secretary of the Interior: George Mickelson (R-SD)
Secretary of Agriculture: Bob Miller (D-NV)
Secretary of Commerce: Bart Gordon (D-TN)
Secretary of Labor: William Brock (R-TN)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Louis Sullivan (R-GA)
Secretary of Education: Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Kathy Whitmire (D-TX)
Secretary of Transportation: Samuel Skinner (R-IL)
Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs: Alan K. Simpson (R-WY)

A few days after taking office, President Campbell presents to Congress his new economic program.  The new program presented a series of tax cuts on all but the wealthiest 5% of Americans.  At the same time, the President unveils a budget full of spending cuts, focused heavily in social services, but also cutting the budgets for NASA and the military.

In Congress, debate begins immediately on the new economic program.  While the tax cuts enjoy strong support among Republicans, the GOP clearly lacks the votes to pass it, needing to pull off 47 more Democrats to pass the cuts.  They focus initially on the conservative Southern Democrats, led by Jamie Whitten (D-MS-01), Chairman of the Appropriations Committee.  While announcing his support in principle, Whitten says that, in order for the cuts to pass, they will have to be reduced.  On February 25, the White House agrees to a reduction of the cuts: taxes will be cut for all but the top 15%, and the top 5% will see a minor increase in taxes.  The spending cuts, also, are reduced, with social programs maintaining close to their old levels of funding.

Some Democrats, though, see even this is as not good enough.  Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA-13) blasts the cuts as a “deal with the devil”, and Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT-AL) calls the cuts a “handout to America’s wealthy oligarchs”.  However, the deal had attracted a large number of supporters, and on March 23, the Campbell Cuts pass the House, 350-79.

In the Senate, the Campbell Cuts also face stiff opposition from liberal Democrats.  Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI) leads the opposition; his Pell Grants are among the programs proposed for cutting.  Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) calls it a “senseless gutting of social programs, designed only to hurt the downtrodden in America.”

For more than two months, the Senate goes back and forth on the Campbell Cuts.  The President throws his weight behind the cuts, and a Gallup poll from June 2 shows 58% of Americans support the cuts, while just 35% oppose them.  Finally, on June 17, after a series of deals re-allocated some of the cuts, the Senate votes 52-48 to pass the Campbell Cuts; on June 29, after minimal re-debate, the House accepts the Senate version, 332-100.

On July 2, Justice John Robert Brown announces his retirement from the Court.  President Campbell appoints Judge E. Grady Jolly of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to replace him; Jolly is confirmed on August 15, 89-10.

Starting September 4, Campbell begins a tour of Europe.  He starts in London, where he throws a farewell party for Prime Minister Thatcher, who has announced that she will be leaving office following the September 27 elections.  While in London, he takes an opportunity to denounce the Soviet Union.  In Paris, he meets with President François Mitterrand, although the two clash over economic differences.  He ends his tour in West Berlin, where, standing by Chancellor Helmut Kohl, he calls for Soviet Premier Fedorchuk to end the division of Berlin, and reunite Germany.  He then returns to the US after almost a month, and begins campaigning for Republican Gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia, with mixed success; Christine Todd Whitman is elected Governor of New Jersey in a landslide, while in Virginia, previously unknown businessman Mark Warner defeats Republican Congressman George Allen by a narrow, 10,000 vote margin.

()
State by State average approval rating of President Campbell on January 20, 1994.

In his State of the Union on January 26, 1994, President Campbell lauds Congress for passing his economic program, and proudly says that unemployment in down by 1.2% from when he took office.

On March 1, 1994, Justice Samuel James Ervin III dies of a stroke in his office.  To replace him, President Campbell nominates Judge Antonin Scalia of the DC Court of Appeals.  Scalia’s nomination, though, is met with controversy.  His past writings are used against him by liberal Democrats, and the Judiciary Committee narrowly votes 13-12 to advance his nomination to the full Senate, where Senator Kennedy leads the charge against him.  However, Scalia’s qualifications are ultimately enough to pull away some conservative Democrats, and on May 12, by a vote of 52-45, Scalia is confirmed.

On June 2, Campbell meets for the first time with the new British Prime Minister, Norman Lamont.  Lamont, elected to replace Thatcher after the Conservatives won a reduced majority in the September 27, 1993 elections, promises to work closely with the United States on domestic and international issues.

()
State by State average approval rating of President Campbell on Election Day, 1994.

The Congressional Elections

As election day 1994 comes close, everything is set for a Republican landslide.  President Campbell’s approval ratings stands nationally at 61%, and the GOP has outspent the Democrats in nearly every race.  On election day, the predictions come true; the GOP makes major gains in both Houses.

Senate Results
()
Democrats: 51 (-8)
Republicans: 49 (+8)


House Results
Democrats: 241 (-30)
Republicans: 193 (+30)
Independents: 1 (-)

Ask and Ye shall Recieve...Wow, it is good to see this old bird back up again, and a fairly successfull Campbell Presidency so far; besides the Clintonian Budget issues. Im suprised to see that Terrorisim and Genocide both domestic and foriegn hasn't been a problem for the adminstration(If the WTC attacks and Rwandan Genocide) still hapens ITTL. I can't see Campbell's Undocrtinate Conservativism leading to a Idealist foriegn policy as the Kissingerian Realpolitik still probably being the rule of reason in the GOP.

On the 1996 election, former Vice President "Say it isn't so Joe" Biden will probably have the nomination wrapped up do to his Proto-Baby Boomer youthfulness, Years of Expeirence and appeal amonst White Working Class Ethnics in the Rust Belt(Which Campbell seems to be struggling with). He'll probably go for a history making VP pick as well so maybe former Governor Douglas Wilder of Virgina, Governor Ann Richards of Texas(Does she win ITTL), Senator Dianne Feinstein of California or Congressman Ron Dellums...Keep it comming(I just hope we dont have to wait another three months for another update lol

As you can see, he was elected Governor of Virginia in an upset in 1993, after a few years as a very successful businessman.


Mitt decided to challenge John F. Kennedy Jr. for the Governorship of Massachusetts in 1994, and was defeated, 57.5-42.5.


He is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the British Parliament.


He's the new Commissioner of the MLB, which had a very successful 1994 season.


A young lawyer in Chicago, there are rumors he will run for Congress in 1996.

Ok...Here are my Where are they Now Requests... Bill Clinton, Ann Richards, Douglas Wilder, Hillary Rodham, former President John F. Kennedy, former President John Tower, former President Mark Hatfield, former President Lawton Chiles, Vicente Fox, and Jesse Jackson.

I knew it ::)

Yeah :P

I guess I can allow you to hold this vice since your timelines are good anyway :P

YAY! IT'S BACK, AND ABOUT TIME TOO!

The approval rating maps are kind of weird, though.

Btw: since I have nothing to do, can I use your Senate maps to construct your ATL Senates?

Please do!  That would be amazing :)

Hey Ben, are you going to cover my Where are they Know list?

Clinton was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1978, defeated in 1980, but reelected in 1982, 1984, 1988, and 1992.  He is term limited, and will not be able to seek reelection in 1996.  There are rumors he will make a run for the Presidency.


Elected Governor of Texas in 1990, she was defeated by Kay Bailey Hutchison, 56.9-43.1, in 1994.


After serving as Governor of Virginia from 1990-1994, he attempted to run for Senate as an Independent against Chuck Robb in 1994, finishing 3rd, with 27%; Republican Oliver North got 35%, and Robb got 38%.


She eventually graduated from Yale Law School, and became a premier lawyer in Chicago, Illinois.  She has never gotten involved with politics.


After leaving office, he taught Government at Harvard until 1990, when he resigned to help his son run for Governor.  Since then, he has been an informal adviser to the Governor.


A Professor of International Relations at the University of Texas until his untimely death from a heart attack in 1983.


He runs a foundation promoting education in inner-city areas.


He is living quietly in Tallahassee, Florida, writing his memoirs.


In 1991, he was gunned down during his race for the governorship of Guanajuato by supporters of Ramón Aguirre Velázquez of the PRI.


He runs a Church in Chicago, Illinois, where he encourages followers to be active in the political arena; he himself eschews politics, though.

Fernando Collor de Mello
Luis Inacio Lula da Silva
Fernando Henrique Cardoso

Where be they now?

He managed to beat the impeachment charges, and served out his term as President, being replaced by Fernando Henrique Cardoso.


After a failed Presidential run in 1989, he was reelected to Congress in 1990, and ran for President in 1994, losing in the first round to Fernando Henrique Cardoso.


He was elected President in the first round in 1994, and currently enjoys great popularity in Brazil.

Good job on keeping this old thing going for so long. I've tried my hand at a couple of TL's at the Alternative History Board, all of whom I lost relative interest for in a matter of weeks.

Thanks; as you can see, I also lose the ability to keep it going for long periods of time, but I always come back to it.

Right. Of course, I said I'd have nothing to do, so I've been busy all week. Here are the 1964 & 1966 Senate elections, JFK Lives.

1964 Senate Elections (64-36 Democratic majority):
•   Arizona: Paul Fannin (R) retiring-replaces Barry Goldwater (R)
•   California: George Murphy (R) defeats Pierre Salinger (D)
•   Connecticut: Thomas Dodd (D) reelected
•   Delaware: John Williams (R) reelected
•   Florida: Spessard Holland (D) reelected
•   Hawaii: Hiram Fong (R) reelected
•   Indiana: Vance Hartke (D) reelected
•   Maine: Edmund Muskie (D) reelected
•   Maryland: Joseph Tydings (D) defeats James Glenn Beall (R)
•   Massachusetts: Edward Kennedy (D) reelected
•   Michigan: Philip Hart (D) reelected
•   Minnesota: Eugene McCarthy (D) reelected
•   Mississippi: John Stennis (D) reelected
•   Missouri: Stuart Symington (D) reelected
•   Montana: Mike Mansfield (D) reelected
•   Nebraska: Roman Hruska (R) reelected
•   Nevada: Paul Laxalt (R) defeats Howard Cannon (D)
•   New Jersey: Harrison Williams, Jr. (D) reelected
•   New Mexico: Joseph Montoya (D) defeats Edwin Mechem (R)
•   New York: Kenneth Keating (R) reelected
•   North Dakota: Quentin Burdick (D) reelected
•   Ohio: Stephen Young (D) reelected
•   Oklahoma: Fred Harris (D) retiring-replaces Howard Edmondson (D)
•   Pennsylvania: Hugh Scott (R) reelected
•   Rhode Island: John Pastore (D) reelected
•   Tennessee: Albert Gore, Sr. (D) reelected
•   Tennessee: Ross Bass (D) retiring-replaces Herbert Walters (D)
•   Texas: Ralph Yarborough (D) reelected
•   Utah: Frank Moss (D) reelected
•   Vermont: Winston Prouty (R) reelected
•   Virginia: Harry Byrd (D) reelected
•   Washington: Henry Jackson (D) reelected
•   West Virginia: Robert Byrd (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: William Proxmire (D) reelected
•   Wyoming: Gale McGee (D) reelected

Afterwards (63-37 Democratic majority):
•   Florida: Leroy Collins (D) retiring-replaces George Smathers (D)
•   Michigan: Robert Griffin (R) retiring-replaces Patrick McNamara (D)
•   South Carolina: Donald Russell (D) retiring-replaces Olin Johnston (D)
•   Virginia: Harry Byrd, Jr. (D) retiring-replaces Harry Byrd (D)

1966 Senate Elections (59-41 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: John Sparkman (D) reelected
•   Alaska: Bob Bartlett (D) reelected
•   Arkansas: John Little McClellan (D) reelected
•   Colorado: Gordon Allott (R) reelected
•   Delaware: Caleb Boggs (R) reelected
•   Florida: Leroy Collins (D) reelected
•   Georgia: Richard Russell, Jr. (D) reelected
•   Idaho: Leonard Jordan (R) reelected
•   Illinois: Charles Percy (R) defeats Paul Douglas (D)
•   Iowa: Jack Miller (R) reelected
•   Kansas: James Pearson (R) reelected
•   Kentucky: John Sherman Cooper (R) reelected
•   Louisiana: Allen Ellender (D) reelected
•   Maine: Margaret Chase Smith (R) reelected
•   Massachusetts: Edward Brooke (R) retiring-replaces Leverett Saltonstall (R)
•   Michigan: Robert Griffin (R) reelected
•   Minnesota: Hubert Humphrey (D) reelected
•   Mississippi: James Eastland (D) reelected
•   Montana: Tim Babcock (R) defeats Lee Metcalf (D)
•   Nebraska: Carl Curtis (R) reelected
•   New Hampshire: Thomas McIntyre (D) reelected
•   New Jersey: Clifford Case (R) reelected
•   New Mexico: Clinton Presba Anderson (D) reelected
•   North Carolina: Everett Jordan (D) reelected
•   Oklahoma: Fred Harris (D) reelected
•   Oregon: Mark Hatfield (R) retiring-replaces Maurine Brown Neuberger (D)
•   Rhode Island: Claiborne Pell (D) reelected
•   South Carolina: Strom Thurmond (R) reelected
•   South Carolina: Ernest Hollings (D) retiring-replaces Donald Russell (D)
•   South Dakota: Karl Earl Mundt (R) reelected
•   Tennessee: Howard Baker (R) defeats Ross Bass (D)
•   Texas: John Tower (R) reelected
•   Virginia: Harry Byrd, Jr. (D) reelected
•   Virginia: William Spong, Jr. (D) retiring-replaces Absalom Willis Robertson (D)
•   West Virginia: Jennings Randolph (D) reelected
•   Wyoming: Clifford Hansen (R) retiring-replaces Milward Simpson (R)

Afterwards (58-42 Democratic majority):
•   Alaska: Theodore Stevens (R) retiring-replaces Bob Bartlett (D)


I'll have the next couple of ones posted later today, hopefully.

This is very impressive, Vosem; please keep it up :)

Ask and ye shall receive.

1968 Senate Elections (51-49 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: James Allen (D) retiring-replaces Lister Hill (D)
•   Alaska: Mike Gravel (D) defeats Ernest Gruening (ID)
•   Arizona: Barry Goldwater (R) retiring-replaces Carl Hayden (D)
•   Arkansas: William Fulbright (D) reelected
•   California: Max Rafferty (R) retiring-replaces Thomas Kuchel (R)
•   Colorado: Peter Dominick (R) reelected
•   Connecticut: Abraham Ribicoff (D) reelected
•   Florida: Leroy Collins (D) reelected
•   Georgia: Herman Talmadge (D) reelected
•   Idaho: Frank Church (D) reelected
•   Illinois: Everett Dirksen (R) reelected
•   Indiana: William Ruckelshaus (R) defeats Birch Bayh (D)
•   Iowa: Harold Hughes (D) retiring-replaces Bourke Hickenlooper (R)
•   Kansas: Bob Dole (R) retiring-replaces Frank Carlson (R)
•   Kentucky: Marlow Cook (R) retiring-replaces Thruston Ballard Morton (R)
•   Louisiana: Russell Long (D) reelected
•   Maryland: Charles Mathias, Jr. (R) defeats Daniel Brewster (D)
•   Missouri: Thomas Curtis (R) retiring-replaces Edward Long (D)
•   Nevada: Alan Bible (D) reelected
•   New Hampshire: Norris Cotton (R) reelected
•   New York: Jacob Javits (R) reelected
•   North Carolina: Sam Ervin (D) reelected
•   North Dakota: Milton Young (R) reelected
•   Ohio: William Saxbe (R) retiring-replaces Frank Lausche (D)
•   Oklahoma: Henry Bellmon (R) defeats Mike Monroney (D)
•   Oregon: Bob Packwood (R) defeats Wayne Morse (D)
•   Pennsylvania: Richard Schweiker (R) defeats Joseph Clark (D)
•   South Carolina: Ernest Hollings (D) reelected
•   South Dakota: George McGovern (D) reelected
•   Utah: Wallace Bennett (D) reelected
•   Vermont: George Aiken (R) reelected
•   Washington: Warren Magnuson (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: Gaylord Nelson (D) reelected

Afterwards (51-49 Democratic majority):
•   Illinois: Ralph Tyler Smith (R) retiring-replaces Everett Dirksen (R)
•   Texas: Paul Eggers (R) retiring-replaces John Tower (R)

1970 Senate Elections (57-43 Democratic majority):
•   Alaska: Ted Stevens (R) reelected
•   Arizona: Paul Fannin (R) reelected
•   California: John Tunney (D) defeats George Murphy (R)
•   Connecticut: Joseph Duffey (D) defeats Thomas Dodd (ID)
•   Delaware: William Roth, Jr. (R) retiring-replaces John Williams (R)
•   Florida: Lawton Chiles (D) retiring-replaces Spessard Holland (D)
•   Hawaii: Cecil Heftel (D) defeats Hiram Fong (R)
•   Illinois: Adlai Stevenson III (D) defeats Ralph Tyler Smith (R)
•   Indiana: Vance Hartke (D) reelected
•   Maine: Edmund Muskie (D) reelected
•   Maryland: Joseph Tydings (D) reelected
•   Massachusetts: Ted Kennedy (D) reelected
•   Michigan: Philip Hart (D) reelected
•   Minnesota: Walter Mondale (D) retiring-replaces Eugene McCarthy (D)
•   Mississippi: John Stennis (D) reelected
•   Missouri: Stuart Symington (D) reelected
•   Montana: Mike Mansfield (D) reelected
•   Nebraska: Frank Morrison (D) defeats Roman Hruska (R)
•   Nevada: Grant Sawyer (D) defeats Paul Laxalt (R)
•   New Jersey: Harrison Williams (D) reelected
•   New Mexico: Joseph Montoya (D) reelected
•   New York: Richard Ottinger (D) defeats Kenneth Keating (R)
•   North Dakota: Quentin Burdick (D) reelected
•   Ohio: Howard Metzenbaum (D) retiring-replaces Stephen Young (D)
•   Pennsylvania: Hugh Scott (R) reelected
•   Rhode Island: John Pastore (D) reelected
•   Tennessee: Al Gore, Sr. (D) reelected
•   Texas: Lloyd Bentsen (D) retiring-replaces Ralph Yarborough (D)
•   Utah: Frank Moss (D) reelected
•   Vermont: Winston Prouty (R) reelected
•   Virginia: Harry Byrd, Jr. (ID) reelected
•   Washington: Henry Jackson (D) reelected
•   West Virginia: Robert Byrd (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: William Proxmire (D) reelected
•   Wyoming: Gale McGee (D) reelected

Afterwards (57-43 Democratic majority):
•   Georgia: David Gambrell (D) retiring-replaces Richard Russell, Jr. (D)
•   Louisiana: Elaine Edwards (D) retiring-replaces Allen Ellender (D)
•   Vermont: Robert Stafford (R) retiring-replaces Winston Prouty (R)

Nice job

1972 Senate Elections (64-36 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: John Sparkman (D) reelected
•   Alaska: Ted Stevens (R) reelected
•   Arkansas: John Little McClellan (D) reelected
•   Colorado: Floyd Haskell (D) defeats Gordon Allott (R)
•   Delaware: Joe Biden (D) defeats Caleb Boggs (R)
•   Georgia: Sam Nunn (D) retiring-replaces David Gambrell (D)
•   Idaho: James McClure (R) retiring-replaces Leonard Jordan (R)
•   Illinois: Charles Percy (R) reelected
•   Iowa: Dick Clark (D) defeats Jack Miller (R)
•   Kansas: James Pearson (R) reelected
•   Kentucky: Walter Huddleston (D) retiring-replaces John Sherman Cooper (R)
•   Louisiana: Bennett Johnston (D) retiring-replaces Elaine Edwards (D)
•   Maine: William Hathaway (D) defeats Margaret Chase Smith (R)
•   Massachusetts: Edward Brooke (R) reelected
•   Michigan: Robert Griffin (R) reelected
•   Minnesota: Wendell Anderson (D) retiring-replaces Hubert Humphrey (D)
•   Mississippi: James Eastland (D) reelected
•   Montana: John Melcher (D) defeats Tim Babcock (R)
•   Nebraska: Carl Curtis (R) reelected
•   New Hampshire: Thomas McIntyre (D) reelected
•   New Jersey: Clifford Case (R) reelected
•   New Mexico: Jack Daniels (D) retiring-replaces Clinton Presba Anderson (D)
•   North Carolina: Jesse Helms (R) retiring-replaces Everett Jordan (D)
•   Oklahoma: Ed Edmondson (D) retiring-replaces Fred Harris (D)
•   Oregon: Mark Hatfield (R) reelected
•   Rhode Island: Claiborne Pell (D) reelected
•   South Carolina: Strom Thurmond (R) reelected
•   South Dakota: James Abourezk (D) retiring-replaces Karl Earl Mundt (R)
•   Tennessee: Howard Baker (R) reelected
•   Texas: Barefoot Sanders (D) defeats Paul Eggers (R)
•   Vermont: Robert Stafford (R) reelected
•   Virginia: William Spong, Jr. (D) reelected
•   West Virginia: Jennings Randolph (D) reelected
•   Wyoming: Clifford Hansen (R) reelected

Afterwards (64-36 Democratic majority):
•   Maine: George Mitchell (D) retiring-replaces Edmund Muskie (D)

1974 Senate Elections (71-29 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: James Allen (D) reelected
•   Alaska: Mike Gravel (D) reelected
•   Arkansas: Dale Bumpers (D) reelected
•   California: Max Rafferty (R) reelected
•   Colorado: Gary Hart (D) defeats Peter Dominick (R)
•   Connecticut: Abraham Ribicoff (D) reelected
•   Florida: Leroy Collins (D) reelected
•   Georgia: Herman Talmadge (D) reelected
•   Hawaii: Daniel Inouye (D) reelected
•   Idaho: Frank Church (D) reelected
•   Illinois: Adlai Stevenson III (D) reelected
•   Indiana: William Ruckelshaus (R) reelected
•   Iowa: John Culver (D) retiring-replaces Harold Hughes (D)
•   Kansas: Bob Dole (R) reelected
•   Kentucky: Wendell Ford (D) defeats Marlow Cook (R)
•   Louisiana: Russell Long (D) reelected
•   Maine: George Mitchell (D) reelected
•   Missouri: Joseph Teasdale (D) defeats Thomas Curtis (R)
•   Nevada: Harry Reid (D) retiring-replaces Alan Bible (D)
•   New Hampshire: John Durkin (D) retiring-replaces Norris Cotton (R)
•   New York: Jacob Javits (R) reelected
•   North Carolina: Robert Burren Morgan (D) retiring-replaces Sam Ervin (D)
•   North Dakota: William Guy (D) defeats Milton Young (R)
•   Ohio: John Glenn (D) defeats William Saxbe (R)
•   Oklahoma: Henry Bellmon (R) reelected
•   Oregon: Bob Packwood (R) reelected
•   Pennsylvania: Richard Schweiker (R) reelected
•   South Carolina: Ernest Hollings (D) reelected
•   South Dakota: George McGovern (D) reelected
•   Utah: Jake Garn (R) retiring-replaces Wallace Bennett (R)
•   Vermont: Patrick Leahy (D) retiring-replaces George Aiken (R)
•   Washington: Warren Magnuson (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: Gaylord Nelson (D) reelected

Afterwards (71-29 Democratic majority):
No changes

1976 Senate Elections (71-29 Democratic majority):
•   Arizona: Sam Steiger (R) retiring-replaces Paul Fannin (R)
•   California: John Tunney (D) reelected
•   Connecticut: Joseph Duffey (D) reelected
•   Delaware: William Roth, Jr. (R) reelected
•   Florida: Lawton Chiles (D) reelected
•   Hawaii: Cecil Heftel (D) reelected
•   Indiana: Vance Hartke (D) reelected
•   Maine: George Mitchell (D) reelected
•   Maryland: Paul Sarbanes (D) retiring-replaces Joseph Tydings (D)
•   Massachusetts: Ted Kennedy (D) reelected
•   Michigan: Donald Riegle, Jr. (D) retiring-replaces Philip Hart (D)
•   Minnesota: Walter Mondale (D) reelected
•   Mississippi: John Stennis (D) reelected
•   Missouri: John Danforth (R) retiring-replaces Stuart Symington (D)
•   Montana: Max Baucus (D) retiring-replaces Mike Mansfield (D)
•   Nebraska: Frank Morrison (D) reelected
•   Nevada: Grant Sawyer (D) reelected
•   New Jersey: Harrison Williams (D) reelected
•   New Mexico: Joseph Montoya (D) reelected
•   New York: Richard Ottinger (D) reelected
•   North Dakota: Quentin Burdick (D) reelected
•   Ohio: Howard Metzenbaum (D) reelected
•   Pennsylvania: William Green III (D) retiring-replaces Hugh Scott (R)
•   Rhode Island: Philip Noel (D) retiring-replaces John Pastore (D)
•   Tennessee: Jim Sasser (D) retiring-replaces Al Gore, Sr. (D)
•   Texas: Lloyd Bentsen (D) reelected
•   Utah: Orrin Hatch (R) defeats Frank Moss (D)
•   Vermont: Thomas Salmon (D) defeats Robert Stafford (R)
•   Virginia: Harry Byrd, Jr. (ID) reelected
•   Washington: Henry Jackson (D) reelected
•   West Virginia: Robert Byrd (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: William Proxmire (D) reelected
•   Wyoming: Gale McGee (D) reelected

Afterwards (71-29 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: Maryon Pittman Allen (D) retiring-replaces James Allen (D)
•   Arkansas: Kaneaster Hodges, Jr. (D) retiring-replaces John McClellan (D)
•   Idaho: Cecil Andrus (D) retiring-replaces Frank Church (D)
•   New Mexico: Jeff Bingaman (D) retiring-replaces Joseph Montoya (D)

1978 Senate Elections (63-37 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: Howell Heflin (D) retiring-replaces John Sparkman (D)
•   Alabama: Donald Stewart (D) retiring-replaces Maryon Pittman Allen (D)
•   Alaska: Ted Stevens (R) reelected
•   Arkansas: David Pryor (D) retiring-replaces Kaneaster Hodges, Jr. (D)
•   Colorado: William Armstrong (R) defeats Floyd Haskell (D)
•   Delaware: Joe Biden (D) reelected
•   Georgia: Sam Nunn (D) reelected
•   Idaho: James McClure (R) reelected
•   Idaho: Cecil Andrus (D) reelected
•   Illinois: Charles Percy (R) reelected
•   Iowa: Roger Jepsen (R) defeats Dick Clark (D)
•   Kansas: Nancy Landon Kassebaum (R) retiring-replaces James Pearson (R)
•   Kentucky: Walter Huddleston (D) reelected
•   Louisiana: Bennett Johnston, Jr. (D) reelected
•   Maine: William Cohen (R) defeats William Hathaway (D)
•   Massachusetts: Edward Brooke (R) reelected
•   Michigan: Robert Griffin (R) reelected
•   Minnesota: Rudy Boschwitz (R) defeats Wendell Anderson (D)
•   Mississippi: Thad Cochran (R) retiring-replaces James Eastland (D)
•   Montana: Stan Stephens (R) defeats John Melcher (D)
•   Nebraska: Edward Zorinsky (D) retiring-replaces Carl Curtis (R)
•   New Hampshire: Gordon Humphrey (R) defeats Thomas McIntyre (D)
•   New Jersey: Bill Bradley (D) retiring-replaces Clifford Case (R)
•   New Mexico: Joe Skeen (R) defeats Jack Daniels (D)
•   New Mexico: Jeff Bingaman (D) reelected
•   North Carolina: Jesse Helms (R) reelected
•   Oklahoma: Ed Edmondson (D) reelected
•   Oregon: Mark Hatfield (R) reelected
•   Rhode Island: Claiborne Pell (D) reelected
•   South Carolina: Strom Thurmond (R) reelected
•   South Dakota: Lars Herseth (D) retiring-replaces James Abourezk (D)
•   Tennessee: Howard Baker (R) reelected
•   Texas: Barefoot Sanders (D) reelected
•   Virginia: John Warner (R) defeats William Spong, Jr. (D)
•   West Virginia: Arch Moore, Jr. (R) defeats Jennings Randolph (D)
•   Wyoming: Alan Simpson (R) retiring-replaces Clifford Hansen (R)

Afterwards (63-37 Democratic majority):
No change

1980 Senate Elections (52-48 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: Jeremiah Denton (R) retiring-replaces Donald Stewart (D)
•   Alaska: Frank Murkowski (R) retiring-replaces Mike Gravel (D)
•   Arizona: Barry Goldwater (R) reelected
•   Arkansas: Dale Bumpers (D) reelected
•   California: Ed Davis (R) retiring-replaces Max Rafferty (R)
•   Colorado: Gary Hart (D) reelected
•   Connecticut: Chris Dodd (D) retiring-replaces Abraham Ribicoff (D)
•   Florida: Paula Hawkins (R) retiring-replaces Leroy Collins (D)
•   Georgia: Mack Mattingly (R) retiring-replaces Herman Talmadge (D)
•   Hawaii: Daniel Inouye (D) reelected
•   Idaho: Steve Symms (R) defeats Cecil Andrus (D)
•   Illinois: Alan Dixon (D) retiring-replaces Adlai Stevenson III (D)
•   Indiana: William Ruckelshaus (R) reelected
•   Iowa: Chuck Grassley (R) defeats John Culver (D)
•   Kansas: Bob Dole (R) reelected
•   Kentucky: Wendell Ford (D) reelected
•   Louisiana: Russell Long (D) reelected
•   Maryland: Barbara Mikulski (D) defeats Charles Mathias, Jr. (R)
•   Missouri: Joseph Teasdale (D) reelected
•   Nevada: Chic Hecht (R) defeats Harry Reid (D)
•   New Hampshire: Warren Rudman (R) defeats John Durkin (D)
•   New York: Al d’Amato (R) defeats Jacob Javits (IR)
•   North Carolina: John Porter East (R) defeats Robert Burren Morgan (D)
•   North Dakota: Mark Andrews (R) defeats William Guy (D)
•   Ohio: John Glenn (D) reelected
•   Oklahoma: Don Nickles (R) retiring-replaces Henry Bellmon (R)
•   Oregon: Bob Packwood (R) reelected
•   Pennsylvania: Arlen Specter (R) retiring-replaces Richard Schweiker (R)
•   South Carolina: Ernest Hollings (D) reelected
•   South Dakota: James Abdnor (R) defeats George McGovern (D)
•   Utah: Jake Garn (R) reelected
•   Vermont: Patrick Leahy (D) reelected
•   Washington: Warren Magnuson (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: Bob Kasten (R) defeats Gaylord Nelson (D)

Afterwards (51-49 Democratic majority):
•   Illinois: Dave O’Neal (R) retiring-replaces Charles Percy (R)
•   New Jersey: Nicholas Brady (R) retiring-replaces Harrison Williams (D)
•   Oregon: Norma Paulus (R) retiring-replaces Mark Hatfield (R)

1982 Senate Elections (56-44 Republican majority):
•   Arizona: Sam Steiger (R) reelected
•   California: Pete Wilson (R) defeats John Tunney (D)
•   Connecticut: James Buckley (R) defeats Joseph Duffey (D)
•   Delaware: William Roth, Jr. (R) reelected
•   Florida: Lawton Chiles (D) reelected
•   Hawaii: Cecil Heftel (D) reelected
•   Illinois: Dave O’Neal (R) reelected
•   Indiana: Dan Quayle (R) defeats Vance Hartke (D)
•   Maine: George Mitchell (D) reelected
•   Maryland: Paul Sarbanes (D) reelected
•   Massachusetts: Ted Kennedy (D) reelected
•   Michigan: Donald Riegle, Jr. (D) reelected
•   Minnesota: Walter Mondale (D) reelected
•   Mississippi: John Stennis (D) reelected
•   Missouri: John Danforth (R) reelected
•   Montana: Max Baucus (D) reelected
•   Nebraska: Frank Morrison (D) reelected
•   Nevada: Paul Laxalt (R) defeats Grant Sawyer (D)
•   New Jersey: Frank Lautenberg (D) retiring-replaces Nicholas Brady (R)
•   New Mexico: Jeff Bingaman (D) reelected
•   New York: Richard Ottinger (D) reelected
•   North Dakota: Quentin Burdick (D) reelected
•   Ohio: Howard Metzenbaum (D) reelected
•   Oregon: Norma Paulus (R) reelected
•   Pennsylvania: William Scranton III (R) defeats William Green III (D)
•   Rhode Island: Lincoln Almond (R) defeats Philip Noel (D)
•   Tennessee: Jim Sasser (D) reelected
•   Texas: Lloyd Bentsen (D) reelected
•   Utah: Orrin Hatch (R) reelected
•   Vermont: Richard Snelling (R) defeats Thomas Salmon (D)
•   Virginia: Paul Trible, Jr. (R) retiring-replaces Harry Byrd, Jr. (ID)
•   Washington: Henry Jackson (D) reelected
•   West Virginia: Robert Byrd (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: William Proxmire (D) reelected
•   Wyoming: Malcolm Wallop (R) reelected

Afterwards (57-43 Republican majority):
•   Washington: Daniel Evans (R) retiring-replaces Henry Jackson (D)

Bump.

Excellent! :) Very interesting!

So when can we expect the next installment Ben?

No clue.  Probably when I go on spring break, which starts March 27.

Good stuff, Benjamin.

In a speech to the United Nations on January 11, 1995, President Campbell calls for an end to apartheid in South Africa.  “As President of the freest nation on Earth, it is my duty to speak out against oppression worldwide.  I call upon every other free nation of the world to join me in ceasing to trade, or even to cooperate, with South Africa until it ends it heinous abuses of human rights.”  The international response is very positive; British Prime Minister Lamont lauds Campbell for “standing up for human rights; I will happily join him in his crusade.”  Every country of Western Europe signs a document urging South Africa to end apartheid.  They then follow up by, individually, placing severe sanctions on South Africa, to the point that only the USSR and Eastern Europe remain trading partners of any significance with South Africa.

On February 5, 1995, South African President PW Botha dies of a stroke, and is replaced by F.W. de Klerk.  De Klerk acts swiftly, releasing Mandela from prison on February 10.  On February 26, after intense negotiations midwifed by President Campbell, Namibia becomes an independent state.  On March 12, an all white electorate approves, by a vote of 62-38, de Klerk’s decision to negotiate an end to apartheid.  On April 17, de Klerk announces that, on January 1, 1996, South Africa will hold an election with universal suffrage, ending apartheid.

On March 14, Congress begins debate on the Line Item Veto Act of 1995.  Written by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) the act would allow the President to nullify or cancel specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislative package, and then subject it to the possibility of legislative override.  Strongly supported by conservatives of both parties, the act faced a filibuster from Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), who threatened to sue if the legislation passed.  On June 5, by a vote of 71-29, the Senate passed cloture, ending Byrd’s filibuster, and on June 15, passed the bill 53-43.

In the House, the legislation faces less opposition.  Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX-14) calls the bill “the best way possible to eliminate pork barrel spending.”  Congressman Owen Pickett (D-VA-02) calls the bill “a necessary power for the President, in order to ensure financial stability.”  The bill passes on September 3, 1995, by a vote of 332-103, and is signed by the President on September 5.

On September 24, Senator Byrd sues, but is dismissed as lacking standing.  On December 8, President Campbell vetoes a provision of an appropriations bill, and the next day, Mayor Thomas M. Menino (D-MA) of Boston sues, and, due to provision in the bill, it goes straight to the Supreme Court, with oral arguments being held on December 14.

From January 1-January 4, 1996, elections are held in South Africa.  The African National Parliament captures 252 of 400 seats, less than necessary to alter the Constitution.  On January 12, Nelson Mandela is sworn in as the new President of South Africa, with Thabo Mbeki and Frederik Willem de Klerk as deputy presidents.

On February 24, the Supreme Court rules 5-4 that the Line Item Veto Act does not violate the Constitution.  The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Arnold and joined by Aldrich, Robinson, Jolly, and Scalia, says the act, “does not violate any specific textual constitutional command, nor does it violate any implicit Separation of Powers principle.”  The dissent, written by Justice Bayh and joined by the other three dissenters, argued that the bill “usurps the basic power of the purse, and is an unconstitutional delegation of power to the President.”  President Campbell hails the decision, but all the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination condemn it, setting up a major issue for the 1996 election.

Finally...

Nice to see this old bird flying again...I like these "last two years" of the term posts, because it means with you Ben that an Election Post is coming soon afterward. I like the idea of using the debate over the line-Item veto as one of the major issues of the campaign(Cuz I see at as a huge expansion of Executory power, making an already Imperial Presidency more powerful). I wonder who your democratic candidates will be?I assume that fomer Vice President Biden will be the frontrunner...But I assume that other cnaidates might run against him, as he is a walking gaffe machine? Maybe Douglas Wilder or Ann Richards? Keep it comming.

The Democratic Nomination

On June 3, 1995, former Vice President Joe Biden becomes the first Democrat to announce for the 1996 nomination, claiming experience and electability.  On August 8, Senator David Pryor of Arkansas announces his retirement from the Senate, and his intention to seek the Democratic nomination.  August 23 see Governor Bob Casey of Pennsylvania declare, and on October 1, Congressman Bob Wise of West Virginia becomes the last Democrat to declare for the nomination.

In the months leading up to Iowa, the line item veto becomes the major issue, with every candidate making a stand against it; Senator Pryor joins Senator Byrd in conducting a weeks long filibuster, voting against cloture and final passage, as does Congressman Wise.  Vice President Biden calls it, “A gross expansion of federal power,” and while Governor Casey criticizes it, he is attacked for using a line item veto as Governor of Pennsylvania.

On the night of the Iowa Caucus, Vice President Biden wins 39% of the vote; Senator Pryor wins 33%, Congressman Wise wins 16%, and Governor Casey wins 12%.  New Hampshire sees Vice President Biden win 50%, Governor Casey 24%, Senator Pryor 15%, and Congressman Wise 11%.

Following New Hampshire, the candidates spread out prior to Super Tuesday, with primaries being held in Alabama (Pryor), Arkansas (Pryor), Colorado (Biden), Delaware (Biden), Hawaii (Biden), Michigan (Casey), New York (Biden), Utah (Biden), and West Virginia (Wise).  Following the primaries, Wise drops out, and endorses Biden.  In a March 9 interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Governor Casey criticizes the people opposed to the line item veto, calling it, “Actually a good idea, in theory.”  This prompts Biden to call Casey, “A shill for the imperial Presidency,” and it hurts Casey in the Georgia primary held two days later, gathering just 21%; Biden receives 41%, and Pryor gets 38%.

A week after Georgia, primaries are held in California and Texas; Biden wins California, and Pryor wins Texas.  Casey then drops out of the race, and endorses Biden.  Facing a severe deficit in both cash and delegates, Pryor drops out and endorses Biden.

At the Democratic Convention held in Philadelphia, Biden selects Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland as his running mate, making her the first female on a major party ticket.  They pledge to, “Make the Government responsible to the People, not just some runaway Empire.”

The Republican Nomination

President Campbell enters the race for the nomination unopposed, and enjoying high approval ratings.  At the Convention, he and Vice President Quayle are re-nominated unanimously, and Campbell boasts of the achievements of the past four years, especially the line item veto, which he calls, “A significant step in reducing the deficit, and making Congress accountable.”

The General Election

The general election begins with Campbell enjoying a 45-40-15 lead over Biden.  The first debate, held on September 16, focuses on the economy, with Campbell touting low unemployment, and Biden criticizing the spending cuts made by Campbell, in addition to the line item veto.

In early October, Biden releases a series of ads attacking Campbell for supporting programs that help the rich at the expense of the poor, and he says offhand that Campbell, “Is so far up the asses of big business that they [big business] can taste his shampoo.”  The gaffe provokes outrage, and Biden plummets from 46% in the polls, down just two, to trailing 48-40-12.

In the second debate, Biden tries to attack Campbell for supporting regimes that commit human rights abuses, but Campbell responds with his cutting off of ties to South Africa, and the forcing of change there, and Biden is stymied.

By the end of October, the race appears over; Campbell leads 50-42-8, and all of Biden’s attempts to attack Campbell have failed.  In the third debate, held on October 24, Campbell asks the simple question, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”  The voters respond in one direction, overwhelmingly, and Campbell is reelected.

()
Carroll A. Campbell/Dan Quayle: 56.2% PV, 452 EV
Joe Biden/Barbara Mikluski: 42.7% PV, 82 EV
Others: 1.1% PV, 0 EV

The Congressional Elections

The Campbell Presidential landslide brings major Congressional gains for the GOP, as they retake the Senate for the first time since 1987, and the House for the first time since 1955.

Senate Results
()
Republicans: 54 (+5)
Democrats: 46 (-5)


House Results
Republicans: 236 (+43)
Democrats: 198 (-43)
Independents: 1 (-)

Excellent update! :D

Thanks, much appreciated :)

Very good, solid update. I'm a bit curious why Biden chose Miluski, as it isn't geographically balanced. Still, interesting, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the Campbell presidency, and the 2000 Election.

Yeah, I was thinking the same, I think Senator Dianne Fienstein of California would've been a really strong pick puts atleast that puts the Pacific Coast into Play? Hey, Ben how close was Pennsylvannia with that being his home state in all? I really would have expected Joe to do better in his native rust belt...

Well, he won his home state of Delaware easily, 57-42, and lost Pennsylvania 50-48, so it was very close.  Biden really ran a terrible campaign; he was lucky to win what he did.

Great update! I'm looking forward to the end of the '90s, and the 2000 election! :)

I will eventually bring this back, but not until after the Extemp TOC, May 14-16.

Can't wait! :D

YOU MADE TOC?! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! :D

Thanks :)  I qualified by winning the State Championship.

Congratulations on that too! :D And good luck at the TOC!

Thanks!  Once that's done, I'll get to work on this old thing.

In the meantime, can you please tell me what each of the following people are doing? :)

Jim Webb
Tom Campbell
Rudy Giuliani
Al Franken
Clint Eastwood
Phil Hartman
Boris Yeltsin

After serving in the military, he was Secretary of the Navy from 1982-1986, before being fired by President Hatfield.  He was Ambassador to Ireland from 1989-1992, when he resigned.  He is currently writing a history of the Irish in America.


He's been in the House since 1989, from California's 12th District.


He served in the Hatfield Justice Department, was Deputy Solicitor General 1983-1988, and was DA for NYC from 1988-1993, when he was elected Mayor.


He's exactly the same, except he sometimes hosts Weekend Update all by himself.


Exactly the same.


Alive and well.


Mayor of Moscow from 1984-1991, he was Ambassador to the UN from 1991-1995, and has been the Soviet Foreign Minister since 1995.

Is Phil Hartman married to Brynn Omdahl ITTL?

Nope; married Jan Hooks.

Excellent.

Yes, yes it is.  This is my timeline, and I will not have one of my favorite actors murdered by a crazy wife.

Since we're talking about favorite celebrities and crazy wives, did John Lennon ever meet Yoko? Is Lennon still alive?

Yes :( and Yes :)

Awesome about him being alive! :) Have the Beatles ever reunited or at the very least played together since their breakup? 

They've played a number of shows every few years; the last one was at Wimbledon in 1992.

What about the James Bond series? Is the order of movies the same, and More importantly, did George Lazenby stay on longer?

James Bond has basically stayed the same.

Another question...

Did Arnold Schwarzenegger marry Maria Shriver IITL? If so, what is his relationship with the Kennedy family, and being that he is a Republican, are they close?

Or is he a Republican at all? ;) 

He's actually dead; he was killed during a robbery in 1976.

:( Who played the Terminator ITTL?

()

Great!

Hey Rocky you not human?

Yo he gonna run fa Governa of Calirfornia?

Nope.

Wha abou fa Senata from Calirfornia?

He will never run for anything :P

:(

Anyways, looking forward to the next update...

May I ask what your next project will be?

I haven't decided yet.  This timeline will run until the 2010 midterms in all likelihood, and I may then switch back to the TR TL, and run that until 2010 as well.  After that, I don't know.  I still have the French story on backburner, or I may just take some time off.

That would be excellent.

I was hoping you'd mention the French story, too. :)

It's a tougher project than I'd imagined, especially given the style I want it to be written in.

Yes, that will take a great deal of time, thought, and effort.

Not to mention that it is especially hard to find documents not written from an American point of view.

Indeed; because I'm writing it as a mockumentary, I need to alter the style of writing to be more formal, more historical.  It's tough.

Any update coming soon?
(1000th post!)

No idea; probably not for another month.

>:(

Between school and debate, I just don't have any free time.

In three weeks, there will be a new update.

:D

One week from today :)

Yay! Can't wait!

Then Kennedy would've died soon anyways with the amount of pills he was on. That's the reason his face swelled up so much while he was in office. I asked my psychiatrist about this and he agreed.

This was view 30,000 :)

actually his face swelled up because he used cortisone shots. He was actually far skinnier when he was younger, almost lethally. The cortisone helped save his political career and to some extent his life.

()
The Second Term of Carroll Campbell

“As we enter the last four years of this century, I see an America that can handle any challenge, no matter how potent.  That, my friends, is the American spirit: the ability to conquer any foe, no matter who, or what, it may be.”  On that optimistic note, President Campbell enters the last four years of his Administration, facing approvals in the high 50’s, and, for the first time, a completely compliant Congress.

As his first act with the new Congress, Campbell propose the Welfare Reform Act of 1997.  The legislation, written by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) and Congressman Mark Sanford (R-SC), would require anyone on welfare after six months to face periodic reviews of their situation, as well as setting an overall limit on the amount of time a person could spend on welfare, without extenuating circumstances such as disability.

From the beginning, the WRA faces severe opposition.  Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) calls it, “An attempt to destroy America’s less fortunate, to leave them with no options besides a life of crime.”  Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) decries it as, “A shameless cave-in to corporate interests and all those who have no regard for America’s poor.”

However, the Senate bill does attract a large number of conservative Democratic supporters.  Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC) calls it, “A positive step towards truly reforming a broken health care system.”  Al Gore (D-TN) says, “This may not be perfect, but we need to reform welfare, and this bill is a start.”

Senate liberals then begin a lengthy filibuster which is not broken until June 24, by a vote of 60-40, exactly the margin needed to break the filibuster.  Every Republican except John Chafee of Rhode Island votes for cloture, and 7 Democrats (Richard Shelby of Alabama, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, John Breaux and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Hollings, and Gore) break lines to vote in favor of it.  On July 27, by a vote of 57-43, the bill passes, and is sent to the House, though debate does not begin because of the August recess.

When the House reconvenes on September 2, debate begins – if it can be called debate.  The Rules Committee, now led by Republican Gerald B. H. Solomon of New York, moves debate along quickly, and the new Speaker, Newt Gingrich of Georgia, keeps Republicans in line.  On October 8, by a vote of 232-203, the bill passes, and on October 11, Campbell signs the reforms into law.  The next day, the New York Times front page bears the headline: “Campbell to welfare recipients: drop dead.”

On November 2, Soviet Premier Vitaly Fedorchuk dies after 10 years as Premier, at the age of 79.  He is replaced by Boris Yeltsin, the former Mayor of Moscow and Soviet Foreign Minister.  On November 19, Campbell travels to the Kremlin to meet with Yeltsin, and the two men promise a renewed era of cooperation between the Americans and the Soviets.

On January 7, international conservatism is dealt a blow as the British Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, manages to retake Parliament for the first time in twenty plus years.  Blair, at age 45, is the youngest Prime Minister since Lord Liverpool in 1812.  On January 17, Blair and Campbell meet, and Campbell, in a statement to the press, says that, “The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom will continue, as strong as ever, with Mr. Blair at the helm.”

In his State of the Union on January 25, Campbell praises Congress for passing the WRA, and promises more legislation in the coming months.

On March 4, a bomb explodes outside the US Embassy in Sana‘a, the capital of Yemen, killing 19.  Responsibility for the attack is claimed by a terrorist organization known as al-Qaeda, and Campbell responds with a series of bombing campaigns that kills over 1,000 Yemeni and Omani civilians, although a small al-Qaeda hideout is reported as destroyed.  A report issued by the Department of Defense in October reports that the bombings were not as well targeted as they could have been, resulting in unnecessary civilian deaths.

On June 13, Campbell presents the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1998, which would reduce the number of “frivolous” securities lawsuits filed in federal courts, by making investors have facts in-hand that strongly suggest a deliberate fraud.  The legislation faces little opposition; it passes the Senate 89-7 on July 27, and the House 387-40 on September 10, being signed by the President on September 12.

The Congressional Elections

On elected day 1998, President Campbell holds an approval of 56%.  However, despite Campbell’s high approvals, the GOP suffers losses in both houses, but manage to retain them both.

Senate Results
()
Republicans: 51 (-3)
Democrats: 49 (+3)


House Results
Republicans: 220 (-16)
Democrats: 214 (+16)
Independents: 1 (-)

Great update Ben! :D I can't wait to see the rest of Campbell's second term and the 2000 election! I have several questions (and I'm sorry if you've already answered them in your TL and I just haven't picked them up :P).

1. How has Dan Quayle been as VEEP? Has he made similar gaffes as he did OTL? As of 1998, would Republicans be nervous about running him in 2000?
2. With the USSR still living on longer than OTL, is there a huger push from conservatives for anti-communist policy? How strong is anti-communist sentiment in America?

Quayle has been fairly low-profile as Vice President, and so he has not made many gaffes in his nearly 6 years in office.  Republicans have no qualms with him running for President, except those who feel he's too conservative.


Not a huge push, and Campbell's fairly moderate Presidency has left the strongly anti-Communist conservatives out in the cold.  Anti-Communist sentiment in general is weakening, since no President has made it a major theme.

If Kennedy had lived (he was killed by the secret service for a letter he wrote asking them to kill his wife so that he could be with Marilyn Monroe) then the democrats would have likely had a better shot at 1968 and been voted out in 1972. By 1980 it would have been the democrats' turn to win again and Reagan would've never been president.

Great update, Ben!


Don't ever post in this TL again.

Interesting update Ben, and glad to have this back on Track, I wonder how Carroll and Tony will get along...Keep it comming

Update in the next 18 hours :)

In celebration of the upcoming update, a treat.

1984 Senate Elections (56-44 Republican majority):
•   Alabama: Howell Heflin (D) reelected
•   Alaska: Ted Stevens (R) reelected
•   Arkansas: David Pryor (D) reelected
•   Colorado: William Armstrong (R) reelected
•   Delaware: Joe Biden (D) reelected
•   Georgia: Sam Nunn (D) reelected
•   Idaho: James McClure (R) reelected
•   Illinois: Paul Simon (D) defeats Dave O’Neal (R)
•   Iowa: Tom Harkin (D) defeats Roger Jepsen (R)
•   Kansas: Nancy Landon Kassebaum (R) reelected
•   Kentucky: Mitch McConnell (R) defeats Walter Huddleston (D)
•   Louisiana: Bennett Johnston, Jr. (D) reelected
•   Maine: William Cohen (R) reelected
•   Massachusetts: John Kerry (D) defeats Edward Brooke (R)
•   Michigan: Robert Griffin (R) reelected
•   Minnesota: Rudy Boschwitz (R) reelected
•   Mississippi: Thad Cochran (R) reelected
•   Montana: Stan Stephens (R) reelected
•   Nebraska: Bob Kerrey (D) retiring-replaces Edward Zorinsky (D)
•   New Hampshire: Gordon Humphrey (R) reelected
•   New Jersey: Bill Bradley (D) reelected
•   New Mexico: Joe Skeen (R) reelected
•   North Carolina: Jesse Helms (R) reelected
•   Oklahoma: David Boren (D) retiring-replaces Ed Edmondson (D)
•   Oregon: Norma Paulus (R) reelected
•   Rhode Island: Claiborne Pell (D) reelected
•   South Carolina: Strom Thurmond (R) reelected
•   South Dakota: Bill Janklow (R) defeats Lars Herseth (D)
•   Tennessee: Al Gore (D) retiring-replaces Howard Baker (R)
•   Texas: Phil Gramm (R) defeats Barefoot Sanders (D)
•   Virginia: John Warner (R) reelected
•   West Virginia: Arch Moore, Jr. (R) reelected
•   Wyoming: Alan Simpson (R) reelected
Afterwards (56-44 Republican majority):
•   North Carolina: Jim Broyhill (R) retiring-replaces John Porter East (R)

1986 Senate Elections (52-48 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: Richard Shelby (D) defeats Jeremiah Denton (R)
•   Alaska: Frank Murkowski (R) reelected
•   Arizona: John McCain (R) retiring-replaces Barry Goldwater (R)
•   Arkansas: Dale Bumpers (D) reelected
•   California: Tom Bradley (D) defeats Ed Davis (R)
•   Colorado: Tim Wirth (D) retiring-replaces Gary Hart (D)
•   Connecticut: Chris Dodd (D) reelected
•   Florida: Bob Graham (D) defeats Paula Hawkins (R)
•   Georgia: Wyche Fowler (D) defeats Mack Mattingly (R)
•   Hawaii: Daniel Inouye (D) reelected
•   Idaho: John Evans (D) defeats Steve Symms (R)
•   Illinois: Alan Dixon (D) reelected
•   Indiana: William Ruckelshaus (R) reelected
•   Iowa: Chuck Grassley (R) reelected
•   Kansas: Bob Dole (R) reelected
•   Kentucky: Wendell Ford (D) reelected
•   Louisiana: John Breaux (D) retiring-replaces Russell Long (D)
•   Maryland: Barbara Mikulski (D) reelected
•   Missouri: Kit Bond (R) defeats Joseph Teasdale (D)
•   Nevada: Harry Reid (D) defeats Chic Hecht (R)
•   New Hampshire: Warren Rudman (R) reelected
•   New York: Al d’Amato (R) reelected
•   North Carolina: Terry Sanford (D) defeats Jim Broyhill (R)
•   North Dakota: Kent Conrad (D) defeats Mark Andrews (R)
•   Ohio: John Glenn (D) reelected
•   Oklahoma: Don Nickles (R) reelected
•   Oregon: Bob Packwood (R) reelected
•   Pennsylvania: Arlen Specter (R) reelected
•   South Carolina: Ernest Hollings (D) reelected
•   South Dakota: Tom Daschle (D) defeats James Abdnor (R)
•   Utah: Jake Garn (R) reelected
•   Vermont: Patrick Leahy (D) reelected
•   Washington: Brock Adams (D) retiring-replaces Warren Magnuson (D)
•   Wisconsin: Bob Kasten (R) reelected
Afterwards (52-48 Democratic majority):
No changes

1988 Senate Elections (54-46 Democratic majority):
•   Arizona: Terry Goddard (D) defeats Sam Steiger (R)
•   California: Pete Wilson (R) reelected
•   Connecticut: Joe Lieberman (D) defeats James Buckley (R)
•   Delaware: William Roth, Jr. (R) reelected
•   Florida: Buddy MacKay (D) retiring-replaces Lawton Chiles (D)
•   Hawaii: Cecil Heftel (D) reelected
•   Indiana: Dan Quayle (R) reelected
•   Maine: George Mitchell (D) reelected
•   Maryland: Paul Sarbanes (D) reelected
•   Massachusetts: Ted Kennedy (D) reelected
•   Michigan: Donald Riegle, Jr. (D) reelected
•   Minnesota: Walter Mondale (D) reelected
•   Mississippi: Trent Lott (R) retiring-replaces John Stennis (D)
•   Missouri: John Danforth (R) reelected
•   Montana: Conrad Burns (R) defeats Max Baucus (D)
•   Nebraska: Frank Morrison (D) reelected
•   Nevada: Richard Bryan (D) defeats Paul Laxalt (R)
•   New Jersey: Frank Lautenberg (D) reelected
•   New Mexico: Jeff Bingaman (D) reelected
•   New York: Robert Abrams (D) retiring-replaces Richard Ottinger (D)
•   North Dakota: Quentin Burdick (D) reelected
•   Ohio: Howard Metzenbaum (D) reelected
•   Pennsylvania: William Scranton III (R) reelected
•   Rhode Island: Lincoln Almond (R) reelected
•   Tennessee: Jim Sasser (D) reelected
•   Texas: Lloyd Bentsen (D) reelected
•   Utah: Orrin Hatch (R) reelected
•   Vermont: Richard Snelling (R) reelected
•   Virginia: Chuck Robb (D) retiring-replaces Paul Trible, Jr. (R)
•   Washington: Slade Gorton (R) retiring-replaces Daniel Evans (R)
•   West Virginia: Robert Byrd (D) reelected
•   Wisconsin: Herb Kohl (D) retiring-replaces William Proxmire (D)
•   Wyoming: Malcolm Wallop (R) reelected
Afterwards (54-46 Democratic majority):
•   Delaware: Dale Wolf (R) retiring-replaces Joe Biden (D)
•   New York: Geraldine Ferraro (D) retiring-replaces Al d’Amato (R)
•   Texas: Beau Bolter (R) retiring-replaces Lloyd Bentsen (D)
•   Wyoming: Teno Roncalio (D) retiring-replaces Alan Simpson (R)

1990 Senate Elections (59-41 Democratic majority):
•   Alabama: Howell Heflin (D) reelected
•   Alaska: Ted Stevens (R) reelected
•   Arkansas: David Pryor (D) reelected
•   Colorado: Hank Brown (R) retiring-replaces William Armstrong (R)
•   Delaware: Dale Wolf (R) reelected
•   Georgia: Sam Nunn (D) reelected
•   Idaho: Larry Craig (R) retiring-replaces James McClure (R)
•   Illinois: Paul Simon (D) reelected
•   Iowa: Tom Harkin (D) reelected
•   Kansas: Nancy Landon Kassebaum (R) reelected
•   Kentucky: Harvey Sloane (D) defeats Mitch McConnell (R)
•   Louisiana: Bennett Johnston, Jr. (D) reelected
•   Maine: William Cohen (R) reelected
•   Massachusetts: John Kerry (D) reelected
•   Michigan: James Blanchard (D) defeats Robert Griffin (R)
•   Minnesota: Paul Wellstone (D) defeats Rudy Boschwitz (R)
•   Mississippi: Thad Cochran (R) reelected
•   Montana: Dorothy Bradley (D) defeats Stan Stephens (R)
•   Nebraska: Bob Kerrey (D) reelected
•   New Hampshire: Bob Smith (R) retiring-replaces Gordon Humphrey (R)
•   New Jersey: Bill Bradley (D) reelected
•   New Mexico: Joe Skeen (R) reelected
•   New York: Geraldine Ferraro (D) reelected
•   North Carolina: Harvey Gantt (D) defeats Jesse Helms (R)
•   Oklahoma: David Boren (D) reelected
•   Oregon: Norma Paulus (R) reelected
•   Rhode Island: Claiborne Pell (D) reelected
•   South Carolina: Strom Thurmond (R) reelected
•   South Dakota: Bill Janklow (R) reelected
•   Tennessee: Al Gore (D) reelected
•   Texas: Phil Gramm (R) reelected
•   Texas: Beau Bolter (R) reelected
•   Virginia: John Warner (R) reelected
•   West Virginia: Charlotte Pritt (D) retiring-replaces Arch Moore (R)
•   Wyoming: Craig Thomas (R) retiring-replaces Teno Roncalio (D)
Afterwards (60-40 Democratic majority):
•   North Dakota: Jocelyn Burdick (D) retiring-replaces Quentin Burdick (D)
•   Vermont: Bernie Sanders (D) retiring-replaces Richard Snelling (R)

It's gonna be at least another week guys.  I'm at camp, and thus away from the computer with my timeline.  Sorry :(

This is a really good timeline and I was reading some from the beginning, but historically, Kennedy is on the record saying that he would pull troops out of Vietnam in his second term and was against escalation.

Hey Ben, have JFK's extramarital affairs been discovered yet (sorry if you already pointed this out in the TL)?

They have not.  The media still loves JFK, and with his son being the (former) Governor of Massachusetts, they have stayed under wraps.

I'm feeling an update tomorrow.

:D

AHEM. Procrastinator.

When I get back from Paris on Sunday :P

Have fun in the meantime. How is it? I've never been to "latin" Europe. :)

Ok, Ben let's go straight.

If you won't update your TL after return, we're hijacking this thread just as we did to Gporter's 1972 thing.

>:(

Thing is a good way to put that.

I rather preferred Britain, but the Louvre was amazing, and I look forward to returning to it, and going to Versailles.


It will be updated then, I promise.  At least I'm not Lief :P

We hope so.

Ah, I've only been to Heathrow. Will you be swinging north to Germany afterward?

Maricopa would be very unlikely to go to the Dems, it hasn't since '48.  But other than that, it's great!

Nah, I leave for home Sunday morning.


Keep in mind, this is a different timeline.  Also, remember the Third Party in 1980 - he took a good % in Arizona, so that could have contributed to it.

I just read this whole TL, & I like it. :)

Excellent :)

And I read it already and I want more asap >:(

As I finish the 1998-2000 update, enjoy the 1996 county map (also viewable in the Gallery)
()

In his State of the Union Address on January 22, 1999, President Campbell declares, “Our economy is as strong as it has ever been.  The Line Item Veto has given me the ability to weed out unnecessary spending, and the WRA has prevented people from taking advantage of our welfare system.”

On February 9, Campbell travels to Moscow to meet with Soviet Premier Yeltsin to discuss a new arms limitation treaty, as well as the continuing issue of human rights abuses in the USSR.  Ultimately, nothing comes of the discussions, fueling conservative anger at Campbell.

On February 20, in a speech to the Knesset, with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of the Likud Party looking on stoically, Campbell calls for “A permanent two state solution, in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.”  The speech is criticized by conservatives for being too harsh on Israel, and by liberals for not being harsh enough.

On March 7, Campbell meets with Netanyahu and Yasser Arafat at Camp David for a three day summit which Campbell hopes will result in some sort of preliminary agreement.  Nothing comes of it, though, after Netanyahu storms out following an innocuous remark by Arafat about Israeli killings on Muslims.  Just two months later, Netanyahu loses a bid for reelection to the Labour Party of Ehud Barak.

On April 12, Congress begins debate on the Hyde Resolution.  Introduced by Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL), the HR would prevent any federal funding from going to abortions.  During an acrimonious debate in the House, Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) punches Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) after Paul calls a woman’s right to an abortion “A fallacy allowing fools and liars to perpetrate a Holocaust of epic proportions.”  Frank is reprimanded officially by the House, and the Debate dies down slightly, with the HR finally being passed on May 29, 221-214.

In the Senate, debate over the HR is just as contentious, with a liberal filibuster consuming months, with many arguments being repeated on both sides.  On September 10, cloture fails 58-42, and debate continues; after much arm twisting, cloture passes 60-40 on October 6, and the bill passes 56-41 on October 11.  Campbell signs the bill on October 14, infuriating Democrats.

In his 2000 State of the Union Address, Campbell puts forward an ambitious job creation program, involving public works and spending.  Democrats, though, still angry about the Hyde Resolution, decide to not cooperate with any of Campbell’s proposals, and so, as the 2000 Election begins, none of Campbell’s new legislation goes anywhere, setting up the fall campaign.