Reagan Wins Republican Nomination 1976!

[TommyC1776]

The House brings up the Free Market Healthcare Act of 1985 and it passes 240-195.  In the Senate it fails 51-49 (only along party lines).  President Goldwater is upset about this and hopes he can repeal it in the next Congress.

[TommyC1776]

On June 17, 1985 the Discovery Channel begins broadcasting.

Discovery Channel


In the CA Senate race current placeholder Senator Pete Wilson is defeated with 48% by former CA Senator John Tunney.  Tunney won 51% of the vote.  He will take his seat on August 15th.  This gives the Democrats 52 seats in the Senate.

A little over a month later it's announced that Christa McAullife (a teacher from NH) will become the first in her field to be on Challenger.

Then President Goldwater talks about having a balanced budget and to address the budget issue in 1986 when the old one stops after 3 years.  Goldwater proposes a budget that would last be able to last 10 years compared to Reagan's 5 year budget plan and Kennedy's 3 year budget plan.  The budget would cut military spending down a bit and cut some social programs as well in order to "get the economy rolling again."  We will see what the House and Senate come up with by 1986.

[TommyC1776]

On August 15th John Tunney takes office as the newly elected Senator from the CA Special Election replacing placeholder Pete Wilson.

Speaker Michel brings up the Balanced Budget Act of 1986 in the fall of 1985.  This would have money spent more on the military compared to social programs including the Universal Healthcare Act of 1981.  The act would give people tax cuts if they get insurance from insurance companies rather than the government run program.  However Democrats feel this is a ploy to get Americans back to the "old ways" of healthcare for Americans.  The House passes it 230-205.

Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd brings up the Budget Management Reconciliation Act of 1986 around the same time.  This would have a majority of spending on social programs compared to military spending.  It also would fund the healthcare program by continuing to tax the rich like they did in the jobs bill passed in the Kennedy administration.  The Senate passes it 56-44 with 4 Republicans  (Charles Percy, John Chafee, Mark Hatfield, Warren Rudman) voting with all Democrats.

[TommyC1776]

President Goldwater meets with Speaker Rober Michel, House Minority Leader Tip O'Neill, Senate Majority Robert Byrd and Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker to disccus a budget bill.  Goldwater proposes a debt ceiling bill that would cap the spending limit over the next 6 years.  The bill would put spending limits at $1.5 trillion for 6 years spending or not spending what you please within the limit.

The Government Budget Act of 1986 passes the House 280-155.  It passes the Senate 70-30.  President Goldwater signs it into law.

[TommyC1776]

In May 1986 the movie Top Gun comes out.



During the summer of 1986 President Goldwater campaigns hard for Republicans.  He hopes the Republicans can win the Senate and give the Republicans full control in Washington.

[TommyC1776]

Former President Kennedy comes out to get support for Democrats.  "I feel that this administration isn't looking toward the middle class and is more concerned with the rich.  We need to elect more Democrats in Washington.  President Goldwater and his party are on the wrong track and we need to be on a better track."

President Goldwater states "I feel America's on a better track record than we've seen in awhile.  Therefore I hope the Republicans make gains and get control of the Senate.  If we gain 2 seats we got the Senate.  So go forward and make sure the Republicans are elected on Election Day."

[TommyC1776]

1986 Midterms:
House: 245 Republicans, 190 Democrats
Senate: 53 Republicans, 47 Democrats

The Republicans won 20 seats in the House and 5 in the Senate.  Howard Baker will become Senate Majority Leader in the next Congress.  He tells Americans "Thanks for giving us a chance to govern as a majority in the Senate, now.  We appreciate that."

President Goldwater is happy with the numbers now and hopes he can get some of his legislation passed through the next Congress.

Current Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd states "We will stall legislation whenever we see fit just like the Republicans have done.  However we will work together when we can too."

[TommyC1776]

potential Democratic candidates, 1988:
Former President Ted Kennedy
Former Governor Jerry Brown
Former Senator and VP Lloyd Bentsen
Senator John Glenn
Reverend Jesse Jackson
Governor Bruce Babbit
Senator Al Gore

We will see who announces.

[TommyC1776]

There's speculation that getting rid of the Department of Education and the Department of Energy in the next Congress.  President Goldwater states "That's a fine idea by me."

In early December 1986 former President Kennedy announces he will not run for President but for the Senate in 1988.  "I know alot of you wanted me to run for President in 1988 but I decided that I could do more in the Senate right now."

[TommyC1776]

Who was Kennedy's replacement in the Senate?

Former MA Governor Michael Dukakis replaced Ted Kennedy on January 30, 1981.  He was re-elected in 1982.  He said he will "bow out" so Kennedy can have the seat back.

[TommyC1776]

On January 3rd, 1987 the 100th Congress is inaugurated.  The Republicans now have control of both Houses of Congress.  The Democrats made a deal with Republicans as far as the healthcare law (as long as the Democrats don't filibuster alot of legislation there won't be a vote to repeal healthcare).  However the Department of Education and the Department of Energy will be brought up for repeal.  Senate Majority Leader Baker states "I feel both of these Departments should go as does the Speaker of the House and the President."

A few weeks later Reverend Jesse Jackson announces he will be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 1988.  He states "Today I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States to represent the little people.  We need a President looking out for the poor and not the rich.  Also, the Republicans tried to repeal healthcare.  As far as the budget deal it would've been better had the Democratic version been put in place.  Now I'm off to campaign for you all.  Thank you and God Bless America."

[TommyC1776]

On February 2nd, Senator Al Gore announces his Presidential run.  "Today Americans I'm announcing my run for President of the United States.  I run as a moderate Democrat.  I believe we need some government involvement but not too much.  I believe we need to do better than President Goldwater has done and that's why I'm running.  Thank you and God Bless America."

Back in the House they debate Repeal of Energy Department Act of 1987 which would get rid of the Department of Energy over the period of a few years.  House Minority Leader Jim Wright says "This is a terrible piece of legislation.  We can't afford to lose this Department.  We need to look out for the environment and make sure Earth is safe for our descendants."  The final vote is 235-200.  However in the Senate there's a different story.  A majority of Democrats and a few Republicans feel this is not the time to be talking about this.

Wait and see what happens.

[TommyC1776]

The Senate votes 53-47 against the bill.  6 Republicans (John Chafee, Mark Hatfield, Warren Rudman, Nancy Kassaebaum, Lowell Weicker and John Danforth) voted against it.

Late in February Senator Gary Hart announces his run for the Democratic nomination for President.  "Today I announce my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President.  I want to better represent America than the Goldwater administration has.  We need someone who will look out for all Americans rather than the privileged few.  That's why I'm the best candidate in 1988.  Thank you and God Bless America."

[TommyC1776]

Senator Walter Mondale announces he's a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President.  "I feel we need someone in this race who is a moderate to liberal candidate.  We don't really have that with the exception of maybe Jesse Jackson.  Anyways, I hope the Democrats can take back the White House and I plan do it.  Thank you and God Bless America."

[TommyC1776]

MO Senator John Danforth states "I may run for President.  This President needs to show me he can work with both sides of the aisle.  He can't keep pressing for all these anti-government crusades.  We need government.  Government is supposed to help everyone to an extent.  Anyways, I will be thinking of the next few months what I should do."

Meanwhile, Speaker Robert Michel, Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and President Goldwater discuss modifying the Government Budget Act of 1986.  They come up with a bill that will cut taxes for everyone (including the rich), stop some of the regulations that were under place in the previous administration (including some of the EPA standards) and the Senate will just need 50 votes in favor, as Vice President Crane is a Republican.  The House and Senate propose the Balanced Budget Act of 1987.

[TommyC1776]

In late summer Speaker Michel brings up the Balanced Budget Act of 1987.  The Democrats call this a "terrible act in which the Republicans try to say where they'll cut everyone's taxes but will only really cut taxes for the poor."  Former President Kennedy says "The Republicans will do anything to give tax breaks for the rich."

Senators John Danforth and Mark Hatfield come out against the bill saying "There was a budget passed last year and it should be fine until it ends in 5 years when a new budget will be passed."  Even with their likely "nay" votes it could still pass.  The House votes 238-197.  The Senate's version of the bill (the New And Modified Budget Act of 1987) would basically keep the debt ceiling at 1.5 trillion over 5 years with across the board tax cuts.  The Senate agreed to this 60-40.  The House then voted on the Senate bill 256-179.  President Goldwater signs it on August 29, 1987.

[TommyC1776]

On November 25, 1987 Senator John Danforth and Senator Mark Hatfield state they endorse Gary Hart for President instead of President Goldwater.  "Goldwater has ruined the Republican Party and it's old ways of thinking, therefore we can't endorse the President."

Even former President Ford states "President Goldwater has gotten a little too extreme.  We need someone to challenge him in the primaries."

Former President Reagan states "President Goldwater's doing a great job.  For those of you skeptics: he's stood true to his statement of lower taxes and less government."

Democratic Nomination poll:
Gary Hart 35%
Al Gore 30%
Walter Mondale 23%
Jesse Jackson 10%
Undecided 2%

[TommyC1776]

Iowa Caucus: February 8th

Democrat: 61 delegates
Hart 35%-21 delegates
Gore 30%-18 delegates
Mondale 25%-15 delegates
Jackson 10%-7 delegates

Gary Hart states "Thank you Americans.  We've got a long road ahead and need to win more primaries.  Now onto New Hampshire."

Al Gore states "Thanks for keeping the campaign alive and well."

[TommyC1776]

I'm wondering if there'll be another Anderson type run in 1988. I'd suggest Lowell Weicker, Republican Senator from Connecticut, but he's up for re-election in 1988.

There could be.  Wait and see.

[TommyC1776]

New Hampshire: February 16th

Democrat: 22 delegates
Hart 38%-8 delegates
Mondale 32%-7 delegates
Gore 19%-4 delegates
Jackson 11%-3 delegates

Senator Gary Hart states "Thank you New Hampshire.  With this win I'm now the frontrunner for the nomination and hope to win more primaries in the following weeks ahead.  Thanks again and let's go forward to Vermont."

Senator Walter Mondale states "Tonight New Hampshire has shown us that our campaign isn't over yet."

Senator Al Gore states "I don't want my supporters to think that our support in New Hampshire should reflect the next primaries.  However we need to show the Americans why I'm better than Senator Hart, former Senator Mondale and Reverend Jackson.  Thank you."

Reverend Jesse Jackson states "Hey New Hampshire.  Tonight we came in 4th place but that's not going to stop us from running.  We need to address the issues of the minority.  For over a hundred years minorities whether they be black, disabled or any other haven't had their fair share here.  Thank you everyone."

[TommyC1776]

South Dakota: February 23rd

Democrat: 20 delegates
Hart 40%-8 delegates
Mondale 29%-6 delegates
Gore 21%-4 delegates
Jackson 10%-2 delegates

Senator Gary Hart states "Thanks for the win South Dakota.  This gives our campaign some steam ahead."

Senator Walter Mondale states "Even though we came in second we still are fighting hard and not giving away the nomination to Senator Hart."

Senator Al Gore states "From the look of things it looks like we did a little better than New Hampshire.  However we need to reassess where our campaign goes from here."

Reverend Jesse Jackson states "I want to say that we didn't expect to get 10% here and we did.  We will move on to Vermont now."

Vermont: March 1st

Democrat: 20 delegates
Mondale 35%-7 delegates
Hart 33%-7 delegates
Jackson 20%-4 delegates
Gore 12%-2 delegates

Senator Walter Mondale states "Thank you Vermont.  You've given our campaign life."

Senator Gary Hart states "Vermont put a bump in our campaign but that won't stop us as we go forward."

Reverend Jesse Jackson states "Thanks for giving us a third place finish here.  We're not going away that soon."

Senator Al Gore states "I want to tell all my supporters thank you.  With some Southern states coming up we will hope to win there and come away with a lot of delegates.  Thanks again."

[TommyC1776]

When did Mondale leave the Senate?

Woops.  Sorry about that.  My mistake.

[TommyC1776]

South Carolina: March 5th

Democrat: 53 delegates
Gore 38%-20 delegates
Jackson 25%-13 delegates
Mondale 19%-10 delegates
Hart 18%-10 delegates

Senator Al Gore states "Thank you South Carolina.  I want to thank you for giving my campaign more light.  This gives me more steam going into the next primaries.  God Bless America."

Reverend Jesse Jackson states "Thanks South Carolina.  You've helped our campaign as we go ahead.  Thanks and God Bless America."

Senators Mondale and Hart state "We'll move on."

[TommyC1776]

1988 Democratic Primaries

Gary Hart-54 delegates
Al Gore-48 delegates
Walter Mondale-45 delegates
Jesse Jackson-29 delegates

[TommyC1776]

SUPER TUESDAY: March 8th, part 1

Alabama:

Democrat: 65 delegates
Gore 40%-26 delegates
Jackson 35%-23 delegates
Hart 15%-10 delegates
Mondale 10%-6 delegates

Arkansas:

Democrat: 48 delegates
Gore 39%-19 delegates
Hart 27%-13 delegates
Jackson 23%-11 delegates
Mondale 11%-5 delegates

Florida:

Democrat: 154 delegates
Hart 43%-66 delegates
Gore 30%-46 delegates
Jackson 15%-23 delegates
Mondale 12%-19 delegates

Georgia:

Democrat: 94 delegates
Jackson 36%-34 delegates
Gore 32%-30 delegates
Hart 22%-21 delegates
Mondale 10%-9 delegates

Kentucky:

Democrat: 65 delegates
Gore 39%-25 delegates
Mondale 28%-18 delegates
Hart 22%-14 delegates
Jackson 11%-8 delegates

Louisiana:

Democrat: 76 delegates
Gore 42%-32 delegates
Jackson 28%-21 delegates
Hart 17%-13 delegates
Mondale 13%-10 delegates