Out of the Blue: A President Reagan in '68 TL

[hcallega]

This is really good. A neat POD that a lot of people don't think of. It really is a neat list of presidents, unexpected but neat. This really shows your knowledge of politics.

[Historico]

This is really good. A neat POD that a lot of people don't think of. It really is a neat list of presidents, unexpected but neat. This really shows your knowledge of politics.

Thanks HC, I really appreciate it...Yeah that's why I like doing these timelines, American Politics is such a minefield...The right steps can lead you to the White House and the wrong steps can destroy your political career. Any other comments, suggestions, thoughts...BBQ tips?

[Historico]

Dynamic: The 1984 US Presidential Election

The 1984 Democratic Nomination
   
With his Approval Ratings in the mid ‘60’s, and the public generally behind his Domestic Agenda, the question was during the last months of 1983 were if President Finch would indeed face a challenger in the primaries? Several remnants of the New Left in the party toyed with the idea of an Presidential run including Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, Reverend Jesse Jackson of Illinois and Congressman Mo Udall of Arizona largely due to his escalation of the Cold War and his opposition to the Nuclear Freeze. They would all ultimately decide against it, as Senator McGovern said “Although He is a stubborn as a Mississippi Mule, Cliff Finch is my President…We may disagree about some of the issues, but I would rather try to work things out with him then some Republican.” The 1984 Democratic Convention was held in the new Moscone Center, in San Francisco, where key-note speaker…New York Governor Mario Cuomo delivered the most powerful speech of his career. Former First Lady Joan Kennedy wasn’t even allowed to speak by after the crowd roared in tribute to a video which looked back at the life of her late husband. After she was able to say a few words, President Charles C. Finch and Vice President Thomas J. Bradley were re-nominated by acclamation. The Finch/Ticket promised a continuation of the policies presented in their first term and victory in November.

The 1984 Republican Nomination
   
Things on the other side of aisle were a little less clear cut for the Republican Party. With President Finch’s enormous popularity, many of the leaders in the party including Senate Minority leader George H.W. Bush, former Vice President Howard Baker, Senator Bob Dole, Senator Mark Hatfield and Senator Chuck Percy decide against seeking the Presidency. This allowed for a field of Second-tier candidates to throw their hats in the rings, with the three most prominent being 1st term Senator Robert W. “Bob” Kasten Jr. of Wisconsin, Governor Pierre S. “Pete” du Pont IV of Delaware,, and the evangelical Reverend and son of Senator Absalom Robertson…Marion G. “Pat” Robertson of Virginia. Each of the three candidates attempted to appeal to different factions of the party, with Kasten attracting traditional small government yet progressive voters in the Midwest, Pete du Pont ran as a traditional Rockefeller Republican, whose push for Social Security reform attracted/freighted many voters outside his home region of the Northeast and Robertson attracted evangelical voters in the South.
   

The Reverend Pat Robertson at an Iowa Town Hall Debate

The month of February would primarily be a shoot out between Kasten and du Pont as Robertson focused his efforts in the South Carolina primary. The 41 year old Senator from Wisconsin would score the 1st victory in the Iowa Caucus, winning a striking 55% of the vote. Governor du Pont would score a not too surprising victory in the snow covered hills of New Hampshire. His New Hampshire victory was followed by a strong Kasten win in South Dakota and a du Pont wins in Maine and Vermont. By March, Pat Robertson heavy campaign efforts in the state of South Carolina were largely successful as he stomped both the Wisconsin Senator and the Delaware Governor on an incredible margin. Robertson followed his South Carolina victory, with an almost complete sweep of Super Tuesday on March 13th, as he picked up the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and his home state of Virginia. Pete du Pont would only walk away with the states of Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.


Governor Pierre S. "Pete" du Pont IV of Delaware campaining in New Hampshire

Yet, Senator Bob Kasten was far from finished, and after an incredibly narrow victory of Governor du Pont in the Illinois Primary, Kasten earned the aptly nickname of the “comeback kid”. After a du Pont victory in Connecticut, the last primary in the month of March, Kasten started April off with a bang with a resounding victory in his home state of Wisconsin. All of the three candidates would invest a majority of their time, money and effort into the state of Pennsylvania which in turn would narrowly go for Governor du Pont on April 24th. The month of May would be crucial largely between du Pont and Kasten as Robertson evangelical support largely dried up after Super Tuesday. Blue Collar workers although drawn to du Pont’s record of lowered taxes in his home state of Delaware, they were largely uncomfortable with Pete’s plan to reform Social security. Thus on May 1st, Senator Kasten would walk away with the delegate rich states of Ohio and Indiana while du Pont gained DC. The rest of the May contests would go mainly to the “boy wonder” of Bob Kasten with wins Nebraska, Oregon and Idaho and Robertson would pick up his final primary victory in the states of Alaska and West Virginia.


Senator Robert W. "Bob" Kasten Jr. of Wisconsin, aka The Comeback Kid.
   
On June 5th, the last round of primaries were held as Kasten took the states of California, Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota along with du Pont picking up the states of Hawaii, New Jersey and Michigan on an incredibly narrow margin.

The Final 1984 Republican Primary Results   

Going into the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas none of the three candidates held an absolute majority. Pete du Pont narrowly had the lead with 705 delegates, with Kasten close behind 650 delegates and Robertson placed third 580 delegates, with 987 delegates needed for victory. On the first ballot the results remained the same as when the candidates walked into the convention. Yet, after several backroom discussions with several of the top GOP Leaders, Rev Robertson was convinced that the Party could not allow another Rockefeller Republican to be nominated after the disastrous Volpe candidacy four years earlier. Robertson agreed to release his delegates to Kasten on one condition which was for the young Senator pick a Southern Conservative running mate. Kasten promised to so, and with Robertson’s supporters now with him, was able to overtake du Pont’s lead and clinch the nomination. After he reviewed several candidates, Kasten announced that former Senator and former Secretary of Defense John Tower of Texas as his running mate. John Tower brought with him considerable foreign policy experience, and although Pro-Choice, his conservative legislative record largely overweighed that perceived negative. Pete du Pont were shocked for the lack of a true moderate on the ticket, and most of the delegates privately talked about supporting the Finch/Bradley ticket come November.

[Historico]

The 1980 General Election
   
Initial poll numbers coming out of the nail-baiter Republican Nation Convention had the Finch/Bradley ticket leading the Kasten/Tower ticket nearly 2 to 1. The Wisconsin Senator had no choice but to go negative, as he attempted to paint the President as the classic Tax and Spend liberal who wanted to return the country to the “Welfare State” of the ‘60’s. Kasten also took many pages out of primary rival Governor Pete du Pont’s book as he promised to have an across the board tax cut, and a constitutional amendment would limit future tax increases/government spending. This more libertarian idea proved largely popular in the Midwest where voters typically believed that “the government that governs the least governs best”. Kasten would also attempt to reach out to voters outside the traditional voters; the Senator came out in Support of the Hatfield-McGovern Nuclear Freeze amendment much to the dismay of Conservatives within his own party. His Running Mate John Tower along with high level surrogates such as Senators Bush, Dole and Percy attacked President Finch for not being willing to talk with the Soviets in hopes of getting ending the Cold War rather than prolonging it.
   

Senate Minority Leader George H.W. Bush and Wisconsin State Assembly Minority Leader Tommy Thompson on the stump for Senator Kasten in Detroit, Michigan.

However, President Finch never became complacent in his poll numbers, and was determined to outperform in campaign style, funding and rhetoric the political rookie Bob Kasten. He was first determined to lock down Republican leaning voters in the Midwest and in the Industrial states. Cliff resurrected his 1975 Mississippi Gubernatorial Race campaign Slogan of “The Working Man’s friend” and had the letters painted on a black lunchbox adopted as his official campaign symbol. Finch with an aggressive Southern Populist campaign style not seen since LBJ’s race against Goldwater in 1964 traveled to work in the Steel Refineries of Indiana, sacked groceries in Ohio, drove bulldozers in Michigan, harvested corn via Tractor in Kansas, and herded Cattle in Texas. Vice President Bradley, who lacked the personal charisma that Finch possessed, stuck mainly to the Cities as he funneled high black support for his candidacy into record-smashing voter registration numbers. Bradley would also be the representative to talk with the Private sector, as he stressed the needed for the business community to work the Government in spurring economic growth.
   
The month of October would bring a slue of surprises for the campaign, the first being of the President’s agreement with Senator Kasten for a serious of debates, a rare move done by a popular incumbent. After wrinkling out of the details, there would be two debates; one between President Finch and Senator Kasten and the second between Vice President Bradley and former Secretary Tower. The Vice Presidential debate was held first on October 7th, where Vice President Bradley seemed to have a stronger grip on domestic issues and was better able too articulate his support for President Finch’s policy proposals than Tower. No to surprisingly former Secretary Tower seemed more well versed in foreign affairs and the lackluster debate was largely considered a draw. Yet it would be in the aftermath in a debate, when in a televised interview with Barbara Walters, Tower’s wife Lilla told Barbara about their deteriorating marriage largely due to his alcoholism and excessive womanizing. The public backlash against Tower was enormous especially in those of the evangelical community. Many within the GOP had begun to push for Kasten to drop Tower but the Senator refused. This question of Kasten’s judgment and relative inexperience were raised in the October 21st Presidential Debate, to President Finch when uttered one of the most memorable lines in the political lexicon when he said “Nothing against Bob, but I believe America is like a fine performance car. And now is not the time…to turn this fine vehicle we call America...over to the hands of an amateur.”
   
America would agree with their President in a big way on November 6th, as Finch won 60% of the popular vote and carried 46 states plus the District of Columbia. Senator Kasten won incredibly narrow victories in the states of Idaho, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. The young Senator couldn’t even bring in his home state of Wisconsin nor could John Tower bring in Texas after the Lilla controversy. At his campaign headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi...President Finch gave a short victory speech to his supporters in which he said “My Thanks to all of you, those who supported my candidacy and those who did not, as I promise to be the President and to be your humble servant…  now let’s get to work!”

Charles C. Finch/Thomas J. Bradley: 521 Electoral Votes
Robert W. Kasten/John Tower: 17 Electoral Votes

[Historico]

Btw,the "America is like a Perfomance Car" line is from the Head Of State film that came out in 2004 starring Chris Rock. Vice President Brian Lewis says it in his closing remarks of the Movie's debate, and I could just imagine a good ol' boy like Finch saying that line lol. Here is a quick not on the 1984 US Congressional elections.

*******************

1984 US Congressional/Gubernatorial Elections

Due to President Finch’s spectacular performance in the 1984 Presidential Elections, his coattails in the senate proved to be very long. The Democrats would gain the filibuster proof majority and then some as the party balance shifted to 66 to 34. The incoming Senators would include; George L. Brown (D-CO), Paul Simon (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Walter Huddleston (D-KY), Joan Growe (D-MN), William Winter (D-MS), Jim Hunt (D-NC) and Al Gore Jr.(D-TN). Speaker O’ Neil would also retain his massive dominance of the US House of Representatives. In the gubernatorial elections, it solidified Finch and the Democrat’s popularity with Bill Clinton’s reelection in Arkansas,  as well as Ted Schwinden’s landslide reelection in Montana. New Democratic Governors included Wayne Townsend (D-IN), Ken Rothman (D-MO), Rufus L. Edmisten (D-NC), George Sinner (D-ND), Madeline M. Kunin (D-VT), and Booth Gardner (D-WA).

[Historico]

The Working Man’s Friend: The 2nd Term of Charles C. Finch
   

Having served most of Ted Kennedy’s unfinished 1st term, the Mississippian was sworn in his own right for his second term in office. The inauguration ceremony would be rather quick, as it did take place on a Sunday and President made a short speech to the nation. Although not particularly known for his soaring oratorical skills, one of the more touching lines in his address when he said “25 years ago I entered Politics in Mississippi and never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine myself taking that sacred oath. But that’s the spirit of America that no matter what your background or circumstances you have the ability to reach your dreams of faith, power and glory.” The speech was more or less well-received, and Cliff made slight adjustments to the Kennedy cabinet due to his close relationships sparked during the last four years.

Secretary of State: Zbigniew Brzezinski
Secretary of Treasury: Russell B. Long
Secretary of Defense: Les Aspin
Attorney General: Roger Wilkins
Secretary of Interior: Juan Lujan Jr.
National Security Advisor: Jeane Kirkpatrick
Secretary of Commerce: Daniel Inouye
Secretary of Labor: Lane Kirkland
Secretary of Agriculture: Frances “Sissy” Farenthold
Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare: LaDonna Harris
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Barbara C. Jordan
Secretary of Energy: Edward Zorinsky
Secretary of Transportation: Geraldine Ferraro

   Many of the “Replacement” picks for the new Finch Cabinet, came in lieu of many administration members retirement. Defense Secretary Benjamin O’Davis Jr. at the age of 72 declined to serve with President Finch in his Second Term and was replaced by the 46 year old; Wisconsin Congressman Leslie “Les” Aspin Jr. Aspin was largely favored to replace Charles Marvin Price, as Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services and largely supportive of the Brzezinski doctrine, was seen as a logical fit in the “hawkish” administration. Labor Secretary Ray Marshall tired of the tense atmosphere of Washington and resigned to return to the University of Texas to teach. President Finch rewarded Labor for their overwhelming support of his candidacy in the ’84 Election, by his pick of AFL-CIO President and Solidarity supporter Lane Kirkland as his new Secretary of Labor. Due to her discovery of breast cancer, HUD Secretary Patricia Roberts Harris resigned her post, and was replaced by former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas. However Jordan’s nomination trials would not go as smoothly as for the other replacement picks, as questions over her ability to serve due to her MS. Jordan emotionally replied that she would “Serve to the best of my ability for this position and for the American People.” and was then swiftly confirmed soon after.  Sargent Shriver’s ebullient personality seemed shattered after Ted’s assassination, and he truthfully told the President that his heart wasn’t in it anymore and wanted to return home to Maryland to get his family’s affairs in order as he was now the leading patriarch of the Kennedy clan. To replace Shriver as Energy Secretary, Finch chose moderate to conservative Nebraska Senator Edward Zorinsky.


Secretary of Defense Les Aspin meeting with Congressman Dellums and General Colin Powell.

   With his cabinet intact, Cliff Finch sent forward his next major domestic agenda…the repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act. Written by the newly confirmed Labor Secretary, Lane Kirkland and introduced to Congress by Senator Walter Mondale of Minnesota and Congressman Lee Hamilton of Indiana, the Mondale-Hamilton act would lift many of the Taft-Hartley Act’s provisions regarding union shops, strikes and federal jurisdiction. Republicans led by Senator Strom Thurmond and the Taft-Hartley Act’s original author J. Mack Swiggert targeted the Mondale-Hamilton act as a “Foolish attempt to repeal what has been the law of the land for nearly 40 years!”. Yet the attempt was largely proved to be not in vain, as after months of debate and wrangling through committees, the Mondale-Hamilton act was passed through the Senate on a 65 to 35 margin and passed a few weeks later by the House. On October 15th 1985, the Act was signed by President Finch, surrounded by Secretary Kirkland and labor leaders, as he quoted President Truman when he said “With this signing a major conflict with the important principles of our Democratic society has ended.”

   On Foreign Policy, A major shift occurred in the Finch administration after the successive deaths of General Secretaries Andropov and Chernenko with the election of the reform-minded Mikhail Gorbachev. Both Finch and Brzezinski both agreed that Gorbachev’s reforms sounded extremely promising but they were unsure if they could get passed in the Soviet Union. For a large part of the year, Finch adopted a “Wait and See” approach to the openness, restructuring, democratization and push for accelerated economic development of the Gorbachev regime. During the summer of 1985, Cliff would embark on a major tour of Europe and the Middle East. He would meet with Prime Minister Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth in London, where he gave a stirring speech he equated the wrongs of the several human rights violations of the Soviet Union with growing up in the Jim Crow South. In Rome, The Southern Baptist would stress the need for improvement inter-denominational relations in Christendom with Pope John Paul II. Finch would end his tour in Israel, as he endured several talks with Prime Minster Shimon Peres and stressed the need for Peaceful relations with the Muslim world.

   President Finch would return to Europe in November of 1985 to attend a Geneva Summit largely to congratulate Secretary Gorbachev on his successful Domestic reforms in the USSR. Much to the dismay of Nuclear-Freeze proponents such as Senators Hatfield and McGovern, no concrete proposals were agreed upon but a strong personal friendship was struck between Finch and Gorbachev, who invited each other to visit each other’s respective home nations. In January of 1986, Secretary Gorbachev took his new “alliances” to heart when he made his bold proposal to eliminate the use of intermediate-range nuclear weapons in Europe and a strategy for the elimination of all Nuclear Weapons by the year 2000. President Finch was advised against coming out with a similar announcement by Secretary Brzezinski and National Security Advisor Kirkpatrick, and instead told the press that he was “Very enthusiastic about working with Secretary Gorbachev on the nuclear issue and as well as Human Rights.”


Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev making his January Proposal

   With increased optimism on US/Soviet relations by 1986, many on the left of the Democratic Party would begin to add more heat on President Finch on his negligence of the growing AIDS and Crack-Cocaine Epidemics that afflicted the nation. Fearing the loss of his southern Evangelical base, President Finch was still very uncomfortable on the issue of Gay Rights and articulated many times to his Vice President that he wanted to do something about this AIDS crisis but he was just not sure how. In early ‘80’s as Drug Dealers were faced with dropping prices for powder cocaine, many a decided to convert the powder to "crack," a solid smoke able form of cocaine, that could be sold in smaller quantities, to more people. It was cheap, simple to produce, ready to use, and highly profitable for dealers to develop. Crack spread like wildfire throughout America’s cities and along with a rapid increase in crime rates and disintegration of many Black and Latino communities. President Finch would declare this to be unacceptable and appointed former Governor and Senator Harold Hughes of Iowa as his Drug Czar. Known for his Evangelical background and Drug Treatment efforts, Hughes would work with Congress to try to figure out the best way to get a handle on the growing crisis.


Drug Czar Harold Hughes of Iowa

   After a meeting with Gay Rights Activists including Bayard Rustin, Larry Kramer, and Randy Shilts all of whom asked for increased funding for AIDS Research early that morning and lunch with Vice President Bradley…President Charles C. Finch was found unconscious, slumped over his desk in the oval office. After several attempts to revive the President, Finch was declared D.O.A. at George Washington Hospital from a massive heart attack at the age of 59. Later that evening, Thomas J. “Tom” Bradley was sworn in as the nation’s 41st and first African-American President.

[Historico]

Kept the Faith: the 1st term of Thomas J. Bradley

   For the Second time, in a little over five years; the 79 year old 15th Chief Justice Warren E. Burger swore in his fifth President in Thomas J. Bradley on April 22nd 1986. At 9:00 o’clock Eastern Standard time; the 41st President addressed the nation via television, with his 69 year old face filled with grief and some might say apprehension, when he said “Tonight America, I address you now as President for I and all of America has lost a very dear friend. Charles C. Finch died earlier today, while in the oval office of a massive heart attack. This sudden and unimaginable tragedy has not only impacted us here in the United States but all across the world, because truly a shining beacon of light has left it. In my first act as President, I declare tomorrow to be an official day of mourning for all of America. I ask that you keep President Finch’s family in your prayers and May God Bless us all in this time of sorrow.” President Finch’s casket would lay in State in the Capital Rotunda, where former President’s Reagan and Volpe, along with former Vice President’s Nixon and Baker…followed by countless foreign dignitaries, Senators/Congressman and ordinary citizens. Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev would personally call President Bradley in order to offer his condolences as the two pledged to keep up the friendship that Finch and Gorbachev once shared. By request of his family, Cliff Finch’s body was carried by a special train from Washington DC back home to Mississippi. Hundreds of Thousands of Mourners lined up on the tracks throughout the almost 1000 mile Journey to pay their last respects. The 40th President was buried in a small ceremony at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, Mississippi.

   It did not take long for Tom Bradley to get used to the reigns of power in the White House largely due to the close relationship that he had with the late President Finch, and how involved Bradley was on many of the administration’s major decisions. After a few major policy briefings, President Bradley addressed a Joint-Session of Congress on May 7th. In his speech, Bradley stressed that he would continue Finch’s ambitious domestic agenda as well as the realist Brzezinski doctrine abroad. President Bradley would however tackled the race issue as well “I also know that I am our nation’s first African American President and that I humbled by the sacrifices made by my ancestors for without them, my Presidency would have even been possible. But I want all of America whether your White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Gay, Straight, Protestant, Catholic, Jew, or Muslim to know that I will be President for all of America. As a fallen Champion in California once said… It's not about personal gain, not about ego, not about power — it's about giving those young people out there across towns and cities in America hope…You gotta give them hope!” President Bradley’s speech was well received on both sides of the isle and across most of America as he started off his term with a surprising 70% approval rating.

   President Bradley’s major decision was to who he would choose as the nation’s 43rd Vice President. Tom Bradley was fully aware of his age and his own morality, and that god forbid something happen to him, his Vice President would need the experience and tempered leadership to step into the throes of the Presidency. The President also was unsure about whether or not he would seek a second term in his own right in 1988, and so his Vice Presidential Pick would have to be competitive and popular enough to go through the lengthy nomination process and battle it out in the General election. With all of these potential factors in mind, President Bradley released his short list of candidates; Representative Charlie Wilson of Texas, Governor Bruce Babbit of Arizona, Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, Representative Lee Hamilton of Indiana, Governor Chuck Robb of Virginia, Senator John Glenn of Ohio, or Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas. Bradley’s team thoroughly vetted each candidate, and it was revealed that although immensely popular in their home states; Wilson, Robb and Clinton might be two much of a playboys and that they could get blocked from their nomination in the senate due to major ethical concerns over drugs, women etc. Babbit and Biden although had a squeaky clean records, many within the administration felt as if they were too unknowns from two relatively small states. Bradley’s final choices were Senator Glenn and Representative Hamilton…Glenn was the quintessential American hero, from Ohio a possible swing state in the upcoming election but was only four years younger than Bradley and had a reputation for being a lackluster campaigner. The 55 year old, Lee Hamilton was a 20 year Congressman from the traditional Republican stronghold of Indiana, Strongly foreign policy minded and still immensely popular for his achievement of the repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act in 1985. What Bradley needed was someone who possessed all of the best qualities of Hamilton and Glenn and none of their respective weaknesses

   On July 4th, at Liberty Island, during the reopening ceremony for the reconditioned Statue of Liberty, President Bradley revealed his nominee in…Senator Birch Bayh of Indiana. Many political pundits were utterly shocked at the pick, but generaly saw it as a smart move to shore up President Bradley’s questionable lack of Personal Charisma as well as an appeal to White-Working class voters, who still might be uncomfortable with the thought of a Black President. Bayh, A 58 year old Senator of the Hoosier state since 1963, Kennedy Ally and a champion for the left on Domestic issues...Birch fit in nicely to the progressive Bradley adminstration. After the Senate reconvened in September, Bayh with no illegalities being found was swiftly confirmed and sworn in as the nation’s 43rd Vice President of the United States on October 11th 1986. On October 15th President Bradley with his new Vice President at his side signed the Goldwater-Nichols Act into law which drastically changed the department of Defense and streamlined the chain of command. On November 12th 1986, President Bradley would venture to Reykjavik, Iceland to meet with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. The talks would be much like the late President Finch’s Geneva summit in 1985, and a majority of the conversation was focused on Gorbachev and Bradley getting to know each other better with no concrete decisions being made on disarmament.


Birch Evans Bayh II of Indiana, The 43rd Vice-President of the United States

[Historico]

1986 US Congressional/Gubernatorial Election

   
   In the Senate, Majority Leader Robert Byrd felt Bush’s Republican Party make inroads largely due to the six-year rule. Senator Barry Goldwater would win reelection for his final term, largely due to the fact he was adamant about something being done on the issue of Gay Rights. All in the GOP would pick up four seats...Ed Zschau in California, Dan Quayle in Indiana, Henson Moore in Louisiana, and Kit Bond in Missouri which would lower the Democrats filibuster proof majority to about 61 to 39. After Tip O’Neil’s retirement, the office of Speaker fell into the hands of 30 Year Representative Jim Wright of Texas. The Democrats would retain their majority, but the GOP mad major inroads in the South and the Midwest. In the Gubernatorial elections, The GOP would show their most gains with the victories of Guy Hunt in Alabama, John McCain in Arizona, Maureen Reagan (Re-elected) in California, William Scranton III in Pennsylvania, Carroll A. Campbell in South Carolina, George S. Mickleson in South Dakota, and Bill Clements in Texas.

1987 would prove to be an interesting year for the Bradley administration to say the least. Republicans had made slight gains in Congress during the 1986 Elections although the Democrats maintained their filibuster proof majority, it was apparent that Bradley did not have as strong of coattails as Finch once had. In his State of the Union address, Bradley called for sweeping legislation “On an issue that has long been over due, to ensure every American no matter their orientation those inalienable rights which we hold so dear.” After weeks of sorting out the details with Attorney General Wilkins, The Sexual Orientation Act of 1987 or SOA was introduced in March /co-sponsored by Republican Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona and Representative Barnett “Barney” Frank of Massachusetts, Frank publicly came out as gay in 1986. SOA had several provisions, which included adoption, benefits coverage, and visitation rights for Homosexual couples. It would also grant full custody, prohibited discrimination through the workplace as well as allocated millions of dollars into AIDS research and Prevention. President Bradley would ignore the advice of his Defense Secretary Les Aspin, and sign a an executive order which ended the military ban on Homosexuals serving in the military, opening enlistment to everyone regardless of Sexual Orientation.


Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona introducing the Sexual Orientation Act of 1987 to Congress.

   The President knew he would face tough congressional opposition, as 35 Republican Senators were staunchly opposed to the Gay Rights Bill passage, led by Senate Judiciary Committee Strom Thurmond. Bradley would also face major from the Christian Right, especially targeted by Moral Majority leader Jerry Falwell, who was quoted in speaking out against SOA when he said “AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals, it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals!” For the most part, Bradley leaned on his Congressional Democrats who faithfully supported their President except for a handful of Southern Conservatives, which was supplemented by Rockefeller Republican support in the Northeast. Public opinion was evenly divided according to polling data from Gallup and Rasmussen with 45 % in favor and 45% opposed with 5% unsure. While Congress recessed for the summer President Bradley along with Vice President Bayh and other major surrogates would embark on a major national tour for three months to build support for the Gay Rights Bill. The ardors journey proved not to be in vain, as Public Support jumped to about 55% for SOA. In September, that public support finally pushed the bill out of committee and to the Senate for a vote where it passed on a razor thin 60 to 40 margin. SOA, after a few weeks of thick discussions in the House, was passed on a fairly comfortable margin for the President. Surrounded by leaders of the LGBT community, President Bradley signed the Sexual Orientation Act of 1987 in to law, as he said “An important step in ensuring every American the right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness has just been accomplished.”


President Bradley in Los Angeles, California on the stump for the Gay Rights Bill

   In US-Soviet Relations, Secretary Gorbachev made another large step in the reduction of nuclear arms on July 22nd 1987, when he publicly announced that he wanted to negotiate a ban on intermediate-range nuclear missiles without preconditions. Gorbachev’s change of heart was largely due to worsening economic outlook for the Soviet Union and he needed to drastic cuts in the USSR’s Defense Spending. Back channel talks confirmed what Brzezinski had already predicted that Gorbachev’s reforms would push the Soviet Union to the breaking point, and that the communist government might fall sooner than he had anticipated. Both Brzezinski and Defense Secretary Aspin gave President Bradley the green light to sign the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which eliminated a an entire class of Nuclear Weapons on December 8th. With the passage of the SOA, the INF Treaty, and approval rating floating mid to high 50’s…President Bradley strongly considered running for a second term on his own right. After he consulted with his family, physicians, and Democratic Leaders…Tom Bradley officially announced his intention to seek reelection during a massive gala for his 70th Birthday on December 29th 1987.

[Historico]

Any thoughts on my latest installment?

[HappyWarrior]

Excellent update, though I was hoping for a VP Biden or Wilson.

[Historico]

Excellent update, though I was hoping for a VP Biden or Wilson.

Thanks for the reply Happy Warrior...btw I just changed Bradley's VP from Hamilton to Senator Birch Bayh of Indiana. After mulling it over Hamilton had the same problems that Charlie Wilson had, besides the drugs and womanizing,. That although a popular Congressmen, whose knowledge of the the foriegn policy arena is staggering but it may not be enough to swing their respective home states into the Democratic Electoral columns. Bayh wasn't to old at the time, and Biden probably would have balanced the ticket a little more but he does have a way of ruining things for himself lol.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Since Bradley did not run for Governor in 1982 and was previously elected to the Senate, this mean no "Bradley effect" term ever coined

This is one of the best timelines I've ever read. Two successive President died in office, I hope Bradley won't be the third, despite his advanced age.

[Historico]

Since Bradley did not run for Governor in 1982 and was previously elected to the Senate, this meant no "Bradley effect" term ever coined

This is one of the best timelines I've ever read. Two successive President died in office, I hope Bradley won't be the third, despite his advanced age.

We'll the Bradley Effect may or may not be coined ITTL, my lips are sealed for the moment lol. Thanks for the reply Kal,  It really helps me keep this bird going.

[Historico]

Peace, Prosperity and Progress: The 1988 US Presidential Election

The 1988 Democratic Nomination

   Due to President Bradley’s relatively late entry into the race for the Democratic nation, many candidates had already began actively campaigning in fall of ’87 in thought that they might face sitting Vice President Bayh rather than the incumbent President. Out of these candidates, three young upstarts emerged as potential threats to the President’s nomination chances. The first to announce on June 9th 1987 was that of Senator Joseph R. “Joe” Biden Jr. of Delaware. Joe, A 45 year old Pennsylvania-native with strong oratorical skills, fundraising ability, and moderate policy views; would focus most of his efforts in his home regions of the northeast and the industrial belt. On July 4th, 1987 Albert A. “Al” Gore Jr. announced his intentions to seek the nomination. The 39 year old, Senator from Tennessee was largely considered the youngest serious Presidential candidate since John F. Kennedy, campaigned as a Southern Centrist, opposed to government funding of abortions and largely pro-gun. The Dark Horse candidate in the race was that of 46 year old Representative Richard A. “Dick’’ Gephardt of Missouri, who entered the race on August 23rd. Not really taken seriously as a candidate until, Gephardt was able to distinguish himself as the darling favorite of Labor. His conservative to moderate domestic policy views made him the popular favorite son of the Midwest.


Senator Joe Biden and family on the Campaign trail

   The 70 year old incumbent President’s entry in to race drastically changed the dynamics of the race. After making a few calls, Bradley was able to reawaken the late President Finch’s gargantuan grassroots support from the 1984 campaign. Despite having two Senators and one Representative in the race, the Democratic Party Congressional leadership faithfully backed their president and actively campaigned with Bradley. One February 8th 1988, Drug Czar Harold Hughes would be able to bring in a close win in his home state of Iowa for Bradley over Representative Gephardt. The win in Iowa would seem to reinvigorate the senior-citizen President, as Tom changed his image from the view of him as a Parliamentarian elder statesman and returned back to his mayoral roots. Bradley would use as his base overwhelming minority support, from the urban bosses and surprisingly captured the youth vote for his promise of “The Best America is yet to come!” While President Bradley reorganized his campaign strategy, Senator Joe Biden came away with a win in New Hampshire on the 16th, followed by a Gephardt win in South Dakota on February 23rd.


Representative Dick Gephardt of Missouri, Campaign Brochure

March Madness would come to be the best way to describe the second month of the Democratic Primaries. Senator Biden would kick off the month with a resounding win in the State of Vermont. However both President Bradley and Senator Gore would look toward Super Tuesday to regain or gain significant momentum to bring them closer to the nomination. However, in 1988 Southern Democrats had planned to host a regional primary in an effort to nominate a more moderate candidate that represented their values. However, due to high Black, Latino and Yuppie voter turnout…Bradley would win a majority of the states, which included Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Gore would only walk away with Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, his home state of Tennessee and a Pyrrhic win in Texas due to Caucus Delegate rules. Gephardt would also suffer a major blow to his campaign due to his sole win in his home state of Missouri. The Congressman would have to beg for Labor to stay with him until later in the primaries. Later in the month, President Bradley would add to his growing Delegate totals with strong victories in Illinois on March 15th, Kansas on March 19th and Michigan on March 26th.


Senator Al Gore after his disapointing performance in Super Tuesday

   Senator Gore, after his lackluster performance in the Super Tuesday contests and the subsequent big Industrial states officially ended his campaign on April 1st. At a large campaign rally in Milwaukee the weekend before the Wisconsin Primary on April 5th, Gore endorsed his President and urged his delegates to switch their support. The gesture ensured Bradley a narrow victory of Dick Gephardt in the Badger state. Senator Biden however, after a fresh victory in Connecticut during the last week of March decided to continue his campaign to at least his home state of Pennsylvania slated at the end of April. Bradley would snatch up the delegate rich state of New York, while Biden succeeded in his goal as he won his home states of Delaware and Pennsylvania. Gephardt would also be able to try to position himself as the “comeback” kid with a sweep of Midwest states; Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. However, those wins would prove to largely be in vain as President Bradley effectively clinched the nomination on May 3rd with wins in Ohio and Indiana. After the June Primary wins, both Gephardt and Biden would withdraw from the race and endorse President Tom Bradley.

Final Results of the Democratic Primaries

   At the 1988 Democratic Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, the theme that filled the Omni was that of party unity and historic celebration as incumbent President Tomas Bradley was the first African American nominated by either two major parties for President. A stirring tribute to the life and work of the late President Finch was given by his dear friend Treasury Secretary Russell B. Long in which he said “I know in my heart that Cliff and Ted are looking down us now and smiling at this grand step we’ve taken not only as a party but as a nation. The Keynote Speaker would fall into the hands of the charismatic yet somewhat controversial Rev. Jesse L. Jackson who was rumored to have plans for either a Senatorial/Gubernatorial run in 1990. In his address, Jackson stressed that “Suffering breeds character, character breeds faith. In the end faith will not disappoint for you must… Keep hope alive…always Keep hope alive!” With that being said, President Bradley and Vice President Bayh received their party’s nomination by acclamation. Tom Bradley in his acceptance speech declared that “For I know the load will not be easy and that someone who bravely dares must sometimes risk a fall. But the Democratic Party has bestowed upon me their faith as did a loving; caring teacher took a liking to me many years ago. She, much like I see today in America, noticed the potential and wanted to shape it…and that’s why I proudly accept my party’s nomination for President!”


Rev. Jesse Jackson giving the Keynote Address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention.

[Historico]

The 1988 Republican Nomination

   If the 1988 Democratic Primary Race was analogous to Odysseus defeat of the young suitors/usurpers to the throne on his return home to Ithaca, the 1988 Republican Primary Race was that of an old school Western shootout, as many equally strong candidates emerged in a dogfight. The early frontrunner in the race was that of former Vice President Howard H. Baker Jr. of Tennessee who announced his candidacy in March of 1987. The “Great Conciliator” ran on his record of Bi-partisanship and moderate to conservative Domestic policy views, which allowed him to become acceptable in his home region of the evangelical South. He received endorsements from Senate Majority Leader George H.W. Bush, Governor Caroll Campbell of South Carolina, Reverend Jerry Falwell and former President John Volpe of Massachusetts. But yet support for Baker’s candidacy was not widespread throughout the GOP, as Republican leaders split over the remaining four candidates.


Former Vice President Howard Baker at a campaign Fundraising event.

   Many of the party faithful felt as if former Vice President Baker was to intricately involved in the disastrous Volpe Administration of the 70’s. The voters who sought change in Party leadership and direction almost split evenly on regional lines. In the Northeast, moderate six year Governor Thomas Kean of New Jersey received support from Representative Jack Kemp of New York, Governor Pete Du Pont of Delaware, and Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. His stress for a need of Social Justice often clashed with the growing social conservative movement while campaigning in the Southern States. In the Midwest, Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum of Kansas set out to accomplish what her late father; former Governor Alf Landon of Kansas could not in 1932 and win the Presidency. Kassebaum wrapped herself in her moderate record in the Senate, and proposed creation of New Deal-like farm relief programs. The Kansas Senator received endorsements from Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, Senator Larry Pressler of South Dakota and failed 1984 nominee Bob Kasten of Wisconsin. Lastly, the growing Libertarian wing of the party in the Far West supported Senator Barry Goldwater Jr. of California. Goldwater ran primarily against the Triumvirate’s (Kennedy, Finch and Bradley) major domestic programs but also supported his father’s stance on Gay Rights and Equal Rights for Women. His candidacy was endorsed by Governor Maureen Reagan of California, Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Senator Orin Hatch of Utah and former President Ronald Reagan.
    

Governor Thomas Kean, at a campaign stop at Fort Dix


The 1988 Republican Primary season kicked off with the Iowa Caucus on February 8th with a win by Senator Kassebaum by a narrow plurality, with former Vice President Baker and Senator Goldwater tied for second. However, Governor Kean would not like his last place finish in the caucus deter him for his Presidential ambitions, as he followed with a resounding win in the New Hampshire Primary on February 16th. Senator Goldwater surprised most of his critics with a strong second place finish to Senator Kassebaum win in South Dakota on February 23rd. In the lead up to the Super Tuesday contests, Tom Kean would be lead all candidate in total states won with his wins in Maine and Vermont. Former Vice President Howard Baker had allocated most of his time and resources during the first phase of the campaign in to the state of South Carolina, as he knew that he could not sustain a loss in his home region and be seen as a viable candidate. The Great Conciliator’s hard work bore fruit on March 5th as the Palmetto state rewarded the almost 64 year old man his first victory and the title of the “Comeback Kid”


Senator Nancy Landon Kassembaum of Kansas

Baker would even gain further “Big Momentum” as supporter Senator Bush called it after his stunning success in the Southern Dominated Super Tuesday Primaries. On March 8th, Baker carried the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and his home state of Tennessee. Massachusetts and Rhode Island were carried by Governor Kean while Senator Kassebaum picked up narrow wins in Missouri and Oklahoma. The true battleground area for all four candidates would be the Industrial belt, with the delegate rich states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The first of these states would be Illinois on March 15th, in which Nancy Kassebaum achieved a mere plurality win followed by Baker, Goldwater and Kean followed close behind. The March primaries would end with a not too surprising win in Connecticut for Governor Kean.


Senator Barry Goldwater Jr. and Former President Ronald Reagan

   In April, the Primary season became particularly bloody, as all candidates ramped up the character/record attacks against each other as all wanted to gain the status as the presumptive nominee. It would prove to be of no avail, as the candidates continued to trade victories. Kassebaum walked away with a win in Wisconsin and Kean eked out a narrow win in Pennsylvania. May would see continued bloodletting, as on the first Tuesday of the month, Senator Goldwater achieved his first Primary victory with his libertarian message finding a receptive ear in the Hoosier State of Indiana while former Vice President Baker added the Buckeye to his delegation totals. On May 10th, Baker and Kassebaum would have to split victories once again with a Baker win in West Virginia and a Kassebaum win in Nebraska. However, it would be the Goldwater Campaign reinvigorated by their Indiana win in April succeeded with victories in Oregon and Idaho. The final month of Primaries in June would prove to sum up a truly divided Republican party unsure about its future role in the nation; as on June 7th Goldwater carried Wyoming and his home state of California, Kean carried his home state of New Jersey, Baker carried New Mexico and Kassebaum carried North Dakota and Montana.

Final Results of the 1988 Republican Primaries

   By the time of the Republican National Convention in The Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana in mid August no candidate was even close to having even barely the necessary amount of Delegates to clinch the nomination. Results after the 1st ballot had Baker in the lead with 620 Delegates, Kassebaum with 570 Delegates, Kean with 430 Delegates, and Goldwater with 390 Delegates with 1007 needed for victory. Howard Baker showed his skills of compromise, in a move similar to the smoke filled backrooms deals of old met with both Senator Nancy Kassebaum and Governor Thomas Kean. The Former Vice President under the banner of Party Unity offered both rivals either the Vice Presidency or Secretary of State/Bargain of pledged support in the ’92 Election if Baker was unsuccessful in his bid for the Presidency. Kassebaum agreed to join Baker as his running mate, and Kean openly endorsed the former Vice President which gave Baker the necessary delegate totals to clinch the nomination. Goldwater was enraged by the backroom deal, and he and his entire delegation stormed out of the Convention. Baker in his acceptance speech declared that “The greatness of America has always been written in the confidence of her people as they summon the will to shape their future. Throughout our history, days of trouble have turned to years of pride through a renaissance of the American spirit. Once again America knows days of trouble. Once again we will recover in pride. But only if we are honest enough to admit our peril…Watch me. Judge me. Then come with me. Let's reach for the future and make it ours!”

[Historico]

The 1988 General Election


The 1988 US Presidential General Election campaign started off in full, when after two weeks of intense discussions and negotiations, Senator Barry Goldwater Jr. publicly endorsed the Libertarian ticket of Representative Ron Paul of TX and State Rep. Andre Marrou of Alaska. Goldwater urged his supporters, and fundraising clientele to support the Doctor from Lake Jackson. Paul who had polled around 5% by numerous Polling firms, numbers jumped to almost 25% by September in the campaign. The Representative was seen as the libertarian standard barer, campaigned heavily across the nation as he attracted voters who supported his stance on fiscal conservatism, home schooling and in regards to abortion. Paul ferociously attacked President Bradley as his “Accidency” and on his irresponsible growth of the federal government. The Texan would also portray former Vice President Baker as a throwback to the Reagan Era of the ‘70’s who couldn’t provide the necessary leadership to lead the nation in a rapidly changing world. Paul on the campaign trail, would focus on the Youth vote regardless of eligibility as he said, “We're just as interested in the future generation as this election. These kids will vote eventually, and maybe, just maybe, they'll go home and talk to their parents…And that's why we talk to a lot of young people. They're the ones who are paying these bills, they're the ones who are inheriting this debt, so it's most likely these young people who will move into this next generation in government."


Dr. Ron Paul of Texas during a televised Town Hall Debate

   Howard H. Baker Jr., along with his running mate Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum struggled to portray the GOP as unified during the early phase of the campaign. The Party’s Social Conservatives were split between Baker and Paul, largely due to Baker’s Southern roots was often in conflict with his Pro-Choice stance. Baker also supported many of the President’s social programs, but campaigned on cutting irresponsible pork-barrel projects, including NASA’s increased funding for manned Space Exploration and a reduction in defense spending due to relaxed tensions between the Soviet Union. The former Vice President called for a traditional Republican economic policy including a Balanced Budget and across the board tax cuts, these Old School positions would find him in disagreement with Supply-Side Advocate Jack Kemp of New York. With lukewarm backing from the evangelical South, Baker had no choice but to go Negative in his strategy. Campaign Manager Lee Atwater delicately walked a tightrope with his strategy against President Bradley. Not wanting to come off as outright racist, Atwater played on White Voters fears that a Black man didn’t share the same traditional values as them. This strategy allowed the Baker campaign to make significant inroads in the South and in the Industrial states.


Baker/Kassembaum's campaign Bumper Sticker

   President Bradley on the other hand ran what has now been coined as a “Rose Garden” Strategy, where he focused on his achievements as President and as a tested leader. Many of his campaign commercials focused on President Bradley vigorously at work in the White House signing away various pieces of Legislation. Bradley would also visit Moscow in October of 1988 for further talks and tour of the Soviet Union for a stature enhance trip. His Campaign slogan would be “Vote the President 4 Peace, Prosperity and Progress!”, and would focus on a continuation of friendly relations with the Soviet Union, continued economic growth, and continued Progressive legislation to move the nation into the 21st Century. He would focus a majority of his campaign registering black voters in the South and the Industrial states, as well as major Stadium events in order for White Working class voters to become more comfortable with the idea of a Black President and shook off questions about his advanced Age.



President Tom Bradley at a Campaign stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

   As the final month of the campaign neared, polling numbers from Gallup and Rasmussen showed a virtual deadlock with Bradley at 35%, Baker at 31% and Paul at 28%, with 5% unsure. With such a large share of the population apparently supporting Paul’s candidacy, both the Bradley/Bayh and Baker/Kassebaum campaigns agreed that the American People deserved to here all views and allowed the Libertarian Ticket entry into the two Presidential Debates and the single Vice Presidential Debate. The 1st debate to be held on October 5th, was the Vice Presidential Debate, where both Vice President Bayh and Senator Kassebaum seemed well versed in both areas of Domestic and Foreign Policy. State Rep Marrou seemed to struggle, with some of the more complex issues and appeared too many viewers to have been spoon fed most of his answers, and attacked both candidates for being “two sides of the same coin”. After being asked about his marital problems, Marrou replied “I don’t see the Merit in that line of questioning, I mean even Jack Kennedy had marital problems.” However, Vice President Bayh now infamously replied back “Mr. Marrou, I knew Jack Kennedy. I served with Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy!”. The remark almost instantaneously, gave Bradley a bump in the polls, which was almost evaporated by October 13th in the 1st Presidential Debate by President Bradley poor performance, where he seemed confused at several times during the debate, which was generally thought of as a Baker victory. At the last debate on October 28th, President Bradley dismissed many questions about his Age, with an answer targeted at Dr. Paul when he stated that, “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth, inexperience and radicalism.” Bradley would also sum up his major argument against former Vice President Baker in his closing statement when he said, “The question I ask of you America, Do you want to return to a world of stagflation, benign neglect, and live under the constant threat of nuclear war?"

   By Tuesday, November 1988 as results poured in word came that America was still split over all three candidates. Recounts had to be in Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia, largely due to Paul split of the Republican Vote in those states and as something now termed as the Bradley effect. The Bradley effect is a theory proposed to explain observed discrepancies between voter opinion polls and election outcomes in some US government elections where a white candidate and a minority candidate run against each other. Instead of ascribing the results to flawed methodology on the part of the pollster, the theory proposes that some voters tend to tell pollsters that they are undecided or likely to vote for a black candidate, and yet, on election day, vote for his white opponent. Largely due to Vice President Bayh’s last minute campaigning in his home state, Bradley was able to win the Hoosier state by a margin of less than a half percent, thus ensuring him a second term as President.


President Bradley giving his victory speech

Thomas J. Bradley/ Birch E. Bayh: 276 Electoral Votes
Howard H. Baker/Nancy L. Kassebaum: 259 Electoral Votes
Ron Paul/Andre V. Marrou: 3 Electoral Votes

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

And the United States elects their first African American President 20 years before as in OTL

Now waiting for President Bradley full term

[Historico]

And the United States elects their first African American President 20 years before as in OTL

Not waiting for President Bradley full term

Thanks for the reply Kal, Yeah the way that I see it the Democratic Party came pretty close to nominating Jesse Jackson in 1988, and in my timeline, Bradley as more of a moderate, experienced Incumbent Presidency has enough support to win over voters in a ridicuosly close election.

[pragmatic liberal]

So do Howard Baker and Nancy Landon Kassebaum get married like in real life?

(Wouldn't that be something - if the President and Vice President got hitched?)

[Historico]

Yeah...they might actually get married earlier ITTL, as it would make some great Tabloid candy if rumors started emerge that Baker and Kassembaum started to see eachother during the 1988 Campaign..lol

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

When can we expect the new update? I'm dying to see President Bradley 2nd term and thereafter

[defe07]

The 1988 General Election


The 1988 US Presidential General Election campaign started off in full, when after two weeks of intense discussions and negotiations, Senator Barry Goldwater Jr. publicly endorsed the Libertarian ticket of Representative Ron Paul of TX and State Rep. Andre Marrou of Alaska. Goldwater urged his supporters, and fundraising clientele to support the Doctor from Lake Jackson. Paul who had polled around 5% by numerous Polling firms, numbers jumped to almost 25% by September in the campaign. The Representative was seen as the libertarian standard barer, campaigned heavily across the nation as he attracted voters who supported his stance on fiscal conservatism, home schooling and in regards to abortion. Paul ferociously attacked President Bradley as his “Accidency” and on his irresponsible growth of the federal government. The Texan would also portray former Vice President Baker as a throwback to the Reagan Era of the ‘70’s who couldn’t provide the necessary leadership to lead the nation in a rapidly changing world. Paul on the campaign trail, would focus on the Youth vote regardless of eligibility as he said, “We're just as interested in the future generation as this election. These kids will vote eventually, and maybe, just maybe, they'll go home and talk to their parents…And that's why we talk to a lot of young people. They're the ones who are paying these bills, they're the ones who are inheriting this debt, so it's most likely these young people who will move into this next generation in government."


Dr. Ron Paul of Texas during a televised Town Hall Debate

   Howard H. Baker Jr., along with his running mate Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum struggled to portray the GOP as unified during the early phase of the campaign. The Party’s Social Conservatives were split between Baker and Paul, largely due to Baker’s Southern roots was often in conflict with his Pro-Choice stance. Baker also supported many of the President’s social programs, but campaigned on cutting irresponsible pork-barrel projects, including NASA’s increased funding for manned Space Exploration and a reduction in defense spending due to relaxed tensions between the Soviet Union. The former Vice President called for a traditional Republican economic policy including a Balanced Budget and across the board tax cuts, these Old School positions would find him in disagreement with Supply-Side Advocate Jack Kemp of New York. With lukewarm backing from the evangelical South, Baker had no choice but to go Negative in his strategy. Campaign Manager Lee Atwater delicately walked a tightrope with his strategy against President Bradley. Not wanting to come off as outright racist, Atwater played on White Voters fears that a Black man didn’t share the same traditional values as them. This strategy allowed the Baker campaign to make significant inroads in the South and in the Industrial states.


Baker/Kassembaum's campaign Bumper Sticker

   President Bradley on the other hand ran what has now been coined as a “Rose Garden” Strategy, where he focused on his achievements as President and as a tested leader. Many of his campaign commercials focused on President Bradley vigorously at work in the White House signing away various pieces of Legislation. Bradley would also visit Moscow in October of 1988 for further talks and tour of the Soviet Union for a stature enhance trip. His Campaign slogan would be “Vote the President 4 Peace, Prosperity and Progress!”, and would focus on a continuation of friendly relations with the Soviet Union, continued economic growth, and continued Progressive legislation to move the nation into the 21st Century. He would focus a majority of his campaign registering black voters in the South and the Industrial states, as well as major Stadium events in order for White Working class voters to become more comfortable with the idea of a Black President and shook off questions about his advanced Age.



President Tom Bradley at a Campaign stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

   As the final month of the campaign neared, polling numbers from Gallup and Rasmussen showed a virtual deadlock with Bradley at 35%, Baker at 31% and Paul at 28%, with 5% unsure. With such a large share of the population apparently supporting Paul’s candidacy, both the Bradley/Bayh and Baker/Kassebaum campaigns agreed that the American People deserved to here all views and allowed the Libertarian Ticket entry into the two Presidential Debates and the single Vice Presidential Debate. The 1st debate to be held on October 5th, was the Vice Presidential Debate, where both Vice President Bayh and Senator Kassebaum seemed well versed in both areas of Domestic and Foreign Policy. State Rep Marrou seemed to struggle, with some of the more complex issues and appeared too many viewers to have been spoon fed most of his answers, and attacked both candidates for being “two sides of the same coin”. After being asked about his marital problems, Marrou replied “I don’t see the Merit in that line of questioning, I mean even Jack Kennedy had marital problems.” However, Vice President Bayh now infamously replied back “Mr. Marrou, I knew Jack Kennedy. I served with Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy!”. The remark almost instantaneously, gave Bradley a bump in the polls, which was almost evaporated by October 13th in the 1st Presidential Debate by President Bradley poor performance, where he seemed confused at several times during the debate, which was generally thought of as a Baker victory. At the last debate on October 28th, President Bradley dismissed many questions about his Age, with an answer targeted at Dr. Paul when he stated that, “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth, inexperience and radicalism.” Bradley would also sum up his major argument against former Vice President Baker in his closing statement when he said, “The question I ask of you America, Do you want to return to a world of stagflation, benign neglect, and live under the constant threat of nuclear war?"

   By Tuesday, November 1988 as results poured in word came that America was still split over all three candidates. Recounts had to be in Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia, largely due to Paul split of the Republican Vote in those states and as something now termed as the Bradley effect. The Bradley effect is a theory proposed to explain observed discrepancies between voter opinion polls and election outcomes in some US government elections where a white candidate and a minority candidate run against each other. Instead of ascribing the results to flawed methodology on the part of the pollster, the theory proposes that some voters tend to tell pollsters that they are undecided or likely to vote for a black candidate, and yet, on election day, vote for his white opponent. Largely due to Vice President Bayh’s last minute campaigning in his home state, Bradley was able to win the Hoosier state by a margin of less than a half percent, thus ensuring him a second term as President.


President Bradley giving his victory speech

Thomas J. Bradley/ Birch E. Bayh: 276 Electoral Votes
Howard H. Baker/Nancy L. Kassebaum: 259 Electoral Votes
Ron Paul/Andre V. Marrou: 3 Electoral Votes

What was the national popular vote? Which were the closest states? Do you think you could please break it down state by state?

[TommyC1776]

Good TL.

[Historico]

Ok here is a lil teaser to hold you folks over untill I can deliver my next full installment.
*******

1988 US Congressional/Gubernatorial Election
   
With the narrow victory of President Bradley in a hotly contested three-man race against former Vice President Baker and Congressman Paul, The results from the Senate proved to be just as mixed. All in the GOP would pick up six seats narrowing the Democratic majority to 55 to 45. Important pickups included Connie Mack III in Florida, Trent Lott in Mississippi, Conrad Burns of Montana, Susan Engeleiter of Wisconsin, George Voinovich of Ohio, and Pete Wilson in California. In the House, Jim Wright would narrowly keep his majority, all of which gave the GOP an optimistic outlook on possibly taking Congress in 1990. The Republican Party would also make gains in the twelve gubernatorial contests across the country, which was shown by victories won by John Ashcroft of Missouri, Stan Stephens of Montana, Judd Gregg in New Hampshire, James G. Martin in North Carolina. In one of the most fascinating race, was that of Merrill Cook in Utah, who ran on a fusion Independent-Libertarian Ticket pulled of an incredibly narrow victory over Republican Norman Bangerter and Democrat Ted Wilson largely due to Congressman’s Paul’s popularity in the state. As the results from his narrow electoral victory and GOP gains in Congress, President Bradley understood that he would have to compromise if he wanted to accomplish many of promised reforms in his second term.

[Historico]

Never Give Up: The 2nd Term of Thomas J. Bradley

   Almost 200 years to the day, when the man who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen…George Washington became the nation’s 1st President…Thomas J. Bradley became the 1st African American elected President. With First Lady Ethel at his side, as well in front of the largest amassed audience for an Inauguration do many in the American Public wanting to be apart of the momentous occasion. Bradley’s Inaugural address highlighted his achievements in his 1st term and what he had hoped to accomplish both domestically and abroad in his 2nd. The most memorable line of his speech would come at its end, when Bradley said “The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams are you…And most importantly never give up. Keep your thoughts and your mind always on the goal!” In forming his Cabinet, President Bradley brought new life into his administration with a large reshuffle of many open positions. The change of pace however was seen by many as sorely needed.

Secretary of State: Jeane Kirkpatrick
Secretary of Treasury: Robert Rubin
Secretary of Defense: Ronald V. “Ron” Dellums
Attorney General: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Secretary of Interior: Federico Pena
National Security Advisor: Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of Commerce: Ralph Nader
Secretary of Labor: Robert P. Casey Sr.
Secretary of Agriculture: Robert D. “Bob” Bullock
Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare: Patsy Mink
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Dianne Feinstein
Secretary of Energy: Hazel O’ Leary
Secretary of Transportation: H. John Heinz III

   Modeled after his own vision, Bradley’s handpicked successors to the legacy of the Kennedy-Finch years seemed well equipped to handle to challenges of the post-cold war era. The First Female Secretary of State to be nominated, Jeane Kirkpatrick was known as a staunch Scoop Jackson Neoconservative, who served as NSA during the Kennedy/Finch years and a strong successor to the Brezinski doctrine. For Defense Secretary, Bradley chose House Armed Services Committee Chairman and close friend Ron Dellums to succeed Les Aspin largely due to the major disagreements the President had over certain aspects of his foreign policy. The Position of National Security Advisor would be handed to Professor Condoleezza Rice of Stanford University for her captivating knowledge of the Soviet Union and Eastern European Affairs.


Secretary of State Kirkpatrick briefing former President Reagan about China.

For the President’ Domestic Policy team, It was headed by former Goldman Sachs VP and economics guru Robert Rubin as the Secretary of Treasury. Intelligent Congresswoman Kathleen Kennedy Townsend at Attorney General showed Bradley continued insistence on having a truly progressive cabinet. Tom also brought in popular Denver Mayor Federico Pena to replace retiring Manuel Lujan at Secretary of Interior. Bradley would also be able to convince, Independent Consumer Protection advocate to come into his administration as the nation’s top Industry representative. A reward to the White Working class voters who supported his ’88 campaign, Bradley nominated Governor Robert P. Casey of Pennsylvania for Labor Secretary. An Irish-American Democratic “Pol” of the old school, Casey would work hand in hand with President Bradley to try to better articulate their ideal form of Activist government. The President brought in the nonpartisan Kingmaker Bob Bullock of Texas to fill the vacated seat of fellow Texas Sissy Farenthold. Congresswoman Mink was chosen as HEW Secretary for her long-term support for Education and Welfare Reform. The Position of HUD Secretary was given to moderate Jewish Mayor Dianne Feinstein largely due to her first hand handling of the growing AIDS epidemic. Northern Power States Power Company President Hazel O’ Leary was brought into fill Zorinski’s vacated position as Energy Secretary. Finally, the token Republican in the administration would go to moderate Senator John Heinz of Pennsylvania at Transportation Secretary
   
The 41st President soon made good on his promise to the American People, as he and his administration smoothly made the transition of power into the White House. His first true test of his skills as President of the United States came in the form, by compiling his first budget on February 9th, which is originally hailed as a success modeled his largely fiscally conservative policy initiatives and to contrast himself with his predecessor’s rather expensive budget plans.  Bradley also knew that the growing deficit was the biggest roadblocks in helping America regain her place in the word, so through the year he would continue to work with the 101st congress to create a plan to solve the nation’s greatest economic issue. One of his biggest challenges within his first full year in office would be appointing nominees to fill the vacated seats of retiring justices Warren E. Burger and Lewis F. Powell. In order to fill the position of Chief Justice, Tom looked for a candidate that would be able to judge with a bipartisan persona yet also shape out judicial decisions that would cement his legacy for Generations to come. After thorough vetting, Bradley chose liberal New York Governor Mario Cuomo to fill the vacated seat. With no illegalities being found, Cuomo was narrowly confirmed, and was sworn in as the nation’s 1st Italian-American Justice on March 14th. Later in 1989, Bradley chose the moderate 42 year old 5th circuit Appeals judge Emilo M. Garza to replace Powell’s vacated seat. The first Hispanic American to be nominated, although questions were brought by Republican members on the House Judiciary on his level of experience, Garza was swiftly confirmed as both Democrats and Republicans wanted to gain in the fast



16th Chief Justice of the United States...Mario Cuomo of New York

   Abroad, President Bradley was able to flex his strong stance on Foreign Policy through the crises in Panama and China. Upon returning to the White House, Bradley n kept the freeze put in place by President Finch and what he continued in his second term on all Panamanian assets in US banks and, due to the increased tensions between Americans and Pro-Noriega supporters, He also pursued a more aggressive economic sanctions against the Central American country. However by, May of 1989 it soon became apparent that the US, may have to commit troops on the ground in order to depose Noriega, after he annulled a Presidential election that would have given the post to Guillermo Endara and viscously put down protesters who spoke out against the fraud.  In private conversation with Secretary of State Kirkpatrick, and Secretary of Defense Dellums, President Bradley labored for hours upon whether or not to “Sending out boys to die in another war in some god forsaken jungle.” initiated Operation CRUSH, and sent 1,900 troops into Panama in order to resolve the situation. The situation finally cumulated in December, when Noriega declared himself Dictator of Panama and issued a declaration of war against the United States. Following the death of an American Serviceman, President Bradley with the support of his newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell angrily declared a full invasion of Panama under the name of Operation SMOKEOUT citing the need to protect American lives, restoration of democracy, combat drug trafficking and to enforce the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. He committed more than 10,000 American troops to join with the 12,000 already stationed in Panama. Within a few days, Noriega’s PDF forces were completely subdued and by the end of the year, the main focus of the Operation changed to finding the exiled Noriega.

   In China, President Bradley provided a much more tempered response to the atrocities committed by the Chinese Government in Tiananmen Square. Thousands of protesters were killed and tens of thousands were arrested much to the American Public’s dismay. To match, the Public disapproval of the actions of the Chinese Government President Bradley swiftly ordered sanctions against China in the form of a ban on arms/police equipment shipment, cessation of high-level talks with Chinese officials, suspension of talks on nuclear cooperation, froze funds for the expansion of US/China trade and declared that sanctions would not be lifted until that China made progress in the area of Human Rights. The old Californian would see his approval rating from the American people and Congress skyrocket after the sanctions were imposed and continued more or less at a high rate throughout the year.


The Iconic Tiananmen Square Showdown