By a Fluke of the Gods: Cox Defeats Harding

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 11-08-1994
Event Description: The Midterm Elections pan out for the Democratic Party, but not in the landslide way that New Gingrich was hoping for. While the Democrats take control of the Senate by defeating eight incumbent Republican senators, with the very conservative John Ashcroft (Democrat of Missouri) and Rick Santorum (Democrat of Pennsylvania) going off to the higher chamber of Congress, they fail to win control of the House of Representatives. In New York State, Mayor Giuliani defeats former Secretary of State Daniel Moynihan by a 53-47% margin, closer than was expected at the beginning of the year. In Massachusetts, Republican businessman Mitt Romney is elected to U.S. Senate, besting Democratic businessman Andrew Card. The very expensive and negative race between Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Mark Huffington in California ends in a Huffington victory, thanks to a last second court ruling invalidating more than 80,000 newly registered Mexican immigrant voters. This ruling was seen by the Feinstein Campaign as politically motivated and racially insensitive. In the gubernatorial bouts, President Jackson is given a black eye when State Senator Mark Singel, the man he beat to a pulp in 1990, wins an upset victory over incumbent Republican Governor Barbara Hafer, Jackson’s former Lieutenant Governor. In Illinois, Republican Governor Jim Edgar is narrowly edged out by Democratic attorney Hillary Rodham, who becomes the first woman governor in the history of Illinois.

Event Date: 11-10-1994
Event Description: The European Community announces that they will begin a series of continent wide referendums which will establish the European Union. This announcement is met in the United States with both applause and skepticism. While Vice-President Clinton applauds the policy of, “Freer trade and communication amongst the nations of Europe,” former Nixon aide Pat Buchanan tells the New York Times that he “Smells a rat. This could be the first step to a one world government which would override American sovereignty.” Although NAFTA unites the North American continent through trade, the Jackson Administration assures the country that there are no plans to create a North American Union.

Event Date: 11-13-1994
Event Description: Former Congressman and 1992 presidential candidate Ron Paul announces his candidacy for the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States in 1996. “The announcement of a European Union calls for a president who will fight a North American Union,” Congressman Paul declares in his announcement address, “I run for president to keep the promise of the Founding Father’s alive: that we will be a nation which protects the rights to life, liberty and property.” Paul’s supporters come alive throughout the nation, celebrating the resurrection of the “Ron Paul Revolution.”

Event Date: 12-04-1994
Event Description: Roger Stone reports to Newt Gingrich, still stewing over the Democrat’s inability to win the House of Representatives. “I’ve got the dirt on Clinton,” Stone tells Gingrich, who’s demeanor immediately changes. It turns out that Congressman and Governor Clinton gave special, no bid contracts to a Chinese construction firm to build on land he owned in Bakersfield, the infamous Whitewater estates. “This is good,” Gingrich tells Stone, “I just wish we would have had it a month ago.”

Event Date: 12-20-1994
Event Description: Congressman Bob Barr once again rises to urge the House of Representatives to investigate the Whitewater Affair, with Speaker Foley once again calling the accusations, “Ridiculous.” “Is that so, Mr. Speaker?” Congressman Barr asks Foley. He then produces Stone’s documentation, including bank notes and even dinner reservations, showing the connection between Clinton and a Chinese construction firm. Overnight, “Whitewater” becomes the word on every political buff’s tongue.

Event Date: 12-21-1994
Event Description: “These charges are preposterous,” Vice-President Clinton tells the press when faced with the new Watergate evidence, “What I did was entirely in the law and was not a conflict of interest in anyway.” While Clinton’s denial is a good way to save face for the day, House Minority Leader New Gingrich has every intention of continuing investigations in 1995. “We leave for Christmas recess tomorrow,” Gingrich tells the press, “You can be sure that the next session will investigate this matter thoroughly.” “It’ll be back Bill,” President Jackson tells his Vice-President as they eat dinner together in the Oval Office, “Whitewater, and Gingrich, will be back like a plague.”       

[Хahar 🤔]

Senate Miniskirt Leader Trent Lott

President Kennedy becomes the fourth president to die on Indolence Day.

Your little joke?

[MasterJedi]

Good update, maybe they can actually take Bill down in this tl.

[PBrunsel]

Senate Miniskirt Leader Trent Lott

President Kennedy becomes the fourth president to die on Indolence Day.

Your little joke?

Xahar,

The first was, but not so much the second. The second was a typo.

[Хahar 🤔]

Senate Miniskirt Leader Trent Lott

President Kennedy becomes the fourth president to die on Indolence Day.

Your little joke?

Xahar,

The first was, but not so much the second. The second was a typo.

"Indolence Day"?

Ouch.

[HappyWarrior]

So who are the Governor and Senators for Maryland?

[PBrunsel]

So who are the Governor and Senators for Maryland?

The Governor of Maryland in 1995 is the young, progressive Republican Peter Franchot, elected in 1994 after serving as State Comptroller from 1991-1995. Governor Franchot is seen by many in the Republican Party as a potential presidential contender in 2000.

The two Senators are:

Senator Barbara Mikulski (Republican): Just as progressive as ever, and the Chair of the Senate Banking Committee.

Senator Paul Sarbanes (Republican): He was on Jackson's Vice-Presidential running-mate short list, as well as a possible nominee for Secretary of Labor. He turned down both positions.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

So who are the Governor and Senators for Maryland?

And in Virginia.

[PBrunsel]

So who are the Governor and Senators for Maryland?

And in Virginia.

Ben,

The governor of the Old Dominion is Douglas Wilder, a Republican and first African-American governor in the state's history. He was elected in 1993 after being defeted in 1989 by Jim Webb.

[Хahar 🤔]

California?

[MasterJedi]

Oh I'll throw it out too, Wisconsin?

[Reluctant Republican]

I just wanted to say bravo to this spectacular piece of fiction, PBrunsel.  You seem to be making America into this horrible Dystopia though, so I hope Paul can get in there in 96 and make things right again, LOL.

[PBrunsel]

Xahar and MasterJedi,

The governor of Wisconsin is Tommy Thompson, a Democrat but one far more moderate than the national leaders. He is contemplating a run for president in 1996.

In California, when Governor Clinton became Vice-President in 1995, his Republican Lieutenant Governor Leo McCarthy became governor. In 1994, McCarthy was defeated for reelection by Congressman Christopher Cox, a Democrat who ran on economic policy rather than social anger. Governor Cox is seen as a potential candidate for president in 1996 or 2000.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

So who are the Governor and Senators for Maryland?

And in Virginia.

Ben,

The governor of the Old Dominion is Douglas Wilder, a Republican and first African-American governor in the state's history. He was elected in 1993 after being defeted in 1989 by Jim Webb.

Wonderful, and the Senators?

[PBrunsel]

Wonderful, and the Senators?

Ben,

They are actually the same men and the same parties. John Warner (Republican) and Chuck Robb (Democrat). I was going to have Oliver North oppose Robb in the 1994 Democratic Primary, but decided agaunst the idea. He will most likyl run for governor of the Old Dominion State in 1997.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Wonderful, and the Senators?

Ben,

They are actually the same men and the same parties. John Warner (Republican) and Chuck Robb (Democrat). I was going to have Oliver North oppose Robb in the 1994 Democratic Primary, but decided agaunst the idea. He will most likyl run for governor of the Old Dominion State in 1997.

Thanks

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 1-05-1995
Event Description: The 104th Congress takes power in Washington, D.C., with the legislative body divided. In the Senate, Trent Lott and Bob Dole do the old political switch, with the Mississippi Democrat becoming Senate Majority Leader and the Kansas Republican being demoted to Senate Minority Leader. Immediately after taking office as the leader of the new majority party, Senator Lott immediately calls for an investigation into, “The seamy Whitewater affair.”

Event Date: 1-12-1995
Event Description: The Senate Committee on the Whitewater Affair is established, with Senator Richard Shelby (Democrat of Alabama). “We’re going to find every Chinaman who gave Vice-President Clinton graft,” Senator Shelby tells the press, “And grill ‘em, flambé ‘em and finally, do the same to the Veep.” The folksy Shelby is cheered by Democrats, but jeered by his Republican colleagues. “This is much ado about nothing,” Senator Joseph Biden (Republican of Delaware) tells his colleagues on the Senate floor, “This is just another Democratic witch hunt, and it’ll calm down before long.”

Event Date: 1-20-1995
Event Description: In an attempt to stem the tides of recession, President Jackson begins to formulate a targeted tax cut for the Middle Class. Secretary of the Treasury Scranton advises such as move, claiming that it will help stimulate the economy. Congressman Bill Barrett (Republican of Nebraska) is selected to introduce these new tax cuts to the House of Representatives.

Event Date: 2-20-1995
Event Descriptions: The Barrett Tax Act is introduced to the appropriate House Committee, amongst jeers from, of all people, Republicans. “President Jackson is pandering,” Representative Sherrod Brown (Republican of Ohio) complains, “These tax cuts are just a diversion from real economic problems.” Democrats do not see this way. “It’s about time that the president recognize the Middle Class,” Representative Rick Lazio (Democrat of New York) comments, “Now if he can cut needless spending for welfare queens then we can really be in business.” President Jackson has no intentions to cut spending, believing that the Middle Class tax cut will stimulate the economy enough to raise tax intake from the wealthiest Americans. “That’s a lot of voodoo,” Representative Jim Leach (Republican of Iowa), comments, but he will support the bill anyway.

Event Date: 2-23-1995
Event Description: Under the stimulus of a new tax cut, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gains 50.28 to close at over 3,400-points, the highest in over a year.

Event Date: 3-04-1995
Event Description: The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passes the Barrett Tax Act, with the Senate expected to follow suit. Most economists applaud this tax plan, with one exception: the every monotone but never boring Ben Stein. “These tax cuts coupled with the massive spending increases of the previous year,” Stein warns in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, “Bode terribly for our national debt, which in turn will raise everything from prices to unemployment.” With the economy already peering into the abyss of a recession, most analysts put Stein’s warnings aside and support President Jackson’s plan.

Event Date: 3-12-1995
Event Description: Lieutenant Colonel David Petraeus arrives in Washington, D.C. to brief the president and the Congress on the world mission of peace keeping in Rwanda. “President Kagame and local leaders in Rwanda are working well together,” Lieutenant Colonel Petraeus tells the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, “The Allied mission is close to ending with new legislative and municipal elections in June.” During the questioning period, Senator Dan Quayle, the ranking Democrat, asks Petraeus a rather pointed question. “Colonel,” Quayle asks, “How many Americans have died in Rwanda?” “8,003, Senator, “the colonel somberly replies. “Is this the most out of any of the so-called Allies in Rwanda?” Quayle continues. “That is true,” Petraeus responds, “Though the Rwandans have lost far more than anyone has.” “That’s because it’s their civil war,” Senator Quayle responds, “Isn’t that right, colonel?” “You’re out of order, Mr. Quayle!” Senator John Kerry (Republican of Massachusetts), the Committee Chair, declares, “You do not have to answer that question, Colonel Petraeus.” “He better answer it,” Quayle interrupts, “Or the American people will answer it for him!” While Petraeus refuses to answer the last question by Quayle, he does tell President Jackson that it is becoming very apparent that his troops are in the middle of a civil war between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes. “That’s a hornet’s nest I didn’t sign up to go into, Mr. President,” Colonel Petraeus tells Jackson. “I know, colonel,” President Jackson responds, “But you did sign up to protect the innocent and justice, and that is what you’re doing in Rwanda.”

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 3-13-1995
Event Description: As the questioning from Senator Quayle becomes well viewed nationwide, tragedy strikes in Rwanda as rebel Hutu’s attack an American operated children’s hospital, killing 32 U.S. soldiers and more than 100 Rwandan children. All the children killed were Tutsi, further cementing the idea that Americans were being slaughtered in a Rwandan civil war. “Senator Quayle is right to question Petraeus over our troops being stuck in a civil war,” Rush Limbaugh tells his audience, “As we can all see, Jackson’s policy is keeping our kids over there until they are all dead or some miracle occurs where the nation stabilizes.”

Event Date: 3-16-1995
Event Description: The Senate Whitewater Investigation Committee appoints U.S. attorney Kenneth Starr to head up the investigation of Vice-President Clinton’s business dealings. “Even if this case goes all the way to the Vice-President,” Starr tells the press, “I will continue the investigation. Our very constitution may be at stake.” “More like a Democratic Administration will be at stake,” a disgusted President Jackson tells his wife upon hearing Starr’s comments.

Event Date: 3-20-1995
Event Description: After several days of bad news, President Jackson receives two blessings. First, the Senate overwhelmingly passes the Barrett Tax Act, which President Jackson signs immediately. Second, he is told that the Colorado Athletics are moving back to California, as wealthy businessman and former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth buys them for a whopping $315 million.

Event Date: 4-02-1994
Event Description: Moscow Mayor Boris Yeltsin is overwhelmingly elected President of Russia, running on a platform of reform and help for Russia’s growing Middle Class. The Populist Party now controls the entire Russian Government, an incredible feat for a party that is less than a decade old.

Event Date: 4-05-1995
Event Description: It is revealed in the Parisian “La Tribune” by French investigative reporter Paul Moreira that President Jacques Chirac is, in his own words, “Guilty of crimes against the city of Paris and the Republic.” These crimes are primarily financial corruption, and ones that Chirac had kept under wraps since he was Mayor of Paris. These crimes include Chirac’s bank account personally benefiting from housing contracts in several Parisian suburbs, creating fictional jobs in city government to pay political cronies, suppressing voter turnout in poor areas of the city and framing several Socialist Party leaders for a pre-election riot the week before Chirac’s first election in 1988. While Chirac and his right-winged Rally for the Republic Party attempt to discredit Moreira and the article as politically motivated, the French people have come to see both Chirac and the right exactly as Moreira portrays them, “A corrupt old boys network.” Socialist Party presidential candidate Lionel Jospin was seen as the front-runner in the 1995 French Presidential election, but now is seen as all but elected.

Event Date: 4-19-1995
Event Description: Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norick dedicates the Oklahoma Iraq War Veterans Monument at the State Capitol Building, nothing else of interest happens today. Author Timothy McVeigh, working on a dystopian novel entitled “The Cube Man”, is contacted by Warner Brothers Studios. They want to make a film based on his best selling novel, in which they offer McVeigh a large sum of the gross earnings. “I don’t write my book to make money,” McVeigh tells the studio, and then hangs up. His anti-establishment opinions have never left the former marine.

Event Date: 4-21-1995
Event Description: Following a frightening presentation by John Stossel, a CBS investigative reporter, entitled, “Our Broken Social Security System”, the White House responds by declaring “The Symposium on Social Security.” President Jackson hopes a Brain Trust of the most intelligent economic and financial minds in the country can solve the crisis.

Event Date: 5-03-1995
Event Description: Upon the resignation of Justice W. Arthur Getty, a Bush appointment, from the Supreme Court, President Reginald Jackson shocks his own base by appointing a Democrat: Former Congressman and Mississippi Attorney General James Meredith. Though 63-years old, Meredith still has a quick legal mind and is respected by the legal community for it. Meredith has shown a pro-business and pro-gun streak in his legal decisions and Congressional voting record, but has also opposed government surveillance and frivolous amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as evidenced by his attacks on the Flag Burning Amendment during the 1980s. Democrats and Republicans support Meredith’s appointment, making him a shoe-in for the Supreme Court. He will easily be confirmed, becoming the third African-American to serve on the most powerful court in the land. .

Event Date: 5-07-1995
Event Description: In the French Presidential run-off, Socialist Lionel Jospin defeats incumbent President Jacques Chirac by a 54-46% margin, becoming the first leftist president of France since Paul Doumer in the 1930s. This victory is celebrated the socialists the world over as their second major victory this year, since leftist Boris Yeltsin won the Russian presidency.

Event Date: 5-20-1995
Event Description: Newly inaugurated French President Lionel Jospin breaks with Chirac’s policy of ignoring nuclear proliferation by both signing the multinational Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and outlaws all nuclear tests in French Polynesia. While the right-wing bloc of the French Legislature attacks these moves as anti-French moves which would weaken French defenses, the world community applauds the move. “It is great to see that all the nations of the West are moving out of the darkness of nuclear fear,” President Jackson tells reporters at a press conference.

Event Date: 5-24-1995
Event Description: Senator Dan Quayle (Democrat of Indiana) announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, ripping into President Jackson for both war in Rwanda and domestic spending. “President Jackson has brought us change, as promised,” Senator Quayle tells the crowd at his Fort Wayne announcement address, “This change was huge from President Kemp. It was one which changed a nation at peace, to one at war. It changed an economy that was growing to one heading towards recession. It changed a nation that had a bright dawn ahead into a nation looking into a night filled with nothing but sacrifice and loss. My fellow Americans, its time that we change Reggie Jackson’s version of ‘change.’ How can we do this? Change who’s sitting in the Oval Office!” Rush Limbaugh, the most powerful conservative voice in America, applauds Quayle as, “The best choice for not just the Democrats, but America.”

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 6-06-1995
Event Description: Rwanda holds its first fair and free election since nationhood, with surprisingly little violence. At the end of the balloting, interim President Paul Kagame and his moderate Rwandan Unity Party are overwhelmingly elected over both Hutu and Tutsi based political parties. With these successful elections, it is agreed on by Secretary of State Cohen, Lieutenant Colonel Petraeus and President Jackson that withdrawal from Rwanda can begin as soon as September.

Event Date: 6-10-1995
Event Description: A world summit is held on Lunar Bases in Berlin, Germany. Attended by U.S. President Reginald Jackson, U.K. Prime Minister John Major, French President Lionel Jospin, Japanese Corporate Minister Matabee Kenji Maeda as well as leaders from twenty other nations, the summit focuses on a world coalition to build a permanent base on the Moon for scientific purposes. “The possibilities of such a base are endless,” German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the summit’s host, tells the leaders, “What could be discovered in such a setting is also endless.” With America and Germany, the two most successful nations in relation to the exploration of space, signing on to this endeavor, a lunar base could be possible by 2001.

Event Date: 6-14-1995
Event Description: Norman Hsu, the Chinese-American businessman who oversaw the construction at Whitewater in Bakersfield, California, testifies before the Senate Whitewater Committee. “There were many who wanted special favors from the Chinese government in the city,” Hsu tells the committee, “Bakersfield has many businessmen who deal illegally with the Chinese to win favors from political leaders. Mr. Clinton was just another political leader who made money off of the Chinese government.” This testimony surprises even Senator Jesse Helms, who has been in the political game for decades. “Are you telling me that the Vice-President did deal with the Chinese government?” a bewildered Helms asks Hsu, “And he ain’t the only guy doin’ it?” “No, Senator,” Hsu responds, this is his only response.

Event Date: 6-15-1995
Event Description: With the revelation that Vice-President Clinton may have actually done business with a foreign government for his own profit, Congressman J.D. Hayworth (Democrat of Arizona) introduces articles of impeachment against the Vice-President. “We can not have a man who uses his public office for private gain sitting just a heart beat away from the presidency,” Congressman Hayworth declares on the floor of the House. This move divides the Democratic Party, rather than unite it against Clinton. “While I admire Mr. Hayworth’s commitment to honesty in government,” House Majority Whip Dick Armey (Democrat of Texas) tells the press, “We should wait for more evidence to come to light for or against Mr. Clinton. That’s the decent thing to do and I believe that’s what we will do.” Other Democrats are not so cautious about impeachment. “Armey’s lost his nerve!” Senator Strom Thurmond (Democrat of South Carolina) bellows before a Democratic fundraiser, “Billy Clinton is a low down dog, he’s always been. He needs to be thrown out of office, into jail and share a cell with Bobby Kennedy!” President Jackson and House Minority Leader Newt Gingrich have stayed conspicuously quiet on the issue, with neither wanting to say something they will regret.

Event Date: 6-20-1995
Event Description: After five days of badgering from leading Republicans, President Jackson meets with Vice-President Clinton, ending his “distancing” policy as advised by Chief of Staff Michael Nutter. “You have say something Bill,” President Jackson tells his embattled Veep, “If you stay quiet the court of public opinion will crucify you.” “I know that, Mr. President,” Clinton tells the president, “I just don’t know what to say.” “Why not the truth, Bill?” Jackson responds. Clinton, who rose to the top on charisma, good looks, fast talk and fence straddling, finds this answer a bitter pill to swallow, but in the end decides it is the right thing to do. He will address the nation tomorrow night, and tell the whole truth.

Event Date: 6-21-1995
Event Description: “Good evening my fellow Americans,” Vice-President William Clinton begins as he addresses the nation over the Whitewater Affair, “This is not an easy speech for me to make. I would rather have been a Vice-President forgotten by the media and history than be one that would tear down an administration.” Clinton goes on to describe his dealings with the Chinese government and the Whitewater construction site, claiming to, “Cover nothing up.” In the end, he makes a shock announcement, though not the one Democrats were hoping to here. “I will serve out the remainder of my term in office,” Vice-President Clinton tells the nation, “But I can not run with President Jackson, an honorable public servant, a second time. Therefore, I shall not seek and will not accept the nomination of my party for another term as Vice-President.” This political bombshell comes off like a percussion grenade, with both sides shocked. While Senator Helms is calling for Clinton to resign, Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole publicly applauds the candor of honesty of the Vice-President. “The Vice-President has made his decision, and that’s all I wanted,” is the only statement President Jackson makes.

Event Date: 7-01-1995
Event Description: Timothy McVeigh releases his second novel “The Cube Man.” This novel tells the story of a dystopian future where, due to a population boom in the early years of the 21st Century, the government keeps all human begins except government officials inside small cubicle boxes. Human beings spend their lives in a perpetual sleep, allowed outside only once a year. During the vast times of “cube rest”, human beings live lives through dreams, but the government convinces them that their dream lives are real and the one time they are awake every year is a dream. The protagonist, a cube dweller named Jonathan Prescott, discovers through a fluke of not being in his cube when the sleep begins again after the one day of “out of cube rest” ends that the real world is not his dream life. “The real world,” Prescott tells himself, “Is a terrible place.” Thus begins a high paced novel of government officials, lead by the cold and cruel Commander Javin, chasing Prescott as he awakens an army of angry cube dwellers. This novel is not as well reviewed as “The Ghost in the Shell”, within the New York Times panning it as, “Anti-government hysterical literature which reads like the Turner Diaries, but even less realistic.” The book will not reach number one on the New York Times Fiction chart, but will rise as far as number four.

Event Date: 7-05-1995
Event Description: President Jackson signs the Warner Child Protection Act, introduced by Senator John Warner (Republican of Virginia). The act passes a mandatory minimum prison time of 20-years for all first degree child rapists, or those who violate children between infant ages to fourteen years old. The part of the bill that causes controversy is the housing restrictions against all rapists, even those who committed only statutory rape. “This bill is a disgrace to all civil liberty loving Americans,” ACLU attorney Robert Wexler complains to the Miami Herald, “It puts an 18-year old man who slept with a 17-year old girl in the same category as John Wayne Gacey.” President Jackson stands by his decision however, admonishing the ACLU for, “Focusing on technicalities above safety.”

Event Date: 7-10-1995
Event Description: In what is seen as another step to the political center by President Jackson, he speaks before the National Council of Evangelicals in Memphis, Tennessee, announcing his support of faith based initiatives, especially charities “I’m a former priest,” President Jackson tells the group, mainly consisting of conservative Democrats, “I know that the best charity comes not from a government beaurocrat, but from the kind intentions of a church. This is why I will introduce to the Congress when reconvenes in August a full docket of faith based initiatives as well as further social measures.” This comes with wild cheers and applause from the evangelicals, but far less from the ACLU and other such secular groups who supported the president. “I guess you can’t please everyone,” is all the president tells the press.

Event Date: 7-27-1995
Event Description: Former Governor Jim Webb (Democrat of Virginia) announces that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for president, citing that he has other plans. “It isn’t the right time to begin a presidential campaign,” Webb tells the Richmond Courier, “I have more to do in this state and with veteran’s affairs and the like.” With Webb and McCain out of the picture, the Democrats have lost their two strongest opponents against President Jackson.

Event Date: 8-05-1995
Event Description: House Minority Whip Dick Armey introduces the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, a five pronged plan which would, in his own words, “Make the government more accountable to the taxpayer.” The plan requires the government to disclose in a quarterly newsletter what every tax dollar is being spent on, outlawing all congressional earmarks, reducing the tax form to a single page and, most importantly, allowing no tax hike or elimination of a tax cut to take effect unless 2/3rd of both houses of Congress vote in favor of it. “I will oppose this ‘bill of rights’,” President Jackson declares, “It cripples our government’s ability to make emergency revenue and thus must be opposed for national security reasons.” “The only reason the president doesn’t support this bill,” House Minority Leader Newt Gingrich says, “Is because it will stop him from funding his pet projects and wasting money.” The long hot August will be even more long drawn due to this bill.

[PBrunsel]

Event Date: 8-05-1995
Event Description: House Minority Whip Dick Armey introduces the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, a five pronged plan which would, in his own words, “Make the government more accountable to the taxpayer.” The plan requires the government to disclose in a quarterly newsletter what every tax dollar is being spent on, outlawing all congressional earmarks, reducing the tax form to a single page and, most importantly, allowing no tax hike or elimination of a tax cut to take effect unless 2/3rd of both houses of Congress vote in favor of it. “I will oppose this ‘bill of rights’,” President Jackson declares, “It cripples our government’s ability to make emergency revenue and thus must be opposed for national security reasons.” “The only reason the president doesn’t support this bill,” House Minority Leader Newt Gingrich says, “Is because it will stop him from funding his pet projects and wasting money.” The long hot August will be even more long drawn due to this bill.

Event Date: 8-11-1995
Event Description: As President Jackson dedicates the Iraq War Memorial in Washington, D.C., Congressman Armey begins twisting arms on the capital. He is able to convince six Republican congressmen, all from western states, to support the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, but he is still short five. The only way he could gain these five is to phase out the final plank of the bill: the 2/3rd majority for tax increases. “If I give that plank up then the conservative cause might as well end,” Armey tells Gingrich, “But if I don’t drop it, then the whole bill will fail.” “Do it,” Gingrich tells Armey, “If that’s what it needs to pass, do it. Will pass the rest when Quayle is president and I’m Speaker of the House.”

Event Date: 8-20-1995
Event Description: President Jackson signs the reformed version of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, which passed both houses of Congress easily. “The government will now be accountable to those who give is the money for our paychecks,” President Jackson tells the press with a smile as he signs the bill, “I only hope we don’t have to record what we buy with that money, or I’m going to have some explaining to do with all the baseball cards I buy.” Of course the president is kidding, but Armey does comment, “That would have been a good plank as well to the bill.”

Event Date: 8-25-1995
Event Description: Senator Phil Gramm (Democrat of Texas) his candidacy for President of the United States. “It’s about time that this country had a real sheriff in the White House,” Senator Gramm declares, “A sheriff who watches the taxpayer’s back and enforces the laws of the land.” Gramm, known for his love of tax cuts, is seen as more of a Kemp Democrat then the far more evangelical Senator Quayle.

Event Date: 8-30-1995
Event Description: In a rip-roaring announcement address from Savannah, Georgia, Georgia Governor Zell Miller announces his candidacy for President of the United States. “Reggie Jackson can try to play the religion card, the tax crusader card or any card he wants!” Governor Miller bellows, “But his cards won’t win him anything, especially the White House. What will win the White House is common sense conservative leadership, and that is what I offer to the contest for president.”

Event Date: 9-03-1995
Event Description: Senator Paul Wellstone (Republican of Minnesota) is called to the White House, where he is asked to introduce the White House’s plan to save Social Security. He agrees to it, but asks for a special favor. “I’ll do it,” President Jackson tells the Minnesota senator, “If only because I like you.”

Event Date: 9-15-1995
Event Description: The Save Social Security Act is introduces by Congressman Jim Leach (Republican of Iowa) and Senator Paul Wellstone. The Social Security age is staggered, and thus raised for future generations. Under the act, people who are 55 and up will still get full benefits at 65, those 50-54 get them at 66, those 45-49 get them at 67, those 40-44 get them at 68, and anyone under 40 has to wait until age 70. “It is the opinion of the Social Security Symposium, “Congressman Leach tells his colleagues, “That this act will ‘save’ Social Security until the late 21st Century.” While Democrats accept the bill, some Republicans oppose it. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Malcolm Little resigns in protest over the plan, calling it, “Mediscare and Social Insecurity for the ages.” Despite these statements, the act will easily pass, with President Jackson taking the credit for “saving” Social Security. Senator Quayle, who wants privatized social security, even applauds Jackson for the act, calling it, “A juggling act which nothing ended up breaking because of it.”

Event Date: 9-22-1995
Event Description: American millionaire Malcolm “Steve” Forbes announces his candidacy for the 1996 Democratic presidential nomination. Espousing a flat tax of 10% for every American, Forbes promises to use his business smarts to balance the budget, pay off the national debt and improve an economy which is staggering a recession. “If that fails,” Forbes jokes with the press, “I can always pay off the national debt with the stuff I find in my couch.”

Event Date: 10-15-1995
Event Description: The Million Man March is held in Washington, D.C. Organized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, the march encourages African-American men to stay with their families and become fathers. The high point of the march is an address given by King, which he calls for, “The dream to continue.” “I see a future where the African-American family is the picture of any great American family,” Dr. King declares, “A family with a mother, a father and children who are loved and cared for. This is the dream that all men need to seek, this is the dream that all men need. One day, if we keep this dream alive, we will see a new birth of the African-American culture, one which will revolutionize this country and the world!” One of the men who helped King organize the march, Chicago community organizer Barack Obama, comments that King’s speech was, “The most marvelous address I’ve ever heard.”

Event Date: 10-20-1995
Event Description: With much fanfare, all American combat troops in Rwanda return home. Though the process began in early September, today is the day that the last boot stepped on American soil. “I thank God for this day,” Lieutenant Colonel David Petraeus tells the press as he steps off the plane, “I can only hope our work in Rwanda can stay intact and peace can reign in such a divided nation.”

Event Date: 11-01-1995
Event Description: In Doe v. Louisiana, the Supreme Court upholds the Planned Parenthood v. McWherter decision. Lorna Marson, a pregnant 17-year old girl from New Orleans, Louisiana, was selected by Planned Parenthood to sue the state of Louisiana over its zero tolerance abortion laws. Despite being called Jane Doe in the ruling, Marson herself plead before the district courts that laws outlawing all abortions threatened lives. While the 6th Circuit Court agreed with Marson, the Supreme Court did not. “We can not override state’s rights for anyone case,” Justice Antonin Scalia writes for the majority, “By doing such we would leave the entire Constitution victim to change on the whims of one person.”

Event Date: 11-20-1995
Event Description: Senator Mitt Romney (Republican of Massachusetts) tells Tim Russert on Meet the Press that he would like to be President Jackson’s running-mate on 1996. “He needs a man who knows about the economy,” Senator Romney tells Russert, “I’m that guy.” President Jackson himself has a list of potential running-mates, and Romney isn’t on the list.

Event Date: 11-24-1995
Event Description: At a White House ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel David Petraeus is promoted to a full fledged Colonel by President Jackson. “I would have liked to make you a general,” President Jackson jokes with Petraeus, “But I have too many of them I don’t know what to do with most of them.”

Event Date: 12-10-1995
Event Description: “The economic indicators have changed over the course of the year,” the Wall Street Journal comments, “The tax cuts; the economic stimuli and just positive talk from President Jackson have revered our economic fortunes from a near recession to a growing economy.” This is good news for President Jackson, who announces today he will run for second term next year. “You shouldn’t change preachers in midsermon,” he quips in his announcement address.   

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Another fantastic update

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Another great update PBrunsel . Interesting to see Timothy McVeigh become an acclaimed author in this TL, that was something I didn't expect, nor Senator Mitt Romney wanting to be President Jackson's running mate in the upcoming 1996 Presidential Election. My prediction for the 1996 Presidential Election is President Jackson vs. Senator Quayle (if not Senator Quayle than Senator Gramm). Should be interesting times........

[HappyWarrior]

I wonder what Wellstone's special request was?

[MasterJedi]

I wonder what Wellstone's special request was?

Vice President

[Хahar 🤔]

Jospin!