Bryan defeats McKinley, 1896!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Mondale in 1988, something beautiful

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Go Baker!

[TommyC1776]

Republican Convention, 1988:

The Republicans gather in their convention to nominate Howard Baker and Jack Kemp for President and Vice President.  

President Bush speaks on the first night and says "I have trust in a Baker/Kemp administration when that comes to be.  We can't afford another Democrat in the White House.  Remember what happened the last time we did?  We ended up with a recession and unemployment rates that skyrockted.  Therefore we can't trust the Mondale/Hart team for America.  Thank you."

Jack Kemp speaks on the third night of the Convention.  "I am happy to be on this side with Senator Baker.  We're really going to show those liberals that we mean business.  Remember lower taxes when you vote.  The Democrats want to increase your taxes.  They never say that but in the end they do that."

On the final night, Senator Howard Baker makes his acceptance speech.  "Republicans, just remember that election day isn't that far away and that we can have a big upset that day over the Democrats.  We can't afford all this government spending they want to do."

[TommyC1776]

On the Campaignt Trail, 1988:

Former CA Governor Jerry Brown goes across the country campaigning hard for Mondale/Hart.  He says "We need a Democrat in the White House this year.  Over the last 8 years the Republicans haven't looked out for the interests of the poorest Americans.  We can't afford 4 or 8 year more years of that.  That's why we need Mondale and Hart in 1988 for President and Vice President."

Former President Stassen goes out on the campaign trail for Howard Baker and Jack Kemp.  "We need to keep Republican leadership in the White House.  We can't afford liberal Democrats anymore.  With Baker as President he will balance the budget and keep it in a better stance than Mondale would.  Let's hope for the best in 1988: a Baker/Kemp landslide."

Republicans are hoping to gain more seats in Congress.

[TommyC1776]

Presidential Debate: October 15, 1988

Dan Rather: Welcome everyone to the Presidential Debate of 1988.  We have with us tonight Senators Walter Mondale and Howard Baker.  Alright men, first question, are we on the brink of breaking up the Soviet Union?  Go ahead Senator Mondale.

Mondale: Well, I believe we're getting there.  We've seen the Soviet Union break up over the past few years.  We need to have meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss the problems of the country.

Baker: Dan, I'd say that we're getting close to the Soviets falling.  I also believe that we need to have negotiations as Senator Mondale said.

Rather: Second question, what should be done about government spending?  Senator Baker.

Baker: I believe that we need less government.  Senator Mondale will increase the size of government which isn't right.

Mondale: As long as we're spending the money on the social problems and helping others.  We've had success with government intervention including slavery, civil rights and even the healthcare bill passed back in 1955 which was one of the greatest programs we've done here in America.

Rather: Alright.  Last question.  What's the most important thing you want to accomplish in your first term?

Mondale: Mine will be to look out for the poor and unfortunate and reduce your taxes.

Baker: In my first term I want to spend less money on these government programs to cut the budget.

[TommyC1776]

Poll, 1988:
Mondale 49%
Baker 46%
Undecided 5%

With just a couple weeks left in the campaign, both Mondale and Baker are still in a tight battle.  Baker tells supporters "We have a real chance to win this race.  I plan to keep pushing bipartisanship real hard until Election Day.  We can't just run a government with one party.  We need bipartianship.  Thank you and God Bless America."

Wait and see what happens.

[TommyC1776]

Presidential Election, 1988:

Walter Mondale
Howard Baker

PV%: Mondale 51%, Baker 48%, Other 1%.
EV: Mondale 270, Baker 268

[TommyC1776]

Senate: 55 Dems, 45 Reps.
House: 243 Dems, 192 Reps.

The Democrats gained seats in both Houses therefore Mondale will have a Democratic Congress to work with.

Howard Baker tells supporters "I want to congratulate Senator Mondale on his win tonight.  I also want to thank all of my supporters who believed in me.  We almost had it but we lost.  However, I plan to help President-elect Mondale whenever he needs advice on any issue as President.  Thanks again everyone and God Bless you all."

[TommyC1776]

A month after the election theres speculation that Mondale might pick Ted Kennedy to be Secretary of State.

On January 3, 1989 the 101st Congress took office.
On January 15th, 1989 President Bush announces his farewell address.  "I want to thank you all for giving me 8 great years here in Washington.  It's been a pleasure to serve you all.  I also want to thank Ronald Reagan for being a great Vice President.  He's a great man to serve with.  Thanks again Americans."

Inauguration Day, 1989:

Walter Mondale


President Mondale tells Americans "I want to thank all of you who supported me in the campaign last year and I also want to get the trust of those who didn't vote for me.  I plan to work well to have a bipartisan administration.  We need to move forward with great ideas for America now and in the future.  Thank you."

[TommyC1776]

Senate Leaders:
Majority Leader: Ted Kennedy (Jan. 3rd-Jan. 22nd)
Majority Leader: George Mitchell (Jan. 22nd onward)
Minority Leader: Bob Dole

House Leaders:
Speaker of the House: Tom Foley
Majority Leader: Dick Gephardt
Minority Leader: Robert Michel

On January 22nd Ted Kennedy is confirmed as Secretary of State by the Senate 95-1.  With Kennedy out of the Senate his seat is open and thus the Governor of Massachusetts can appoint someone to fill the void until a special election in November.

On February 1st, MA Governor Dukakis appoints former Senator Paul Tsongas to fill the seat until the November special election.

[TommyC1776]

In late February the House passes the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 with a vote 259-176.  A couple weeks later the Senate votes 60-40.  President Mondale signs it into law on March 13, 1989.

A few days later President Mondale bans the importation of certain guns to the United States.

On April 19th, theres an explosion on the USS Iowa.

[TommyC1776]

In May, Congress debates the Flag Protection Act of 1989.  President Mondale says he will veto this legislation if it passes both Houses.

The House debates this issue for the rest of the month with the final vote being 223-212.  Then the Senate votes 50-50 with Vice President Hart casting the tie breaking vote against the bill.  The House says a similar bill will be before Congress sometime next year or so.

Meanwhile, the Democrats nominate Paul Tsongas for the special election for MA Senator.  The Republicans nominate Joseph D. Malone.  President Mondale goes to campaign for Tsongas in Massachusetts.  Secretary of State Ted Kennedy goes to help Tsongas for Senate.  Kennedy states "Senator Tsongas is a great man and I trust him as the best nominee for the Senate to represent Massachusetts for the next three years.  He will continue his great work as a man for the people."

[TommyC1776]

polls for the MA Senate race: Malone 48%, Tsongas 46%, Undecided 6%.

Tsongas states "People of Massachusetts must decide that they want a common man over a rich businessman.  We can't afford a Republican in Massachusetts.  Thanks."

President Mondale is worried that he will lose a Democrat in the Senate this November.  "I can't afford a loss in the Senate as it may slow down some legislation."  he says privately.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

On January 22nd Ted Kennedy is confirmed as Secretary of State by the Senate 95-1.  With Kennedy out of the Senate his seat is open and thus the Governor of Massachusetts can appoint someone to fill the void until a special election in November.

I wonder, who cast sole nay vote.

[Barnes]

Very good updates! I hope Tsongas can pull this through!

[TommyC1776]

BREAKING NEWS: Senator Paul is elected to the Senate in the special election.
Senator Paul Tsongas


MA Special Election:
Tsongas 53%
Malone 47%

Tsongas tells his supporters "Thank you Massachusetts.  I'm glad to be elected back into the Senate.  Over the next few years I will work real hard for the common man and fight the special interests in the rest of this term as Senator."

[TommyC1776]

The Berlin Wall falls in late November:



President Mondale states "This is a great day for the free world.  I've talked to the German President Weizsacker.  I plan to send Secretary of State Kennedy over to Germany to discuss future help from the United States."

[TommyC1776]

On January 11th, 1990 300,000 people demonstrate independence for Lithuania.



Then on January 22nd, President Mondale has his State of the Union Address:  "Americans, we're now better off than we we're under President Bush.  I've traveled the country to see the problems of Americans and look out for the low income people.  Also, we saw the Cold War start to drop over the past few years which may improve our relations with the Soviet Union.  Alright, thank you.  God Bless America."

On January 31st, the first McDonald's in Russia opens in Moscow.

[TommyC1776]

On February 11th two things happen: James "Buster" Douglas defeats Mike Tyson in the World Heavyweight Boxing tournament to win the crown.  Also that day, Nelson Mandela of South Africa is released from prison after being in there since 1963.

Douglas-Tyson fight


Nelson Mandela


Wait and see what happens.

[TommyC1776]

By April 1990, Congress starts debating the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.  The House passes it 270-165.  Then the Senate passes it 70-30.  President Mondale signs it into law on April 30th, 1990.

"This is a great day for disabled Americans.  It will be wrong to discriminate against them in everyday life which is a step forward for Civil Rights.  Thank you."  says President Mondale.

[TommyC1776]

On June 1st, President Mondale and Mikhail Gorbachev sign a treaty to end chemical weapon production and start destroying them soon.

"Today we're planning to end nuclear weapons.  A great day in American and Soviet history to end these horrible weapons."  said Mondale.

On June 7th, Universal Studios opens in Florida.

Universal Studios

[TommyC1776]

Over the next few weeks, Congress is debating the Omnibus Budgget Reconciliation Act of 1990.  The House passes it on July 7th 290-145.  Then the Senate votes 74-26.  President Mondale signs it into law on August 1st, 1990.

Meanwhile, President Mondale is campaigning hard for Democrats in the fall.  He hopes that Democrats can get close to 60 in the Senate.  Polls for Democrats show their in the lead.

Wait and see what happens in the midterm elections.  Just get ready for them.

[TommyC1776]

Midterm 1990:
House: 259 Dems, 176 Reps.
Senate: 59 Dems, 41 Reps.

Senate Leaders:
Senate Majority Leader: George Mitchell
Senate Minority Leader: Bob Dole

House Leaders:
Speaker of the House: Tom Foley
House Majority Leader: Dick Gephardt
House Minority Leader: Robert Michel

Mondale states "I want to tell the American people thanks for having faith in the Democratic Party for the next 2 years."

[TommyC1776]

A week after the election Congress debates and passes the Native American Graves Protection And Reperation Act of 1990.  The House passes it 265-170.  Then the Senate passes the bill 69-31.  President Mondale signs it into law on November 18th, 1990.

Then Congress debated the Immigration Act of 1990 over the next week.  It changed the number of legal immigrants allowed in the USA.  The House passed it 255-180.  The Senate passed it 63-37.  Mondale signs it into law on November 30th, 1990.  Congress adjourns December 1st.

[TommyC1776]

Over the next month the Iraq and Kuwait conflict goes better than expected.  They enventually consented to Iraq's wishes of repaying the debt.  President Mondale decided to not get involved in the conflict as it was working out better.

January 3rd, 1991 the 102nd Congress started.  Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole stated "We, Republicans must stick together to stop any landmark legislation proposed by the Democrats."

Senate Majoirty Leader Mitchell says "We will get as much done in this Congress as possible and the Republicans won't get us iin trouble."  Meanwhile, President Mondale asks Congress to pass a hate crimes bill for the disabled as well as revisit the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and include a bill for homosexuals.