The Schoolteacher from Texas

[President_Gore]

I'm suspending my other timeline so I can fully focus on this TL with a POD of July 1977. This focuses on an alternate timeline where George W. and Laura Bush never meet in July 1977 and therefore never marry, I want to see the effects of this on Texas politics and the nation.

Chapter One - July 1977 to January 1979

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I was ill on the day of July 6th 1977, I had been due to attend a barbeque that day hosted by our friends the O'Neills, the Bush families middle son George, better known as Dubya. I was not on familiar terms with Dubya and had heard he was a reckless skirt chaser. While the rest of the family went to the party, I stayed home with my beloved books. At the time I was working as a librarian at an elementary school and was hoping to transfer to being an English teacher in the same elementary school, I loved reading and saw that reading was the most essential part of a child's education.

To this day I still wonder what would have happened if I had met Dubya that day and how different things may have been.

- The Laura Diaries, July 1977 published 2014

Carter introduces memorandum on Enforcement of Civil Rights Act

- Austin American-Statesman's front headline, July 21st 1977

"I really do like that Jimmy Carter; he's doing some good things for the country after that whole nasty Watergate business. I mean, I liked Gerry Ford too, he's a decent man but Carter I think is the guy who has the plan. I've never really voted before but I'm persuaded by his plans to be a Democrat"

- The Laura Diaries, July 1977 published 2014

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"I'm announcing that I intend to run for the Texas 19th congressional district against Kent Hance. I want to deliver a Republican victory in the midterms"

- George W. Bush announcing his bid for Congress, September 1977

"I hear that Dubya's running for Congress, I feel glad for him and I wish I knew him better. Maybe I could campaign for him sometime but he's running as a Republican. Well, I'll still go along anyway and have a look around"
- September 1977

"Today was the first of the month and I quit my job as librarian to work on George's campaign; when we first met he seemed like a real nice guy. Someone you can talk to and relate to, perfect qualities for a wannabe politician. My main duties include printing and proof-reading of all campaign literature and hosting potential donors to the campaign. A lotta people said that politics is dirty but on our little campaign it seems like a sweet corner of life. George has really got that optimism that he can make this race a dead heat as it were"
- October 1977
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

We solemnly predict that while George Bush, son of the influential former Congressman and CIA Director George HW Bush is running a solid, folksy style campaign that is winning over some hearts and minds, he will not be able to win the solid Democratic stronghold Kent Hance has in this district. Mr Bush needs to call in all of his favors to try and usurp this long time Democratic figure.
- Austin American-Statesman, November 1977

Poll Numbers, Texas 19th - December 1st 1977
Kent Hance - 63%
George Bush - 37%

"That poll really hit George hard, I think he's been having drink trouble again, he thought he'd being doing really well for the stronghold district. He kinda disappeared from the office in the afternoon, I'm really worried about him"
- December 1977
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

Congressional candidate killed in icy road smash
December 2nd 1977

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It is our sad duty to report that Congressional candidate George W Bush was killed in a road collision in western Austin today. It is believed that Mr Bush, driving a Cadillac coupe smashed into a Volkswagen camper van travelling the opposite direction. The couple in the camper van, Tim and Sharon Devalle were not injured. The icy conditions due to the cold December weather were likely the reason for this. Police Sergeant Joe Hagman said "This is an ongoing case, Mr Bush's family has been informed but we will not speculate at this time". Our condolences to Mr Bush's family at this time.

"I resigned from the campaign as soon as I heard the news, I joined cause of Dubya and now that he's gone, I feel I can't work with any other Republican on this campaign. I've considered going to join Hance's campaign, being with the Carteresque leaning but I feel I can't rejoin politics, if ever until way into the future. In the meantime, I've found a job as an English teacher covering maternity leave at Brookville Elementary until Easter and then I'll take stock of what I gotta do."
- December 1977
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

"Former Austin Mayor Travis LaRue to replace George W. Bush in 19th race"

- Austin American-Statesman, January 1978

"Former CIA Director Bush to pursue bid for Texas Governor in honour to his son
January 16th 1978"

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bush41/more/images/election88_05_lg.jpg

George HW Bush, former Congressman, former CIA Director and current Foreign Relations Director will pursue a bid for the Governorship of the state of Texas this fall. In his announcement speech, Bush honored the memory of his son George "Dubya", saying "Dubya was a flawed man like all of us, but a man with a good heart and I was a proud father knowing he was pursuing his aims. When he died, I took stock and decided that I did not want to be wasting away in some deadend job in Washington when I could be helping the people of Texas as Governor and doing what my son was going to do, I will push myself to fulfill his memory." Mr Bush is standing off against Bill Clements, a Dallas oil executive and Ray Hutchison, a former State Representative. It is believed Congressman James Collins, another candidate will abandon his bid and endorse Mr Bush for the March primary.

"I heard Dubya's father is running for Governor, I don't think I'll vote for him. The Democrats are fighting as well, there's only one person who I'd like to see run, Ann Richards who I've heard on the state radio; she's some kind of Commissioner in Travis County and she sounds like a genuine honest woman"
- February 1978
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

BUSH WINS GOP PRIMARY OVER CLEMENTS
- Austin-American Statesman, March 1978

GOVERNORSHIP BATTLE BETWEEN HILL AND BUSH
- Austin-American Statesman, April 1978

PRESIDENT CARTER VISITS TEXAS TO CAMPAIGN FOR HILL
- Austin-American Statesman, July 1978

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"I travelled all the way out to Phoenix to see Jimmy Carter speak, he was campaigning with the Democratic candidate John Luke Hill, the State Attorney General. Having just finished my interim teaching job, and being offered a permanent post, I was pretty optimistic. Hearing the President speak was simply mesmerizing, I have never encountered someone that principled before. I hope to do something to help education like the President says one day."
- July 1978
- The Laura diaries, published 2014

BUSH WINS GUBERNATORIAL RACE BY 53% to 47%, FIRST GOP GOVERNOR SINCE RECONSTRUCTION.

DEMOCRATS LOSE HOUSE SEATS IN TEXAS, HANCE HOLD 19TH FOR DEMS

TOWER HOLDS SENATE SEAT FOR GOP
- Austin-American Statesman, November 1978

"I was glad that Bush got elected for the memory of Dubya, it's been nearly a year since he died. On the other hand, Hill was a better candidate and I'm proud to say I voted for him, even if the state didn't. I hope to make some kind of impact in the 1980 elections, maybe run for school board or something. The Democrats are gonna need a lot of help come that time."
- November 1978
- The Laura diaries, published 2014

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Bush at his first press conference, January 5th 1979 as Governor after being sworn in on January 3rd 1979

[King Nazar]

Interesting Start.
Subscribed:)

[Whanztastic]

I'm curious what Laura's role will be.

[theReturner]

When I read the title, I thought this was about Lyndon Johnson. :o

Still, this sounds interesting. You're off to a good start. :)

[wolf_brother]

You've killed dubya! :eek:

Subscribed ;) :cool:

[Historico]

Very Interesting...I love seeing TL's about my home state of Texas, and how butterflies could have shaped the lone star state...Keep it comming:D

[Admiral Matt]

Interesting. I look forward to seeing where this goes. Good luck.*














* - Not getting flamed.

[NoOneFamous]

Please continue

[President_Gore]

Chapter Two - January 1979 to January 1981

PATTY MCCORKLIN RESIGNS FROM SCHOOL BOARD OVER PRIVATE SCHOOL FURORE, SPECIAL ELECTION FOR MAY
- Austin-American Statesman, January 1979

"I tendered my resignation from the school today, I've decided to enter my name forward for the Austin school board, I spent the afternoon formulating policies and setting up a campaign team. I called some of the guys I worked with on Dubya's campaign to help me independently, I can't be seen to make education political. I'm up against Ginny Walters, one of Patty McCorklin's allies who lost her seat last November. Walters is one of them stay at home soccer moms we all know and fear. Hopefully I can make an impact on the board if I get elected."
- January 1979
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

SCHOOL-BOARD ELECTION INTENSIFIES AS SOCCER MOM AND ENGLISH TEACHER GO HEAD TO HEAD
- Austin-American Statesman, February 1979

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Laura Welch and Ginny Walters

The battle for Pattie McCorklin's vacant School Board seat, due to her resignation over a row over her choosing to shun the state education system and send her youngest son to private school heated up today as the deadlines for candidates closed, there are two of them. First, there is Ginny Walters, 44 of Downtown Austin who served on the Board in the 9th seat from 1975 until losing her seat to Dr. James Jackson, a retired principal in last year's election. Having only been out of office for a month, the opportunity for Walters to rejoin the board in her ally McCorklin's 12th seat is a golden one and the former urban planner turned stay at home mom will be campaigning hard while juggling the demands of looking after sons James, 14; Kyle, 9 and daughter Kaitlyn, 7.

Her opponent is a somewhat novice to elections, while Walters has won two and lost one, Laura Welch, 31 of western Austin is seeking to be elected to the School Board to "make a difference" as she says, Welch has taught English at two elementary schools in Dallas and Austin between 1968 to 1972 and 1978 to 1979 respectively. She also worked as a librarian at two school libraries between 1972 and 1977 when she resigned to work on the tragic Congressional campaign of George W. Bush. She has had several boyfriends but has not settled down and has no children.

With such contrasting candidates, this relatively minor election will be one to watch.

DEAD HEAT BETWEEN WELCH AND WALTERS IN SCHOOL BOARD RACE
Austin-American Statesman, March 1979

"This election is really tiresome on me personally, imagine if I was running for President! I've spent most of these past few weeks on lawns and streets during the day talking to working mothers and then the teachers after school finishes. They're the core demographic's I need to be hitting if I want to win over Walters. Be sure, this campaign is an uphill fight, but I'm pretty confident. I've got Clint Barracks on my team, he was the guy that was consulting with Dubya in 1977, a small time Texas politician as it were. He's a Democrat and hopefully he can pull through for me."
- April 1979
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

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Political Strategist Clint Barracks

WELCH NARROWLY WINS 12TH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD RACE, 51% TO 49%
Austin-American Statesman, May 1979

WELCH LEADS REBELLION OVER LIBRARY CLOSURES
Austin-American Statesman, August 1979

WELCH PETITIONS GOVERNOR OVER LIBRARY CLOSURES
Austin-American Statesman, September 1979

GOVERNOR BUSH ANNOUNCES HE WILL BLOCK LIBRARY CLOSURES, AUSTIN SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT MCNEILL RESIGNS IN WAKE
Austin-American Statesman, September 1979

"Well, first of all I've never been able to substantiate the massive row over the five library closures in Austin. McNeill was all for it, I simply could not sit there and do nothing. Although I'd never imagined that Governor Bush would get involved, I am pleased by the final result with the closures being stopped. I have considered standing to replace McNeill as President but I have decided to wait and be elected to a full term of my own and gain some valuable insight in activism first."
- October 1979
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

TEXAS GOV BUSH RULES OUT 1980 PRESIDENTIAL RUN, ENDORSES RONALD REAGAN
- New York Times, November 1979

CARTER FACES 1980 WIPEOUT AS REAGAN SWEEPS OPINION POLLS
- Washington Post, December 1979

REAGAN TAKES IOWA, HOWARD BAKER CLOSE SECOND
- New York Times, January 1980

BAKER WINS PUERTO RICO, REAGAN TAKES NEW HAMPSHIRE
- Washington Post, February 1980

JUDGEMENT DAY AS GOP CANDIDATES FACE MEGA MARCH
- New York Times, February 1980

CARTER SWEEPS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES AS KENNEDY FALLS VICTIM TO MISMANAGED MESSAGE
- Washington Post, March 1980

"I have no idea why Teddy Kennedy is running, if he can't string a coherent sentence with Roger Mudd then he certaintly can't string one with Leonid Brezhnev."
- Alleged quote made by Governor George Bush during a meeting, April 1980

REAGAN LOCKS UP GOP NOMINATION
- New York Times, May 1980

http://phillips.blogs.com/.a/6a00d834515c6d69e20120a6a9dff7970c-320wi
Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter pictured together at Independence Day celebrations, July 1980

"I endorsed Jimmy Carter for re-election in a letter to the Austin-American along with seven other school board members; of course our endorsements don't mean much on the national stage but we will be campaigning for Carter on the issue of education in Austin at least."
- August 1980
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

REAGAN SELECTS HOWARD BAKER FOR VP
- Washington Post, August 1980

REAGAN LEADS IN POLLS, ECONOMY AND IRAN BURDEN CARTER
- Washington Post, September 1980

CARTER BOYCOTTS DEBATE OVER ANDERSON INCLUSION
- New York Times, September 1980

DEBATE SETTLED, ANDERSON EXCLUDED AS CARTER AND REAGAN FINALLY DEBATE
- New York Times, October 1980

US Presidential Election, 1980
http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/69/ElectoralCollege1980.png
Ronald Reagan/Howard Baker - 489 EV & 43,903,230 million votes
Jimmy Carter/Walter Mondale - 49 EV & 35,480,115 million votes

"Well, Carter lost and lost bad. I have to admit the economy and Iran were abysmal but still the guy did a lot for education. On the plus side, I won my first full term on the School Board and will be serving as Vice President for Elementary Schools for the 1981 to 1983 term, I'm considering running for some other office in 1982 or 1984 so I can bring forward my plans for education."
- November 1980
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

http://completeall.com/pictures/inaugurations/presidents-inagurations22.jpg
Ronald Reagan sworn in as the 40th President of the United States, January 20th 1981

[Whanztastic]

imagine if I was running for President!

HINT HINT HINT HINT :D

[Historico]

Awesome update, I am definatley watching to see if Laura remains a Democratic ITTL especially with all the sociopolitical shifts going on within Texas at the time. It could be cool to see her being taken under the wing of another former Texas Schoolteacher;)

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[President_Gore]

I have mentioned Ann Richards in the first post and she'll definitely be making appearances in the next few chapters along with Governor Bush, Clint Barracks and Ginny Walters.

[NoOneFamous]

Keep it up!

[President_Gore]

Chapter Three - January 1981 to January 1983

SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT JONES ANNOUNCES NEW VICE PRESIDENTS; ANDREWS, ROGERS AND WELCH TO SERVE FOR HIGH, MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
- Austin-American Statesman, January 1981

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Laura Welch, pictured 1981

REAGAN INTRODUCES ECONOMIC RECOVERY TAX ACT
- New York Times, February 1981

"Deluded maniac attempts to kill President Reagan
March 31st 1981"

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The President being evacuated from the area

A gunman was arrested outside the Washington Hilton Hotel today after he fired a shot at President Ronald Reagan who was leaving a speaking engagement. The gunshot did not harm the President due to the revolving door the President was leaving by getting stuck and therefore the bullet shattered the glass, failing to hit the President. The President was then evacuated out of the rear entrance and into a limousine where he was driven back to the White House at high speed.

Remaining agents on the scene arrested the gunman, one John Hinckley Jr. who is currently being held for questioning at FBI headquarters. Vice President Baker has been taken to a secure location according to Press Secretary James Brady who was with the President and briefed reporters when the President arrived at the White House. We have had no comment from the Secret Service on the issue. Several Congressional leaders said however that they will be siding with the President in his actions on this.

REAGAN INTRODUCES PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ACT IN RESPONSE TO ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
- Washington Post, April 1981

SCHOOL BOARD VOTE TO INTRODUCE SIMILAR PSYCHIATRIC REAGAN PLAN INTO AUSTIN SCHOOLS
- Austin-American Statesman, May 1981

"I'm proud to say I was one of the key backers of the psychiatric motion, designed like Reagan's bill to give an intense focus on increasing the level of psychiatric help in the workplace and in clinics, in our case schools which has been introduced by Charles Jones, I may dislike Reagan but the man certainly does not deserve being shot"
- May 1981
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

PSYCHIATRIC ACT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY IN BOTH HOUSES
- New York Times, June 1981

Society Pages
Austin-American Statesman

School Board Member to marry
July 7th 1981

Austin school board member Laura Welch has announced that she is to marry former Congressional candidate and real estate agent Chet Edwards in the fall. The couple met earlier on in the year when Ms. Welch travelled to Waco for an education conference. They have been dating since March.

PRESIDENT TAKES TOUGH LINE ON AIR TRAFFIC UNIONS
- Washington Post, August 1981

SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT JONES TO RUN FOR MAYOR OF AUSTIN
- Austin-American Statesman, September 1981

"All it is is a matter of time, with the way the polls are going it looks like Charles Jones is going to be elected Mayor of Austin next fall, with any luck I'll be able to replace him as School Board President at that time."
- September 1981
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

GOVERNOR BUSH (R) TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOBBY (D) RESIGNS TO RUN AGAINST HIM
- Austin-American Statesman, November 1981

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Laura Welch and Chet Edwards married today, December 1st 1981 at a low-key ceremony at Mr Edward's ranch in Waco. The new Mr and Mrs Edwards will be honeymooning in the Bahamas throughout until the New Year
- Austin-American Statesman, Society Pages, December 1981

"I'll be endorsing Bill Hobby for the Governorship, meanwhile I have decided that I will be running for City Council as a Democrat in the 5th seat. I had originally planned to run for a third School Board term but I had heard that Ginny Walters was seeking a re-match from 1979 so I decided that in the best interest of my marriage, I'd want an easier fight in the heavily Democratic 5th area.

I had a Doctor's appointment yesterday, he confirmed what I'd suspected. I'm pregnant with twins, due sometime in September from the honeymoon. Me and Chet were delighted at this, a final chance to settle down with a family and all."
- January 1982
- The Laura diaries, published 2014

RENTOL OIL - MR. CHET EDWARDS BOUGHT 3% OF THEIR STOCK ON TRADING DAY FEBRUARY 2ND 1982
- Wall Street report, February 2nd 1982

Focus on the Democratic Council campaigns in Austin

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The main man involved in the Democrats campaigns for the Austin Mayoralty and City Council this fall is Charles Jones, the former high school principal and current School Board President who assumed office in 1979 following Daniel McNeill's resignation. Previously he had served as a school board member from 1975 to 1979. The most interesting fact about Jones is that he is African-American and was one of the first to become a high school principal in Texas, yes his school is in a heavily African-American district but had been influxed with transferred white delinquents during the late 60's when Jones took over.

Within two years, behaviour rates had improved and delinquency dropped and within five, the school, Quest High had become one of the leader's of education in the state. Nearing his sixties, many believe that Jones' seeking of this post will be the penultimate chapter of a most illustrious career.

His council candidates are even more diverse, for the 1st district there is Hector Lang; current City Councilman and a former builder and site forman who rose to prominence as a powerful union leader, the 2nd has Helen Banks, a former clerk who became a financial activist and known protestor over Reaganomics. The 3rd district has John Baker, current City Councilman and ex Army Colonel with the 4th, a heavily Republican area being gallantly fought by young activist George Polk. The 5th is where school board member and former teacher Laura Welch-Edwards is standing and the 6th is where former School Board President Daniel McNeill, a victim of the library closures debacle two years ago is standing against longtime Republican victor Bernie Ross.

At present, we predict that Lang, Banks, Baker and Welch-Edwards will win their seats with Bernie Ross defeating McNeill and Henry Jameson defeating George Polk with a likely Charles Jones Mayoralty.
- Austin-American Statesman, May 1982

WALTERS DECLARES CANDIDACY FOR WELCH-EDWARDS' SCHOOL BOARD SEAT
- Austin-American Statesman, June 1982

REAGAN REFUSES TO INTERVENE IN FALKLANDS WAR, THATCHER GOES IT ALONE
- New York Times, June 1982

"I began my maternity leave today, nearly two whole months off the campaign trail. Surely that will not be good for me, but Charles has kindly promised to cover for me as has Chet. I doubt Anthony Vaughan (Welch-Edward's 1982 council opponent) will be able to attack me for that. Elsewhere, I've spent a lot of time watching other women in politics, especially in Texas.

Ann Richards is running for State Treasurer and she looks a damn site favourite to win, I see her as a future Governor or Senator one day. Then there is Margaret Thatcher, I did some reading on her, she's an ex-chemist who's got a lot of nerve given the mess she inherited three years ago. As for myself, I can't see a future beyond City Council especially with my family."
- August 1982
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014

We are pleased to announce that City Council candidate Laura Welch-Edwards gave birth to a boy and girl last night in a home birth, herself and husband Chet Edwards are delighted with the births and the babies have been named Nicholas and Victoria respectively.
- Austin-American Statesman, September 23rd 1982

Election Results
Austin Mayor
November 2nd 1982

Charles Jones (Democratic) - 356,798
Ron Mullen (Republican) - 248,493
Harold Keaton (Green) - 45,920

Charles Jones is elected Mayor of Austin, Texas replacing the outgoing Carole Keeton Rylander

Austin City Council
1st District
Hector Lang (Democratic) - 79,932
Bob Katz (Republican) - 32,183
John Bork (Green) - 3,092

2nd District
Helen Banks (Democratic) - 60,831
Roger Lewis (Republican) - 38,211

3rd District
John Baker (Democratic) - 72,191
Clarissa Jean (Republican) - 45,982

4th District
Bernie Ross (Republican) - 69,082
George Polk (Democratic) - 42,872

5th District
Laura Welch-Edwards (Democratic) - 66,739
Anthony Vaughan (Republican) - 38,901

6th District
Henry Jameson (Republican) - 59,820
Daniel McNeill (Democratic) - 39,092

DEMOCRATS SWEEP AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, JONES ELECTED MAYOR
- Austin-American Statesman, November 1982

BUSH NARROWLY RE-ELECTED BY 51% TO 49%
- Austin-American Statesman, November 1982

DEMOCRATS INCREASE CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY, O'NEILL REMAINS SPEAKER
- Washington Post, November 1982

REPUBLICANS KEEP SENATE DOMINANCE AS NO SEATS CHANGE, TED STEVENS REMAINS MAJORITY LEADER
- New York Times, November 1982

http://www.umw.edu/forum/images/jamesearljones.jpg
Mayor Charles Jones, pictured after his inauguration in January 1983

[Historico]

So is Charles Jones a real-life Austin Politican from OTL, because as a Texan, his name doesn't really sound familiar?

[President_Gore]

No, Charles Jones is one of my inventions for the purpose of the timeline; I've made some invented characters for the 70's and 80's due to a lack of information available to me on politicians from that era.

[stevep]

President_Gore

Interesting TL. Not sure if it's going to produce any dramatic changes or simply going to give a lower level view of politics in Texas, which could be fascinating in itself.

I must admit I had to smile at the line "SCHOOL BOARD VOTE TO INTRODUCE SIMILAR PSYCHIATRIC REAGAN PLAN INTO AUSTIN SCHOOLS":)

Steve

[Whanztastic]

That seems to be James Earl Jones

[President_Gore]

Yes, it's like the fifth season of Desperate Housewives, I have done a five year time jump into the future.

Chapter Four - September 1987 - January 1989

MAYOR JONES DIES OF HEART FAILURE, MAYOR PRO TEM WELCH-EDWARDS SWORN IN
- Austin-American Statesman, September 6th 1987

Profile on the new Mayor

http://www.daykeeperjournal.com/images/alex-laura1.jpg

Laura Welch-Edwards, aged 40 by many standards is an unlikely politician, in her twenties she was a school teacher teaching English and also a librarian. She first entered the political arena ten years ago when she worked on the campaign of the late George W Bush for Congress; upon his death she resumed her teaching career.

Her first elective campaign was little over a year later when she campaigned for and was elected to the Austin School Board in May 1979 after a bitter race against soccer mom Ginny Walters who has since been re-elected to the Board. Welch-Edwards spent four years on the board, winning the 1980 full election but standing down in 1982. In 1982, she was elected to the Austin City Council and re-elected in 1985. She has gained a reputation for being Charles Jones' political enforcer and has campaigned heavily on education and housing in the city.

She was selected as Mayor Pro Tem amid the Democratic controlled council in January of this year; she has since resigned this role to be sworn in as Mayor of Austin; she is one of the youngest and second female Mayor in this role. Mrs Welch-Edwards has been married to businessman Chet Edwards since 1981 and is mother to twins Nick and Victoria, age 5.

JONES TO BE BURIED SEPTEMBER 27TH AT NOON, MAYOR WELCH-EDWARDS DECLARES DAY OF MOURNING IN CITY.
- Austin-American Statesman, September 1987

Obituary

http://i.usatoday.net/life/_photos/2009/01/23/jonesx.jpg

The late Mayor Charles T. Jones will be interred at the Texas State Cemetery on September the 27th in honor of his contributions to the military, education and politics. Charles Jones was born on January 7th 1922 in Austin, Texas. He attended school in the area and was subject to the segregation policy of the era. He did not let that deter him however, he was a popular boy at his all-black school and was part of the basketball team. He graduated with honors in 1940 and enlisted in the US Navy. He went through training throughout 1940 and was made a Midshipman in the Navy aboard an all-black segregated vessel in the South China Sea on the Pacific Theatre.

He served throughout the war where he ended up at the end as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. He continued serving as an officer among his vessel, the USS Kilmare. He gained his first command as a Commander in 1958 as Commanding Officer of the USS Muldoon, an intelligence vessel. Jones took early retirement in 1963 amid rioting in Texas about schooling, he enlisted as a teacher and began as a gym coach at Westbrook High School where he served until 1968 when he accepted the Principal's job at Quest High School where he turned a failing school into a successful one within five years.

Jones entered politics when he was elected to the Austin School Board in 1975, becoming President of it in 1979 and then finally Mayor in 1983, re-elected in 1986. He was married to Dorothy who is grieving with his sons Jim, Robert and Timothy and daughters Christine and Sue. Our thoughts are with them at this time.

JONES BURIED WITH FULL HONORS AT TEXAS

http://www.chandlerswatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/coffin-flag-draped-marines.jpg
- Austin-American Statesman, September 1987

MAYOR TO GO AHEAD WITH PROPOSED EDUCATION EXPANSION PLANS
- Austin-American Statesman, October 1987

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES HEAT UP IN RACE TO SUCCEED REAGAN
- New York Times, January 1988

Ahead of the Iowa caucuses for both parties in a few days, we are running a special feature on the five men who could become the 41st President of the United States.

Republicans
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Vice President Howard Baker of Tennessee

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Former Governor George Bush of Texas

A year ago, we originally had predicted that longtime Vice President Howard Baker would be the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 1988; after all he has been classed as a firm Vice President in his battles with Reagan, a patient one for choosing not to challenge him over Iran-Contra and finally a fair one for his respected Senate business in presiding over the Senate. Many among the liberal and moderate wings of the party like him for these qualities but he needs to vastly win friends among the conservative wing of the party.

It appears we could be in for a re-match of 1976 Ford and Reagan; Baker is being challenged by George Bush, the former Governor of Texas who left office earlier this year and has spent much of his time out of office supporting his conservative successor Bill Clements and making stops in Iowa, New Hampshire and the southern states. He appears to be styling his campaign as the favorite son of the South and try to usurp Baker's base there. The Democrats will be fully marching with glee at this potentially destructive battle which could see the Reagan era be brought to an end by this.

Democrats

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Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts

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Senator Al Gore of Tennessee

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Reverend Jesse Jackson of South Carolina

The Democratic field in 1988 comes down to three key people; we had originally expected a far wider field but many have seen the Republican dogfight and many fear that this could unite the South against the Democrats either and nobody wants a repeat of 1984. It is fitting that the three men running are self sure of their candidacies. Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts has established himself as a compromise leader in this national time and has led much of the moderate efforts against President Reagan in the last two years; he has established himself as the centrist darling but he does face strong competition from the liberals and conservatives.

Senator Al Gore of Tennessee first came to prominence when he rose to the Senate replacing Howard Baker in 1983 after three terms in the House. If elected, he will be 40 and if elected would be the youngest-elected US President ahead of Teddy Roosevelt at 42. He may be young but many highly regard him and he is likely best placed to unite the party and win votes in normally Republican regions. We say he could be the dark horse of this race.

Finally, there is Reverend Jesse Jackson of South Carolina who is the famed civil rights activist. He is the first African-American to run majorly in a US election and will likely be a maverick candidate who will unite the liberals and give Dukakis and Gore a run for their money. Whether he can survive the tensions in the South will be another solid matter.

GORE, BUSH WIN IOWA CAUCUSES
Washington Post, January 1988

MAYOR WELCH-EDWARDS LEADS DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS IN ELECTION
- Austin-American Statesman, February 1988

DUKAKIS, BUSH WIN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Washington Post, February 1988

BAKER HITS BACK WITH SUPER TUESDAY WIPEOUT ON BUSH; DEMS EVEN WITH DUKAKIS ON SIX, GORE AND JACKSON ON FIVE
New York Times, March 1988

AUSTIN MAYOR ENDORSES AL GORE FOR PRESIDENT
- Austin-American Statesman, March 1988

DUKAKIS CAMPAIGN FALTERS AS JACKSON AND GORE GO HEAD TO HEAD IN MIDWEST
- Washington Post, April 1988

GORE WINS TEXAS PRIMARY
- Washington Post, May 1988

VICE PRESIDENT BAKER BECOMES PRESUMPTIVE GOP NOMINEE
- New York Times, May 1988

JACKSON CONCEDES AS DUKAKIS ENDORSES GORE
- Washington Post, June 1988

SENATOR AL GORE IS PRESUMPTIVE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
- New York Times, June 1988

United States Presidential Election, 1988

Republican Ticket
Vice President Howard Baker of Tennessee/Former Governor George Bush of Texas

Democratic Ticket
Senator Al Gore of Tennessee/Senator Paul Simon of Illinois

2008
The New York Times releases headlines from their paper that they believe defined the 1988 Presidential election

BAKER HITS GROUND RUNNING WITH REAGANESQUE SPEECHES
- September 4th

GORE CALLS BAKER "OLD NEWS", PROMISES FRESH CHANGE
- September 7th

FIRST DEBATE LEAVES GORE AS CONCILIATORY WINNER
- September 15th

BUSH TRIPS OVER KERB WHILE CAMPAIGNING
- September 21st

BAKER PROMISES FIRM ACTION ON SOVIETS
- September 26th

SIMON WINS VP DEBATE
- October 1st

BAKER COMES OUT ON TOP AFTER SECOND DEBATE
- October 7th

GORE FLIP-FLOPS ON MEDICAID
- October 12th

BAKER ACCUSED OF ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT
- October 20th

GORE AND BAKER EVEN AS RACE NEARLY FINISHES
- October 29th

United States Presidential Election, 1988
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Albert Gore inaugurated as the 41st President of the United States on January 20th 1989

[Wendell]

If Gore lost TN in our timeline, and the GOP nominee is from Tennessee, how/why exactly does Gore carry it here?

[Historico]

I know RB is happy(If he's spotted this TL) that we've got a DLC Potus for years earlier than IOTL. Itll be interesting to see how he diverges butterfly wise from the Bush Adminstration on both Foriegn and Domestic Policy. At age 40 he'll be the youngest inauguarated President in US History. Ill definatley be looking to see how Mayor Welch-Edwards fits into this:D

[RogueBeaver]

Not Gore, and I'm sad GHWB will never become POTUS. :(

[President_Gore]

I'm not fully decided but GHWB would be the de-facto GOP nominee in 1992

[RogueBeaver]

He's too old at 68 and his health is too poor due to Graves' for a first-time nomination IMO.

[President_Gore]

As I said, I'm undecided whether to include him or not, my personal list for 1992 Republicans were Bob Dole, Phil Gramm, Dick Cheney and Colin Powell.

[RogueBeaver]

President Cheney please, or Phil Gramm. :cool:

[Wendell]

If Gore lost TN in our timeline, and the GOP nominee is from Tennessee, how/why exactly does Gore carry it here?

bump.............

[Snowstalker]

President Cheney please, or Phil Gramm. :cool:


Wait...Cheney?


Do beavers do well in nuclear wastelands?:p

[Whanztastic]

VP Paul Simon! Yay. Bowties Uber Alles!

I do believe that Gore in '88 would carry Tennessee, seeing how his policies were different than 2000.

[Lyly]

Coincidentally, P_Gore, have you read Laura Bush's White House memoirs Spoken from the Heart?

[Historico]

Not Gore, and I'm sad GHWB will never become POTUS. :(

Really, He was much more conservative in his '88 run than he was in 2000...Here's what a campaign brochure had to say about his goals...

"This is a fight for America's future. We stand at a fork in the road. For your children and mine, we must choose a new path toward a future with hope."
-AL GORE



I have 4 goals:



Rebuilding America's economic strength

Rekindling our commitment to social justice

Ending the arms race by negotiating from a position of strength

Restoring integrity to the White House

Al Gore has held almost 2,000 town meetings during 12 years in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.



Al Gore

Democrat for President



Restoring America's Economic Strength…



…That means giving Americans the tools they need to compete in the world economy -- the best educational system in the world, job training, and day care. It also means forging a responsible budget policy that restores confidence in our economy.



…It means making it easier for families to buy their homes and send their kids to college. It means stopping the export of jobs overseas.



Al Gore can get things done. He has a record to prove it. He chaired the first hearing ever held on hazardous chemical waste and the pollution of groundwater. He helped write laws to clean up toxic dumps, protect children from defective infant formula, and establish a national organ donor network that has saved thousands of lives.



AL GORE: Leadership to Renew the American Spirit



A Clean Environment -- Al Gore was a principal author of the landmark Superfund Act to clean up hazardous waste dumps and is now chairman of the leading environmental protection group in Congress. He will fight to reverse the trends that threaten deterioration of our water, air, soil, and ozone layer.



A Healthy Nation -- Al Gore will work to lower health care costs, provide long-term care for the elderly, reduce infant mortality, and find cures for Alzheimer's and AIDS.



Social Security -- Al Gore will protect our Social Security system so that older Americans can be assured financial security.



Strong Families -- Al Gore will work for policies to strengthen families, including better child care, a vigorous war on drugs and a renewed commitment to America's children.



The Best Schools -- Al Gore will help America compete for the future with sharper minds, not lower wages, by investing in early education, doing more to attract our best and brightest college graduates to the teaching profession, and setting a national goal of creating the best schools in the entire world.



A Just and Fair Society -- Al Gore will continue the struggle to expand opportunities for all Americans and to fight for civil, equal, and human rights.



Sensible Farm Policies -- As the owner of an active livestock farm, Al Gore has offered a program to enlarge the nations conservation reserve, improve commodity policies and promote rural economic development.



Building a Safer World through a Strong America



"Our most serious challenge as a people is to end the arms race and build a safer, saner world."



The Soviet Union has a new and energetic leader. The free world desperately needs a leader who can match him, test him, bargain with him, and make the most of what might be an historic opportunity to verifiably control the arms race on terms that enhance our national security.



Al Gore is one of the leading arms control experts in the country. His arms control plan would make it impossible for either superpower to gain an advantage from a first strike.



"Gore has demonstrated an ability to master large and complicated problems -- nuclear arms control being the foremost example." -Morton Kondracke The New Republic



Al Gore is a United States Senator from Tennessee. He and his wife Tipper have four children: Karenna 14, Kristin 10, Sarah 9, and Albert 5.



Al was raised in Carthage Tennessee, and in Washington, D.C., where his father served in the U.S. Senate. He earned a scholarship at Harvard, and graduated with honors in 1969. He then volunteered for the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam.



After returning home to Tennessee, he worked as a newspaper reporter for the "Tennessean" and studied theology and law at Vanderbilt University. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1976.



In 1984, he was elected to the Senate with more votes than any other candidate in Tennessee history.



Tipper Gore is an author and a leading advocate for family values. When the Senate is not in session, the family lives on a small livestock farm near Carthage.



I served in Vietnam. I know there are better ways to resolve our differences than through war.



A WINNING FORMULA

“Gore has returned to what was a simple winning formula for the Democratic Party, an activist foreign policy backed by military strength and an energetic domestic policy in behalf of the economically weak and vulnerable.” -William Shannon Boston Globe

[President_Gore]

Chapter Five - January 1989 to January 1991

Al Gore - The Conservative Liberal
January 31st 1989

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President Gore, House Majority Leader Gephardt, Chief of Staff Jackson and Vice President Simon conferring after Gore's Joint Session speech outlaying his legislative agenda

Albert Gore is the youngest-ever President of the United States, he was narrowly elected against experienced Vice President Howard Baker in an upset. The two men's political connections are long ranging, Gore ran in the 1982 special election to fill Baker's Senate seat replacing appointed Senator Dan Kuykendall. He proved popular in his first two years in the Senate, being elected to a full term in 1984 in a major landslide while Baker was returned to the Vice Presidency in a landslide as well.

While Baker's chances of the Presidency have slipped away, Tennessee residents look forward to the Presidency of the man they narrowly gave the election and state to by 68,000 votes which if had gone to Baker could have seen him win. With a slender mandate, President Gore has his work cut out for him. His platform involves lowering health care costs which he will be working with the Democratic strong Congress for and also he will be putting forward some environmental protection legislation. Both of these acts will be the centre pieces for his first six months in office.

His administration is taking form as well; the selection of Paul Simon as Vice President has got much praise from the party; after a long period in the Senate and House with a stint as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois behind that. He has gained a reputation as a maverick and free thinker and will likely be a strong force amongst a new, young minded President. The new Secretary of State is another political veteran, former New York Governor Hugh Carey who was widely praised for his handling of the 1980 Olympics and made many visits to European and Asian cities when Governor.

The Treasury Secretary is media darling Ann Richards who made a profound impact at the Democratic convention with her well-received speech attacking the Republicans and her prudence in managing Texas' finances. With his unexperience on defence issues, President Gore has nominated former Army Chief of Staff General William Westmoreland as Secretary of Defense. The White House staff is rounded out by Chief of Staff Jesse Jackson who was Gore's rival for the nomination, he has also been appointed Special Envoy for Racial Issues. Meanwhile, a surprise appointment has seen former Secretary of State Edmund Muskie made National Security Advisor.

Gore's inauguration speech promised change and new ideas to America and he outlined the economy, social justice and foreign policy as his goals; his platform is very conservative for a Democrat but insiders argue that he will be able to bring consenus in Congress and the country. His recent legislative agenda speech three days ago promised new bills for health, housing, education and energy and these will test his ability to deal with Congress.

PRESIDENT SENDS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT TO CONGRESS
- New York Times, February 1989

CONGRESS PASSES ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT, OIL DRILLING TO BE MOVED OFF-SHORE
- Washington Post, March 1989

"It is arguable that the Environmental Protection Act of 1989 helped someway to reducing fossil fuel emissions by 2% in the US and led to further cuts in fossil fuel use over the coming years." Comment made by leading Nobel Prize scientist in 2003

AUSTIN MAYOR LAUNCHES BID FOR RE-ELECTION
- Austin-American Statesman, May 1989

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Mayor Laura Welch-Edwards launched her bid for re-election this afternoon at her former teaching school in Austin. Mrs Welch-Edwards was surrounded by her family and Democratic colleagues on City Council who have supported her wholly during her 20-month mayoral tenure which has seen illiteracy levels fall, economic prudence used in her Budget while increased levels of spending were used for education and housing. She has had several bitter battles with Republicans and the School Board over these matters and has yet to prove her environmental credentials having ducked questions about the Environmental Protection Act. She currently enjoys a healthy lead in opinion polls though over any Republican challenger and her approvals are in the 70% range due to her firm command of the Mayoralty after the death of Charles Jones.

Potential challengers to her regime include former Mayor Carole Keeton Strayhorn who may want to reclaim her previous position, Republican lawyer Barry Williamson and finally City Councilman Roger Lewis who defeated Helen Banks in 1985. Lewis appears to be the frontrunner for the GOP against Welch-Edwards and this was further intensified by an appearance on Tuesday from former Governor and recently defeated Vice Presidential nominee George Bush supporting Lewis in his opposition to Welch-Edwards' healthcare reforms in Austin. Welch-Edwards' clearly takes him seriously as she is rumoured to be courting Rick Perry who served as Al Gore's campaign chair in Texas to run her re-election campaign. Husband Chet Edwards is reportedly mulling a State Senate bid in the interim.

GORE CALLS FOR CALM AFTER TIANANMEN SQUARE PROTESTS IN CHINA
- CNN, June 1989

PRESIDENT GORE PUTS FORWARD AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, GOP'S STEVENS LEADS OPPOSITION
- New York Times, June 1989

VICE PRESIDENT SIMON AND HHS SECRETARY HAWKINS COURT GOP SENATORS ON AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
- Washington Post, June 1989

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Paula Hawkins is best remembered as the woman who crossed party lines to reform healthcare. She championed causes for the disabled after a freak accident in 1982 caused her neck and back problems. Having been defeated in 1986 for re-election to a second Senate term; she made a surprise political comeback by accepting Al Gore's offer of Secretary of Health and Human Services in 1989.

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PASSES CONGRESS, GORE TO SIGN BILL ASAP
- New York Times, September 1989

GORE CALLS FOR BERLIN WALL TO BE TAKEN DOWN, ADVOCATES FREEDOM BETWEEN GERMANS
- Washington Post, September 1989

AL GORE APPOINTS FORMER PRESIDENT REAGAN AS SPECIAL ENVOY TO GERMANY TO ADVOCATE FREEDOM
- New York Times, October 1989

BERLIN WALL FALLS, GERMANY RE-UNITED
- CNN, November 1989

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Live images from Germany detailing the fall of the wall

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President Gore addressing reporters on the fall of the wall

MAYOR WELCH-EDWARDS WINS PRIMARY FOR DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION, LEWIS IS GOP NOMINEE
- Austin-American Statesman, December 1989

GORE HAILS EQUALITY AS WILDER SWORN IN AS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOVERNOR
- Washington Post, January 1990

COLD WAR INTENSIFIES AS LITHUANIA DECLARES INDEPENDENCE
- CNN, March 1990

PRESIDENT GORE CALLS FOR ACTION TO STABILIZE EUROPE, THATCHER JOINS WITH HIM
- CNN, April 1990

President shot in New York
May 3rd 1990

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First responders attending to what is believed to be the body of a Secret Service agent

President Al Gore was shot today while making a public speech on the issue of business in the financial district of New York City. At around 1:34pm, shots rang out from the crowd where it is believed a man had smuggled a pistol into the area around the President and fired on him. Witnesses saw the President hit by two bullets and fell to the ground where he was covered by a herd of Secret Service agents and rushed to his limousine accompanied by distraught First Lady Tipper Gore. The assassin fired at agents, hitting one befre he is believed to have been gunned down by other agents. The President's limo arrived at Lenox Hill Hospital, the closest hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

Vice President Simon visiting Fresno is onboard Air Force Two and will arrive at the White House in a few hours where he will be awaiting reports from Lenox Hill.

AL GORE DIES IN SURGERY FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS, VICE PRESIDENT SIMON TO BE SWORN IN

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Albert Gore Jr. (1948 - 1990)

SIMON SWORN IN AS 42ND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
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PRESIDENT SIMON HAILS GORE AS "HERO OF AMERICA"
- Washington Post, May 1990

AL GORE BURIED WITH FULL HONORS
- New York Times, May 1990

SIMON INTRODUCES SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION ACT
- Washington Post, June 1990

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER GEORGE MITCHELL (D-ME) NOMINATED FOR VICE PRESIDENT
- New York Times, July 1990

MITCHELL SWORN IN AS 45TH VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
- Washington Post, August 1990

SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION ACT PASSES
- New York Times, September 1990

DEMOCRATS LOOK SET TO INCREASE MAJORITY IN MIDTERMS
- Washington Post, September 1990

SIMON CAMPAIGNS ON ISSUES OF ECONOMY AND HOUSING
- New York Times, October 1990

DEMOCRATS INCREASE SENATE MAJORITY; DEMS 57, GOP, 43
- Washington Post, November 1990

DEMOCRATS INCREASE HOUSE MAJORITY; DEMS 270, GOP 164
- New York Times, November 1990

MAYOR WELCH-EDWARDS' RE-ELECTED BY 61% TO 39%
- Austin-American Statesman, November 1990

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President Paul Simon accompanied by First Lady Jeanne Simon making his infamous "We will fight for reform, we will fight for America" speech after the mid-term elections, November 2nd 1990

[Wendell]

VP Paul Simon! Yay. Bowties Uber Alles!

I do believe that Gore in '88 would carry Tennessee, seeing how his policies were different than 2000.

But Simon's were well to the left of 1988 Gore's, and some of the latter's political flaws are still there all those years earlier.

[President_Gore]

Chapter Six - January 1991 to January 1993

PRESIDENT SIMON RESHUFFLES CABINET
January 16th 1991

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President Simon speaking with the Pakistani President which will be the last foreign meeting for Secretary of State Hugh Carey

President Paul Simon has made a strong earmark on his administration by carving out several conservative Gore members and bringing in liberal men and women to the Cabinet. Some conservatives such as Secretary of the Treasury Ann Richards and Secretary of Health and Human Services Paula Hawkins stay, but Secretary of Agriculture Jamie Whitten and Secretary of State Hugh Carey are resigning it has been confirmed. White House Chief of Staff Jesse Jackson has been nominated to serve as Secretary of State while Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas has been nominated to replace Whitten.

The Administration
From February 7th 1991

President - Paul Simon (D-IL)
Vice President - George Mitchell (D-ME)

Secretary of State - Jesse Jackson (D-SC)
Secretary of the Treasury - Ann Richards (D-TX)
Secretary of Defense - William Westmoreland (R-SC)
Attorney General - Janet Reno (D-FL)
Secretary of the Interior - Bruce Babbitt (D-CO)
Secretary of Agriculture - Bill Clinton (D-AR)
Secretary of Commerce - Ron Brown (D-DC)
Secretary of Labor - Robert Reich (D-PA)
Secretary of Health and Human Services - Paula Hawkins (R-FL)
Secretary of Education - Richard Riley (D-SC)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development - Don Fuqua (D-FL)
Secretary of Transportation - Robert Roe (D-NJ)
Secretary of Energy - Hazel O'Leary (I-VA)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs - James Watkins (R-CA)

White House Chief of Staff - Paul Kirk (D-MA)
White House Press Secretary - Mike McCurry (D-SC)
National Security Advisor - Edmund Muskie (D-ME)

MAYOR WELCH-EDWARDS ENCOUNTERS TROUBLE OVER OIL BUSINESS
- Austin-American Statesman, March 1991

It has been given on good authority that Mayor Laura Welch-Edwards is in the midst of a political scandal after it emerged that her husband, Chet Edwards who is the Chief Financial Officer and 12% shareholder of Rentol Oil in Austin has been running an illusive Ponzi scheme with company shareholders in order to increase his stock options. The Mayor's office denied comment on the matter, but the matter is vastly spreading throughout the state. Governor Clements has issued a statement condemning the actions of Mr Edwards and called for an inquiry. Members of the City Council will convene tonight to see whether the Mayor wishes to speak to them on the matter or if they will be hearing her resignation speech.

MAYOR REFUSES TO QUIT OVER PONZI SCANDAL, DENIES KNOWLEDGE
- Austin-American Statesman, March 1991

MAYOR ORDERS HUSBAND ARRESTED FOR FINANCIAL CRIMES, ANNOUNCES DIVORCE FROM CHET EDWARDS
- Austin-American Statesman, April 1991

The way in which Laura Welch dealt with the potential end of her political career was swift, ruthless and calculated. In private, her memoirs in 2014 dictated that at the time she had been unaware of such a scheme being held by her then husband, Chet Edwards. Being the Mayor, she knew it could topple her and with it the chance of a Democrat winning an election in Austin again. She spent a few hours antagonizing over her course of action, then she summoned the Chief of Police to her office where she informed him that she was issuing a warrant for the arrest of Chet Edwards who was arrested on April 3rd 1991 at the couple's home. She then phoned for her lawyer and told him to start proceedings for an annulment of marriage to Chet Edwards, arguing that as he was a convict, she be given full custody of their children.

The lawyer's agreed and on May 1st, the marriage of Chet Edwards and Laura Welch was over; she changed her name from Laura Welch-Edwards to her maiden of Laura Welch the same day and in the eyes of many, washed her hands of her husband. Men viewed her as a ruthless hawk while women applauded her for her swift action in deposing a corrupt husband. Afterward, Welch co-operated fully with inquiries and her popularity took a narrow dent.

As of 2014, Chet Edwards is serving a 30 year prison sentence for his actions which began in 1992, he is due for release in 2022.
- Laura Welch, A Most Intriguing Woman, Published 2014

PRESIDENT SIMON'S HOUSING COMMISSION CREATION ACT PASSES IN CONGRESS
- Washington Post, June 1991

MAYOR WELCH TO RESIGN EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST
- Austin-American Statesman, June 1991

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Mayor Laura Welch has announced in a public statement today that she is resigning as Mayor of Austin in part due to the breakup of her marriage and plummeting approval ratings. She assumed office upon the death of Charles Jones in September 1987 and was tipped as a future Senator or Governor with her pledge not to seek a third term in 1994 and was likely to run for the Senate in 1992. However, she said in her statement that it is her intention to leave politics for good and return to teaching elementary school children. She has accepted a post at a small private girls school outside the city and will assume her role in September. Mayor Pro Tem Hector Lang will assume the mayoral office upon Ms. Welch's resignation on July 1st.

"A sad loss to politics" - The words of Treasury Secretary Ann Richards upon hearing of Welch's resignation

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES BEGIN WITH SIMON'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE WILL SEEK RE-ELECTION

Republicans

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Senator Phil Gramm of Texas

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Senator Robert Dole of Kansas

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Governor Pete Wilson of California

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Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania

Democrats

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President Paul Simon of Illinois

GRAMM WINS IOWA CAUCUS
January 1992

WILSON WINS NEW HAMPSHIRE
January 1992

SPECTER WINS SOUTH CAROLINA
February 1992

GRAMM FAVORITE TO WIN SUPER TUESDAY
February 1992

GRAMM TAKES FOUR STATES, WILSON TAKES TWO, DOLE THREE AND SPECTER ONE.
February 1992

SPECTER WITHDRAWS AND ENDORSES WILSON FOR PRESIDENT
March 1992

DOLE FORCED TO WITHDRAW, ENDORSES GRAMM
April 1992

GRAMM WINS TEXAS, WILSON TAKES OHIO
April 1992

BITTER REPUBLICAN BATTLE RESULTS IN DEADLOCK
May 1992

WILSON CAPITULATES AFTER PENNSYLVANIA LOSS
June 1992

GRAMM BECOMES PRESUMPTIVE GOP NOMINEE
June 1992

United States Presidential Election, 1992

Democratic Ticket
President Paul Simon of Illinois/Vice President George Mitchell of Maine

Republican Ticket
Senator Phil Gramm of Texas/Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania

2012
The New York Times releases headlines that they feel defined the 1992 US Presidential election

SIMON HAS STRONG LEAD FOLLOWING DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
- September 2nd

SIMON PROMISES UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IF RE-ELECTED
- September 16th

GRAMM ATTACKS SIMON HEALTHCARE PLAN
- September 22nd

SIMON WINS FIRST DEBATE
- September 29th

GRAMM OUTLINES CONSERVATIVE POLICIES INCLUDING TAX CUTS
- October 2nd

SIMON CALLS TAX CUTS IRRESPONSIBLE, OUTLINES ECONOMIC PRUDENCE
- October 7th

SPECTER WINS VP DEBATE
- October 12th

SIMON WINS SECOND DEBATE, GRAMM LEFT FLOUNDERING
- October 19th

SIMON HAS TEN POINT LEAD IN POLLS, GRAMM ON THE ROPES
- October 26th

http://i53.tinypic.com/wiwrqc.jpg

"I want you to be the next Secretary of Education" - The words said by President Paul Simon to former Mayor of Austin Laura Welch in December 1992, recorded in the President's memoirs he said that he could not let her fester away in teaching and offered her the job to replace Richard Riley. Ms. Welch was sworn in as Education Secretary on January 23rd 1993

[Whanztastic]

"I want you to be the next Secretary of Education" - The words said by President Paul Simon to former Mayor of Austin Laura Welch in December 1992, recorded in the President's memoirs he said that he could not let her fester away in teaching and offered her the job to replace Richard Riley. Ms. Welch was sworn in as Education Secretary on January 23rd 1993

A nice bump in national attention

[Snowstalker]

How did Gore lose in CT and RI?

[President_Gore]

The Schoolteacher from Texas was never intended to be a long-term timeline, simply to help me grasp a knowledge on the time period and to lay ground for a long-term timeline. So, with this final paragraph I shall bring it to an end.

March 21st 2022
Laura Welch dies in Austin

Laura Welch, the schoolteacher turned politician died today at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer. Ms Welch first entered politics in 1979 when she was elected to the Austin School Board, then to City Council in 1982. She served as Mayor Pro Tempore of the City Council from 1985 to 1987 and as Mayor following the death of Charles Jones from 1987 to 1991 when she resigned following controversy about her husband's financial dealings. Welch was made Secretary of Education in the government of Paul Simon from 1993 to 1997 and was the surprise choice by George Mitchell to be Vice President in 1996.

Vice President Welch was regarded as a powerful woman but loyal to the President, who lost in 2000 to John McCain. Four years later, Welch defeated Bill Clinton in a bitter primary race and was elected President in 2005. She left office in 2013

[glenn67]

Presidents of the United States:

40. Ronald Reagan (R-CA): 1981-1989
41. Albert Gore, Jr. (D-TN): 1989-1990
42. Paul Simon (D-IL): 1990-1997
43. George Mitchell (D-ME): 1997-2001
44. John McCain (R-AZ): 2001-2005
45. Laura Welch (D-TX): 2005-2013

[Abe Lincoln1865]

does the Iraq war still happen? Also who assassinates Gore?

[Swan Station]

"... Walters is one of them stay at home soccer moms we all know and fear..."
- January 1979
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014


Very minor point. "Soccer Mom" wasn't really used as a term until at least the 1980's, as soccer wasn't a popular kids sport until then. I don't think it entered national vocabulary until the late '90's.

Also: You killed Gore! You Bastard!

Edit:
Oops, I see this was a resurrected thread from some time ago. Apologies.