In 1964, America faced an uncertain future. Kennedy was dead, Johnson was out of the running, and both parties faced internal uncertainty. The worst hit was the Republican race for the nomination. Long before the events of 1964, it had been thrown into chaos. The Republican party once had a candidate, but their chances had flown. Top contender Nelson Rockefeller had seen his hopes dashed following a scandalous divorce and remarriage. His challenger, Barry Goldwater, was an insurgent who shocked the establishment and appeared to be in the lead for the nomination. Republican candidate after candidate faltered in the face of this, and the race was thrown into Helter Skelter. Though many Republicans would rather be dead than to be with another party, it looked like the Democrats would win the presidency. In its life, it had never faced such a disaster. It was a time for heroes.
From out of the blue, the Republicans would find their hope, and the hope for America. Their hope would be an unassuming candidate -- a self made man from an industrial area. He had the charm, though he may not have had the experience. As 1964 approached, though, the Republican party was desperate. And with a little luck, the establishment hoped it could work their trouble through to victory. In 1964, America had been won over by the British Invasion, lead by the pop group the Beatles. In the wake of the Kennedy assassination and the bitter winter of 1963, the Beatles offered a joy and vibrancy that had been lacking the American consciousness. They especially inspired the youth vote.
The movement started off simply at first. The adoring fans of the Beatles put up signs of Ringo Starr for president. But as the chaos of the year unfolded, it began to be taken all the more seriously. Representatives of the Republican party approached the group, which was at the time touring the United States. Though initially hesitant, group manager -later campaign manager- Brian Epstein approved of the idea as a means for better promoting the group. Ringo Starr was worried about the long road to the candidacy, and carrying the weight of a campaign for that long a period. However, Epstein and the group managed to convince him.
The Beatles would now turn their 1964 tour into a campaign for Ringo Starr. Though initial public reaction was cool, the group won over the American public with their witty charms and catchy hooks. The Republicans were also enticed by their outsider appeal and challenge to the fools on the hill. Through the campaign, delegates began to coalesce around Starr as both Rockefeller and Goldwater lost ground. At the Republican convention in July 1964, Ringo won on the first ballot. As he approached the stage to accept the nomination, the Goldwater loyalist stood up and there was a general walkout. In an especially visible scoff, Goldwater passed directly by Starr as he walked for the door. It had not come easy, but Starr had won the nomination.
For his running mate, Starr picked William Scranton of Pennsylvania. Scranton was a relatively moderate Republican, and a friend of Nelson Rockefeller. The candidacy shocked the Democratic campaign. Further shocking them was the popularity the Republican ticket saw in the polls. As the campaign continued to pick up steam, the party began to recognize they would have to work like a dog to keep the presidency.
Had Johnson allowed Robert Kennedy to be on the ticket, the Democratic chances would have been greatly increased. However, Johnson's own personal animosity blinded his better judgement. In the end, Humphrey would run with Governor Pat Brown of California. Another major tactical error was Humphrey's decision to hold a television debate in 1964. Starr, with outbursts from his fellow Beatles in the audience, easily outwitted and outpaced the older Humphrey and won over the press. Even vicious television ads against Starr did not turn the tide. In response to an ad stating that the Rolling Stones were better, campaign adviser John Lennon retorted "your mother". A backroom deal with Bruce Channel to sue over plagiarism for "Love Me Do" also failed. As the election night of 1964 loomed, Democrats could only hold their breath and hope, only being able to imagine what could happen, and perhaps being amazed by the results.
Richard Starkey/William Scranton 308
Humphrey/Brown 230
As the poll numbers came in, Lyndon Johnson sunk into a crippling depression. Johnson was reported to have said, "Sweet Lord...to think that this is going to be in the hands of the man who did 'Twist and Shout'". Johnson began to drink and smoke heavily throughout the night. As with Eisenhower in reaction to Kennedy's victory in 1960, Johnson saw his blood pressure spike over the next few months, and had greatly increased flatulence. As Ringo Starr approached television cameras to accept his victory, he was surrounded by his fellow Beatle campaign advisers. Lennon was curt to the Democratic campaign, McCartney was congratulatory, Harrison was quiet, and Starr was just happy to be working. Just as they had help America heal in pop culture, the Beatles would now help them heal in politics as well. Despite his own doubt, Starr had won. He had been ... the Reluctant Republican.
Cast of Characters, In Order of Appearance
John Kennedy ... Cliff Robertson
Ho Chi Minh ... Carl Hayden
Fidel Castro ... Frank Sinatra
George Murphy ... Ronald Reagan
Lyndon Johnson ... John Wayne
God ... Lyndon Johnson
Bob Dylan ... Phil Ochs
Ringo Starr ... Himself
