A Nixed Result: a 60s Timeline
- Thread starter Intergallactic
- Start date
Chapter 5: Start of 1962
1962 initially hit Jack like a truck. On January 2nd NAACP Executive Secretary Roy Wilkins attacked Kennedy for his inaction on the Civil Rights, stating he had a "personal role" in holding back Civil Rights by caving to Byrd and his ilk back in 1960. Wilkins asked publicly, "What kinda man puts aside the basic rights and dignities of his fellow man to get elected? Shame on you, Mister President."
Kennedy knew somewhere Bobby was laughing. After their fallout back after the election, Robert Kennedy had been traveling the nation speaking in favor of Civil RIghts, a major thorn in the side of Jack who was trying to avoid the subject through any means necessary. A few days after Wilkins' attacks on Kennedy, Bobby decided to meet with Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in Georgia, something which delighted Liberals but infuriated Dixiecrats like Byrd and Thurmond. It looked terrible for President Kennedy who had said nothing while his brother made headway with the issue.
John and Bobby had held basically zero contact after the election, a shocker for the two who had worked hand and hand on the campaign trail. Shortly after Kennedy struck his deal with Byrd, Bobby was called to his brother's senate office to be informed that he wouldn't be getting a spot in his cabinet at the request of Byrd. John saw keeping Nixon, who he saw on pitifully week against the Soviets, away from the office of President as being more important than insuring a CRA was passed during his tenure. The younger Kennedy however, saw the issue quite differently, telling Jack that "You can't claim to stand against injustice abroad when you fail to stand against it here at home." That was the last thing Robert said to his brother before storming off, enraged. Jack received a harsh scolding from his father Joseph Kennedy for excluding his younger sibling, but he had to tell his dad that he simply had no choice. His father continued to pressure him on it until his stroke in 1961 which took away Joe Kennedy's influence on his son.
Nonetheless, JFK knew he had to say something as denouncements from Activist groups grew. On January 9th he called Senator Byrd and informed him he planned to make a statement addressing the accusations coming against him. Byrd agreed so long as Kennedy did not directly state his support for an end to segregation. That night, the 35th President gave what was considered one of the most dull and boring speeches of his career. JFK stated he wished to "Seek a calm and peaceful agreement on the issue" as well as "enforce the law while defending the rights of states". The speech was completely uninspiring but he had at least saved face and the topic finally died down a few days later.
On February 7th the United States officially announced an embargo against Cuba, blocking almost all exports with the exception of food and humanitarian supplies. In response, the Soviet Union announced a major trade deal with the small island nation, seemingly confirming Cuba's allegiance to Moscow. Around that same time, Soviet military and missile construction specialists happened to arrive in Havana to meet with Castro, potentially with nefarious plans...
Not soon after, the last Kennedy brother Edward announced his own foray into politics, stating publicly that he would seek the Democratic nomination for his brother's old senate seat in Massachusetts. Edward, or Ted as he was usually called, had always felt like he had never matched the political successes of his brothers. Ted had waited until his 30th birthday on February 22nd to officially file for candidacy, but once done the third Kennedy brother felt excited to get his campaign underway.
However, the brother of the President was not a shoe in. He faced a tough primary challenge in Massachusetts Attorney General Edward J. McCormack Jr., who coincidentally was the nephew of House Speaker John W. McCormack, the third in line for the Presidency. Accusations of nepotism against the Kennedys as family friend Ben Smith temporarily held the seat, with some saying he was a "seat warmer" until the President's brother could be seated. A sense of Liberal anger also fueled McCormack's primary campaign as many Liberals and Intellectuals saw it as a chance to "get back" at the Kennedy family for siding with segregationists during the 1960 disaster.
During a debate McCormack pummeled Kennedy, saying that "The office of United States senator should be merited, and not inherited" and that if Edward's last name was other than Kennedy his candidacy would be a joke. He also attacked Kennedy for his brother's refusal to move on Civil Rights, stating "Massachusetts is a state where we value man, not electoral votes."
The primary came down to the wire, with Kennedy narrowly winning with with 54% of the vote. Pundits stated Kennedy's victory came from his ability to speak to the average person on the street, as well as his family's power in the state.
Edward "Ted" Kennedy campaigns in the Massachusetts Democratic Primary, 1962
An equally massive announcement, former Vice President of the United States and former Presidential candidate Richard Nixon finally re-emerged to announce he would seek the Republican nomination for Governor of California. Nixon had been living with his family in his home state and wrote a book called Seven Crisis, which was originally planned to be six until Nixon decided the 1960 election and the electoral fiasco afterwards could be considered two separate events.
Nonetheless, the California Republican Party saw Nixon as their best shot at unseating Democratic governor Pat Brown, and thus potentially launch the former Vice President back onto the national stage where he could potentially rematch Kennedy in 64'.
Similarly to the Kennedy brother in Massachusetts, Nixon faced a challenging primary. Ultraconservative Joe Shell challenged Nixon in the primary with support from the Right-Wing John Birch Society. The primary was extremely bitter, where Shell asked "how could Californians trust someone who couldn't even defeat Kennedy?" However the Nixon camp struck back, reminding Shell that the former Vice President had won the popular vote and that Kennedy wouldn't have made it to the White House if not for Byrd. Nixon eventually won the primary with 65% of the vote. At last Tricky Dick had returned to politics.
Kennedy knew somewhere Bobby was laughing. After their fallout back after the election, Robert Kennedy had been traveling the nation speaking in favor of Civil RIghts, a major thorn in the side of Jack who was trying to avoid the subject through any means necessary. A few days after Wilkins' attacks on Kennedy, Bobby decided to meet with Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in Georgia, something which delighted Liberals but infuriated Dixiecrats like Byrd and Thurmond. It looked terrible for President Kennedy who had said nothing while his brother made headway with the issue.
John and Bobby had held basically zero contact after the election, a shocker for the two who had worked hand and hand on the campaign trail. Shortly after Kennedy struck his deal with Byrd, Bobby was called to his brother's senate office to be informed that he wouldn't be getting a spot in his cabinet at the request of Byrd. John saw keeping Nixon, who he saw on pitifully week against the Soviets, away from the office of President as being more important than insuring a CRA was passed during his tenure. The younger Kennedy however, saw the issue quite differently, telling Jack that "You can't claim to stand against injustice abroad when you fail to stand against it here at home." That was the last thing Robert said to his brother before storming off, enraged. Jack received a harsh scolding from his father Joseph Kennedy for excluding his younger sibling, but he had to tell his dad that he simply had no choice. His father continued to pressure him on it until his stroke in 1961 which took away Joe Kennedy's influence on his son.
Nonetheless, JFK knew he had to say something as denouncements from Activist groups grew. On January 9th he called Senator Byrd and informed him he planned to make a statement addressing the accusations coming against him. Byrd agreed so long as Kennedy did not directly state his support for an end to segregation. That night, the 35th President gave what was considered one of the most dull and boring speeches of his career. JFK stated he wished to "Seek a calm and peaceful agreement on the issue" as well as "enforce the law while defending the rights of states". The speech was completely uninspiring but he had at least saved face and the topic finally died down a few days later.
On February 7th the United States officially announced an embargo against Cuba, blocking almost all exports with the exception of food and humanitarian supplies. In response, the Soviet Union announced a major trade deal with the small island nation, seemingly confirming Cuba's allegiance to Moscow. Around that same time, Soviet military and missile construction specialists happened to arrive in Havana to meet with Castro, potentially with nefarious plans...
Not soon after, the last Kennedy brother Edward announced his own foray into politics, stating publicly that he would seek the Democratic nomination for his brother's old senate seat in Massachusetts. Edward, or Ted as he was usually called, had always felt like he had never matched the political successes of his brothers. Ted had waited until his 30th birthday on February 22nd to officially file for candidacy, but once done the third Kennedy brother felt excited to get his campaign underway.
However, the brother of the President was not a shoe in. He faced a tough primary challenge in Massachusetts Attorney General Edward J. McCormack Jr., who coincidentally was the nephew of House Speaker John W. McCormack, the third in line for the Presidency. Accusations of nepotism against the Kennedys as family friend Ben Smith temporarily held the seat, with some saying he was a "seat warmer" until the President's brother could be seated. A sense of Liberal anger also fueled McCormack's primary campaign as many Liberals and Intellectuals saw it as a chance to "get back" at the Kennedy family for siding with segregationists during the 1960 disaster.
During a debate McCormack pummeled Kennedy, saying that "The office of United States senator should be merited, and not inherited" and that if Edward's last name was other than Kennedy his candidacy would be a joke. He also attacked Kennedy for his brother's refusal to move on Civil Rights, stating "Massachusetts is a state where we value man, not electoral votes."
The primary came down to the wire, with Kennedy narrowly winning with with 54% of the vote. Pundits stated Kennedy's victory came from his ability to speak to the average person on the street, as well as his family's power in the state.
Edward "Ted" Kennedy campaigns in the Massachusetts Democratic Primary, 1962
An equally massive announcement, former Vice President of the United States and former Presidential candidate Richard Nixon finally re-emerged to announce he would seek the Republican nomination for Governor of California. Nixon had been living with his family in his home state and wrote a book called Seven Crisis, which was originally planned to be six until Nixon decided the 1960 election and the electoral fiasco afterwards could be considered two separate events.
Nonetheless, the California Republican Party saw Nixon as their best shot at unseating Democratic governor Pat Brown, and thus potentially launch the former Vice President back onto the national stage where he could potentially rematch Kennedy in 64'.
Similarly to the Kennedy brother in Massachusetts, Nixon faced a challenging primary. Ultraconservative Joe Shell challenged Nixon in the primary with support from the Right-Wing John Birch Society. The primary was extremely bitter, where Shell asked "how could Californians trust someone who couldn't even defeat Kennedy?" However the Nixon camp struck back, reminding Shell that the former Vice President had won the popular vote and that Kennedy wouldn't have made it to the White House if not for Byrd. Nixon eventually won the primary with 65% of the vote. At last Tricky Dick had returned to politics.
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I’m going through midterms right now so the timeline has slowed down. Hopefully in about a week or two I should be back up to speed
I could see him changing tack after 1964, when he is freed from his deal with the
Chapter 5.5: The Crisis Dawns
Nuclear Weapons discovered in Cuba!
CBS Evening News appears on viewers screens nationwide to reveal the recognizable face of Walter Cronkite. Viewers immediately notice a somber mood on his face.
"Good evening, just moments ago, President Kennedy confirmed in a speech from the White House that the United States Air Force and the Central Intelligence Agency have discovered Soviet Nuclear Missiles on Cuba. He demanded that the Soviet Union begin to must withdraw from Cuba immediately, and that 'It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union. '
The Soviet Union has not currently responded, but no doubt they have begun troop deployments near the borders of West Germany and more important, West Berlin. It is not known if the President plans to take military action against the small island nation, but he did state 'To halt this offensive buildup, a strict quarantine on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba is being initiated. All ships of any kind bound for Cuba, from whatever nation or port, will, if found to contain cargoes of offensive weapons, be turned back. This quarantine will be extended, if needed, to other types of cargo and carriers. We are not at this time, however, denying the necessities of life as the Soviets attempted to do in their Berlin blockade of 1948.'
No doubt nerves are being held at home, and we urge our viewers to try and remain calm in this tense time."
CBS Evening News appears on viewers screens nationwide to reveal the recognizable face of Walter Cronkite. Viewers immediately notice a somber mood on his face.
"Good evening, just moments ago, President Kennedy confirmed in a speech from the White House that the United States Air Force and the Central Intelligence Agency have discovered Soviet Nuclear Missiles on Cuba. He demanded that the Soviet Union begin to must withdraw from Cuba immediately, and that 'It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union. '
The Soviet Union has not currently responded, but no doubt they have begun troop deployments near the borders of West Germany and more important, West Berlin. It is not known if the President plans to take military action against the small island nation, but he did state 'To halt this offensive buildup, a strict quarantine on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba is being initiated. All ships of any kind bound for Cuba, from whatever nation or port, will, if found to contain cargoes of offensive weapons, be turned back. This quarantine will be extended, if needed, to other types of cargo and carriers. We are not at this time, however, denying the necessities of life as the Soviets attempted to do in their Berlin blockade of 1948.'
No doubt nerves are being held at home, and we urge our viewers to try and remain calm in this tense time."
I don’t like to spoil much, but I can confirm the world will not be ending in nuclear hellfire
I owe you all an apology for abdicating my responsibility on the timeline. I will have the next part out as soon as I can.
Chapter 6: The Crisis and 1962 Elections
The Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the closest calls mankind ever experienced when it came to the threat of thermonuclear annihilation. A U-2 Spy Plane piloted by Major Richard Heyser first detected Soviet Missiles in Cuba on October 14th, 1962. Immediately United States military and intelligence agencies were in a mad panic as thermonuclear weapons were well within striking distance of most major American cities. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara informed President Kennedy of the weapons in the Oval Office the next day.
Vice President Robert Kerr was skeptical of an invasion. While the Joint Chiefs all agreed an immediate military strike was needed to force the Soviets out of Cuba, Kerr remembered how Khrushchev had warned Kennedy against direct involvement during the Bay of Pigs fiasco, and was in favor of a diplomatic solution. Although Kerr had never been Kennedy's choice for President, Symington had been his running mate and Senate Majority Leader Johnson was runner-up, Kennedy had come to trust Kerr as an ally and a friend.
U-2 Picture of a Soviet Missile Site
Kennedy thought that a direct attack on Cuba would result in Soviet conquest of West Berlin, which he refused to hand over to Khrushchev repeatedly in the past and still now. Despite Kennedy's reservations, EXCOMM forged ahead and created Operational Plan 316 and 312, a primarily Army and Marine focused ground invasion and a primarily Air Force and Navy Carrier operation respectively. Both where intended to destroy the missile sites and likely topple Fidel Castro.
On October 22nd, President Kennedy gave a speech to the nation, announcing he would seek a military blockade of Cuba. American troops all over the world where placed on DEFCON 3. The world waited with baited breath as they sat on the edge of Armageddon. Castro refused any UN weapons inspectors, as he demanded the weapons were for self-defense.
During a UN Security Council conference on October 25th, US Ambassador Adlai Stevenson confronted Soviet Ambassador Valerian Zorin and demanded he admit the existence of the nukes. That same day the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. intercepted and boarded the Lebanese cargo ship Marucla.
On October 26th, the crisis showed little signs of abating. Knowing of his electoral promise to members of the US Senate, Khrushchev ordered Soviet forces to begin building up near Berlin, expecting the President to act irrationally to not appear as a coward and a liar. Kennedy reluctantly began preparing US forces for an invasion the same day, as well as beginning nuclear weapons to be aimed at the Soviets during their inevitable response.
That same day, John Scali of ABC News spoke with Aleksandr Feklisov, the KGB Station Chief in Washington D.C. He asked Scali to contact his friends in the State Department as he stated "War is about to break out." He informed Scali that the Soviets would seek a peaceful solution. That night Secretary of State Fulbright received a letter, allegedly from First Secretary Khrushchev himself, directed at President Kennedy asking for peace.
Meanwhile, Fidel Castro repeatedly begged the Soviet leader to initiate a pre-emptive nuclear strike against America, as he believed an invasion was imminent. Khrushchev refused, believing the United States would stand down if the missiles were removed.
The next day, USAF pilot Rudolf Anderson was shot down by a Surface-to-Air missile. The crisis intensified, and it seemed that World War 3 was inevitable. General Maxwell Taylor informed Kennedy of the shootdown, and he nearly ordered a strike. However, Vice President Kerr insisted Kennedy hold back and continue negotiations. His reservations may have saved mankind.
That evening Kennedy and Khrushchev officially agreed to withdraw missiles from Turkey and Cuba respectively. The withdrawal of American missiles from Turkey was kept secret to make it appear the Russians had backed down. The world was saved from atomic annihilation. Senator Byrd knew of the withdrawal of missiles from Turkey, but with the public rallying around the President in what appeared to be a victory he angrily kept quiet. Byrd knew Kennedy had technically broken his deal but had no choice but to accept it for now. He only worried how soon until JFK went rogue on Civil Rights?
For his role in the crisis, Vice President Kerr was awarded the newly created Presidential Medal of Freedom, which Kennedy created in November through executive order. Kennedy described Kerr as his "closest friend" during the speech, a major turn around from Kerr being forced onto his ticket.
That night, during a private dinner with the President, the First Lady, the Vice President and the Second Lady, Robert informed John that he wished for the President to include a Civil Rights plank in his 1964 re-election campaign.
The 1962 Midterms were held on November 6th, 1962
1962 Elections
Vice President Robert Kerr was skeptical of an invasion. While the Joint Chiefs all agreed an immediate military strike was needed to force the Soviets out of Cuba, Kerr remembered how Khrushchev had warned Kennedy against direct involvement during the Bay of Pigs fiasco, and was in favor of a diplomatic solution. Although Kerr had never been Kennedy's choice for President, Symington had been his running mate and Senate Majority Leader Johnson was runner-up, Kennedy had come to trust Kerr as an ally and a friend.
U-2 Picture of a Soviet Missile Site
Kennedy thought that a direct attack on Cuba would result in Soviet conquest of West Berlin, which he refused to hand over to Khrushchev repeatedly in the past and still now. Despite Kennedy's reservations, EXCOMM forged ahead and created Operational Plan 316 and 312, a primarily Army and Marine focused ground invasion and a primarily Air Force and Navy Carrier operation respectively. Both where intended to destroy the missile sites and likely topple Fidel Castro.
On October 22nd, President Kennedy gave a speech to the nation, announcing he would seek a military blockade of Cuba. American troops all over the world where placed on DEFCON 3. The world waited with baited breath as they sat on the edge of Armageddon. Castro refused any UN weapons inspectors, as he demanded the weapons were for self-defense.
During a UN Security Council conference on October 25th, US Ambassador Adlai Stevenson confronted Soviet Ambassador Valerian Zorin and demanded he admit the existence of the nukes. That same day the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. intercepted and boarded the Lebanese cargo ship Marucla.
On October 26th, the crisis showed little signs of abating. Knowing of his electoral promise to members of the US Senate, Khrushchev ordered Soviet forces to begin building up near Berlin, expecting the President to act irrationally to not appear as a coward and a liar. Kennedy reluctantly began preparing US forces for an invasion the same day, as well as beginning nuclear weapons to be aimed at the Soviets during their inevitable response.
That same day, John Scali of ABC News spoke with Aleksandr Feklisov, the KGB Station Chief in Washington D.C. He asked Scali to contact his friends in the State Department as he stated "War is about to break out." He informed Scali that the Soviets would seek a peaceful solution. That night Secretary of State Fulbright received a letter, allegedly from First Secretary Khrushchev himself, directed at President Kennedy asking for peace.
Meanwhile, Fidel Castro repeatedly begged the Soviet leader to initiate a pre-emptive nuclear strike against America, as he believed an invasion was imminent. Khrushchev refused, believing the United States would stand down if the missiles were removed.
The next day, USAF pilot Rudolf Anderson was shot down by a Surface-to-Air missile. The crisis intensified, and it seemed that World War 3 was inevitable. General Maxwell Taylor informed Kennedy of the shootdown, and he nearly ordered a strike. However, Vice President Kerr insisted Kennedy hold back and continue negotiations. His reservations may have saved mankind.
That evening Kennedy and Khrushchev officially agreed to withdraw missiles from Turkey and Cuba respectively. The withdrawal of American missiles from Turkey was kept secret to make it appear the Russians had backed down. The world was saved from atomic annihilation. Senator Byrd knew of the withdrawal of missiles from Turkey, but with the public rallying around the President in what appeared to be a victory he angrily kept quiet. Byrd knew Kennedy had technically broken his deal but had no choice but to accept it for now. He only worried how soon until JFK went rogue on Civil Rights?
For his role in the crisis, Vice President Kerr was awarded the newly created Presidential Medal of Freedom, which Kennedy created in November through executive order. Kennedy described Kerr as his "closest friend" during the speech, a major turn around from Kerr being forced onto his ticket.
That night, during a private dinner with the President, the First Lady, the Vice President and the Second Lady, Robert informed John that he wished for the President to include a Civil Rights plank in his 1964 re-election campaign.
The 1962 Midterms were held on November 6th, 1962
1962 Elections
Senate:
Alabama: Lister Hill (D) defeats James D Martin (R) (Democratic Hold)
Alaska: Ernest Gruening (D) defeats Ted Stevens (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arizona: Carl Hayden (D) defeats Evan Mecham (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arkansas: Ezekiel Gathings (D) defeats Kenneth Jones (R) (Democratic Hold)
California: Thomas H. Kuchel (R) defeats Richard Richards (D) (Republican Hold)
Colorado: Peter H. Dominick (R) defeats John A. Carroll (D) (Republican Gain)
Connecticut: John Davis Lodge (R) defeats Abraham Ribicoff (D) (Republican Hold)
Florida: George A. Smathers (D) defeats Emerson Rupert (R) (Democratic Hold)
Georgia: Herman E. Talmadge (D) (Uncontested Election) (Democratic Hold)
Hawaii: Daniel K. Inouye (D) defeats Ben F. Dillingham (R) (Democratic Hold)
Idaho Regular: Frank Church (D) defeats Jack Hawley (R) (Democratic Hold)
Idaho Special: Leonard B. Jordan (R) defeats Gracie Pfost (D) (Republican Hold)
Illinois: Everett M. Dirkson (R) defeats Sidney R Yates (D) (Republican Hold)
Indiana: Birch Baye (D) defeats Homer E. Capehart (R) (Democratic Gain)
Iowa: Bourke B. Hickenlooper (R) defeats E. B. Smith (D) (Republican Hold)
Kansas Regular: Frank Carlson (R) defeats K. L. Smith (D) (Republican Hold)
Kansas Special: James B. Pearson (R) defeats Paul L. Aylward (D) (Republican Hold)
Kentucky: Thruston B. Morton (R) defeats Wilson W. Wyatt (D) (Republican Hold)
Louisiana: Russell B. Long (D) defeats Taylor Walters O'Hearn (R) (Democratic Hold)
Maryland: Daniel B. Brewster (D) defeats Edward T. Miller (R) (Democratic Hold)
Massachusetts Special: Edward M. Kennedy (D) defeats George C. Lodge (R) and Henry Stuart Hughes (I) (Democratic Hold)
Missouri: Edward V. Long (D) defeats Crosby Kemper (R) (Democratic Hold)
Nevada: Alan Bible (D) defeats William B. Wright (R) (Democratic Hold)
New Hampshire Regular: Norris Cotton (R) defeats Alfred Catalfo Jr. (D) (Republican Hold)
New Hampshire Special: Perkins Bass (R) defeats Thomas J. McIntyre (D) (Republican Hold)
New York: Jacob Javits (R) defeats James B. Donovan (D) (Republican Hold)
North Carolina: Sam Ervin (D) defeats Claude L. Greene Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
North Dakota: Milton R. Young (R) defeats William Lanier (D-NPL) (Republican Hold)
Ohio: Frank J. Lausche (D) defeats John Marshall Briley (R) (Democratic Hold)
Oklahoma Regular: Almer Stillwell Mike Monroney (D) defeats B. Hayden Crawford (R) (Democratic Hold)
Oklahoma Special[1]: J. Howard Edmondson (D) defeats Bud Wilkinson (R) (Democratic Hold)
Oregon: Wayne Morse (D) defeats Sig Unander (R) (Democratic Hold)
Pennsylvania: Joseph S. Clark Jr. (D) defeats James E. Van Zandt (R) (Democratic Hold)
South Carolina: Olin D. Johnston (D) defeats W. D. Workman Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
South Dakota: George McGovern (D) defeats Joseph H. Bottum (R) (Democratic Gain)
Utah: Wallace F. Bennett (R) defeats David S. King (D) (Republican Hold)
Vermont: George D. Aiken (R) defeats W. Robert Johnson Sr. (D) (Republican Hold)
Washington: Warren G. Magnuson (D) defeats Richard G. Christensen (R) (Democratic Hold)
Wisconsin: Gaylord A. Nelson (D) defeats Alexander Wiley (R) (Democratic Gain)
Wyoming Special: Milard Simpson (R) defeats John J. Hickey (D) (Republican Gain)
Senate Composition Pre-Election:
Democratic: 64 Senate Leader: Lyndon Baines Johnson
Republican: 36 Senate Leader: Everett M. Dirkson
Senate Seats Post Election:
Democratic: 65 Senate Leader: Lyndon Baines Johnson
Republican: 35 Senate Leader: Everett M. Dirkson
Democratic+1
1=To fill seat formerly held by Vice President Robert S. Kerr
Alabama: Lister Hill (D) defeats James D Martin (R) (Democratic Hold)
Alaska: Ernest Gruening (D) defeats Ted Stevens (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arizona: Carl Hayden (D) defeats Evan Mecham (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arkansas: Ezekiel Gathings (D) defeats Kenneth Jones (R) (Democratic Hold)
California: Thomas H. Kuchel (R) defeats Richard Richards (D) (Republican Hold)
Colorado: Peter H. Dominick (R) defeats John A. Carroll (D) (Republican Gain)
Connecticut: John Davis Lodge (R) defeats Abraham Ribicoff (D) (Republican Hold)
Florida: George A. Smathers (D) defeats Emerson Rupert (R) (Democratic Hold)
Georgia: Herman E. Talmadge (D) (Uncontested Election) (Democratic Hold)
Hawaii: Daniel K. Inouye (D) defeats Ben F. Dillingham (R) (Democratic Hold)
Idaho Regular: Frank Church (D) defeats Jack Hawley (R) (Democratic Hold)
Idaho Special: Leonard B. Jordan (R) defeats Gracie Pfost (D) (Republican Hold)
Illinois: Everett M. Dirkson (R) defeats Sidney R Yates (D) (Republican Hold)
Indiana: Birch Baye (D) defeats Homer E. Capehart (R) (Democratic Gain)
Iowa: Bourke B. Hickenlooper (R) defeats E. B. Smith (D) (Republican Hold)
Kansas Regular: Frank Carlson (R) defeats K. L. Smith (D) (Republican Hold)
Kansas Special: James B. Pearson (R) defeats Paul L. Aylward (D) (Republican Hold)
Kentucky: Thruston B. Morton (R) defeats Wilson W. Wyatt (D) (Republican Hold)
Louisiana: Russell B. Long (D) defeats Taylor Walters O'Hearn (R) (Democratic Hold)
Maryland: Daniel B. Brewster (D) defeats Edward T. Miller (R) (Democratic Hold)
Massachusetts Special: Edward M. Kennedy (D) defeats George C. Lodge (R) and Henry Stuart Hughes (I) (Democratic Hold)
Missouri: Edward V. Long (D) defeats Crosby Kemper (R) (Democratic Hold)
Nevada: Alan Bible (D) defeats William B. Wright (R) (Democratic Hold)
New Hampshire Regular: Norris Cotton (R) defeats Alfred Catalfo Jr. (D) (Republican Hold)
New Hampshire Special: Perkins Bass (R) defeats Thomas J. McIntyre (D) (Republican Hold)
New York: Jacob Javits (R) defeats James B. Donovan (D) (Republican Hold)
North Carolina: Sam Ervin (D) defeats Claude L. Greene Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
North Dakota: Milton R. Young (R) defeats William Lanier (D-NPL) (Republican Hold)
Ohio: Frank J. Lausche (D) defeats John Marshall Briley (R) (Democratic Hold)
Oklahoma Regular: Almer Stillwell Mike Monroney (D) defeats B. Hayden Crawford (R) (Democratic Hold)
Oklahoma Special[1]: J. Howard Edmondson (D) defeats Bud Wilkinson (R) (Democratic Hold)
Oregon: Wayne Morse (D) defeats Sig Unander (R) (Democratic Hold)
Pennsylvania: Joseph S. Clark Jr. (D) defeats James E. Van Zandt (R) (Democratic Hold)
South Carolina: Olin D. Johnston (D) defeats W. D. Workman Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
South Dakota: George McGovern (D) defeats Joseph H. Bottum (R) (Democratic Gain)
Utah: Wallace F. Bennett (R) defeats David S. King (D) (Republican Hold)
Vermont: George D. Aiken (R) defeats W. Robert Johnson Sr. (D) (Republican Hold)
Washington: Warren G. Magnuson (D) defeats Richard G. Christensen (R) (Democratic Hold)
Wisconsin: Gaylord A. Nelson (D) defeats Alexander Wiley (R) (Democratic Gain)
Wyoming Special: Milard Simpson (R) defeats John J. Hickey (D) (Republican Gain)
Senate Composition Pre-Election:
Democratic: 64 Senate Leader: Lyndon Baines Johnson
Republican: 36 Senate Leader: Everett M. Dirkson
Senate Seats Post Election:
Democratic: 65 Senate Leader: Lyndon Baines Johnson
Republican: 35 Senate Leader: Everett M. Dirkson
Democratic+1
1=To fill seat formerly held by Vice President Robert S. Kerr
Gubernatorial Elections:
Alabama: George Wallace (D) defeats Frank P. Walls (R) (Democratic Hold)
Alaska: William A. Egan (D) defeats Mike Stepovich (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arizona: Paul Fannin (D) defeats Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arkansas: Orval Faubus (D) defeats Willis Ricketts (R) (Democratic Hold)
California: Richard M. Nixon (R) defeats Pat Brown (D) (Republican Gain)
Colorado: John Arthur Love (R) defeats Stephen McNichols (D) (Republican Gain)
Connecticut: John N. Dempsey (D) defeats John deKoven Alsop (R) (Democratic Hold)
Georgia: Carl Sanders (D) (Uncontested Election) (Democratic Hold)
Hawaii: John A. Burns (D) defeats William F. Quinn (R) (Democratic Gain)
Idaho: Robert E. Smylie (R) defeats Vernon K. Smith (D) (Republican Hold)
Iowa: Harold Hughes (D) defeats Norman A. Erbe (R) (Democratic Gain)
Kansas: John Anderson Jr. (R) defeats Dale E. Saffels (D) (Republican Hold)
Maine: John H. Reed (R) defeats Maynard C. Dolloff (D) (Republican Hold)
Maryland: J. Millard Tawes (D) defeats Frank Small Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
Massachusetts: Endicott Peabody (D) defeats John Volpe (R) (Democratic Gain)
Michigan: George W. Romney (R) defeats John Swainson (D) (Republican Gain)
Minnesota: Karl Rolvaag (D-FL) defeats Elmer L. Anderson (R) (Democratic Gain)
Nebraska: Frank B. Morrison (D) defeats Fred A. Seaton (R) (Democratic Hold)
Nevada: Grant Sawyer (D) defeats Oran K. Gragson (R) (Democratic Hold)
New Hampshire: John W. King (D) defeats John Pillsbury (R) (Democratic Gain)
New Mexico: Jack M. Campbell (D) defeats Edwin L. Mechem (R) (Democratic Gain)
New York: Nelson Rockefeller (R) defeats Robert Morgenthau and David H. Jaquith (C) (Republican Hold)
North Dakota: William L. Guy (D-NPL) defeats Mark Andrews (R) (Democratic Hold)
Ohio: Jim Rhodes (R) defeats Michael DiSalle (D) (Republican Gain)
Oklahoma: Henry Bellmon (R) defeats W. P. Atkinson (D) (Republican Gain)
Oregon: Mark Hatfield (R) defeats Robert Y. Thornton (D) and Robert H. Wampler (I) (Republican Hold)
Pennsylvania: William Scranton (R) defeats Richardson Dilworth (D) (Republican Gain)
Rhode Island: John A. Notte Jr. (D) defeats John Chafee (R) (Democratic Hold)
South Carolina: Donald S. Russell (D) (Uncontested Election) (Democratic Hold)
South Dakota: Archie M. Gubbard (R) defeats Ralph Herseth (D) (Republican Gain)
Tennessee: Frank G. Clement (D) defeats William Anderson (I) and Hubert David Patty (R) (Democratic Hold)
Texas: John Connally (D) defeats Jack Cox (R) (Democratic Hold)
Vermont: F. Ray Keyser Jr. (R) defeats Phillip H. Hoff (D) (Republican Hold)
Wisconsin: John W. Reynolds Jr. (D) defeats Philip G. Kuehn (R) (Democratic Hold)
Wyoming: Clifford Hansen (R) defeats Jack R. Gage (D) (Republican Gain)
Governorships Pre-election:
Democratic: 33
Republican: 17
Governorships Post-election:
Democratic: 31
Republican: 19
Republican+1
Alabama: George Wallace (D) defeats Frank P. Walls (R) (Democratic Hold)
Alaska: William A. Egan (D) defeats Mike Stepovich (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arizona: Paul Fannin (D) defeats Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
Arkansas: Orval Faubus (D) defeats Willis Ricketts (R) (Democratic Hold)
California: Richard M. Nixon (R) defeats Pat Brown (D) (Republican Gain)
Colorado: John Arthur Love (R) defeats Stephen McNichols (D) (Republican Gain)
Connecticut: John N. Dempsey (D) defeats John deKoven Alsop (R) (Democratic Hold)
Georgia: Carl Sanders (D) (Uncontested Election) (Democratic Hold)
Hawaii: John A. Burns (D) defeats William F. Quinn (R) (Democratic Gain)
Idaho: Robert E. Smylie (R) defeats Vernon K. Smith (D) (Republican Hold)
Iowa: Harold Hughes (D) defeats Norman A. Erbe (R) (Democratic Gain)
Kansas: John Anderson Jr. (R) defeats Dale E. Saffels (D) (Republican Hold)
Maine: John H. Reed (R) defeats Maynard C. Dolloff (D) (Republican Hold)
Maryland: J. Millard Tawes (D) defeats Frank Small Jr. (R) (Democratic Hold)
Massachusetts: Endicott Peabody (D) defeats John Volpe (R) (Democratic Gain)
Michigan: George W. Romney (R) defeats John Swainson (D) (Republican Gain)
Minnesota: Karl Rolvaag (D-FL) defeats Elmer L. Anderson (R) (Democratic Gain)
Nebraska: Frank B. Morrison (D) defeats Fred A. Seaton (R) (Democratic Hold)
Nevada: Grant Sawyer (D) defeats Oran K. Gragson (R) (Democratic Hold)
New Hampshire: John W. King (D) defeats John Pillsbury (R) (Democratic Gain)
New Mexico: Jack M. Campbell (D) defeats Edwin L. Mechem (R) (Democratic Gain)
New York: Nelson Rockefeller (R) defeats Robert Morgenthau and David H. Jaquith (C) (Republican Hold)
North Dakota: William L. Guy (D-NPL) defeats Mark Andrews (R) (Democratic Hold)
Ohio: Jim Rhodes (R) defeats Michael DiSalle (D) (Republican Gain)
Oklahoma: Henry Bellmon (R) defeats W. P. Atkinson (D) (Republican Gain)
Oregon: Mark Hatfield (R) defeats Robert Y. Thornton (D) and Robert H. Wampler (I) (Republican Hold)
Pennsylvania: William Scranton (R) defeats Richardson Dilworth (D) (Republican Gain)
Rhode Island: John A. Notte Jr. (D) defeats John Chafee (R) (Democratic Hold)
South Carolina: Donald S. Russell (D) (Uncontested Election) (Democratic Hold)
South Dakota: Archie M. Gubbard (R) defeats Ralph Herseth (D) (Republican Gain)
Tennessee: Frank G. Clement (D) defeats William Anderson (I) and Hubert David Patty (R) (Democratic Hold)
Texas: John Connally (D) defeats Jack Cox (R) (Democratic Hold)
Vermont: F. Ray Keyser Jr. (R) defeats Phillip H. Hoff (D) (Republican Hold)
Wisconsin: John W. Reynolds Jr. (D) defeats Philip G. Kuehn (R) (Democratic Hold)
Wyoming: Clifford Hansen (R) defeats Jack R. Gage (D) (Republican Gain)
Governorships Pre-election:
Democratic: 33
Republican: 17
Governorships Post-election:
Democratic: 31
Republican: 19
Republican+1
House Seats Pre-election:
Democratic: 262 House Leader: John McCormack
Republican: 175 House leader: Charles Halleck
House Seats Post-election:
Democratic: 255 House Leader: John McCormack
Republican: 181 House leader: Charles Halleck
Independent: 1
Republican+6
Democratic: 262 House Leader: John McCormack
Republican: 175 House leader: Charles Halleck
House Seats Post-election:
Democratic: 255 House Leader: John McCormack
Republican: 181 House leader: Charles Halleck
Independent: 1
Republican+6
Richard Nixon Elected Governor of California!
Celebrations were held in the Beverly Hilton Hotel as former Vice President Richard Nixon has officially unseated incumbent Democratic Pat Brown to become the 33rd Governor of California. He lead significantly in opinion polls leading up to the election and it was expected he would win, but the energy was still felt that night as Dick declared victory. Two years after his disastrous electoral defeat in 1960 (although he did win the popular vote by 2 million) Richard Nixon is finally returning to public office. In his victory speech he informed news reporters "You have Nixon to kick around a little more gentlemen, this won't be my last press conference!" In an equally stunning move, Nixon informed the public that he would not seek the Republican nomination for President in 64'.
Good take on the Cuban Missile Crisis. I hope Kennedy will be able to pass some civil rights bill
1960 Election box
Backtracking a little bit, here is the wikibox for the 1960 United States election in this timeline