alternatehistory.com
1983
'Finch will run for Governor again'
- Clarion-Ledger, January 9th, 1983
'Hart- "I'm running"'
- New York Times, March 15th, 1983
'Tank battle outside Kerman, thousands of Iraqis dead, Iranian victory'
- London Times, March 19th, 1983
"It is time to strike, General Sajid has proven to be a failure. The loss at Deh-e Bala proves that the Republican Guard cannot manage the country. There is discontent in Baghdad. If we move now Sajid can be overthrown and Uday can be freed with little loss."'
- Discussion in a bunkers somewhere in Fallujah, March 23rd, 1983
"Breaking news from Iraq! Forces loyal to imprisoned former President Uday Hussein and his brothers have assaulted the Radwaniyah Palace and other government buildings in Baghdad. Carbombs believed intended to kill current President Sajid failed in their objective. There is fighting in the streets of Iraq."
- Bob Schieffer, CBS Evening News, March 29th, 1983
"Which fucking side are we on! Sajid is incompetant, but Uday is worse. Maybe we just glass the whole fucking place..."
- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to aides, late March, 1983 on the situation in Iraq
'Front collapses! Iran gains ground as Iraqi forces turn on one another!'
- New York Times, April 1st, 1983
'Senate Majority Leader Byrd will run for President'
- Chicago Tribune, April 5th, 1983
"Let's end this war! Enough Americans have died. This is not our fight."
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), announcing his campaign for the Republican nomination in 1984, April 29th, 1983
"What? Does he have a thing for running against incumbent Republican Presidents?"
- White House Chief of Staff James Baker to President Ronald Reagan on Pete McCloskey's Presidential bid, May 1st, 1983
"The battle between the various Iraqi factions has created a major problem for us. The Iraqi-held sectors of occupied Iran collapsed. Iranian militants have pushed forwards and are supplying weapons to Shi'ite insurgents in Iraq. Baghdad is a warzone. US forces are being redeployed throughout Iran and Iraq to hold what we have gained so far. We need something big."
- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to President Ronald Reagan, May 10th, 1983
"President, it is done. We have four of them, small enough to fit in a suitcase. Our technicians advise we use them soon."
- Unknown Iranian Defense Official to President Valiollah Fallahi, May 12th, 1983
"I'm running for the Democratic nomination."
- Former Vice President Walter Mondale (D-MN), May 15th, 1983
"Mr. President...we have a situation...three suitcase nukes have gone off. Baghdad, Jerusalem, and Amol are hit. We believe the Iranians are behind it, but we don't know. I highly advise you raise DEFCON to level one. If the Soviets are behind this, we can't be caught with our pants down."
- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to President Ronald Reagan, May 16th, 1983
'Suitcase nukes in Middle East, four confirmed explosions, thousands dead, DEFCON raised to level one, American and Soviet troops mobilizing'
- New York Times, May 17th, 1983
"Intelligence suggests that the Iranians at least five suitcase bombs left. They are likely to use them soon, before we have a chance to destroy them."
- Senior Defense Department Official to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, May 19th, 1983
"I authorize the use of a tactical nuclear weapon on the Iranian nuclear base outside Sanandaj."
- President Ronald Reagan, May 21st, 1983
"There are reports from Iran that a small nuclear bomb was dropped on a compound held by forces loyal to the Iranian government outside Sanandaj, in western Iran. Iranian media outlets allege that the bombing was completely unjustified and has killed hundreds of people, many Sunnis."
- Bob Schieffer, CBS Evening News, May 21st, 1983
'Anti-American protests rock Middle East, martial law declared in Riyadh'
- Chicago Tribune, May 23rd, 1983
'OPEC announces oil embargo on US and allies'
- Miami Herald, May 29th, 1983
'NYSE in tailspin as oil embargo sets in'
- Chicago Tribune, May 30th, 1983
"It is time to support Fallahi."
- General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Yuri Andropov, June 1st, 1983
'Governor Finch of Mississippi announces bid for Presidency'
- New York Times, June 1st, 1983
"Philadelphia, your time has come! Pick up your sling shot, pick up your rock, declare our time has come, a new day has begun! Red, yellow, black and white, we are all precious in God's sight! Our time has come!"
- Jesse Jackson announces run for Democratic nomination, June 6th, 1983
"I am not running for President in 1984"
- George McGovern, June 12th, 1983
'Brown announces third run for Democratic nomination'
- San Francisco Chronicle, June 21st, 1983
'Hollings will try to take White House'
- Post & Courier, June 22nd, 1983
"After long consideration, I have decided against running for President. I am endorsing my fellow Senator from the state of California, Jerry Brown."
- Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA), July 2nd, 1983
"I understand that the current situation in the Middle East is by no means ideal. However, let us be clear. This war was started by Iranian aggression. All escalations have been the responsibility of the reprehensible revolutionary regime and its allies. The United States is simply retaliating against assaults on our people and resources."
- President Ronald Reagan, July 10th, 1983
"Mr. President, ask the grieving mothers and fathers: is oil worth this much blood?"
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), July 11th, 1983
'Turkey announces withdrawal from war'
- New York Times, July 19th, 1983
"I want to forge a new Democratic party, one of the people, by the people, and for the people. A party for rich men, a party for poor men, a party for all men."
- Governor Cliff Finch (D-MS) in a campaign speech in Mount Pleasant, IA, July 29th, 1983
Reagan: 53%
McCloskey: 42%
- Gallup Polls, August 1983
"It's time to get out of the Middle East!"
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), August 6th, 1983
'Cliff Finch: The economic wondergovernor'
- New York Times, August 14th, 1983
'Hormel meatpackers on strike!'
- Los Angeles Times, August 29th, 1983
"Someone has to stand up for the workers. Our current president has undermined the role of organized labor in our society, and, by extension, the very foundations of American prosperity. As President I promise to support the unions and stand up for the little man."
- Governor Cliff Finch (D-MS) in a campaign speech in support of the Hormel meatpackers strike, September 3rd, 1983
'Parliament dissolved as Howe faces vote of no confidence, election scheduled for October 6th!'
- The Times of London, September 7th, 1983
'The Kingfinch? Governor Finch of Mississippi has been compared to the late Huey Long in recent days. Both men come from neighboring states along the Mississippi and, as they rose, were considered friends of the working man. Both have also been accused of having authoritarian tendencies. Finch is widely known for his current run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984, but he is running another campaign alongside the national one. His governorship expires in 1984, and he is up for reelection, an opportunity he is taking. Current polls show Finch with a twenty point lead over his Republican adversary, Leon Bramlett. Finch has established an effective machine throughout the state, similar to the ones that dominated the south just half a century ago. His influence even extends outside the state. Louisiana gubernatorial front-runner Edwin Edwards has publicly endorsed, and been endorsed by, Finch, which, in a state friendly to the Kingfinch practically ensures election. Cliff Finch will be a force to be reckoned with, and, if he mobilizes his base properly, may be able to unseat President Reagan next year.'
- New Yorker Magazine, early October, 1983
'Foot Prime Minister: Labour surges to over 350 seats, Howe resigns, alliance gains 29'
- The Times of London, October 7th, 1983
'Pym elected as new Tory leader'
- The Times of London, October 10th, 1983
"I cannot in good conscience support President Reagan and his warmongering policies. After much deliberation, I must leave the Republican Party. I will sit in Congress as an independent and will return to the party I have fought for for so long when, and if, it rejects the pugnacious attributes it has so recently developed."
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), October 15th, 1983
'Defections from Republican Party, twenty leave"
- Chicago Tribune, October 20th, 1983
'Cliff Finch wins third term as Governor! Edwards leads in Louisiana'
- Boston Herald, November 4th, 1983
View attachment 280162
An infobox of the 1983 Mississippi gubernatorial election.
'AFL-CIO endorses Finch'
- New York Times, November 20th, 1983
'Britain to leave war!'
- Chicago Tribune, November 27th, 1983
"I urge any man concerned at the declining wages and economic troubles in this country to vote for Cliff Finch. The President is engaged in an assault on organized labor unseen since the Gilded Age. Despite the way he sugarcoats his words, President Reagan does not have the needs of the common man in mind when he devises his economic programs. Governor Finch has worked in the fields and packed bags- he knows firsthand what works and what doesn't. He will be the peoples president!"
- AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland campaigning for Governor Cliff Finch, December 3rd, 1983
"Ronald leaves me in the fucking dark! When he does tell me something he seems completely incoherent. The White House is a mess, I might be better off ditching the ticket next year."
- Vice President George Bush (R-TX) to his wife Barbara, December 15th, 1983
"We've dug up some serious fucking shit...
It can't be the worst we've ever run, what is it?
Well....apparently the President has some serious health issues and most of the decisions are made by Rumsfeld. We have a lot, look.
[SILENCE]
Fuck...I need to talk to Rupert."
- Conversation between unknown top-level New York Post officials, December 21st, 1983
- Clarion-Ledger, January 9th, 1983
'Hart- "I'm running"'
- New York Times, March 15th, 1983
'Tank battle outside Kerman, thousands of Iraqis dead, Iranian victory'
- London Times, March 19th, 1983
"It is time to strike, General Sajid has proven to be a failure. The loss at Deh-e Bala proves that the Republican Guard cannot manage the country. There is discontent in Baghdad. If we move now Sajid can be overthrown and Uday can be freed with little loss."'
- Discussion in a bunkers somewhere in Fallujah, March 23rd, 1983
"Breaking news from Iraq! Forces loyal to imprisoned former President Uday Hussein and his brothers have assaulted the Radwaniyah Palace and other government buildings in Baghdad. Carbombs believed intended to kill current President Sajid failed in their objective. There is fighting in the streets of Iraq."
- Bob Schieffer, CBS Evening News, March 29th, 1983
"Which fucking side are we on! Sajid is incompetant, but Uday is worse. Maybe we just glass the whole fucking place..."
- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to aides, late March, 1983 on the situation in Iraq
'Front collapses! Iran gains ground as Iraqi forces turn on one another!'
- New York Times, April 1st, 1983
'Senate Majority Leader Byrd will run for President'
- Chicago Tribune, April 5th, 1983
"Let's end this war! Enough Americans have died. This is not our fight."
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), announcing his campaign for the Republican nomination in 1984, April 29th, 1983
"What? Does he have a thing for running against incumbent Republican Presidents?"
- White House Chief of Staff James Baker to President Ronald Reagan on Pete McCloskey's Presidential bid, May 1st, 1983
"The battle between the various Iraqi factions has created a major problem for us. The Iraqi-held sectors of occupied Iran collapsed. Iranian militants have pushed forwards and are supplying weapons to Shi'ite insurgents in Iraq. Baghdad is a warzone. US forces are being redeployed throughout Iran and Iraq to hold what we have gained so far. We need something big."
- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to President Ronald Reagan, May 10th, 1983
"President, it is done. We have four of them, small enough to fit in a suitcase. Our technicians advise we use them soon."
- Unknown Iranian Defense Official to President Valiollah Fallahi, May 12th, 1983
"I'm running for the Democratic nomination."
- Former Vice President Walter Mondale (D-MN), May 15th, 1983
"Mr. President...we have a situation...three suitcase nukes have gone off. Baghdad, Jerusalem, and Amol are hit. We believe the Iranians are behind it, but we don't know. I highly advise you raise DEFCON to level one. If the Soviets are behind this, we can't be caught with our pants down."
- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to President Ronald Reagan, May 16th, 1983
'Suitcase nukes in Middle East, four confirmed explosions, thousands dead, DEFCON raised to level one, American and Soviet troops mobilizing'
- New York Times, May 17th, 1983
"Intelligence suggests that the Iranians at least five suitcase bombs left. They are likely to use them soon, before we have a chance to destroy them."
- Senior Defense Department Official to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, May 19th, 1983
"I authorize the use of a tactical nuclear weapon on the Iranian nuclear base outside Sanandaj."
- President Ronald Reagan, May 21st, 1983
"There are reports from Iran that a small nuclear bomb was dropped on a compound held by forces loyal to the Iranian government outside Sanandaj, in western Iran. Iranian media outlets allege that the bombing was completely unjustified and has killed hundreds of people, many Sunnis."
- Bob Schieffer, CBS Evening News, May 21st, 1983
'Anti-American protests rock Middle East, martial law declared in Riyadh'
- Chicago Tribune, May 23rd, 1983
'OPEC announces oil embargo on US and allies'
- Miami Herald, May 29th, 1983
'NYSE in tailspin as oil embargo sets in'
- Chicago Tribune, May 30th, 1983
"It is time to support Fallahi."
- General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Yuri Andropov, June 1st, 1983
'Governor Finch of Mississippi announces bid for Presidency'
- New York Times, June 1st, 1983
"Philadelphia, your time has come! Pick up your sling shot, pick up your rock, declare our time has come, a new day has begun! Red, yellow, black and white, we are all precious in God's sight! Our time has come!"
- Jesse Jackson announces run for Democratic nomination, June 6th, 1983
"I am not running for President in 1984"
- George McGovern, June 12th, 1983
'Brown announces third run for Democratic nomination'
- San Francisco Chronicle, June 21st, 1983
'Hollings will try to take White House'
- Post & Courier, June 22nd, 1983
"After long consideration, I have decided against running for President. I am endorsing my fellow Senator from the state of California, Jerry Brown."
- Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA), July 2nd, 1983
"I understand that the current situation in the Middle East is by no means ideal. However, let us be clear. This war was started by Iranian aggression. All escalations have been the responsibility of the reprehensible revolutionary regime and its allies. The United States is simply retaliating against assaults on our people and resources."
- President Ronald Reagan, July 10th, 1983
"Mr. President, ask the grieving mothers and fathers: is oil worth this much blood?"
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), July 11th, 1983
'Turkey announces withdrawal from war'
- New York Times, July 19th, 1983
"I want to forge a new Democratic party, one of the people, by the people, and for the people. A party for rich men, a party for poor men, a party for all men."
- Governor Cliff Finch (D-MS) in a campaign speech in Mount Pleasant, IA, July 29th, 1983
Reagan: 53%
McCloskey: 42%
- Gallup Polls, August 1983
"It's time to get out of the Middle East!"
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), August 6th, 1983
'Cliff Finch: The economic wondergovernor'
- New York Times, August 14th, 1983
'Hormel meatpackers on strike!'
- Los Angeles Times, August 29th, 1983
"Someone has to stand up for the workers. Our current president has undermined the role of organized labor in our society, and, by extension, the very foundations of American prosperity. As President I promise to support the unions and stand up for the little man."
- Governor Cliff Finch (D-MS) in a campaign speech in support of the Hormel meatpackers strike, September 3rd, 1983
'Parliament dissolved as Howe faces vote of no confidence, election scheduled for October 6th!'
- The Times of London, September 7th, 1983
'The Kingfinch? Governor Finch of Mississippi has been compared to the late Huey Long in recent days. Both men come from neighboring states along the Mississippi and, as they rose, were considered friends of the working man. Both have also been accused of having authoritarian tendencies. Finch is widely known for his current run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984, but he is running another campaign alongside the national one. His governorship expires in 1984, and he is up for reelection, an opportunity he is taking. Current polls show Finch with a twenty point lead over his Republican adversary, Leon Bramlett. Finch has established an effective machine throughout the state, similar to the ones that dominated the south just half a century ago. His influence even extends outside the state. Louisiana gubernatorial front-runner Edwin Edwards has publicly endorsed, and been endorsed by, Finch, which, in a state friendly to the Kingfinch practically ensures election. Cliff Finch will be a force to be reckoned with, and, if he mobilizes his base properly, may be able to unseat President Reagan next year.'
- New Yorker Magazine, early October, 1983
'Foot Prime Minister: Labour surges to over 350 seats, Howe resigns, alliance gains 29'
- The Times of London, October 7th, 1983
'Pym elected as new Tory leader'
- The Times of London, October 10th, 1983
"I cannot in good conscience support President Reagan and his warmongering policies. After much deliberation, I must leave the Republican Party. I will sit in Congress as an independent and will return to the party I have fought for for so long when, and if, it rejects the pugnacious attributes it has so recently developed."
- Representative Pete McCloskey (R-CA), October 15th, 1983
'Defections from Republican Party, twenty leave"
- Chicago Tribune, October 20th, 1983
'Cliff Finch wins third term as Governor! Edwards leads in Louisiana'
- Boston Herald, November 4th, 1983
View attachment 280162
An infobox of the 1983 Mississippi gubernatorial election.
'AFL-CIO endorses Finch'
- New York Times, November 20th, 1983
'Britain to leave war!'
- Chicago Tribune, November 27th, 1983
"I urge any man concerned at the declining wages and economic troubles in this country to vote for Cliff Finch. The President is engaged in an assault on organized labor unseen since the Gilded Age. Despite the way he sugarcoats his words, President Reagan does not have the needs of the common man in mind when he devises his economic programs. Governor Finch has worked in the fields and packed bags- he knows firsthand what works and what doesn't. He will be the peoples president!"
- AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland campaigning for Governor Cliff Finch, December 3rd, 1983
"Ronald leaves me in the fucking dark! When he does tell me something he seems completely incoherent. The White House is a mess, I might be better off ditching the ticket next year."
- Vice President George Bush (R-TX) to his wife Barbara, December 15th, 1983
"We've dug up some serious fucking shit...
It can't be the worst we've ever run, what is it?
Well....apparently the President has some serious health issues and most of the decisions are made by Rumsfeld. We have a lot, look.
[SILENCE]
Fuck...I need to talk to Rupert."
- Conversation between unknown top-level New York Post officials, December 21st, 1983
- Baconheimer
- Word Count: 1.6k