alternatehistory.com

Let's Get Freaky

America suffered collective mood whiplash when, mere weeks after their president had survived an assassination attempt, they woke up to learn the news that he had suddenly passed away. As the days went by, it was revealed that he was mauled to death by a strange beast that resembled a wolf while out in the Boston suburbs. The identity of the beast is unknown, but at the same time, scientist Ed Jessup is reported missing after conducting experiments at Harvard in relation to evolution. Bush takes over in a most perplexing situation, and locks horns with congress over a radical tax plan as he is constrained by the need to continue Reagan's legacy. Bush also cements America in an intervention into war torn Guatemala in an effort to keep the peace there while also promoting American interests. He loses re-election in 1984 as the recession worsens and questions are raised over his presupposed aloofness. Terrorist attacks by a group known as the 'Scanners' couldn't have helped, either.

Hart's term would be a disaster of the highest magnitude. Though he meant well, he would become quickly beset by an uptick in Scanner activity, as well as liberal outrage following his decision to tow the line on Guatemala. He bails out the failing arms industry including the controversial ConSec, which creates anger among his prior 'New-Left' base. Things go south in 1987 when several troops are killed by an otherworldly creature, which sets off a bomb in a key hiding ground for U.S. forces. Hart quickly pushes for withdrawal before the embarrassment becomes too great. The discovery of the mysterious 'Brundle-fly' creature in 1987 would also spur scientific development, with Hart devoting much of his presidency to tech advancements. More supernatural events would occur as it is reported that numerous perverse creatures were gunned down by military forces in Morocco, while clown sightings in California spike. Hart loses re-nomination to noted businessman Lee Iacocca, who wins in the deadlocked house election later that year. He would also continue Hart's tech boom while establishing positive relations with Iran and expanding free trade zones. The advancements in computer technology would come at a cost, as it unwittingly allowed for mentally deficient gardener Jobe Smith to become humankind's first sentient AI. Smith would take over local neighborhoods in Los Angeles even as police attempted to stop him. Iacocca would meet the fate of his predecessor, but he would not take it with as much humility.

1977-1981: James E. Carter / Walter F. Mondale (Democratic)
1976 def. Gerald R. Ford / Robert J. Dole (Republican)
1981: Ronald W. Reagan / George H. W. Bush (Republican)
1980 def. James E. Carter / Walter F. Mondale (Democratic), John Anderson / Pat Lucey (Independent)
1981: George H. W. Bush / vacant (Republican)
1981-1985: George H. W. Bush / Bill Brock (Republican)
1985-1989: Gary W. Hart / Samuel Nunn (Democratic)
1984 def. George H. W. Bush / Bill Brock (Republican), Earl Ravenal / Ed Crane (Libertarian)
1989-1993: Lee Iacocca / Kay A. Orr (Democratic / Republican)
1988 def. Lee Iacocca / Dale L. Bumpers (Democratic), Donald H. Rumsfeld / Kay A. Orr (Republican), David Koch / Nancy Lord (Libertarian)
1993-1997: Peter V. Ueberroth / Bill Clements (Republican)
1992 def. William W. Bradley / Douglas Wilder (Democratic), Lee Iacocca / John Silber (National Union), David Koch / Mary Ruwart (Libertarian)
1997-2001: Michael Bloomberg / Dick Lamm (National Union)
1996 def. Peter V. Ueberroth / Bill Clements (Republican), Jesse L. Jackson / Dianne G. B. Feinstein (Democratic)

A wip so far.