alternatehistory.com

August 25th, 1987


“Today I have gathered all of you to discuss who I think should lead our great country in the future.”


“Now, you in the media may twist my words and lie, but hear this: we need real leadership in this country. It is something that is not a want, but a need for the American people and the entire world at large.”


“That is why I am supporting Dan Quayle in the Republican primaries.”


“He will be the one to save us from centrism and the establishment. He will be the one to bring the conservatism to this country that it so desperately needs.”


“He’s not a liar, like you in the media, who will lie to get an honest man removed from office.”


“No, he’s a man for all people, a man for the coal miner who lost his job, or a priest whose services were unwanted by god-hating liberals. He's the common man's man.”


“That is why he’ll bring change to this nation, and the world, and why you should vote for Quayle in 1988!”


-Endorsement speech from Evan Mecham


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August 28th, 1987


Excerpt from an article published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal


After Bo Gritz’s surprise entrance into the Republican Primary for senate polls have been fluctuating on his popularity and odds of winning.


Gritz will face an uphill battle in the primary, as he faces off with incumbent senator Chic Hecht, who had been widely expected to be renominated by state Republicans.


Today the Las Vegas Review-Journal releases a new poll on this race:

Chic Hecht: 63%

Bo Gritz: 31%

None/Other: 6%


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September 1st, 1987


"Alright, guys, what gives?" After weeks of coordinating and subsequent dodging by the President and his best buddy, George Bush had finally gotten the three of them in the same room together.


"I don't have the slightest notion of what you mean." Responded Paul Laxalt, the newly retired senator from Nevada and President Reagan's best friend in Washington.


"First it was the leaks," Bush said, listing off the items on his fingers, "then it was you telling the press you thought Quayle was a great guy, Ronald. Now, I'll ask again - what gives?"


"I think you're a little paranoid," President Reagan said, "neither of us are out to slight you in any way. I mean honestly, George, what do we have to gain from it? We're both a huge part of your campaign."

Bush sighed and shook his head, before saying,


"Can I just be honest with the two of you? I think that will make things easier."


"Go ahead," Reagan said while Laxalt shook his head yes.


"I can't help but feel that you two, as essential leaders of the conservatives, don't want me to be the next heir to the movement. I feel like you guys think, for some reason, that Quayle would be better, easier to mold."


Bush had dozens of plans in his head going into this meeting, but honesty wasn't one of them. The words sort of spilled out of his mouth, and when he was done, Reagan and Laxalt's jaws were both on the floor.


"George, you can't possib---" Reagan was interrupted when Laxalt cut in.


"You want honesty? I was seriously considering running this year. It wasn't a slight to you, at least not at first. But after what I've heard from Ron about your paranoia recently..." Laxalt paused and pulled at his collar, clearly uncomfortable in the situation, "well, I don't know if you're cut out to be President. I can't speak for Ron, but that's how I feel."


"So, you're saying all of this has been on purpose!" Bush was yelling, nearly hysterical. He rarely yelled, and if he did it was usually calculated. This was not. Laxalt was clearly nervous.


"Yes, and..." again, Laxalt paused, "with this display... I don't regret it." Bush was seething, but he needed more information before he boiled over completely.


"Did you push Quayle into running? Was it you?" Bush looked from Reagan to Laxalt and back, face red, smoke seeming to steam out of his ears with each passing moment.


"Christ, George, no! How could we have done that? That is certifiably insane. You know for a fact it's Falwell and his band of relig--" Again, Reagan was cut off.


"I'm glad he's in." Laxalt said it quietly, but with certainty.


"What did you just say? What did you say to me?" Bush was red as a tomato at this point.


"I said," Laxalt said louder, with more confidence, "I. Am. Glad. He. Is. In."


Bush lunged out of his chair, going straight at Laxalt as Reagan lurched up to get in between them. Over Reagan's shoulder Bush continued to yell at Laxalt.


"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Bush screamed, incredulous, "YOU CAN KISS THAT CABINET SPOT GOODBYE." Laxalt gave it right back to him.


"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, GEORGE!" Laxalt spat out, "YOU'LL NEVER BE PRESIDENT."


Reagan finally pulled the two apart enough for Laxalt to get to the door, and he sped towards it, not wanting to get physical with the Vice President of the United States.


"Now," Laxalt said in a controlled voice, clearly pushing back his anger for the moment, "drop me from this campaign. Phase me out, make me resign, do what you have to do. But I swear, George, I will never campaign for you. And I won't vote for you. If it's you or Hart, I'm going with Hart. Because, if anything, I might disagree with Hart on many principle issues, but at least he thinks with his head. I sincerely wish you luck, George. You're going to need it."


With that, Laxalt strolled out as if nothing had even happened. Reagan shook his head and wiped some sweat from his brow, and Bush collapsed into a chair.


"Well," Reagan said in a voice that contained no emotion, "that was... dumb. Dumb as hell." With that, he turned and walked out of the room as well.


Bush sat in the chair with his head cradled in his hands, filled with a rage and a sadness that both sickened and confused him.