FRIDAY, JULY 3RD, 1987 - - - REAGAN MEDICAL REPORTS RELEASED! DOCTORS GIVE CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
President Reagan delivering a speech at the Brandenburg gate in Germany, just two days before taking ill
Washington D.C., 07.03.87 - According to just-released medical reports, President Ronald Reagan was deemed to be
‘of sound mind and good health,’ in what appears to be an attempt by the White House to squelch a brewing media storm. The storm had erupted roughly three weeks earlier, while President Reagan was in Germany commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin at the Berlin wall. Earlier in the trip, the President received favorable national and international treatment for his insistence to Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev to
’tear down this wall!’, a reference to the Regan Administration’s insistence that the wall separating West and East Berlin be torn down. However, two days following his Brandenburg Gate speech, the President struggled with the traveling press corp, even asking a reporter from France twice to repeat his question regarding the subject matter of an upcoming summit with Mikhail Gorbachev.
“I hate to uhh. . . I hate to have to uhh. . . ask again, but what was that?”, the President bumbled after the French interpreter repeated the reporter’s question twice.
White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater rushed to prevent the damage, insisting that the President had been ill just before the press conference. The following day, the Press Secretary’s account seemed feasible, when President Reagan collapsed at a dinner with Gorbachev in Moscow.
Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater
Already-announced Democratic Presidential aspirants, perhaps sensing a growing vulnerability, attacked the President’s performance overseas to varying degrees, with Rev. Jesse Jackson (D) going the furthest:
“I think the President really needs to ask himself if he’s able to do the job that the leader of the free-world is expected to do. Stumbling on generic questioning from the press, and passing out into your appetizer at a state dinner, certainly raises some eyebrows.” Former Vice Presidential candidate, and 1988 Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) used the incident to remind voters of a confused Reagan during the televised 1984 presidential debates:
“At what point do “rumors” become a likelihood? Because if the debates in 1984 with Walter Mondale were the start of the “rumors,” than what just took place on foreign soil is pretty damning.” Front-runner for the Democratic nomination, and longtime vocal Reagan critic, Edward M. Kennedy, was surprisingly tame in his reaction:
“Things were admittedly a little shaky over there, and for the country’s sake, I hope the President is well, and is doing better than he was a few weeks ago.”
Later Friday evening, The Capital Gang, a CNN political roundtable show, gathered to discuss the Reagan Medical Report, Reagan’s perceived illness weeks earlier, and their potential affect on the 1988 Presidential election.
“Today’s episode could be nicknamed ‘the 22nd Amendment - 101,’ because with election 1988 getting under way, and with 7 Democrats announced, everyone is wondering (and Republicans especially), is Reagan planning on a 3rd term?“ started panelist Al Hunt. Replied panelist Pat Buchanan:
“Look, I’m appalled at his feet dragging over this issue, and he’s about to be facing a mountain of anger from the Republican party on not letting his intentions be known. Without a doubt, this has hurt his very own Vice President the most, George Bush, who is the most obvious standard bearer to what has, until now, in my opinion, shaped up to be a stellar Administration. But now, you’ve got a popular conservative televangelist raising millions at a fast clip. Pat Robertson can’t win a general election, but with the vacuum the President is creating, he’s making it a real likelihood that Robertson could win. On top of that, there are grumblings that popular California Republican, Gov. George Deukmejian is giving this race a serious glance, especially in Reagan and Bush’s absence. This is a Governor that just a couple years ago completely transformed California’s economy, and that state has a budget surplus today because of him. He could be very effective. But really, Bob, don’t you agree that this is unheard of for the President to still be sitting on the sidelines this late in the game, and holding up presidential aspirants as a result? How could this possibly be a good thing?"

Bob Novak did not quite agree with Mr. Buchanan.
“I understand the frustration Pat, but please, calm down for a second. The sky isn’t falling. The President’s approval rating is above 50% according to most polls out just before the fourth of July holiday. Economic growth is stronger than it was just last year, and much stronger than where we were sitting in 1982 and 1983. GDP is growing at an annual rate of over 3%, at least here in the first two quarters of 1987. And Pat, listen to this. Al, you too. This should give the Democrats the most pause, and they mock this President’s competency at their own risk, all because of this statisic: Unemployment is at 6.2%. That’s the lowest it’s been since December, 1979. EIGHT YEARS! That’s an economic record worth running on. And frankly, Pat, I disagree with your insinuation that it is foolish for anyone to attempt a third term as President. Just because it hasn’t happened since the near passage of the would-be 22nd Amendment doesn’t mean it can’t happen. If you would remember that Amendment, which would have limited Presidents to only two terms, barely failed the ¾ ratification by state legislatures requirement to amend the Constitution (Congress passed the Amendment by a 3:2 margin). Since then, a mini-tradition of Presidents serving just two terms has developed. So I don’t think a third Reagan term should be viewed all that skeptically. Who better to defend, and argue for a continuation of, the Reagan Revolution than the man himself? All of Nixon’s closest confidants have said he openly expressed an interested in serving a full 12 years as President, prior to Watergate, and when his landslide defeat of McGovern made such a thing look possible. President Eisenhower was one of the loudest opponents of the 22nd Amendment, eloquently pointing out that limiting Presidents to just eight years could make one’s entire second term a giant lame-duck session. . . ."

Panelist Mark Shields (interrupting)
". . . Bob, real quick, let me add too, despite Pat’s talk of a nasty Republican primary battle if Reagan gets in now, I can definitely envision a number of the announced candidates, and especially some of the true lesser-knowns, like fmr. Sen. Paul Laxalt (R-NV), bowing out of the race. But real quickly, before our time is up, I’ll go on the record for saying that I think Reagan is in the race. Why else would the White House have responded to the Democratic aspirants taunts? Why release his medical records at this stage of the game if you have no intention of running? Al, what do you think?"
Al Hunt:
"He’s not running, he’ll announce this within the next couple of weeks. And Vice President Bush will almost immediately thereafter announce his candidacy. What’s your prediction Bob?"
Bob Novak:
"Well, it’s entirely different to say the man COULD run, and the man IS running. I don’t think he’s running. But I stand by what I said - he’s got the record, and the ability, to do it, and to win it."
Pat Buchanon:
"Well, I’ve made my stance known. He could have run at one point, despite his age working massively against him. But he’s let the time run out. He’s hurt himself and his party by putting off a decision for this long. For that matter, I don’t think he should run now. Let a new, energetic wild-card give it a go. It could pay off for the Republicans . . ."
Gov. Deukmejian (R-Ca.) Rev. Pat Robertson (R-Va.)
TUESDAY, JULY 7TH, 1987 - - - Brand new polling following the release of the President’s medical records showed that while a slight majority remained opposed to Reagan seeking a third presidential term, the number supporting Reagan giving it another go had increased. His approval rating remained stable, and was still suffering from the throes of Iran Contra. But as
‘The Capital Gang’ had pointed out the previous Friday, the GOP candidates' favorability ratings indicated that President Reagan was indeed creating a vacuum by keeping the political world guessing about his future plans.
SATURDAY, JULY 11TH, 1987 - DESPITE NEW DISAPPOINTING POLLING, HART REMAINS STEADFAST IN QUEST FOR PRESIDENCY; MISTRESS DONNA RICE DEFENDS HIS BID!
Hart at a town hall event in Littleton, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado; 07.11.1987 - Amidst fresh calls from fellow Democratic challengers to exit the race, and despite a new batch of polling out of New Hampshire showing him in a free-fall, former Senator and current Presidential candidate, Gary Hart (D-Co.) remained defiant in an interview with the New York Times, discussing recent revelations that he may have been unfaithful to his wife with 29 year-old model Donna Rice. A new
Suffolk University poll out of New Hampshire revealed exactly how far Hart’s star had fallen since the National Enquirer first published the photographs of Hart and Rice together:
New Hampshire Poll:
In the NY Times interview, former Sen. Gary Hart maintained that he could remain competitive in the Democratic Primary despite
“the false impressions that have been put out there about me by the national media.” Gary Hart was the dynamic, charismatic dark-horse candidate of the 1984 Democratic Primaries, finishing behind eventual nominee and former Vice President Walter Mondale in the Democratic Primary vote that year by just two points (
36 - 38% of the popular vote). Once Ted Kennedy made an early announcement in 1985 that he would not run for President, Gary Hart was presumed the frontrunner. But when the Times columnist pressed Hart about Sen. Kennedy’s recent comment to reporters that
“Gary Hart’s campaign is finished,” Hart demurred on going too harshly negative on Kennedy in return:
“You know, there was a poll recently that showed that most Americans think that all of this hogwash the media has been focused on regarding me and Ms. Rice is irrelevant. I think it was over half of those asked thought this was silly. Sounds like Mr. Kennedy is fine with partaking in silly season. But people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” When the Times columnist asked if Hart was referencing Kennedy’s Chappaquiddick incident some 20 years earlier, Hart responded defensively:
“Absolutely not! Look, no one is perfect. Sen. Kennedy is a friend of mine, and I’m surprised at his opinion about my campaign. He knows that no one, neither he nor I, is perfect. It’s unfair of him to attack me on these grounds, and unfair of him to join the media and Republican chorus about me.” Entertainment tonight reporter Mary Hart, in an exclusive interview with Sen. Hart’s alleged mistress, model Donna Rice, got the buxom brunette to to give her thoughts on a President Hart:
“I think he’d be great. He’s kind, empathetic, and very intelligent. I would vote for him.”
Sen. Hart with Donna Rice, circa Spring 1987
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15TH, 1987 - - - FERRARO’S HUSBAND ACQUITTED OF EXTORTION CHARGES AS NEW POLLING SHOWS FMR. V.P. CANDIDATE IN RUNNER-UP POSITION.
Ferraro, at a campaign event in Chicago, Illinois, June 1987
New York City, New York, 07.15.1987 - [John A. Zaccaro was acquitted yesterday of trying to extort a bribe from a cable television company that unsuccessfully sought a franchise in Queens.]* Mr. Zaccaro is the husband of former Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, and his recent acquittal concludes what has been a difficult three years for former NY Representative. [Ferraro, who had displayed toughness during the 1984 Vice-Presidential campaign under intense public scrutiny, broke into tears when she heard the verdict.
''You have no idea what it's been like,'' she said later.
''We want to get on with the rest of our lives.'']* Allegations of financial misdoings by Ferraro’s husband on the part of his private business were disclosed during the 1984 campaign, and Mr. Zaccaro pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtained bank financing in early 1985.
Once considered a bright and rising star in the Democratic Party, many insiders felt her scandalous family would prevent her from ever seeking higher office again, and in the midst of her husband’s legal woes, she declined to run for the New York Senate seat in 1986, surprising many observers. But since announcing her plans to run for President in February of this year, she’s proven herself a truly competent fundraiser, and tenacious campaigner. Having raised over $12 million last quarter, party loyalists appear to be ready to give the former VP candidate a second glance. And thankfully for her, a new
ABC News poll confirms why she is to be taken seriously.
Nationwide Poll of Democrats
The
new ABC poll also confirms that Sen. Ted Kennedy is indeed the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, and has been so since the Donna Rice / Gary Hart scandal broke in May. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Ma.) had been on virtually every Democratic presidential shortlist since the death of his brother Robert in 1968. And after putting up a valiant effort to unseat incumbent president Jimmy Carter in 1980, the most prominent remaining member of the Kennedy clan is running for President again, and would likely become the second Kennedy to be a major party nominee for President if the primaries were ending today. After an early initial head-fake in the winter of 1985 where he declined to run for President (he stated:
[“I know this decision means I may never be president. But the pursuit of the presidency is not my life. Public service is.”]**, Kennedy became determined to enter the race when Reagan appointed Judge Robert Bork in January of this year to the Supreme Court, and indeed most pundits attribute Kennedy for Bork’s eventual withdrawal of his name from consideration. In the speech that led many Democratic heavyweights to urge Teddy to give the presidency another try, the liberal lion railed:
[“Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens …”]** The speech proved powerful for the liberal base of party, and Kennedy entered the presidential race in early February, shortly after the controversial senate speech. He was instantly tied with Sen. Gary Hart for front runner status; that is, until Hart's recent implosion.
Ted Kennedy (D-Ma.) with fmr. President Carter at a 1986 meeting
Drawing out the top tier of Democratic candidates vying to carry America into the 1990s was former Presidential aspirant, Reverend Jesse Jackson (D), who was able to poll an impressive
18% of the popular vote against Gary Hart and Walter Mondale in the 1984 Democratic primary. Early polling on the 1988 presidential race showed that Jackson would be competitive again in a Democratic primary, frequently making it into double digits in a crowded field. However, Jackson’s poll numbers have taken a recent turn south as allegations about his younger half-brother, Noah Robinson, Jr.’s criminal activities have become public. Jackson has struggled with questions surrounding his half-brother’s recent conviction for first degree murder and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the prison death of Robinson, Jr.‘s victim. But with the primaries months away, Jackson has again focused his campaign on the African-American rich South, and many suspect could be a surprise nominee for the presidency. Second tier candidates Dick Gephardt, Al Gore, and Joe Biden, have all made little hay in state and national polling at this point, and hope to carve out niches for themselves in the upcoming debates.
Jesse Jackson (D-SC) Sen. Al Gore (D-Tn)
MONDAY, JULY 20TH, 1987 - - - New national polling on the general election for president shows an electorate in deep indecision; on the one hand, Americans are satisfied with what seems to be a strong economy and lower unemployment; yet tired after 8 years of GOP rule, fearful of the potential for an extreme Republican nominee, and unsure of what to do with a well-liked, though rapidly aging incumbent President (one who may, or may not, run for his 3rd reelection).
National poll of all Americans
* http://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/15/n...eking+To+Extort+Cable+Television+Bribe&st=nyt
**
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy
Quick note:
This is my new work in progress. I’m not quite done with candidate announcements yet. I'll write this as long as I think I can keep it interesting. Just in case there is any confusion, all things in my TL reflect actual history up until roughly 1986-1987, with the sole exception that the 22nd Amendment failed to be ratified by the required 3/4 of states, thus meaning it never passed. As a result, there is no presidential term limits for Presidents. Starting with the '86-'87 time period, I'll be switching some things up, and keeping some things the same. Hope to hear from all of you again about your thoughts on this time line. Please enjoy!
Brandon