A Golden Society: The Presidency of Hubert Humphrey

November 1968

After one of the most eventful and controversial Election seasons in American History, the day has finally arrived.

Former Vice President Richard Nixon, still bitter from his loss for the Presidency in 1960 and the California Governorship in 1962, has formed a new strategy, surrounded himself with new people and is willing to do whatever it takes to win the Presidency.

Squaring off against Nixon is Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who has spent the last few months trying to distance himself from President Johnson and the issue of Vietnam. Personally Humphrey is against the war, but had no choice but to support the President if he expected to attain the nomination. His only hope is that he's had enough time to make himself square with the anti-war folks that Nixon has been courting.

It has been a bitter fight for both candidates and with Governor George Wallace in the race as well, the final result could get very interesting.

November 4, 1968

The race for the White House has been neck and neck with Nixon edging Humphrey by one or two percentage points in the final Gallup poll just days before the election. Humphrey would need a miracle it seemed like, to beat Nixon.

Miracles were on the Vice President's side on Monday. At 7 PM, just 12 hours before the polls were to open, President Johnson called for a Press Conference from the Oval Office.

"Good evening. I have called this Press Conference tonight to inform you, the American People, of an incident that I had been made aware of on the 29th of October. We have been trying to negotiate for Peace in Vietnam for the last few months, and we were making progress. Just recently however, we have met with resistance. The progress made has been halted. Upon investigation of the matter, it has been made aware to us that former Vice President Nixon has negotiated a deal to halt the Peace Talks until he is President. I have spoken with Senate Minority Leader Dirksen who agreed with me that this kind of behavior is treasonous. I have spoken with Nixon himself and he assured me that no such deal existed and that it was simply a scare tactic thought up by Vice President Humphrey's campaign. However, I have been briefed on the situation and there is overwhelming evidence of sabatoge and treason by both Nixon and Spiro Agnew. We cannot condone this type of behavior in any year, let alone an election year. Peace is a fragile thing that cannot be gambled with for personal gain. Action will be taken after the election tomorrow. Thank you and good night."

Following the President's Speech, Nixon issues a statement to the papers:

"I stand by my statement that I made to the President: 'No such deal was made to halt the peace talks in Vietnam until after I'm elected.' As I've said earlier, the Vice President's camp was worried and they've shown their weakness by conjuring up fairy tales. It's a scare tactic, that's all.


November 5, 1968

Vice President Humphrey, speaking from an election party in Minneapolis spoke of the issue:

"The American People need a President who isn't going to risk the lives of thousands of young Americans so he can win an election. We cannot and will not tolerate the treasonous acts of Mr. Nixon. I would never gamble Peace for personal gain."

As Election Day arrives it is becoming clearer and clearer that the American People are upset by Nixon's actions. While his Southern Strategy shored up the South for both he and Governor Wallace, Vice President Humphrey walked away with wins in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in the Midwest that would've likely gone for Nixon, as well as New Jersey in the East. By the end of the day, Nixon concedes defeat to Humphrey:

"I have a long and fruitful career as a Senator and then as Vice President and it was an honor to serve the people in both capacities. I wanted nothing more than be your President. But the American People have spoken. They have chosen the person who they feel is better equipped to handle the affairs of this Country and I wish Vice President Humphrey the best in the upcoming years. I firmly believe that he will work tirelessly to bring a just and lasting peace in Vietnam and around the world... It is with heavy heart that I announce my retirement from public service and go back to being a private citizen"

Hubert Humphrey/Edmund Muskie 285 EV
Richard Nixon/Spiro Agnew 207 EV
George Wallace/Curtis LeMay 46 EV
 
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Is this your first Tl? Because I haven't a
seen you before and your join fate I Match 2016. If so, good luck! This TL seems interesting.
 
I've started a couple different timelines before with different user names. Can't ever remember the emails or the login info for the other ones. I got smart this time and wrote them down for this account.
 
I've started a couple different timelines before with different user names. Can't ever remember the emails or the login info for the other ones. I got smart this time and wrote them down for this account.

Good, because this looks promising. :)
 
November 1968

After one of the most eventful and controversial Election seasons in American History, the day has finally arrived.

Former Vice President Richard Nixon, still bitter from his loss for the Presidency in 1960 and the California Governorship in 1962, has formed a new strategy, surrounded himself with new people and is willing to do whatever it takes to win the Presidency.

Squaring off against Nixon is Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who has spent the last few months trying to distance himself from President Johnson and the issue of Vietnam. Personally Humphrey is against the war, but had no choice but to support the President if he expected to attain the nomination. His only hope is that he's had enough time to make himself square with the anti-war folks that Nixon has been courting.

It has been a bitter fight for both candidates and with Governor George Wallace in the race as well, the final result could get very interesting.

November 4, 1968

The race for the White House has been neck and neck with Nixon edging Humphrey by one or two percentage points in the final Gallup poll just days before the election. Humphrey would need a miracle it seemed like, to beat Nixon.

Miracles were on the Vice President's side on Monday. At 7 PM, just 12 hours before the polls were to open, President Johnson called for a Press Conference from the Oval Office.

"Good evening. I have called this Press Conference tonight to inform you, the American People, of an incident that I had been made aware of on the 29th of October. We have been trying to negotiate for Peace in Vietnam for the last few months, and we were making progress. Just recently however, we have met with resistance. The progress made has been halted. Upon investigation of the matter, it has been made aware to us that former Vice President Nixon has negotiated a deal to halt the Peace Talks until he is President. I have spoken with Senate Minority Leader Dirksen who agreed with me that this kind of behavior is treasonous. I have spoken with Nixon himself and he assured me that no such deal existed and that it was simply a scare tactic thought up by Vice President Humphrey's campaign. However, I have been briefed on the situation and there is overwhelming evidence of sabatoge and treason by both Nixon and Spiro Agnew. We cannot condone this type of behavior in any year, let alone an election year. Peace is a fragile thing that cannot be gambled with for personal gain. Action will be taken after the election tomorrow. Thank you and good night."

Following the President's Speech, Nixon issues a statement to the papers:

"I stand by my statement that I made to the President: 'No such deal was made to halt the peace talks in Vietnam until after I'm elected.' As I've said earlier, the Vice President's camp was worried and they've shown their weakness by conjuring up fairy tales. It's a scare tactic, that's all.


November 5, 1968

Vice President Humphrey, speaking from an election party in Minneapolis spoke of the issue:

"The American People need a President who isn't going to risk the lives of thousands of young Americans so he can win an election. We cannot and will not tolerate the treasonous acts of Mr. Nixon. I would never gamble Peace for personal gain."

As Election Day arrives it is becoming clearer and clearer that the American People are upset by Nixon's actions. While his Southern Strategy shored up the South for both he and Governor Wallace, Vice President Humphrey walked away with wins in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in the Midwest that would've likely gone for Nixon, as well as New Jersey in the East. By the end of the day, Nixon concedes defeat to Humphrey:

"I have a long and fruitful career as a Senator and then as Vice President and it was an honor to serve the people in both capacities. I wanted nothing more than be your President. But the American People have spoken. They have chosen the person who they feel is better equipped to handle the affairs of this Country and I wish Vice President Humphrey the best in the upcoming years. I firmly believe that he will work tirelessly to bring a just and lasting peace in Vietnam and around the world... It is with heavy heart that I announce my retirement from public service and go back to being a private citizen"

Hubert Humphrey/Edmund Muskie 285 EV
Richard Nixon/Spiro Agnew 207 EV
George Wallace/Curtis LeMay 46 EV

So far so good. I look forward to this. Is this truly it for Nixon? Will we truly not "have Nixon to kick around anymore"?
 
So far so good. I look forward to this. Is this truly it for Nixon? Will we truly not "have Nixon to kick around anymore"?

the guy's probably going to go on trial for treason, or at the very least have that stain on his reputation forever. He's no elder statesman now, he's a criminal or at best sleazy loser. Humphrey has a good chance at success, but also there's plenty of chance he'll fail.
 
the guy's probably going to go on trial for treason, or at the very least have that stain on his reputation forever. He's no elder statesman now, he's a criminal or at best sleazy loser. Humphrey has a good chance at success, but also there's plenty of chance he'll fail.

I lean toward him being a one termer, with Vietnam still having a messy ending, Inflation on the rise, and not being able to go to China due to the lack of credibility/ anti communist credentials that Nixon had OTL, and also due to some voter fatigue. Reagan or Rockefeller would probably be the best bet for the 72 GOP nomination, but we'll see what happens.
 
1969

With one of the most controversial elections in the history of the United States over, the day has arrived. As the clock struck Noon, Hubert Horatio Humphrey is sworn in as the 37th President of the United States on January 20th. In his Inaugural Address, President Humphrey welcomed the challenge of tomorrow.

"In the long history of man, very few have been given the honor that has been bestowed upon me... I accept the challenges of today with the promise that tomorrow is welcomed with opportunity. The opportunity for a just and lasting peace. In Vietnam and the Free World. The opportunity that people of all stations, race and calling will have the chance for a better life than those of previous generations.... As we welcome in the promise of a new decade, let it be said by future generations that the 1960's was the decade that changed America forever. With the promise that tomorrow is a new day, let us work together as Americans for the betterment of mankind and let us move forward toward a golden society."

While the President's Inaugural Address failed to touch on the issue of the sabotaged peace talks in Vietnam, it was well crafted and well received. One paper touted it as a "Breath of fresh air in a world drowning in turmoil."

A few days later, President Humphrey announces his cabinet.

Secretary of State: Clark Clifford**
Secretary of Treasury: John Connally
Secretary of Defense: Cy Vance
Attorney General: Ramsay Clark**
Postmaster General: Marvin Watson**
Secretary of Interior: Gaylord Nelson
Secretary of Agriculture: Orville Freeman**
Secretary of Labor: Frank G. Clement
Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare: Patricia Roberts Harris
Secretary of Commerce: Terry Sanford
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Carl Stokes
Secretary of Transportation: Allan Boyd**

** = Retained from Johnson Cabinet - Given a new position
** = Retained from Johnson Cabinet


1969 Part II Coming soon
 
So how was Nixon able to go behind the government's back and make a deal with North Vietnam?

Here's Wikipedia's take on the issue: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Peace_Accords#Claimed_sabotage_of_negotiations_by_Nixon_campaign

In any case, it'd be the South Vietnamese he'd lean on, not the North. And assuming he was involved unethically, a Republican administration could offer much more unconditional support for anti-communists than the increasingly anti-war Humphrey.
 
I lean toward him being a one termer, with Vietnam still having a messy ending, Inflation on the rise, and not being able to go to China due to the lack of credibility/ anti communist credentials that Nixon had OTL, and also due to some voter fatigue.


Not to mention busing, which is starting to be a hot topic then.
 
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