alternatehistory.com

Hey guys, here is my latest attempt at a modern era timeline...It's based on a premise that I don't think has really been discussed to much on the board but I think it would be a very interesting story to tell. Also If your wondering where I got the title from it's from an People Magazine Article on the late Sen. Bentsen from '75 when he was launching his bid for the Presidency. You can read it here http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20064986,00.html ... So enjoy this tl, and remember that all comments are welcome.

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A Rich, Cool Texan…A President Lloyd Bentsen TL
Written By: Austin Ross

Miracle’s end: Democratic Nominee for President…Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts killed in tragic Plane Crash.

On the night of October 12th 1988, the nation stood still, once news became evident that Michael Dukakis, along with his wife Kitty, his three children along with several members of the Dukakis Campaign including that of Susan Estrich were killed en route to UCLA for the second Presidential Debate. Reasons for the crash of the campaign jet have been cited for an engine malfunction yet some within Republican circles joked that it may have been the fault of the pilot who let an heavily intoxicated Kitty Dukakis into the cockpit.

Whatever the reasons for the crash, both campaigns soon found themselves in utter confusion as how to deal with the unprecedented situation of the death of a Presidential Nominee. Upon hearing the word of Dukakis' death, Vice President George H.W. Bush acted almost immediately by canceling the Thursday night debate and issued a statement declaring that “Governor Dukakis will sorely be missed by his family, his party, his state and throughout the nation. It is time now for our country in this time of grief to put all partisan politics aside and reflect on what a great man the nation has lost today.” President Reagan would soon follow later that day by declaring the crash an “Unfortunate Accident” and proceeded to give his condolences to the Dukakis family as well as to the other families, who lost their love ones in the crash.

However most of the day’s new coverage was focused on Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. of Texas…the late Governor’s Running Mate and now the Democratic Nominee for President. On the campus grounds, where the debate was scheduled to be held Sen. Bentsen, through a sense of grief and unbelief held a nationalized press conference where he stated that “I in this time of sorrow and grief, grudgingly accept my Party’s nomination for President.” In the following days after announcing his new role as nominee Sen. Bentsen announced a freeze on all campaign activities while he attended the funerals of the people who perished in the plane crash.

Bentsen in actuality used the “suspension” of campaign activities to reshuffle the campaign to his own liking. Within a week the “Best America is yet to come” campaign was almost unrecognizable, as it was soon to be revealed to be more on message, more efficient and more aggressive. The late Susan Estrich’s post as campaign manager was soon filled by the young, energetic team of fellow Southerners James Carville and Paul Begala. Under their stewardship the campaign would promote Bentsen as not only a candidate of experience, but also a different kind of Democrat, as new ads began to praise his proven staunch support for school prayer, capital punishment and more fiscally conservative economics policies than his late running mate. Once Bentsen began out on the campaign trail, the Democrats were glad to finally see with only three weeks remaining until Election Day that the polls soon began to shift back into their favor.

The Bush/Quayle campaign was taken abash on how to attack the more conservative and experienced candidate in Lloyd Bentsen. However, new ads would soon arise in an attempt to grab viewers by stressing his mostly liberal stance on social issues and reminding voters of his failed 1976 bid for the Presidency. On October 25th, the kill shot against the Vice President’s campaign finally came with the announcement of Sen. Bentsen’s Running Mate…Governor Robert P. Casey Sr. of Pennsylvania. With most political pundits stunned at the choice of a staunch pro-life candidate, many had speculated that Bentsen might go with Mass. Senator John Kerry, Dem. Primary runner up Rev. Jesse Jackson, Gov. Richard Celeste of Ohio and even more unlikely Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York. Bentsen would validate his choice in picking Casey in hopes of gaining his home state as well as reaching out to northern catholic voters. Casey was also known for his more “activist government” championing expanded Health Care services as well as comprehensive welfare reform. Although most of the liberals within the party initially voiced their dismay of the choice, including that of the former Jesse Jackson campaign who felt he was entitled for the VP slot…All voices of discontent soon rallied behind the Bentsen/Casey ticket as the Poll numbers finally surpassed Bush and never looked back.
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