A Second Chance
A Timeline by Cathcon
August 9th, 1968
The Oval Office, where President Kennedy's best political friends and most trusted advisors are milling around the Oval Office, while a frustrated President Kennedy sits behind his desk, seething. Vice-President Terry Sanford is not present at the time, as he is busy campaigning in the South, making sure that it, like every year, goes Democratic. Secretary of the Treasury Robert McNamara sits, reading a newspaper loudly. Secretary of Defense Connally leans against a wall, listening.
McNamara: 'Following his post convention bump, Republican nominee Michigan Governor George Romney is now leading President Kennedy by a narrow 48 to 47%, with five percent undecided. It is yet to be seen whether former Alabama Governor George Wallace, or some other Southerner will run on a third party ticket. It was expected that his selection of Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon would harm Romney with Conservatives, however Romney's definitve anti-war stance has expanded Republican ranks into the youth vote, which went by a large amount for Kennedy only four years ago.' This is unaccaptable, dammit! The most powerful man in the world is being beaten in the polls by some bumbling Governor that can't get half his words right!
Bobby: Well, it's obvious we need to step up the campaign, but I think we can hammer Romney in the debates. Did you see his speech last night? If this were football, and his words were the ball, we'd have scored big by now.
Jack: I'm listening. It's this war that Nixon got us into that's put us in this position. If we had pulled out, we'd be in the clear right now, leading by seven points.
Connally: It's not just 'blame the war', the fact is that we have to win this, otherwise, America will come across as weak, and the Soviets will only expand their influence. We have to set forth an agenda for victory.
McNamara: Now listen, you've already had a couple years to set 'and agenda for victory'! Why didn't you? You don't think that we all want to win this war and go home? The President's been practically trapped in the Whitehouse since 1967!
Bobby: Look, now settle down. It's bad enough that we're losing in the polls, at least for the moment, but we can't have this pointless infighting.
Jack: Well, obviously, we have to do something. I'll get Shriver on the phone after this. As of now, I want scheduled appointments with McCarthy and McGovern. If Romney wants to go anti-war, we'll give him anti-war.
Bobby: And, you, John, we're relying on people like you, Lyndon, and Sanford to help hold down the South. That's it, we also have to talk to Lydon about this.
Connally: Sure thing. Lyndon and I can guarantee you at least Texas. As long as Wallace, Faubus, or Thurmond doesn't run, we can also guarantee a Solid South.
Jack: Good. You can all go now. Bobby, on your way out, tell my secretary to get Senator McCarthy of Minnesota on the phone.
Bobby: Sure.
In the upcoming election, who would you vote for?
Michigan Governor George Romney/Oregon Senator Mark Hatfiel: 48%
President John F Kennedy/Vice-President Terry Sanford: 47%
Undecided/Other: 5%