You are the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Decide which leader shall best guide you through the troubled times following Stalin's death (1953).
Unlike in OTL, the most pressing matters are abroad. The United States has experienced a turn right in foreign policy under Dewey, and two factions have emerged. Some men wish to carry on Stalin's legacy, both domestic and foreign, and others wish to abandon it. Which faction shall you choose, and who to bear its mantle?
[The candidates are divided into two loose factions here. There shall be a run-off poll between the candidates that win within their faction.]
Pro-Stalin
Vyacheslav Molotov Experienced diplomat and old-guard Stalinist.; supported a hardline against the West IOTL, but acquiesced to the ruling Party group in policies he disagreed with. Leader of the Anti-Party Group.
Kliment Voroshilov Experienced soldier with a mixed record. Best regarded as an opportunist, he supported a hardline in foreign policy, but would likely leave domestic policy on its own or to his allies (whoever may remain)
Lazar Kaganovich Experienced administrator and hardline Stalinist in domestic and foreign policy. Perhaps the best Soviet parallel to Eugene McCarthy, known for his ruthlessness in finding "saboteurs" as "Iron Lazar".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kliment_Voroshilov
Anti-Stalin
Nikita Khrushchev OTL Result, "de-Stalinization"
Nikolai Bulganin Of the anti-Stalin group, the least "liberal" in terms of domestic policy. In general agreement with the others on matters of foreign policy and with a record bolstered by military experience.
Georgy Malenkov Much the same as Kruschev, but with a marked distaste for nuclear armament. Hugely disliked Kruschev, which is why IOTL, he helped to lead the opposition.
Lavrenti Beria Held interesting views on foreign policy..... such as a phased withdrawal from Eastern Europe for Marshall Plan funds. Arrested IOTL for supposedly poisoning Stalin. His private life holds.... disturbing details.