AHC: President returns to politics

Though it might not be political, it is certainly an important position, becoming Secretary General of the UN wouldn't be off the table for certain Presidents.

I could have seen Jimmy Carter becoming Sec-Gen, for example.
 

shiftygiant

Gone Fishin'
I almost left Nixon off because of how impossible it sounded but I think it might make a fun TL to see him attempt a comeback. :D:D


November, 1982.

"Good morning California. Bill Smith here, and it's another beautiful day in the sunshine state" Bill Smith sang as the morning news began. "The results of the Gubernatorial race was announced by the Governors office after nearly a week of debate. The race between Democrat Bradley and Deukmejian was a tense one, however, we can now go live to the Governor's Office where we will announce the winner." The screen flickered to an image of the Governors office. "Inside this office, behind these doors, is the next Governor of California. In a moment, this man will exit, and we will know." The door slowly opened. A representative slowly walked out, and pulled out a piece of paper. He began to speak, but paused, looking around at his colleagues in confusion.
"This doesn't seem right..." The representative said, looking back at the paper. He looked to the Camera, his eyes wide and brow furrowed. "The Next Governor of California, by 6901841 Votes, is the independent Candidate, former President... Richard Nixon."
Suddenly, Nixon emerged from the door, raising his hands to show the peace symbol. Smiling, he grasped the representative by the hand, and swung to the podium, his still smiling face beaming over the crowd. It was then Smith noticed something wrong with his eyes...
 
Alternately, Nixon's health is better and he's appointed by Wilson as an interim Senator when Wilson becomes Gov and doesn't run in the special.
 
Inspired by this article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...o_ran_for_office_after_leaving_the_presidency have a former President return to some form of political office (preferably not the Presidency) after leaving the Presidency (presumably by not running / term limits). :cool:

Ex-Presidency John Quincy Adams served 18 years or so in the House of Representatives.

Ex-President Martin Van Buren ran for President on the Liberty Party ticket in 1848.

Ex-President Millard Fillmore ran for President on the American ("Know-Nothing") Party ticket in 1856.

Ex-President Grover Cleveland regained the Presidency in 1892.

Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt ran for President on the Progressive Party ticket in 1912.

Ex-President William Taft was appointed Chief Justice in 1921.

Possible alternatives...

One easy possibililty is if a President dies in the "lame-duck" period between the election and inauguration, and is succeeded by the Vice President, who was not re-elected. The VP then becomes President for the remaining few weeks of the term, but does not continue in office.

Ex Vice-Presidents have sought or won elective office several times. I see no reason why an ex-VP with a brief term as President might not do likewise.

For instance, VP Hannibal Hamin (1861-1865) later was a U.S. Senator from Maine. If Lincoln had been assassinated before the Second Inauguration, Hamlin would have had a brief span in the Presidency, but it probably wouldn't change his later career.

FDR dies a few months earlier, so that Henry Wallace serves briefly as President. Wallace ran for President on the Progressive Party ticket in 1948; he had served as Secretary of State under Truman in 1945.

Eisenhower could have died of a heart attack in his lame-duck period; Nixon would have probably still run for governor of California, and later for President.

LBJ might have died in his lame-duck period, or resigned from ill health or general depression. Humphrey later served as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota.
 
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