Forgive Your Enemies, But Never Forget Their Names

Deleted member 87099

Forgive Your Enemies, But Never Forget Their Names

Prologue: The Fall of A President


By the end of 1962, President John F. Kennedy was seemingly on the top of the world. His approval ratings were high and getting higher and the Democrats held firm and ever growing majorities in congress. The President had recently just brought the world off from the nuclear ledge and was now overseeing a US-Soviet relations 'cool down'. Things were certainly looking well for America's youngest elected President, a man who appeared to be at the height of his rhetorical powers, a man who could lead his people with grace and confidence.

But sometimes the actions of good men are only held up by those of bad men, and that was the case for President Kennedy. An international icon who not only led a public life of glamour and fame but a private one of deception and infamy. Though, of course, the public only really knew what President Kennedy wanted them to know. But all that would change soon, starting with the wiretap of the office of Ed Levinson.

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I hope that was ok, I'll try to update this more often than I did for Moonbeam. I hope that you all enjoy this and I'll appreciate any and all feedback.
 

Deleted member 87099

Intrigued. So, this is an attempt to destroy Camelot while Jack lives? I wonder who'll win in '64. Lodge, maybe?

Scranton?

Meh. They said he looked like the guy John Wayne would help fight off the baddies. Not exactly presidential.

What about Rockefeller?

Maybe Smith, Romney, Fong?

Smith has no chance, and neither does Fong.

Rocky's a recent divorcee, so that won't help.

A bit early for Romney, but he's maybe the Republicans' best bet.

I don't want to reveal it yet but I'll give a hint; he's been in Washington since the Truman years.
 

Deleted member 87099

Part 1: It Takes A Crook

Federal investigation wasn't anything new to gambling magnate Ed Levinson. After all, he was investigated just a couple years prior for alleged skimming. He wasn't known as the cleanest businessman either. So, it should not have come to the surprise of many that he was being wiretapped by the FBI.

In late 1962 it came to the attention of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover that Levinson had mentioned a man by the name of Bobby Baker and referenced numerous dealings with Baker, some involving foreign trips to the Dominican Republic, likely to create a new casino. Hoover knew who Baker was, Baker happened to be a Washington businessman and the protégé of Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson. It was revealed that Levinson has had a relationship with Baker, and his business partner Fred Black, since before the beginning of the Kennedy Administration.

Hoover was already aware of some previous Baker dealings, like he and Black's Serv-U Vending Machine Company, which managed to monopolize the market of vending machines at federal buildings in less than a year. Combining these factors, Hoover definitely knew that something was going on and decided to tip off the right people to further an investigation that was already in the process of being created, in congress. [1]

By June, 1963, the Baker investigation, while making much progress (especially in being able to tarnish Baker's career forever) failed to gain public recognition and was largely able to fly under the public's radar. That is, until an alarming discovery was made during the investigation.

Bobby Baker had reportedly given politicians sexual favors in exchange for political favors. Obviously he didn't do these 'favors' personally but rather enlisted in women he knew, especially hostesses from the Quorum Club. One particular hostess was Ellen Rometsch, a former member of the East German Communist Party before fleeing with her family to America. Rometsch was currently fending off accusations of being a communist spy. Matters became for more complicated when the investigators found out that Rometsch gained a certain 'audience' with President Kennedy, while he was in office.

This news was shocking to those who found out. Sure, they all knew that Kennedy had affairs, many in Washington did, but to have one with a potential spy was another thing. Many Republicans and even some Democrats threatened to further the investigation or even go to the public with this news. President Kennedy's Attorney General and younger brother Robert Kennedy tried to prevent these drastic measures once and for all and threatened to "open the books on every one" [2]. Many at the receiving end of these threats thought that Kennedy was bluffing, and this theory came with some conviction since the President was already falling out of favor with Hoover and vice versa and how 'Bobby' Kennedy and the White House (along with Vice President Johnson) had been meddling with the investigation since its conception. Thus, they chose to proceed.
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[1] Our POD, folks. An earlier Baker investigation.

[2] IOTL Hoover said this, so it obviously came with far more conviction.
 

Deleted member 87099

I'm aiming to get the next part up tomorrow, thanks everyone for the support, any comments, questions, criticisms, etc.?
 
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