Look, I really hate that the LGBT community and support for them is getting used as a cudgel here. It is not meant as a dig towards you, the author, I fully acknowledge that this is not some idealized version of the seventies we're reading here. If this happened in OTL, it would go down as such and with the Republican party being as it is, it makes perfect sense to go down this route. It's pretty disgusting that Falwell is going to basically force the campaign to walk back the somewhat decent stance Kemp took in that last sentence, a decent stance for the time I should add.
But that being said, if I were watching this from the outside and had a vested interest in watching the Republicans fail?
“Let me say this once and once only,” Kemp started. Behind him, a squeamish Bush tried to nudge himself out of the shot, lest he appear to be standing behind Kemp in any recording while the nominee said whatever it was he was about to say. Wirthlin, too far away to interrupt, looked on in horror. “I am not a homosexual, and I have never — not once — engaged in homosexual conduct of any sort. These are lies spread about my character, and I am not going to stand for them.
“Yes, there were homosexuals on the staff — two of them, in fact — and Governor Reagan — he was the governor at the time — moved swiftly to take care of the issue. I owned a cabin with these men, but I never went to it, and I was never a part of their … activities.” Kemp began to turn away, but then worried that maybe he’d gone too far. He didn’t want to give the impression that he lacked compassion for gay people, but rather he just wanted to set the record straight on his own sexuality.
Leaning back towards the cameras, Kemp continued, “Of course, I believe in civil liberties for homosexuals. I just am not one. I don’t behave in that way,” and then he went into the restaurant. George Bush couldn’t help but feel that if Reagan had just sucked it up and chosen him, this whole campaign would be going a lot smoother. He dutifully followed the Kemp entourage into the restaurant.
This is literally jaw dropping to read. And I mean that in the best way possible.
I'm sure he managed to play it cool.
“Teaching,” he said matter-of-factly. “I would draw the line there. I would not let them teach in schools. I think a school board should have the right to choose what type of example we have for our children in public schools.”
Ah. That's the sound of a man nestling the gun further into his foot. I mean it would only be worse if he managed to complete a hat-trick.
A reporter from the Post followed up with the only logical question: “Congressman, you’re a parent. If the school board in your hometown were considering a measure about this, what would you ask them to do?” In reality, Kemp had already given his answer the day before, hadn’t he? But repeating it would solidify the difference between him and his running mate.
“My opinion doesn’t matter,” he answered, and then he was whisked away by staff into the next event, leaving reporters dumbfounded.
Oh for god's sake, what the fuck is Jack even DOING at this point?
“Well, that’s not exactly true, Congressman. In the course of our reporting, we spoke with a local reporter out of Phoenix, Bill Best. Best alleges that Seals spoke to him years ago about the incident and that he himself was propositioned — sexually — by a member of the Reagan inner circle.”
At Rancho del Cielo, Hannaford couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was the man who’d propositioned Best. He stood up from the couch and began pacing the room, sweating profusely. Reagan paid it little attention. He was sick to his stomach.
I think you ought to know that there have been no alternate history stories that have made my jaw fall open THIS much. I salute you sir, this is amazing to read.
I'm trying to work out if there is an OTL counterpart to this....self immolation of the hopes and dreams of the Republican party. H W's 'No New Taxes' required an actual term in which Bush had to have the chance to raise those taxes. Eisenhower's "If you give me a week I might of something" could qualify but seems a little too mild Goldwater going against the grain on the Civil Rights Act had a lot more benefit for the Republicans in the long run than in the short term. "No Jack Kennedy" killed Quayle as a serious contender to the office itself but he still got to serve as vice-president (I'm of the opinion that a Quayle 96 run would have been prime material for a Buchanan take-over). The closest thing I can think of is maybe the revelation of Senator 'Porno-Gramm's'....interesting choice of investment in the 1996 primaries? I don't know, I'm drawing a blank. It's perfect Streisand effect in action, even if there is nothing going on now people will think there is. I'm impressed that you managed to make Kemp dig a grave even deeper than what I could imagine. The idea of Bush wanting the ground to swallow him up and all that being captured on camera is....look, it is very funny to read even if it is very depressing to be reminded of the official position of the Republicans back then.
You'd think that knowing Carter gets a second term would ruin the excitement of it. Certainly a better handling of the hostage crisis seems like a no brainer to get you to that point. And yet here it is, the news that Jimmy's got some groove back! Even Billy manages to fall under the radar, which you know, fair play on playing that. Honestly, Carter going as far as he did seems like a gaffe, it makes sense as a gaffe....and at the same time I was absolutely cheering him on for saying so! I'm absolutely a partisan hack in this manner, to be clear, but I'd have to hope that your average voter would see the difference between the two campaigns at this point.....But the downballot races are going to be really interesting to read.
And you are right, history is fucking weird. And Hinckley being there is....well that's ominous. Very ominous indeed.
I appreciate that!
