Let's Take if for a Spin ....

I've been generally just lurking until now. I figured I'd try a barebones timeline based on newspaper headlines. I saw someone else do that. But I won;t even have photos. Sorry! Here goes:


The Birmingham News
May 16, 1970

GOVERNOR BREWER SHOT!
WOUNDED BUT EXPECTED TO SURVIVE;
WALLACE SUPPORTER ARRESTED


The Montgomery Advertister
June 4, 1970

BREWER DEFEATS WALLACE IN PRIMARY
WINS WITHOUT RUNOFF, 51-40%
Vote Seen as Backlash Against Extremism


CBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
March 14, 1972

"Good evening, this is Walter Cronkite with a special report on the 1972 Florida Democratic Primary for President. The polls closed one hour ago, and we can project that Senator Henry Jackson of Washington has won an overwhelming victory in the Democratic Primary. He is projected to win 50% of the total primary vote. Former Vice President Hubert Humphrey is far back in second place with 22%. Edmund Muskie, winner of the New Hampshire Primary, has only 11%. Senator George McGovern, who nearly defeated Senator Muskie, has 7%. It would appear that Jackson has run well all over the state, but has done especially well in north Florida, where busing is a major controversy. As the only candidate opposed to busing, Jackson had the conservative part of the field all to himself ...

The New York Times
April 5, 1972

M'Govern Edges Jackson in Wisconsin, 31-29%;
Humphrey Distant 3rd with 18%


ABC EVENING NEWS: April 10, 1972

"Good evening, this is David Brinkley. The unsettled race for the Democratic nomination for President saw its most prominent candidate drop out. Former Vice President Hubert Humphrey has suspended his candidacy in light of poor primary showings. Former New York Mayor John Lindsay already left the race after his fourth place showing in the Florida primary. Senator Edmund Muskie is barely hanging on, hoping for a recovery in the upcoming Massachusetts primary. The two strongest remaining candidates are Senator George McGovern and Senator Henry Jackson, both Democrats, but in this election year running campaigns that almost seem to belong in different parties ..."

Sorry, out of time right now, I'll try to update periodically. I did not find the specific date for the 1970 primary in alabama so I took a guess.







 
The Boston Globe
April 26, 1972

McGovern Sweeps Primary;
Defeats Muskie 60-30%



NBC Nightly News
May 2, 1972
"This is John Chancellor reporting. Three more primaries have been held in the contest for the Democratic nomination for President. In Washington, DC, Walter Fauntroy, running essentially unopposed as a favorite son, has won. We also project that in the industrial states of Indiana and Ohio, Senator Henry Jackson has won both contests over Senator George McGovern. The support of organized labor has been key in Senator Jackson's victories. Jackson should end up with 55% of the Indiana vote and 53% of the Ohio vote ..."

Nashville Tennessean
May 5, 1972

Jackson overwhelms McGovern with 75% of vote



Charlotte Observer
May 7, 1972

Former Governor Sanford easily wins primary


more to follow ...

 
Looking forward to the coverage of events in Alabama as Governor Brewer winning the Democratic primary will cause huge butterflies.

Safe to assume that George Wallace is still able to walk on his own two feet.
 
Chicago Tribune
May 10, 1972
In a split decision yesterday, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota won the Democratic Presidential Primary in Nebraska with 55%, but Senator Henry Jackson of Washington swept the West Virginia contest with 65%. McGovern and Jackson are locked in a tight race for the Democratic Presidential nomination ...


Detroit Free Press
May 17, 1972

Jackson Wins Michigan and Maryland;
Busing Backlash and Labor Issues Key

Senator Henry Jackson of Washington crushed Senator George McGovern of South Dakota by a 2-1 margin in the state's Democratic presidential primary. Jackson won especially big margins in the Detroit suburbs of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Jackson also carried the western side of the state and the northern peninsula. McGovern carried some scattered counties, notably Washtenaw, home of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor ...

Jackson also prevailed by a narrow 53% in the Maryland Presidential primary ...



Portland Oregonian
May 24, 1972

McGovern beats Jackson in Oregon,
also wins Rhode Island.
Peace issue helped McGovern.


California, here we come ...
 
CBS Evening News
Special Coverage of Primary Night 1972
June 6, 1972

"Good evening, this is Walter Cronkite reporting on the final primary night of this election season. We can declare three states at this time. South Dakota has gone for its favorite son, Senator McGovern. No surprises there. McGovern has also won New Mexico, narrowly, over Senator Jackson. In New Jersey the major candidates did not compete, and Shirley Chisholm won there. We now turn to Dan Rather, reporting from Los Angeles on the California primary."

"Dan Rather here reporting from Los Angeles. The polls have closed in northern and southern California. Of all the state contests, California is the whole enchilada, the big burrito, and the hot tamale. Whoever wins here tonight will receive a mega bloc of 271 delegates. If McGovern wins, it seems impossible to deny him the Democratic Presidential nomination. If Jackson wins, he still has a chance. Jackson needs this more than McGovern, although both men would love to win the Golden State.

Walter, this contest has been more exciting than a man standing before a herd of stampeding cattle. McGovern was favored here early on, after Humphrey and Muskie had dropped out, but Jackson went after McGovern like a tornado roaring through Kansas. In their one debate, Jackson slammed McGovern for wanting to "gut" defense and throw thousands of people out of good jobs in SoCal. The big labor unions are providing mucho manpowero for Jackson. Against them are the peaceniks and poets and professors of the coast. It's anyone's game, Walter ...

(two hours later)

"Dan Rather reporting. Holy guacamole! It looks like Jackson has pulled it off! He edges McGovern by a flea's eyelash, 47-46%. Ironically, Shirley Chisholm's small vote here may have had a bigger impact on this race than her victory in the New Jersey primary. The Democratic convention is goin' to be a rootin' tootin' roundup, Walter.

"Thank you, Dan (looks amused and annoyed at the same time). You heard it here first, Senator Henry Jackson has won the Democratic Primary for President in Californa, and the nomination contest remains unsettled ..."
 
Democratic National Convention
Miami Beach



McGovern had less than a majority of delegates entering the convention, but with the help of the delegates pledged to Shirley Chisholm, won two key floor fights. First, to throw out the Illinois delegates controlled by Mayor Daley for an unelected but more diverse delegation headed by Alderman William Singer and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The Daley delegates had been uncommitted but were expected to vote for Jackson.

Even more controversially, the McGovern-Chisholm delegates voted to retroactively award nearly half of California's delegates to McGovern, despite the state's winner-take-all provision. This provision, however, contradicted the new rules of the national Democratic Party, which called for more fairness in primary elections. After all, McGovern had won nearly half the vote. Surely he was entitled to half of the delegates? Thus, Jackson's vote haul from California was slashed from 271 to 137 (to 134 for McGovern).

By then the floor was seething with rage from the Jackson delegates. A repeat of 1968 seemed in the air. The McGovern forces, anxious to keep the peace, offered the Daley slate one half of the Illinois delegates. Thus the delegation ended up splitting evenly between McGovern and Jackson.

McGovern won a bare majority on the first ballot before switches. However, over 1,000 delegates stuck with Jackson to the end, and there was no move to make the nomination unanimous.



Delegate totals, First Ballot

George McGovern: 1,551
Henry Jackson: 1,127
Shirley Chisholm: 152
Hubert Humphrey: 60
Wilbur Mills - 34 (1.13%)
Edmund Muskie - 25 (0.83%)
Ted Kennedy - 13 (0.43%)
Terry Sanford -8
Wayne Hays - 5 (0.17%)
Eugene McCarthy - 2 (0.07%)
Ramsey Clark - 1 (0.03%)
Walter Mondale - 1 (0.03%)

After switches

George McGovern: 1,750
Henry Jackson: 1,077
Others: 89


McGovern nominated! But he could not shake the impression that to some degree the nomination had been "stolen" from Henry Jackson, even though if a delegates had been measured out by popular vote percentages, McGovern WOULD have received the number of delegates he was in fact rewarded.
 
The New York Times
August 3, 1972
_______________________________________
AGNEW KILLED IN MD;
SHOT DURING CAMPAIGN STOP;
 
ABC NEWS REPORT
August 8, 1972


This is David Brinkley reporting. President Nixon has swiftly nominated a successor to the assassinated Vice President, Spiro Agnew. He has sent to the Congress the name of Senator William Brock of Tennessee. Both Speaker Carl Albert and Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield promise swift action on this nomination. The President has also indicated that he will run with Brock in the general election ...
 
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The Washington Post
August 9, 1974​


NIXON RESIGNS;
BROCK TAKES OATH OF OFFICE



CBS EVENING NEWS
September 5, 1974
"Good evening. This is Walter Cronkite reporting. President Brock has today nominated Governor Ronald Reagan of California to be Vice President of the United States. The move certainly unifies Republicans but may cause opposition among some Democrats in this post-Watergate atmosphere ..."​
 
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I am finding it a pain to keep playing with fonts and sizes, so for the time being I am going to try a basic, no-frills timeline. Thanks for reading!


September, 1974: Brock pardons Nixon. Popularity plunges as result.

November, 1974: Democrats sweep mid-term elections, end up with 292 seats in the House, 62 in the Senate.

December, 1974: Reagan confirmed as Vice President (vote is from members of Congress elected in 1972). Vote is 310-122 in the House of Representatives, 80-17 in the Senate. In the House vote, about half of the Democratic caucus voted against Reagan, including a majority of northern Democrats.

North Vietnam launches limited offensive that succeeds beyond expectations. President Brock appeals to Congress for military and financial aid to South Vietnam. Congress refuses.


March, 1975: North Vietnam launches another offensive into the central highlands of South Vietnam. Initial reports are very bleak for the ARVN. President Brock makes a critical decision. The Administration attempts to circumvent the Church-Case Amendment by creative interpretation (specifcally, that the situation in Vietnam has changed fundamentally since 1973 when the Amendment was passed). Brock orders carrier-based aircraft to strike at North Vietnamese forces in South Vietnam. However, Brock rules out re-introducing ground forces "under any circumstances."

Congress is in an uproar. Articles of Impeachment are drawn up and submitted to the House Judiciary Committee ...

(in the meantime the economy has slipped into a terrible recession, with high inflation, high unemployment, and a huge budget gap predicted)
 
May, 1975: Brock survives impeachment attempt (sorry I need not to get sidetracked). Tactical bombing support of South Vietnam peters off

June, 1975: North Vietnam launches offensive against South Vietnamese city of Hue. President Brock orders B-52 strikes on North Vietnam, including Hanoi and Haiphong Harbor. Soviets cancel upcoming summits. Brock's approval rating drops to 29%.


July, 1975: North Vietnam halts offensive, withdraws behind demarcation line. Khmer Rouge advance against Cambodian government. US does not respond with force in this instance.

August, 1975: Cambodia falls to Khmer Rouge.


October 1975: Senator Mark Hatfield (R-OR) announces he will challenge President Brock for GOP nomination as a "peace" candidate.


December 1975: By this time, candidates are set in both parties. Among the Democrats are Senator Henry Jackson of Washington, the presumed frontrunner; Congressman Morris Udall of Arizona; 1972 VP nominee Sargent Shriver; former Senator Fred Harris of Oklahoma; Anti-abortion candidate Ellen McCormack; and a little-known former governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter.

For the Republicans, it's Senator Mark Hatfield vs. President Brock.
 
January 27, 1976: The Iowa Caucuses

Democrats: Carter edges Jackson, wins caucuses​

Carter: 26%
Jackson: 25%
Uncommitted: 15%
Udall: 14%
Harris: 11%
Shriver: 9%​


Republicans:​

Hatfield wins stunning upset over Brock!​

Hatfield: 50%
Brock: 48%
Uncommitted: 2%​


February 24, New Hampshire Presidential Primary

Democrats:​

Udall beats Jackson and Carter!​

Udall: 27%
Jackson: 25%
Carter: 23%
Harris: 14%
Shriver: 10%​


Brock regains lead.​

Brock: 60%
Hatfield: 39%​
 
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March 2, 1976: Massachusetts and Vermont Primaries

Democrats: Jackson takes Mass, Carter wins Vermont

Massachusetts:
Jackson: 35%
Udall: 30%
Carter: 13%
Harris: 9%
Shriver: 7%
McCormack: 6%

Vermont:
Carter: 36%
Udall: 25%
Jackson: 21%
Shriver: 10%
Harris: 5%
McCormack: 2%


Republicans: Hatfield Sweeps Both Primaries

Massachusetts:
Hatfield 59%
Brock 40%

Vermont:
Hatfield 56%
Brock 44%


 
March 9, 1976:

Jackson wins Florida narrowly over Carter:

Jackson: 45%
Carter: 43%
Udall: 10%

(Shriver and Harris have dropped out)


Brock easily beats Hatfield in Florida primary:

Brock: 65%
Hatfield: 35%


March 16, 1976:

Illinois:

Jackson wins "beauty contest", Carter wins 30 delegates against Daley-Stevenson slate (Jackson had not run delegates in deferences to Daley)

Jackson: 50%
Carter: 32%
Udall: 15%


Brock narrowly beats Hatfield in Illinois:

Brock: 53%
Hatfield: 47%


March 23, 1976:

North Carolina:

Carter beats Jackson, revives campaign ...

Carter: 55%
Jackson: 35%
Udall: 10%


Brock crushes Hatfield

Brock: 73%
Hatfield: 27%
 
April 6:

Udall Wins Democratic Primary in Wisconsin

Udall: 38%
Jackson: 35%
Carter: 25%

Jackson Wins Democratic Delegate Selection in New York

Jackson: 45%
Udall: 30%
Carter: 15%
Uncommitted: 10%


Hatfield Upsets Brock in GOP Wisconsin Primary

Hatfield: 52%
Brock: 48%


April 27:

Jackson wins Pennsylvania Democratic Primary

Jackson: 40%
Carter: 35%
Udall: 25%


Brock Edges Hatfield in Pennsylvania GOP Primary

Brock: 53%
Hatfield: 47%


May 1:

Carter Mounts Comeback, Wins in Texas Democratic Primary

Carter: 47%
Jackson: 33%
Bentsen (favorite son): 20%


Brock Wipes Out Hatfield in Texas GOP Contest:

Brock: 81%
Hatfield: 19%


May 4:

Carter Sweeps Home State in Georgia Democratic Primary

Carter: 80%
Jackson: 20%


Jackson Wins Indiana Democratic Primary

Jackson: 42%
Carter: 33%
Udall: 25%


Udall Wins DC Democratic Primary

Udall: 43%
Carter: 35%
Jackson: 20%


Brock Sweeps Georgia and Indiana GOP Primaries

Georgia: Brock 84%
Hatfield 16%

Indiana: Brock: 67%
Hatfield: 33%
 
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