November 4th, 1986: White wins reelection with another upset victory & the aftermath (The TL)

[GeographyDude]

and around 1990, two highly important political developments:

1) the rise of conservative anger (not everyone agrees) and,

2) liberals cede talk radio to conservatives, which has to be among the biggest recent cases of political abandonment out there, at least in my universe!

 

[49ersFootball]

and around 1990, two highly important political developments:

1) the rise of conservative anger (not everyone agrees) and,

2) liberals cede talk radio to conservatives, which has to be among the biggest recent cases of political abandonment out there, at least in my universe!

Haven't gotten that far yet, but the TX GOP will be getting antsy & restless of being shut out of the statewide offices. I'm cooking up more twists & turns of 1988 in this TL.

 

[49ersFootball]

Sports Headlines from 1987 Season:

(College Football)
January 1st, 1988: Miami Hurricanes win their 2nd National Championship in school history defeating OU, 20-14 in the Orange Bowl: this would be the first & only national championship for Hurricanes Football Coach Jimmy Johnson, who would leave Miami after the 1988 Season to become Dallas Cowboys Football Coach in 1989 & we all know the rest of that story...

(NFL)

January 31st, 1988: Washington Redskins (NFC) win their 2nd Super Bowl Championship crushing 2-time AFC Champion Denver Broncos in blowout victory, 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII. Washington Redskins QB Doug Williams becomes the first African American NFL QB to win a Super Bowl Championship.

Sports Headlines from 1988 Season:
(NHL)

May 26th, 1988: Edmonton Oilers win their 4th Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history sweeping the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins, (4-0).

(NBA)

June 21st, 1988: Los Angeles Lakers win back-to-back NBA Championships by overcoming a hard-fought battle from Eastern Conference Champion Detroit Pistons in 7 games: (4-3), with the Lakers emerging victorious winning their 11th NBA Championship.

(MLB)

October 20th, 1988: Los Angeles Dodgers (National League) win their 6th World Series Championship defeating Oakland Athletics of the American League in 5 games: (4-1).

(NCAA Women's Gymnastics)

Alabama Women's Gymnastics Team win their 1st National Championship in program history under Alabama Crimson Tide Women's Gymnastics Coach Sarah Patterson, who would go onto winning 5 more National Championships in 1991, 1996, 2002, 2011 & 2012.

 

[49ersFootball]

Mecham
3:08 PM MST, Monday, April 4, 1988
AZ State Senate Chamber, AZ State Capitol, Phoenix, AZ.

Realizing the inevitability, AZ Governor Evan Mecham (R) listens to several members of the
AZ State Senate deliberating on removal from office during impeachment trial.
​

It was a gloomy Monday morning & sensing the inevitability of being removed from office was near, AZ Governor Evan Mecham (R) tried to put on a facade of holding on & pushing through, but over at the Mecham family residence at 5741 West Harmont Drive in Glendale, AZ First Lady Florence Mecham tried to give advice to her husband, whose governorship was nearing an end, "Evan. There's also the possibility of being removed from office altogether & banned from holding political office in the State of AZ again. We have to consider our options, we did the best we could to changing state government, but sadly, watching the impeachment hearings, it doesn't look good." Evan responded, "Florence, I'm going to fight damn hard in clearing my name of these trumped-up charges no matter what happens today."

He had been hounded by fellow AZ GOPers to resign from the governorship, facing recall attempts by opponents, who organized, signed petitions & other corruption scandals dogging members of his administration. The AZ State Senate convened as a court of impeachment on February 29th. Mecham's supporters compared the impeachment to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The charges against Mecham were obstruction of justice, filing a false statement, & misuse of government funds. The false filings charge was dropped by a vote of 16-12 in the AZ State Senate. However, when it came to testimony: the most damaging testimony was Mecham himself, during which he repeated his assertion that the AZ State Legislature had no authority over him, & berated individual legislators, whom he viewed as enemies plotting his political destruction. "You piss-ant pieces of S*** call yourselves legislators ? You couldn't even file a damned bill or piece of legislation that didn't make sense to the average Arizonans. Now that uppity greaser over there needs to shut his God damned mouth & know his place." Hearing Mecham's ugly statements & comments was too much for legislators or spectators watching to stomach because enough was enough!

On Monday evening, the AZ State Senate convicted Mecham on obstruction of justice by a vote of 21-9, & on misusing government funds by a vote of 26-4. They also voted 29-0 to disqualify Mecham from ever holding political office in the Grand Canyon State ever again, effectively ending any hopes of a political comeback at a later date. Sulking in his chair upon the final impeachment vote, "Those damn idiots got what they wanted. Now they've got that ugly old hag taking over the 9th Floor. They will regret getting rid of me because you haven't seen the last of me!"

 

[49ersFootball]

Later that evening
4:00 PM MST, Monday, April 4th, 1988
AZ State Capitol, Phoenix, AZ.

​

Immediately upon his removal from office, former AZ Governor Evan Mecham (R) was escorted out of the AZ State Capitol by his security detail & his defense team of lawyers who hurriedly rushed him to an awaiting automobile. Several of Mecham's supporters cried as they got notification of the final impeachment vote which resulted in Mecham's removal from office: while Mecham greeted his supporters by signing autographs & taking pictures, his wife, former AZ First Lady Florence Mecham was wiping tears from her face as she witnessed the worst political persecution being inflicted upon her husband for the past 14 months since he took over the AZ Governorship on January 5th, 1987 & from the beginning, her husband's political enemies had ammunition to use against him: cancelling the MLK Holiday, misusing government funds, controversial political appointees having criminal records, lack of legislative priorities, disastrous economic fallout hampering AZ's ability in courting businesses & industries & other hot-button incidents. She hated it all: the political enemies gleefully watching Evan's downfall (which he indirectly did himself by opening his mouth), the constant hammering from the TV News Stations across the Grand Canyon State.

It was close to 4:30 PM, the Mecham's were driven back to their Glendale residence where they were greeted by members of their family & several of their political supporters who cheerfully welcomed them back from the Hell-hole of Phoenix. Over inside the 9th Floor of the AZ State Capitol (where the Governor's Office was located), majority of Mecham's personal belongings had been placed in boxes, the Governor's desk was cleaned out from top to bottom including personnel files were deleted & other state government entities were being locked up by members of the AZ State Police as soon as Mecham's removal from office become official.

 

[49ersFootball]

Mofford
5:00 PM MST, Monday, April 4th, 1988
9th Floor Conference Room, AZ State Capitol
Phoenix, AZ.

​

Mecham's removal from office pretty much made popular 3-term AZ Secretary of State Rose Mofford (D) the Grand Canyon State's 18th Chief Executive effective immediately. Before getting ready to speak to the Press Corps inside the 9th Floor Conference Room, Mofford got a congratulatory phone calls from TX Governor Mark Wells White, Jr., (D), AR Governor Bill Clinton (D), CA Governor George Deukmejian (R), NC Governor Jim Martin (R), LA Governor Buddy Roemer (D) & many others.

 

[GeographyDude]

majority of Mecham's personal belongings had been placed in boxes, the Governor's desk was cleaned out from top to bottom including personnel files were deleted & other state government entities were being locked up by members of the AZ State Police as soon as Mecham's removal from office become official.

This is why I like timelines.

This is essentially the wrong way to do it. If I’m, say, deputy governor stepping up to the plate, I may not be able to do my best job losing this much information.

 

[GeographyDude]

Mofford
5:00 PM MST, Monday, April 4th, 1988
9th Floor Conference Room, AZ State Capitol
Phoenix, AZ.

View attachment 483828
​

Mecham's removal from office pretty much made popular 3-term AZ Secretary of State Rose Mofford (D) . . .

Awfully sparse office to elevate to governor! Another good reason for doing a timeline.

In Texas, we would elevate the Lieutenant Governor. Secretary of State is generally about running clean elections, and if this person’s doing a good job, they’re generally going to stay out of the news (Ann Richards might be an exception and was popular for giving a speech at the 1988 DNC).

If I personally was elevated, I’m going to emphasize my familiar program, the five E’s of good government:

Education
Economy
Employment (and if I’m essentially saying the same thing twice, that’s a good thing because it’s that important!)
Stewardship and protection of the Environment

and finally Engagement on the part of as many of our wonderful citizens who wish to stay engaged.​

——-

Whatever “shtick” or catch phrases I was known for, I’d stick with them. I’d keep it straightforward, simple, and relatively brief in this difficult, potentially scary time.

 

[49ersFootball]

Still cooking up twists & turns in this TL.

 

[49ersFootball]

White
6:30 PM CST, Monday, April 4th, 1988
Governor's Office Reception Room, TX State Capitol, Austin, TX.

​

Inside the Reception Room of the Governor's Office on the 2nd floor of the TX State Capitol, Governor White was addressing members of the Capitol Press Corps: where he delivered a strong statement reflecting his sentiment on the crisis in AZ following the impeachment & removal of then-AZ Governor Evan Mecham (R). White said that while he watched from afar the proceedings, he believed in the full legal process on delivering a strong, distinct verdict commending the members of the AZ State Legislature on carrying it out, he also congratulated newly-installed AZ Governor Rose Mofford (D), whom he spoke with over the telephone earlier that afternoon, expressing the chance to meet face-to-face in the upcoming meeting of the National Governors Association during the Summer. "Let this send a message to all of the other US State Governors including yours truly that nobody's above the law, & if we break the respective oaths we've taken to execute the laws of the Constitution of our respective states, then some of us deserve to get thrown out of office & facing the consequences. Let's pray that incidents like what had occurred in AZ never happen again."

 

[49ersFootball]

It's a New Day in the Grand Canyon State
12:00 PM MST, Tuesday, April 5th, 1988
Governor's Office 9th Floor, AZ State Capitol
Phoenix, AZ.

Mofford addressing the Press Corps outside the Governor's Office before taking the Oath of Office as AZ's 18th Governor
​

It was a bright Tuesday morning over at the AZ State Capitol in downtown Phoenix, where AZ State Troopers were guarding the Governor's Office on the 9th floor as important state documents were being locked tight as well as leftover appointments from the disgraced Mecham administration were being "under review" by Mofford's senior staff. For the AZ Dems, it was a breath of fresh air to get the Governorship back (after losing it in 1986 following 12 years of Dem control) & some were quietly egging Mofford to seek election to a full 4-year term in 1990, but Mofford dismissed this hype of the next gubernatorial election because for now, the time was to heal the entire Grand Canyon State.

Mofford sworn in as AZ's 18th Governor by AZ Supreme Court Chief Justice
Frank X. Gordon
​

The TV Stations across AZ interrupted regular programming to bring live coverage for the impromptu Inauguration inside the Governor's office on the 9th floor of the AZ State Capitol. Mofford entered the Reception Room, where AZ Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank X. Gordon was ready to swear in the Grand Canyon State's 18th Chief Executive...

Gordon: "Governor Mofford, are you ready to take the Oath of Office ?"

Mofford: "Yes I am ready."

Gordon: "Please put your left hand on the Bible, raise your right hand & repeat after me..."

"I, Rose Perica Mofford, do solemnly swear...."

Mofford: "I, Rose Perica Mofford, do solemnly swear..."

Gordon: "that I will support the Constitution of the United States & the Constitution of the State of AZ..."

Mofford: "that I will support the Constitution of the United States & the Constitution of the State of AZ..."

Gordon: "that I will bear true faith & allegiance to the same & defend them against enemies, foreign & domestic.."

Mofford: "that I will bear true faith & allegiance to the same & defend them against enemies, foreign & domestic..."

Gordon: "& that I will faithfully & impartially discharge the duties of the office of Governor of the State of AZ to the best of my ability, so help me God."

Mofford: "& that I will faithfully & impartially discharge the duties of the office of Governor of the State of AZ to the best of my ability, so help me God."

Gordon: "Congratulations Governor Mofford & the best of luck to you."

Mofford: "Thank you very much Mr. Chief Justice."

 

[49ersFootball]

White
10:27 AM CST, Wednesday, April 13th, 1988
Houston, TX.

​

Governor White was working full preparation of the 1990 reelection campaign very early & he was aggressive in pursuing more educational reforms, economic diversification as the Lone Star State moves toward the 21st Century. His administration had an interesting legislative session the previous year & with the upcoming 71st Legislature coming, he was determined to make an impact for future generation of Texans. He was also among several moderate-to-conservative Dem Governors pushing an aggressive course by moving the Dems toward the center by pushing for smaller government, welfare reforms, cutting taxes, getting super aggressive on crime.

He was intrigued by polling surveys showing him crushing Mattox in the Dem Primary & GOP challengers in the General Election in 1990. However, he also was restless because National Dems were going to be relentless in demanding he run for President in 1992. "These damn idiots think they want me to run for the White House in 1992 ? I don't think so! I'm staying put here in the Lone Star State doing the job that Texans elected me to do in 1982."

 

[GeographyDude]

White
10:27 AM CST, Wednesday, April 13th, 1988
Houston, TX.

​

. . . he was aggressive in pursuing more educational reforms, economic diversification as the Lone Star State moves toward the 21st Century. . .

However, going gung-ho and all rah-rah-rah for education also leads to a further bifurcation of society between those who do well with conventional schooling--and I emphasize conventional--and those who don't.

and those who get the "good" jobs and end up working 60+ hours a week can be self-righteous as heck that they have fully earned it,

Sometimes I think the best single reform might be what we almost got on the federal level in Dec. 2016, that if a person makes less than $47,000 for the year, they get time-and-a-half for overtime regardless of whether the company classifies them as hourly or salaried. Except . . . go more aggressive and do it at the state level a lot earlier. For example, in the late '80s, Texas could have said, if you want to make someone a manager and work them big hours, that's fine, that's part of the free enterprise system subject to negotiations, except . . Oh, yes, by the way, they need to make at least 70 grand a year or they do get time-and-a-half for overtime, thank you very much.

 

[49ersFootball]

However, going gung-ho and all rah-rah-rah for education also leads to a further bifurcation of society between those who do well with conventional schooling--and I emphasize conventional--and those who don't.

and those who get the "good" jobs and end up working 60+ hours a week can be self-righteous as heck that they have fully earned it,

Sometimes I think the best single reform might be what we almost got on the federal level in Dec. 2016, that if a person makes less than $47,000 for the year, they get time-and-a-half for overtime regardless of whether the company classifies them as hourly or salaried. Except . . . go more aggressive and do it at the state level a lot earlier. For example, in the late '80s, Texas could have said, if you want to make someone a manager and work them big hours, that's fine, that's part of the free enterprise system subject to negotiations, except . . Oh, yes, by the way, they need to make at least 70 grand a year or they do get time-and-a-half for overtime, thank you very much.

Considering some of the opponents of the controversial "No Pass/No Play" were hostile towards Governor White's reforms. I'm cooking up more twists & turns on this TL.

 

[49ersFootball]

Governor White
1:51 PM CST, Tuesday, April 26th, 1988
San Antonio, TX.

​

Governor White traveled all over the Lone Star State, making speeches to numerous Teachers Retirement organizations, several statewide Town Hall meetings, where he was asked about the achievements of the 70th Legislative Session & upcoming 71st Legislative Session as well as finding specific alternatives in getting the TX economy booming & reversing the disastrous economic recession which has hammered the Lone Star State's major cities such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, etc.,

 

[49ersFootball]

I'm cooking up more twists & turns on this TL. I should also note that I'm doing a prelude TL on White's 1982 victory & highlights of the 1st term, which will be detailed sometime this week.

 

[49ersFootball]

Ch. 13 KTRK-TV Houston Public Opinion Survey (April 30th-May 17th, 1988)
Do you approve or disapprove of the job TX Governor Mark W. White, Jr., (D) is doing ?
Approve: 65%
Disapprove: 20%
Not Sure: 12%


TX United States Senator (April 30th-May 17th, 1988)
United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX): 71%
US Rep. Beau Boulter (R-TX): 20%

TX Railroad Commissioner (Place 1): OPEN
Former US Rep. Kent Hance (R-TX): 37%
State Rep. Clint Hackney (D-TX): 37%
Undecided: 25%

TX Railroad Commissioner (Place 3)
Railroad Commissioner James E. "Jim" Nugent (D-Incumbent): 57%
Former State Rep. Ed Emmett (R-Houston): 37%

TX Supreme Court Chief Justice (OPEN)
Tom Phillips (R): 50%
Ted Z. Robertson (D): 36%

TX Supreme Court Justice, Place 2 (OPEN)
Former State Senator Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin): 41%
Paul Murphy (R): 39%

TX Supreme Court Justice, Place 4
TX Supreme Court Justice Raul Gonzalez (D-Incumbent): 56%
Charles Ben Howell (R): 36%

TX Supreme Court Justice, Place 6
Nathan Hecht (R): 47%
TX Supreme Court Justice Bill Kilgarlin (D-Incumbent): 35%

 

[49ersFootball]

Ch. 13 Eyewitness News
6:07 PM CST, Wednesday, April 27th, 1988
Ch. 13 Studios, Houston, TX.

Ch. 13 KTRK-TV Houston News Anchor Dave Ward & Ch. 13 Chief Meteorologist Ed Brandon
​

It was just another day at the Ch. 13 Studios in Houston, where Ch. 13 Chief Meteorologist Ed Brandon had driven back from a "break" & looked like a nuclear holocaust. Some of the employees inside the newsroom snickered "That Brandon fellow must be snorting something because he keeps wiping that special powder out of his nose & face." This was going to become a big problem later on down the road as some of the rumors keep swirling non-stop, leading to Ch. 13's higher management staff to make a difficult decision on Brandon.

Some inside the ABC O&O Station's management staff were concerned about the ongoing rumors regarding Brandon's personal life & they had been getting phone calls from unspecified employees of Ch. 13, who were getting nervous whenever Brandon showed up either drunk or worse.

​

 

[49ersFootball]

Bentsen
1:05 PM CST, Wednesday, May 4th, 1988
Houston, TX.

​

Focusing on his reelection campaign for a 4th term in the United States Senate, United States Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr., (D-TX) was busy working the GOTV efforts for the TX Dems with the upcoming TX Dem Party Convention coming up during the Summer. "I'm going to be helping the TX Dems going forward in making sure we cannot get our eye off the balll here because in the game of politics, you cannot count out the other side from matching our GOTV efforts. But I'm going to be focus on helping move the Lone Star State forward."

 

[GeographyDude]

​

. . . was busy working the GOTV efforts for the TX Dems with the upcoming TX Dem Party Convention coming up during the Summer. . .

I’m curious how the GOTV efforts end up differing from other campaign efforts.