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POD: Pat Buchanan continues his campaign in the year 2000 as a Republican, instead of joining the Reform Party as he does OTL. His campaign secretly leaks the fact that George W. Bush was once arrested for a DUI, six months before the news is released OTL. This forces the primary into a tight three way deadlock, with Pat eventually coming out on top before losing to Al Gore.

Notes: This is my first timeline. I joined just to post this. There may be times when I post something unrealistic or am uninformed. If that happens, please let me know. I would like to grow and learn. I want to know when something I'm writing isn't up to standards.

The Timeline:

Part 1: Election Night

November 7, 2000
11:32 P.M. Eastern Time

“Al Gore, 45th Vice President of the United States, will become the 43rd President of the United States,” the voice of Bernard Shaw announced on national television, “At 32 minutes past eleven o’clock Eastern Time, CNN declares that Al Arnold Gore Jr. will carry Florida and Wisconsin, giving him a total of 283 Electoral Votes and winning him the Presidency…”


The camera now showed footage of ecstatic supporters cheering outside Gore’s headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee as Bernard’s colleague Jim Greenfield’s voice gave commentary. “Amazing scene here in Nashville. With the results coming in from Wisconsin… That is enough to put Al Gore over the top now, and it won’t really matter what happens in Oregon or Colorado. It seems that Al Gore is the next President of the United States.”


“And of course, the interesting thing about this race,” Judy Woodruff added, “This comes after a very heated election cycle. The Clinton administration was rocked with scandal. Al Gore has tried to distance himself from President Clinton, but after early results from several states in the mideast, many thought it would be Pat Buchanan declaring victory tonight.”


Al Gore had done it. He had easily beat out Republican candidate Patrick Buchanan for the Presidency of the United States. It had been a long road to achieving this victory. All those long days on the campaign trail, first in the primary, then in the General Election. Tonight, it was all worth it.


But it very nearly could have ended differently. What if Pat Buchanan hadn’t decided to stay in the Republican race? What if George Bush’s campaign hadn’t been rocked in May by allegations of a past DUI? What if Buchanan’s populist message hadn’t taken root in the south before quickly spreading throughout Blue Collar America? Yes, things could have ended very badly for Gore.


He thought about this, saying a silent prayer to God as he took the stage half an hour later to give his victory speech.


FULL TRANSCRIPT OF AL GORE’S VICTORY SPEECH:

GORE: Good evening. I am proud to be here on this stage tonight, and to say that you made this happen. You made the decision to keep America strong, to keep her prosperous, and to keep her moving forward into the new Millenia. It is the legacy of those who came before us that we inherit now. A legacy of independence, of vigilance, and equality. I am proud to bear the weight of that legacy tonight.


As we go forward into the 21st Century, it is imperative that we uphold America’s great legacy, while evolving and transforming into a modern nation. Joe and I have both worked long and hard over the last eleven months to make that dream a reality. We have visited the heartland of America, from sea to shining sea. And every stop we made, we saw optimism. Hope. I am proud to say that opportunity is still very much alive in these United States of America.


It is time to heal the divide among people, both here and all over the world. Those differences exist in the disparity among races, among genders, among the ruralite and the city dweller, and yes, among Democrats and Republicans. It exists in families, where awkward political conversations are silenced in the fear that another may be offended. It exists in our Universities and our boardrooms, among the private sector and the government.


We did not want this divide to happen. But it has come to us now, and we stare at it, eye to eye. Will we let discrimination, bigotry, hate defeat us? Or will we rise up as one people, one America, one nation made up of many different ideas and races and classes and nationalities, to say, “No, hate. Not here. Not today.”


In order to continue the growth of our country, of our people, we will create new jobs. We will support the working people who make up the families of our nation. Special interest groups shall no longer hold power over the dinner table. We will not give tax cuts to the wealthy. We will support those in need, through healthcare, through education, and through the civil service. That is how we will move America forward.


Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the Presidency, “Partisan feeling must yield to Patriotism.”


In that same spirit, I say to my Republican colleagues… In the Federal government, and in the State houses across America… It is time to end the divide. I will reach my hand across the aisle, and together, we shall bring our nation forward. Our differences must now be put aside. Only together can this nation function. Only together can this nation look to the future.


I want to congratulate Mr. Buchanan on a hard fought race. This evening I have received a call from Pat. He wished me well and congratulated me on my victory. May God bless him and his family. I assured him that in the weeks and months to follow, I will call on him to help bridge the divide between the two parties. I appreciate everything he has done for this country.


I thank you for your love, for your prayers, and for your support. This is the beginning of America’s leap forward, into the future. We are one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good night, and God bless America!

Electoral Map:


Al Gore: 283 Electoral Votes
Pat Buchanan: 254 Electoral Votes
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