Playing with Mirrors

[Expat]

Well, someone's decided that "Oh well, next time will be better" is for chumps, why do I get the feeling that Lou about to cut his nose off to spite his face.

Yeah, I probably need to spend more time going into the mood that the Conservative Defections have created in the American political class. I did a bit back before my hiatus, and actually next post should help paint the picture even more, coincidentally.

Certainly with this administration, the bridges are thoroughly burned. And think tanks will always go where the donors go.

 

[mymatedave10]

Certainly with this administration, the bridges are thoroughly burned. And think tanks will always go where the donors go.

And talking of think tanks I googled ALEC and coincidentally found out who 'Lou' was, in this TL I don't think they'll be in position to literally write state legislation as they've been able to OTL.

 

[Expat]

#11

The Midwest

There’s a special election happening; one of those occasional vacancies that pops up irregularly that gain an undue amount of attention from the political establishment because nothing else is going on. A state legislator named Quinn on the Conservative ticket is vying with a local prosecutor named Pierce on the Republican ticket for the victory, with an agricultural commissioner named Acker on the Democratic ticket not really in the race at all. All three camps are in this small college town tonight for the only debate of the campaign, and all three camps have set up shop at the only hotel bar in the only decent hotel in town. Amy and Lisa, two Democratic operatives, are sitting at the bar.

“Watch this.”

A slovenly-looking guy is loudly holding court in the middle of the room. From the direction of the lobby they can see a small group fronted by a classic prep school type making their way to the bar. They watch as the prep and the slob briefly make eye contact and then proceed to ignore each other. The prep and his group find a corner away from the slob and order some drinks.

“What am I watching?”

“Look at them. They’re not even going to acknowledge each other.”

Amy fails to see why this is noteworthy, but then taking another glance around the rooms she thinks she catches the mood. Everyone is sneaking glances at the prep and the slob, expecting something to happen or at least seeming to gain some social mana from the fact that nothing is happening.

“You’ll have to clue me in.”

“That-”

Pointing to the prep.

“-is Lee Atwater. And that-”

Pointing to the slob.

“-is Karl Rove. They used to be the dynamic duo in the GOP. But Rove stayed loyal to the party and Atwater bolted to the Conservatives. I hear the break up was Wagnerian.”

“Well they seem to have gotten over it now.”

Lisa almost snarfs her drink.

“Yeah. Just keep telling yourself that. Did you hear about the radio call-in show that got flooded with calls asking if it was true whether Quinn had an affair with his illegal immigrant nanny? Or those flyers that papered half the capital insinuating Pierce was gay? Where do you think they came from”

“Jesus. These guys play rough.”

“I’m half glad we don’t really have a shot at this one. You don’t want to tangle with either of those pricks. But it’s better when they have each other to shoot at. I can’t imagine what they’re gonna get up to in the general.”

Just then the two men try to sneak glances at each other at the same time. For a brief moment it’s like their eyes are locked, they can’t look away. Their hard stares act like a baffle dampening the noise in the room. But an instant later they break eye contact, and the world seems to move on. Only the two men are still stuck in the ghost of that gaze, or at least what it represents. A friendship turned to bitter rivalry that will last the rest of their lives.

“This is the worst old-fashioned I think I’ve ever had.”

“You should try this martini.”

“Yeah, that’s really bad, too.”

“Yeah.”

They down their drinks. Amy turns to the bartender and waves her fingers.

“Same again.”

----

January 1982

Lincoln Star Journal
Headline: How Does Nebraska Do It? Other States Want to Know

A group of 33 legislators from 11 states has arrived in Lincoln on a fact-finding mission to review Nebraska’s unique, non-partisan approach to state politics.

The group came together following a particularly bitter year for partisan politics around the country. The arrival of the Conservative Party has thrown traditional alliances and political methodology out the window.

While on the national level, the compromise consensus between the Republicans and Democrats seems to be holding, for some states this is not an option. In Kansas, for example, the Conservatives are the largest party, but far from a majority. They have enough votes to block any legislation, but have so far been unable to convince any Democrats or Republicans to support their bills. The result is a state government shutdown that is now entering its third month.

Kansas isn’t alone in suffering a shutdown this year due to partisan bickering. Virginia, Louisiana, Colorado, and Montana also experienced disruptions in state services, with Virginia’s lasting a “mere” nine days, and Louisiana’s stretching to almost seven weeks.

Nebraska, on the other hand, has weathered the storm fairly well. While the Unicameral features a heady partisan mixture of all three parties, the polite fiction of non-partisanship agreed to in the chamber seems to be doing the trick in greasing the gears of state. Bickering has been kept to a minimum.

The hope is that this might be a cheap and simple solution to a difficult problem.

The visiting legislators will spend five days in the capital, talking to state officials and administrators and learning how the non-partisan election process works. Nebraskan political leaders will also provide their guests with an introduction on the idea of merging their statehouses into a single chamber, but this reform is not expected to be a priority for the mission.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

this is an interesting TL.

One where the Republicans and Democrats stay in 'We disagree with each other, but we respect and talk with each other'

BTW. which senators joined the ACP?

I'm guessing that Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms did so.

 

[Expat]

this is an interesting TL.

One where the Republicans and Democrats stay in 'We disagree with each other, but we respect and talk with each other'

BTW. which senators joined the ACP?

I'm guessing that Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms did so.

They sure did! I was keeping this mostly for my information...haven’t decided yet if I want to keep a full alt senate running with the TL. But here’s the list of Conservatives before the 1982 election:

James Buckley, CT
Matt Mattingly, GA
James McClure, ID
Roger Jepsen, IA
Chuck Grassley, IA
Walter Huddleston, KY
J. Bennett Johnston, LA
John Stennis, MS
Jim Exon, NE
Harrison Scmitt, NM
Jesse Helms, NC
Don Nickles, OK
Strom Thurmond, SC
Harry Byrd, VA
Bill Proxmire, WI
Malcolm Wallop, WY

The liberal consensus that had been around for decades, but which was losing strength through the 60s and 70s, does get a bit of a reprieve here. Both parties see the Conservatives as a threat to normalcy, and at least for this first election cycle after it happened, they’re very invested rebuffing this common threat to both of them.

Whether this state of affairs can endure, we will see.

 

[mymatedave10]

It fills me with joy that the Republicans in this TL will no longer be a breeding ground for people such as Dennis Hastert and Newt Gingrich. They took the R's from deeply conservative to deranged saboteurs of democracy.

 

[Expat]

It fills me with joy that the Republicans in this TL will no longer be a breeding ground for people such as Dennis Hastert and Newt Gingrich. They took the R's from deeply conservative to deranged saboteurs of democracy.

It's interesting you should bring up Gingrich because it's his example that informs a lot of my feelings on the relative un-importance of ideology to the average politician. Yes, there will always be true believers, but the type of person who seeks office is more likely to intuit the desires of a constituency and bend towards those desires.

Rest assured Gingrich is around, and still a Republican member of Congress. This is the Gingrich who IOTL served as Nelson Rockefeller's southern campaign director in 1968, and who founded the environmental studies department at the college where he worked in the 70s.

ITTL he probably began to pivot rightward in the late 70s, but he wouldn't have been much tempted by the Conservatives in 1980. He would've been savvy enough to realize that the still-conservative local Democratic establishment and the new, even more right-wing Conservative party would split the vote, and give a moderate a good chance of holding the seat.

 

[mymatedave10]

It's interesting you should bring up Gingrich because it's his example that informs a lot of my feelings on the relative un-importance of ideology to the average politician. Yes, there will always be true believers, but the type of person who seeks office is more likely to intuit the desires of a constituency and bend towards those desires.

Rest assured Gingrich is around, and still a Republican member of Congress. This is the Gingrich who IOTL served as Nelson Rockefeller's southern campaign director in 1968, and who founded the environmental studies department at the college where he worked in the 70s.

ITTL he probably began to pivot rightward in the late 70s, but he wouldn't have been much tempted by the Conservatives in 1980. He would've been savvy enough to realize that the still-conservative local Democratic establishment and the new, even more right-wing Conservative party would split the vote, and give a moderate a good chance of holding the seat.

Thank goodness for that, this rapidly becoming a favourite TL of mine.

 

[Expat]

Thank goodness for that, this rapidly becoming a favourite TL of mine.

Thanks, very glad you like it! I'll remember you said that later, when I start sticking my uninformed nose into British affairs.

 

[mymatedave10]

Thanks, very glad you like it! I'll remember you said that later, when I start sticking my uninformed nose into British affairs.

Oh please do. We could do with a bit of sensible thinking at the moment.

 

[Electric Monk]

Doesn’t matter what ideology Gingrich talks about, he was only interested in power and wrecking Congress/government was the easiest path to gain it. He’ll do the same thing (more or less) in any timeline where he is in politics. So, alas, he’ll be just as awful ITTL in terms of making America work versus personal power.

Edit:
Newt Gingrich Says You're Welcome
The Atlantic, November 2018 / McKay Coppins

 

[Expat]

Doesn’t matter what ideology Gingrich talks about, he was only interested in power and wrecking Congress/government was the easiest path to gain it. He’ll do the same thing (more or less) in any timeline where he is in politics. So, alas, he’ll be just as awful ITTL in terms of making America work versus personal power.

Edit:
Newt Gingrich Says You're Welcome
The Atlantic, November 2018 / McKay Coppins

Yes, he’ll say more or less anything to retain his seat and/or expand his power. Like many politicians, this will be his primary motivation. His timing and opportunities will dictate the kind of legacy he leaves. It’s just as likely that the complex political equation he’s banking on doesn’t swing his way, either in 1982 or later. He and the rest of congress are entering uncharted electoral waters.

But I don’t know if I’d agree that his awfulness would be assured in a given scenario. As you said, whatever tool looks right for the task of gaining power, he’s going to wield it. If that means norm-destroying, then yeah, he looks bad. If it happens to mean something else, or if the planets just don’t align for him, he could be remembered very differently, or forgotten altogether.

To be clear though, I don’t have any current plans for Newt. That could change, but since my dearly-departed grandmother hated his guts and was forced to be nice to him once at a church service (forced by her own impeccable manners, of course) I don’t have much motivation to rehabilitate him.

 

[Expat]

#12

August, 1981

Terry works for the president. Lou works for Bob Dole. Without preamble, Lou enters Terry’s office and starts the discussion:

“Tell him it’s unacceptable.”

“Hi Lou.”

“Hi Terry. Don’t screw around with us on this one. Tell him it’s unacceptable.”

“Maybe you get paid to talk to the president like that but I’m not sure-”

“Let’s cut the crap, Terry. You know there’s a right answer to this problem. I know there’s a right answer to this problem. Anderson wants to look like a pragmatist so he floats some Democratic names. Okay, fine. I come down here and act like a jerk to show you how serious we are about not screwing around on this nomination. You convey to the administration that we’re not messing around. Then we all get on with our day.”

“Right. You want a shoe shine while you're at it?”

“If we could do this civil, I would be doing it civil. But you put us in this position so I need to be clear.”

“Here’s some clarity: he’s the president. If he wants to spend the political capital he can do it.”

“He doesn’t want a fight on this one, not in the first year. No one was expecting this vacancy and it’s got everyone’s back up.”

“The Senate’s been perfectly willing to cut deals on everything else. You’re telling me the Republican Party is going to fight their own president over a Supreme Court nomination?

“I’m telling you my boss is going to give him a fight. Anderson wants- or at least he should want- a unanimous confirmation, at least from his own party. With our girl, he can have it.”

“What’s wrong with the other two?”

“Jesus, Terry, they’re Democrats!”

“They’re both registered Independent.”

“They were LBJ appointments for chrissakes!”

“But promoted by Nixon.”

“It doesn’t- [sigh]. Look. You wanted a read, I’m giving you a read. If you want this done quick and easy, go with Door #3.

Terry pauses for a second, shrugs, and continues.

“Well that seems pretty clear, thanks for your candor.”

“I hope you’re not getting pissy, here.”

Terry spreads his hands.

“Lou, come on. I wanted the lay of the land, you gave it to me. The president respects your boss. He’s done a helluva lot for us this year. Even when he’s voted with the opposition he did it in a way that kept them from getting at any red meat. Anderson wants to know what Dole thinks, and now we know. If we want a fight, you’ll hear about it, if we’re on the same page, you’ll hear about it. You know how it goes.”

“Right. Look. I’m not trying to tell you how to do your job here...but you DON’T want a fight on this one. Trust me.”

A hard stare passes between the aids.

“Loud and clear, Lou. Loud and clear.”

----

Two weeks later

Jerry Falwell and entourage step out of the Southwest Gate of the White House where a small gathering of reporters waits.

“Mr. Falwell! Jim Nowak, Washington Star. Did you and the president speak about his choice for the Supreme Court and will you be making any public statement on the nomination?

“The president and I spoke about a great many things, many of which were in my capacity as a spiritual advisor and therefore confidential. I know President Anderson has thought long and hard on his decision and I believe in his mind he has the best interests of the nation at heart. While I might personally wish for another nominee to grace the high court, I am not the president and will respect his process. That’s all, thank you and God bless.”

They continue to pepper him with questions but he remains silent as he walks to the car and is driven away.

----

7th and Euclid

“EXTRY! EXTRY! Read all about it! Sandra Day O’Connor is the newest Supreme! Opposed by 14 Conservatives, unanimous supports from Dems and Reps! EXTRY!”

“Oh by the way, happy birthday.”

“Aw, thanks, Hashim!”

“Here I got you something.”

“Really? You didn’t have to do that...what is...oh, it’s a hat!”

“It’s a newsboy hat. Like the newsboys wear in old photos.”

“That’s real good of you, friend. Thank you.”

“Try it on.”

“Nah, maybe later.”

“What?”

“I don’t really look good in hats. I’m not a hat guy.”

“What, you can’t even pretend? I’m standing right here.”

“Fine, okay.”

“Good.”

“...Hashim...Hashim, this hat is like, it’s way too small.”

“It’s a child’s hat. For a newsboy, like I said.”

“I see.”

“Because you are like a child.”

“I see.”

“When you shout at everyone, you know. It’s juvenile.”

“EXTRY! Reds over Orioles! Reds win it all in five!

 

[ScrewySqrl]

well, thats unchanged for the most part.

 

[Expat]

well, thats unchanged for the most part.

Yeah, bit unexciting, I know. I'll try not to retread OTL ground too much, but a new justice is a big deal. Looked into several alternate possibilities, and honestly she just made a lot of sense.

Thought I'd use the opportunity to highlight how the Republicans are operating as a party under the new order- mostly keeping it together. Also to show how religion isn't immune to a change in the political calculus...but more on that later.

 

[Expat]

#13

Winter 1981

The front office of the Uralvagonzavod Factory, Nizhny Tagil, Soviet Union

“Sad news, comrades.”

“What is it, Andrei Grigorievich? You’re pale as a ghost.”

“I just heard over the radio. Our beloved leader, Yuri Vladimirovich has gone to his final rest.”

“Oh no!”

“Anguish!”

“He gave so much to the Motherland!”

“A true hero!”

“How did it happen?”

“Peacefully in his sleep.”

“A just end.”

“He deserved peace.”

“These years guiding our ship weighed heavily on him.”

“Yes. We must show our respects.”

“Of course!”

“Naturally! It’s our patriotic duty!”

“What about a nice floral wreath?”

“As big as we can find!”

“Spare no expense.”

“All of the men will chip in.”

“We’re all patriots here in the factory, we’ll show them that in Moscow.”

“Uralvagonzavod doesn’t forget its obligations!”

“We’ll start collecting right away.”

***

Sixteen Days Later

“Comrades!!!”

“What is it, Andrei Grigorievich? You’re white as a sheet!”

“I just heard over the radio. The Chairman is dead!”

They all look around at each other before one speaks.

“Andrei Grigorievich...we already knew that. It happened over two weeks ago.”

“No! Not Yuri Vladimirovich! Konstantin Ustinovich! His replacement has succumbed!”

“No!”

“What!”

“This is tragedy for you!”

“Anguish!”

“He gave so much to the Motherland!”

“A true hero!”

“How did it happen?”

“He took a fall.”

“Ah! Always a man of action!”

“Couldn’t be slowed down! Not by age! Not by infirmity!”

“And now he rests.”

“He deserves peace.”

“These...um...days...guiding our ship...have weighed heavily on him.”

“Yes. We must pay our respects.”

A brief pause as the men look around the room.

“Um. Yes! Of course!”

“Yes. A chairman is a chairman, after all.”

“We’ll...all dig deep, I’m sure. The men will come through.”

“Uralvagonzavod is...well...do we think another wreath this time, or…?”

“...We did somewhat raid our reserves on the last one.”

“Flowers are hard to come by, this time of year.”

"And the men..."

"They do what they can of course!"

"Of course!"

"No one doubts the ardor of our brother workers!"

"It's just..."

"Well..."

"Sixteen days..."

“Perhaps a nice framed proclamation?”

“Yes!”

“I think that will be much appreciated.”

“Tasteful!”

“Certainly our duty.”

“We’ll start collecting right away.”

***

Nineteen Days Later

“...Um...Comrades?”

----

7th and Euclid

“EXTRY! EXTRY! Andropov, Chernenko, and Ustinov makes the hat-trick. Three Soviet leaders dead in just five weeks! EXTRY!

Hashim loudly crinkles his open newspaper.

“EXTRY! Mars in retrograde! Geminis: love is just around the corner!”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m reading the news. Just like you.”

“You’re reading a horoscope.”

“It’s in the newspaper isn’t it?”

“It’s not news.”

“It’s in the newspaper so I’m shouting it to the world. That’s what we do on this corner.”

“You’re trying to mock my profession.”

“Nineteen down: snake-haired woman! Six letters! EXTRY!”

“I feel like I should be offended.”

“EXTRY! Garfield is hungry! And also sleepy!”

 

[Expat]

So! I hate to drop this bombshell and run, but unless I have a super productive day I may be out for a bit. Just to preemptively answer some questions: Yes, I wrote this after watching The Death of Stalin. No, this TL isn't about to get all apocalyptic or anything. Yes, it's a small stretch to say that these three men would have conveniently different death dates so close to each other. But I think the appalling overall health of Soviet leadership in this era gives me plenty of leeway to play around with something. From about the late 1970s onwards, each of these three fellas needed to roll consistently high saving throws on a regular basis to keep from succumbing to the effects of the extremely stressful life of a high-ranking Soviet official (that and alcohol poisoning). As far as I'm concerned, ANY death date after 1980 is totally reasonable. I might as well get some comedy out of it.

 

[historybuff]

Wow. Ustinov actually died in 1984. Great update. Wonder who the new USSR leader will be.

 

[DTF955Baseballfan]

It would be funny if it was the one who last until 1986 when he was about 90 and then he lived till about 1985 as OTL, I forget which one that was.

Also, as your news person was reading what he did I was thinking of posting that he should shout the comics next and you beat me to it! Great comedy.

 

[Expat]

Wow. Ustinov actually died in 1984. Great update. Wonder who the new USSR leader will be.

I’m gonna let that hang for a little while