President Moonbeam: The Story of an Altered America
- Thread starter theev
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- 1980s jerry brown moonbeam
No worries, that happens to me too. Looking forward to the election and the Brown presidency. I think Brown's path to the nomination will start in Iowa and he'll lose New Hampshire; Iowa just seems a better fit for him than New Hampshire, which might pick Jackson or neighbor Carey. Will be interesting. I wonder how Brown will handle the 1980s, will he implement economic reforms like Reaganomics, shift the US to the left or do something else entirely? I hope this TL goes well and I hope it has good and bad, not wish-fulfillment. Still, you seem to be off to a good start.
You'll see, soon enough.
And don't worry about this being wish fulfillment, I don't even like Brown's style of politics, I just find it interesting.
You'll see, soon enough.
And don't worry about this being wish fulfillment, I don't even like Brown's style of politics, I just find it interesting.
Ok, great. Only a few TLs are done about an alternate 1980s, because they're all so focused on Humphrey and '68, and those that do don't use this PoD. This will be cool.
Thanks, I hope I don't let you down.
Don't worry too much. I won' be fussed by a few little flaws, my TL has some flaws too but I think you'll be able to make a good alternate history. Hope this doesn't veer too much into utopia or dystopia, though it would be interesting if it did.
Don't worry about it, take your time. It's a great time line so far.
Your timeline (at least in my opinion) isn't flawed, even if it is, mine probably has yours beat in flaws.
Ha ha ha. Thanks, though my TL, while pretty good, isn't perfect.
I am really looking forward to the Brown presidency to see what happens. Jerry Brown is a weird shapeshifter and it's very hard to place him on the standard political spectrum. You could take this in a lot of places. is his slogan still "Protect the Earth, serve the people, and explore the universe", because that is awesome.
Chapter 8: Almost Showtime
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It can be remarked upon that the main downfall in Henry M. "scoop" Jackson's campaign, came in no fault of his own. His main rallying cry throughout the entirety of the campaign was a tougher foreign policy, most specifically regarding the Middle East, but towards the end of 1979 and at the beginning of 1980 the situation in Iran looked to be calming down. This left Senator Jackson without much of his flare and appeal and sent dome of his supporters free and straggling towards various candidates.
(Source: Revolutionary: The 1980 Election)
As the campaign wore on, New York Governor Hugh Carey began to see his steady flow of support slowly drip. Taking the position of being the moderate and sensible compromise candidate between Governor Brown and Senator Jackson, but by December, 1979, other candidates tried to claim this mantle. The most popular of which was Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen, who used his charisma to his advantage during the primary's many debates. Other than Bentsen, Florida Governor Rueben Askew and Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire were also attracting voters who would have otherwise voted for Governor Carey.
This combined with the downfall of Scoop Jackson's campaign in early 1980 left one former frontrunner with a sizable unmoving base. That candidate was California Governor Edmund Gerald Brown Jr.
(Source: Revolutionary: The 1980 Election)
----
Donahue: Ok, now a question for you, Governor Brown, many men, including some of your competitors, have questioned you on your lack of experience, would you like to respond to their queries?
Brown: Yes, I would. Phil, many of those same folks also attack me for my age, but let me tell them this, I am the same age that Jack Kennedy was, when he ran for the presidential office. I-
Bentsen: Don't make comparisons.
Donahue: What was that, Mr. Senator?
Bentsen: Well, Governor Brown, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine, Governor, you are no Jack Kennedy.
- Third Democratic Primary Debate, December 10, 1979
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As 1979 turned in 1980, Bob Dole's lead got slimmer and slimmer, until John Connally was neck and neck with Dole in most states. This worried President Ford, who had just recently came out and endorsed his Vice President. Ford decided that he had to do what he must. He started campaigning for Dole and even secured some delegates through background deals. He wanted to prevent former Governor Connally from getting the nomination.
This news of backroom deals and push polling eventually reached conservative South Carolina campaign operative Lee Atwater, who decided to help out Connally by starting a massive push polling operation in his home state. During the operation, he informed participants that President Ford was helping Bob Dole buy the vote in South Carolina. The results were disastrous for the Dole campaign.
(Source: Revolutionary: The 1980 Election)
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Nationwide Democratic Poll:
Brown: 25%
Carey: 21%
Jackson: 19%
Bentsen: 12%
Other candidates: 20%
Nationwide Republican Poll:
Dole: 34%
Connally: 32%
Crane: 16%
Percy: 14%
Other candidates: 4%
- CBS News Poll, January 4, 1980
----
----
It can be remarked upon that the main downfall in Henry M. "scoop" Jackson's campaign, came in no fault of his own. His main rallying cry throughout the entirety of the campaign was a tougher foreign policy, most specifically regarding the Middle East, but towards the end of 1979 and at the beginning of 1980 the situation in Iran looked to be calming down. This left Senator Jackson without much of his flare and appeal and sent dome of his supporters free and straggling towards various candidates.
(Source: Revolutionary: The 1980 Election)
As the campaign wore on, New York Governor Hugh Carey began to see his steady flow of support slowly drip. Taking the position of being the moderate and sensible compromise candidate between Governor Brown and Senator Jackson, but by December, 1979, other candidates tried to claim this mantle. The most popular of which was Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen, who used his charisma to his advantage during the primary's many debates. Other than Bentsen, Florida Governor Rueben Askew and Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire were also attracting voters who would have otherwise voted for Governor Carey.
This combined with the downfall of Scoop Jackson's campaign in early 1980 left one former frontrunner with a sizable unmoving base. That candidate was California Governor Edmund Gerald Brown Jr.
(Source: Revolutionary: The 1980 Election)
----
Donahue: Ok, now a question for you, Governor Brown, many men, including some of your competitors, have questioned you on your lack of experience, would you like to respond to their queries?
Brown: Yes, I would. Phil, many of those same folks also attack me for my age, but let me tell them this, I am the same age that Jack Kennedy was, when he ran for the presidential office. I-
Bentsen: Don't make comparisons.
Donahue: What was that, Mr. Senator?
Bentsen: Well, Governor Brown, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine, Governor, you are no Jack Kennedy.
- Third Democratic Primary Debate, December 10, 1979
----
As 1979 turned in 1980, Bob Dole's lead got slimmer and slimmer, until John Connally was neck and neck with Dole in most states. This worried President Ford, who had just recently came out and endorsed his Vice President. Ford decided that he had to do what he must. He started campaigning for Dole and even secured some delegates through background deals. He wanted to prevent former Governor Connally from getting the nomination.
This news of backroom deals and push polling eventually reached conservative South Carolina campaign operative Lee Atwater, who decided to help out Connally by starting a massive push polling operation in his home state. During the operation, he informed participants that President Ford was helping Bob Dole buy the vote in South Carolina. The results were disastrous for the Dole campaign.
(Source: Revolutionary: The 1980 Election)
----
Nationwide Democratic Poll:
Brown: 25%
Carey: 21%
Jackson: 19%
Bentsen: 12%
Other candidates: 20%
Nationwide Republican Poll:
Dole: 34%
Connally: 32%
Crane: 16%
Percy: 14%
Other candidates: 4%
- CBS News Poll, January 4, 1980
----
Nice update.
I did realize something: How did Lloyd Bentsen know Kennedy exactly? Did they serve together in the House?
Good update. Looking forward to Iowa. I think Dole and Brown will win there, though maybe a dark-horse(crane?) could pull a surprise there.
I WANT MOAR!!!
Thanks!
YOU WILL GET MOAR!!!
Thanks!
YOU WILL GET MOAR!!!
Great theev! Looking forward to it. I am intrigued by this idea. Though, given Brown is quite out of the mainstream in his politics, what are the reasons he is leading? I can see it happening but I haven't given 1980 much thought so on the surface President Moonbeam seems a bit hard to achieve. Also, Ford seems to be a better President than Carter. Interesting.
Well Brown is leading for a few reasons. 1) Carey's support is being drawn out by candidates like Bentsen and Askew 2) Jackson's support is dropping because the foreign situation is calming down 3) Also, Brown is the main 'Anti-Establishment' candidate, and after Humphrey and Carter have both lost close and bitter elections, parts of the Democratic electorate is beginning to turn on the party.
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So Brown is like the Trump in that way? An outsider who has a dedicated base and wins through pluralities against a divided opposition?
Ah thanks. So a close and interesting nomination contest looms, maybe as close as 2008 and 1984 were for the Democrats. That is my guess. I am waiting eagerly for more, especially the actual Moonbeam Presidency. Keep up the good work!