Think the Roosevelt faction in the Taft/Roosevelt civil war in 1912.
I argue about it starting at post #85 in my Democratic President Reagan thread.
President Reagan - in 1968
- Thread starter MrHola
- Start date
Think the Roosevelt faction in the Taft/Roosevelt civil war in 1912.
I argue about it starting at post #85 in my Democratic President Reagan thread.
Ok Everyone...After a nearly two month hiatus, I finally present you with the latest installment of the "Out of the Blue" Timeline. I hope yall enjoy it
, and remember that all comment's are welcome...The next update shall cover...The 1980 US Presidential Election
**********************************************************
The Knight of Columbus: Part 2
With increased Republican support in Congress, President Volpe set out with the last two years of his term with a newfound sense of vigor. That sense of vigor, however, was soon overwhelmed by that of grief…as President Volpe meet with the Deputy Premier of China, Deng Xiaoping to discuss accords which would set up for the full recognition of the People’s Republic of China. Word came about that Secretary of State Nelson A. Rockefeller, the moderate wing of the Republican Party’s standard bearer for the last twenty years, had died of a heart attack in his office at the state department working on a set of proposals for a second possible SALT Treaty with the Soviet Union. The “Word” in the days following Rockefeller’s death proved to be untrue, as Volpe learned that Rocky was in fact at his Manhattan townhouse when he had his fatal heart attack, while he was with his twenty-five year old aide. Although somewhat uncomfortable with the details of their relationship, Volpe focused on the task at hand at of the appointment of a new Secretary of State.
Secretary State meeting with Governor Jimmy Carter a month before his death at the Christmas treelighting ceremony in December of 1978.
Several names were floated as possible appointees that would be suitable to placate the Conservative wing of the party; Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Former Defense Secretary John Tower, Former Supreme Allied Commander Alexander Haig, former Attorney General William P. Rogers and others. However, many historians now believe that Volpe intended to win back the Urban Black vote for the party to placate the loss of some conservatives angry at his moderate policies. His choice of former Massachusetts Senator Edward W. Brooke was that of many within the nation as a bold yet progressive choice. However, Brooke’s confirmation would not come easy as Senators Stennis, Helms and Tallmadge attempted to lead a conservative filibuster against Brooke for his rumored extramarital affairs and the nasty divorce. Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Frank Church largely dismissed the claims that Brooke was unfit to hold office and was swiftly confirmed as the nation’s 57th Secretary of State.
Edward William Brooke, III...The 57th and first African-American Secretary of State
While Secretary Brooke was spending his first few weeks in office working on and altering Rockefeller’s plans for a second SALT treaty, the worst nuclear power plant accident in history took place on March 26th 1979 when a pressure valve in one of the reactors at Three-Mile island failed to close. This eventually led to the plant’s core to seriously overheat. Although the plant was created by funds allocated from President Reagan’s Nuclear Power Expansion Act in 1974, President Volpe commissioned a second reactor to be built in 1978 to provide for more affordable and reliable energy during the energy crises. As the heat in the core continued to rise, President Volpe prayed that the plant would not reach the 5,000 degrees necessary of meltdown.
Unfortunately, the President’s prayers went unanswered as the core did reach 5,000 degrees and melted. The deadly radiation drifted into the Pennsylvanian country side and slowly began to contaminate a great number of people. President Volpe with the first true crises of his administration acted as quickly as he could and ordered the complete evacuation of everyone within 50 miles around Three-Mile-Island. The quick action by President Volpe and Governor Thornborough prevented the potential loss of more lives, and once the fires at the plant became under control, President Volpe announced that “Due to this horrible tragedy, I have lost all faith in the ability of Nuclear Power to provide safe and clean energy to the American People. With a heavy heart, I have ordered the suspension of all nuclear power plants created in the NPEA as we speak. And for those American’s who had lives were abruptly forced to change due to the Three Mile Island Disaster, I am truly sorry for your loss and I promise that this administration will do everything in it’s power to make sure you are taken care off.”
President John A. Volpe giving a national televised address during the Aftermath of the Three Mile Island Disaster, at Philidelphia, Pennsylvania in March of 1979.
However, many American’s blamed President Volpe and his predecessor for their Over-zealous push for nuclear power energy as the cause of the TMD. The President’s approval rating dropped to around 45% percent by the time, He and Secretary Brooke announced the result of their Vienna Summer talks with the Soviet Union. SALT II treaty as it would come to be named was signed by both President Volpe and Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev as it set up numerical limitations on their nuclear weapons as well as MIRV missiles. Many prominent Democratic Hawks in the Senate, such as Henry “Scoop” Jackson, decried that President Volpe and the Republican Party had sold America out to the Russians. Any plans for continued Détente policy was crushed, by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December of 1979. President Volpe was solemn after he withdrew the treaty from the Senate, as he had hoped that it would have been his strongest Foreign Policy Achievement of his first term. Yet, his Presidency would soon become defined not by the Soviets “activities” in Afghanistan but from a nation that sat on her western borders…
Many Historians’ today now feel as if the downfall of the Volpe Presidency started in October of 1979, when the almost 70 year old Volpe gave into the advice of Defense Secretary Henry Kissinger, State Secretary Edward Brooke, and Council of Foreign Relations Chairman David Rockefeller to allow the entrance of the Shah into the Mayo Clinic. This was due to the long 35 year old alliance between the American Government and the Shah of Iran. In response to this, radical Islamic fundamentalist, student-followers of Ayatollah Khomeni took 90 hostages from the US Embassy in Iran, which was later dropped to 52 after the Ayatollah’s release of all female and minority prisoners. President Volpe understood the Ayatollah as the unreasonable fanatic that he was, and released an Ultimatum to the “Supreme Leader of Iran” and that “Unless the nation of Iran releases all Hostages in good health by January 1st, 1980…They will face dire consequences from the United States of America.”. The Ayatollah scoffed at the President’s remarks and refused to relinquish the American hostages. Although, many within the United States began to clamor for a full out invasion of Iran; Secretaries Brooke and Kissinger decided against it and developed a drawn out plan to starve out Iran via Blockade. By February of 1979, American Naval Vessels patrolled the Persian Gulf to stop all Iranian shipping from leaving or coming forth. Although this further chills relations between Volpe and Brezhnev, The President makes it known that America will only target Iranian vessels. The President’s approval ratings see a massive jump from what is hailed as swift action on the part of his administration to around 65%. This boost from the rally-around-the flag effect allows for President Volpe to make his next major decision…to seek reelection…
, and remember that all comment's are welcome...The next update shall cover...The 1980 US Presidential Election**********************************************************
The Knight of Columbus: Part 2
With increased Republican support in Congress, President Volpe set out with the last two years of his term with a newfound sense of vigor. That sense of vigor, however, was soon overwhelmed by that of grief…as President Volpe meet with the Deputy Premier of China, Deng Xiaoping to discuss accords which would set up for the full recognition of the People’s Republic of China. Word came about that Secretary of State Nelson A. Rockefeller, the moderate wing of the Republican Party’s standard bearer for the last twenty years, had died of a heart attack in his office at the state department working on a set of proposals for a second possible SALT Treaty with the Soviet Union. The “Word” in the days following Rockefeller’s death proved to be untrue, as Volpe learned that Rocky was in fact at his Manhattan townhouse when he had his fatal heart attack, while he was with his twenty-five year old aide. Although somewhat uncomfortable with the details of their relationship, Volpe focused on the task at hand at of the appointment of a new Secretary of State.
Secretary State meeting with Governor Jimmy Carter a month before his death at the Christmas treelighting ceremony in December of 1978.
Several names were floated as possible appointees that would be suitable to placate the Conservative wing of the party; Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Former Defense Secretary John Tower, Former Supreme Allied Commander Alexander Haig, former Attorney General William P. Rogers and others. However, many historians now believe that Volpe intended to win back the Urban Black vote for the party to placate the loss of some conservatives angry at his moderate policies. His choice of former Massachusetts Senator Edward W. Brooke was that of many within the nation as a bold yet progressive choice. However, Brooke’s confirmation would not come easy as Senators Stennis, Helms and Tallmadge attempted to lead a conservative filibuster against Brooke for his rumored extramarital affairs and the nasty divorce. Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Frank Church largely dismissed the claims that Brooke was unfit to hold office and was swiftly confirmed as the nation’s 57th Secretary of State.
Edward William Brooke, III...The 57th and first African-American Secretary of State
While Secretary Brooke was spending his first few weeks in office working on and altering Rockefeller’s plans for a second SALT treaty, the worst nuclear power plant accident in history took place on March 26th 1979 when a pressure valve in one of the reactors at Three-Mile island failed to close. This eventually led to the plant’s core to seriously overheat. Although the plant was created by funds allocated from President Reagan’s Nuclear Power Expansion Act in 1974, President Volpe commissioned a second reactor to be built in 1978 to provide for more affordable and reliable energy during the energy crises. As the heat in the core continued to rise, President Volpe prayed that the plant would not reach the 5,000 degrees necessary of meltdown.
Unfortunately, the President’s prayers went unanswered as the core did reach 5,000 degrees and melted. The deadly radiation drifted into the Pennsylvanian country side and slowly began to contaminate a great number of people. President Volpe with the first true crises of his administration acted as quickly as he could and ordered the complete evacuation of everyone within 50 miles around Three-Mile-Island. The quick action by President Volpe and Governor Thornborough prevented the potential loss of more lives, and once the fires at the plant became under control, President Volpe announced that “Due to this horrible tragedy, I have lost all faith in the ability of Nuclear Power to provide safe and clean energy to the American People. With a heavy heart, I have ordered the suspension of all nuclear power plants created in the NPEA as we speak. And for those American’s who had lives were abruptly forced to change due to the Three Mile Island Disaster, I am truly sorry for your loss and I promise that this administration will do everything in it’s power to make sure you are taken care off.”
President John A. Volpe giving a national televised address during the Aftermath of the Three Mile Island Disaster, at Philidelphia, Pennsylvania in March of 1979.
However, many American’s blamed President Volpe and his predecessor for their Over-zealous push for nuclear power energy as the cause of the TMD. The President’s approval rating dropped to around 45% percent by the time, He and Secretary Brooke announced the result of their Vienna Summer talks with the Soviet Union. SALT II treaty as it would come to be named was signed by both President Volpe and Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev as it set up numerical limitations on their nuclear weapons as well as MIRV missiles. Many prominent Democratic Hawks in the Senate, such as Henry “Scoop” Jackson, decried that President Volpe and the Republican Party had sold America out to the Russians. Any plans for continued Détente policy was crushed, by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December of 1979. President Volpe was solemn after he withdrew the treaty from the Senate, as he had hoped that it would have been his strongest Foreign Policy Achievement of his first term. Yet, his Presidency would soon become defined not by the Soviets “activities” in Afghanistan but from a nation that sat on her western borders…
Many Historians’ today now feel as if the downfall of the Volpe Presidency started in October of 1979, when the almost 70 year old Volpe gave into the advice of Defense Secretary Henry Kissinger, State Secretary Edward Brooke, and Council of Foreign Relations Chairman David Rockefeller to allow the entrance of the Shah into the Mayo Clinic. This was due to the long 35 year old alliance between the American Government and the Shah of Iran. In response to this, radical Islamic fundamentalist, student-followers of Ayatollah Khomeni took 90 hostages from the US Embassy in Iran, which was later dropped to 52 after the Ayatollah’s release of all female and minority prisoners. President Volpe understood the Ayatollah as the unreasonable fanatic that he was, and released an Ultimatum to the “Supreme Leader of Iran” and that “Unless the nation of Iran releases all Hostages in good health by January 1st, 1980…They will face dire consequences from the United States of America.”. The Ayatollah scoffed at the President’s remarks and refused to relinquish the American hostages. Although, many within the United States began to clamor for a full out invasion of Iran; Secretaries Brooke and Kissinger decided against it and developed a drawn out plan to starve out Iran via Blockade. By February of 1979, American Naval Vessels patrolled the Persian Gulf to stop all Iranian shipping from leaving or coming forth. Although this further chills relations between Volpe and Brezhnev, The President makes it known that America will only target Iranian vessels. The President’s approval ratings see a massive jump from what is hailed as swift action on the part of his administration to around 65%. This boost from the rally-around-the flag effect allows for President Volpe to make his next major decision…to seek reelection…
By god, updates! Cool.
Progressive wing, damn your hide.
Back then they still understood the difference between progressives and liberals (not conservative Republicans, but at least it was a recognized difference).
Now that is interesting. I've always had a soft spot for Brooke. However I question him becoming SecState. He was on the Foreign Operations committee but generally he seems more concerned with domestic affairs.
Stop there. Three Mile Island barely effected the area around (less than your average coal plant) and whatever happens radiation would not be leaking around unless the whole facility explodes.
That said, any major problem at a nuclear facility gives you what you've written into the timeline so it doesn't really matter the scope of Three Mile Island.
Sigh. Sad news. I suppose the environmentalist movement winds up similar to OTL in their steadfast anti-nuclear propaganda.
Progressive wing, damn your hide
.Back then they still understood the difference between progressives and liberals (not conservative Republicans, but at least it was a recognized difference).
Now that is interesting. I've always had a soft spot for Brooke. However I question him becoming SecState. He was on the Foreign Operations committee but generally he seems more concerned with domestic affairs.
Stop there. Three Mile Island barely effected the area around (less than your average coal plant) and whatever happens radiation would not be leaking around unless the whole facility explodes.
That said, any major problem at a nuclear facility gives you what you've written into the timeline so it doesn't really matter the scope of Three Mile Island.
Sigh. Sad news. I suppose the environmentalist movement winds up similar to OTL in their steadfast anti-nuclear propaganda.
Sigh. Sad news. I suppose the environmentalist movement winds up similar to OTL in their steadfast anti-nuclear propaganda.[/QUOTE]By god, updates! Cool.
Progressive wing, damn your hide
Back then they still understood the difference between progressives and liberals (not conservative Republicans, but at least it was a recognized difference).
Yeah, I figured Butterflies from Reagan being elected in '68 would totally change Rocky's extramarital ways or bad ticker. So him having a fatal heartattack while in the sack is still pretty plausible
I do agree, he was a more domestic minded Senator, but with Kissinger still running the show as Secretary of Defense, I really dont think he really is his own man when it comes to desigining foriegn policy. It's really just an example of Volpe trying to expand the Republican's constintuency, with an increased Black turnout due to Secretary of State Brooke.
Really?, I was under the impression from my research on the Three Mile Island disaster that, many officals were afraid that the core would actually melt down. So in that sense does it mean the core would actually explode or would it melt through the facility untill it buries itself?
Yeah, due to the worse TMID in TTL's, it's going to be a major issue that the Democrats are going to run against Volpe in the 1980 Election.
I don't know - if Kissinger isn't SoS I think he'd favour the position going to a relative nonentity, the better for him to still control policy.
I should really try to catch up with this thread at some point...
I did-id this. I might as well post it here since it probably fits in this TL.
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=2386966&postcount=3222
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=2386966&postcount=3222
Thank you.
Though I'm not sure how to make a "Democratic Reagan" thing that's unique. This one's only unique because its 60's Reagan in a parallel to that JFK cover.
Though I'm not sure how to make a "Democratic Reagan" thing that's unique.
This one's only unique because its 60's Reagan in a parallel to that JFK cover.I did-id this. I might as well post it here since it probably fits in this TL.
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=2386966&postcount=3222
Thanks for the Manip Emperor Norton
, It fits in nicely with my timeline, esp in my quest to find more and more pictures that could be construed to fit the events ITTL lol.I know it's been almost two months since my last update...I now present my newest installment of TTL's 1980 Election.
**********
Strong in Will: The 1980 US Presidential Election
The 1980 Democratic Nomination
The moment many loyalists within the Party had been waiting for the almost 12 years since the assassination of Senator Bobby Kennedy during the 1968 Democratic primaries finally happened with Senator Ted Kennedy’s announcement of his intention to seek the Presidency in November of 1979 at Boston’s Faneuil Hall. Kennedy was finally pressured by the labor unions, Democratic Party leaders and strong polling results as far back as the summer of 1978 showing a 2 to 1 favorability among voters over President Volpe. In the lead up to the Iowa Caucus, Kennedy was able to sow up many crucial endorsements from individuals that were though true potential threats to his candidacy, including Rep. Mo Udall of Arizona, Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson of Washington, Senator Frank Church of Idaho, Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin, and Senator Shirley Chisholm of New York.
However, Teddy’s race to gain the nomination of his party was not uncontested, as two formidable candidates soon emerged following his announcement; Governor Jerry Brown of California and Governor Ruben Askew of Florida. Governor Askew focused on shoring up the Conservative/Southern wing of the Democratic Party, as he promoted his progressive actions on Civil Rights as well as promoted his views on being Pro-life, Anti-ERA, Anti-Nuclear Freeze and even against the rights of gays to work as Teachers. Jerry Brown on the other hand although attempted to position himself as the more centrist candidate, ended up being on the left of Kennedy in his proposals of “Protect the Earth, serve the people, and explore the universe”. However, it would be Governor Brown who would come away with the ridiculously close win in the snow covered state of Iowa over both Kennedy and Askew.
The surprise Brown victory in Iowa, prompted Kennedy to modernize his strategy, reshuffle his campaign staff and ultimately find his voice which many pundits felt as if he hadn’t really distinguished up until the New Hampshire primary. It is also where he said one of his more memorable lines of the campaign “I believe we must not permit the dream of social progress to be shattered by those whose premises have failed!” Kennedy would come to win New Hampshire by a comfortable margin and would follow it up with a sweep of the New England states of Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and his home state of Massachusetts. Negative Campaigning by both the Askew and Brown Campaigns brought the Chappaquiddick incident back into the minds of voters by the time of the Super Tuesday stretch in March. Campaign Commercials such as the now infamous “Where’s Mary Jo” add published by the Askew Campaign, enabled the Florida Governor to sweep the South
Yet, Kennedy’s overwhelming experience allowed him to overcome the hurdles thrown at him by Askew and Brown and was able to secure the nomination by June of 1980. Teddy’s main goal at the convention was to ensure party unity after a divisive Primary campaign between himself, Brown and Askew. The Patriarch of the Kennedy Clan also remembered the lack of a Southerner on the ticket in the 1976 election cost Scoop Jackson the Presidency. Possible running mate names that swirled around the convention’s halls included Sen. Dale Bumpers of Arkansas, former Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia, Governor Dolph Briscoe of Texas, former Sen. Fred Harris of Oklahoma, Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, and former Governor Warren Hearnes of Missouri. However, many of Governor Askew’s delegates felt as if the Vice Presidential spot was owed to them, but Teddy refused and instead decided to go with Dark Horse candidate…Governor Charles C. “Cliff” Finch of Mississippi.
Finch, a Populist Governor whose energetic 1975 campaign to attract his coalition of African American and Poor White voters was still very memorable in the minds of voters was hailed a strong pick. With his wife Joan at his side, Senator Kennedy delivered too many what was seen as the best speech of his career. After speaking in his Acceptance Speech on a returned role of benign Government back into the lives, and the utter destitution of The Republican’s minimalist policies. The most memorable part of the speech was toward the end, when Kennedy said
Senator Edward M. Kennedy as he gave his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Madison Square Garden, New York City
“I am -- I am confident that the Democratic Party will reunite on the basis of Democratic principles, and that together we will march towards a Democratic victory in 1980. And someday, long after this convention, long after the signs come down and the crowds stop cheering, and the bands stop playing, may it be said of our campaign that we kept the faith. May it be said of our Party in 1980 that we found our faith again. And may it be said of us, both in dark passages and in bright days, in the words of Tennyson that my brothers quoted and loved, and that have special meaning for me now:
"I am a part of all that I have met
To much is taken, much abides
That which we are, we are --
One equal temper of heroic hearts
Strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
For me, a few hours ago, this campaign was given a chance by all of you to continue to go forth and indeed win the Presidency on November 4th. And for all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”
The 1980 Republican Nomination
As the winter snows began to fall on the state of Iowa, it soon became apparent that the rally around the flag effect that had insulated President Volpe had dissipated when news of the blockade had still yet to force the Ayatollah in releasing the Hostages. However, Conservative leaders within the party knew that the only way for someone to steal the nomination away from Volpe was to present a sole Challenger with the unified backing of the Conservative Wing. The Conservatives would find their candidate in former Governor/Democrat-turned-Republican Senator…John Connally of Texas. During the Volpe administration, Connally became one of the most visible opponents of the 38th President’s moderate domestic policies and his lack of decisive action in dealing with the Iranian Hostage crisis. Although he officially switched parties in 1973 after serving for four years as an appointee made by Texas Governor Preston Smith due to John Tower’s vacation of his seat, many conservatives were unsure about where exactly did Connally’s political loyalties lie. The first test in the two man race of Volpe vs. Connally was that of the Iowa Caucus. Senator Connally would pull off a narrow victory in the Hawkeye State, which in turn would force President Volpe to allocate his resources to the snow covered hills of New Hampshire.
President Volpe would use his resources to remind voters of the days of true Progressive Republicans in the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, Wendell Willkie, Thomas Dewey and Nelson Rockefeller; basically saying that a vote for Connally would be against everything that those politicians and even the State of New Hampshire stood for. His argument would win over Connally’s reactionary rhetoric against the President on around a 50% margin. Volpe would follow his strong New Hampshire victory with wins in Vermont and his home state of Massachusetts. Yet Connally was anything but dead in the water, as he conceded the Northeast to Volpe in order to focus on the Southern states. This strategy would prove to be largely successful as Connally won a resounding victory in South Carolina on March 8th, followed by wins in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia on March 11th. Volpe scored a slim victory in the state of Illinois, and ended the March Madness with a win in Connecticut. April would prove to be another split month as Connally walked away with wins in Kansas and Louisiana while Volpe took Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Connally and Volpe would go tit for tat in May as well, with Volpe carrying DC, Indiana, Nebraska, Michigan, Oregon and Idaho. Meanwhile, Senator Connally carried his home state of Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Arkansas and Kentucky. By the end of the Primary season in June, most of Connally’s support outside the South had dissipated, as the Senator pulled off victories in Mississippi, West Virginia and narrow victory in New Mexico.
At the start of the Convention in Detroit, President Volpe although having a slim lead in Delegates, he was still shy of the necessary amount to clinch the nomination. After a serious cajoling of delegates on the Convention floor, Volpe was able to pull away the delegation of New Mexico which sent him over the top. Infuriated by Volpe’s re-nomination Senator Connally and his delegations stormed out of the convention hall, despite a valiant effort made by Vice President Baker in order to keep the party unified for November. With a fractured party, President Volpe’s acceptance speech came off as flat, distant and somewhat removed from reality. But for those who stood behind their President, they pledged to do everything in their power to ensure his reelection over the Kennedy/Finch ticket.
President John A. Volpe as he gave his acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention in the Joe Louis Arena;Detroit, Michigan
The 1980 General Election
The General Election campaigned officially started with a bit of a shock, as a week after the walkout of the Republican National Convention…Senator Connally announced that he would seek the Presidency under the new Conservative Party. For his Running Mate, Connally chose former New York Senator James L. Buckley of the Conservative Party of New York, who although had lost reelection to Shirley Chisholm in 1976, still remained a widely popular figure on the right. The Connally/Buckley ticket was soon endorsed by crucial supporters such a Jesse Helms, Phyllis Schlafly, Barry Goldwater, Roman Hruska and Jerry Falwell. It would the Connally/Buckley’s ticket’s specific appeal to the new growing Christian Right that would extend their base support outside of the South.
Senator John Connally at a Town Hall meeting in New Orleans, Louisana
For the Kennedy/Finch campaign, the third party candidacy of John Connally sparked trouble, whereas before the Convention, Kennedy was polled leading President Volpe 2 to 1, now it seemed that Kennedy and Connally were essentially tied with Volpe not to far behind. His initial strategy, especially with his pick of Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch as his running mate, was to rejuvenate the Democratic Party in the South. Instead, Ted would challenge Volpe in the Midwest as he promised Federal Subsides to modernize Agricultural technology used in the heartland including an interest commission for the development of Corn-derived ethanol. Ted’s main campaign theme was for economic revitalization, Healthcare reform and a nuclear arms freeze. It would be in his campaign stops in the urban centers of Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami etc, that Kennedy was able to recapture the attraction with the African American and Latino communities in an almost uncanny resemblance to RFK’s candidacy in 1968. However, it would be another key constituency that Ted worked hard to win back was that of the so called “Reagan Democrats” or the blue collar/white working class Northerners who had supported President Reagan in the 1968, 1972 and to a lesser extent President Volpe in 1976. By promising a swift end to the Iranian Hostage Crisis, as well as a closing of Détente with the Soviets, Ted was able to garner support amongst the Reagan Democrats for his strong National Security proposals in spite of his support of Affirmative Action and Immigration reform.
President Volpe was aggressively attacked by both Connally and Kennedy on the unresolved Iran Hostage Crisis. Since its implementation in February, The American Blockade and Economic Sanctions against Iran had not “starved” Khomeini to the point of freeing the Hostages. Many believed that the Soviets had begun to covertly offer aid to the Iranian Government to help sustain the nation’s needs. Volpe’s only reasonable way to ensure victory was to perhaps win the sole debate held between the three candidates on October 8th. President Volpe would seem well-versed in his knowledge of foreign affairs, in contrast to Senator Connally who seemed to win over viewers on social issues as he pledged a return to “Traditional Christian Values”. Yet the defining moment of the debate would come from Senator Kennedy, after the moderator asked Senator Connally only what his close friend, the late President Lyndon B. Johnson would say about his candidacy. Connally replied “If Lyndon were alive today, I’d think he would support my campaign very strongly.” The statement came off as cold and calculated, but Senator Kennedy would add that “If you were truly his friend, then you would know that Lyndon Baines Johnson always put the American People and his Party before himself. I do not think the same could be said of you Senator.”. Ted’s remarks gave him a small bump in the polls, but it would be an October surprise that would be able to sustain his lead.
American Economic growth had slowed greatly by the start of 1980, partially due to a worsening fuel crisis due to the Iran Hostage situation. For the most part the laissez-faire policies of the Reagan and Volpe administrations reached their eventual conclusion as the commodities market, fueled by increases in global demand and a declination of demand for nuclear power due to the Three Mile Island hit the economy hard by summer of 1980, hurting the fortunes of many corporations and speculators. Yet it would be in late October when several Savings and Loan associations collapsed largely due to the deregulatory efforts put in place by the Volpe administration. President Volpe took the invisible hand approach while people had begun make runs on banks the FED deemed extremely susceptible to the Savings and Loans Crises. The rapid downward spiral of the economy, was not only the final nail to the coffin of President Volpe’s reelection but also effectively ended Senator Connally hopes of narrowly winning the Presidency or stealing enough votes from Kennedy to throw the election to the House.
Come November 4th, The return of the New Deal Coalition reigned true, as the split Republican vote was able to catapult Ted Kennedy to the Presidency. Save for New Hampshire, Vermont and New Jersey which went to President Volpe narrowly…Kennedy would sweep his home region of the Northeast. In the Industrial states, Kennedy’s longtime support of the labor unions proved rewardingly as Ted was able to carry every state beside Indiana. Kennedy would even remain somewhat competitive in the South for his incredibly narrow wins in Mississippi, Georgia and Florida…while the rest of the old Confederacy and the Border States went for Senator Connally and the Conservative Party. Volpe was able to keep onto most of the Republican stronghold states in the Midwest, but Kennedy made serious inroads with his wins in New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota. On the Pacific states, President Volpe would only walk away with the state of Alaska, while the rest went for Kennedy. The Kennedy Revolution had begun.
Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy/Cliff Finch: 334 Electoral Votes
John B. Connally Jr./James L. Buckley: 129 Electoral Votes
John A. Volpe/Howard H. Baker Jr.: 75 Electoral Votes
**********
Strong in Will: The 1980 US Presidential Election
The 1980 Democratic Nomination
The moment many loyalists within the Party had been waiting for the almost 12 years since the assassination of Senator Bobby Kennedy during the 1968 Democratic primaries finally happened with Senator Ted Kennedy’s announcement of his intention to seek the Presidency in November of 1979 at Boston’s Faneuil Hall. Kennedy was finally pressured by the labor unions, Democratic Party leaders and strong polling results as far back as the summer of 1978 showing a 2 to 1 favorability among voters over President Volpe. In the lead up to the Iowa Caucus, Kennedy was able to sow up many crucial endorsements from individuals that were though true potential threats to his candidacy, including Rep. Mo Udall of Arizona, Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson of Washington, Senator Frank Church of Idaho, Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin, and Senator Shirley Chisholm of New York.
However, Teddy’s race to gain the nomination of his party was not uncontested, as two formidable candidates soon emerged following his announcement; Governor Jerry Brown of California and Governor Ruben Askew of Florida. Governor Askew focused on shoring up the Conservative/Southern wing of the Democratic Party, as he promoted his progressive actions on Civil Rights as well as promoted his views on being Pro-life, Anti-ERA, Anti-Nuclear Freeze and even against the rights of gays to work as Teachers. Jerry Brown on the other hand although attempted to position himself as the more centrist candidate, ended up being on the left of Kennedy in his proposals of “Protect the Earth, serve the people, and explore the universe”. However, it would be Governor Brown who would come away with the ridiculously close win in the snow covered state of Iowa over both Kennedy and Askew.
The surprise Brown victory in Iowa, prompted Kennedy to modernize his strategy, reshuffle his campaign staff and ultimately find his voice which many pundits felt as if he hadn’t really distinguished up until the New Hampshire primary. It is also where he said one of his more memorable lines of the campaign “I believe we must not permit the dream of social progress to be shattered by those whose premises have failed!” Kennedy would come to win New Hampshire by a comfortable margin and would follow it up with a sweep of the New England states of Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and his home state of Massachusetts. Negative Campaigning by both the Askew and Brown Campaigns brought the Chappaquiddick incident back into the minds of voters by the time of the Super Tuesday stretch in March. Campaign Commercials such as the now infamous “Where’s Mary Jo” add published by the Askew Campaign, enabled the Florida Governor to sweep the South
Yet, Kennedy’s overwhelming experience allowed him to overcome the hurdles thrown at him by Askew and Brown and was able to secure the nomination by June of 1980. Teddy’s main goal at the convention was to ensure party unity after a divisive Primary campaign between himself, Brown and Askew. The Patriarch of the Kennedy Clan also remembered the lack of a Southerner on the ticket in the 1976 election cost Scoop Jackson the Presidency. Possible running mate names that swirled around the convention’s halls included Sen. Dale Bumpers of Arkansas, former Governor Jimmy Carter of Georgia, Governor Dolph Briscoe of Texas, former Sen. Fred Harris of Oklahoma, Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, and former Governor Warren Hearnes of Missouri. However, many of Governor Askew’s delegates felt as if the Vice Presidential spot was owed to them, but Teddy refused and instead decided to go with Dark Horse candidate…Governor Charles C. “Cliff” Finch of Mississippi.
Finch, a Populist Governor whose energetic 1975 campaign to attract his coalition of African American and Poor White voters was still very memorable in the minds of voters was hailed a strong pick. With his wife Joan at his side, Senator Kennedy delivered too many what was seen as the best speech of his career. After speaking in his Acceptance Speech on a returned role of benign Government back into the lives, and the utter destitution of The Republican’s minimalist policies. The most memorable part of the speech was toward the end, when Kennedy said
Senator Edward M. Kennedy as he gave his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Madison Square Garden, New York City
“I am -- I am confident that the Democratic Party will reunite on the basis of Democratic principles, and that together we will march towards a Democratic victory in 1980. And someday, long after this convention, long after the signs come down and the crowds stop cheering, and the bands stop playing, may it be said of our campaign that we kept the faith. May it be said of our Party in 1980 that we found our faith again. And may it be said of us, both in dark passages and in bright days, in the words of Tennyson that my brothers quoted and loved, and that have special meaning for me now:
"I am a part of all that I have met
To much is taken, much abides
That which we are, we are --
One equal temper of heroic hearts
Strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
For me, a few hours ago, this campaign was given a chance by all of you to continue to go forth and indeed win the Presidency on November 4th. And for all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”
The 1980 Republican Nomination
As the winter snows began to fall on the state of Iowa, it soon became apparent that the rally around the flag effect that had insulated President Volpe had dissipated when news of the blockade had still yet to force the Ayatollah in releasing the Hostages. However, Conservative leaders within the party knew that the only way for someone to steal the nomination away from Volpe was to present a sole Challenger with the unified backing of the Conservative Wing. The Conservatives would find their candidate in former Governor/Democrat-turned-Republican Senator…John Connally of Texas. During the Volpe administration, Connally became one of the most visible opponents of the 38th President’s moderate domestic policies and his lack of decisive action in dealing with the Iranian Hostage crisis. Although he officially switched parties in 1973 after serving for four years as an appointee made by Texas Governor Preston Smith due to John Tower’s vacation of his seat, many conservatives were unsure about where exactly did Connally’s political loyalties lie. The first test in the two man race of Volpe vs. Connally was that of the Iowa Caucus. Senator Connally would pull off a narrow victory in the Hawkeye State, which in turn would force President Volpe to allocate his resources to the snow covered hills of New Hampshire.
President Volpe would use his resources to remind voters of the days of true Progressive Republicans in the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, Wendell Willkie, Thomas Dewey and Nelson Rockefeller; basically saying that a vote for Connally would be against everything that those politicians and even the State of New Hampshire stood for. His argument would win over Connally’s reactionary rhetoric against the President on around a 50% margin. Volpe would follow his strong New Hampshire victory with wins in Vermont and his home state of Massachusetts. Yet Connally was anything but dead in the water, as he conceded the Northeast to Volpe in order to focus on the Southern states. This strategy would prove to be largely successful as Connally won a resounding victory in South Carolina on March 8th, followed by wins in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia on March 11th. Volpe scored a slim victory in the state of Illinois, and ended the March Madness with a win in Connecticut. April would prove to be another split month as Connally walked away with wins in Kansas and Louisiana while Volpe took Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Connally and Volpe would go tit for tat in May as well, with Volpe carrying DC, Indiana, Nebraska, Michigan, Oregon and Idaho. Meanwhile, Senator Connally carried his home state of Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Arkansas and Kentucky. By the end of the Primary season in June, most of Connally’s support outside the South had dissipated, as the Senator pulled off victories in Mississippi, West Virginia and narrow victory in New Mexico.
At the start of the Convention in Detroit, President Volpe although having a slim lead in Delegates, he was still shy of the necessary amount to clinch the nomination. After a serious cajoling of delegates on the Convention floor, Volpe was able to pull away the delegation of New Mexico which sent him over the top. Infuriated by Volpe’s re-nomination Senator Connally and his delegations stormed out of the convention hall, despite a valiant effort made by Vice President Baker in order to keep the party unified for November. With a fractured party, President Volpe’s acceptance speech came off as flat, distant and somewhat removed from reality. But for those who stood behind their President, they pledged to do everything in their power to ensure his reelection over the Kennedy/Finch ticket.
President John A. Volpe as he gave his acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention in the Joe Louis Arena;Detroit, Michigan
The 1980 General Election
The General Election campaigned officially started with a bit of a shock, as a week after the walkout of the Republican National Convention…Senator Connally announced that he would seek the Presidency under the new Conservative Party. For his Running Mate, Connally chose former New York Senator James L. Buckley of the Conservative Party of New York, who although had lost reelection to Shirley Chisholm in 1976, still remained a widely popular figure on the right. The Connally/Buckley ticket was soon endorsed by crucial supporters such a Jesse Helms, Phyllis Schlafly, Barry Goldwater, Roman Hruska and Jerry Falwell. It would the Connally/Buckley’s ticket’s specific appeal to the new growing Christian Right that would extend their base support outside of the South.
Senator John Connally at a Town Hall meeting in New Orleans, Louisana
For the Kennedy/Finch campaign, the third party candidacy of John Connally sparked trouble, whereas before the Convention, Kennedy was polled leading President Volpe 2 to 1, now it seemed that Kennedy and Connally were essentially tied with Volpe not to far behind. His initial strategy, especially with his pick of Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch as his running mate, was to rejuvenate the Democratic Party in the South. Instead, Ted would challenge Volpe in the Midwest as he promised Federal Subsides to modernize Agricultural technology used in the heartland including an interest commission for the development of Corn-derived ethanol. Ted’s main campaign theme was for economic revitalization, Healthcare reform and a nuclear arms freeze. It would be in his campaign stops in the urban centers of Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami etc, that Kennedy was able to recapture the attraction with the African American and Latino communities in an almost uncanny resemblance to RFK’s candidacy in 1968. However, it would be another key constituency that Ted worked hard to win back was that of the so called “Reagan Democrats” or the blue collar/white working class Northerners who had supported President Reagan in the 1968, 1972 and to a lesser extent President Volpe in 1976. By promising a swift end to the Iranian Hostage Crisis, as well as a closing of Détente with the Soviets, Ted was able to garner support amongst the Reagan Democrats for his strong National Security proposals in spite of his support of Affirmative Action and Immigration reform.
President Volpe was aggressively attacked by both Connally and Kennedy on the unresolved Iran Hostage Crisis. Since its implementation in February, The American Blockade and Economic Sanctions against Iran had not “starved” Khomeini to the point of freeing the Hostages. Many believed that the Soviets had begun to covertly offer aid to the Iranian Government to help sustain the nation’s needs. Volpe’s only reasonable way to ensure victory was to perhaps win the sole debate held between the three candidates on October 8th. President Volpe would seem well-versed in his knowledge of foreign affairs, in contrast to Senator Connally who seemed to win over viewers on social issues as he pledged a return to “Traditional Christian Values”. Yet the defining moment of the debate would come from Senator Kennedy, after the moderator asked Senator Connally only what his close friend, the late President Lyndon B. Johnson would say about his candidacy. Connally replied “If Lyndon were alive today, I’d think he would support my campaign very strongly.” The statement came off as cold and calculated, but Senator Kennedy would add that “If you were truly his friend, then you would know that Lyndon Baines Johnson always put the American People and his Party before himself. I do not think the same could be said of you Senator.”. Ted’s remarks gave him a small bump in the polls, but it would be an October surprise that would be able to sustain his lead.
American Economic growth had slowed greatly by the start of 1980, partially due to a worsening fuel crisis due to the Iran Hostage situation. For the most part the laissez-faire policies of the Reagan and Volpe administrations reached their eventual conclusion as the commodities market, fueled by increases in global demand and a declination of demand for nuclear power due to the Three Mile Island hit the economy hard by summer of 1980, hurting the fortunes of many corporations and speculators. Yet it would be in late October when several Savings and Loan associations collapsed largely due to the deregulatory efforts put in place by the Volpe administration. President Volpe took the invisible hand approach while people had begun make runs on banks the FED deemed extremely susceptible to the Savings and Loans Crises. The rapid downward spiral of the economy, was not only the final nail to the coffin of President Volpe’s reelection but also effectively ended Senator Connally hopes of narrowly winning the Presidency or stealing enough votes from Kennedy to throw the election to the House.
Come November 4th, The return of the New Deal Coalition reigned true, as the split Republican vote was able to catapult Ted Kennedy to the Presidency. Save for New Hampshire, Vermont and New Jersey which went to President Volpe narrowly…Kennedy would sweep his home region of the Northeast. In the Industrial states, Kennedy’s longtime support of the labor unions proved rewardingly as Ted was able to carry every state beside Indiana. Kennedy would even remain somewhat competitive in the South for his incredibly narrow wins in Mississippi, Georgia and Florida…while the rest of the old Confederacy and the Border States went for Senator Connally and the Conservative Party. Volpe was able to keep onto most of the Republican stronghold states in the Midwest, but Kennedy made serious inroads with his wins in New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota. On the Pacific states, President Volpe would only walk away with the state of Alaska, while the rest went for Kennedy. The Kennedy Revolution had begun.
Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy/Cliff Finch: 334 Electoral Votes
John B. Connally Jr./James L. Buckley: 129 Electoral Votes
John A. Volpe/Howard H. Baker Jr.: 75 Electoral Votes
Nice update overall. To me, the interesting part here is that Connally's Conservative Party has a not implausible chance of surviving, depending on how the GOP reacts to it. Southern Democrats will be put in a odd position themselves and may cleave to the Dems a bit longer, simply because they're the biggest tent. The real contest will come as the Southern Dems retire to see which party, CP or GOP, is able to capitalize on the potential to become the new party of the South. Also, what is popular sentiment on the notion of the election potential being thrown to the House? Is EMK keen on electoral reform perhaps? Introducing some form of popular vote would be a brilliant way for the Dems to perpetuate the split between the CP and the GOP.
Also, this sentence doesn't really resonate to me:
I see what you're trying to say, but it seems to me there's a better why to word it: for example, "we must not permit the dream of social progress to be shattered by those whose blind pursuit of wealth has been shown to be morally and fiscally bankrupt." On second thought, perhaps a pun does not make for profound oratory. Oh well.
Also, this sentence doesn't really resonate to me:
President Edward Kennedy said:
I see what you're trying to say, but it seems to me there's a better why to word it: for example, "we must not permit the dream of social progress to be shattered by those whose blind pursuit of wealth has been shown to be morally and fiscally bankrupt." On second thought, perhaps a pun does not make for profound oratory. Oh well.
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Well, my basic reasonings behind having the Conservatives bolt(I won't tell what will happen of the Conservative Party at the moment), was just looking at how divisive the 1976 and to a lesser extent 1992 GOP Primary races and especially how nicely the Convention floor fights were, Im suprised it didn't happen IOTL. Reagan although leader of the Conservative Wing of the GOP, he was really the glue which held the party together. ITTL, they went for Volpe in '76 much for the same reason they went for Bush in '88 in OTL as they were essentially running for Reagan's third term. Once Volpe makes it clear that he would stay true to his moderate principles and his presidency is seen as more or less as a failure...That is when the Conservatives under the "leadership" of the oppurntunistic Senator John Connally decided that they have han enough.
Good update!
Makes me wish I could vote in that election
Thanks for the reply...Yeah..1980 was one of those Game Changing election in TATL and in OTL/
I quite agree: the fact that one of the most strident, up-and-coming, and newest factions of the GOP (in 1976) is what makes the notion of TTL's Conservative Party so plausible. As you say, it's astonishing that it didn't happen several times in OTL, given the rifts between moderate/liberal Republicans and conservatives.
Yep. IOTL if Reagan had agreed to a budding Conservative Party movement in the early '70s the GOP almost certainly would have split. Reagan turned them down, and we all know how things wound up afterwards.
Nice update, Historico.