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Never live by the morals of people who once believed in the ownership of people.
Rally for the Farmers! Willie Nelson and the late 20th century populist movement
- Thread starter Baconheimer
- Start date
Never live by the morals of people who once believed in the ownership of people.
An Alabama judge, much like OTL. He's a staunch supporter of the Robertson administration, but more or less a no name outside of Alabama, and not especially notable there either.
Also, let's try to avoid discussion of OTL politics in here.
No, it's no problem at all. It's really easy to verge off course one statement at a time.
And regarding Roy Moore: we'll see. Post-Robertson there certainly will be a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party and I think it's fairly clear which side Moore is on.
Where are they now?
This post is accurate to January 1st 1999.
George H.W. Bush - More or less disappeared from politics after his loss in 1988. Often insulted on the campaign trail by Pat Robertson in 1992, Bush has made something of a return and has become a critic of the Robertson administration much to the ire of his son.
Johnny Cash- Cash’s friendship with Willie Nelson declined a bit when Nelson got into elected politics, but the two are still friendly. Cash remained quiet during the first few years of the Robertson administration, but despite not speaking explicitly against the President, it is fairly clear that he opposes Pat Robertson. Cash currently is active as a musician.
Bill Clinton- After allegations of infidelity and rape capsized his 1996 primary campaign, Clinton has faded into obscurity. He has remarried and become a real estate developer.
Ted Cruz- After narrowly deciding not to go into law, Rafael Edward “Teddy” Cruz went to work on Wall Street. He has made a name for himself as a brutal, heartless wheeler-dealer.
Mario Cuomo- Cuomo served as Governor like IOTL, and did not run in 1988. There was talk of Cuomo challenging Gary Hart in 1992, but he did not do it. There was talk again of him running in 1996, but that also didn’t pan out. As it becomes clear the Democrats are nationally ineffective, Cuomo is becoming less and less relevant and has made it fairly clear he has no intention of ever running for office again.
Hugh Hefner- Hefner is doing much the same as IOTL, though has been more politically involved as the Robertson administration seeks to crack down on pornography (including Playboy Magazine) Hefner has donated to both the Democrats and Rally candidates and is known to be particularly friendly with Governor-elect Kennedy of Alabama. However, as Hefner is more of a libertarian, First Amendment supporter than true economic leftist, there has been talk in the Independent Republican Party of nominating him for some office though Hefner denies any interest.
Anita Hill- Currently employed as a very senior member of the University of Oklahoma Law School in Norman, Oklahoma. Though widely respected there and in legal circles, she is nationally an unknown. She has never spoken about her harassment at the hands of Clarence Thomas.
Michael Jackson- Jackson is doing much the same as OTL, but is currently unmarried.
Waylon Jennings- Jennings is still involved in the music industry and has avoided becoming entangled in politics, though most feel he was somewhat supportive of Willie Nelson. Attempts at drafting him to run for office as a Rallyite have failed.
Kris Kristofferson- After the collapse of the Highwaymen in 1990 (Nelson’s absence simply killed the group), Kristofferson continued his solo recording career, though in recent years he has shifted more towards acting.
Trent Lott- House Majority Whip. Somewhat concerned following 1998’s meltdown for the Republicans.
Robert Mueller - Currently United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Well-regarded in moderate to conservative circles for reasoned, fair jurisprudence. While he does not have much of a political future under the hard-right Robertson administration, there is hope that the new President after 2000 will be a change that will help Mueller.
Dave Mustaine- Mustaine parted with Megadeth in the mid-90s and although he has attempted to form several new bands, he has been largely unsuccessful.
Larry Nassar- Initially arrested on charges unrelated to sexual assault, but in the course of the investigation, police found evidence of child pornography. Currently serving a life sentence.
Barack Obama- After graduating from Harvard, Obama returned to Hawaii. He currently is a community organizer in Honolulu.
Beto O’Rourke- Deceased. Formerly a popular punk musician.
Hillary Rodham (formerly Clinton) - After divorcing her husband, Rodham returned to Chicago. She is unmarried and has become a lawyer and retained custody of her children with Bill, Chelsea and Brian.
OJ Simpson- Retired from football, and currently making money by acting in movies. Happily married to his wife Nicole Brown and weighing a run for Mayor of Los Angeles.
George Soros- Soros is uninvolved with American politics for the most part, and focused primarily on business and aid to Eastern European anti-communist dissidents.
Kenneth Starr- Still sits on the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Robertson aides advised nominating Starr to take the seat vacated by Byron White’s resignation in May 1993, but Robertson chose John Cornyn instead at the advice of then-White House Chief of Staff Lee Atwater, who feared Starr would be insufficiently conservative.
Clarence Thomas- Appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit by President Robertson. Whenever a Supreme Court seat opens up, there is speculation that Thomas will be named, but as of 1999, it has not yet happened. Thomas appears quite happy with his current position.
Donald Trump- Between the USFL fiasco and his trouncing in the 1996 Republican Primaries, Trump has more or less disappeared from the national stage.
George H.W. Bush - More or less disappeared from politics after his loss in 1988. Often insulted on the campaign trail by Pat Robertson in 1992, Bush has made something of a return and has become a critic of the Robertson administration much to the ire of his son.
Johnny Cash- Cash’s friendship with Willie Nelson declined a bit when Nelson got into elected politics, but the two are still friendly. Cash remained quiet during the first few years of the Robertson administration, but despite not speaking explicitly against the President, it is fairly clear that he opposes Pat Robertson. Cash currently is active as a musician.
Bill Clinton- After allegations of infidelity and rape capsized his 1996 primary campaign, Clinton has faded into obscurity. He has remarried and become a real estate developer.
Ted Cruz- After narrowly deciding not to go into law, Rafael Edward “Teddy” Cruz went to work on Wall Street. He has made a name for himself as a brutal, heartless wheeler-dealer.
Mario Cuomo- Cuomo served as Governor like IOTL, and did not run in 1988. There was talk of Cuomo challenging Gary Hart in 1992, but he did not do it. There was talk again of him running in 1996, but that also didn’t pan out. As it becomes clear the Democrats are nationally ineffective, Cuomo is becoming less and less relevant and has made it fairly clear he has no intention of ever running for office again.
Hugh Hefner- Hefner is doing much the same as IOTL, though has been more politically involved as the Robertson administration seeks to crack down on pornography (including Playboy Magazine) Hefner has donated to both the Democrats and Rally candidates and is known to be particularly friendly with Governor-elect Kennedy of Alabama. However, as Hefner is more of a libertarian, First Amendment supporter than true economic leftist, there has been talk in the Independent Republican Party of nominating him for some office though Hefner denies any interest.
Anita Hill- Currently employed as a very senior member of the University of Oklahoma Law School in Norman, Oklahoma. Though widely respected there and in legal circles, she is nationally an unknown. She has never spoken about her harassment at the hands of Clarence Thomas.
Michael Jackson- Jackson is doing much the same as OTL, but is currently unmarried.
Waylon Jennings- Jennings is still involved in the music industry and has avoided becoming entangled in politics, though most feel he was somewhat supportive of Willie Nelson. Attempts at drafting him to run for office as a Rallyite have failed.
Kris Kristofferson- After the collapse of the Highwaymen in 1990 (Nelson’s absence simply killed the group), Kristofferson continued his solo recording career, though in recent years he has shifted more towards acting.
Trent Lott- House Majority Whip. Somewhat concerned following 1998’s meltdown for the Republicans.
Robert Mueller - Currently United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Well-regarded in moderate to conservative circles for reasoned, fair jurisprudence. While he does not have much of a political future under the hard-right Robertson administration, there is hope that the new President after 2000 will be a change that will help Mueller.
Dave Mustaine- Mustaine parted with Megadeth in the mid-90s and although he has attempted to form several new bands, he has been largely unsuccessful.
Larry Nassar- Initially arrested on charges unrelated to sexual assault, but in the course of the investigation, police found evidence of child pornography. Currently serving a life sentence.
Barack Obama- After graduating from Harvard, Obama returned to Hawaii. He currently is a community organizer in Honolulu.
Beto O’Rourke- Deceased. Formerly a popular punk musician.
Hillary Rodham (formerly Clinton) - After divorcing her husband, Rodham returned to Chicago. She is unmarried and has become a lawyer and retained custody of her children with Bill, Chelsea and Brian.
OJ Simpson- Retired from football, and currently making money by acting in movies. Happily married to his wife Nicole Brown and weighing a run for Mayor of Los Angeles.
George Soros- Soros is uninvolved with American politics for the most part, and focused primarily on business and aid to Eastern European anti-communist dissidents.
Kenneth Starr- Still sits on the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Robertson aides advised nominating Starr to take the seat vacated by Byron White’s resignation in May 1993, but Robertson chose John Cornyn instead at the advice of then-White House Chief of Staff Lee Atwater, who feared Starr would be insufficiently conservative.
Clarence Thomas- Appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit by President Robertson. Whenever a Supreme Court seat opens up, there is speculation that Thomas will be named, but as of 1999, it has not yet happened. Thomas appears quite happy with his current position.
Donald Trump- Between the USFL fiasco and his trouncing in the 1996 Republican Primaries, Trump has more or less disappeared from the national stage.
I'm afraid I'm not especially familiar with that group, but let's say they're still limping along since his departure.
Things Fall Apart: 1999
‘After a year with many plurality victories, state lawmakers weigh runoff elections’
- Washington Post, January 9th 1999
“It’s clear Robertson is hurting us. The guy’s a philistine; he barely knows where Washington is. I’ve never met someone so unable to say the right things in a room. He could go into any megachurch in this country and the congregation could come out Wellstone voters. Shit, we’ve got to get rid of him before he destroys our party. If we can’t make him resign, we’ve got to at least distance ourselves and hope 2000 isn’t as bad as last year was.”
- Senator Lee Atwater (R-SC) at a leadership retreat in West Virginia also attended by Trent Lott, Pete Domenici, and Dick Cheney
“You know, maybe having Newt as Robertson’s new butt-boy isn’t so bad. I can easily distance myself from this shitshow of an administration. I’m just glad I got out of there before everything went downhill.:
- Former Secretary of State and possible 2000 contender Pete Domenici (R-NM) at that same retreat
“In consultation with the state committee, we have devised a new plan to catapult our party into national relevance. We intend to focus our energy on this year’s election of San Francisco Mayor. With the Democrats in disarray and the Rally unable to make useful gains there, a moderate Republican could eke out a victory. I have found just the man: Mr. Bruce Slesinger, formerly of that band the Dead Kennedys. Though some of us might be uneasy nominating a punk rocker, Mr. Slesinger has been out of that business for a decade and is a respected Architect in San Francisco. Best of all, our opponents can’t attack him for that. If the Rally does, they risk alienating his former bandmates and if the Democrats do, well, they come out looking like prudes.”
- Independent Republican National Committeeman Robert J. Kabel, January 17th 1999
‘Chief Justice Rehnquist Dead at 74 - Died Suddenly of Unexpected Heart Attack On Vacation’
- Washington Post, January 20th 1999
“I want Robert Bork on the Court. It was a crime what the Democrats did to him last time.
Mr. President, what makes you think we can do it now if we couldn’t do it before?
I intend to ram Robert Bork down the Democrats’ throat. We will put him there this time.”
- President Pat Robertson to White House Chief of Staff Gordon Humphrey, late January 1999
‘Is the Independent REpublican Party Funded by NAMBLA?’
- The Lone Gunman, January 10th 1999
‘Robertson Renominates Bork’
- Washington Post, February 2nd 1999
“If I didn’t vote for him then, why would I vote for him now? I am confident the Senate will not approve Robert Bork’s nomination.”
- Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), February 5th 1999
‘I urge all of you to at least consider runoff elections in your states. Much of this country is still conservative at its core, and given a choice between a Republican and a single other party, I am fairly confident we would suffer fewer losses.’
- From a letter to Republican Governors, circulated by Chairman of the Republican Governors Association David Beasley of South Carolina, February 1999
“I know this isn’t my jurisdiction, but Bork will never get approved. Please just withdraw the nomination: this is going to keep hurt us.”
- Secretary of State William Hawkins (R-TN), February 25th 1999
‘VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN MANDELSON GOVERNMENT SUCCEEDS - PARLIAMENT LIKELY TO BE DISSOLVED AND GENERAL ELECTION CALLED’
- Daily Mail, February 27th 1999
‘BY THE QUEEN
A PROCLAMATION FOR DISSOLVING THE PRESENT PARLIAMENT AND DECLARING THE CALLING OF ANOTHER
ELIZABETH R.
Whereas We have thought fit, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, to dissolve this present Parliament, which stands prorogued to Tuesday, the second day of March: We do, for that End, publish this Our Royal Proclamation, and do hereby dissolve the said Parliament accordingly: And the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Members of the House of Commons, are discharged from further Attendance thereat: And We being desirous and resolved, as soon as may be, to meet Our People, and to have their Advice in Parliament, do hereby make known to all Our loving Subjects Our Royal Will and Pleasure to call a new Parliament: and do hereby further declare, that, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, We have given Order that Our Chancellor of Great Britain and Our Secretary of State for Northern Ireland do respectively, upon Notice thereof, forthwith issue out Writs, in due Form and according to Law, for calling a new Parliament: And We do hereby also, by this Our Royal Proclamation under Our Great Seal of Our Realm, require Writs forthwith to be issued accordingly by Our said Chancellor and Secretary of State respectively, for causing the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons who are to serve in the said Parliament to be duly returned to, and give their Attendance in, Our said Parliament on Tuesday, the eighteenth day of May next, which Writs are to be returnable in due course of Law…’
- A Royal Proclamation Dissolving Parliament, March 2nd 1999 *
‘White House Chief of Staff Humphrey Resigns - Marks Robertson’s Sixth Chief to Resign’
- New York Times, March 12th 1999
“Mr. President, I’d like you to know that I am one-hundred percent behind you. As long as I’m still breathing you will remain President. I know Jack from West Virginia is with me, and the country is too.”
- Senator Evan Mecham (R-AZ), March 14th 1999 **
‘Conservatives Receive Majority in Parliament - Labour Nearly Relegated to Third, Mandelson Resigns in Disgrace’
- The Telegraph, March 26th 1999
"...it's fitting that the Portillo Government is meeting for the first time on April Fools' Day. If this is any sign of the judgement of this Government, as I have no doubt it will be, we should be seeing a Labour government back in power to usher in the new millennium."
- Political humorist and comedian Ayesha Hazarika, April 1st 1999
'Portillo Government Meets for First Time in Parliament'
- Daily Sun, April 2nd 1999
"I am therefore announcing my candidacy for the Republican nomination for President in 1980! [...] You see we're just not winning in this country anymore - we have jobs going overseas, the constitution being subverted at home and a great man in the White House who has had his every move watched by the Democrats and Rally for the Farmers. Brave American men and women are being slaughtered in Iraq and Libya because our leaders don’t have enough backbone. It's quite frankly disgusting. [...] Let's get American back on track, Let's Make America Great Again!"
- Evan Mecham announces his candidacy for President, April 5th 1999 ***
‘This year’s could be bad for us. As has been previously mentioned, we cannot run tickets for Governor in the three Deep South states up for election this year. If the Independent Republican Party is to survive, we need a victory. This is why I recommend we divert as much of the campaign fund to San Francisco. If Bruce Slesinger can pull out a win there, in one of America’s largest and most high-profile cities, our movement will be rejuvenated in a way that it certainly would not be if we had no noteworthy victories this year.’
- From a memo circulated by Independent Republican National Committeeman Ray Metcalfe (IR-AK), mid-April 1999
‘Communist Party Candidate Shenin Wins First Soviet Presidential Election - American Ambassador Keyes: “No Tampering Whatsoever”’
- New York Times, April 19th 1999
‘It got to be too much for us all. Pat Robertson had taken the Republican Party from the heights of power to a point where we barely held on against an opposition divided three ways. It hurt his allies abroad too. Pete Mandelson was trounced and thrown out of office in 1999 in a massive renunciation of war by Britain. You had to be a fool to think Pat Robertson wasn’t behind all this and Pat and his closest allies kept bumbling on in the same moronic way. That was what put us over the line: we knew we had to do something or America would be destroyed beyond repair. Five of us, Dan Quayle, Trent Lott, Bob Dole, Chris Cox, and myself visited the President the night of April 7th. We came in late, after almost all the staffers had gone home and marched straight to the Oval Office.
We told the President what was on our mind. Essentially, he was given an ultimatum: he could fume all he wanted in private, but he had to act more Presidential in public and would run any serious proposals by one of us first. The alternative would be impeachment. We could all tell he was angry and wanted to call in the Secret Service to arrest us or shoot us on the spot, he frequently said “You can’t do this to me.” But you could tell he came around, and we made him agree to our demands before we left that night.
He actually did keep his promise, and the next two years went as smoothly as they could with ol’ Pat stil in the White House. They say he started drinking hard after that night and, I’m told it increased to a bottle a night when he went back to Lynchburg in 2001. In a way, I think I’m responsible for them finding him face-down in a puddle outside his house that night in 2004.’
- About Face: The Story of the Second Most Hated Man in America by Lee Atwater and Howard Zinn, 2016
“The whole new Democratic Party is the old Republican Party. This party now has a bunch of elephants running around in donkey clothes - but I promise you, I’m here to change things and make the Democrats a party of the people again.”
- Reverend Al Sharpton announces a run for President, May 8th 1999 ****
‘Governor Treen Dies Suddenly - Lieutenant Gov. Lee to serve until next election’
- The Times-Picayune, July 8th, 1999
‘It is absolutely unacceptable that Louisiana has a man like Harry Lee in such a high position of power. When he was Sheriff of Jefferson Parish, he said it would be fair to stop any young man of color driving in a “rinky-dink” car in a white neighborhood. This man is a full-blown racist and unsuited for any position of power.”
- Rally for the Farmers Presidential contender Representative Mickey Leland, July 15th 1999
‘Lee files to run for Governor as Republican - Lee Remains Registered Democrat’
- The Times-Picayune, August 4th 1999
“Look, I was a teenager when I was in that band. Plenty of people have done stupid things in their youth. Some of the sentiments I expressed back then were the result of quick thinking and an unwillingness to listen to others. I’m a different man now and I promise I will be a levelheaded and reasoned mayor.”
- Bruce Slesinger, August 25th 1999
“I’m tired of being paraded around before Congress. Tell the President I’ve had enough and that I’m taking my name out of consideration for Chief Justice of the United States.”
- Robert Bork to White House Chief of Staff Jerry Falwell Jr., August 29th 1999
“I am naming my intention to nominate Former Secretary of the Treasury James Baker to the vacancy on our Supreme Court. I only hope the Rally for the Farmers and Democrats don’t attempt the same methods of character assassination as they did on Judge Bork to this fine, American man.”
- President Pat Robertson, September 3rd 1999
“We really have no reason not to vote for Baker. The fact he nominated such a moderate is a surprise and, frankly, I think we’ve won already.”
- Senate Opposition Leader Dean Barkley, September 6th 1999
“Sure, Bruce and I still talk on occasion. He’s a decent guy, but he’s lost some of the fire in his belly and has compromised and taken on some attributes of what we used to criticize. Personally, I’m voting for a guy named Mark O’Hara, calls himself ‘Superbooty’”
- Jello Biafra, mid-September 1999
‘Pro-Life Republicans Float Filibuster on Baker’
- Washington Post, mid-September 1999
‘Did Mayor Achtenberg take money for Repair Contracts?’
- San Francisco Chronicle, September 24th 1999
“Of course I’ll be voting 'no' on James Baker. It’s ridiculous to think I’d vote to put a pinko like that on the Supreme Court. [...] Yes, I’m still behind the President one-hundred percent. If the Democrats and Farmers hadn’t slandered a fine man like Robert Bork President Robertson would never have had to compromise and he’d have put a true conservative on the Supreme Court.”
- Senator Evan Mecham (R-AZ), September 28th 1999
‘Baker Confirmed as 17th Chief Justice’
- Washington Post, October 1st 1999 *****
‘Preis and Livingston Advance to runoff - Lee eliminated’
- The Daily Reveille, October 2th 1999
"I don't know of any politicians in the Democratic or Republican parties that I respect. I can't imagine anyone even being in one of those parties. I'm surprised that people haven't left those parties in droves."
- Superbooty O’Hara, candidate for Mayor of San Francisco, October 27th 1999 ******
‘Achtenberg comes in first - Unable to win majority, will face Slesinger in runoff’
- The San Francisco Examiner, November 3rd 1999
In Kentucky, outgoing Governor Galbraith, perhaps the most popular man in the state, endorsed his current Lieutenant, Steve Beshear, a former Democrat, as his successor. The rise of the Rally for the Farmers had more or less destroyed the state Democrats, and every major Democrat had defected to the Rally and the party only contested small, local elections. The Republican primary was narrowly won by Jefferson County Executive Rebecca Jackson. Her only opponents were perennial candidates, and their successes foretold future issues for the Jackson campaign. Beshear won in a landslide over Jackson and two minor Libertarian and Natural Law tickets. Beshear’s running mate, Eleanor Jordan, became the first African-American Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.
Mississippi had elected its first Republican Governor since Reconstruction, Delbert Hosemann, in 1995, and seemed on track to reelect him as 1999 came around. Despite strong efforts, the Rally Party had not managed to completely kill the Mississippi Democrats. Ted Weill, former RFTF National Committeeman, threw his hat into the ring. Long active in the party, there had been rumors Weill would run for office in every election since 1988, but nothing had panned out. Weill had name-recognition and a significant warchest, and dispatched a favorite son from the Appalachian Foothills of northeastern Mississippi fairly easily in the primary. The Democratic selection was Jackson City Councilman Leslie B. McLemore, another long-time politico with a history of involvement in the NAACP. Weill, for all his organizing strengths, proved a poor campaigner, and was outdone by Hosemann. McLemore ran a spirited campaign that served only to divide the anti-Republican vote. Hosemann actually managed a majority (though only by several thousand votes) to be reelected as Governor and avoid the first possible runoff election under new state law. Weill returned from the political wilderness after his defeat and unseated Roger Wicker to become the United States Representative from Mississippi’s 1st District less than a year later.
‘Lee endorses Livingston’
- Ruston Daily Leader, November 4th, 1999
David Treen, Louisiana Governor from 1980 to 1984 made a political comeback in 1995, when he received a second term as Governor. Treen was technically eligible for a third term in 1999, and was widely considered the frontrunner and favorite to win the contest. His sudden death and the succession of Democratic Lieutenant Governor Harry Lee, the controversial Chinese-American Sheriff of Jefferson Parish to the office of Governor changed everything. Lee, at 67 was not expected to seek election to a term of his own, but he quickly filed. However, he filed as a Republican (which did not mean especially much given Lousiana’s jungle primary) Several other Republicans, including Senator Bob Livingston, entered the race. The first round saw one of two major Rally candidates, State Senator Phil Preis, come in first and Livingston in second. Among the defeated were Rallyite Cleo Fields and Democrat Richard Ieyoub. It became clear Lee had hurt his chance by switching parties as he had alienated some Democrats and was not any Republicans first choices given the option of Livingston. Preis eked out a victory over Livingston
Bruce Slesinger had no chance. That was the thought throughout San Francisco as campaigning season started in 1999. The incumbent, Roberta Achtenberg, presided over a stagnant city and there had been allegations of corruption under her mayorship, but her spats with the President (made all the more significant as Achtenberg was openly lesbian and Pat Robertson was, well, Pat Robertson) had made the Mayor something of a celebrity despite her other failings. As was typical in California, several Democrats filed against the incumbent. Joining them were several Rallyites and a Republican (Harold Hoogasian, who, truth be told was more of an objectivist than a Robertsonite theocrat), but these candidates were ephemeral at best. The Independent Republicans, despite attempting to brand themselves as a socially laissez-faire libertarian party had not made the inroads into San Francisco they had hoped for, and Slesinger was their only candidate of importance in the race. As the campaign went on, Slesinger presented himself as a strong candidate, a political outsider involving himself in politics to save a city in the midst of scandal. Though many were wary of someone with the word “Republican” next to his name, Slesinger distanced himself from the real GOP and promised that Pat Robertson would not push San Francisco around. Clearly Independent Republican money, pumped in from New York and Los Angeles was boosting the Slesinger campaign. Then came the allegations against Achtenberg. In late September reports that Achtenberg-appointed officials had taken bribes to hand over the contracts for repair work on the Muni Metro light rail system. While not completely substantiated, the exposé was fairly clear that there had been foul play. Achtenberg managed to come first in the first round of voting, but in the second round, held in mid-December, Slesinger barely got by with a victory by picking up Democratic voters wary of the mayor after the corruption allegations. Roberta Achtenberg was cleared of the charges against her in mid-2000 as it turned out she had been entirely unaware of the bribes. Slesinger took office the next January with the eyes of the country and his party on him.
*- Taken from an actual dissolution of Parliament by Elizabeth II.
**- Mecham is referring to Jack Fellure, Representative from West Virginia who was first elected in 1994.
*** - Taken mostly from Gonzo’s Mecham TL.
****- Most of this is taken real comments made by Sharpton on CNN’s Crossfire in early 2003.
*****- Barely changed from an actual headline run by the Washington Post for John Roberts’ nomination.
****** - Taken from actual statements by “Superbooty”, found here.
- Washington Post, January 9th 1999
“It’s clear Robertson is hurting us. The guy’s a philistine; he barely knows where Washington is. I’ve never met someone so unable to say the right things in a room. He could go into any megachurch in this country and the congregation could come out Wellstone voters. Shit, we’ve got to get rid of him before he destroys our party. If we can’t make him resign, we’ve got to at least distance ourselves and hope 2000 isn’t as bad as last year was.”
- Senator Lee Atwater (R-SC) at a leadership retreat in West Virginia also attended by Trent Lott, Pete Domenici, and Dick Cheney
“You know, maybe having Newt as Robertson’s new butt-boy isn’t so bad. I can easily distance myself from this shitshow of an administration. I’m just glad I got out of there before everything went downhill.:
- Former Secretary of State and possible 2000 contender Pete Domenici (R-NM) at that same retreat
“In consultation with the state committee, we have devised a new plan to catapult our party into national relevance. We intend to focus our energy on this year’s election of San Francisco Mayor. With the Democrats in disarray and the Rally unable to make useful gains there, a moderate Republican could eke out a victory. I have found just the man: Mr. Bruce Slesinger, formerly of that band the Dead Kennedys. Though some of us might be uneasy nominating a punk rocker, Mr. Slesinger has been out of that business for a decade and is a respected Architect in San Francisco. Best of all, our opponents can’t attack him for that. If the Rally does, they risk alienating his former bandmates and if the Democrats do, well, they come out looking like prudes.”
- Independent Republican National Committeeman Robert J. Kabel, January 17th 1999
‘Chief Justice Rehnquist Dead at 74 - Died Suddenly of Unexpected Heart Attack On Vacation’
- Washington Post, January 20th 1999
“I want Robert Bork on the Court. It was a crime what the Democrats did to him last time.
Mr. President, what makes you think we can do it now if we couldn’t do it before?
I intend to ram Robert Bork down the Democrats’ throat. We will put him there this time.”
- President Pat Robertson to White House Chief of Staff Gordon Humphrey, late January 1999
‘Is the Independent REpublican Party Funded by NAMBLA?’
- The Lone Gunman, January 10th 1999
‘Robertson Renominates Bork’
- Washington Post, February 2nd 1999
“If I didn’t vote for him then, why would I vote for him now? I am confident the Senate will not approve Robert Bork’s nomination.”
- Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), February 5th 1999
‘I urge all of you to at least consider runoff elections in your states. Much of this country is still conservative at its core, and given a choice between a Republican and a single other party, I am fairly confident we would suffer fewer losses.’
- From a letter to Republican Governors, circulated by Chairman of the Republican Governors Association David Beasley of South Carolina, February 1999
“I know this isn’t my jurisdiction, but Bork will never get approved. Please just withdraw the nomination: this is going to keep hurt us.”
- Secretary of State William Hawkins (R-TN), February 25th 1999
‘VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN MANDELSON GOVERNMENT SUCCEEDS - PARLIAMENT LIKELY TO BE DISSOLVED AND GENERAL ELECTION CALLED’
- Daily Mail, February 27th 1999
‘BY THE QUEEN
A PROCLAMATION FOR DISSOLVING THE PRESENT PARLIAMENT AND DECLARING THE CALLING OF ANOTHER
ELIZABETH R.
Whereas We have thought fit, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, to dissolve this present Parliament, which stands prorogued to Tuesday, the second day of March: We do, for that End, publish this Our Royal Proclamation, and do hereby dissolve the said Parliament accordingly: And the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Members of the House of Commons, are discharged from further Attendance thereat: And We being desirous and resolved, as soon as may be, to meet Our People, and to have their Advice in Parliament, do hereby make known to all Our loving Subjects Our Royal Will and Pleasure to call a new Parliament: and do hereby further declare, that, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, We have given Order that Our Chancellor of Great Britain and Our Secretary of State for Northern Ireland do respectively, upon Notice thereof, forthwith issue out Writs, in due Form and according to Law, for calling a new Parliament: And We do hereby also, by this Our Royal Proclamation under Our Great Seal of Our Realm, require Writs forthwith to be issued accordingly by Our said Chancellor and Secretary of State respectively, for causing the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons who are to serve in the said Parliament to be duly returned to, and give their Attendance in, Our said Parliament on Tuesday, the eighteenth day of May next, which Writs are to be returnable in due course of Law…’
- A Royal Proclamation Dissolving Parliament, March 2nd 1999 *
‘White House Chief of Staff Humphrey Resigns - Marks Robertson’s Sixth Chief to Resign’
- New York Times, March 12th 1999
“Mr. President, I’d like you to know that I am one-hundred percent behind you. As long as I’m still breathing you will remain President. I know Jack from West Virginia is with me, and the country is too.”
- Senator Evan Mecham (R-AZ), March 14th 1999 **
‘Conservatives Receive Majority in Parliament - Labour Nearly Relegated to Third, Mandelson Resigns in Disgrace’
- The Telegraph, March 26th 1999
"...it's fitting that the Portillo Government is meeting for the first time on April Fools' Day. If this is any sign of the judgement of this Government, as I have no doubt it will be, we should be seeing a Labour government back in power to usher in the new millennium."
- Political humorist and comedian Ayesha Hazarika, April 1st 1999
'Portillo Government Meets for First Time in Parliament'
- Daily Sun, April 2nd 1999
"I am therefore announcing my candidacy for the Republican nomination for President in 1980! [...] You see we're just not winning in this country anymore - we have jobs going overseas, the constitution being subverted at home and a great man in the White House who has had his every move watched by the Democrats and Rally for the Farmers. Brave American men and women are being slaughtered in Iraq and Libya because our leaders don’t have enough backbone. It's quite frankly disgusting. [...] Let's get American back on track, Let's Make America Great Again!"
- Evan Mecham announces his candidacy for President, April 5th 1999 ***
‘This year’s could be bad for us. As has been previously mentioned, we cannot run tickets for Governor in the three Deep South states up for election this year. If the Independent Republican Party is to survive, we need a victory. This is why I recommend we divert as much of the campaign fund to San Francisco. If Bruce Slesinger can pull out a win there, in one of America’s largest and most high-profile cities, our movement will be rejuvenated in a way that it certainly would not be if we had no noteworthy victories this year.’
- From a memo circulated by Independent Republican National Committeeman Ray Metcalfe (IR-AK), mid-April 1999
‘Communist Party Candidate Shenin Wins First Soviet Presidential Election - American Ambassador Keyes: “No Tampering Whatsoever”’
- New York Times, April 19th 1999
‘It got to be too much for us all. Pat Robertson had taken the Republican Party from the heights of power to a point where we barely held on against an opposition divided three ways. It hurt his allies abroad too. Pete Mandelson was trounced and thrown out of office in 1999 in a massive renunciation of war by Britain. You had to be a fool to think Pat Robertson wasn’t behind all this and Pat and his closest allies kept bumbling on in the same moronic way. That was what put us over the line: we knew we had to do something or America would be destroyed beyond repair. Five of us, Dan Quayle, Trent Lott, Bob Dole, Chris Cox, and myself visited the President the night of April 7th. We came in late, after almost all the staffers had gone home and marched straight to the Oval Office.
We told the President what was on our mind. Essentially, he was given an ultimatum: he could fume all he wanted in private, but he had to act more Presidential in public and would run any serious proposals by one of us first. The alternative would be impeachment. We could all tell he was angry and wanted to call in the Secret Service to arrest us or shoot us on the spot, he frequently said “You can’t do this to me.” But you could tell he came around, and we made him agree to our demands before we left that night.
He actually did keep his promise, and the next two years went as smoothly as they could with ol’ Pat stil in the White House. They say he started drinking hard after that night and, I’m told it increased to a bottle a night when he went back to Lynchburg in 2001. In a way, I think I’m responsible for them finding him face-down in a puddle outside his house that night in 2004.’
- About Face: The Story of the Second Most Hated Man in America by Lee Atwater and Howard Zinn, 2016
“The whole new Democratic Party is the old Republican Party. This party now has a bunch of elephants running around in donkey clothes - but I promise you, I’m here to change things and make the Democrats a party of the people again.”
- Reverend Al Sharpton announces a run for President, May 8th 1999 ****
‘Governor Treen Dies Suddenly - Lieutenant Gov. Lee to serve until next election’
- The Times-Picayune, July 8th, 1999
‘It is absolutely unacceptable that Louisiana has a man like Harry Lee in such a high position of power. When he was Sheriff of Jefferson Parish, he said it would be fair to stop any young man of color driving in a “rinky-dink” car in a white neighborhood. This man is a full-blown racist and unsuited for any position of power.”
- Rally for the Farmers Presidential contender Representative Mickey Leland, July 15th 1999
‘Lee files to run for Governor as Republican - Lee Remains Registered Democrat’
- The Times-Picayune, August 4th 1999
“Look, I was a teenager when I was in that band. Plenty of people have done stupid things in their youth. Some of the sentiments I expressed back then were the result of quick thinking and an unwillingness to listen to others. I’m a different man now and I promise I will be a levelheaded and reasoned mayor.”
- Bruce Slesinger, August 25th 1999
“I’m tired of being paraded around before Congress. Tell the President I’ve had enough and that I’m taking my name out of consideration for Chief Justice of the United States.”
- Robert Bork to White House Chief of Staff Jerry Falwell Jr., August 29th 1999
“I am naming my intention to nominate Former Secretary of the Treasury James Baker to the vacancy on our Supreme Court. I only hope the Rally for the Farmers and Democrats don’t attempt the same methods of character assassination as they did on Judge Bork to this fine, American man.”
- President Pat Robertson, September 3rd 1999
“We really have no reason not to vote for Baker. The fact he nominated such a moderate is a surprise and, frankly, I think we’ve won already.”
- Senate Opposition Leader Dean Barkley, September 6th 1999
“Sure, Bruce and I still talk on occasion. He’s a decent guy, but he’s lost some of the fire in his belly and has compromised and taken on some attributes of what we used to criticize. Personally, I’m voting for a guy named Mark O’Hara, calls himself ‘Superbooty’”
- Jello Biafra, mid-September 1999
‘Pro-Life Republicans Float Filibuster on Baker’
- Washington Post, mid-September 1999
‘Did Mayor Achtenberg take money for Repair Contracts?’
- San Francisco Chronicle, September 24th 1999
“Of course I’ll be voting 'no' on James Baker. It’s ridiculous to think I’d vote to put a pinko like that on the Supreme Court. [...] Yes, I’m still behind the President one-hundred percent. If the Democrats and Farmers hadn’t slandered a fine man like Robert Bork President Robertson would never have had to compromise and he’d have put a true conservative on the Supreme Court.”
- Senator Evan Mecham (R-AZ), September 28th 1999
‘Baker Confirmed as 17th Chief Justice’
- Washington Post, October 1st 1999 *****
‘Preis and Livingston Advance to runoff - Lee eliminated’
- The Daily Reveille, October 2th 1999
"I don't know of any politicians in the Democratic or Republican parties that I respect. I can't imagine anyone even being in one of those parties. I'm surprised that people haven't left those parties in droves."
- Superbooty O’Hara, candidate for Mayor of San Francisco, October 27th 1999 ******
‘Achtenberg comes in first - Unable to win majority, will face Slesinger in runoff’
- The San Francisco Examiner, November 3rd 1999
In Kentucky, outgoing Governor Galbraith, perhaps the most popular man in the state, endorsed his current Lieutenant, Steve Beshear, a former Democrat, as his successor. The rise of the Rally for the Farmers had more or less destroyed the state Democrats, and every major Democrat had defected to the Rally and the party only contested small, local elections. The Republican primary was narrowly won by Jefferson County Executive Rebecca Jackson. Her only opponents were perennial candidates, and their successes foretold future issues for the Jackson campaign. Beshear won in a landslide over Jackson and two minor Libertarian and Natural Law tickets. Beshear’s running mate, Eleanor Jordan, became the first African-American Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.
Mississippi had elected its first Republican Governor since Reconstruction, Delbert Hosemann, in 1995, and seemed on track to reelect him as 1999 came around. Despite strong efforts, the Rally Party had not managed to completely kill the Mississippi Democrats. Ted Weill, former RFTF National Committeeman, threw his hat into the ring. Long active in the party, there had been rumors Weill would run for office in every election since 1988, but nothing had panned out. Weill had name-recognition and a significant warchest, and dispatched a favorite son from the Appalachian Foothills of northeastern Mississippi fairly easily in the primary. The Democratic selection was Jackson City Councilman Leslie B. McLemore, another long-time politico with a history of involvement in the NAACP. Weill, for all his organizing strengths, proved a poor campaigner, and was outdone by Hosemann. McLemore ran a spirited campaign that served only to divide the anti-Republican vote. Hosemann actually managed a majority (though only by several thousand votes) to be reelected as Governor and avoid the first possible runoff election under new state law. Weill returned from the political wilderness after his defeat and unseated Roger Wicker to become the United States Representative from Mississippi’s 1st District less than a year later.
‘Lee endorses Livingston’
- Ruston Daily Leader, November 4th, 1999
David Treen, Louisiana Governor from 1980 to 1984 made a political comeback in 1995, when he received a second term as Governor. Treen was technically eligible for a third term in 1999, and was widely considered the frontrunner and favorite to win the contest. His sudden death and the succession of Democratic Lieutenant Governor Harry Lee, the controversial Chinese-American Sheriff of Jefferson Parish to the office of Governor changed everything. Lee, at 67 was not expected to seek election to a term of his own, but he quickly filed. However, he filed as a Republican (which did not mean especially much given Lousiana’s jungle primary) Several other Republicans, including Senator Bob Livingston, entered the race. The first round saw one of two major Rally candidates, State Senator Phil Preis, come in first and Livingston in second. Among the defeated were Rallyite Cleo Fields and Democrat Richard Ieyoub. It became clear Lee had hurt his chance by switching parties as he had alienated some Democrats and was not any Republicans first choices given the option of Livingston. Preis eked out a victory over Livingston
Bruce Slesinger had no chance. That was the thought throughout San Francisco as campaigning season started in 1999. The incumbent, Roberta Achtenberg, presided over a stagnant city and there had been allegations of corruption under her mayorship, but her spats with the President (made all the more significant as Achtenberg was openly lesbian and Pat Robertson was, well, Pat Robertson) had made the Mayor something of a celebrity despite her other failings. As was typical in California, several Democrats filed against the incumbent. Joining them were several Rallyites and a Republican (Harold Hoogasian, who, truth be told was more of an objectivist than a Robertsonite theocrat), but these candidates were ephemeral at best. The Independent Republicans, despite attempting to brand themselves as a socially laissez-faire libertarian party had not made the inroads into San Francisco they had hoped for, and Slesinger was their only candidate of importance in the race. As the campaign went on, Slesinger presented himself as a strong candidate, a political outsider involving himself in politics to save a city in the midst of scandal. Though many were wary of someone with the word “Republican” next to his name, Slesinger distanced himself from the real GOP and promised that Pat Robertson would not push San Francisco around. Clearly Independent Republican money, pumped in from New York and Los Angeles was boosting the Slesinger campaign. Then came the allegations against Achtenberg. In late September reports that Achtenberg-appointed officials had taken bribes to hand over the contracts for repair work on the Muni Metro light rail system. While not completely substantiated, the exposé was fairly clear that there had been foul play. Achtenberg managed to come first in the first round of voting, but in the second round, held in mid-December, Slesinger barely got by with a victory by picking up Democratic voters wary of the mayor after the corruption allegations. Roberta Achtenberg was cleared of the charges against her in mid-2000 as it turned out she had been entirely unaware of the bribes. Slesinger took office the next January with the eyes of the country and his party on him.
*- Taken from an actual dissolution of Parliament by Elizabeth II.
**- Mecham is referring to Jack Fellure, Representative from West Virginia who was first elected in 1994.
*** - Taken mostly from Gonzo’s Mecham TL.
****- Most of this is taken real comments made by Sharpton on CNN’s Crossfire in early 2003.
*****- Barely changed from an actual headline run by the Washington Post for John Roberts’ nomination.
****** - Taken from actual statements by “Superbooty”, found here.
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Michael Portillo. I have absolutely no idea how that didn't make it into the update.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Senator Lee Atwater! The meeting of the slippery bastards.
What a fucking world. Lee Atwater and Trent fucking Lott are the good guys, well, less bad guys.
David Treen, Louisiana Governor from 1980 to 1984 made a political comeback in 1995, when he received a second term as Governor. Treen was technically eligible for a third term in 1999, and was widely considered the frontrunner and favorite to win the contest. His sudden death and the succession of Democratic Lieutenant Governor Harry Lee, the controversial Chinese-American Sheriff of Jefferson Parish to the office of Governor changed everything. Lee, at 67 was not expected to seek election to a term of his own, but he quickly filed. However, he filed as a Republican (which did not mean especially much given Lousiana’s jungle primary) Several other Republicans, including Senator Bob Livingston, entered the race. The first round saw one of two major Rally candidates, State Senator Phil Preis, come in first and Livingston in second. Among the defeated were Rallyite Cleo Fields and Democrat Richard Ieyoub. It became clear Lee had hurt his chance by switching parties as he had alienated some Democrats and was not any Republicans first choices given the option of Livingston. Preis eked out a victory over Livingston
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I've decided to do a sort of straw poll for your preferences and predictions for the 2000 Presidential Nominations and general election.
The poll can be found here.
The poll can be found here.
Noted. I'll be sure to give Llareggub a wide berth when posting any possible Leland loss updates.