Rawhide Down!

[Intergallactic]

President Reagan Shot! - NBC News-March 30th 1981

Chaos. The only word that can describe the Capital today. All our nation holds it breath as it awaits an answer to this stunning development. Several citizens of the D.C. area were asked to give comment and the only words that were discernable through the sobs were "shocking" and "devastating".

It was 2:27 PM when gunshots rang out just outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. President Ronald Reagan was hit with a handgun bullet that ricocheted off the presidential limousine and has reportedly struck him in the heart. He is currently at the George University Hospital where he is expected to undergo surgery in an attempt to save his life.

President Reagan was not the only one shot, as Press Secretary James Brady has been confirmed to have been shot and killed by a round that impacted with his head fired by the perpetrator. Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy and a District of Columbia policeman named Thomas Delahanty have reportedly been hit as well. It is unknown if any other bystanders were wounded, but it is possible as the suspect fired six shots. The suspect's name has not yet been released but has been confirmed to be in police custody.

It is currently unknown who is currently in charge of the nation, as Vice President George Bush was in Fort Worth, Texas for a speech today and is not believed to have been given Presidential powers under the orders of succession. Secretary of State Alexander Haig's name has been floated as a current executive commander, although that would likely fall out of Presidential succession under the 25th Amendment.

Several news sources have cited the alleged Course of Tippecanoe, which states that every President elected in years that are evenly divisible by 20 has died in office since President William Harrison who was elected in 1840, a pattern that it is hoped President Reagan will manage to break.

President Reagan has only been in office for two months, and it is hoped that he shall manage to make a recovery and return to serving his duties. We will be on this story as new information continues to come in.

 

[Intergallactic]

A Sad Day in America-CNN-April 1st 1981

President Reagan lying in state, 1981

It is with grieving hearts and minds that America reacts with to the news of the day. Ronald Wilson Reagan, fortieth President of the United States, has died after being hit by a bullet fired by a nearby gunman. The gunman has been identified as one John Hinkley Jr., who has been apprehended and is now being charged with both the murder of President Reagan as well as Press Secretary James Brady who was also struck by on of the six rounds fired from Hinkley's revolver.

Reagan is believed to have died about thirty minutes into his surgery at George Washington University Hospital, his last words being "Honey, I forgot to duck." said to First Lady Nancy Reagan in the hospital just before he entered surgery. It has been claimed the sound of the First Lady's sobs could be heard across the entire floor of the hospital. The President was 70 years old when he passed.

This morning thousands went into the streets of Washington for a massive vigil and prayer service honoring the late president. One attendee who identified himself as a Carter voter in the previous election said quote: "Never before have I felt so inclined to see the President as a man, not as some godly all ruling figure, but as a man who lived and had a family same as me. May God give him rest."

In accordance with Presidential succession under the 25th Amendment, Vice President George Bush undertook the oath of office earlier today. Chief Justice Warren Burger administered the oath to Bush in the Oval Office early this morning, making George Herbert Walker Bush the forty-first President of the United States. It is currently unknown who President Bush plans to mark as his new Vice President. Bush delivered his first speech as President shortly after noon, addressing the nation head on about the nature of his Presidency:

"My fellow Americans, yesterday, a great tragedy befell our nation. Our President Ronald Reagan was shot and mortally wounded by an armed gunman in the crowd outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. President Reagan was a great man, and an inspiration to us all. Every day he worked with diligence and grace to uphold the values of our nation and to maintain the dignity of the highest office in all the land. Never could I think of any man I would rather serve under."

"President Reagan loved our nation more than anything, pledging himself to defend it from any threat to it's safety or integrity. Ever since he began his career as the Governor of California our President was dedicated in service to this country and it's people."

"My deepest condolences also go out to First Lady Nancy Reagan, whose warm and loving guidance is a blessing upon this land. Not only the First Lady, but all of President Reagan's friends and family are all in our thoughts and prayers today."

"It is with no joy in my heart that I enter this office, but I am aware of the need this nation currently has for leadership in this dark uncertain time. I pledge myself to the task of living up to a man who exemplified this office like no other. It is my hope that I can be a guiding and protecting figure to all Americans the same that President Reagan was."

"America, this is a dark day for us all. But at the end of every dark tunnel there is a guiding light. I entrust that together we can come back from this great tragedy and lead this nation further into the prosperous and great path that President Reagan had set us on. It is our responsibility as citizens of these great United States to insure that the President's legacy will live on. God bless you all, and God bless the United States of America."

The Academy Awards held their ceremony this evening after a long moment of silence. An audio recording of President Reagan's voice-featured to his role as a former actor-played during the show, an unintended tribute to the President. The 18,000 spectator's at last night's NCAA championship game between Indiana and North Carolina had a long moment of silence before the game as well. North Carolina would go on to win in a somber victory.

Worldwide reactions were mixed. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated that her deepest condolences went out to the Reagan family and to the American people. She was reportedly "deeply struck" by the event. Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was stated to simply have said "It is what it is." The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was reported to have had public dancing and cheering in the streets.

The American public mourns the death of our President, and eagerly watches on to see how President Bush will continue his work. Only time will tell what comes from the death of The Gipper.

 

[Intergallactic]

Anyone have a question or criticism? It’s my first timeline sorry if it’s not great

 

[kent]

this could change everything.

 

[theg*ddam*hoi2fan]

Anyone have a question or criticism? It’s my first timeline sorry if it’s not great

Off to a good start!

this could change everything.

Very true. Bush wasn't nearly as sold on Reaganomics as Reagan was - odds are we'll see a far more traditional Republican model taking power. Tax breaks and such certainly, but I don't see the mass-privatisations, anti-union actions and such that happened under Reagan.

Also, it was arguably Reagan who helped encourage the rise of the religious right. That might end up lessened, at the very least...

 

[Cryhavoc101]

Certainly we in the UK will not come to love his Spitting image puppet

 

[Intergallactic]

Off to a good start!



Very true. Bush wasn't nearly as sold on Reaganomics as Reagan was - odds are we'll see a far more traditional Republican model taking power. Tax breaks and such certainly, but I don't see the mass-privatisations, anti-union actions and such that happened under Reagan.

Also, it was arguably Reagan who helped encourage the rise of the religious right. That might end up lessened, at the very least...

Bush was certainly no fan of Reaganomics, referring to them as “voodoo economics” during the primaries.

 

[Forcon]

Good start.

General Haig will be in for even more criticism if he goes for his "I'm in charge here" stunt ITTL. As for Hinkley, the defence will argue that he's insane and cannot be held responsible for his actions, but even if he had OJ Simpsons defence team there's no way he avoids the needle after killing Reagan.

Looking forward to more!

 

[Intergallactic]

Haig in the Hague?-NBC News-April 21st 1981

Secretary Haig speaking to reporters shortly after President Reagan was shot

During a press conference last evening President Bush confirmed that Secretary of State and former General Alexander Haig would be resigning from the White House. This comes to the surprise of view, as sources within the White House had been stated that the President and the Secretary had been on exceptionally poor terms ever since Haig had stated:

"Constitutionally, gentlemen, you have the president, the vice president, and the secretary of state in that order, and should the president decide he wants to transfer the helm to the vice president, he will do so. He has not done that. As of now, I am in control here, in the White House, pending return of the vice president and in close touch with him. If something came up, I would check with him, of course."

President Bush had reportedly been exceptionally angered after hearing of this, not only due to the slight on his position as next in line to the Presidency but also what he saw as a great disrespect to the late President Reagan. Most pundits agree that Haig likely did not decide to resign by his own fruition, more likely at the behest of an angry President Bush giving him an option to leave with grace.

This leaves the White House in a semi-compromised position, as at the moment there still is no sitting Secretary of State or Vice President of the United States.

Busheconomics-NY Times-August 13th, 1981

Walker's Point Estate where President Bush signed the Kemp-Roth bill, 1981

President George Bush signed into law the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981. Originally started in another form under Republican Senator William Roth and Congressman Jack Kemp during the Carter administration, the bill was intended to curtail the current ongoing recession.

During the 1980 Republican primaries, the then office-less Bush would commonly refer to President Reagan's economic plan as "Voodoo Economics" as it promised to lower taxes and increase revenues at the same time. President Bush is considered by many to be a traditional Republican when it came to economics, unlike President Reagan who was a self-avowed advocate for supply-side economics or what he saw as "small government."

However. the new law was signed into place by President Bush, albeit a slightly more subdued version. Several pundits are predicting Bush signed the bill in order to ride off the coattails of President Reagan's posthumous boom in popularity. The bill still had minor changes though, with things like a 17% cut tax rate in three years as opposed to the originally proposed 23% as well as a few other modifications to "moderate" the original plan, a system now being jokingly referred too as "Busheconomics" by some pundits.

Reporters visited President Bush at his estate where he spoke about the new law, which would go into effect immediately. When questioned on this new bill and why he choose to sign it despite his disagreements with Reagan on the campaign trail, Bush stated:

"I will admit, President Reagan and I didn't always see eye to eye. But trust me, I fully feel that this bill is a move in the right direction. Reagan was a brilliant man no doubt, and I know he fully had this country and it's future in mind at all times. It is in his legacy that this country will enter into a new era of prosperity. Thank you for your questions."



Assorted news headlines of April-August 1981

-Pope John Paul II is expected to make a full recovery after being shot several times by a Turkish would-be Assassin named Mehmet Ali Ağca, and will likely return to Papal duties soon. Several hyper-zealous Catholics have tried to contrast the Pope's shooting with Reagan's, believing the Pope to have been spared due to his Catholic Piety while Reagan perished due to his Heretical Presbyterian Views.

-President Bush appoints David Hackett Souter to the Supreme Court of the United States.

-In an extremely close race, President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing of the centre-right Union for French Democracy party prevailed over Socialist Party candidate François Mitterrand in the second round. The election went to Giscard after Prime Minister Jacques Chirac decided to support him in the second round.

-President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh joined President Reagan on the list of head of state casualties for the year after being killed by a group of army officers on May 30.

-The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on June 5 that 5 homosexual men in Los Angeles have a rare form of pneumonia seen only in patients with weakened immune system.

 

[Intergallactic]

Any ideas for Bush’s new VP and Sec. of State?

 

[Pokemon Master]

Any ideas for Bush’s new VP and Sec. of State?

Paul Laxalt could be a good VP to cater to Reagan supporters

 

[GeographyDude]

. . . Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was stated to simply have said "It is what it is." . . .

Oh, I think Comrade General Secretary is a little smoother operator than that. Publicly, he’s likely to say that he sends his deepest condolences to the President’s family and friends.

Privately, he and top Politburo officials might say, holy cow, is America a gun-oriented society.

In the years to come, Bush may not be able to sell the INF Treaty (late ‘87) near as well to the American people as Ronald Reagan did.

 

[NyQuil]

Kemp or Phil Graham for VP!

 

[Zheng He]

Bob Dole?

 

[Servo1991]

I'd second Paul Laxalt for Veep

 

[Intergallactic]

Next update coming tomorrow with new VP and SecState, SecState will be a more unorthodox choice.

 

[Intergallactic]

Bush’s Cabinet-CBS News-October 7th 1981



President Bush announced in a Press Conference earlier today that the new Vice President of the United States and the new Secretary of State had officially sworn in after being confirmed in Congress. The two new officials are replacing Bush himself and Alexander Haig respectively.

The new Vice President is Paul Dominique Laxalt, a Republican Senator from Nevada and a close friend of President Reagan. Laxalt was reportedly seen as a safe choice by the Bush administration, appealing to fans of President Reagan and allowing President Bush to continue riding President Reagan’s massive popularity surge, which is reportedly at nearly 90% following his death.

The new Secretary of State was seen as more unorthodox. President Bush has chosen Representative Edward Joseph Derwinski of Illinois, a veteran of the Second World War and a former delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.

In the Press Conference, President Bush stated:

“Vice President Laxalt and Secretary Derwinski have served our nations for years with dedication and passion, and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so in my administration. I look forward to working with them.”

 

[Intergallactic]

Bush strikes Syria!-CNN-February 12th, 1982

US and Israeli aircraft over Syria, 1982

President Bush has officially ordered the United States Navy and the United States Air Force to carry out targeted strikes against the regime of Hafez al-Assad following a violent conflict between government forces and Muslim Brotherhood revolutionaries. Aircraft from Israel also took part in the strikes alongside the United States. A White House spokesperson stated that the strikes where only in retaliation for civilians killed during al-Assad’s violent siege of the city, which included tanks reportedly firing on buildings occupied by civilians.

Currently, the strikes have been isolated and targeted only against Syrian military targets such as ammunition storages, aircraft runways and fuel containers, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger stated from the White House that the strikes were intended to inflict as few casualties as possible while hurting the Syrian Arab Army's capabilities to make war against the city of Hama. President Bush himself made a statement from the White House press room.

"Good Evening my fellow Americans. Just moments ago I authorized aircraft launching from the Mediterranean Sea and Turkey in co-ordination with the Israeli Air Force to make a round of retaliatory airstrikes against the army of Syrian president Hafez al-Assad. After much deliberation, I decided that this was the correct action to take following the horrific attacks against civilians in the city of Hama by forces of the Syrian government."

"Syrian Arab Army forces, including tanks and aircraft, attacked a city full of civilians in the name of suppressing an uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood. We also have received reports of possible usage of canisters of hydrogen cyanide against the civilian populace of the city. Onsight accounts give estimates of well over ten thousand civilian casualties. This horrifying acts of terror committed by the Assad regime cannot and must not go unpunished."

"This is not the first time President Assad has used deadly force against his own people. Two years ago the Syrian government murdered over a thousand political prisoners in cold blood in Tadmor Prison. Citizens of Syria have been sentenced to death simply for being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. The campaign of terror waged by the Assad regime seemingly sees no bounds."

"I speak now to President Hafez al-Assad. What kind of ruler would use such cruel and overbearing tactics against the people of his own nation. The people he is meant to guide and lead. President Assad, the strikes will cease when you withdraw Syrian government Forces from Hama and attempt to broker a peace with the Brotherhood. Until then the United States Air Force and the United States Navy will continue to strike key Syrian Arab Army positions across Syria."

"I urge all members of the international community to join us in condemning these horrific acts by the Syrian regime. It is our duty as members of a global community to defend the sanctity of life and liberty all over the globe. Secretary Weinberger and Secretary Derwinski will now take questions. Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America."

News of the strikes has brought condemnation across the Islamic world. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini stated that it was "just another part of the United States campaign against Islam" which he then followed with accusations of the United States supporting Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in his current war against Iran. President Assad himself has called the strikes an act of war against Syria and has stated that he will defend Syria against any outside invasion. Saudi Arabian King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stated that the US airstrikes were "Allah striking against the Ba'ath apostates".

Most recently, we have received unconfirmed reports of several other uprisings across Syria proclaiming loyalty to the Muslim Brotherhood, who seemed to have taken advantage of the Syrian Army's crippling by the US airstrikes and taken several cities. The situation in Syria may be on the brink of spiraling into all out civil war.

Reagan Killer Sentenced!-New York Post-March 1st 1982



It appears justice has been served. Last night, John Warnock Hinckley Junior, murderer of US President Ronald Reagan, was sentenced to die by lethal injection. The move has gained controversy from several criminal activist groups, who stated that his apparent mental illnesses should've allowed him to have been acquitted and sent to a mental health hospital. The trial was viewed as quite odd, as Hinckley's attorney had played the entire movie of "Taxi Driver" to attempt to defend Hinckley's non-guilt through mental illness.

President Bush has not commented on the event, nor has actress Jodie Foster who refused to comment on Hinckley in any interview but has stated she will quit acting. She is not alone in quitting from the filmmaking industry, as "Taxi Driver" director Martin Scorcese has stated that he will be permanently be retiring from filmmaking as a result of the Reagan assassination.

It seems the nation has had a small bright light nearly a year after the murder of our President, and we can only hope that we shall move into a better future.

Miscellaneous headlines of January-March 1982

-Super Bowl XVI has seen the Cincinnati Bengals of the AFC defeat the San Francisco 49ers of the NFC to win their first ever Super Bowl title. Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson was designated MVP of the game.

-Mark Thatcher, son of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, disappears in the Sahara during the Dakar Rally on January 11th; he is rescued January 14th.

-The Canada Act of 1982 receives Royal Assent, ending the power of British Parliament over the Constitution of Canada.

-The US places an embargo on Libyan and Syrian goods.

-Senegal and Gambia form the loose Senegambia Confederation

 

[Unknown]

Does Anwar Sadat still get assassinated ITTL? I ask because it occurred the day before I was born and my mom, who liked Anwar, wanted to name me Anwar, but my dad refused (he wanted a Junior, which is how I got the name Edward (full name Edward Thomas Belhasen, Jr.--everybody calls me Tommy, though, which I don't mind)...

IOTL, because of security concerns (and the fact that he'd nearly died in March of 1981 after the assassination attempt at Hinckley's hands), Reagan didn't go to Sadat's funeral and former presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter went instead; I suspect that the same thing happens ITTL...

 

[Intergallactic]

Does Anwar Sadat still get assassinated ITTL? I ask because it occurred the day before I was born and my mom, who liked Anwar, wanted to name me Anwar, but my dad refused (he wanted a Junior, which is how I got the name Edward (full name Edward Thomas Belhasen, Jr.--everybody calls me Tommy, though, which I don't mind)...

IOTL, because of security concerns (and the fact that he'd nearly died in March of 1981 after the assassination attempt at Hinckley's hands), Reagan didn't go to Sadat's funeral and former presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter went instead; I suspect that the same thing happens ITTL...

Yeah he still died