The Man With the Iron Heart

I like it it's cool, the only thing I have a minor quibble is that OTL, wasn't Reagan offered the VP slot only to tell Ford essentially there wasn't room for two Presidents? This TL is so vastly different, though and the cirumstances much different as well so I can see where it makes sense.
 

Thande

Donor
I like it it's cool, the only thing I have a minor quibble is that OTL, wasn't Reagan offered the VP slot only to tell Ford essentially there wasn't room for two Presidents? This TL is so vastly different, though and the cirumstances much different as well so I can see where it makes sense.

Did you not read the part where Reagan becomes VP? He didn't want to be VP, and Ford wasn't planning to make him VP, and there was an understanding. But Reagan's delegates at the convention started clamouring for his nomination (without Reagan's approval) and Ford felt forced to appoint him VP candidate by public acclamation. Reagan reacted by punching Ford out as soon as they were alone.
 
Did you not read the part where Reagan becomes VP? He didn't want to be VP, and Ford wasn't planning to make him VP, and there was an understanding. But Reagan's delegates at the convention started clamouring for his nomination (without Reagan's approval) and Ford felt forced to appoint him VP candidate by public acclamation. Reagan reacted by punching Ford out as soon as they were alone.

Holy... MY GOD... the THANDE has discussed my TL...:eek:

I've gotten the Thande-Bump!:cool:

I feel nice and warm on the inside now.:)

Coincidentally, actually, I was planning on finally updating this TL today. Since I'm already on, I guess I'll start working on it now.;)
 

Thande

Donor
Holy... MY GOD... the THANDE has discussed my TL...:eek:

I've gotten the Thande-Bump!:cool:

I feel nice and warm on the inside now.:)

Well, besides it being an interesting conceit w.r.t. Turtledove, I am reading up on all American political timelines because I'm working on a TL myself that involves an alt-American election in 1980 and I don't want it to be too poorly informed, especially since I'm planning something completely outrageous as per usual.
 
I think from hints you have given that Ford will get assassinated most likely by John Hinckley what do you have to say?

You'll have to wait and find out like everybody else!:p

Well, besides it being an interesting conceit w.r.t. Turtledove, I am reading up on all American political timelines because I'm working on a TL myself that involves an alt-American election in 1980 and I don't want it to be too poorly informed, especially since I'm planning something completely outrageous as per usual.

I look forward to it.:cool:
 
The Ford Presidency

"I, Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.;"

"I, Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr."

"Do solemnly swear to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States,"

"Do solemnly swear to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States,"

"And will to the best of my ability protect, defend, and preserve the Constitution of the United States,"

A look of confusion appeared on the President-Elect's face.

"And will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,"

Chief Justice Burger's face turned pink as he said, "So help you God?"

"So help me God."

"Congratulations, Mr. President."

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President Gerald Ford retaking the Oath of Office in the Chamber of Congress, Jan. 21 1981. Former President Richard Nixon was invited to attend the inauguration and can be seen standing behind President Ford.

Q: What did you think about President Ford when he was inaugurated?
A: Well, I was still naive politically. Like I've said, I went from supporting Kennedy to Anderson in 1980, and after Ford's inauguration, I decided to support my President, which I do believe is a good thing to try and do.
Q: Now, Gerald Ford wasn't President very long after his inauguration, which is seen as one of the great tragedies in recent history...
A: Agreed, it was.
Q: ... Did you pay much attention to Ford's presidency?
A: Look, before 1980, I wasn't interested in politics at all. Most people become politically aware when they're... what, twelve, thirteen. The first campaign I really remember was Jack Kennedy's in 1960. I vaguely remember LBJ's campaign, then that tragedy of an election in '68, and I remember McGovern in '72 and of course Carter in '76. I remember all of these campaigns, but I wasn't involved. I had sentiments of anarchism in my youth, and I didn't really change my mind until twelve years ago.
Q: What did you like about President Ford?
A: I do remember watching the inauguration on TV periodically on Inauguration Day. I thought it was interesting that Ford would just leave the inaugural parade as suddenly as he did. The media made such a big deal about it, but all was forgiven when they found out that the hostages had come home and he was going there with Reagan to greet them. I also liked his economic program that he introduced a week later. It was moderate, which is what I liked. It didn't take too much money from the taxpayers, but it didn't set the scene for a bankrupt government later in life. Being the semi-activist that I was at the time, I... advocated the budget program at work.
Q: Now, before you ran for Congress, you moved to Kentucky. Tell me why you did that. Why didn't you go into California politics?
A: It wasn't so much that I didn't like California politics as that I just wanted a change. I mean, I didn't like my current job, which was writing for the Los Angeles Board of Education. I was writing, which I've always enjoyed, but I just didn't like my job. Laura and I discussed the topic for a long time, but we didn't really make our decision until after Gerry Ford's assassination.
Q: Why Kentucky?
A: I don't know; I've always answered that question by asking: Why not Kentucky?
Q: What did you remember about President Ford's assassination?
A: I remember a lot about it, naturally.

- The Washington Post Interview with Governor Harry Turtledove, Jan. 4 1992[1]



Ted Turner, CNN, reporting on the Assassination of President Gerald Ford, Mar. 29 1981

2:32 P.M. EST: "... We have a shocking report coming from Washington, D.C.; according to our local sources, President Ford was shot an hour ago outside the Watergate Hotel Complex on his way to the Presidential Limousine. There are reports that President Ford was shot three times. He is currently unconscious and is on his way to the nearest hospital..."

2:55 P.M. EST:"... We have more reports coming in that the President is being operated on... The hospital has released a statement that not three, but four bullets were found by surgeons. One bullet skimmed a blood vessel in President Ford's neck, and there is heavy bleeding there. If not stopped, the heavy bleeding could become fatal...

3:01 P.M. EST: "More news from Washington: Vice President Reagan has been informed of the shooting at his residency in Number One Observatory Circle. And he is about to address the press live. We go to Vice President Reagan's press conference now...

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VICE PRESIDENT REAGAN: Well, I heard about what's happened to President Ford. I don't really... have... much to say, except that I wish the President good luck on his surgery. I certainly hope that he will live and continue his service to the United States. Until Gerry can regain consciousness and resume his duties as the head of state, I am now Acting President. Again... I wish for the best.


Ted Turner, 3:21 P.M. EST: "We have... very tragic news from George Washington University Hospital in Washington. The hospital has declared that President Ford died of internal heavy bleeding at 3:04 P.M. EST, while in surgery. Vice President Reagan has been notified, and is currently on his way to the Capitol building to succeed the late President Ford.


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"I, Ronald Wilson Reagan, do solemnly swear to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."



NOTES

[1] Turtledove will be showing up a lot more now.;)
 
Wonder who Reagan's gonna pick for his VP, and what changes he'll make to the cabinet. Line idea. Reagan (during press conference.): Of course, I've dreamed of becoming President, I only wish it didn't happen under these circumstances.
 
And so the Once and Future President is no more, it will be interesting to see how Ronnie's alternate presidency might differ from OTL...Keep it comming
 
What about Colin Powell? Will he stay with the army, or will he venture into politics?

Regan/Powell 1984

or if Regan doesn't seek a second term, then George H. W. Bush/Colin L. Powell 1984
 
Bumping for no apparent reason.;););)

Sometimes, all one can ever want from something can be found back where they started.;)
 
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