The presidency of Stuart Symington. An open collaborate timeline.

After John F. Kennedy had secured the nomination of his party for president in 1960, he would ask Lyndon Johnson to be his running mate. Johnson refused. Historians would say that Johnson didn't believe Kennedy would win, and Johnson's refusal would set himself up to be the nominee in 1964. Of course, tragedy would strike in Dallas in November of 1963, and then vice-president Stuart Symington would be sworn in as president. Johnson, had missed in chance, and he would be extremely vilified if he were to challenge Symington for the nomination so soon after such a tragic event.



Hello folks. This is my first attempt at a collaborate time line. So the rules. Anyone can post, feel free. Please be mindful of what was posted before you. Do not alter the POD. The events in Dallas in 1963 still take place. Johnson will not challenge in '64. (Feel free to have him do so in "68 if we get that far and it makes sense) Have fun!
 
I think a mod has to move it, but I'm not sure how to request that--maybe check the Help and Rules forum?
 
This is going to be interesting. LBJ and Symington had been close friends and allies during the late 40s, but by the mid-50s, LBJ had grown very weary of Symington. He felt that Symington was too independent as a Senator, and so, to cement and consolidate His power as Senate Majority Leader, following Symington's attack on McCarthy (which LBJ felt happened too early), LBJ was actively isolating Symington in the Senate and undermining his influence.

The LBJ-Symington dynamics at this point will not be overly pleasant...
 
November 22, 1963: Kennedy assassinated. Symington is hurriedly sworn in to office onboard Air Force One. After demanding the FBI and CIA investigate, he spends the rest of the day contacting foreign leaders.

November 23, 1963: Symington's run-ins with McCarthy make him worried about conspiracy theories and them leading to a witch hunt - he creates a Presidential Commission and orders Chief Justice Earl Warren to investigate. He also requests Goveror Connally to send state troopers to help guard Oswald's jail, in the hope of presenting a reassuring image of strength. "The rule of law continues," he announces on radio.

November 24, 1963: Jack Ruby arrested in a botched assassination attempt on Oswald.
 
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