I'm suspending my other timeline so I can fully focus on this TL with a POD of July 1977. This focuses on an alternate timeline where George W. and Laura Bush never meet in July 1977 and therefore never marry, I want to see the effects of this on Texas politics and the nation.
Chapter One - July 1977 to January 1979
I was ill on the day of July 6th 1977, I had been due to attend a barbeque that day hosted by our friends the O'Neills, the Bush families middle son George, better known as Dubya. I was not on familiar terms with Dubya and had heard he was a reckless skirt chaser. While the rest of the family went to the party, I stayed home with my beloved books. At the time I was working as a librarian at an elementary school and was hoping to transfer to being an English teacher in the same elementary school, I loved reading and saw that reading was the most essential part of a child's education.
To this day I still wonder what would have happened if I had met Dubya that day and how different things may have been.
- The Laura Diaries, July 1977 published 2014
Carter introduces memorandum on Enforcement of Civil Rights Act
- Austin American-Statesman's front headline, July 21st 1977
"I really do like that Jimmy Carter; he's doing some good things for the country after that whole nasty Watergate business. I mean, I liked Gerry Ford too, he's a decent man but Carter I think is the guy who has the plan. I've never really voted before but I'm persuaded by his plans to be a Democrat"
- The Laura Diaries, July 1977 published 2014
"I'm announcing that I intend to run for the Texas 19th congressional district against Kent Hance. I want to deliver a Republican victory in the midterms"
- George W. Bush announcing his bid for Congress, September 1977
"I hear that Dubya's running for Congress, I feel glad for him and I wish I knew him better. Maybe I could campaign for him sometime but he's running as a Republican. Well, I'll still go along anyway and have a look around"
- September 1977
"Today was the first of the month and I quit my job as librarian to work on George's campaign; when we first met he seemed like a real nice guy. Someone you can talk to and relate to, perfect qualities for a wannabe politician. My main duties include printing and proof-reading of all campaign literature and hosting potential donors to the campaign. A lotta people said that politics is dirty but on our little campaign it seems like a sweet corner of life. George has really got that optimism that he can make this race a dead heat as it were"
- October 1977
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014
We solemnly predict that while George Bush, son of the influential former Congressman and CIA Director George HW Bush is running a solid, folksy style campaign that is winning over some hearts and minds, he will not be able to win the solid Democratic stronghold Kent Hance has in this district. Mr Bush needs to call in all of his favors to try and usurp this long time Democratic figure.
- Austin American-Statesman, November 1977
Poll Numbers, Texas 19th - December 1st 1977
Kent Hance - 63%
George Bush - 37%
"That poll really hit George hard, I think he's been having drink trouble again, he thought he'd being doing really well for the stronghold district. He kinda disappeared from the office in the afternoon, I'm really worried about him"
- December 1977
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014
Congressional candidate killed in icy road smash
December 2nd 1977
It is our sad duty to report that Congressional candidate George W Bush was killed in a road collision in western Austin today. It is believed that Mr Bush, driving a Cadillac coupe smashed into a Volkswagen camper van travelling the opposite direction. The couple in the camper van, Tim and Sharon Devalle were not injured. The icy conditions due to the cold December weather were likely the reason for this. Police Sergeant Joe Hagman said "This is an ongoing case, Mr Bush's family has been informed but we will not speculate at this time". Our condolences to Mr Bush's family at this time.
"I resigned from the campaign as soon as I heard the news, I joined cause of Dubya and now that he's gone, I feel I can't work with any other Republican on this campaign. I've considered going to join Hance's campaign, being with the Carteresque leaning but I feel I can't rejoin politics, if ever until way into the future. In the meantime, I've found a job as an English teacher covering maternity leave at Brookville Elementary until Easter and then I'll take stock of what I gotta do."
- December 1977
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014
"Former Austin Mayor Travis LaRue to replace George W. Bush in 19th race"
- Austin American-Statesman, January 1978
"Former CIA Director Bush to pursue bid for Texas Governor in honour to his son
January 16th 1978"
George HW Bush, former Congressman, former CIA Director and current Foreign Relations Director will pursue a bid for the Governorship of the state of Texas this fall. In his announcement speech, Bush honored the memory of his son George "Dubya", saying
"Dubya was a flawed man like all of us, but a man with a good heart and I was a proud father knowing he was pursuing his aims. When he died, I took stock and decided that I did not want to be wasting away in some deadend job in Washington when I could be helping the people of Texas as Governor and doing what my son was going to do, I will push myself to fulfill his memory." Mr Bush is standing off against Bill Clements, a Dallas oil executive and Ray Hutchison, a former State Representative. It is believed Congressman James Collins, another candidate will abandon his bid and endorse Mr Bush for the March primary.
"I heard Dubya's father is running for Governor, I don't think I'll vote for him. The Democrats are fighting as well, there's only one person who I'd like to see run, Ann Richards who I've heard on the state radio; she's some kind of Commissioner in Travis County and she sounds like a genuine honest woman"
- February 1978
- The Laura Diaries, published 2014
BUSH WINS GOP PRIMARY OVER CLEMENTS
- Austin-American Statesman, March 1978
GOVERNORSHIP BATTLE BETWEEN HILL AND BUSH
- Austin-American Statesman, April 1978
PRESIDENT CARTER VISITS TEXAS TO CAMPAIGN FOR HILL
- Austin-American Statesman, July 1978
"I travelled all the way out to Phoenix to see Jimmy Carter speak, he was campaigning with the Democratic candidate John Luke Hill, the State Attorney General. Having just finished my interim teaching job, and being offered a permanent post, I was pretty optimistic. Hearing the President speak was simply mesmerizing, I have never encountered someone that principled before. I hope to do something to help education like the President says one day."
- July 1978
- The Laura diaries, published 2014
BUSH WINS GUBERNATORIAL RACE BY 53% to 47%, FIRST GOP GOVERNOR SINCE RECONSTRUCTION.
DEMOCRATS LOSE HOUSE SEATS IN TEXAS, HANCE HOLD 19TH FOR DEMS
TOWER HOLDS SENATE SEAT FOR GOP
- Austin-American Statesman, November 1978
"I was glad that Bush got elected for the memory of Dubya, it's been nearly a year since he died. On the other hand, Hill was a better candidate and I'm proud to say I voted for him, even if the state didn't. I hope to make some kind of impact in the 1980 elections, maybe run for school board or something. The Democrats are gonna need a lot of help come that time."
- November 1978
- The Laura diaries, published 2014
Bush at his first press conference, January 5th 1979 as Governor after being sworn in on January 3rd 1979