The Trickiest Dick
Part 1: 1960

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1960 was to be one of America's important years. She had more than a few by this point, considering she was coming up on her bicentennial in just 15 years. 1776, 1783, 1861, 1865...the list goes on. The big difference between all of these dates though is that they all have to do with war and conflict. 1960 was a different type of year. It was a year for peace. For the most part.

Coming into the Presidential election of 1960, there were many contenders on each side who desired the office of the Presidency. For whatever reason, moral and immoral, just or unjust, the two major parties of America got together and conducted what they did for every Presidential election. It was all a grand show for the nation to observe and enjoy.

For the Republicans, their choice in 1960 was an easy one. The popular Richard Nixon announced his intention to run for President, being the first Vice President to do so since Breckenridge in the 1800's. His extreme popularity in his party killed off the early campaign of Nixon's only other serious rival, Nelson Rockefeller.

For Nixon, the Republican Primary was remarkably easy. Nixon secured 86.6% of the votes for the primary (the runner up had 3.7%) and lost only 4 states of which 2 had no one on the ballots. Needless to say, the primary was already decided as soon as Nixon announced. The only real unknown of the primary season was to be decided was the position of running mate.

This was something Nixon had pondered heavily for several days before the convention. He knew he wanted to focus on foreign policy this election which struck out the names of several big name Republicans. They could get a good number of votes just by their names, but many didn't have a lick of foreign policy experience between them.

In the end, Nixon came down to three names.

- Alfred Gruenther, a career military official and Red Cross President. He was remarkably intelligent and was known as "the brain" but he lacked any sort of political base. In the end, Nixon crossed his name off the list with a sigh. General Gruenther was a friend of President Eisenhower and would have been well liked on a national scale. But the lack of any political base totally killed any chance of political usefulness.

- Neil H. McElroy, a businessman who served as the Secretary of Defense. While his time as Secretary of Defense could be useful, he had practically no experience in government. So too, was his name crossed off.

- Henry Cabot Lodge Jr, a two time Senator and very experienced Ambassador. As a result, he became the obvious choice. He was not very intelligent or very talented at much beyond the average diplomatic work. But for Nixon, it was about who he was, not who he actually was. So, he was to be Richard Nixon's running mate in the election.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party's chaos contrasted starkly to Nixon's easy going waters.

There were four serious candidates who were actively campaigning and were attempting to win the primaries outright. John F. Kennedy was the front runner and the most popular but he was young and Catholic. Second was Hubert Humphrey who was a noted supporter of Civil Rights which was both a draw and a flaw in those days. Then there was Wayne Morse who was a Republican turncoat of little note or importance. Then finally there was Adlai Stevenson, who was largely branded as an eternal loser after his two failed attempts for the White House already on his very stained record.

On top of that there were four local "favorite sons" who did not actively campaigned but tried to market themselves as a compromise candidate in the case of a convention meltdown which seemed more likely by the day.

Lastly, but without a doubt not the least was Lyndon B. Johnson. He did not actively campaign and existed only as a write in but he controlled the party's machinery. To many people, Johnson was a genuinely scary person. He was an imposing and menacing man who could and very likely would threaten individuals if he didn't get what he wanted when he wanted. He was the total opposite of Nixon who never did anything wrong or lie or anything else lie that. That just flat out wouldn't be nixonlike.

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The famous Johnson treatment
In the end, John F. Kennedy managed to barely beat Johnson in the first round of voting. For whatever reason, Kennedy ended up offering the position of running mate to Johnson. The theories for why this occurred change depending on who is telling the story, but all people agree that it was an odd event regardless.

So, with the two tickets decided, it was time for the big show.

Part 2: Titans

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The Kitchen Debate. In which Khrushchev met Nixon.

The private plane that the GOP had purchased for Nixon's travel during the campaign was well kept but also smelled a little musty inside, to be truthful. Dick Nixon would never complain about it openly though, especially not while flying in it. But what reason did Nixon have to complain in the first place? Yes, the cabin had an odd scent but it was his transport for the campaign. A man might have reason to complain about a musty car or a musty house, but a musty plane? When had that ever happened? Hell, when had a Presidential candidate need to take a plane so that he could visit every state in the union? When had any of this been normal? "What strange times we live in." Nixon pondered musty cabins and the future for a few moments before an unnamed aide interrupted his deep trance.

"Mr. Nixon," The aide said while tugging at his tie "Do you have an answer for the Democrats about the debates? They want it televised and so they need to set up the dates and..."

"Well," Nixon cut him off mid sentence "I'm still considering it, to be frank." Nixon stretched his arms leaned back in his chair with a yawn. It was a comfy chair, the kind of chair a man could take a nice nap in. Nixon considered doing so after finally getting this aide out of his hair.

"I-I mean it's important to get the date set up, that's what the Kennedy camp says." The aide nodded in affirmation of himself. Nixon took a few moments to observe the aide. He was certainly new to the campaign, and considering how young and baby-faced he looked he couldn't have been older than 25. His pale skin gave away his anemic nature. Nixon considered how he himself must look considering he had just got out of a hospital only so many weeks prior.

"You're right. I'll make my choice." He gave a smile to the aide.

"Okay. Thank you Mr. Nixon." He backed away and intended on returning to whatever part of the plane he came from.

"What's your name?" Nixon cut off the aide's early escape.

"Franklin."

"Franklin who?" He was a tad taken aback by the aide's odd response.

"Woodward."

"Franklin Woodward?"

"Yes, Franklin Woodward." Everyone in the room gave a brief chuckle at the strange situation, even Silent James, one of Nixon's numberless bodyguards laughed. The aide left red faced but happy and Nixon adjusted himself in his seat.

"Well, he's right ya know. We need to decide." Nixon said "I'm thinking yes but Ike and his boys say that it's a bad idea." Nixon looked to the few people around him for advice on the issue but they were silent for a few moments until Pat spoke up.

"You're a debate champ and you went head to head with that Russian premier. You can handle him Dick." Pat spoke with a firm confidence that even Nixon's closest advisers could never hope to achieve. They had been married since 1940 and they had 2 children together. They loved each other dearly.

"I agree on that. That's why I'm thinking yes." Nixon felt at ease for a moment but then felt something else come over him. It was anxiety. He turned to his right and looked at Silent James. James' washed out blue tie matched the cabin carpeting in an odd twist of fate.

"What do you figure James?" Silent James was by no means an analytical mind or a great political one either. But he was a good judge of character and Ike recommended him. Silent James wasn't exactly memorable either, with short hair and an odd 'empty-headedness' about him. But he was a decent judge of character and knew how to jump in front of a gun. That's what mattered.

"He seems wily to me. If he's working with that fella Johnson then he's dangerous." Nixon was surprised at how on-point the statement was. Kennedy was an obvious snake and the television aspect worried him. It was a silly thing to worry about according to Pat but Nixon couldn't get the fear out of his mind.

"I also agree with that." Nixon crossed his legs and began to attempt to resume his thinking from earlier before being interrupted once again, this time by Pat.

"Mr. James is right. I met Johnson and his wife Ladybird at that one luncheon last spring," Nixon nodded in response "and they're both rather odd." Nixon nodded his head again. Then an idea took hold, he could just keep it on radio only, something the Kennedy camp would end up refusing due to how much they want a televised debate.

"We'll just ask it be radio only. If they accept that then I'll be fine." With that, the idea of a debate in 1960 died. The Kennedy camp demanded a televised debate and the Nixon camp prevented the Kennedy camp from accepting the radio offer by dictating the terms of a radio debate to them. In the end, both sides just forgot about the whole idea. To the benefit of some and the detriment of others.

Part 3: Basic math
As the day of truth approached, the polls became closer and closer. Things got even more intense on the day itself when exit polls indicated a virtual tie.

Nixon listened to the results of the election with his wife Pat. Slowly over the evening the results rolled in. Kennedy got a number of good states early on though Nixon caught up with him at a rapid pace. The two titans went back and forth with one another. At one point Nixon would be ahead but then Kennedy fired back with a state or two. It was a tide of fate that gave Nixon an incredible amount of anxiety.

"We got New Jersey!" yelled Lodge with a massive grin. The crowd around Nixon cheered and yelled with joy as they had with every other win. Even the typically dainty Pat joined in with a holler or two. Dick just stood and smiled while occasionally giving a weak chuckle or two when a state went in his favor. His entire stomach was in knots and he felt like the entire world was pressing down on him. Slowly but surely the mass of the earth and all of its inhabitants applied its pressure to Nixon's back, letting his eyes pop out of their sockets and his legs flop about helplessly. "Oh Christ I don't want to - "

Nixon snapped back into reality with another state going red. The election was almost over but there were still a few more states to be won or lost. Anything was possible. He walked over to the big green board they had set up to calculate the electoral vote. Nixon picked up a piece of chalk and rolled it around in his hands. He did this and pondered the concept of losing for more than just a few minutes.

Then suddenly the room exploded with shouts of joy and dancing aides. Even Woodward was enjoying himself. Nixon was confused for a moment but quickly grasped the situation as Pat ran up to him and gave him a hug while his two daughters who had fought to stay up late that night flanked him on the sides with their own hugs. Nixon was enveloped.

"I won?"

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Nixon had managed to win the popular vote by less than a percent. It was the closest election ever in American history. Yet Nixon didn't feel relived. Some Democrats (no doubt influenced by Johnson) came together only hours after the results were announced to contest the election results and levied the charge of electoral fraud against Nixon and the Republican Party.

Will our titular hero be dethroned before nuking the reds? Will Kennedy have anything to say about this affair? Will the media say anything about his? Will Dick get licked?

Find out in the next installment of The Trickiest Dick!
 
Part 4: Insomnia and Integrity

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Kennedy, his brother, and also his running mate discuss the recounts

Within the first few hours of the day after the election, a small but vocal number of Democrats were raising hell over what they termed "a potentially stolen election." Nixon and his staff were quite aware that JFK's campaign was actually avoiding making a statement on the issue and that LBJ hadn't been seen recently. With that, it was obvious that the Kennedys were tacit in the attempt to cast down on the results, but the worst realization was that LBJ was likely the mastermind.

LBJ was and always will be potentially the scariest man to ever hold the position of Vice President if you ask Nixon. He was a Texan politician who wasn't quick to mince words and was known for being a generally unpleasant person who had a significant influence with southern Democrats. Texan politicians were a largely corrupt and bad bunch, just like almost all southern Democrats, but Lyndon Johnson was of a totally separate make and model. Doing something so underhanded as to suggest that an election was "stolen" was an Johnson level plot.

It was obvious, and well known in those who were "in the know" that LBJ and Kennedy both pulled strings in the election and likely nearly won several key states through voter fraud. While the polls suggested a tight race, no one was thinking of a margin of less than 1%. Nixon and his staff did not order anything like voter fraud, but the Kennedy campaign obviously did. Going through election results would show that the Kennedy campaign took part in voter fraud and this would severely damage the reputation of American democracy. Why was Kennedy doing this? What are they planning?

"Honestly Nixon, just let them go through the results." Eisenhower was unfazed by the threat of people going over election results. Nixon was obviously more concerned and showed it on his face. Nixon hadn't gotten sleep since yesterday when the election was called. His face was sallow and was poorly shaven and when the sun light poked through the blinds on Eisenhower's makeshift LA office it revealed dark circles around his eyes.

"I know, Mr. President. I wasn't disputing that. All I'm saying is that something needs to be done before-" Eisenhower cut him off.

"Before what happens? They go through the results and see that maniac Johnson and his buddies getting dead people to the voting booth? That they tried to lie to the American people?" Eisenhower stood up and walked over to Nixon who was sitting in a shaky wooden chair facing the thick red cherry desk. "When someone is a crook, people have a right to know."

So Nixon did nothing to prevent the investigations and recounts.

Part 5: When the dead vote

In accordance with the small-time Democratic noise makers, several recounts were taken. The first of which was the state of Hawaii. Hawaii was won by Nixon by only 112 votes so this was one of the most talked about states despite the little electoral value it held. The votes were recounted twice over and records were checked. In the end, it was found that the votes were miscounted in a case of human error and the state actually went to Kennedy by only 56 votes. While there was a case of miscounting that turned a state the incorrect way, in the end though there was no evidence or reason to suspect voter fraud on an organized scale.

Then was Illinois. This was the most highly contested state. It was hard fought and hard won and there were numerous accusations of Republican voter fraud in the state. The state was especially important and it would determine who would be declared the winner in the election. Just as Hawaii, votes were recounted twice over and records were checked. This was when something came up on Nixon's desk. In a stained manila folder was the what someone who was supporting Nixon and it contained his findings in regards to Illinois. It had proof, undeniable proof that LBJ and some of his allies engaged in large scale voter fraud.

Nixon was therefore at an impasse. He could sink the Democrats and that bastard LBJ but at the expense at America's integrity in the world. He knew that the Soviets would love something like vote fraud. They could point at it in their Pravda and say "See, their elections are just rigged!" and then the people in the Soviet Union would go "Gee whiz, I guess these Americans are dirty!" But on the other hand, holding this back could cost him the campaign and potentially put Johnson in the number 2 spot.

There was a fork in the woods. One veering off hard left that was paved with thick pieces of unrefined gold. The other veered off hard right and was paved with well polished platinum. Nixon instead decided to walk straight forward through the woods. Road or no road Nixon was doing what he wanted it, how he wanted it.

Nixon penned a letter that was to be delivered to Kennedy with a sample of what was in the report. It read as such:

"Dear Mr. Kennedy,

I write to you today to propose that you end your campaign and bring an end to these games. I say this as someone who has won the office of the Presidency fair and square that you've made some bad choices in this campaign. Chief among all of them would be appointing Lyndon Johnson as your running mate. He took actions that you likely are not aware of and that you likely do not condone. Needless to say, it will look as though you engaged in this act.

Please look at the sample I have included in this letter. It is the most mild part of what the investigation brought up.

I implore you to end your campaign as soon as possible. I cannot hold all of this information and it is likely to leak at any time. If you concede now, I will personally deliver all of what remains of the investigation regarding vote fraud and I will make sure that nothing comes out and soils you name. It was an honest mistake to appoint Johnson as your running mate. I have no animosity towards you.

Don't consult Johnson on this if you want to avoid jail. That's all I'll say.

- President Nixon"

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Kennedy makes his concession speech
Kennedy followed what Nixon dictated. Kennedy conceded the election in a rather eloquent speech about the values of trying but failing. It's typically not a very well remembered speech. Understandably, Kennedy wasn't long for the party. While insiders in Nixon's and Kennedy's circle were aware of exactly what went on, the average politicians and the populace overall thought that Kennedy tossed the election away. Kennedy would later make a failed run at his old seat but in the end he failed and with that he hung his hat and walked away from political service. As a private citizen Kennedy would serve several big name corporations and would eventually die of stomach cancer in 1989.

Part 6: In defense of freedom
"Repeat after me," Nixon smiled and tried his best to hold in his excitement. His hand was placed firmly on the bible and he was standing straight, betraying the lack of sleep from the night previous. Insomnia had become rather common for Nixon and he had finally gotten around to managing with it for the most part.

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States..." Earl Warren's face was lit up like a candle and it seemed he was just overjoyed to be doing his job. Nixon then repeated his words.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will 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."

"...and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." The small crowd for the private signing in clapped and Nixon was likely the happiest he ever was or ever would be for that matter. The office of the Presidency is a deceptively easy looking one for someone on the outside. But the President is the only one who knows at how terrible of a job it can really be.
 
Interesting take on the Nixon in '6o scenario. How will Tricky Dick be as a president?

Well I've been doing some limited reading of what Nixon did during his time as top dog and I've read the telethon he did in 1960. I plan on doing more research about certain events and people but for now I think I have a general idea.

Nixon in this TL will be markedly more upright and far less criminal. He'll also be a little less Kissinger Realpolitik in terms of foreign policy. His loss in 1960 and then subsequent loss in his race for governorship for California broke him emotionally and he came out as something of a Frank Underwood kind of guy. Nixon beforehand was a genuinely good guy in my opinion. I don't think he was spotless as he engaged in things like red baiting but he's a better person in this TL regardless.

Socially, Nixon will likely keep the GOP line on things and I don't think he'll do the New Federalism thing. He'll also be pivotal in bringing forth civil rights legislation in the coming years. He will likely engage in the Space Race with the Soviets because of the competition despite his disregard for NASA in OTL.

In terms of Foreign Policy, I think Nixon will be far more hands on then he was in OTL. The Nixon Doctrine was one that was created in the wake of Vietnam and I think Nixon may just keep Eisenhower policy (therefore I need to read more on it). He may or may not do Bay of Pigs and may or may not engage in Vietnam. He may or may not work with Kissinger depending on the situation, but I think that will happen later on rather than sooner. He also won't be making nice with Mao as the Sino-Soviet split isn't as big yet and Kissinger isn't there to direct him towards that goal or help make it possible in the first place.
 
Nixon in this TL will be markedly more upright and far less criminal. He'll also be a little less Kissinger Realpolitik in terms of foreign policy. His loss in 1960 and then subsequent loss in his race for governorship for California broke him emotionally and he came out as something of a Frank Underwood kind of guy. Nixon beforehand was a genuinely good guy in my opinion. I don't think he was spotless as he engaged in things like red baiting but he's a better person in this TL regardless.

IMO, his criminality was always a part of him. It only emerged after 1962, so Nixon should do some less than legal stuff.
 
Well I've been doing some limited reading of what Nixon did during his time as top dog and I've read the telethon he did in 1960. I plan on doing more research about certain events and people but for now I think I have a general idea.

Nixon in this TL will be markedly more upright and far less criminal. He'll also be a little less Kissinger Realpolitik in terms of foreign policy. His loss in 1960 and then subsequent loss in his race for governorship for California broke him emotionally and he came out as something of a Frank Underwood kind of guy. Nixon beforehand was a genuinely good guy in my opinion. I don't think he was spotless as he engaged in things like red baiting but he's a better person in this TL regardless.

Socially, Nixon will likely keep the GOP line on things and I don't think he'll do the New Federalism thing. He'll also be pivotal in bringing forth civil rights legislation in the coming years. He will likely engage in the Space Race with the Soviets because of the competition despite his disregard for NASA in OTL.

In terms of Foreign Policy, I think Nixon will be far more hands on then he was in OTL. The Nixon Doctrine was one that was created in the wake of Vietnam and I think Nixon may just keep Eisenhower policy (therefore I need to read more on it). He may or may not do Bay of Pigs and may or may not engage in Vietnam. He may or may not work with Kissinger depending on the situation, but I think that will happen later on rather than sooner. He also won't be making nice with Mao as the Sino-Soviet split isn't as big yet and Kissinger isn't there to direct him towards that goal or help make it possible in the first place.

Bay of Pigs was planned during the Eisenhower administration. I suspect he goes ahead with it. The question is whether he does what JFK wouldn't and commit US forces once things start going downhill.
 
IMO, his criminality was always a part of him. It only emerged after 1962, so Nixon should do some less than legal stuff.

I don't know about that.

Despite being urged to contest the election results (which would have ended up likely revealing that there was extensive voting fraud in favor of Kennedy) he didn't and tried his best to avoid casting doubt on the results. In fact, when a reporter was publishing his findings of the results and how extensive the voter fraud was, Nixon asked him to stop what he was doing to prevent a constitutional crisis. He could have easily contested the results and perhaps could have won. But he didn't.

There's a pretty solid difference between 1960 Nixon and 1968 Nixon. Hell in 1968 Nixon sabotaged Vietnam peace talks to win but in 1960 the man was afraid of dirtying the integrity of America Democracy and causing a constitutional crisis.

Edit: Though as I said before, Nixon was a red baiter and he had a savvy side to him. He isn't 50's Leave it to Beaver squeaky clean by any measure.
 
Bay of Pigs was planned during the Eisenhower administration. I suspect he goes ahead with it. The question is whether he does what JFK wouldn't and commit US forces once things start going downhill.

I'm not totally sure what Nixon will do in regards to that. I have a feeling that Nixon might go for it full gung-ho with the invasion being spearheaded by Cubans but the force being bolstered with American troops. Bay of Pigs was pretty insane, considering what they expected of the Expats. Nixon has a solid background in foreign policy so I figure that he'll likely understand what the ramifications are politically and militarily.
 
I don't know about that.

Despite being urged to contest the election results (which would have ended up likely revealing that there was extensive voting fraud in favor of Kennedy) he didn't and tried his best to avoid casting doubt on the results. In fact, when a reporter was publishing his findings of the results and how extensive the voter fraud was, Nixon asked him to stop what he was doing to prevent a constitutional crisis. He could have easily contested the results and perhaps could have won. But he didn't.

There's a pretty solid difference between 1960 Nixon and 1968 Nixon. Hell in 1968 Nixon sabotaged Vietnam peace talks to win but in 1960 the man was afraid of dirtying the integrity of America Democracy and causing a constitutional crisis.

Edit: Though as I said before, Nixon was a red baiter and he had a savvy side to him. He isn't 50's Leave it to Beaver squeaky clean by any measure.

Of course, but this kind of criminality was waiting to emerge IMO. It doesn't have to be so obvious as IOTL, but it is a part of him willing to come out. He's no racist like in 1968, but he has what would later be his criminality inside him waiting to emerge.
 
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I think that every person has that criminal side, Nixon's just flourished after his identity crisis and wilderness period. The man had not lost a single election or challenge presented to him until 1960, and then he lost even more devastatingly in 1962. Those two defeats fundamentally changed him to the core and planted the seed of paranoia that did nothing but grow.

It further flourished in the atmosphere that was 1968 and Vietnam. I think in many ways most people who were president when he was would have let their criminal side out more than was acceptable.
 
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Of course, but this kind of criminality was waiting to emerge IMO. It doesn't have to be so obvious as IOTL, but it is a part of him willing to come out. He's no racist in 1968, but he has what would later be his criminality inside him waiting to emerge.

I think the misconception is that every person has that criminal side, Nixon's just flourished after his identity crisis and wilderness period. The man had not lost a single election or challenge presented to him until 1960, and then he lost even more devastatingly in 1962. Those two defeats fundamentally changed him to the core and planted the seed of paranoia that did nothing but grow.

It further flourished in the atmosphere that was 1968 and Vietnam. I think in many ways most people who were president when he was would have let their criminal side out more than was acceptable.

Certainly. I think the circumstances of the Presidency and also Nixon's own personal health will play greatly into how far Nixon goes into "Jewish cabal mode"

As of now in the story it's established that he has insomnia and that he has some early anxiety problems which I figure is a fair starting point.
 
I'm very greatly looking forward to this TL TransUral, its very well written!

a little worried about the competition for a Nixon '60 timeline, but I'll try and use it as inspiration to make mine even better to try and keep up!
 
I'm very greatly looking forward to this TL TransUral, its very well written!

a little worried about the competition for a Nixon '60 timeline, but I'll try and use it as inspiration to make mine even better to try and keep up!

Well I'm sure we'll take our respective TLs in different places.

So I'm certainly not worrying about it. There are all sorts of popular and common cliches that have been done. I don't think Nixon winning in 1960 counts as cliche or anything so it's ripe for experimentation.
 
This is looking interesting--I'll be watching this one closely. I like the way that the election fraud crisis got averted--though that does leave the same methods open for future fraud using the same methods. I do think that Kennedy woul concede rather than have everything blow up on him.

I can't comment on the actual plausibility--the era was too recent to be histlry, and too old to be current events when I was in school, and I never really got into studying it.

One thing that is a possibility: Can Nixon keep American freight railroads strong?
 
Part 7: Assembling the troops

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The Presidential Family's Portrait, 1961

The first step of a President after being sworn in is assembling his cabinet. In 1961, Nixon had a more than ample number of choices. He could assign members from the old Eisenhower cabinet and he could assign his own boys to the spots. The main constraint on Nixon was that both houses of Congress were dominated by the Democrats, meaning he couldn't draw from Congress unless he absolutely had to do so.

The only major choice was what to do with Robert B. Anderson. Nixon planned on replacing him with Robert McNamara who reinvigorated Ford Motors along with several of his "Whiz Kid" pals. The problem was that Anderson was a good friend of Eisenhower and was a rather skilled man. In the end, Nixon gave Anderson the job of Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare which had just opened up with Arthur Flemming's resignation from the position.

Therefore the Nixon cabinet was composed as such:

Secretary of State: Christian A. Herter
Secretary of Treasury: Robert McNamara
Secretary of Defense: Thomas S. Gates, Jr.
Attorney General: William P. Rogers
Postmaster General: Arthur E. Summerfield
Secretary of the Interior: Andrew Goodpaster
Secretary of Agriculture: Ezra Taft Benson
Secretary of Commerce: Frederick H. Mueller
Secretary of Labor: James P. Mitchell
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: Robert B. Anderson

With that, the problem was solved and Nixon could take his first steps as President.

Part 8: Put one foot in front of the other!
The immediate concern of the Nixon administration was the expansion of Communism. It had expanded and taken root in Cuba and continued to expand in South East Asia most notably. Therefore, Nixon's policy in the coming years focused on whatever happened in South East Asia and in Cuba. Due to the fact that Nixon played up his foreign policy skills during the election, the situation called for decisive action against Communism.

There was a plan that had been created under Eisenhower. In Nixon's mind, the plan couldn't work in the way it was planned out. But it could potentially work if America put serious military power behind such an action.

To invade Cuba was both easier and harder than it sounds. Cuba wouldn't and couldn't put up much of a fight, but it wasn't Cuba that was to be afraid of. The Soviet Union would naturally not be fond of such an invasion and the Soviets could do anything in response. Nixon needed to take action however, and in the end, the plan was changed to include a full scale invasion of Cuba.

Nixon and his Secretary of Defense were understandably nervous about an operation like this.

"Well, Mr. President," Gates adjusted his collar and leaned back in his chair. "I can't quite say that this invasion will be easy. The Soviets aren't a bunch of slouches who are going to sit in the corner while this goes on."

"I know, I know." Nixon signed and rubbed his head for a moment. He was very well aware that the Soviets weren't the type not to react. But didn't the United States have a right to react as well? Cuba was just south of Florida and if war came they could launch nuclear weapons or long range bombers against America. Action needed to be taken.

"What if we just shoot Castro?" Gates obviously was more interested in avoiding conflict but he too knew that some kind of response was in order.

"You heard the guys from the CIA. If we shoot him, some other mook will take charge. But, you know, I think we'll go with your option. We can shoot him and then see what happens." Nixon felt a little relived. It was one thing to shoot a guy and another to invade an entire country.

"Alright, well, I'll talk to the boys at the CIA and see what we can do. I figure we could bomb him or something." Nixon nodded to himself, somewhat assured that the situation was resolved. Once Castro was out, either a more friendly person found themselves in charge or America could send in troops to deal with Cuba. Either or, it was a good plan. Though obviously, killing Castro was a problem.

Part 9: Havana

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Raul Castro and Che
The sun was particularly bright today and it made Fidel sweat a bit while he sat on the veranda. He typically didn't have the time or the security to sit out on the veranda but today was a tad different. Fidel and his brother both got some time to bask in the sun, drinking alcohol and smoking together. Today they decided to discuss the national situation just alone together.

"The Soviets," Fidel started "want to bring some nuclear missiles to our island." Fidel wanted to see his brother Raul's reaction to the news. It would be a big step for the country. One that could rile the American's up and threaten their little island.

"I don't know. Nuclear weapons? Here? The Americans could just invade us!" Raul was worked up and his moved his hands around while he talked. Like all Mediterranean people, Raul moved his hands while speaking passionately. This moment was no exception.

"That's the point, Raul." said Fidel condescendingly "The missiles are to prevent that. Not even the bastard American gringos want nuclear war." It was true, a Cuba with missiles would prevent America from ever invading. No American wanted global nuclear war. That would be a truly terrible thing for everyone.

"More coffee." He looked over at a server and asked again politely after the server failed to react. The server bowed and walked off to the kitchen to fetch more. "These servers, damn idiots."

Fidel leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. Raul was his brother but sometimes he didn't think so.

"Anyway, Fidel, missiles is too much I think." Raul tried to bring Fidel to his side but Fidel was having none of it. Raul wasn't stupid or mean and he wasn't particularly persuasive either.

The server returned with a cup of coffee and placed it on the table in font of Raul. His face was sweaty and obviously wasn't taking the heat very well. The server's hair was messy and was also wet with sweat from the hot sun.

"Friend, are you okay?" Raul put his hands on the server's shoulder and stood up to get a better view of him. Just then, the server pulled out a oblong object from his pocket and dumped it onto the table. He jumped away with a shout as an explosion burst in the room.

Raul was partly blown off the veranda, with his head flying off and his body failing to be tossed over the veranda's wall. Fidel on the other hand fell over and clutched his stomach as soldiers rushed into the room. They tried to grab the server but he pulled out a knife and they unloaded several rounds into him, causing the server to fly backwards onto Fidel.

"Someone help me up, damn it!" The attempt had failed, just as was suspected by many at the CIA. Now the CIA and Nixon had to clean up their mess.

Could Nixon still swing this in his favor? Can Raul finally get a cup of coffee? Is Fidel going to take some nukes? Find out in the next installment of: The Trickiest Dick!
 
This is looking interesting--I'll be watching this one closely. I like the way that the election fraud crisis got averted--though that does leave the same methods open for future fraud using the same methods. I do think that Kennedy woul concede rather than have everything blow up on him.

I can't comment on the actual plausibility--the era was too recent to be histlry, and too old to be current events when I was in school, and I never really got into studying it.

One thing that is a possibility: Can Nixon keep American freight railroads strong?

I know absolutely nothing about trains. Nor anything about the state of America's railroads. So I don't think I'll touch on it, to be frank.
 
Anyway, this part took me a few days and I ended up not enjoying writing it as much as I did the previous turns. The chapter also ended up appearing rather airy, which I really hate. Next chapter should be rather dense if I get around to it.
 
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