Amazing story @olavops!
Now I know that the Kennedys would probably have been even more socially progressive than today's liberals had they been transported to the present day, wouldn't they?
Now I know that the Kennedys would probably have been even more socially progressive than today's liberals had they been transported to the present day, wouldn't they?
Deleted member 92121
Thank you! Well when it comes to being socially progressive, and i'm talking about racial issues here, the Kennedys, specially RFK in his campaign, were a driving force. JFK, although strongly anti-segregation, had to make compromises during his campaign for office. Later in his term however, he would pretty much become a civil rights leader, working to develop the Civil rights act with figures such as Hubert Humphrey, who was a real pioner on the subject. And that was a time when many democrats, the "southern democrats", were almost unilateraly oposed to it. RFK campaign in 1968 came in a later period, were segregation was no longer the bigger issue, but the enforcement of the 1964 act and a continuous fight agains't racism in society. You couldn't get more anti-racism than him at that moment. So to sum up a anwser: If the Kennedy brothers were transported to the present, it would be hard for anyone to be MORE progressive then they. But that doesn't mean liberals are LESS progressive then they were.
I guess that Nixon would win in this instance - I recall reading that if RFK got the nomination LBJ would become a reluctant 'ally' of Nixon, out of his detestation of Bobby after what he had tried to do to him, plus RFK doesn't have the same moderate and even 'conservative' (I use this in the losest possible way) Democrat appeal that JFK had. Still interesting TL nonetheless.
Deleted member 92121
You're absolutely right about Johnson and RFK hating each other. Personally i seriously doubt johnson would actually cooperate with Nixon however. Regardless of their personnal relationship or views on the same issues. And don't forget that in this TL, with Humphrey's death, the left is much more united, unlike in OTL where his nonination caused a major split in the democratic machine. As a result the GOP is getting cold feet on it's conservative stance. The RNC will be very interesting.
Just asking, but did the OTL Muskie VP pick hurt him in the election as it was somewhat unbalanced (both are liberals)?
Deleted member 92121
Indeed it was unbalanced. In OTL Humphrey actually invited Rockfeller(who had lost the nomination to Nixon) to be his running mate. Had Rockfeller accepted, Humphrey migh have attracted more layers of voters. A more realistic and ideal situation would be for him to try and recruit a southern democrat, however that would be hard primarily due to two resons: First, Humphrey was pretty much the living embodiment of the fight to end segregation. To chose a southern democrat as his number two man would've been very unlikely. Second, the southern democrats were starting to opose the Democratic party policy in almost every level. OTL 1968 election saw the south fall to segregationist Wallace or republican Nixon, with his southern strategy. One solution would have been John Conally, governor of Texas. A southern democrat that had campaigned for Kennedy in 1960(and taken a bullet the same day the president had). Connaly might balance the ticket the same way LBJ had but then again, he was a viable choice in OTL and Humphrey still chose a northern liberal. I have no doubt that this decision hurt his chances.
I have posted the question here for you and others to put your ideas in it:
No Vietnam War: Who will Humphrey pick as VP in 1968?
No Vietnam War: Who will Humphrey pick as VP in 1968?
The Republican Way
Deleted member 92121
The Republican Way
"Im sorry sir, but i cannot in good mind accept your offer."
"Did you hear me wrong governor? I'm offering you the opportunity to be one step away from the presidency!"
"I have no desire to be vice president sir, i desire to be president. It's as simple as that."
"Ronald be reasonable, you got almost no chance. You carried California on a landslide, i'l give you that. Our home state seems to love you far more then anyone else. But that's it. You cannot win with only one state at your side.."
"I shall gain greater suppo..."
"What im offering you Ronald is a chance to get closer to the white house than you ever would on your own in August. Rockefeller is giving me a fight, i've no shame in admitting that. With you on my side, we could have bring all true republicans together and win with ease. I urge you to rethink it."
"I'm sorry sir, but there's nothing else to it. I'm confident that comes August i shall gain the support of our party. I'm humbled, but the anwser is no. Have a good night sir."
Excerpts of the Nixon Recordings-June 12th, 1968
The 1968 Republican National Convention, more commonly known as the "Republican mess of 1968" would take place at the Miami beach Convention Center and start in August 5th. The knickname, although very hyperbolic, would acurately express the sentiment that took hold of much of the convention: Confusion.
When the year started, the idea of Richard Nixon as the nominee was arleady materializing. The death of Humphrey, the bolstering of Kennedy's popularity to a massive scale with his second Aeschylus speech, and the stance of both democratic candidates agains't the war in Vietnam made the situation very different. Support for Rockefeller grew to the point where, by mid-June, he was fairly close to Nixon on the delegates count. Close enough that Nixon would call Ronald Reagan and make him a offer for the Vice-presidency. The conversation would not become public knowledge for another decade, and it goes to show that Nixon desired to unify the conservative elements of the party behind him agains't Rockefeller. Regardless, Reagan refused.
Now the highs and lows of the Republican party arrived in Miami and made their way to the convention center. The first speech would be that of a very controversial man, Mr Conservative himself would take the stage.
The fact that Barry Goldwater would open the National convention shows how strange this event would become. The man had lost in a landslide in 1964, and nevertheless was still seen by many conservatives as a hero to the party. Four years earlier, Nixon had publicly supported Goldwater, and been largely responsible for his nomination. Now, he would try to repay the favor. Goldwater would start his speech praising Nixon as the man that would restore law and order to the country, and continue the fight agains't communism. Many would applaud him, many others would boo him. "Get out of there!!" Would be a favorite, and Goldwater barely finished his speech.
As the first ballot was counted the obvious became fact. Neither Nixon nor Rockefeller had the 667 delegates needed for a majority. Nixon Held 532 delegates while Rockfeller a even 400 Ronald Reagan was in third place, with 220. The rest was split between darkhorses.
The situation gave hope to Reagan. The two main contestants were tied, and when that happened, a compromise was aways a viable option.
Both James Rhodes and George Romney would give speeches next. And both would continue their support for Rockefeller. In both instances there would be booing and applause.
As new ballots were counted, Reagan got 250 while Rockfeller rose to 465 and Nixon fell to a even 500.
The convention would continue on this stance for many more ballots. No candidate would get enough for a majority and the situation would escalate to a point of considerable tension.
A Nixon supporter from Iowa got in a fistfight with a Rockefeller supporter from New york, a Californian delegate would trown a sandwich at a delegate fro illinois, all this would be televized across the nation.
Senator Frank Carlson from Kansas would give a speech praising Nixon as the candidate of law and order.
Governor Daniel J. Evans of Washington would give one of the most passionate speeches of the convention, praising Rockefeller and his progressive way for the party, while proclaiming that Nixon would be another Goldwater for the party.
Each speech marked a rise or fall in the delegate count for each of the candidates. It was a convention genuinely divided.
It was on August 7th that Clifford Case from New Jersey would proclaim his support for Nixon. Then Mayor Lindsay would speak.
Mayor of New York, John V. Lindsay was a known moderate. Well respected in the party. "I've seen the situation our country's gentlemen. You can see it clearly in the streets of New York. Crime and disorder try every day and every night to take control of my beloved city." It's for that reason that i support the candidate of law and order, the man who will fight for our country, Richard M. Nixon!"
The speech shocked the convention. "Traitor!!" Would be shouted repeatedly by multiple Rockefeller supporters, among them a enfatic James Rhodes. It was a uproar. The facts were simple. Lindsay had Been chosen by Nixon as a moderate. The mayor from the state of Rockefeller, it acted as a personal attack. But as political strategy, it worked wonders.
The fact that Nixon would take a moderate like Lindsay as VP, succceded in moving many delegates to the candidate of law and order. As more and more ballots were counted, Nixon's edge only grew, to the point of almost guaranteed victory. It was at this point that Reagan finally folded. The candidate from California would give a peech at the last night of the convention trowing his support behind the conservative Nixon. It was more than enough, and just like that, Richard M. Nixon was the republican presidential nominee.
In his speech, Nixon would promisse to retake the country from the violence and crime that now ruled it. He would not only restore law and order in the country, but american political status abroad. He would continue to fight communism in Vietnam, and anywhere else it was needed. Not fold to the pressures of the Kremlin like Kennedy and McCarthy were doing.
It was a speech much applauded by conservatives, and much despised by moderates. The general insatisfaction that resulted of the nomination was clear, and many chanted and screamed offenses at Nixon. In the end it made no difference for the imediate moment.
Nixon did not yet knew who he would face in the general election. He arleady suspected, however, that for a second time he would face a Kennedy for the presidency. He had lost to the last one by a thin Margin, he was sure he would not do it again.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
Nixon supporters at the 1968 Republican National convention.
............
So, long post. Next one next weekend, same as aways.
"Im sorry sir, but i cannot in good mind accept your offer."
"Did you hear me wrong governor? I'm offering you the opportunity to be one step away from the presidency!"
"I have no desire to be vice president sir, i desire to be president. It's as simple as that."
"Ronald be reasonable, you got almost no chance. You carried California on a landslide, i'l give you that. Our home state seems to love you far more then anyone else. But that's it. You cannot win with only one state at your side.."
"I shall gain greater suppo..."
"What im offering you Ronald is a chance to get closer to the white house than you ever would on your own in August. Rockefeller is giving me a fight, i've no shame in admitting that. With you on my side, we could have bring all true republicans together and win with ease. I urge you to rethink it."
"I'm sorry sir, but there's nothing else to it. I'm confident that comes August i shall gain the support of our party. I'm humbled, but the anwser is no. Have a good night sir."
Excerpts of the Nixon Recordings-June 12th, 1968
The 1968 Republican National Convention, more commonly known as the "Republican mess of 1968" would take place at the Miami beach Convention Center and start in August 5th. The knickname, although very hyperbolic, would acurately express the sentiment that took hold of much of the convention: Confusion.
When the year started, the idea of Richard Nixon as the nominee was arleady materializing. The death of Humphrey, the bolstering of Kennedy's popularity to a massive scale with his second Aeschylus speech, and the stance of both democratic candidates agains't the war in Vietnam made the situation very different. Support for Rockefeller grew to the point where, by mid-June, he was fairly close to Nixon on the delegates count. Close enough that Nixon would call Ronald Reagan and make him a offer for the Vice-presidency. The conversation would not become public knowledge for another decade, and it goes to show that Nixon desired to unify the conservative elements of the party behind him agains't Rockefeller. Regardless, Reagan refused.
Now the highs and lows of the Republican party arrived in Miami and made their way to the convention center. The first speech would be that of a very controversial man, Mr Conservative himself would take the stage.
The fact that Barry Goldwater would open the National convention shows how strange this event would become. The man had lost in a landslide in 1964, and nevertheless was still seen by many conservatives as a hero to the party. Four years earlier, Nixon had publicly supported Goldwater, and been largely responsible for his nomination. Now, he would try to repay the favor. Goldwater would start his speech praising Nixon as the man that would restore law and order to the country, and continue the fight agains't communism. Many would applaud him, many others would boo him. "Get out of there!!" Would be a favorite, and Goldwater barely finished his speech.
As the first ballot was counted the obvious became fact. Neither Nixon nor Rockefeller had the 667 delegates needed for a majority. Nixon Held 532 delegates while Rockfeller a even 400 Ronald Reagan was in third place, with 220. The rest was split between darkhorses.
The situation gave hope to Reagan. The two main contestants were tied, and when that happened, a compromise was aways a viable option.
Both James Rhodes and George Romney would give speeches next. And both would continue their support for Rockefeller. In both instances there would be booing and applause.
As new ballots were counted, Reagan got 250 while Rockfeller rose to 465 and Nixon fell to a even 500.
The convention would continue on this stance for many more ballots. No candidate would get enough for a majority and the situation would escalate to a point of considerable tension.
A Nixon supporter from Iowa got in a fistfight with a Rockefeller supporter from New york, a Californian delegate would trown a sandwich at a delegate fro illinois, all this would be televized across the nation.
Senator Frank Carlson from Kansas would give a speech praising Nixon as the candidate of law and order.
Governor Daniel J. Evans of Washington would give one of the most passionate speeches of the convention, praising Rockefeller and his progressive way for the party, while proclaiming that Nixon would be another Goldwater for the party.
Each speech marked a rise or fall in the delegate count for each of the candidates. It was a convention genuinely divided.
It was on August 7th that Clifford Case from New Jersey would proclaim his support for Nixon. Then Mayor Lindsay would speak.
Mayor of New York, John V. Lindsay was a known moderate. Well respected in the party. "I've seen the situation our country's gentlemen. You can see it clearly in the streets of New York. Crime and disorder try every day and every night to take control of my beloved city." It's for that reason that i support the candidate of law and order, the man who will fight for our country, Richard M. Nixon!"
The speech shocked the convention. "Traitor!!" Would be shouted repeatedly by multiple Rockefeller supporters, among them a enfatic James Rhodes. It was a uproar. The facts were simple. Lindsay had Been chosen by Nixon as a moderate. The mayor from the state of Rockefeller, it acted as a personal attack. But as political strategy, it worked wonders.
The fact that Nixon would take a moderate like Lindsay as VP, succceded in moving many delegates to the candidate of law and order. As more and more ballots were counted, Nixon's edge only grew, to the point of almost guaranteed victory. It was at this point that Reagan finally folded. The candidate from California would give a peech at the last night of the convention trowing his support behind the conservative Nixon. It was more than enough, and just like that, Richard M. Nixon was the republican presidential nominee.
In his speech, Nixon would promisse to retake the country from the violence and crime that now ruled it. He would not only restore law and order in the country, but american political status abroad. He would continue to fight communism in Vietnam, and anywhere else it was needed. Not fold to the pressures of the Kremlin like Kennedy and McCarthy were doing.
It was a speech much applauded by conservatives, and much despised by moderates. The general insatisfaction that resulted of the nomination was clear, and many chanted and screamed offenses at Nixon. In the end it made no difference for the imediate moment.
Nixon did not yet knew who he would face in the general election. He arleady suspected, however, that for a second time he would face a Kennedy for the presidency. He had lost to the last one by a thin Margin, he was sure he would not do it again.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
Nixon supporters at the 1968 Republican National convention.
............
So, long post. Next one next weekend, same as aways.
Everywhere else
Deleted member 92121
Everywhere else
It's important, as we talk of this fatidical year, not to forget the events that unfolded around the world in 1968. Afterall, it's a classical mistake to narrow one's view of world events to a single location, forgeting the global picture.
A turbulent year, without a doubt, 1968 saw revolts and a reshaping of the world social-political situation on a massive scale. Be it on streets of Prague or in the avenues of Paris, on Brazil or Argentina, on metropolis of Beijing or New york, change was in the air.
Let us look first to the situation in the Americas. While North America was in many ways a bastion of democracy on the continent, Latin America had began in the 1960's a steady decline toward military dictatorships, in large part due to the foreign policies of it's northern american neighbour.
Brazil had fallen to a military coup in 1964. The coup had the excuse of combating a possible communist revolution, and promissed a return of democratic values in the near future. As it goes, however, armies rarely give up power when they have the option to do the contrary. In 1968 the military hardliners that supported a preservation of the military regime took definitive power, implementing a series of suspensions on costitutional rights and powers of the people. The people and the student movement took to the streets in march. They were, as so many times in latin american history, supressed.
A very similar case took place in Argentina, with a military coup, officialy called a revolution, toppling the goverment and establishing a dictatorship in 1966. The dictatorship was in full effect by 1968, with a Junta holding the country in a tight grip.
1968 was the year that Operation Condor was born, a clandestine military operation that had the logistical support of the United States, Condor was accomplished by the cooperation of these right-wing dictatorships, in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and later most of the continent. It's objective was to repress any socialist ideals in the continent by means of violence. It's important never to forget that the United States, while preeching freedom and a fight agains't tyranny and political violence, did plenty to support tyranny in it's own neighborhood.
Let us move to Europe, where by 1968, the old social structures that controled the continent were starting to crumble. May saw the student movement spring up in Paris, fighting for more social freedoms in the streets of the city of lights. Barricades once again filled the streets, as the student rioters chanted and painted about their new kind of freedom. A freedom from consumerism and american imperialism. The country came to a halt, as the students were supported by labour unions, and a general strike. They were met, just like in most cases, with police brutality and political repression on the hands of President Charles de Gaulle. Gradually the protests faded away, but the memory and the cultural impact that the May Uprising had on the country never did.
In Czechoslovakia, the situation was a little more grim. The election of Alexander Dubcek send shockwaves across the Warsaw pact. His attemps to install a greater degree of political freedom in the country, a attempt that became know as the Prague Spring, was met with violence by the soviets. The soviet socialists doctrines were the only ones allowed by the Russian pylitburo, and any deviation would not be tolerated. In August, a direct intervention by the Warsaw pact begun, with soviet tanks taking and ocuppying the streets of Prague. It was the greatest direct intervention by the warsaw pact yet. The result would be a loss of confidence of many pact members on their soviet backers. A degree of autonomy by the socialist republics of eastern europe was, after all, expected if the pact was to truly work. A month later Albania would leave the alliance, and the Prague Deal of 1969 would also send ripples through the political situation in eastern europe.
Africa, so often ignored in modern historiography, would continue as a battleground. The wars of independence of Mozambique and Algeria would shape public view of the continent in the 1960's. As colonialism had it's last breath in the continent, the african nations would begin theirs internal struggles, between the two economic ideologies that defined the cold war.
The focal point in Asia was, of course, Vietnam. The violence of the war there skyrocketed throughout 1968, as the Tet offensive took efect. In China, Chairman Mao would start to suffer severe palpitations, and what was to come would shape East Asia for the following decades.
Returning to the United States, the incoming election was doing a reat job in dividing the country. on one side minorities and liberals. Be these academics or hippies. On the other side the so called silent majority. The "suits", as many were called. The conservative movement as others would name than.
The music scene was notoriously involved in this struggle. Music had been a paramount part of the counter culture of the late 1960's, and in September, Jimi Hendrix would voice his support for the Kennedy Campaign. John Lennon, would make his first political opinion known, claiming that he opposed the Vietnam war and thought that, whoever was going to end it, should be elected. The statement was made less then 6 months before the annoucement that the Beatles were splitting up.
As the year of turmoil unfolded, the election got closer. The rest of the world had it's own problems to worry about, but that didn't mean they were not watching it closely.
The Prague Spring, August, 1968
French students protest on Paris, May 1968.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
..............
So, this covered the situation on the rest of the world. Not much change, as the POD did not start to affect the planet yet. But there's a few hints there about what's to come. Next week: The Election!!
It's important, as we talk of this fatidical year, not to forget the events that unfolded around the world in 1968. Afterall, it's a classical mistake to narrow one's view of world events to a single location, forgeting the global picture.
A turbulent year, without a doubt, 1968 saw revolts and a reshaping of the world social-political situation on a massive scale. Be it on streets of Prague or in the avenues of Paris, on Brazil or Argentina, on metropolis of Beijing or New york, change was in the air.
Let us look first to the situation in the Americas. While North America was in many ways a bastion of democracy on the continent, Latin America had began in the 1960's a steady decline toward military dictatorships, in large part due to the foreign policies of it's northern american neighbour.
Brazil had fallen to a military coup in 1964. The coup had the excuse of combating a possible communist revolution, and promissed a return of democratic values in the near future. As it goes, however, armies rarely give up power when they have the option to do the contrary. In 1968 the military hardliners that supported a preservation of the military regime took definitive power, implementing a series of suspensions on costitutional rights and powers of the people. The people and the student movement took to the streets in march. They were, as so many times in latin american history, supressed.
A very similar case took place in Argentina, with a military coup, officialy called a revolution, toppling the goverment and establishing a dictatorship in 1966. The dictatorship was in full effect by 1968, with a Junta holding the country in a tight grip.
1968 was the year that Operation Condor was born, a clandestine military operation that had the logistical support of the United States, Condor was accomplished by the cooperation of these right-wing dictatorships, in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and later most of the continent. It's objective was to repress any socialist ideals in the continent by means of violence. It's important never to forget that the United States, while preeching freedom and a fight agains't tyranny and political violence, did plenty to support tyranny in it's own neighborhood.
Let us move to Europe, where by 1968, the old social structures that controled the continent were starting to crumble. May saw the student movement spring up in Paris, fighting for more social freedoms in the streets of the city of lights. Barricades once again filled the streets, as the student rioters chanted and painted about their new kind of freedom. A freedom from consumerism and american imperialism. The country came to a halt, as the students were supported by labour unions, and a general strike. They were met, just like in most cases, with police brutality and political repression on the hands of President Charles de Gaulle. Gradually the protests faded away, but the memory and the cultural impact that the May Uprising had on the country never did.
In Czechoslovakia, the situation was a little more grim. The election of Alexander Dubcek send shockwaves across the Warsaw pact. His attemps to install a greater degree of political freedom in the country, a attempt that became know as the Prague Spring, was met with violence by the soviets. The soviet socialists doctrines were the only ones allowed by the Russian pylitburo, and any deviation would not be tolerated. In August, a direct intervention by the Warsaw pact begun, with soviet tanks taking and ocuppying the streets of Prague. It was the greatest direct intervention by the warsaw pact yet. The result would be a loss of confidence of many pact members on their soviet backers. A degree of autonomy by the socialist republics of eastern europe was, after all, expected if the pact was to truly work. A month later Albania would leave the alliance, and the Prague Deal of 1969 would also send ripples through the political situation in eastern europe.
Africa, so often ignored in modern historiography, would continue as a battleground. The wars of independence of Mozambique and Algeria would shape public view of the continent in the 1960's. As colonialism had it's last breath in the continent, the african nations would begin theirs internal struggles, between the two economic ideologies that defined the cold war.
The focal point in Asia was, of course, Vietnam. The violence of the war there skyrocketed throughout 1968, as the Tet offensive took efect. In China, Chairman Mao would start to suffer severe palpitations, and what was to come would shape East Asia for the following decades.
Returning to the United States, the incoming election was doing a reat job in dividing the country. on one side minorities and liberals. Be these academics or hippies. On the other side the so called silent majority. The "suits", as many were called. The conservative movement as others would name than.
The music scene was notoriously involved in this struggle. Music had been a paramount part of the counter culture of the late 1960's, and in September, Jimi Hendrix would voice his support for the Kennedy Campaign. John Lennon, would make his first political opinion known, claiming that he opposed the Vietnam war and thought that, whoever was going to end it, should be elected. The statement was made less then 6 months before the annoucement that the Beatles were splitting up.
As the year of turmoil unfolded, the election got closer. The rest of the world had it's own problems to worry about, but that didn't mean they were not watching it closely.
The Prague Spring, August, 1968
French students protest on Paris, May 1968.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
..............
So, this covered the situation on the rest of the world. Not much change, as the POD did not start to affect the planet yet. But there's a few hints there about what's to come. Next week: The Election!!
Last edited by a moderator:
Fortunate son
Deleted member 92121
Fortunate son
After months of campaign it was finally here. The 1968 election, bound to happen on November 5th had arrived. The two candidates had gone through a exaustive process of political infighting and baby-kissing. Now one would take the white house, and the other would take nothing.
On one side stood RFK. Champion of the so called forgotten masses, of the civil rights struggle in the political scene, of the movement against Vietnam. He had come a long way from a hopeful candidate facing the democratic incumbent. But with Johnson refusal to run, Humphrey's assassination, and his charismatic Aeschylus speeches, Kennedy had propeled himself to the top of the democratic political machine. His support for a organized end to the Vietnam war took his rival Eugene McCarthy biggest trump card straight out of his hand. As it was stated before, the fact that both candidates stood firmly against the war served to bring many of the young voters to their side. The DNC had gone smoothly. He and McCarthy, after all, agreed on many points. His family political connections also helped considerably. He was, of course, a Kennedy, and Kennedys had friends.
From Mayor Daley of Chicago, to Frank Sinatra to Jimmi Hendrix, the Massachusetts dynasty knew how to get influential support behind them. Come election night, Kennedy was prepared.
On the other side stood Richard Nixon. Hero of the so called Silent Majority, of the return to law and order, of the movement in favor of winning Vietnam once and for all. A titan in the Republican Machine years before kennedy ever rose to prominence in the back of his brother. Nixon had been a governor, a Vice-president to Ike, and a presidential nominee. He had been the man responsible for giving Goldwater his nomination four years ago. He had created the so called Southern Strategy, by appealing to the racist elements in the south. He was a politician in every sense of the word.
The RNC had been a mess. Fighting shouting and booing had led to a brutal event that almost saw a brutal deadlock between Nixon and Rockefeller, with Reagan a close third. In the end, he had won the votes by sheer political exaustion of the delegates. Many influential figures had become disellusioned with the californinan. Many supporters of Rockefeller, might have plans of their own.
But that didn't disturb Richard Nixon. He had the nomination, and now the people would rally behind him. Not the loud few that screamed dreams and delusions, that went around with their drugs and promiscuity. No, the true american people, the workers and business man, those that truly valued the American Way. Come election day, he wasn't worried.
And then election day came and went.
Most of New England went to Kennedy of course. A Democratic stronghold for the man from Massachusetts. Two notable exception were Vermont and New Hampshire.
New York of course, fell to the democrat. Perhaps the biggest center of democratic support in the Country, New York was won by a huge majority. Neighboring Pennsylvania and New Jersey too went to Kennedy, but the latter by a much thinner margin.
In the great lakes region, Nixon secured Indiana, as well as Wisconsin. Kennedy took Ohio and Illinois, however. The first is believed in large part to be the result of Governor James Rhodes. One of Rockefeller biggest Supporter, Rhodes had come to despise Nixon. To the day of his death the popular governor would deny it, but many beleive that he quietly campaigned against Nixon in his state. In the end, it was close, but Kennedy took the whole cake. Illinois, was won by a larger margin. In no small part thanks to the avid campaigning of Bobby Kennedy in Chicago.
The Midwest went entirely to Nixon. Even South Dakota, Kennedy's Vp home state fell to the republican , although not by a very wide margin.
The Conservative Reagan would never let his state fall to Kennedy. The moment he gave up on the convention, his support was entirely behind Nixon. And so, by over three hundred thousand votes, California went republican.
Oregon was also taken by the republican, while Washington was the only democratic bastion in the west.
In the South, Kennedy managed to carry Texas, by very slim margins. Governor John Connaly, once hopeful for the position of Vp, campaigned hard. Some said that he had a sense of duty to candidate's family, given that his brother died by his side in 1963. But to most, that's just a story. The upper south all fell to Nixon, for a while his southern strategy seemed to be working.
And so came George Wallace. The Segregationist managed to take 6 states with his American Independent Party. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississipi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina all fell to the southener. In the end, Nixon southern strategy failed. The California republican was not as attractive to the south as Alabama's favorite child George Wallace.
And so came Florida. For a while, it seemed it would fall to Nixon. Most political analysts say that the large concentration of Hispanics in the state was what gave Kennedy the edge. Others say it was just the last remnants of democratic loyalty in the south. Regardless, Kennedy took it.
And so, Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy was the next president of the United States.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
...................
Next week, Kennedy's Acceptance speech, and his first year of government!
After months of campaign it was finally here. The 1968 election, bound to happen on November 5th had arrived. The two candidates had gone through a exaustive process of political infighting and baby-kissing. Now one would take the white house, and the other would take nothing.
On one side stood RFK. Champion of the so called forgotten masses, of the civil rights struggle in the political scene, of the movement against Vietnam. He had come a long way from a hopeful candidate facing the democratic incumbent. But with Johnson refusal to run, Humphrey's assassination, and his charismatic Aeschylus speeches, Kennedy had propeled himself to the top of the democratic political machine. His support for a organized end to the Vietnam war took his rival Eugene McCarthy biggest trump card straight out of his hand. As it was stated before, the fact that both candidates stood firmly against the war served to bring many of the young voters to their side. The DNC had gone smoothly. He and McCarthy, after all, agreed on many points. His family political connections also helped considerably. He was, of course, a Kennedy, and Kennedys had friends.
From Mayor Daley of Chicago, to Frank Sinatra to Jimmi Hendrix, the Massachusetts dynasty knew how to get influential support behind them. Come election night, Kennedy was prepared.
On the other side stood Richard Nixon. Hero of the so called Silent Majority, of the return to law and order, of the movement in favor of winning Vietnam once and for all. A titan in the Republican Machine years before kennedy ever rose to prominence in the back of his brother. Nixon had been a governor, a Vice-president to Ike, and a presidential nominee. He had been the man responsible for giving Goldwater his nomination four years ago. He had created the so called Southern Strategy, by appealing to the racist elements in the south. He was a politician in every sense of the word.
The RNC had been a mess. Fighting shouting and booing had led to a brutal event that almost saw a brutal deadlock between Nixon and Rockefeller, with Reagan a close third. In the end, he had won the votes by sheer political exaustion of the delegates. Many influential figures had become disellusioned with the californinan. Many supporters of Rockefeller, might have plans of their own.
But that didn't disturb Richard Nixon. He had the nomination, and now the people would rally behind him. Not the loud few that screamed dreams and delusions, that went around with their drugs and promiscuity. No, the true american people, the workers and business man, those that truly valued the American Way. Come election day, he wasn't worried.
And then election day came and went.
Most of New England went to Kennedy of course. A Democratic stronghold for the man from Massachusetts. Two notable exception were Vermont and New Hampshire.
New York of course, fell to the democrat. Perhaps the biggest center of democratic support in the Country, New York was won by a huge majority. Neighboring Pennsylvania and New Jersey too went to Kennedy, but the latter by a much thinner margin.
In the great lakes region, Nixon secured Indiana, as well as Wisconsin. Kennedy took Ohio and Illinois, however. The first is believed in large part to be the result of Governor James Rhodes. One of Rockefeller biggest Supporter, Rhodes had come to despise Nixon. To the day of his death the popular governor would deny it, but many beleive that he quietly campaigned against Nixon in his state. In the end, it was close, but Kennedy took the whole cake. Illinois, was won by a larger margin. In no small part thanks to the avid campaigning of Bobby Kennedy in Chicago.
The Midwest went entirely to Nixon. Even South Dakota, Kennedy's Vp home state fell to the republican , although not by a very wide margin.
The Conservative Reagan would never let his state fall to Kennedy. The moment he gave up on the convention, his support was entirely behind Nixon. And so, by over three hundred thousand votes, California went republican.
Oregon was also taken by the republican, while Washington was the only democratic bastion in the west.
In the South, Kennedy managed to carry Texas, by very slim margins. Governor John Connaly, once hopeful for the position of Vp, campaigned hard. Some said that he had a sense of duty to candidate's family, given that his brother died by his side in 1963. But to most, that's just a story. The upper south all fell to Nixon, for a while his southern strategy seemed to be working.
And so came George Wallace. The Segregationist managed to take 6 states with his American Independent Party. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississipi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina all fell to the southener. In the end, Nixon southern strategy failed. The California republican was not as attractive to the south as Alabama's favorite child George Wallace.
And so came Florida. For a while, it seemed it would fall to Nixon. Most political analysts say that the large concentration of Hispanics in the state was what gave Kennedy the edge. Others say it was just the last remnants of democratic loyalty in the south. Regardless, Kennedy took it.
And so, Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy was the next president of the United States.
The End and the Beginning of a Era, Marcus P. Edginton
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Next week, Kennedy's Acceptance speech, and his first year of government!
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Oh, what's that, Dicky?
Your little strategy of appealing to the Dixiecrats fail? Good.
Your little strategy of appealing to the Dixiecrats fail? Good.
Minor point: A Nixon-Reagan ticket is impossible anyway. Electors have to vote for at least one person from a different state (either President or VP). So California electors would have to leave one spot blank or write in a different person.
In that scenario, the ticket has to win by a large enough electoral margin to have 270 without California. Or at least split with half the electors choosing an out of state President and half an out of state VP.
If there aren't enough EVs to spare, the VP election goes to the Senate and they pick Muskie.
In that scenario, the ticket has to win by a large enough electoral margin to have 270 without California. Or at least split with half the electors choosing an out of state President and half an out of state VP.
If there aren't enough EVs to spare, the VP election goes to the Senate and they pick Muskie.
Nixon could change his residency since he wasn't ba current officeholder. Cheney had to switch from TX to WY in 2000 (and it turned out to be important - he doesn't and we get Bush-Lieberman).