Prohibition is a state issue both north and south instead of a national one. Ex: Iowa is dry (and I think Alabama too) but Kentucky is wet
TL-191: Filling the Gaps
- Thread starter Craigo
- Start date
Central America and the Caribbean are "finished", in my point of view.
Although, if I find something else that inspires me to add extra details in the region or if I want to fix a mistake/improve the story, I'll include it on the forum.
There are a few areas in TL-191 that I'd like to write some background story; I'd just need to do some research.
In the background; it was mentioned that certain states were dry, with more Confederate states having it then Union states so it was never regulated by the federal government, it was left purely to the states.
CSA: Virginia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Cuba and thr Mexican States specifically mention they allow liquor while more conservative states like Alabama has prohibition
USA: Iowa is the only state that explicitly has prohibition both likely conservative leaning states all have it likely. Utah for example has no liquor because of the Mormons. Its probably also popular in the northeast (Democrat strongholds)
Yes
Well, pretty much anything after 1914 has already been officially written down by Dr. Turtledove. I was mostly focused on unanswered questions within TL-191 and gave them TL-191 plausible answers.
I could probably make a list of all the major events that have occurred within the book's canon. Although, that may take a long time and I'd have to resist adding in my head-canons and "corrections".
Late American Imperial Politics (1972-1991)
Part 2 - The 1976 U.S. Presidential Election
President Joshua Blackford had much to say about his first term in the Oval Office. An ambitious platform that perhaps would have found more difficulty getting through Congress had the new opposition not utterly destroyed itself in its last four years of misgovernment. From nationalising rail and an ambitious public works program, to rapprochement with a rapidly liberalising Germany in favour of a harder line against Japan, Blackford had much to boast of as he set off to the polls, certainly a far better position than his luckless father fourty-four years prior. A second term however, he was far from assured.
The Democrats, in spite of their poor record under former President Joseph P. Kennedy Jr, had recovered to the point where they were able to chip away at the Socialists' veto-proof majority in the 1972 mid-terms. Though the party of labor had retained control of both houses that year, the Democrats had gone from a party in ruin to an effective opposition. As such the contest for the nomination was intense, with names such as Richard Nixon, John Glenn, and James Buckley entering the fray hoping to deprive the President of four more years in office. Yet through the crowded field came a highly unexpected winner.
Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, who had succeeded his elder brother to the Senate upon his election to the Presidency eight years prior, was immediately faced with the baggage of his brother's disastrous administration. From impeachment to corruption few believed that any Kennedy, let alone one as close to the former President as him, would get anywhere near the Oval Office anytime soon. Dogged by his vote against his brother's impeachment, Kennedy was nonetheless able to project an image of being above the fray of corruption and incompetence that had defined those unfortunate four years, and soon the national conversation shifted after the Democratic convention.
Kennedy's choice of running mate was far less surprising than his own nomination. Senate Minority Leader Richard Nixon, much more involved in the previous Kennedy administration than himself, shored up party loyalists and those opposed to the "radical" politics of Blackford.
The Republicans, sensing an opportunity for another year like 1944, again nominated McCarthey and Percy, to the shock of very few. They would again break a record, winning the most electoral votes of any Republican candidate thus far in the century by sweeping the deep south of the former Confederate States.
As summer drew to a close, all three candidates campaigned vigorously. Blackford was known to take up to ten trips campaigning a week, with little rest, and Kennedy responded in kind, pushing his reportedly frail body to the limit. Blackford's lead in the polls steadily declined over the summer. From five points in March to three in June to virtually neck-and-neck in August, it seemed as if Kennedy had a real chance at the Presidency.
Then he tripped.
Kennedy's frail body, worn after years of illness, turned out to be no match for a flight of stairs in the apartment building he was staying in in Chicago. On August 30th, 1976, John F. Kennedy was declared dead, and Richard Nixon became the Democratic nominee for President.
Immediately the Democrats held their first polling lead in years, and Blackford realised he would have to act fast to keep his chances of re-election above water. The first test of Nixon as a candidate was at Kennedy's funeral, where both the Minority Leader and the President would speak. Nixon stumbled, while Blackford, with his signature (and perhaps familial) charisma on full show, gave an impassioned speech exalting Kennedy's bipartisanship and duty to country. Next came Nixon's choice of Vice President, where similarly, he faltered with his choice of Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, a boring choice on a ticket many saw as in desperate need of some dynamism, now not even with Kennedy to compete with the "Dakota dream team" of Blackford-McGovern. At the debates, while holding his own, Nixon failed to compare to Blackford's mastery of television as a means of communication, and further fell in the polls.
By election day, Blackford had regained his lead, and pundits were hardly surprised at the results.
Pres. Joshua Blackford (S/PA)/VP. George S. McGovern (S/DA): 358 electoral votes
Sen. Richard M. Nixon (D/CA)/Sen Bob Dole (D/KS): 134 electoral votes
Sen. Eugene McCarthy (R/MN)/Rep. Charles H. Percy (R/IL): 84 electoral votes
Part 2 - The 1976 U.S. Presidential Election
President Joshua Blackford had much to say about his first term in the Oval Office. An ambitious platform that perhaps would have found more difficulty getting through Congress had the new opposition not utterly destroyed itself in its last four years of misgovernment. From nationalising rail and an ambitious public works program, to rapprochement with a rapidly liberalising Germany in favour of a harder line against Japan, Blackford had much to boast of as he set off to the polls, certainly a far better position than his luckless father fourty-four years prior. A second term however, he was far from assured.
The Democrats, in spite of their poor record under former President Joseph P. Kennedy Jr, had recovered to the point where they were able to chip away at the Socialists' veto-proof majority in the 1972 mid-terms. Though the party of labor had retained control of both houses that year, the Democrats had gone from a party in ruin to an effective opposition. As such the contest for the nomination was intense, with names such as Richard Nixon, John Glenn, and James Buckley entering the fray hoping to deprive the President of four more years in office. Yet through the crowded field came a highly unexpected winner.
Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, who had succeeded his elder brother to the Senate upon his election to the Presidency eight years prior, was immediately faced with the baggage of his brother's disastrous administration. From impeachment to corruption few believed that any Kennedy, let alone one as close to the former President as him, would get anywhere near the Oval Office anytime soon. Dogged by his vote against his brother's impeachment, Kennedy was nonetheless able to project an image of being above the fray of corruption and incompetence that had defined those unfortunate four years, and soon the national conversation shifted after the Democratic convention.
Kennedy's choice of running mate was far less surprising than his own nomination. Senate Minority Leader Richard Nixon, much more involved in the previous Kennedy administration than himself, shored up party loyalists and those opposed to the "radical" politics of Blackford.
The Republicans, sensing an opportunity for another year like 1944, again nominated McCarthey and Percy, to the shock of very few. They would again break a record, winning the most electoral votes of any Republican candidate thus far in the century by sweeping the deep south of the former Confederate States.
As summer drew to a close, all three candidates campaigned vigorously. Blackford was known to take up to ten trips campaigning a week, with little rest, and Kennedy responded in kind, pushing his reportedly frail body to the limit. Blackford's lead in the polls steadily declined over the summer. From five points in March to three in June to virtually neck-and-neck in August, it seemed as if Kennedy had a real chance at the Presidency.
Then he tripped.
Kennedy's frail body, worn after years of illness, turned out to be no match for a flight of stairs in the apartment building he was staying in in Chicago. On August 30th, 1976, John F. Kennedy was declared dead, and Richard Nixon became the Democratic nominee for President.
Immediately the Democrats held their first polling lead in years, and Blackford realised he would have to act fast to keep his chances of re-election above water. The first test of Nixon as a candidate was at Kennedy's funeral, where both the Minority Leader and the President would speak. Nixon stumbled, while Blackford, with his signature (and perhaps familial) charisma on full show, gave an impassioned speech exalting Kennedy's bipartisanship and duty to country. Next came Nixon's choice of Vice President, where similarly, he faltered with his choice of Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, a boring choice on a ticket many saw as in desperate need of some dynamism, now not even with Kennedy to compete with the "Dakota dream team" of Blackford-McGovern. At the debates, while holding his own, Nixon failed to compare to Blackford's mastery of television as a means of communication, and further fell in the polls.
By election day, Blackford had regained his lead, and pundits were hardly surprised at the results.
Pres. Joshua Blackford (S/PA)/VP. George S. McGovern (S/DA): 358 electoral votes
Sen. Richard M. Nixon (D/CA)/Sen Bob Dole (D/KS): 134 electoral votes
Sen. Eugene McCarthy (R/MN)/Rep. Charles H. Percy (R/IL): 84 electoral votes
Hey guys. This is a piece of lore from my upcoming TL-191 oneshot scenario. Relatively little information was divulged in the series relating to the British monarchy , so as the title of this thread suggests, I tried filling in the gaps.
---
As in OTL, King George V passed away in January of 1936, and was succeeded by his eldest son, King Edward VIII. Much like in reality, Edward was a notorious womanizer, one of his most notable flings being Helen Rudolph, a Confederate movie actress and director, who would later go on to produce some of the best-known works of Freedomite propoganda, such as Victory of the People (1933). In 1923, the King married a Texas-born Confederate socialite and widow named Marjorie Gromitt (born Lizzie Marjorie Springfield, 1897), who's uncle, Jebediah, once took a shot at President Lincoln during the closing stages of the War of Secession. Queen Margie, as she was known to the British public, went on to have five children, all of whom would tragically die before their father, and never ascend to the throne. Their eldest child, Princess Louise, died in 1931 from influenza aged just seven years old. Prince Frederick, one of the first sons of a British royal to go to school, attended Greyfriars, where he was bullied terribly, and got into a fight with another student named Percy Bolsover, where the prince knocked his head over a table, and died minutes later. The heir to the British throne, Prince Arthur (commonly known by the nickname Excalibur) died in a plane crash in the early 50s, and just a few years later, his younger brother, Prince Frederick (who had fallen in love with a divorcee nearly twice his age, a relationship King Edward was vehemently against) committed suicide. The details of Prince Freddy's suicide note were subsequently leaked to the tabloid press, where he decried his father and the Royal Family. The last of King Edward and Queen Margie's children, Princess Charlotte, died giving birth to a stillborn child in 1965, and the King himself passed away shortly thereafter aged 71.
Following the deaths of her husband and five children, Queen Margie largely retired from royal life. Although privately agnostic, she became incredibly religious in her later life, blaming her formerly hedonistic lifestyle for the loss of her entire family. Following his death, King Edward was succeeded by his only surviving sibling, the Duke of Gloucester, who reigned for five years as King George VI.
---
As in OTL, King George V passed away in January of 1936, and was succeeded by his eldest son, King Edward VIII. Much like in reality, Edward was a notorious womanizer, one of his most notable flings being Helen Rudolph, a Confederate movie actress and director, who would later go on to produce some of the best-known works of Freedomite propoganda, such as Victory of the People (1933). In 1923, the King married a Texas-born Confederate socialite and widow named Marjorie Gromitt (born Lizzie Marjorie Springfield, 1897), who's uncle, Jebediah, once took a shot at President Lincoln during the closing stages of the War of Secession. Queen Margie, as she was known to the British public, went on to have five children, all of whom would tragically die before their father, and never ascend to the throne. Their eldest child, Princess Louise, died in 1931 from influenza aged just seven years old. Prince Frederick, one of the first sons of a British royal to go to school, attended Greyfriars, where he was bullied terribly, and got into a fight with another student named Percy Bolsover, where the prince knocked his head over a table, and died minutes later. The heir to the British throne, Prince Arthur (commonly known by the nickname Excalibur) died in a plane crash in the early 50s, and just a few years later, his younger brother, Prince Frederick (who had fallen in love with a divorcee nearly twice his age, a relationship King Edward was vehemently against) committed suicide. The details of Prince Freddy's suicide note were subsequently leaked to the tabloid press, where he decried his father and the Royal Family. The last of King Edward and Queen Margie's children, Princess Charlotte, died giving birth to a stillborn child in 1965, and the King himself passed away shortly thereafter aged 71.
Following the deaths of her husband and five children, Queen Margie largely retired from royal life. Although privately agnostic, she became incredibly religious in her later life, blaming her formerly hedonistic lifestyle for the loss of her entire family. Following his death, King Edward was succeeded by his only surviving sibling, the Duke of Gloucester, who reigned for five years as King George VI.
MaxGerke01
Banned
Interesting and looking forward to it.I see none of the higher up royals dies in the German nuclear attacks on Enfland as did neither Churchill or Moseley.Will we get more details on those attacks effect on Britain as well ?
Its mentioned that Churchill at least and the Royal Family were evacuated prior to the bombing of London (they were likely evacuated right before the British dropped their first bomb) not sure if its mentioned that Mosley was saved as well.
I do know the Churchill government fell the second Parliament was able to meet again in a vote of non-confidence (the King probably demanded Churchill's head)
Its likely that the King and his immediate family were in London while the other members of the Royal Family were either serving in the British Armed Forces, in the country side (probably at Edinburgh) or even possibly somewhere they couldn't be touched (Australia would be the best bet as Canada was no longer available as a safe haven)
I do know the Churchill government fell the second Parliament was able to meet again in a vote of non-confidence (the King probably demanded Churchill's head)
Its likely that the King and his immediate family were in London while the other members of the Royal Family were either serving in the British Armed Forces, in the country side (probably at Edinburgh) or even possibly somewhere they couldn't be touched (Australia would be the best bet as Canada was no longer available as a safe haven)
MaxGerke01
Banned
If I remember its said either in the book or the timeline that part of the peace treaty between Germany and Britain is that Churchill and Mosley go to Germany specifically to stand trial for the superbombing of Hamburg
That was in After The End. A previous post on this thread had Mosley exiled and Churchill spending the remainder of his life under house arrest.
Well I absolutely do when I make posts on the rare occasion im able to offer anything... speaking of which I owe both a GWII European Western Front post as a Maritime campaign post that ill do up tonight
Nope. We're not really following Filling the Gaps either since most other threads have died out this seems like the best place to post TL-191 stuff in general, even if it doesn't tie into FTG.
"And so I leave you with this. Imagine now, a group of about thirty, hanging, each with an identical placard around its neck bearing a printed legend; "I betrayed my country and race". That is the future. That is our victory." - William Luther Pierce, Chairman of the Freedom Party - American National Vanguard Alliance (FP-ANVA), self-proclaimed "President of the Confederate States of America", in his address claiming response for the "Red Thursday" attacks
Late American Imperial Politics (1972-1991)
Part 3 - The 1980 U.S. Presidential Election
Two events of great significance occurred as the 1970s came to an end. The Pro-US government in Venezuela was overthrown by a popular German-backed coup, leading to a direct American intervention in the oil-rich country, and on Thursday, January 10th, 1980, a previously little known neo-Freedomite group; the Freedom Party - American National Vanguard Alliance (FP-ANVA), itself a split from an older, more "moderate" group, staged the largest single coordinated terror attack in American history. In New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, over 200 were killed by a coordinated series of shootings, bombings of various types, and arson attacks that culminated in an attempted shootout at the US Capitol, stopped by the intervention of military police.
The attacks had a great impact on the American psyche, even beyond the enormous and tragic loss of life. The fundamental question of the success of integrating the former CSA was brought into full focus, even as American intelligence estimated that the FP-ANVA had exhausted over half of its ready manpower in the attack. In the aftermath, the general public, including the great majority of the south and Canada, including even the crypto-secessionist Canadian National Party and its leader, Alec Pomeroy, rallied around President Joshua Blackford, who promised to bring the FP-ANVA, in particular its now infamous and hated leader, William Luther Pierce, to justice.
Blackford himself was still considering his political future. A popular two term President, having in his mind redeemed the failed legacy of his father, dealing with the emerging crisis and bringing Pierce to justice would cement his legacy and allow him to retire from political life on a high note. Many had already declared their candidacy for the Socialist nomination, including Blackford's Vice President, George McGovern. At this stage, the possibility of a third term wasn't under huge consideration by Blackford, but the unfolding events of the next month, in addition to learning more about the activities of the FP-ANVA, would change the President's perspective.
A week after the attacks, on January 17th, the President met with the General Staff, as well as other high-ranking officers, most notably Generals Collin Powell and Boris Lavochkin, who would come to represent the two main visions for dealing with the "Pierceite" threat. Previous reports of the FP-ANVA exhausting its manpower were revealed to be...incomplete. While Blackford's economic reforms had brought prosperity and full employment to the American Core (pre-FGW US territory), the South was largely left behind, with rampant unemployment and poverty. As such, when Pierce became a household name but a week prior, the FP-ANVA had already probably recuperated its numbers. This growth was obviously extremely alarming, to say the least. As such, Powell and Lavochkin had each designed a long-term strategy for stopping the now growing threat.
Powell's goal was restricting further radicalisation and economically bringing up the south, preventing and restricting FP-ANVA growth over a long period of time, where it would fizzle out. As well as this, Pierce specifically would be targeted for capture, as Powell (correctly) believed he was holding the new "party" together.
Lavochkin's plan was different to say the least. It was more blunt, calling for the location and systematic destruction of every terrorist cell in the country. The United States would remind the sympathising southerners who had beaten them thirty-six years prior, and the scourge of such sympathies and support would be represses wherever possible. This was controversial, to say the least.
Blackford leaned towards Powell's proposal, though he agreed with Lavochkin that aggressive pursuit of FP-ANVA cells was required. More importantly though he realised that the Pierceites would be a long-term problem, and began seriously contemplating running for a third term.
Vice President McGovern's policy announcement after the attacks in support of a softer line on the south further pushed Blackford to run, and he was ultimately convinced by his wife of nearly 30 years, Mildred, according to the President's autobiography.
And so, on February 2nd, the President called a press conference, and announced that, in light of the recent tragedy and ongoing war in Venezuela, he would seek re-election to a third term.
Immediately, most other candidates for the Socialist nomination stepped aside, bar one. Vice President McGovern, though informed of the President's decision personally before the announcement, remained in the race. McGovern was adamant that the national crisis was not so great as to disregard one of the most important traditions of American democracy. Though the subsequent primary campaign was not fought bitterly, as McGovern and Blackford remained friends, it was hard fought, with Blackford only becoming presumptive nominee after winning, rather pointedly, Dakota, McGovern's home state and that of Blackford's father.
At the convention, McGovern told Blackford he refused to continue to be on the Socialist ticket. Blackford plucked ageing Secretary of Defence and former Vice President Henry M. Jackson for his new Running mate, but thought little of McGovern's refusal - for a week.
Few people were as shocked as Blackford when McGovern appeared at the Republican convention, having resigned his Socialist Party membership. The Republicans, the only party to still not have Primaries, were able to switch easily to nominate McGovern for the Presidency, with Charles Percy returning once again as the Vice Presidential nominee.
McGovern's shock nomination overshadowed the otherwise spectacular Democratic convention, which nominated Senator from Ohio and the first man in Space, John Glenn, for President. The choice of John Anderson for Vice President indicated the Democrats were moving ever further to the left, meaning all three parties had nominated candidates from their left wings.
The campaign quickly became a contest between Blackford and McGovern, as the otherwise exciting Glenn was left to the wayside in a campaign focused on which Socialist would lead for the next four years. McGovern made quite transparent the fact that he would govern "as a Socialist, as a Republican" if elected, which became a more and more present possibility as he climbed and climbed in the polls. His height in September, within three points of Blackford, was finally blunted by Blackford's performance in the debates, which pushed McGovern back to the point where most were safely expecting a Blackford victory come November. That, combined with the intervention of former President and SGW hero Irving Morrell, Blackford's father-in-law, sealed McGovern's fate.
And so, on November 4, 1980, Joshua Blackford made history, once again.
Pres. Joshua Blackford (S/PA)/Sec. Henry M. Jackson (S/WA): 369 electoral votes
VP. George S. McGovern (R/DA)/Rep. Charles H. Percy (R/IL): 126 electoral votes
Sen. John Glenn (D/OH)/Rep. John Anderson (D/IL): 81 electoral votes
Side note: McGovern's extremely narrow victory in Dakota (less than 1000 votes) somewhat spoiled the mood for the victorious Blackford, to whom victory in Dakota was a matter of personal pride.
Late American Imperial Politics (1972-1991)
Part 3 - The 1980 U.S. Presidential Election
Two events of great significance occurred as the 1970s came to an end. The Pro-US government in Venezuela was overthrown by a popular German-backed coup, leading to a direct American intervention in the oil-rich country, and on Thursday, January 10th, 1980, a previously little known neo-Freedomite group; the Freedom Party - American National Vanguard Alliance (FP-ANVA), itself a split from an older, more "moderate" group, staged the largest single coordinated terror attack in American history. In New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, over 200 were killed by a coordinated series of shootings, bombings of various types, and arson attacks that culminated in an attempted shootout at the US Capitol, stopped by the intervention of military police.
The attacks had a great impact on the American psyche, even beyond the enormous and tragic loss of life. The fundamental question of the success of integrating the former CSA was brought into full focus, even as American intelligence estimated that the FP-ANVA had exhausted over half of its ready manpower in the attack. In the aftermath, the general public, including the great majority of the south and Canada, including even the crypto-secessionist Canadian National Party and its leader, Alec Pomeroy, rallied around President Joshua Blackford, who promised to bring the FP-ANVA, in particular its now infamous and hated leader, William Luther Pierce, to justice.
Blackford himself was still considering his political future. A popular two term President, having in his mind redeemed the failed legacy of his father, dealing with the emerging crisis and bringing Pierce to justice would cement his legacy and allow him to retire from political life on a high note. Many had already declared their candidacy for the Socialist nomination, including Blackford's Vice President, George McGovern. At this stage, the possibility of a third term wasn't under huge consideration by Blackford, but the unfolding events of the next month, in addition to learning more about the activities of the FP-ANVA, would change the President's perspective.
A week after the attacks, on January 17th, the President met with the General Staff, as well as other high-ranking officers, most notably Generals Collin Powell and Boris Lavochkin, who would come to represent the two main visions for dealing with the "Pierceite" threat. Previous reports of the FP-ANVA exhausting its manpower were revealed to be...incomplete. While Blackford's economic reforms had brought prosperity and full employment to the American Core (pre-FGW US territory), the South was largely left behind, with rampant unemployment and poverty. As such, when Pierce became a household name but a week prior, the FP-ANVA had already probably recuperated its numbers. This growth was obviously extremely alarming, to say the least. As such, Powell and Lavochkin had each designed a long-term strategy for stopping the now growing threat.
Powell's goal was restricting further radicalisation and economically bringing up the south, preventing and restricting FP-ANVA growth over a long period of time, where it would fizzle out. As well as this, Pierce specifically would be targeted for capture, as Powell (correctly) believed he was holding the new "party" together.
Lavochkin's plan was different to say the least. It was more blunt, calling for the location and systematic destruction of every terrorist cell in the country. The United States would remind the sympathising southerners who had beaten them thirty-six years prior, and the scourge of such sympathies and support would be represses wherever possible. This was controversial, to say the least.
Blackford leaned towards Powell's proposal, though he agreed with Lavochkin that aggressive pursuit of FP-ANVA cells was required. More importantly though he realised that the Pierceites would be a long-term problem, and began seriously contemplating running for a third term.
Vice President McGovern's policy announcement after the attacks in support of a softer line on the south further pushed Blackford to run, and he was ultimately convinced by his wife of nearly 30 years, Mildred, according to the President's autobiography.
And so, on February 2nd, the President called a press conference, and announced that, in light of the recent tragedy and ongoing war in Venezuela, he would seek re-election to a third term.
Immediately, most other candidates for the Socialist nomination stepped aside, bar one. Vice President McGovern, though informed of the President's decision personally before the announcement, remained in the race. McGovern was adamant that the national crisis was not so great as to disregard one of the most important traditions of American democracy. Though the subsequent primary campaign was not fought bitterly, as McGovern and Blackford remained friends, it was hard fought, with Blackford only becoming presumptive nominee after winning, rather pointedly, Dakota, McGovern's home state and that of Blackford's father.
At the convention, McGovern told Blackford he refused to continue to be on the Socialist ticket. Blackford plucked ageing Secretary of Defence and former Vice President Henry M. Jackson for his new Running mate, but thought little of McGovern's refusal - for a week.
Few people were as shocked as Blackford when McGovern appeared at the Republican convention, having resigned his Socialist Party membership. The Republicans, the only party to still not have Primaries, were able to switch easily to nominate McGovern for the Presidency, with Charles Percy returning once again as the Vice Presidential nominee.
McGovern's shock nomination overshadowed the otherwise spectacular Democratic convention, which nominated Senator from Ohio and the first man in Space, John Glenn, for President. The choice of John Anderson for Vice President indicated the Democrats were moving ever further to the left, meaning all three parties had nominated candidates from their left wings.
The campaign quickly became a contest between Blackford and McGovern, as the otherwise exciting Glenn was left to the wayside in a campaign focused on which Socialist would lead for the next four years. McGovern made quite transparent the fact that he would govern "as a Socialist, as a Republican" if elected, which became a more and more present possibility as he climbed and climbed in the polls. His height in September, within three points of Blackford, was finally blunted by Blackford's performance in the debates, which pushed McGovern back to the point where most were safely expecting a Blackford victory come November. That, combined with the intervention of former President and SGW hero Irving Morrell, Blackford's father-in-law, sealed McGovern's fate.
And so, on November 4, 1980, Joshua Blackford made history, once again.
Pres. Joshua Blackford (S/PA)/Sec. Henry M. Jackson (S/WA): 369 electoral votes
VP. George S. McGovern (R/DA)/Rep. Charles H. Percy (R/IL): 126 electoral votes
Sen. John Glenn (D/OH)/Rep. John Anderson (D/IL): 81 electoral votes
Side note: McGovern's extremely narrow victory in Dakota (less than 1000 votes) somewhat spoiled the mood for the victorious Blackford, to whom victory in Dakota was a matter of personal pride.
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(1973-1985) JOSHUA BLACKFORD
Full Name Joshua Blackford
Birth Date December 25, 1925
Birth Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education Harvard University (Graduated 1950)
Religion Jewish
Career Lawyer, Representative from Pennsylvania, US Secretary of State, Governor of Pennsylvania
Political Party Socialist
Nickname "Young Blackford" "The New Rabbi"
Marriage June 9, 1951 to Mildred Morrell (1925)
Children Benjamin Joseph (1953); May (1953)
Inauguration Date February 1, 1973/February 1, 1977/February 1, 1981
End of Term February 1, 1985
President Number 38
Full Name Joshua Blackford
Birth Date December 25, 1925
Birth Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education Harvard University (Graduated 1950)
Religion Jewish
Career Lawyer, Representative from Pennsylvania, US Secretary of State, Governor of Pennsylvania
Political Party Socialist
Nickname "Young Blackford" "The New Rabbi"
Marriage June 9, 1951 to Mildred Morrell (1925)
Children Benjamin Joseph (1953); May (1953)
Inauguration Date February 1, 1973/February 1, 1977/February 1, 1981
End of Term February 1, 1985
President Number 38
Not particularly, no. While I consider it to be one of the most impressive works post-SGW for TL-191, I personally tend to see the US as a Prussian-style USSR which inevitably collapses, like OTL!USSR, in the early- to mid-1990s under the weight of its own strength.