OP (1988 Election to Inauguration Day)
ALAN KEYES' END OF HISTORY
“At the end of history, there are no serious ideological competitors left to liberal democracy. "
-Francis Fukuyama
“At the drop of a hat, Mr. Keyes could deliver a grammatically flawless disquisition on virtually any topic. On the stump, he could wind himself up into a fiery intensity, his body rocking, his brow running with sweat, his fingers jabbing the air, his high-pitched voice trembling with emotion as he called the faithful to do battle against the forces of evil.”
-Barack Obama, OTL 2004
“Alan Keyes’ End of History is a 1996 American documentary film directed, written by, and starring filmmaker, director and political commentator Michael Moore. The film takes a critical look at the presidency of Alan Keyes, his social and foreign policy, and its coverage in the media. In the film, Moore contends that American corporate media have been "cheerleaders" for Keyes’ “Victorian-era” social policies, and have been ignoring crises going on. The film was controversial for its featuring of former Republican National Committee Chair Lee Atwater shortly before his death, with Atwater advocating for voting out Keyes in 1996.”
-Wikipedia page for Alan Keyes’ End of History
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”Bush had won the nomination quite easily, but the issue was that he represented an older generation, the one that fought in World War II. The campaign had fears that Dukakis would make him look old and out of touch. We always wanted to go with a non-traditional name. We suggested a few names such as Lynn Martin and John McCain, along with some non-politicians Peter Ueberroth, Clint Eastwood, and Donald Trump. Bob Dole and Jack Kemp, Bush’s two main rivals in 1988 were also brought up as competitors.”
-John Sununu, interview for The 1988 Circus
“I was surprised by the news reports that have said my endorsement last evening of the Vice President was ‘lukewarm.’ I am enthusiastic, fully committed, and, as I have said, will go all out to make Vice President Bush the next president.”
“I've never known a more stout-hearted defender of a strong America than Alan Keyes.”
-Ronald Reagan, fundraiser for Maryland Republicans
“We’re hearing at this fundraiser that Reagan is being attacked for not talking up Bush enough, and then we’ve got him talking up some diplomat who is running for the Senate!”
“I’m telling you, he might just be what we need in the number two spot. Can you imagine the team of a strong statesman and this great young Afro-American! Dukakis-Bentsen will pale in comparison.”
“Alan is only 38 and his only position was a minor one at the United Nations. We can’t have a guy who needs on the job training.”
“You know, Kennedy was 43 and Teddy Roosevelt was 42 when they became president. He’s smart and bright, and he can give us a base among black voters.”
-Howard Baker, Roger Ailes, and George Bush
“It looks as though the old white guy lost out to the energetic African-American candidate. I just hope this isn’t going to be repeated in the Nielsen ratings.”
-Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show monologue, 8/16/88
BUSH NAMES “MAN OF THE FUTURE” ALAN KEYES AS RUNNING MATE
NEW ORLEANS, AUG. 16 -- Vice President Bush today selected diplomat Dr. Alan Keyes (R-MD) as his 1988 running mate.
The surprise choice signaled a bid for support from a new generation of voters and an effort to shore up the Republican ticket among African-American voters.
Abandoning his original plan to keep his choice secret until the last day of the Republican National Convention, Bush announced the decision amid a frenzy of speculation that intensified as he glided down the Mississippi River on a huge paddle-wheeler, the Natchez. Before boarding the boat, Bush put in quick calls to Keyes and those he had passed over. When Bush arrived for a festive ceremony at the Spanish Plaza here, as a steam calliope played "America," two Secret Service agents quickly picked their way through the crowd, asking, "Where's Keyes? Where's Keyes?”
Keyes, 38, son of an Army veteran and a follower of philosopher Alan Bloom, joined Bush in the steamy heat for an effusive introduction. Bush decided to break the news immediately to soften any hard feelings that had developed among other contenders and their backers over the days of the intense speculation about his choice, according to campaign sources and campaign chairman James A. Baker III, the outgoing Treasury secretary.
Bush described Keyes as "a leader in matters of national security" and "a man of the future," and Baker explained the decision to choose Keyes as “breaking barriers of race and age," noting that Keyes is the African-American as well as the first “baby boomer” to serve on a national party ticket.
Exuberant, Keyes grasped Bush by the arm and shoulders over and over again and told the crowd: "Let's go get 'em. All right? You got it?" A dark-horse candidate who was favored by some of Bush's top political advisers, Keyes brings youthful good looks and parallel views on the issues to the ticket and appears to fulfill Bush's demand that his running mate serves as a team player.
-The Washington Post (adapted from the OTL article)
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“SEN. BENTSEN: If that tragedy should occur, we have to step in there without any margin for error, without time for preparation, to take over the responsibility for the biggest job in the world, that of running this great country of ours; to take over the awesome responsibility for commanding the nuclear weaponry that this country has. No, the debate tonight is a debate about the presidency itself, and a presidential decision that has to be made by you. The stakes could not be higher. Ambassador Keyes is not someone who Americans could confidently hand over the nuclear button to.”
“AMB. KEYES: Senator Bentsen harkens back to the era of segregation when the flag of America was not one that was equal to all - he first served in Congress during the administration of President Truman. Senator Bentsen takes every dollar he can get from the lobbyists and mysterious left-wing organizations while presenting himself as the man of the people. You have shown to be weak time and time again in the face of pressure. My friends, is this what who we want to be representing freedom in taking on Mr. Gorbachev?”
“SEN. BENTSEN: That was totally uncalled for.”
“AMB. KEYES: I’ll leave it to the American people to decide on November 8th.”
-1988 vice presidential debate, 10/5/88
KEYES ATTACKED FOR VIEWS ON HOMOSEXUALITY: LEFT SPEAKS OF ‘HIDDEN AGENDA’
-Washington Post, 10/23/88
“It didn’t really matter that Alan Keyes was a raging homophobe, it was 1988 and polls showed that only a third of Americans even thought that queer identity should be legal and the vast majority of those were Democrats.”
-Donna Brazile, interview for The 1988 Circus
“I gotta hand it to Alan Keyes, there aren’t many people who have the bravery to go after someone like Lloyd Bentsen on the offensive.”
-Lee Atwater in Alan Keyes’ End of History
“I mean to be a President of all the people.”
-President-Elect George H.W. Bush, 11/8/88
“I, Alan Lee Keyes, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
-Inauguration of Vice President Alan Keyes, 1/20/89
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