Twists and Turns: An Alternate 1952 and Beyond
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Update 17: The Everett Dirksen Presidency
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
The Everett Dirksen Presidency
"We often hear that Dirksen was one of the worst presidents in history; we hear that he's up there with Hoover, Buchanan, Pierce, and <RETRACTED>. In reality, that completely ignores Dirksen's successes in Cuba and attempts for the extension of Civil Rights. While the economic recession and failure of the Iranian War were bad, any potential or alternate president, from Stevenson to Strom Thurmond wouldn't have been able to fix the problems in our economy and Iran. However, many opponents of Dirksen, such as Adlai Stevenson and Robert Lafollette Jr. opposed further action into Cuba. I for one, cannot believe that any former president or ambassador would be so irresponsible as to let a Communist Nation exist 90 miles from our own. While Dirksen was not the best president, he does not deserve the trashing that Liberals give him. "
-Florida Governor James C. Smith, 2002
Everett Dirksen's presidency is generally seen as one of the worst in history. He began his term with quite high approval ratings, as much of his popularity came from feelings that he would bring change after decades of Democratic rule. However, it was not meant to be. While Dirksen did not address the problems in the United States as well as others, most of his political problems were inherited. The most well-known thing about Dirksen is his loss in Iran. The Ramadan Offensive shocked American forces, and it showed cracks in the military forces. With a split between Lemay and Dirksen, the American people began to feel that dysfunction in the United States government would cause their downfall in Iran, and Dirksen's approval ratings dropped. That would be the least of his problems.
Another problem that came with the Iranian war was oil and gas shortages. While Americans could accept that oil and gas prices would rise with a war in Iran, when dysfunction showed in the military, many Americans were incredibly furious that young men were being sent to their deaths and oil prices were rising while the US government was bickering. The oil and gas shortages only hurt the economy worse under the recession of 1958-1959. With the economy in the worst economic state post-WWII, any bump from Dirksen's victory in Cuba was cut be the economic situation. Not only that, but Che and Fidel's escape to Haiti was also controversial, as Haiti was aligned with the United States, and fears of revolution springing up there were high.
While the economy and a bad performance in Iran would have been kisses of death on their own, Dirksen also had the luxury of being president when the first satellite would go to space. Unfortunately, the United States wasn't going to space, the Soviet Union was. Three weeks before the midterm elections of 1958[1], the USSR announced that they had launched a satellite, Sputnik 1 into space. Dirksen's approval ratings immediately dropped. Americans were furious that the Soviets went to space before Americans, and demanded action. Dirksen decided to form a government department, NASA that would lead space projects in the future. While this was important, it was too little, too late, and Dirksen's Republicans would take massive losses in the midterms. In the end, Americans were furious at the economy, the Iranian conflict, and the launch of Sputnik. This anger would lead the American people to turn out in the 1958 and 1960 elections. Elections that would change the world.
Despite Dirksen's failures in many other issues, he was moderately decent on Civil Rights. He enforced school desegregation, and even sent Attorney General Earl Warren to discuss that with Arkansas governor Orval Fabus, who stood strongly opposed to desegregation. Eventually, desegregation would be enforced on Arkansas. However, Dirksen is rarely remembered as a desegregation supporter my many who don't want to score political points, as his presidential failures can be seen for miles, so his success is often overlooked. Not only that, but Dirksen passed the Civil Rights Act of 1958. However, that act is usually overlooked, as it only stated that the federal government would ensure that all peoples could vote in federal elections. While this was a massive step for Civil Rights, it didn't really do much. All it meant was that the government could have more oversight on voter registration, and when compared to the Civil Rights Act of 1962, it doesn't seem as big[2]. President Dirksen also began his "War on Drugs" following Joseph McCarthy's death, and fired Director Harry Anslinger, who had assisted McCarthy in getting heroin[3]. Dirksen began a "Tough on Drugs" attitude, and often advocated for heavy jail time for drug offenders. While at the time, it was quite popular, research today shows it discriminated heavily against African-Americans, even if the direct purpose of the plan wasn't to racially profile. By the end of the next three presidencies, Dirksen's Civil Rights achievements were largely lost to history, and his domestic and foreign failures stood out more.
By the end of 1959, it was clear Dirksen had no chance running for reelection. So on November 4, 1959 he announced that he would not be running for reelection, citing old age. Coincidentally, cheers erupted from the Pennsylvania governor mansion that very same day. It began one of the most controversial Republican nominations in history.
[1] Yes, there have been conspiracy theories about the Democrats collaborating with commies, you really don't have to ask
[2] Based off the CRA of 1957
[3] Yes, this actually happened IOTL. However, it is more of a scandal ITTL, as McCarthy's death came from a heroin overdose
"We often hear that Dirksen was one of the worst presidents in history; we hear that he's up there with Hoover, Buchanan, Pierce, and <RETRACTED>. In reality, that completely ignores Dirksen's successes in Cuba and attempts for the extension of Civil Rights. While the economic recession and failure of the Iranian War were bad, any potential or alternate president, from Stevenson to Strom Thurmond wouldn't have been able to fix the problems in our economy and Iran. However, many opponents of Dirksen, such as Adlai Stevenson and Robert Lafollette Jr. opposed further action into Cuba. I for one, cannot believe that any former president or ambassador would be so irresponsible as to let a Communist Nation exist 90 miles from our own. While Dirksen was not the best president, he does not deserve the trashing that Liberals give him. "
-Florida Governor James C. Smith, 2002
Everett Dirksen's presidency is generally seen as one of the worst in history. He began his term with quite high approval ratings, as much of his popularity came from feelings that he would bring change after decades of Democratic rule. However, it was not meant to be. While Dirksen did not address the problems in the United States as well as others, most of his political problems were inherited. The most well-known thing about Dirksen is his loss in Iran. The Ramadan Offensive shocked American forces, and it showed cracks in the military forces. With a split between Lemay and Dirksen, the American people began to feel that dysfunction in the United States government would cause their downfall in Iran, and Dirksen's approval ratings dropped. That would be the least of his problems.
Another problem that came with the Iranian war was oil and gas shortages. While Americans could accept that oil and gas prices would rise with a war in Iran, when dysfunction showed in the military, many Americans were incredibly furious that young men were being sent to their deaths and oil prices were rising while the US government was bickering. The oil and gas shortages only hurt the economy worse under the recession of 1958-1959. With the economy in the worst economic state post-WWII, any bump from Dirksen's victory in Cuba was cut be the economic situation. Not only that, but Che and Fidel's escape to Haiti was also controversial, as Haiti was aligned with the United States, and fears of revolution springing up there were high.
While the economy and a bad performance in Iran would have been kisses of death on their own, Dirksen also had the luxury of being president when the first satellite would go to space. Unfortunately, the United States wasn't going to space, the Soviet Union was. Three weeks before the midterm elections of 1958[1], the USSR announced that they had launched a satellite, Sputnik 1 into space. Dirksen's approval ratings immediately dropped. Americans were furious that the Soviets went to space before Americans, and demanded action. Dirksen decided to form a government department, NASA that would lead space projects in the future. While this was important, it was too little, too late, and Dirksen's Republicans would take massive losses in the midterms. In the end, Americans were furious at the economy, the Iranian conflict, and the launch of Sputnik. This anger would lead the American people to turn out in the 1958 and 1960 elections. Elections that would change the world.
Despite Dirksen's failures in many other issues, he was moderately decent on Civil Rights. He enforced school desegregation, and even sent Attorney General Earl Warren to discuss that with Arkansas governor Orval Fabus, who stood strongly opposed to desegregation. Eventually, desegregation would be enforced on Arkansas. However, Dirksen is rarely remembered as a desegregation supporter my many who don't want to score political points, as his presidential failures can be seen for miles, so his success is often overlooked. Not only that, but Dirksen passed the Civil Rights Act of 1958. However, that act is usually overlooked, as it only stated that the federal government would ensure that all peoples could vote in federal elections. While this was a massive step for Civil Rights, it didn't really do much. All it meant was that the government could have more oversight on voter registration, and when compared to the Civil Rights Act of 1962, it doesn't seem as big[2]. President Dirksen also began his "War on Drugs" following Joseph McCarthy's death, and fired Director Harry Anslinger, who had assisted McCarthy in getting heroin[3]. Dirksen began a "Tough on Drugs" attitude, and often advocated for heavy jail time for drug offenders. While at the time, it was quite popular, research today shows it discriminated heavily against African-Americans, even if the direct purpose of the plan wasn't to racially profile. By the end of the next three presidencies, Dirksen's Civil Rights achievements were largely lost to history, and his domestic and foreign failures stood out more.
By the end of 1959, it was clear Dirksen had no chance running for reelection. So on November 4, 1959 he announced that he would not be running for reelection, citing old age. Coincidentally, cheers erupted from the Pennsylvania governor mansion that very same day. It began one of the most controversial Republican nominations in history.
[1] Yes, there have been conspiracy theories about the Democrats collaborating with commies, you really don't have to ask
[2] Based off the CRA of 1957
[3] Yes, this actually happened IOTL. However, it is more of a scandal ITTL, as McCarthy's death came from a heroin overdose
With Batista defeating the rebels in 1958, does Michael Corleone go ahead and invest in the casinos with Hyman Roth, or do they still try to kill each other?
Getting ahead of the TL there anyway. But it would be interesting to see how major elements of culture develop. Do we still have rock and roll arrive on schedule? Does television become a large scale medium like it did in OTL or is it delayed a few years? (Which could affect 1960 if the D Congress makes a big enough policy or ethics mistake to make the election close). Could also have butterflies down the road with the 1960s counterculture.
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
Yeah, <RETRACTED> decides to use a television debate against <RETRACTED> in 1960
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
So I’m stuck between two update ideas for a while. So because I crave attention I’ve decided to set up a poll. However, you must choose wisely, because the one you don’t pick will never be written because I’m lazy
Polls close today at 10!
http://www.strawpoll.me/14957621
Polls close today at 10!
http://www.strawpoll.me/14957621
Interesting take on the greatest legislator to ever come out of Illinois and one of the great civil rights senators.
Update 18: 1959 House special election in Florida’s 4th district
Gentleman Biaggi
Banned
1959 House special election in Florida’s 4th district
Florida has long been a Democratic state. In every presidential election since 1928, the state has voted Democratic in a presidential election. As of 1959, there is no Republican member of the state’s congressional delegation[1]. However, by 1959, things were changing, especially in Southern Florida. Republican President Everett Dirksen’s efforts to stand by Cuban President Fulgencio Batista, despite much opposition from Democrats and Liberal Republicans was incredibly popular with Floridans. Most Floridans, especially in the South were not too happy that many Democrats wanted to stop supporting a man who was stopping the Communists from taking over 90 miles away. Democratic Representative from Florida’s 4th and southernmost Congressional district Ernest “Cap” Graham was not one of these Democrats[2]. He had strongly supported Dirksen’s efforts to increase support for Batista, and he was rewarded with a re-election that involved him winning 99% of the vote against a small group of write-in candidates. However, Graham died in 1959, leaving a vacancy for his seat. The seat was expected to be dark blue. That was until it was found that Democratic Candidate Dante Fascell had opposed supporting Batista in 1957. All of a sudden the race was turned on it’s head. Republican nominee and Mayor of Miami Abe Aronovitz shot up in the polls. The Republicans had a chance.
After the revelations of Fascell’s opinions on the Cuban conflict, the campaign began to heat up. The Republicans and Democrats began to hunt for dirt on the other party and they called in names for assistance. Everett Dirksen even spoke at an Aronovitz rally. It became one of the closest races in a district that would never seem to be close in the future. Finally, on June 16, 1959, the votes were counted. Fascell lost by an incredibly slim margin. In the future, George Wallace would joke that “A Republican New York Jew defeated a Democrat who supported Brown v. Board. At the time, it was the least Southern Southern election in history.” While that might have been true, it would begin a different era in Florida’s political history.
[1] Republican Representative from Florida's 1st Bill Cramer was defeated in 1958
[2] Graham ran in 1954 instead of Fascell, who won in the ITTL race
Florida has long been a Democratic state. In every presidential election since 1928, the state has voted Democratic in a presidential election. As of 1959, there is no Republican member of the state’s congressional delegation[1]. However, by 1959, things were changing, especially in Southern Florida. Republican President Everett Dirksen’s efforts to stand by Cuban President Fulgencio Batista, despite much opposition from Democrats and Liberal Republicans was incredibly popular with Floridans. Most Floridans, especially in the South were not too happy that many Democrats wanted to stop supporting a man who was stopping the Communists from taking over 90 miles away. Democratic Representative from Florida’s 4th and southernmost Congressional district Ernest “Cap” Graham was not one of these Democrats[2]. He had strongly supported Dirksen’s efforts to increase support for Batista, and he was rewarded with a re-election that involved him winning 99% of the vote against a small group of write-in candidates. However, Graham died in 1959, leaving a vacancy for his seat. The seat was expected to be dark blue. That was until it was found that Democratic Candidate Dante Fascell had opposed supporting Batista in 1957. All of a sudden the race was turned on it’s head. Republican nominee and Mayor of Miami Abe Aronovitz shot up in the polls. The Republicans had a chance.
After the revelations of Fascell’s opinions on the Cuban conflict, the campaign began to heat up. The Republicans and Democrats began to hunt for dirt on the other party and they called in names for assistance. Everett Dirksen even spoke at an Aronovitz rally. It became one of the closest races in a district that would never seem to be close in the future. Finally, on June 16, 1959, the votes were counted. Fascell lost by an incredibly slim margin. In the future, George Wallace would joke that “A Republican New York Jew defeated a Democrat who supported Brown v. Board. At the time, it was the least Southern Southern election in history.” While that might have been true, it would begin a different era in Florida’s political history.
[1] Republican Representative from Florida's 1st Bill Cramer was defeated in 1958
[2] Graham ran in 1954 instead of Fascell, who won in the ITTL race
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