For example, it might become a focus of Democratic Congressional leaders that the Warsaw Pact has more conventional forces than NATO, but we're relying on nukes as a back-up, whereas the Soviets have a policy of no first strike but full retaliatory strike. Well, that's a messed up situation. That's allowing East Germany and Berlin to be a bit of a hair trigger.
Furthermore, Congressional leaders might be pretty good at playing poker with our allies, allowing and even encouraging more radical members to talk about cutting the defense budget, while quietly communicating to President Ford that most members would support increased troop levels in Western Europe if our allies also make similar commitments.
And let's say this comes to pass and the early '80s are not as dangerous as they were in OTL.
So, Congressional leaders still work with the President, but in a sense they become the dominant branch.
Alright, tell me what else happens.
Furthermore, Congressional leaders might be pretty good at playing poker with our allies, allowing and even encouraging more radical members to talk about cutting the defense budget, while quietly communicating to President Ford that most members would support increased troop levels in Western Europe if our allies also make similar commitments.
And let's say this comes to pass and the early '80s are not as dangerous as they were in OTL.
So, Congressional leaders still work with the President, but in a sense they become the dominant branch.
Alright, tell me what else happens.