A Different America: 1956, The Eisenhower Administration

[Elcaspar]

It was a close shave for Anton Jepsen in 1954 that's for sure. His House race was only won by a very narrow 544 votes, and he might very well have lost if it were not for a late campaign stop by his friend Senator Hubert Humphrey. And it was the very fear of defeat that prevented Jepsen from getting an important Committee position in the House. But Jepsen was hopeful that he would be granted a Committee position after he had shown that he could win in a midterm year.

Jepsen was heavily supportive of the Court's decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, and frequently appeared on the House Floor in support of the decision as well as in support of the Civil Rights Movement. He was heavily critical of the Southern Manifesto, declaring that:
"It's a document that exists to deny the decision of one of the branches of the United States Government, that being the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. They say that the decision is unconstitutional, and yet the Supreme Court has the power to make such a decision as one of the branches of our government. It was the Southerners who declared that we should respect the decision that the Supreme Court made in Dredd Scott vs Sanford, and yet we see their modern counterparts argue that the Supreme Court no longer deserves respect? Not to mention the blatant disregard of the civil liberties that the Southern States impose upon African-Americans, denying them the same rights that every other American citizen enjoys per the Constitution. It's about damn time we started properly enforcing the 14th and 15th Amendments, and put human rights over states rights."

Jepsen also directed a response towards the remarks of Senator Jackson from Florida:
"While i may agree with Senator Jackson on some economic issues, he is just dead wrong on the issue of Civil Rights. You and Senator Fulbright may say all you want about the fact that you are just proud Americans, and that it couldn't be further from the truth that you are racists, but by explicitly supporting state's rights, you are implicitly supporting a state's right to disenfranchise and discriminate against American citizens. I went to fight in the Second World War because i believed we were in a fight against oppression, and yet i find myself fighting the same battle here against oppression here at home in Congress against those who do not want to provide rights and freedoms to all Americans, and all because they believe in state's rights? It's racism, whether they outright show it explicitly or implicitly trough their support of a states rights to institutionalized racism."

After this Jepsen returns to his district as he wants to prevent a race as close as 1954, and will heavily campaign in his home district of MN-5 to prevent it from getting in Republican hands. Jepsen   will also campaign for the Eisenhower/Kefauver ticket when he is able to do so.  

[Elcaspar]

For the chaos i will vote for Joe Foss to get the Republican Party nomination. And naturally i will support Eisenhower and Kefauver for renomination for the Democrats.

[Elcaspar]

Foss/Halleck for the Republicans

Anton Jepsen

The Democratic Convention was both an expected affair, as well as an unexpected one in Jepsens mind. Jepsen was part of the Minnesota delegation that went to the Chicago Convention to renominate Eisenhower and Kefauver, which went just as expected as basically all delegates voted for their renomination. The unexpected part however was the speech delivered by Iowa Senator Thomas Kenway, who brought the Convention Hall to it's feet with a story of his service under Eisenhower, and how Eisenhower had served the United States these past 4 years, not to mention his contrast of how Eisenhower lead us back to the ideals of the New Deal, while Foss is trying to bring back the ideas that gave us the Great Depression. It truly was a great speech, and Jepsen would be lying if he said he wasn't brought to his feet chanting. "Perhaps it might be an idea to reach out to Senator Kenway" Jepsen thought to himself. About what exactly he did not know yet, but it was always nice to make some new political allies.

Jepsen was glad that Congressman Gerald O'Conor was able to get Medicare into the official party platform, and was also happy to see his name mentioned in several papers about his role in crafting some of the details of the bill. Jepsen very much appreciated that Congressman O'Conor had made sure to make his role in crafting part of Medicare known, even if it was an expected gesture on O'Conor's part. Not to mention the fact that O'Conor came to campaign in his district of MN-5, which he very much appreciated given the close margin in 1954, and O'Conor's charisma certainly didn't hurt in that regard either. While he would have liked to return the favor in kind IL-7 was a safe district for the Democrats, which would make the effort to do so unnecessary. He would just have to repay the favor in some other way in the future. Jepsen hopes to further cultivate their political friendship, and having them become strong allies in the House.

While Congressman Gerry O'Conor was answering questions about Medicare to the press, Jepsen was working on selling the idea in the House of Representatives. He articulated the need for providing one of our most vulnerable groups, that being the elderly, with the medical care necessary for living out their twilight years without  having to worry about not having healthcare. He did this both on the House floor, as well as to individual members of Congress. Jepsen hoped that selling the idea early in the House, might make sure that Medicare would be one of the first Democratic Platform promises to be fulfilled.

Point Expenditure:
6 points for boosting the Democratic Party downballot across the country.

The above is just for transparency reasons, as i already DM'ed JacksonHitchcock about it.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen

Jepsen was glad to see that his work in the House had borne fruit, with many Congressmen having been convinced of the need for Medicare. His work in convincing the Congressman had even caught the attention of Speaker Sam Rayburn, who even offered to teach Jepsen about some parliamentary tricks that are usually only known to the elder statesmen in Congress. Jepsen gladly accepted the offer from Speaker Rayburn, as he wanted to learn more about these little-known parliamentary tricks which could prove highly useful if used correctly. Jepsen also used it as an opportunity to cultivate a relationship with the Speaker, hoping that it might to a Committee position or something of the sort down the line.

Jepsen was now sure about which issue to approach Senator Kenway with. Jepsen recalled back to the times after Brown v. Board of Education, when he himself vocally spoke out in support of the decision, and against those who didn't. He remembered that Senator Kenway was among those who supported the decision, and even echoed the same sentiment of human rights over states rights that Jepsen did in the House. The issue of civil rights was where he would connect with Senator Kenway, and Jepsen would reach out to him on the potentiality of a Civil Rights Bill, which would sponsored in the Senate and House respectively. Jepsen hoped that him and Kenway could become political allies in general, if they were able to successfully work together on a potential Civil Rights Bill.

Jepsen would also heavily campaign for the Eisenhower/Kefauver ticket in Minnesota and the surrounding states, most often Wisconsin as it was the closest of the states. He would heavily criticize the arch-conservative Foss, calling his views out as the same as those who gave us the Great Depression, and saying that he would cut funding for everything from Social Security to farm subsidies, which would jeopardize the security of farmers and the retired respectively, not to mention everything in between. "These views are ones that would return us to the Gilded Age and the Great Depression" was a frequent line in Jepsen's speeches against Foss.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen

It was no surprise to Jepsen when Eisenhower won in a landslide over Joe Foss, given his late scandal as well as his arch-conservative stances, not to mention to the strong incumbency of President Eisenhower.  Jepsen also had a complete turnaround compared to 1954, winning reelection by a solid 15% margin over his Republican challenger, partly of his own efforts, partly of that of others, and of course partly the landslide itself. It was certainly an election night to celebrate.

As the new Congress convened Jepsen found himself appointed to the Education and Labour Committee, as his large victory had convinced the leadership in Congress to finally appoint him to such a position. It wasn't his first choice, but it was something Jepsen would commit himself to nonetheless, as he could use his position to promote legislation that favored unions, workers and helped improve the education system. He would also work hard in his position to ensure that he might receive the Chairmanship down the line.

As Congressman O'Conor was motioning for vote on the Medicare bill, Jepsen was waiting in anticipation in his chair. Finally there was about to be a step forward in healthcare in this country even if it was just for elderly. As Speaker Rayburn asked for seconding of the bill, Jepsen was one of the first to raise his hands in support, and has he had already gotten the official right of seconding due to helping with the details, he cast the second vote in support of Medicare. It was a jubilant occasion indeed when it was passed and sent to the Senate. Now all there was to do was wait.

Jepsen responded positively to the letter sent by Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas, happily accepting his invitation to come to Regina or Saskatoon when he was available, as well thanking him for his words in the letter. He noted down potential dates to visit in his notebook.


In the new session of Congress, Jepsen would introduce what he called the "Election Holiday Act" which would aim to make every election day a federal holiday. Jepsen stated that "By making every election day in this country a holiday, we make sure that more Americans are able to participate in our democratic process every year without the worry of other commitments in their lives."   Jepsen would also frequently reiterate these words to the House, and would work hard for it's passage.

Jepsen voiced similar support for an Amendment to the Constituion that would increase democratic participation, that being "The Popular Nomination Amendment" by Senator Jackson of Florida. He argued that it is only right that democratic participation should extend to all members of both the parties across the country, and that for too long have power-brokers in the smoke-filled backrooms been able to influence the nomination process in a thoroughly undemocratic way. He would support it in anyway he could in the House, despite his differences with the Senator Jackson.


Jepsen would work hard at reelection in 1958, hoping to avoid a close result like he had in 1954. He would emphasize his role in helping craft and passing the Medicare bill, as well as his position on the
Education and Labour Committee, where he supported legislation that would help the common worker, as well as unions. He hoped that this would be enough to prevent the result from being as close. He would also announce that he would run for re-election in 1960 as well if he won in 1958.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen

It was a weird feeling to Jepsen having been one of the last people to interact with President Eisenhower before his death in early hours of March 7th. He really couldn't put it any other way at all when he heard it all the morning after, as the news reached a shocked nation. Anton even shed some tears for the man who was his commander during the 2nd World War, and led the nation to a more stable and strong place than it was before. It was Kefauver that was to lead us now.

The funeral was a somber affair with everyone paying their respects to the now former President Eisenhower, and Jepsen was no different. He even shed a few more tears again when Senator Kenway delivered an eulogy on behalf of the Eisenhower family, and saluted just as Kenway did. Jepsen couldn't deny that Senator Jackson also delivered a good eulogy as well. And as he left the room where Eisenhower's body lay in state, he saw a group of people congregated around President Kefauver in the distance, and just as he approached closer he heard the President remark about where Anton was. Jepsen took the opportunity to lighten the mood with a joke, remarking " You rang, Mr. President?" which certainly got a laugh out of the President. And it was then the President confirmed that he wasn't running, leaving it up to people like Kennedy of Johnson to run. "A shame" Anton thought, he had supported Kefauver from the start but with his health ailing it was probably for the better.


As House Speaker Rayburn announced his retirement in 1958, there was about to be a battle for who to be his successor. It was a battle between Majority Whip O'Connor and and Majority Leader McCormack. Jepsen knew whose side he was on from the start despite having officially remained neutral up until this point, and that was his close political ally Gerald O'Connor. He would strongly support him, and would work to convince some of the undecided Representatives to do the same when it came to a vote. It was the Old Guard against the New, and Jepsen simply couldn't stand the Old Guard represented by McCormack.


Only 2 years of work on the Education and Labor Committee and Jepsen had already been advanced to a position in the powerful Ways and Means Committee, with some help from his friend Hubert Humphrey of course. Jepsen set to work immediately, hoping that his diligence might eventually lead to him becoming Chairman of the Committee down the line. He would also make attempt to make an ally in fellow committee member Dan Rostenowski, as they both already had close relations with Gerald O'Connor, not to mention to value of having more political allies.

Jepsen would also continue to push for his Election Holiday Act as well, working to try and ensure that it might be passed passed before the next Presidential Election in 1960.

Jepsen additionally voiced support for the "Family Farm Act" introduced by Senator Kenway, seeking to shore up support for the Act even before it has passed the Senate.


With President Kefauver being out of the running in 1960 the field has been left open on the Democratic Party's side, with names like Lyndon Johnson and John Kennedy being thrown around in some circles. But Jepsen did not have either of these as his first options, as he was set on his friend Senator Hubert Humphrey running for the nomination. Even if he might not win, at least he might have a shot at the Vice Presidency if he had a strong performance, and most importantly he was a strong fighter for the common man like Kefauver and Jepsen. That is more than can be said for the privileged Kennedy, and the damned Taft-Hartley supporter Johnson.

Jepsen would ask his friend to consider running for the nomination. The country needs a Happy Warrior, and a former Farmer-Laborite in the White House. He would do all he can to help if him if Humphrey decided to do so, as he had experience running an operation like that after all. All Jepsen could do now was to wait for his friends decision.

Point Expenditure:
1 point for 4 years in the House of Representatives for Anton Jepsen (MN-5) 1960-1964