The People's President: Timeline

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Ralph Jenkins gives Christmas speech
December 25, 1987

Governor of Ohio and presidential candidate Ralph Jenkins has given a major televised speech in the Ohio Governor's Mansion to celebrate Christmas. In the speech, Jenkins wished Americans everywhere happy holidays, and mentioned Christmas' origin as a celebration of Jesus Christ's purported birthday.

"I desire happy Holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year) for Americans everywhere, especially the working men and women of this great country. Christmas is not just about gifts and suppers; it is meant to celebrate the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ, who died for our sins thousands of years ago. Now, let's continue to work together to make America a better country!"

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Ralph Jenkins, Michael Dukakis step up attacks on eachother
January 3, 1988

After a months-long truce between the two frontrunners, Governors and Democratic presidential candidates Ralph Jenkins of Ohio, and Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts, have begun to attack eachother.

Jenkins has just held a rally in Fort Dodge, Iowa where he gave a speech excoriating Dukakis as a "coastal elitist" and "indifferent" to pollution in the Boston harbor, and running a prison furlough program for convicted murderers. The Governor ended the speech with an emotional appeal:

"Duke, stop chasin' dreams and go clean up your harbor!"

The Jenkins campaign is also airing attack ads about the prison furlough program in New Hampshire and Maine.

Michael Dukakis, on the other hand, has called Jenkins a "dangerous populist" with 'backwards" views, particularly his protectionism and pro-life stance on abortion. In New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, Dukakis is broadcasting advertisements consisting of Jenkins' statements on abortion "Killing innocent humans is wrong, regardless of their age" and guns "I oppose most gun control".

Dukakis is polling at 30% and Jerkins at 29%.

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Ralph Jenkins elaborates on trade policy during speech
January 13, 1988

Governor of Ohio and presidential hopeful Ralph Jenkins has given a major speech in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he said his Administration would follow a "protectionist" approach to foreign trade, namely by raising tariffs on Japanese and South Korean steel and automobiles.

Before that, Jenkins criticized the Reagan Administration for "irresponsibly" expanding foreign trade without protecting American workers from the consequences, blaming that for the trade deficit "piling up" throughout the decade.

"The Reagan Administration has irresponsibly expanded foreign trade throughout the decade, without protecting American workers from the negative consequences: outsourcing, the piling up of the trade deficit, and the erosion of our unions. Under a Jenkins Administration, this is going to change. We are going to raise import tariffs on Japanese and South Korean steel and automobiles, while taxing outsourcing at 10%, and extending the Buy American Act of 1933 to the private sector. As President, I will 100% fight for the working people, not the special interests in Washington"

Reaction to this speech has been mostly positive.

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AFL-CIO endorses Ralph Jenkins
January 17, 1988

Following a speech by Governor of Ohio and presidential candidate Ralph Jenkins where he pledged to follow a protectionist trade policy and protect unions, many of them have decided to endorse Jenkins for President, which prompted the AFL-CIO to officially do so.

This has been announced in a joint press conference between Jenkins and the organization's president, Lane Kirkland in Jenkins' home town of Toledo, Ohio.

Ralph Jenkins said his Administration would repeal the Taft-Hartley Act, double pay for public school teachers, nurses and hospital staff across the board, tax outsourcing at 10%, impose higher tariffs on Japanese steel and automobiles, and extend the Buy American Act of 1933 to the private sector.

Kirkland said: "Governor Jenkins has done an awesome job standing for unions, and the workers both in and outside them. We in the AFL-CIO are officially endorsing Ralph Jenkins for President of the United States" to thunderous applause.

This endorsement is expected to greatly help Jenkins in the Midwest, but hurt him in the South.

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Ralph Jenkins becomes frontrunner following AFL-CIO endorsement
January 21, 1988

Following a key endorsement from the AFL-CIO federation of trade unions, Governor of Ohio and presidential candidate Ralph Jenkins has became the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, surpassing his Massachusetts counterpart Michael Dukakis.

A poll from Stanford University has shown the following results:

Governor Ralph Jenkins 31.6%
Governor Michael Dukakis 30.3%
Activist Jesse Jackson 20.4%
Senator Al Gore 9.8%
Senator Paul Simon 3.9%
Governor of Arizona Bruce Babbitt 2.1%
Representative Dick Gephardt 1.5%
Other 0.4%

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Ralph Jenkins announces tax policy
February 1, 1988

Governor of Ohio and Democratic presidential frontrunner Ralph Jenkins has given a long speech in Sioux Falls, South Dakota about taxes.

In the speech, Jenkins said he would repeal Ronald Reagan's "giveaway" for the wealthy, while closing corporate tax loopholes and imposing a 10% tax on outsourcing to "bring the jobs back"; the Governor also pledged an expansion of farm credit, and eliminating federal taxation for those making below $10,000 a year.

"As President, one of my top priorities will be to reverse the Reagan giveaway to the wealthiest 1%, to reduce our alarming budget deficit. We are also going to close corporate tax loopholes and end duplicate government programs, with that same goal in mind. Furthermore, companies will be required to pay the federal government a 10% tax to send jobs overseas, as I have done in Ohio, and those making below $10,000 per year will be exempt from federal taxation. Last but not least, farm credit will be expanded to help our struggling farmers. I will be a president for the people, unlike Ronald Reagan"

Michael Dukakis, on the other hand, has pledged to raise taxes on the wealthy and expand the child tax credit.

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Democrats hold final debate before Iowa Caucus; Jenkins, Dukakis exchange insults
February 6, 2022

With both major parties due to hold presidential caucuses in Iowa in two days, the Des Moines Telegraph has hosted a debate between Democrats' presidential candidates.

Michael Dukakis, Ralph Jenkins, Jesse Jackson and Al Gore participated in the debate, with Paul Simon and Dick Gephardt being excluded, due to polling below 5%.

While the four candidates discussed healthcare, the farm crisis, Iran-Contra affair, education and AIDS, the debate was marked by a heated exchange between Governors Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts and Ralph Jenkins of Ohio.

When Jenkins attributed AIDS to "sexual degeneracy", Dukakis perceived this as an "homophobic dogwhistle" and said his Ohioan counterpart should be "ashamed" of himself; Jenkins replied by saying Dukakis should feel ashamed about the prison furlough program he implemented in Massachusetts. Dukakis said he would order an end to the program, while pointing out Jenkins' involvement with Jimmy Hoffa during the 1960s. Jenkins called Dukakis a "literal liar" and said he had never personally met Hoffa.

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Jenkins wins Democratic Iowa Caucus
February 9, 1988

Yesterday, both major parties held presidential caucuses in Iowa. This article will focus exclusively on the Democratic caucus.

Governor of Ohio Ralph Jenkins, who had focused on the Hawkeye State due to his populist policies, has won the caucus by seven percentage points over his counterpart from Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis, who won 24% of county delegate equivalents; his support mostly coming from the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas, in contrast to Jenkins, who did best in the conservative northwest and populist south of the state, and to a certain degree the Driftless Area.

US Senator for neighboring Illinois Paul Simon eked out a strong third place finish in the caucus, with 21% of county delegate equivalents, winning several counties in the east of the state, with his support being mostly concentrated in the Driftless Area.

US Representative for Missouri Dick Gephardt underperformed expectations (in part due to the populist campaign of Ralph Jenkins), getting 11% of county delegate equivalents, while winning Lucas and Ringgold Counties, located near the Missouri border.  

Activist and Reverend Jesse Jackson has ended up in a disappointing fifth place, with 6% of county delegate equivalents, mostly coming from university students.

Finally, Governor of Arizona Bruce Babbitt won 4% of county delegate equivalents, primarily in the libertarian southeast of the Hawkeye State. He suspended his campaign afterwards.

Ralph Jenkins celebrated his victory in the caucus with a televised speech on his campaign headquarters: "There's a high demand for change from the American people, and we are going to make government serve the people once again"

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Ralph Jenkins begins whistle-stop tour of New Hampshire
February 11, 1988

With New Hampshire due to hold presidential primaries for both major parties in five days, Governor of Ohio Ralph Jenkins, thought to be an underdog in the state due to his populist policies, has began a canvassing tour of the Granite State, planning to visit all of New Hampshire's ten counties, and all major cities.

According to anonymous campaign staffers, his strategy is to pull off an upset victory against Michael Dukakis from neighboring Massachusetts, which is no easy task; Dukakis is polling at 38%, with Jenkins at 31%.

Right now, the Governor of Ohio is holding a town hall in Keene, responding to a question about education.

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Ralph Jenkins, Michael Dukakis meet eachother in New Hampshire
February 13, 1988

Today, something awkward has happened on the campaign trail for the Democratic New Hampshire primary.

Governor of Ohio Ralph Jenkins was distributing flyers throughout the streets of Milford, accompanied by several campaign workers (he has done a rally in Jaffrey the previous day), and suddenly, he saw the Governor of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis and his wife Kitty walking through the street.

Jenkins was surprised, and asked:

- Duke?

Dukakis replied:

- Yes, it's me.

The two, who had attacked eachother in speeches, ads and debates, calmly discussed issues on their states, with Jenkins praising Dukakis for sending boats to clean the polluted Boston Harbor, and ending the prison furlough program – both on Jenkins' request.

Jenkins then resumed his campaigning.

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Democratic primary debate held at UNH; Dukakis seen as winner
February 15, 1988

With New Hampshire Democrats (and Republicans too) holding a presidential primary tomorrow, the University of New Hampshire, headquartered at Hanover, has hosted a debate between presidential candidates.

Governor of Ohio Ralph Jenkins, Governor of Massachusetts Michael Dukakis, US Senator Paul Simon and activist Jesse Jackson were invited; all accepted.

Ralph Jenkins was clearly unprepared for the debate, and looked distracted on camera; this obscured the fact his answers to the moderator and other candidates' questions on healthcare, education, the farm crisis and abortion were effective.

Dukakis, on the other hand, appeared decisive, and managed to refute Jesse Jackson's arguments on a single-payer healthcare system.

A final poll for the New Hampshire primary shows the following result:

Michael Dukakis 40.8%
Ralph Jenkins 30.4%
Paul Simon 16.9%
Jesse Jackson 6.1%
Al Gore 4.3%
Dick Gephardt 1.5%

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Michael Dukakis wins New Hampshire primary
February 7, 1988

Yesterday, Democrats held a presidential primary in New Hampshire. With all ballots now counted, the results were as follows:

Michael Dukakis 41.1%
Ralph Jenkins 30.2%
Paul Simon 17.3%
Jesse Jackson 5.9%
Al Gore 3.7%
Dick Gephardt 1.2%
Gary Hart 0.2%
Lyndon LaRouche 0.2%
Bruce Babbitt (dropped out) 0.1%
Write-in 0.1%

Dukakis' campaign has rebounded with this decisive victor; the momentum of Ralph Jenkins has been dampened.

Most of Dukakis' support came from the south of the state; he won Hillsborough, Sullivan and Merrimack counties by decisive margins, while eking out narrow victories in Grafton, Belknap and Strafford counties.

Ralph Jenkins, on the other hand, was hampered by a poor debate performance and the unpopularity of his populist views in New England, only carrying Carroll and Coos counties with 35% and 39% of the vote, respectively; Jenkins only earned 21% of the ballots cast in Hillsborough County, behind Paul Simon and Dukakis, also finishing third in Grafton.

Simon again ended up in third place, with a paltry 17% of the vote; however, he finished second in Hillsborough and Grafton counties, given his appeal to urbanites and college students, respectively. The Simon vote was spread across the state.

Jesse Jackson eked out a distant fourth place finish, scraping 6% of the vote due to failing he defend a single-payer healthcare system; he did best in Grafton County, with 12%.

Al Gore and Dick Gephardt performed best in the north of the state, but failed to gain traction.

Michael Dukakis thanked the people of New Hampshire for choosing the most "competent" candidate, while congratulating Dukakis and Simon for their strong showings.

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Jenkins, Dukakis focus on Minnesota
February 15, 1988

With Minnesota and South Dakota due to hold presidential primaries in two days, Democratic Governors Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts and Ralph Jenkins of Ohio have heavily focused on the former, with Jenkins having an early lead in South Dakota.

Jenkins has given several speeches in the Iron Range, saying his Administration will raise tariffs on Japanese and South Korean steel and automobiles, while taxing outsourcing at 10% and repealing Ronald Reagan's tax cuts for the wealthy. The Jenkins campaign has aired ads in Northwestern Minnesota about his plans to aggressively intervene in the behalf of farmers.

Dukakis, on the other hand, has contrasted the Massachusetts Miracle on his home state to the "failures" of the Reagan Administration, saying he will negotiate with Japan and take steps to enhance the competitiveness of American industry, while not tariffs and other protectionist measures off the table. As to the farm crisis, the Governor of Massachusetts has promised to expand farm credit and increase farm subsidies.

Ralph Jenkins has a slight lead in the polls in the North Star State.

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Ralph Jenkins airs "Farm Crisis" ad in MN, SD
February 18, 1988

With the policies and rethoric of Ralph Jenkins being considered populist, his campaign has made tackling the farm crisis – through aggressive government intervention – a top priority. Given this, the Jenkins campaign has produced a TV advertisement about the matter, focusing on Jenkins' solutions.

The ad begins with pessimistic scenes of empty fields and struggling farmers, together with statistics by renowned economists about agricultural production. Then, Jenkins highlighted his record in defense of Ohio's frontier farmers, while saying his Administration will expand farm farm credit, increase farm subsidies, restore some New Deal-era agricultural programs, and slash interest rates.

This advertisement has been successful, with the number of undecided voters falling in the polls, and Jenkins ones rising.

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Ralph Jenkins promises slight reductions to military spending, sanctions on South Africa
February 21, 1988

Two days before presidential primaries are held in Minnesota and South Dakota, Ralph Jenkins has given a major speech about his Administration's foreign policy agenda in Brooklyn Park, a suburban city which usually distrusts populists like Jenkins.

Jenkins said his Administration will slightly reduce military spending, while working to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine, taking action against Manuel Noriega, and imposing sanctions on apartheid South Africa; he also doubled down on his earlier promise to impose higher import tariffs on Japanese and South Korean steel and automobiles.

"My Administration's foreign policy will be tough, but humble. We will work with all willing countries to fight scourges such as terrorism and drug trafficking, while taking action, namely sanctions, against any country harboring them, especially Manuel Noriega's Panama. To this effect, we are going to make slight reductions to military spending, as the Cold War is winding down, but we don't know what threats might arise. Our priority in the Middle East will be to achieve a permanent peace between Israel and Palestine, which share the same ethnicity. South Africa is a racist country which discriminates against the overwhelming majority of its population; my Administration will impose harsh sanctions on South Africa until they have no choice but to drop Apartheid. And last but not least, import tariffs on Japanese and South Korean steel and automobiles are going to be raised, to bring the jobs back to the Rust Belt"

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Ralph Jenkins sails to victory in MN, SD
February 24, 1988

Ralph Jenkins has obtained handy victories in the presidential primaries of Minnesota and South Dakota.

The Governor of Ohio, who has made tackling the farm crisis through aggressive government intervention one of his main talking points, enjoys wide appeal in the Midwest and Plains due to his populist rethoric and policies, which appeal to voters in the region.

In the Republican primaries, Bob Dole has won both states, giving his campaign a substantial boost.

Minnesota:

Ralph Jenkins 37.5%
Michael Dukakis 31.9%
Paul Simon 16.7%
Jesse Jackson 6.2%
Al Gore 3.7%
Dick Gephardt 1.8%
Gary Hart 0.9%
Lyndon LaRouche 0.7%
Bruce Babbitt (dropped out) 0.5%
Write-in 0.1%

South Dakota:

Ralph Jenkins 41.8%
Michael Dukakis 30.8%
Uncommited 8.1%
Paul Simon 6.0%
Jesse Jackson 4.1%
Al Gore 2.3%
Dick Gephardt 2.0%
Gary Hart 1.1%
Lyndon LaRouche 0.9%

Jenkins' name and face are all over TV and newspapers, as he consolidated his frontrunner status.

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I ran out of ideas