A Second Chance - CONCLUSION

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

September 24th, 1968

Alabama Governor George Wallace joins the Dixiecrats! Presidential Campaign already under way!

This afternoon, former Alabama Governor George Wallace announced that he would joine the Dixiecrat Party. Having met with both Senator Thurmond and former Governor Faubus, he has become the unofficial nominee of the Dixicrat Party, having already run for the Democratic nomination, and winning two primaries. It is not yet known who he will chose for Vice-President, however, some names that have come up are General Curtis LeMay, Senator Harry F Byrd Jr. of Virginia, and Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, though all have declined to comment on whether they would be willing to join the ticket.

The Whitehouse
President Kennedy and his staff have just heard the news about Wallace's third party bid. The Kennedys, by now, are sick of discussions about the Dixiecrats, and how the Democrats can win without the Solid South.
    Jack: **Groan** Not again!
    Bobby: I know Jack. We're just going to have to pull this through another time.
    Jack: I am sick and tired of hearing these ceaseless demands from those damn Southern Democrats! Do they have to try to throw every damn election? I'll tell you what they are, they are mentally sick and physically incapable of handling the idea of Civil Rights.
    Bobby: We're just gonna have to pull this through one more time.
    Jack: Get Shriver on the phone...

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

and what's teddy keneddy doing at the moment?

Nice TL =)

Ted's in the Senate doing whatever it is he does in the Senate. JFK talks a lot more with Bobby than with Ted because RFK is his Attorney General and is hanging around the Whitehouse a lot more than Ted is.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

November 5th, 1967; Detroit, Michigan
And, because of this long and arduous war in Vietnam, because of the Administration's inability to either win it or bring American troops back home, because of President Kennedy's inaction on Civil Rights, and because of his lack of concern for the poor, I am now declaring my candidacy for President! It will not be easy, but I believe that we can win!
-Michigan Governor George Romney announcing his candidacy for the Republican nomination; November 5th, 1967

New York City, November 5th, 1967
An apartment in New York City that Governor Nelson Rockefeller owns. His brother, Winthrop Rockefeller, and Governor of Arkansas, is visiting, taking leave of his duties as Governor. They have just finished watching Governor Romney's announcement.
    Nelson: Well, Winthrop, what do you think?
    Winthrop: I don't know if he can win. With Goldwater taking the Conservative vote, I think Goldwater can ride that wave to the convention.
    Nelson: He can't win. His anti-war stances are now taboo in the party. We need another candidate. I myself would run, but after 1964, I don't know if the party would accept me.
    Winthrop: You could find a candidate to run in you place. Someone like Scranton in Pennsylvania or that mayor, Lindsay.
    Nelson: Nah. They're all old news. I think we need someone else.
    Winthrop: Well, who do you want running?
    Nelson: I was thinking you.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

January 20th, 1961
In his first day in office, President Richard Nixon has begun appointing cabinet members. Among those on his list for certain positions, some seem like obvious choices while others are seen as surprise picks. Some key appointments that have been revealed are listed below.

Secretary of the Treasury: Charles A Halleck
Secretary of Defense: Douglas MacArthur
Attorney General: John V Lindsay
Postmaster General: Prescott Bush
Secretary of the Interior: Harold Stassen
Secretary of Agriculture: Fred A Seaton
Secretary of Commerce: Ronald Reagan
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: Robert Finch
Secretary of Labor: George Shultz
National Security Adviser: Henry Kissinger

It is believed that some choices, such as those of House Minority Charles A Halleck, General Douglas MacArthur, and celebrity Ronald Reagan, are meant to appease Conservatives, while choices of Prescott Bush, Robert P Anderson, and John Lindsay, are meant to make peace with moderate. It is yet to be seen who Nixon's choice for Secretary of State is.

More to come...

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

My head hurts. Too much time warping. I think it's the pelvic thrust that really drives me insane.

Sorry. After the 1968 election, it will mostly be linear.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

March 12, 1968; New Hampshire

Michigan Governor George Romney wins the New Hampshire Primary!

In a tough primary race between three well known candidate, Michigan Governor George Romney, running on an ardently anti-war platform, has scarped by with victory in the North-Eastern state of New Hampshire, which is the first of the Republican Primaries. However, the road to the convention will still be hard, going against two other major candidates plus favorite sons.

New Hampshire-the state that puts Governor George Romney on the map

To the State of New Hampshire, you have made this long shot dream at becoming the Republican nominee a success. To all you who have voted for me, I thank you, and I assure you that my campaign will go on all the way to the convention, where we will win!
          -George Romney's victory speech after his victory in the New Hampshire primary

    Barry: We shouldn't even have expected a win.
    Ronnie: Don't worry. This is the North-East, the concentration of the Liberal establishment. There are other primaries. You'll win big in Florida and the West. Heck, you would even take California if it weren't for Finch.
    Barry: You're right. We're going to win this. I can feel it. Third time's the charm in this business.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

June 11, 1968
With the wrapping up of the Republican Primaries in Illinois, today, a win for Governor Romney, it's time to head to the Republican National Convention where the true winner of the Republican nomination will be decided. The three major candidates are Governor George Romney of Michigan, Governor Wintrhop Rockefeller or Arkansas, and Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona. The nomination will most likely go to one of those three, though some in the convention might try to push Governor Robert Finch of California, a favorite son, for the nomination.

1968 Republican Primary Map

Dark Blue-Goldwater
Blue-Rockefeller
Light Blue-Romney
Light Green-Favorite Sons (James Rhodes-Ohio, Robert Finch-California)

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Does anybody want to see the map for the Democratic Primaries before I move on and get done with the 1968 Presidential Election?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Does anybody want to see the map for the Democratic Primaries before I move on and get done with the 1968 Presidential Election?

I'd want to see it

Okay, that'll come soon.

Given that people like Tmthforu and Vasdul have complained about all the time warping, I'll only give one more flashback to pre-1965, a couple more updates on the election, then it'll be mostly linear from there on.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

June 11, 1968
At the same time that the Republicans are going to the convention with no clear winner, the Illinois Primary wraps up for Democrats with another win for incumbent President John F Kennedy. He has faced challenges from both the Right and the Left of his party as he has held of the insurgent campaigns of former Alabama Governor George Wallace and Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy.

1968 Democratic Primary Map

Dark Red-Wallace
Red-Kennedy
Pink-McCarthy
Light Green-Favorite Sons (Ohio-Stephen Young)

At the Democratic National Convention, it is expected that President Kennedy will easily win by the third ballot because neither McCarthy or Wallace have establishment support and they are unwilling to 'join forces' against Kennedy given that they are from opposite ends of the party. With that in mind, Kennedy and Vice-President Sanford are expected to leave the convention successfully.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm sorry about all the confusion with the flashbacks. It gave me a certain amount of freedom to just write whatever I wanted when I saw fit.

My original intent with the first post was ti fulfill this "image" I had. In my head, the original setting was in the Presidential limo going into the Whitehouse while it's being mobbed by peace protesters, and McNamara or Bobby says something like "Romney's gaining". It was just really cool in my head.

From now on, I'll pop my head into the Nixon "era" only two more times, give a couple updates leading up to the 1968 Presidential election, and then it'll be linear, with a couple of flash-forwards (usually interviews with certain key figures).

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Yes, it did make the TL redundant but I commend him for trying. Though it may have been best if the previous presidential campaigns of 1960 and 1964, even, more recently Kennedy's re-election were inferred in conversation. Speeds up the process, while being unique.

It'd be a lot easier to just refer to the elections in conversation, but I, as both a reader and a writer like to have the map for all to see.

By the way, I've noticed that for some reason, it's a lot more fun to do primary maps pre-1972. It's either the fact that there are only about fifteen states, or the colors I've been using.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

**BEWARE**A flashback!**BEWARE**

January 21st, 1961
As President Richard Nixon sits in his new office, the Oval Office, he thinks about his most pressing issue, that being naming a Secretary of State. He has a couple of names, but no-one he's enthusiastice about. One name that floats around in his head, but he has only given to one adviser, continues to float. Taking his feet off of his desk, he picks up the phone. and calls New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller.
    Nixon: Hello, Nelson, I need a favor from you.
    Rockefeller: Well what is it?
    Nixon: I need you to help me fill my cabinet.
    Rockefeller: I'm quite tied up here in New York as it is.
    Nixon: No, no, I know. I just need your help convincing one of your so called 'group' to fill the position of Secretary of State.
    Rockefeller: What's his name?
    Nxion: Not 'his'...

January 23rd, 1961

Nixon Announces His Choice for Secretary of State! Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine!

This afternoon, new President Richard Nixon announced his choice for Secretary of State. After three days of no clear sign of announcing his choice, the name has come forth. It is Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, who is not only the most prominent female politician of our time, but has also had a long career in Congress and worked on the House Naval Affairs Committee furing World War II. Response is mixed on the choice, but generally positive.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

January 23rd, 1961

Nixon Announces His Choice for Secretary of State! Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine!

This afternoon, new President Richard Nixon announced his choice for Secretary of State. After three days of no clear sign of announcing his choice, the name has come forth. It is Senator Margaret Chase Smith of New Hampshire, who is not only the most prominent female politician of our time, but has also had a long career in Congress and worked on the House Naval Affairs Committee furing World War II. Response is mixed on the choice, but generally positive.

Correction: Smith was from Maine. Unless that was the dramatic POD: Smith moves to New Hampshire.

Sorry, in "America and Onward", Maine is taken over by Canada, so she escapes to New Hampshire. I got used to saying "Congresswoman Margaret Chase Smith of New Hampshire".

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

October 9th, 1963

Commerce Secretary Ronald Reagan Announces Resignation

After continued disagreements between the Nixon Administration over foreign policy 'fumbles', Commerce Secretary Ronald Reagan has announced his resignation. He was originally chosen for the position because of his 'star status', and his work with General Electric. Reagan says that the final straw came with the signing of the Havana Accords, agreeing that the United States would no longer intervene in Cuba. The Havan Accords were first proposed because of the public death of CIA Agent E Howard Hunt, and the continued failure of the United States to oust Castro from power in Cuba. People have been wondering what Secretary Reagan is planning to do next, and he was not very forthcoming. It is expected that businessman, former Indiana State Senator, and son of 1940 Republican nominee Wendell Wilkie, Phil Wilkie, will be selected as Reagan's replacement. However, there is no formal announcement.

Commerce Secretary Ronald Reagan, who recently announced that he will be leaving office

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

From the viewpoint of several Conservatives, 1968 was seen as our great failure. After years of being ignored by Eisenhower and Nixon, we had hoped that we could successfully lead a surge against the establishment Republicans, and then against the Kennedys who had been waffling on Vietnam and domestic policy for four years. However, the nomination in 1968 ended up falling once again to the moderate wing. Not in the form of Nelson Rockefeller, but in a new form, the anti-war candidate George Romney. Romney made no attempt to connect with the conservative wing of the party-aside from a few brief telephone conversationg with California Senator Ronald Reagan-and chose Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield as his running mate. This, I think, cememnted the divide in the Republican Party, never to be re-bridged until the late 1980's. However, 1968, in retrospect, was just another failed year. The Conservatives would have other years. Only time would tell what we would do with them.
                       -Excerpt from Right From the Beginning by Patrick J Buchanan, 1987

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

September 28th, 1968
Kennedy has failed. It is obvious. Now is the time for new leadership, for bold steps to securing America. America can not be disgraced like this! True patriots can not allow it. It is time to stand up for America! That is why I have selected General Curtis LeMay as my running mate, because, as a military man, he knows what it takes to stand up for America!
                                         -Dixicrat Presidential nominee and former Alabama Governor George Wallace

October 1st, 1968
In this tumultuos decade we call the sixties, when American boys are shipped overseas to fight in a battle that has been long lost, when at home we see riots on every street corner of every major city, when we see civil unrest and racial violence on the television and in our country, we can no longer tolerate it. President Kennedy, running on a message of restoring America's image and improving racial relations, has done nothing on either front. That is why we must push ahead, and that is why we are running.
                                    -Oregon Senator and Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Mark Hatfield

October 3rd, 1968
I will remind the Republican ticket this year that we are the party of Conservatism. If the Republicans continually fail to see this, and continues to go along the path of the Left, it will remain a losing party.
                                                          -California Senator Ronald Reagan

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

LoL Reagan

I have to agree with this. It seems that most Republicans ITTL do not share Reagan's opinion on the direction their party is going.

We shall see...

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

By the way, does anyone know how many ballots someone would have needed to be nominated for President and Vice-President at the 1968 RNC? I want to put up those numbers.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

October 7th, 1968
The office of California Senator Ronald Reagan, where he talks with his colleague, political ally, and friend Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona. They are discussing the  upcoming election.
    Ronnie: Well, Barry. This election really puts us in a pickle. We agree more with the Dixiecrats and with the Democrats than the Republican ticket. We can't endorse either of them either, otherwise, if Romney wins, we'll be permanently marginalized in the party, and if Romney loses, they party would blame us.
    Barry: I know. The fact is that we'll have to sit this one out. If Romney wins, we'll do our best to make sure he selects Conservative cabinet members.
    Ronnie: Do you think we can make it in 1972? If Romney loses, Rockefeller, the New York one, will run again. He'll probably have the support of the entire Eastern establishment. We already have had two strong moderates in the field at the same time, and both made an impressive showing.
    Barry: Either we'll win it in 1972, or we'll see the death of this nation at the hands of the Rockefellers and the Romneys, and the McGoverns.
    Ronnie: Romney's leading again. Did you know that?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

October 7th, 1968
While Senators Reagan and Goldwater are conversing about the fate of their party, the President is conversing with the fate of his Administration. In the Oval Office, he has gathered some of his most trusted advisors. Once again, Treasury Secretary McNamara reads from the newspaper.
    McNamara: 'Since the most recent unfolding events in the election, Michigan Governor George Romney once again has the lead. Wallace's campaign has hurt the President the most, for the most part because it has taken away the Deep South, a region that consistently votes Democrat, except in situations such as these where a segregationist Southerner runs independent of the Democrats. Romney is currently polling at 43%, Kennedy at 41%, and Wallace at 14%.' Jack! We can't let this happen. We can't be beaten just because of these damn Dixiecrats!
    Jack: I know, I know. We'll do what we did last time. You know how this goes, we shift funds. Sargent, I want all funds removed from the following places: Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. We're going to use these new funds to swing Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and California our way.
    Sargent: California? You think we can take that place? That's Nixonland and Reaganland, and Finchland. How are we going to swing that?
    Jack: Sargent, the point's been made before. While these Dixiecrats hurt us in the South, they hurt Republicans more in the rest of the country. In places like California, the Conservative vote will split, and we'll have a very good chance at this.
    Sargent: Okay, I'll call the Treasurer, but from what I remember, we were barely spending anything down there anyway because either we'd get it handed to us, or the Dixiecrats woudl take it.
    Jack: John, you're connected with al the big businessman down there. We need more funds, and we need them in all the right places.
    Connally: Now, Jack, Texas might have a lot of oil, but it's dry in funds. My boys have done just about everything possible and gotten as much money as possible.
    Jack: Robert...
    Bobby and McNamara Which one?
    Jack: McNamara. Is there anybody back in Michigan willing to contribute?
    McNamara: I'm afraid not. They're going for their favorite son, Romney. I've talked with them like you asked, and they're not willing to do anything until you withdraw the proposal for the Environmental Protection Agency.
    Jack: That? Give me a break! We'll find the money, even if we have to drain Texas' oil. We're going to win this.
Who do you prefer for President?
George Romney-43%
John F Kennedy-41%
George Wallace-14%
Undecided/Other-2%

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

**BEWARE**Flashback into relatively recent history**BEWARE**

August 25-28
Going into the Republican Convention, a winner for the nomination is till undecided. Different factions are vying for the nomination, and they each have their areas of strength among the delegates. For the Conservatives, there is Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona. For the Moderates, there is Governor Winthrop Rockefeller of Arkansas. And for a newly found anti-war voice in the Republican Party, there is Michigan Governor George Romney. While Romney has won a plurality of the primaries, Goldwater is the winner of the popular vote, and the establishment favors Rockefeller to win.

Ballot 1 for President

• Barry Goldwater: 502 delegates
• George Romney: 431 delegates
• Wintrhop Rockefeller: 328 delegates
• James Rhoads: 40 delegates
• Edward Finch: 29 delegates
• Edward Brooke: 2 delegates
• Margaret Chase Smith: 1 delegates

Ballot 2 for President

• Goldwater: 532 delegates
• Romney: 452 delegates
• Rockefeller: 349 delegates

Ballot 3 for President

• Romney: 722 delegates
• Goldwater: 611 delegates

Ballot 1 for Vice-President

• Mark Hatfield: 576 delegates
• Ronald Reagan: 546 delegates
• John V Lindsay: 102 delegates
• Spiro T Agnew: 76 delegates
• Edward Brooke: 33 delegates

Ballot 2 for Vice-President

• Hatfield: 752 delegates
• Reagan: 581 delegates

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Does anyone want any more conversations before the election?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

November 5th, 1968
...Tonight is election nigth. After months of hard fough campaigning by all three opponents, no-one has been able to predict a winner. Battling in the polls are President John F Kennedy and Michigan Governor George Romney, with former Alabama Governor George Wallace taking up a significant portion of each one's support. Romney has ridden a wave of anti-war sentiment while Kennedy has run on his economic record as well as claiming that the war is on its way to being won...

...And the first state to be called is Kennedy's home state of Massachusetts, where it has been determined in nearly no time at all that the President is the first to pick up electoral votes...

...With Romney's picking up of Vermont, he has taken the three most northeastern states, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine...

...We have called Georgia for Wallace, thus giving him all of the Deep South...

...And with the calling of California, President Kennedy has been elected to another term in the Whitehouse...

President John F Kennedy (D-MA)/Vice-President Terry Sanford (D-NC); 273 electoral votes; 42.9% of the popular vote
Governor George Romney (R-MI)/Senator Mark Hatfield (R-OR); 212 electoral votes; 42.7% of the popular vote
Former Governor George Wallace (DI-AL)/General Curtis LeMay (DI-CA); 53 electoral votes; 14.1% of the popular vote