A Different America: 1956, The Eisenhower Administration

[Huey Long is a Republican]

On the choice between being a member who speaks at the 1956 Convention or being one of the individuals who decides the policy for the Platform of the Party, Senator Jackson decides to go with being a speaker of the Convention, though he recommends Senators Kennedy or Henry Jackson to be the Keynote speakers as he speaks on his Veterans' Aid Act. The reason for this is the Florida Senator believes he has not garnered enough experience to make crucial party platform decisions for the time being, though he does hint that he could be ready for such an occasion in 1960 or 1964.

On the issue of the Southern Manifesto, Senator Jackson signs it but makes it abundantly clear that he only supports the right of the states to make their own decisions over the right of the courts to choose for them, stating while declaring he would sign it "It is clear to many across the country that I and many others, such as Arkansas Senator William Fulbright, will be called racists for agreeing on such legislation or others will say that we hate America and all it stands for by signing this agreement. That could not be further from the truth, for we are all proud Americans, I fought for this great country in the War and I'll gladly do so again. No, my issue is on the Supreme Court believing they'll be able to walk over the States and make the rules for us. Make no mistake, it is we, the States, that make this country so great, and it is we, the states, that give the federal government the power it currently holds and it is we, the states, that can take the power and limit the government once more to what it should be. Nothing more than a fence to enforce the laws and make sure the Nations' Citizens do not do anything illegal or get hurt. On Brown v Board of Education, the Supreme Court overstepped her boundaries and instead, the Federal Government should work with the Court to come to a better and more understanding agreement between the two sides." and with that, he hoped the great specter of Civil Rights and the like would finally fall away from his head, though he suspected that it was only just the beginning for him.

In the meantime and in the lead-up to the Convention, Senator Jackson has decided to meet with several Moderate Conservative Democrats as well as Senate Majority Leader Ernest McFarland and Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, as well as offering to extend an invitation Senator Thomas Kenway of Iowa, for a meeting on which of three things should be introduced as a potential XXIII Amendment : The Right of States over the Federal Government, An Amendment against Corruption or Treason of any sort, or an Amendment on the United States Draft as well as the Legal Voting Age, with Jackson himself leaning between the first and third options himself, though he wouldn't be against the second one as well. He offers the invitation to the rest of the Democratic and even the Republican Senate Leadership, his two other friends in the Senate, and Speaker Rayburn, hoping for a Majority vote on an idea for a XXIII Amendment in the 15 person group.

At the same time, he begins to campaign heavily in Florida, giving speeches consistently on what he has done for the state since entering Congress eight years prior as well as his pushing for ideas that most other congressmen hadn't tried getting done, such as the Veterans' Aid Act, which he stated "Has never even been attempted in Congress before I brought it up for a vote in 1954 and yet it got more than enough support to become law." He also proposes the idea of a Federal Department for Veterans' Affairs, mainly on their health and care, stating "The position of many veterans is distinct and different from many other Americans and while President Eisenhower did make a good judgement call on crafting the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, with my Predecessor Cluade Pepper as its first Secretary, there must be a Department for the care of those who gave it their all for this country, as my Veterans' Aid Act can only do so much to help them." and as for the potential as to who'll be the first to head it, he states that he'll support one of these six men : Richard Nixon, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., Harry P. Cain, Paul H. Douglas, Joseph A. Frear, or Russell B. Long, with the reason behind his support for three potential Republicans as the first Secretary of that position being "the care for our Veterans and not be down to petty Partisan Politics. These six men served in the war and they would make good choices for their fellow servicemen regardless of party lines because that's just what Veterans do!" As all this goes on in the weeks leading up to the Republican Convention, his brother has caused a stir about a potential bid for Governor this year against the incumbent LeRoy Collins, who Jackson personally admires, though Louis Jackson has stated that he has no interest. Like it or not, it seems the Senator will need to make a choice about his brother soon enough.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Foss for RNC and Ike! for DNC

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Senator Jackson, while hurt by the end of several friendships, has stated that in politics friendships sometimes do end and one must accept that. Despite this, however, he is glad to see the Department of Veterans' Affairs added to the Democratic Platform and he hopes to see some access on his front to draft up a XXIII on one of the three topics. He decides to request a meeting with President Eisenhower, Vice President Kefauver, Speaker Rayburn, Senate Majority Leader McFarland, Senate Minority Leader Knowland, and House Minority Leader Martin to reach a Bi-Partisan consensus on the ideas he presents. As for the Vice President and his feelings for Senator Jackson, the Senator himself made it very clear in 1952 during his speech for the Vice presidential nomination of Pepper that he doesn't like Kefauver for several reasons, stating "I don't like the Vice President on personal preference. It's just politics and me and him will never be good friends and I'm not afraid to admit that." Even though he knows this'll risk his standing with some of the establishment in the party, he's made it clear that he stands mostly on his own morals and beliefs, though he has made it clear of his overabundant support of President Eisenhower with multiple Ike! yard signs and stickers in his Senate Office and he even states "The President is perhaps one of the greatest men to lead this country, especially in a time like this and if I could, I'd vote for him from now until the end of time!" As for Civil Rights, while he does stand strongly on States' Rights, he also states how strongly he is against the use of the police to break up Peaceful Protests, stating "We fought Adolf Hitler and his Nazi slime in the Second World War to defeat a brutal idea and while I stand strongly on States' rights as opposed to the Federal Government being able to intervene in the rights of the states willy nilly, I will most certainly put my foot down on the crackdown of peaceful protests in this country. This is America, not Communist China or the Soviet Union. We fought the Revolutionary War for the First Amendment and no individual, be it Dark Skin Colored, White skin colored, woman, or man, should have their first amendment rights revoke, for we all have the freedom to speak our mind and the right to peacefully assemble and I think all red-blooded Americans agree with me when I say that the only good idea for a police crackdown is when a protest becomes violent, in which case it becomes a riot and becomes completely unacceptable." While he knows he'll ruffle up the feathers of some southerners, he has made it clear that he does not want to see the First Amendment rights of any citizen abused and overruled.

As for his brother, Senator Jackson meets with Governor Collins in the State Capitol and discusses a solution in which either Louis Jackson is appointed as Florida Secretary of State, setting up a run for Governor in 1960 most likely, or both men work with the Florida state legislation to bring back the position of Lieutenant Governor, so as to prevent a Primary Challenge from Louis against LeRoy, though he has also told Louis that if anything, he should either A) Run for the House or B) Remain in the Florida State Senate and act as Senate Majority Whip for the time being if Collins declines both offers, as Senator Marcus Jackson will endorse Collins over his brother, even if it hurts him.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Foss/Lodge '56 for the Republican ticket!

now, for the Senator Jackson.
The Senator was clearly confused as to what the Vice President was saying. 'I compared those fighting for civil rights to communist china?' No, that was very wrong. In fact, the Senator had said the direct opposite. "Excuse me, Mr. Vice President." He spoke, his voice unwavering. Vice President Kefauver gave him an angered glance, demanding him to speak. "If I may be able to speak for myself-" he was cut off.

"I don't want to hear it, Mark." Kefauver stated angrily, his voice filled with the slightest hint of venom. In the next room over, the Senator noticed several of his aides, including a nice gentleman going by the name of Tommy Lee Alndquist, were watching the exchange carefully. "You may be a rising star in the southern wing of the party and you may have amazing charisma, but I don't want to hear a [expletive] thing. You equated young African American boys and women as well as other gentlemen and women of other skin color fighting for their damn rights to the [expletive] in communist china and the Soviet Union. How dare you do that?!" The Tennessean's fist was clenched in pure rage and aggravation but the Florida Senator simply just stared at him coldly, not blinking. It was clear the two men disliked one another, ever since 1952 convention, when Marcus had rallied Southern Democrats around his predecessor in the Senate and current Health, Education, and Welfare secretary Claude Pepper to support him for the Vice Presidency while also supporting Ike at the Convention. He had even won himself some of the Tennessean's ire for not fully supporting Truman in 1948, but that was neither here nor there.

It was the present, and the present must be dealt with at first. Taking a deep breath, Marcus spoke "Mr. Vice President, if I may be allowed to defend myself?" A few cold seconds brushed by and if Jackson man, he would've shivered. He wasn't a weaker man, however. Finally, Estes sighed and nodded. "Thank you."

"Just make it short. Ike wants me at a meeting in a few minutes, so I can spend too long with you."

"Of course, Mr. Vice President." He looked at the clock on the wall. 2:34 PM, it read. He had some time, but he still needed some more to draft up his planned speech for after the 1956 election, which would in all likelyhood be an Ike victory no matter what. Foss, as President? Jackson would've laughed heartily if it weren't for the situation he was currently in. "It seems you have taken me out of context when speaking on the whole comparison, sir." The Vice President raised an eyebrow.

"I know what I heard and what you said."

The Senator shrugged in response. "Either you misunderstood me or I failed to truly articulate what I meant. I think we're both in the wrong for that one." He suggested it and he smirked slightly when he saw Kefauver tilt his in confirmation.

"I can see your point...but is that it? What did you truly mean?"

"What I said was that people are allowed to peacefully protests and express their First Amendment Rights granted to them by the Constitution and that any use of the police to break up that protest would make us no better than Communist China or the Soviet Union, as we would be acting like a dictatorship, having the federal government or state government use the police like that is something I'll never be a fan of. I'm a supporter of States' Rights and I'm a supporter of the rights granted to you by the constitution." The Vice President opened his mouth to speak, but Jackson beat him to the point. "I know that sounds contradictory like what Congressman Jepson might think, but it truly isn't that confusing. My belief is a State's right to govern themselves supersedes that of the Federal Government to involve themselves, however, every state agrees to the legal contract in this country known as the Constitution that has given us 22 giant guidelines to follow, with the biggest being the right to free speech and peacefully assemble. As long as the state respects those guidelines and allows those rights to take place no matter the skin color, I have no qualms. However, if a state begins to turn violent and uses police to demonstrate against the First Amendment in broad daylight, than I'll get pissed and I'll call out the men who does such a thing each and every time. As I said, I respect protests, but peaceful ones, not ones filled with violence, also known as riots." With his brief speech over, he turned to look at the Vice President, who was stirring slightly in thought. "Penny for your thoughts?" he asked and Kefauver nodded.

"Alright, I guess I can see your point on some things and I apologize for saying you were calling the protestors communists." Senator Jackson shook his head politely.

"Oh no, Mr. Vice President. It was an equal misunderstanding. I should've explained myself more thoroughly. Also, can you pass a message to Russell, Eastland, and Thurmond for me? Tell them I'm my own [expletive] man and ain't no puppet they can use for their own personal gain." Smiling, the Vice President turned to walk away.

"Yeah, of course I can do that...and I'll see if I can set up a meeting between you, me Ike, and the Party Leaders about this potential amendment idea. No promises, however."

"Thank you, sir. Oh, and my wife would kill me if I didn't do this. for the last 5 years, every December 3rd to January 2nd, we go to Maine to visit her family and go crabbing. While the family part is personal to me and her as well as our children, how does joining us for some crabbing sound?" The Tennessean shook his head.

"I still dislike you somewhat, Mark. Even if we cleared a few things up today, we're not friends." The Florida Senator shrugged in response.

"Oh well, at least I tried." and with that, the Vice President left the Senate Office of Senator Marcus Jackson II of Florida, planning to meet with President Eisenhower and several powerful politicians in the government on the idea of a XXIII Amendment to the United States Constitution. As he shut the door behind him, Jackson motioned for Alndquist to join him. He was a young lad, about 22 years of age, born to welsh immigrant parents who left Boston in the mid 30s for here. Some brown hair and green eyes completed his facial complexion. He let out a whistle.

"That went better than expected."

"You think? Now come on, I need some help with this next speech." Alndquist was young, smart, and very polite. if given enough time and if under his tutelage for long enough, he'd make a fine protege to teach more. For now though, it was simply Senator and Staffer.
With the issue of the Vice President taking Senator Jackson aside settled, both men publicly apologized and the Senator clarified what he truly meant the next day before shaking hands in apology with Kefauver on the Capitol steps. While he again knew that he'd anger some Southern Democrats, he also knew he had the support of moderates, such as Fuller Warren, J. William Fulbright, or LeRoy Collins and is intending to use that against any potential Primary threats, reminding many Florida citizens that he has been fighting for Veterans and the citizens of the state since the very first day he entered office. He, his brother, and Collins campaign up and down the state against the more radical segregationists in the State Legislature and U.S. House in favor of more moderate politicians while Jackson also focuses on developing attack ads galore on his potential primary opponents, with specific ones on Claude Pepper's 1950 Primary opponent George Smathers and former Governor Charley E. Hughes, though he knows his biggest enemy will most certainly be fellow Florida Senator Spessard Holland. With his attack ads readied up on the two major opponents as a precaution, the Senator prepares himself for any potential primary battle and focuses and developing funds for his campaign as well.

Meanwhile, in Congress, as his final major power move of the year while he continues to work on the idea of a potential XXIII Amendment, he offers Iowa Senator Thomas Kenway the potential of co-Arthuring the 'Drought and Flood Victim's Relief Act' and the 'Farmer's Wages and Insurance Act' with the former giving the victims of Droughts or Floods a $150-$300 federal grant monthly until the crisis has averted with an additional 4 months slapped on to continue to give assistance to the victims to rebuild their lives while the latter will give Farmers an additional $95-$190 from the federal government every month and that would be doubled in case there was a particular bad year for farmers and it would also create a Farmer's Insurance Account unique to that Farmer that they could save their money in for the future.

Now, all the Senator had to do was wait and wait he would.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

With any potential primary challenge knocked away thanks to his earlier movements and his growing support amongst the farmers and veterans of the nations with his recent congressional acts as well as his push for a Department of Veterans' Affairs, he decided to push more prominently for his second act, the Drought and Flood Victims Relief Act, in the hopes it can get passed through congress and help those suffering through a drought or a flood and need temporary relief. While doing this, he also makes a speech to the members of Congress with a belief that America must reach Space first, before the Soviet Union, stating "Today, America is the greatest power known to mankind! While the Soviets believe to be our equals, we are stronger than them thanks to the fact that in this country, our citizens are free to choose for themselves on what they'll do in their life while in their country, the citizens are forced to work on what the government chooses for them. We do the hard things because we choose to do them, not because we are forced to! However, recent reports have indicated that the Soviet Union is working on sending the first man into Space and onto the Moon within the next decade. While these could be simply rumors, imagine if the Soviets do succeed in this endeavor and beat us as the first nation in space and the first one to land people on the moon? That will truly be something they'll forever hold over our heads as a way of saying their better than us and to that, I say No! Together, as a nation, we must work together to make the impossible and possible and break the bonds of man from this planet and finally reach the stars that our forefathers long ago looked up at and wondered 'what if?'" With this done, he mainly focused on campaigning for the Democratic Nominees in the Kentucky Special Senate Election, West Virginia Special Senate Election, California Senate Election, Colorado Senate Election, Connecticut Senate Election, Illinois Senate Election, Kentucky's other Senate Election, and South Dakota's Senate Election while also moving to protect the New York Senate Seat in the hopes of building a small alliance of freshman senators that can thank him for some part in their victory as he hits the stump for them all over their states while he also he the stump massively for the Eisenhower/Kefauver ticket in Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, giving rallying speeches for the both of them on working class, veterans' and farmer's issues and while he does praise both Lodge and Foss for their service in the War, Eisenhower has proved himself the most capable of all leaders for this nation.

While this happens, Jackson gets questions and requests from moderates in the upper south, member of the deep south in Congress, and several liberals rather reluctantly whether or not he plans to run for President or Vice President in 1960, though he dismisses both ideas, stating that he was happy in the Senate but he wouldn't reject the nomination if he was successfully drafted onto the ticket, though that was his only statement on the matter. What concerned him more, however, was when he looked in the paper and read that his nephews, Korean War Veterans Alexander Jackson and Antonio Jackson, were running for Political Office as Republicans in New York and California respectfully. While he moved to distance himself from his nephews, the sons of his second eldest brother and candidate for State Senate in 1950 Benjamin Jackson, politically, stating that he does not particularly agree with their beliefs, though he does enjoy their company as family and left it at that.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Following Ike's Presidential Landslide victory, Senator Jackson would continue his work in Congress as a supporter of his administration for many of his ideas while adding some of his own. While he decided to abandon the Drought and Flood Victims' Relief Act for the time being, having a feeling that it won't pass Congress until a new crop replenishes the old one, he announces an idea for a XXIII Amendment to the Constitution, titled "The Popular Nomination Amendment". In the Amendment, instead of having the convention and its delegates decide the Presidential Nominee for a Party, it should be up to the people, stating "My fellow Senators and Representatives, we have changed a lot in this country. We've made sure the popular vote in a state matters for the presidential elections following 1824, we've given women and other minority groups the right to vote, but there still remains one undemocratic system in our government with how we choose our Presidential Candidates. While our introduction of Presidential Primaries since the 1910s was a good idea, we have yet to expand upon it. Despite states having already voted for a candidate in a primary, those delegates usually goes for a different candidate entirely. We can not let the few choose for the many any longer, hence the introduction of this amendment, which will introduce a Primary for every state and each primary will bind delegates to a candidate based on how well they preform. Let the states choose to be winner-take-all, winner-take-most, based on percentage, or proportional themselves however, should this amendment pass, America will enter a new era, one where the citizens choose their Presidential Ticket, not the few in convention halls!" In order to rally support for this amendment, the Senator meets with several moderates and works with them to gain popular support for said idea in both chambers of congress and the Senator even meets with the Vice President to rally support behind the idea due to Kefauver being a populist in theory.

As this happens, the Senator also continues to work on his hope to get an American mission into Space and on the Moon and/or Mars in the near future, consistently stating that while the challenge may be great, the rewards will be plenty. His main goal is to get popular support for the building of the launch site in his home state of Florida so they could have the honor of sending the first human to go beyond the limits of the planet. He also works on an immigration bill titled the "The American Citizens' Act" in which immigration from Latin American, Hispanic, and second/third world countries would be capped at 10-15,000 each every year while immigration from France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the Benelux, and Scandanavia would remain uncapped and unrestricted. The law would also enforce the English language in schools for the education of kids while also offering adults well paying jobs they can support their families on. His reason for this bill is stated as : "America is primarily an English culture. We based our constitution off of England's Magna Carta, our Bill of Rights off of theirs, our judicial system after theirs. We take influence from the English and have made it into our own subculture, one that is distinctly American yet still has traces of English identity in it thanks to our government! These immigrants must learn about that identity first in order to fully appreciate what it is like being an American!" With the bill, he hopes to see it passed and watch his support among unions rise due to the well known fact that immigrants depress worker's wages but if they're properly educated and skilled in some capacity, then they'll be saved some stressful work. Knowing getting support for it could be difficult, the Senator met with Gerald O'Connor and offered to try and raise support for Medicaid in the Senate as well as try and help his ascendancy to the Speakership or position of House Majority Leader in return for additional support of either his proposed Amendment or The American Citizens Act'

Finally, his two nephews did succeed on winning their election to the State Senate in New York and California and while he did congratulate them via phone call, he did make them understand that from here onward, they were political enemies due to Party Affiliation, though thankfully both men understood. Knowing full well that the 1960s was on the horizon, Senator Jackson pre-emptively endorsed his brother, the current State Senate Majority Leader Louis Jackson, for Governor in 1960 and pledged to campaign for him as much as possible, being thankful that he didn't have to handle an election year in the Senate while campaigning for his brother. He also pre-emptively endorsed Governor LeRoy Collins for Vice President, citing that he is the best man to bring both wings of the Democratic Party together as its Vice President should the Nominee be a northerner like Kennedy. As for the 1957-1959 and 1959-1960 sessions of Congress, besides working for his proposed XXIII Amendment and his planned bills to be passed, he decided to work for the position of Senate Majority Whip, knowing the influence that position that could give him while he also works to be seated on a Foreign Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee. However, his most shocking move was when he endorsed and actively campaigned against his fellow Senator Spessard Holland in favor of former Governor Fuller Warner who hinted at a Senate Bid in 1954 against Holland but not against Jackson. Collins, the Jackson brothers, and Warren all worked in unison to bring down Holland in the Democratic Primary and Jackson sought some assistance from Moderates in the South as well to get Holland out of the Senate for the time being. While he held his breath and prayed for a Warren victory, he knew to not expect everything to go his way. At the same time, he also campaigned for the Democratic Candidates in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Utah, and Wyoming as well as several Democratic Gubernatorial and House Candidates across the country, mainly targeting New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California for his campaigning with his goal being to soften the blow to the party in the incoming six year itch and possibly grant a few seats. Once the 1958 midterms was over, all he could was wait for the 1960 Presidential Election.
2 points for Former Florida Governor Fuller Warren to run for Senate against Senator Spessard Holland in the Democratic Primary

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Senator Jackson's Eulogy for President Eisenhower

"Please...if all of you can be seated together...Thank you. I am glad to see each and everyone of you here to honor a great man and the legacy he leaves behind. First of all, I want to thank Mrs. Eisenhower for allowing me and Senator Kenway to give the eulogy for Dwight. She has done an amazing job as a First Lady and frankly, I am honored she offered me this. Second, I want to thank all of you for coming here today. I see some Republicans, Some Democrats, and some Independents in the audience here tonight. That is good.

Back in 1944, then General Eisenhower didn't care if you were black or white, republican or democrat, protestant or catholic. All he cared about about was that you worked together, watched one another's back, and got the job done. That is not to say he was a careless General, for he cared deeply for his men and I even met him one time during the liberation of France and march into Germany where he heard about my efforts and personally thanked me for trying to keep as many men as I could safe. I simply said to him 'I'm only following orders.' and he responded to me with something I'll never forget. He said 'Orders are one thing, yes, but working together and keeping your fellow man safe, that is what truly makes you incredible.' Me...incredible? No, I don't think that. I believe that Mr. Eisenhower was incredible, however. He sat there day in and day out listening and reading to casualty reports and sending home telegrams to those who'll never come home. He brought peace to Western Europe but never once placed himself above his fellow soldier. That is a man we can all strive to be.

I was glad to have served him in the war. I was glad to have served him on the campaign trail, and I was glad to have served him in Congress. May he rest forever now in heaven, for he truly deserves all the rest and relaxation in the world. In the meantime, we must continue to build upon the legacy of the President. He would not want us to be divided amongst ourselves over such stupid and trivial things like race or politics. He would want us to work together for the betterment of all men in this nation and abroad. So let's honor the memory of President Eisenhower and work together, for his sake."

In the years of 1958-1960, Senator Jackson mostly kept to himself, though he did continue to push for his proposed constitutional amendment and pushed for more US Military aid for democratic forces abroad, such as Israel in the Middle East. He'd also meet with President Kefauver and suggest that he do something that has never happened before : take a Vice President as a placeholder until 1961, stating that a vacancy in that position could lead to some inner turmoil in the Senate for various reasons. He suggested either Jack Kennedy of Massachusetts or Thomas Kenway of Iowa for the job. He remained silent on his Republican nephews in New York and California, who were in their respective state's senate, but did preemptively endorse his brother Louis Jackson for the nomination of Governor and LeRoy Collins for the Vice Presidential Nomination at the 1960 Convention, though the latter was only considering a bid and hadn't made any announcements while Louis had announced his intentions on January 25th, 1959. While supporting and co-sponsoring the Family Farm Act with Senator Kenway, he also remained vocal about his support of veterans and developed Vetcare, a system much like medicaid exclusively for Veterans, where each one would be given a permanent $500 to cover medical finances for any trauma that happened to them during their service, with an additional $500 to help pay for the costs of Therapy, with a continual flow of $100 a month, though it can be frozen at any time should the recipient request so. going into 1960, with the 1950s behind him, Senator Jackson looked at the Democratic field and hoped that they could win after some of the events that happened under the Eisenhower Presidency, none of which were his fault.