America's Greatness And The Rise Of The Romney Dynasty

[Lincoln Republican]

Romney Continues To Prepare For Office

The office of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Albany

Governor, George Romney for you.

NR:  Oh, put him right through.

GR:  Hi Nelson,  how are things there in New York today?

NR:  Great, George.  I'm looking forward to the convention.

GR:  That's good, because I would like you to give the keynote address.   

NR:  George, that would be a great honor. 

GR:  Thanks Nelson.  Now there is one other thing.  I want to get a headstart on the key administration posts.  Nelson, you and I see eye to eye on Vietnam.  I want you in cabinet as Secretary of Defense.

NR:  George, I would be looking forward to serving in your administration in this capacity.  but who are you picking for State?

GR:  Nelson, between you and I, I have offered that to Dick.  He is looking forward to it. 

NR:  Well, I must admit Dick has the qualifications.  Good pick George. 

GR:  Thanks Nelson.  And thank you for your tremendous support for the nomination.  See ya in Miami.

The William Scranton home, Scranton, Pennsylvania

WS:  Hello.

GR:  Bill, George.  Bill, I would like to thank you for the tremendous support you have been to me during the entire nomination process.

WS:  George, I am pleased that you have offered your experience, talents and abilities to the nation.  You're the one the nation needs at this time.

GR:  Thanks so much Bill.  Bill, I want to ask you to put your experience, talents and abilities to work in my administration and for the nation.  Bill, will you accept the post of Attorney General in my cabinet?  There is no one I would want in that position more than you.

WS:  George, I would be honored.  And thanks so much for asking me.

GR:  Bill, I would also like to ask you to speak at the convention, on justice and law and order issues.

WS:  I shall be pleased to do so.

GR:  Great.  See you in Miami.   

       

[Lincoln Republican]

I could actually see Nixon & Rocky's cabinet posts switched up. Both had a large amount of foreign policy experience, but Nixon served in the military. I can actually see Rocky getting the same attacks Cheney & Rummy would get decades earlier.

In fact, I was actually thinking earlier of giving Rockefeller State, however, Romney believes Nixon would be more pleased with State than Defense, and he was trying to unite the party.  Romney also believes that Nixon would be the right one to lay the groundwork for opening up relations with China.  In real life, there was talk in 1956 that Eisenhower would drop Nixon from the ticket and appoint him Secretary of State.

As well, Romney and Rockefeller have the same views about Vietnam, the dominant foreign issue of the day.

[Lincoln Republican]

Romney Calls Marriott

The corporate execuitive offices of the Marriott Corporation.  

George Romney puts in a call to his good friend J. Willard Marriott, CEO of the Marriott Corporation.

Mr. Marriott, Governor Romney on the line.

JWM:  Put him right through.

GWR:  John, how are you and the family doing, and by the way, can you fix me up with a room?  I'm visiting Miami Beach in the next few days.

Laughs from both.

JWM:  George, my family and I are doing great.  And are you hoping to get the corporate rate?

More laughs.

GWR:  John, I have picked most of my top cabinet team, except for Treasury.  John, I want you for Secretary of the Treasury.  What do you say?

JWM:  What do I say?  Well, I am honored and humbled that you would ask me George.  What an opportunity that would be to serve your administration and the nation, but I have a worldwide business to run.

GWR:  John, your son Bill can take over the CEO duties.  He has inherited your talent and business acumen.  You have one of the most brilliant financial and entrepurnial minds in America, and you are among the most talented and capable executives I know, and I know a lot of them.  John, I want you to put your talents and gifts to work for America.  The nations' economy will be in good hands with you leading Treasury.  John, I need you, America needs you and your tremendous abilities.

JWM:  Well George, since you put it that way, how could I say no.  I will be proud to serve your administration and the nation.  I am looking forward to having a competent President like you George to replace the aimless and incompetent LBJ.  The man is a walking disaster.

GWM:  Thank you John.  You have made me very happy.  One more thing.  I would like you to speak at the convention.  You will be speaking about the new economy under the Romney administration.  

JWM:  Looking forward to it George.

GWR:  See ya in Miami.      

[Lincoln Republican]

The Republican National Convention opens in Miami Beach, Florida, Monday,  August 5, 1968.

The eyes of the nation are on the convention, waiting to hear George Romney's vision for America.

But before the nominee and his pick for Vice President, Senator Edward Brooke, address the convention, the nation is to hear from some famous Americans on the important issues of the day.

Governor Nelson Rockefeller will deliver the keynote address and will discuss defense issues.

Former Vice President Richard Nixon will address the issue of America and it's place in the world.

Former Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton will address law and justice issues.

Business executive J. Willard Marriott will address financial and economic issues.

[Lincoln Republican]

The convention opens.

The crowd starts chanting

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

ROMNEY

[Lincoln Republican]

Should be back to normal now.

[Lincoln Republican]

Memorable Moments From The Republican National Convention

Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, keynote address and defense

America is not just a power, it is a promise. It is not enough for our country to be extraordinary in might; it must be exemplary in meaning.

It is essential that we enable young people to see themselves as participants in one of the most exciting eras in history, and to have a sense of purpose in relation to it.

President George Romney will resolve Vietnam effectively.



Former Vice President Richard Nixon of New York, America and the world

A President needs a global view, a sense of proportion and a keen sense of the possible. George Romney posses these qualities.  As President, George Romney adheres to the following principles.
 
Always be prepared to negotiate, but never negotiate without being prepared.
Never be belligerent, but always be firm.
Always remember that covenants should be openly agreed to but privately negotiated.
Never seek publicity that would destroy the ability to get results.
Never give up unilaterally what could be used as a bargaining chip.
Never let your adversary underestimate what you would do in response to a challenge.
Always leave your adversary a face-saving line of retreat.
Distinguish between friends who provide some human rights and enemies who deny all human rights.
Do at least as much for our friends as our adversaries do for our enemies.
Never lose faith. Faith without strength is futile, but strength without faith is sterile.



Former Governor William Scranton of Pennsylvania, law and justice.

We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.

No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it.



J. Willard Marriott, financial and economic issues.

It's a disgrace that we have millions of people who are uninsured, but at the same time too - in the eyes of the American people, in my judgment, it looked as if that somehow become more important than the main attack which was to fix the economy and get the Americans working again.

George Romney will get America working again.

Economy is the method by which we prepare today to afford the improvements of tomorrow.

George Romney knows how to run an economy.  He proved that as a business executive in the private sector.  He proved that as the Governor of a major industrial state in the public sector.  President Romney will restore faith, credibility, and prosperity to the American economy.
 

[Lincoln Republican]

Senator Edward Brooke Accepts The Nomination For Vice President

Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Republicans, fellow Americans, thank you so much for that tremendous welcome.  You have touched my heart.

I am honored beyond words that Governor Romney has called upon me to be his running mate, to become the next Vice President of the United States, and to work with him and his administration in moving our great nation forward.  Governor Romney has made it clear to me that he wants me to play a vital and integral role in his administration.  

Governor Romney has spent his life breaking barriers and bridging divides.  In calling upon me to become his running mate, this is one more barrier that Governor Romney has broken.  Thank you Governor Romney.

I accepted Governor Romney's invitation because I have no doubt whatsoever that he is the individual that we need at this point in our history to unite our nation once again, to break the barriers that keep us apart, and to bridge the divides that separate us.

America's economy is struggling, the Romney Brooke administation will bring our nation back to prosperity.

Young Americans are dying in a foreign war in southeast Asia, directed by an increasingly incompetent President, with our loses mounting year after year.  The Romney Brooke administration will bring peace out of chaos.

My friends, my fellow Republicans, my fellow Americans, our cause is just, our course is right, our policies are clear.  We are in this to win and to restore faith and respect in America once again.  And win we shall.

God bless you, God bless America.

[Lincoln Republican]

George Romney Accepts The Presidential Nomination

(With much thanks to RMN)

Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Republicans, fellow Americans, thank you so much for that tremendous ovation.  Lenore and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  

I accept the nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States.

Governor Rockefeller, Vice President Nixon, Governor Scranton, J.W. Marriott, thanks to all of you for your words of inspiration.  America will be well served with each of you in responsible leadership roles.

We're going to win because this great convention has demonstrated to the nation that the Republican party has the leadership, the platform and the purpose that America needs.

I am honored to have Senator Edward Brooke as my running mate.  He is going to make a great Vice President.

And I congratulate former Vice President Nixon, I congratulate Governor Reagan, I congratulate all those who have made the hard fight that they have for this nomination, and I know that you will all fight even harder for the great victory our party is going to win in November because we're going to be together in that election campaign.

And a party that can unite itself will unite America.

My fellow Americans, most important we're going to win because our cause is right. We make history tonight not for ourselves but for the ages. The choice we make in 1968 will determine not only the future of America but the future of peace and freedom in the world for the last third of the 20th century, and the question that we answer tonight: can America meet this great challenge?

As we look at America, we see cities enveloped in smoke and flame. We hear sirens in the night. We see Americans dying on distant battlefields abroad. We see Americans hating each other; fighting each other; killing each other at home.

And as we see and hear these things, millions of Americans cry out in anguish.

And this I say, this I say to you tonight, is the real voice of America. In this year 1968, this is the message it will broadcast to America and to the world.

Let's never forget that despite her faults, America is a great nation. And America is great because her people are great.

America's in trouble today not because her people have failed but because her leaders have failed. And what America wants are leaders to match the greatness of her people.

We've had enough of big promises and little action. The time has come for an honest government in the United States of America.

And there is only one answer to such a record of failure, and that is the complete house cleaning of those responsible for the failures and that record. The answer is the complete reappraisal of America's policy in every section of the world. We shall begin with Vietnam.

And if the war is not ended when the people choose in November, the choice will be clear. Here it is: For four years this administration has had at its disposal the greatest military and economic advantage that one nation has ever had over another in a war in history. For four years America's fighting men have set a record for courage and sacrifice unsurpassed in our history. For four years this Administration has had the support of the loyal opposition for the objective of seeking an honorable end to the struggle.

And I pledge to you tonight that the first priority foreign policy objective of our next Administration will be to bring an end to the war in Vietnam. We shall not stop there. We need a policy to prevent more Vietnams. All of America's peacekeeping institutions and all of America's foreign commitments must be reappraisal.

And now to the leaders of the Communist world we say, after an era of confrontations, the time has come for an era of negotiations.

Where the world super-powers are concerned there is no acceptable alternative to peaceful negotiation. Because this will be a period of negotiations we shall restore the strength of America so that we shall always negotiate from strength and never from weakness.

We believe this should be an era of peaceful competition not only in the productivity of our factories but in the quality of our ideas. We extend the hand of friendship to all people. To the Russian people. To the Chinese people. To all people in the world. And we shall work toward the goal of an open world, open sky, open cities, open hearts, open minds. The next eight years my friends .

This period in which we're entering we will have the greatest opportunity for world peace, but also face the greatest danger of world war of any time in our history.

I believe we must have peace. I believe that we can have peace. But I do not underestimate the difficulty of this task.

Because, you see, the art of preserving peace is greater than that of waging war, and much more demanding.

And as we commit the new policies for America tonight, let me make one further pledge. For five years hardly a day has gone by when we haven't read or heard a report of the American flag being spit on, and our embassy being stoned, a library being burned, or an ambassador being insulted some place in the world, and each incident reduced respect for the United States until the ultimate insult inevitably occurred.

And I say to you tonight that when respect for the United States of America falls so low that a fourth-rate military power like Korea will seize an American naval vessel in the high seas, it's time for new leadership to restore respect for the United States of America.

A nation that can't keep the peace at home won't be trusted to keep the peace abroad. A President who isn't treated with respect at home will not be treated with respect abroad. A nation which can't manage its own economy can't tell others how to manage theirs.

If we are to restore prestige and respect for America abroad, the place to begin is at home - in the United States of America.

My friends, we live in an age of revolution in America and in the world. And to find the answers to our problems, let us turn to a revolution - a revolution that will never grow old, the world's greatest continuing revolution, the American Revolution.

Now there is no quarrel between progress and order because neither can exist without the other.

So let us have order in America, not the order that suppresses dissent and discourages change but the order which guarantees the right to dissent and provides the basis for peaceful change.

Let those who have the responsibility to enforce our laws, and our judges who have the responsibility to interpret them, be dedicated to the great principles of civil rights. But let them also recognize that the first civil right of every American is to be free from domestic violence. And that right must be guaranteed in this country.

Because, my friends, let this message come through clear from what I say tonight. Time is running out for the merchants of crime and corruption in American society. The wave of crime is not going to be the wave of the future in the United States of America.

We shall reestablish freedom from fear in America so that America can take the lead of reestablishing freedom from fear in the world.

And so as we commit to order tonight, let us commit to progress.

And this brings me to the clearest choice among the great issues of this campaign.

To put it bluntly, we're on the wrong road and it's time to take a new road to progress.

Again we turn to the American Revolution for our answers. The war on poverty didn't begin five years ago in this country, it began when this country began.

It's been the most successful war on poverty in the history of nations. There's more wealth in America today, more broadly shared than in any nation in the world.

We are a great nation. And we must never forget how we became great.

America is a great nation today, not because of what government did for people, but because of what people did for themselves over 190 years in this country.

Let us increase the wealth of America so we can provide more generously for the aged and for the needy and for all those who cannot help themselves.

But for those who are able to help themselves, what we need are not more millions on welfare rolls but more millions on payrolls in the United States of America.

And let us build bridges, my friends, build bridges to human dignity across that gulf that separates black America from white America.

Black Americans - no more than white Americans - do not want more Government programs which perpetuate dependency. They don't want to be a colony in a nation. They want the pride and the self-respect and the dignity that can only come if they have an equal chance to own their own homes, to own their own businesses, to be managers and executives as well as workers, to have a piece of the action in the exciting ventures of private enterprise.

I pledge to you tonight that we shall have new programs which will provide that equal chance. We make great history tonight. We do not fire a shot heard round the world, but we shall light the lamp of hope in millions of homes across this world in which there is no hope today.

And that great light shining out from America will again become a beacon of hope for all those in the world who seek freedom and opportunity.

My fellow Americans, I believe that historians will recall that 1968 marked the beginning of the American generation in world history. Just to be alive in America, just to be alive at this time is an experience unparalleled in history. Here's where the nation is.

Eight years from now, in the second term of the next President, we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution.

As a young man, I watched my father, President Gaskell Romney, lead and inspire this nation during the final months of World War II.  Those were trying times for America.  These too are trying times for America.  I take inspiration and wisdom from my father, but most of all, I take inspiration from the American people.

We shall go forward with courage, we shall not back down, together, as a nation, strong and united, we will make history.

Thank you.  God bless you.  God bless America.

[Lincoln Republican]

The Republican Ticket Hits The Road

Friday, August 9, 1968, the day following the Republican National Convention, George Romney and Edward Brooke relax and put the finishing touches on a planned campaign tour.  Saturday, August 10, Romney and Brooke embark on a campaign swing that will take them up to Saturday August 24, the weekend prior to the Democratic National Convention.

Romney and Brooke work their way together  from Miami campaigning through Florida, knowing this state will be crucial in the election.  From Florida, they begin campaigning separtely in southern states.  Romney to South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Brooke to North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia.

Romney to southern voters:  When I am President, I will appoint judges to the Supreme Court and federal courts who respect the constitution of the United States.

Brooke to southern voters:  When George Romney is President, he will appoint judges to the Supreme Court and federal courts who respect the constitution of the United states.

From the south, Romney and Brooke work their way up the east coast, Brooke to Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Romney to Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, both Romney and Brooke to New York where they campaign through the state with Governor Nelson Rockefeller, then both Romney and Brooke campaign through Massachusetts, culminating in a huge "Welcome Home" rally in Boston.

Governor John Volpe welcomes the Republican ticket to Massachusetts:  Governor Romney, Senator Brooke, we are so pleased to have you here in Massachusetts.  Ladies and gentlemen, the next President and Vice President of the United States.  

Brooke:  For too long, this nation has been adrift.  George Romney is going to be the President that will bring us together again.

Romney:  Thank you Governor, thank you Ed.  My friends, America is in crisis.  Young American lives are being lost at an unacceptable rate in a foreign war, to which there is no end in sight.  Rioting is running rampant in American cities.  Let me be as clear as I can,     THIS     WILL     NOT     CONTINUE.  When Ed Brooke and I take office, believe me, there is going to be some serious housecleaning, starting at the top.  WE WILL UNITE AMERICA, NOT DIVIDE IT.

The cheering and clapping is deafening.

[Lincoln Republican]

The Democratic Debacle In Chicago (1)

The Democrats convene at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago August 26.  However, August 25, huge crowds of protestors have already gathered outside the convention hall, chanting STOP THE KILLING!!  STOP THE KILLING!!  The opening day of the convention, the situation turns violent, with protestors clashing with the Chicago police.

Inside the convention hall, the mood of delegates is decidedly downcast.  They are not in a mood to celebrate.  Post Republican convention public opinion polls put Romney ahead of any potential Democrat nominee by anwhere from 12 to 20 points.  The nation is in crisis.  The Democrats have been in power for the past 8 years.  The signs do not look good for the Democrats.

Georgia Governor Lester Maddox surprises the convention by being nominated from the floor:

Ah am in the runnin' fer Preseedent.  Elect me and ah'll end lawlesness in the streets.  We all know whose behind this lawlesness, (voice rising to a shout) it's the blacks!  That librul Romney won't do anythin' about black lawlesness.  He loves 'em.  He's got one of 'em runnin' with 'im.    

Senator Robert Kennedy of New York:

I am a Kennedy.  We don't lose.  I deserve this nomination.  It's my right.  My right I tell you, my right.  I can beat Romney, I can, I can, I really can, (voice fading) I     really     can.

Senator George McGovern of South Dakota:

We have fallen into a trap in Vietnam.  Can we trust Romney to get us out?  No!  I'll get us out the first six months of my administration.

I'll straighten out the economy.  I'll make the rich pay.

Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota:

Romney has become the peace candidate.  Can you believe it?  The Republican Presidential nominee the peace candidate?  That is exactly why I am really the only candidate who can take Romney on.  I can go toe to toe with Romney on the peace issue.  The Democratic Party must once again claim the peace issue.

Vice President Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota:

President Lyndon Johnson has been one of the most hard working and dedicated public servants in the history of this nation.  But, let me tell you, I am my own man.  I will take the nation in a new direction, not tied to the past.  A direction of peace and prosperity.  I will take the fight directly to George Romney.  

[Lincoln Republican]

The Democratic Debacle In Chicago (2)

The Convention Chair:

Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, your attention please.  ORDER, ORDER!!

Voting is now open.  Please proceed in an orderly manner to the voting booths.  I SAID IN AN ORDERLY MANNER!!  (delegates rush to the voting booths)

Chair:  Uh, uh, Senator Hayden, SENATOR HAYDEN LOOK OUT!!  LOOK OUT!!

Hayden:  Wha, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Chair:  STOP, STOP, YOU HAVE JUST RUN OVER THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM, STOP, STOP!!!!!

NBC News:  Ladies and gentlemen, if you have just joined us, you may think we are covering events outside the convention hall, but no, we are right here, inside the hall.  It is as chaotic in here as it is outside.  (laughs)

This just in, we have a report on the condition of Senator Hayden.  It appears he suffered a sprained wrist before he was dragged out of the way of the rushing delegates.

Chair:  Ladies and gentlemen, the results of the first ballot.

Senator McCarthy 864
Vice President Humphrey 817
Senator McGovern 543
Governor Maddox 295
Senator Kennedy 89

NBC News:  Well, I guess Kennedy's speech really cost him, big time.  
Ya, I guess delegates didn't really believe he could beat Romney.  Not after that performance.

All of a sudden, Maddox rushes onto the podium, pushing aside the convention chair, and blasts into the microphone:  Ah'm in this thang ta win, y'all hear, ta win.  And a'hm gonna win, ah'm gonna wiiiiiiiiin!

Convention Chair:  Governor, Governor, you are not permitted to address the delegates at this time.  Get off the stage.  SECURITY, SECURITY!

Maddox, being carried off the stage, flailing his arms wildly:  A'HM GONNA WIN, A'HM GONNA WIIIIIIIIIIN!

NBC News:  Well, that was certainly quite a performance from Governor Maddox, witnessed by tens of millions of Americans live and in color.  

McGovern is seen sitting with a smile on his face, arms folded, not giving any statements to reporters, just waiting.  From one side of the hall, Humphrey is making his way toward McGovern through the throng of delegates and reporters, security clearing a path for him.  From the other side of the hall, McCarthy makes his way toward McGovern in the same way.    

[Lincoln Republican]

The Democrats Pick A Candidate

Humphrey reaches McGovern first, shaking his hand.  

Great showing George.  Great showing.  I'm just as pleased as punch with your support in the party.  We can work together George to move America forward.  I'm prepared to be President.  You and I can work together to make life better for Americans everywhere.

Just then, McCarthy reaches McGovern, shaking his hand.  

George, congratulations on your first ballot votes.  Together, you and I can bring peace to America and can get us out of the war.  Humphrey is too closely tied to Johnson to do any good.  Join me George for the good of America.

McGovern, in a calm, low key voice, network microphones all around him:  Thank you Mr. Vice President, Senator.  I have the utmost respect for both of you, however, I am remaining on the balloting.    

Convention chair:  Please proceed, IN AN ORDERLY MANNER, to the voting booths for the second ballot.

I have the results of the second ballot.

Senator McCarthy 839
Senator McGovern 781
Vice President Humphrey 704
Governor Maddox 280  

The McGovern supporters erupt in celebration.  The Humphrey supporters are downcast.  The Mccarthy supporters are dumbfounded.  The Maddox supporters remain defiant.

Convention chair:  Ladies and gentlemen, please proceed to the voting booths for the third ballot.  DO SO ORDERLY.

I have the results of the third ballot.

Senator McGovern 1304
Senator McCarthy 652
Vice president Humphrey 646

I declare Senator George McGovern as the Democratic Presidential nominee.

[Lincoln Republican]

McGovern Names A Running Mate And Accepts The Nomination

After winning the nomination, McGovern announces to the convention:

I am honored to announce that Senator Frank Church of the great state of Idaho will be my running mate.  I am pleased to say that Senator Church was one of the first Senators to publicly oppose the Vietnam War.  Senator Church is one of the most talented and experienced public servants I know, having been serving in the Senate since 1957.   Frank has been an outstanding Senator, and I am proud to have him by my side in this campaign, and I know he will be a great Vice President.

McGovern accepts the nomination.  (thanks to GSM)

Tonight I accept your nomination with a full and grateful heart.  And as I said earlier this evening, I am proud to have Senator Frank Church by my side in this campaign as my running mate.

This is the people’s nomination and next January we will restore the government to the people of this country.

We are entering a new period of important and hopeful change in America, a period comparable to those eras that unleashed such remarkable ferment in the period of Jefferson and Jackson and Roosevelt.

I want those doors opened and I want that war closed. And I make these pledges above all others: the doors of government will be opened, and that war will be closed.

Within 90 days of my inauguration, every American soldier and every American prisoner will be out of the jungle and out of their cells and then home in America where they belong.

This is going to be a national campaign, carried to every part of the nation -- North, South, East and West. We’re not conceding a single state to George Romney.

The highest single domestic priority of the next administration will be to ensure that every American able to work has a job.

That job guarantee will and must depend on a reinvigorated private economy, freed at last from the uncertainties and burdens of war, but it is our firm commitment that whatever employment the private sector does not provide, the Federal government will either stimulate or provide itself.

We intend to begin by putting millions back to work and after that is done, we will assure to those unable to work an income fully adequate to a decent life.

An election year is the people’s year to speak, and this year, the people are going to ensure that the tax system is changed so that work is rewarded and so that those who derive the highest benefits will pay their fair share rather than slipping through the loopholes at the expense of the rest of us.

So join with me in this campaign. Lend Senator Church and me your strength and your support, and together we will call America home to the ideals that nourished us from the beginning.

Now is the time to meet that challenge.

Good night, and Godspeed to you all.

[Lincoln Republican]

Interesting Pick. However I'm not sure if Church would accept such an offer, giving the fact his seat was up for reelection a very same November (McGovern's seat too, but he seems to not care)

You make a good point.  I'm not sure what the election laws are in Idaho, but I know in some states you can run for reelection to the Senate as well as for Vice President.  Perhaps Church is doing this. 

As for McGovern, he actually was a candidate for the Dem nomination in 1968, as you know.

McGovern picks Church mainly because of his long standing anti war stand.

[Lincoln Republican]

More Convention Drama

Just as Presidential nominee George McGovern finishes his acceptance speech, a loud ruckus can be heard on the convention floor.

Governor Lester Maddox, surrounded by hundreds of supporters from the deep south, is giving an interview to the press, which all the press agencies and television networks are covering live.

Maddox:  Well ain't this just enuff to turn yer stomach, two commie luvin' libruls.  Well, ah got news fer ya,

at which point Maddox and hundreds of followers begin exiting the convention hall, singing as they march on their way out of the hall

Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten,
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land.

In Dixie Land, where I was born in,
early on one frosty mornin',
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land.

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie Land I'll take my stand
to live and die in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie

As Maddox and his followers are on their way out, others in the hall begin yelling , throwing paper cups, and shaking their fists at them.  Scuffles are breaking out on the convention floor between Maddox followers and others on the floor.  

Good riddance, we don't need you and your kind anyway.  Democrats don't like southern racist bigots.

Then, someone yells out, picked up clearly by the cameras and microphones

Who needs the south anyway?

The networks stop talking about McGovern and Church, and the Democratic platform, and start talking about this latest incident.

Well, I've been covering national conventions for years, and I have never, in my life, seen a convention as chaotic as this one.  To top it off, we have Democrats in the hall denouncing the south and saying to the nation they don't need the south anyway.

I'm sure Romney and the Republicans will have something to say about all this.

What a night.

This is NBC News signing off of the Democratic National Convention, and returning you to regular programming.

        

[Lincoln Republican]

Romney And Brooke Get Some Mileage Out Of The DNC 

Republican Presidential nominee George Romney speaks in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Did you get a look at the Democratic convention?  Quite something huh?  I think my name was mentioned there more than McGovern's.  (Audience laughter)

You didn't have to buy circus tickets for entertainment.  The Democrats put on an entire three ring circus complete with clowns and trapeze artists who kept missing the connecting swing.  (Audience laughter)

I haven't been this entertained since Jerry Lewis last played Detroit.  (Audience laughter)

The tax spend, tax spend, tax spend ultra liberal McGovern ready for the White House?

Not by a country mile my friends, not by a c**ntry mile.       

Republican Vice Presidential nominee Edward Brooke speaks in Portland, Oregon.

Americans can choose between the barker of a three ring circus, George McGovern, who will take this country to unprecendented high taxes and unsustainable spending, or they can choose George Romney, a proven executive, an accomplished Governor, a man with a vision for America, a leader to inspire the nation.

[Lincoln Republican]

Chair:  Uh, uh, Senator Hayden, SENATOR HAYDEN LOOK OUT!!  LOOK OUT!!

Hayden:  Wha, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Chair:  STOP, STOP, YOU HAVE JUST RUN OVER THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM, STOP, STOP!!!!!

Okay, I confess I laughed.

Thank you Nathan.

[Lincoln Republican]

Wallace Speaks Out

We’ll use the power and prestige of the President's office to try to awaken the American people to the trends that are rampant in our country, a trend that says we must fight the Communists in Vietnam while at the same time the Communist-controlled beatnik mobs in the streets influence national affairs in Washington, D.C.

And it is a sad day in our country that you cannot walk even in your neighborhoods at night or even in the daytime because both national parties, in the last number of years, have kowtowed to every group of anarchists that have roamed the streets of San Francisco and Los Angeles and throughout the country. And now they have created themselves a Frankenstein monster, and the chickens are coming home to roost all over this country. Yes, they’ve looked down their nose at you and me a long time. They’ve called us rednecks -- the Republicans and the Democrats. Well, we’re going to show, there sure are a lot of rednecks in this country.

If any demonstrator ever lays down in front of my car, it'll be the last car he'll ever lay down in front of.

[Lincoln Republican]

Election 1968

What  had been dubbed The Battle Of The Georges turns out to be a one sided affair.

(Perhaps I should have had three running mates whose names all start with George as well)  

America resoundingly rejects the Democraic ticket, overwhelmingly elects new and promising leadership, while at the same time the south sends a strong message to DC that they are not happy with either of the established parties.

The Republicans succeed in putting across their message to the electorate:

George Romney/Edward Brooke = Competent, capable, responsible leadership, who will lead the natioin to peace abroad and peace and prosperity at home

George McGovern/Frank Church = Tax and spend liberals who would lead the nation to economic and military disaster

George Wallace/J. William Fulbright = Would lead to divisiveness and intolerance, Romney and Brooke offer unity and understanding          

George Romney/Edward Brooke             484 EV  65% PV    
George Wallace/J. William Fulbright          54 EV  20% PV
George McGovern/Frank Church                 0 EV  15% PV

And so it is that George W Romney is elected President of the United States of America with an overwhelming mandate.

George Romney becomes the second member of the Romney family to be elected President, following his father Gaskell Romney, who was elected President in 1944, serving until January 1949.

George Romney becomes the first Republican Presidential candidate in history to  win DC.

The Republican win in DC is attributed to the fact that Edward Brooke is on the ticket.

The Democratic Party is devastated in both the electoral vote and the popular vote.

The Republicans sweep to smashing victories in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as in Governorships and state legislatures and state senates, on the coattails of President Elect George W Romney.

President Elect George Romney and Vice President Elect Edward Brooke know full well they have much work to do in uniting the nation, bringing about peace at home and abroad, revitalizing the economy, and gaining the confidence of the south.

They look forward to the task with confidence and enthusiasm.

[Lincoln Republican]

Excerpts From The Inaugural Address of President George W Romney

(With thanks to JSM)

Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, and that's an association that means more to me than any other we're going to reach out our hand to any willing patriot, make this government start working for you again, and
get this country back on the road to prosperity and peace.

To Americans everywehre, I will stand side by side with you and fight for your future.

And I've found just the right partner to help me move America forward, Vice President Edward Brooke of the great state of Massachusetts.

My fellow Americans, change is coming.  Vice President Brooke is just the one to help me in bringing about change in this nation.

I'm going to fight for Americans every day as your President. I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank him, that I'm an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on Earth.

And with hard work, strong faith, and a little courage, great things are always within our reach.

Fight with me. Fight with me.  Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and
character of a free people.  Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

(Romney makes a moving appeal to the nation)

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies. Stand up for each other, for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.  Stand up, stand up, stand up, and fight. 

Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up.

We never quit.

We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank youmy fellowAmericans, and God bless you, and God bless America.

(The audience and millions across America are visibly moved to tears in the midst of their  thunderous applause as a military band plays a stirring rendition of God Bless America, with the audience, and millions across the nation, in their homes, in shopping malls, in sports arenas, in schools and universities, in places of work, on their feet, joining in the singing of this patriotic anthem)

[Lincoln Republican]

Now that my foray into Atlasian politics has come to an end, I hope to get back to this time line.

[Lincoln Republican]

Now that my foray into Atlasian politics has come to an end, I hope to get back to this time line.

And it should! Also what do you think would have happened if Mitt Romney had decided to run for Governor of Michigan?

Simfan, I refer to your recent post.  

Sorry it has taken me almost three years to reply    but I have not checked in for almost three years.  

If Mitt Romney had run for Governor of Michigan, I believe it would depend under which circumstances he was running.  If he had been living in Michigan, working in Michigan, raising his family in Michigan, and had established the solid credentials in his education and in his business leadership for some time before running, then I believe, as is the case in Massachusetts, he would have won.

If, however, he moved from Massachusetts to Michigan for the purpose of running for Governor, he would have been labelled as an opportunist, and likely would not have won the Governorship.

What?  Mitt an opportunist?  Perish the thought.  



I have decided to continue this time line.

Keep in mind that it is an exaggerated Romney story.

[Lincoln Republican]

The George W Romney Cabinet

President                          Governor George W Romney (MI)
Vice President                    Senator Edward Brooke (MA)
State                                Former Vice President Richard Nixon (NY)
Treasury                           Business Executive J Willard Marriott (NH)
Defense                            Governor Nelson Rockefeller (NY)
Attorney General               Former Governor William Scranton (PA)
Postmaster General            Business Executive Winton M Blount (AL)
Interior                              Senator Joseph Montoya (Democrat) NM)
Agriculture                         Senator Clifford Hansen (WY)
Commerce                         Senator George Aiken (VT)
Labor                                Professor George P Schultz (NY)
HEW                                 Senator Margaret Chase Smith (ME)
HUD                                  Attorney General of MA Elliot Richardson (MA)
Transportation                   Assistant Attorney General of AZ Sandra Day O'Connor (AZ)      

[Lincoln Republican]

President GWR:  Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this, the first cabinet meeting  of this new era for America.

Vice President Brooke and I are absolutely delighted that you are all willing to serve.  I believe this cabinet to be one of the finest, most capable group of individuals gathered together in one place in the history of this nation.

As you know, Vice President Brooke and myself have taken our message of change and renewal across America for the past several months.  We have made promises to the American people, and we are determined to honor those promises.

Vice President Brooke would like to make a few remarks.  Mr. Vice President.

EB:  Thank you Mr. President.  It is indeed an honor for me to be sitting here today in the presence of all of you.  If you would have told me a few months ago that I would be sitting here in this capacity with each of you, I would have thought you must be out of your minds.  (laughter)  I want each of you to know that I will be doing all in my power to ensure that our policies and goals which we have set for America will come to pass.  Working together, I have no doubt we will be successful in turning this nation around, and in bringing unity to this divided nation.

GWR:  Thank you Mr. Vice President.  I very much appreciate your remarks.

As all of you know, we have set our priorities.  We absolutely must and we shall free ourselves from the quagmire we find ourselves in in Vietnam.  Until that is accomplished, this nation will not find domestic peace.  We must and we shall restore order and peace at home.  We must and we shall create an environment in this nation whereby business and commerce can prosper.  We must and we shall ensure that where government help is required, government help is provided, for those who need it.  We must and we shall ensure that all Americans have affordable and effective health care.  We must and we shall ensure that we have a social safety net in this nation through which no one will fall.  We must and we shall ensure that taxes are not so high that they make it impossible or difficult for our people to make ends meet.  We must and we shall ensure that our children have an education system second to none, that will prepare them for the future.  We must and we shall ensure that our universities and other institutes of higher learning, trade schools, etc., are not out of reach for those who wish to attend.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our work cut out for us, but that is why we entered public life, to serve the people of America.  We know our responsibilities and our duties.  Let us proceed and act upon them.

My door is always open.