Westman, Part II: The Rising

[Mechaman]

"Off The Record", a Collection of Rare Quotes from the Widely Known
By Allen Jackson:

"Senator, what was your opinion of President Coolidge?  In hindsight?:?
"Well I firmly believe, given the up and down cycles of the mid-late 1920s that ole Silent Cal gets too much unfair blame for the way things have turned out so far in the 1930's.  Far from the perception of pure boom historians are now giving it, those of us old enough to remember surely know there were economic downturns, quite natural, in the 1920's.  I for one were one of many Democrats who pointed this out, due to my chagrin at the Republican ignorance of the impact of unsustainable trade tariffs and their effect on the economy at large.  The congressional results of 1922 and 1926, which were at the very worst moderate increases for the party, should be damning indicators about how the 1920's really went.  Which isn't to say that it was all bad, as the rapid growth and affluence of many of our nation's urban areas could attest."
"Well, what about speculation?  And the unregulated practices of Wall Street?"
"I am not making excuses for the former Republican, emphasis, President here. . . . . but such blame should be directed where it needs to be: on Hoover.  The Great Depression started on his watch and he had the whole of four years to effectively do something, anything, to relieve the suffering.  Coolidge, AS PRESIDENT, oversaw periods of bust followed quickly by booms.  The inherent flaws of unregulated stock markets hadn't revealed themselves, nor should've they, when he was President.  Ultimately, a man should be judged by how his term went, not what happened before or afterwards that were clearly in the realm of responsibility of others."-Senator William Westman, Interview with Arthur Schlesinger March 9th, 1939

"Speaking of which, your opinion of the former President Hoover?"
"Many people say that Herbert Hoover was a good man.  Well, back in 1928 this so-called "good man" allowed his party to run one of the most vitirolic and bigoted presidential campaigns in history against me and others who follow the Roman Catholic faith.  This "good man", despite enjoying a few drinks at the Belgian Embassy in Washington, stood by and endorsed the continuation of the godawful Prohibition laws in place at the time.  Also this "good man", in the middle of the worst economic panic in living memory, signed into play the abominable Smoot-Hawley Act, which raised ad valorem tariffs to the godawful level of 48% on many items and sparked off one of the worst trade wars in history.  The Great Humanitarian, putting petty partisan issues first, decided he'd rather many working Americans starve and pinch pennies rather than being humble enough to allow cheap goods, whether foreign or domestic made, into the US market.  For me that is beyond reprehensible.  He is the full visage of the effects of Republican economics on the people of this nation.  That in my mind is far from good.  So yes, I guess before the attainment of power Herbert Hoover was a good man, and arguably even after.  I even heard he and his wife spent many years in the field helping the world's poor and gave away many dollars to those who asked of them.  However, the Herbert Hoover I saw in the five years between 1928 and 1933, the guy who relied on Anti-Catholicism to win an election, the man who raised tariffs at a time when we could ill afford to, and the man whose General MacArthur put down the Bonus Army, was no good man.  It is my opinion, very noble one, that Herbert Hoover will go down in history as the worst president of this modern era if not a leading contender, with James Buchanan, for the worst of all time."-Same Interview

[Mechaman]

May 8th, 1988
Augusta, Maine:

Thad O'Connor is backstage ready to make his speech when he sees Carl Herschelwitz, Scott's main advisor and his right hand man.  The short socially awkward prematurely balding MIT graduate approaches O'Connor.
Herschelwitz: Hey man, you cool?
O'Connor: Of course I am, what would make you think I'm not?
Herschelwitz laughs.
Herschelwitz: Well, besides the cocaine sweats?  Thad, you're sweating more than a Siberian Tiger in the middle of the Sahara.
O'Connor: What?
Herschelwitz: Oh nevermind.
O'Connor: Well, it's just when I was running for the US House seat this was nothing.  But this?  Wow, governorship?
Herschelwitz nods.
Herschelwitz: Hey man, I couldn't do what you're doing.  If it makes you feel better.
Herschelwitz makes an awkward movement, glancing around to see if anybody is watching them.
Herschelwitz: People like you and me, we're not really cut out for this.  Yet, for some reason Scott Westman thinks you can do this.  If Scott Westman thinks you can do this man, so do I.  And I hold degrees from Harvard and MIT!
O'Connor: Well if you say so man.
Herschelwitz: Look man, this race is extremely important to us.  Scott told me to resign from my position to devote my time full time to your campaign.  I did it, despite reservations.  I'm your campaign manager damn it.  Don't think I let that fact escape me.
O'Connor: I appreciate it Carl.  You truly are one of the best advisors I've ever worked with.  But, it's just so damn scary.  All those people, expecting some truly great speech-
Herschelwitz: You lost the right to be scared when you hired a registered Democrat to be your campaign manager.  Personally, I believe you underestimate your abilities by a lot.  Just go out there and give them hell.  Do what you're best at which is telling the truth.  You're a truthful principled man Thad, that should go far this year.  People in your state are looking for a real alternative, and it's not the establishment hacks that reside in Augusta!  You really think Olympia Snowe can beat you?  She's only gotten this far because she's married to the former Governor!  You got this far on real political skill!  And Kilkenny, if he survives the Democratic Primary, will have a hell of a fight to win!
O'Connor: Well, his laborite views are outside of the mainstream I guess. . . . . .
Herschelwitz: Yes, he's governing the state of Maine like it was Massachusetts.  Needless to say, his hackery on economics is likely to cost him a lot of votes.  Quite a shame though, he seemed to have voiced decent views on privacy rights the other week.  Luckily, Roman's religious conservatism will help us out with the gay community and pro-choice advocacy groups.
O'Connor: But. . . . . . I'm pro-life . . . .
Herschelwitz: Something they don't have to know about frankly.  Compared to Roman's vicious attacks of Planned Parenthood's Portland and Augusta operations you might as well be a screaming feminist.  Believe me, going on the "Separation of Church and State" route will help you win big with the secularists.  Just focus on Roman's tendencies to let his religious views dictate policy and that should help you win the natural libertarian crowd that populate this state.  This is Maine, damn it, not Boston.
O'Connor ponders for a moment.
Herschelwitz: The momentum is completely against this guy.  He got elected by two points in a freaking wave year.  You win this primary you can go to sleep until November.
O'Connor: But what if I don't win the Primary?
Herschelwitz: Well then God be with the Maine Republican Party.

[Mechaman]

May 8th, 1966
Shankill Road
Belfast, Northern Ireland:

Aidan Lynch, proud dockworker and Catholic, watched from his place at the local tavern the local landmarks.  Once and twice or more he would witness a most strange appearance: portrayals of sh*tty American Presidents on the sides of buildilngs.  Boasting their Ulster heritage.
What a bunch of bullsh*t.
Lynch, like many others, refused the rule of what he believed to be a tyrannic oppressor regime in London.  It was the fact of life that he, like many other true Irishman and Irishwoman, were the slaves of the monarchistic British and their Cromwellian plantation "Ulster" servants.  It was not opinion, but fact that the majority Protestant (see "invader") population were not "Irish" in the slightest, but merely Scottish Presbies who were brought over by that great evil lord Cromwell and his "parliamentary" hordes.
That no longer mattered now.  Why?
Because now the reign of terror was coming to an end.
In order to make for a one Irish nation, Lynch and his compatriots knew there was only one solution: total war.  No more child's gloves.  No more talk.  No more peace.  Peace had gotten them nowhere except estranged from their rightful brothers and sisters who so bravely resisted in the South.  The brave Southerners, who shook off the oppressive capitalists of the UK and their cronies in the West.
"This is nothing, therefore nothing must end."
Seeing a munitions truck past by, Lynch saw his opportunity.  Grabbing the Vodka bottle left open at his table he took the rag out of his back pocket, stuck it in the bottle, and proceeded to light it.  As shocked onlookers witnessed, he made a daring throw of the bottle.  Hitting an oil tank in the back of the canvassed truck in front of him, the tank exploded causing a chain reaction that eviscerated the truck and spread a fiery conflagration that would end up consuming several business and churches along Shankill Road before the fire department would arrive.
Two died.

[Mechaman]

Meanwhile, in London
The Office of the Prime Minister:

BBC Radio: BBC Belfast has just reported most alarming news.  A series of improvised bombings and explosives set out throughout the city, causing business to come to a standstill and religious institutions to close down, has caused mass panic.  The actions seem to be a concerted effort of Republican extremists-
Prime Minister George Brown: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!  Why couldn't this happen under a Conservative government?!
Press Minister Lynbrook Claymoore: Well, we're not really at a disadvantage are we?
Brown: Are you f***ing serious mate?  Do you have any idea how feckin weak we seem now?
Claymoore: Well, at least the people can be assured we will take a pragmatic approach as opposed to Conservative rule.
Brown opens up a cabinet and takes a bottle of Whiskey and mixes it with a ginger ale.
Brown: Looks like I'll be burying myself now.  Hopefully the opposition press doesn't catch a photo of us swimming up to our eyeballs in Bushmills and Seagrams.
BBC Radio: -estimated 11 deaths in the day's attacks.  23 were taken to local medical facilities for treatment of severe burns.
Brown mixes a drink for himself and toasts Claymoore.
Brown: God be with us and the Labour Party, for he wasn't fortunate enough to curse a Conservative with this.  Very well, let's contact Washington.
Claymoore: What for?
Brown: Need to bloody well tell Morton this.  Heaven knows what American influence could do in this event.

A Few Minutes Later
Washington D.C.:

President Thruston Morton: Ya don't say!
Prime Minister Brown: Yah, we fear this might've been the big catalyst.  It looks organized enough and they sure as hell sent a message.
Morton takes a drag on his cigar.
Morton: Do you suspect possible KGB involvement?
There is silence on the other end.
Brown: Always a consideration.  But unlikely.  Something tells me that Ireland isn't exactly on the USSR's list of strategic goals and spread of international communism.
Morton: Always a possibility good sir.  This war in Persia is going nowhere for either side.  And even if Uncle Red does win it leaves them in still a bit of a foxhole.
Damn Americans with their damn strangle expressions of speech!
Brown: What?
Morton: Well. . . . . according to some in our intelligence community the Soviets have really been pulling the wool over the world's eyes in regards to their national statistics.  According to this, the Soviet Union military budget is currently 400% of their budget.  It's unsustainable.  What's more?  There is intelligence that there are a score of revolt movements cracking underneath the surface of the Iron Curtain.
Brown: Surely, we must all know the KGB trend towards deception-
Morton:-towards convincing others of their own superiority.  Moscow gains nothing by underplaying their card.  They do, however, gain much by convincing us that they are a much bigger threat or at least rally third world nations willing to go along.  Surely, at this stage, a last minute conflict of desperation could pay off for them.
Brown: In what way?
Brown hears nervous laughter on the other end.
Morton: Well let me put it this way: Past few decades or so has been a relative time of peace for Ireland.  As such, given the minimal level of interference given to it by the Warsaw Pact, we have benefitted much from a neutral Irish nation.  The lack of conflict between our shores has given us a massive advantage over the North Atlantic.  If a Moscow backed coup is behind these recent terrorist acts, why it could unravel the trade and have repercussions throughout NATO Europe.  A battleground Ireland is the last thing these western nations need at the moment.  And any British action against it would most likely arouse much sympathy, not just from socialists and communists in Europe, but from millions of citizens over on these shores much sympathetic to Republicanism.
George, nip this thing in the butt.

[Mechaman]

Nevermind on 1972. With ethnic attacks like those used by the GOP in that year, I'd probably have to vote for RFK, as much as abandoning "The Movement" might pain me.

I thought that was the Constitution Party ticket.  I thought the impression I gave was that the GOP bombed that year because Spiro had (much like IRL) some controversy relating to speculation or something like that.

[Mechaman]

Gonna have to hearken back to this: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=119018.msg2927693#msg2927693

 brings me to another point: With Republicans out of power for eight years by 1976, what administration was Elliot Richardson part of? Was he pulling a Jon Huntsman-type thing, or had he not served as Ambassador to the UN since the late 60's?

Elliot Richardson was kind of, yeah you said it, a Jon Huntsman like figure in the GOP.  Only much more successful.  During the sixties he served as Attorney General under the Morton Admin from January 1965-1969.  It was then that Robert Kennedy appointed him as an Ambassador to the UK for a year before giving him an ambassadorship in the Netherlands.  He held the position for only six months, as he would accept RFK's nomination to be Secretary of Commerce after Robert O'Sullivan resigned in protest of the President's handling of "the Great Troubles".  While heading the Commerce department Richardson carried the brunt of the blame for what many liberals considered the "corporate takeover" of the Kennedy administration.  He held Commerce Secretary until Reagan became President, when he was asked to take up the post of UN Ambassador.  Not liking Reagan, this was easier done than said.  Richardson held the post until August 1975, when he announced his bid for the Presidency.
Richardson ran as a moderate Republican, though a bit more conservative than would be expected.  Some of his stand out policies were getting rid of the ban on homosexual participation in the military (many people still considered homosexuality to be a psychiatric disease), beefing up border security with Mexico (a position that Democrats, naturally, used to portray Richardson as a Know Nothing), streamlining the pathway to citizenship so people don't spend years if not decades in line, the Equal Rights Amendment, slashing President Reagan's government expansion programs, reciprocal trade agreements with Mexico and Latin American countries, lowering income and corporate taxes (pro-growth), get rid of oil and gas subsidies and invest in "alternative fuels", support of a national gun registry and mental health background checks, oppose the infamous ruling Jeters V Beck (1972) in that it infringes on a woman's right over her body.

Just to give you an idea of how he ran.

[Mechaman]

Since he hasn't been mentioned in awhile, I'm curious as to what ol' Senator Watson is up to?

Around this time (1987-mid 1988) he's campaigning for Mo Udall in the Democratic Primaries.  Udall is running on a DAA (Defend America Act) skeptic platform as well as a more pro-environment and socially liberal than the frontrunner Daniel Moynihan.  Udall, like several western Democrats, opposed the anti-privacy implications of DAA (imagine the Patriot Act in the 1980's), a bill that was championed by the New York Senator.  Moynihan, though more socially liberal than the average Democrat (he's pro-choice, in favor of gun regulations, voted for several "gender equality" bills, against state funding for treating homosexuality (on the grounds that homosexuality is a natural choice and not a disorder), pro-AA), is positioning himself as the traditional blue collar Democrat and a darling for the labor faction.  Udall is positioning himself as the "principled liberal" opposition to Moynihan, specifically attacking Moynihan on Constitutional issues, civil liberties, drugs (Moynihan is a Drug Warrior, Udall is pro-marijuana legalization), and his lackluster environmental record.  Though Udall is pretty popular with unions, Moynihan has a natural advantage due to machine support (rival Philadelphia machine has backed Moynihan).  To counter the influence Watson steps up as an Udall advocate in the Midwest (as a result pressuring the bosses in Pittsburgh to back Udall), given his rockstar charisma with union members and non-white minorities.
There are miscellaneous candidates also running outside these two.  I should have an update on the Democratic Primaries sometime soon.

[Mechaman]

The 1988 Democratic Primary Candidates:

New York Senator Daniel Moynihan: Though gaining and years and often known for his brash and not so charismatic style, Moynihan has emerged (mostly through popular decree) as the likely front runner of the pack.  The 9/6 attacks have brought about a massive change in the man and have given him an enormous amount of sympathy and identity with others who have lost relatives and close friends in the attacks.  Moynihan's proposal of the Defend America Act, whilst wearing a black armband for the dead of New York City, brought about a side of Moynihan few saw before.  The silver haired Irishman known for his expertly detalied synopses of foreign politics as well as a critic of what he calls "the politics of benign neglect", has suddenly found himself thrust into the presidential spotlight that few thought he would be at just months before.  With the exception of his dramatic speech on September 7th, nothing has really changed stylistically about Moynihan.  In fact, the man has taken an exuberrance in playing himself up as the pragmatic liberal opposition to what he terms "the politics of failiure" being enforced by the Crane Administration.
In light of the congressional election results of 1986 (where Democrats made very strong (18 seats) gains in the Senate, bringing them from a very weak minority position to being in control of the Senate, as well as just a few seats away from a House majority), Moynihan was reluctant at first to put his hat forward.  It was 1986 after all, many candidates wait until about a year and a half before a general to making an announcement.  Well that, and Moynihan had personal doubts about his own success in a race.  Pushing age 60 Moynihan is on the higher end of the age scale of presidential candidates.  If he were to be elected to the traditional two terms he would (if he starts serving in 1989) be a couple months shy of his 70th birthday.  There have been several presidents that have gone into their sixties while in office, but an even smaller amount have gone into office past the age of sixty.  To date Andrew Jackson has held the spot of oldest President, having 11 days to his 70th birthday when he left office on March 4th, 1837.  Ronald Reagan is the second closest, being 17 days to his 70th birthday when he left office on January 20th, 1981.  William Henry Harrison is to date the oldest person to be elected and then sworn in as president, 67 when elected and 68 when sworn in before dying a month later.  Sadly, Moynihan if elected to two terms won't beat these records.  In addition to concerns about his age, Moynihan himself stated that he wouldn't be a likable President: "I'm a bureaucrat, not a figurehead."
However over the past few months (March-June 1987) Moynihan has come forward with establishment support.  Running on his strong domestic and foreign policy credentials, as well as a voting record that would appeal to liberal Republicans (Moynihan has a pro-choice and pro-gun control voting record), Moynihan is positioning himself also as a darling of organized labor and other blue collar interests.  With this wide umbrella coalition he hopes to sweep the White House and help the Democrats gain seats in the House and Senate enough to form a full majority to revoke the Crane Agenda.  As strategic and wide appealing as Moynihan's platform is though, there is a growing group of Democratic voters that have outright rejected his candidacy.  A group of Democrats, basing their resistance out of support for civil liberties instead of the usual economic debates found in Primaries. . . . .

Which brings us to:

Senator Morris "Mo" Udall of Arizona: A proclaimed liberal champion for several decades since he took his late brother's House seat in 1961, Mo Udall has become more known for his civil libertarianism and environmentalism over the past decade since becoming a US Senator.  Exhibiting a legendary wit and a well known "father" to several younger liberal Democratic Senators, Udall has respect in the halls of Congress unequal by many.  Although there were many calls for him to run in 1980 and 1984 he has so far refrained, citing a "need" to reach out to a "future generation of Democrats".  Instead, in 1980 he spent the majority of his efforts towards the Pennsylvania US Senate race where he helped his protege Lawrence Watson win the Democratic nomination before helping him defeat the favored Republican challenger Arlen Specter.  And then in 1984 he campaigned in favor of Fred Harris, the former Oklahoma Senator, who ran a grass roots left wing crusade against the Crane Administration.  Many were beginning to wonder if the liberal hero, now approaching his mid sixties, would ever make the bid they were all waiting for.
That time came, in March of 1987.
Udall, before a session of the United States Senate, went into a speech (to be posted later) of his disappointment of the previous session that went into passing several "unconsciable" bills.  Condemning what he saw as "the politics of fear" he announced that, given the lack of action in the Senate, he would run for the Democratic nomination to steer the nation back on track.  "If my lone vote here can't do much good. . . .well maybe my veto in that office can."  His announcement was greeted with impassioned applause from several Democrats in the Senate, some slight applause on the Republican side, and virtual silence from most everyone else.
Being the only real prominent Democrat to have stepped forward at the time, many pundits began to openly wonder when "a pragmatist such as Moynihan will jump into the fray?"  Ironically, Moynihan jumped into the race in response the the polling of a candidate who jumped into the race (before anyone else) in opposition mostly to legislation he authored.  For the first several months, it was just Udall, railing against his own party's establishment and the Crane Administration, who was the only major player in the Democratic race.  Though considered to be less electable than Moynihan, Udall has strong support in a region that has since become a Conservative Republican bastion: the West.  In head to head matches with various Republicans, Udall carries California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada by decisive margins (over 5%).  The Coalition beats Moynihan in all of these state except for New Mexico.
There is much to overcome for a Udall candidacy, but if he is successful it will make for one hell of a political story.  So far this decade (first with Watson Senate Election and then helping Harris get the Democratic nomination in '84) he has been able to beat the odds.  Maybe luck will be with him in the future.

More to come.

[Mechaman]

Mo Candidates:

Governor Randle Delaney of Texas:

The incumbent Governor of Texas would join in the race in August as a means to get his name out.  The first Catholic Governor in the history of the state, Delaney is known for governing as a moderate Governor in the recent tradition of many Texas Democrats.  It is on this moderate record that Delaney is hoping to run on to get scores of disaffected Republicans and Conservatives to switch over to the Democratic ticket come November 1988.  Boasting about cutting taxes without cutting spending, job growth, and signing a ban on the death penalty, Delaney is hoping to undercut the liberal candidates in the election by carrying a strong majority of Southern states and taking wins in other states with divided liberal votes.  He's the youngest of the Democratic candidates (36) and if elected in November of '88 would become the youngest person elected President (beating Charles Percy's age of 41 on Election Day '60).  Experts consider this both an advantage and a disadvantage.  The advantage here is that, especially compared to Moynihan (61 years old when sworn in) and Udall (66 years old when sworn in) who are considerably older and less active than the young dark haired boy Governor.  However, such youth could come at the expense of a lack of political knowledge and handling, which Delaney's other opponents seem to have in spades.  Another potential disadvantage is Delaney's bachelor status.  At the moment he is currently dating Maria Jovina Fernandez, a beautician in Austin, TX.  One wonders if Miss Fernandez can put up with the pressure of dating not just a state Governor, but a future President?

Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware:

"Come on fellas, we all got ideas on how to make this work out!  However, I'm the only one who at the end of the day can say "what the Hell?  Let's get a bud and settle it out!"  Not really campaigning on the issues at all or his political positioning, the establishment Democrat from Delaware is positioning himself as the Democratic President you'd like to have a beer with.  Citing a need for the process to go fluidly and for people to just get along, Biden promises not to be a Crane clone while also avoiding the pitfalls of partisanship.  While supporters have been very enthusiastic to see Joe's style in the White House, critics have been much less praiseful.  Noting how similar Biden's rhetoric sounds to British Labour Party speeches and how similar his overall platform seems to Daniel Moynihans, it seems that Biden needs to answer the fundamental question facing all presidential candidates: "Why?"

Former Secretary of State Robert O'Sullivan of Massachusetts:

An accomplished politician who has had a career going back to his days in the National Security Administration, Robert O'Sullivan is running as "the man of executive experience": "I've seen the rough and tumble world of the Presidency.  For two and a half years I was Reagan's call man.  Let me tell you, it wasn't easy."  An experienced bureaucrat, O'Sullivan is not selling his candidacy on ideas, but on his ability to act compared to the other candidates.  "America needs a level head, not a level platform."  An open and admitted drinker, he believes that what America needs is an active thinker.  "A wasted mind is like wasted liquor."  Hell, sometimes, what America needs is a kick in the ass!  "America, it's time to wake the hell up!"

US Senator Gary Hart of Colorado:

A "New Democrat", Gary Hart is hoping to run on a platform he called "New Liberalism" that he says will bring "the Democratic Party into the 21st century."  Among key points on his policy plank are support for federal subsidies to go towards improving the nation's infrastructure and communication systems.   Senator Hart envisions a future where virtually all American families have access to personal computer and information databases and a highly functioning railway system stretching the nation to reduce personal reliance on automobiles.  He does get flack though, from Moynihan and others, for his insistence on keeping the tax structure low on upper class income earners, preferring to raise it at most to 40% instead of the commonly agreed on 60% tax level proposed by many Democratic candidates.  Further, he faces the possibility of losing a good deal of his support to Mo Udall, who is also a westerner who is running on a platform that focuses on green energy and civil liberties.

[Mechaman]

A Tale of Four Cities:



"Billings, Butte, Helena, Missoula.  Four realms, so insignificant on the national playground.  Yet here, in this sparsely populated land that is Montana, these are where the Gods of Politics reside.  Billings, the realm of the commercial businessman.  Butte, the land of organized labor and borderline socialists.  Helena, the Great Gig in the Big Sky Country.  And finally, Missoula, the bleedingheart of Westman Liberalism."-So spake a historian.

One of the particulars of Montana politics is the dominance of urban areas in state wide politics to the point that those urban areas have come to be associated with tenets of Montana politics.  Four urban areas, Billings, Butte, Helena, and Missoula are credited with shaping the political forces that have shaped modern Montana.

Billings, population est. 225,860:

Located in the eastern part of the state, Billings is by far the biggest city in the state.  Home to a prosperous ranching industry as well as the headquarters of Montana's oil producers, there is a brand of economic conservatism in the city that is most uncommon to many urban areas.  The dwellers, many of them socially tolerant from decades of inter-cultural business exchanges, exhibit a degree of social libertarianism that puts them at odds with fellow Republicans in the surrounding rural areas.  However, once again they are highly conscious of the impact of expansive government and it's negative impact on the individual and therefore look down highly on expensive tax laden government works projects like Green Montana.  Usually anti-Democratic, the city gave Democratic Scott Westman a 41.2% plurality in 1984 (due mostly to Conservative and Republican infighting).  Highly resentful of first the labor influence of Butte Democrats, Billings now is the center of opposition to the growing influence of Missoula liberalism that has expanded since the election of Scott Westman in November of 1984.  In a landslide election for Westman, Yellowstone County would be the last urban county to go Democratic.

Butte, population est. 58,910:

Long the center of labor and socialist forces not just in Montana but in the Rocky Mountain West, the New Deal liberalism of Franklin Delano Roosevelt helped the heavily Catholic mining community of Butte to become a power player in state wide politics.  Playing upon the success of national government works programs in the state as well as the "GI Tax Credit" legislation that brought thousands of World War II veterans over to the area, politicians from the Silverbow and Deer Lodge counties greatly expanded their influence over (relatively) nearby Helena.  At the head of this takeover was Governor Brendan McGuinness, who was leader of the Miners Union based in Butte.  Embracing an agenda that stressed high progressive ideals such as a "living wage" (minimum wage indexed to inflation), the establishment of a "Union Bill of Rights" (that protected many union members from getting fired during strikes and prevented businesses from preventing the establishment of employee formed unions by requiring police protection at union meetings), and expansive Affirmative Action benefits for Native Americans and other non-white minorities, McGuinness established what was for several decades the most dominant political alignment in Montana history.  In stark contrast to the libertarian sympathies of Billings, the overwhelmingly Democratic populace of Butte embraces a certain radical populist spirit that combines the extreme or socialist economics with traditionalist morality reflective of the white ethnic Catholic population that the city is well known for.  The first city west of the Mississippi to have nationalized it's utilities as well as to have the most liberal alcohol consumption laws in North America, it's also known for it's bans on homosexuals from participating in it's annual St. Patricks Day Parade, as well as preventing gay union members from leadership positions.  As well as city ordinances that banned the sale and production of contraceptives and birth control pills, Butte proves itself as the antithesis of the "live and let live" ethos of the state's largest urban area Billings.  And in recent years, the leaders of Butte have found themselves in an ideological struggle with the forces of Missoula liberalism for the heart and soul of the state's dominant Democratic Party.

Helena, population est. 32,140:

Known only as "the Hill", Helena is the capital city of Montana.  Though one would never guess, given how little influence the city actually emanates.  Rather, Helena greatest significance is that it acts as the "throne" for Montana political dominance amongst it's three politically dominant urban areas of Billings, Butte, and Missoula.  However, it is not without complete irrelevance, as the city's overwhelming rejection of Richard Peters in 1980 during the high tide of Montana Republicanism showed.  Rather, Helena is thought of nowdays as where "East meets West".  Due to longtime Democratic dominance, there is a slight liberal bias to the city that has some business sympathies for the cattle and oilmen of the east.  For instance, while there is a strong union presence in the city, the city government allows businesses in the city to take credits on dues from business endorsed unions for deductions on yearly tax returns.  As well, the city is known for it's gun culture, having 98% ownership amongst it's adult population.
Still though, compared to the massive influence of the "Big Three", Helena has been relegated merely to the realm of "Kingholder" amongst the factions of Montana politics.

Missoula, population est. 109,300:

Known since inception as a center for liberal thought, Missoula differs greatly from it's fellow cities in the state in it's unique ideology.  Though long regarded as a place where civil libertarianism, environmentalism, and pacifism meet, it wasn't until the era of the controversial war in Persia and American involvement in Ireland that Missoula became known as the mating ground for left wingers and libertarians.  Long overshadowed by nearby Butte, the anti-war and state skeptic liberals of Missoula started to branch out in the early seventies through the influence of Congressman Edward Finnegan, Governor Gerald Schumacher, and their eccentric longtime Mayor Reginald Brown.  It would prove a very trying time, as Governor Schumacher would be at odds with many of his own party's Butte dominated establishment to pass reform minded legislation to curb "union bossism" in state government.  Elected in 1972, Schumacher would reside over eight years of great controversy as his principled stand to root out corruption "no matter what party" would create many enemies within the unions that controlled the state party of the time.  Barely winning the 1976 Primary by the skin of his teeth, Schumacher would go onto win the general comfortably (at the time, many pundits called it "merely a formality" given the dominance of the Democratic Party at the gubernatorial level at the time) before going over the hardest four years of his life and arguably the hardest four years of post World War II Montana.  Continually being sidelined by fellow Democrats determined as hell to destroy Schumacher as an effective political force and lay the blame of economic woes, drought, and inefficiency on him, the Democratic Party of Montana fell into a state of widely acknowledged anarchy by the midterms of 1978.  In it's wake was a greatly weakened party, on the brink of certain armageddon due to the bloody civil war between Butte laborists and Missoula liberalists.  In the Election of 1980, the party was forever shamed as the first Republican Governor in nearly three decades was elected merely on a platform that promised "less bloodshed" than the Democrats.
However, there has arisen a new hope: Scott Westman.  The enigmatic current Governor of Montana who has based his coalition on a combination of left wingers and libertarians has so far overwhelmed the traditional socialist sympathizers of Butte and the corporatist masters of Billings.  Successfully passing the Green Montana with a mandate, he looks poised on making Missoula the new kingmaster of Montana Politics.
And so, a new era begins.  That of Westman liberalism.

EDIT: Changed some of the details of Billings to better fit with already done election map.

[Mechaman]

May 29th, 1956
St. Louis, Missouri
A Factory:

Delmar Jenkins had just gotten off of shift.  As a union rep for the black communities of the north side he had a lot of sway over the support of the community in regards to elections.  Recently over the past few decades he and others had put a lot of support behind the New Dealism of Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman's Democratic Party.  A party that looked to be staying the path with President Estes Kefauver, who personally promised Jenkins and other black leaders in the city that a Civil Rights bill would be passed through Congress sometime this Summer.
Damn bravest Democrat I ever knew, thinking he can get the Civil Rights bill passed.  Sure, he also admitted that doing so would cause heavy losses in the South.  Though really, I'm not as scared as those crazy yahoos screeching about "States Rights" as I am the m-
Boss Dundee McAlester: Delmar, Delmar. . . . . you're off of work in a hurry.
Damn it!  I knew I would be face to face with this motherfu-
McAlester: Look (extends hands to both of Jenkis arms) I don't want to overwhelm you at a time like this.  However (sick grin on face), there is a union vote up tomorrow.  Surely you know the ramifications of it?
Jenkins, suddenly finding his stride, speaks up:
Jenkins: This isn't your neighborhood McAlester.
McAlester laughs.
McAlester: Maybe not, but bossism carries quite an influence, doesn't?  Though of course, you people wouldn't know anything about that.
Jenkins: You got a lot of balls coming around here mick, especially after the sh*t you pulled in Feb.
McAlester laughs.
McAlester: Oh come on, everyone knows that was an accident.  Industrial accidents happen all the time!  Just last week a poor sap lost his middle finger in a steel press!  Can you imagine that!?  His middle finger!  Such a valuable appendage!
From behind McAlester one of Delmar's coworkers, Declan Highsmith, shows up.
Highsmith: What is this criminal doing here?  This is our district, asshole, you better clear out.
McAlester turns around, chuckling.
McAlester: Mr. Highsmith, I regret your tendency towards ingratitude.  After all, this machine has been very gracious towards this district.
Highsmith: If you consider keeping the raids on our neighborhoods down as being very gracious, yeah I guess.
Suddenly as if on cue, McAlester's face turns a shade of menace.
McAlester: You sound ungrateful, Declan.  You seem to forget that it's been this machine that has kept some of the combustible elements from razing this community left and right.  Hell, on some nights you can even go to Brian McGuinness for a drink!
Highsmith: Stop with this pretend progressive bullsh*t, Dundee.  We know the games you play.  You keep your paisans out of here by giving them a cut off your shady business dealings.  Dealings that have cost this community a lot more than just money.
McAlester: What?  Am I supposed to baby you guys now?  Are there no entreprenuers amongst you now?  You see business, you grasp it.  Something that seems lost on your kind.
Highsmith punches McAlester full force in the face.
Highsmith: You motherf***er!  You don't give a damn about turning my people into animals!  You don't care about the young lives you've destroyed with your demon drugs!  Oh if only your predecessors were here to see this great evil you're doing.  As much disagreement as I had with Conlon, the gangs he sent in to terrorise us on Election Day, at least he never had the evil in him to stuff our kids full of drugs!
McAlester looks up at him.
McAlester: My business is entirely legal.  You must be mistaking my honest dealings for the misdeeds of one else?
Jenkins: Oh yeah?
McAlester: It seems I caught you both in kind of an uppity mood.  You surely don't mean the personal slights thrown my way.  Therefore, I'll send one of my associates to talk it over with you over dinner.  He'll be at your house at seven.  I hope your wife has made some decent meatloaf.
Jenkins, feeling a sudden sense of alarm, runs after McAlester as he's headed towards the elevator.
Jenkins: NO WAIT!  WE CAN TALK NOW!
McAlester, feeling his task done, smiled.
McAlester: Great, great.  As you well know, Congressman Casey is running in the Primaries.  The election isn't over for a few months, but we believe that an early endorsement from such a prominent St. Louis leader as yourself would be excellent for his chances against Symington.  Also, I could maybe swing a few votes your way on the Healthcare Compensation vote.  You sure you don't want to talk over dinner?  I'm starving and could really use a pint.
Jenkins: No man, I'm good.  Actually, I kind of lost my appetite.

[Mechaman]

Mental Images:

Texas Governor Randle Delaney:



Former Secretary of State Robert O'Sullivan:



Senate Majority Leader Tobin MacMahon:



Former House Rep. Thad O'Connor:



Colorado Governor Edward "Eddie" Derry:


Often referred to as "the Democrat who looks like Mark Hatfield".

House Representative Lawrence Coventry:

[Mechaman]

January 2nd, 1981
Westman Townhouse
Fairfax, Virginia:

Scott Westman was up in his office working on his latest attempt at Green legislation.  After the fiasco that was 1980 he would need a brilliant piece to base his comeback off of.  Ever the artiste, he took to writing his plans on a large sketch board over the traditional typewriter draft.
Visual images are best at conveying the full weight and intent of the manners of men.
The party had definitely taken a shellacking.  It was the worst defeat in decades, perhaps since 1920.  And admittedly Westman should carry a burden of the blame.  After all, he did run as the VP candidate of a third party that took away a significant amount of Democratic votes.
But so did the Moderate Reform Party and the Constitution Party.
What many in the party just couldn't face is that the party had become unacceptable to many through the term of Reagan.  Reagan's popularity, at an all time low of 18% right before election night, was bound to have a bad effect on the election as he was viewed as one of the most incompetent presidents in history.  His high point in popularity happened before Westman was even sworn in as a Senator in January of 1977, as Reagan was successful (though it was short lived) as portraying "the Taft Republican Party" as an instrument of austerity that resulted in the Democrats briefly regaining the House and Senate as well as Reagan winning with the most minimal of wins.  With the Democratic majorities, however, Reagan got too confident.  As did his allies.
As well as outright discourteous of opposing viewpoints.
Westman's first attempt, the "Green America" bill was shot down by many in the establishment for being "too radical" in regard to the current energy malaise of the country.  Which was outrageous, considering that Westman's bill would simply undo the subsidy favoritism towards Big Oil and lease out money for scientific research into developing new "green energy" technology and fuels.  Well sure, there was also that part of the bill that would've marked up to $35 billion to create a "Green Infrastructure", but that was necessary cost overhead to prepare America for the future free of dependence on fossil fuels.
Funnily enough, the libertarian lobby never noted this last part of the bill in their glowing praise of Westman.  Which reeked of the big government liberalism they've come to have a big disdain for.  Don't even bring up healthcare, which Westman thinks should be a single payer system instead of the messed up private and public setup now in place.
Though debts are important, Westman viewed the mentality that the government should be operated like a business to be a scary one.  Government itself, while it should indeed be for the people and by the people, shouldn't be expected to operate like a private business.  The ability to incur large amounts of debt is the greatest positive of the Government, Westman once said to an associate of his, I for one see no reason why we should deviate from that path to soothe right wing austerity freaks.  However, over the past several weeks Westman had taken a noticeably different take on the matter, stressing it was important that the US, in order to maintain it's good currency status "should avoid extreme debt expansion to avoid certain economic calamity brought on by a weakened dollar through non-stop inflation brought on by unaccountable government debt.  Thus why I voted against efforts to take the US off the Gold Standard."  The flip flop came at the behest of Carl Herschelwitz, who noted that the issues of debt and the economy were high priority in the polls.
What concerned Westman, however, was some of the Budgets he looked at.  For instance, for the like of him he didn't know why the foreign budget for 1981 had about $24 million going to the Republic of Ireland.  Or the several billion the government spent in Pakistan that year and the several billion more they spent in India.  And then he's surprised to find that at the end of the day the US keeps producing sky high deficits.  Year after year.  What was the government doing?  Funding the political campaigns of capitalist West sympathizers?  Subsidizing US corporations in the nations?  Funding death squads to liquidate commie uprisings?
He didn't know.  What he did know, however, was that a foreign budget taking up a fifth of the budget was troublesome.
Somebody had to make a stand.

[Mechaman]

January 3rd, 1981
US Senate:

Senate Majority Leader Mark Hatfield (R-OR) Presiding.
Hatfield: Well, welcome to the new Senate.  I see many new faces here and I won't give some grand speech at the moment.  I believe that in these times we should set an example by getting right to the heart of the matter.  At this moment I am going to ask the senior senator from Montana, Mr. Westman, to take the podium.
Senator Scott Westman, carrying what looks to be a mountain of binders full of papers, walks from behind his desk to the podium.  When he reaches the podium he shakes Hatfield's hand and he takes the podium.
Tepid Response.
Westman: Well, I can see that many of you are a little behind on the sleep quota.  Either that, or my popularity is at an alltime high.
Laughter.  Westman grins.
Westman: Good, at least you guys think I'm funny.  Okay that's good.
Wow, this is surprising.  This sexgod is unusually uncomfortable in front of a large gathering of his peers.  Interesting. Thought an unnamed peer of his.
Westman: LOok, I don't want to take too much of your time on this but there's a topic that needs to be addressed.  So first off, let me ask you this: what do the US states of Minnesota, Oregon, Iowa, and Massachusetts all have in common?  Well, if you answered that the US Government spends less money on them than they do on foreign nations such as India, Pakistan, Persia, Brazil, Columbia, China, and yes even Russia you'd be correct.  Mind you, there are several other states, many more than I care to mention, that also are less funded than several countries on our backrolls.
Some rumbling is heard amongst the assembled Senators.
Westman: Why is that?  Why is it that, in the world's strongest nation, we seem to be spending more out of this nation than into it?  I'll give you a few hints: General Electric, Donnelly Incorporated, Westham Fabrics, Westinghouse, Lookheed, sabres rattling.  This is about corporate affluence in the goings on of nations!  Our businessmen are coming to us, the servants of the general public, and telling us to give them money we have taken from citizens of this Republic, from the citizens of Oklahoma, from the citizens of Texas, from the citizens of Montana, from the citizens of Massachusetts, we are giving those monies to businessmen to buy out large sectors of foreign economies.  To in effect monopolize the way people live through financed public policy, through bought out foreign dictators over those democratically elected.
Loud boos, though there is some applause from both sides of the aisle.
Westman: Boo me all you want.  You can't change what has happened.  But you can change the future.  This went on during Reagan.  This went on during Kennedy.  This went on during Morton and Percy and Kefauver.  However, this administration, though I disagree with it on many fronts I believe can be a force of good in this world.  And so can this Congress.  Many of you have come to us, elected on a campaign of reform and of fiscal solvency.  There is no better way you can accomplish this than by working with me, working with me and others such as the honorable Senate Majority Leader who yielded this podium to me earlier.  For the past several years he has tried to, to the chagrin of some of his fellow partymates and to many in my own party, regrettably, to address these issues head on.  However, his efforts have fallen on deaf ears.  Fallen on deaf ears because of the policies and traditions of American privilige and self-interest to the detriment of others in this great world community.  So for once put aside your hawkishness, put aside your desire for a strong American empire and put the people of this nation first.  For once give America a shot!
Louder applause is heard.
Westman: Now, here in my hands I have the foreign budgets of 1981.  My aides will be going to your offices dropping off your own copies of it with my proposed amendments.

[Mechaman]

October 1st, 1987
Governor's Office
Helena, Montana:

Scott Westman is at his office looking over an education bill when a tall grey haired man enters with two law enforcement officials.
Grey Man: Governor, I am here to serve you a summons to Federal Court.
Westman looks at him blankfaced, shocked at the audacity of the man.
Westman: For what!?
Grey Man: For threatening the safety and security of the United States Government, and the people therein, by issuing Executive Orders to state law enforcement and local authorities to disregard the Defend America Act.  The Government feels that this act of defiance goes well and beyond the powers granted to states via the 10th, and that you being Governor should stand trial in Federal Court for instigating such sentiment.
Westman laughs.
Westman: This is absurd!  I am clearly operating within the boundaries of the 10th Amendment!  The fact that this was even considered by your higher ups speaks to the damages wrought to this government since last year!
Grey Man: These charges are to be treated on the same level as criminal charges such as those relating to the demoralizing of government.
Westman: F***'s sake.
Grey Man: While charges will be determined by a government appointed judge, please be aware that such charges could include a prison sentence of 18 months-
Westman: Bullsh*t man.
Grey Man:-the replacement of state law enforcement leaders with federal agents under direct supervision with Washington-
Westman: And people say I'm building strawmen with you people-
Grey Man:-the resignation of your office due to "Seditious Acts"-
Westman: What is this?  Medieval Europe!?
Grey Man:-or if willing and open defiance and treachery is proven.  .. . . the death penalty.
Westman facepalms.
Grey Man: Do you understand?
Westman looks up with an insane look on his face.
Westman: And so I go, like a man on his way to be lynched.

[Mechaman]

This is CNN News:

Controversy erupts in Helena as Democratic Governor Scott Westman has just been taken into custody by Federal Agents on charges of, and I quote "Seditious Acts going against the United States Government".  The Governor, who was going over a draft of a recent Education Bill by State Representative Thomas L. Hallinan was grabbed by the agents, handcuffed, and then taken out of his office.  Westman, who will be taken to the Federal Court in Denver, Colorado for preliminary hearings on the third, has released a press report in protest of this latest action:

"I have done nothing in my authority as Governor of Montana to warrant such an action.  The powers that I used were within the authority of the Tenth Amendment of the United States of America.  This is nothing more than a continuation of the ongoing witchunt of the paranoid power grabbers in DC carried onto absurd lengths.  I will admit though, I didn't think they had it in them to actually directly charge me with such vicious slander and accusation.  Whether I am found Guilty or Not Guilty, surely this case will show the American People clearly where the Administration's real interests are: shutting people like me up."

Members of the Crane Cabinet, including Secretary of Veterans Affair Christian Mattingly, Secretary of Defense William Buckley, Attorney General Jay Rockefeller, and others have denied the allegations in Westman's release, with Rockefeller noting that he had "no authority" over the recent federal charges against Westman:

(video of Jay Rockefeller)
"Look, I understand the Governor is upset and angry at what has transpired.  I mean, who wouldn't?  However, let me state that this office was kept in the dark about ongoing investigations and such about Westman's Executive Order to disallow the DAA in state law enforcement in Montana.  This is a matter that was brought up to the Assistant AG who believed this to be a cause for concern who authorized agents to contact the Courts about a possible case against Westman.  My office, the AG office, is overflooded with work relating to Taimid acitvities and possible terror suspects to have been actively involved in this matter.  If you want more information, talk to Lloyd Donlon, the Assistant AG."

Given the already heated primary debates in both the Democratic and Republican Primaries over the Defend America Act, this latest event will surely bring to focus to Constitutional issues this upcoming election season.

[Mechaman]

White House
Cabinet Meeting

Crane: Jay, what the f**k?
Rockefeller, though used to the President swearing, was shocked by his tone.
Rockefeller: Phil, look you have to understand since last September I've had virtually no time to get into persecuting constitutional cases.  That is Lloyd's job-
Crane: I thought that we appointed Donlon to make us look better to independents and Democrats.  And now he's going AWOL on us and charging f***ing state governors?  Again, WHAT THE F***!?
Buckley: Well, given the national security situation and protocol, I can understand some of the reason to bring a court challenge to Westman's use of Executive Order to countermand legislative action.. .. . . but criminal charges?  WHAT THE F***?
Rockefeller: Why am I the bad guy here?  I didn't even see that file!  Lloyd didn't even bring it up until lunch last week and the impression I got was much different!  I thought he was going to drop it-
Secretary of State Edward Madigan: Sh*t Jay. . . . . didn't you think a probable case involving Scott Westman should've gotten at least a look over?  I mean, there is no way this will look good at all.  This makes us look like Nazis!  Has Donlon gone completely insane!?
Mattingly raises his hand.
Mattingly: Well, while I don't think I would've gone as far as filing criminal charges against Westman, I really can't blame Donlon.  I mean, Westman is endangering the lives of millions by sticking stubbornly to his radical anti-war counter cultural commie ideals.  I believe in freedom of speech, but he is in a position of authority.
Secretary of State Robert Finch: Chris, what the hell are you saying?
Mattingly: Look, it doesn't sound so good when our political opponents suddenly turn out being charged on criminal grounds.  Especially when the prosecutors can't seem to decide whether Westman is guilty of "sedition" or "treason".  I say we get them to limit it to "sedition" with 18 months in prison and removal from office.
Rockefeller: Good idea Chris!  It would be much easier for this case against Westman to succeed if he's faced with a low prison sentence and removal from office on grounds of abuse!  And then if he appeals it the case goes to the Supreme Court and the supremacy of DAA is upheld!
Crane looks nervously at the people around him, who seem all too happy to throw a fellow politician in prison to score political points.
Crane: Guys, what if this doesn't work?
Rockefeller: I doubt it.  For one, four of those Justices were those appointed by you yourself.  Second, as much as we bash Reagan and Kennedy, they didn't appoint no bleedingheart hippies to the bench either.  How can it not work?
Crane looks nervously.
Crane: Well. . . . . .

[Mechaman]

Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States of America:

Chief Justice Hiram Fong of Hawaii (Appointed by the Crane Administration) The first Vice President of the US of Asian descent during the Morton Administration, Hiram Fong was tapped to replace the late Chief Justice John W. McCormack of Massachusetts, who died on January 3rd, 1981 from heart failure.  A well known "Liberal Republican", Fong has earned a reputation for having an Originalist approach with a bit of Constructionism to the Constitution in regards to issues such as "corporate personhood" (which he ruled against, noting that if corporations were to be considered people they would technically be slaves and thus illegal via the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution. Fleece), birth control bans (against, as there is no explicit mention in the Constution dealing with reproductive issues and birth control was a common practice back then), magazine regulations (for, the Founding Fathers intent with the Second Amendment was to both establish a right to firearms as well as the authority of the government to put forward regulations on weapons, such as extended magazine clips), etc, etc.  Overall, Fong tends to be a pretty liberal judge for a Republican, though his voting record indicates that he's sided with court conservatives most of the time.

Associate Justice Martin Luther King Jr of Georgia (appointed by Crane Administration) Continuing on his quest to please moderates and liberals, Phillip Crane appointed Civil Rights hero and lawyer Martin Luther King Jr. to the court (along with Chief Justice nominee Hiram Fong) at the beginning of his first term as President.  Not as liberal as Fong, King has made a mark for himself on issues relating to Civil Rights and discrimination cases, helping vote for landmark cases for handicapped individuals in the workplace and for LGBT workers.  Like Fong King comes from a background of liberal 1960's Republicanism that finds a lot of agreement with the liberal apointees of Kennedy and Reagan.

Associate Justice Justin L. Arash of Wisconsin (Appointed by Crane Administration: Crane's conservative court appointee (after repeat accusations of being a CINO) Arash has become well known for his very strict constructionism in regards to the controversial issues of the time.  In the words of fellow justice King "if we followed Arash's philosophy on the Constitution there would be no Amendments".  One of the more unpopular Justices, there have been multiple calls for Arash to go into retirement.  However, he seems intent to stay along to spite the more liberal activists.

Associate Justice Landon K. Bibels (Appointed by Crane Administration) Crane's second court appointee and the only Independent.  Bibels voting record can't be described on ideological lines.  Some say this is evident of how truly "Independent" he is and that his record if anything should be describe as "reform pragmatism" in regards to the issues.  He tends to side with liberal justices on social matters and with conservatives on the economic matters.  Whatever his views are, he almost always seems to be one of the guys who cast the last vote.

Associate Justice Shirley Chisholm (Appointed by Reagan Administration) THe Court's first African American justice and the second female justice after the appointment of Sarah Jane Connor (under Kennedy), the former liberal Congresswoman faced an uphill battle to get to the Court.  Taking a strong stand for issues relating to social justice, Chisholm can always be expected to take the liberal interpretation on an issue.  Many of her critics consider her appointment "one of many of President Reagan's failures".

Associate Justice Lexington R. Holbrook (Appointed by Reagan Administration) COnsidered by many to be the "union judge", Holbrook's voting record reads like a populist's handbook.  ON matters relating to social justice, union rights, wages, and employment benefits Holbrook has consistently taken the more liberal position.  At the same time though, he has shown a good deal more restraint on ruling in social issues, as his vote against the Fong majority on the Linns v. Adams decision proved (was against majority on birth control issue) as well as being the decisive vote against Johnson v. Texas (for psychiatric treatment of homosexuals).

Associate Justice Sarah Jane Connor (Appointed by Kennedy Administration):   Appointed by Kennedy, Sarah Connor is the first female to have been appointed to the US Supreme Court.  Connor has a bit of a feminist perspective, consistently ruling on issues that she believes would best advance the cause of women in the workplace.  This includes Affirmative Action programs.  On other issues she seems much more moderate, as her vote against windfall taxes on gas and oil profits proved.

Associate Justice Lyndon Bowles (Appointed by Morton Administration) An old school Republican moderate, Bowles record on judicial matters matches almost to the T the man who appointed him.  However, in regards to privacy and constitutional matters Bowles seems to be zealous.  A critic of federalism and state's rights, Bowles has a record of opposing the federalist argument on controversial issues like abortion and gay rights.  His economic record is much more moderate.

Associate Justice Raymond L. Drinan (Appointed by Percy Administration) A former Attorney General of the state of Michigan, Drinan is known as the "Old Guard" judge.  Originally appointed by Percy to appeal to Irish American and Catholic conservatives and moderates in the Democratic Party, Drinan's overall philosophy is similar to that of the infamous Robert Taft.  Despite his Democratic Party label, many in the party have given Drinan "single handed blame" in helping "end the New Deal forever" with his strict support of power limitations on commerce activity and the like.  His record is that of a consistently anti-government expansion ideologue, as he not only opposes economic expansion of government power but measures that give government more authority over individual civil liberties. 

Might modify later.

[Mechaman]

1988 Republican Primary Candidates:

Though long rumored to be combined with the Conservative Party, the Republican Party has decided to hold it's own party primaries.  Despite the heavy loss of 1984 in the Presidential race and the shaming the party got in 1986, party leaders are confident that come 1988 the fortunes of the party will turn around enough to warrant a presidential run without appealing to Conservatives.  Once considered on the verge of immortality in 1980 before the party was split asunder leading to the first third party victory since well who knows when, the GOP is setting forth to make it known as the "Party of Solutions, not problems."
This new branding has gotten the "new" GOP into trouble with critics.  Many, sensing this as just a return to the same old same old Republican Party of the 1930's-1950's, note that the Republican Party failed big time when they didn't define their beliefs.  Worse yet, saying "we're going to do what the Democrats are doing except better" isn't seen as a way to retain the faithful who seemed fed up with the pandering.

The need for the GOP to place itself on a position on politics is essential.  This isn't high school prom, policies actually count here.  It seems that all the GOP is trying to do, yet again, is pine for playing the pretty girl that everyone likes and doesn't get into any arguments.  The Democratic Party, though it's a wide tent party, at least has the decency to use angry prolish rhetoric.  They dont't know exactly what they stand for, and I doubt very many Democrats nowdays agree on anything, but at least they are assertive enough to pick a message that offends enough people on the other side to look effective to it's supporters.  If the GOP doesn't get it's sh*t together, 1980 might just become every year.-Some Guy

Attorney General Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia

One of the politicians who spearheaded the "new GOP" movement, Jay Rockefeller is running off of his creditionals as a reform minded Attorney General in a third party Administration and his efforts in handling the Justice Department post 9/6 as his motivation for running.  Citing the failures of both the Reagan and Crane Administrations Jay is hoping to run as a "logical middle ground", advocating for a renewal in advancing environmental conservation projects, pursuing alternative energy routes, investments in urban renewal projects, implementation of Omnibus Public Safety Bills to address rising crime and failing infrastructure in urban areas, among a list of other reforms.  He's been attacked by many conservatives, both in the Republican Party and Conservative Party members, for not really being that different from a lot of liberal Democrats.  While support amongst traditional moderate and liberal Republicans is expected to increase, enthusiasm amongst the "Old Guard" is at the very best tepid.

US Senator Ronald Paul of Texas:

The incumbent Republican US Senator from Texas, Ron Paul is well know for his "Old Guard" Republicanism while representing a traditionally Democratic Southern state.  His victory over the state's Democratic machine in 1982 has propelled him from little known congressman to one of the leading faces of the libertarian movement in the Republican Party.  He is the only US Senator from the states that make up the former Confederacy to have voted against the Defend America Act, a fact that he is proud of.  Though the "Old Guard" faction have long fallen out of influence Paul is hoping to tap into the minority segment that strong opposed the DAA and have reservations about the foreign policy agenda of the past several decades to and bring their views to the forefront of the election.  He admits his chances of victory are slim but is insistent on pressing on to get the word out.  He also strongly opposes the fiscal policies of the current administration, calling the Crane Administration "the most wasteful administration since FDR".

US Senator Francis Keating of Oklahoma:

The Oklahoma Senator and the Chairman of "Catholics for Law and Order" has jumped into the race for exactly that.  Feeling that authorities like Attorney General Jay Rockefeller have proven incompetent to the task of enabling law enforcement agencies to properly protect and serve the American people, Keating is out to one up the security hawks in the race.  Among his proposals is the idea of a new department, the Department of Port Security, to expliclty deal with the entry ports of the nation.  Running off a generic conservative platform, other key points of is are support for a Balanced Budget Amendment, corporate tax reform, and partial privitization of Social Security.

Former US Vice President George HW Bush of Connecticut:

Famed for being the part of the first split administration since Adams/Jefferson, Bush has come back to throw his hat in the ring to possibly ascend to the position that once eluded him.  Though gaining in age the former VP has received much support from higher ups in the Republican Party to run in order to "streamline" the party towards their new direction.  However, this also clashes with support of the establishment behind Attorney General Jay Rockefeller. . . . though the latest news about the ongoing Federal Court case against Montana Governor Scott Westman just might scare the establishment towards Bush.  Not particularly charismatic, Bush has a warm, soft, grandfatherly quality to him that connects well with the average American.  However, little has been said of just exactly will he offer to the voting public if elected.  For all intents and purposes, Bush is the currently the wildcard in this primary race.

Illinois Governor Robert Percy

The current Governor of Illinois and moderate Republican officeholder, Robert Percy is the nephew of the late Charles Percy, the 36th President of the United States.  The son of Charles older brother Mark Percy, a retired CEO of Bell Illinois, Percy grew up idolizing his politician uncle whose reputation has taken on mythic proportions since his death.  Hitting the grindstone tough on attacking the roots of political corruption in Chicago as well as co-ordinating efforts with state law enforcement to take down criminal elements of the Cook County Democratic Organization, Percy is on par to being remembered as one of the greatest Governor in Illinois history.  In a year of a heavy Democratic wave, Percy retained his office with 58% of the vote, a landslide over his Democratic opponent Richard M. Daley (son of the infamous machine leader).  He hopes to take this highly successful record of reform with him to the White House, where there is a lot of cleaning up to do.

More possible.

[Mechaman]

Republican Canddiates Continued:

Former House Minority Whip Jack Kemp of New York:

Noting the weakness of the Conservative Party post 1986, former House minority leader and de facto conservative Republican leader Jack Kemp is throwing his hat in the ring for the GOP nomination.  Though he was the VP for the GOP in 1980, he believes that was when the Republican Party lost it's way.  Running as a "bleedingheart capitalist" Kemp is hoping to revive the fallen economic laissez faire wing that was surging in the party post New Deal.  Calling Phil Crane "one of our best presidents", Kemp believes that if he runs he can be the pointman in reuniting conservative third partiers back to the GOP to bring the party out of the presidential wilderness and end the vote splitting that occurred last election.

House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich of Georgia:

Kemp's successor as Republican House Whip, Newt Gingrich is using his newfound fame as a technocratic powerbreaker as a base to run his national campaign.  Though widely distrusted and even despised by fellow Republicans (namely Kemp) who see him as nothing less than a greedy usurper, Gingrich is widely touting his electability on his continued success representing a Georgia CD despite his Republican Party affiliation.  Those at the RNC headquarters are mixed on Gingrich, some of them seeing him as a new Jesus figure who can help move the party to where it was supposed to be in 1980, and others who think that Gingrich's lack of empathy, bombastic speaking, and dirty style politics have no place in the party.  Many observers, however, believe that what Gingrich is really aiming for is the Speakership. . . . .something that they say he is prepared to do at all costs.  That might be a little hard though, given the grudge holding of a number of Republican officeholders who would like to see Gingrich go down in flames.

[Mechaman]

In an office in Washington DC:

US Senator Gary Hart of Colorado is at his desk watching the television set.  He just saw the news of Westman being escorted by federal agents towards a plane.
Hart: Christ, this is crazy.
His secretary, Cynthia Lebaum, looks at him with inquiry.
Lebaum: Sir?
Hart: I mean, this whole thing is just insane.  Don't they realize that by arresting Scott they've made him a martyr now?  A new Jesus Christ figure?  But hey, what can we do?
Lebaum, who had worked on the hill for a couple of decades and not a stranger to these situations, spoke up.
Lebaum: Well sir, Westman has endorsed Udall in his race.
Hart looks at her nonplussed.
Hart: And?
Lebaum: Well, we might not get his endorsement but at least we can try to get his goodwill.
Hart laughs, throwing down his papers.
Hart: THE MAN HAS ENOUGH MONEY TO BAIL HIMSELF OUT SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND TIMES!
Lebaum: Sure, but even a man of his means would be honored to have a fellow westerner show the respect of using his own means to get him out?  Hell, maybe even just a public record of gratitude?  Which would be seen as nothing less than a second endorsement.
Hart smiles.
Hart: Yes, yes!  Having Westman's gratitude or even endorsement might just be enough to get an edge over Udall!  That bastard has been clobbering us too long out here!  Those Udalls, thinking they can just own the West because of family name and repute?!  Guess again!
Hart picks up a phone and starts dialing.
Lebaum: You calling Helena?
Hart, suddenly aware he's being watched, comes to a good story.
Hart: Nah, my wife, going to ask her what's for dinner.  Hey baby what's up?
Lebaum: HEY DONNA!  HOW'S THE MONKEY BUSINESS?!
F***in' Hell, I hate smarty secretaries.

[Mechaman]

Earlier in 1987
Helena:

Herschelwitz: Sir, what about Hart?
Westman: What about Gary?
Herschelwitz: Well, you seem to have a lot riding in on Udall.  I should point out that Hart might be a possible candidate-
Westman: He just got elected back into Congress after a six year absence.  Why would he consider running for the Presidency right after getting back?
Herschelwitz: Well, I imagine he thought that winning the Senate seat back would've been an easier to accomplish stepping stone last year.
Westman pours himself a drink.
Westman: Yeah so?
Herschelwitz: I mean. . . . .  you worked with the man.  You were close friends and allies in Senate.
Westman: Maybe. . . but that was a long time ago.  Back in a time called the Seventies.  They cut him down in 1980, they shot me down in 1982.  Besides that we weren't quite the same man.  Hell, he even voted in favor of gun control legislation.
Herschelwitz: You freaking purist.  Hart, like Udall, doesn't have a vote in favor of the DAA!  And he's younger!
Westman: He doesn't have a pro-DAA voting record because he wasn't in the Senate at the time.  I don't ever remember him making a huge deal of it when it was passed, Mo did.
Herschelwitz: Mo's time has passed man.  Hart has the energy and charisma that the movement needs for the future.  Hell, his economic and infrastructure policies are practically identical to our own!  Except for the whole taxation bit.  But that's a lot better than Udall's "soak the rich at 60%" rhetoric is it not?
Westman ponders
Westman: I promised Udall my support.  I'm a man of my word.  He's like a father to me.
Herschelwitz: All this filal piety bullsh*t.  When are you ever going to pull your head out of your ass and smell the coffee?

[Mechaman]

Office of the Attorney General of the United States:

Jay Rockefeller looks at the 30 something brown haired lawyer across from him.  Assistant Attorney General Lloyd Donlon.  THe man responsible for the gigantic mess he now found the Administration in regarding Scott Westman.
Rockefeller: Seriously, what the hell?
Donlon, with a maddened look on his face, puts his hands on Rockefeller's desk.
Donlon: I'm doing my job Jay.
Rockefeller: Your job is to create witch hunts against our opponents?
Donlon raises his fist and wags his finger at Rockefeller.
Donlon: Don't you get it?  We can implicate Westman in criminal conspiracy charges!
Rockefeller: What the hell will that accomplished?  THe public will think us fascist dicks if we throw a US Governor in jail for using his state powers Unconstitutionally.  No, this should've been given to the Supreme Courts to handle.  This should've been United States vs. Montana, not United States vs. Westman.
Donlon: But. . . . . we wouldn't be able to get Westman if we went the former route.  He would've merely stayed in his state capital playing the libertine dictator he enjoys playing up in Helena while smoking weed and having sex with men in dresses.
Rockefeller snorts. I have to give Lloyd credit, he can get laughs out of people even in the most terse arguments.
Rockefeller: Look, as much as I would like to keep Scott Westman out of elected office this is just too far reaching buddy.
Donlon: Jay, Jay boy, I'm not going to simply call off charges and cancel the case because of second thoughts.  It'll make us look like assholes!
Rockefeller: What the hell do you think you're doing now?  You think we look good to the nation when we got our dicks out in our hands and we're mistaking them for thumbs?  Damn it man!  You made me sound like a f***in hardon the other day defending you!
Donlon gets a grimaced look on his face.
Donlon: I understand that now it seems a bit over reaching and authoritarian.  However, in time the public will be convinced that the course we're taking is the judicious right course.  Westman did more than just defy the federal government, he put millions at risk.  Surely there is precedent for criminal charges for that?  He's a state governor, not a freaking security guard at the freaking movie theater.
Rockefeller: But still though, him being arrested will result in him losing his elected office-
Donlon:-thus, killing multiple birds with one stone.  We are just fortunate enough he was crazy enough to do something that would easily in any other era of American history be considered "treason".  Tell me if Scott Westman instead declared secession in Montana, would you be so caring about his rights to elected office?  I sure wouldn't!
Rockefeller sighs.
Rockefeller: You got a point.  Still though, it would be best for the Supremes to determine this case due to the issues involved.
Donlon: Westman, after he's arrested for sedition, can appeal if he likes.
Rockefeller sighs again.
Rockefeller: If you say so.

[Mechaman]

Governors of Montana since 1941:

12. Sam C. Ford (Republican-Helena) January 6th, 1941-January 5th, 1953: A limited government Republican, Sam Ford is given credit for reducing the state bureaucracy and helping decentralize state liquor.  Under Ford regulations on alcohol would be at their lowest levels until the administration of Scott Westman, a liberal Democrat, in the 1980's.  The longest reigning Governor of Montana who managed to get a third term in a close election over Democratic John Bonner in 1948, Ford's reputation is mixed.  Many Republicans look up to him as a symbol of "Old Guard" Republicanism in a state that had drifted hard towards labor minded Democrats during during the 1950's.  Others, however, viewed Ford as a symbol of the evils of capitalism and as a grave enemy of left wing causes.  HIstorians note that despite their different reputations, Sam Ford's administration operated remarkably close to that of Democrat Scott Westman's administration in regards to liberalization and advancing grand statewide energy projects to cheapen electricity for rural folks.

13. Brendan McGuinness (Democratic-Butte) January 5th, 1953-January 2nd, 1961: A former labor union boss in Butte, Montana, McGuinness won his first election with 45% of the vote that included a strong third party progressive ticket and an arch conservative Republican.  Touting his stance as a strong labor advocate and "the candidate of the "others"", McGuinness made great strides for Democrats statewide.  Governing as a hackish left winger who in the words of one critic "operated as a social democrat in all but name", McGuinness made a large amount of enemies on the Montana right wing and among independent voters.  This was balanced out, however, by his record numbers amongst minorities (namely Native Americans) and the large numbers of immigrants from the eastern United States who came over due to the booming industries and cheap cost of living.  McGuinness is known to this day amongst political strategists as a political figure that prospered by turning segments of society against each other, as he turned blue collar union urbanites, Native American tribes, Irish Americans, German Catholics, and various other cultural minorities against Republican businessmen in Billings and their rural rancher allies.  He was also known for greatly expanding the scope of the Montana Government, making one of the most progressive public works program in the nation (the Anaconda-Glasgow Oil and Gas Association) that employed several tens of thousands of Montanans from the western part of the state to the eastern part of the state, and for having one of the earliest forms of state funded healthcare insurance in the states.  Singlehandedly, McGuinness undid the twelve years of Sam Ford.

14. Timothy L. Pickering (Democrat-Great Falls) January 2nd, 1961-January 27th, 1961: One of the shortest Gubernatorial reigns, Pickering was Governor of Montana for 25 days.  Two days after he was elected he was charged with insider trading (an SEC violation).  25 days later he would resign from office after intense public pressure to deal with the allegations.  Two years later on January 23rd, 1963 he would be found guilty of all charges.

15. John L. Smythe (Democrat-Bozeman) January 27th, 1961-January 4th, 1965: A well known party conservative, Smythe enraged the many McGuinness Democrats in the party during his tenure.  Taking over from the disgraced Pickering, Smythe went on a term that was marked by efforts at political and union reforms that ran amok of the labor minded Democrats in Butte.  Remarking that the capital was in Helena, "not in Butte", Smythe would have as hard of a time trying to get Montana Republicans to work with him in regards to environmental and state park legislation.  An unpopular governor who made no allies, he was overthrown at his own party's Gubernatorial primaries by Anaconda union leader Carl W. Dredsner, McGuinness's handpicked favorite.

16. Carl W. Dredsner (Democrat-Anaconda) January 4th, 1965-October 18th, 1967*: A colorful character who represented the left wing of the Democratic Party of Montana, Dresner won election in 1964, a Republican presidential year (a bare victory).  Promising to "bring corrupt railroad and oil corporations to their knees" as Governor, Drednser began his tenure with a bang by bringing an anti-monopoly suit against Suthers Co. for dumping goods to destroy competition in the state.  Later on his rule would become very controversial when he used the Montana State Reserve Guard to force a gathering of oil company CEOs in Kalispell into jail for "soaking the taxpayer on the national level."  This would lead to a motion for impeachment by the Montana House which would be passed with 70% of the votes.  As a result, Dredsner would be removed from office and his Lieutenant Governor, a Ryan A. Loftkey, would take over.

17. Ryan A. Loftkey (Democrat-Billings) October 18th, 1967-January 1st, 1973: Tapped by party leaders to join Dredsner to appeal to more moderate Democrats, Loftkey shortly made up for his years of inactivity during Dredsner's administration.  While upholding strict environmental and labor regulations passed under his predecessor, Loftkey also managed to secure enough moderate Democratic votes in the Legislature to go along with a Republican sponsored bill to reduce corporate taxes in the state.  He also spearheaded efforts to desegregate unions in Butte, which at the time were accused by minorities of delegitamizing their interests by catering almost exclusively to German and Irish Catholic workers and leaving little to none for the non-white groups.  He also would be the first Democratic Governor to apologize to the Japanese American community for internment, noting that it was a "regrettable incident in American history that will surely be judged someday on the same level as the Indian Removal Act."  He is remembered fondly by many on both sides of the aisle for being a principled man who stood by his guns, much like his successor

18. Gerald "Gerry" Schumacher (Democrat-Missoula) January 1st, 1973-January 5th, 1981: A liberal Democrat from Missoula, Schumacher like several other Democrats before him, would become well known for pissing off his own party's hierarchy.  Running off of a platform that strongly stressed political reform, liberal social issues, environmental standards, and other progressive reforms, Schumacher from his first day ran afoot of the Butte establishment that tried to control state politics of the time.  He was the first Jewish American Governor in state history.  An outspoken supporter of weed legalization, on his first day he condemned the federal prohibition on marijuana and promised that by the end of his term it would be legal.  Had there been a few more Republicans in the Legislature he would've accomplished this feat.  However, due to Democratic dominance of the State Houses (a lot of them so-called "labor Democrats") he was held back.  At the end of his term in office, after being demonized by his own party's establishment of "everything that is wrong with our government", he left quietly from the mansion as his successor, Republican Richard Peters, was sworn in.

19. Richard "Richie" Peters (Republican-Circle) January 5th, 1981-January 7th, 1985: The first Republican Governor since the 1950's, Peters was elected after running against the infighting in the Montana Democratic Party at the time.  As well, he ran against what was considered to be at the time "left wing excess" that resulted in Montana having one of the heaviest tax burdens on upper income individuals in the nation.  He also ran against the liberal excesses of the Schumacher regime, which Peters argued went against the culture and traditions of the vast majority of people in the state.  Arguably Peters forgot about that part of his campaign, as he would later go on to push for strict gun legislation (including a ban on lever action rifles) in a state with over 90% gun ownership.  Though he wasn't the reason the Conservative Party was formed, he was a major factor in the growth of the third party by leaps and bounds during his time in office.  He would go onto lose re-election in a landslide, trailing behind the Conservative candidate by ten points and several hundred thousand votes behind Democratic candidate Scott Westman.

20. Scott Westman (Democratic-Missoula) January 7th, 1985-present: The current Governor. . . . already destined to go down in the books as one of the most visionary men in the history of the state.

[Mechaman]

November 29th, 1978
Norfolk Hilton Bar
About 9:30 pm:

Scott Westman is sitting at the bar having his usual drink of Morgans and Coke that has become par the course lately.  Especially after dealing with all the custody mess with Laura and his failed attempts to revive his relationship with Marci Flounders.  His brightest student and his former flame.  The fate of that relationship being pre-determined once he left for DC.  THe Marci he saw last time, the one who lived with him for a month and a half, was a pretty damn bitter one who ultimately put her resentment over Westman's shortly lived relationship with Laura Hennigan right after he left for DC.
Westman takes a drink.
Sure, I'm a heartbreaker.  But that ain't my fault.  Everyone in my life pretty much shaped me to be like that.  Hell, even Catalina didn't have the privilege of 100% fidelity.
He raises a cigarette to his mouth and smokes.  As he is doing so a strikingly pretty tall woman in jeans, a Deep Purple shirt, and a buckskin jacket sits next to him.  She pats him on the shoulder.
Woman: Hey babe, could you offer me a light?
Westman, finding himself at a strange kind of ease with the woman, turns towards her and lights her cigarette for her.  She puffs it intently and lets out the smoke next to his face.  It was then that Westman realized that she was actually much more youthful than his first glimpse.  Surely, this girl was closer to 20 than she was to 26.  Her hair was black as the night and her skin quite white.  And talk about a rockin t-shirt!
She looks at him for a few seconds.
Woman: Hey, haven't I seen youse somewhere before?
And, while the woman was clearly gifted at sounding American, it was apparent that she had a slight lilt.  Westman would have to guess a first generation here.  But what of?  Irish?  Welsh?  Liverpudian?  Really hard to tell at this stage.
Westman simply nods.
Stop being a dork dude.  She's a woman.  An attractive one at that.  Just say "hi" to her already, quit waving her off.
Westman: I'm Scott Westman.  US Senator from Montana.
The woman's dark brown eyes light up with recognition.
Woman: Oh yeah!  You're that one guy who is on the news sometimes!
Westman chuckles.
Westman: Yeah you could say that.  And who are you?
Woman: Mr. Westman, that will cost you a drink.  I'm only a poor starving model after all!
I guess models do know how to unwind in casual wear after all.
Westman lifts his hand in the air to signal Carl, the bartender.
Westman: Bartender!  Get the lady a Kraken on the rocks, double shot, with Ginger Ale!
Carl: You got it Westman.
The woman looks at him, clearly impressed.
Woman: Senator, it's like you can read minds!
Westman: I know the look of someone who needs a hard drink and ale.  My father is a bartender after all.
Woman: Very fascinating.
Westman: But I don't talk about him much, and for good reason.  THe man was unlikable and petty.  He didn't rise a lot of hope and confidence in people about his future.
The woman takes a puff on her cigarette.
Woman: And your mother?
Westman laughs
Westman: Not exactly the best role model.  You could say I got extremes on both ends.
The woman took the hint and backed off the subject as her drink arrived.
Westman: Thanks Carl.
Carl gives him a thumbs up.
The woman chugs the whole drink down, taking time to belch it out.
Westman: Excuse you!
Woman: Oh thanks Senator.  Thanks.
Westman: So you say you're a model. . . . Miss?
The woman looks at him and gives him what could be an Oscar winning smile.
Woman: The name's Calpernia, Calpernia Weils.
Westman: Fascinating name.
Calpernia: I work fulltime at the Ford Agency in LA.  Lately I've had plenty of travel time over here as well as flexible schooling.
Westman's eyebrows raise.
Westman: Oh cool, so you're a student?
Calpernia: This is going to sound really dorky, but I'm pursuing an Archaeology degree at UCLA.
Westman: Fascinating.  How old are ya?
Calpernia smiles again.
Calpernia: Eighteen.
Westman: I noticed that slight lilt of yours, what is it?
Calpernia deashes her cigarette into a nearby ashtray.
Calpernia: I'm from Glasgow, Senator.
Oh right!
Westman: Really?  You're Scottish?
Calpernia: Well, more or less.  It's so hard to keep track.  Anyway, Senator if you're not so busy now, given it's nearly 9:45 now, would you mind playing me in some billiards?
Damn, I actually like this one.  What do I do?
Westman nods before chugging the rest of his drink.
Westman: Alright let's do it.