Thread for "What If" stories.....

[PBrunsel]

           President George Armstrong Custer

In July 1876 Colonel George A. Custer looks out over the Battle Field at the Little Big Horn. He has just won one of the biggest military victories in U.S. history. Colonel Custer decided to bring more men and several Gattiling Machineguns to the battle. He is hailed as a hero from Maine to California. Custer now knows that he will run for president this year.

The Republican National Convection in Baltimore, Maryland, knew exactly who to nominate. The Republicans chose the Hero of the Little Big Horn, Colonel George Armstrong Custer of New York for president. The Republicans then chose a man who was regarded as a good honest man, Ohio Governor Rutherford B. Hayes, for vice president. Hayes was nominated due to Maine Senator James G. Blaine’s statement that only a ticket with a war hero and an honest governor can win in November. The GOP celebrated a sure victory over the Democratic nominee New York Governor Samuel Tilden and his running mate Indiana Senator Thomas A. Hendricks.

The 1876 Election hinged on three things, the Grant Administration’s scandals, Southern Reconstruction, and the tariff. Custer was seen as just as corrupt as the men Grant had chosen to lead his cabinet, but Governor Hayes was seen as an honorable man who would keep the Custer Administration honest.  Governor Tilden was a reformer who wanted Civil Service exams and a clean up of government waste. Both Custer and Tilden wanted to pull the troops out of the South and give the state governments back. Custer wanted a high tariff to protect American jobs; Tilden wanted free trade between England, France, and the United States. Even the Democrats knew Tilden was going to get defeated. On Election Day Custer won 252 electoral votes to Tilden’s 117.

George A. Custer chose James G. Blaine to be Secretary of State and John Sherman to be Secretary of the Treasury. The Custer Administration repealed all federal troops from the South, but openly supported equal rights for African Americans. The tariff was raised to its highest point in history, but American industry grew. An economic boom made Custer extremely popular. In an unexpected move, George A. Custer allotted a large part of Washington to be Nez Pierce reservation. He worked hard to make good relations with Native Americans.

In 1880 the Democrats chose to counter General Custer with another general- Genera; Winfield S. Hancock. Hancock chose New York Governor Grover Cleveland to be his running mate. The Democrat’s tactic backfired when Custer-Hates was swept back into office by a landslide. Election Day gave Custer 307 electoral votes to Hancock’s 62. Custer broke the Solid South to win Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Custer’s presidency is now known as the presidency where big business grew to it’s strongest point and would not die until Theodore Roosevelt became president. Custer’s Administration remained free from any large scandals. As every president, a few minor ones popped up, but were never taken very seriously.
In 1884 The Republicans Nominated Vice President Hayes for President and James G. Blaine for Vice President. The Democrats nominate New York Governor Grover Cleveland for President and Indiana Senator Thomas Hendricks. The 1884 election seems more like Blaine vs. Cleveland then Hayes vs. Cleveland. Blaine leads dirty tricks and Democrats chant, “Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine. The Continental Liar from the State of Maine.” The campaign quickly becomes a mudslinging event. In the end the U.S. gets tired of Republican Administrations and chooses Grover Cleveland to be their president by a vote of 226-212.

The Remaining Elections: Winner will be on top.

1888:
In 1888 Grover Cleveland was reelected on a platform of low tariffs and open immigration. He defeated Republican Governor Benjamin Harrison in a close election. Harrison won the popular vote, but lost the electoral vote.

Grover Cleveland (NY)-Adlai Stevenson (IL): Democratic
Benjamin Harrison (IN)-Levi Morton (NY): Republican

1892:
Known as the “Year of the Jims”, the 1892 Election led to the surprise election of Governor Jarvis of North Carolina. At the Democratic Convention, Bryan was chosen to appease Silverites. The Republicans turned to former Secretary of State James G. Blaine. Even the honest Ohio Representative James A. Garfield couldn’t take away the stench of scandal off of Blaine. Jarvis won by a comfortable margin. He did win 301 electoral votes, but only 43% of the popular vote. Populist General Weaver won 22 electoral votes.

Thomas J. Jarvis (NC)-William J. Bryan (NE): Democratic
James G. Blaine (ME)-James A. Garfield (OH): Republican
James B. Weaver (IA)-James G. Field (VA): Populist


1896:
A depression gripped the U.S. when the Republicans nominated Ohio Governor William McKinley in 1896. McKinley ran a front porch campaign. President Jarvis was re-nominated, though even he knew he was doomed to defeat with the bad economy. After the Democrats voted down a free silver plank, Vice president Bryan left the ticket. He joined the Populists and ran a great campaign. He campaigned in every state, but was still crushed. In the end McKinley was swept into office by angy unemployed voters.


William McKinley (OH)-Garret Hobart (NJ): Republican
Thomas J. Jarvis (NC)-Allen G. Thurmond (OH): Democratic
William J. Bryan (NE)-Thomas Watson (GA): Populist

1900:
In 1900 President McKinley had to choose a new running mate. Vice President Hobart had died in office and the obvious choice was the progressive New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was a Spanish-American War hero and loved by the nation. The Democratic Convention nominated Party Chairman Allen Thurmond for president. Thurmond had narrowly defeated William J. Bryan for the nomination. McKinley won reelection without even leaving the White House lawn.

William McKinley (OH)-Theodore Roosevelt (NY): Republican
Allen G. Thurmond (OH)-Adlai Stevenson (IL): Democratic
Eugene Debs (IN)-Job Harriman (CA): Social-Democratic


1904:
The Democrats nominated New York Times Publisher William Randolph Hearst for president. Hearst was no match for the charismatic Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt had assumed the presidency upon McKinley’s assassination in 1901. Roosevelt was swept into office winning all but the Solid South.

Theodore Roosevelt (NY)-Charles Fairbanks (IN): Republican
William R. Hearst (NY)-Henry Davis (WV): Democratic
Eugene Debs (IN)-Benjamin Hanford (NY): Socialist

[PBrunsel]

“Truman Defeats Dewey”
1948-1968: Part I

1948:

The now famous picture of Governor Thomas Dewey holding up the Chicago Tribune can be laughed at for ages. The New York governor has a huge smile on his face as he holds the newspaper over his head that’s headline reads, “Truman Defeats Dewey.” The now famous bluff is a mere bump in the 1948 Election. Thought Dewey was ahead in the polls, toward early November his campaign had been stopped, and the momentum belonged to Truman. After one of the longest elections in history, 3 days after the voting booths closed, Dewey was declared the victor in Illinois, Ohio, and California. Dewey had defeated not only President Truman, but also Dixiecrat J. Strom Thurmond and Progressive Henry A. Wallace:

Thomas Dewey/Earl Warren: 253
Harry Truman/Alben Barkley: 239
J. Strom Thurmond/Fielding Wright: 39
Henry Wallace/Glen Taylor: 0  


1952:

President Dewey’s first term was a success. He had kept out of Korea, witch angered hard right-wingers in both the Democratic and Republican Party, and his economic plan of ending the New Deal was a success. Senator Barry Goldwater stated in 1951, “The Democratic idea that big government will help solve your problems is dead. We now know a government big enough to give you everything is also big enough to take it all away.” President Dewey faced the challenge of Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson and Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver in 1952. Outraged over Dewey’s “surrender to Communists in Korea,” Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy and Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd decided to run an independent campaign as members of the American Freedom Party. President Dewey and Vice President Earl Warren ran on the success of the Dewey Administration. McCarthy received support from the far-right wing of American politics. Election Day gave Dewey a clear mandate:

Thomas Dewey/Earl Warren: 426
Adlai Stevenson/Estes Kefauver: 78
Joseph McCarthy/Harry Byrd: 27

Joseph McCarthy was able to win three anti-Communist Middle Western states (Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin) and take 6.5% of the popular vote.


1956:

President Dewey’s second term was plagued by Communist threats from abroad. In early 1956 Soviets had invaded Czechoslovakia and caused great international outcry. The People’s Republic of China (Red China as it was called in the United States) demanded entry into the United Nations or it would invade Taiwan. In 1958, President Dewey had to give into the threat from Korea and send troops to the peninsula. General MacArthur was able to save the Republic of Korea from invasion, but not able to unite Korea. The economy was strong, so Dewey hoped to keep the Republicans in the White House. In 1956 the Republicans nominated Vice President Earl Warren for President and Minnesota Senator Harold Strassen for Vice President. The Democrats rallied behind Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson and Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy.  McCarthy chose to sit this one out and support Earl Warren. The Election of 1956 focused around two things, both of little importance, Kennedy’s Catholicism and Earl Warren’s health. It was rumored that Warren had some liver problems, and many Americans did not want a sick president in office. The Republicans chose to capitalize on Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee John F. Kennedy’s Catholicism. The dirty campaign was close. Johnson was elected president by only 100,000 votes. Many were rumored to have been bought by Joseph P. Kennedy, John Kennedy’s father:

Lyndon Johnson/John Kennedy: 312
Earl Warren/Harold Strassen: 219


1960:

President Johnson entered the 1960 race with high popularity. He had passed Civil Rights reform and was able to pass major spending incensement through the Democratic controlled Congress. Johnson’s “War on Poverty” was widely popular in 1960. To make matters better the Republicans had nominated California Senator Richard M. Nixon for President in 1960. Nixon had defeated Governor Nelson Rockefeller for the nomination and wanted the White House. The Republican Convention in Chicago selected Senator Nixon for President and Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge for Vice President. The American Freedom Party nominated Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd for President and South Carolina Senator J. Strom Thurmond for Vice President. Nixon was behind the entire election, but was not one to turn down a fight. He was able to close the gap in the first televised debates against President Johnson.  The election would be a landslide for “Landslide” Lyndon Himself:

Lyndon Johnson/John Kennedy: 349
Richard Nixon/Henry C. Lodge: 148
Harry F. Byrd/J. Strom Thurmond: 40


1964:

In 1964 the Democrats were expecting an easy victory with Vice President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy had been an active vice president and had chosen to participate in several important decisions, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1963. He was expected to be swept into office in 1964. The republicans were going to make it easy. “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice,” Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater boomed to the Republican Convention in 1964. Goldwater had been nominated on a staunch Conservative platform. He opposed the Great Society, civil rights, bussing, and any type of government intrusion into the states. He had selected New York Representative William E. Miller to be his running mate. Kenney selected Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey as Vice President. Kennedy was able to slam away at Goldwater’s many bluffs and baffles. He said that we should not hesitate to use nuclear weapons in Vietnam. The Goldwater-Kennedy debates ended in Kennedy victories. Election Day was another Democratic landslide:

John Kennedy/Hubert Humphrey: 285
Barry Goldwater/William Miller: 72

1968:

The Kennedy Administration was going badly. Troops had been sent into Vietnam and the war was a stalemate. Race riots occurred when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was caught in an act of bugging the republican National Headquarters. President Kennedy’s presidency was falling in around him. When things couldn’t get any worse, the Tett Offensive began and the 1968 Election approached. The Republican front runner was Richard M. Nixon. He was more prepared then the man who had lost in 1960. Nixon had traveled the world and strengthened his grasp of foreign policy by traveling the world. Other republicans were Governor Rockefeller of New York and Governor Romney of Michigan. In July 1968, Richard Nixon was nominated for president. He called on the “Great Silent Majority” to stand up for America and elect strong leaders. Governor Romney was nominated for vice president. After a tough primary with Senator Eugene McCarthy, President Kennedy was re-nominated by the Democrats. He and Humphrey faced a strong challenge from Nixon and the American Freedom candidate, Alabama Governor George Wallace and General Curtis E. LeMay. The election hinged on the Vietnam War. Nixon promised “peace with honor, not surrender.” Kennedy wanted to stay the course in Vietnam. Wallace wanted to bomb North Vietnam into the Stone Age. He violently opposed integration, bussing, Social Activism, and hippies. His campaign appealed to blue collar workers all over the country. Election Day showed a Nixon landslide:

Richard Nixon/George Romney: 343
John Kennedy/Hubert Humphrey: 141
George Wallace/Curtis LeMay: 54    

[PBrunsel]

"Truman Defeats Dewey"
1972-1988

1972:

With the Republicans in the White House after 16 years, Richard Nixon tried hard not to botch it up. In 1971, President Nixon ended all U.S. ground combat in Vietnam. In early 1972 he visited China and the Soviet Union, thus starting to thaw the Cold War. A strong economy and a proud nation gave Nixon the one of the biggest landslides in American history. In 1972 Nixon was opposing another Kennedy. This time it was Senator Edward Kennedy and Missouri Senator John Eagleton. Vice President Romney had sadly died in early 1972, so Nixon chose House Minority Leader Gerald Ford to be his new running mate. The American Freedom Party made its worst attempt for office in 1972. It nominated Georgia Governor Lester Maddox for President and Californian Representative John Schmitz for Vice President. The election went quickly that year. Richard Nixon was able to tote his foreign policy victories and slam away at Kennedy’s ultra left wing ideas. The American Freedom party barely got 5 million votes in 1972, and it soon faded out of history.
Election Day showed the results of:

Richard Nixon/Gerald Ford: 520
Edward Kennedy/John Eagleton: 17
Lester Maddox/John Schmitz: 0  


1976:

Knowing that he would crush Kennedy, Nixon did not allow CREP (Committee to Re-elect the President) to form. No Watergate Scandal occurred and Richard Nixon is now known as one of America’s greatest presidents. In 1976, Gerald Ford did not run for president, but supported Kansas Senator Bob Dole. Governor Ronald Reagan of California entered the race. Reagan won the Republican Nomination in 1976 and chose Pennsylvania Senator Richard Schreiker for Vice President. The Democrats nominated dark horse Jimmy Carter and Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale. Reagan easily defeated Carter in the debates and went on to defeat Carter in the election:

Ronald Reagan/Richard Schreiker: 371
Jimmy Carter/Walter Mondale: 167


1980:

Although few remember, there was a presidential election in 1980. Ronald Reagan’s tax cuts had made an economic boom and the Iranians dared not to mess with, who they called, “That trigger happy cowboy in the White House.” Reagan’s opposition would be Walter Mondale and Ohio Senator John Glenn. With no real competition to Reagan, Ronald Reagan decided to run adds that had his campaign slogan, “its Morning Again in America”, said in everyone. Mondale promised to raise taxes and decrease nuclear weapons. Mondale’s liberalism was out of touch with 1980’s America, and so he lost the election by the biggest margin in U.S. history:

Ronald Reagan/Richard Schreiker: 535
Walter Mondale/John Glenn: 3

Mondale only won Washington, D.C.


1984:

The “Reagan Revolution” spelled another landslide for the Republicans Party. They now controlled Congress and the Presidency. Robert Bork was appointed Chief Justice of the United States and abortion had been outlawed. The Republican heir apparent was Vice President Schreiker. He was challenged by Ambassador George Bush of Texas and Senator Dole. Schreiker would win the nomination and select George Bush as his running mate. The Democrats chose to nominate Colorado Senator Gary Hart for President and New York Governor Mario Cuomo for Vice President. The Election of 1984 also introduced another minor party. The Libertarian party had run a presidential candidate for president since 1972, but in 1984 its ideas were being accepted by Americans. Libertarian nominees David Bergland and Jim Lewis were expected to get at least one million votes in 1984. The low key election gave the Republicans another easy victory. The Libertarian party did manage 2,345,671 votes. Not a mandate, but quite a strive for such a small party:

Richard Schreiker/George Bush: 355
Gary Hart/Mario Cuomo: 183
David Bergland/Jim Lewis: 0


1988:

In early January 1988, President Schreiker announced he would not seek a second term as president. He decided to endorse Vice President George Bush. Bush easily won the Republican Nomination for President and chose Senator Dole to be his running mate. The Democrats turned to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen for a victory. It turned out to be too hard to defeat the Conservative Revolution of the 1980’2. The Libertarians failed to get one million votes this time:

George Bush/Bob Dole: 435
Michael Dukakis/Lloyd Bentsen: 103

[PBrunsel]

"Truman Defeats Dewey"
1992-2004

1992:

In 1992 the economy was in a slump. President Bush had hoped to use his victory in the Persian Gulf War to boost his chances of re-election; he had to go to a desperate measure. He approved of a balance budget amendment, and this led to the withdrawal of Independent H. Ross Perot. The amendment was up for voting in the House and Senate by August 1992. Both houses passed it and it was off to the states. Even without Perot Bush now faced Democrats William J. Clinton and Albert A. Gore. The American Freedom Party nominated Patrick Buchanan and Howard Phillips in 1992. With the right wing for Buchanan-Phillips, Bush needed to appeal to moderate voters, he decided to do this by passing bills raising the minimum wage and supporting mandatory gun locks. The Reaganites felt betrayed by Bush and left to support Buchanan. The debates were three way ties between the three major candidates, and the election was too close to call on November 3rd, 1992. The results showed it was the one of the narrowest election in American history:

George Bush/Bob Dole: 285
William Clinton/Albert Gore: 242
Patrick Buchanan/Howard Phillips: 11


1996:

In 1996 the country was tired of 20 years of Republican rule and elected a Democrat in the form of Tennessee Senator Albert “Al” Gore. Gore was able to defeat the Republican Nominee, Vice President Dole, by harping on Dole’s age of 70 years. Another reason was Gore’s running mate, New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley. Dole was a respected Senator and Vice President, but many thought he was too old and out of touch with the “new” America. Dole’s Vice Presidential choice of Chief Justice Bork didn’t help him at all. Bork was an extreme right winger who was nominated to pull support away from American Freedom Candidates Howard Phillips and Dr. John Hagelin. The election’s major issue was NAFTA. The American Freedom Party opposed it and made that well known at it’s huge anti-NAFTA rallies. Dole and Gore both supported NAFTA. The debates did not include Phillips who was only at 9% in the polls and needed 15%. Election Day showed a change in leadership for America:

Al Gore/Bill Bradley: 293
Bob Dole/Robert Bork: 245
Howard Phillips/John Hagelin: 0


2000:

The 2000 Election proved to be a referendum on the Gore Administration, The Republican Nominee, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi, wanted to lead an attack on Gore that would cripple his administration for the campaign. He Vice Presidential Running Mate, Senator John McCain of Arizona, wanted to focus on Gore’s opposition to the Balance Budget Amendment. The campaign turned into one of the most issue oriented campaigns in history. Lott concentrated on a balanced budget and the deficit while Gore ran on the Drug War and campaign finance reform. The debates excluded American Freedom Party Candidate J. Curtis Frasier. The first election of the new millennium gave President Gore a clear mandate:
Al Gore/Bill Bradley: 392
Trent Lott/John McCain: 146
J. Curtis Frasier/Ezola Foster: 0


2004:

In 2004 the Gore Administration had botched up both the economy and the War on Terror. Several tax hikes on business during a recession only hurt the economy more. When poverty rates increased, President Gore just taxed the wealthy and middle class more to pay for social welfare. After the tragic September 11th attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, President Gore sent troops to Afghanistan. After the death of 200 soldiers he pulled out and used the U.N. to find Osama Bin Laden. They couldn’t find him and left within only three months. Iraq was known to harbor terrorists, but Gore chose to leave it alone due to the U.N. not supporting an attack. Saddam Hussein is still threatening the world when the 2004 Election approaches. The republicans nominate Texas Governor George W. Bush for president and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for Vice President. The Democrats reluctantly nominate Vice President Bill Bradley for president and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle for Vice President. The American Freedom Party made history by nominating the first woman the party ever nominated. It was Ezola Foster of California. She chose Virginian Herbert Titus for vice president. The recession and botched War on Terror spelled a landslide victory for Bush-Giuliani in November:

George W. Bush/Rudolph Giuliani: 449
Bill Bradley/Tom Daschle: 89
Ezola Foster/Herbert Titus: 0      

[PBrunsel]

Thanks for starting this thread.

[PBrunsel]

Maybe i should post this in its own thread, I dont want to try and distract from PBrunsel's Timline... which is good if partisan...

Partisan? I let both Democrats and Republicans win. Not like my "What if JFK Was Not Murdered" one where republicans controlled the government from 1965-2013.

[PBrunsel]

1968:

The Kennedy Administration was going badly. Troops had been sent into Vietnam and the war was a stalemate. Race riots occurred when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was caught in an act of bugging the republican National Headquarters. President Kennedy’s presidency was falling in around him. When things couldn’t get any worse, the Tett Offensive began and the 1968 Election approached. The Republican front runner was Richard M. Nixon. He was more prepared then the man who had lost in 1960. Nixon had traveled the world and strengthened his grasp of foreign policy by traveling the world. Other republicans were Governor Rockefeller of New York and Governor Romney of Michigan. In July 1968, Richard Nixon was nominated for president. He called on the “Great Silent Majority” to stand up for America and elect strong leaders. Governor Romney was nominated for vice president. After a tough primary with Senator Eugene McCarthy, President Kennedy was re-nominated by the Democrats. He and Humphrey faced a strong challenge from Nixon and the American Freedom candidate, Alabama Governor George Wallace and General Curtis E. LeMay. The election hinged on the Vietnam War. Nixon promised “peace with honor, not surrender.” Kennedy wanted to stay the course in Vietnam. Wallace wanted to bomb North Vietnam into the Stone Age. He violently opposed integration, bussing, Social Activism, and hippies. His campaign appealed to blue collar workers all over the country. Election Day showed a Nixon landslide:

Richard Nixon/George Romney: 343
John Kennedy/Hubert Humphrey: 141
George Wallace/Curtis LeMay: 54    

I have to disagree with you here, JFK wouldn't have handled the war anything like LBJ, JFK was a serious hawk, he wouldn't have sat around on the defensive, he would have been seriously aggressive with Vietnam and it wouldn't have been anything like that sort of disaster, Kennedy would have won it by 1972 and with things going strongly there and his economic policies and the such would have won him re-election.

I have to say that my facts may have been off, but I wanted Nixon to be president. I should of waited until 1976, but then Reagan would of never been president.

[PBrunsel]

I know it's dumb.

[PBrunsel]

                          Kingfish
                        1932-1949

1932:

In 1932 President Hoover orders that General MacArthur can not handle the Bonus Army. Hoover uses his own fortune to give them a bonus, though it is not as large. He promises the marchers the rest by January 1933. This motion gives President Hoover a boost in the 1932 Election. After branding Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt as a Socilaist who would bankrupt the country, Hoover was reelected:

Herbert Hoover/Charles Curtis: 341
Franklin Roosevelt/John Garner: 190


1936:

Hoover's second term had been able to stabalize the banking system, but the Great Depression dragged on. The Republican Convention in Chicago, Illinois, had the choice of two Kansas men, Vice President Charles Curtis, Governor Alfred Landon, and Ohio Senator Robert Taft. The Republicans decide to nominate the trusted Veep, and Charles Curtis is nominated for president. He choses New York Attorney General Thomas Dewey as his running mate. The Democrats are split between Governor Roosevelt, who was not yet ready to give up his New Deal, House Speaker John Nance Garner of Texas, and Louisiana Governor Huey Long. Long, who had recovered from an attempted assasination, was still toting his "Every Man a King" program. It was catching fire with the poor farmers of the south and west and the unemployed of the large cities. President Hoover's "Trickle Down Economics" was slowly working, but Long wanted action now. His program would bankrupt the nation, but he didn't care. The Democrats convened in New Orleans, Louisiana, that year to make matters even better for Long. He was nominated on the 45th ballot. The voting had been long and drawn-out in the hot and humid Louisiana August. Huey Long selected Senator Robert LaFollette, Jr., of Wisconsin as his running amte. The Election was active. Long, known for his flamboyancy, easily outshowed the more quiet and soft spoken Charles Curtis. Curtis showed graphs to the nation, and made huge speeches over the radio, showing how Governor Long's programs would ruin the economy. The Election was close, but Long won:

Huey Long/Robert LaFollette, Jr.: 278
Charles Curtis/Thomas Dewey: 253


1940:

In 1940 the Great Depression had become even more bleak. President Long's spending had tripled the national debt in his first year and quadrupled it by his third year. By his fourth year the national debt was $899,000,000,000,000,000 and growing by $50,000,000 a week. The "Every Man a King" program had bankrupted the country, but it was loved by the workiong class. They were getting $1,000 a month by the federal government. This came out of the pockits of Andrew Mellon, John Rockefller, and other billionaires and millionaires. Soon the taxation had gone to far and in 1940 the richest people in America had chosen the man they wanted to be president: former Secretary fo the Treasury Andrew Mellon. Mellon was able to acheive a fist ballot victory over New York Governor Thomas Dewey and Wendel Wilkie. Mellon chooses House Minority Leader Charles McNary for Vice President. John Nance Garner challenges President Long for the Democratic Nomination, but failed to suceed in grasping the nomination. Nazis has invaded Poland in 1939 and the war in Europe was becoming a full sclale World War. President Long led an energetic campaign. He ignored the war and focuses on his social plans. He toured the United States, going to all 48 states. Mellon promised a balanced budget and an end to government waster and "The Every Man a Sucker" program as he called it. The working class came out in full for President Long, and he was reelected by a landslide:

Huey Long/Robert LaFollette, Jr.: 464
Andrew Mellon/Charles McNary: 67


1944:

On December 7th, 1941, japan bombed Peal Harbor, and the U.S. went to war. President Long handled World War II as all president's handle wars. He embrased the Manahttan Project and approved of Operation Overloard. On June 6th, 1944, President Long addressed the nation about the invasion of Normandy. The war had ended the Great Depression and America was no longer nearly banrupted due to Long being forced to end the "Every Man a King" program to pay for the war effort. In July, the Republicans nominated Ohio Senator John W. Bricker for president and Chicago Tribune Editor Fr Knox for vice president.. With a war going on Huey Long and Robert LaFollette, Jr., were nominated by acclamation in August. Bricker warned that Long would make consessions to the Soviet Union if reelected. The Republicans also slamed away at Long breaking the traditional two term limit. The attacks were useless as Long used the slogan, "A change durring war time is like a shot to the head." Long was reelected to an unprecedented third term:

Huey Long/Robert LaFollette, Jr.: 420
John Bricker/Frank Knox: 111


1948:

With victory in World War II, President Long's popularity grew to it's highest point of his presidency: 81% of American's approved of President Long's Administration. By 1946 the mood of America changed. The returning veternas wanted cars, radios, grocery store shopping, and homes. The car industry collapsed to it's lowest point since 1930 due to the change from tanks to cars. Grocery stores's shelves were empty for weeks at a time. The Republicans regained Congress with the slogan, "Had Enough?" With Republicans in controll of Congress President Long could not reinstate "Every Man a King." When railroad workers went on strike in 1947, President Long supported the Unions and lost the support of middle America when the strike continued and the trains were unable to take them to their jobs. In 1948 the Republicans could taste victory. They nominated New York Governor Thomas Dewey and California Governor Earl Warren in Philidalphia in July. In August the Democrats were split between President Long and South Carolina Governor James Strom Thurmond. Long was able to win the nomination, but J. Strom Thurmond ran as a Dixiecrat when the Democrats approved of a Civil Rights Plank. Vice President LaFollette was dropped in favor of Secretary of State Cordell Hull.  The 1948 election showed Dewey leading in the polls. Dewey promised to lower the deficit and end, "Government waste and inefficient beaurocracies." President Long had to rally people around his liberalism. Most Americans opposed a fourth term, and it showed at the polls:

Thomas Dewey/Earl Warren: 354
Huey Long/Cordell Hull: 126
J. Strom Thurmond/Fielding Wright: 51

[PBrunsel]

2004:

In 2004 the Gore Administration had botched up both the economy and the War on Terror. Several tax hikes on business during a recession only hurt the economy more. When poverty rates increased, President Gore just taxed the wealthy and middle class more to pay for social welfare. After the tragic September 11th attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, President Gore sent troops to Afghanistan. After the death of 200 soldiers he pulled out and used the U.N. to find Osama Bin Laden. They couldn’t find him and left within only three months. Iraq was known to harbor terrorists, but Gore chose to leave it alone due to the U.N. not supporting an attack. Saddam Hussein is still threatening the world when the 2004 Election approaches. The republicans nominate Texas Governor George W. Bush for president and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for Vice President. The Democrats reluctantly nominate Vice President Bill Bradley for president and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle for Vice President. The American Freedom Party made history by nominating the first woman the party ever nominated. It was Ezola Foster of California. She chose Virginian Herbert Titus for vice president. The recession and botched War on Terror spelled a landslide victory for Bush-Giuliani in November:

George W. Bush/Rudolph Giuliani: 449
Bill Bradley/Tom Daschle: 89
Ezola Foster/Herbert Titus: 0      

Probaly my most partisan post in the Dewey series.

[PBrunsel]

I will give you the first one shortly.
 It started as 'what would happen if JFK is not murdered' and goes like this:

JFK get reelected, vietnam is a lesser issue with less GI's. after 2 full terms the president's brother RFK is elected (full 2 terms) and in 76' Teddy Kennedy wins. but in 1980 he loses to one Ronald Reagen. after 20 Kennedy years the next 20 are what we know - Reagen, Bush sr, Clinton.
In 1999 JFK jr do not die in a crash plane but after his father pressure seek the presidency and narrowly defeat bush jr in 2000 with 537 votes margin in FL. the Kennedy again controlled the white house. but JFK jr plane does crash in july 2001 and vp Al Gore is President. he wants to nominate sen john Kerry as vp but a sex scandal rules thats out. on 9/11 the plane that was aim at the white house hit the west wing and kills president gore. with no vp the speaker of the house Dennis Hastert become president.....  
 

list:
JFK        1961-1969
RFK       1969-1977
teddy k 1977-1981
reagen  1981-1989
bush sr 1989-1993
clinton   1993-2001
JFK jr     2001
gore      2001
hastert 2001-
     
 

 

Three Kennedys in a row! I don't think our nation could handle it!

[PBrunsel]

It can't be more partisan then mine.

[PBrunsel]

                     "Out of My Cold, Dead, Hands!"
              President Charleton Heston (1989-1997)

1976:

In 1976 Charleton Heston decided to run for senate. He had since lived in the conservative state of Wyoming and many said he would win. He easily won the Republican nomination and ran a campaign based on gun rights. He stated that complete controll of fire arms is in the Constitution and thus should be obeyed. "The right to have and bear arms shall not be infrigned," Heston quoted from the constitution. Heston overwhelmed his Democratic oponent, Governor Edgar J. Herschler:

Charleton Heston (R): 93, 651 (57.6%)
Edward Herschler (D): 67, 349 (42.4%)


1980:

Senator Heston had built a conservative voting block that was remembered by 1980. Within only two years from running for Senate, Senator Heston was looked upon as a candidate for president. Heston had made history in 1979 introducing a "Right to Life" Ammendment to the Senate. He was campaigning for it in 1980 when the expected nominee, Ronald Reagan, tapped him on the shoulder for the Vice Presidency. When the ammendment failed in July 1980, Senator Heston accepted the vice presidential nomination. George Bush, the officil campaign amanger of Reagan-Heston '80, stated, "It is with this ticket we will whip Jimmy Carter!" Bush's words would ring true as the campaign unfolded. The combined acting  skills of Reagan and Heston played well with the American public. President Carter warned that the election of Reagan and Heston would put two trigger happy westerners in the White House. Moderate Illinois Representative entered as an independent when he saw that the Republican platform assured 100% ownership to guns. People did not listen to Carter, and after both Carter and Mondale were crushed in the debates, Reagan and Heston were elected president and vice president:

Ronald Reagan/Charleton Heston: 501
Jimmy Carter/Walter Mondale: 36
John Anderson/Patrick Lucey: 1

One renagade elector from Oregon cast his vote for John Anderson.

1984:

Vice President Charleton Heston had been active. He attended NRA meetings and openly supported the Second Ammendment in speeches in the Senate. When Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil challenged him to a debate about gun owners rights, Heston easily stomped on O'Neil. By 1984 Reagan-Heston was very popular. Even the Democrats knew their nominee, former Vice President Walter Mondale, would get stomped on. Mondale's Vice Presidential nominee, Geraldine Ferraro, decided to insult Heston durring, what is now called, "Showdown at the Insult Corral." She called Heston a, "Chovenist pig" and, "An insane, gun toting, mad man." Heston just stayed a positive course and won the approval of the audience. On election day Reagan/Heston won a landslide vicotory:

Ronald Reagan/Charleton Heston: 532
Walter Mondale/Geraldine Ferraro: 15


1988:

In 1988 Vice President Heston was running for president. His opponents in the Republican Primaries would be Texas Senator George H.W. Bush, New York Representative Jack Kemp, and Televangalist Pat Robertson. Bush proved to be a hard candidate to beat. After Bush won the Iowa Caucus, Heston decided to run on his record on gun owner's rights. In New hampshire he spoke at hunting ranges and infront of armories stressing gun rights. He won New Hampshire winning 69% of the vote. Heston went on to win enough delegates to be nominated in New Orleans that June. He selected Jack Kemp to be his running mate.The Democrats had to nominate someone to match up to Heston. The early favorite was Colorado Senator Gary Hart, but a sex scandal ruined his chances. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was too radical, and Governor Michael Dukakis was to unelectable.The Democrats turned to the team of Missouri Represenative Dick Gephardt and Senator Al Gore to lead their ticket. The campaign in 1988 was dirty and brutal. Heston was accused of being a trigger happy extremist. Gephardt was tagged as a tax-and-spend liberal. As alligations of being soft on crime rose against Gephardt, Democrats charged Heston with distrorting facts. The brilliance of Lee Ayahoka, Heston's Add Maker, gave Heston a lead in the polls. The debates gave Heston a lead over Gephardt. By election day Heston had a clear lead over Gephardt. The election results gave the Republicans the White House once again:

Charleton Heston/Jack Kemp: 392
Dick Gephardt/Al Gore: 146

1992:

Prersident Heston was riding a popular wave in 1992. He had pleased his Conservative backers by refusing a tax hike in 1991. The NRA was pleased when Heston went before Conress and said, "You can take this rifle out of my cold, dead hands!" By 1992 Heston was a popular president. In 1991 Heston had led a war against Iraq, and had been able to kill Saddam Hussein. In Cuba he had an assasin kill Fidel Castro. The Soviet Union fell in December 1991, and Heston was on top of the world. He had an approval rating of 95% in Januray 1992. The Democrats needed a great candidate to run in 1992, they selected Massachusettes Senator Paul Tsongas and Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. Heston and Tsongas ran close in the polls, but Heston was able to rally support from the Conservaties. Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot turned down a run for president, thus cementing a Heston victory in November. Tsongas put up a good fight in the debates, but Heston was able to win them. On November 3rd, 1992, Heston was reelected in a close race:

Charleton Heston/Jack Kemp: 297
Paul Tsongas/Bill Clinton: 241

1996:

Heston's second term ran smoothly enough. Secretary of State George H. W. Bush constructed a Republic in Cuba within six months, and was able to get a Constitution in Iraq. Millitary Governor of Iraq, Colin Powell, was allowed to resign and become head of the Joint Cheifs of Staff in 1994. In 1994 the Republicans took controll of Congress and Newt Gingrich became Speaker of the House. Bu 1996 the economy was in great shape and the Republicans joyfully nominated Vice President Kemp for President and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge for Vice President. The Democrats chose Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton for President and Senator John Kerry for Vice President. The Election of 1996 was a Republican walk. A well funded campaign put Kemp way above Clinton in the polls. Clinton was barraged with scandals that ranged from a sex scandal with Gennifer Flowers to a scandal involving houses in Little Rock. Kemp easily defeated Clinton on election day:

Jack Kemp/Tom Ridge: 389
Bill Clinton/John Kerry: 149

2000:

In 2000 the Republicans had been in controll of the White House for 19 years. Many Democrats said it was time for a change. The Democrats nominated Senator Joseph Lieberman for President and Governor Tom Vilsak of Iowa for Vice President. With a good economy, Kemp was on the way to a large victory. The 2000 Election was clean and boring. The final results were:

Jack Kemp/Tom Ridge: 392
Joseph Lieberman/Tom Vilsak: 146

2004:

Kemp's second term was rocky. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, Kemp sent troops to Afghanistan. In 2002 a civil war erupted in Iraq. American soldiers had left by then, but Kemp sent money and weapons to the Iraqui government The economy had fallen in 2001, and a recession was in full force by January 2004. Kemp's hand picked successor, Vice President Ridge, had lost the Iowa Caucus to Judge Roy Moore. Ridge had came in third behind Moore and John McCain. John McCain was a favorite after winning New Hampshire, and then South Carolina. Ridge didn't win his first primary until North Dakota. After a long primary season, it came down to McCain and Moore. Moore decided to drop out to give McCain the nomination. Ridge's poor showing was a sign that America was getting tired of the Kemp Administration. The Democrats nominated Senator John Edwards and general Wesley Clark in June. The Republicans nominated John McCain and George P. "Jeb" Bush in July. The Campaign of 2004 gave the Democrats a chance to pound away at the Kemp Presidency. With both President Reagan and Heston suffering from alteimers disease, the Republican Party had lost it's two most valuable members. To make matters worse Patrick Buchanan entered as a member of the America First Party in 2000 and selected Utah Senator Orin Hatch to be his running mate. Buchanan-Hatch was a powerful ticket, and gained the support of both H. Ross Perot and Donald Trump. The campaign was dirty. Negative adds flooded the air waves and record were distorted. In the end the recession was what gave the election to Edwards:

John Edwards/Wesley Clark: 320
John McCain/George P. Bush: 200
Patrick Buchanan/Orin Hatch: 18

2008:

President Edwards was unable to end the civil war in Iraq or make the economy any better. He tried his hardest to end an oil crisis that arose when the middle east refused to give oil to the U.S. due to it's actions in the Iraq Civil War. With oil in short supply and unemployment on the rise, the Republicans nominated Florida Governor George P. Bush in 2008 and Colorado governor Bill owens for vice president. The Democrats were split between moderate Edwards and leftist Howard Dean. A bitter primary left Dean angry and bitter as he shook Edwards hand at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Bush ran a strong campaign that was well fiananced and slamed away at Edwards.The election was one of the most one sided in history:

George P. Bush/Bill Owens: 486
John Edwards/Wesley Clark: 52
 

[PBrunsel]

“Go Ye There for, Make Disciples of All Nations”
        President Billy Graham (1973-1981)

PART I: 1968-1980

1968:

In 1968, Billy Graham was one of the most popular preachers in the world. He had supported Richard Nixon in 1968, but Nixon had lost to Vice President Hubert Humphrey by a narrow margin:

Hubert Humphrey/Edmund Muskey: 272
Richard Nixon/Spiro Agnew: 220
George Wallace/Curtis E. LeMay: 46


1972:

Hubert Humphrey was a good hearted and good natured man, witch made him doomed as president. He had tried to pull all U.S. forces out of Vietnam, but it became a fiasco when the Soviet Union gave the Vietcong rocket launchers. As helicopter took off they were shot down. After 200 helicopters were destroyed, Humphrey had to cancel the withdrawal for a week. During this week the Communist fought event harder seeing that the United States was going to give up and it led to the death of 1,597 U.S. marines. Humphrey had to increase bombings and liberals turned on him. To win liberal support, Humphrey decided to increase social spending. He created The Negative Income Tax Law. It said that only those making $150,000 a year or more had to pay income tax. The economy faltered in 1972, and Humphrey looked doomed for reelection. The Republicans wanted to re-nominate Richard Nixon, but Nixon said he had enough of presidential politics, and went off to run for Senator from California. The Republicans had alternatives to choose from. They were California Governor Ronald Reagan, Kansas Senator Robert Dole, Representative John Ashbrook, and Representative Paul McCloskey. Reagan was the early favorite, but then Billy Graham announced he was running for president. Graham entered too late to participate in the first Iowa Caucus, witch Reagan won, but was able to narrowly beat Reagan in New Hampshire. Graham was a zealous speaker, and he energized the crowds. By the time the Republicans Convened in Miami in 1972, it looked like the Reverend Billy Graham would be the Republican nominee. The Republicans chose Billy Graham and Texas Governor John Connally for vice president. The Democrats reluctantly re-nominated President Humphrey and Vice President Muskey. The 1972 Campaign revolved around the war in Vietnam and the economy. Graham wanted to end all ground warfare in Vietnam and focus on an air war. Humphrey wanted to pull out of Vietnam entirely. Graham focused on a “Conservative America” policy toward the economy. He wanted to cut taxes. Humphrey supported a new federal job creating agency. In the end, Humphrey seemed too liberal and out of touch with America, Graham was swept into office:

Billy Graham/John Connally: 434
Hubert Humphrey/Edmund Muskey: 104

1976:

President Graham’s Administration had been going great, All U.S. ground troops were taken out of Vietnam by May 1973, and only the air force would be used. Secretary of War Barry Goldwater had been able to negotiate a fragile truce with the Vietcong.  The air force was used to bomb North Vietnam so heavily that its government fell apart. By 1975 North Vietnam had fallen to U.S. forces. The economy had shaped up and America was proud again. President Graham had visited Russia and made an arms agreement. He was working as a peace maker in China by visiting the world’s most populous nation in 1975. The Democrats turned to Scoop Jackson and Walter Mondale in 1976. Though 1976 gave the U.S. little surprise with the results, it gave Graham a landslide:

Billy Graham/John Connally: 506
Scoop Jackson/Walter Mondale: 32  


1980:

President Graham’s second term was a rough one. Unemployment was high and inflation was at a ten year high. President Graham had several problems when it came to foreign policy. Iranian students had taken hostages in November 1979. President Graham was able to rescue them with “Operation Rolling Thunder” but an oil embargo from OPEC left the nation oil thirsty. The Republicans that year needed to nominate someone who could unite the party. Vice President Connaly entered the race. Secretary of Commerce Ronald Reagan chose not to run because many of his conservative reforms had already happened under President Graham. He chose to simply campaign for the Republican nominee. History was made when Secretary of Transportation Bob Dole, Secretary of State Lamar Alexander, and Vice President John Connaly were running against each other. Never before had two cabinet members ran against each other. The Democrats were in just as much trouble as the Republicans. Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale, Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy, California Governor Jerry Brown, and former North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford had entered the race for President. Vice President Connaly was the front runner, but he was somewhat tarnished by the oil shortage. The Iowa Caucus gave victory to Republican Lamar Alexander and Democrat Walter Mondale. The New Hampshire Primary turned out to be a victory for Connaly and Georgia dark horse Jimmy Carter. Carter had to drop out after he lost the Florida Primary to Edward Kennedy. Dole was able to win the crucial California Primary by attacking Connaly as a,”Ineffectual second hand pawn of a vice president.” While this was going on President Graham was able to get the republican controlled Congress to allow drilling in Alaska. The oil crisis began to fall. By July the Republicans were now sensing victory. They nominated Vice President John Connaly for President and Tennessee Senator James Baker for Vice President. They hoped the moderate Baker would help create party unity after the bitter primary race. The Democrats nominated Walter Mondale for President and Jerry Brown for Vice President. The Campaign of 1980 was bitter. Democrats said that Connaly was a, “Trigger happy Texas Cowboy.” Mondale stated, “Connaly has opposed every arms reduction deal in the history of the United States.” The Republicans called Mondale, “A tax and spend liberal.” “He will raise your taxes, he has said it,” Connaly said in a rally in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mondale had said he would raise taxes in New York City. The debates were a slur of insults from both sides. The National Unity Candidate, Illinois Representative John Anderson, won the debate by not acting crazy. With many Americans not liking any of the choices, they wanted to turn to Anderson as a compromise candidate. As Election Day grew near, the attacks increased. A Connaly attack add showed Mondale shaking hands with Leonid Brezhnev. It was suppose to show Mondale was weak on Communism. Mondale re-aired the “Daisy Girl” ads. The negative adds ended November 4th, 1980:

John Connaly/James Baker: 275
Walter Mondale/Jerry Brown: 213
John Anderson/Patrick Lucey: 50

[PBrunsel]

“Go Ye There for, Make Disciples of All Nations”
            President Billy Graham (1973-1981)

PART II: 1984-1992

1984:

By 1984 the economy was stable and so were President Connaly’s re-election chances. With unemployment down 40% from 1980, nearly everyone was in work. The national debt and the deficit were getting hire, but people didn’t seem to care. Connaly’s brilliant “It’s Morning Again in America” adds, witch were though of by Secretary of State Ronald Reagan, were a hit. The Democrats nominated Senator Gary Hart of Colorado and Jesse Jackson, the first black man to get a major party nomination, for Vice President. The 1984 Campaign was one sided at best. Connaly was able to beat Hart by simply appealing to the American middle class. He told them that Hart would raise taxes. Many Americans did not want a black vice president, so they turned on Hart. Election Day showed the landslide result:

John Connaly/James Baker: 527
Gary Hart/Jesse Jackson: 11

Hart was only able to carry Colorado by 2,000 votes.

1988:

The Republicans had been in power since 1973 when the 1988 Election came. President Graham’s legacy was still being shown when arms deals were made with the Soviets in 1987 and Mikhail Gorbchev ordered Glasnost, thus ending Soviet Tyranny. The Republicans running in 1988 were Vice President James Baker, New York Representative Jack Kemp, and Texas Senator George Bush. The Democrats had the choice of Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts, Tennessee Senator Al Gore, 1984 Vice Presidential Nominee Jesse Jackson, and a few other underdogs who dropped out quickly. The surprise results came from Iowa when George Bush and Al Gore won their parties caucuses. Kemp dropped out after a humiliating showing in New Hampshire; witch was won by James Baker. The Democratic Primary was fairly long. Gore and Dukakis battled it out until Wyoming in June. There Dukakis beat Gore and won the nomination. Vice President Baker lost the nomination to George Bush when Bush won the major Pennsylvania Primary. In keeping with party unity, George Bush chose a conservative as a running mate, Jack Kemp. Dukakis took Missouri Representative Richard Gephardt. Bush-Kemp lead Dukakis-Gephardt the entire campaign. A slur of negative ads turned people against Dukakis. Kemp was not humiliated by Gephardt as he was expected to be. He even told Gephardt, “Your no Harry Truman,” when Gephardt compared himself to President Truman. In the end, the Republicans remained in control of the White House:

George Bush/Jack Kemp: 432
Michael Dukakis/Richard Gephardt: 106

1992:

In 1992 the nation was sick of Republicans. A bad economy had turned Americans against President Bush. Bush also seemed cold and aloof. He was being portrayed as a second Herbert Hoover. Despite a stunning victory in “Operation Desert Storm” George Bush had become unpopular. His opponent would be Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Tennessee Senator Al Gore. President Graham stumped for Bush, and was able to close the gap between Bush and Harkin. Senator Harkin was somewhat of a dark horse in 1992, and thus he was hurt by not being well known. The entry of Billionaire Ross Perot would hurt Bush. The debates made people tune in to see Ross Perot tell jokes, but the debates were pretty much inconclusive. The final result gave the Democrats victory:

Tom Harkin/Al Gore: 302
George Bush/Jack Kemp: 236
H. Ross Perot/James B. Stockdale: 0

[PBrunsel]

“Go Ye There for, Make Disciples of All Nations”
          President Billy Graham (1973-1981)

PART III: 1996-2004

1996:

In 1994 the Republicans regained Congress. In 1996 House Speaker Newt Gingrich, with the backing of President Graham, ran for president. He easily won the nomination and chose Iowa Governor Terry Brandstan for Vice President. President Harkin was having quite a hard time in office. He couldn’t get anything through Congress. His Supreme Court nominees were blocked, and in 1995 the government was shut down. The economy had improved, but no by much. In early polls Gingrich led Harkin. In July Harkin-Gore was re-nominated. The 1996 Election was a negative one. Negative ads were the only ones aired. Many people grew sick of the election, and only 41% of registered voters voted on Election Day. Perot entered again, but did not do as well as in 1992. The choice of Brandstan was genius for Gingrich, for it gave him a moderate voice. Due to heavy campaigning and a well funded campaign,. President Harkin was able to win reelection and retake some Congressional seats for the Democrats:

Tom Harkin/Al Gore: 272
Newt Gingrich/Terry Brandstan: 266


The whole election came down to Pennsylvania. Both candidates had put much campaigning into the state, but due to 13,155 votes for Ross Perot, Gingrich lost Pennsylvania and the election by just 6 electoral votes.

2000:

An elderly President Graham supported Alan Keyes in 2000, but not even an endorsement from Graham could give Keyes the nomination. John McCain was able to defeat George W. Bush in a long campaign season. Bush decided to take the Vice President spot. A strong ticket was needed to defeat Vice President Al Gore and Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman. The 2000 Election was not that negative. McCain ran as a war hero, Gore ran as an experienced Vice President. Though there was a good economy, Gore was hurt by Green party Candidate Ralph Nader. More importantly, Gore was not that great of a presidential campaigner. He made gaffes and said strange things on the campaign trail, such as he invented the internet and inspired the movie “Love Story.” McCain was happy to let Graham campaign for him because he said, “President Graham saved the lives of thousands of men by pulling us out of Vietnam.” The election results were:

John McCain/George W. Bush: 471
Al Gore-Joseph Lieberman: 67


2004:

Trying to counter President McCain’s popularity, the Democrats nominated another war hero, Wesley Clark. General Clark was a Vietnam Veteran, head of NATO forces, but had no political experience. He was a poor campaigner in the primaries, but the Democrats chose him due to him being the better war hero candidate. The other, Senator John Kerry, was too controversial. Wesley Clark and John Edwards, his running mate, played the southern root. This did not appeal to the Conservative South, though. Clark-Edwards was a poor tickets in some respects. Neither candidate had much political experience. This gave President McCain room to question if they were ready to work with a republican controlled congress. The campaign was not negative because McCain was the expected winner. The Gallup Poll predicted a 40-state sweep, it was true:

John McCain/George W. Bush: 442
Wesley Clark/John Edwards: 96

[PBrunsel]

Herbert Hoover Strikes Back


In 1940 the Republican had had enough of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They wanted a candidate who could beat him. Senator Robert Taft was too boring and too unelectable. New York Attorney General Thomas Dewey was too inexperienced. Wendell Wilkie was too unknown. The Republicans caught on to a “Draft Hoover” movement. Herbert Hoover had remade his public image by helping save millions of Finnish people in the Soviet-Finnish War. Hoover had also gained popularity by writing several books. The “Challenge of Liberty” made him popular with Conservative Republicans and Democrats alike. The Republicans nominated Herbert Hoover on the 3rd Ballot. Hoover flew to Chicago to accept the nomination. “I pledge to roll back the New Deal, due to it causing a huge national debt, a waste in federal treasure, and it’s opening the door to socialism.” The Republicans chose Thomas Dewey as the Vice Presidential nominee. Hoover and Dewey never really liked each other, but they got along enough to run a good campaign.

The Democrats nominated President Roosevelt in Chicago. “I beat Mr. Hoover once,” he said, “I shall beat him again.” To try to keep support in the South, Vice President John Gardener was not dropped. The Democrats denounced Hoover as, “A relic of the past.” Hoover decided that he would run a campaign that would do the one thing Roosevelt feared worst: Target the South.

Hoover campaigned in the South extensively. He traveled to all the Southern states and made pressing statements. “The New Deal has hurt you more than any other people,” Hoover told the people of the South, “It is a raw deal for you.” Hoover was popular with Conservative white southerners who were upset with FDR’s farm subsidies. Hoover was for Civil Rights, but he appealed to the Southerners by saying that civil rights would only strengthen America, not weaken it.

Blacks had voted for Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936, but many were upset with how the New Deal ignored their problems. George Washington Carver called the New Deal “A deal signed only for the whites.” FDR was no racist, but the New Deal did ignore prejudices against blacks. Hoover raised high the banner of “The Party of Lincoln.” “Lincoln was a man who freed the slaves,” Thomas Dewey told a crowd in Cincinnati, “The Republicans are not racist.” Blacks would come out in force for Hoover on Election Day.

Franklin D. Roosevelt campaigned for his new Deal. He warned Hoover wanted to roll back the success of the New Deal. “Herbert Hoover is against ending the Depression,” Roosevelt said in Tampa. “Mr. Roosevelt likes to say I started the Depression and then did nothing to end it,” Hoover joked. Roosevelt was running for an unprecedented third term. Hoover did not attack Roosevelt for the third term; he just said that 12 years of FDR would be poison for America.

World War II was raging in Europe. Hoover, being a Quaker, was opposed to war. He promised that he would not send American boys to fight in Europe. “I will only send troops over if we are attacked,” Hoover promised America. “Old men declare wars,” Hoover said, “It is young men who must fight and die in them.” Roosevelt was not popular with anti-War mothers. These people went to support Mr. Hoover.

On Election Day the Result was clear:



Herbert Hoover/Thomas Dewey: 53.2% of the Popular Vote; 344 Electoral Votes

Franklin Roosevelt/John Gardner: 46.2% of the Popular Vote; 187 Electoral Votes

Other: 0.6% of the Popular Vote; 0 Electoral Votes

In his victory address Hoover promised a new America that would be conceived in liberty and made free of New Deal socialism. Hoover had defeated Roosevelt and became the only president since Grover Cleveland to serve nonconsecutive terms. Hoover had been elected president again, and he felt happy once again.

[PBrunsel]

Hitler will win

No. Pearl Harbor still happens and America enters the war. Hoover did not like Hitler, he dispised him.

Hoover was the only president to meet with Hitler, in 1939, and he told Hitler to "sit down and shut up."

[PBrunsel]

I'm glad FDR is out of power. FDR was mean to Hoover.

[PBrunsel]

Herbert Hoover was sworn in as president the second time on January 20th, 1941. Former-President Franklin D. Roosevelt chose not to attend, unlike Hoover in 1933.  In his inaugural address, Hoover stated, “Peace will win the day, but we can never turn to peace when tyranny is playing the part of a murderer.” President Hoover did not want to go to war; he did not want to kill American boys on foreign soil. He chose an isolationist, Conservative, cabinet:

Secretary of State: Robert Taft of Ohio

Secretary of the Treasury: Frank Knox of Illinois

Secretary of Commerce: John W. Bricker of Ohio

Attorney General: Earl Warren of California

Secretary of the Interior: Janette Rankin of Montana

Secretary of War: Charles E. Hughes of New York

Secretary of the Navy: Alf Landon of Kansas

Secretary of Agriculture: Wendell Wilkie of New York

Secretary of Labor: Charles Curtis of Kansas

Postmaster General: Charles McNary of Oregon

President Hoover started his administration with the dismantling of the New Deal. The Supreme Court declared several aspects of the New Deal, like the WPA, unconstitutional. Hoover dismantled nearly everything in Second New Deal. He left the TVA, so the poor could have power, and Social Security, so the elderly would not go hungry or penniless. The New Deal was dead by the year 1941.

The war in Europe was a threat to Hoover, and he wanted that threat neutralized. Hoover’s way of taking care of the Nazis was known as the “Suicide Plan.” The Suicide Plan stated that the Nazi’s war on Great Britain would lead to a stalemate. With a continued stalemate, as what happened during World War I, the German sailors and soldiers would mutiny, throwing the Nazis, like the Kaiser, out of power. “WE must never go to war until we have used all weapons of peace,” Hoover told a joint session of Congress in October 1941. Hoover was a Quaker who believed in peace, and war was not a thing he wanted to be involved in. On March 7th, 1941, Hoover’s Suicide Theory would come crashing down.

The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on March 7th, 1941. President Hoover could not overlook the attack, and he was forced to declare war on Japan. “Yesterday, March 7th, 1941, a date witch will live in the infamy for the human race as in the anger of the American people; the United Sates of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” Many wondered why the Japanese had attacked. The reason can be found when former President Franklin Roosevelt stopped selling scrap metal to Japan because of Japan’s invasion of China and had even stopped selling oil to any Japanese possession to stop their military. The Japanese wanted to attack in December, but the oil embargo against them made them wait until March. They also chose to wait because they knew Hoover was a pacifist and the Japanese thought he would not attack. Japan decided to attack after diplomatic relations fell through the floor.

Hoover wanted the war to end quickly. He appointed General George Marshall commander of the United States Army in the Pacific. Hoover had not forgotten how MacArthur had used bayonets and tear gas to subdue the Bonus Army. General MacArthur was appointed Governor of the Philippines by Hoover on January 23rd, 1941, but MacArthur resigned after two weeks to become Commander of U.S. Forces in Indochina, a job he would hold until his death in 1964. President Hoover and Prime Minister Churchill were not friends. In 1917 Churchill, then in Parliament, had tried to stop Hoover’s efforts in the Committee to Relive Belgium (CRB). Hoover met with Churchill in person only twice. He did have extensive telephone talks with him once every week. The first meeting was a discussion on General George S. Patton’s campaign in North Africa. The second was the installation of Dwight D. Eisenhower as Supreme Allied Commander. Eisenhower was a friend of Hoover’s since Hoover’s first term as president. He had never blamed Hoover for the Great Depression and never blamed him for the Bonus Army. Hoover approved of Operation overlord, and on June 6th, 1944, the invasion of Normandy commenced.

Before Operation Overlord ever occurred, on January 7th, 1944, First Lady Lou Hoover died of a stroke. President Hoover went into mourning for two weeks. The nation mourned the loss of the First Lady. Herbert Hoover could not mourn too long, he was soon back working 17-hour days.

In 1944 Hoover was up for reelection. He did not want to serve another term, but it seemed like he would have to due to the war. More importantly he was the only politician in Washington he knew about the atomic bomb and the Manhattan Project. He announced on June 5th, 1944, the day before D-Day, he was running for an unprecedented 3rd term. The Democrats wanted to nominate former president Franklin Roosevelt, but he said he did not want to be president again. The Democratic Convention in Chicago in July 1944 was a free for all among the candidates for the nomination. Former Agricultural Secretary Henry Wallace of Iowa entered with strong support from the Midwest. Former Vice President John Nance Garner of Texas was the front runner. Senator Claude Pepper of Florida was the progressive’s choice. Senator Alban Barley of Kentucky had support from conservatives. The Democrats finally chose John Garner for President and Henry Wallace for Vice President.

The 1944 Campaign was Hoover’s before it even started. Successes in Europe and Asia gave Hoover the confidence needed to say that the war a success. Henry Wallace was upset about the ending of several New Deal offices. He called for a massive government program that would give not only food stamps, but clothes stamps, toothpaste stamps, shoes stamps, and several other stamps that would give people common necessities. When the Communist Party endorsed the Democratic Ticket, Americans turned on Henry Wallace’s liberalism. Hoover ran on the economic success of his current administration and the victories in Europe and Asia. On Election Day Hoover won a lopsided victory:



Herbert Hoover/Thomas Dewey: 59.6% of Popular Vote; 449 Votes

John N. Garner/Henry Wallace:  40.2% of Popular Vote; 82 Electoral Votes

Others: 0.2% of Popular Vote, 0 Electoral Votes


On May 8th, 1945, Germany surrendered. Hoover was celebrating Harry S Truman’s, his chief of staffs, Birthday when Secretary of State Taft gave him the news. “Mr. President,: Truman told Hoover, ”This is the best birthday gift I was ever given by a friend.” “I hope you enjoy your gift now,” Hoover told Truman, “Since Japan is next.”

Hoover had overseen the creation of the atomic bomb since January 1941. He wanted to show a demonstration to the Japanese to make them surrender. Secretary of War Hughes talked him out of it because he said it could make the Soviet Union declare war if it is dropped near them. It would also elevate an arms race. Hoover was in favor of an invasion, until he heard from General Marshall that it could take over 1 million lives. He was advised to use the atomic bomb. “If I drop this I will kill thousands of innocent children,” Hoover told Secretary of State Taft. “But if you don’t drop it,” Taft told him, “It will cause many innocent children in America and Britain to be made orphans.” Hoover allowed the dropping of atomic bombs in August 1945 on Hiroshima. When Chief of Staff Truman gave him the report of those killed. When he saw the numbers of children killed he fell on his knees and began to cry uncontrollably. “It was the right thing to do,” Truman told Hoover. “But the slaughter of those kids is more than I can bear,” Hoover told him. Hoover would tell his friends that every night he would pray to God for forgiveness for what he had done. Hoover threatened a second bombing, and Japan surrendered aboard the U.S.S. Missouri August 7th, 1945. World War II was over.

[PBrunsel]

"Hoover in 1940" is my serious timeline. I wanted to see Hoover defeat FDR and his New Deal Minions!

[PBrunsel]

"Hoover in 1940" is my serious timeline. I wanted to see Hoover defeat FDR and his New Deal Minions!

Is Randy Jones still a principal in Alabama?

Yes, he never ran for president in this scenario.

[PBrunsel]

By January 1946, President Herbert Hoover was tired of the presidency, but he was determined to continue this most important of jobs. He was needed to rebuild Europe. Europe was a continent that was destroyed. Germany lay in ruins. Polish children starved to death everyday. Hoover could not stand to see these innocent children starving to death because of a war declared by old men with selfish desires. “They have done nothing to deserve the conditions thrust upon them,” Hoover told Congress in his State of the Union address, “As Americans, as the Great Global peacemakers, we must now help the starving, desolate, and despaired of Europe.” Secretary of State Robert Taft would have none of it. “As Americans we must look out for Americans and Americans only,” he told Hoover. “If that is what you think,” Hoover calmly explained, “You have a two choices; dismissal or resignation.” This came like a cold slap in the face to Taft. “You are going to replace me!” Taft boomed, “You are making a mistake!” “The biggest mistake I see Mr. Taft,’ Hoover said as calm as he could, “Was that I imagined you as a good Secretary of State.” With that Taft resigned his office, but swore his revenge.

Herbert Hoover introduced his plan to relieve Europe. It was called the “Hoover Doctrine” and there had never been anything like it. He called on businesses, individual citizens, churches, schools, and towns to help relieve Europe. “It is one thing to ask Congress for help,” Hoover stated, “It is another thing to mask the nation for help.” Hoover’s plan became a boom of good works. Cities all over America gathered canned food, clothing, blankets, and anything else needed to survive. “I feel it is no understatement,” General Dwight Eisenhower said, “President Hoover has once again saved Europe through charity and not government.”

By May 20th, 1946, the 400th Ton of supplies was shipped to Europe. Hoover’s next task was appointing a new Secretary of State. Will Roger’s joked, “The new Secretary of State is Herbert Clark Hoover, as is the new Secretary of War, Attorney General, and whatever else is left.” It was not an overstatement to say Hoover could do it all himself, for he had shown that running the government is not hard, but running a country is. A mass railroad strike began in 1947. Hoover, who was not a fan of strikes, told the strikers to either get back to work, or they would be drafted. A Secretary of State was needed to help moderate an agreement between labor and business. Hoover had just the man in mind, Chief of Staff Harry S Truman. Truman accepted the position on May 30th, 1946. Hoover instructed him to work out some kind of deal to end the great strike. Truman stated that business would have to pay higher, but Unions would have to sign a deal promising not to strike until the year 1960. At first Unions and business scoffed at the proposal. “Dumbest thing I ever heard,” scoffed one Union man. Truman was persistent at it. Once Hoover’s threat of drafting looked like it would become with the passage of the Strike Act of 1946. The Strike Act stated that if a strike lasted longer than 4-months, the draft could be instated. It was currently 3 months into the strike. When business finally gave in, the unions also agreed to the terms. Hoover and Truman had solved what could have become a massive national strike that would have crippled America.

Hoover had another problem in 1946, shortages. Returning soldiers wanted cars, homes, radios, and televisions. They had to go without these things so long that now they wanted them, all at once. Hoover sent a message to Ford Automobile Company asking him to increase car production 20%. Hoover was aware that a slight inflation may happen, but only 20% would make sure it was only slight. Hoover’s handling of shortages was simply the message “Soldiers who want luxuries; Go slowly or go without.” He wanted these former soldiers to wait on luxuries until there were enough. By January 1947 shortages were down.

On November 4th, 1946, Congressional elections happened.  The Republican Party was able to keep control of Congress. Party Majorities In Congress (House + Senate) stood as:



Republican Majority

Democratic Control

*NOTE: Numbers on states are Electoral College votes of 1944, not number of seats in Congress.

The Soviet Union was causing problems for Hoover. Joseph Stalin, Soviet Dictator, would not have free elections. Hoover told Stalin while they were at a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, “Mr. Stalin, you can continue atrocities to your people and the people of Europe, and you may get away with it now, but one day you will meet Mighty God, and you will have to explain why you did these atrocities to God’s children, and you better have good answers.” With that Stalin stormed out of the room. “I never want to talk to that man again!” he boomed to an aide, “I can’t stand his ideas!” Hoover was soon scolded by newspapers saying he should have been more diplomatic. “While I deal with this dictator only the truth can be used on blind lying,” Hoover explained. “Our president is as tough as nails,” General George Patton even had to admit.

Herbert Hoover set himself up to be known as the Civil Rights president. He desegregated the armed forces in February 1948. By March 1948 the Republican Congress had passed stricter voting rights laws. Hoover had appointed record numbers of blacks to government posts. The Freedom Resolution of 1948 passed during a special session of Congress in June 1947. It stated that the U.S. Government would smile upon any state that began desegregation of schools. By “smiling” they meant they would give special aide to the states by helping them get the funds needed to build better schools. These laws enraged the South! Governor J. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina stated, “Segregation is the way of life in the South, and Northerners need to remember that. There has been no complaining here about it.” Mississippi Governor Fielding L. Wright, supported by Southern Democrats, entered the race for the Democratic Nomination in December 1947. He stated, “I want this government to listen tot the states, and not the other way around.” Hoover responded to talk he wasn’t a Conservative by saying, “Being a Conservative has nothing to do with denying people freedom.”

In 1948 Herbert Hoover was going to leave office. Although he was approached by Governor Earl Warren of California about running for a 4th term, Hoover would have none of it. “I have had enough of being president for my life,” he told Warren. Hoover endorsed Vice President Thomas Dewey for the nomination. Dewey was being challenged by now Senator Robert Taft. Although Taft and Hoover had reconciled since 1946, Taft still felt isolationism was the best way to protect America. Dewey and Taft battled each other in the primaries until the Republican Convention, July 1948 in Philadelphia. Dewey won the nomination on the 3rd Ballot, and he chose Governor Earl Warren to be his running mate. The Democrats has sided with segregationist by nominating Mississippi Governor Fielding L. Wright for President. To appease those on the left Senator Claude Pepper of Florida was chosen as Vice President. In a surprise announcement, Senator Robert Taft was to run as the candidate of the America First Party. The Progressive Democratic Senator from Idaho Glen Taylor accepted the Vice Presidential nod. The race was bitter. Wright accused Hoover of “bowing to the leftists” by desegregating the armed forces in March 1948. Taft stated that, “America is the greatest nation on earth and should not be expected to listen to the Communist chatter in the USSR and all of Eastern Europe. I stand for America First not when, not if, but always!” Hoover campaigned extensively for Vice president Dewey, and it was enough to win Dewey the votes of the African American community. Dewey was able to win, but mainly because of the segregationist nominee of the Democrats:



Thomas Dewey/Earl Warren: 46.3% of the Popular Vote; 297 Electoral

Fielding Wright/Claude Pepper: 41.3% of the Popular Vote; 171 Electoral

Robert Taft/Glen Taylor: 12.2% of the Popular Vote; 63 Electoral

Others: 0.2% of the Popular Vote, 0 Electoral

With Dewey’s Inauguration on January 20th, 1949, Hoover headed back to California. He would be discussed by historians for all time about his second try at being president. As Hoover said in his televised and radioed farewell address, “It matters not to me what historians say of my presidency, I care what they say about my character.”

[PBrunsel]

"Hoover in 1940" is done now. So...

          THE END

               

[PBrunsel]

BUMP

I do not want all the hard work put into this thread by many posters to be forgotten. I love all the stories written in this thread. I re-read them all the time.