JFK Lives -- Who's his successor?

[Wakie]

JFK wins 1964 and lives out his term in office.  South Vietnam falls during his 2nd term in office and he is widely criticized by Republicans and within his own party.  Without the Vietnam War to act as a rallying point for the 1960s youth, the "sex, drugs, and rock n roll" culture is much more just about "sex, drugs, and rock n roll".  Border tension between China and Vietnam eventually turns to many skirmishes and the "Domino Theory" is disproved

1968 Election - LBJ gets thrashed by Richard Nixon and forever blames John Kennedy saying in his memoirs "there is no doubt in my mind we could have won in Vietnam".

The economy doesn't get battered by the massive war deficits and Nixon has time to focus on other agenda items.  By 1972 he looks to be a shoe-in for reelection.  The Dem nomination is wide open.  RFK decides not to run.  Muskie looks like an early favorite but then has his "Canuck Letter" moment and the momentum shifts to Scoop Jackson.  However, Nixon is still a paranoid freak and Watergate still happens.

1972 Election - Nixon wins solidly over Scoop Jackson.

Following the election the events of Watergate unfold and Nixon eventually resigns.  Ford comes into office.  The Democrats seem resurgent and in 1976 Bobby Kennedy wins the Dem nomination.  He selects Jimmy Carter as his VP.

1976 Election - RFK wins handily over Ford.

RFK does much better as President than Carter did in reality.  Again, with no Vietnam war debt the economy is slightly better but the oil crisis does create a major problem.  RFK creates his own version of the space program but pursuing alternative energy.  The Islamic revolution in Iran though poses a big problem.  RFK hears the old criticism of his brother (that he is soft on foreign policy).  Like Carter he attempts a rescue mission only to have it blow up before it begins.

1980 Election - Reagan defeats RFK.  The criticism of RFK is that he's too timid.  There isn't as stark of a contrast though between Reagan and RFK as there was between Reagan and Carter.

Reagan continues RFK's alternative energy program, seeing it as a way to drive down oil prices and thereby strike a blow at both Iran and the USSR.  He also pumps up the defense budget.  Jimmy Carter wins the Dem nomination for President in 1984.

1984 Election - Reagan defeats Carter (but not by the Mondale margin).

Reagan's 2nd term sees some breakthroughs in alternative energy but pretty much goes as is.  Encouraged by the Kennedy's, and not discouraged by a massive Mondale-esque defeat in '84, Mario Cuomo runs and wins the Democratic nomination.

1988 Election - In one of the dirtiest elections in recent history George HW Bush defeats Mario Cuomo.

Bush guts the alternative energy program.  His Presidency pretty much stays as was.  The Dems nominate Bill Clinton in 1992.

1992 Election - Bill Clinton pulls off the upset of HW Bush.
1996 Election - Clinton over Dole
2000 Election - W Bush over Gore

Only difference here is that John Edwards wins the Dem nomination.  The reason being that w/o his "war hero" status there was no way John Kerry would have won the nomination.  Dean still does the "yell" and self-destructs.  Edwards gets the momentum and wins the nom.

2004 Election - W Bush over Edwards