A Second Chance - CONCLUSION

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

August 5th, 1970
Back home in Oregon, Senator Hatfield takes a rest from his Senate duties. His friend, Reverend Billy Graham who has served as a spiritual adviser to a number of Presidents, talks with him.
    Hatfield: This is just a mess in Vietnam. Carpet bombing, invasions, boys returning home in body bags.
    Graham: Yes. It's just a horrible situation all around.
    Hatfield: It's the fault of those Kennedys. If only someone were willing to stop it.
    Graham: I think you could.
    Hatfield: Really? The party wouldn't accept me. It's sold out to the Far Right. Reagan'll win the nomination this time around.
    Graham: Well, like you said, someone has to stop it.
    Hatfield: No. I won't run. I've never had an interest in the Presidency and I don't plan to.
    Graham: Wait until after the mid-terms to decide.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Any thoughts or opionions?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

November 3, 1970
...And after calling the races in Nevada and Texas, which are both going Republican, we can project that when the Senate meets in January of next year, it will be controlled by Republicans!

Upcoming Congressional Balance of Power:
Republicans-51
Democrats-47
Conservatives-1
Independents-1

Notable Races:
California: Senator Ronald Reagan is re-elected against opponent George Tuney
Michigan: Former Michigan Governor George Romney, out of office for two years, and the 1968 Republican Presidential nominee, wins election to the Senate
Nevada: In a rematch with his 1964 opponent, Governor Paul Laxalt wins election to the Senate by a hair
New York: Conservative Party Candidate James L Buckley wins election to the Senate
Ohio: In a rematch with his 1964 opponent, Congressman Robert Taft Jr. win election to the Senate
Texas: In another 1964 rematch, Congressman George Bush beats his rival Ralph Yarborough
Virginia: Independent incumbent Robert Byrd wins re-election with 53% of the vote


Notable Gubernatorial Races
California: Actor Charlton Heston is elected, beating Republican Robert Finch
Maryland: Governor Spiro T Agnew is re-elected with 51% of the popular vote
New York: Governor Nelson Rockefeller is elected to a fourth term
Texas: Two term Governor John Tower, a Republican, is elected to a third term

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

November 3, 1970
In Texas, in Congressman George Bush's campaign headquarters where he and his campaign staffers are celebrating Bush's election to the Senate. His friend James Baker who has run for and won Bush's Congressional seat is there with him.
    Bush: Well, we did it.
    Baker: We certainly did.
    Bush: Well, in January, it'll be onto the Senate for me and onto Congress for you.
(As Bush speaks, an aide runs up to him)
    Aide: Congressman Bush! Secretary of Defense John Connally is on the phone in the other room!
    Bush: Hmm...What could he possibly want?
(Bush walks into an empty room where a phone is lying on a table. He picks it up.)
    Bush: Hello?
    Connally: Hello. This is John Connally.
    Bush: Yes. I know who you are.
    Connally: Congratulations on beating Yarborough. I'm glad he was finally defeated.
    Bush: Thank you Secretary Connally.
    Conally: Well, good luck in the Senate. Bye.
    Bush: Bye.
At the Reagan campaign headquarters, where crowds await after the announcement of victory, Reagan steps up to the podium where below at least one hundred people fill the room.
    Reagan: California, tonight, you have voted for six more years of continued representation! You have voted for a representative who believes in economic freedoms, victory in the Cold War, and in Liberty! I think you for your support, and we'll be seeing you six years from now, or maybe even sooner!

Reagan's allusions to "maybe sooner" are taken different ways be the media. His supporters, such as speechwriter Patrick J Buchanan try to downplay it, saying that he may be thinking of running for Governor in 1974. However, others think that he is alluding to the Presidency, which will be up for grabs in 1972, two years from now.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Gee, it sure is lonely here (our hero laughs nervously while staring out into the darkness).

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm still here! Or perhaps I should say I'm back.

This is very good. Keep it coming!

Thanks, not just for this, but your support of all my timelines.

A note for those of you reading, I'm going to try to speed this up past the mid-terms, and get to 1972, when the primaries begin.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

It was after Agnew's re-election that he seemed to decide that he was for sure running. Even though his re-election had been narrow at best, it showed that his home state was at least willing to vote for him. He began taking several out of state trips, mostly to New Hampshire and other Eastern states, along with Southern States. The man he talked to most was former President Nixon who was devising the "Southern Strategy" to capitalize on anti-Democratic sentiment in the South. Nixon himself seemed to be planning on running. Little did we in the assembly know how far Agnew would go.

-1975 Interview with Maryland Governor Marvin Mendel

1970 was our year. With Conservative pick-ups in Ohio and Nevada, and with moderates taking other states, we felt we could carry all of that momentum into election day 1972. A number of us, including myself and RNC Chairman Edwin Meese wanted Goldwater to run for Majority Leader. However, he declined the opportunity, focusing much more on passing Conservative legislation. With a majority in the Senate, we felt we could finally stop the Kennedy agend, which had stalled in the House with the debate over Universal Healthcare. By then, with his re-election, Reagan was already gearing up for 1972.

-Right From the Beginning, Patrick J Buchanan, (c) 1987

After the results came in for Texas, we were elated. There was this sense of vindication, and of validation, because George's adopted home had finally accepted him. However, it was there that our paths would split for the first time in a couple of years. He was off to the Senate while I had taken his old House seat. I had originally planned on stopping campaigning for Congress because of the loss of my dear wife, Mary. However, George talked me into running, saying that I could, like he, use politics to cpe with the loss of a love one. I took him at his word, and the result was me election to the House of Representatives.

-What the Man Was Made of, James Baker, (c) 1997

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

November 5th, 1970
With HUD Secretary Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Treasury Secretary Robert McNamara, Labor Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, and Attorney General Robert F Kennedy, President John Kennedy sits down to talk about the remaining weeks before the Senate will become controlled by the Republicans.
    Jack: Oaky. Down to business. We've got a few weeks to ram this through as best we can. Can we? We've talked through this before. Are the supporters still receptive?
    Lloyd: Jack, like before, the unions are all on board for this.
    McNamara: As usual, business isn't happy with whatever you do outside of tax cuts.
    Moynihan: I've talked with leaders of minority and urban groups, and they don't care what it takes. Their people are hungry.
    Jack: What about Congress?
    Bobby: Jack, a larg number of the Congressmen who were stalling are willing to go ahead, but we have a number of undecideds and a couple of defeated Congressmen who feel they have a civic duty not to pass this when they weren't re-elected. We don't know if we have enough. However, so far, we've gotten it past the Senate, and all we're worried about is the House.
    Jack: Good. Talk to Albert. I want a definite 'yes' by December.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

November 26th, 1970
With American forces closing in on Hanoi, the capital of North Vietnam, in an attempt to cripple North Vietnam's attempted take over of South Vietnam, riots plague the streets of major cities. No longer riots debating race, but riots debating the war. Where three years ago fighting would have occured between black and white, it now seems it is old against young as hippies, even as winter approaches, take to the streets to protest new waves of carpet bombings and American casulaties in the United States' attempt to fight the North Vietnamese. Even though it appears the 'police action' is on its way to being won, that does nothing to change the fact that American boys are arriving home in body bags, and that people are angry about it.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

November 27th, 1970
The American people will no longer tolerate such flagrant violation of the law! From defecations of private property to flag burning. My administration and I will be consistently tough on this abhorrant lawlessness. I have been in contact with state Governors and we have been consistently in agreement that these riots must stop. Therefore, I am authorizing use of the national guard in all major riots, at the discretion of the Governors!

-President John F Kennedy at a press conference the morning following the riots

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

December 13th, 1970
Healthcare Fails in the House!
The final voting on the implementation of universal healthcare today has yielded a suprising result. While it was expected that during the lame duck session the Democrats with Liberal Republican support would be able to pass the Universal Health Coverage Act. However, a rogue number of Liberals from both parties have surprisingly turned down a chance to pass a dream that has existed since the time of President Truman. In the 'Protest for Integrity', an essential number of Liberals voted 'No' in today's voting saying that it wouldn't be right to hold a vote after certain members of the chamber had failed re-election.


In the Oval Office, termpers run high because of the actions of a select few who are responsible for the first failing of President Kennedy's Great Society. Sitting on one of the Oval Office couches is Treasury Secretary Robert McNamara, reading out of a newspaper.
    McNamara: '...saying that it wouldn't be right to hold a vote after certain members of the chamber had failed re-election'. This is ridiculous Jack. We have to keep these people in line. Do you know what this damn 'protest for integrity' is doing to your agenda?
    Jack: Hell yes I know. You think I don't know?
(President Kennedy, who is behind his desk, standing up, leaning over it, leans back into his chair and sighs)
    Jack: Bobby, call Carl Albert and tell him that he has a job to do and that is to keep the party in line!
    Bobby: I'll get Ms. Kopechne right on it.
    Jack: Good. Pull no punches. We can't have this pipsqueak ruining all six years of our work while we sit back helplessly. Does he know how many earmarks we put in that damn thing!

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

For the record, I'm basing my dialogue of the Kennedy Administration more on "Nixon" directed by Oliver Stone than anything else. That's pretty much where I credit the inspiration of the first scene in this, though in my head it originally took place in the Presidential limo trying to enter the Whitehouse.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The failure of healthcare was just the start of it. The Kennedy Administration's eventual collapse was at that point yet to come, however, with his failure to even control the Liberal elements of his own party was the signal of the end. Like the Soviet Union's collapse in the mid 1990's, we didn't know when it would happen, but we knew that it was inevitable. At that point, in 1970, I was still working as a free lanse speechwriter for Conservative causes. It was through that job that I met for President Nixon, then-Texas Governor John Tower, and more. I'd already met faces such as Buckley and Reagan through Goldwater's 1968 campaign. However, by 1970 my career was just taking off.

-Right From the Beginning, Patrick J Buchanan (c) 1987

1970 was the breaking point. It demonstrated all that was wrong with the Democratic Party. Kennedy's failures were obvious: He couldn't hold together his own party, he was pro-war to the point of fascism, and he was willing to do whatever it took to advance his agenda. There was also a much more subtle fault of his that I think he really grew to know during those last two years in office. He had no 'niche' in the Democratic Party as he knew it. There were the Liberals and there were the Southern Conservatives. He fit best with Henry M Jackson's Paleo-Liberals, however he didn't agree with them on everything either. By 1972, he realized that but for his cabinet, he was all alone in the party.

-The Death of the Democrats, Mike Gravel, (c) 1997

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

May 3rd, 1971
Goldwater Is Out of 1972!!
Earlier today, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater announced that he would not be running for President next year. With this announcement, the spotlight turns to his friend, California Senator Ronald Reagan, who has become the de facto Conservative candidate. Reagan, having served as Commerce Secretary for over two and a half years, and having served as a Senator for six years and counting, is deemed as at least somewhat qualified for the Presidency. Other possible candidates include New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The Get Tough Governor

TIME profiles Governor Spiro T Agnew of Maryland

Havign served as Governor for over four years now, Governor Agnew as been seen as one of many Law & Order Governors in the nation. His 'harsh' reactions to riots have seemed to work with his strengthening of the police force and the national guard. He has also promoted reforms throughout the state, concerning Civil Rights. Having been narrowly re-elected last year, the Governor is a hard to palce figure in American politics. He is known for his toughness on rioters and protesters, however he is Progressive on Civil Rights, Centrist in his fiscal policy, and is favored by of all people, Southerners, having made trips down to places such as South Carolina. No one can tell just how far this Governor will go. Do his ambitions reach beyond Maryland? In an interview in June, he did not rule out future ambitions:

    Agnew: Yes, I have thougth about a run for the Presidency. However, right now I'm focused on reforming Maryland. If I look at this country a couple months from now and I think that I could add to it, then yes I will run. However, right now I'm undecided.

The Governor does not seem undecided as he has spent a part of his second term making out of state trips to what have been though of as key primary states, and has met with well know political figures such as former President Richard Nixon and New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller.

The cover of "Life" magazine from a year before, also profiling the Governor

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The 1972 Rogues' Gallery

For Repulicans, even as the Vietnam War is slowly wrapping up and will likely be a non-issue by 1972, theres is still a good chance of winning the Whitehouse next year. With fatigue from the Democrats as well as momentum from their 1970 Congressional gains, Republicans seem to have the edge. In Part One of this Article, we will outline the five major Republican candidates for the nomination next year.

Former President Richard Nixon of California

Having lost re-election in 1964 due to humiliations in foreign policy, the phrase of his campaign has seemed to become 'He's tanned, he's rested, he's ready', and so it seems. Nixon has spent his seven years since retirement either sulking in his home in Yorba Linda, or taking trips abroad, and so far it seems he has come back able to talk rings around his opponents in the field of foreign policy. For him to lose the nomination would be only another of his many humiliations.

Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York

The Liberal Four-Term Governor of New York seems to be the best positioned to win, having money on his side. However, with 1970's take over of the Republican Party by Conservatives, Rockefeller seems to be an anethema to the voters in the primaries, and his best chances are at the convention. His political career started out working for Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration during the 1940's where he ended up serving as Assistant Secretary of State. During the 1950's, Rockefeller was UnderSecretary of Health, Education, and Welfare before running for and winning the Governorship of New York in 1958.

Senator Ronald Reagan of California

The protege of Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, the time seems ripe for Reagan to step onto the Presidential scene and utilize Goldwater's momentum from previous races and turn it into a win for the emerging Western Conservative movement. Reagan's political career begin in the late 1940's serving as President of the Screen Actor's Guild. In 1960 with Richard Nixon's inauguration, Reagan was selected to be Commerce Secretary, citing his experience with General Electric. Reagan eventually resigned his position in November of 1963. In 1964, despite Republican losses elsewhere, Reagan was the sole Senatorial gain for the Republicans as he won a Democrat controlled seat in the Senate in California.

Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon

The name "Mark Hatfield" has become unique in the Senate because of his anti-war leanings in a party that is growing continually Conservative. He has amde opponents with people ranging from John F Kennedy to Ronald Reagan and the list does not stop there. His career as a politician spans back to 1950 when he first began working as a member of the Oregon house of Representatives. In 1958 he was elected governor of Oregon, and in 1966, he was elected Senator. He has forged his own path in the Senate taking positions that are hard to classify politically and is regarded as a 'policy maverick'. Nevertheless, he maintains his own following within the Republican Party and is well respected in Washington's iner circles.

Governor Spiro T Agnew of Maryland

A relatively new face to the national stage, people fist became aware of Agnew as a 'tough on crime' Governor in the late sixties. That, coupled with his surprise entry into the 1968 balloting for Vice-President at the Republican National Convention, has the perfect makings of a dark horse candidate like him. He, along with Senator Reagan stand the best chance in any Southern primaries.

Potential candidates who declined running include Michigan Senator George Romney, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, and Texas Senator George Bush.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Coming up: The Democratic candidates, though I'm too lazy to put them up tonight. There'll be at least three.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The 1972 Rogues Gallery Part Two

For each of the Democratic candidates, should they win the nomination, they will be facing both the triumphs and the failures of incumbent President John F Kennedy. His triumphs are victory in Vietnam, and the passing of pieces of the Great Society. His failures include the failing of the rest of the Great Society and his inability to hold together a Democrat controlled Congress for six years. In Part Two of the 1972 Rogues' Galler, we look at the political careers of the main contenders for the Democratic nomination.

Vice-President Terry Sanford of North Carolina

Sanford, the natural inheritor of the good and bad things alike of the Kennedy Administration, is seen as the natural nominee for the Democrats given that he's been Vice-President for eight years. However, some have criticzed his tenure, calling him a 'do-nothing Vice-President' despite his large role in the Excellency in Education Act, and the Environmental Protection Act.

Senate Minority Leader Hubert H Humphrey of Minnesota

A candidate for the 1952, 1956, 1960, and 1964 Democratic nominations, he has had a long political career tracing back to his entry into Minneanapolis politics in 1942. In 1945, he became Mayor of Minneanapolis. In 1948, he was elected Senator, making him the first Democratic Senator from Minnesota since the Civil War. In 1961, Humphey was elected House Majority Whip and held it until 1971, when he was elected House Minority Leader, a title which he holds to this day.

Governor Charlton Heston of California

A relative newbie in politics, Charlton Heston was first sworn into office only earlier this year. However, he apparently feels ready for the next step and has the money to run neck and neck with other opponents. His record in his short time as Governor includes Civil Rights, Law & Order, and gun control, as well as running a relatively fiscally Conservative state.

Governor George Wallace of Alabama

Governor George Wallace is without doubt the 'Southern candidate' in the race. A proud Alabaman and defender of 'States' Rights', he has already run for the Democratic nomination twice without success, and was the 1968 Dixiecrat nominee for President. It is expected that he will only have strength in the South, however, he may also do well in the industrial north among socially conservative blue collar workers.

Senator Mike Gravel of Alaska

Senator Mike Gravel, though only elected to Congress in 1968, has made his presence known. In allying himself with the Liberal Senators George McGovern, Eugene McCarthy, and Frank Church, he has positioned himself as a new force in the Senate, and by stepping into the race for the Democratic nomination, he has shown that that force wants to expand. Some claim the recent victory in the Vietnam War has 'stolen his thunder', however, Gravel is still in the running and still unyeilding.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Any preferred candidates?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

A Sanford/Heston ticket would be strong for the democrats. I think the democrats automatically loose the moment they nominate George Wallace.

I've been following this timeline for awhile now, and I must say, I like it a lot - though the continued capitalisation of 'liberal' and 'conservative' is annoying me a fair bit. Nevertheless, currently it's one of the better ones on these boards; an amazing feet for a relative newbie.

Anyway, a Heston/Reagan race would be really fascinating, though I doubt Heston would be able to attain the nomination due to his inexperience and running in a crowded field. So, I'm guessing it'll be a Sanford/Reagan race. Should be interesting times indeed!

Thanks for your comments! Heston will act aminly as the Reagan of 1972, as in a one term Governor runs against several other figures who are more likely to win. I'm not sure yet on how well Heston will do. I don't want to drop any hints, but I think the 1972 match-up will be interesting, though I haven't decided who the Democratic ticket will be yet.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

A note on the Congressional races:
In Massachusetts, Attorney General Robert F Kennedy is running against incumbent republican Edward Brooke.

In Texas, Secretary of Defense John Connally is running for the seat that former Senator Majority Leader Lyndon B Johnson in retiring from. He is facing three term Texas Governor John Tower.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

January 2nd, 1972
President Moonbeam?
Yesterday, President Kennedy, who made space exploration a big issue during his 1960 and 1964 campaigns announced that he feels NASA is ready to finally begin Man's ascent to the Moon. Following last year's two disasters and other failed attempts, President Kennedy claims that this summer will be the day that America lays claim to the Moon. The Soviet Union itself has attempted to lay claim to the Moon and to future space exploratino but has as of so far failed. If Mankind finally reached the Moon this summer, and it's American, then this greatly helps the Democrats with their possibilities for winning the Presidential election. NASA head John Glenn has concurred with the President's statements, though no official NASA announcement has been released.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

January 24, 1972
Iowa Caucuses!

Today, the Iowa Caucuses, which are now the first races in the nation that help determine who the nominee of the two major parties will be, commenced. The victories there were no suprprse, with former President Richard Nixon winning for the Republicans, and Vice-President Terry Sanford winning for the Democrats.

Republican Primary Map

Blue-Nixon

Democratic Primary Map

Red-Sanford
At the Sanford for President campaign headquarters, they are celebrating their victory. An aide walks up to Vice-President Sanford while he greets people in the crowd.
    Aide: Mr. Vice-President, they've declared Nixon the winner for the Republicans. It was a tight race against Rockefeller and Reagan.
    Sanford: If Nixon wins the nomination, then we've got this election in the bag.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Well, I don't plan on updating any more tonight, and if I'm a good person, I won't update tomorrow, so:
Merry Christmas!

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Notes, Reminders, Previews: upcoming, Munich Massacre (September) and Moon Landing Attempt (summer). Also, things involving foreign policy, maybe missile treaties, and Middle East.

These are mostly reminders for myself, but they can also serve as previews for the rest of you. When reading timelines in the sixties, seventies, eighties era, I always like notes on things such as foreign policy and things, because it adds to the "dystopia" feeling of the late seventies to include things like hostage crisises and missile treaties. Andy Jackson's "Mankind Forever" as a good example of what I'm talking about; detente, stagflation, foreign relations, hostages, the Middle East, and international relations (the Olympics included).