Cathcon's Mini-TL Corner

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Scratch that.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I was about to bump this and then I saw the above. So what about tonight, Cathcon?

Maybe. Depends on how I handle homework.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

As Farley eased into his second term, his Presidency would take a turn for the worse. He found himself caught in the dilemma that President Hiram W Johnson found himself with thirty years ago. As storm clouds built in Europe, Farley would ignore them, focusing mainly on a few small initiatives that would fall flat in Congress as recession sat in and internationalists rose in protest to his ignoring of the international situation.

As Farley's Presidency continued to self-combust, a moment of sadness was felt throughout the nation with the death of former President Franklin D Roosevelt in 1951. He had had a long and successful political career beginning in 1910 with his election to the New York States Legislature. From there on he would serve as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy, Governor of New York, Vice-President of the United States, and finally President of the United States, serving from 1922 to 1929, and later from 1941 to 1945, the longest serving President in American history. As well, he also served as Secretary of State in John W Davis' administration.

1952
As Europe grew continually stormier, thanks to chaotic revolution in Germany and the Soviet Union pressing against its own borders and enveloping Eastern Europe, the Republicans wanted to nominate a surefire winner. That winner would be 1948 Vice-Presidential candidate and three-term New York Governor Thomas Dewey who would win against a wide field of candidates, ranging from the Conservative Bob Taft to the moderate Harold Stassen to the Liberal Earl Warren. The Vice-Presidential nomination would be even more hectic. However, at the end, Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon would be nominated.

As for the Democrats, the embattled Vice-President Truman would face challenges as well from the Right and the Left as the remaining Liberal wing, led by Huey Long, would attack him for being not in line with true Democratic principles, and former Governor Strom Thurmond would attack him for not believing in "respected Democratic traditions of States' Rights, balanced budgets, and liberty". However, Truman would survive the convention, choosing fellow moderate Adlai Stevenson for Vice-President.

Truman and Dewey weren't really very different. They were both hawkish on foreign policy and believing in a significant government hand in the economy. However, they would be strangely pitted against each other in the election, and Truman would be at a disadvantage due to the economy and calls for American intervention overseas. The Democrats would be further marginalized with the publication of Secretary of State Joe Kennedy's comment "Democracy is done here in Eastern Europe. I suspect it may soon be here in America as well." On election night, there would be an obvious referendum for the Republicans.

Governor Thomas Dewey (R-NY)/Senator Wayne Morse (R-OR) 394 electoral votes, 56.7% of the popular vote
Vice-President Harry S Truman (D-MO)/Governor Adlai E Stevenson (D-IL) 137 electoral votes, 42.9% of the popular vote

For the first time since 1936, a Republican would win the Presidency. Dewey would immediately go to work on both the economy, passing what he would call "American Economic Management Packages", as well as tax hikes on the rich to pay for new domestic programs. On foreign policy, he assembled a very hawkish team of advisers. Secretary of State Charles Dulles, Secretary of War Douglas MacArthur, and Secretary of the Navy Richard Nixon. Together, these three would go to work rebuilding the American military after the eight years Farley had had in office. By 1954, America would be ready for war. However, Dewey was unsure as to how to enter the conflict. Finally, at a summit with the French government, the Paris Accords were signed, immediately involving America in the conflict. In the famous American landing on the beaches of Estonia, the fight would truly begin.

1956
As fighting in Europe and the Soviet Union heated up, the 1954 mid-terms would take place, paving the way to the 1956 Presidential election. For the moment, Europe would be a favorable point for Republicans. Stealing the 1920's Democratic phrase "making the world safe for Democracy", Dewey would head into the election with head held high. At the Republican convention he would face no challenge and he and Vice-President Morse would be unanimously re-nominated.

For the Democrats, the last four years had not been kind. Losing the Senate in 1952 and the House in 1954, they had seemingly recessed and were wandering in the wilderness soul searching even as the election approached. At the convention, a number of low profile candidates would enter the balloting including Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas, 1952 Vice-Presidential candidate and former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson, Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri, and others. However, finally the convention would shape up into a two-way battle with the entry of Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin on the seventeenth ballot. He would immediately narrow the field down between him and Stevenson. The differences between the two were obvious. Stevenson called for a "dynamically conservative" domestic policy which involved fiscal conservatism but a still definitively liberal outlook, coupled with a "realistic" foreign policy. McCarthy on the other hand would rail against Dewey's stances on Civil Rights, social programs, Planned Parenthood, and even the war which McCarthy had initially supported. "We've gotta be going in there with everything we've got. When I first heard of the Paris Accords, I had hoped for the use of hydrogen and atomic weaponry to wipe the Godless communists from the face of the earth. Instead, I saw American troops die in battle. What type of war are we fighting here, Dewey!?" He would finally be nominated on the twenty-third ballot, choosing Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina for Vice-President.

President Thomas Dewey (R-NY)/Vice-President Wayne Morse (R-OR) 484 electoral votes, 60.3% of the popular vote
Senator Joseph McCarthy (D-WI)/Senator J Strom Thurmond (D-SC) 47 electoral votes, 38.4% of the popular vote

With a resounding landslide victory, breaking popular vote records, President Thomas Dewey would be re-elected with a mandate for Liberalism.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

During Dewey's second term, even as the war continued, his focus mainly went to the development of the hydrogen bomb, part of Charles Dulles' "New Look" which would forge a future of deterring fights due to the threat of nuclear retaliation.

The War in Europe, which would be termed the Second Great Western War, continued on, victories slowing in pace. as the Soviet Union lost ground, they began to employ the same tactics that were employed hundreds of years ago in the fight against Napoleon. However, American forces, headed by Walter Greunther knew enough not to make Napoleon's mistake, choosing to let the Soviets flee back into their homeland At a meeting of a League of Nations, it would finally be decided that all trade be cut off from the Soviet Union by all participating members until reparations be paid which, of course, the Soviet Union did not agree to. By all accounts, the Second Great Western War had been won as of 1958.

On domestic policy, Dewey would have Attorney General William P Rogers and Labor Secretary Irving Ives crack down on Labor improprieties and racketeering like he himself had during his days as New York Governor. Dewey would also pass the American Food Act, guaranteeing every American the right to decent meals. While attacked by Conservative Democrats, they were for the large part in the minority. At that point in time, Senators H Style Bridges, John W Bricker, and William F Knowland announced their departure from the Republican Party while Dewey found a new ally in former Democrat Hubert H Humphrey.

1960
With victory in Europe and a good economy, President Dewey declined to run for a third term, though it was believed it could be easily won. Therefore, Vice-President Morse seemed to have  an easy ride to the nomination, despite rumors that John W Bricker or Hubert Humphrey might try to challenge him. Eventually, Senator Jacob Javits of New York would be chosen for Vice-President despite concerns that his being Jewish could hurt him.

On the Democratic side, a large race was taking place. Despite Republican popularity, it was hoped that the Democrats could easily win should they slip in the right candidate. Therefore, a number of Democrats stepped into the field. They included Senate Minority Leader Lyndon Johnson, South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson, Missouri Senator Stuart Symington, as well as three new younger Senators representing the new wave of Conservative Democrats ready to take power, Senators Barry Goldwater of Arizona, John F Kennedy of Massachusetts, and George Smathers of Florida. However, after the dis-heartening loss of 1956, now was not their time and the moderate Stevenson who "Couldn't hurt a fly but couldn't excite a crowd" was nominated, choosing Senator Kennedy to help bite into Catholics, hawks, and Conservatives. Despite Kennedy's charisma, Stevenson was an anathema to the Conservative base.

In the four scheduled debates, the first to be held on the medium of television, both Stevenson and Morse would perform well. However, Morse came off as too Liberal even for the Liberal time that was the 1960 election, and Stevenson came off as far too intellectual, explaining things such as Chinese culture, interest rates, the value of the dollar, and so forth. Because of the peculiarities of the two candidates, the race would remain close, despite President Dewey's full backing of his Vice-President. No-one had any idea who the winner might be on election night.

Vice-President Wayne Morse (R-OR)/Senator Jacob Javits (R-NY) 270 electoral votes, 49.5% of the popular vote
former Governor Adlai Stevenson II (D-IL)/ Senator John F Kennedy (D-MA) 267 electoral votes, 49.6% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The nation was in an uproar over the fact that Morse had not won the popular vote yet still officially won the election. Even people like Strom Thurmond and the out of office Joe McCarthy (who had been defeated for re-election in 1958) rushed to Stevenson's aid to try to try to prevent a third consercutive Republican term. However, Morse would be sworn in on March 4th, just as every other elected President had. He, however, would attempt to create a more balanced yet overly Liberal cabinet. He would move to the Left on foreign policy, dumping people such as MacArthur, Nixon, and Dulles, bringing on his former rival Adlai Stevenson in order to attempt to re-unite the country after 1960. Stevenson would become the nation's next Secretary of State and devote much of his time to trying to de-escalate the growing rivalry between the United States and the People's Republic of China that had emerged after the Soviet Union's retreat.

In domestic policy, Morse would govern far to the left, pushing for the Civil Rights Act of 1961, the Human Rights Act, the Guaranteed Employment Act, and the American Preservation Act. Not all would be successful, with the Guaranteed Employment Act falling by the wayside. However, Morse would emerge victorious on the issue of Civil Rights, passing a revised version in 1962 which guaranteed voting rights for people of every religion, color, gender, and background.

He would continue on his Liberal path until November 22nd, 1963, while on a visit to New Hampshire to mend fences with the  with the remaining Conservative Republicans, he was shot by a protester who claimed he did it in the name of the Live Free or Die State. Vice-President Jacob Javits would be sworn in as the 37th President of the United States of America. Himself a devout Liberal and the nation's first Jewish President, he would continue Morse's Liberal agenda.

1964
While many called on Secretary of State Stevenson to run, he would decline, citing his duties as the nation's chief diplomat, his age, and the fact he didn't want to run against his own boss. The moderate wing would thus be comprised of Senator Thomas Dodd of Connecticut, a man the media had been billing as the Democrats' only hope that year of every winning. Conservatives had been hoping to lay the groundwork for the reluctant Barry Goldwater since Stevenson's loss. However, Goldwater would only enter the field in September of 1963, two months before Morse's death. Representing the South would be former Governor George Wallace of Alabama, a devout segregationist. Finally, representing the West came the moderate-to-conservative Senator Henry M Jackson of Washington. Neither Senator John F Kennedy of Massachusetts, nor his brother, Governor Bobby Kennedy of New York, would run for the Presidency. The primaries would be split as Dodd had the North-East, Wallace had the South, Goldwater had the South-West and Mid-West and Jackson had the upper West and industrial areas. There would be no clear front-runner until Goldwater's upset win over Jackson in the California primary. From there, Goldwater would seize enough momentum to even win at the convention, beating out his rivals, even Senate Minority Leader Lyndon B Johnson who had decided to not run in the primaries. For Vice-President, Congressman William E Miller of New York was chosen, mainly because "Javits can't stand Miller".

As for the Republicans, Javits would easily be re-nominated despite token opposition from the far Left and far Right of his party. In order to balance out Javits' regional appeal, one-term Congressman George W Bush of Texas would be nominated for Vice-President, a surprise pick. Bush's strong support for Civil Rights, abortion rights, and opposition to what he called "foolish Democratic voodoo economics" would be balanced out by his support for fiscal conservatism, hawkishness, and belief in gun rights.

During the campaign, Javits would use everything he could against Goldwater, from Goldwater's off-hand remarks about shutting down famous and popular federal institutions such as the Borah Dam in Nevada, to Goldwater's suggested use of hydrogen bombs in Cambodia and Vietnam where the Chinese were advancing, to his alleged support of the Far Right John Birch Society, to the memory of the popular President Morse, and more. With rumors that even Lyndon Johnson preferred Javits over the "radical" Goldwater, and that Congressman James Roosevelt of California had kept his mouth shut over endorsements, Goldwater appeared to be fighting a losing battle.

President Jacob Javits (R-NY)/Congressman George HW Bush (R-TX) 439 electoral votes, 58.6% of the popular vote
Senator Barry Goldwater (D-AZ)/Congressman William E Miller (D-NY) 99 electoral votes, 40.5% of the popular vote

"Ultimately, we can attribute the loss of Barry Goldwater in 1964 to many things. For one, Goldwater absolutely refused to run ads against Javits that targetted him for being a Jew. Goldwater was himself half Jewish. This would also result in low turnout among anti-semites in certain areas, leading to Republican victories in traditionally non-Republican states. The good economy, Goldwater's perception as an out of touch radical Conservative, and sympathy for Javits after the death of Morse contributed significantly to the 1964 Republican landslide win." wrote one historian.

During Javits' second term, it seemed a mandate for Liberalism had been given. However, Javits soon ran into trouble, as South-East Asia exploded in incendiary fire as Chinese tanks rolled into Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, intent on winning the war for Indochina before it began. Knowing the traps that had befallen isolationists Hiram Johnson and James Farley, Javits authorized use of force against the Chinese, deploying 5,000 troops in Vietnam in mid-1965. However, General John Eisenhower immediately demanded more men to fight the onslaught as many men had been killed in the first few months of fighting.

"No, I will not authorize use of the Hydrogen Bomb!" shouted President Javits at a cabinet meeting. Secretary of War Richard Nixon, newly appointed following the beginning of the conflict with China (after having served as a member of the Naval Reserve 1942-1945, Congressman 1945-1953, Navy Secretary 1953-1961, and Senator from California 1963-1965) had suggested use of immense force in countering the Chinese onslaught. "Jake- Jake we all know you wanted those bastards dead. They need to be shown that we are willing to give their chink asses hellfire. If not, they're going just keep on coming." "What we need to do is defend the men and women of those countries, Dick, and bring peace to the world!" Javits would many a time run into disagreement with Nixon until Nixon's resignation in 1966 and subsequent exile from the White House.

Meanwhile, domestic disruptions would also come to fruition. Javits' ordered bussing program had been met with resistance everywhere from Mississippi to Massachusetts, and did not make constituents there happy. The continued domestic spending as well as the new influx of military spending had caused severe contractions in the stock market even as inflation rose. It seemed that the American consensus of the Centre-Left created by Thomas Dewey was failing.

1968
"After 1964, Conservatives had become dis-heartened following 1964. All through the stormy second term of Jake Javits, you could sense, though, that they were trying to re-build. It was during that time in Missouri I ended up somehow attending a Democratic fund-raiser dinner party with Henry M Jackson. During that mingling following, I approached him and blatantly said "Sir, if you're planning a campaign in 1968, I want in." From his days working for FDR as Secretary of the Navy to then, one of America's greatest Senators, I had admired him. It was there that I was given an appointment at his Washington DC office." -Right from the Beginning, by Patrick J Buchanan

Come 1968, the Democrats faced a more crowded field than ever. Senator Henry M Jackson though seemed to have the lead over the field. With the death of Senator John F Kennedy in 1967, the Kennedys seemed occupied elsewhere and so Jackson would easily take front-runner status. His rivals would include George Wallace, George Smathers, John Connally, William Miller, and Paul Fannin. However, while lacking in charisma, Jackson beat them in organization, and was able to score big in debates due to his knowledge of foreign policy. At the convention, his acceptance speech would be greeted with much applause. For Vice-President, Senator George Smathers of Florida was chosen, a Kennedy friend and a Southerner.

For the Republicans, they faced an incumbent in trouble. Senator Eugene McCarthy, one of the few Republican Catholics, squared off against the formerly popular President in the primaries, running on an anti-war, pro-social justice, and socially liberal-libertarian platform. Javits, however, still controlled party machinery and while losing a majority of the primaries, re-secured his nomination at the convention. Vice-President George Bush would face a similar challenge from South Dakota Senator George McGovern. However, Bush would easily secure re-nomination on the first Vice-Presidential ballot.

Senator Henry M Jackson (D-WA)/Senator George Smathers (D-FL) 300 electoral votes, 53.5% of the popular vote
President Jacob Javits (R-NY)/Vice-President George HW Bush (R-TX) 238 electoral votes, 46/2% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Anybody reading?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Anybody reading?

I am!

Thanks!

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

As Jackson came in, it did not necessarily indicate a mandate for Democratic policies. It was a mandate against the Republicans. Jackson knew he would have to walk a narrow path and chose to focus first and foremost on foreign policy, a less partisan issue than economics and social issues. Defense Secretary William F Buckley, formerly the Mayor of New York City and a famed Conservative writer, would ramp up defense spending and send in a new attachment of 30,000 American troops. Cutting off Chinese supply lines in Northern Indochina, native geurillas in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia soon went to work on the dwindling numbers of Chinese troops who had been cut off from home. A much more aggressive American strategy would help to finish off the Chinese invasion by January 0f 1972.

In domestic policy, Jackson would follow a moderate path. His connections with companies like Boeing would further fuel the military-industrial complex. However, he would prove labor friendly and support limited anti-poverty programs. On social issues, Jackson vigorously opposed busing, but left other operations, including the White House opposition to Roe v. Wade, up to Attorney General Robert F Kennedy. Kennedy had worked for Joe McCarthy and for his brother John F Kennedy in the Senate until running John's 1960 campaign which would actually win a plurality of the primaries. Following John's loss, Kennedy would go on to be elected Governor of New York in 1962 in an upset over Congressman John Lindsay. Kennedy's staunch conservatism was uncharacteristic of New York politicians. However, using a Populist tone, Kennedy had been able to unite urban Catholics as well as tie in traditionally Conservative upstaters to former a winning coalition. After being re-elected by a land-slide in 1966, many would call on him to run in 1968. However, he would absolutely rule out the possibility following his brother Jack's death in 1967. Upon Jackson's election, Kennedy began to serve as the United States Attorney General, working on taking down everything from big business to unions to the mob in a non-partisan fashion.

1972
Jackson, popular throughout his term, would have his approvals skyrocket upon victory in the Indochina War which was never really a declared war in the first place. This would cause several up-and-coming potential front-runners such as Senators Nelson Rockefeller and Mark Hatfield to drop out after the New Hampshire primary. Jackson's popularity would further cement with Americans landing on the moon in June of 1972. The Republican primaries would be hectic. However, at the end, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota would win the nomination, choosing Governor Spiro T Agnew of Maryland for Vice-President.

In the general election, Jackson, himself a boring and unpersuasive speaker, would be aided by the speeches of Patrick J Buchanan to properly portray McGovern as an out of tough radical who held the most radical of ideals, would endanger America through his dovish foreign policy, and not please the rich, the working class, or the middle class and would endanger all aspects of American life. Despite holding his own rather well in the debates with Jackson, McGovern's campaign would be permanently sunk with news of Vice-Presidential nominee Spiro T Agnew's tax evasion and charges of bribery. McGovern's perceived radicalism, Agnew's scandals, and Jackson's own accomplishments including victory in Indochina and landing on the moon, would eventually doom McGovern to "the ash heap of history".

President Henry M Jackson (D-WA)/Vice-President George Smathers (D-FL) 528 electoral votes, 60.1% of the popular vote
Senator George McGovern (R-SD)/Governor Spiro T Agnew (R-MD) 10 electoral votes, 39.4% of the popular vote

In the biggest ever electoral landslide, and the second biggest ever popular vote landslide (overshadowed only by Tom Dewey's 1956 victory over Joe McCarthy), President Jackson had been elected with a clear mandate against radical liberalism. However, it was clear that the election had been less about Democrat vs. Republican and more about Jackson vs. McGovern. The Democrats took the House of Representatives, but failed to win the Senate. With the retirement of Lyndon Johnson, his colleague John Tower would be elected Senate Minority Leader.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Jackson's second term would be marked by the American Responsibility Act, which would begin the process of breaking off pieces of Dewey's, Morse's, and Javits' large spending programs into privately owned corporation functions. While decried from his party's right as "outright corporatism" as opposed to the preferred method of outright abolishing the programs, he would manage to string together a chain of moderate Democrats and Republicans to pass it through both the House and the Senate. In a surprise, former Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B Johnson would endorse it despite his criticisms of the past more Liberal administrations. A number of other "Statist Democrats" including Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, Senator John Tower of Texas, and Ronald Reagan of California would ensure its passage. Treasury Secretary John Connally also endorsed its passage.

In foreign policy, victory in South-East Asia had led to the new battlefield of the Middle East. Ordering American funded insurgencies in the Soviet ally of Iraq as well as operations in Palestine and Syria, Jackson found himself jumping from one international battlefield to another, slowly but surely beating back communism. This strategy of pushing it backwards, or "rolling it back" would become known as Rollpolitik.

Economically, the ARA had created small stimulus in the economy. However, it became clear in 1975 that without continued government "injections" into the economy, by way of either government packages or tax cuts, the economy would easily dip into recession. Treasury Secretary Connally organized the raising of the US debt ceiling, newer tax cuts, as well as large purchases from American arms manufacturers to keep the economy propped up, but it was clear to all that the system as it was was clearly not sustainable.

1976
With Attorney General Bobby Kennedy running for Senate in New York, Vice-President George Smathers saw him as having a clear path to the nomination. However, this was not to be as news of his extra-marital affairs began to break in mid-1975. With news seemingly to practically unfold before the press's  eyes, a new group emerged to challenge the maritally troubled Vice-President. Former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter emerged as the leader of the insurgents. With his humble appearances, his popularity with the Christian Right and the endorsement of Jerry Falwell, as well as his pledge "I'll never lie to you", he easily gained traction against Smathers. Setting up groundwork in Iowa, he plugged ahead, finally beating the Vice-President by over five points. In New Hampshire, favorite son Governor Meldrim Thompson would clean up rather nicely. On March 2nd in Vermont and Massachusetts, Smathers would only win Vermont as Carter did surprisingly well among Massachusetts Catholics and blue collars disgusted by Smathers' philandering ways. In Florida, Smathers would score only his second victory of the five races. Finally in Illinois, Carter crushed the Smathers campaign permanently, having the endorsements of the Daleys as well as Senator Adlai Stevenson III. At the convention, Carter would be greeted with incredibly applause from the emerging Religious Right. His Populist campaign which managed to bring together blue-collars, farmers, Evangelicals, and even Catholics had beaten the establishment candidate. In order to appeal to a region outside the South, a short list including Stevenson, Thomspon, William Buckley, Ted Kennedy, Moynihan, and Reagan was released. Finally choosing the charismatic Reagan who himself had some Irish roots to appeal to the "Boston Machine", the Democrats left the convention enthusiastically.

On the Republican side, things would be just as heated as House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, Senator Mark Hatfield, Texas Governor and former Vice-President Bush, Senator Charles Matthias, Senator Frank Church, and Governor Walter Mondale battled it out for the nomination. A wide field ranging from moderate to liberal Republicans, the wide field could produce anybody. In the cold of Iowa, the field would hit the campaign trail. However, the winner, leading in the polls early on, woudl be obvious. Walter Mondale from the neighboring state of Minnesota had most people going to bed early. Even a week before the caucus, many candidates found themselves re-assigning resources to the even colder New Hampshire. Despite Bush's New England roots, Senator Mark Hatfield with his Libertarian leanings would poll very well against Bush. Finally beating him on election night, Hatfield would quickly march to the front of the pack. Following the Illinois primary, there still would be no obvious winner. Ford had taken Illinois, Bush had taken Vermont, and Mondale surprisingly had taken Florida. With candidates trading blows left and right, the presumptive nominee could only be declared on May 25th with Hatfield cleaning up in the multiple primaries. With Bush already having served as Vice-President, the short list was narrowed down to Ford and Mondale. Ford was a fellow moderate, but had much more appeal in the Mid-West and Industrial North-East. Mondale on the other hand could shore up Hatfield's support with the die-hard Progressives. Other names floating included the rather Conservative Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, the Mondale supporter Patrick Lucey of Wisconsin, and the retiring Senator Eugene McCarthy who could help with Catholics. However, when it came down to it, Hatfield chose Ford who could win the swing states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

The general election would be declared one of the "most religious in history". With the two famous evangelicals Carter and Hatfield facing off, some claimed they wouldn't be surprised if God himself had to step down to settle the race. However, God did not step down and it was left up to the voters.

Senator Mark Hatfield (R-OR)/House Minority Leader Gerald R Ford (R-MI) 278 electoral votes, 50.1% of the popular vote
Former Governor James E Carter (D-GA)/Senator Ronald Reagan (D-CA) 259 electoral votes, 49.7% of the popular vote

In the closest election in recent memory, the western evangelical would beat the Southern evangelical. With the election hinging on the tossup states of Iowa, Ohio, Nevada, and New York, all would fall to Hatfield on an election night where Carter was predicted the winner. Carter's concession would be brief. In his speech to his supporters, he would say "Now, when I began this campaign over fourteen months ago, I promised never to tell a lie, and I must admit that this does more than just hurt a little. However, Senator Hatfield is your President and the nation must unite behind her President if we are to be successful. Now, this campaign can't end without giving credit where credit is due. This is to the best damn running mate a candidate could ask for, Ronald Reagan!" Cheers would go up, but the Democrats would have to get their happiness elsewhere, their best news of the night hailing from New York where US Attorney General Bobby Kennedy would be elected, easily beating Republican nominee Bella Abzug.

Hatfield's administration would be a strong one. With foreign policy headed by Frank Church at State and John Eisenhower at defense, and domestic policy controlled by monetarist Treasury Secretary William Simon and, surprisingly, Agriculture Secretary Jimmy Carter, many would say the administration would be set on a stable and sure course. This, however, was sadly not to be as without Jackson and Connally's market manipulations, the economy would collapse but weeks following Hatfield's inauguration. Working quickly, Hatfield chose not to prepare some sort of stimulus package as had been the norm during Jackson's second term. Instead passing a families relief package couple with large cuts to the military budget, he would attempt to get the nation's economy back on track with, ironically, a more conservative approach than Jackson. Cutting as well pieces of the domestic budget, a large middle class tax cut was also passed. However, Hatfield seemed caught in the middle. The liberal Republicans demanded direct middle class relief funded by the upper classes. The Democrats were split between "Conservative Keynesians" and economic and fiscal libertarians. Hatfield received criticism from all sides. While historians will definitely say that economic recovery began under Hatfield, the American people weren't feeling it. One of Hatfield's greatest accomplishments economy wise actually came from a foreign policy accomplishment. Defusing bad relations with oil rich middle eastern states, the price of gas fell dramatically. However, for the most party, the American people demanded new leadership.

In foreign policy, aside from defusing tensions between the Middle East and America, as well, Hatfield signed the SALT, or Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, with China. Hatfield hoped in his second term to lead to full nuclear disarmament. However, with the economy still lagging in recovery, many inside and outside his administration doubted he would even be around for a second term. Under Hatfield, significant withdrawals of American troops took place in the Middle East.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1980
On the Democratic side, a tough battle took place to determine the future of the party. Many potential front-runners, including former VP George Smathers, Senator Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and John Tower declined to run, leaving one obvious front-runner. Senator Bobby Kennedy of New York, a charismatic darling of the Northern Conservatives and supported by many figures of the establishment would be the first major candidate to step into the race. Following him would be Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, a favorite of the party's Libertarians. Representing the evangelicals was Senator Marion "Pat" Robertson of Virginia. Finally, representing the "Statists" as they were negatively referred to, came Senator Adlai E Stevenson III of Illinois. Economically moderate having voted for most of Jackson's proposals, he would make up the last third of the Democratic triangle. Each received different endorsements. Kennedy got his family's support, support from Reagan, Robert Byrd, Moynihan, the Buckleys, as well as various other Northern Conservatives such as Illinois Governor Jim Thompson and Delaware Senator William V Roth. Stevenson received the endorsements of John Connally, Birch Bayh, Lyndon Johnson, and other "big governmetn Conservatives". Bentsen received the party's Libertarian endorsement: Congressman Ron Paul, Governor Jerry Brown, and the much coveted endorsement of Barry Goldwter. Robertson received the endorsements of Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Carter, and George Wallace. The campaign would begin in Iowa where Robertson would win, followed by Kennedy and Bentsen close behind. Stevenson underperformed. In New Hampshire, Kennedy would win easily with Bentsen, the Libertarian, taking second in the "live free or die state". In the Massachusetts Primary, Kennedy would again score big, this time with Stevenson in second place. Finally South Carolina turned into the contest between two Southerners, with Robertson winning by a hair over Bentsen. Despite Kennedy leading in nationwide polls, specific contests proved tough. It was only until April 1st with victories in both the Kansas and Wisconsin primaries following Kennedy winning a majority of the more recent primaries. From there on, despite three other large candidates, Kennedy dominated. At the convention, he would be nominated on the first ballot. With Stevenson being a fellow Northerner, he chose Bentsen who could win in the West. Robertson would've brought nothing geographically to the ticket. The Kennedy/Bentsen ticket left even more enthusiastically than the Carter/Reagan ticket four years earlier.

President Hatfield faced a challenge from his party's left. Former Governor Patrick Lucey, at first written off as joke candidate, won narrowly in the Iowa caucuses launching him into the spotlight. Hatfield would win the vast majority of primaries, however the Mid-West would be a Lucey stronghold and Lucey, claiming Hatfield was not Progressive enough, announced an Independent candidacy with Congressman John Anderson as his running-mate.

In the general election, Kennedy started out leading by a wide margin. Having the South already nailed down, the North solidly his, and the South-West leaning in his favor, Hatfield seemed boxed in as Lucey ate at his left flank. Hatfield would perform up to par in the three party debate, but that would not save him.

Senator Robert F Kennedy (D-NY)/Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) 411 electoral votes, 53.2% of the popular vote
President Mark Hatfield (R-OR)/Vice-President Gerald R Ford (R-MI) 116 electoral votes, 40.2% of the popualr vote
Former Governor Patrick Lucey (I-WI)/Congressman John Anderson (I-IL) 11 electoral votes, 6.3% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Coming into office, Bobby Kennedy faced m ore enthusiasm from the Right than even Scoop Jackson's land-slide victory eight years ago. With a friendly Congress headed by Senate Majority Leader John Tower and Speaker Tip O'Neil, and a qualified cabinet that included Bill Buckley at State, John Connally at War, and in a surprise moderate Republican Bob Dole at Treasury, Bobby Kennedy was ready to make his place in history as a great Conservative voice. Within his first one hundred days, he accomplished massive tax cuts and market de-regulation, a re-arming of American troops stationed in the Middle East and IndoChina. With a united Right, the Democrats passed a large amount of their initiatives. The Republicans, on the other hand, were in a dis-array. "Establishment Progressives" such as Minority Leader Walter Mondale were trying to pick up the pieces while battling people like "Liberal Centrist" Gary Hart of Colorado and "True Progressive" Ralph Nader of Connecticut. With moderates signing onto a number of Kennedy's plans, rallying the opposition proved harder than ever.

1984
With the economic recovery, begun under Hatfield, fully blossoming in 1984, President Kennedy faced little challenge to his "throne". Unanimously re-nominated by his own party, the Democrats were still waiting for the Republicans to nominate someone at their convention. The Republican primaries had dis-solved into a large battle between former Vice-President Gerald Ford (backed by the Mid-West and Industrial States), Senate Minority Leader Walter Mondale (backed by the Rural Mid-West and New England), Senator Gary Hart (backed by the Mountain West and Pacific Coast along with some of the South), and former Texas Governor George Bush who had also served as Vice-President 1965-1969 (backed by Texas and the South). With the entrances of various other candidates on the twentieth ballot as well as a "Draft Hatfield" movement that was gaining steam, the Republicans didn't know who to nominate. Finally, in a  large surprise, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, the 1972 nominee, was nominated. Despite criticisms that his campaign slogan should be "He'll do better this time", he seemed a pleasing choice. "An honorable man to go down honorably" one delegate somberly commented. With a good economy and a restored American confidence, McGovern had his work cut out for him.

President Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY)/Vice-President Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) 474 electoral votes, 58.5% of the popular vote
Senator George McGovern (R-SD)/Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) 64 electoral votes, 41.1% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

List of Presidents thus far
27. William Howard Taft (R-OH)/James Sherman (R-NY), Hiram Johnson (R-CA) 1909-1917
28. Hiram Johnson (R-CA)/Charles Evan Hughed (R-NY) 1917-1921
29. Henry Ford (D-MI)/Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY) 1921-1922
30. Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY)/vacant, John W. Davis (D-WV) 1922-1929
31. John W. Davis (D-WV)/Alfred E. Smith (D-NY) 1929-1933
32. William E. Borah (R-ID)/Joseph France (R-MD) 1933-1941
33. Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY)/Cordell Hull (D-TN) 1941-1945
34. James Farley  (D-NY)/Harry S. Truman (D-MO) 1945-1953
35. Thomas Dewey (R-NY)/Wayne Morse (R-OR) 1953-1961
36. Wayne Morse (R-OR)/Jacob Javits (R-NY) 1961-1963
37. Jacob Javits (R-NY)/vacant, George Bush (R-TX) 1963-1969
38. Henry M. Jackson (D-WA)/George Smathers (D-FL) 1969-1977
39. Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR)/Gerald R. Ford (R-MI) 1977-1981
40. Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY)/Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) 1981-?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Bobby Kennedy's second term would be marred by scandal. Despite a good economy and what many on the Right deemed a successful though uneventful foreign policy, he would be doomed to fall. In late 1985, it was revealed that America throughout the early eighties had been funneling money to organizations and regimes throughout Asia--both in the Middle East and in Indochina--in order to fight against regimes and governments that were seen as hostile to America. While only an illegality, it soon became moral issue as it was revealed that a number of the organizations were involved in the deaths of democratically elected officials and of massive human rights violations. In testimony before Congress, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North who had been the main American operative of the money transfers and negotiations, coldly replied to questioning, "I did what I did in the name of international freedome, liberty, and in the name of America, and God help me if that is seen as wrong." North, who had been serving as Under Secretary of Defense, would resign his position. However, that would not be the end of it as it was revealed that North had been receiving orders from higher up, from President Kennedy himself through aid and adviser Pat Buchanan. In an emotional moment for the Kennedy family, Bobby Kennedy resigned the office of the Presidency on June 19th, 1986. He and his family were escorted to Marine One to fly back to their New York home.

With that, Vice-President Lloyd Bentsen was sworn in as the nation's 41st President of the United States. Thanks to a constitutional amendment following the death of President Morse in 1963, Bentsen was permitted to appoint a Vice-President. In order to unite the party, Bentsen appointed former Georgia Governor and Agriculture Secretary Jimmy Carter. The 1976 Democratic nominee, Carter was a respected icon among the Religious Right and on good terms with a majority of the party. Carter, in taking the office, vowed to serve only one term and not run for re-election in 1988.

Bentsen's first major job was to restore confidence to government. His appointment of Carter had been a step towards that. Carter's entire 1976 primary campaign had been about honesty in government and rallying against high up elected officials, such as Vice-President Smathers, who were morally bankrupt and ignored "American values". Carter's plain looks and plain spoken attitude went a long way in helping repair the image of government. However, it was not enough. Bentsen proceeded to call for the resignation of War Secretary Connally and State Secretary Buckley. Though Buckley himself had been barely involved at all, and Connally only a minor portion, creating a new foreign policy team was paramount to "saving the image of the government". Ironically, both men would be replaced by politicians from their political home states. Buckley would be replaced by Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York. Having served in the Senate since 1975 and being a member of Jackson's cabinet, involved with both domestic and foreign policy, Moynihan was consumately qualified for the job. Replacing Connally was fellow Texan former Majority Leader John Tower who had headed the Tower Committee in 1985 and 1986 to investigate what was being called the "Tehran-Beijing Conspiracy" due to the funding of American operatives and allies in both those cities in order to install American friendly leaders. As well, it symbolized the expanse of the operations.

As for policies, there wasn't much Bentsen could do. Domestically, the economy was still good despite large market disruptions during the period of November 1985 to July 1986. However, following that, the market continually grew steadier and went back up to its pre-November 1985 levels. In foreign policy, his main act would be ending the operations overseen by Oliver North. Following that, his main action would be to publicly endorse the Democratic movement in the Iranian Civil War that began in 1986.

1988
With Bobby Kennedy's resignation, a number of Republican candidates were willing to step forward. The main two were two of the major candidates from last year. Senator Gary Hart of Colorado and, since 1987, Senate Majority Leader Walter Mondale of Minnesota. As well, freshman Connecticut Senator Ralph Nader, formerly an E.P.A. agent and consumer advocate, entered the race, representing McGovern's "movement Progressives" as opposed to Hart's "moderate Progressivism" and Mondale's "Establishment Progressivism". With Nader's grassroots and Populsit campaign style, he could prove a threat to Mondale who formerly had the Progressives under his wing, and as well to Hart who had previously held a corner on the youth vote. The two last Republicans to enter were Governor Tom Bradley of California and the moderate, business friendly, Pete duPont of Delaware. While it would be difficult to gain a lead in the strange and well qualified '88 field, Hart managed to wade through. Showing the horrible defeats that people like McGovern had experienced, he made the case that middle America was no longer responding kindly to the ever so popular Liberalism of the 1950's and 1960's. "Ever since the seventies, a good, honest Progressive has had it tough in America. This country has moved to the Right. We used to be able to run Borahs and Deweys and Morses and Javitses. However, this is a different nation than we'd like to believe it is, and we have to be more political realistic than we were in the past." Hart successfully made his case and soared to the front after only the first few primaries. In order to symbolize the new spirit of moderation, Governor Tom Bradley of California was chosen for Vice-President.

Despite rumors, President Bentsen faced no challenge for the nomination. However, the Vice-Presidential nomination would prove a difficult selection. The three major candidates were the Conservative former Senator Paul Laxalt of Nevada, the Populist one-term Governor Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, and the Libertarian two-term Senator Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts. They each had their advantages. Laxalt could compete in the West against Hart. Casey could easily win the Rust Belt, and Tsongas could help the Democrats stay competitive in the North-East. Bentsen, who wasn't on good terms with the Christian Right, selected Casey for the job.

The general election would prove contentious. However, thanks to the good economy, Bentsen restoring an image of honesty to the Oval Office, and the right geography, the Democrats would pull off a win.

President Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX)/Governor Robert P. Casey (D-PA) 302 electoral votes, 50.2% of the popular vote
Senator Gary Hart (R-CO)/Governor Tom Bradley (R-CA) 236 electoral votes, 49.5% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Bentsen would focus primarily on trade and inter-American activities during his second term. Free trade, a long standing tradition of the Democratic Party since the days of its founding (though not always agreed upon), would become a big issue for the Texan's second term. In order to "advance America into a post-Cold War world" and at the same time build America's diplomacy and global strength, Bentsen engineered a trade pact with the quickly reforming Russia. At the same time, he, with several other American leaders, crafted IATP, the Inter-American Trade Pact, which declared trade between all countries of the Americas to be completely tariff free. Bentsen saw it as a great moment to expand America's economy by creating lower prices domestically. "Republicans, as usual, will argue for protectionism. What they don't see is that lower prices here, by means of purchasing goods manufactured elsewhere, creates a better economy at home, making it easier to open up markets here and all around a better business environment." His opponents, however, didn't see it that way, and even Vice-President Casey voiced some concern. However, the Pact was ratified.

1992
With twelve years of Democratic rule coming to a close, the so-called Kennedy-Bentsen era, the country was all in all satisfied. However, they were looking for new leadership and a new Progressive spirit took hold of the country. With a drive for progress being affordable in good economic times, ironically, the Democrats were hurt. In the Republican field, the aging Tom Bradley, by far the favorite, was beaten out in the primaries by the campaign of the young, energetic, and favorite of labor Congresswoman Hillary Rodham of Illinois. Rodham came from a working class Chicago family and had decided to join with the Republicans in 1964 and 1968. She had worked for the Mondale campaign in 1976 and in 1978 had been elected to the State Senate. By 1982 she had been elected to the U.S. Congress. Despite charges of not being experienced enough, the savvy Rodham had been able to outdo the financially unstoppable Bradley campaign. Rodham chose Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota to please the Western wing of the party. For the Democrats, Vice-President Bob Casey just barely survived a challenge by Senator Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts of the libertarian/liberal wing of the party. In order to unite the party, and also in an effort to beat out Rodham in her strongest spot--the industrial mid-west and north-east, Casey chose Tsongas for Vice-President.

Congresswoman Hillary Rodham (R-IL)/Senator Tom Daschle (R-SD) 299 electoral votes, 49.7% of the popular vote
Vice-President Robert P. Casey (D-PA)/Senator Paul Tsongas (D-MA) 239 electoral votes

The first Republican elected in sixteen years, the first labor backed Republican to be elected since 1968, and of course the first female President, "Hillary" as she was called, went straight to business. Moderate on economics but at the same time a favorite of labor, she increased the top federal income tax brackets, lowered middle and lower class taxes, and went about trying to re-instate protectionism. However, the IATP was a monster to repeal and would severely damage inter-American relations, and the trade pact with Russia was crucial to U.S. plans to eventually completely surround China with enemies and break it. However, on the matters of trade to Indo-China and Africa, Hillary was firmly against. "The Democrats would love to see their billionaire friends mass produce toys that say "Made in Vietnam" on them. Heck, they'll even bill it as vital to national security that through this selling out of American manufacturing, we're somehow strengthening Vietnam against China. Well I'll tell you, we can strengthen South-East Asia against China without compromising America's industry, the industry which was the dream of every Republican since this party was formed nearly 140 years ago."

1996
Hillary was as popular as ever come 1996 and she faced no challenge. Meanwhile, however, the Democrats were in chaos. Among the candidates running were Senator Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts, Governor John F. Kerry of Massacusetts, Bentsen protege Senator Bill Clinton of Arkansas--who had made his reputation as Senate Minority Whip and a chief opponent of Rodham's economic agenda, and former White House Communications Director Patrick J. Buchanan--who had worked under the Jackson, Kennedy, and Bentsen administrations as an advisor and assistant. In Iowa, Clinton's rural appeal him the Western and Southern caucuses, assuring him the nomination, whereas Tsongas came in second with New England. With that, Bill Clinton became the Democratic nominee, choosing Nevada Governor Bob Miller for Vice-President.

President Hillary Rodham (R-IL)/Vice-President Tom Daschle (R-SD) 388 electoral votes, 54.7% of the popular vote
Senator William J. "Bill" Clinton (D-AR)/Governor Robert Miller (D-NV) 150 electoral votes, 44.9% of the popular vote

Strangely enough, despite Republican gains in Appalachia, and taking Industrial states by huge margins and the re-taking of New England, Democrats were the ones to make gains in the West, taking Arizona, Nevada, and Montana. Soon and very soon, America was up for a geographical and political re-alignment, reminiscent much more of the 1890's than that of recent decades.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

In this timeline, are the Democrats or the Republicans the 'left' party?

Guess. Which side has raised up progressive icons & which has raised up conservative ones?

Holy sh^t!  Hilldawg vs. Slick Willy

Ya. I didn't decide to do that 'til I got to 1996 & thought "hey..." Not all of the ironies are intentional. A lot of the time I get lucky.

I may update tonight.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Hillary's second term would be marked by foreign policy. Having won re-election with labor's support and support for a good economy, her focus was nevertheless soon turned away by larger, more pressing issues. Iraq, a long-time rival of the neighboring Iran and a Chinese ally, commenced with the invasion of Iran and the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War in December, 1996. Iran and its royal family had long been allies of the United States and the world soon found itself drawing in on a proxy-war. Iraq drew its allies from heavily anti-Western quarters that, despite not being supporters of communism, saw the West as a greater threat. Meanwhile, Iran received monetary and weapon support from the reforming Russia, from India, and the United States. Rodham was determined to turn the proxy-war into the war that defeated Communist China. With Chinese tanks rolling into the fight, America itself soon mobilized. While no formal declaration of war was granted, to the American public, the government, and the world, the country was clearly in a state of war. By the summer of 1997, the United States was embroiled in what would become one of the greatest foreign policy achievements of the century. With American and Chinese forces continually upping the ante between the two countries, it was clearly obvious that it was a matter of who had the most money and men to lose. Sadly for China, it was not them. With Russia coming in on the side of the West and India also backing Iran, Iraq was beaten back by August and on September 11th, the Iraq-Iran peace accords were signed by both nations. At the signing, President Rodham spoke, claiming "these two countries, and the entire world, will forever remember the historic date of September 11th." However, the conflict did not end there. Instead, it wound its way into a series of negotiations between the United States and China. While Hillary hadn't expected to be a foreign policy President, aided by State Secretary William E. Cohen, she found herself surprisingly adept at it. Rodham's approvals sat in the sixties for the rest of 1997 and 1998. "It's a shame this didn't happen before the election", she whispered to Chief of Staff Barack Obama, "We would've crushed that adultering bastard Clinton in one of the biggest landslides in this nation's history."

2000
With a good economy and foreign policy success, the Republicans were expected to win by large margins in 2000. However, a bloody primary between Texas Governor George W. Bush, West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller, and Vice-President Tom Daschle badly split the party. Despite difficulties, Daschle emerged the winner, choosing Bush for Vice-President to try to help in the West. Meanwhile, the Republicans nominated former Governor Bob Miller of Nevada for President and Congressman Newton L. Gingrich of George for Vice-President. Despite some moderation on social issues by the head of the ticket, the economic platform was staunchly conservative. Meanwhile, from the middle of the nation's political spectrum came a cry. Admiral John McCain III, a naval hero of the country's most recent conflicts, tracing back to the 1960's, announced an independent bid. McCain, a former moderate Democrat who had supported them in 1992 and previously, focused mostly on the issues of the gap between the rich and poor, campaign finance reform, and foreign policy. Attracting a large following, McCain was proving to be a spoiler for what seemed a pretty straightforward election. McCain chose former Governor John F. Kerry of Massachusetts for Vice-President. Kerry, a member of the more labor friendly populist wing of the Democratic party that had twice been denied the nomination in 1996 and 2000, agreed to split from what he saw as the rise of the "Radical Republicans and Business Democrats".

Vice-President Tom Daschle (R-SD)/Governor George W. Bush (R-TX) 278 electoral votes, 36.7% of the popular vote
Former Governor Robert Miller (D-NV)/Congressman Newton L. Gingrich (D-GA) 178 electoral votes31.3% of the popular vote
Admiral John S. McCain III (I-VA)/Former Governor John F. Kerry (I-MA) 82 electoral votes, 21.3% of the popular vote
Others: .7% of the popular vote

With that, Republicans were able to win a third term, but just barely, and the election would be filled with controversy from bitter Democrats for decades, who pointed out that the majority of McCain's support came from the Scots-Irish of Appalachia--a Democratic voting block, from the West where Democrats were gaining ground, and from Industrial workers which in the election were previously split fifty/fifty. And so began the twenty-first century, the first decade of which would be referred to as the "era of weakness" by historians from the Right and Left.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Daschle took office with his party holding a good majority in both Houses of Congress. With this, many Progressives expected that it would be an era of reform and progressive triumphs. "We have spent the last eight years securing this country for middle and working America", stated the new President in his inaugural address, "Now we have come to the second step, ensuring that what we have secured is little less than the best." With this he set forth with a vastly liberal agenda that inflamed Democratic passions in Congress but only satisfied the Republicans. It involved ensured healthcare for the entire nation, with a specific focus on families and children. As well, he produced a number of transportation bills. "When we established the inter-state system under Tom Dewey, that was intended to last fifty years. Now has come the time to renew it. However, what Daschle was trying to pass was far more expansive than even some Republicans wanted. It involved billions going towards bridge and road repair, and millions in expanding roads. Despite Daschle's experience haggling with Congress, having risen in Senate ranks by his selection as Vice-President, some of his plans proved too far reaching. "Under President Rodham, we achieved a balanced budget while still championing the causes of the middle and lower classes. It seems that we have abandoned the ideals of a balanced budget and instead have the strategy of leaving that up to the next generation." spoke Republican Senator Max Baucus of Montana. The aging Senator who by many had become seen as only a retreiver of infrastructure spending for his state, had become the leader in the charge by more moderate Republicans against Baucus' plans. Meanwhile, the Democrats were enough to shoot down parts of Daschle's health care plans, making the entire package unpopular.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

2004
While Daschle was able to quickly secure re-nomination, the Democrats faced a much bloodier battle. Congressman Newt Gingrich, the leader of House Democrats against Daschle and the 2000 Vice-Presidential nominee, found challenges from Senator Brian Schweitzer of Montana and Governor Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Schweitzer represented a growing Western wing, Santorum represented the blue collar Casey wing, and Gingrich represented the traditional Southern Democrats. The three contenders duked it out over the course of a number of primaries and caucuses. However, Gingrich's name recognition and visibility since 2000 put him over the top with key primaries in states like Indiana, West Virginia, and California. Gingrich viewed the Casey wing as dying and chose to instead Schweitzer for Vice-President. With the tides turned against Daschle and the Republicans, Gingrich was able to pull off an upset victory.

Congressman Newton L. Gingrich (D-GA)/Senator Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) 317 electoral votes, 49.8% of the popular vote
President Thomas Daschle (R-SD)/Vice-President George W. Bush (R-TX) 221 electoral votes, 49.6% of the popular vote

Gingrich took office proclaiming a return to the balanced budgets of the nineties. However, he too would face his fair share of trials. The first came from new Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. A Clinton protege who had peaked in his power under her as White House Chief of Staff in her second term, he had returned to Illinois to build a political organization based on his mentor's. Come 2004, he had gained enough name recognition and media talk to launch a successful Senate campaign, replacing retiring Republican Senator Carol Mosley Braun. Obama, despite being only days into his first term, gave a stirring speech in defense of many of the unsuccessful items on Daschle's agenda and promised to "defend and keep Middle America, as Presidents Rodham and Daschle attempted to do before me." Gingrich, who had been a thorn in Rodham's side all eight years, was receiving his payback. However, the item to sink his Presidency was unearthed in 2006 with the revelation of not just one but several extra-marital affairs that the President was having inside and outside the Presidency. With Gringrich being known for talking about "family values", the President was ridiculed by the media. Throughout 2007, rumors started to die down until several of the President's mistresses came forward in the summer. With that, many suggested the President resign and allow Vice-President Schweitzer to take over. At last, the President relented, "for the good of the party and the country" and stepped down on September 9th, 2007. With that, President Schweitzer was left to pick up the pieces of the Presidency and the 2008 Democratic campaign.

2008
President Schweitzer faced no challenge for the nomination, leaving him able to put money towards the general election. The Vice-Presidential nominee went to Senator Al Gore of Tennessee. However, the Republicans, much like the Democrats four years earlier, were facing a long and bloody primary. The main contenders were former Vice-President George W. Bush of Texas, Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, Senator Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, and Governor William Weld of New York. The primaries began with quite a few close victories for all the contenders. However, after a string of victories in the Rural and Industrial Mid-West, Wellstone--also a member of Minnesota's Farmer Labor Party--found himself the nominee. With calls for a cautious foreign policy, and a pro-working class domestic platform, the Republicans set out to win. For Vice-President, Bill Weld was nominated to appease the socially liberal New Englanders.

Senator Paul Wellstone (R-MN)/Governor William Weld (R-NY) 359 electoral votes, 52.3% of the popular vote
President Brian Schweitser (D-MT)/Senator Albert Gore Jr. (D-TN) 179 electoral votes, 47.1% of the popular vote

Wellstone took office with much popularity. Promising an end to the spirit of economic and social de-regulation that had taken place over the last four years, and a much less aggressive foreign policy, he soon went about attempting to finish Daschle's healthcare projects as well as work on new regulations and programs to help what had been his main constituency in Minnesota: Farmers and Laborers. However, all of Wellstone's work came to an end on October 25th, 2009, when the President died in a storm while Air Force One was over the Atlantic Ocean. He, the First Lady, and his daughter Marcia Wellstone where reported missing and never found. After a long period of national mourning and much searching, William Weld took the Oath of Office. However, Weld was no great champion for the working man. Much more socially liberal and much more economically moderate, he focused on compromising with the Democrats in Congress in order to pass some of Wellstone's initiatives. He fast found himself losing the support of his own party and many times he could be seen crossing party lines in order to pass things such as his initiative to clean out inefficiency in the federal government.

2012
President Weld entered the 2012 primaries facing a large challenge in the form of former Vice-President Bush. Bush, unlike his father and grand-father, seemed to have embraced the way the Republican Party was turning. Having adopted pro-family and economically moderate to liberal stances while campaigning in Texas during the nineties, he soon took those to the national stage."This joker wants to be a new Teddy Roosevelt", said the President to Treasury Secretary Mitt Romney as he looked over a picture of his cowboy boot wearing opponent, "well I'll kick this joker's ass." This proved not to be true as "Dubya" went about winning a number of Western, Mid-Western, and Southern primaries. Weld had to suffice with winning states on the two coasts, Wisconsin, and Illinois. However, at the convention, Wellstone quickly used establishment contacts to swing delegates from states like Kansas, South Dakota, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania his way and was re-nominated narrowly on the first ballot. the convention chose Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia for Vice-President.

The Democrats, however, seemed unified when their candidate emerged. Former President Schweitzer of Montana entered the race after a divided field split the first few primaries. Within weeks, the party was unified and ready to face the belleagured Republicans on the field of battle.

Former President Brian Schweitzer (D-MT)/Governor Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA) 447 electoral votes, 56.2% of the popular vote
President William Weld (R-NY)/Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (R-WV) 91 electoral votes, 43.2% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

List of Presidents of the United States
27. William Howard Taft (R-OH)/James Sherman (R-NY), Hiram Johnson (R-CA) 1909-1917
28. Hiram Johnson (R-CA)/Charles Evan Hughed (R-NY) 1917-1921
29. Henry Ford (D-MI)/Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY) 1921-1922
30. Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY)/vacant, John W. Davis (D-WV) 1922-1929
31. John W. Davis (D-WV)/Alfred E. Smith (D-NY) 1929-1933
32. William E. Borah (R-ID)/Joseph France (R-MD) 1933-1941
33. Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY)/Cordell Hull (D-TN) 1941-1945
34. James Farley  (D-NY)/Harry S. Truman (D-MO) 1945-1953
35. Thomas Dewey (R-NY)/Wayne Morse (R-OR) 1953-1961
36. Wayne Morse (R-OR)/Jacob Javits (R-NY) 1961-1963
37. Jacob Javits (R-NY)/vacant, George Bush (R-TX) 1963-1969
38. Henry M. Jackson (D-WA)/George Smathers (D-FL) 1969-1977
39. Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR)/Gerald R. Ford (R-MI) 1977-1981
40. Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY)/Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) 1981-1987
41. Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX)/vacant, Jimmy Carter (D-GA), Robert P. Casey (D-PA) 1987-1993
42. Hillary Rodham (R-IL)/Tom Daschle (R-SD) 1993-2001
43. Tom Daschle (R-SD)/George W. Bush (R-TX) 2001-2005
44. Newton L. Gingrich (D-GA)/Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) 2005-2007
45. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT)/vacant, Al D'Amoto (D-NY) 2007-2009
46. Paul Wellstone (R-MN)/William Weld (R-NY) 2009
47. William Weld (R-NY)/vacant, Howard Dean (R-VT) 2009-2013
48. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT)/Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA) 2013-?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The The Last Seconds of Freedom
"Following the radicalism of the 1910's, America knew it was under seige, and the people responded as would any people realizing that their fiercest enemy was at their doorstep. They turned to the government, and we, well we responded in kind."

-The Last Best Hope, J. Edgar Hoover

Attorney General Alexander Mitchell Palmer (D-PA)/Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-PA) 273 electoral votes
Senator Warren G. Harding (R-OH)/Senator Irvine Lenroot (R-WI) 258 electoral votes

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Looking forward to a Palmer Presidency and its aftermath.

Who? I'd like to see a John Palmer presidency in 1896

ALexander Mitchell Palmer was Wilson's Attorney General in his last few years in office. From what I recall, he led a number of raids on suspected traitors and anarchists and whatnot during his time in office and he was also one of J. Edgar Hoover's mentors.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Alexander Mitchell Palmer took office on March 4th, 1921, becoming the 29th President of the United States. Finding the nation still in the post-war recession and one that many people credited to the Democrats--Palmer had only won the electoral, not the popular vote--Palmer soon turned to blaming anarchists and even immigrants for the nation's woes and now used the constitutional amendment instituting prohibition as another tool of law enforcement. One of marks of his Presidency that seemed to have a positive note were his attempts to appeal to organized labor. He refused to use the government against labor strikes and went to great lengths to break up the "McKinley Coalition" that had been in place since 1896.

Selected members of the Cabinet
Secretary of State: William G. McAdoo
Attorney General: John W. Davis
Secretary of War: Newton D. Baker
Secretary of the Navy: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Secretary of Agriculture: Charles W. Bryan
Secretary of Labor: James Cox
Deputy Head of the Burea of Investigation: J. Edgar Hoover

In 1922, the Republicans made massive gains in the House of Representatives and the  Senate, nearly as much as had been made in 1920. It was obvious that the Palmer Presidency was in danger of ending earlier than the President wanted it. However, it would end sooner even than his opponents expected as an anarchist bomb exploded in the Bureau of Investigation while Palmer was visiting. This resulted in two political elevations as Franklin D. Roosevelt assumed the Presidency, and as J. Edgar Hoover became Director of the Burea of Investigation in 1923.

The young Roosevelt, one of the scions of one of the nation's most prominent political families, quickly went to work attempting to right the economic problems of the country. Like his cousin, he put forth a Deal to the American people, referring to it as a New Deal for them. Working with Progressive Republicans and keeping every member of his party in line, he passed major public works projects. This jolt to the economy was enough to raise his prospects for re-election. However, the assault on America's perceived enemies did continue as he repeatedly would defend them, saying they were "necessary to protect America from radicalism and socialism". His new Attorney General, Joseph V. McKee--an ally from New York--aimed the federal sights on Tammanny Hall, which would win him alies with some of the Progressive Republicans, but alienate him from his own North-Eastern Democrats. Going into mid-1924, the election geared up and the President would find himself in a three-way race for re-election.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1924

The Democratic Nomination
From the North-East hailed the Tammanny Opposition as it was called. Lead by former one-term Governor of New York Alfred E. Smith, who, despite his losses in New York in 1920 and 1922, garnered significant support from Catholics, urban Liberals, Lutherans, and oppositions of prohibition. However, this mattered little at the convention.

Democratic Primary Map

Blue-President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York
Yellow-Secretary of State William G. McAdoo of California
Red-former Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York
Green-Governor Charles W. Bryan of Nebraska

At the convention, Smith's delegates were but a piddling compared to the President's and in fact Roosevelt's only worry was that his own Secretary of State, William McAdoo might rally the delegates in one last "Drop Roosevelt" attempt. However, no such movement occured and the convention was a coronation for the President, a man many Americans had mixed feelings about. The Vice-Presidential nomination surprisingly went to Arizona Governor George W. P. Hunt. A popular figure in Arizona, he was also a progressive on many issues and hopefully could appeal to Progressive Republicans and counter-act any talk among liberals about Roosevelt's Justice Department.

The Republican Nomination
The Republicans faced even more confusion as the primary season led to little signs of a clear front-runner for the nomination. Senators Howard K. Sutherland and John W. Weeks were perceived to be the best shots at capturing the White House, but Sutherland was quickly confined to the Mid-West while Weeks chose to bow out of the nominating process. At last a front-runner emerged on the first day of the convention when Governor Theodore Roosevelt Jr. of New York introduced the name of Governor Leonard Wood of New Hampshire. Wood was a friend of the late and elder Roosevelt and had been a contender for the nomination four years previous. However, after numerous ballots--beginning with Wood's near victory and ending with a sad decline for his hopes--Wood bowed out. At last, the convention chose one-term Governor Joseph P. Kennedy of Massachusetts for President. A recent convert to the party due to the Democrat's opposition to both Wall Street and to Catholics, Kennedy was not at first a popular choice. However, seeing the Democratic convention and the disappointment of urban Catholics, Kennedy was at last seen as a compromise between the business Republicans and their newfound strategy of appealing to those the Palmer and Roosevelt Administrations had alienated. Himself an outspoken opponent of socialism, there was little room to attack him on. For Vice-President, the Mid-West got their way and Howard Sutherland was nominated on the first ballot. The Republicans had their ticket, but not their unity.

The Progressive Nomination
While combining immigrants and business, and including the Mid-West in the deal--what many called an attempt at shocking the McKinley Coalition back to life--one part of the party had been forgotten, the Western Progressives. Whereas Republicans might have otherwise had the ability to shoot for a land-slide, the Progressives hurt the Republicans badly. Nominating Senator Robert LaFollette of Wisconsin and Senator George Norris of Nebraska, many were hoping the run could have a lasting impression or even win, given the choice of candidates the voters were presented with.

The General Election
The election of 1924 can be marked as one of the strangest in history for its forming of new coalitions, its closeness, its inclusion of a third party, and its controversy. Were it not heavily overshadowed by many of its successors, it would mark as one of great historical significance. In the North-East, there was a strange grouping of WASP Republican, pro-business newspapers and Tammany Hall-run, immigrant newspapers that turned into what Democrats labeled the "Kennedy Machine". The Democrats, on the other hand, combined with nativists and labor unions. "Protect the American Country and its Worker" became a common Democratic slogan. Roosevelt himself never engaged in these activities, staying in Washington for the most part. The boost to the economy was still being held up by infrastructure spending--especially in the South-West where Democrats were hoping to hold ground and make gains--and he was choosing to now focus on foreign policy. Meeting with the leaders of England and France, an alliance was made that, on the surface was meant to "keep peace in our time". Trumpeted as a success for FDR, behind closed doors it was a pact to keep both Soviet Russia and the now depressed but still angered Germany in their place. "We've got to make sure we're in charge" the President stated to the French Foreign Minister. On November 4th, 1924, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was re-elected.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY)/Governor George W. P. Hunt (D-AZ) 281 electoral votes
Governor Joseph P. Kennedy (R-MA)/Senator Howard Sutherland (R-WV) 191 electoral votes
Senator Robert LaFollette (P-WI)/Senator George Norris (P-NE) 59 electoral votes

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Ending the current mini-tl to focus on a different one that's been chugging along in a different thread. Right now I don't feel like seriously updating any of my current timelines, so I may be concentrating just on this. It's an alternate version of my ongoing timeline "Where've you gone, General Washington?"

1789
With Washington stepping out of consideration following ratification of the Constitution, the main amount of support coalesces around John Adams, recently returned from Great Britain. It is agreed upon by the majority of electors that James Madison, one of the principle supporters and authors of the Constitution, will be elected Vice President.

Former Ambassador to Great Britain John Adams (Massachusetts) 62 electoral votes
Former Delegate to the Constitutional Convention James Madison (Virginia) 38 electoral votes
Governor John Hancock (Massachusetts) 11 electoral votes
General George Washington (Virginia) 8 electoral votes
Former Governor John Rutledge (South Carolina) 7 electoral votes
Governor George Clinton (New York) 6 electoral votes
Former Governor Edward Telfair (Georgia) 4 electoral votes
Former President of the Continental Congress Samuel Huntington (Connecticut) 3 electoral votes

1792
Among Adams' cabinet are Secretary of State John Jay, Treasury Secretary John Hancock, and Attorney General John Marshall. During his first term, President Adams presides over the federal bailout of the states in 1791--engineered by freshman Congressman Alexander Hamilton of New York, the creation of the cabinet and federal departments, passing of a number of pieces of legislation, and the establishment of the national capital on a peninsula in Maryland, overlooking the Potomac. In 1792, the Republican party forms, and Vice President James Madison, like Adams a centrist and a nationalist, is assaulted from both the right and the left for the Vice Presidency, but survives easily. Madison himself is a Republican, but not as severe as some of the fringe elements of his party might like him to be. President Adams, on the other hand, faces a minimal challenge to his Presidency, with a small number of electors voting for Senator (since 1791) Thomas Jefferson who himself isn't running.

President John Adams (Massachusetts) 116 electoral votes
Vice President James Madison (Republican-Virginia) 100 electoral votes
Secretary of State John Jay (New York) 22 electoral votes
Senator Thomas Jefferson (Republican-Virginia) 20 electoral votes
Governor George Clinton (Republican-New York) 6 electoral votes

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1796
Over Adams' second term, a number of things are accomplished, including creating the Department of the Navy, establishing a border with Spain in the South, and making peace with France following a short Quasi-War. In 1793 with the death of Treasury Secretary John Hancock, Adams appoints Congressman Alexander Hamilton of New York to the post. A brilliant mind, he continues the work he started in Congress, trying to build a strong national economy. In 1794, Hamilton is placed in charge of crushing the whiskey rebellion, a revolt against the newly passed excise taxes.

Come 1796, Adams absolutely refuses to run for another term given the past four years of the Senate being filled with debate over whether to go to war with France or with England. Instead, Vice President James Madison runs as a Republican with Massachusetts Governor Samuel Adams. Meanwhile, the Federalist party, begun by Hamilton, runs Hamilton himself as the leader of the party, and Supreme Court Associate Justice John Marshall. With the leading economic and legal minds of the Federalists, it is hoped they will win the first truly two-way Presidential election. However, the Republicans pull off a narrow victory.

Vice President James Madison (Republican-Virginia) 80 electoral votes
Governor Samuel Adams (Republican-Massachusetts) 70 electoral votes
Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton (Federalist-New York) 66 electoral votes
Associate Justice John Marshall (Federalist-Virginia) 46 electoral votes

Following election in 1796, Madison went about promising "A revolution as important and moving as our first, twenty years ago." In practice, however, he was much more pragmatic. He appointed Senator and mentor Thomas Jefferson to the position of Secretary of State, Pennsylvania Senator Albert Gallatin to Treasury, George Clinton as Attorney General, and in a surprise, John Quincy Adams Secretary of the Navy. Throughout his first year, the major focus would be on slowly down-sizing the army and cutting domestic taxes while at the same time strengthening the Navy, creating the Marine Corps, and keeping Hamilton's tariffs in place. Then, in early 1798, a number of Southern Native American tribes, namely the Creek and Cherokee, backed by the British and in collaboration with Tennessee Senator William Blount, attacked both Spanish and American settlements in the South-West of the country and South Florida. With Vice President Samuel Adams reading a letter written by Blount aloud on the Senate floor explaining the plan, the House and Senate voted to impeach and censure him. Soon, talk of war with the British began and nearly every Republican began calling for such a war, and some nationalist Federalists were beginning to agree. Over the past few years as America had secured peace with France, British attacks on American ships had continually escalated and now tensions seemed at a boiling point. In June of 1798, organized American retaliation against the Cherokee and Creek began. Lead by American military men and veterans of the North-West Indian Wars Andrew Jackson and William Clark, the Americans were effective in practically committing genocide. While historians would judge this as a grave over reaction, not much was thought of it at the time.

Internationally, Spain found itself considering and then going to war with France, and America was readying to come in on Spain's side. With the American Navy, growing stronger by the day, beginning retaliations against British ships on the North-Atlantic coast, war seemed imminent. In Spetember, 1798, American troops crossed from the North-West Territory into Canada. While met with resistance by a number of Indian tribes that had fled there following the North-West Indian Wars, Americans soon found themselves against Canadian troops instead. In October, a formal declaration of war was ratified against Britain and President Madison himself was escorted on one Naval mission and saw the sinking of some British ships firsthand. While in Canada, America seemed to be losing the land war, Madison soon re-strengthened the army and effective military leaders like Clark and Jackson were sent to work there. Thanks to the work of Adams and Madison, the Navy was strong and soon it seemed America was winning the Naval battle and was seeing a draw in the land war in Canada.

1800
With many New England Federalists publicly against war and some even siding with the British, the Federalists were given a bad name and were seen mainly as traitors. Therefore, few even allowed themselves to be drafted to run and in December, 1799, American troops had been forced to put down rebellions against the government in Connecticut and New Hampshire. By 1800, Madison was the hero of the nation and Federalists seen only as traitors and Anglophiles. The Federalists at last nominated two of the few respectable men left in their ranks, Former Secretary of State John Jay and Former Secretary of War Charles Pinckney. Hamilton and Marshall both absolutely refused to run, and Hamilton himself had led some of the military action against New England secessionists. For the Republicans, Madison was re-nominated without question and Senator Aaron Burr of New York was nominated as his running-mate.

President James Madison (Republican-Virginia) 107 electoral votes
Senator Aaron Burr (Republican-New York) 96 electoral votes
Former Secretary of State John Jay (Federalist-New York) 27 electoral votes
Former Secretary of War Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (Federalist-South Carolina) 24 electoral votes
Former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton (Federalist-New York) 3 electoral votes

In Madison's second term, American continued the war with Great Britain. Despite fighting off both Indians and the British in Canada, America was able to make headway there, while on the sea, with the aid of the Spanish and utilization of privateers, America was able to hold its own. At last, Britain, Spain, and America came to the bargaining table. Waging a second war along with the war raging in Europe against the French had cost the Empire much, and they agreed to give away portions of Southern Canada in exchange for an end to hostilities. Meanwhile, Spain was left alone in Florida and even gave away portions of the territory Louisiana to America in thanks for their aid. Madison came out of the deal to be seen as one of America's all time greatest Presidents. Meanwhile, at home in places like New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, American Industry was expanding thanks to war-time American boycotts of English goods.

1804
The Republicans, surprised to see Madison refuse a third term, much in the tradition of Adams eight years earlier. Instead, Republicans nominated the hero of the negotiations with Britain and author of the Declaration of Independence, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. He was paired with incumbent Vice President Aaron Burr of New York. The Federalists, hoping to at least put out a good showing in order to recover from the debacle four years earlier, nominated Alexander Hamilton, who in 1801 was elected Governor of New York, and Ohio Governor Arthur St. Clair who had served as a military leader and Governor of the North-West Territory during what was now being called the Anglo-Indian War by America. St. Clair's record as Governor was questionable, but he was seen as a hero by the nation. Despite hard work by the Federalists, the Republicans secured a third term with ease.

Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson (Republican-Virginia) 98 electoral votes
Vice President Aaron Burr (Republican-New York) 90 electoral votes
Former Governor Alexander Hamilton (Federalist-New York) 78 electoral votes
Governor Arthur St. Clair (Federalist-Ohio) 78 electoral votes
President James Madison (Republican-Virginia) 8 electoral votes