An Honest Man

[bballrox4717]

September 1st, 1972, the Oval Office

HR Haldeman: "Mr. President?"
President Nixon: "How can I help you HR?"
Haldeman:" I have bad news, sir."
Nixon: "What is it?"
Haldeman: "It's Hunt, sir. He blew up the robbery."
Nixon: "At the Watergate."
Haldeman:"Yes sir."
Nixon: "How much did he say?"
Haldeman: "Everything. He's hoping to get out of a federal prison sentence."
Nixon: "What a bastard. The media and that commie McGovern are going to have a field day with this."
Haldeman: "I don't doubt it sir. We should look towards damage control now. We're up 15 points in the polls and McGovern is still dealing with the Eagleton fiasco."
Nixon: "I'm not worried about winning. I'm worried about what happens afterwards."
Haldeman: "You can't keep Agnew on if you're talking about resigning-"
Nixon: "I haven't said anything about resigning, and there's nothing I can do about Agnew. He's a crook and he's going down soon, but not before the election. It's a shame I couldn't drop him from the ticket. It would've made me look weak."
Haldeman: "So what are we gonna do about Watergate now?"
Nixon: "Keep on denying it. We have to keep the commie McGovern out at all costs, and I think he's weak enough for us to pull it off."
Haldeman: "Then after we win?"
Nixon: "I don't know. The second term might not last long, but if we can discredit Hunt, we can get through this."
Haldeman: "Are you confident about that?"
Nixon: "Not in the least."

January 20th, 1973, US Capitol Building

George McGovern: "I, George McGovern, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

This will be awesome. How does the map look?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

A sad day for America, I think we can all agree.

[bballrox4717]

September 2nd, 1972, McGovern Campaign Headquarters

Gary Hart: George, have you seen the news?
George McGovern: Unbelievable. I've always wondered if Dick Nixon would go that low.
Hart: Eagleton's going to be history when the media fully investigates this.
McGovern: I hope so.

[phone rings]

Secretary: It's Ted Kennedy.
McGovern: What can I do for you Ted?
Ted Kennedy: You've seen the news?
McGovern: Yep.
Kennedy: You might win.
McGovern: Might?
Kennedy: Don't underestimate Dick Nixon. We're willing to help.
McGovern: Vice President is still there if you still want it.
Kennedy: Shriver's going to do fine. Look, some of the Democrats might not have gotten behind you before, but they won't get behind a crook.
McGovern: And?
Kennedy: We have a proposition. You'll win the presidency overwhelmingly if we can convince the whole of the party to get behind you.
McGovern: You think you can get control of the party to me? I'm an optimistic man Ted, but half the party wants to vote for Dick Nixon.
Kennedy: They don't want a Californian crook.
McGovern: They don't want me either.
Kennedy: Exactly.
McGovern: What are you proposing?
Kennedy: You're an honest man, and everyone knows that. They'll surely believe you when you announce that you will run for one term. The rest of the party will be able to run their men in 1976 without challenging an incumbent president and the fracture becomes less apparent to the public
McGovern: That makes me a lame duck.
Kennedy: They can't stop you from ending the war if you are president.
McGovern: And if I don't agree?
Kennedy: They don't vote, and the election's a tossup. May even favor Nixon still, and if you win, they mount a primary challenge and end any attempt at a second term anyways.
McGovern: What am I really getting?
Kennedy: A guarantee at this election, and a guarantee that Vietnam ends in January 1973.
McGovern: Only for the kids in Vietnam.
Kennedy: You're a good man. You deserve better.

BREAKING NEWS: NIXON DENIES ALL WATERGATE INVOLVEMENT

September 4th, 1972: "This is nonsense, a rant from a man who cannot face his own crimes. I'm very disappointed that Howard Hunt would attempt to steal information from the DNC, but he did not commit this crime for me. The burglary at Watergate has nothing to do with the Nixon administration."

KENNEDY BASHES NIXON IN FIERY SPEECH FOR MCGOVERN

September 7th, 1972: "We believe the Nixon administration is lying to the American people, and we in the Senate are taking Howard Hunt's allegations very seriously. This is why we need to get behind George McGovern for president. I have never met a more honest man in my life, a man who served so valiantly in our nation's military but does not use it to further his campaign, a man whom my brother called his friend, a man who wasn't afraid to speak his mind on Vietnam even though it wasn't politically popular. The integrity of George McGovern is what we need in the Oval Office, not the cronyism of Richard Nixon."

MCGOVERN RISES IN POLLS, CLOSING IN ON NIXON

National Polling Average, US President, September 15th, 1972

Richard Nixon: 43 %
George McGovern: 37 %

Do you believe that Richard Nixon was responsible for the Watergate Burglary?

Yes: 66 %
No: 23 %
Not sure: 11%

NIXON INVOKES EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE OVER WATERGATE EVIDENCE/u]

September 29th, 1972: President Richard Nixon, facing possible impeachment and an investigation over his alleged involvement over the Watergate burglaries, invoked executive privilege over tapes that may prove crucial towards his connection to Watergate. Democratic candidate George McGovern strongly criticized President Nixon, and urged him to come clean over the scandal.

MCGOVERN PLEDGES TO SERVE ONE TERM

October 3rd, 1972: "My fellow Americans, it is my pledge to you that I will only serve one term as President of the United States and will not seek reelection in 1976 if elected. In this divided time, I have decided that it is not in the American people's interest to have a president focused on reelection efforts, much as President Nixon has. This is what has led to the mess we have today."

October 14th, 1972, President Nixon Campaign Headquarters

Haldeman: It's over, Mr. President.
Nixon: It's not over until the voters say it's over.
Haldeman: You're done, even if you win the election. We're going to have to give them everything and they will know that we orchestrated the break-in.
Nixon: We'll win and force the Democrats to pick a Republican to be the next president. Ford might be a good replacement.
Haldeman: I have worse news.
Nixon: Don't tell me the American people are buying McGovern's one term crap.
Haldeman: The party has finally coalesced behind McGovern. There is no more Democrats for Nixon.
Nixon: Damn.
Haldeman: Polling suggests that the longer Watergate goes on, more and more independents flock to McGovern. Republicans may also not vote at all. The south wants to vote for Schmitz now.
Nixon: What can I do to stop a McGovern win?
Haldeman: Let Agnew run in your place. They can't find his deals in two weeks and he isn't connected to Watergate. Republicans will vote for Agnew-
Nixon: Bull, the media will look for any way to give the election to McGovern. I'm the only one who can stop it.
Haldeman: McGovern's leading in the polls though, but if you switch it to Agnew, he leads slightly.
Nixon: Letting Agnew run basically states that I am guilty for Watergate. The Republican ticket falters as a result. I'm not resigning before the election.

Final Polls Before Election Day

George McGovern: 42 %
Richard Nixon: 38 %
John Schmitz: 12 %

"I remember looking back at the polls the day before Election Day and thinking of all the good that I was going to do as President. The war was going to end and the kids were going to go home. We were going to pass affordable healthcare for every American citizen. We were going to attempt to eliminate poverty in America. I was very naive." - George McGovern, 1987

[badgate]

Two thumbs up

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Two thumbs up

[Incipimus iterum]

Two thumbs up

[bballrox4717]

THE ELECTION



"Hello, Walter Cronkite here to bring you folks the results of the Presidential Election between President Richard Nixon, South Dakota Senator George McGovern and third party candidate John Schmitz. As the first polls close here on the East Coast, we've been getting reports of lower turnout. We will be able to call the first couple of states as the polls come in."

US Presidential Election, 1972 (6%)
George McGovern: 48 %
Richard Nixon: 33 %
John Schmitz: 17 %

Walter Cronkite: "At this time, we are able to call the states of New York and Massachusetts as well as Washington DC for McGovern, Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire, and North Carolina for Nixon. We will have to wait as more votes are counted in the states of Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia, West Virginia, and Florida."

Nixon Campaign Headquarters

Nixon: The east coast was always McGovern territory. We just need to make sure we can hold up in the South right now.
Haldeman: I don't we could have anticipated being 15 points already.
Nixon: I realize.
Haldeman: You think we can comeback?
Nixon: I don't have an alternative right now.

"Cronkite:"We can safely call the states of Maine, Rhode Island, Delaware and Connecticut for McGovern, and Florida for Nixon. We hope to make calls for New Jersey, Georgia, South Carolina, and Maryland soon. Pennsylvania and West Virginia remain very tight."

McGovern Headquarters

Hart: This is excellent, George, we might be able to make the victory speech by midnight!
McGovern: I hope so Gary.
Hart: Schmitz is taking away enough of the vote in the South from Nixon and we have a clear path to 270. This is great news for America.
McGovern: I would very much like to win with a majority, not because of a racist like Schmitz.
Hart: Whatever gets us to the presidency, right?
McGovern: That sounds like Nixon, Gary. I'm not Dick Nixon.

Walter Cronkite: "As the polls open across the Midwest, we can now call the states of New Jersey and Maryland for McGovern, Georgia for Schmitz, and South Carolina for Nixon."

Pennsylvania (67 %)

McGovern: 45 %
Nixon: 44 %
Schmitz: 9 %

West Virginia (74 %)

McGovern: 43 %
Nixon: 43 %
Schmitz: 12 %

US Presidential Race (18 %)

George McGovern: 47 % (104 electoral votes)
Richard Nixon: 34 % (57 electoral votes)
John Schmitz: 15 % (12 electoral votes)

Nixon Campaign Headquarters

Nixon: Dammit!
Haldeman: There goes the South.
Nixon: And the election.
Haldeman: Unbelievable.
Nixon: I don't understand how you can vote for a man like Schmitz. He's a no-man racist. At least Wallace was a high profile governor. I'm going to lose because Schmitz took away votes-
Haldeman: Let's not forget before Watergate we were up 15 points.
Nixon: That's the past now.
Haldeman: I wish I could agree, Mr. President, but we are losing because of it.

Cronkite: "We can now start calling states from states in the Central Time Zone. As of right now, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, North Dakota and Arkansas are too close to call. Impressively, Schmitz has won Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi, carrying the same states that George Wallace claimed back in 1968."

US Presidential Race, 1972 (31 %)

George McGovern: 47 % (158 electoral votes)
Richard Nixon: 36 % (102 electoral votes)
John Schmitz: 13 % (44 electoral votes)

Cronkite: "We can make two big calls now: Both Pennsylvania and West Virginia will go to George McGovern. We can also call Illinois for McGovern as well. The Rocky Mountain states will begin to be called shortly."

McGovern Campaign Headquarters

Hart: We're almost there, George.
McGovern: Do we even need California at this point?
Hart: Unfortunately because of Schmitz, it can still swing the election.
McGovern: It still makes me queasy thinking we have to take the president's home state to win.
Hart: We'll know soon if we need it. We're tied in Texas right now.
McGovern: It's nice that Johnson campaigned for us there, especially in his health.
Hart: After what Nixon has done to the integrity of the Oval Office, I don't blame him, even if he disagrees with us so much.
McGovern: I still feel sick for saying I would only serve for one term, the way the election is going now.
Hart: We did what we had to do.
McGovern: The kids are going to come home, Gary, and we're going to restore the honor of the office. That's what counts at this point.
Hart: We could even think about 1980.
McGovern: [laughs] Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

BREAKING NEWS: ELECTION CALLED FOR MCGOVERN

Walter Cronkite: "We can call the states of Texas, Ohio, North Dakota and Missouri for McGovern, and he has now crossed the threshold of 270 electoral votes to become president. Let me extend the warmth of the American people in congratulating Mr. McGovern in his victory."

Final Polls, 1972 US Presidential Election (100%)

South Dakota Senator George McGovern/Sargent Shriver: 47.3 %, 367 electoral votes
President Richard Nixon/Vice President Spiro Agnew: 39.8 %, 127 electoral votes
Congressman John Schmitz/Thomas Anderson: 11.6 %, 44 electoral votes

Nixon Concedes

"And so, I congratulate Senator McGovern in his victory, his courage in defending his beliefs and his honesty has not gone unnoticed. The American people have spoken, and have given me a message that they would rather have Senator McGovern in the Oval Office. I can accept that, though there is....regret that I do not have 4 more years to accomplish more. I will do everything in my power to help Senator McGovern while he is president to unite the American people, and there will be a smooth transition between the presidencies. Thank you to all of my supporters, who have stuck with me through tough times, my campaign staff, to Vice President Agnew, to the cabinet, and to my family, especially my wife Pat, and my children, whom I love very much, and look forward to spending time with once again."

McGovern Victory Speech

"Thank you all! Thank you everybody! Thank you for bringing an astounding end to this journey towards the election! My fellow Americans, I announce to you that today, you chose to bring America onto a new path towards greatness, onto a path where we put the citizens first once again! I just got off the phone with President Nixon, who graciously conceded and offered his help in transitioning to the Oval Office. Let this be the start of an America where we look after our fellow man, where we do not let others die on the battlefield or at home to sickness, or bullet wounds. This is the start to a new era of peace in America, where we can settle our differences without weapons, and where we can guarantee every American a fighting chance to live and be successful!"

"President McGovern did bring us on a new journey towards to the challenges of the 1970's, but I don't think he realized at the time how difficult the presidency was. I tried to warn him of the many forces that didn't want America to change, but he never listened. It was a mistake to call him a communist behind his back, but President McGovern just had no idea of the actual responsibilities of the Oval Office. He believed that he could fully rid politics of the corruption, and it was just a foolhardy goal. I thought I was a better president, regardless of Watergate, because President McGovern was just not prepared for the challenges abroad, in the Cold War. At least I convinced him to listen to Kissenger, Vietnam could have ended worse than it already did, and America saved some face in the Cold War against the Soviet Union." - former President Richard Nixon, 1986

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

This is awesome! The election night coverage was amazing!

[Enderman]

*raises eyebrows* This is interesting....

[Obamanation]

This is awesome!

[bballrox4717]

Congressional Elections

"The timing of Watergate two months before the election was unfortunate; the poor showing from President Nixon caused several incumbents, myself included, to lose their elections. The elections gave President McGovern the numbers in Congress he needed to pass some influential legislation for the Democratic Party. It might have been better in the long run that the Republican Party got walloped and Nixon lost; it gave us the ability to move past the scandal quickly and get back to work in bringing a Republican majority to the Presidency, Senate and House." - John Tower, 1989

Senate Elections

Democratic Held Seats Before Election: 54
Democratic Held Seats After Election: 66

Republican Held Seats Before Election: 42
Republican Held Seats After Election: 34

Notable Races

Colorado: Floyd Haskell defeats Gordon Allott (D PICKUP)
Delaware: Joe Biden defeats Caleb Bobbs (D PICKUP)
Idaho: James McClure defeats William Davis (R HOLD)
Iowa: Dick Clark defeats Jack Miller (D PICKUP)
Kentucky: Walter Huddleston defeats Louie Nunn (D PICKUP)
Maine: William Hathway defeats Margaret Chase Smith (D PICKUP)
Michigan: Frank Kelly defeats Robert Griffin (D PICKUP)
New Mexico: Jack Daniels defeats Pete Dominici (D HOLD)
North Carolina: Nick Galifianakis defeats Jesse Helms (D HOLD)
Oklahoma: Ed Edmondson defeats Dewey Bartlett
Oregon: Mark Hatfield defeats Wayne Morse (R HOLD)
South Dakota: James Abourezk defeats Robert Hirsch (D PICKUP)
Texas: Barefoot Sanders defeats John Tower (D PICKUP)
Virginia: William Spong defeats William Scott (D HOLD)

House Elections

Democratic Seats Held Before Election: 255
Democratic Seats Held After Election: 283

Republican Seats Held Before Election: 180
Republican Seats Held After Election: 152

"The elections gave us the opportunity to further our goals, such as landmark healthcare reform, with the cooperation of newly elected President McGovern. We could have achieved more, as historians will tell you that President McGovern always attempted to move too fast with legislation, but overall, I was proud of our work. It's a shame President McGovern's foreign policy image and the troubled economy outweighed the domestic achievements we made during his time as President. I will admit that we were nervous about the potential of President McGovern focusing too much on unimportant social issues, which is why some in the party were upset over his victory over Muskie, but President McGovern always focused on keeping good relationships in Congress, even with those he disagreed with. That was always his saving grace as President." - Carl Albert, 1993

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Regardless of the results, this is a very good, well formatted, & well thought out timeline.

[bballrox4717]

Regardless of the results, this is a very good, well formatted, & well thought out timeline.

Thank you!

[bballrox4717]

THE TRANSITION

November 24th, 1972

McGovern: I don't understand why you are so insistent on Kissenger.
Nixon: He's our best negotiator. Kissenger's a real pragmatic man, bent on realism, I always saw him as a model towards how foreign policy should work. It should always be bent on what hand you're dealt and the best way to make it work.
McGovern: I understand that, Mr. President, but my administration is going to be different. I really believe that setting an example for peace is in our nation's security interests.
Nixon: Ha. Try telling that to Helms.
McGovern: Helm's won't last a month in my administration.
Nixon: Good luck finding a replacement who's different.
McGovern: I'm going to do what's right, not what makes everyone happy.
Nixon: And that's why you keep Kissenger. Look, man to man, we've got an issue to deal with on how to get our men home safely, and obviously, nothing I can do is going to change your mind on your Vietnam rhetoric. If you want peace, let Kissenger continue the negotiations and listen to him. He's the one who has advocated peace the most and getting the most out of the communists. The North Vietnamese know you're going to withdraw the troops, and you killed the leverage of getting all of our troops home safely. Kissenger is fighting for those prisoners of war who might not be coming home if you don't play the cards right, George. Keep Kissenger, and let him continue the negotiations. Hopefully by the time you are inaugurated we'll have a withdrawal strategy.
McGovern: Alright, but as you know, not one American soldier dies on my watch. I'll hear what Kissenger has to say.
Nixon: I sincerely hope you know that it killed me every single day to see more men die.
McGovern: And yet you kept them in there, Mr. President. That's why I'm going to be president in 8 weeks.

MCGOVERN CABINET ANNOUNCED

Secretary of State: Edmund Muskie
Secretary of the Treasury: Wilbur Mills
Secretary of Defense: Frank Church
Attorney General: Griffen Bell
Secretary of the Interior: Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp
Secretary of Agriculture: Minnesota Representative Robert Bergland
Secretary of Commerce: Thomas Watson
Secretary of Labor: Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: Terry Sanford
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Jack Sensenbrenner
Secretary of Transportation: Alan Stephenson Boyd
Chief of Staff: Gary Hart
National Security Advisor: Henry Kissenger

PRESIDENT-ELECT MCGOVERN MEETS WITH HUBERT HUMPHREY, DISCUSS LABOR

Former Presidential candidate and Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey, and his fellow senator, Walter Mondale, had a public meeting to discuss domestic policy over the next four years. "Despite our differences in the primaries, President-elect McGovern and I are determined to pass legislation designed to help lower and middle class Americans over the next 4 years. President-elect McGovern stressed that a workplace favorable to labor is what is best for the people, and that's what I have always worked for in my career. You can bet that he has my vote," said Humphrey emphatically.

SOUTHERN CONSERVATIVES READY TO MAKE MARK ON MCGOVERN ADMINISTRATION

Southern conservatives displeased at the election of one of the most liberal senators, George McGovern, noted today that the McGovern Administration will need to compromise with them in order to pass legislation. "We are pleased that George McGovern defeated the criminal Richard Nixon, but he was still an incredibly liberal senator who was odds with members of our states. We hope McGovern realizes that order to lead the American people, he must work with us and acknowledge that our views must be heard," said Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

KISSENGER WORKS TOWARD PEACE IN VIETNAM

Henry Kissenger, the National Security Adviser to President Nixon who has been kept on by the McGovern Administration has been working non-stop with the North Vietnamese to achieve a ceasefire in the Vietnam War. The Nixon Administration released this statement: "We recognize that the McGovern Administration will bring our troops home when he takes office. Thus, we are focusing our efforts on achieving a ceasefire favorable to our country that guarantees the safety of not only American soldiers but the Southern Vietnamese state."

WATERGATE RAGES ON

Disrupting the transition between the administrations of Richard Nixon and George McGovern is the unsolved controversy of Watergate, investigating President Nixon's involvement in the break-in on the Watergate Hotel last June. The transition team of President-elect George McGovern stressed that the investigation be moved back to February of 1973 in a statement released today: "While the American people deserve a full answer on the matter of the Watergate break-in, we believe that the investigation is disrupting the transition of office. It is imperative that our administration is fully informed of all of the details of national security matters and domestic issues. The investigation is disrupting that process, so we ask the Judicial Office to hold back all investigation until next February, when the transition is fully complete."

The Oval Office, January 17th, 1973

McGovern: Mr. President, I have a deal to make with you.
Nixon: Has Kissenger gotten through to you already? I never took you to be a dealing man.
McGovern: I can't have my first year in office be defined by your scandal.
Nixon: You got elected off of my so-called scandal.
McGovern: It's diminishing the office.
Nixon: It's going to diminish anything you try to get done. You got elected off Watergate, now your presidency will be defined by it.
McGovern: I've been told that there is concrete evidence proving your involvement. Could you imagine a former president going to prison? I'll be out of office by the time everything's through.
Nixon: What's your point?
McGovern: I can pardon you, and you know I don't give a damn about political capital. The presidency can't be diminished, and I have to stop it.
Nixon: You can, but the Kennedy machine will never accept it.
McGovern: Exactly. But they can accept a pardon if you admit to your involvement.
Nixon: I will never do that.
McGovern: You would rather go to prison?
Nixon: I can get out of going to prison.
McGovern: No you can't. I know about the tapes, and you cannot use executive privilege in 3 days. I will use it to get all of the tapes if you decline.
Nixon: You've worked with Kissenger enough to learn how to deal. I'm impressed.
McGovern: Only for the integrity of the office. Confess.
Nixon: When will the pardon occur?
McGovern: Most likely within a few weeks.
Nixon: Did you discuss this with Kennedy?
McGovern: No.
Nixon: You'll make a better president than I thought.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

This is pretty cool. I'd love to see how this progresses.

[bballrox4717]

The Oval Office, January 19th, 1973

Nixon's Secretary: Mr. President, a call from Henry Kissenger.
Nixon: Henry, how is Paris?
Henry Kissenger: We have a deal, Mr. President, and I need you and George to sign off on it.
Nixon: What are the terms?
Kissenger: There is a 6 month ceasefire, there is a prisoner exchange, and we leave.
Nixon: How the hell did you accomplish that when we are going to leave tomorrow? And what about Thieu?
Kissenger: If Thieu leaves, then the ceasefire continues. If he does not leave, in 6 months time, the war resumes.
Nixon: He will never agree to leave.
Kissenger: That is why George makes this a mess.
Nixon: Figures. I've heard that George has been pretty receptive to you.
Kissenger: More or less. He wants Vietnam done and over with. He likes to listen on everything else though. He's just against intervention.
Nixon: That's exactly what we'll have to do though. Intervene with Thieu. I have an idea. Get Helms on the phone.

MCGOVERN OFFICIALLY PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ANNOUNCES CEASEFIRE IN SPEECH



Excerpts from the Inaugural Speech

"Today my friends, I can announce that I will fulfill the first and most important promise of my campaign: to bring the troops home from Vietnam! [applause]  President Nixon and Henry Kissenger have been an integral part of the process for a ceasefire that secures the Southern Vietnamese state, and brings our troops home, including those held prisoner. I will sign off on the agreement after it has been drafted within the week. This is a historic day, which could not have been possible without your votes, giving the government the message that we need to bring all of our troops home!"

"My friends, this truly is the first day of a new era for the American people. Today, we will begin a path where America sets the example for peace around the world; 30 years ago, we fought in the largest war in history against fascism, and now we fight a battle without soldiers. We can now lead a new world where nuclear weapons are not needed, where our disagreements can be solved by diplomacy, and where Democracy in new countries are started by the people."

"My fellow Americans, now is the time where we begin the effort to end poverty in the greatest country the world has ever seen. Today is the start of a process of domestic achievement that has been started by previous presidents; we will move for healthcare for all United States citizens, we will guarantee the welfare of all of those who do not have the opportunity to work, and we will protect the rights of every American citizens!"

January 22nd, 1973: McGovern Signs Off On Amnesty For Vietnam War Draft Dodgers

February 1st: 1973: McGovern Signs Off On Ceasefire, Withdrawal Begins

McGovern Begins Ambitious Legislative Agenda, Beginning With Health Care

"Ultimately? I'm happy the health care fight began while President McGovern still had political capital, as it was always on the top of my legislative priorities. On his other reforms? I always thought he meant well with the ideas to have a minimum income, but it was always going to be a tough fight to pay for it with the reductions in defense. The Democratic Party always tried to steer McGovern's legislative timeline: we told him what was realistic and what wasn't."- Ted Kennedy, 1998

Thieu Publicly Criticizes President McGovern's Vietnam Exit

"What a coward. America had 500,000 troops in Vietnam and never lost a major engagement, yet he wanted to leave before the fight is over? Sure, we have a ceasefire now, but just wait, the communists are going to back in full steam and while we will fight honorably, it will be a tough fight. I can't believe the Americans just abandoned us like that."

McGovern Approval Rating

Approve: 46 %
Disapprove: 40 %
Unsure: 14 %

BREAKING NEWS: NIXON CONFESSES OVER WATERGATE, MCGOVERN PARDONS NIXON

"My fellow Americans, I have no been fully honest with you. Over the past six months, a controversy over the matter of the Watergate break-in scandalized the nature of the 1972 election, and the last days of my presidency. I hold responsibility for the break-in, and I would like to apologize to the American people. It was an abuse of my office and a paranoid move in a reelection race." - former President Nixon

"My fellow Americans, on behalf of the Oval Office and as the target of former President Nixon's intentions, I would like to lead forward by accepting the apology of Richard Nixon. I have sent in papers to pardon him from any criminal punishment, as I feel America needs to move forward from this national tragedy. We will look past on this moment not as a dark time, but as a time where America stood up to the corruption that was in our government and moved forward." - President McGovern

[Maxwell]

Go President McGovern!

[bballrox4717]

I haven't forgotten about this TL. Next update should come tomorrow or Sunday.

[bballrox4717]

This is a seriously impressive timeline! How far will it go on for?

I would love for it to go into the 90's, but it depends how much time I get to write it.

[Cryptic]

Really enjoying this.  If there is any Presidential candidate who lost that deserved to win, it was McGovern. 

The excerpts from the future seem to imply he'll have a hard road with foreign events and the economy, which is to be expected given events of the 70's.  Hopefully he'll handle it well enough to win reelection.  Looking forward to more!