Country First

[Jerseyrules]

Following the 1998 Lewinsky Scandal, some in the Conservative Party saw it as an opportunity to hammer Prime Minister Clinton on family values, and some called for a snap election to take the case to the electorate, promising a sea of blue and a return to "family values."  But John McCain thought otherwise...

McCain earned his reputation as a backbencher who was willing to cross the floor on matters such as campaign finance reform, foreign policy, and tax reductions for the middle and lower class.  He even worked with Labour MP Ted Kennedy on education during the Reagan premiership.  He worked tirelessly to secure support of non-Tory MP's on bills, and working ruthlessly to cut pork barrel spending, earning his nickname "Watchdog of the Treasury," and was quickly appointed Finance Minister by Prime Minister Bush following the Tory landslide in the "khaki election" of 1991, and staying on as Shadow Finance Minister following the conservative defeat in 1996.

McCain knew that Newt Gingrich would soon be stepping down as Tory Leader, allegedly in order to spearhead his new organization, American Solutions for Winning the Future.  However Gingrich's tactic of lambasting the President's marital infidelity came back to haunt him when rumors surfaced of the Conservative Leader engaging in indiscretions of his own, as well as a rather public divorce procedure from his second wife.

But in spite of his misgivings about their Leader, McCain admitted that Newt's Contract with America resonated with the American people; it had nearly led to a hung parliament in the 1997 elections, where Conservatives had unseated over 100 Labour MP's, including Chief Whip Sir Thomas Foley of Spokane.

But McCain refused to engage in the morality crusade perpetuated by other members of his party.  And he would stand firm with the Prime Minister regarding his intervention in Kosovo.  He was greatly agitated by repeated attempts by many backbenchers (and even many on the front bench!) to return to isolationism following the collapse of the Soviet Union.  They argued the United States no longer needed to play such an extensive role on the world's stage following the collapse of communism.  But McCain would argue that in fact America and indeed the entire commonwealth had an even stronger commitment to ensure peace in the vacuum of leadership sweeping the third world.

Indeed, McCain resolved that would be his rallying cry in his campaign for leadership.  Protect and Serve?  No; sounded to militaristic.  Political correctness and all that.  Country First?  Yes, that would do.

That would do just fine.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I'm writing a timeline with an almost 100% similar POD, though it doesn't involve McCain...yet . Continue, this is interesting .

[Jerseyrules]

I'm writing a timeline with an almost 100% similar POD, though it doesn't involve McCain...yet . Continue, this is interesting .

Thanks!  And it should.  McCain makes for neocon fun regardless of his role!

[Jerseyrules]

Country First, Part II

This was it.  Leader of the Opposition Newt Gingrich had just announced his resignation, triggering a new Leadership election.  Already several MP's jumped in, few of whom would stand a chance.  Right now, the leading candidate was Minister of Education, Lord John Ellis Bush, Earl of Miami.  He has both the support of the establishment as well as dynasty on his side.  While his brother George was initially seen as a favourite to continue his father's legacy, the elder Bush brother dispelled such rumors when he took a seat in the House of Lords, stating he preferred "to serve Her Majesty in a more discrete way, away from the hotheads of the lower house."

With Gingrich, most of the frontbenchers, and Conservative Party Chairman Karl Rove backing him, Bush was seen as the odds-on favourite in the contest.  But all that could change easily.

McCain had the support of many backbenchers, and many believed that if Bush failed to secure victory on the first ballot, many would switch support to McCain, who was seen as having more crossover appeal to Independent and Labour voters.  "The Mac" also hoped to pick up votes from minor candidates, such as Stephen Harper ("too young, but definitely has a future on the front bench") and Elizabeth Dole ("her busband got destroyed in 1995; how can she win running on his record?")  Such was the narrative pushed by Steve Schmidt, McCain's campaign manager in his bid for the leadership.

"You ready John?"
"Better question: is America ready for Mac?"

Both men grinned, and entered the convention hall...

[TX Conservative Dem]

I assume the Republicans kept control of both chambers of Congress ?

[Jerseyrules]

I assume the Republicans kept control of both chambers of Congress ?

There was a 1991 victory, however in 1995 Bush stepped down, and after an embittered leadership contest, Dole was chosen as Conservative leader.  Following dissent from many in his own party and the left, he called a snap election, which Labour led by Bill Clinton won handily.  Clinton's government was narrowly re-elected in 1997, with Gingrich leading the Conservatives this time.  There will be an election in early 2000, following Clinton's promise to step down as Labour leader in favor of Gore.

So basically:
1991: Bush (C)
1995: Clinton (L)
1997: Clinton (L) - diminished majority
2000: ?

[Jerseyrules]

The Convention Hall erupted in cheers as expected as Karl Rove delivered the last line of his speech,

"It is important that in times of crisis we vote for a firm grip on the reigns of leadership.  We have gathered here today to select not only the best candidate to lead the Tories to victory, but also the candidate who will best serve this great nation as its next Prime Minister.  And John Ellis Bush is that man!"



Next up was Bill Kristol.

"The Honorable gentleman from Texas is right.  We need a firm grip on the reigns, someone who can lead this nation through the challenges of the 90's and into the twenty-first century!  We need to nominate a candidate who will lead the world in opposing oppression, genocide, terrorism and totalitarianism around the world!  A man who has served his country in the form of both a distinguished political career which included fighting for conservative principles while also challenging the establishment to cut spending as Minister of the Treasury.

And most importantly, a man who served his country, was captured as a prisoner of war, detained, tortured, and pushed to the brink of death and insanity by his captors, while his strength and endurance as an example of leadership and inspiration for his fellow prisoners.  That man, our next conservative leader, and our next Prime Minister, is John Sydney McCain!"



The main events shaping the convention however, were occurring behind the scenes.  McCain's people were making deals with Dole's and Harper's people, though Harper seemed to be closer politically with Bush.  The final results were as follows

Bush: 117
McCain: 112
Dole: 33
Harper: 18
Scattering / Soiled: 15

[International Brotherhood of Bernard]

So is this country composed of OTL US and Canada?

[Jerseyrules]

So is this country composed of OTL US and Canada?

Yes; US, Canada, plus Jamaica and the Bahamas

[Jerseyrules]

Country First, Part IV

The hours before second ballot began with a mad dash for support by both major candidates.  McCain's people and Bush's people met, each offering the other cabinet positions that each man knew the other would not accept.

But McCain's supporters were able to convince Dole and Harper to drop out and endorse "Big Mac" in exchange for cabinet positions in the next government.  That delivered him slightly over 30 votes.  While Bush's people focused on making deal with minor candidates, McCain worked the grassroots, personally visiting with conservative MP's who had voted for both himself and other candidates, in order to assure their support either continued or switched to him, respectively.  And it was this strategy that, against all odds, delivered the axe to Karl Rove's machine on the Second Ballot

McCain: 168
Bush: 129
Scattering: 8

McCain had won the Conservative Leadership on the second ballot, but will he secure a conservative victory at the polls?

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Clinton had been challenged for party Leadership by Earl William Bradley of Trenton, whom had long fought for left-wing ideas but had worked with McCain on issues such as electoral reform and campaign finance reform.  Few in Parliament actually believed that Bradley could actually wrest the Leadership from Clinton on the first ballot, but some believed he could muster enough support to force a second ballot, and Clinton's subsequent resignation as Leader, as had occurred with Prime Minister Thatcher in the United Kingdom.

However, many believed that Bradley's courting of unions and backbenchers and unrest over Clinton's...indiscretions would result in enough support to force a second ballot...

First Labour Ballot:

Clinton: 180
Bradley: 140
Scattering / Spoilt: 20

And a second ballot would be required, with the Prime Minister withdrawing his candidacy for a third term; repeat, Prime Minister Clinton shall not seek the nomination for another election...