1872 Election (The Hearse at Monticello)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Chase would interpret his overwhelming victory at the Democratic National Convention as a vindication of his term, and launched himself into the fall campaign determined to expand the mandate for Civil Service Reform. With fellow reformer Samuel Tilden of New York as his running mate, Chase launched an aggressive defense of the reform movement, lambasting his Republican opponents as slaves to the spoils system who "seek only to cover up" shady dealings. Nevertheless, Chase's own record was not nearly as successful as he let on, and this and the defection of anti-civil rights Democrats meant that Chase was in more dire straights than his speeches suggested.
The president's Republican opponent was Senator Benjamin Bristow, a Radical Republican who, like Chase, was committed to reform. Though forced to accept Speaker of the House James G. Blaine (regarded by reformers as one of the most guilty men in Washington) as his running mate, Bristow would likewise double down on calls for reform, charging Chase with "selective refurbishment" that ignored the worst sources of corruption. The almost entirely overlooked Unionist candidate was former Senator Andrew Johnson. With Unionism a dying ideology as the Civil War receded further and further into the past, Johnson's main base of support lies with racist Southerners angered by Chase's support for the 14th and 15th Amendments.
The Reformer, the Radical, or the Racist? Vote!

[Mr. Smith]

And with the selection of Blaine as the running mate for Bristow, I can safely say I'm sticking with Chase.

[SWE]

Bristow

[TDAS04]

Bristow.

[Zioneer]

Bristow sounds pretty good.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Chase to consolidate the Democrats' pro-Civil Rights turn.

[Illuminati Blood Drinker]

And with the selection of Blaine as the running mate for Bristow, I can safely say I'm sticking with Chase.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

@ Harry S. Truman: How do you select VPs, since Wade got one vote in the nomination thread while Blaine got none?  If you pick them yourself, that's obviously fine, but I just wanted to clarify.

@ everyone: A very reluctant vote for Bristow.  Hopefully Blaine gets himself impeached.

[Zioneer]

How does Johnson have five votes?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

@ Harry S. Truman: How do you select VPs, since Wade got one vote in the nomination thread while Blaine got none?  If you pick them yourself, that's obviously fine, but I just wanted to clarify.

Normally I give the VP spot to whoever gets the most mentions in the convention thread, but I occasionally pick the nominee myself to maintain a minimum level of realism or to push the timeline in a certain direction. In this particular case, Wade had been appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court under President Stevens, and I doubted he would want to leave that post for arguably the most insignificant office in the federal government. Since Bristow is a Radical Republican from Kentucky, the Reps needed a conservative New Englander to balance the ticket. Blaine fit both bills.

[Dr. Cynic]

Went with Bristow.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Well.

This is officially the closest election since 1820. Unless someone feels like coming along and breaking the tie, the subtraction of my vote would give the election to Bristow.

On another note, WHO IN TARNATION IS VOTING FOR JOHNSON?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Well.

This is officially the closest election since 1820. Unless someone feels like coming along and breaking the tie, the subtraction of my vote would give the election to Bristow.

On another note, WHO IN TARNATION IS VOTING FOR JOHNSON?

When Bristow and Chase faced off in an earlier timeline, Chase won by one vote.

[Historia Crux]

Well.

This is officially the closest election since 1820. Unless someone feels like coming along and breaking the tie, the subtraction of my vote would give the election to Bristow.

On another note, WHO IN TARNATION IS VOTING FOR JOHNSON?

I voted for Johnson. My reasons were an interest in third parties (similar to Zioneer in the primaries) and what interesting effects it has on the story and subsequent election in the series. Can't speak for the other five voters though.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

1876 Presidential Election

Senator Benjamin Bristow (Republican-Kentucky)/ Speaker of the House James G. Blaine (Republican-Maine): 199 Electoral Votes; 41.9% popular votes
President Salmon P. Chase (Democratic-Ohio)/ Governor Samuel Tilden (Democratic-New York): 155 Electoral Votes; 38.7% popular votes
Fmr. Senator Andrew Johnson (Constitutional Union-Tennessee)/ Congressman Benjamin F. Loan (Constitutional Union-Missouri): 12 Electoral Votes; 19.4% popular votes

In one of the closest elections to date, President Salmon P. Chase was narrowly defeated by Kentucky Senator Benjamin Bristow in his bid for reelection, largely due to the defection of Southern Democrats angered by Chase's actions to enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments. While these disenchanted Southerners momentarily buoyed the sagging Constitutional Union Party, they had the unintended effect of returning the Radical Republicans to the helm of the country, just fours years after the party had been successfully defeated.