Fear and Loathing in 72’ – The Election Game (GM Vacancy)

[Lumine]

How much time left?

An hour.

Lumine, can I please get a little more time. I really want to get this out, but I am still working.

Sorry, it's a lot more late here than it is there, and I do have to go to university tomorrow. Given the time it takes to calculate results the remaining time could be an hour at best, but that's it.

[VPH]

Track Record

(TV)

Union Worker: "Senator Fred Harris has what it takes to be a truly great president. I've been a Democrat my whole life and never have I been so excited to help a candidate!"

Farm Family: "We know Senator Harris isn't politics as usual. His background as a lawyer protecting the common man and woman makes him especially qualified to represent our interests and the interests of all Americans."

Fred Harris: "I think my track record speaks for itself. During my time in congress, I spearheaded an in depth study on how to keep peace in our streets, helped open up the Democratic primary process, forged compromise to restore historic Taos lands, and worked hard on behalf of unions, workers, and small businesses. I hope to continue fighting for the peoples' interests in the White House."

Narrator: "Senator Fred Harris is an electable populist. Gallup polling shows him as one of the strongest candidates against president Nixon, falling just outside the margin of error."

Fred Harris: "If you want a populist Democrat who can win this election and unite the party, you ought to vote for Senator Fred Harris."

[VPH]

GOTV Strategy

Arkansas
-Turnout the Black vote in the Delta region and in Little Rock
-Win the Black vote by a substantial margin
-Perform strongly among farmers by highlighting long record of farm policy ideas
-Win counties near the Oklahoma border
-Run a values-focused, family centered campaign
-Base talking points on electability
-Appeal to Muskie, McGovern, Udall supporters as the pragmatic choice to unite the party and win
-Appeal to Wallace and Yorty supporters by highlighting record of pro-union votes and work

California
-Light fundraising
-Don't spend money here, it's a lost cause

Kentucky
-WIN the coal mining vote and win Eastern Kentucky by a large margin
-Neutralize Meany's endorsement by talking about Harris' ground work in the state
-Appeal to Wallace and Yorty supporters by highlighting record of pro-union votes and work
-Win among family farmers
-Target evangelical values voters
-Run on populist rhetoric
-Run against the 'anti-coal' interests
-Highlight electability
-Use surrogates to their fullest potential
-Push for a big win
-Fend off attacks by taking a 'high road' approach
-Talk about education issues to suburban Louisville voters

New Jersey
-Win among ethnic voters
-Turn out the black vote for Harris in Newark, Trenton, and Camden
-Get the student vote
-Dig into McGovern and Udall support by highlighting the need for party unity
-Get the Catholic vote
-Highlight electability
-Neutralize McGovern support by emphasizing anti-war and pro-ERA plans
-Highlight pro-middle class tax plan when talking to McGovern voters
-Talk about education issues to suburban voters

Nevada
-Do well among natives
-Don't spend money here

South Dakota
-Do well among natives
-Shoot for maybe 10%-15%

New Mexico
-Perform strongly among hispanic voters
-Talk about anti-war credentials
-Highlight electablity
-Sap McGovern's support by talking about how Harris' war plans are responsible
-Talk taxes and minimum wage
-Win the native vote
-Shoot for delegates

Colorado
-Win the student vote
-Take McGovern's support by talking about Harris' responsible anti-war plans
-Talk about education issues to suburban voters
-Talk about Harris' healthcare plans
-Focus on his support for the ERA
-Do well among hispanics
-Get delegates

Overall
-Stay with the economic populist message and distinguish self through detailed tax, education, and health plans
-EMPHASIZE ELECTABILITY POINT
-Take populist stance on social issues
-Win in New Jersey and Kentucky. Get delegates in Arkansas, Colorado, and New Mexico
-Play the high moral road
-Target McGovern supporters through progressive pragmatic rhetoric
-Win among minority voters
-Get high rural support
-Get high support among workers and blue-collar ethnics
-Sap Yorty and Wallace support by talking about electability and polling
-Talk about Wallace's support for nationalization
-Stay away from personal attacks
-Use surrogates
-Target moderates with a message of party unity
-Target conservatives by emphasizing economics and Harris' personal story
-Target progressives with economic stances
-Target religious voters with appeals to morals

Random Activities
-The New York office will be doing a mailer to fundraise in the region
-A Buffalo office is also opening
-Harris' senate office in OKC will become a campaign office
-Phonebanks will be operating with volunteers on a frequent basis in Texas and New York

[NeverAgain]

How much time left?

An hour.

Lumine, can I please get a little more time. I really want to get this out, but I am still working.

Sorry, it's a lot more late here than it is there, and I do have to go to university tomorrow. Given the time it takes to calculate results the remaining time could be an hour at best, but that's it.

Have it up with-in the hour.

[PPT Spiral]

Sam Yorty Surrogates

Jimmie Davis: Barnstorming and GOTV in AR, KY
John McKeithen: Barnstorming and GOTV in AR, KY, NM
Harry F. Byrd, Jr.: Barnstorming and GOTV in AR, KY, NV
Mills E. Goodwin, Jr.: Barnstorming and GOTV in CA, NJ, CO
Sam Ervin: Barnstorming and GOTV in AR, KY, NJ
James F. Byrnes: Barnstorming and GOTV in CA, NJ, KY
William Loeb: Barnstorming and GOTV in CA, NJ
W. Haydon Burns: Barnstorming and GOTV in CA, NJ, CO
Otto Kerner, Jr.: Barnstorming and GOTV in CA, NJ, AR
John W. King: Barnstorming and GOTV in CA, NJ, CO
Ross Perot: Fundraising in TX, CA
Happy Chandler: Barnstorming and GOTV in KY
Robert Byrd: Barnstorming and GOTV in AR, KY, CA

[NeverAgain]

Campaign Schedule:  May 24th to June 6th, 1972

Tuesday, May 24: NEVADA
Las Vegas - Policy Speech on "Ending the War - NOW"
Carson City - Town Hall on "Abuses in Law and Order"
Sparks - Barnstorming on  "Good Jobs and Fair Wages - A Recipe for Success"

LAS VEGAS:  "Four years ago, America was angry over the ongoing war - now we're furious.  We were promised an end to this war with "secret plans" and "Vietnamization" - but we now see not only no end in sight, but an expansion to other countries.  We have had enough!"

Wednesday, May 25: NEVADA
Reno - Policy Speech on "Improving American Economy by Improving Work Safety"
Elko - Town Hall on "Civil Rights for All"
Virginia City - Town Hall on "The Need for Unions Today"

ELKO:  "The battle for civil rights and equality has been hard fought.  Too many have struggled for too long to now let this Administration erase the very progress we have made to guarantee civil rights for all of our most vulnerable."

Reno, NV

Thursday,  May 26: NEVADA
Henderson - Barnstorming on "We Need Transparency in Government"
Summerlin - Barnstorming on "Democracy Requires the Rule of Law"
Las Vegas -  Policy Speech on Final Speech to Campaign Volunteers

SUMMERLIN: "A democracy requires that all parties - all branches of government, all institutions, and all elected officials adhere to the very laws we have established;  this is the principle of "rule of law."  But we now have elected officials disregarding laws, judicial determinations, and our very constitution to promote its agenda."

Friday, May 27: NEW JERSEY
Newark - Policy Speech on ""Unions and Why We Must Protect Them"
Trenton - Policy Speech on "Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - The Basis of Our Democracy"
Cape May - Town Hall on "We Need Economic Justice Across the U.S."

NEWARK:  "Without the ability to have a seat at the bargaining table, workers' rights are not heard and, therefore, not protected.  We as a nation NEED the advocacy and voice provided by Unions today."

Trenton, NJ

Saturday, May 28: NEW JERSEY
Atlantic City - Policy Speech on "Workers' Rights are Essential Today"
Hoboken - Barnstorming on "Ending the Vietnam Debacle"
Princeton - Town Hall on "The Importance of our Democratic Process"

PRINCETON:  "America stands tall in its democratic heritage - but we have seen an erosion of our democratic under this Administration.  Now more than ever, with an ongoing war, compromised civil rights, and a lagging economy that fails to protect its workers, we need our Democracy back."

Sunday, May 29:  NEW JERSEY
Jersey City - Policy Speech on "Fair Pay for Fair Work"
Paterson - Barnstorming on "Education is a Foundation of our Democracy"
Newark - Final Speech to Campaign Volunteers

JERSEY CITY:  "America is a place where those who work hard and honestly deserve the right to safe condition, fair pay, and the opportunity to voice their concerns.  I believe that America is strongest when we protect those who are working for our nation;  for them, I will be a strong Champion."

Monday, May 30:  NEW MEXICO/WASHINGTON D.C.
Santa Fe - Policy Speech on "Rights For Native Peoples"
Albuquerque - Final Speech to Campaign Volunteers
Washington D.C. - Congressional Duties

SANTA FE:  "The battle for Civil Rights was hard won.  Generations of people were denied access to basic accommodations and rights. Now we find that governments, businesses, and individuals are finding ways to subvert the Civil Rights Act – to “go around” the act to continue discriminatory practices against Native Americans, Black Citizens, Women, and other groups who deserve equality under the law. We as a country cannot guarantee Civil Rights on the one hand, but then allow practices that contravene the very act that guarantees those rights."

Santa Fe, NM

Tuesday, May 31:  COLORADO/CALIFORNIA
Denver - Policy Speech on "Protect and Preserve our Environment"
Colorado Springs - Final Speech to Campaign Volunteers
San Francisco - Policy Speech on "Civil Rights - We Have Fought Too Long and Too Hard to Lose them Now"

COLORADO SPRINGS:  " First of all, I want to express my gratitude for your willingness to given your time and energies to this momentous journey of ours.  Whether we win or lose, tonight we take one more step in understanding the moral compass of our nation.  I would like to thank each for your for your work, your contributions, and your willingess to stand for your principles . . . so let's say it all together:  MCGOVERN FOR COLORADO!

Wednesday, Jun 1: CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles - Policy Speech on "Improving the Lives of our Young People:  Jobs not Draft"
Fresno - Barnstorming on "Ending the Abuses of Power with Governmental Transparency"
Sacremento - Barnstorming on "Policies that Promote Economic Justice"

FRESNO:  "A democracy cannot exist when any branch of government fails to adhere to the very laws we have established, fails to inform its electorate of its action, and simply fails.  Our elected officials have disregarded laws, judicial determinations, and our very constitution to promote its agenda.  They have simply forgotten they are public servants - failing to serve, and failing to make public their actions."
 
Thursday,  Jun 2:  CALIFORNIA
San Diego - Policy Speech on "Not One More Life Lost in Vietnam"
Long Beach - Barnstorming on "Civil Rights are Rights for All"
Oakland - Town Hall on "Ending Policy Brutality"

OAKLAND:  "Balancing the right to free speech and to peacefully assemble with the real needs to protect and provide order is always a challenge. But we as a society must always support and facilitate all freedoms of expression when done peacefully.  I can say without a doubt that if I have the opportunity to be your next President, we will institute protections against police violence, and brutality.

Oakland, CA

Friday, Jun 3:  CALIFORNIA
San Jose - Policy Speech on "The Link Between Civil Rights and Workers' Rights"
Bakersfield - Barnstorming on "Fair Pay, Safe Jobs, Economic Security"
Anaheim - Barnstorming on "Environmental Protection - For Our Children"

ANAHEIM:  "We, as a Nation, have experienced significant growth in industry over the course of this century;  but it has come at a cost.  Industry has heolped contribute to an environmental degredation - destroying our waterways, harming our soil and vegetation, and compromising human health as a result.  We MUST protect our environment - for ourselves and for our children."

Saturday, Jun 4: CALIFORNIA/SOUTH DAKOTA
Los Angeles - Policy Speech on "Safe Cities through Economic Justice"
San Francisco - Final Speech to Campaign Volunteers
Mitchell - Policy Speech at the Corn Palace on "Com Home, America" - Watch Final Results with Hometown Supporters

MITCHELL:  "Join me and together we will call America home to the ideals that nourished us from the beginning.  From secrecy and deception in high places; come home, America.  From military spending so wasteful that it weakens our nation; come home, America.  From the entrenchment of special privileges in tax favoritism; from the waste of idle lands to the joy of useful labor; from the prejudice based on race and sex; from the loneliness of the aging poor and the despair of the neglected sick — come home, America.  Come home to the affirmation that we have a dream. Come home to the conviction that we can move our country forward.  Come home to the belief that we can seek a newer world, and let us be joyful in that homecoming, for this "is your land, this land is my land — from California to New York island, from the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters — this land was made for you and me."

The Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD

[Lumine]

Writing results as we speak.

[NeverAgain]

Endorsements -

James V. Tunney: As Senator From California, Tunney will be strongly campaigning for McGovern on the homefront.

Mike Mansfield: As Senate Majority Leader, Mansfield will be talking about the "Fight For Peace" in Vietnam all over California

Ernest McFarland: As Former Senator from the West, McFarland will be campaigning all over California

Gore Vidal: As a political activist and novelist, Vidal will be fighting for civil rights all over California

Sam Shapiro: Shapiro will talk to crowds about the needs of a governor, and how McGovern is best suited to the people of California.

Ralph Nader: As A political activist, Nader will be campaigning all over California.

Guy Gillette: Gillette will be campaigning all through California.

Gaylord Nelson: Nelson will be campaigning through town halls in California

Warren Beatty + Shirley McClaine: Beatty + McClaine will be campaigning for McGovern on the issues of our time, and how Hollywood will be represented by McGovern.

[PPT Spiral]

I think we can't write anything more, NeverAgain

[NeverAgain]

OOC: I wish all my fellow candidates good luck, and hope that we can continue to play such an enjoyable game! Also, I thank Lumine for his patience with me extending back. I know this is a lengthy process and I want to apologize for my tardiness in it.

[Lumine]

May 30th:

Democratic Arkansas Caucus:

Fred Harris: 27.11% (13)
George Wallace: 26.45% (11)
Sam Yorty: 24.82% (11)
Ed Muskie: 12.29%
George McGovern: 6.41%
Morris Udall: 2.93%

Democratic Kentucky Caucus:

Fred Harris: 30.55% (14)
Sam Yorty: 27.46% (13)
George Wallace: 18.37% (10)
Ed Muskie: 17.19% (10)
George McGovern: 5.07%
Morris Udall: 1.36%

Democratic Nevada Caucus:

Ed Muskie: 25.24% (3)
Morris Udall: 25.07% (3)
George McGovern: 24.31% (3)
Sam Yorty: 20.08% (2)
Fred Harris: 3.66%
George Wallace: 0.92%

[Lumine]

June 6th:

Democratic California Primary:

Sam Yorty: 40.67% (306)
George McGovern: 32.49%
Morris Udall: 10.37%
Ed Muskie: 8.41%
Fred Harris: 7.75%
George Wallace: 0.31%

Democratic South Dakota Primary:

George McGovern: 70.53% (14)
Ed Muskie: 15.03% (3)
Fred Harris: 8.23%
Morris Udall: 5.41%
George Wallace: 0.80%

Democratic New Jersey Caucus:

Fred Harris: 27.06% (35)
Ed Muskie: 23.73% (30)
George McGovern: 21.68% (27)
Sam Yorty: 15.92% (20)
Morris Udall: 6.17%
George Wallace: 5.44%

Democratic New Mexico Caucus:

Morris Udall: 27.45% (7)
George McGovern: 26.78% (6)
Ed Muskie: 24.11% (5)
Sam Yorty: 13.22%
Fred Harris: 7.34%
George Wallace: 1.10%

Democratic Colorado Caucus:

Ed Muskie: 28.51% (14)
George McGovern: 26.02% (12)
Morris Udall: 21.36% (11)
Fred Harris: 12.56%
Sam Yorty: 10.21%
George Wallace: 1.34%

[Lumine]

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You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Lumine]

And that's it for now, gentlemen, the final turn of the Democratic Primaries will start tomorrow (or today, depending on your timezone). And then, assuming as I do that there won't be a clear nominee... the sheer insanity and frenzy of the DNC!

[PPT Spiral]

Yorty HQ right now:

[YPestis25]

Great job Lumine! Congrats to Spiral on your big win.

[NeverAgain]

Great job Lumine! Congrats to Spiral on your big win.

[Intell]

Since I have work, I need to quit his and Wallace drops out and gives his delegates to Yorty.

[PPT Spiral]

Sam Yorty Statement on George Wallace's Withdrawal and Endorsement

I thank Governor Wallace for his endorsement of my campaign. While we disagreed, Governor Wallace raised important issues that other members of the party should take notice of. He was a valuable addition to the race and his presence will be missed.

[Lumine]

After doing a throrough count of the delegates, it seems I made quite a few mistakes along the road, which means the current numbers don't match. I did three separate counts and got different results in all of them, and truth be told I don't think I can handle those numbers anymore...

As a result, we will keep the current delegate numbers, and I will close the discrepancy with uncommitted delegates, for the sake of simplicity. Because of that current standings are:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

The total has been updated from 3016 to 3032, and the last primaries remain with their 487 delegates.

[Lumine]

Turn Fourteen: Can anyone stop Saigon Sam?

June 7th to June 20th, 1972

In the News!

Democratic insiders worry about DNC

Rumours have extra candidates preparing convention runs, amidst panic on possible Yorty nomination

Arrests made at Watergate Hotel

Five unknown men caught by DC Police trying to break into the Democratic National Committee headquarters, investigation to be opened

Libertarian Party Convention a success

Libertarians nominate Professor John Hospers as President, Theodora Nathan as Vice-President

1.- Primaries: This is it. After fourteen turns and a lot of madness, we reach the final stages of the 1972 Primary Season with five caucuses to be contested: Delaware, Maine, Oklahoma, Texas and New York, all of them bringing the grand prize of 487 delegates. As all standing candidates found success in the latest turn, chances are this turn will indeed end in a brokered convention as the current frontrunner, Yorty, still needs 433, a number virtually impossible to obtain without an endorsement. Best of luck, because after this comes the DNC!

Democrats:

June 14 – Texas (151), Delaware (12), Maine (18) and Oklahoma (38) Caucuses
June 20 - New York Primary (268)

Primary Polling

Gallup: Democratic Primary:

Sam Yorty: 30% (+8)
George McGovern: 25% (-4)
Fred Harris: 19% (+2)
Ed Muskie: 18% (+3)
Morris Udall: 7% (+2)
Undecided: 1% (-2)

Proof of how much the narrative changes, last turn seemed awfully like "Who can stop McGovern?", and it worked to an extent few people suspected. Sam Yorty emerged as the undisputable victor riding a wave of dissafected and even angry voters that give him over a third of the delegates and a clear polling lead. Indeed, the Democratic Establishment is so scared of Yorty and his unlikely alliance of working class voters, Wallace supporters and union bosses that the question now is: "Can anyone stop Sam Yorty?". Despite his relatively weak standing on the final states due to geography, Yorty is the man to watch.

On the rest of the field, most of the candidates also got a lot of benefits by learning the lessons of the Yorty campaign and engaging on clever GOTV efforts, and that includes Harris taking advantage of Wallace's collapse to ride his own momentum into clear victories, Muskie seizing the momentum of his debate to capture other caucuses and cement his comeback, and Udall capturing McGovern votes for a win of his own despite lingering doubts on his economic platform. That leaves McGovern as the loser, first because of poor planning in terms of where to campaign, second because of one single quote: "Abortion, Acid and Amnesty". First used on the debate and then by the rest of the field, it's a question McGovern has not clearly address despite multiple opportunites, and much like in OTL he has been badly hurt by that effect.

[Lumine]

Primary Candidate Data

Notoriety = N, Organization = O, Finance = F

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[Lumine]

Early States, Tentative Polling:

Gallup: Texas Caucus:

Sam Yorty: 31%
Ed Muskie: 26%
Fred Harris: 22%
George McGovern: 9%
Morris Udall: 5%
Undecided: 7%

Gallup: Maine Caucus:

Ed Muskie: 61%
George McGovern: 13%
Morris Udall: 9%
Sam Yorty: 6%
Fred Harris: 5%
Undecided: 6%

Gallup: Delaware Caucus:

Ed Muskie: 28%
George McGovern: 26%
Morris Udall: 19%
Fred Harris: 12%
Sam Yorty: 10%
Undecided: 5%

Gallup: Oklahoma Caucus:

Fred Harris: 55%
Sam Yorty: 17%
Ed Muskie: 11%
George McGovern: 9%
Morris Udall: 4%
Undecided: 4%

Gallup: New York Primary:

George McGovern: 27%
Ed Muskie: 21%
Morris Udall: 19%
Sam Yorty: 15%
Fred Harris: 11%
Undecided: 7%

[Lumine]

I would like to get to the convention as soon as possible, and since it is the weekend I wonder if it might be possible for the turns to be ready by Sunday. If not, I'll understand and grant one or two extra days.

[YPestis25]

I would like to get to the convention as soon as possible, and since it is the weekend I wonder if it might be possible for the turns to be ready by Sunday. If not, I'll understand and grant one or two extra days.

That'd work for me.