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

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Clearly, Spiral is going to be the one that gets shot - his post was #666!

If I get shot in the arm, I gladly welcome the boost in the polls. If I get killed, well, I can concentrate more on schoolwork.

Do you actually support allowing one of the candidates to get killed?

I'm not as hostile to the idea as some of you are. Like Sanchez said, it adds more spice to what is already a suspenseful game. If Lumine is forced to modify his plan, I would suggest cutting the chances of getting killed to only one dice roll instead of three, or maybe some extra compensation later on in the game (like a key role in the convention) should you get killed. I would get behind those ideas if there's support for them from other players.

I mean, I just view it as very unfair. We've all clearly worked very hard to get ahead in the game, and for one of us to randomly be booted off (meaning that all of our work goes for nothing) for no good reason is kind of a turn-off.

The odds are very low. As an observer (and who knows, maybe I'll jump in again at some point if I have the time and some opening exists ) I personally want to see more action and less random schedules. Plus, this is the 1970s-there were several assassinations and other calamities from 1968-1981.

[Lumine]

Well, I'd say "sh*tty" and "detestable" is clear enough on the opposition. A bit too harsh for my taste, but clear, xD

But no hard feelings, I will leave that idea on the backburner should I ever make another timeline like this (as there are people opposed, making the excercise somewhat pointless).

That's it for this turn, I'll start calculating results and post them as they go.

[NeverAgain]

Well, I'd say "sh*tty" and "detestable" is clear enough on the opposition. A bit too harsh for my taste, but clear, xD

But no hard feelings, I will leave that idea on the backburner should I ever make another timeline like this (as there are people opposed, making the excercise somewhat pointless).

That's it for this turn, I'll start calculating results and post them as they go.

Good Luck Fellow Candidates!

[Lumine]

LBJ to endorse Senator Muskie on Democratic Race:

A statement from the LBJ Ranch stated that former President Lyndon Baines Johnson will be making an endorsement in the Democratic Primary, having chosen Maine Senator Edmund Muskie as his preferred choice. The brief statement from the former President expressed his gratitude for his improving health, along with his decision to attend the Miami Convention in July. He then went into delivering some praise on the Maine Senator given their personal relationship, his experience in congress, his role as Vice-President Humphrey's running and, overall, Muskie's apparent strenghts as a challenger to President Richard Nixon, current favourite to win the 1972 Election. Despite some indirect jabs at candidates assumed to be Wallace, McGovern, Harris and Udall, President Johnson also offered positive comments on Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty, stressing his candor, his defence of the legacy of the Johnson Administration on Vietnam and his succesful performance so far. All in all, it is assumed the Johnson endorsement will help Muskie with establishment connections and Texan voters, but could prove harmful with anti-war voters already distrustful of his stances on Vietnam.

[/]

Wow, congrats to Ypestis!

[NeverAgain]

Wow, congrats to Ypestis!

[Intell]

Wow, congrats to Ypestis!

[Lumine]

April 25th:

Democratic Massachusetts Primary:

Ed Muskie: 30.77% (36)
Fred Harris: 27.02% (32)
WI: George McGovern: 24.56% (28)
Sam Yorty: 16.35% (16)
WI: George Wallace: 1.03%

Democratic Pennsylvania Primary:

Fred Harris: 32.98%(58)
Sam Yorty: 29.64% (51)
Ed Muskie: 25.89% (37)
WI: George McGovern: 8.12%
WI: George Wallace: 3.37%

Democratic Vermont Caucus:

George McGovern: 29.45% (5)
Ed Muskie: 24.01% (37) (3)
Morris Udall: 22.17% (2)
Fred Harris: 13.76%
Sam Yorty: 4.13%
George Wallace: 2.67%

[Lumine]

May 2nd:

Democratic Washington DC Caucus:

Morris Udall: 31.22% (7)
George McGovern: 26.43% (5)
Uncommitted: 17.12 (3)
Fred Harris: 12.34%
Ed Muskie: 11.09%
Sam Yorty: 1.13%
George Wallace: 0.67%

Democratic Indiana Primary:

Fred Harris: 28.78% (31)
George McGovern: 21.44% (19)
Ed Muskie: 21.32% (18)
Sam Yorty: 15.16% (14)
George Wallace: 14.32%

Democratic Ohio Primary:

George McGovern: 31.56% (62)
Sam Yorty: 22.98% (34)
Fred Harris: 17.43% (27)
Ed Muskie: 17.36% (27)
George Wallace: 10.67%

[Lumine]

May 4th:

Democratic Tennessee Primary:

George Wallace: 43.56% (33)
Sam Yorty: 27.15% (16)
Ed Muskie: 13.36%
Fred Harris: 11.12%
George McGovern: 4.81%

Democratic Alabama Caucus:

George Wallace: 71.37% (41)
Sam Yorty: 14.26%
Ed Muskie: 5.58%
Fred Harris: 5.16%
George McGovern: 2.65%
Morris Udall: 0.98%

Democratic Georgia Caucus:

George Wallace: 46.64% (35)
Sam Yorty: 28.74% (17)
Fred Harris: 13.76%
Ed Muskie: 5.34%
George McGovern: 3.87%
Morris Udall: 1.65%

[Lumine]

May 6th:

Democratic North Carolina Primary:

Sam Yorty: 36.15% (39)
George Wallace: 33.25% (35)
Fred Harris: 13.71%
Ed Muskie: 11.67%
George McGovern: 5.22%

Democratic North Dakota Caucus:

George McGovern: 46.04% (8 )
Morris Udall: 22.76% (4)
Fred Harris: 15.82% (2)
Sam Yorty: 10.37%
Ed Muskie: 3.76%
George Wallace: 1.25%

Democratic Mississippi Caucus:

George Wallace: 51.19% (22)
Sam Yorty: 25.82% (10)
George McGovern: 7.43%
Ed Muskie: 6.12%
Fred Harris: 5.32%
Morris Udall 4.12

Democratic Louisiana Caucus:

Sam Yorty: 35.05% (18)
George Wallace: 34.78% (16)
Fred Harris: 11.97%
Ed Muskie: 8.01%
George McGovern: 7.65%
Morris Udall 2.54%

[Lumine]

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Note: Nixon won all but 18 scattered Southern delegates, voting for Goldwater.

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[NeverAgain]

Nice Job, Lumine. As you always do.

[/]

Nice Job, Lumine. As you always do.

[Lumine]

Turn Twelve: A Fusilade of Primaries:

May 7th to May 23rd, 1972

In the News!

Bombing in North Vietnam intensifies!

Haiphong mined, aerial battle leaves seven MiG's, one F-4D shot down

Okinawa returned to Japan

Vice-President Agnew presides ceremony that returns the Ryukyu Islands after decades of occupation

Nixon goes to Moscow!

Succesful meeting with Brezhnev and Kissinger has Nixon as the first POTUS to visit Moscow

1.- Primaries: A lot of fun here as well! We have eight contests here, but only two of them are caucuses, the rest being primaries. What's so special about it? You need to win primaries to remain viable, so a lack of success here might severely damage your own chances of surviving until the end of primary season. Mind you, after this turn only two more remain with caucuses and primaries, and after that we go to the DNC! This is what we have for this turn:

Democrats:

May 9 – Nebraska (22) and West Virginia (35) Primaries, Connecticut (49) Caucuses
May 16 – Michigan (142) and Maryland (53) Primaries, Washington (51) Caucuses
May 23 – Oregon (34) and Rhode Island (22) Primaries

A total of 408 delegates up for grabs, crucial now that the numbers make it almost impossible to avoid a brokered convention.

2.- Primary Deadline: Last deadline for the game here, as candidates need to apply for the June New York Primary. Beyond that, Udall is barred from participating on the Nebraska and West Virginia Primaries as he entered after that deadline, and Yorty is off the ballot on Rhode Island by personal choice.

3.- Special Dynamics: We will have the debate this time, and another special endorser is open. This time is Mr. George Meany, AFL-CIO's eternal president and a tough boss for the Democratic Party. Meany, known for his outspoken views and his contempt of George McGovern and the left in OTL 1972', brings with his endorsement the power of Labor backing, which means a large polling boost for two primaries of the winner's choosing and extra infraestructure on two caucuses. Players can PM me requesting his endorsement, and they need to mention the states in which they want these bonuses, for Meany endorses before this turn's results are in.

Gallup: President Nixon's Approval Rating:

Approve: 54% (+1)
Disapprove: 37% (+1)
Undecided: 9% (-2)

Gallup: 1972 Presidential Election:

Richard M. Nixon: 46% (+4)
Generic Democrat: 42% (+2)
John G. Schmitz: 5% (-1)
Undecided: 5% (-5)

Primary Polling

Gallup: Republican Primary:

Richard Nixon: 91% (+4)
Undecided: 9% (+7)

With no challenger left, no time to petition for ballot and with only a hundred delegates left for Nixon to claim victory, there's little to say he. He's virtually won, so to speak.

Gallup: Democratic Primary:

George McGovern: 28% (+1)
Sam Yorty: 21% (+2)
Fred Harris: 20% (+3)
George Wallace: 13% (+3)
Ed Muskie: 12% (-5)
Morris Udall: 5% (-1)
Undecided: 2% (-3)

With the late April and early May Primaries over, the situation remains complicated. The biggest hit was sustained by Senator Muskie, who was unable to surpass the efforts of his rivals in the primaries and ended up defeated in New England, sending his campaign into full panic mode and potential collapse if he can win a single contest this round. George Wallace surged strongly in the South, but the fact remains that his message was already taken by Yorty, and denouncing Yorty as "for forced integration" just doesn't stick. This means Wallace runs strong margins in the South, yet loses the border and the north to a strong Yorty machine. Wallace also blew like 2 MILLION DOLLARS (seriously, it's too much for the time) on ads, which puts his campaign in financial trouble (same with Udall, just too much money on ads).

McGovern continues to do fine by winning contests, but that mistake in MA and PA cost him dearly, robbing him the chance to take a lead in delegates and confining him far back to fourth place despite a delegate lead on account of poor GOTV. Udall also took a hit despite a decent performance, if only because he barely campaigned beyond the first few days. This leaves us with the challengers, Harris and Yorty. Now, I loved the fight between both of you (and the rest too, including Wallace), but Yorty has to come out on top here. Why? Because Harris looked as if he was flipflopping on busing, his debate stance a pretty strong one. This means his campaign took a major hit through the South and with working class voters, a loss that he offset through strong extra turnout and two victories that strongly help his case.

[Lumine]

Primary Candidate Data

Notoriety = N, Organization = O, Finance = F

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[/]

The Nixon Campaign

Nixon files for all upcoming electoral contests.

Nixon spends a lot of time during the upcoming turn organizing his campaign (for another organization point ).

Nixon eats some mashed potatoes.

[Lumine]

Early States, Tentative Polling:

Gallup: Nebraska Primary:

George McGovern: 42%
Fred Harris: 17%
Sam Yorty: 15%
Ed Muskie: 9%
George Wallace: 5%
Undecided: 12%

Gallup: West Virginia Primary:

Fred Harris: 29%
Sam Yorty: 22%
George Wallace: 18%
George McGovern: 11%
Ed Muskie: 7%
Undecided: 8%

Gallup: Connecticut Caucus:

George McGovern: 38%
Ed Muskie: 16%
Morris Udall: 15%
Fred Harris: 11%
Sam Yorty: 7%
George Wallace: 2%
Undecided: 11%

Gallup: Michigan Primary:

Sam Yorty: 26%
George McGovern: 22%
George Wallace: 18%
Fred Harris: 11%
Ed Muskie: 10%
Morris Udall: 7%
Undecided: 7%

Gallup: Maryland Primary:

Sam Yorty: 23%
George Wallace: 22%
George McGovern: 20%
Fred Harris: 12%
Morris Udall: 8%
Ed Muskie: 7%
Undecided: 8%

Gallup: Washington Caucus:

George McGovern: 34%
Sam Yorty: 17%
Morris Udall: 13%
Ed Muskie: 12%
Fred Harris: 7%
George Wallace: 3%
Undecided: 14%

Gallup: Oregon Primary:

George McGovern: 33%
Sam Yorty: 19%
Morris Udall: 15%
Ed Muskie: 12%
Fred Harris: 8%
George Wallace: 6%
Undecided: 9%

Gallup: Rhode Island Primary:

George McGovern: 35%
Ed Muskie: 17%
Fred Harris: 15%
Morris Udall: 12%
George Wallace: 11%
Undecided: 10%

[PPT Spiral]

My dreams of being the clear #1 in nationwide polls have yet to be realized, but at least my delegate strategy last turn paid off!

When is this turn ending?

[VPH]

*non-game post*

I think the Bremer thing should be weighted in some regard. Knowing that he considered himself a black panther and was a radical leftist kinda says some things about who would be more likely to be his target and who might be less likely. I think it's an interesting idea.

Also, Spiral, you did a great job calling me out. I figured too late that that would haunt me in the South... It'll be interesting to see what I can pull off in the Northern states where I find myself in a strange quandary of not being 'left enough' for some, but clearly not being in the party's right leaning factions. Should be an interesting turn!

Lastly, I've been making a county map (educated guesses) for this tl that i'll post soon updated. It's pretty cool imo.

[Lumine]

My dreams of being the clear #1 in nationwide polls have yet to be realized, but at least my delegate strategy last turn paid off!

When is this turn ending?

Hmmm... Wednesday, an extention possible onto Friday.

[/]

Is the Democrats' advantage in the South due to Wallace's entry and recent heavy campaigning in the Democratic primaries or is it an overall trend?

[Lumine]

2nd Democratic Presidential Debate:

Note: All Democratic candidates are invited to attend, but not doing so will not result in a drop in the polls. This debate is on national TV, so the stakes are high in terms of how much your standing on the polls can rise or drop. You have a right to reply to other candidates, but don't make it a ten post argument. Finally, you can end your performance with a closing statement. Good luck!

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[Lumine]

Is the Democrats' advantage in the South due to Wallace's entry and recent heavy campaigning in the Democratic primaries or is it an overall trend?

The first one, strong support from the South is a given for Yorty and Wallace, appeal they bring to the party's nationwide polling. Should neither of them be in the race, you'd see a much different situation on the South.

[Kingpoleon]

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[quote]

Candidate Specific Questions:

4.- To Representative Udall: Congressman, you plan regarding the minimum wage came under fire last week as several economic experts expressed that a rise to $3.00 over such a short span of time would have terrible consequences for the US economy. Do you believe the plan is truly sustainable?

The Republicans will not continue such a plan. If I were assured of Republican co-operation after my Presidency was up, I would agree to spread it out over, say, twelve years and lower it to $2.40. Then, $3.00. As to being unsustainable, what is definitely unsustainable is the current attack upon the working man! I understand economical concerns, but I also understand the worker's concerns. We must have a fine balance between the two. To state the obvious, I fear these experts don't understand the unsustainable condition of the minimum wage - none of them are paid such.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

"Today, I have stood before you. I know I have not done well. I have not done well because I have refused to debate. I have looked the American people in the eye, and I have told the truth. I will let the people judge whether or not I stand for them and for their values. The other candidates have come here to debate.

"They calculate in their heads the answer which will offend none and rally their voters. That is not my business. My business is to stand here and tell my policies, the truth. I appreciate criticism. It helps me to learn to be a better person. I will not surround my administration with yes-men and with division. The other candidates claim to stand for unity. I am the only one who really does!

"Today, I present you with a choice. A choice between myself - hope, unity, and policy - and the others. Never before has a negative campaign won! Do not let this be the first time, I beg you. Listen to me - the movement of hope will prevail."