An Effective Consensus

[Captain Chaos]

Could be worse, but the fact that Cheney is clearly trying to manipulate the presidency leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the whole administration.

Methinks that Cheney is positioning himself for 1978 where a Senate seat will be up for election.

[We Live in Black and White]

Could be worse, but the fact that Cheney is clearly trying to manipulate the presidency leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the whole administration.

Methinks that Cheney is positioning himself for 1978 where a Senate seat will be up for election.

Yyyyyeah.

🤢

[KaiserDave]

John

Wikimedia Commons


President John Glenn had an important meeting coming. Not one he enjoyed. He preferred talking to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with his wife Annie, talking about the need for action for Americans with disabilities. He enjoyed talking to Dr. James Fletcher, head of NASA on everything space. He enjoyed meeting with Senator Kennedy to discuss his newfound nautical interests. He did not enjoy the White House staff, for which the press had attacked him for. He stayed polite but he felt like President Adams surrounded by Alexander Hamilton's men. There he was, President of the United States but he felt he could not even have power over his own staff. Sometimes he felt that Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms picked them, not John himself. He had a meeting with three individuals he just couldn't stand, Dick Cheney, a rising star in the House, Phyllis Schlafly a conservative gadfly, and legal scholar Antonin Scalia. John motioned for them to let in.

He rose as the three entered.

"Congressman Cheney, Mrs. Schlafly, Mr. Scalia, hello, welcome to the oval."

They all sat down and began to talk. The three were here to discuss defense policy, specifically the Middle East.

"Mr. President, under the last administration many of us were concerned about America stepping back, more arms control, more limits of our national defense abilities to international groups-" started Phyllis.

"Well uhh you know Phyllis," Glenn smiled slightly, "I support those agreements, I ran on protecting START." Phyllis smiled in return.

"Well Mr. President the uhhh, defense cuts made by the last administration-"

"You're a Republican Phyllis?" Interrupted John.

"Yes sir." replied a confused Schlafly.

"What did you think of President Romney?"

"Not highly sir." replied Schlafly.

"Interesting." replied Glenn as he stroked his chin. Cheney interrupted.

"What we're trying to say Mr. President is that it is uuuhhh, the unanimous consensus of defense policy experts that you are stronger for America than your predecessor." Glenn nodded. "And we hope to get more done with you in the White House. Specifically in regards to Iran and the Soviet Union." Cheney motioned to someone, and a few people brought in an easel and a few large cards to fit. Glenn didn't even know they were there waiting. A card with a map of Iran and a few line graphs and photos was put on. "The Shah of Iran has been a strategic partner for some time, in fact they are home to a large portion of the region's oil resources. We have reason to believe his government is under threat. And while he did support OPEC's recent price increases, this shouldn't be a problem in the future provided we take a stronger position on domestic production, which I've instructed Nelson Hunt to take the lead on. Mr. President I believe we are a very very strong position here if we take the right steps, but we need to support the Shah." John listened closely, Cheney did have a great way of explaining things. "We have reason to believe he's under threat."

"From whom?" asked the President.

"A coalition of socialists, Islamists, and other dangerous dangerous people. Many in cahoots with the Soviet Union who we must keep watch on." interjected Phyllis.

"We have to defend the Shah Mr. President, and we've drawn up several plans for you to implement through the joint chiefs." Cheney said this and placed a manila folder on the resolute desk. Dick Cheney continued to talk as John flipped through the folder. But John wasn't listening, he was reading.

assassinate....apprehend.....military deployment....SAVAK assignation of R. Khomeini.....protection of strategic assets.....extraordinary detention....

-"we are a very strong position Mr. President, and I believe we together have a chance to go very far with this."

John now spoke.

"The Vice President in particular has asked for briefings on the activities of Iran's intelligence agency, we haven't seen that yet."

"Well I think that's more supplemental information as opposed to entirely necessary."

"Well.....I don't know if I disagree, maybe we should call Jimmy in." John reached for the phone.

"Mr. President maybe we ought to explain the risks." said Phyllis, barely keeping her hand from stopping him from calling Carter in. "We could have Islamists, Socialists in control of oil wells, nuclear plants. We'd have high prices on gas and more rogue nuclear weapons." Now this was indeed concerning to John.

"Really?"

"We have plans to secure these wells, these plants with armed deployment of troops." said Dick.

John smiled and almost laughed, "well I don't believe there's any attitude in Congress for that."

A smile danced on Cheney's face. "Well that's where Mr. Scalia comes in. He believes that's not legally required." Now Scalia finally spoke.

"Mr. President it is constitutionally dubious at best that you'd need Congressional approval for a military deployment in an ally. The constitution makes it clear that the President is the head of the entirety of the executive branch, which is vast and includes yes the United States military. It is entirely legal to make that deployment."

"What is it, the Unitary Executive theory?" asked Schlafly.

"Yes Mrs." replied Scalia. Now John was not interested, though he'd feel better if Carter was in the room. Because he knew what this people were saying, he knew it.

"Um, I think that's all for now, I'll" Glenn motioned to the folder "look it over." Glenn got up and walked to the door.

"But Mr. President we haven't yet discussed missiles?" asked a concerned Phyllis.

Glenn coated his anger with a smile, "another time."

[KaiserDave]

Yes it is okay if you imagine John Glenn as Ed Harris, Dick Cheney as Christian Bale, and Phyllis Schlafly as Cate Blanchett. All are amazing actors.

[Elcaspar]

Looking forward to the next update! I am also really hoping that it isn't foreshadowing a more direct intervention in Iran. Although given the company that Glenn is in, i wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Yes it is okay if you imagine John Glenn as Ed Harris, Dick Cheney as Christian Bale, and Phyllis Schlafly as Cate Blanchett. All are amazing actors.

lol

[KaiserDave]

Wikimedia Commons and Image Modified by Me

The Glenn Administration

The year 1978 was marked by the continued transition of the Conservative movement from one party....to another. As local Republican clubs began to be filled with new young liberals and voted up Bayhist platform planks, the remaining bastions of conservative Republicans began to start voting Democratic consistently at the local level. Of course there had been such changes in 1964 after Goldwater and Wallace made seas change, and before that when Ike signed the Civil Rights Act, and then with President Romney. But it seemed that despite Birch Bayh's defeat, he had left a lasting effect on the party. One good example was the fight over the Equal Rights Amend, everybody in mainstream politics supported it, but those leading the efforts to oppose it where Evangelical, Catholic, and Southern Democrats. Especially with abortion now legal, the pro life vote went to the Democrats.

John Glenn was was being pulled to one side, his party moved right and it seemed that the New Deal ideals which once governed the party were finished, in the Democratic party at least. But John stuck to the middle, him and Jimmy Carter pushed cautiously centrist policies with conservative instincts, but they didn't go on with the right wing ascendant in the party. Once such example was the fight over healthcare. John Glenn pitched an individual mandate plan, to expand access to health insurance, cover those with preexisting conditions, and reduce premiums. Liberals and Republicans reeled, Bayh himself said, "this bill is more in with healthcare lobbies than anything." Speaker Gerald Ford said he wanted to look for compromise, but Senator Javits was more direct, saying "two words, corporatist. Sham." Conservative Democrats rallied behind the President, although Jesse Helms noted that "I'd appreciate less government, more enterprise, but I'd take this everyday compared to the dime store communism proposed by Radical Republicans. The heirs of the same radicals who tore apart the south." The bill's debate was long, although it passed the south with a moderate majority. The Senate was easier, Democrats still had a strong working majority, though it was not above 60 seats. The bill passed and went to the President's desk, to which he signed in another major legislative victory.

The economy was still doing well too, as things continued to run smoothly. However this was going to change, as Afghanistan fell to communism and Israeli Egyptian tensions flared. President Glenn and Vice President Carter tag teamed to start negotiations between Begin and Sadat, although resources were spread as the USSR tested new long range ICBMs. Conservatives were furious and John Glenn listened, he pledged millions of dollars in new dollars for updating the nuclear launch facilities, still using 1950s floppy disks. He also threatened the missile disarmament treaties and met with Afghan tribal groups who opposed the new Marxist government. As the midterms approached the nation seemed sound, although the world was shaking and much was yet to be revealed on the Glenn White House and how that White House came to be.


Note: Lame update today but I'm tired and there is MUCH much more to come. Also the Glenn years are on average more quiet. For now....

[KaiserDave]

Gallup Poll: President Glenn Job Approval November 1978



Wikimedia Commons

Approve: 56%
Disapprove: 37%

[America Needs R'hllor]

Go on, I'm loving it! Really hope that the Israeli-Egyptian peace will still be signed.

[KaiserDave]

Election 1978

Hello and Good morning, I'm Walter Cronkite and this is  the CBS Evening News. The results are in for midterm elections of 1978 and here they are.


United States House of Representatives
Republicans: 241 (+17)
Democrats: 194 (-17)


United States Senate
Democrats: 57 (-1)
Republicans: 43 (+1)

Flips: South Dakota (D to R), Colorado (D to R), Tennessee (D to R), Nebraska (R to D), Delaware (R to D)


The Democrats kept their Senate majority, now in the hands of Senator Byrd of West Virginia, but the Republicans make strong gains in the House led by Speaker Ford. Speaker Ford has said these two years will the last of his tenure as Speaker, and his Senate rival Senator Mansfield has just passed the reins of the Democrats ever powerful Senate majority to Senator Byrd. However the Democrats have lost three seats, the Republicans two. Republicans certainly feel like bigger wins however, they took back South Dakota lost in 1972, and they shocked onlookers with Howard Baker piercing the Democrats southern stronghold and picking off Tennessee with a unique bipartisan coalition. In the House Republicans took back some seats in the plains states such as in Nebraska and Colorado, but also in Missouri and in Illinois. Senate freshman include Joe Biden of Delaware, Democrat and Bill Cohen of Maine, Republican. Certainly a new guard coming in, and old guard going out. Senator Chase Smith has retired, for one, a titan of the Senate by any measure. President Glenn will certainly feel the heat, as more Republicans enter the Congress, and more conservatives in his own party do as well. There certainly is a backlash against what some see as the indecisive President with a White House some feel is divided. But I'm sure there will be more than enough analysis, and there has for the President to listen to. Tonight we'll have more information on the coming memorial service for Senator Hubert H. Humphrey. And that's the way it is, this is Walter Cronkite on November 8th, 1974.

[KaiserDave]

Wikimedia Commons and Image Modified by Me

The Glenn Administration

The midterms were by any measure a blow for the Glenn Administration. A legion of Bayh inspired liberals had entered the Houses of Congress, chattering on such ideas as a 6 dollar minimum wage, universal healthcare, and a few of them were even skeptical of American empire. Glenn entered the next session of Congress with pressure from the right to do more to roll back the administrative state, the oil establishment in particular wanted him to roll back some of the pro green initiatives he and Carter had pushed for. Jesse Helms and his arch conservatives prepared bills to roll back food stamps, affirmative action, and proposed a 10% flat income tax, not of these proposals had a chance of passing in the Senate, but they made more noise. Glenn continued to stick to the middle, though he was sure to appeal to the right by advertising his support to reinvest and revamp the nuclear arsenal as well as his unwavering support of the B-1 Bomber. He said, "the most dangerous weapons known to man should not be fired with ancient technology, it leaves us all unsafe." However, Glenn's center path remained dicey.

1979 was heralded in as the International Year of the Child. However the world was horrified by images from Iran, as insurrectionists and protesters, including children were shot in the street by Iranian police. The Shah was cracking down hard on the protest mobs angry at the rampant corruption authoritarianism, and the brutality of the Shah's CIA trained secret police. The protestors were all angry, some more so about western cultural influences, others with western business interests. However the mobs were unable to unite around a common set of political goals, and failed to have a common leader. President Glenn had immense pressure from the right to reestablish control in Iran, especially from American oil companies. Glenn moved 2,000 marines into Tehran, and though they were harassed in the streets, even several bricks thrown at their trucks, they were deployed safely to sites in the city, one of which was the American Embassy. The rebellion in Iran stalled and dragged out, the Shah continued to appoint different Prime Ministers to appease the people but each time he could not appease them. All the while he was plagued by cancer. Glenn and his administration pressured the Shah to abdicate, and he did. The 19 year old Reza Pahlavi was hailed as the new Shahanshah of Iran, but the protests did not stop and control began to fail across the country. President Glenn decided to grant political asylum to Shah Reza Mohammed as his safety was no longer guaranteed, but this only sparked more protests, and the American embassy was nearly seized. The new 19 year old Shah had no control over the government, as the country began to denigrate into anarchy. However for now at least the oil wells kept pumping, but the stocks tumbled and jumped in panic, and Iran would soon become a new headache.

On the foreign policy front relations were cool with the Soviet Union, and Glenn publicly speculated about the viability of the 1980 games. He also made waves by renouncing SALT II, declaring the due to the instability in Iran and lack of viability for the RADAR posts there, compliance could not be guaranteed. General Secretary Suslov replied with a jargon filled statement on American imperialism and intransigence. Afghanistan would become another headache for President Glenn, as the Soviet Union intervened militarily to protect communism there. Glenn was furious, declaring that "there can be no doubt that the Soviet Union has ambitions to expand its tyrannic empire to the entirety of Asia and beyond." Conservatives were pleased with the President's decisions, and despite his full support of the ratification of the 27th Amendment to the constitution, the Equal Rights Amendment, which passed despite the efforts of conservatives and due in some part to Republicans elected in state legislatures in 1978. On world stage tensions were more tense than ever, which the exception of the Sadat-Begin peace deal, which Carter and Glenn were able to achieve through patience and good faith, finally bringing peace between Israel and Egypt.


At home President Glenn tried to focus on what he enjoyed most, the sciences. He visited Cape Canaveral, spoke to oceanologists, marine biologists, and everyone in the scientific sphere. He called for more spending on science schooling, and with the support of many Republicans he would get such spending in the next budget. The economy was slowing, with many warning of a recession on the horizon, but for now at least most Americans were doing alright. But now, the 1980 election was approaching and it appeared just about anything could happen, in the economic sphere or at the ballot box.

[KaiserDave]

Gallup Poll: President Glenn Job Approval December 1979



Wikimedia Commons

Approve: 53%
Disapprove: 44%

[KaiserDave]

School year coming to an end, so the fun resumes!

[We Live in Black and White]

And once more, Iran looks to be the sinking point of a Democratic presidency.

[KaiserDave]

And once more, Iran looks to be the sinking point of a Democratic presidency.

Though, I should note that things are not nearly as bad as OTL

[We Live in Black and White]

And once more, Iran looks to be the sinking point of a Democratic presidency.

Though, I should note that things are not nearly as bad as OTL

So far, yeah. Still time enough in the year, though, so I'm interested to see how things play out.

[KaiserDave]

Lin

Wikimedia Commons


"....so my friends I say let the New South march forward into to the rising sun! Let us all, black or white, Jew or Gentile, Catholic and Baptist, peoples of every upbringing march forward and declare that we believe in the South, and we believe in America. We've been tested my friends, we've faced the worst. When I ran for Governor the Klan sent my death threats in the mail and they threatened my daughters when they themselves integrated our schools, but that's nothing compared to the pipe bombs and burning crosses they sent to thousands of Americans who dared to stand for justice. I did not bleed in Atlanta, but all the same I knew that without justice we cannot have a free society. But in Virginia we fought hard, we desegregated our schools, we brought peace to our streets by sending the Klan packing. We fought for good paying jobs, and folks we built the New South. We bridged party to do what was best for Virginians. But in America we must do better, too many people are unemployed, too many people are hurting from the hodgepodge of healthcare schemes that get sent down from Washington. That's why my friends I stand today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States! Let the ideas of justice and right lead us forward!"

The crowd of mostly black Virginians, though with many whites interspersed cheered greatly as the signs of "Lin for America" went up and the American flags waved. The New South was on the rise, and it was headed to the White House.

The newly minted Senator Linwood Holton was in for the presidency, joining an exciting field that included Phil Crane, Malcom Wilson, old Harold Strassen back at it again, and a surprising bid from Hugh Scott. And certainly more to come.

Lin finished his speech and approached his campaign manager, Reverend Jesse Jackson.

"Any luck with Dr. King Jesse?"

"He won't endorse Senator, but he sends his best."

"Unfortunate, but I think we can do a lot of work to win the black vote." Jesse nodded in agreement and smiled as Lin then turned to shake hands with the crowd.

[Elcaspar]

Blessed be the amount of updates!

[KaiserDave]

Blessed be the amount of updates!

When the schoolwork stops, the fun begins!

Thoughts?

[We Live in Black and White]

I think I've found the man I endorse.

[KaiserDave]

Campaign 1980

Wikimedia Commons



November 14th: Virginia Senator Linwood Holton joins a crowded Republican field including Hugh Scott, Phil Crane, Malcolm Wilson, and a quixotic bid from Harold Stassen.

November 16th: Birch Bayh rules out a second presidential campaign, "the work that needs to be done is in the Senate"

November 20th: John Glenn gives White House address pledging to reduce gas prices without tapping into the strategic petroleum reserve

November 22nd: Oil executives urging a "wait and see" approach from the White House on gas prices

November 24th: George Bush blows the GOP field wide open, announces his bid for President to build a "kinder, gentler America." He runs as a representative of the party establishment and the moderate wing of the party.

November 27th: John Glenn launches reelection campaign with a rally in Cincinnati

November 30th: Ronald Reagan rules out campaign, "my time in electoral politics has come to an end my friends." Does not rule out supporting John Glenn for reelection.

December 2nd: In snowy New Hampshire, John B. Anderson announces his candidacy for President under the Republican banner

December 5th: Linwood Holton rolls out plan for affirmative action, blasted by Southern Democrats

December 7th: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says on CBS that he will not endorse a candidate, but he will see which candidate "brings forth the best plans to guarantee a living income, to make starvation and poverty extinct in our land."

December 9th: Bush emerges as frontrunner, with polls showing him ahead in most states and nationwide

December 12th: Robert Kennedy rules out rumors of a liberal challenge to Glenn, says he's focused on "a new groundbreaking anti poverty package."

December 15th: Iowa becomes a battleground as Fmr. Nat Security Advisor Bush holds tenuous lead over a variety of challengers.

December 18th: Lin Holton struggles to keep up in Iowa, as he transfers operations to South Carolina

December 20th: George Bush remains the favorite in Iowa, but Hugh Scott and Malcolm Wilson are gnawing at his lead

December 23rd: George Bush stumbling and awkward in proposing his plan to ensure full rights for persons with disabilities

December 25th: Christmas Poll shows Bush led falling, Anderson rising

December 27th: Phil Crane sticks to conservative policies, but struggles to gain support

December 29th: Some want Jesse Helms to challenge President Glenn from the right, but he rules it out, saying "you know sometimes I think he's much too liberal, but we can't even risk it with these radical Republicans. It's the same unhappy tradition of Thaddeus Stevens I tell you."

January 4th: Malcolm Wilson delivers stirring speech in memoriam for Governor Nelson Rockefeller

January 12th: John Anderson catching fire with young voters and others with his honest demeanor and frank approach to policy

January 14th: President Glenn avoiding campaigning, preferring a Rose Garden campaign controlling the airwaves

January 16th: As Iowa approaches the race narrows, Hugh Scott emerges as Bush's biggest Iowa challenger, Malcolm Wilson appears to be falling behind.

January 18th: Shah Reza Pahlavi II of Iran pledges to establish an elected parliament, protestors don't care

January 20th: On the eve of the caucuses, poll shows Bush losing to Scott

January 21st: Iowa caucus occurs, Glenn triumphs unopposed, Republican race tight

Iowa Caucus Results: Republican
Hugh Scott: 30.2%
George Bush: 29.8%
Malcom Wilson: 22.1%
Phil Crane: 9.4%
Lin Holton: 4.5%
John B. Anderson: 3.1%
Harold Stassen: 0.3%


Democratic Candidates
John Glenn: Still Believing


Republican Candidates
Linwood Holton: Win with Lin
John B. Anderson: A Campaign of Ideas
George Bush: A Kinder Nation
Malcolm Wilson: Into the Future
Phil Crane: The Early Bird
Hugh Scott: We Can Trust Him
Harold Stassen: (No Slogan)


Democratic Nationwide Polling
John Glenn: 85%
Undecided/Other: 15%

Republican Nationwide Polling
George Bush: 23%
Hugh Scott: 20%
John B. Anderson: 15%
Malcom Wilson: 11%
Lin Holton: 11%
Phil Crane: 4%
Harold Stassen: 1%
Undecided/Other: 13%

[KaiserDave]

So many candidates, so many ideas! Who are we for?

[S019]

I'm for Anderson


Also Bush seems to be running to the left of RL, which is an interesting development, unless he's just pandering...

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

I'm thinking Holton, but I'll probably go for the R nominee.

[KaiserDave]

I'm for Anderson


Also Bush seems to be running to the left of RL, which is an interesting development, unless he's just pandering...

He 100% is running to the left of RL, which is expected given where the party is. But he's still on the moderate wing of the GOP compared to the liberals.