The Keys to the White House: 1952 Turn and Democratic Convention

[Orwell]

The Keys to the White House

Earl Warren Administration

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Rolls
Warren health (1-100 need 1-5 for death): 89
Dewey health (1-100 need 1-5 for death): 16
Corruption: 52
Civil Instability: 97
Korea (1-70 US involvement as OTL, 71-90 Less US Involvement 91-100 No US): 41
McArthur Nuke strategy (1-55 same as OTL he’s fired as well, 56-98 same as OTL but he has not fired 99-100 nukes in Manchuria): 10
Berlin Airlift (1-60 same strategy as OTL, 61-90 same strategy as OTL less effective, 91-100 different strategy): 2
Taiwan (1-90 Same Chinese and US reactions, 91-100 China invades Taiwan): 59
NATO (1-80 same as OTL with the same members, 81-100 NATO OTL with Greece and Turkey): 28
Red Scare: 11 (Greatly weakened from OTL)
Rosenbergs (1-70 same as OTL, 71-100 Rosen who?): 33 (Ole’ sparky)
1950 Olympics: 22 ( US performs poorer than expected and lost the medal count to the USSR 76-71)
Israel (1-70 same as OTL, 71-90 same as OTL but Einstein is President, 91-100 Israel collapses): 48 (shame no Einstein presidency)
Warren administration scandal: 17 (No major scandal)
The Economy: 86 (Economy is generally strong both Short and long term)
Midterm Republicans: 24
Midterm Democrats: 66
Warren approval rating: 49 (Warren has a 53% approval as of 1950 midterms)
Draft Adlai movement: 16
Draft Ike (1-80 Draft Ike fails 81-95 Ike remains apolitical 96-100 Ike says he would accept if nominated): 97 (I didn't actually think it would happen I don't know what to do)


Player Rolls
Congressman Jackson(NTP): 32 (+5)=37
Legislator Will Angler(Kaiser): 95 (+3)=98
Anton Jepsen(Elcapsar): 89 (+5)=94
Gerald O’Connor(Entropyinaction): 62 (+3)= 65
Michael Feinberg (Aneath): 22 (+6)= 28
Thomas Kenway (GoTFan): 88 (+5)= 93
Anderson (ForumLurker): 47 (+3) = 50

Cabinet

John F. Dulles State
Joseph William Martin, Jr. Treasury
Robert Taft Defense
John W. Bricker Attorney General                                          
William F. Knowland Interior
John J. Williams Agriculture
William E. Jenner Commerce
Edward Martin Labor

Events

President Warren was inaugurated in January of 1949 with Democratic majorities in the Senate much of Warren’s key agenda was expected to be fought over. However, the 1950 National highways act proved to be popular among both parties as it led to plenty of opportunities for congressmen to pack in “pork barrel” for their individual districts and states. Following the 1950 midterm elections, where many of the GOP gains from 1946 and 1948 were wiped out, with 43 seats in the House changing hands giving the Democrats a 30 seat majority, and their first House majority win since 1944, this finally returned Texan Sam Rayburn to the speakership.

In the Senate, Californian Congressmen and WW2 veteran Dick Nixon won a narrow race, in Wisconsin incumbent, Senator Alexander Wiley was defeated by Milwaukee State Senator Henry Maier, long time Utah Senator Elbert Thomas was able to hang on for reelection to a 4th term in the upper body, in Ohio Congressman Stephen Young wins the special election to succeed Robert Taft in the Senate after he was appointed to the Defense Department, Millard Tydings was elected to a 5th term in Maryland, In an Idaho special election Claude j. Burtenshaw wins by a sizeable margin, Claude Pepper cruises to reelection in Florida after narrowly beating primary opponent George Smathers in the primary to the dismay of many prominent Florida Democrats, including Congressman Jackson who is rumored to begin planning a challenge to Pepper in 1956. With the victory of Senator Pepper, Jackson was also placed on the Committee for Armed Services Chaired by powerful Congressman Carl Vinson of Georgia.

The Democrats regaining the House in 1950 was not on the unpopularity of President Warren, but instead on the popularity of local Democratic candidates. One of the biggest wins of the night was Gerry O’Connor in IL-7 where he won with over 70% of the vote with the strong support of working-class immigrants of the area of all backgrounds. When he was inaugurated he was offered either a seat on the Committee of Ways and Means or a place in the Democratic Party’s Steering committee, the former could lead to a possible chairmanship in 20-30 years, while the latter could lead to a place as Speaker of the House in the future if O’Connor wanted to become a career Congressman.  While an Anarchist was accused of being friends with O’Connor during the Congressional race, it turned out to be nothing as the Anarchist was a man O’Connor had known lightly in High School, Michael Feinberg was recalled to the D.C. office until he could be reassigned to a regional office as a Special Agent in charge.

Major news broke when General Eisenhower the hero of the war in Europe and the Supreme Allied Commander, joined an organization known as “Veteran’s for a Better America” this organization reportedly founded by a WW2 Veteran and Iowa Lawyer Thomas Kenway. The group has expanded greatly since it’s founding in early 1948, as General Eisenhower is just the first high profile member of over 3,000, following the General’s announcement within 2 months membership tripled to almost 10,000 men across America, veterans from the World War 1 and 2, along with those who had returned from the Korean conflict.

In Vermont, Will Angler the Chairman of the state’s Appropriations committee secured the Republican nomination for State Senate by acclamation at the Republican convention, and the Democrats failed to even field a candidate for the November election. The highlight, however, was the ability for Angler to attend a meeting with President Warren and the Governor, Angler was invited by the Governor due to their close relationship, with many reporters saying that Angler is closer to the Governor then the Speaker of the Assembly and the President of the Senate.


Following his hearing with the HUAC Committee, Anton Jepsen was able to breathe a sigh of relief, the committee had found nothing in his actions deemed anti-American, with the strength of Joseph McCarthy and his committee greatly strangled by President Warren and the Republican Senate leadership the committee was heading towards doom until the trial and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, but the committee did not leave a lasting impact on the Senate and most Senator’s laugh when McCarthy’s name is mentioned for his pompous and wrothful nature. Jepsen was not all good news as due to his HUAC he was fired as a Professor at the University.

Finally, Texan William Anderson graduated from Baylor University in the top 10% of his class, with the graduation of many of the cruelest Republicans Anderson also began to make headway among the College Republicans and was even able to secure a seat on the Executive Committee his final year, but he continued his schooling at the Universities Law School where he also worked to help continue the College Republicans slide to the center from the right where they were held.  

1952 Elections

As 1952 comes the GOP faces a clean field, with no one daring to challenge President Warren or Vice President Dewey for their respective nominations. On the Democratic side it is a mixed bag, populist Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver won a vast majority of the primaries but lacked anywhere near the delegates needed to win the nomination, Governor of Illinois Adlai Stevenson had been a frontrunner, but he refused to run for or accept the nomination flatly declaring, “I will not be the Democratic nominee in 1952”, Former President Truman has flirted with the possibility of the run, General Dwight Eisenhower also has yet to declare his political loyalties, but the Draft Eisenhower movement led by Florida Senator Claude Pepper worked voraciously and was able to get Ike to say, “If nominated by either party, I will accept their nomination” and for many delegates, those words from General Eisenhower were enough to garner their support, but the question remains where Eisenhower stands on many key issues or if he even will toe the Democratic line. With President Warren quite popular it seems a longshot for any candidate the Democrats nominate other than Eisenhower, but he has a set of qualities unknown.

Democratic National Convention Ballot 1

General Dwight Eisenhower of Kansas
Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee
Former President Harry S. Truman of Missouri
Mayor Hubert Horatio Humphrey of Minnesota (MN Favorite Son)
Mr. W. Avriel Harriman of New York (D.C. Favorite Son)
Senator Richard Rusell of Georgia (Florida Favorite Son)

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[Elcaspar]

While i will vote for Kefauver on the first ballot, i think we all we all want to see a Warren vs. Ike matchup in the end.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Jackson, being a hard-line Anti-communist, will support the Candidate who'll be the most aggressive against any future communist threat. As for the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, Jackson puts his support behind Pepper, Kefauver, or Russell to gain it.

[Cabbage]

O'Connor, now a Congressman on the Steering Committee, seeing Ike as a strong candidate not only to defeat President Warren but also to lead the country forward, votes for him on the first ballot. For vice president, he considers how Warren won in 1948, and debates whether to suggest Harriman to possibly undercut Dewey in New York, or to back a Southerner to prevent the Dixiecrats from walking out again. In the end, he tentatively votes for Kefauver (in support of the Celler-Kefauver Act) for VP on the first ballot, while making clear that he will support the party however it goes.

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler wholeheartedly backs Warren/Dewey for renomination!

[It’s so Joever]

William Anderson will back Warren for a second term (Reluctantly)

[KaiserDave]

(And for the Dems, Kefauver)

[Continential]

Nolan Tobin will rally within the Boston Machine to support Eisenhower

[Orwell]

1952 Democratic Convention!

Rolls
Dwight Eisenhower: 75 (+10 momentum, (+15 “Delegate Support”)=100
Estes Kefauver: 82 (+5 momentum) (+10 “Delegate Support)=97
Harry S. Truman: 29 (-5 lost in 48): 24 (Drops out roll for endorsement)
W. Averell Harriman (1-50 Roll to see endorsement 51+ no endorsement): 61
Hubert Humphrey (Same as Harriman -10 due to support for Draft Eisenhower in 1948): 35 - 10 =25
Richard Russell: 28
Eisenhower endorsement roll: 99
Kefauver endorsement roll (-10 Truman dislike): 27-10 (17)
Humphrey endorsement roll (1-65 Eisenhower 66+ Kefauver): 10 (endorses Ike)
Richard Russell endorsement roll (1-40 endorses Eisenhower 41-70 endorses Kefauver 71+ no endorsement): 79 (No endorsement)
Does Kefauver endorse Ike to end it after one ballot (1-70 no 71+ yes): 75

The First Ballot
On the first ballot of the 1952 Democratic National Convention, all eyes were on the performance of General Dwight Eisenhower, affectionately known as “Ike”. The first ballot put General Eisenhower in first with the support of many of the midwestern and New England states, but Senator Kefauver was a close second, however, President Truman, Mayor Humphrey, and Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois made clear endorsements for General Eisenhower before the 2nd ballot, all but clinching the General the nomination. After that turn of events, Senator Kefauver to save the party from splintering over the issue endorsed General Eisenhower as well in a surprise turn of events.

The VEEP STAKES

With General Eisenhower heading the ticket the many calls for the Vice Presidential nominee to be Estes Kefauver of Tennessee who finished second on the first ballot, and endorsed general Eisenhower. Kefauver is noted for his strong energy on the campaign trail and a strong oration, there is also Adlai Stevenson who brings many of the same strong suits as Kefauver but he is from Illinois and some accuse him of being apart of the Democratic establishment which may leave some voters against the ticket. The final major candidate is Senator Claude Pepper of Florida, who while showing no interest in the race himself was the leader of the Draft Eisenhower movement among the Senate Democrats.

Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee
Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois
Senator Claude Pepper of Florida


Reminder: This is your last chance to spend points on characters being elected to office in 1952, whether it be your player character or another person altogether.  Also, you can vote on the Democratic/Republican conventions no matter your party now let’s pick the Democrats a VEEP and see if they can beat Earl in November!

You can now post your turn for 1952, for the campaign or for your actions at the convention during this time! If you have any questions PM me!

[Cabbage]

Congressman O'Connor, who had every intention of running for re-election in 1952 and 1954, saw Kefauver's strength in the presidential balloting as a reason to more strongly endorse the Tennessean for the bottom of the ticket. While Stevenson was from O'Connor's home state, it was evident to Gerry that, even if you looked past the "establishment" stigma floating about him like a viscous miasma (he'd picked up a thesaurus after Speaker Rayburn pulled him aside and told him he needed to quit cussing in his speeches if he was going to be on the Steering Committee), old Adlai was too long-winded for the new Era of Television; he'd likely get himself cut off more than once. And so, Gerry set to work convincing his fellow Chicago delegates that Adlai just wouldn't cut it if they wanted to bring down President Warren in '52.

[Elcaspar]

I enthusiastically support Senator Estes Kefauver on the bottom of the Democratic Ticket.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Congressman Jackson splits from several fellow members of Congress and instead endorses Senator  Pepper for the Bottom of the Democratic Ticket in a speech given to Delegates at the Convention and Democratic Nominee Eisenhower. The reasoning for this is Pepper's 14 years in the Senate compared to Kefauver's four years, as well as the fact that Pepper comes from the deep south and the State of Florida, pointing out that almost every Democratic Ticket has always been a compromise between the Deep South and the other parts of the country. While he notes Kefauver as being a strong contender in the Presidential specter, Vice Presidential Material that does not make, though he would gladly support Kefauver for a position in Ike's cabinet should it come into being. His final reason for the support of Pepper is a way to reward him for the ability to draft the strongest possible candidate in the election. Jackson becomes the head of the Draft Pepper for VP movement at the convention and goes across the convention floor to meet and convince various delegates from all over the nation to support Pepper rather than Kefauver.

While Congressman Jackson will continue to remain running for FL-03, he does decide to push for his older brother, State Senator Alexander Jackson or his predecessor in the House Bob Sikes to run for Governor in 1952 in the Democratic Primary, though he makes it clear that if both run, he'll endorse and will campaign for his brother.

As for the 1952 Campaign, Congressman Jackson will eagerly campaign for the Democratic Ticket in the key states of Ohio, California, and New York in the three weeks leading up to the election well spending the months before securing his position in his own district and keeping out any primary challenges, building his name recognition across the entire state, and working to build relations with Speaker Rayburn and the powerful Carl Vinson in an effort to get into an even stronger position for future political success. Like he did in 1948 and 1950, Jackson leaves race behind and instead campaigns on his fervent Anti-Communism and Anti-USSR stances, his pro-agriculture benefits, pro-military stances, and his generally interventionist attitude with a major part of each of his speeches being "If we cannot take care of and support our farmers, If we cannot support and strengthen our military, If we cannot be able to contain Communsim's spread to where it currently is, who's to say that vile scum of an ideology won't reach the United States in the near future? America must always remain strong and maintain Peace through Strength and we can do that by keeping the men who supply us and give us food and crops with each harvest well paid and able to continuously upgrade their machinery and by making sure there is always a technological and moral gap between our military and the soviets!" Finally, he pushes for Governor Fuller Warren to run and possibly primary Senator Spessard Holland, making clear his dislike for Florida's Class 1 Stances mainly due to his extreme Conservatism as opposed to Jackson's mostly moderate ideas except in specific instances.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen was both to be glad and sad that his HUAC meetings were over with. As the committee had deemed that none of Anton Jepsen's actions were Anti-American in nature, a fact that Anton Jepsen was well aware was the case. But despite them finding nothing on Anton Jepsen, the University of Minnesota still deemed that he should be fired regardless of the fact that nothing was found on Anton. Anton was incensed when he got the news that he was fired from his position as instructor, and all just for being called to HUAC meetings where nothing was found to be wrong.

But being fired as a instructor also opened up new opportunities for Anton Jepsen, namely an opportunity to capitalize on his lingering political ambitions that have been there since the end of the 1948 Election. Anton had his experiences as Co-Chairman of the Progressive Party to draw upon when it came around to a campaign after all. It was also the opportune time to run for the House of Representatives since Eisenhower was going to be on the top of the ticket, so really there was no better time than now. Jepsen was going to run for the House of Representatives in his current home district of MN-5 against the incumbent Republican Walter Judd in 1952.

Anton Jepsen will work on appealing to the working class in the Minneapolis-based district, by pointing out Walter Judd's vote for the Taft-Hartley Act, as well as Jepsen's advocacy for 1$ a day minimum wage. He will also criticize Judd on foreign policy, using his status as a WWII Veteran to criticize Judd's judgment in having supported the Korean War, and notably called Judd an "Armchair warrior" during his campaign. Jepsen also criticized Judd's stance on China, calling his continuous support of the Republic of China "unrealistic", and pointing out that we cannot ignore the existence of the PRC forever. Lastly Jepsen will work on securing the endorsement of Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey to bolster his chances of winning in the Minneapolis-based 5th District.

Point Expenditures:
1 point for 4 years in the House of Representatives for Anton Jepsen (MN-5)
2 points for keeping Sid McMath as Arkansas Governor

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler

Will Angler was ascending in the Vermont State Republican Party. Not only was he unopposed to election in the State Senate, but he was working closely with the governor and had had the privilege of meeting the President. The President, who he continued to support enthusiastically. Will Angler quite liked Ike, and served under him in the War and thought he was a patriot and a decent man, but Angler  was entirely committed to President Warren, a progressive Republican. Will put Warren signs on his property and while Vermont was not a competitive state, met with undecided locals to bring them over to team Earl.

[Continential]

State Representative Nolan Tobin will run for Lieutenant Governor under a Progressive Platform.

(Do I have the points for this? Massachusetts Lt. Governors were composed of Mayors, and former State Senators and Representatives based on the 1952 election.)

[Huey Long is a Republican]

OOC : I apologise if this seems rude, when will the results be posted?

[Orwell]

OOC : I apologise if this seems rude, when will the results be posted?

It's perfectly fine, tonight I just need to finish the last few paragraphs of the write up.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

OOC : I apologise if this seems rude, when will the results be posted?

It's perfectly fine, tonight I just need to finish the last few paragraphs of the write up.

Alright. Thanks. Can't wait to see the final result.

[Orwell]

Vice Presidential Selection and the Race for the White House

Congressman Marcus Jackson II (NTP): 3 for playing + 7 for IC actions + 1 for the wiki box, spent 2 points on election to the House (assuming he runs for reelection in 1952) so, 9 points
Congressman Gerald O'Connor (Entropy): 3 points for playing + 8 for IC actions = 11 - 1 for running for IL-7 in 1950 = 10 points
William Anderson (ForumLurker): 3 for playing + 6 for IC actions = 9 points
Will Angler (KaiserDave): 3 for playing + 7 for IC actions = 10 points
Anton Jepsen (Elcapsar): 3 for playing + 10 for IC actions = 13 points - 3 points for Arkansas Gubernatorial and Jepsen running for MN-5 = 10 points
Helen Nolan Tobin (Ishan): 3 for playing + 2 for IC actions - 2 for MA-LT GOV in 1952 with Paul Dever=3 points
Michael Feinberg (Asenath): 3 for playing + 7 for IC actions = 10 points
Michael Smith (SO19): 3 for playing = 3 points
Henry Harris (UWS): 3 for playing = 3 points
Thomas Kenway (GoTFan): 3 for playing + 8 for IC actions=11 points

Rolls
Kefauver(momentum+10, “Delegate support”+15, ): 50 + 10 + 15=75
Pepper (“Delegate support”+10): 39+10=49
Stevenson (-5 home state dissent): 24-5=19
Eisenhower campaigning: 13 (+10)=23
Kefauver campaigning: 52 (+10)=62
Warren campaigning: 73 (+1)=74
Dewey campaigning: 30 (+1)=31
Third-Party Democratic splinter(1-90 no 91-100 yes) : 24
Democratic Unity: 82
Republican Unity(+20 incumbent President): 24 +20 = 44


Player Rolls
Congressman Marcus Jackson II(NTP): 92 (+20)=112
Congressman Gerald O’Connor(Entropy): 39 (+5)=44
Will Angler (KaiserDave): 1 (+5)=6
Anton Jepsen (Elcapsar): 81(+20)=101
Helen Tobin (Ishan): 2

Democrats have their ticket!!

As the convention season draws to a close, in Chicago on August 4, 1952, the Democratic has selected their Vice Presidential nominee. But first, the balloting went as expected, but a rather notable hold out occurred with the young Representative Marcus Jackson II, brilliant oration when giving the nominating speech for Senator Pepper rallying many southerners to the side of Pepper and gaining the young congressman many fans from not just the Florida delegation, but from many in party with talk of Congressman Jackson being a possible contender to run for Governor or the Senate sometime in the future as the Congressman is in his early 30's. After his speech, he was approached by Speaker Rayburn who requested that when the house was called to session Jackson attend Rayburn's "Board of Education".

On the opposite side, however, The Democratic nominee for Minnesota's 5th Congressional district one Anton Jepson was not allowed to address the convention as a whole, but he did make a slew of valuable connections. When speaking with the Mayor of Minneapolis and Democratic nominee for Senate Hubert Horatio Humphrey who himself had run for President when speaking with Humphrey and the men of the Minnesota delegation Jepson worked many of them to the side of Senator Kefauver and was a key part in the nomination of the Senator as Vice President.

While attending to business in Montpellier, State Representative Will Angler reserved awful news. Much of his farm was flooded, his home was destroyed, and many of his crops along with it. It would be a damaging experience to the finances of the Representative, and this was faced with his likely ascension to the Senate as well.

Congressman Gerald O'Connor of Illinois worked with many pro-Kefauver delegates from Southern Illinois to attempt to persuade those supporting Governor Stevenson to abandon their pursuit and endorse Senator Kefauver. Stevenson who didn't really want to be President himself agreed generally, Stevenson agreed with O'Connor and the Pro-Kefauver delegates. O'Connor had angered some of the Chicago machines however in his push for Kefauver.

Helen Tobin was not selected to be Governor Dever's running mate, but she did keep her seat in the State legislature.

Following the convention both Eisenhower and Kefauver along with Warren and Dewey hit the campaign trail. Most of the campaign was boring, but Eisenhower made a slight gaffe in reference to Korea the campaign continued into the fall awaiting the rest of the campaign from the four main players in the campaign season and how congress will turn out.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Congressman Jackson eagerly accepts Speaker Rayburn's offer to attend his next Board of Education meeting and hopes to make a good impression on the leader of the House Democrats. As for the campaign, Congressman Jackson decides to endorse the Democratic Ticket, stating "I served under General Eisenhower in the War and I believe there is no man greater to lead this country. and he makes it clear by campaigning for him in New York, California, Illinois, and Ohio, speaking on Agriculture, his anti-communism, the belief of interventionism over isolationism, how poorly Warren has handled the war in Korea, how Eisenhower will work for the veterans of both that war and WW2, and how Warren is a weak man in a time when America must be led by the strong. He delivers a heart-felt speech in New York City to several thousand to pound the fact home in which he says "General Eisenhower is perhaps one of the greatest men this country has ever created. He is humble and wise, kind and generous, appreciative and understanding. I served under him during the campaign to liberate Western Europe during the War just as I had served General MacArthur in the Pacific, but when it comes down to the two of them, I think most would agree that Eisenhower is indeed the better man in all aspects of his career and life. There is no man better to lead America during her war in Korea and her cold war with the Soviets than Eisenhower as opposed to President Warren, who did not serve in any war nor did Vice President Dewey, making both highly unqualified for the job of leading America through wartime. An Eisenhower Presidency will lead to a stronger and more prosperous America while a Warren continuation will see America falter in her efforts against the Soviet Union!"

As he campaigns for Eisenhower, he also continues to push for and campaign for his brother Jackson himself announces he'll run for re-election in 1952 and 1954 as well and in the week leading up to Election Day, he instead focuses on getting more name recognition across the state and increasing his support in the district and influence in the House itself. He also forms an organization calls "Jackson for Florida" in which he'll take in the things that concerns Floridians the most, write them down, and focus on those issues the most in his campaigns than other issues. On Election Day, he hopes that he was able to help Eisenhower in some areas of the country while he remains in the House, pledging to continue to represent Florida in his own way against the Warren administration or for the Eisenhower administration's benefit. He also campaigned in the key districts of AZ-01, CA-03, CA-04, CA-06, ID-01, IN-08, NY-12, OH-06, and OH-09 with the hopes of helping Democrats there flipping/holding those seats on Election Day.

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler

Will Angler's life had just been thrown into a tailspin. The Lamoille River had flooded and ruined him. That year's harvest was ruined, his house was greatly damaged. The work of years was erased. He was fortunate that his unopposed campaign didn't require campaigning. The State Legislature salary was around 30,000 (in 2020 dollars) annually. Enough, with the help of Angler's savings to rent a decent sized apartment in Burlington. Though he kept his residence on the Lamoille property so he could run there. Given he had no campaign to run, he asked for the personal generosity of friends and neighbors, as well as his savings to rebuild his home and make up some of the losses of the harvests. However, Angler's plans for higher office in 1954 may have to be reconsidered given the newfound lack of funds.

Will's support for the President is well known, he spent the campaign season rebuilding his personal financial situation and finding a firm to rebuild his country home.

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway

Unable to attend the Democratic convention due to an ongoing legal battle at home, Kenway was nonetheless overjoyed when he heard of Eisennhower's nomination by the Democrats. A VBA member in the White House! It was almost too good to be true. The organisation really had come a long way from its small 1948 founding.

Immediately, Kenway went to work, mustering a now-formidable VBA for the purpose of electing Eisenhower. THose who had served under him in the European Theater of Operations were the tip of the spear, and Kenway in particular was vocal: "I served under Ike in Europe, and there is no better man to lead this country!"

He would campaign heavily across the state, when not arguing cases in court, that is. His public service career was very important to him, especially with his fervent belief in an assumption of innocence before guilt. His primary campaign areas were among farmers and veterans, emphasising Eisenhower's war record in contrast to the incumbent President and the need for aid to farmers, as well as strongly supporting the family farm over an increase in large-scale corporate farming.

He made a name for himself as an organiser, and began making moves towards office himself down the line, but also wieghed up whether or not to run for Congress and sought the advice of various contacts he had made over the years.

[Cabbage]

Gerald O'Connor, recognizing the animus he'd caused against himself by helping to torpedo Stevenson (ironic, since the man didn't even want the job), met with several representatives of Chicago's Democratic leaders in an Italian deli owned by a man who was both a friend to all of the machine men and a friend to Tony Accardo (naturally, neither any of the machine men nor Congressman O'Connor knew Accardo personally, nor were any of them aware of Mr. Torresano's friendship with him). As they sat, they all looked at him with a mix of disappointment and curiosity. Gerry knew that curiosity meant he was in business.

"Gentlemen, you all know why we're here, so let's not cut corners."

"You threw an Illinois man under the bus for that Kefauver clown. Why should we listen to you?" That was Eddie McVeigh, a small mountain of a man who worked for the Mayor. However, even he couldn't keep his tone entirely indignant as he asked the question.

"First, because all of you have seen Adlai, yeah?" They nodded. "He's a fine speaker, given time...more time than the television crews are going to give him. Now, how embarrassing do you think it is to give a speech, and then suddenly an advertisement for Billy Joe's world-class soap powder interrupts you, since that's your time?" All the men grimaced. Yes, Adlai would look like a fool if that happened to him, and they all knew it would happen to him.

"Second, and more importantly, which is why none of you are going to spill, right?" He leaned in close, exacting confirmations from each of them. McVeigh, in particular, looked appalled at the very thought he'd be a snitch...which either meant he was one, or he'd sure as hell keep the others quiet. Even if he was a snitch, he'd probably keep the others quiet, which he knew would single him out. Gerry kept his grin internal. Which, of course, means he won't spill, even if he is a snitch.

"Second, you are all aware that many of your bosses are associated with some men of influence in areas that only thrive because these men of influence go unchallenged?" That would have confounded a few of them, had they not been where they were. It was intended to confound anyone listening in. "So, Senator Kefauver, while he is a respectable labor man, would also not shed a tear for the poor families of these men of influence should they be challenged. However, it is a deal harder to challenge them from Observatory Circle than the Capitol, yes?"

At this point, a few of the less self-controlled representatives cracked smiles, before being returned to solemnity by admonishing looks from their more experienced brethren. McVeigh looked around. If anyone was listening, they would be a nightmare to face across the poker table. The look he gave Gerry said as much.

"So, gentlemen, are we at an understanding?" All the representatives nodded, none greatly eagerly (some straining to keep them so). Hands were shaken, a few drinks were had (none too many, though, not today) with a far more jovial lunch, and Gerry O'Connor emerged from the deli a happy man.


A few days later, Gerald O'Connor became a proud member of Veterans for a Better America. Thomas Kenway seemed pleased enough to have him (though he did razz him about "only joining after Ike made it the swell new thing"), and he was made an organizer for the Chicago area. With the bosses (hopefully) placated, he took his campaign for Ike across Chicago and into the collar counties, with even a few trips downstate to campaign for Ike with the friends he'd made by backing Kefauver for Veep. The CFL, still in his corner, sent out thousands of fliers and leaflets, exhorting people to vote for Eisenhower and Kefauver in November. As he watched the results coming in on the 4th, he hoped that, unlike four years ago, it had been enough.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen had been a staunch Kefauver supporter throughout the nomination process, but Jepsen wasn't surprised when all the other candidates gave their endorsement to Eisenhower before the 2nd ballot started, although he was a bit surprised to see Kefauver do so as well. Jepsen wasn't mad or distraught, he respected Eisenhower's leadership abilities since he had served under him during WWII, although there was the small doubts about where he stood on some issues.

When the Vice-Presidential balloting came around, Jepsen wasted no time in mustering support for Kefauver. He went to the Minnesota delegation led by Mayor Hubert Humphrey, and convinced the majority of them to cast their ballots for Kefauver, which also turned out to be a deciding factor in getting Senator Kefauver the Vice-Presidential nomination. Jepsen now also had a valuable connection in the form of Mayor Hubert Humphrey, who was a influential figure in Minnesota.

Anton Jepsen went back to his native district of MN-5 to campaign for the House seat after the Democratic Convention was over with. Anton Jepsen also campaigned alongside Hubert Humphrey whenever possible, to increase the chances that both of them would get election to the House and Senate respectively. With Eisenhower now on top of the ticket, Jepsen now also put an increased emphasis on veteran's issues, touting his membership in the VBA and his own status as a veteran, as well as support for increased pensions for veterans. Anton Jepsen also campaigned for the Eisenhower/Kefauver ticket when he could, but he had to spend most of his efforts on his House race. If he won his race, Jepsen was already committed to run for reelection in 1954.

[Continential]

Helen Tobin, despite the Governor not picking her to be his Lt. Governor, she will campaign for John F. Kennedy and the Governor and plan out a 1954 Governors run or Senate run.