Keys to the White House: 1960

[Orwell]

The United States of America 1958-1960

The Presidency of Cary Estes Kefauver

President Kefauver health (1-5 death): 48
Corruption: 33
Civil Unrest: 34
Economy 1958-1960: 56
Republican Enthusiasm (+10): 89 + 10 = 99
Democratic Enthusiasm: 40
Kefauver approval rating: 88
Civil Rights movement: 31
2nd Arab-Israeli war: 69
USSR Space Program: 60
US Space Program (+10): 24 + 10 = 34
Cuban Revolution: 44
Antarctic Treaty: 64
Gary Powers: 66

With the loss of President Eisenhower in the months before the midterms, many Democrats had been disheartened about their parties future, the Republicans felt a great enthusiasm coming into the 1960 election as they had only held the Presidency for 4 of the preceding 28 years since the election of President Roosevelt in 1932. However, with the passage of Medicare, The Veterans Act, and many other key pieces of legislation still give the Democrats a fighting chance in 1960.

The 2 years of President Kefauver’s administration have been quite straightforward, the passage of the Family Farms Act further bolstered Democratic strength among many rural farming communities in the north and west, and even brought some goodwill to the liberal Senator Kenway in southern rural areas, but he was still a largely despised figure, just less so now.  With regards to foreign policy the 2nd Arab-Israeli war continued you;

Arab Israeli War

Egyptian Front
Israel(+10, +5): 90 + 10 + 5 = 105
Egypt: 89

Syrian Front
Israel (+10, +5): 55 + 10 + 5 = 70 
Syria: 49

Jordanian Front
Jordan (+10): 73 + 10 = 83
Israel (+5): 86 + 5 = 91

With the collapse of the forces of Egypt under Nasser and Syria the Arabs in the south and north of the country had been beat back, with a ceasefire being declared in the summer of late 1959 for peace negotiations, in both Egypt and Syria the Israelis defended the gains they had made earlier, with the Israelis reaching within a few miles of the Suez Canal, and the Israeli’s taking total control of the Golan Heights by the time of the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. On the Jordanian front the Israelis were able to make minimal gains before the ceasefire was declared, it seems that whoever wins the Presidential election of 1960 will be faced with a decision on this front.

1960 Democratic Convention

Hubert Humphrey: 52
Lyndon Johnson: 46
John F. Kennedy: 50
Stuart Symington: 62
Wayne Morse: 47
Adlai Stevenson II: 64
Walter Reuther: 83
Draft Kefauver: 22 (failed)

As the convention began in Philidelphia, the leading candidates were clear. John Fitzgerald Kennedy the starry-eyed Senator from Massachusetts had been the front runner, in the primary he secured victories in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio. Illinois Senator and potential 1952 candidate Adlai Stevenson II had captured important states of Illinois and Indiana along with a strong 2nd place showing in both Pennsylvania and Ohio only finishing narrowly behind Kennedy and for 3rd in Wisconsin and behind Humphrey for 3rd in Maryland. The next leading vote-getter was Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota who won victories in West Virginia, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Rounding out the field who contested primaries is Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon captured the two western states to hold primary contests winning in his home state of Oregon, and in the California primary.

Of the candidates in the 1960 election who did not decide to contend the primaries the most successful was Texan Lyndon B. Johnson, who was able to wrangle hold of the uncommitted slate of delegates that had found victory in the Florida primary, and many of the south’s delegates had been swayed to Johnson’s side. Missouri Senator Stuart Symington lacked the widespread support of Senator Johnson, but still held a strong base in his home state of Missouri, and in the solidly liberal delegations of many of the plains and mountain west states. Labor Leader Walter Reuther was a surprise, he has gained some support among the labor delegates in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, but it does not appear he can win the nomination with the hostility of the southern delegates due to his union ties and his ties to Civil Rights activist which he is a loud proponent.

Of the five leading candidates (Kennedy, Stevenson, Johnson, and Humphrey, and Reuther) no one has a clear lead, Kennedy is a strong, handsome, and charismatic war hero who served bravely in the Pacific theatre of the 2nd World War, there are worries however about his appeal to the nation as a whole. Widespread worries were compounded when in the primary he failed to win a state that lacked a sizeable Catholic population. With Senator Stevenson of Illinois, there is the fact that he passed over running in 1952, but with the successful drafting of Ike, many believe this to be water under the bridge. He is also not lacking in experience having served as the Chief Executive of one of the nation’s premier swing states for 8 years, before ousting Senator Everett Dirksen in the 1956 elections.

For Senator Humphrey, his key strengths are his charismatic nature and his wide-ranging liberal policies. Many see the Minnesotan as the standard-bearer of the liberal cause into the new decade with Senator Thomas Kenway’s absence on the Presidential ballot to some’s surprise. A major issue for Humphrey is the support of the Southern states, due to his progressive support for civil rights over his time as Mayor and later in the Senate as he has been one of the loudest advocates. Senator Stuart Symington is a Senator from Missouri, Symington is backed by Former President Harry Truman, and he served in Truman’s administration as the first Secretary of the Air Force before his election to the Senate in 1952. Symington has faced criticism for his refusal to speak to segregated crowds during his time in the campaign.

The 1960 Republican Convention

Richard M. Nixon: 18
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.: 65
Margaret Chase Smith (-10): 52 - 10 = 42
General Lucius D. Clay: 4
Clifford P. Case: 9

For the 1960 Republican primaries, there is great enthusiasm, with the 8-year itch coming about there is a solid chance of a Republican victory in November,  the leading candidates for the nomination were California Senator Richard M. Nixon, Former Massachusetts Senator and 1956 Republican Vice presidential nominee Henry Cabot Lodge Jr, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith, General Lucius D. Clay, and New Jersey Senator, Clifford Case.

The frontrunners for the nomination from the beginning were sent to be Senator Nixon and Senator Lodge, but with the endorsement of both Former President Earl Warren (over home state son Nixon) and Former Vice President Thomas Dewey Lodge was able to capture much of the early support in the primaries, however he was not able to secure a victory in Senator Nixon’s home state of California and knock is primary opponent from the race.Senator Lodge was the winner in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Senator Richard Nixon of California ran in the primaries as well capturing victories in Florida, California, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Nixon represents the conservative internationalist wing of the GOP, while a ardent Anti-Communist some cite his lack of legislative accumne as his possible path to failure in the general election, Senator Lodge was the winner in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Indiana.

Of the remaining candidates Senator’s Chase Smith and Case were unable to gain significant footholds in the primaries, with Case being defeated in his own home state and dropping out soon thereafter pledging to fight onto the convention, while Chase was unable to make much of an impact in the primaries where she competed. The final noteworthy candidate is General Lucius D. Clay a well-known and respected military leader who served as the leader of the United States occupation zone in Germany until the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany he is the scion of a prominent military family, he did not compete in any of the primary contests, but hopes to be drafted similar to General Eisenhower 8 year ago his father did serve as a United States Senator from Georgia asa  Democrat for 2 terms near the turn of the century though.

Congressman Gerald O’Connor(+20): 91 + 20 = 111
Senator Thomas Kenway (+10): 9 + 10 = 19
Governor Will Angler (+5): 79 + 5 = 84
Senator Marcus Jackson II (+10): 56 + 10 = 66
Congressman Anton Jepson (+15): 60 + 15 = 75
Helen Nolan Tobin: 23

At the beginning of the new Congress in 1959 there was a showdown between Congressman Gerald O’Connor of Illinois and Congressman John W. McCormack of Massachusetts, but narrowly in a caucus vote O’Connor prevailed over the old guard with a coalition made of the industrial midwest, the new south, and plains congressmen. The deciding factor was the decisive vote of the Iowa and Minnesota delegations in favor of Congressman O’Connor. With McCormack as Majority leader what will O’Connor do to unite the party in the House, and what will he do at the convention?

Senator Thomas Kenway’s oratory was never considered renowned, and other than his renomination speech for President Eisenhower his eulogy was not of great note. His work with the Kennedy’s had prepared them for the 1960 convention where Jack was a leading contender what Tommy could do to secure the nomination for his friend.

Governor Will Angler won reelection in 1958 without difficulty and as he continued to push for his liberal agenda there were some gripes in the legislature from the Democrata and some conservative Republicans, but a large majority in the legislature still agreed with his liberal views. His Green MountainCare passed narrowly in the state legislature, but it was enshrined into law and as he prepared to decide between running for a 3rd term and making another career decision.


Senator Marcus Jackson’s eulogy of President Eisenhower was quite well received, but it had no long lasting effect. His suggestion to President Kefauver was not allowed, though it did spark interest in Congress for the enshrinement in the constitution for a placeholder Vice President to be added to the age old document. His brother was easily the winner in that summers Democratic primary with many counties loyal to Senator Jackson reporting extraordinary margins for State Senator Jackson’s bid for the mansion exceeding 70% of the vote even among the heavily divided field in some northern panhandle counties, though a threat of a Republican for the first time in memory seriously contended the Governor’s mansion, though with some creative “GOTV” victory could all but be assured.

Congressman Anton Jepson had managed to secure a close ally as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and with his support of Senator Humphrey he vigorously campaigned for the Senator and was able to help contribute to one of his victories in the primary setting the scale to be one of the longer conventions in recent memory. The Family Farm Act had passed easily through both houses of Congress and was one of the key accomplishments of the shortened Kefauver administration.

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler 1960

Will Angler decided to run for a third term, with Republican enthusiasm building after 8 years of Democratic rule, a change was brewing in the air, and it looked like Henry Cabot Lodge could be leading the charge and Will's own reelection was nearly certain. Angler whipped the Vermont delegation behind Lodge again, and made himself available to speak on behalf of Lodge at the convention.

Senator Lodge is the model of leadership, the paradigm of professionalism. He is the best man ready to step forward and go on with the task of government, and he is the best man to hold the standard of the Republican Party. His distinguished career has been defined by principles of the strongest iron, good government based on merit and not debased by corruption, civil rights for all, and compassionate leadership that gives those who cannot help themselves the means to do so. These principles to speak to his character of integrity and of service. The man who like myself was forged in the fires of the Second World War, the man who while serving in the Senate served his country abroad and single handedly captured an entire Nazi patrol. And the man who used his seat in the Senate to fight communism abroad and for American families at home. I ask you my fellow Republicans, will we be the party of defeat in 1956, or will we the party of victory in 1960! We will be victorious in November with Senator Lodge, but more importantly we can win the battle for which party truly flies the standard of progress, and with Senator Lodge nobody can doubt it is the Republican Party.

Will also campaigned for Lodge behind the scenes of the convention. When all was said and done he returned home to campaign for Governor on his progressive record, but pledging to use his 3rd term to work on cost saving and to grow the paint day fund as opposed to big new reforms, both to reassure voters and placate conservatives.

In his personal life his wife Josephine gave birth to a son whom they named Will Jr.


My support is to Lodge and Stevenson for Republicans and Democrats.
2 Points to reelect Will Angler Governor of Vermont

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen

Anton had played a key part in making his friend Congressman Gerald O'Conor the Speaker of the House, by securing the votes from his own state of Minnesota. With this help he provided, he had surely strengthened the already close political relationship between himself and O'Conor, which would be even more valuable now that O'Conor was Speaker of the House. Perhaps a position in the House leadership was coming somewhere down the line, although for now his focus was on his work in the Ways and Means Committee.

Anton had also played a key part in the presidential campaign of his close friend Hubert Humphrey. With his campaigning in the neighboring Wisconsin, he helped secure victory for Humphrey by appealing to urban laborers as well as rural farmers. It was a coalition quite alike to the defunct Farmer-Labor Party, which also explains his primary victories in more rural states like North Dakota and Nebraska, as well as the union-heavy state of West Virginia. But not one of the top five contenders had a clear lead as they entered the Democratic Nation Convention, and it looked like it was going to be the most split Convention in decades for the Democrats.

Despite this, Jepsen would put in his best efforts to help Hubert Humphrey get over the finish line. First he would attempt to make Senator Wayne Morse endorse Hubert Humphrey, by pointing out his progressive credentials as Senator, and was just a matter pragmatism considering how far down in delegates Wayne Morse is. He could perhaps promise a position Secretary of the Interior, but since he didn't have the official capacity to do so, he would run the ideas past Humphrey first.

The next visit would itch Jepsen at the back of his mind, as he had always hated the politics of smoke-filled backrooms that have decided the nomination without any popular support. It was Walter Reuther who was next in line. He would again bring up the Senators progressive credentials as Senator, and also that while he couldn't promise anything in an official capacity, he could perhaps have a position as Secretary of Labor, and perhaps even an official plank on repealing Taft-Hartley if Humphrey were to win. This would surely be enough to appeal to the union elements that Reuther represented. He also would run these offers past Humphrey to see if he was on board with what Jepsen had said.

And lastly there was Missouri Senator Stuart Symington. Like with Morse he would present voting for Humphrey as a matter of pragmatism, given that Symington only had the delegates of his home state of Missouri and the sparsely populated mountain and plains states. There was also the matter of Humphrey being one of the only other candidates that did not speak to segregated crowds, and the fact that Humphrey was a firm supporter of civil rights, unlike the tepid support the likes of Kennedy, Johnson and Stevenson have given. Perhaps the Vice-Presidency or some other cabinet position might be in the cards as well, although just like with the other offers, he would bring them by Humphrey afterwards to see if he agreed with what he had said in an unofficial capacity.

Jepsen had gone to all who he thinks have a chance of endorsing Humphrey, so all there was to donow was to wait for the Convention to proceed.

Humphrey for the Democratic Nomination

Lodge for the Republican Nomination

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Smith for the Republicans, Johnson for the Democrats.

While Jackson had indeed been friends with Senator Kennedy years prior, the man was too different ideologically for him to support and he was, in Jackson's eyes, too green to be President. He instead pushed for Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas, a powerful man with a lot of powerful friends, he was a very big influence in the party and had been for quite some time ever since his election to the senate, in a speech, Jackson spoke "Senator Johnson is everything that we need to continue the policies of the late President Eisenhower and President Kefauver. He is a man of experience. He has been in Congress since the mid 30s and will be able to get the job done with his many friends that he gained. He has the experience that will not allow those in the Soviet Union to push us, as Experience is a good deterrence for evil. He will also bring together a party that seems divided, for it seems that we are splitting the party between North and South, Conservative and Liberal lines, something that President Eisenhower would not want us to be doing. Johnson, as a New Dealer, will be able to bring all sides into one party once again and together, we will continue the policies of Eisenhower and Kefauver and we will win the election in November!"

Proud that his brother was able to win the Democratic Primary for Governor easily even if he was facing some troubles against a potential Republican, with many claiming that Florida was starting to look like a Dynasty State for the Jackson family. However, at the same time, Senator Jackson's second eldest brother, Arnold Jackson, announced he was running for South Carolina's 6th Congressional District against well entrenched incumbent John L. McMillian. Arnold, a veteran of World War 2 and the Korean War, is a staunch interventionist, anti-communist man who only retired from the military in November of 1959, most likely to run for the House. While Marcus has given his brother a tacit endorsement due to family ties and it being clear that the Florida Senator doesn't feel much for the members of the House from States like Alabama, Mississippi, or South Carolina as they currently are. His brother has shrugged off his endorsement however and ordered the youngest Jackson to not campaign for him, as he is his own person.

And so, currently, Marcus Jackson II, while not having to face re-election himself, now has to deal with a potential issue of his family becoming a political dynasty in several states despite all three men making it clear that they are Independent of each and run their own campaigns. At the same time, Marcus' nephews remain in the Senate, biding their time to run for higher office while gaining a name for themselves separate from their southern uncles. As for what the Senator is currently doing, while campaigning for his brother in his gubernatorial campaign, offers to meet with Speaker Gerry O'Connor, Representative Anton Jepsen, and Senator Kenway to create a possible Amendment that would see the appointment of a Vice President should the office become vacant for any reason in the future. 1960 is set to be a busy year for the Senator and he'll be lucky if by the end of it, he doesn't pull his hair out.
1 Point for Arnold Jackson to run in the SC-06 Democratic Primary
OOC : As Political Dynasties that spanned multiple states were common in this period (Kennedies, Lodges, Rockefellers), I'm assuming this is ok. However, if Jackson himself has issue with it, I'll remove Arnold.

[Cabbage]

Gerry would not have previously been able to imagine himself unhappy so soon after being elected Speaker, but the Party had found a way. It wasn't that he disliked the potential nominees; on the contrary, he approved of all of them. And that was his problem. He was Speaker now; his voice counted a hell of a lot more than it had when he was just some firebrand liberal from Chicago. And the five main candidates knew it.

Hubert had tried to use Gerry's friendship with Anton Jepsen to weasel an endorsement out of Gerry, Jack had done the same thing with Tom Kenway, Lyndon had used his posse of New Southerners (including new House Majority Whip Jack Brooks), and Reuther was using some of his friends in the CFL to get into the Speaker's office.

Then there was Adlai. Unlike in '52, when Gerry had bucked him for Kefauver for the Vice Presidency, Adlai wanted it this time. Much of the Chicago machine wanted him to have it, too. And so Gerry found himself without a clear path forward. He thought something entirely unSpeakerly as he flipped through a sheaf of papers.


"Marcus!" Gerry stuck out his hand. The Senator from Florida wasn't his closest friend in Congress, but the two had never gone at it, either. And this amendment idea of his wasn't bad at all.

"Mr. Speaker." Jackson was more formal, but then, he had reason to be more wary in Washington; though they'd gotten over the "Red Chinese Incident," he and President Kefauver were far from friends. "I take it you want to talk about my latest amendment proposal?"

"That I do, Marcus. Doesn't seem like it'd be difficult to pass, especially given our current circumstances." Jackson grimaced. No, he didn't like the President worth beans (or maybe even worth boiled cabbage). "I plan on introducing it to the House myself."

Jackson smiled. "Well then, why all the fuss and feathers to tell me there's no fuss nor feathers?" Behind that smile, he was evidently thinking, And what the hell do you want in return?

"Nothing at all, Marcus. I think it's a splendid idea." Marcus didn't seem particularly inclined to accept that, but he saw no reason to look a gift horse in the mouth, either. The two men shook hands.


"I just don't feel like I'm articulating my points enough." Senator Stevenson muttered unhappily.

"Well, either articulate fewer points or leave them unarticulated, Senator, because we can't fit everything you want to say into a half-hour program. I know it's annoying, but those clowns at the networks want to sell shaving cream and coffee and refrigerator attachments, not to let you finish your speech."

The Senator grimaced at that. He knew it, as much as Gerry did. He'd been baptized by fire in the ways of television during his Senate campaign against Dirksen. God only knows how bad he'd be if he hadn't.

"I know, damn it. I wish it weren't so, but Ike would still be President and the Republicans would be running Foss again if I got everything I wanted in life."

"Amen to that, Senator."


"Gentlemen, I think you all know why I've called you here."

Seated before Gerry were numerous leaders of the Old Guard of the Democratic Party, many of whom had been extremely reluctant to vote for him for Speaker on the House floor. He knew he had to do this right, or things could get ugly come the election.

John McCormack was the first to speak. "You're Speaker now; what more do you want?"

"A united caucus behind me, John. I've seen intrapartisan division at work before back home, and I was the only reason it didn't spill over into a Democratic civil war then." Several of the men nodded at that; they'd all heard tell of how Gerry had saved Daley and Kennelly from themselves. "I can't do that now, gentlemen. You can. I'm aware I'm more left-wing than most of you. I'm aware I'm not even forty years old. I'm aware I look like a flaming jackass for jumping the seniority ranks as much as I did." That got a couple of laughs, although McCormack was still unamused. Jumping the seniority ranks had cost him the Speaker's gavel.

"I'm aware that I'm not ever going to be your favorite man for the job. I'm not stupid enough to ask it of you. But I'm also aware that we have a hell of a majority in Congress, and that, if we're united, we can either push through whatever we please under a new Democratic administration, or raise hell against a Republican one. But we have to stay united. If the Republicans smell weakness, they'll strike. You all know that. They've been in the minority, and usually deep in it, for nine years now. They want us to fall apart more than anything. Which is why we can't, why I know we won't, let it happen." Even McCormack was nodding by the end of Gerry's speech.

"Now, gentlemen, there's a bit of business we need to take care of. Senator Jackson, as you may have recalled, has proposed an amendment in favor of making appointments to the Vice Presidency a possibility. I know you all like it. I'll be introducing it onto the House floor during tomorrow's session. Our job is to make sure every Democrat in the House and thirty Republicans vote for it." He looked toward some of the men who'd been most confused as to why they'd been invited, some of the most conservative members of the caucus. They smirked now. Yes, they knew why they were here; it wasn't just to make sure they followed the leader. Gerry was putting his "we need unity" speech into action.


When Gerry had heard it would be a hundred degrees at the DNC in Los Angeles, he'd been apoplectic. Now, though, he found that a hundred degrees meant more like eighty in LA. It still didn't want to make him move here, though. Eighty was still too hot for a Chicagoite.

Senator Stevenson had firm control of his state's delegation, and Gerry planned to vote for him on the first ballot. If things went sideways, however, he was ready for any nominee. He'd back any nominee to the hilt. He preached party unity again in the speech he made to the convention floor (McCormack, visible in the crowd, was smiling knowingly), and prepared himself nevertheless for a nasty fight.


Stevenson for the Democrats, Smith for the Republicans

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway, 1960 primaries

The passing of the Family Farm Act was a big boon to Thomas, and not a moment too soon. His advocation of Civil Rights had made him anathema to many southern Democrats, something which was naturally going to damage his Presidential ambitions. Not that it mattered. The future of the Democratic Party, as he saw it, was in the Midwest and Plains states, not the South.

Despite his best attempts at dissuading his friend, Tom threw his weight behind Kennedy when the announcement was made. Assuming his familiar role as liberal bomb-thrower, Kenway campaigned across the Plains states for JFK. At one campaign event, he was questioned about Kennedy's Catholicism, and whether it would mean rule from Rome. Kenway, in a calm but clearly incensed voice replied "Jack supports separation of Church and state. The idea that the United States would be governed by the Catholic Church under his Presidency is, in a word, ridiculous".

Doubtless it would win him no favours in the South, but it needed to be said.

Tom continued his work turning the Plains delegations to Kennedy. Symington was an overly ambitious wet blanket, he remarked to Bobby in private, eliciting a laugh from the middle Kennedy. Speaking of Bobby, Tom began to plant the idea in his head of running for Governor of Massachusetts in 1962. he had to be careful of course, but Tom deftly manuevered his way around the prickly RFK.

Finally, he also met with his allies in the Iowa Democratic Party about bringing the 1968 convention to Des Moines. Iowa had become an important swing state in recent years. And besides, there was the possibility that they'd be nominating one of their own that year.

Upon reaching the convention in Los Angeles, he worked the floor with Bobby, trying one last time to win over support from the other delegations, and siphon support away from Symington.

Kennedy and Lodge

[Orwell]

The Conventions Continue: DNC & RNC Ballot 2

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Gerald O’Connor: 17 points
Governor of Vermont Will Angler: 15 points
Senator Marcus A. Jackson II of Florida: 16 points
Representative Anton Jepson of Minnesota: 14 points
Senator Thomas Kenway of Iowa: 11 points

The 1960 Democratic Convention

Hubert Humphrey(+5): 53 + 58
Lyndon Johnson(+5): 65 + 5 = 70
John F. Kennedy(+5): 7 + 5 = 12
Stuart Symington: 1
Wayne Morse: 97
Adlai Stevenson II (+10): 38 + 10 = 48
Walter Reuther: 14

With the end of the first ballot of the Democratic convention there was a deadlock, Missouri Senator Staurt Symington left the field without endorsing another candidate. Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson further consolidated his support in the southern states, Oregon Senator Wayne Morse gained significant support among the Mountain West including securing the endorsement of Idaho Senator Frank Church.

The coalitions of Senators Humphrey, Kennedy, and Stevenson remained mostly unchanged, but Labor leader Walter Reuther announced he was not seeking the nomination of the Democratic party in 1960 to the surprise of many in the convention and to many who had once supported him, he did not endorse any of the leading contenders. The winner of the first ballot was Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson, he had gained the support of the southern states and he had gained a small but vocal group of border state supporters in Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri. The delegation of Missouri and many of the uncommitted midwestern states split between Senators Stevenson and Humphrey, while Senator Kennedy suffered a setback from his poorly run campaign infrastructure.

The 1960 Republican Convention

Richard M. Nixon: 44
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.(+15): 47 + 15 = 62
Margaret Chase Smith (-10, +5): 23 - 10 + 5 = 18

The First ballot of the Republican National Convention faced a similar pedigree as the Democratic Convention. Senator Richard Nixon of California sought the nomination and was once hailed as a front runner, but he lacked the strength among many of the party establishment. Former Senator and 1956 Vice Presidential nominee Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. were the odds on favorite to win the nomination quite handily, but at the end of the first ballot, he lacked the majority needed to win.

By the end of the first ballot Lodge was near the nomination, but there was still a considerable block supporting Nixon. While Margaret Chase Smith the Senator from Maine had the support of some of the more liberal delegates also blocking Lodge, but she lacked the wide support of the other candidates and was thought to be a protest vote for those unhappy with either option in the Republican nominating field.

With the beginning of the 2nd ballot, it seemed that without anything changing that Lodge would almost assuredly secure the nomination as the tides were turning against Senator Nixon, without the support of a major player such as 1956 nominee Joe Foss the GOP was almost assuredly going to nominate the more liberal ‘Eastern Establishment’ Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Congressman Gerald O’Connor(+15): 53 + 15 = 68
Senator Thomas Kenway (+5): 9 + 5 = 14
Governor Will Angler (+10): 66 + 10 = 76
Senator Marcus Jackson II (+10): 12 + 10 = 22
Congressman Anton Jepson (+15): 4 + 15 = 19

Speaker Gerald O’Connor worked the rooms for Senator Stevenson with some effect, the Illinois delegation was obviously behind the Senator, and as the DNC continued to ballot number 2 it looked as though it might be a long fight for the nomination. There were rumors that Gerry himself could be drafted as a possible Vice Presidential nominee to Senator Kennedy or Senator Johnson, though it was up to Gerry what to do with those rumors.

Senator Kenway’s attempt to persuade the protestants onto the side of Senator Kennedy did not go as planned. It even turned off a number of Catholic Democrats in New York, and Pennsylvania who felt that Senator Kennedy was running away from his faith. He was more successful in securing the Iowa delegation or at least most of it for Senator Kennedy, though there were vocal minorities in support of Stevenson and Humphrey. Even a couple of delegates for Johnson.

Governor Angler had a good performance and his speech was hailed as moving, though a bit dull. The first ballot seemed to be going quite well for Senator Lodge, and without a monumental change it seemed as the nomination would be going to the Senator on the 2nd ballot without question. The question of the Vice Presidency came about, and with his role in helping the nominee gain his position the question came that Lodge would ask Will to be a part of the Vice Presidential committee on finding a nominee.

Senator Marcus Jackson II had a less than average day on the first ballot, while Senator Johnson gained significant ground and secured his role as the leading Southerner. Jackson had came down with a cold and was forced to listen to the proceedings of the convention from a radio in his hotel suite.

Senator Humphrey’s campaign progressed, though Senator Morse had gained significant ground during the first ballot of the convention seemingly from nowhere. Mr.Reuther and Senator Symington also failed to endorse Senator Humphrey, the good news was however Humphrey had gained support among some of the uncommitted midwestern delegations.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

While recovering from his slight cold, the Senator decides to meet with the Delegates from the States of California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio to try and bring them over to Senator Johnson's side in the hopes that he can get the Nomination over them. Deciding to make a grand speech to show this, he stood to many Delegates and spoke : "Right now, we are on the verge of continuing President Eisenhower's and Kefauver's legacies, with Senator Johnson being the man that is leading everyone in the pack. For his entire life, Senator Johnson has worked for the betterment of every man, woman, and child in the state of Texas and the country as a whole. He was once a teacher, yet his coalition is filled with Teachers, Farmers, Veterans, Laborers, and so many other wonderful people. Senator Kennedy, who I hold in some high regard, I believe does not hold the experience necessary to be President, for if he is challenged by the Soviet Union, then how will he react? How will he handle a crisis when it is unclear how proven he really is? The man's folly is inexperience, not his faith. And, because of this inexperience, he might cost us this election to the Republicans as a veteran like Lodge will not make the same mistakes of 1952, not on the national level!

As for Hubert Humphrey, while I do hold respect for the man for what he's doing for labor unions and his policies against antisemitism that he enacted while Mayor of Minneapolis, I fear he sames many of the same faults of Senator Kennedy. Both men, I consider to be inexperienced to be President at the Present, both men are from northern states, which could see a sudden split of our party between regional lines, which we don't need as of now, and both men will likely be unable to handle the experience of whoever is the Republican Nominee, such as Lodge or Nixon. Johnson, however, will keep the party together, he has enough experience for the job, and he has a fantastic chance of beating the Republican Nominee, whoever it may be, come the fall!"

Following the speech, Senator Jackson decided to meet with Speaker O'Connor on a plan.
"Alright, Gerald," the Senator began, but the Speaker raised a hand and politely shook his head.

"Please, if you'd like, call me Gerry." Senator Jackson nodded before continuing.

"Alright, Gerry, I think we can both agree that the convention is at a stalemate." The Speaker of the House nodded, his eyes watching the Senator like a hawk. Both men were becoming quick veterans of Congress, with O'Connor already as Speaker, though it was unclear if Jackson was looking for any Leadership opportunities himself. "The front-runners as of right now are Johnson, Humphrey, Stevenson, and Morse, a darn Republican turncoat, even with Senator Kennedy maybe still in the running."

"Yeah, I agree. We have the quite the strange array of Candidates for the nomination." Jackson continued to speak, as if the Speaker had remained silent.

"You and I both know this can't go on forever. Jack and Humphrey simply aren't ready and we can't let a former Republican take charge of the Party." The Speaker hmm'd in silent agreement and Senator Jackson gave a small smile. He had the man's attention, now he had to reel him in for the kill.

"That leaves Johnson and Stevenson."

"Correct, Gerry. And both of these men have our support, though the two of us disagree on who should be the Nominee."

"Quite the dilemma we find ourselves in, Mark."

"I can't agree more, Mr. Speaker, which is why I offer up a solution." The speaker's eye brow raised in apprehension, likely already knowing what the Senator was about to say. "It's clear that of the two men, Johnson has a better chance of getting the Nomination and winning the Election in the fall, My suggestion is you convince Stevenson to drop out for the Presidential Nomination and go for the Vice Presidential Nomination. From there, we work to get a Johnson/Stevenson ticket nominated and after that, we see how it goes. If they win, then we'll hold the White House for another 4 years and Stevenson will be in it, and if they lose, Stevenson will be in a prime position for the Nomination in 1964 and unless my state's current Governor is running, I'll back him and work my tail off to get the Southern Delegates to support him. God knows I have way too much influence over them ever since that speech for Pepper."

"Indeed, you've proven yourself to be an expert at speaking, Mark. I'll try and talk to Stevenson after I think about your plan for a little while. I'll give you my response and his response later. Until then, anything you'd like?"

"Yes, just help my brother Louis in winning the Gubernatorial Election. As for Arnold, do whatever you want for him. He's on his own little vanity project in South Carolina and I'd much rather see him run for Governor there instead of trying to oust a bloody incumbent."

"I'll do what I can to help Louis. You take care in meantime."

"Thanks, you as well."
Even with the war for the convention ongoing, the Senator remained ever prevalent and mostly focused his efforts on seeing his brother Louis win the 1960 Gubernatorial Election in a landslide. Speaking to a crowd in Miami, he said "For the last 11 years, I have served you dutifully in Congress. I've worked to give financial aid to the farmers and veterans of this state, I've worked to help families get aid. However, I am but one man out of 435 in Congress and there is only so much one man can do. My brother, however, has served this state dutifully from the State Senate since being elected there in 1946 and shares many of my views and some ideas of his own that he'll implement to make Florida one of the greatest states in the country. So, come November, remember, the Jackson family will always be there for Florida and when we get into office, we get things done!"

However, the days spent not rallying delegates to Johnson and not campaigning for Louis was spent with his wife, Elizabeth, and his 3 sons, Marcus III (b. 1947), Phillip (b. 1950), and Andrew (b. 1957), and his 2 daughters, Anna (b. 1947), and Agnes (b. 1951). While he is a busy man, the Senator enjoys anytime he can get with his family and with Marcus III taking a keen interest in the military, the Senator has planned for him to inevitably sign up for the service, not allowing him to be disqualified simply because of who his father is. Louis and Arnold even spend time with them as Jackson relaxes.
Johnson and Smith again!

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway, 1960 part 2

Kenway stared blankly at the young man opposite him. "Are you serious, Bobby?"

"Deadly serious. Your usefulness to the campaign has run its course." Bobby replied. Tom felt his anger rising. He had basically sunk his own ambitions for jack's campaign, now he didn't even have the guts to say this to his face? He sent his snot-nosed brat of a little brother to do it for him!?

"Until now I don't think I'd fully taken Jack's measure. Now I see what he is: he's a coward who talks big then hides behind others." Tom snarled. He was not going to be talked down to by this self-important boy.

"Careful, Senator. You'll sink your career here."

"I don't think so. Iowans are smarter than you think we are. I know you think we're a bunch of hicks who do nothing but farm all day, but we know a buls**t artist when we see one. I've put my own re-election in jeopardy for Jack, and in return, you tell me to f**k off?!" He was yelling now, not that he cared.

"Some of us help in quieter ways." Bobby replied sternly. "I put my career on hold fr Jack as well-"

"At least one of us had a career instead of hiding in their brother's shadow." Tom replied angrily, storming out.

"Don't you walk out on me!"

"You always were a son of a b***h, Bobby. What goes around, comes around. I'm leaving."

It was a giant media storm when word reached down that Kenway had stormed out of his meeting with Bobby. Rumours flew. Among them was the somewhat colourful suggestion that he and Bbby had gotten into a physical altercation. That amused him somewhat. What the only certain thing was now was that he had cut ties with the Kennedys for good.

That was why he now found himself trying to decide who to support. Humphrey? The man was the leading liberal in the party, but there was minimal support for him elsewhere. Johnson was anathema to the liberal wing, so he was out. Stevenson? The man was a strong liberal and internationalist, but his main issue with Stevenson was that he was not cut out for the modern TV era, and his floundering with the cameras in the 1958 Senate race was still in the back of Tom's mind.

In the end, he decided simply to focus on his re-election bid and bringing the 1968 Convention to Des Moines.

[Cabbage]

Gerry blinked a couple of times as Senator Jackson left his office. The man seemed utterly convinced he had him on the hook, that there was no way in hell Gerry'd do anything but support him. He'd also believe anything that made him look good (he was about as much an "expert at speaking" as Marx was on human nature). Senators, he thought with a snort. He might hold a rally or two for Lou Jackson, but he wasn't going to waste much time on getting a Democrat elected in f**king Florida. He'd leave Arnold to duke it out with McMillan, and support whoever won there (not that the solidly blue district was any concern once the convention had spoken).

He agreed with Jackson, though, that it would be either Stevenson or Johnson for the nomination. And he did have to admit that 1960 wasn't looking pretty for the Democrats. He'd been quietly goading more liberal elements of the Republican Party to support Margaret Chase Smith, but it looked like that wouldn't work, which meant Lodge had a hell of a good chance of becoming the 37th President next January. But, if things went sour for Lodge, as he intended them to, 1964 would elect another Democrat. And if the Southerners lined up behind Adlai...

That caveat rankled, though. It gave him an out to support Collins instead of Adlai, and Gerry had no intention of getting snookered.

Which is why he picked up the phone and, after confirming Adlai was at least tentatively on board, called Senator Johnson directly.

"Ah, Gerry. I take it Adlai likes the plan?"

"He does, Senator, but he'd like it better with a couple of additions."

"Such as?"

"A poverty relief bill. A big one."


"Jack, I don't want it."

Senator John F. Kennedy looked at Gerry in seemingly genuine confusion. "But Gerry..."

"No, Jack. I like being Speaker. I just got to be Speaker. I don't want to be Vice President now, in four years, or in twenty years. I want to run the House. I like it, and I'm good at it, and I'd get neither of those things out of being on the shelf for eight years. I respect your consideration, and I'm honored by it, but I will never want to be Vice President."

Jack nodded and stood. "All right, then." And then he went on. "I'm f**ked."


Smith for the Republicans again; if Stevenson goes for the deal, Johnson for the Dems; otherwise, Stevenson again

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler 1960

Will was encouraged by Lodge's strength, it was quite likely he was to be nominated. Angler continued to go delegate to delegate making the case for Henry Cabot Lodge.

He told one delegate from Rhode Island supporting Smith

"It's a dangerous world Pat, we got commies in Cuba, in Vietnam, encroaching enemies on all sides. We've got to be that arsenal of Democracy, that leader of NATO, we've gotta be the country to defend liberty. I know Maggie's making a good case but you know as well as I do she ain't got a shot, you support Henry on the next ballot and not only will it be good for America's future to have real foreign policy know-how, but it may well be good for yours as well."

He also was appointed to Lodge's Vice Presidential selection committee, with which he used to get himself closer with Senator Lodge and to look through the options. The committee was rigorous, and it looked at a wide array of options. Ultimately however, the choice was staring them in the face the entire time. It was the choice of party unity, of regional balance, and one that would shift the party leftwards without alienating the conservative wing. Richard M. Nixon of California. Angler visited Lodge's suite himself to deliver the news.


Will Angler strolled to the Senator's hotel suite and knocked on the door. Lodge shouted from inside, "come in!" Angler opened the unlocked door and saw Lodge had the White Sox game on. "I take it you have what you've been working on Will my pal?"

"Yes sir, I've got it."

"Thank you Will, I should really thank you, you've been a great partner, and a good friend. I would hardly be here without your work. And what you've in Vermont is truly admirable."

"Thank you sir, but I'd like to tell you our decisions."

"Oh take a drink with me Will. Two New England boys, war vets and all that." Will smiled but shuffled his feet.

"Sir I don't partake."

"Oh cmon, for old times sake."

Lodge poured a glass of whiskey for the both of them and shut off the television. Will lay back in a comfy chair as the both of them took in the setting sun, and shared old war stories. The last bit of sun was barely hovering over the horizon, emitting a slight purple and orange glow over the city as Will finally took out the manilla folder. A bit tipsy, but he was all there nonetheless.

"Sir I think it's time we got to business." Lodge turned over.

"So it is." Will put it on the table between them and Lodge opened it up, but not before looking at it for a brief moment.

"So here's the number two." Lodge opened it to reveal a photo of Richard Nixon on a document with scribbled notes and signatures of various members of the committee. "Ah, Dick, I can't say it doesn't make sense."

"Senator he's the right man, pulls in the west, makes the conservatives happy, even if he's a slithery bastard he unites the party, moderates like him, conservatives are okay with him, and liberals have others they can hate on. Go for the win with Dick I tell ya."

Lodge nodded, "and if he's too ambitious to play second fiddle?"

"Then go with Dirksen, he's a loyal party man and he gets you the regional balance and makes conservatives and moderates all happy to blend with your liberalism. All the right buttons. And I should mention it secures you a majority on the next ballot if Nixon says yes."

"I suppose it makes sense." Lodge nodded as he read the papers.

"I should be going." Will got up and prepared to leave.

"I like it." Lodge said to himself.


My support is to Lodge and Humphrey for Republicans and Democrats.
2 points to elect John Volpe Governor of Massachusetts

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway, 1960 part 3

"that son of a b***h!" Kenway said, slamming the door shut behind him. He'd put his own presidential ambitions on hold, and now the Kennedys told him that he wasn't useful anymore?! Well, he had his own friends as well, and karma was one cruel mistress.

"You alright there, Tommy?" Gerry asked. The two had become acquainted during the battles to get Medicare and the Family Farm Act passed, as well as the recent Speaker election. Tom had done his part, whipping the Iowa delegation for the new Speaker.

"Kennedy sold me downriver." Tom said, still seething with rage. "Didn't even have the guts to say it to my face. he had Robert tell me that 'I had outlived my usefuless to the campaign'." He snarled. "I was stupid to align myself with him. I told him to wait for '64, and he didn't listen!"

"Well be careful of the door." The Speaker deadpanned. Tom cracked a smile, despite himself.

"I'm aware you have a deal with Jackson going regarding Johnson." He said. That caught the Speaker off guard. "Don't look so surprised. The Iowa delegates are divided three ways, s i was bound to hear about it eventually. I have a proposal: I'll deliver Iowa to Johnson now and in the general, but I want one thing: I want your help in bringing the convention to Iowa in 1968."
It was strange; a leading light of the northern liberals meeting with a conservative southerner, especially given Kenway's strong advocacy of civil rights, but needs must. THey had a common enemy in Senator John F. Kennedy.

"I thought he was a friend of yours?" Jackson said, offering the younger man a drink. Kenway shook his head, teetotaller that he was.

"He was. I wanted to run this year, but I put that on hold to get Jack elected, then he sent his brother to tell me that I was of no use to them anymore." Tom said, anger still boiling in him.

"So you want to get back at them?"

"I'll give Iowa to Johnson if you can promise that you'll work to help isolate the Kennedys. They think the White House is theirs by right. If they have no allies or friends in national politics, there goes the ballgame for them."

Johnson if the deal is taken, uncommitted if not.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen at the Convention

Jepsen wasn't surprised at the deadlock after the first ballot given the already split situation before the Convention, but much to Jepsen's chagrin Johnson had emerged the winner of the first rounds of balloting. Senator Symington had left without endorsing anyone after the first ballot, as had UAW Leader Walther Reuther, so it seemed that both were either uninterested or unconvinced in the offers Jepsen had made, and Jepsen couldn't help being just slightly disappointed their non-endorsements. But alas it seemed that Jepsen would have to change his approach to garner more support for Humphrey.

Senator Wayne Morse had gained many delegates seemingly out of nowhere, likely a due to Symington dropping out, as well as a timely endorsement from Senator Frank Church, meanwhile the situation had barely changed for either Humphrey, Kennedy or Stevenson after the first ballot.
"Perhaps it was time to pay Senator Morse a visit yet again with his stronger position? Maybe try to get some more Midwestern delegates on Humphreys side? Maybe make a play to get some Plains state delegates on his side? " All of these thoughts crossed Jepsen's mind one after another.

After a moment of silent contemplation(well silent as Convention standards go), Jepsen had his mind set on doing all of these things. He had to go all in on his efforts if he wanted a chance of seeing Humphrey as the nominee. At least as much time as he could spare away from his House duties and his family.


First up on the agenda was all the Midwestern delegates. Jepsen would make sure to keep support for Humphrey high among the delegates to minimize any potential defections. He would also appeal to former Reuther delegates that were considering supporting other candidates by pointing out the very pro-union record of Hubert Humphrey, as well as trying to bring over any remaining uncommitted delegates.

Lastly he would campaign among the remaining delegations, trying to bring in more support for Humphrey by pointing out his tireless advocacy for workers, farmers and unions, not to mention the shortcomings of the other candidates, calling out Johnson for being a Taft-Hartley supporter and his connections with conservative Dixiecrats, Stevenson and Kennedy for their aristocratic air that would potentially turn off working class Democrats, and and additional point on Stevenson being indecisive and long-winded, which he would tie-in with a point about Humphreys charisma being more ready for the TV-era.


Next on the agenda was Senator Wayne Morse. Jepsen would make the case that Morse and Humphrey needed to unite, if they wanted to prevent the potentiality of the conservative Johnson getting the nomination, or even to keep in competition with a Stevenson nomination. Once more he would speak of Humphreys tireless advocacy for workers, farmers and unions, not to mention his stellar advocacy for Civil Rights, which was much better than the tepid support that the other candidates had shown, even the damned northerner Stevenson didn't support using the armed forces to enforce the Brown decision. It was time for the Democrats to show boldness in fighting for Civil Rights, not back away from it by choosing a ticket like Johnson or Stevenson, and there was only one man with a chance to do so, and that was Humphrey.

Jepsen also once again offered the potentiality of a cabinet appointment if what he had already heard did not satisfy him. Jepsen himself suggested either Labor or Interior, but he also said that Morse could give his own suggestions if he agreed to such a deal.


And now it was time for the Plains states. The first thing was to visit the newly split Iowa and Missouri delegations, as an opening had presented itself with Thomas Kenway's falling out with Kennedy in the first case, as well as Symington dropping out without endorsing anyone in the latter case, not to mention the rest of the plains state that supported Symington.

He would campaign heavily among these delegates to swing them over to Humphrey, pointing out his tireless advocacy for farmers, as well as workers and unions, and touting Humphrey's strong support for the Family Farm Act at every opportunity he could, as well his opposition to Taft-Hartley, which also hurts farmers who attempt to unionize, and Jepsen would also use his own membership in the National Farmers Union as way to court support for Humphrey. It was time for a candidate who would lead a coalition of Farmers, Workers and Unions to victory, and that candidate was Hubert Humphrey.


At first Jepsen thought that his campaigning among the Plains delegates would be his last action before the second ballot, but he had come with another idea that might work in the mean time. Jepsen had played a key part in clinching Kefauver the Vice-Presidential nomination in 1952, as the Minnesota delegation was the key vote in that department. Jepsen had not really seen the need to call in a favour for this until now, but it was time to call the President to cache in what he could for Humphrey.

"Hello Mr. President it's Anton Jepsen calling from the Convention, i trust that you are holding up well?"

"Oh Anton you know that i am doing just fine. You wouldn't call the President just to see if he is doing well, especially not from the Convention."

"Was it really that easy to tell? In any case i am calling you to see if you might be able to help me with something here at the Convention. Perhaps as favour for how i helped you clinch the Vice-Presidential nomination in 52?"

"You don't say? What's your idea then? You know that any endorsement is off the table."

"I had no intention of asking for that, i already knew that would be too much to ask. Anyways so my idea is that you sow some divisions among the Southern delegates, mostly in the border states of Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and of course your homestate of Tennessee. Johnson is in the lead right now, and it would be ideal if you could create some more support for Humphrey if possible, but even just making them uncommitted would preferable to where they are now."

"I see. Is there any other reason i should support Humphrey other than as a favour? It's tall task to get him support even in the border states. Although i might be able to create some uncommitted delegates."

"See it as him being the heir to your legacy of fighting for farmers and the working-class. He has had the same energy and charisma on the campaign trail you used to have, not to mention that he has the same liberal populist bend that you have had a strong reputation for. I rest my case."

"I will think it over Anton, and come back to you when i have an answer."

"Thank you Mr. President, that's all i needed from you."

"In that case i will be off Anton. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

After the phone call, all Jepsen could do now was wait. He had once more done all he could to try and help Humphrey. It was time to relax as much as he could.


Humphrey for the Democrats

Lodge for the Republicans

[Huey Long is a Republican]

"Well, Jack, it looks like this race isn't looking so good for you." The Florida Senator smiled knowingly as the Jack and Bobby Kennedy stared at him, Jack with fatigue and Bobby with white hot anger.

"Why the hell are you here, you slime ball?" Bobby roared angrily, balling his fists as Jackson looked on with a small trace of interest. Jack held up a hand for his brother to stop.

"Bobby, no. I want to hear what he has to say. We were friends a while ago, after all, even if he chose his path." with that, the younger Kennedy brother sat down, his fingers twitching bitterly the longer Jackson was in their presence.

"Thanks Jack. Now, as I was saying, things aren't looking so good for you in this convention, don't you agree?" The Massachusettsan nodded reluctantly, even while his brother continued to glare daggers into the Floridian. "My question is, why stay in this race when you know you don't have a chance anymore? We can't let a Republican turncoat like Morse get the Nomination ever and Humphrey might split the party in two just like 1948, which is something Ike wouldn't want for us."

"How dare you bring up his name!" Bobby spat viciously as Jackson's gaze turned to him. "Ike was a great man and he would be against any of the ideas you're speaking about!"

"Really, Bobby? Then tell me, where were you during the War? Because I served in Europe under him and nearly died several times. Where were you in 1952 and 1956, because I made sure he was elected when it looked like some people not support him? Where were you in Congress, because I was fighting to help get legislation passed for Farmers and Veterans, legislation he eagerly signed into law. Senator Kenway and I were the ones given the invitation by Mamie to give his eulogy. He trusted me and Kenway the most out of everyone and believed we were the future of the party. So, with all this information in hand, tell me Bobby, why wouldn't he agree that we should remain united as a party and choosing a candidate as divisive as Humphrey or as poor a choice as Morse could ruin our chances of victory come this fall." Robert could only mutter quietly under his breath about how he hated Jackson's words held some modicum of truth to it.

"Then what are you suggesting, Mark?"

"I think you already know."

"I can't drop out, not without a potential reward. I've put too much time and resources into this. Plus, what would my father say?"

"Are you that scared of him? He's 72, you morons. He'd keel over in the next few years and then you'd be free of him for good. You've lived your whole lives in his shadow, doing things his way. Now it's time to do things your way, but first, you need to help unite the Party behind Johnson."

"And what's in it for me? Vice President?" For a moment, both brothers looked at Jackson hopefully, thinking he'd help them see Jack become the Running Mate to Johnson.

'Hell no, It'd be a cold day in hell before I see a Kennedy on the Presidential Ticket. I'd rather vote Republican if that was the case.' He thought but only smiled as he shook his, disappointing the two brothers. "Sadly no. Myself, Speaker O'Connor, and Senator Kenway  are discussing a potential unity ticket between Johnson and Stevenson, though the latter has yet to speak of his thoughts for the deal. In any case, should Johnson win the Election this year, I'd have some pull in his cabinet's formation since I was one of the driving forces that helped it come into fruition. In that case, I might be able to see either you, Jack, or Ted be placed in it, being Secretary of State or Secretary of Health, Education, or Welfare. You'll have to decide who's who, though, and what position you'll have."

"And of Bobby?"

"Sadly, he's made too many enemies. He was foolish in how he handled Kenway's reaction. Neither of you are in the right, but neither of you are in the wrong either. You should have just remained calm and not go down to insults."

"Go die in a ditch, slime." The Florida Senator could only roll his eyes in exasperation at Bobby's statement before looking back at Jack.

"Well, what do you say, Jack?"

"I say no."

"I wasn't speaking to you, Bobby."

"Jack doesn't care!"

"Enough, Bobby. Enough." Jack looked from his brother to Mark and gave a slight nod. "I'll consider it." This startled Bobby as Marcus nodded in acceptance.

"But Jack, this'll be a deal with the devil!"

"Sometimes you have to make a deal with the devil to prevent an even greater evil from rising, Bobby. That's what we did in the War when we allied with Stalin against Hitler. Also, I said I'd consider it, not if I agree or not. Give me some time to think it over, alone." With a slight bow, Marcus left the office, saying :

"Of course, Jack. Just come to my office or call me when you've thought it over, alright?" And with that, the door to Jack's office closed behind him and who was beside the door but Jackson's Protege, Tommy Lee Alndquist, waiting patiently.

"How'd it go?" He asked.

"Better than expected, honestly. Bobby's a rabid dog like what Kenway said, but Jack was able to listen and hear what I had to say."

"So that means that Kennedy is in?" Jackson shook his head no.

"No, at least, for now, that isn't certain. He's just considering it. In the meantime, think you can get Kenway and Speaker O'Connor to come over to my office, as well as Lou? I need to speak to them about this potential development and something else." His aide nodded but stayed a second longer. "Yes, what is it?"

"Well, sir, it's just, for these past few years, I've learned quite a bit from you and I'd like you to know that I plan to run for your old seat in 2 years and see what I can do to help you in Congress." Jackson smiled at that.

"Well, expect my full endorsement when you announce you're running. I'll miss you being here, Tommy, but you deserve to make your own destiny, not live in my shadow." With a final bow, Jackson's protege left and the Senator walked back into his office and began to work on several ideas for Infrastructure and Foreign Aid legislation as well as his other plan that he planned to introduce sometime into the future. As of right now, baby steps were required.


"YOU DID WHAT?!" to say Tom's anger was unjustified was a lie, as the three men had agreed to keep the Kennedies out of Washington no matter what and yet, Marcus had went behind their backs and offered this deal to the Kennedy brothers.

"You godd**n fool! Why did we trust you with this?!"

"This entire plan was my idea, gentlemen. I will mold it to make sure the best path for our party is present." Tom slammed his fists on Marcus' desk.

"I thought we agreed : No. Kennedies. In. the. WHITE. HOUSE!" the Iowan's face got even redder as he continued to yell at Jackson, who was sitting calmly.

"This plan is only possible because of my support, Mark! Don't forget that. You aren't the only one making deals here." the Speaker spoke.

"But of course. I merely said that should Johnson win the Election, I can get him to consider one of the Kennedy brothers for his Cabinet, but not that the choice will be 100% for them." At that, the room went silent as they realized what Marcus was saying.

"You slippery weasel!" the Speaker found himself muttering as Jackson continued on, absent-minded.

"How does Fulbright sound for Secretary of State and and Hill for Health, Education, and Welfare? They chair their respective committees in the Senate and would be perfect for the job." A sly grin was on the Senator's face.

"You lied to them...That's good, I guess." Thomas slowly began to calm down from his rage but still spoke. "And you do have good ideas for cabinet choices, even if they're both from the South, but how do we know your conversation won't come back to bite you in the rear?"

"As far as I can tell, there exists no official record of my conversation with Jack. So if the Kennedies say publicly that I promised them something, I can simply say they're lying or the President's choices are his own. And should Johnson lose in the fall, I can simply tell them that I can't help them as the American people decided they didn't want another Democratic Administration. Any way you slice it, it's a win for us and a lose for them."

"And this Alndquist? You sure you can trust him?"

"Tommy? Definitely, he's my protege after all and would rather die before revealing my plans to anyone without my permission." The Speaker and Kenway nodded in silent approval.

"I don't like this, all this backroom politicking. It's too stressful on us." Kenway said as he shook his head once everything sunk in.

"Neither do I, which is why I proposed the Popular Nomination Amendment sometime ago, though I think having the President being able to appoint the Vice President seem much more necessary for the time being. We can get back to the PNA at another date, however, as now Johnson has the South, much of the Midwest, and New England in support of him should both Stevenson and Jack agree. We only need to deal with Jepsen, him and Humphrey seem to be more trouble than their worth and could throw a gosh darned wrench into everything due to his talks with the President. Think you can deal with him, Mr. Speaker?" The man smirked viciously.

"I didn't get this job by being nice. I'll do what I can to see this plan to fruition and make sure Jepsen doesn't muck it up."

"Thank you. If you can get this to fruition, the Southern Delegates will be delivered to Stevenson on a Silver Platter in 1964 or 1968, depending on who wins the election. That's a promise I intend to deliver." And with that, Kenway spoke, tilting his head in slight impatience.

"You wanted us for something else?"

"Oh, yes. Well, my brother, Lou, will be here to speak. Me and him have had this idea in our mind for years, me, him, and Arnie."

"Where's Arnold then?"

"Campaigning. I told you, he's on a vanity trip when he should've ran for Governor in two years and then Senator against Thurmond in six. But, back to the matter at hand. Lou, if you may." With that, Louis Jackson, Marcus' eldest brother, veteran of WW2, Florida State Senate Majority Leader, and current Democratic Nominee for Governor of Florida, stepped into the light. While dressed up in a tuxedo, he had bright green eyes, a scar or two on his face, and his hair was dark brown. To be quite honest, he looked somewhat like Marcus except for one or two features.

"Thanks, Mark. Now, as he just said, me, him, and Arnie have been planning something for a long time, something that was almost blown in the 1950s with Brown v Board."

"The Southern manifesto that your brother signed?" Kenway spoke impatiently, remembering all to well what happened.

"Yes, well, Mark signed it as a means of political survival, as did many others in the deep south. If he didn't, he would've been kicked out in a primary. If he had been kicked out, what would've happened to his pushes for veterans and farmers financial aid or his push to see Ike get re-elected, or his influence in certain house seats, or even the formation of this plan to break any deadlock at the convention this year? All of it wouldn't exist. Listen, Mark, myself, and Arnie has never agreed with men like Thurmond or Stennis, we have nothing but hate for them. We're planning to take out Thurmond with Arnie in 1966 as he'll be viewed as a traitor by the Democrats for becoming Independent and for his 1948 bid that made us lose, and the Republicans won't take him because of his segregationist ideas, especially if Lodge is the Party's nominee or President. While we can't do anything else outside South Carolina and Florida, we can try and change the opinions of these states to be much more favorable to Civil Rights. In Florida, we've had a streak of men like that, such as Warren and Collins while Johns disgusted all of us. I'll continue the policies of men like Warren and Collins when I'm elected to the office in November and hopefully, we can get this to continue. I think, at the latest, Florida will be pro-civil rights by 1968 or the 70s, to the point where Mark can openly talk about his support for it without facing a primary challenge. Keep off any Civil Rights bill until then or let us know in advance when the vote is being held so Mark can be absent in the vote and claim he neither supported nor rejected it. It's the best we got."

"Interesting plan, but I see your point, I suppose."

"Thank you. Now, if you may, please leave so all of us can continue our work. We need to make sure this doesn't fall apart or we could see the party be divided once again and I don't think any of us wants to see that." The two other men gave a firm shake of their heads and with that, left. Jackson shook his head. Those two men were interesting figures and he and Kenway were two shining beacons in the Senate for the Democrats. He could only hope the future gave bright paths to all of them.

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler 1960

Will had gotten his VP business done and was now free to get some other business complete. The Governor of Vermont was not often in the national spotlight, the Northern Kingdom was populated by a few "fur trappers and moose" as one New York Republican had joked to Will at the 1956 Republican convention when he was trying to rally support for Lodge. Will was not entirely unacquainted with the national media, his Civil Rights work had put him in national headlines for a decent period, but now it was time to get in the spotlight, and stay in the spotlight. For the country, for progressive Republicanism, and for Henry. Will adjusted his tie, and stepped forward where the press gaggle was waiting. Will stepped behind the podium emblazoned with an elephant rearing its legs upwards. The camera's flashed and snapped as he adjusted his papers.

"Gentleman its become increasingly clear that this convention wants Henry Cabot Lodge as its nominee. I am proud of the role I have played in that capacity, and I am proud of the role I have played as a Republican these past few nights, but also these few years, as Governor of Vermont I've flown the banner of progressive values and good government going hand and hand, as they did with Theodore Roosevelt and Earl Warren. I believe the Republican Party must the party of these values, of equality before the law for every American, that every person should be able to live up to their God given potential, that we are the superior to communism because we are kind, we are creative, and we are free, and that we believe in a good compassionate government and not the apathetic tyranny of Soviet communism. I believe Vermont proves that, and I believe that's what Americans are looking for in 1960. I'd like to ask Americans and my fellow patriots to compare the leadership record of Senator Lodge, a man every American I believe can look at and rally around, sensible, pragmatic, forward thinking, and compare it to the disunity we see in the Democratic Party today. We've all heard the rumors, double dealing, conspiracy, convention chicanery of all sorts. This is not part and parcel of politics folks, I think we're looking at a contrast, between the machine politics of the DNC, and the pragmatic progressive thought of the Republican Party. For my fellow progressives, for those who follow good government, and independent thinking, transparency and decency, I ask you to join us this year to give America a new birth of freedom, so we can meet the challenges abroad with strength and create a more just society at home. I'll soon be returning to Vermont, where together we're trying to build that more just society, but rest assured I will be out there campaigning for Senator Lodge."

The cameras flashed and snapped further as the press began to ask questions.

"Governor, are you accusing the Democratic Party of corruption?"

"No I don't know for sure, I know there are many caring and patriotic Democrats and as we all know the late great President Eisenhower is a tremendous inspiration to me and indeed us all, but we must all ask ourselves why the Democratic Party has such a proclivity to embrace machine politics, backroom dealings, and perhaps yes corrupt practices at the expense of people. Let nobody make the mistake, in 1960 its the Republican Party that puts people before politics, and I think the Democrats need a wake up call that the current way they practice politics just ain't right." 

[Orwell]

The conventions continue

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Gerald O’Connor: 19 points
Governor of Vermont Will Angler: 14 points
Senator Marcus A. Jackson II of Florida: 17 points
Representative Anton Jepson of Minnesota: 16 points
Senator Thomas Kenway of Iowa: 14 points

The Democratic Convention: Ballot 2

Does Stevenson accept: 6
Does Johnson accept: 62
Hubert Humphrey(+10): 51 + 10 = 61
Lyndon Johnson(+10): 30 + 10 = 40
John F. Kennedy (-5): 64-5 = 59
Wayne Morse: 4
Adlai Stevenson II (+5): 84 + 5 = 89
Draft Douglas: 98

At the beginning of the 2nd ballot at the 1960 Democratic Convention was the first time the party had been without a nominee on the first ballot since the nomination of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the resurgence of the Democratic Party in 1932. With the collapse in support of Oregon Senator Wayne Morse on the 2nd ballot after a surprisingly strong performance on the first ballot. He joined Walter Reuther and Stuart Symington in the pile of discarded candidates.   

 An interesting development occurred among some of the disaffected supporter’s Senators Morse and Symington along with some of Mr.Reuther joined together in an attempt to draft Associate Justice of the Supreme Court  William O. Douglass while saying, “I am not currently a candidate for the Presidency of these United States if the Democratic party sees it fit I be their candidate for President of this nation. I shall without prejudice accept that nomination and resign myself from the court.” While this was not an acceptance those supporting Justice Douglas did gain some support on the 2nd ballot, and if the nomination continues to progress he could continue to gain support.

Elsewhere at the convention on the 2nd ballot, the support of Senator Jack Kennedy of Massachusetts waned as he lost some of his support in the Iowa delegation relegating himself to fourth place in the state as he lost many delegates to Senator Adlai Stevenson of Illinois and Senator Lyndon Johnson of Texas he also lost a fair amount of his MidAtlantic and midwestern supporters to Justice Douglas and Senators Stevenson and Humphrey over the course of the day. It is thought by many that Senator Kennedy will not survive another ballot at the convention with his continued loss of supporters.

The biggest winner of the day was Senator Adlai Stevenson II of Illinois. Originally thought to be a frontrunner for the nomination in 1952 he stepped aside in favor of President Eisenhower, Senator Stevenson ran and won the United States Senate election in Illinois unseating Everett Dirksen in the 1956 elections, during his time in the Senate he has established himself as a strong supporter of the New Deal, an ally to both President’s Eisenhower and Kefauver and a strong Anti-Communist. The boon on the 2nd ballot was Senator Stevenson securing the endorsement of former President Harry Truman, who though having been defeated in 1948 still holds considerable sway over the convention delegates.

In 2nd place sits Texas Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, while gaining the support of the arch-liberal Senator Thomas Kenway may have seemed strange it did net the Senator the support of many of the Iowa delegates and helped gain him support among many of the southwestern delegations, though his position on civil rights is an issue that still worries many of the Northern Delegates and many consider this the reason he is unable to make breakthroughs in much of the midwest, along with his position on Labor issues with his support of the Taft-Hartley legislation gaining him much disdain from organized Labor.

Tied for 3rd place are Massachusetts Senator Jack  Kennedy and Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey. With the loss of much of his midwestern support, and even some internal rumblings from the New England delegations splitting between Stevenson and the new dark horse in Justice Douglas. Senator Humphrey gained the support of some of the supporters of Senator Morse, including Idaho Senator Frank Church and some Reuther supporters, but the main loser was Senator Kennedy who faced loud dissent from men who had supported him on the first ballot going into the 2nd day.

The Republican National Convention: We have a nominee

Richard M. Nixon: 75
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.(+10): 71 + 10 = 81
Margaret Chase Smith (-10, +10): 21
Does Nixon accept?: 71

The GOP convention was much less exciting than the one of the Democratic side, with Lodge almost assuredly to be the nominee. An offer from Vermont Governor Will Angler one of Lodge’s top advisors to the California Senator was made that the Senator did not believe he could refuse. The Vice Presidency on the first real Republican ticket in over a decade, while he had supported Foss 4 years earlier, he knew Foss never had a chance at the Presidency, but this was the time for the GOP. So, with the loss of Nixon, the only opposition that remained was Margaret Chase Smith, and with her absolute collapse on the 2nd ballot, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. would easily sail to the Republican Presidential nomination in 1960 on the 2nd ballot.

The time to select the Vice President was now, and with the endorsement of Lodge, it seemed Nixon was a shoo-in, but there was a small minority who wished to see Former Illinois Senator and Senior Statesman Everett Dirksen be nominated to the Vice Presidency, but it would only be time to see.

Congressman Gerald O’Connor(+5): 47 + 5 = 52
Senator Thomas Kenway (+10): 75 + 10 = 85
Governor Will Angler (+15): 62 + 10 = 72
Senator Marcus Jackson II (+20): 39 + 20 = 59
Congressman Anton Jepson (+15): 81 + 15 = 96

Speaker Gerald O’Connor though he had been hopeful Senator Stevenson would accept the offer presented by Senator Johnson, Stevenson refused. This time it seemed that he would stick to it for the long haul a real breakthrough could be made in the upper south where Gerry held friends in much of the Missouri delegation and with enough prodding they may break for the Senator and with them much of the border states as well.

Senator Thomas Kenway was successful for the most part and he had Johnsons’s support in bringing the convention to Des Moines come 1968, but there was still a large and growing part of the Iowa delegation backing Senator Stevenson and Humphrey, but much of Kennedy’s support collapsed when Kenway had left. Many of the committed liberals at the convention felt betrayed for Kenway pushing forward the anti-labor anti-civil rights Senator from Texas, and much of the Kennedy camp was hostile to Kenway for the falling out he had with Bobby.

Senator Marcus Jackson II, had a successful campaign his brother was well on his way to becoming Governor and another brother was battling a member of the Democratic old guard for his seat in Congress. His battle with the Kennedy brothers had damaged them, but with Stevenson not accepting the bargain the party lacked a nominee it seemed as if Senator Jackson was going to be facing a deadlock, but it appeared possible with someone such as Adali Stevenson were to be the nominee Jackson could secure the Vice Presidency, but it may have required the swing of a few crucial delegates to his side.

Governor Will Angler had done it with the nomination secured it was only a matter of time before Senator Nixon was nominated for Vice President and the GOP had a unified party to face against the fractured Democratic Party in November. It only mattered where Governor Angler intended to campaign for the Senator in November, and if Will had any greater ambitions then being Governor of Vermont.

Congressman Jepson’s campaign to appeal to the Reuther and Morse delegates seemed to have been quite successful with Senator Humphrey on the rise and Kennedy on the fall many delegates once supporting Kennedy in the midwest have now become split between supporting Senator Humphrey and Stevenson though the Minnesota Senator has been on the rise. Some are worried about the liberal support of Humphrey in the southern states and worry about a possible third party campaign with Senator Eastland and Senator Thurmond being loud detractors.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Jackson couldn't help but look at Gerry with a slight grin and gave a small chuckle before speaking. "Well, Mr. Speaker, it seems my hands are tied and the positions are reversed from the First Ballot." The Illinoisan nodded, smiling ear to ear as he did so. The man had Jackson beat, the Senator wasn't afraid to admit that. "Did you hear the recent rumors?"

"They want to draft you to be Stevenson's Vice Presidential Nominee, right?" The Senator nodded. "Honestly, I couldn't come up something more ironic than that. The man who attempted to get Stevenson to bail out of the balloting for the Presidential Nomination will be a draftee to be his running mate in November."

"Yeah. Seems like the Universe loves playing tricks on me." Silence reigned for a few minutes before Senator Kenway spoke up, his eyes giving the Floridian a questioning glare.

"Will you accept?"

Jackson only shrugged. "I don't know, really...I was considering on staying until I gain some support to become Senate Majority Leader one day, but if the party wants to choose me over any other candidate, I say go ahead. It's their choice."

"And your Senate seat if you win?"

"If I win, believe it or not, my wife, Elizabeth, has shown some interest in taking over the seat. I'll talk to Lou about it during the campaign if I really am the Vice Presidential Nominee."

"So what now?" Came the speaker's sole question and silence once more reigned. While they had indeed gotten far and Kennedy was nearly completely out of the balloting with how badly he was suffering in terms of losses. However, Humphrey was still a dangerous candidate on the rise, along with Representative Jepsen. They needed to put a muzzle on that fool before he cost the party yet another Election as what had happen 12 years prior.

"Gerry, think you can convince Jack to support Adlai and try and shut up Jepsen? I don't care what you do for Jepsen, but Jack, maybe you can try the same tactic I did? He seems to have believed me when I suggested it. Kenway, try and Rally every last Iowa Delegate you can around Stevenson. I can't really reneg on my endorsement of Johnson because that might cost me politically. However, I'll try and bring over a few Florida Delegates from Johnson to Stevenson privately for the Third Ballot. I'll dip my toe into a potential Draft campaign for the Vice Presidency. It'd be best to unite the Party behind a Midwestern and Southern Ticket, but I'll be damned if I was offered the Vice Presidential Spot on an Independent ticket. I'm a Democrat through and through." Both Kenway and O'Connor nodded and with that, they all began to go their separate ways. However, just before they left the door, he said quite simply "If we don't find a Candidate by the Third Ballot, Than I think we need to agree to Draft A Candidate the whole party can get behind, as this won't be able to last much longer." and with that, the informal meeting between the three men ended.
To say Jackson was saddened by the results of the Second Ballot would be an understatement, after all, he was a proud Supporter of Senator Johnson and his campaign for President, but now it seemed like that opportunity was slipping away. However, a bright spot had emerged in that he heard rumors that there were those who were considering on drafting him to be a running mate to the Presidential Nominee, who at the time seems most likely to be Adlai Stevenson. He decided to address this issue head on in a speech directly at the convention hall.

"Recently, I have heard rumors and ideas circulating on this convention hall that I would make the perfect running mate to a Candidate like Adlai Steven, who now appears to be our front-runner for the Nomination. I am indeed a supporter of Senator Johnson for the Presidency, but he has made it clear that he intends to get the Presidential Nomination and not the Vice Presidential one. As for my thoughts on these rumors, after discussing long and hard with my lovely wife Elizabeth, I have come to the conclusion that it should be up to everyone here on the convention hall when it is time, but please know that I'll only accept a draft movement if Stevenson or Douglas becomes the Nominee. If Johnson is to become the Nominee, I'll support a Northerner to balance him out, because the Democratic Party is a Party of Balance. For many of our tickets and administrations, one of them have been from a Northern State and the other from a southern state, as it keeps our party strong and united. Under those conditions, we represent the northern and southern parts of American. The Democratic Party is the Party for all of America, from coast to coast, no matter the state, region, city, or wherever you may be as a citizen, you are a citizen in the United States and will always be represented and supported fairly by the Democratic Party. Thus, if you want me to be your vice presidential nominee should Stevenson get the Nomination, I will gladly accept and will work my tail off to make sure the ticket wins in November. Now, you may hear this speech and question the thoughts on me not mentioning Hubert Humphrey and I'll say it simply that Humphrey will not allow us a chance of winning the Presidency as the South will be in open revolt of his nomination and will not be happy no matter who his running mate is. We cannot afford to divide the Party like this as there has never been a single Democratic President in our history to have won without the South's support. They have a combined 179 Electoral Votes, which is more than half the amount we need in order to win in November. Will the entire South vote against the Party, I don't know, but I do know a significant chunk of it will. However, if you're curious about whether I'd support an Independent campaign from the traitors known as Eastland or Thurmond, than I'd like to make it clear : I will never in 100 years support or join such men. I do not support them and I do not like their divisive ideals just as much as I dislike Humphrey's own divisive ideals. I am a pureblood Democrat through and through and while I probably won't vote at all if Humphrey is on the ticket, I plead with all of you to decide for yourselves that Party Unity must triumph over Humphrey's ideas. I have said it once and I'll continue to say it : president Eisenhower would not want us to be divided and if he saw us right now, bickering amongst ourselves, unsure of what to do, he'd tell us to go for the option that keeps us the most together and the best unified out of everyone. That is all I have to say on this matter, but I hope you all will consider it and understand. Thank you."

The crowd was left in an uproar at the speech, with many wondering what the reactions would be to it later on down the line. However, Jackson could care less and instead focused more or less on getting his brother elected to the Governor's Mansion and even spent some political capital by raising the profile of his brother Arnold in his own Congressional Race, though he made sure to not give him an endorsement for the campaign. Most of the time, however, he spent with his family while speaking to several Floridian, Georgian, South Carolinan, and Alabaman Delegates to convince them to switch their support from Johnson over to Stevenson, knowing he held significant sway over the South. It was best for Party Unity, after all, and Jackson was determined, above everything, to keep the Democratic Party united and everyone agreed with that.

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway 1960, Part 4

He'd had it.

Why the hell had his own delegates completely misunderstood what he said?! He said back Johnson if the deal was accepted! Heads were going to roll when he got back home to Iowa. After he'd screamed at the chair of the Iowa delegation; a meek County Executive, for completely misunderstanding what he'd said.

This wasn't what he was used to. His party was tearing itself apart with all this backroom dealing. If only the general hadn't passed away. His endorsement could've swung the nomination and prevented this . . . pseudo-civil war. After proclaiming his disgust with the 'smoke-filled backrooms that I was suckered into' to the media, he promptly retired to his hotel room with Leah and little Archie.

Then he had an idea. It took a phonecall to George, then to Frank, but soon the three senators arranged to meet later that evening in the bar.
"Why did you give Iowa to Johnson, Tommy?" George McGovern asked. "He's the arch-Southerner. He goes against everything we stand for."

"The delegation chair was either noit listening or just didn't care. There was supposed to be a deal that would make Stevenson his running mate, and somehow he misinterpreted that to mean support Johnson no matter what." Kenway replied glumly.

"And now, this entire fiasco has ensured Lodge wins." Frank Church added, voicing what they all knew to be true. If the Convention had lasted two ballots at most, then it would have been acceptable. But now they were on a third . . . it was impossible for the party to be firmly united around a single candidate now.

"If Stevenson is nominated and he loses, that damages everything we're fighting for. Farm relief, union rights, civil rights . . . if he loses, the Southerners will control the party for the next 20 years." Kenway said. Church and McGovern exchanged a look.

"So what are you proposing?" McGovern asked.

"We need to put an end to this backroom dealing for good. Reform the party's nominating process. Make sure the state bosses can't just pick whoever the hell they want." He said. "Assign delegates based on a proportion of the vote won in a state primary."

"It's a solid idea." Church replied. "But the south will never go for it. Hell, outside Jim Crow, supporting civil rights is pretty mainstream."

"We don't need the south. We just need most of the Committee to agree." George said, catching on.

"I'll talk to Scoop. He's chairing the Committee right now." Kneway said.
"Reforming the primaries?" Scoop Jackson said. He and Kenway had met up in the former's hotel room to discuss the latter's proposals. The two were solid friends, despite them disagreeing over foreign policy.

"Primaries held in each state, with delegates from the state assigned proportionately. Get 25% of the vote in California, you get 25% of the delegates. Whoever gets two thirds of the delegates is the nominee. It democratises the nominating process and stops this fiasco from ever happening again."

"And what if we have no candidate with two thirds of the delegates?" Jackson said. It was a legitimate question.

"Then we progressively eliminate the lower candidates until we get a nominee."

Scoop thought it over. It was something of an idea for sure. "Alright, start putting a plan together"
Many in the Iowa delegation wanted Kenway's support known before the next ballot, but the Iowa Senator had had enough of the backroom dealing. He repeatedly said that he was just an observer now.

Unbeknownst to anyone but his family, he began to think about removing his name from the Democratic primary ballot for the Senate in Iowa. If this is what federal politics was like, he wanted no part of it.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

He knew the Iowa Senator, seeing as they had risen to prominence around the same time period, so he knew that Thomas could do what he believed was possible and whatever he'd wanted. Of course, given Jackson had a loyal following of aides and colleagues across several staffs, he knew all about the Iowa Senator's plans to reform the Nominating process. "Thomas, It's Mark. I've heard all about your idea to reform the Nomination process. You forget I was the one who originally proposed it with the Popular Nomination Amendment, but you and others didn't exactly push for it. However, I don't feel any ill will. I'll contact Fulbright and the moderates in the South. Warren will support any idea you have in mind, seeing as he's like you and is progressive for the State. You'll have my support as well. Just be sure to explain everything to your friends so they know there is honor among southerners, even if they don't think it possible." And with that, he ended the phone call, knowing a staffer for the Iowa Senator had already recorded it for him to listen to. That was just how things worked in the senate. Giving a sigh, he looked at the ceiling. Oh, he wouldn't give to be back in Florida, in his hometown. He just couldn't wait until Christmas.

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler 1960

Will Angler had done the work that had to be done. A professional, articulate, intelligent, and liberal Republican had triumphed over the party's various conservatives, and it looked likely it would be Richard Nixon as the running mate, and if not Nixon it would be Dirksen. A win win if Will had ever seen one. Will congratulated the rest of the Lodge team, but also met with the Vermont Republican Party leaders attending the convention, seeing if they'd consider putting some pressure on either Senator Aiken and Prouty to retire in 1962 or 64, though Prouty was certainly more likely given his brief time their and less political stature.

Will Angler was running for reelection as Governor on a platform of cleaning up the state budget, cutting costs, and making sure his new programs could be solvent. With Republican momentum brewing, his reelection in Vermont should be a sure thing. As he left the convention hall for a flight to Burlington, he briefly spoke to the press.

I think Republicans have proved that they are the party of competence in this election, of dignity, and of transparency, whereas unfortunately the Democrats seem addicted to backroom politics. I urge Americans to pick a new path in November.



Humphrey

[Cabbage]

Gerry sighed. Well, here went nothing. Again.

"Well, Senator, looks like your gut was right on this one. I'm sorry for bringing it up."

"Oh, it's fine, Gerry. I understand. God knows I wanted this over and done with one way or another by now myself. Now Lodge will get to run around raising hell, and, if the Republicans win, that's probably what he'll end up doing. Him and his ventriloquist's dummy, Angler. Now, you say we might win the South if I agree to make Markus Jackson my Vice President?"

"That's right, Senator."

Adlai nodded. "And you say that we might be able to grab the border states if we push on Missouri enough?"

"That's right, Senator."

"Good. See to that latter part. I like this idea, but I want to make absolutely sure no one on our side's going to scream over this. God knows Humphrey'll probably s**t when he hears. Get on the horn with Anton and see if you can't nip that one in the bud, huh?"

"You got it, Senator." Gerry left the room, not looking forward to said meeting.


"Mr. Speaker! Mr. Speaker! What are your thoughts on Governor Angler's claims of your party's corruption?" The press gaggle was going nuts off the ventriloquist's dummy's comments, and, being the leader of the Party in the House, Gerry was naturally the target of their harassing fire. And so, he decided, he'd fire back his own salvo.

"Gentlemen, it has come to my attention that Governor Angler is openly misleading the American public, as instructed by his puppeteer, Senator Lodge. Is it a crime for our party to attempt to push for a nominee as promptly as possible? I think not. I think rather, if anyone is caught up in lies, it is the Governor. He claims his is the party of competence, but did President Warren achieve anything in his four years? He did not. On the other hand, how much good have we done for the American people these past seven years? If you're a veteran, the benefits the government pays you for your service to our nation in its time of need are a product of Democratic rule. If you are past retirement age, your healthcare being affordably assured by law is a product of Democratic rule. If you own a small family farm, the new protections you have against corporate farms that would cripple you financially are a product of Democratic rule.

And, I would go on to note that the Republicans did not have an uncontested convention themselves. And that there was some Angling against what could have been the first female major party nominee for President of the United States. So, let me ask you, mothers, sisters, and daughters of our great republic: can you trust these so-called 'progressives' when they say they care about you? Do you believe that a party can properly hold the title of progressive and competent when it throws a perfectly good U.S. Senator out on her can simply because of her gender? I, personally, do not. And so, to our veterans, to our elderly, to those who care for our elderly financially and personally, to our small farmers, and to our women, I ask you: if the Republicans will disadvantage you with their unending lies solely for their own gain, who is truly corrupt?"

The reporters raced off to deliver their stories. Gerry grinned. And the shot's off. Now let's see what we've hit.


"He's a party hack, and you know it, Gerry!"

And so the dreaded meeting had arrived. Anton was not a happy camper about being asked to bring Humphrey into the fold. No, sir, not at all.

"Anton, look, I know you don't like him. But who else have we got? I know you hate Lyndon more, Jack's toast and an a**hole besides, and Douglas would be the cherry on top of a chaos sundae."

Anton looked square at Gerry. "Hubert's not collapsing."

"But he'd take twenty ballots to nominate, and we both know it."

Anton sighed. He knew Gerry was right, but that didn't mean he liked it. "Give me some time to think about it. I'll want to talk to Hubert about this, and get his opinion. I won't ask you to get your hopes up, but I'm also not going to say 'no' to your face right now. Sound good?"

"As good as I was hoping to get." The two men shook hands, and Gerry left.


"Dick!"

"Gerry!" Congressman Bolling grinned as they shook hands. Here, by contrast, was a man who was quite eager to help Gerry in whatever way he could. "I've already got a number of the delegates onboard [subject to change], and I think we might be able to swing the delegation to Adlai!"

"That's excellent, Dick, excellent. So, what'll we need to do?"

"That's the great thing! They just want this over with, so they're willing to just back Adlai to have done with it [also subject to change]!"

Not the most inspiring reason, but I'll take it. Still, though, Gerry was glad that, in all this chaos, something was going right.


Stevenson

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler 1960

Will Angler settled down by the crackling fireplace in the Vermont night. The children were asleep, his wife was reading a book on the sofa while he settled into his armchair by the fire while it snapped and cracked, while the crickets outside chirped and the stars twinkled. Now this was Vermont.

Will grabbed his pipe, which he reserved for such scenic nights, maybe just for the image, and opened an envelope from a Vermonter. He read it, going on and on about how their neighbor's fence crossed into their property. Will took a long draw from his pipe, oh how much longer would he have to deal with these minor disputes and so forth. At this point, well he loved Vermont and loved being Governor but there was a point where writing a letter telling them what to do (as he was doing now) felt unimportant. He finished writing the letter, licking it closed and then placing it in the out pile.

"Did you see what that gangster Gerry said about you the other day?" asked Josephine from the sofa. Will nodded as he looked through the pile of letters on the side table.

"Yes, he had some....descriptive words." Will's facial expression did not change as he wrote a letter to the GOP County Chair for Bennington County on preparing for a Senate run at some point in the next few years.

"You're not going to say...anything?" asked Josephine, getting defensive on behalf of her husband.

"As a matter of fact there's a few national papers-" Will tapped the letter pile with his pipe, "asking for comment."

"You should respond, he can't expect to just mouth off like that and not be reprimanded."

"What is the humble Governor of Vermont compared to the Speaker of the House?" Will began writing out another letter, this time to the Essex County Chair on his preparations. Josephine went back to her book, but replied just once more after settling back down.

"There's no harm in keeping your name in the headlines."

Will nodded slowly as he finished up this letter and moved over to a letter from the Baltimore Sun asking for comment, on top of a few other letters asking for the same. Will began to pen a reply.

There is nobody who applauds progressive legislation that advances the cause of America's common men and women more than I, and it was in the spirit of a better life for all my countrymen that I served in the Second War. And I have dedicated my time in public life to this cause. Of course it is Vermont with the nations first civil rights law, and Vermont who has guaranteed healthcare to all its citizens and Vermont who has built a progressive tax code. But for the Speaker of the House to admonish me for what, supporting a candidate in a nominating process free of skullduggery? It is hardly apt for him to do so given the activities in his own backyard. Southern machine Democrats play political football in smoke filled rooms while liberal policies get discarded. It is neither transparent nor progressive.

Will licked his reply envelope closed as his wife went off to bed and the fire continued to crackle. He still had some work to do sending our letters to key supporters for his reelection. Will took a long draw from his pipe, and tossed a newspaper clipping of Gerry's remarks into the flames.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen at the Convention

Well it seems the the appeal Jepsen had made to the Reuther and Morse delegates had worked. Senator Wayne Morse had collapsed completely on the second ballot due to Jepsen peeling off his supporters, and Senator Frank Church even endorsed Humphrey after the second ballot was over.
And alongside some Kennedy defections, this had gotten Hubert Humphrey to 3rd place alongside the faltering Senator Kennedy. But once again to Jepsen's chagrin, Senator Stevenson had now jumped into first place, and Johnson still remained a strong second. "At least we're in striking distance." Jepsen thought to himself.

A draft movement? Jepsen hadn't thought of that possibility occurring, and yet here it was. A mix of disaffected Reuther, Symington and now Morse delegates had come together to draft Associate Justice William O. Douglas, and he had even showed willingness to accept the nomination if it came to him. Jepsen had always been an admirer of the civil libertarian and New Dealer Douglas, and if it were any other time he might have supported the draft movement, but he was committed to his friend Hubert Humphrey now.


With Stevenson now in the lead, it was time for a tour among his Midwestern and Northeastern delegates to try and sway them over to Humphrey. He would hammer hard at Stevenson's tepidness when it comes to civil rights, pointing out his calls for "proceeding gradually" with civil rights after the Brown decision, and for deferring to the South's long-held "traditions", as well as his opposition to using armed forces to enforce the decision of the Supreme Court. Jepsen would also criticize Stevenson on his labor stance, or more lack thereof on labor issues, in contrast to the quite clear pro-labor positions of Hubert Humphrey.


"Drafting Senator Jackson for Vice-President? Is that really the best the Convention can do?" Jepsen thought to himself, before going up on the podium to deliver a speech in the Convention Hall.

"Surely there are much better choices around than a man who would rather keep the Democratic Party united for the sake of the South, rather than split it for the cause of human rights. Senator Jackson is even suggesting that supporting the so-called "divisive" ideas of Hubert Humphrey is breaking party unity, which is tantamount to suggesting that liberal ideas as whole are breaking party unity. So don't you talk to me about preserving party unity. The Southerners are always the first and the fastest to preach about party unity, yet they were the first to bolt when former President Truman took action on civil rights, so don't you talk to me about preserving party unity. The Party of Balance? Surely you must remember that FDR won in 1940 just fine without a Southerner on the ticket, so surely it's possible to win without one on the ticket. And if it's possible to win without a Southerner, it's surely possible to win without the South. "

"Jackson says that the The Democratic Party is the Party for all of America, but how can that be the case when we haven't proved civil rights for the all the citizens in our country? He stands for nothing more than a state's right to preserve a system of oppression on this issue of civil rights, and yet he has the gall to call Humphrey divisive and not himself. I will stand on the side of human rights, while he will stand on the side of state's rights."

"At least this might bring some second thoughts about nominating Jackson as the Vice President" Jepsen thought to himself as he left the stage.


With what seems to have been a misunderstanding on his delegates part in voting for Johnson, Thomas Kenway had now removed himself completely from the process and declared himself an observer. Jepsen couldn't blame him, as he himself disliked backroom politics heavily, but if he had to do something he disliked to get the nomination for his friend and someone he believed in, he would do it.

With Kenway now just an observer, Jepsen would attempt to bring as much as the Iowa delegation as possible. He would cite Humphrey's strong support for the Family Farm Act, as well his strong advocacy for workers and unions. Not to mention the fact that Humphrey is closer to Kenway ideologically than Johnson is.


Jepsen sighed again as his friend Speaker Gerry left from their meeting about Humphrey. How in the hell was he supposed to talk to Humphrey about this? He had worked so hard to get him this far, only to be asked to have him drop out at this high point. Humphrey would likely not be a Happy Warrior no matter how he approached it, but Jepsen would at least try to talk to him if nothing else, he'd promised Gerry at least that. Although he knew himself that his attempt would be halfhearted at best.

"Hello Hubert" Jepsen said in a more somber manner than usual as he entered the room.

"Hello Anton. Is something the matter? You're not as happy as i usually see when you come in here."

"Well i have just come off a meeting with the Speaker. He wants you to consider dropping out and join the fold for Stevenson. Something about you potentially taking 20 ballots to nominate or something of that sort."

Humphrey's expression turned slightly as he Jepsen finished his sentence.

"He wants me to drop out? Now? Were are at a high point in this campaign, and all our hard work will be for naught if i do so."

"Well i agree with that too. But i am just the messenger for what the Speaker wanted you to consider. If you do however end up agreeing to it you should ask for concessions. Some real action on civil rights, and whatever else you can get."

"Well i don't like the idea of dropping out at this crucial time, but i will at least give what the Speaker has said some consideration. "

"As i said earlier i don't either, but i will be with you no matter which decision you make."

"Is that all Anton?"

"That is all." He said as he left the room.


Humphrey for the Democrats.

[GoTfan]

Thmas Kenway 1960, Part 5

He had begun drafting his plans to reform the nominating process it was still in its very, very early stages, but it would bear fruit in time. Much like the civil rights bill he was working on. Or had been anyway. He'd pass it on to George soon enough. Mainly because he was still uncertain as to whether he should run for re-election.

It was playing on his mind. Was he too idealistic for the Senate? For politics? Was he just better suited to the Army, where he knew what he was going after at any given moment? The Dixiecrats had a stranglehold on the party, and would bolt at the first sign of progress on issues of race.

And the backroom politicking . . . it completely disgusted him. If you couldn't win the delegates on your own, why bother even running at all? The bosses would just pick whoever they preferred. Whoever would give them the best jobs, the best patronage.

It sounded an awful lot like the Spoils System come again.

That was why he'd surrendered his control over the liberal delegates, and over the Iowa delegation. It didn't sit right with him. He'd won his 1954 campaign by going out on the road and asking people for their support, not by meeting in the shadows and backstabbing his rivals. Hell, the grassroots campaign was something he held close to his heart.

He shook himself from his thoughts and continued work on the plan.
"You're just an observer now?" Gerry asked, a skeptical look on his face. Well earned skepticism, Tom knew; he wasn't exactly quiet about his views.

"Yeah." Tom replied quietly. "These backroom deals, they . . . they just don't sit right with me Gerry."

"This is how things are done, Tommy. I know it's distasteful, but this is what politics is like."

"Then politics needs to change." Tom shot back. "The entire damn system needs to change." He continued. "And until it does, I'm not sure I belong it." He muttered quietly. That got the Speaker's attention. His head snapped up.

"Tommy, are you . . . are you not running this year?" He asked. Tom mumbled an answer under his breath before leaving.

This entire farce of a Convention had shattered his idealism, and he wasn't sure he wanted to keep this career anymore.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

"It seems Representative Jepsen forgets something about the Party. In 1940, President Roosevelt running for a Third Term and he was incredibly popular, far more so than Mr. Willkie, so it was obvious would win the election regardless of who his running mate was. He also happens to forget that for the 8 years before Wallace was chosen, John Nance Garner, a Southerner who is currently in attendance as a Delegate from Texas, was Roosevelt's Vice President and so was Roosevelt's immediate successor, President Truman. Me, Truman, and Garner don't see eye to eye on some things, and on others we most certainly agree, but we are all Southerners. And now, the Representative conveniently forgets the current Democratic President right now is from the South himself and that President Eisenhower had befriended several southerners over his lifetime. It seems the Representative from Minnesota wants to paint all Southerners as evil beings, completely unable of being redeemed despite the fact that some of the greatest men in this country have been from the South, such as Oscar Underwood of Alabama, who fought tooth and nail against the Klan, or Former Speaker Rayburn who helped ensure the Democrats had a firm base to build the nation up on. If he is speaking about men like Strom Thurmond and Eastland, then I say we can both speak in agreement these two men are completely vile and no Democrat should ever have any form of major support for them whatsoever. Until the Representative clears his statements, however, I will think he was representing all men from the South as evil and he wants to characterize me as such despite the efforts I have put in to ensure that our nation's Veterans and Farmers get proper financial support. I await the Representative's response."
"What the...?" What the Florida Senator had just listened to made his eyes bulge out in shock. This could be incredibly damaging to one man that the Party had no love for, especially himself or Gerry. He looked back at the man who had given this recording to him. A fired staffer of Representative Jepsen. "I knew he wanted Humphrey to get the Nomination, but to try this while the Convention was under way?" That reeked of someone overstretching their abilities.

"He told us to keep everything to ourselves and not tell anyone about any meetings or calls, but after I was fired, I believed I had to do the right thing. I don't like trying to influence the Convention by influencing the President a certain way. That's not how America was meant to be run." Jackson could only find himself nodding in approval, still absorbing what he had just heard.

"You did good kid. If I was doing the same thing as Anton, I would have wanted you to do this. We need more people like you to cleanse this country of corrupt men." He looked to a nearby staffer and pointed before motioning to the door. "Get this recording to Gerry as soon as possible. He needs to hear it and give his opinion on the whole thing. I won't make any movements unless he gives the affirmative on it." The staffer nodded, grabbed the recording from the desk, and ran as quickly as possible to where the Speaker would be. With this new information at hand, the convention could turn very much on a dime.