Keys to the White House: 1960

[NewYorkExpress]

Joe Biden

Biden's departure for the University of Iowa, and a brand-new internship at Thomas Kenway's soon to be opened law firm looked like a promising decision.

Kenway had promised him work on Civil Rights and Labor issues, and already visions of arguing before some of the highest courts in Iowa, if not the United States Supreme Court, danced in Biden's head.

But he was getting ahead of himself. That was probably years away. He'd have to complete college first, at least, and he'd set a goal of graduating by 1964.

He'd be eligible to vote in the 1964 Presidential election too. He was looking forward to seeing who the nominees were. Maybe he could talk Kenway into running while on his internship...

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Marcus Jackson

Marcus was absolutely ecstatic! Not only had Louis won the Governor's mansion (albeit, closer than expected), and not only had Arnold won against an entrenched Incumbent and was in the House, but now he was perhaps the Democrat with the most news coverage. He had beaten Nixon in the debate, He had ensured the South would go solidly for Douglas, He was a rising star once again in the party and he remembered when he heard people asking if he was going to run in 1964 or 1968 for President. All he needed to do was get re-elected in 1962 then he could reveal how much he hated segregation, how he only met with Thurmond to keep Southerners on the ticket. 1964, however, wouldn't be his year. Unless something went terribly wrong for Lodge, there was no way he was losing. However, in 1968, when Lodge was term-limited and if Nixon was the Nominee...then, then he could have a chance, especially with that picture with Thurmond is gone and away from everyone's memory.

For the next four years, Marcus focuses on building campaign infrastructure across the nation, raising his name recognition by campaigning for Candidates for House, Senate, or Governor, especially in the South, Plains, and Alaska, and especially those who were against Segregation. He would also focus efforts on being re-elected to the Senate in 1962 while pushing for Arnold, now with the name recognition of being a Freshman Representative who had unseated a long-time segregationist incumbent, for re-election to another two terms, then he could go up against that snake Thurmond and hopefully beat him.

These next four years would decide the fate of the Jackson family and rather they continued to burn hot or their fire was snuffed out.

2 points (If I'm able to use them) to have M. Jackson run for re-election in 1962 and another 1 point for A. Jackson to run for re-election to the House (Cancel the last point if he's already set to run for re-election in 1962 without my intervention).

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway, 1960-62

Being back in Iowa City was a wonderful change of pace. Even more wonderful was seeing the sign out the front of the office that Eddie had arranged for them: Jackson, Kenway & Kennedy (Tom had riffed Bobby about his name coming last, but the man took it in good stride). The firm had two offices: one in Iowa City, the other in Boston. the decision was made that Eddie would be the primary partner in Iowa and Bobby in Boston, with Tommy floating between the two places.

Not ten minutes after he'd settled into his office, the secretary informed him that the new intern, Joe Biden, had arrived from Delaware to begin his internship. He was eager to learn, and that was the most important thing. Tommy provided what relocation assistance he could, setting up Biden with accommodation and ensuring that he was getting all the experience he could.
The days in Boston were an odd departure for Iowa City. His hometown, while large, wasn't anywhere near the size of the Massachusetts capital. Not to mention the damn cold. How the hell did they live with it up here?!

"Cold there, Tommy?"

"Geez, Bobby, you really are eagle-eyed." He replied sarcastically. The Kennedy man laughed. It was an odd experience, the two having previously been mortal enemies not that long ago, now partners at the same firm. Tommy would've laughed, if he wasn't so damn cold. "We need to get started as soon as we can. Iowa doesn't even have a damn Civil Rights Act."

"We're lawyers, Tommy. Not much we can do here."

"But we can enforce change. We use the laws in place as a mechanism to force it, and where we don't have laws, apply pressure. Yes, that means joining King's marches and connecting with Reuther. Bobby, these are people like us. They don't deserve to be treated like second-class citizens based on the colour of their skin."

"Alright, what are you taking up first?"

As 1961 came to a close, Tommy became more and more active in civil rights in Iowa. Despite the schools already being desegregated ages ago, there was still work to be done. Now that he was free of politics, he could finally pursue the cause of civil rights. He joined the NAACP and began writing opinion pieces in the Iowa Bystander, calling for the introduction of a statewide civil rights law in Iowa. He began to take up cases where African-Americans had been discriminated against, with one of his core arguments referring back to the case that had desegregated Iowa's schools.

He also began to take up worker's rights cases, hard enough to do in a right-to-work state. He became more and more exposed to the union movement in the process, and found many of their ideas appealing. In particular, he became acquainted with Reuther, and the two struck up a friendship, with the UAW keeping the firm on a retainer.

As 1962 dawned, Tommy celebrated the birth of his second child, a daughter named Kara. At the same time, he had begun to ponder a return to political life at Leah's urging. His wife had his same passion for helping others, and was convinced that lasting change could only be brought from legistlation. Resolved to not return to Washington, Tommy began to weigh whether to run for Attorney-General or Governor. While he was frozen out by the state party, there was nothing a little populist streetfighting couldn't fix . . .

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler: Activities 1960-1964 Part I

When the returns came in, the closeness of the contest was very concerning to Governor Angler. At the Senators headquarters in Boston, the group of Republicans watched in horror as a Democratic firebrand seemed poised to lock them up out of power again. They feared him as President, and they feared the end of the party as they knew it. But the late returns in Pennsylvania and Illinois vindicated Will's northern strategy. When all was said and done the Lodge/Nixon ticket won approximately 40% of the black vote nationwide. Despite a horrific performance in the South, the Republicans were back in power. Will gave President-elect Lodge his heartiest congratulations in Boston, and added some phrases to his victory speech, in which he declared that "we will uphold the values of democracy and justice at home just as vigilantly as we do abroad." With band playing the Battle Cry of Freedom at the hotel ballroom, Republicans finally rejoiced.

Now, the question was for Will what he should do. His heart longed to go back to Vermont to complete his legacy by establishing a secure fiscal future and the sound management of the new programs he had inaugurated, but everyone in Republican politics told him to go to Washington, to take a post in the cabinet or as Chief of Staff. Will very much fancied the idea of being Chief of Staff, it would put him in a position to direct the policy direction of the new administration, and balance the White House towards the left as opposed to Nixon's right. On the other hand, Josephine wasn't interested in raising their children in Washington.

Ultimately Will came to a mushy compromise solution. He'd chair of the transition team, and work on cabinet appointments, but he'd spend the first fiscal year of the administration in Montpelier working on the state budget. When a budget to his liking was passed and signed, he'd leave the state in the hands of his loyal Lieutenant Governor, who like most of the leading state GOP, was in his liberal school. It was hardly a plan that pleased the Lodge team, but it was the one most suited to Will's immediate situation.

For the cabinet, Angler used his influence to push for James P. Mitchell as Labor Secretary, longtime Republican C. Douglas Dillon for the Treasury, Christian Herter for State (a man widely supported by the Massachusetts Republican elite), Nathaniel L. Goldstein for Attorney General, and for Vermont Attorney General Robbert Stafford to be Solicitor General. Angler swore in for his third term as Governor and then went down to Washington to attend Lodge's inauguration as the 37th President of the United States. He then went back to Vermont for the work on the budget. Will pushed for establish a long structure for the funding of his new state programs and acted a policeman, threatening to veto budgets with handouts to certain legislators, or undue spending in certain areas.

Angler made few trips to the White House in '61, but he made a few, and he loudly supported the President's position, unless it was unpopular in Vermont or too conservative, in which case he would remain quiet.

When the budget was finally finished and passed, Angler did one last tour of every county in the state, gave a farewell speech in Montpelier, resigned his office, and took on appointment as President Henry Cabot Lodge Jr's Chief of Staff. Where he would be able to move the administration to the left.


Promoting Allies in Vermont State Government

[GoTfan]

Thomas Kenway, 1962

A conversation with Leah had made him reach a decision. Re-entering politics was not something he had originally wanted to do, but she'd convinced him that if he wanted to change something, he had to do it himself. It was therefore with a great amount f trepidation that he announced his return in 1962, declaring his candidacy for Governor of Iowa.

Aware that he was still likely frozen out by the party, Kenway pursued a populist tone in his campaign. Front and centre was his unabashed support of civil and labor rights, as well as the support he'd given to farmers during his time in the Senate. Tommy of course made several attempts to reach out to party heads, but focused his attention on driving out his supporters. He held fire on his fellow Democrats however, reasoning that he'd need t work with them to govern the state.

Among his campaign promises were a Civil Rights Act, a raise in education funding and expansion of infrastructure to drive up economic development (particularly ensuring that all major towns and cities were connected via highways or rail). He was banking on support from labor groups most of all, especially considering the fact he'd taken time to cultivate his relationships with the unions in the state.

Much of the campaign was focused on traditional retail politics, with Kenway making as many stops at places as he could, but he also made significant use of television and radio, blanketing both platforms with advertising. More than that, he accepted every interview request he received; it was free media after all. Kenway's team adopted a full 99-county strategy, with the idea being to rely on small donations and volunteers; campaign wrkers were also permitted to unionise.

Tommy knew he was unlikely to win the nomination, let alone the general election, but at the very least, he'd be able to push his ideas to the front.

2 points for Kenway's gubernatorial campaign

5 points for downballot Iowa Democrats

[NewYorkExpress]

Joe Biden, 1962

Joe Biden was excited. His boss, Thomas Kenway, was running for Governor of Iowa. While Biden felt he was too young to provide direct help in the campaign, he met with Kenway's Campaign manager, and agreed to knock on doors, and get out the vote where he could.

He still wasn't able to vote, but he was enjoying his first political campaign, It was invigorating.

Two Points (assuming I'm able to use any) on Thomas Kenway's Gubernatorial campaign.

[Elcaspar]

Anton Jepsen

Well it was always going to be a difficult task for the Democrats to win a third term in row, but it was still somewhat of a disappointment to Jepsen that the progressive Douglas campaign ended up coming short. It was closer than anybody expected in the beginning however, with strong debate performances by both Douglas and Jackson buoying the Democrats chances of winning. At least we managed to give the Republicans a run for their money.

But now there was just the future to look towards. Hopefully we will be able to provide a good show in 1964 as well.


At the same time Jepsen was convincingly reelected in his district. It was a small thing, but at least there would something to celebrate when he would come home to Minnesota. But even that was muted a bit when he had heard that his friend Gerry O'Connor was planning on stepping down from the Speakership already. Not that it wasn't an understandable decision, Jerry wanted to spend more time with his family after all, but already so soon the old guards like McCormack would have a shot at  control of the Speakership again.

The coalition O'Connor created had become leaderless after he announced his decision. Jepsen was faced with a hard decision, as he could either work his way up in the powerful Ways and Means Committee, or try and take charge of this coalition and use it like O'Connor did.

But Jepsen didn't rest too long on his decision. He couldn't let his friend O'Connor's hard work go waste. He would try rallying the O'Connor coalition behind him, and keep the Speakership in it's hands. It would be Old Guard vs New all over again, just like few years ago. He would either win, or go down trying his hardest. The West, Midwest and the New Southerners must be united once again to win against McCormack.

He would do personal visits and appeals to as many members of the House as he could, at least those Jepsen thought possible to convince. As well as send out any supporters to do the same.
It was all he could do.

6 points on booting the Democrats downballot across the country in 1962

[Orwell]

The Presidency of Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

The Presidency of Henry Cabot Lodge is marked by historians as an interesting time in American history. It is seen not as a departure from the New Deal renaissance the nation had entered under President's Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, and Kefauver, but it did mark a large increase in the tensions of the Cold War. While there had been flares of the Cold War during the Presidencies of Truman, Eisenhower, and Kefauver it reached a new high during the rule of President Lodge. Coupled with Vice President Nixon an ardent anti-communist there were points of high tension during the early days of the Lodge administration the Berlin Crisis during the construction of the Berlin Wall nearly resulted in a full blown conflict, but it was defused by quick action by the President. President Lodge is relatively popular during this time though, as the economy remains solid having recovered from the minor recession that occurred following the death of Presidency in 1958. There is a good deal of good will towards the Presidents as he has managed to keep the United States on an equal footing with the Soviet union.

   On the domestic front there has been a good deal of movement in favorable for Lodge in lowering taxes. During the Eisenhower and Kefauver administration the highest marginal tax rate had reached nearly 90%, but under a successful tax cut in 1961 that rate was slashed to the highest marginal rate of 72%. Lodge continued the goal of President Eisenhower and President Warren of the development of an interstate highway system the major victory for the President on this front was the establishment of a half cent per gallon gas tax to fund the upkeep of the highway system. With Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to orbit the earth this sends a message to Washington as many in the military and congress become worried about the optics of the Soviet space program. The small National Aeronautical and Space Administration is given a large boost in funding for fiscal year 1961-1962 as the race begins to heat up between the forces of East and West.
 
   The events of the Cold War also heated up militarily, with the overthrow the Batista regime in 1959 the United States had hoped the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro would be a Democratic leader to lead Cuba to Democracy, instead he would lead the island nation 90 miles from South Florida into the arms of the Soviet Union. President Lodge would order early in 1961 for anti-Castro exiles to be airdropped into the island to form the basis of a resistance effort against the regime and these works would be quite successful. Meanwhile in Nicaragua a force of Anti-Castro exiles numbers 2,000 were being trained to fight against the regime with a potential landing. This landing would come in the summer of 1962 after a year of infiltrating Cuba with guerrilla fighters the Cuban exiles along with 1,000 American "Mercenaries" would land in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba linking with the previous resistance groups the force was able to secure a beachhead with strategic bombing being conducted by B17s they were able to secure the roads leading to the beach and by nightfall on July 4, 1962 all 3,000 men had been landed along with dozens of M60 tanks and other pieces of heavy military equipment. By the end of July the forces of the exiles have been further bolstered and have secured a link to some prominent rebel groups in the Escambray mountains on the western portion of the island greatly reinforcing their numbers. Soon there was heavy fighting on the outskirts of Cienfuegos with  International Brigades being sent to help the Cuban rebels from nations with strong anti communist leanings such as the United States and especially Francos Spain. Though, a question does remain should the United States officially dedicate troops and air support to the Cuban rebels or should the nation continue their current course of action.

  As we enter the fall campaigning season of 1962, the main issues on the nations mind are the situation in Cuba, with a civil war raging so close to home. There is also the economy which remains strong, and the Cold War. The dominate issues of our day are foreign policy, but there still could be room for domestic issues to gain a foothold should the right cards be played. President Lodge has pledged to campaign for Republicans up and down the ballot this year and will attempt to bring them into the fold and expand his parties caucus in Washington. The Democrats will attempt to stymie the efforts of the President, but the map looks to favor the GOP this time around.

For Chief of Staff Will Angler, the stress is on what to do for the President as he focuses on campaigning it seems the chief of staff will be left to practically run the nation. What is the main goal and some secondary goals for the nation during the run up to the midterms and the 2nd half of President Lodge's term.

As Anton Jepson fought with McCormack for the Speakership it became apparent he would come up short, he just didn't have the coalition together and McCormack had spent the time under O'Connor bringing together many of those of O'Connors coalition. While he did lead a spirited effort, Jepson would be defeated in a vote of the Democratic caucus and McCormack would be elected Speaker of the House. What would Anton do from there, He could challenge Governor Anderson, but he is a progressive even to the left of President Lodge and his camp. Anton could always stay in Congress and work to build on his healthcare proposals.

In 1962, Joe Biden who had worked for Thomas Kenway for the past 2 years was offered an opportunity he would be able to switch careers and move into a post as a field organizer for the AFL-CIO. They had recruited another Kenway aid, and he had recommended Biden for a similar post. Would he leave behind Kenway now that his eyes were set towards the Governors mansion?


Thomas Kenway would speed through the Democratic primary, though a Republican state on paper it was quickly becoming Democratic on all levels. His patronage of the state party had made them robust and powerful. No credible candidates ran against him in the gubernatorial primary and he was slated to make a resounding win for the Democrats in the midterms continuing to hold the mansion for yet another term. What would he do as Governor?

Marcus Jackson has encountered limited reaching out to the more liberal candidates put up by the Democrats in Congress. They worry about a toxic image being linked to them especially those outside of the South. His signing of the Southern manifesto and his support for many of the more conservative Southern Party members has not done well for his image.


   

[NewYorkExpress]

Joe Biden

Biden accepted the job as an AFL-CIO field organizer, hoping to be based out of Iowa, where he was still finishing college.

He was on track to graduate in a matter by the Spring of 1963 thanks to dedicated efforts in his classes and the help of the staff of Kenway's law firm, and as he was leaving, he made sure to thank each and every one of them.

Biden was looking ahead to the 1964 Presidential Election too. It would be his first time voting in any election. He hoped his soon to be leaving boss, Kenway would run, and he would move heaven and earth to get him elected, or so he told the both the staff at the law firm as he left, and his co-workers at the AFL-CIO when he arrived.

[GoTfan]

Thomas kenway, 1962 fall campaign

Tommy's union links paid off when Biden was asked to take up an organising role with the AFL-CIO. The hiring of staffers from his law office promised a fruitful partnership between him and the labour leaders in the Great Lakes region and the rest of the Midwest. He formally resigned his position at the firm after the primary, staking everything on winning the governor's mansion.

Among the decisions for the general election campaign he made was bringing Bobby on as an advisor. He'd managed Jack's presidential campaign in 1960 and while unsuccessful, it had been a testament to the man's organisational skills. The experience he brought to the campaign was not to be discounted, especially with what Tommy predicted would be a close race. Iowa had gone Republican in 1960, and there were still more Republican-on-paper voters than Democrats.

Continuing with what had worked during the primary, Tommy continued both his grassroots campaign and his wide usage of radio and television in order to reach as many voters as possible. He camapgined the Democrats down the ballot as well, in order to get asmuch support as possible for his legislative proposals. He again pushed the same lines he had during the primary: Infrastructure development, investment in education and passing a strong Civil Rights Act to enforce by law Iowa's various judicial decisions that had expanded civil rights in the state.

In the privacy of his home however, he expressed some misgivings about the intervention in Cuba, concerned over its legality and the humanitarian disaster he feared would result.

[KaiserDave]

Will Angler: Activities 1962

Chief of Staff Will Angler spent most of 1962 directing White House affairs, managing staff and hires, and keeping the wheels of the state running smoothly. He handled tax negotiations, legislative liaisons, executive branch staffing, and all the affairs under the direction of his office. He had executive experience, and legislative experience, but usually that involved directing chiefs of staff to carry out his directives, now he had to handle the rough and tumble administrative work himself. The clicking and clacking of typewriters, and ringing of phones, and the daily hustle and bustle of the White House became his new language.

On the domestic front, Will Angler was the immediate leader of the White House liberal camp when he arrived. Will had no love for factionalism, but it was an unavoidable reality that Vice President Nixon and his associates were far more conservative than he was, and although Will had himself pushed for Nixon as Vice President for political purposes, Will wasn't a big fan of the Californian. Fortunately, the office of the Vice Presidency wasn't exactly very powerful, but the executive branch had it's fair share of conservatives and moderates. President Lodge wasn't exactly committed to either Angler's progressive William Allen White-Ernest Gibson style Republicanism or the Vice President's Bismarckian conservatism, so factional infighting for the President's attention was inevitable. For most of 1962 it was a mixed battle. Angler agreed with the push for income tax cuts, but there were always disputes on the White House's views on specific issues. On budgeting it was the same, often broad strokes agreement, but fierce internal debate on specific content. Will constantly worked towards liberalism, but it was often not easy, and they lost more fights than they won.

At least on Cold War issues, the White House was united in their support for a strong anti-communist front.

Will knew that Cuba will be an ulcer for the new administration, but a raging civil war that that Washington was feeding was a massive headache. And as one of the President's closest advisors, that was his headache to bear as well. Will left most of that to the National Security Council, but as Chief of Staff he was partial to much of the intelligence, and accrued a great deal of foreign policy know-how. Will began working a for a direct phone line between the White House and the Kremlin, as he dealt with the bureaucracies and complications of Cold War communication.

As the campaign season began and much of the White House was off on campaign, Will and his people had the most influence in the White House. Always in contact with President Lodge, they began a renewed push for a civil rights act. They communicated with sympathetic Democrats and Republicans in Congress to write up a bill banning the kinds of private sector discrimination so prevalent in the south, and providing enforcement and other protection. Angler also had plans for voting rights. With the support of the President, they planned to make civil rights a major midterm issue. Pushing for the black and liberal vote helped in 1960, it could help in 62. The tax cuts were of course important as well, and would help for the conservative wing of the party.


Supporting Republicans Down-ballot