America's Admiral: The Definite TL

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

I will stick to this TL and not do any others if it fails. The issue with my timelines is that I run out of ideas very quickly; all of my timelines have already been done on Reddit. This one is fresh.

Secretary of the Navy asks to resign; media speculates about presidential run
January 2, 1959

Secretary of the Navy and war hero, Admiral Oscar D. Fields has sent a letter of resignation to President Dwight Eisenhower, where he expressed "disappoinment" at the Administration's policies on healthcare, civil rights and education. Given the content of the letter, major newspapers are speculating Fields, a progressive Democrat, plans to run for President in 1960.

The 53 year old, who has received the Medal of Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom due to his command of aeronaval forces in the Korean War, wrote the following letter:

"Mr. President,

I have put a gargantuan amount of effort into modernizing our Navy as its Secretary.

However, with all due respect, I have been disappointed with your Administration's policies on education (a Department of Education is long overdue), healthcare (most European nations and even Russia have national healthcare systems), and civil rights (it's shameful how millions of Americans are oppressed due to the color of their skin). While I strongly agree with your expansion of Social Security and creation of an interstate highway system, there's lots of work to be done in America.

Thanks for your understanding,

Oscar Darlington Fields

President Eisenhower has yet to respond to the request.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Eisenhower accepts Oscar Fields' resignation
January 4, 1959

Two days after former Secretary of the Navy and Admiral Oscar Fields submitted a letter of resignation to President Dwight Eisenhower, Eisenhower has accepted his resignation with a letter in response to Fields.

Eisenhower replied:.

I am accepting your resignation. It does not sadden me in the slightest; you have done a tremendous service for
America, even before 1957, and have bravely fought in the seven seas for decades.
Thanks for your understanding,

Dwight David Eisenhower

Dwight Eisenhower names Chester Nimitz Jr. for Secretary of Navy
January 6, 1959

Two days after the formal resignation of former Secretary of Navy Oscar Fields, President Dwight Eisenhower has nominated retired Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz Jr, the son of also-notable admiral Chester Nimitz, to replace Fields in the position.

Eisenhower has announced the nomination with a joint press conference in the White House lawn, together with Nimitz Jr. The President said:

"Chester Jr. is the son of another legend in our military, and has also bravely fought for America and against tyranny in the Pacific. I can't name anyone more qualified for Secretary of Navy than him."

Nimitz then said:

"I will be proud of serving America as Secretary of Navy, helping defend our country against Communist expansionism worldwide. I hope the Senate confirms me for the role"

He is expected to be unanimously confirmed

US Senate unanimously confirms Chester Nimitz Jr. as Secretary of Navy
January 10, 1959

Four days after his nomination to replace former Secretary of Navy Oscar Fields, Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz Jr has been unanimously confirmed by the US Senate; thus officially becoming the Secretary of Navy.

During the confirmation hearings, Senator Wayne Morse asked for Nimitz to be unanimously confirmed as Secretary of Navy due to his experience. As Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson heard no objections, he was accepted as Secretary.

Nimitz has already moved to Washington; he has vowed to continue Fields' policies of focusing on aircraft carriers to the detriment of battleships.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Oscar Fields interviewed by CBS announces he's "seriously considering" to run for President
February 2, 1959

Retired Admiral and former Secretary of the Navy Oscar Fields, who resigned from his cabinet position one month ago, has been interviewed by CBS' Daniel Schorr.

In the interview, Fields and Schorr discussed several topics, such as universal healthcare, civil rights, and his service in World War II and the Korean War. But in the end, when asked by the journalist about his presidential ambitions, Fields said:

"I've never turned down a hard job, that's why I fought in the Second World War and the Korean War. I don't know if I'm experienced enough to serve, but I am seriously considering that [a run for President].

In 1955, grassroots Democrats began a "Draft Fields" movement so he could run against Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, but he turned jt down, saying: "I'm not up to the job"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Oscar Fields launches candidacy for President
April 14, 1959

A former Secretary of the Navy and war hero, 52 year old Admiral of the Navy Oscar Darlington Fields has formally launched his campaign for President of the United States in 1960, with a nationally televised speech to 800 people in San Diego, where he built his military career.

In the speech, Fields emphasized his record in the Second World and Korean wars, while promising to create an universal healthcare system, found the Departments of Education and Housing, repeal the Taft-Hartley Act, lower taxes on the middle class, make trade schools tuition-free, provide a child tax credit, take action to protect the rights of African-Americans, and require corporations to provide paid maternity leave to female employees. On foreign policy, the Admiral vowed to address the "missile gap" with the Soviet Union, while increasing foreign aid to Latin America with the goal of preventing socialist expansion.

Transcript of Fields' speech

"Dear Americans, I'm here to announce something very important.

Just as our President commanded the Allied forces against fascist tyranny, I led the legendary USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, which bravely fought in several battles which were a decisive defeat for the maniacal Japanese, sinking three battleships, five cruisers, dozens of submarines and over one hundred other smaller ships in the process. Five years after the war ended, I commanded our aircraft carrier battle group in Korea, mercilessly bombing the North Korean communists and their military forces; basically bringing their nation back to the Middle Ages. I also fought four our aircraft carriers when Truman tried to undermine the arm, while designing a brand new warplane. I have received the Medal of Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom for these efforts, also becoming the youngest admiral in US history at the age of forty-one, soon calling for the military to be desegregated.

Four years ago, red-blooded Democrats across America wanted me to run for President. I wish I could, but I didn't, because Ike is overwhelmingly popular among Americans of both parties.

However, he appointed me as his Secretary of Navy. In this position, I retired several battleships, which are an outdated type of warship, and refitted all aircraft carriers in service which were constructed before 1950, while modernizing anti-aircraft equipment in our destroyers, cruisers, carriers themselves and our remaining battleships.

As you can see, I have done countless things to improve our country, way more than Mr. Kennedy. I will continue to do so in the future. That's why I'm running for President!

As President, I will implement a federal healthcare system modeled after Britain's NHS, while creating Departments of Education and Housing, to make trade schools tuition-free and desegregate residential areas, respectively. We are going to repeal the Taft-Hartley Act, require corporations to provide paid parental leave, and create a child tax credit to help the American worker, and work with Congress to write and pass Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. Middle class Americans will receive a tax cut. On foreign policy, we are going to address the missile gap with the Soviet Union by building up our ballistic missile force, and increasing foreign aid to Latin America, so Communism does not expand. As President, I will serve each and every American. Let's get going with this campaign!

The speech has gotten positive attention from the press.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Biography of Oscar Fields released
May 26, 1959

This afternoon, an important book publisher has launched a biography of Oscar Fields.

The biography, titled "A Life For My Country" is written in the first person, and talks extensively about Fields' record from 1906 (when he was born) to 1959 (when he resigned as Secretary of Navy).

A Life For My Country has 998 pages, most of which focus on World War II and the Korean War, where he commanded an US aircraft carrier battle group.

Many libraries are already running out of copies of the book.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Oscar Fields releases campaign platform
June 8, 1959

The presidential campaign of Admiral Oscar Fields has formally published a document outlining his government plan, if elected President of the United States in 1960.

Pundits have said the plan is solidly liberal on domestic policy, and hawkish on foreign policy, with his promises on economics and civil rights being akin to policies in Western European nations; the Admiral has openly admitted his plan for universal healthcare is based on Britain's National Health Service.

Domestic policy

1. Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act, and weaken state right-to-work laws.
2. Require corporations to provide paid family leave to a pregnant women and her husband.
3. Reduce interest rates by 5%.
4. Create a $2,500 tax credit for families with children.
5. Estabilish an optional, federal healthcare program providing health coverage for every American.
6. Raise the federal minimum wage to $1.50 per hour, while allowing small businesses to opt out of it.
7. Make employment in the civil service and federal government programs guaranteed.
8. Lower the top marginal income tax rate to 80%, while closing corporate tax loopholes and reducing rates for the middle class.
9. Create the Department of Education, and Department of Housing.
10. Make trade schools tuition-free.
11. Desegregate schools, ban the poll tax, work with Congress to write and pass Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, and ban discrimination in employment, housing and education.

Foreign policy and military

1. Begin a buildup of ballistic missiles to address the missile gap.
2. Defend all of Taiwan, including the Quemoy and Matsu islands.
3. Increase foreign aid to Latin America and Southeast Asia, to prevent communism from spreading.
4. Support moderate independence movements in Africa and the Middle East.
5. Support the government in South Vietnam with military and financial aid.
6. Monitor the Cuban government to prevent a tilt towards Communism.
7. Create an "Eastern Underground Railroad", helping people escape from Communist countries.
8. Focus on nuclear missiles instead of strategic bombers.
9. Continue to draw closer to Saudi Arabia and Iran.
10. Begin a naval buildup, phasing out all battleships by 1968.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Throughout mid and late 1959, Fields held a 50-state tour to promote his candidacy, appearing in the local news all across the country. After the tour ended in Christmas 1959, Fields rested for one week before heavily campaigning through Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Illinois.

Fields was endorsed by Senator Scoop Jackson, General Omar Bradley, Senator Stuart Symington, and Governor of California Pat Brown.

1960 Democratic primaries

New Hampshire primary
March 8, 1960

John Kennedy 74%
Oscar Fields 36%

Kennedy won due to being from Massachusetts, but Fields' strong showing caused some panic from his supporters.

Wisconsin primary
April 5, 1960

Oscar Fields 43%
John Kennedy 29%
Hubert Humphrey 28%

Fields began a whistle-stop tour of Wisconsin immediately after the New Hampshire primary, personally meeting with farmers and factory workers, giving interviews to local newspapers, and spreading campaign propaganda together with supporters. This strategy worked, and he won an upset victory in WI; Humphrey's third-place showing threw his campaign into disarray.

Illinois primary
April 12, 1960

John Kennedy 42%
Oscar Fields 33%
Hubert Humphrey 25%

Kennedy's strong support from Catholic voters and the Democratic machine helped him make a comeback in Illinois. After another disappointing showing, Hubert Humphrey dropped out and endorsed Fields.

New Jersey primary
April 19, 1960

Unpledged 85%
Oscar Fields 15%

The state overwhelmingly voted for unpledged delegates, but Fields racked up one sixth of the ballots cast.

Massachusetts primary
April 26, 1960

John Kennedy 93%

Oscar Fields refused to get in the ballot in Massachusetts, making John Kennedy sweep his home state.

But the big contest of the night was the:

Pennsylvania primary
April 26, 1960

Oscar Fields 49%
John Kennedy 47%
Hubert Humphrey 2%

Fields tried to wean Catholic voters away from Kennedy by spreading rumors of his infidelities, and attract the working-class vote by pointing out Kennedy's elitist background. The Senator for Massachusetts accused Fields of "lying", and said the Admiral should have been "ashamed", but these tricks (and Fields' late use of television advertising) helped him pull off an Appalachia-fueled upset; the state was very close due to Kennedy campaigning with his wife and brothers.

Indiana primary
May 3, 1960

John Kennedy 47%
Oscar Fields 46%

On April 29, Kennedy gave a long speech to dispel the rumors spread by the Fields campaign, helping the Senator and hurting the Admiral; spreading information of dubious accuracy made Fields look corrupt in comparison to Kennedy, who made another comeback.

Ohio primary
May 3, 1960

Michael DiSalle 55%
Oscar Fields 28%

Favorite son candidate and Governor Michael DiSalle crushed Admiral Fields in his state.

D.C primary
May 3, 1960

Hubert Humphrey 43%
Oscar Fields 36%

Fields and Humphrey were the only candidates in the ballot in DC, with Humphrey's record on civil rights pushing him to victory in spite of dropping out.

Nebraska primary
May 10, 1960

Oscar Fields 48%
John Kennedy 35%
Hubert Humphrey 2%

Fields' populist liberalism and appeal among rural voters helped him defeat the "New England elitist" Kennedy.

West Virginia primary
May 10, 1960

Oscar Fields 50%
John Kennedy 33%
Hubert Humphrey 11%

Kennedy heavily tried to pull off an upset in WV, but Fields had an advantage among red-blooded Protestants, and the Admiral had focused on protecting miners. The state was much closer than earlier polls predicted, however.

Maryland primary
May 17, 1960

John Kennedy 48%
Oscar Fields 39%

Fields emphasized his naval record, thinking this would help him in the coastal state; while focusing on civil rights.

Oregon primary
May 20, 1960

Oscar Fields 53%
John Kennedy 40%
Hubert Humphrey 3%

The "favorite son" effect and Fields' popularity in the east of the state made him carry Oregon by thirteen points, only Kennedy's charisma keeping the state relatively close.

Florida
May 24, 1960

George Smathers 89%
Oscar Fields 11%

As the "favorite son" candidate, Senator Smathers won every county, and Florida by 78 percentage points.

California
June 7, 1960

Oscar Fields 51%
John Kennedy 43%
Pat Brown (Write-in) 3%

Kennedy's campaign was already on its last legs, but he placed lots of effort into an upset win in California, given his support among Hispanic Catholics. But Fields had been raised in California (where his parents moved in 1910), denting this appeal as swing voters coalesced behind the Admiral.

South Dakota
June 7, 1960

Oscar Fields 58%
John Kennedy 33%
Hubert Humphrey 12%

The final contest in the Democratic primaries was won by Fields by a landslide due to Kennedy's unpopularity in the state and Fields' WWC appeal.

In the meantime those primaries were held, John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson were racking up lots of delegates from caucus states, where they had the support of Democratic bosses.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

At the time of the Democratic National Convention, the Democratic nomination was still too close to call.

First ballot
July 11, 1960

Oscar Fields 643 votes

John Kennedy 317 votes

Lyndon Johnson 216 votes

Stuart Symington 74 votes

Robert B. Meyner 28 votes

George Smathers 24 votes

Hubert Humphrey 23 votes

Ross Barnett 22 votes

Herschel C. Loveless 1 vote

Pat Brown, Orval E. Faubus each 1 vote

After Humphrey, Johnson and Meyner pledged their delegates to Fields, he won the nomination on the second ballot.

I still have to do the vice-presidential selection, but I'm beginning to run out of ideas.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

I want to choose a younger and charismatic running mate for Fields that isn't JFK, since the two have a contentious relationship since the primaries.

I cannot think of anyone.

[President Johnson]

A more general advice if you run out of ideas with your TLs: I'd recommend to plot a lot in advance before you actually start writing. Maybe not every single detail, but it's always good to have some kind of a plot. Maybe don't even try to create the plot at once, because sometimes you get ideas when you're not really looking for them.

I've been doing this for a while when it comes to my TL and already plotted down a lot, maybe even multiple possibilities to chose from. As I've been into writing novels as a hobby for a while, creating a plot in advance is one of the most important things to consider.

There are some fiction writers that don't plot a lot and just write stuff down as it comes to their mind. It just seems to me they're in the minority and usually are very experienced writers. Plotting also makes it easier to find inconsistencies before they occur.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Oscar Fields chooses Stuart Symington as his running mate
June 23, 1960

Former Secretary of Navy and Democrats' presumptive nominee Oscar Fields has chosen US Senator for Missouri and former Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington as his vice-presidential nominee, after considering that together with Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson, Senator for Minnesota Hubert Humphrey, Senator for Montana Mike Mansfield, and Governor of Ohio Michael DiSalle.

Fields and Symington held a joint press conference in St. Louis, Missouri to announce Symington's selection. After being asked by a reporter if he was selecting Symington as a running mate, Fields said:

"Yes, of course! Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. The Senator is one of the most experienced people in my list, having been a great businessman, the first Secretary of the Air Force, and being elected to the Senate, where he is fighting for civil rights, economic justice and freedom of speech. I can't think of anyone else better qualified for the job of Vice President"

When asked by another journalist if he accepted the nomination, Symington responded;

"Yes, of course. I will be glad to serve America and her people as the Vice President. I will work closely with Admiral Fields over the next four or eight years, to bring justice for the American people. Let's get going with this campaign!"

Pundits have said the choice of Symington is a net negative, as the ticket will be composed of two military secretaries, and offers little to Southern voters.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

A more general advice if you run out of ideas with your TLs: I'd recommend to plot a lot in advance before you actually start writing. Maybe not every single detail, but it's always good to have some kind of a plot. Maybe don't even try to create the plot at once, because sometimes you get ideas when you're not really looking for them.

I've been doing this for a while when it comes to my TL and already plotted down a lot, maybe even multiple possibilities to chose from. As I've been into writing novels as a hobby for a while, creating a plot in advance is one of the most important things to consider.

There are some fiction writers that don't plot a lot and just write stuff down as it comes to their mind. It just seems to me they're in the minority and usually are very experienced writers. Plotting also makes it easier to find inconsistencies before they occur.

Great idea. I am thinking of writing a book about a fictional character who was President of Brazil between 1961 and 1963, when he was assassinated by a conservative anti-communist. (I've written about him in the International What-ifs board)

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Oscar Fields gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention where he talked at length about his war record and policies on healthcare, education, poverty, civil rights and diplomacy.

JFK was a keynote speaker; he urged Democrats to coalesce behind the nominee.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Oscar Fields kicks off general election campaign in San Diego
July 29, 1960

Democratic presidential nominee Oscar Fields has held a rally in his home city of San Diego, California to begin his presidential campaign for the general election. According to a campaign spokesman, 10,000 people attended the rally.

There, Fields gave a speech where he called for a comprehensive program of reforms termed "Widespread Prosperity".

These reforms consisted of: universal healthcare, paid family leave, tuition-free trade schools, a child tax credit, civil rights laws, a higher minimum wage, repealing Taft-Hartley, making interest rates low, Departments of Education and Housing, and so on.

"My Administration will guarantee widespread prosperity for all Americans; that will be the name of our government programs. When I'm President, we will have universal healthcare, paid family leave paid for by corporations, a tax credit for families with children, a Department of Education to make trade schools tuition-free while increasing pay for teachers, a Department of Housing ti desegregate residential areas, repealing the Taft-Hartley Act while weakening state right-to-work laws, Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts to protect African-Americans and other minorities, and much more to help the average American. I will fight for the people as President"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Gallup releases August 1, 1960 presidential poll



With Oscar Fields' support for civil rights, Harry Byrd is expected to declare his third-party candidacy soon; he already leads most polls in the Deep South.

Richard Nixon 46%
Oscar Fields 44%
Harry Byrd 5%

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Harry Byrd announces run for President with Orval Faubus as running mate
August 3, 1960

With Democrats nominating a supporter of civil rights and adding a plank into their platform calling for a Civil Rights Act, segregationists have increasingly called for one of them to run a third-party campaign for President..

US Senator for Virginia Harry Byrd, a leader of segregationists in Congress, has answered to such calls with a speech in Roanoke, VA, where he announced he was running for President.

"The Democratic and Republican candidates, both California yankees, support the farce of civil rights, which will destroy the foundations of Southern culture. We need a presidential candidate who will stand for states' rights, and I'm that candidate" he said.

Byrd also held a press conference, where he announced an intention to choose Governor of Arkansas Orval Faubus, an opponent of Civil Rights who was involved in a confrontation with the federal government, as his running mate. Faubus has yet to respond to the offer.

Pundits have speculated Byrd's goal is an electoral college deadlock, as the Dixiecrats tried to do in 1948.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Fields gives speech to union bosses in Cincinnati
August 9, 1960

Oscar Fields has given a major speech to seven major labor union bosses – and 200 blue-collar workers – in downtown Cincinnati. In the speech, Fields made several promises to win their support.

The Admiral said he'd repeal the Taft-Hartley Act, while weakening state right-to-work laws, creating a tax credit for families with children, raising the minimum wage to 1.50 dollars per hour, creating Departments of Education and Housing, require corporations to provide paid parental leave, working with Congress to write and pass Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, and making trade schools tuition-free.

"Unions have been needlessly undermined by the unfair Taft-Hartley Act, and self-serving investigations from both parties. A Fields Administration will 100% stand for the rights of labor. We are going to repeal Taft-Hartley and weaken state right-to-work laws, if that's constitutional. But that's not enough. Corporations will be required to provide paid leave to pregnant women and their partners, throughout all of pregnancy. Families with children are going to receive a tax credit of 2,500 dollars per month, while the federal minimum wage is going to be 1 dollar and 50 cents per hour, with small businesses being allowed to opt out of it. The Fed is going to slash interest rates, with trade schools becoming tuition-free and funded by the federal government. For this purpose, a Department of Education will be created – it is long overdue. Guaranteed employment, a national healthcare system and middle-class tax cuts are also on the Fields agenda"

This speech has given Fields a boost in the Midwest, but economists have criticized his proposal for a tax credit.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Fields gives major speech on civil rights
August 16, 1960

Oscar Fields has just given a 52 minute long speech in Chicago, about his Administration's agenda for civil rights, which he says will "fully" consolidate the American ideals of liberty and equality.

In the speech, the war hero and former Secretary of Navy vowed to work with Congress on a constitutional amendment to ban the poll tax, paired with a Civil Rights Act to ban discrimination in employment, education and housing, and a Voting Rights Act to end the disfranchisement of racial minorities. The Admiral also indirectly addressed Harry Byrd's segregationist third-party candidacy.

"America was the first country in the world founded in liberty and equality for all its citizens. But, since the beginning, African-Americans have been excluded from them in various forms. These eternal ideas will be fully consolidated under my Administration. The international communist movement deflects from its atrocities by pointing to the racism and discrimination in our country... Protections for civil rights are long overdue. As President, I will work with Congress to write and pass a Civil Rights Act to forbid discrimination by race or sex in employment, education and housing, and a Voting Rights Act to end voter supersession and protect every eligible American's right to vote. Furthermore, there will be a constitutional amendment to ban the horrible and medieval poll tax. We will certainly lose the South in this election, but that doesn't mean doing the right thing is wrong. If some people want to vote against freedom and progress for all Americans, that's fine – they are just going to lose."

The NAACP has officially endorsed Fields after the speech.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Fields holds rally with Kennedy in Trenton
August 21, 1960

Oscar Fields has surprised pundits by holding a rally with primary rival John F. Kennedy in Trenton, New Jersey. During the Democratic primaries, the Admiral had described Kennedy as a "Massachusetts elitist" and "philanderer", thus doubting Kennedy's Catholicism in a play for Catholic voters.

18,000 people from all walks of life are estimated to have attended the rally, including many who supported Kennedy during the primary season.

In the rally, Kennedy gave a speech about the need to fight for working-class Americans, while Fields talked about his record as a naval commander in World War II and the Korean War.

When asked by a reporter about why he had teamed up with a bitter rival, the Senator for Massachusetts said:

"We both said things at the heat of the moment we did not really mean. Since the beginning, I recognized the need to work with Admiral Fields if I lost the nomination, which happened. I am going to closely work with him [Fields] if he's elected"

Fields then said "Kennedy is a good man, in spite of the rumors about his private life. He stands for the American people, regardless of race, gender or religion, just like I do. We will continue to work together in the coming years"

This is an impressive turnaround

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Fields campaign airs ad about war record
August 26, 1960

Oscar Fields was an Admiral in the US Navy before becoming its secretary. He commanded an important aircraft carrier during World War II, sinking dozens of Japanese warships with naval aircraft such as the Vought F4U Corsair.

During the Korean War, Fields was the commander of the aircraft carrier battle group sent to the Korean Peninsula, where ships and aircraft under his command played a pivotal role in weakening North Korean forces.

The Fields campaign is nationally broadcasting a television ad about these, plus his service as Secretary of Navy, where he retired several battleships and refitted old aircraft carriers.

According to pundits, many portions of the ad are taken from his biography.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Fields elaborates on foreign policy during speech
August 30, 1960

Oscar Fields has just given a speech in Miami about what his Administration's foreign policy will be.

In the speech, the Admiral vowed to embark on a nuclear missile buildup to address the "missile gap" with the Soviet Union, while defending all of Taiwan (including the Quemoy and Matsu Islands) from Red China, supporting countries such as South Vietnam, Turkey, Iran and Thailand to prevent communist expansion, and fighting for Africa to be decolonized.

"My Administration will fight for American interests worldwide in a pragmatic and flexible manner. We will not only provide military support for anti-communist countries and movement, but also provide economic aid and work with the country's government to improve living conditions. In poor countries, those with low living standards are especially drawn to communism and similar ideologies, and the Fields Administration will prevent that. But now, let's get to specifics. Taiwan is a bulwark of stability in the unstable Asia, and one of the richest countries in the region. All of Taiwan must be defended from Red China, including Quemoy and Matsu. We are also going to continue supporting border countries like South Vietnam, Iran, Turkey and Thailand, to prevent the domino effect from hitting these countries. And last but not least, Africa should be decolonized, as blacks have a right to form sovereign nations again after 80 years of oppression. I am going to be a president for all Americans when I'm in office"

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

September 1, 1960 presidential poll by Gallup

Oscar Fields 48%
Richard Nixon 46%
Harry Byrd 7%



Oscar Fields has gotten a boost outside of the South due to his good campaigning and support from Catholic plus Hispanic voters, while Harry Byrd has risen in Georgia and South Carolina due to Fields' support for Civil Rights. Richard Nixon, who runs on continuing Eisenhower's policies, has a chance of winning Texas due to vote splitting.

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

Fields gives speech about education
September 9, 1960

Oscar Fields has just given a major speech on education policy in Philadelphia.

"Every American child, regardless of race or gender, deserves an amazing school to attend. A Department of Education is long overdue – it's absolutely shameful we do not have one. My Administration will change that. From the beginning of my term, I will work with Congress to create the Department of Education, to pay teachers' wages, provide funding for schools, create programs to help low-income Americans pay for college tuition, and make trade schools tuition-free, and funded by the federal government. Furthermore, the schools are going to be desegregated by the federal government – Southerners' "massive resistance" is a temper tantrum because the time of oppression for African-Americans is over.  As President, I will fight for the average American"

Fields continues to grow in the North and drop in the South

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

I have no ideas. I should not do TLs, to be honest

[Blow by blow, the passion dies]

I am pausing this TL, because I decided it won't get far. I should not do TLs, due to my tendency to run out of ideas.