Secession in the Modern Era

[True Democrat]

This timeline isn't supposed to be realistic, just fun.  It starts in 1968.

The Race for the Democratic Nomination:

After being nearly beaten by Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota, President Lyndon Johnson announces that he will drop out of the race for the Democratic nomination.  Shortly after this, Senator Robert Kennedy announces he will run in the primaries.  Kennedy appears to be on track to win the nomination, when he is assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan in the Ambassador Hotel in California.  After this, McCarthy begins to win the primaries, but Vice President Humphrey is stil seen as the eventual nominee, due to support from the party establishment.

The Democratic convention is a disaster.  The brutality of the Chicago police under Mayor Daley are seen beating antiwar protesters.  However, on the night Humphrey is going to accept the nomination (in person), a number of protesters break into the convention hall.  Just as Humphrey starts to walk up to the podium, a shot is heard, and Humphrey slumps onto the floor.  Within minutes, Humphrey is declared dead.  A protestor named Tom Hayden is arrested, though the police are unsure whether he really is guilty.  The convention is immediately suspended until the next day.  The delegates and the nation as a whole are in shock.  In one year, Martin Luther King Jr, Senator Robert Kennedy, and Vice President Hubert Humphrey have all been killed.

Many Humphrey supporters want President Johnson to fly in to secure the nomination for himself or another establishment candidate.  However, Johnson still refuses (partly because the Secret Service has security concerns).  The next day, as the convention reassembles to pick a new candidate, the establishment has overnight lost control of the party.  With Johnson refusing to take control, the nomination could be anyones.  The first ballot shows a four way split between McGovern, McCarthy, Johnson, and Edward Kennedy.  However, Kenneyd drops out, and McGovern endorses McCarthy, and by the second ballot, McCarthy easily wins the nomination.  For Vice President, McCarthy chooses Senator McGovern, due to his support for his nomination.

With the ongoing trial of Tom Hayden, and the Chicago police antics in his arrest, it seems impossible that the Democrats can win the presidency.

The Republican Nomination:

With Nixon refusing to run for the nomination, and Governor Romney's numbers falling fast with his "brainwashed comment," analysts are unsure who will win the nomination.  In the New Hampshire primary, Governor Nelson Rockefeller wins with 42% of the vote (with 30% for Governor Ronald Reagan).  Although Reagan continues to challenge him throughout the primaries, Rockefeller, with momentum from New Hampshire and Nixon's endorsement a couple weeks after New Hampshire, eventually wins the nomination on the first ballot at the convention.  For his Vice Presidential candidate, Rockefeller chooses New Jersey Senator Cliffor Case for Vice President.

Meanwhile, Alabam Governor George Wallace decides to run as an Independent for the nomination.  Although he calls for an end to integration, he instead focuses his campaign on economic liberalism for working class Americans and social conservatism.

An August 1968 Gallup Poll shows the following:

Rockefeller: 32%
McCarthy: 25%
Wallace: 23%
Undecided/Other: 20%

Rockefeller's personal history and moderatism make his support among conservatives very low.  McCarthy is seen as too liberal, and Wallace is seen as a racist.  All three candidate agree to hold a debate in September.

In the debate, Rockefeller and McCarthy come off as weak on the Vietnam War and both are once seen as too liberal.  Wallace on the other hand, appears to know the issues well and can easily speak to middle class Americans.  60% of viewers say Wallace wins the debate (with 30% for Rockefeller and 10% for McCarthy).  New breaks in the Humphrey assassination case point to Mayor Daley as instigatin the protests through further police brutality.  This can only hurt the Republican Party.

Besides being anti-war, it appear as though McCarthy has no message.  Rockefeller ignores the Mountain West and South, feeling that he can win as a Republican without these regions. Wallace, meanwhile, goes on nationwide tours, focusing on the South, Midwest, and even the Mountain West, where he is polling surprsingly at 30%.

An October Gallup Poll shows the following:
Rockefeller: 31%
Wallace: 30%
McCarthy: 24%
Undecided/Other: 15%

While Rockefeller and McCarthy have remained static, Wallace's number have gone up.  In mid-Octoer, McCarthy unveils a new plan to completely withdraw from Vietnam in three months after he is elected.  Voters disapprove of this plan 20-80.  McCarthy's numbers continue to drop.  Rockefeller won't take a firm stance for or against the war, while Wallace advocates a quick victory.  Even though he won't give details, Americans seem to approve of Wallace's "secret plan" to win in Vietnam.  With the election looking as though it may go to the House, Rockefeller and McCarthy agree that whoever wins between the two of them will win in the House.

In the second and final presidential debate, McCarthy tries to defend his withdrawal plan, but he just continues to lose credibility.  Rockefeller still looks like he won't take a position on the war, and Wallace wins this debate with 70%.  A poll taken after the debat shows the following:

Wallace: 36%
Rockefeller: 28%
McCarthy: 21%
Undecided/Other: 15%

If Wallace can win the undecideds on election day, it is possible he can win without going to the House.

On election night, it appears that in the South Wallace will sweep almost every state.  In the Northeast, Wallace polls with about 20% (mostly from working class voters), while Rockefeller and McCarthy fight it out for first.  The midwest is a battle between Wallace and McCarthy, while the Mountain West is a battle between Rockefeller and Wallace.  The Pacific coast is similar to the Northeast, although Wallace is polling very strong in Alaska.  It appears as though it may all come down to Kansas, where Rockefeller and Wallace are competing for first place.  At midnight, it is announced that Wallace will win Kansas by 12000 votes, and with that a majority in the electoral college.

These are the final results:



Wallace/LeMay: 39%, 271 electoral votes
Rockefeller/Case: 31%, 197 electoral votes
McCarthy/McGovern: 29%, 70 electoral votes

[True Democrat]

The 1968 Senatorial and Congressional elections produced the following results:

House:
Democrats: 220
Republicans: 177
American Independents: 38

Senate:
Democrats: 51
Republicans: 38
American Independents: 11

A number of Southern Democrats switched to become American Independents (Wallace's party)

Although he speaks of reconciliation in his inauguration speech, President Wallace's first act is to sign an executive order that stops the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964, and 1968 from going into effect.  He also orders the National Guard to stop all attempts at forced integration and busing.

This move angers the North, but those in the South are overjoyed with the President's actions.

Democrats in the House and Senate attempt to overcome the President's actions, but they cannot garner enough support with the Dixiecrats no longer voting with the party (not all Dixiecrats became American Independents, but they still vote that way).  The Supreme Court tries to enforce the laws, but Wallace just ignores this.  He also promises to put Dixiecrats on the court when vacancies arise.

In the 1970 midterms, American Independents gain a lot of seats, due to more members in the South switching.  Even a number of Northern Democrats switch to become American Independents.  However, Democrats also gain by taking a firm stance against Wallace, giving them votes in the North.  Republicans lose a huge number of seats to the Democrats in the North.

House:
Democrats: 230 (+10)
Republicans: 134 (-43)
American Independents: 71 (+33)

In the Senate however, the Democrats lose their majority, though a Democrat is still elected Majority Leader due to support from Northern Republicans:

Senate:
Democrats: 48 (-3)
Republicans: 34 (-4)
American Independents: 18 (+7)

[Yates]

Very interesting scenario - keep it up!

[True Democrat]

In the Democratic nomination for 1972, the leading candidates are Senator McCarthy, Senator McGovern, and Henry Jackson.  Jackson drops out after doing poorly in a couple of primaries.  Meanwhile, the party leadership feels like McCarthy can't win due to his performance in 1968.  President Wallace even wins a few Southern primaries with write-in votes, though he chooses not to try to win the nomination.  Meanwhile, McGovern looks as though he has the nomination locked up.  McCarthy, who controls much of the through his reorganization of the primary process, influences a lot of "super delegates" to vote for McGovern.  However, three weaks before the convention, McGovern comes out with a plan for a "living wage" for all Americans and the immediate withdrawal from Vietnam.  This plan, which is slightly more popular than it was in 1968, is still very unpopular.  The party leadership now sees McGovern as too radical to be able to win.  Furthermore, the Kennedy faction of the party uses its power to push McGovern out.   The next possible candidate is Senator Thomas Eagleton of Missouri, but a background check reveals electric shock therapy, and the leadership feels Eagleton would be too controversial.  McGovern then puts forward an option that would be acceptable to the McCarthy wing and the Kennedy win: Sargent Shriver.  Shriver, who is known for starting a number of charitable organizations in the 1960s, was elected as a Representative from Maryland in 1970.  As the brother-in-law of JFK, he is acceptable to the Kennedys, but he also been in the McCarthy camp for quite some time.  At the convention, Shriver is nominated on the first ballot.  For VP, the party leaders choose Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine because no Southerner can be found to run with Shriver.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have a lack of candidates running.  Former candidate Nelson Rockefeller refuses to run, while former Governor Ronald Reagan also makes a surprise announcement that he too will not run.  House Minority Leader Gerald Ford also takes his name out.  The only notable Republican to run is Mayor John Lindsay of New York.  Lindsay, who barely won the Republican nomination for mayor in 1969, is seen as a moderate in the party, if not a litle kooky.  However, with little opposition, Lindsay cruises through the primaries and easily wins the nomination.  His running mate is Governor Daniel J. Evans of Washington.

The American Independent nomination is won unanimously by President Wallace, but Vice President LeMay (who is seen as uncharismatic) is replaced by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

The first poll after all the nominations show the following:
Wallace/Byrd: 34%
Shriver/Muskie: 24%
Lindsay/Evans: 21%
Undecided/Other: 21%

Wallace's Approval:
Approve: 48%
Disapprove: 46%

In the South:
Approve: 78%
Disapprove: 17%

In the Norheast:
Approve: 23%
Disapprove: 75%

Wallace, feeling he has the advantage, refuses to debate either candidate.  Meanwhile, Wallace and Shriver gain in the polls.  Here is a poll from mid-September:

Wallace/Byrd: 39%
Shriver/Muskie: 32%
Lindsay/Evans: 20%
Undecided/Other: 9%

In the first week of October, the Democrats finally join with Republicans to pass resolutions opposing Wallace's refusal to enforce the Civil Rights Acts.  Although this is first seen as a victory for the Democrats, Wallace turns the issue around to show how Democrats are trying to enforce busing again.  Wallace eventually wins out on this issue.  Here is the final poll before the election:

Wallace/Byrd: 41%
Shriver/Muskie: 30%
Lindsay/Evans: 25%
Undecided/Other: 4%

Wallace easily wins the election, with Shriver in a far second and Lindsay not too far behind him.  Wallace gains in the South and Mountain West, but loses votes on the West Coast, Northeast, and even in parts of the midwest (though he does better overall), where racial issues have pushed away some more moderate whites.  His gain in the Moutanin west can be explained by Wallace emphasizing lack of government involvement, in a Goldwater-esque approach.


Wallace/Byrd: 42%, 314 electoral votes
Shriver/Muskie: 32%, 154 electoral votes
Lindsay/Evans: 26%, 70 electoral votes

[True Democrat]

Meanwhile, the American Independents also makes gains in the House and Senate:

House:
Democrats: 208 (-22)
Republicans: 125 (-9)
American Independents: 102 (+31)

A Democratic Speaker is elected with Republican support.

Senate:
Democrats: 40 (-8)
Republicans: 32 (-2)
American Independents: 28 (+10)

A Democratic Majority Leader is elected with Republican support.

[True Democrat]

With a new sense of unity, liberal Democrats and Republicans continue to pass laws that Wallace vetoes with relation to civil rights.  Meanwhile, legislation already passed is still not being enforced by the administration, even though Congress and the Supreme Court keep trying to force Wallace to do so.  Even voluntary integration in Northern states is now being outlawed by Wallace.

With Republicans taking a backseat to the Democratic vs. American Independent battle, both parties gain seats in the 1974 midterms.  Republicans have been reduced to the smallest party in the House and Senate, and there is talk of merger between the Republicans and Democrats.

House:
Democrats: 212 (+4)
American Independents: 116 (+14)
Republicans: 107 (-18)

A Democratic Speaker is elected with Republican support.

Senate:
Democrats: 37 (-3)
American Independents: 33 (+5)
Republicans: 30 (-2)

A Democratic Majority Leader is elected with Republican support.

Newly emboldened by  American Independent victories in the midterms, President Wallace sends the National Guard into a number of Northern cities, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.  The Governors of these states, in actions reminiscent of Wallace's own actions, stand in front of these schools advocating integration.  States in northern New England begin to talk of secession if these injustices continue.  Northerners agree to wait until the outcome of the 1976 election before deciding whether to secede.

In anticipation of the 1976 elections, President Wallace first contemplates ignoring the constitution and running for a third term, but eventually decides against it.  Instead, he tells VP Byrd to run, as a puppet in a sense.

The Democrats and Republicans, hoping to beat Byrd, decide to run a joint ticket, with a Democrat on top due to higher support for the Democrats.  The party leadership of both parties decide they will be picking the candidates in order to ensure electability.  The committees of both parties choose Henry "Scoop" Jackson due to his support from Democrats and Republicans and strong record on defense.  With America still supporting the struggling South Vietnamese government through some military aid (about 40,000 American troops and advisors are still in South Vietnam, where a peace treaty has split the country), Jackson is a good choice.  The two national committees then decide to choose Massachusetts Senator Edward Brooke for VP.  Brooke, who is the first major black VP candidate, is a symbol of the message of integration and racial reconciliation.  However, the parties decide to hold separate conventions, though nominating the same candidates.

For the Independent American VP candidate, Byrd (and by Byrd I mean Wallace) chooses failed Supreme Court nominee William Rehnquit.  Rehnquist was nominated by Wallace, but was rejected by the Senate due to his support for Wallace's right to stop integration.

The first poll shows the following:
Jackson/Brooke: 47%
Byrd/Rehnquist: 39%
Undecided/Other: 14%

A number of conservatives in the North are undecided due to the liberal stances of the Democratic-Republican ticket.  Byrd, meanwhile, stresses States' Rights and helping the working class.  Jackson stresses his strong nature on defense, while Brooke is the only one on the ticket talking about racial issues.  With newfound support from the working class, Byrd gains in the polls by mid-September:

Jackson/Brooke: 45%
Byrd/Rehnquist: 43%
Undecided/Other: 12%

In the first presidential debate, Byrd surprisingly slaughters Jackson.  Byrd uses his experience in the Senate to show that he knows the issues.  Furthermore, unlike Jackson who appears condescending, Byrd talks to the common man.  Watchers say Byrd wins the debate 65-35.

In the only VP debate, a number of issues are supposed to be discussed.  However, both candidates debate for an hour on the race question.  Brooke, though doing a good job of supporting integration, does not have the judicial knowledge that Rehnquist possesses.  Rehnquist wins 60-40.

A poll after these two debates shows this:

Byrd/Rehnquist: 47%
Jackson/Brooke: 41%
Undecided/Other: 12%

The final presidential debate focuses on foreign policy, and Jackson easily wins, though Byrd tries emphasize his role in the Wallace administration.  The debate is a 55-45 win for Jackson, the race narrows to a three point lead for Byrd.

On election day, the results are very close.  Byrd is trounced in the Northeast and Pacific, but cleans up in the South and Mountain West.  Almost all the close states in the midwest.  However, a 70,000 vote win in Ohio puts Byrd over the top:



Byrd/Rehnquist: 50%, 284 electoral votes
Jackson/Brooke: 49%, 254 electoral votes

And in the Congressional elections, American Independnets continue to gain:

House:
Democrats: 201 (-11)
American Independents: 135 (+19)
Republicans: 99 (-7)

A Democratic Speaker is once again elected with Republican support.

Senate:
American Independents: 41 (+8)
Democrats: 31 (-6)
Republicans: 28 (-2)

The American Independents are now the largest party in the Senate, but a Democratic Majority Leader is once again elected due to Republican support.

In his inauguration speech, Byrd promises to continue the policies of Wallace.  With this annoucement, the Massachusetts legislature begins a vote of secession.

[ilikeverin]

Minnesota looks lonely all alone in the Midwest

[True Democrat]

On January 23, 1977, both houses of the Massachusetts legislature pass a resolution that allows Massachusetts to secede from the United States of America, once at least three other states do so.  Vermont follows suit on February 4th.  Maine on the 11th, and Rhode Island on the 23rd.  All four states call for a convention in Boston to determine whether all shall be independent nations, or if a new nation shall be formed.

At the convention in Boston in mid-March, all the states agree to form a union, based almost entirely on the United States constitution.  Although they first want to call the new nation the "New England Confederation," this is eventually rejected as it becomes apparent that states such as Minnesota and Washington may join.  The name of the Union of Egalitarian American States is decided as the interim name until all the states have joined.

Meanwhile, President Byrd's first thought is to send in the army to quell this secession.  However, upon the advice (and control) of newly appointed Chief of Staff George Wallace, Byrd allows these states to secede, as Wallace says, "We're better off without them."  Byrd says he shall wait one year to see if these states are serious about secession and then decide on further action.  Unionists see Byrd as weak on secession, but those in the South are joyed to see the Northerners leave.  The only part that Byrd stops secession in is Washington, D.C. for obvious reasons.

By July 1st, the map of America looks like this:



United States of America
Union of Egalitarian American States
States that are considered "border states" and could secede

The prospect of Delaware being cut off does not sound too good to Byrd.  Furthermore, the fact that New Hampshire has not seceded has really hurt the newly named "Egalitarian" cause.

On July 21st, Wyoming surprisingly votes for secession, causing a number of surrounding states to move to the border state column.  A week later, Iowa and Illinois vote against secession.  Pennsylvania votes for secession by one vote (in the lower house and significantly larger margin in the upper house) in mid-August, prompting New York to take up the issue.  By October 1st, the map now looks like this:



The Egalitarians know that if New York and California both secede, their cause is seen as credible.  However, other secessionists feel that the secession of both New York and California would hurt the cause by cutting off the United States from the Pacific and possibly causing a civil war.

On September 15th, New York finally votes in favor secession.  Secessionists in the California legislature, as instructed by those in Boston, agree to pass a resolution that will keep California in the union for at least one year, but makes it so California will not take a stance on a civil war if one begins.  Maryland agrees to stay in the union, forced by President Byrd.  However, against the wishes of the administration, the District of Columbia passes a resolution in favor of secession, causing President Byrd to begin to speak of relocation of the capital.  North Dakota too votes for secession, causing even more states in the midwest to become unsure of their positions.  Iowa and Illinois begin to reconsider the issue.  New Hampshire still refuses to secede.  Finally, on November 15th, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont threaten to close off the New Hampshire border if it doesn't secede.  The state legislature acquieces.  Here is the map by December 1st:



President Byrd and former President Wallace, seeing that the situation is finally getting out of hand, use their sway to influence Montana, Illinois, Utah, Colorado, and Iowa to stay in the union.  However, South Dakota and Wisconsin are still up for grabs.  A huge breakthrough for the union comes on January 8th when North Dakota votes to rejoin the United States, in a move prompted by President Byrd agreeing not to arrest all North Dakotans still in Washington.  South Dakota follows North Dakota's move and rejoins the union, leaving Wyoming alone.  Washington, D.C. is still officially under control of the United States, though it considers itself part of what has become known as "Eglitaria."  Only Wisconsin and Hawaii are undecided on their situation.  Here is the map by February 1, 1978:

[True Democrat]

On February 15, 1978, the Hawaii legislature, in a close vote, votes against secession.  Meanwhile, the Wisconsin legislature, two days later, votes for secession.  However, a conflict arises when some make accusations that not all of Wisconsin's legislators were present, leading to the "Wisconsin Question" which would linger in historian's minds for years.

President Byrd, who agreed to examine secession one year later, still calls for unity, but again under the advice of Chief of Staff and former President Wallace, agrees to acknowledge secession, truly feeling that the United States is better off without these northern states.

With the secession of Wisconsin, Egalitarian Senators and Representative are pulled out of Washington (still under the control of the United States).  In Boston, the interim capital, Edward Kennedy is elected as the interim President, until elections can be held in 1980.  1978 midterms will be held in the North and the South.  The same number of Senators and House members come from each state.

As for keeping DC in the union, Byrd gets the House and Senate to pass legislation giving DC a one seat in the House.  Although DC does not rescind its secession resolution, it agrees to stay in the union for now.

In the United States midterms, the American Independents take almost complete control, while the newly formed Democratic-Republican Party (which advocates union) is a minority:

House (303 total members):
American Independnets: 234
Democratic-Republicans: 69

Senate (72 total members):
American Independnets: 55
Democratic-Republicans: 17

In the North the parties are as they were, even teh American Independents have a sizeable minority in some states (reaching 15% sometimes).  The Republicans and Democrats revert back their old platforms.  The American Independents call for reunion, but with no concessions with President Byrd, while a new party, the Unionists, call for peace talks to bring the states back into the union:

House (133 total members):
Democrats: 60
Republicans: 59
American Indpendents: 11
Unionists: 3

In the interest of unity, a Democratic speaker is elected.

Senate (28 total members):
Democrats: 15
Republicans: 10
Unionists: 2
American Indpendents: 1

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Interesting but I do not see northern secession as possible. Only Hawaii, Vermont, Maine, Alaska or the American south are likely to secede.

[True Democrat]

Interesting but I do not see northern secession as possible. Only Hawaii, Vermont, Maine, Alaska or the American south are likely to secede.

I know it's not probable, but I think it's a cool idea to think about.

[True Democrat]

After a year of existence, the new nation has been recognized by most of the world, with the exception of a few nations in Western Europe and most nations in the Commonwealth of Nations.  It is now apparent that Wallace is attempting to force the northern states back into union by stopping recognition.  They got the Commonwealth of Nations to withhold recognition through trading and military agreements.

However, the 1980 elections are also approaching.  In the United States, the Congress, under control of the American Independents, has passed a constitutional amendment which puts know limits of the terms of the president.  The amendment was quickly approved by three quarters of the remaining states.  Former President Wallace quickly declares his intention to seek the presidency after this.  President Byrd opts not to run for Vice President again, instead choosing to run for Senate from West Virginia.  Wallace chooses Georgia Governor Lester Maddox.

In the nomination for the newly organized Democratic-Republican Party, no major candidates stand out as most candidates were from now seceded states.  The leading candidates are Jerry Brown, the Governor of California who as State Representative had advocated secession, and Governor James Thompson of Illinois, a unionist.

The Democratic-Republican Party is made up of about half unionists and half secessionists.  Furthermore, about half the members are former Democrats and half former Republicans, meaning that the party is not very unified, although the official party plank calls for reunion.

Throughout the primaries, Brown is seen as the stronger, more youthful candidate, but he eventually loses the nomination.  The party establishment feels that picking a former secessionist for the first election would diminish the party's standings for years to come (the party realizes the chance of winning this election are near zero).  To balance the ticket, Thompson, a former Republican, chooses to run with former Democrat Senator Frank Church of Idaho.  Church, who managed to survive the American Independent takeover in Idaho, is officially a unionist, though he is seen as having secessionist sympathies.

The first poll, released after Labor Day shows the following:

Wallace/Maddox: 54%
Thompson/Church: 34%
Other/Undecided: 12%

Wallace is polling surprisingly low.  Thompson challenges Wallace to a debate, and Wallace surprisingly accepts.  The focus of the debate is on the secession of the northern states.  Thompson tries to paint Wallace as radical, but it is no use.  Wallace uses his folksy charm to put out that any person who supports secession (pointing to current members of the Democratic-Republican party) or even reunion is officially a traitor.  The American people accept his argument, and he is seen as winning the debate 75-25.  A poll a month before the election shows this:

Wallace/Maddox: 57%
Thompson/Church: 28%
Other/Undecided: 15%

Wallace's numbers still seem very low for the states that are left.  Some even believe that he could lose the electoral college because his popular vote may be inflated by his high numbers in the South.  Finally, Wallace makes the campaign a question of national security.  He starts by showing documents (historians will later show that they were falsified) that prove those in Egalitaria are plotting an overthrow of the United States government.  He also tries to point to Thompson as supporting this, as he shares the same party as most of those in the North.  The final poll shows this:

Wallace/Maddox: 71%
Thompson/Church: 23%
Other/Undecided: 6%

On election night, even Wallace is surprised at how well he does in the South and midwest, even captuing Thompson's home state (where fears of a Northern invasion are present).  However, his numbers in the West are less than expected, due to continued unionist sympathies.



Wallace/Maddox: 64%, 359 electoral votes
Thompson/Church: 35%, 18 electoral votes

Coming up next, the first presidential election in the Union of Egalitarian American States.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Here's IMO a more realistic post 1968 split Libertarian leaning liberals/conservative/centrist semilibertarians in the west, liberals/moderates in the northeast and the heartland being conservative/communitarian/reactionary

[Colin]

IMHO it should only the be Northeast. They are the only region that has the cultural cohesion and the overall political views to pull this off. The Northeast threatened secession before the South, actually, and had a along history of possibly calling it quits, from the Hartford Convention of 1815 to the New York City draft riots in 1862. The addition of two Upper Midwest states and the Pacific Northwest appear to be a very tedious attempt to make this seem a little more even or a more political split. For true secession though you need a cultural element as well as a political element. That's why the states like Alaska and Hawaii and regions like the South have had the most secessionist fervour. Just make it the Northeast and it'll be slightly less tedious, I mean come on the country makes no sense from a geographic standpoint, it looks more like the South African Bantustans than a real nation-state.

Plus that Union of Egalitarian States or whatever is absolutely atrocious. I probably wouldn't have poo-pooed this whole secession thing if that name wasn't so bad.

[True Democrat]

Plus that Union of Egalitarian States or whatever is absolutely atrocious. I probably wouldn't have poo-pooed this whole secession thing if that name wasn't so bad.

That's not the official name of the country.  The country will be renamed after the interim government leaves (after the 1980 elections).  I actually can't think of a good name for the country.

[True Democrat]

1980 election in the North:

The Democrats, Republicans, Unionists, and American Independents all plan on nominating candidates.

For the Democrats, the obvious choice is interim President Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.  He breezes through the primaries and chooses former Senator Walter Mondale from Minnesota.

The Unionists and American Independents cannot afford primaries, so their candidates are picked at their conventiosn.  The Unionists choose Representative Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania and for VP Mayor John Lindsay of New York.  The American Independents decide to put up "No Candidate," instead choosing a blank slate of electors to symbolize that by running a candidate in this nation's presidential election, they are in fact endorsing secession (I know, they're hypocritical with the congressional elections).

Finally, the Republican nomination is a battle between Senator John Heinz of Pennsylvania and former VP candidate and Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts.  Heinz is ultimately nominated but gives the VP spot to Brooke, who is still seen as a viable candidate.

The first poll of the election shows this:
Kennedy/Mondale: 41%
Heinz/Brooke: 24%
Schweiker/Lindsay: 12%
No Candidate: 9%
Other/Undecided: 14%

Kennedy and the Democrats continually emphasize that they were the ones who led the new nation out of war.  This strategy works for a while, but as the economy in the Northern states grows worse, Kennedy loses momentum.  The new currency has flopped, and many cities are now using the American dollar.  Furthermore, unemployment is reaching 10% and the GDP is tanking without supplies from the other states (the American economy is doing badly, but not nearly as badly).  Heinz puts forward a comprehensive plan for economic recovery, and his poll numbers rise.  Schweiker also sees a spike in the polls, as the idea of reunion is now becoming popular as the economy grows worse:

Kennedy/Mondale: 35%
Heinz/Brooke: 30%
Schweiker/Lindsay: 17%
No Candidate: 10%
Other/Undecided: 8%

On September 21, 1980, Heinz is shot dead while at an event campaigning in  New Jersey.  The assassin shows he has allegience to the American Independent party in the United States, though it is unsure how far up this allegience goes.  Brooke is named the presidential candidate.  For VP, the RNC chooses Mark Hatfield to run with Brooke.  When documents reveal a couple of weeks later that President Wallace and Senator Byrd may have had some connection to this plot, Heinz's numbers continue to shoot up, while the Union and American Independents parties' numbers plummet.  The reasoning behind this assassination appears to be that the economic independence for the North that would come with Heinz's plan would be harmful to the American economy.  By this time, Brooke is surprisingly ahead:

Brooke/Hatfield: 38%
Kennedy/Mondale: 34%
Schweiker/Lindsay: 6%
No Candidate: 3%
Other/Undecided: 19%

Brooke continues with his message of improving the economy, lowering unemployment, and increasing the importance of the new currency, but he also begins to emphasize that militarily the North must be independent.  He develops a plan for this, something Kennedy has not done.  On election day, Brooke is reward with a large win in both the popular vote and the electoral college:



Brooke/Hatfield: 52%, 133 electoral votes
Kennedy/Mondale: 39%, 28 electoral votes
Schweiker/Lindsay: 7%, 0 electoral votes
No Candidate: 2%, 0 electoral votes

Here are all the state results for New England:

Maine:
B: 57%
K: 36%
S: 6%
N: 1%

New Hampshire:
B: 62%
K: 33%
S: 5%
N: 0%

Vermont:
B: 61%
K: 31%
S: 8%
N: 0%

Massachusetts:
K: 53%
B: 42%
S: 4%
N: 1%

Rhode Island:
K: 54%
B: 39%
S: 7%
N: 0%

Connecticut:
B: 54%
K: 41%
S: 4%
N: 1%


Here are the make up of both Northern and American Congresses:

Northern House (133 total members):
Republicans: 71 (+12)
Democrats: 55 (-5)
American Indpendents: 7 (-4)
Unionists: 0 (-3)

Northern Senate (28 total members):
Republicans: 14 (+4)
Democrats: 13 (-2)
Unionists: 1 (-1)
American Indpendents: 0 (-1)

Although it is not needed, the Unionist caucuses with the Republicans, giving them the majority (otherwise the VP would have broken the tie).


American House (303 total members):
American Independnets: 259 (+25)
Democratic-Republicans: 41 (-28)
Unionists: 3 (+3)

American Senate (72 total members):
American Independnets: 61 (+6)
Democratic-Republicans: 11 (-6)

[Bacon King]

how about "Independant Union of American States"?

[Cubby]

how about "Independant Union of American States"?

Nay, its too vague and keeps part of the other country's name.

How about "United States of Canada"? Not to suggest any upcoming plot twists

Another Idea: "Lincoln"

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

How about the Federal Republic of North America?  Of course, given the map, I'm eagerly awaiting the Cheyenne Airlift when Wallace cuts the road and rail links to Wyoming.

[Хahar 🤔]

Bump.

[True Democrat]

Bump.

Someone actually wants me to continue on of my timelines?

[Хahar 🤔]

Bump.

Someone actually wants me to continue on of my timelines?

Sure do. This one was implausible enough to be entertaining.

[True Democrat]

I'll give it a try:

With the 1980 elections coming to a close in both the United States and the newly-named Federal Republic of North America (thanks Ernest), Wallace has consolidated his political control.  The US is now essentially a one-part state, with the Democratic-Republicans reduced to nearly nothing.

Meanwhile, in the FR (short for Federal Republic of North America), the Republican's upset of the reigning Democrats has ensured competitive politics for years to come.  Many observers expected the Democrats to completely take control after secession, as they were the main leaders.  The FR was now facing an immigration problem as well, with a new form of the Underground Railroad starting.  Although perfectly legal for the United States (and even encouraged by the government), many African-Americans, especially from the South, have been moving to the FR, putting further strain on the government during the recession.  President Brooke, not wanting to deny those seeking asylum, convinced Congress not to put a lid on immigration from the United States.

However, in May 1982, something very strange occurred.  President Wallace, while meeting with a group of religious leaders at the White House, had the chance to meet with the Reverend Billy Graham in private.  Graham, feeling that the segregationist efforts of the President had gone too far, told Wallace that he could no longer be silent on this issue.  In a state of epiphany, President Wallace falls to his knees and asks for God's forgiveness.  He professes himself to have been "born again."

In a stunning announcement to the nation the next day, Wallace promises to reform his government's policies and seeks reunion with the secessionist states.  Brooke's government is skeptical and encourages reform in the United States, but says that reunion is simply not a possibility at this time.

Meanwhile, American Independents in Congress, led by Majority Leader (and former President and VP) Robert Byrd of West Virginia react violently.  Over 90% in each House's caucus sign a pledge to continue the current policies of the American Independent Party.  During the party congress in July, President Wallace attempts to have his new views implemented into the platforms for the midterm, but he has lost control.  Byrd even manages to have his leadership within the party suspended, pending his views changing back.

The next month, Wallace announces he is resigning from the American Independent Party.  However, he also says he will not join with the Democratic-Republicans. feeling it will undermine his cause.  Instead, Wallace joins the Unionists, which he helps to organize into a formal party organization.  A number of Democratic-Republicans also join his cause.

In the mid-term elections, Wallace's Unionists make big gains, mainly at the expense of the Democratic-Republicans, although the American Independents lost quite a few seats, especially in the House.  However, in the Senate, with the repeal of the 17th amendment a year before, state legislatures, mainly controlled by American Independents, have taken control of the Senatorial election process, leading to limited gains for the Unionists.

House (309 total members):
American Independents: 163 (-96)
Unionists: 124 (+121)
Democratic-Republicans: 22 (-19)

Senate:
American Independents: 58 (-3)
Democratic-Republicans: 9 (-2)
Unionists: 5 (+5)

Meanwhile, in the FR, the Republican's popularity begins to decline as the economy continues to get worse.  Also, the Unionists are newly emboldened by Wallace's actions, and even the Democrats incorporate a newly conciliatory plank in their platform towards the United States.  The election is a sweep for the Democrats and the Unionists, though neither gets a majority in either House.  A number of sitting Democrats and Republicans also become Unionists, inflating their numbers, especially in the Senate.  However, it should be noted that President Brooke's popularity is much higher than congressional Republicans.

House (201 total members):
Unionists: 88 (+88)
Democrats: 65 (+10)
Republicans: 46 (-25)
American Independents: 2 (-5)

Senate:
Democrats: 13 (+/-0)
Republicans: 8 (-6)
Unionists: 6 (+6)
American Independents: 0

With no party having a majority in either House, coalitions must be formed.  Unsurprisingly, the Unionists and the Democrats form what they call the "Grand Coalition" in House, with a Unionists Speaker.   However, to the surprise of many in the Senate, the lone veteran Unionist senator convinces his colleagues to maintain the coalition with the Republicans in the Senate, leading to a Republican majority leader.

[GMantis]

Bump.

Someone actually wants me to continue on of my timelines?

Yes, it's very interesting, please continue.

[Hash]

Great stuff.