I guess this is more realistically an AHC where you have to get a Republican House at some point in the 60s and 70s to make Gerald Ford Speaker. This is a tough one since the Republicans were pretty much never close to the majority due to the inherent Democratic advantage. Even massive landslide in 1972 only gave the Ford twelve more seats. So how the heck do you give the Republicans the House during this period?
AHC: Speaker Gerald Ford
- Thread starter Octosteel
- Start date
Humphrey wins in 1968. Bleeds seats in 1970 but narrowly wins against whoever in 1972 despite still losing house seats. Reagan goes even harder than OTL on getting racists onboard and wins 1976 against whoever and Dems gets crushed in 1974 and 1976.
(Yeah still unlikely but something to work with
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(Yeah still unlikely but something to work with
)No Watergate scandal; either it never happens or is never discovered. Nixon serves out his term and retires as a respected former President. This gets rid of the Democratic Class of 1974 which was large and became entrenched. A Democrat wins in 1976 and has a disastrous term comparable to Carter's. Reagan runs and loses a close election in 1976 but makes a comeback in 1980, bringing the House along with him. Ford serves as Speaker for a couple of terms and then retires to Rancho Mirage.