Constantinople
Banned
Go Brown! Successfully primary-ing an incumbent POTUS would be fantastic and really interesting.
Four More Years - The Presidency of Richard M. Nixon
- Thread starter ASRI
- Start date
RUMSFELD CAMPAIGN BROKE? SOURCES SUGGEST ILLINOIS SENATOR MAY DROP OUT AFTER HOME STATE PRIMARY
March 14th, 1992
BROWN AIMING FOR DOUBLE VICTORY IN ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN TO DELIVER KNOCKOUT BLOW TO PRESIDENT
March 15th, 1992
KENNEDY TAKES ILLINOIS, BUT LOSES MICHIGAN. BROWN VOWS TO “FIGHT FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND” BY POTUS
March 17th, 1992
RUMSFELD WINS HOME STATE, DWYER TAKES MICHIGAN. ASHCROFT FINISHES THIRD IN BOTH STATES
March 17th, 1992
THE END IN ILLINOIS – DONALD RUMSFELD LEAVES RACE, DECLINES TO ENDORSE
March 18th, 1992
GOP ESTABLISHMENT BEGINS TO CALL FOR ASHCROFT TO GET OUT OF RACE TO ALLOW DWYER TO FOCUS ON GENERAL ELECTION
March 20th, 1992
ASHCROFT DECLARES HE “WILL FIGHT ALL THE WAY TO THE CONVENTION”, EVEN IF CAMPAIGN RUNS OUT OF MONEY
March 21st, 1992
PRESIDENT VICTORIOUS IN CONNECTICUT, DWYER BEATS ASHCROFT BY DOUBLE DIGITS
March 24th, 1992
TWO IN A ROW FOR BOTH KENNEDY AND DWYER AFTER WINNING VERMONT
March 31st, 1992
UNEMPLOYMENT RISES AGAIN – PRESIDENT KENNEDY APPROVAL HOVERS AROUND 40%
April 1st, 1992
NUMBERS LOOK BAD FOR PRESIDENT IN NORTH DAKOTA – WILL NOT CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S PRIMARY
April 1st, 1992
DWYER RETURNS TO HARRISBURG WHILE ASHCROFT CAMPAIGNS ACROSS ALASKA
April 1st, 1992
BIG NIGHT FOR THE UNDERDOGS – BROWN AND ASHCROFT SECURE VICTORIES
April 2nd, 1992
KENNEDY CAMPAIGN BELIEVES IT CAN FORCE BROWN FROM THE RACE AFTER APRIL 7TH PRIMARIES – BROWN CAMPAIGN RUBBISHES REPORTS THAT CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR WILL DROP OUT
April 4th, 1992
CLEAN SWEEP KENNEDY – PRESIDENT WINS FOUR OUT OF FOUR IN KANSAS, MINNESOTA, NEW YORK AND WISCONSIN
April 7th, 1992
BROWN DECLINES TO LEAVE RACE – WILL FIGHT “AS LONG AS THERE IS AIR IN MY LUNGS”
April 7th, 1992
DWYER SECURES TRIPLE VICTORY IN KANSAS, NEW YORK AND WISCONSIN – ASHCROFT RUNS CLOSE IN KANSAS
April 7th, 1992
VIRGINIA IMPORTANT STATE FOR DWYER CAMP – ASHCROFT POLLING WITHIN MARGIN OF ERROR, BUT STATE IS A CHANCE FOR PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR TO PROVE HIS WORTH IN THE SOUTH
April 9th, 1992
DWYER WINS VIRGINIA BY LESS THAN 1%
April 11th, 1992
IS THIS THE LAST STAND? EXPERTS SUGGEST BROWN NEEDS A VICTORY SOON TO KEEP UP CHALLENGE
April 12th, 1992
MISSOURI GOES FOR BROWN – KENNEDY CAMP IN SHOCK AFTER NARROW LOSS
April 14th, 1992
FORMER VP BOB KERREY GIVES FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE SHOOTING TO CNN – ACKNOWLEDGES KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION “HAS DISAPPOINTED MANY WHO VOTED FOR IT”
April 19th, 1992
BROWN SEIZES KERREY COMMENTS, LABELING KENNEDY CAMPAIGN “A SINKING SHIP”
April 20th, 1992
DWYER BYPASSING PENNSYLVANIA AND CAMPAIGNING IN INDIANA – FOCUSING ON TOUGHER STATES
April 22nd, 1992
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BROWN WINS UTAH BY DOUBLE DIGITS – CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR “OPTIMISTIC” HE CAN WIN PENNSYLVANIA
April 27th, 1992
PRESIDENT IN PITTSBURGH AHEAD OF CRUCIAL PRIMARY
April 28th, 1992
BROWN BESTS KENNEDY IN PENNSYLVANIA. DWYER WINS HOME STATE BY THIRTY-FIVE POINTS
April 28th, 1992
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STREAK CONTINUES AS DWYER WINS BOTH INDIANA AND NORTH CAROLINA, BUT ASHCROFT RUNS CLOSE IN BOTH
May 5th, 1992
PRESIDENT NARROWLY WINS NORTH CAROLINA, BUT BROWN TAKES INDIANA BY FIVE POINTS
May 5th, 1992
DELAWARE GOES FOR KENNEDY
May 9th, 1992
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BROWN IS THE VICTOR IN ARIZONA
May 10th, 1992
PRESIDENT TAKES NEBRASKA AND WEST VIRGINIA BY SMALL MARGINS. DWYER WINS BOTH STATES COMFORTABLY
May 12th, 1992
ASHCROFT CAMPAIGN RUNNING LOW ON FUNDS – FORMER MISSOURI GOVERNOR INSISTS HE WILL REMAIN AS “CONSERVATIVE VOICE” UNTIL CONVENTION
May 14th, 1992
BROWN TAKES WASHINGTON BY WIDE MARGIN, BUT OREGON GIVES PRESIDENT A NARROW VICTORY
May 19th, 1992
AFTER WIN IN OREGON, DWYER RETURNS TO PENNSYLVANIA
May 19th, 1992
BREAKING: PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE R. BUDD DWYER ARRESTED IN HIS OFFICE
May 20th, 1992
March 14th, 1992
BROWN AIMING FOR DOUBLE VICTORY IN ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN TO DELIVER KNOCKOUT BLOW TO PRESIDENT
March 15th, 1992
KENNEDY TAKES ILLINOIS, BUT LOSES MICHIGAN. BROWN VOWS TO “FIGHT FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND” BY POTUS
March 17th, 1992
RUMSFELD WINS HOME STATE, DWYER TAKES MICHIGAN. ASHCROFT FINISHES THIRD IN BOTH STATES
March 17th, 1992
THE END IN ILLINOIS – DONALD RUMSFELD LEAVES RACE, DECLINES TO ENDORSE
March 18th, 1992
GOP ESTABLISHMENT BEGINS TO CALL FOR ASHCROFT TO GET OUT OF RACE TO ALLOW DWYER TO FOCUS ON GENERAL ELECTION
March 20th, 1992
ASHCROFT DECLARES HE “WILL FIGHT ALL THE WAY TO THE CONVENTION”, EVEN IF CAMPAIGN RUNS OUT OF MONEY
March 21st, 1992
PRESIDENT VICTORIOUS IN CONNECTICUT, DWYER BEATS ASHCROFT BY DOUBLE DIGITS
March 24th, 1992
TWO IN A ROW FOR BOTH KENNEDY AND DWYER AFTER WINNING VERMONT
March 31st, 1992
UNEMPLOYMENT RISES AGAIN – PRESIDENT KENNEDY APPROVAL HOVERS AROUND 40%
April 1st, 1992
NUMBERS LOOK BAD FOR PRESIDENT IN NORTH DAKOTA – WILL NOT CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S PRIMARY
April 1st, 1992
DWYER RETURNS TO HARRISBURG WHILE ASHCROFT CAMPAIGNS ACROSS ALASKA
April 1st, 1992
BIG NIGHT FOR THE UNDERDOGS – BROWN AND ASHCROFT SECURE VICTORIES
April 2nd, 1992
KENNEDY CAMPAIGN BELIEVES IT CAN FORCE BROWN FROM THE RACE AFTER APRIL 7TH PRIMARIES – BROWN CAMPAIGN RUBBISHES REPORTS THAT CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR WILL DROP OUT
April 4th, 1992
CLEAN SWEEP KENNEDY – PRESIDENT WINS FOUR OUT OF FOUR IN KANSAS, MINNESOTA, NEW YORK AND WISCONSIN
April 7th, 1992
BROWN DECLINES TO LEAVE RACE – WILL FIGHT “AS LONG AS THERE IS AIR IN MY LUNGS”
April 7th, 1992
DWYER SECURES TRIPLE VICTORY IN KANSAS, NEW YORK AND WISCONSIN – ASHCROFT RUNS CLOSE IN KANSAS
April 7th, 1992
VIRGINIA IMPORTANT STATE FOR DWYER CAMP – ASHCROFT POLLING WITHIN MARGIN OF ERROR, BUT STATE IS A CHANCE FOR PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR TO PROVE HIS WORTH IN THE SOUTH
April 9th, 1992
DWYER WINS VIRGINIA BY LESS THAN 1%
April 11th, 1992
IS THIS THE LAST STAND? EXPERTS SUGGEST BROWN NEEDS A VICTORY SOON TO KEEP UP CHALLENGE
April 12th, 1992
MISSOURI GOES FOR BROWN – KENNEDY CAMP IN SHOCK AFTER NARROW LOSS
April 14th, 1992
FORMER VP BOB KERREY GIVES FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE SHOOTING TO CNN – ACKNOWLEDGES KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION “HAS DISAPPOINTED MANY WHO VOTED FOR IT”
April 19th, 1992
BROWN SEIZES KERREY COMMENTS, LABELING KENNEDY CAMPAIGN “A SINKING SHIP”
April 20th, 1992
DWYER BYPASSING PENNSYLVANIA AND CAMPAIGNING IN INDIANA – FOCUSING ON TOUGHER STATES
April 22nd, 1992
BROWN WINS UTAH BY DOUBLE DIGITS – CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR “OPTIMISTIC” HE CAN WIN PENNSYLVANIA
April 27th, 1992
PRESIDENT IN PITTSBURGH AHEAD OF CRUCIAL PRIMARY
April 28th, 1992
BROWN BESTS KENNEDY IN PENNSYLVANIA. DWYER WINS HOME STATE BY THIRTY-FIVE POINTS
April 28th, 1992
STREAK CONTINUES AS DWYER WINS BOTH INDIANA AND NORTH CAROLINA, BUT ASHCROFT RUNS CLOSE IN BOTH
May 5th, 1992
PRESIDENT NARROWLY WINS NORTH CAROLINA, BUT BROWN TAKES INDIANA BY FIVE POINTS
May 5th, 1992
DELAWARE GOES FOR KENNEDY
May 9th, 1992
BROWN IS THE VICTOR IN ARIZONA
May 10th, 1992
PRESIDENT TAKES NEBRASKA AND WEST VIRGINIA BY SMALL MARGINS. DWYER WINS BOTH STATES COMFORTABLY
May 12th, 1992
ASHCROFT CAMPAIGN RUNNING LOW ON FUNDS – FORMER MISSOURI GOVERNOR INSISTS HE WILL REMAIN AS “CONSERVATIVE VOICE” UNTIL CONVENTION
May 14th, 1992
BROWN TAKES WASHINGTON BY WIDE MARGIN, BUT OREGON GIVES PRESIDENT A NARROW VICTORY
May 19th, 1992
AFTER WIN IN OREGON, DWYER RETURNS TO PENNSYLVANIA
May 19th, 1992
BREAKING: PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE R. BUDD DWYER ARRESTED IN HIS OFFICE
May 20th, 1992
BREAKING: PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE R. BUDD DWYER ARRESTED IN HIS OFFICE
May 20th, 1992
Will Budd suffer the same fate as he did IOTL? I don't mean to be inappropriate, but a Governor and Presidential Candidate doing what he did end up doing would be more shocking!
R. BUDD DWYER CHARGED – ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING BRIBES IN EXCHANGE FOR STATE CONTRACTS
May 21st, 1992
DWYER POSTS BAIL, DENIES CHARGES – “THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT”
May 22nd, 1992
UNDER PRESSURE FROM PARTY LEADERS, DWYER ENDS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
May 23rd, 1992
ASHCROFT STAYING IN RACE – DECLARES DWYER SCANDAL “ENDEMIC OF THE CORRUPTION IN OUR GOVERNMENT”
May 23rd, 1992
PRESIDENT KENNEDY REFUSES TO COMMENT ON DWYER SCANDAL
May 23rd, 1992
JERRY BROWN CALLS ON PRESIDENT TO DROP OUT OF RACE – CLAIMS PRESIDENT CAN NOT WIN EVEN AGAINST SCANDAL HIT GOP
May 24th, 1992
KENNEDY TAKES ARKANSAS – VICE-PRESIDENT CLINTON VITAL ON THE STUMP IN HOME STATE
May 26th, 1992
IDAHO IS ADDED TO PRESIDENT’S COLUMN, WHILE BROWN TAKES KENTUCKY
May 26th, 1992
ASHCROFT WINS ARKANSAS AND KENTUCKY WITH ONLY TOKEN OPPOSITION
May 26th, 1992
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VIRGINIA NARROWLY GOES FOR PRESIDENT KENNEDY – BIG BLOW TO BROWN CAMPAIGN
May 29th, 1992
FINAL DAY OF DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY - WITH SIX STATES UP FOR GRABS, BROWN NEEDS NEAR-SWEEP TO HAVE CHANCE AT NOMINATION
June 2nd, 1992
ASHCROFT TAKES ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, MONTANA, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO AND OHIO BY COMFORTABLE MARGINS
June 2nd, 1992
BROWN TAKES ALABAMA AND HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA, BUT PRESIDENT WINS FOUR CONTESTS – RENOMINATION NOW LOOKS SECURE
June 2nd, 1992
IN SPEECH, BROWN PROMISES MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE
June 3rd, 1992
DWYER TRIAL DATE SET FOR AUGUST 3RD
June 4th, 1992
ASHCROFT WINS FINAL NORTH DAKOTA PRIMARY
June 9th, 1992
RNC CHAIR RICHARD BOND ANNOUNCES THAT DWYER DELEGATES WILL BE UNPLEDGED – COULD OPEN FIELD FOR OTHER CANDIDATES
June 10th, 1992
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR BROWN CALLS PRESS CONFERENCE FOR TOMORROW – EXPECTED TO WITHDRAW AND ENDORSE PRESIDENT
June 11th, 1992
BREAKING – BROWN ENDS BID FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION, BUT WILL ATTEMPT TO GAIN BALLOT ACCESS FOR THIRD-PARTY BID
June 12th, 1992
May 21st, 1992
DWYER POSTS BAIL, DENIES CHARGES – “THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT”
May 22nd, 1992
UNDER PRESSURE FROM PARTY LEADERS, DWYER ENDS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
May 23rd, 1992
ASHCROFT STAYING IN RACE – DECLARES DWYER SCANDAL “ENDEMIC OF THE CORRUPTION IN OUR GOVERNMENT”
May 23rd, 1992
PRESIDENT KENNEDY REFUSES TO COMMENT ON DWYER SCANDAL
May 23rd, 1992
JERRY BROWN CALLS ON PRESIDENT TO DROP OUT OF RACE – CLAIMS PRESIDENT CAN NOT WIN EVEN AGAINST SCANDAL HIT GOP
May 24th, 1992
KENNEDY TAKES ARKANSAS – VICE-PRESIDENT CLINTON VITAL ON THE STUMP IN HOME STATE
May 26th, 1992
IDAHO IS ADDED TO PRESIDENT’S COLUMN, WHILE BROWN TAKES KENTUCKY
May 26th, 1992
ASHCROFT WINS ARKANSAS AND KENTUCKY WITH ONLY TOKEN OPPOSITION
May 26th, 1992
VIRGINIA NARROWLY GOES FOR PRESIDENT KENNEDY – BIG BLOW TO BROWN CAMPAIGN
May 29th, 1992
FINAL DAY OF DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY - WITH SIX STATES UP FOR GRABS, BROWN NEEDS NEAR-SWEEP TO HAVE CHANCE AT NOMINATION
June 2nd, 1992
ASHCROFT TAKES ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, MONTANA, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO AND OHIO BY COMFORTABLE MARGINS
June 2nd, 1992
BROWN TAKES ALABAMA AND HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA, BUT PRESIDENT WINS FOUR CONTESTS – RENOMINATION NOW LOOKS SECURE
June 2nd, 1992
IN SPEECH, BROWN PROMISES MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE
June 3rd, 1992
DWYER TRIAL DATE SET FOR AUGUST 3RD
June 4th, 1992
ASHCROFT WINS FINAL NORTH DAKOTA PRIMARY
June 9th, 1992
RNC CHAIR RICHARD BOND ANNOUNCES THAT DWYER DELEGATES WILL BE UNPLEDGED – COULD OPEN FIELD FOR OTHER CANDIDATES
June 10th, 1992
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR BROWN CALLS PRESS CONFERENCE FOR TOMORROW – EXPECTED TO WITHDRAW AND ENDORSE PRESIDENT
June 11th, 1992
BREAKING – BROWN ENDS BID FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION, BUT WILL ATTEMPT TO GAIN BALLOT ACCESS FOR THIRD-PARTY BID
June 12th, 1992
Constantinople
Banned
Hopefully a scandal plagued GOP+too many years of Nixon and an unpopular Kennedy give Brown the election! Unlikely...but a fun twist. Throw in some scandals!Looks like it's Kennedy/Clinton vs Ashcroft and whoever his running mate is gonna be for '92'.
Constantinople
Banned
Depending on how successful his transition to 3rd Party is, this could really mess stuff up, with Brown Democrats following him out of the party, and unsatisfied and disillusioned Republicans defecting to Brown too. Brown, after all, has a lot of weird economic views, especially in this era.
If Jerry Brown does run as a third party candidate and throws the election to Ashcroft, Democrats would never, ever forgive him and his political career, as a viable candidate, anyway, would end. Is Brown ready to stake his legacy on a long shot chance at the White House knowing the damage it could cause?
But I'm assuming Brown will be the Perot of this TL, but with a twist. Whereas Perot took equal amount of votes from Clinton & Bush in the original TL, Brown will certainly hurt Kennedy far more than Ashcroft here.
But I'm assuming Brown will be the Perot of this TL, but with a twist. Whereas Perot took equal amount of votes from Clinton & Bush in the original TL, Brown will certainly hurt Kennedy far more than Ashcroft here.
CAN ASHCROFT SECURE NOMINATION ON FIRST BALLOT? CAMPAIGN CONCERNED THAT A COMPROMISE CANDIDATE WOULD WIN ON SECOND BALLOT
June 14th, 1992
IN INTERVIEW, PRESIDENT IS RESPECTFUL TO BROWN’S THIRD-PARTY BID, BUT WARNS THAT IT MAY PUT REPUBLICANS BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE
June 17th, 1992
BROWN SUPPORTERS AND CAMPAIGN CONFIDENT THAT BALLOT ACCESS CAN BE ACHIEVED IN TIME
June 22nd, 1992
CLINTON – “I HAVE OFFERED TO NOT BE PRESIDENT’S RUNNING-MATE IF HE CHOOSES TO GO ANOTHER DIRECTION.”
June 24th, 1992
RUMSFELD ANNOUNCES HE WILL PRESENT HIMSELF AS CANDIDATE AT REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
June 25th, 1992
BROWN ARRIVES AT WHITE HOUSE – IS HE MEETING WITH KENNEDY?
June 27th, 1992
BREAKING: BROWN LEAVES WHITE HOUSE – ANNOUNCES HE WAS OFFERED SPOT ON DEMOCRATIC TICKET, BUT TURNED IT DOWN
June 27th, 1992
KENNEDY CAMP FURIOUS AT BROWN’S COMMENTS – DENIES OFFERING VP SLOT, CLAIMS, “CLINTON IS OUR MAN”
June 27th, 1992
ASHCROFT “CONFIDENT” HE CAN SECURE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION ON THE FIRST BALLOT
June 29th, 1992
BROWN SLOWLY SECURING BALLOT ACCESS – THIRD-PARTY BID LOOKS TO BE MOVING AHEAD
July 1st, 1992
LATEST POLLS SHOW KENNEDY LOSING TO ASHCROFT FOR FIRST TIME – BROWN GARNERING NEARLY 15%
July 1st,1992
THIRD CANDIDATE FOR GOP? RUMOURS SWIRLING THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE GETTING INTO THE RACE
July 3rd, 1992
IT’S GINGRICH – SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SAYS HE WILL OFFER HIMSELF AS A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT AT CONVENTION
July 6th, 1992
ASHCROFT AND RUMSFELD CAMPS SCRAMBLING – WHO DOES GINGRICH CANDIDACY HELP OR HURT?
July 7th, 1992
OPENING GAVEL AT REPUBLICAN CONVENTION – PROJECTIONS SUGGEST NO ONE WILL WIN NOMINATION ON FIRST BALLOT
July 13th, 1992
June 14th, 1992
IN INTERVIEW, PRESIDENT IS RESPECTFUL TO BROWN’S THIRD-PARTY BID, BUT WARNS THAT IT MAY PUT REPUBLICANS BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE
June 17th, 1992
BROWN SUPPORTERS AND CAMPAIGN CONFIDENT THAT BALLOT ACCESS CAN BE ACHIEVED IN TIME
June 22nd, 1992
CLINTON – “I HAVE OFFERED TO NOT BE PRESIDENT’S RUNNING-MATE IF HE CHOOSES TO GO ANOTHER DIRECTION.”
June 24th, 1992
RUMSFELD ANNOUNCES HE WILL PRESENT HIMSELF AS CANDIDATE AT REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
June 25th, 1992
BROWN ARRIVES AT WHITE HOUSE – IS HE MEETING WITH KENNEDY?
June 27th, 1992
BREAKING: BROWN LEAVES WHITE HOUSE – ANNOUNCES HE WAS OFFERED SPOT ON DEMOCRATIC TICKET, BUT TURNED IT DOWN
June 27th, 1992
KENNEDY CAMP FURIOUS AT BROWN’S COMMENTS – DENIES OFFERING VP SLOT, CLAIMS, “CLINTON IS OUR MAN”
June 27th, 1992
ASHCROFT “CONFIDENT” HE CAN SECURE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION ON THE FIRST BALLOT
June 29th, 1992
BROWN SLOWLY SECURING BALLOT ACCESS – THIRD-PARTY BID LOOKS TO BE MOVING AHEAD
July 1st, 1992
LATEST POLLS SHOW KENNEDY LOSING TO ASHCROFT FOR FIRST TIME – BROWN GARNERING NEARLY 15%
July 1st,1992
THIRD CANDIDATE FOR GOP? RUMOURS SWIRLING THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE GETTING INTO THE RACE
July 3rd, 1992
IT’S GINGRICH – SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SAYS HE WILL OFFER HIMSELF AS A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT AT CONVENTION
July 6th, 1992
ASHCROFT AND RUMSFELD CAMPS SCRAMBLING – WHO DOES GINGRICH CANDIDACY HELP OR HURT?
July 7th, 1992
OPENING GAVEL AT REPUBLICAN CONVENTION – PROJECTIONS SUGGEST NO ONE WILL WIN NOMINATION ON FIRST BALLOT
July 13th, 1992
The 1992 Republican Convention was one of the most notable of modern times. As the Grand Old Party convened in the Houston Astrodome on July 13th, a clash seemed ready to emerge. After the withdrawal of front-runner and delegate leader R. Budd Dwyer following a corruption scandal, the only candidate left in the race was one John Ashcroft, former Governor of Missouri.
Ashcroft had run for President in 1988, but a disappointing finish in Iowa – blamed upon his comment that he would be willing to use nuclear bombs in Syria – ended that campaign before it really got going. He chose not to run for a second term as Governor in order to focus on another crack at the presidency. Spending years travelling the country, campaigning for other candidates, Ashcroft established himself as the leading conservative voice in the Republican Party.
While this was not enough to bring Ashcroft to the top of the pile in the 1992 primaries, it was enough to keep him in the race. He fought Dwyer at every stop, right until the Pennsylvania Governor had to withdraw. Left as the lone wolf, Ashcroft won the rest of the primaries, and entered into the convention with a plurality of the delegates.
The establishment of the GOP feared that Ashcroft was too far to the right to be elected, and looked to find another candidate who could win the nomination. Any delegates pledged to Dwyer were released, and after discussions with party elders – including former President Richard Nixon – Illinois Senator Donald Rumsfeld re-entered the race he had left in March.
With his glittering CV, Rumsfeld looked almost to be a lock for the nod, but there were concerns that the conservative base would feel cheated if Ashcroft lost, and may bolt the party, much as they did in 1988. Pat Robertson, whose third party candidacy in 1988 had garnered him more than 20% of the national vote, ruffled some feathers when he endorsed Ashcroft as “the only man in the race I can fully support”. That comment worried the establishment and rallied the base.
Just a week before the convention opened, another candidate emerged in Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Having masterminded the Republican takeover of the House in 1990, Gingrich was popular in the party, but his negatives among independents suggested he could not win the presidency. That being said, his partisanship made him popular within party ranks. Rumours swirled about the reason Gingrich was in the race, and some speculated he had made a deal with either Ashcroft or Rumsfeld.
The Republican convention had been brokered in 1980, when neither Vice-President John Connally nor former California Governor Ronald Reagan could secure a majority. That convention ended with the re-nomination of President Richard Nixon as a compromise. Some speculated that 1992 would also end in a grand compromise, perhaps a unity ticket between Rumsfeld and Ashcroft. For a few hours during the first day, some even argued for a Nixon candidacy. Recognising its absurdity, the near-eighty year old Nixon publicly refuted such a movement.
Going into the first ballot, the conservative movement was almost entirely united behind Ashcroft, while Rumsfeld and Gingrich were splitting the others. This was reflected in the results of the first ballot:
First Ballot
1091 delegates required for majority
Former Governor John Ashcroft of Missouri – 863
Senator Donald Rumsfeld of Illinois – 733
Representative Newt Gingrich of Georgia – 557
Representative Jack Kemp of New York – 9
Scattered – 20
The convention adjourned for several hours before the second ballot. During this time, party elders such as Nixon, Reagan and Howard Baker attempted to broker some sort of compromise. Unbeknownst to them, a compromise had already been agreed. After being granted permission to address the delegates, Newt Gingrich announced it:
“I thank all those delegates who have given me their voice. After just four years of Ted Kennedy in the White House, the American Dream is in danger of being lost forever. We cannot afford another four years of a Kennedy White House, and it is time for this party to unite with one goal in mind: a Republican in the White House in 1993!
The Republican Party has an abundance of talent, men and women who would make fine Presidents, worthy of the party of Lincoln, of Teddy Roosevelt, of Eisenhower, of Nixon. Both Senator Rumsfeld and Governor Ashcroft are undoubtedly qualified to lead our nation, and I have little doubt that before their careers are over, they both will.
However, we must make a decision regarding our nominee for this year, and it is my belief that the people have spoken when they voted for Governor Ashcroft. They have called for a new era in Washington, one where liberty is preserved, justice is assured, and leadership sits behind the desk in the Oval Office. When we face Ted Kennedy and Jerry Brown in November, we have to demonstrate to the American people that we offer the sharpest contrast to the corruption that has gripped Washington. I believe John Ashcroft will offer us that contrast.
I am withdrawing my name as a candidate for the second ballot, but after private discussions with him, I have agreed to stand for selection as Governor Ashcroft’s Vice-Presidential candidate. I believe together, with this party united behind us, we can in six months be talking about ex-president Kennedy. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless this great land!”
While Gingrich’s announcement did not receive universal approval, it was enough. On the second ballot, Ashcroft crossed the finish line:
Second Ballot
1091 delegates required for nomination
Former Governor John Ashcroft of Missouri – 1283
Senator Donald Rumsfeld of Illinois – 882
Scattered – 17
Gingrich was then nominated as Vice-Presidential nominee by voice vote, and the Republicans had their ticket for the 1992 presidential election. Following their nomination, Rumsfeld joined the ticket on stage and shook hands. He then raised Ashcroft’s arm in the air, endorsing the man who had beaten him for the nomination. The Republicans had avoided a nasty clash at their convention, and now looked united against the Democrats.
Ashcroft had run for President in 1988, but a disappointing finish in Iowa – blamed upon his comment that he would be willing to use nuclear bombs in Syria – ended that campaign before it really got going. He chose not to run for a second term as Governor in order to focus on another crack at the presidency. Spending years travelling the country, campaigning for other candidates, Ashcroft established himself as the leading conservative voice in the Republican Party.
While this was not enough to bring Ashcroft to the top of the pile in the 1992 primaries, it was enough to keep him in the race. He fought Dwyer at every stop, right until the Pennsylvania Governor had to withdraw. Left as the lone wolf, Ashcroft won the rest of the primaries, and entered into the convention with a plurality of the delegates.
The establishment of the GOP feared that Ashcroft was too far to the right to be elected, and looked to find another candidate who could win the nomination. Any delegates pledged to Dwyer were released, and after discussions with party elders – including former President Richard Nixon – Illinois Senator Donald Rumsfeld re-entered the race he had left in March.
With his glittering CV, Rumsfeld looked almost to be a lock for the nod, but there were concerns that the conservative base would feel cheated if Ashcroft lost, and may bolt the party, much as they did in 1988. Pat Robertson, whose third party candidacy in 1988 had garnered him more than 20% of the national vote, ruffled some feathers when he endorsed Ashcroft as “the only man in the race I can fully support”. That comment worried the establishment and rallied the base.
Just a week before the convention opened, another candidate emerged in Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Having masterminded the Republican takeover of the House in 1990, Gingrich was popular in the party, but his negatives among independents suggested he could not win the presidency. That being said, his partisanship made him popular within party ranks. Rumours swirled about the reason Gingrich was in the race, and some speculated he had made a deal with either Ashcroft or Rumsfeld.
The Republican convention had been brokered in 1980, when neither Vice-President John Connally nor former California Governor Ronald Reagan could secure a majority. That convention ended with the re-nomination of President Richard Nixon as a compromise. Some speculated that 1992 would also end in a grand compromise, perhaps a unity ticket between Rumsfeld and Ashcroft. For a few hours during the first day, some even argued for a Nixon candidacy. Recognising its absurdity, the near-eighty year old Nixon publicly refuted such a movement.
Going into the first ballot, the conservative movement was almost entirely united behind Ashcroft, while Rumsfeld and Gingrich were splitting the others. This was reflected in the results of the first ballot:
First Ballot
1091 delegates required for majority
Former Governor John Ashcroft of Missouri – 863
Senator Donald Rumsfeld of Illinois – 733
Representative Newt Gingrich of Georgia – 557
Representative Jack Kemp of New York – 9
Scattered – 20
The convention adjourned for several hours before the second ballot. During this time, party elders such as Nixon, Reagan and Howard Baker attempted to broker some sort of compromise. Unbeknownst to them, a compromise had already been agreed. After being granted permission to address the delegates, Newt Gingrich announced it:
“I thank all those delegates who have given me their voice. After just four years of Ted Kennedy in the White House, the American Dream is in danger of being lost forever. We cannot afford another four years of a Kennedy White House, and it is time for this party to unite with one goal in mind: a Republican in the White House in 1993!
The Republican Party has an abundance of talent, men and women who would make fine Presidents, worthy of the party of Lincoln, of Teddy Roosevelt, of Eisenhower, of Nixon. Both Senator Rumsfeld and Governor Ashcroft are undoubtedly qualified to lead our nation, and I have little doubt that before their careers are over, they both will.
However, we must make a decision regarding our nominee for this year, and it is my belief that the people have spoken when they voted for Governor Ashcroft. They have called for a new era in Washington, one where liberty is preserved, justice is assured, and leadership sits behind the desk in the Oval Office. When we face Ted Kennedy and Jerry Brown in November, we have to demonstrate to the American people that we offer the sharpest contrast to the corruption that has gripped Washington. I believe John Ashcroft will offer us that contrast.
I am withdrawing my name as a candidate for the second ballot, but after private discussions with him, I have agreed to stand for selection as Governor Ashcroft’s Vice-Presidential candidate. I believe together, with this party united behind us, we can in six months be talking about ex-president Kennedy. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless this great land!”
While Gingrich’s announcement did not receive universal approval, it was enough. On the second ballot, Ashcroft crossed the finish line:
Second Ballot
1091 delegates required for nomination
Former Governor John Ashcroft of Missouri – 1283
Senator Donald Rumsfeld of Illinois – 882
Scattered – 17
Gingrich was then nominated as Vice-Presidential nominee by voice vote, and the Republicans had their ticket for the 1992 presidential election. Following their nomination, Rumsfeld joined the ticket on stage and shook hands. He then raised Ashcroft’s arm in the air, endorsing the man who had beaten him for the nomination. The Republicans had avoided a nasty clash at their convention, and now looked united against the Democrats.
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