Viva Kennedy: Rise of the Modern Democratic Party

[ahughes53004]

Viva Kennedy is an Alternate Timeline in which President John F. Kennedy does not pass away on November 22nd, 1963.

After the assassination attempt, Kennedy's popularity skyrocketed, from his lowest approval rating ever at 58% in late-1963 to a resounding 78%, the highest its been since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Although nationally Kennedy's popularity skyrocketed, he further sinks in the Deep South. Many White Southerners even decry his survival.

The future remains unknown, but many ponder what would've happened if President Kennedy passed...

 

[ahughes53004]

November 22, 1963, 12:30 PM,
Shots ring out over the Presidential Limousine, Secret Service Officers jump to shield all passengers, screaming of the Plaza can be heard. President Kennedy was seen with blood covering the right side of his jacket, he was rushed to the hospital. Notably only the President was wounded in the shooting, and the investigation to find the perpetrator started.

Kennedy arrived to the hospital still conscious holding his right shoulder. He was put under general anesthesia and the removal process began. Using the hospital records and evidence from the car, they determined that the President had been shot twice, the first bullet went through the posterior side of his right shoulder and out of the anterior side, where it went on to lodge into the drivers seat. The second bullet was shot a few seconds later and grazed his neck, but was not imbedded into the skin, it also lodged into the drivers seat.

Around 1:40 PM, about 1 hour and 10 minutes since the attempt on the President's life, Lee Harvey Oswald was pulled from the Texas Theatre for the killing of Police Officer J. D. Tippit, but was later brought up on the charges of the assassination attempt of the President. The assassination charges were brought up after the Police investigated the shells and gun bag in the Book Depository where Oswald worked as a temporary employee. After the shots were fired, Oswald left the room and ran down the stairs where he encountered a Police Officer, however he was let go after being recognized as an employee. This correlation alongside a witnesses eye witness testimony and description of the perpetrator were enough for Oswald to be charged. He was detained and awaited trial.

Back at the hospital the President after a few hours of recovery was deemed stable, he would have to stay in the hospital for a couple more days, but he survived. After the assassination attempt, the RNC put a hold on campaigning until the President was able to resume his duties. Lyndon B. Johnson had been given Acting Powers of the President when Kennedy was under anesthesia.

Due to the precedent of the Oswald case, he was given a trial after about 2 weeks. It lasted only 3 days, when the Jury came back with a decision in a mere 6 minutes. Lee Harvey Oswald was found Guilty of First Degree Murder of Officer Tippit and was found Guilty of the Attempted Murder of President Kennedy. He was sentenced to Life Imprisonment without the chance of Parole.

After the Oswald trial concluded, President Kennedy addressed the Nation on the television...

"My Fellow Americans, I am glad to have returned safely to my residence, with my family, and with those whom I can lean on for support. I am beyond grateful to see the support I have gotten from you, the people and I wish to thank you all for your prayers [...] I am back and I am better than ever! This attempt has made me realize that life truly is so short, and we need to present this realization with action, that is why I am asking Congress, with my whole heart, to pass the Civil Rights Act as soon as possible. Life is a gift and we cannot take the livelihood from individuals based om the color of their skin [...] Thank you and God bless!"

President Kennedy employed the Vice President and the House Leader to cajole Democratic Senators and Representatives respectively. He with some light persuasion got VP Johnson on board, but Carl Albert was more difficult.

The Representative from Oklahoma was not an ardent Segregationist like Majority Whip Hale Boggs, but he was a more Conservative Democrat. Albert proved a key Democratic leader when he got most Southern Democrats in favor of Medicare. He didn't fully support the idea of supporting a Civil Rights Act, but after being talked to by Kennedy and his close friend Lyndon Johnson he eventually decided to support the Administrations goal of passing the Civil Rights Act.

 

[ahughes53004]

House Maj. Leader Albert had a fairly easy time rallying support among House Democrats, with the opening of the 2nd Session of Congress the Civil Rights Act was introduced to the House. Speaker McCormack, a New Deal Democrat, put the Civil Rights Act on the floor pretty early on. House Maj. Whip Hale Boggs was notably sidelined during the whole process, which Southerners didn't like. But eventually with Bipartisan support the Civil Rights Act passed through the House.

Although it faced relative ease throughout the House, much to the dismay of Southerners, it was almost immediately denounced by the Southern Senators. Kennedy did have strong Senate allies though, including Senate Maj. Leader Mike Mansfield, and Senate Maj. Whip Hubert Humphrey. Leader Mansfield took some unprecedented steps in making sure that the bill didn't die in Committee, however the 'Southern Bloc' filibustered the bill immediately. It took roughly 58 days until the filibuster broke, Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen united most Republicans in favor of the Civil Rights Act and alongside the Democrats they broke the filibuster.

Everett Dirksen was a known moderate and had a good working relationship with Leader Mike Mansfield, and held a strong grip on the Republican Senators, many historians attribute these factors to how the Civil Rights Act got passed.

President John F. Kennedy signed the Civil Rights Act into law, afterwards he would go meet with an array of Civil Rights leaders, where he would reaffirm his promises to Civil Rights to the leaders and to the nation...

"[...] We have confronted this moral dilemma that we have been facing. We came and answered the question whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities, whether we are going to treat our fellow Americans as we want to be treated, and we came back with a resounding triumphant yes. Now an American, because his skin is dark, will not need to worry about eating lunch in a restaurant open to the public, if they can send their children to the best public school available, if they can vote for the public officials who represent them, if, in short, they can enjoy the full and free life which all of us want."

Historians claim that this legislation and the following speech was instrumental in the 1964 Elections. Kennedy, now showing that he would stick true to his campaign promises of Civil Rights, and with a booming economy, was guaranteed a second term. Especially against the likes of Senator Goldwater, the presumptive Republican Nominee.

 

[ahughes53004]

As the 1964 Election cycle started heating up, there was a sense of dread permeating the air...

With the opening of the Republican National Convention, there was a palpable tension, after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, Goldwater's Conservatives were stirred into a frenzy claiming that the current Administration had "left the white man behind." Goldwater's Conservatives were openly clashing with Rockefeller's Moderates. Goldwater was regarded as the "Conservatives' leading spokesman." As a result, Goldwater was not as popular with the moderates and liberals of the Republican Party. When Rockefeller attempted to deliver a speech, he was booed by the convention's conservative delegates, who regarded him as a member of the "eastern liberal establishment." However, Goldwater won 883 Delegates on the First Ballot securing his victory as the Nominee. When he endorsed Warren Miller for the Vice Presidency, the Republican Convention unanimously voted for Miller.

The 1964 Democratic Convention was generally the same, many Southern Delegates, led by Strom Thurmond, were threatening a walk-out mid Convention. President Kennedy knew this Conventions wouldn't be a coronation, in preparation of the worst possible outcome, he made deals with Rockefeller Republicans and came to a nuclear fallout deal. If the Southern Bloc was to walkout and even switch parties (rumors were stirring that with the nomination of Goldwater, Thurmond would switch parties), then Rockefeller Republicans would switch and become Moderate Democrats. As the Convention starts, JFK would give a speech declaring that his next goal in the advancement of Civil Rights would be a Voting Rights Act and furthering the Equal Opportunity of Housing. After the President's address at the behest of Senator Thurmond the Southern Bloc walked out of the Convention.

Thurmond and the signatories of the Southern Manifesto announced that they would join the Republican Party and fully endorsed Barry Goldwater claiming that he "supports and upholds the ideals of the white man." In response to the Southern Bloc supporting the Republicans, Governor Rockefeller, Senator Clifford Case, and Senator Jacob Javits endorsed President Kennedy and officially joined the Democratic Party. This would leave the Democrats with a majority in Congress but with a much less significant majority. This event would be dubbed by historians as the 'Realignment of Parties.'

This massive realignment of parties right before the 1964 elections will have a lasting impact on the future of the party.

 

[ahughes53004]

November finally rolls around and there is a strong tension, with the South becoming a Republican stronghold overnight and the West becoming a Democratic one, there are countless possibilities. Scandals that were once taking up the majority of debates and ads have dissipated, now the main focus is party re-branding. The Democrats are trying to re-brand as a Liberal Pro-Civil Rights party, whereas the Republicans with Goldwater as their figurehead have re-branded themselves as a Social Conservative segregationist party. Many onlookers are expecting President Kennedy to be reelected as his popularity has staggered around 60%, however with the massive party realignment, Congress is open season.

1964 Presidential Election

John F. Kennedy - 409 EV/ 54% PV
Barry M. Goldwater - 129 EV/ 46% PV

1964 Senatorial Elections

Democratic Party - 60 (-6)
Republican Party - 40 (+6)

1964 House Elections

Democratic Party - 228 (-30)
Republican Party - 207 (+30)
​

The results of the election were surprising, the Democrats not only kept their majority within the Senate, but they also kept their majority in the House! Many reports show that due to the recent realignment, the usual Incumbent Stagnation didn’t occur as drastically as it normally would. This gives President Kennedy the ability to pass liberal reform without needing to bend to the will of the Southern Bloc.

 

[ahughes53004]

After a great showing in 1964, President Kennedy's second inauguration was one of jubilation from the left and minority communities. Almost two million people came to the inauguration, nearly doubling the attendance of his first, below zero, inauguration. Notably Governor Rockefeller was in attendance, alongside Vice President Johnson, showing the unity of the new 'Kennedy Coalition.' The message of the inauguration was maybe unsurprisingly "Cultivate Peace and Harmony With All," taken from the Farewell Address of George Washington. Ted Sorenson, the President's speech writer, further cemented himself as one of the greatest after the Second Inauguration. A famous quote came from Kennedy's second inauguration, one that was a targeted attack at corrupt nepotists in Government, it read the following...

"[...] When our legislators, our governors, our mayors, and our alderman use their influence to defy the law, or to tolerate what we know to be wrong, or turn towards corruption, and make us too scared to speak up. That is when we know that we have struck a blow to freedom, justice, and decency [...]"

Another quote read the following...

"[...] But what we must bear in mind is that what’s good news to you might be bad news to another. And while you sit here today knowing that you have come to hear good news, you must realize in advance, what’s good news for the sheep, well, that might be bad news for the wolf [...]"

The second quote was seen as a jab towards the Southern Bloc, everyone though that the President and the Democrats were going to lose the '64 Elections but they prevailed. President Kennedy was not only gifted a Democratic Congress, but a Filibuster-proof Senate! In a post-inauguration statement, President Kennedy stated that he would push hard for social programs and civil rights causes.

Something that didn't shock a lot of people was Kennedy's restructuring of the Cabinet. He restructured it so that those who fell in line with the Southern Bloc or more Conservative fringes of the party, they would be shuffled outdoor more moderate or liberal members.

The Kennedy Cabinet
President - John F. Kennedy
Vice President - Lyndon B. Johnson
Secretary of State - Dean Rusk
Secretary of the Treasury - Henry Morgenthau Jr.
Secretary of Defense - Robert McNamara
Attorney General - Robert F. Kennedy
Postmaster General - John A. Gronouski
Secretary of Interior - Stewart Udall
Secretary of Agriculture - Orville Freeman
Secretary of Commerce - C. R. Smith
Secretary of Labor - Robert Kastenmeier
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare - Nelson Rockefeller
​

The most notable new comers to the Kennedy Cabinet would be Henry Morgenthau Jr. originally not quite supportive of the idea, Morgenthau finally caved into taking the position he held for so long before. The staunch-New Deal ally would prove to be a major ally of President Kennedy. The other new comer would be Nelson Rockefeller, he served as the First Undersecretary of HEW, but after joining the Democratic Party, Kennedy decided to offer Rockefeller the opportunity. Rockefeller quickly agreed to join Kennedy's administration.

This new Kennedy Administration was dubbed the 'Dream Team' a mix of moderate to liberal Democrats that widely supported Kennedy's New Frontier programs. The Dream Team proved more than the fact that Democrats could unite, it also proved that Democrats now had a clear sense of purpose and new found energy. The Kennedy Coalition in Congress worked tirelessly to pass bills becoming one of the most effective Congresses since FDR's New Deal Coalition.

 

[ahughes53004]

As the first session of the 89th Congress opened, the Democratic Party was very excited to still hold Congress. With these changes, the Congress immediately started pushing through Legislation. Historians would say that the 89th Congress was one of the most effective, as almost every bill that was discussed was passed.

One of the very first bills to be passed was the Equal Opportunity Housing Act of 1965, this was something many thought President Kennedy had left behind as a broken promise, but his readiness and speed at which he proposed it to the 89th Congress showed those rumors untrue. It would make Executive Order 11063 a law, but it would get rid of all the existing limits, the Equal Opportunity Housing Act of 1965 would also make it illegal for any discrimination on private housing. This was seen as a major jump in Civil Rights.

Another major legislative step was after the Revenue Act of 1965, and the Food Stamps Act of 1965. The Revenue Act of 1965 lowered income taxes from 91% to 70%, and lowered Corporate Tax from 52% to 50%, this would have a positive impact on the economy, as it would increase individuals and businesses disposable income. The passage of the Act would be met with higher spending from individuals and more community investments from businesses. The Food Stamp Act, this piece of legislation would secure the Food Stamp Program as a permanent thing, it would been monumental in JFK's 'New Frontier' and would be a integral part of Kennedy's inaugural address.

Even with these achievements from Congress, many people were still upset, Kennedy promised a Voting Rights Act, an amendment to Social Security that would create a strong national Medicare and Medicaid program, and a National Job Corps that would help young adults be trained and educated on their desired occupation, this program would help many impoverished families have the ability to start getting a higher education. But the first session of the 89th Congress closed, leaving many to wonder if President Kennedy will push for these promised programs...

During Congresses massive achievements, President Kennedy was dealing with the shock of Malcolm X being assassinated. President Kennedy would make a short remark,

"[...] He (Malcolm X) and I didn't always see eye to eye. But he was a fighter for freedom [...]"

President Kennedy's statement did help calm the atmosphere, but there was still anger. Then if not to make it even worse, Bloody Sunday occurred, March 7, 1965, an estimated 525 to 600 civil rights marchers headed southeast out of Selma. The march was led by John Lewis of SNCC and the Reverend Hosea Williams of SCLC, followed by Bob Mants of SNCC and Albert Turner of SCLC. The protest went according to plan until the marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they encountered a wall of state troopers and county posse waiting for them on the other side. County sheriff Jim Clark had issued an order for all white men in Dallas County over the age of twenty-one to report to the courthouse that morning to be deputized. Commanding officer John Cloud told the demonstrators to disband at once and go home. Rev. Hosea Williams tried to speak to the officer, but Cloud curtly informed him there was nothing to discuss. Seconds later, the troopers began shoving the demonstrators, knocking many to the ground and beating them with nightsticks. Another detachment of troopers fired tear gas, and mounted troopers charged the crowd on horseback

After the brutal incident, President Kennedy called Governor George Wallace, reports vary on what was said throughout the call, but there is one quote that everyone can agree on. When discussing possible solutions many heard Kennedy say the following...

"[...] You better get those people out of there! How did he deputize a whole ass town George! Get those damned fools out of there!"

Many said that this quote showed how responsive Kennedy was to the incident, and after a couple hours, the massive amount of deputized white men had their powers 'expired,' and Sheriff Clark resigned. Many saw this as a little victory for the Civil Rights movement. However there are still many liberals going to Selma for the upcoming march and one night three white pastors who traveled to support the march got beaten by members of the KKK, one of the even dying. This made the issue more than just what color someone is, but whom they support as well.

President Kennedy authorized an Executive Order that would Federalize the Alabama National Guard, they would then be ordered to safely escort the almost 50,000 person march to Montgomery, where Martin Luther King would give his famous "How long? Not long" speech. After his speech in Montgomery, Dr. King alongside John Lewis would be asked to get on a call with President Kennedy. On this call President Kennedy would reaffirm his promise that the very first thing that Congress will do once they open again, would be to pass a Voting Rights Act.

 

[ahughes53004]

Congresses Second Sessions opens, at the behest of President Kennedy, Congress passes the historical Voting Rights Act of 1966, President Kennedy is praised for this decisive action after the Selma March. But, on top of passing the Voting Rights Act, Congress would also pass Social Security Amendments of 1966 which would create Medicaid and Medicare, later in the year, President Kennedy would reach out to Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin, the proposal by Kennedy would be a gutting of the Taft Hartley Act. Known later as the Proxmire Workers Act of 1966, the bill would get rid of the prohibition on almost all forms of striking and picketing. It would keep it's guidelines on investigating unions (due to the likes of Hoffa and other huge Union-Mob Leaders).

The Proxmire Workers Act of 1966 would be passed and signed into law by the President. Workers across the United States praise the President for helping the blue collar class. Republicans call the Proxmire Workers Act and the Voting Rights Act as 'political pandering' as the nation goes into the 1966 Midterm Elections. Although those bills will definitely help the Democrats, a looming issues begins to grow... Vietnam.

1966 Senatorial Elections

Democratic Party - 60 (0)
Republican Party - 40 (0)

1966 House Elections

Democratic Party - 250 (+22)
Republican Party - 185 (-22)
​

The Democrats retain their filibuster proof majority in the Senate, and even expand upon their majority in the House. Many credit the growth within the House to the Voting Rights Act and the Proxmire Workers Act, two bills that had major consequences on the Kennedy Coalition, solidifying the black community and the blue collar workers into the Kennedy Coalition.

President Kennedy has now seen a half decade of prosperity. The Administration beat a recession and ushered in record economic growth, supported massive Civil Rights reform, and (minus Bay of Pigs) have 'beaten' back the Soviets out of the Americas. President Kennedy had a popularity of almost 68%. But, a major issue arises, Vietnam. President Kennedy had devised a plan for the US involvement in Vietnam. He came to the conclusion that the US should help the Vietnamese through sending over an Officer Corp, but reaffirmed his position that it was "their (South Vietnam) war to win." This was much to the scrutiny from Military Officials and even Secretary McNamara, but Kennedy did not budge. He would not authorize a full ground force to be sent to Vietnam.

Throughout the later half of the 60's Kennedy would slowly withdraw US Officers and US Advisors, this happens due to the North slowly taking Southern cities (notably the Soviets also do not interfere in Vietnam). In 1967 the President of Vietnam Nguyen Van Thieu would flee from South Vietnam and go to Australia. The South Vietnamese Military Junta would then surrender to the Northern government. President Kennedy would offer protection within the US to some South Vietnamese officials, but by the end of 1967, the Vietnamese Civil War was over. Kennedy gave a speech to Congress on a special invite, he would be quoted as saying the following...

"[...] We helped them (South Vietnamese) as much as we could, unfortunately our allies in the South were unable to prevail. But what we must remember is that there were no American casualties. The United States has an obligation to its people first and foremost [...]"

The President was met with harsh criticisms from Republicans and some even from within the Democratic party. He justified these criticisms by pointing the the fact that the North Vietnamese government was staunchly independent from China and even the Soviet Union. President Kennedy would also make it a point, that the situation in Vietnam had been deteriorating for a couple years now, and if the US had launched a true military operation the casualties were in the tens of thousands. The President would also make it clear that the North Vietnamese had a massive advantage after Diem's assassination and collapse was a "sad inevitable." Although there was originally a lot of anger and criticisms for Kennedy's position, it soon became a popular sentiment among Democrats.

(I don't really know how to make it known, but without the draft and Vietnam as a whole, the 'flower power' movement doesn't really happen to the extent it did IRL, which in and of itself would make the political climate going into 1968 much safer and less polarized.)

 

[ahughes53004]

With 1968 beginning, many look back on the Kennedy Administration and ponder, what would have happened if Kennedy didn't survive? Whatever weird theories come out of that, many people agree that the Kennedy Administration was one of greatness. Jackie Kennedy held a Gala at the White House honoring her husband and going through the achievements of his Administration and her closing speech had a notable quote, she had said...

"[...] Don't let it be forgot, that for a moment, one shining moment there was Camelot [...]"

For the upcoming elections, it was probably more difficult for the Democratic Party to find a nominee than it was for the Republicans, the Democrats had to figure out who would carry on the legacy of Kennedy. For the Democratic Primary there were three possible Nominees, the Front Runner was Senator Eugene McCarthy, the strong willed Kennedyite had experience, worked alongside Kennedy on multiple occasions, and was a powerhouse in the Senates Foreign Relations Committee. Then there was Senator Hubert Humphrey, Humphrey was a liberal Democrat, but openly criticized President Kennedy on some foreign policy issues, his Kennedy criticisms made him popular in the western more moderate states. Finally there was Lyndon B. Johnson, some would assume that Johnson would be the natural successor to Kennedy due to him being his Vice President, but it was widely known that there were a multitude of differentiating opinions on policy from the two. Johnson was also one of the last figures of the 'Southern Bloc' that used to make up a massive portion of the Democrats.

For the Republican Primary, there is Richard Nixon, Eisenhower's Vice President and the President Kennedy's first foe. Nixon is the clear front runner, but the strongest contender is Governor George Romney. Many people support Nixon as he is the more conservative nominee, but there were many more moderates that said that Nixon would be unable to win against Eugene McCarthy, Hubert Humphrey, and even Lyndon Johnson.

 

[ahughes53004]

August 26 - 29, 1968
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The 1968 Democratic National Convention started off to a rocky start. Originally going to held in Chicago, certain Western Delegates (many of whom came from the Party Realignment) were not comfortable with a tight grasp Mayor Daley had, and petitioned for a more neutral area. Senator Proxmire suggested Milwaukee, a city from his home state and it was accepted.

Inside the Convention, people gave their speeches in support of one candidate or another, but Keynote Speaker, Attorney General Robert Kennedy's speech was the one most memorable...

"[...] We must come together this weekend and show that we will continue the work that needs to be done! When we gather here, this is not a blank ceremony, this is the continuation of the flesh and blood of our nation [...]"

Many people were shocked to hear Bobby Kennedy not endorse someone, this caused a major upswing in Humphrey's popularity and a negative impact on Johnson's. After several more speeches were heard, the first ballot was taken for the Democratic National Convention.

First Ballot
(1304 needed to win)
Eugene McCarthy - 1198
Hubert Humphrey - 982
Lyndon B. Johnson - 419
Other/Blank - 8
​

The first ballot showed a strong showing from Eugene McCarthy, but in a surprise turn Vice President Johnson got a total of 419 votes! Notably more conservative than the other two candidates, he received a fairly large chunk of the vote. Of course with no one yet nominated, we move to the second ballot!

Second Ballot
(1304 needed to win)
Eugene McCarthy - 1211
Hubert Humphrey - 978
Lyndon B. Johnson - 415
Other/Blank - 3
​

The second ballot showed continued growth for Eugene McCarthy, the loyal ally of President Kennedy, however Johnson has retained a good chunk of delegates, and he is in a good position to bargain. However, with dwindling support Humphrey could also make a play here. But, again next ballot...

Third Ballot
(1304 needed to win)
Eugene McCarthy - 2169
Hubert Humphrey - 49
Lyndon B. Johnson - 388
Other/Blank - 1
​

Out of the third ballot Eugene McCarthy has won the Democratic Nomination for President! Humphrey's endorsement of McCarthy is seen as the defining moment clearly. Some Johnson delegates switched to Humphrey in the hopes that Humphrey delegates may not support McCarthy, but to no avail. After the nomination of McCarthy, he endorses Hubert Humphrey to be nominated for the Vice Presidency, Humphrey is unanimously chosen.

As Eugene McCarthy accepted the nomination and his speech was famous for this quote...

"[...] As I stand before you today, I will promise you that I will finish the work that President Kennedy has started, I will do what is best for the nation. The United States of America will continue to be the shining beacon. The United State of America will be that Camelot [...]"​

Many people were happy to see McCarthy's promise to continue the work Kennedy had started, he even got applause from the Conservative Delegates. However many Conservatives express outward worry about such a liberal ticket.

 

[ahughes53004]

August 5 - 8, 1968
Miami, Florida

With the opening of the 1968 Republican National Convention, many delegates are expecting Former Vice President Nixon to be nominated within the first ballot, but as the limited amount of Romney delegates arrive alongside George Romney, he announces that he will be stepping out of the primary after some it was exposed that he had colluded with the Michigan New York delegates to 'shove' Nixon off the ballot. However he officially endorsed the conservative Governor of California Ronald Reagan, although Reagan was dragging in 3rd place, he was popular among the moderates. This upheaval made Nixon in a tricky spot. Many Reagan supporters said that Nixon had been beat by Kennedy before his popular reforms, so he definitely couldn't beat a Kennedyite after the reforms.

First Ballot
(667 needed to win)
Richard M. Nixon - 660
Ronald Reagan - 541
Other/Blank - 132
​

Richard Nixon got short of the nomination by 6 delegates, which wouldn't be such a big worry, except for the fact that Ronald Reagan was much more charismatic than Nixon. After seeing how strong Reagan did after securing Romney's delegates, Nixon worried that the 'Other' ballots would go to Reagan.

Second Ballot
(667 needed to win)
Richard M. Nixon - 665
Ronald Reagan - 668
Other/Blank - 0
​

After the second ballot was called there was uproar, many Conservatives were torn, on one hand Reagan's ideology was staunchly Conservative, but then he also has had little to no service in running an executive. The experience he does have has been torn to shreds by liberals and conservatives alike, as his first year as Governor he raised taxes. Many people worried that charisma was all that he had. After Reagan was nominated he would push for John Tower to be nominated for Vice President, the Convention agreed. Senator Tower was a strong opponent to the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, and the Proxmire Workers Act.

After Reagan clinched the nomination, his acceptance speech was... interesting...

"[...] Today we hear our government asking if they have our trust in their government programs. I say no! The American people are strong and courageous enough to stand up for tradition and values. We must not give in to these red programs that President Kennedy has initiated [...]"​

Reagan's staunch opposition to Welfare Programs and the Union Reform rallies Conservatives to his cause. But many moderates see these programs as good programs for the most part, maybe some cutting an reforming, but overall a net positive. This makes many moderate Republicans troubled for what may come, especially considering the arch-conservative ticket.

 

[ahughes53004]

The General Election looms ahead, many people wonder what will happen, the campaign trail is burned with rubber as McCarthy and Reagan run in a heated race. Many people in the Northeast and the Industrial Midwest were supportive of McCarthy's Kennedyite Pro-Labor campaign. The South and the Western Plains however supported Reagan's Conservative Goldwater-esque campaign.

The West Coast is a mixed bag, especially California, Reagan has home-state advantage, but moderates like and want to keep Kennedy's New Frontier program which alienates them from Reagans very Anti-Kennedy rhetoric. However the majority of people believe that McCarthy will win the election, Kennedy's strong Pro-Labor stance has given him a major boost within the Industrial Midwest, which alongside the Northeast equal 278 EVs in total, 8 more EVs than needed. However, Reagans charisma has the possibility of making inroads in regions of the Northeast, and Washington State which could give him 271 EVs.

1968 Presidential Election

Eugene McCarthy - 318 EV/ 51% PV
Ronald Reagan - 220 EV/ 49% PV

1968 Senatorial Elections

Democratic Party - 55 (-5)
Republican Party - 45 (+5)

1968 House Elections

Democratic Party - 222 (-9)
Republican Party - 213 (+9)
​

Kennedyism has cemented itself into the Democratic Party and the Nation! After running a very Pro-Kennedy campaign, Eugene McCarthy has won! This also shows that the Kennedy Coalition is one that democrats will continue to utilize. President Kennedy gives his congratulations to President-Elect McCarthy. Ronald Reagan concedes the day after but in his speech before the Heritage Foundation, he says the following...

"[…] Americans will one day realize that these almost socialistic actions coming from Kennedy and McCarthy will be damaging to the American economy and will completely bankrupt the Christian American family, and their values […]"​

Reagan's comments are seen by the wider public as a very arch-conservative way of thinking and many furthers alienates moderates, however noticeably McCarthy did not share such a nice majority within the PV or Congress. A majority was maintained, but the filibuster proof Senate has gone away. Many people still claim this to be a big win, as it is unusual in the modern political landscape for an incumbent party to win a majority in Congress and hold the Executive for 4 solid years. Many people are claiming that the 'Era of Camelot' has restored a FDR-like sentiment for the Democrats.

 

[ahughes53004]

Eugene McCarthy is inaugurated as the 36th President of the United States of America. His Inauguration was one without much extravagance, but was attended by a large group of almost 300,000 people. He did not include a poet in his Inauguration like Kennedy did. His first couple months in office were fairly dull, with some minor pieces of legislation being passed. Many reforms that were planned under the later years of President Kennedy got implemented, but these were not accredited to McCarthy for obvious reasons.

In an infamous interview in 1969 with the Republican National Committee Chairman, Former Vice President Richard Nixon, he was asked what the biggest fault of the Democratic Party is today, this was his response...

"Well the biggest fault that the Democrats is their reliance on Jack. The party has decided that he is the savior of the US but the only people he saved were the blacks and Catholics!"

After the interview many people came out and denounced Nixon's lack of professionalism, claiming that whether or not he liked what President Kennedy did, they got the Us out of a recession and increased the standard of living. Of course more Conservative elements of America claimed that although that may be true, it was done in Socialistic ways and that the US must resist those ideas.

However disliked the statement by Nixon was, many in McCarthy's Administration thought that the President should try and distance himself from Kennedy. Following the advice from some of the closest allies in his Administration, President McCarthy reshuffled his Cabinet getting rid of most Ministers that served underneath Kennedy and replaced them with more less sympathetic Kennedyite Ministers. Many saw this for what it was... President McCarthy was severing his ties with the previous Administration. In a now infamous call to the new Secretary of the Treasury, Nelson Rockefeller, he said the following...

"Those Kennedy's ought to know their place! I'm sorry Rocky but he's been acting like he's still the damn President! And he's not!"

His quote about President Kennedy was plastered on every newspaper in America, with liberals claiming that McCarthy lied his way through the Primary to Conservatives calling him spineless for only now abandoning Kennedy after Nixon's interview. The climax of the whole event was when Attorney General Ramsey Clark penned his resignation to President McCarthy. Although he wrote that he was leaving due to disagreements with the Administrations Judicial Philosophy, many knew that it was because Clark was a staunch Kennedyite in private. This sent shock waves through the Democratic Party and many worried about whether they could maintain a majority in 1970....

1970 Senatorial Elections

Democratic Party - 49 (-6)
Republican Party - 51 (+6)

1970 House Elections

Democratic Party - 210 (-12)
Republican Party - 225 (+12)
​

For the first time since 1964 the Democrats (under the new Kennedyite Coalition) have lost the Majority in both chambers of Congress! This major upset has forced President McCarthy to work with the Republican held Congress. Michigan Representative Gerald Ford was elected Speaker of the House, he represented the Moderate faction of the Republican Party. However, Strom Thurmond was elected Senate Majority Leader, he represented the newer Arch-Conservative faction of the Republican Party. These factions worked rather well with each other, but some Moderates (mostly those out West and in the Midwest) thought that the Segregationist wing of Republicans were too extreme when it came to Social Conservatism. After this election the Republicans would push through their legislation, and if it was vetoed by the President (which a lot of it was) they would work with the Democrats to maybe push it through.

However further controversy arose when President McCarthy would go on to veto numerous bipartisan bills, some vetoes were overridden by Congress but not all. Democratic leaders held private meetings with the President where many of them yelled at the President for vetoing bipartisan bills, they said that the President was making a mistake by continuing this behavior. Eventually President Kennedy even stopped by the White House and had a private meeting with McCarthy, however the pain was already being felt by the Democratic Party.

 

[ahughes53004]

August 21 - 23, 1972
Miami Beach, Florida

RNC Chair Richard Nixon opened up the Republican National Convention with a speech on how to preserve the American values against the liberal administration of McCarthy. Right off the bat James L. Buckley was the the favorite for the Republican Party, he was elected as a Representative in 1966 and has continued to win with popular margins. He is a notable leader of the Conservative faction of the Republican Party, but his close relationship with fellow Representative Richard Schweiker made him a popular 'bridge' candidate. However 1968 Candidate Ronald Reagan was running again but this time was not as popular as he was 4 years ago, and with Nixon as RNC Chair, many claimed he manhandled delegates towards Buckley.

First Ballot
(1130 needed to win)
James L. Buckley - 1271
Ronald Reagan - 977
Other/Blank - 10
​

After the first ballot, James L. Buckley has won the Republican National Convention, his endorsement of Richard Schweiker for the Vice Presidential Nominee causes Republican Delegates to almost unanimously nominate Schweiker for the VP. This is seen by many Republicans as conservative focused, but balanced ticket, with both relatively young nominees who are also charismatic. After the victory in 1970, many Republicans are excited to possibly get back the Presidency after 12 years.

 

[ahughes53004]

July 10 - 13, 1972
Miami Beach, Florida

Surprisingly, or maybe not, Eugene McCarthy was actually challenged in the 1972 Democratic National Convention. He was challenged by Senator William Proxmire. Proxmire was a Senator from Wisconsin with a strong Kennedyite record, he is most known for authoring the Proxmire Workers Act that gutted the Taft-Hartley Act. The Proxmire Workers Act was proposed to Proxmire by President Kennedy.

First Ballot
(1509 needed to win)
Eugene McCarthy - 1983
William Proxmire - 965
Other/Blank - 70
​

Although McCarthy won the nomination on the first ballot, it is still a defeat due to the fact that an incumbent President won his party's primary with 65% of delegates. Proxmire's challenge and pretty solid showing of 30% has made Proxmire the Kennedyite Coalition's 'Favorite Child,' he is pushed by the Coalition to advocate hard in 1972 for Kennedyite candidates in their primaries.

 

[ahughes53004]

With November finally here, many Republicans are confident that they will prevail over Eugene McCarthy, after a rocky end to his first term, McCarthy dug himself his grave when he came out and openly denounced President Kennedy after the '72 Primary, he would claim that although they may not see eye-to-eye, a Former President shouldn't influence a Primary against an Incumbent President from his own Party. This is a direct accusation that Kennedy reached out to Proxmire to run, which there was no proof of. This was a mass disenfranchisement of the Kennedy Coalition, and when the results started to come in, this was evident. McCarthy went from a 318-220 win to a 255-282 loss.

1972 Presidential Election

James L. Buckley - 282 EV/ 50% PV
Eugene McCarthy - 255 EV/ 50% PV

1972 Senatorial Elections

Republican Party - 53 (+2)
Democratic Party - 47 (-2)

1972 House Elections

Republican Party - 230 (+5)
Democratic Party - 205 (-5)
​

McCarthy conceded soon after the election was called. President Kennedy, (who hasn't really been documented after his Presidency but I have assumed that he has kept a fairly extensive role in the public) made a statement regarding the election, it read the following...

"[...] President McCarthy for all his accomplishments and woes made one fatal mistake... he didn't think of the popular will, as President it is our job to unite the majority of the public for your cause. Under my administration we achieved that, but McCarthy decided to go his own route... and look where that got him [...]"​

This statement is regarded as one of his most inflammatory public statements, but many Democrats whether openly or not, agreed with the message.

James L. Buckley was inaugurated to a crowd of 600,000 many Republicans rejoice! Finally there is a Republican Trifecta in Government, the last Republican Trifecta was under Eisenhower. Buckley a staunch conservative but also a pragmatist would continue some Kennedy-era Inauguration celebrations. Many Independents grew to favor Buckley after a few months seeing his pragmatic behavior.

 

[ahughes53004]

President Buckley's pragmatic nature soon shows cracks when it is exposed that the at monthly meetings with the Congressional Republican Leadership (Richard Schweiker, Gerald Ford, Strom Thurmond, and a couple other high ranking Republican Congressman) he nearly 100% sided with the Conservative Faction. He would continuously ask for Congressional action to repeal the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, Proxmire Workers Act, and the Social Security Amendments of 1966. The Moderate Faction now led by VP Schweiker and Speaker Ford would deny the repeal of the first 2, but would be willing to go along with the repeal of the last two. After several months of negotiation the factions came to an agreement...

In 1973, a Republican Representative proposes the Free Workers Care Act, which would repeal the PWA and further regulate the power of Unions. A Republican Senator would propose the Social Security Amendments of 1973, which would repeal the SSA's of 1966.

The FWCA would pass the House with relative ease, but once it would get to the Senate, it would be met with limited support from Democrats and even some Republican Senators from the West. A very similar thing happened to the SSA's of 1973, where it got gird locked in the Senate. The Democrats didn't utilize the Filibuster, since there were enough Republican Senators against it that would kill it in Committee. After a couple days, President Buckley would meet with the 4 Republican Senators who don't support the Bills. What happened exactly in the meeting is unknown as sources from each Senator and the President all claim different things, but one thing they all have in common is that no agreement was made, and in fact several Senators came out of the meeting claiming that the meeting helped secure their opposition to the bill.

Many of these Republicans are Senators from areas that are sympathetic to the Kennedy Coalition which many claim has been the cause for these Senators not supporting the repeals. After several weeks a vote was called, both bills resulted in the same vote, 49-51, both fail with the 4 Republican Senators voting nay on both. This caused massive commentary from the Republican Party, with moderates using this as the proof that Republicans must bend the the times and with Conservatives claiming they have to repeal... certain laws... so that the 'humanity' and 'dignity' of America can be restored.

 

[ahughes53004]

After the devastating failure of Conservative legislation in 1973, President James L. Buckley would meet with RNC Chair Richard Nixon to discuss the possible future of Conservative and Republican legislation, they decide that it is necessary to repeal both the CRA and VRA. Two plans emerged from the meeting, President Buckley would propose to start rallying support and primary those Congressman who don't support the repeal and propose the repeals in 1975. RNC Chair Nixon said that the President's plan would not work and may allow the Democratic Party to gain a majority in Congress again, so he proposes that they continue their current agenda, and in 1975 then rally support. He claims that it would be easier to rally support for a recently proposed bill vs rallying support for a bill for 2 years.

After some debate between the two, President Buckley meets with Vice President Richard Schweiker, Speaker of the House Gerald Ford, Senate Majority Leader Strom Thurmond, Senate Majority Whip Barry Goldwater, and Senators Jesse Helms and Mark Hatfield. This meeting was between the leaders of the Conservative Faction (Thurmond, Goldwater, and Helms) and the Moderate Faction (Schweiker, Ford, and Hatfield who was one of the 4 Republican Senators who voted against the '73 bills). They met to discuss the possible plans from the President and the RNC Chair. The Conservative Faction argued in favor of the President's plan, and the Moderates were torn, Schweiker and Ford supported the Nixon plan, but Hatfield said that repealing both shouldn't be a question.

After some hour of debate, Senator Hatfield walked out. The next day, a Republican Congressional Leadership meeting was called, Senate Majority Leader Thurmond opened the meeting with a speech describing the upcoming plan. The Majority Leader states that the CRA and VRA are blatant violations of States Rights and Congress must act towards repealing both, he says that any Congressmen who will not support the repeal of the CRA an VRA will have to face a Primary opponent. This causes uproar among the moderates claim that this is the wrong course of action and there are other ways for the Republican Party to support American values.

After the meeting, infamously known as the 'Conservative Decree of 1974,' 8 Republican Senators led by Mark Hatfield would stand on the steps of the Capitol and hold a Press Conference, while there, they would explain the plan and their grievances with the plan. Some state that the Party's 'iron fist' over like-minded Republicans is against the democratic nature of the US.

 

[ahughes53004]

After the Conservative Decree of 1974 fiasco, the Democratic Party is ecstatic. Top party officials meet and plan on how to go into the 1974 Midterms and win big. Former President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy are seen meeting at the Kennedy Compound. After awhile of them being there, Senator Edward M. Kennedy shows up too. News Outlets begin buzzing on what the meaning of this meeting could be, Historian David Kennedy (not related) declared that the meeting gave "Rise to the Modern Democratic Party" (ahh? see what I did there).

After the meeting, Bobby Kennedy made his way to the Democratic National Committee's HQ, while there he would meet up with fellow Senator William Proxmire. Kennedy and Proxmire would meet with DNC Chair Glen H. Taylor. After some pressuring from the 2 Senators, the DNC Chair would agree to holding an earlier 1976 Democratic National Convention to make sure that time allows for developments and plans that would be made at the DNC. After working together to extend the time of the 1976 DNC, the two Senators would grow a close working relationship. with Bobby cosponsoring many of Proxmire's bills and vice versa.

After a couple months the 1974 Midterms arrive... Republicans had successfully challenged 5 of the 8 Senators who did not support the CRA and VRA repeal, notably Senator Hatfield won his primary. The Democrats (with notable leadership from Bobby Kennedy and William Proxmire) made a massive effort for a 'Get Out and Vote' Campaign. This included door knocking, flyer passing, flag flying, etc. However the results were still unknown...

1974 Senatorial Elections

Republican Party - 43 (-10)
Democratic Party - 57 (+10)

1974 House Elections

Republican Party - 195 (-35)
Democratic Party - 240 (+35)
​

In a not-so-shocking turn of events the Democratic Party has regained control of Congress! Many aren't surprised by this action, but the sheer size that they won is surprising. Many attribute the floor sweeping victory to the Republicans Conservative Decree and to the effective campaigning done by Bobby Kennedy and William Proxmire. These two factors are seen as the perfect mix of events that would allow Congress to go back into Democratic hands this dramatically.

 

[ahughes53004]

Although in control of Congress, Democrats don't pass all their planned legislation, claiming that when the win a trifecta in 1976 then they will press for a liberal agenda. But a lot of stuff the Democrats pass has been vetoed by President Buckley, so, in return the Democrats start proposing moderate even bipartisan agenda so that numerous Republicans will support the bills and something gets passed.

May 26 - June 3
Madison, Wisconsin

The Democratic National Convention opens up, with many delegates knowing what to expect. Senators Proxmire and Kennedy propose the 'Right to be Different' plank, this piece of the platform would make the Democratic Party open to prioritizing the rights of different people. The plank passes by a wide margin, many Democrats (which is now majority Kennedyite with conservative and democratic socialist factions) voted in favor of introducing it into the platform.

After introducing a more progressive plank into the platform, the Convention shifts its focus to nominating the candidates. In the race there are 3 candidates that are contending, the clear front runner is Bobby Kennedy, younger brother to President Kennedy he was instrumental in the '74 Midterms and the massive Get Out to Vote Campaign. Second up is Kennedyite Mo Udall, he is a prominent Representative from Arizona, a little older than Bobby Kennedy. In third place the relatively unknown Jimmy Carter, a Southern Kennedyite, Carter is the Governor of Georgia.

First Ballot
Robert F. Kennedy - 1709
Mo Udall - 821
James E. Carter - 356
Other/Blank - 124
​

After the first ballot, unsurprisingly Bobby Kennedy has won the Democratic Nomination!

June 3 - 6
Denver, Colorado

The Republican National Convention opened up with some controversy, President James L. Buckley was being challenged by fellow Republican John B. Anderson. Anderson a devout Republican was much more moderate than the President, and he saw the President as a threat to the party. He claimed that the President was much too Conservative to have independent support, especially while facing the likes of a Kennedy. Senator Hatfield officially endorsed Anderson, claiming that President Buckley's arch-conservative agenda was frankly disgusting to the American people. However some people came out in defense of the President's values, White House Chief of Staff Ronald Reagan claimed that he was restoring the true values of America. Senator Strom Thurmond declared the President a force of good in the American psyche. Most surprisingly though was Vice President Schweiker's endorsement of John Anderson, he said that President Buckley doesn't have the right goals for the American people.

After the shocking announcement that the President's own Vice President is not supporting him in the election, he immediately stated that he would drop Schweiker and would want CoS Reagan to be nominated for Vice President. Tensions grow and bubble...

First Ballot
(1130 needed to win)
James L. Buckley - 1178
John B. Anderson - 1015
Other/Blank - 67
​

Probably not surprising, but President Buckley has won the nomination for President in a very tight race. Of course following his promise, Ronald Reagan was nominted to be his Vice President. This new arch-conservative ticket upset many moderate Republicans, with even RNC Chair Nixon claiming that dropping a moderate from the ticket was a mistake.