Alternate History 📰 EAGLE IS DOWN: November 23, 1996: The Clinton Assassination and Ramifications....

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING: VIOLENT CRACKDOWN OF DISSIDENTS ESCALATES AS THE INDIAN MILITARY JUNTA REJECTS INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO END MARTIAL LAW
*December 8, 1997: The Indian Military Junta once again violently cracked down on a group of dissidents after they marched toward Parliament....with no success in coming toward the gates as crack riot troops and federal law enforcement aggressively arrested the dissidents and placed them into police cars and squad wagons.

Despite international condemnation against the Junta's aggressive methods, the Junta doubled-down on maintaining Martial Law, which has been enforced since coming to power in December 1984.

Amnesty International reports the death toll had ranged between 7,000 to 56,000+ and counting due to the Dirty War from 1984 to 1985: opponents have been exiled, mysteriously disappeared or worse......

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY WHITE TO OFFICIALLY MOVE INTO WHITE HOUSE ON DECEMBER 13TH
*The White House confirmed President Mark W. White, Jr., and First Lady Linda Gale White will officially move into the White House on December 13th.

It comes as the Gore family have packed up their personal effects and belongings; they'll be moving back to Nashville, Tennessee permanently.

BREAKING: PRESIDENT WHITE TO VISIT BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ON DECEMBER 22
*The White House also confirmed President White will be traveling to Italy, where he'll have a workng visit before heading to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will be the first foreign trip of his Presidency.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

WHITE HOUSE: PRESIDENT WHITE TO ANNOUNCE NOMINEE FOR VP ON DECEMBER 20TH
*December 8, 1997: The Associated Press reported that President White will formally announce his nominee for Vice President around December 20th according to White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles.

Bowles confirmed that the President will make the announcement of his VP nominee inside the East Room of the White House on a Saturday afternoon. Sources say the President will be looking at a full range of VP contenders including members of Congress with lots of legislative experience in getting things done. The President expects whoever he picks to get a full, fair confirmation hearing from both the House and Senate with confirmation votes expected sometime after the holiday break.

Political analysts think some of those who should be considered might be either US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) or former United States Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA).

BREAKING: 1998 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS PUSHED BACK TO MID FEBRUARY
*In light of everything that's happened since the events of June 28th and the ramifications of the death of President Al Gore on December 4th, President White's 1998 State of the Union Address will be delayed to sometime around mid-February 1998.

The word on the street is also the potential ugly confirmation hearings of White's VP nominee might escalate into hyper partisanship since Republicans control both the US House of Representatives and United States Senate.

ABS-CBN NEWS: PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE CONFIRM FINDINGS OF 11.23.96 INCIDENT: TERRORIST CELL COMMITTED THE VIOLENT ATTACK
*The Philippine National Police confirmed the findings out of the 11.23.96 Incident that resulted in the assassination of then-US President Bill Clinton during the 1996 APEC Summit in Manila, where the PNP reported during a press conference that a terrorist cell with ties to infamous terrorist Usama bin Laden located in the southern part of the Philippines, were the ones that committed the horrific act.

The PNP also arrested over 5,000 with links or ties to the culprits, who remain at large.

PROTESTS BREWING IN INDONESIA: POSSIBLE FOREIGN POLICY CHALLENGE FOR PRESIDENT WHITE?
There have been violent skirmishes of protests escalating in Indonesia against the authoritarian dictatorship of Indonesian President Suharto, who's been in power since 1967.

Rumors swirling of a possible ouster against Suharto might complicate matters for the White administration, who's pursuing closer ties between the United States and the Asian Pacific countries. It could also become a foreign policy challenge for the White administration going forward.

 

[bintananth]

Bin Laden a quite few years early? Oh my.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Bin Laden a quite few years early? Oh my.

Considering one of the cells committed the violent attack on the 1996 APEC Summit that resulted in Clinton's death. Yep!

It'll be worse before he and his ilk face justice.

PS: 9/11 will still happen in this timeline I'm afraid.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Highlights of the State Funeral festivities of the 44th President
December 9-12, 1997

December 12, 1997: Funeral services held for the late President Albert Arnold Gore, Jr., at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.​

From the afternoon of December 9th to December 11th, President Gore's body laid in state inside the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. Approximately 128,000 people paid their respects to him. US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and US Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt held a memorial service for him inside the Capitol Rotunda.

On the morning of December 11th, the State Funeral service was held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC., although it wasn't the largest funeral service attended in terms of ratings on television: the State Funerals of Kennedy (1963), Hoover (1964), Eisenhower (1969), Johnson (1973), Ford (1975), Rockefeller (1979) and Reagan (1983) had topped record-highs respectively. The record of the most-watched State Funeral remains that of Clinton (1996); the main speakers at the State Funeral: President Mark White, US Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, former US Housing & Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros; Tipper Gore, the former First Lady, also delivered remarks to honor her husband of 27 years. Several leaders from all over the country and across the world attended the State Funeral, including sports stars, entertainment celebrities, rank-and-file individuals and countless others.

Many of the foreign heads of state also had an opportunity to meet with President White for the first time, including South African President Nelson Mandela, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, Argentine Republic President Carlos Menem, Bolivian President Hugo Banzer, Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, Paraguayan President Juan Carlos Wasmosy, Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, Uruguayan President Julio Maria Sanguinetti, Taiwanese Premier Vincent Siew, Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall of the British Royal Family, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, Republic of Korea President Kim Young-sam, Indonesian President Suharto, Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, Zambian President Frederick Chiluba and Nambian President Sam Nujoma.

Ironically, the only living former Presidents to be in attendance at the services: Linwood Holton (1979-1981) and George HW Bush (1983-1993); former Vice Presidents Edward Brooke (1979-1981), Howard Baker (1985-1989) and Dan Quayle (1989-1993) were also in attendance.

Following final services at the War Memorial Auditorium on December 12th in Nashville, Tennessee: President Gore was laid to rest at the Carthage Smith County Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Carthage, Tennessee with full military honors, where a small circle of family, friends, former congressional colleagues including Cabinet Secretaries as well as President White himself in attendance, were present when Gore was finally laid to rest following a 21 Cannon Salute by the Tennessee Army National Guard and a special flyover from the Tennessee Air National Guard.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

THEORY: COULD ROUGE ELEMENTS INSTIGATED THE GORE ASSASSINATION?

*Monday, December 15, 1997: Allegations quickly began to emerge on who was responsible for the shooting incident on June 28th that eventually claimed the life of then-US President Al Gore on December 4th. It ranged from rogue elements of the following countries' governments: Cuba, Zimbabwe, Russia, Pakistan, India and others. Another theory is that a rouge element out of Chile was involved in the shooting, which alarmed both American and Chilean government officials; Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle quickly shot down those allegations strongly stating "There is no damn truth whatsoever to these baseless allegations because I don't believe anyone inside the Chilean government was involved in such a barbaric act." Frei went so far as to calling US President Mark W. White over the phone about the situation, offering cooperation in any he can to find the culprits.

DOUBLING-DOWN ON THE DIRTY WAR OPERATION IN INDIA: MALIK JUSTIFIES CONTROVERSIAL OPERATION

Indian President General Ved Prakash Malik.

Addressing the nation from the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Residence of the Indian President), Indian President General Ved Prakash Malik strongly justified using the controversial Dirty War military operation against opponents of the Indian Military Junta, who has rotated the Presidency since taking power in December 1984. Malik said "Outside agitators are trying to tell us what to do here in India and I am not going to put up with such nonsense from meddling fools, who don't know how things are done here or how we live. This government as long as I am President of the Republic of India will continue to be aggressive in pushing law and order by any means necessary."

Soon afterwards, military crack troops violently cracked down once again on more opponents, even going so far as to rounding up schoolchildren, who were protesting against the super-oppressive military regime. Word is that several diplomats will attempt to lobby the Indian Military Junta to put together plans in transitioning the country to democracy as soon as possible because the international reputation of India is at stake. Pope Louis V has invited President Malik to visit the Vatican for bilateral talks, no word if Malik will accept the invitation or not, but the pressure to move the South Asian country to democracy will continue to escalate.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

President White's press conference
7:00 PM EST, Monday, December 15, 1997
East Room, White House, Washington, DC

President Mark W. White, Jr., held his first press conference as the 45th President of the United States since ascending to the Presidency upon Gore's death 11 days earlier. Among the topics discussed ranged from the goals of his administration, foreign policy, the economy, domestic policy, public safety, etc.,

*Reporter#1 : "Mr. President. You've urged all members of the Cabinet to stay in their current positions. Can you provide us any details of what your administration will specify which goals to pursue?"

*President White: "Thank you for a good question. To outline the goals of my administration, I will be addressing a joint session of Congress in the coming days this week and I will be outlining the major priorities of this administration. I can strongly assure you this, my administration will make sure that America is kept safe during these difficult times.
What's the next question?"

*Reporter #2: "Good evening Mr. President. There's a certain matter that needs addressing and that's who is your designated nominee to serve as Vice President under the provisions of the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution. Have you've decided on what type of Vice President do you want serving in your administration?"

*President White: "We are looking at all candidates for Vice President ranging from current members of Congress, former members of Congress, Governors and the like. I can say that nobody in the Cabinet will be considered for the second highest office considering it'll be taken out of context by those in Congress as conflict of interest.

You and everyone else will have to wait by the end of the week when the official announcement is made on who'll become the designated nominee for the Vice Presidency will be."

*Reporter #3: "Mr. President. I'm sure that you are well aware about the ongoing turmoil happening in India. The military government has run the country with strong ruthless iron fists with no single dissenting opinion, different viewpoints and the human rights situation has escalated to match that to the Argentine Republic's deadly Dirty War from 1976 to 1983 during the Argentinian Military Junta's dictatorship.

What I'm saying is that this major foreign policy issue had been bubbling over the surface under previous administrations ranging from Bush, Clinton and Gore. Despite words of condemnation of the violence, there's not action regarding economic sanctions, tariffs being launched against Indian-made goods, products, imports and exports. According to the BBC, the Indian economy has been undergoing difficult problems in recent years due to some of the sanctions.

This is your administration's responsibility to take a strong stand against a dictatorship that is committing genocide over there. What can the United States do in speaking out and following it up with action?"

*President White: "I see that was a long-winded question you've said there and I'm surprised you didn't collapse (laughter).

I have spoken with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Secretary of Defense William Cohen on the matter. While I strongly condemn violence on both sides in India, I also believe the demands of enforcing economic sanctions against the government of India wouldn't be the right approach because sanctions don't usually work in terms of having an effect of hitting it's actual target or targets.

Plus, I believe that some sanctions not only backfire, but end up hurting the people that some around here, and I am not naming names, claim to be helping. I understand that there's been serious policy disagreements between the United States and India over the years. However, as long as I'm President, I am NOT going to let the ties between our countries plunge downward to the point of non-existence.

Whatever happens in India will be up to the people of India in determining their destiny going forward."

*Reporter #4: "What is your administration's policy regarding Taiwan, Japan, Republic of Korea, Philippines and the Asian Pacific?"

*President White: "My administration will be promoting peace and strength as well as fostering cooperation with allies and friends in the Asian Pacific.

The United States will continue to be allies with Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and other like-minded nations in the region.

In regards to the Detente Policy, my administration will keep in place the policy that had been under existence under then-President Nelson Rockefeller, who dismantled the policy with the People's Republic of China and Russia, who had been formerly known as the Soviet Union. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 will remain in place and we'll defend Taiwan in the case of an attack; I've spoken with President Lee Teng-hui and pledged to honor the defense treaty with Taiwan all the way, both the American and Taiwanese troops have been conducting the necessary joint military drills and exercises.

We've got military troops stationed in Japan, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. I should also note we've got military troops stationed in many places in Europe too and across the globe. My administration will be doing everything in our power to be aggressive on national defense and increasing the defense budget."

*Reporter #5: "Mr. President. I shouldn't remind anybody else here that the 2000 Presidential election is three years away and based on the technicality of finishing out the late President Gore's term, you would be eligible for a first full four-year term as President if you decide to seek reelection. You're also allowed to seek a second full term in 2004. Have you've decided on whether you'll seek a first full four-year term as President in 2000?"

*President White (clearing his throat and drinking a glass of water): "We're back to political campaigning huh? (Laughter in the room)

My current focus is leading the American people into the tailend of the 20th Century and going into the New Millennium. I intend to be the President of all Americans, including those who strongly disagree with me on major key issues. We all love this great nation of ours and would want our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren knowing about the achievements and accomplishments that we would leave them."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

President White delivers special message to Joint Session of Congress
8:00 PM EST, Wednesday, December 17, 1997
US House of Representatives Chambers, US Capitol
Washington, DC.

Less than 13 days after becoming President, Mark Wells White, Jr., speaks to lawmakers for the first time.​

As the turbulent month of December was winding down, President Mark W. White, Jr., appeared before a special session of Congress on December 17th. In his 36 minute speech, the 45th President thanked lawmakers for their support, prayers over the past thirteen days since ascending to the presidency. President White once again called on national unity and continuity as well as urging the Republican-controlled Congress to work with him in passing balanced budgets. However, his speech was slightly different than typical phrases and slogans: reforming existing entitlement programs, major budget cuts on unnecessary programs, cutting wasteful regulations, aggressively enforcing the death penalty, getting tough on crime by any means necessary including the need to securing our southern and northern borders. The new President also touched on foreign policy, where he called on the necessity of a strong national defense and backing our allies in Asia, Europe, etc.,

Many political observers pointed out that White's speech contained several points of continuity of the Third Way approaches of the Clinton and Gore administrations on going toward a centrist approach, but he was also determined to become his own man and not become shackled by two of his late predecessors. Examples when White called on aggressive tough-on-crime measures, this gained applause from staunch conservatives due to White's hardcore conservatism as United States Senator and Texas Governor.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Polling Survey: December 19, 1997
Opinion of President Mark W. White, Jr.,
Approve: 64%
Disapprove: 16%

Opinion of Congress
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 56%

Opinion of US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)
Approve: 41%
Disapprove: 54%

Opinion of US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO)
Approve: 56%
Disapprove: 28%

Opinion of US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS)
Approve: 52%
Disapprove: 36%

Opinion of US Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD)
Approve: 59%
Disapprove: 33%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS: JOHN MACKOVIC FIRED AS HEAD COACH OF THE TEXAS LONGHORNS FOOTBALL TEAM AFTER SIX SEASONS WITH OVERALL (41-28-2) RECORD; 2 SWC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS, 1 BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP

Soon after the disastrous season in the history of the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns Football team, the University of Texas System Board of Regents unanimously voted to officially fired embattled Head Coach John Mackovic effective immediately.

The moves after the Longhorns lost to their arch-rival Texas A&M in College Station during the Thanksgiving holiday break. It also marked an epic fall from grace for the football team as they had undergone chaotic turmoil during the 1997 season when UCLA went to Austin and blew them out badly.

Mackovic leaves Austin with an overall record of (41-28-2), two Southwestern Conference championships (1994, 1995); one Big 12 South Divisional title (1996); one Big 12 conference championship (1996) and three bowl games.

The national coaching search will begin on who'll be considered Mackovic's successor for the upcoming 1998 season. Stay tuned!

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: PRESIDENT WHITE NOMINATES US HOUSE MINORITY LEADER DICK GEPHARDT (D-MO) AS VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
12:00 PM EST, Saturday, December 20, 1997

During an afternoon address from the East Room of the White House, President White announced he was nominating US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) to serve as the next Vice President of the United States.

White highlighted Gephardt's list of achievements including years of public service. Then Gephardt took to the podium and thanked the President for choosing him to serve in the administration as well as pledging to work very hard with President White, members of the administration, Congress and traveling the country to meet with countless Americans.

The confirmation hearings will be beginning sometime during the Christmas holiday break, with the first confirmation hearings in the US House of Representatives and the United States Senate to begin their confirmation hearings beginning January 15th.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Beginning this week: I'll be working on the following segments
1.) Sports headlines
2.) National headlines
3.) Political implications for the 1998 Midterms
4.) International headlines
5.) Personal PoV's

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP IN EAGLE IS DOWN
President White visits Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

[Sergeant Foley]

"after getting scolded by President White and White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles over the horrific security apparatus that resulted in President Gore's assassination, I felt like it was only a matter of time before a major house cleaning was in store for some of us in the US Secret Service.

I went to the Deputy Director of the US Secret Service and asked "What do you think the new administration will demand going forward?" The Deputy Director sighed and suggested new security measures such as placing metal detectors inside the White House, having the FBI doing background checks on some of our agents, etc.,"
Renee DuBosse
Special Agent, US Secret Service
December 21, 1997

"The Republicans lost their perfect foils to assassination: Bill Clinton (1996) and Al Gore (1997). They knew that Mark Wells White, Jr., wasn't going to get pushed around due to the honeymoon period because the nearly five months he served as acting President during Gore's long incapacitation and eventually ascension to the Presidency as the 45th President of the United States on December 4th.

I KNEW that President White's approval ratings were sky high with a 64 percent approval rating across all demographics and social, ideological, economic backgrounds throughout the country. I should know because Mark had won five consecutive statewide elections in a row from 1977 to 1990. Seeing a fellow Texan occupying the Oval Office for the third time in our nation's history was amazing and also intimidating at the same time.

Here in Austin, Governor George W. Bush had to grudgingly give President White credit of keeping the nation from descending into chaos. Yet, I knew George, Jr., also had his pulse on the national level due to his family's decades of public service and I strongly anticipated he was gunning for the White House in 2000 if President White declines to seek a full four-year term. As a matter of fact, the second he defeated then-United States Senator Ann Richards (D-TX) in the 1994 Texas Gubernatorial election, it was damn obvious to everyone that George was gunning for the Presidency and everyone, both Democrats and Republicans in Austin KNEW it.

Back to the national front: Republicans led by Speaker Gingrich and Senate Majority Leader Lott were going to attempt to undermine President White at some point down the road considering the 1998 Midterms was around the corner and the opposition couldn't find any scandals to use by exploiting them. Upon hearing that Gephardt was chosen as the President's choice to serve as VP, something told me he was going to become the numbet one foil and political punching bag."
Former United States Senator Bob Krueger (D-TX)
US Ambassador to Botswana (1996-1999)
US Ambassador to Burundi (1995-1996)
United States Senator from Texas (1993)
Texas Railroad Commissioner (1991-1993)
US Ambassador to Mexico (1979-1981)
Member, US House of Representatives from Texas' 21st Congressional District (1975-1979)
December 28, 1997


"while everybody in the world was moving on, there was a nagging foreign policy issue in the Middle East that wasn't going away. I couldn't tell when, why, who or how but it became clear to many of us in the intelligence community that the White administration was going to be making a difficult decision on whether to making a strategic plan on taking out the world's most wanted person...."
Helen Cartier
US Marine Corps Reserve
CIA Analyst
Somewhere in Richmond, VA

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: HELMS, LOTT, THURMOND ANNOUNCE OPPOSITION TO GEPHARDT'S VP NOMINATION
*December 21, 1997: US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and fellow United States Senators Strom Thurmond (R-SC) and Jesse Helms (R-NC) announced their opposition to the nomination of US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) as Vice President due to "extreme hidden agenda and pushing government regulation."

Helms also threatened to block the nomination if it gets to the floor of the United States Senate, even threatening to filibuster the nomination to death. Helms also threatened to derail the White administration's American Jobs legislation because he feels the bill has "too much big government goodies for the liberals in Washington DC". When asked if he would derail Cabinet nomimees too, Helms gleefully said yes he would and declared "My number one priority is to ensure Mark White has a failed presidency and I thrive off of inflicting personal pain on the President and First Lady because they better get some bodyguards."

White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles viciously attacked Helms' comments as defamatory, insulting, derogatory and disgusting.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 4 OF EAGLE IS DOWN
1996 Super Bowl: Green Bay Packers end a long drought to win their 3rd Super Bowl Championship

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

COMING UP THIS WEEK IN CHAPTER 4 OF EAGLE IS DOWN
How the Texas Longhorns Football Team shocked the College Football world by pulling off a major upset in the inaugural Big 12 Championship Game

​

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING: US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTE TO CONFIRM GEPHARDT'S VP NOMINATION VERY EASILY; NOMINATION GOES TO THE US SENATE
*December 28, 1997: The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives voted 429-2 to confirm the nomination of US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) to serve as Vice President. Gephardt abstained to avoid conflict of interest and upon winning confirmation from the House, Gephardt addressed the full House floor and thanked his fellow House colleagues from both political parties for their friendship, hardworking efforts in reaching acrosd the aisle, etc.,

Gephardt's nomination now moves to the United States Senate, where it might run into potential trouble as United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) plans on using every parliamentary maneuver to block the nomination.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll (December 28, 1997)
Opinion of President Mark W. White, Jr.,
Approve: 68%
Disapprove: 24%

Opinion of First Lady Linda Gale White
Approve: 72%
Disapprove: 16%

Opinion of US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)
Approve: 40%
Disapprove: 56%

Opinion of US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO)
Approve: 57%
Disapprove: 28%

Opinion of US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS)
Approve: 52%
Disapprove: 36%

Opinion of US Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD)
Approve: 56%
Disapprove: 27%

2000 Presidential election matchups (with White in)
Texas Governor George W. Bush (R): 56%
President Mark W. White, Jr., (D): 25%

President Mark W. White, Jr., (D): 64%
Former Vice President Dan Quayle (R): 24%

United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ): 43%
President Mark W. White, Jr., (D): 40%

President Mark W. White, Jr., (D): 56%
Former US Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole (R): 36%

President Mark W. White, Jr., (D): 60%
New York State Governor George Pataki (R): 20%

Matchups (if President White doesn't seek election to full 4-year term in 2000)
Bush (R): 56%
Former United States Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ): 38%

Bush (R): 54%
Former Indiana Governor Evan Bayh (D): 41%

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: HELMS KEEPS PROMISE; BLOCKS GEPHARDT'S VP NOMINATION
*December 29, 1997: In a not surprising move, United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) blocked the nomination of US House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) as Vice President once it got to the Senate floor.

Helms justified the move saying "I don't think Congressman Gephardt is qualified to serve as Vice President. I will keep blocking the nomination for the remaining three years if necessary!"

White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles blasted Helms' move "What Senator Helms did today was a political stunt and he will have to answer to his constituents if they enjoy seeing progress in this nation stopped or sidetracked."

PRESIDENT WHITE WITHHOLDS FEDERAL AID TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA: THREATENS TO GO EVEN FURTHER IN HAVING THE NCAA BAR THE TAR HEEL STATE'S COLLEGE SPORTS TEAMS FROM POSTSEASON
*In a retaliatory move, President White aggressively moved to withholding federal funds to the State of North Carolina, even going so far as to blocking block-grant programs from going to the Tar Heel State.

Justifying the move during a working visit to Taiwan, President White told reporters while aboard Air Force One, "If the Senator from North Carolina keeps using parliamentary maneuvers by preventing the full US Senate from voting on the nomination of House Minority Leader Gephardt to serve as Vice President, I'll up the ante by threatening to have the NCAA ban the University of North Carolina, NC State University and other schools in North Carolina from participating in postseason games."

White also justified this by pushing to deny hurricane relief for North Carolina if Helms continues blocking Gephardt's nomination as Vice President. "If he (Helms) continues to persist, I'll use every maneuver myself with the powers of the Presidency and doing what I strongly believe needs to be done."

Sources say the President's aggressive tactics angered many in the North Carolina congressional delegation upon hearing that the White administration was cutting off federal aid to the Tar Heel State including threats of denying federal aid on natural disaster relief.