Alternate History 🇺🇸 November 2, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller wins election to full 4-year term and the aftermath

[Sergeant Foley]

UNITED STATES SENATE CONFIRMS LEFKOWITZ AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
*April 6, 1979: Following Edward W. Brooke's departure from the Justice Department, President Linwood Holton nominated former New York State Attorney General Louis J. Lefkowitz (R) as his successor on March 16th. On April 6th, the United States Senate approved the nomination with 80 votes in favor of the nomination, while 18 voted against. Later that afternoon, he was sworn into office by Vice President Brooke himself at the US Justice Department. Lefkowitz, who previously served 32 years as New York State's 59th State Attorney General from January 10, 1957 until December 31, 1978 under Governors W. Arevell Harriman (D), 1955-1958; Nelson Rockefeller (R), 1959-1973; Malcolm Wilson (R), 1973-1974 and Hugh Carey (D), 1975-1978: vowed to continuing Brooke's policies that sought to bring criminals and those involved in illegal activities to justice as well as aggressively enforcing federal civil rights laws.

THE HOLTON ADMINISTRATION (April 7, 1979)
President: Linwood Holton (R-VA)
Vice President: Edward W. Brooke, III (R-MA)
Secretary of State: Malcolm Wilson (R-NY St)
Attorney General: Louis J. Lefkowitz (R-NY St)
Secretary of Defense: John Tower (R-TX)
Secretary of the Treasury: David Rockefeller (R-NY St)
Secretary of Commerce: Elliot Richardson (R-MA)
Secretary of the Interior: Cecil Andrus (D-ID)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Patricia Roberts Harris (D-DC)
Secretary of Energy: James Schlesinger (R-VA)
Secretary of Labor: William Usery, Jr., (R-GA)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Joseph Califano, Jr., (D-DC)
Secretary of Education: Shirley Hufsteider (D-CA)
Secretary of Transportation: William Thaddeus Coleman (R-PA)
Secretary of Agriculture: Kika De La Garza (D-TX)
Director of the Office of Management and Budget: James Thomas Lynn (R-OH)
US Trade Representative: Frederick Dent (R-SC)
US Ambassador to the United Nations: Daniel J. Evans (R-WA St)
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Clarence M. Kelley (R-MO)
Director of Central Intelligence: George HW Bush (R-TX)
National Security Adviser: Brent Scowcroft (R-VA)
White House Chief of Staff: Ann C. Whitman (R-NY St)

 

[Sergeant Foley]

EYES ON POLITICAL FUTURES OF PRESIDENT HOLTON AND VICE PRESIDENT BROOKE AS JOCKEYING SLOWLY BEGINS......
*April 23, 1979: There are some signs that neither President Linwood Holton and Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III will be candidates for political office in 1980. When asked last week if Holton would be running for a full four-year term in 1980, White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen refused to answer, only saying "President Holton is focused on his upcoming State Visit to Austria which will be set for June 14th-18th. We're currently also being busy with implementing the Camp David Summit Accords Treaties between Egypt and Israel that will be officially signed once details are worked out."

With high approval ratings of 73%, President Holton presumably appears to be the front-runner in 1980 for the moment. If Holton were to retire, the political focus will go to Vice President Brooke, who would start as the favorite for the Republican presidential nomination. Brooke was asked during a press conference in a meeting with the National Governors Association, he responded "My focus is serving as the most trusted confidential advisor and loyal Vice President. The politics of the next campaign should remain on the backburner. We got thousands of issues to focus on ranging from economic policy, domestic policy, foreign policy and the like."

Speculation is swirling around CIA Director George HW Bush if neither Holton or Brooke run. Bush, 54., is viewed by many as a moderate-to-conservative Republican closely aligned with the Ford, Rockefeller and Holton administrations on social issues including some foreign policy agenda items. Plus having served in the US House of Representatives representing Texas' 7th Congressional District (1967-1971); US Ambassador to the United Nations (1971-1973); Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1973-1974); US Chief Liaison to the People's Republic of China (1974-1975) before being tapped to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency by then-President Nelson Rockefeller following the Halloween Massacre in November 1975, where Bush has been serving in his current post ever since.

Assuming that Bush might have to step down if he were to take a plunge of running for the Republican Party presidential nomination, he will be joining a potential crowded field of ambitious contenders such as United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS), who recently formed an exploratory committee in anticipation of Holton announcing his potential retirement.

CAMP DAVID SUMMIT CONFERENCE PEACE ACCORDS TREATIES OFFICIALLY RATIFIED
*April 25, 1979: During the week of March 8th-13th, President Holton shuttled back and forth between Egypt and Israel, winning concessions and compromises from both Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Holton's skillful efforts of using personal diplomacy was rewarded on March 14th when the Israeli Cabinet voted to accept the revised treaty. Less than two weeks later, Sadat and Begin flew to the United States, where on March 26th the treaty was ceremonially signed in the East Room of the White House which was televised across the world. Following ratification, the treaty went into effect formally one month later, officially ending the state of war between the Egyptians and Israelis. It called for Israel to return to Egypt the Sinai Peninsula in three-year staged withdrawal, which would begin in May 1979. In finishing what the late President Rockefeller started, Holton dedicated the treaties ratification in Rockefeller's memory.

Holton pledged about $5 billion in military and economic aid to both Egypt and Israel over the ensuing three years. However, not everyone was happy about this major foreign policy achievement: other Arab countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq viciously ostracized Egypt for having signed the treaty, which future discussion turned to the demands of Palestinian Arabs for an independent nation of their own to be created from areas which are held by the Israelis.

SOURCES: BUSH TO RESIGN AS DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY EFFECTIVE MAY 28TH; FUTURE PLANS UNKNOWN

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*April 30, 1979: Sources on the ground confirmed that CIA Director George HW Bush informed President Holton about his decision to resign from his current post, but the resignation will become effective until the end of next month upon confirmation of his successor via approval by the United States Senate.

Bush said he plans on settling in private life when he returns to Houston, Texas. Political observers think the timing of his resignation as Director of Central Intelligence is coded due to plotting a potential presidential campaign in the event that President Holton doesn't seek election to a full four-year term.

BOSTON GLOBE: VICE PRESIDENT BROOKE TO ANNOUNCE DECISION ON POLITICAL FUTURE ON JUNE 25TH
The Boston Globe reported that Vice President Brooke will make an official announcement on his political future, which will be set for June 25th. Sources detailed the wording of "intriguing announcement details" as code that Brooke is strongly leaning toward into retirement. Not too long ago, Brooke has recently gotten remarried and might be considering a career in the private sector once his term as the 43rd Vice President of the United States ends on January 20, 1981.

There's also more signs that President Holton might be heading toward the exits as well, but sources say the President won't make an official announcement about his political plans until the Fall.

Lack of fundraising for a potential reelection campaign is showing obvious focus as well. Neither Holton or Brooke are commenting about their respective political futures.

BREAKING NEWS: CHILES RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 1980

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United States Senator Lawton Chiles (D-FL) officially launched his campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination during a press conference inside the Rotunda of the Florida State Capitol in downtown Tallahassee, Florida.

Chiles said in his campaign announcement speech: "America cannot afford to have the same old, tired worn out party running the White House with four consecutive Presidents in the same party after 12 years. It's time for a change and I plan on ending the status quo once and for all."

 

[Sergeant Foley]

ESCALATING POLITICAL WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN GOVERNOR CLEMENTS VS SENATOR WHITE: PREVIEW OF 1982 MATCHUP FOR GOVERNOR'S MANSION?

*May 6, 1979: Meanwhile in the Lone Star State, there has been a brewing rivalry between Texas Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R) and United States Senator Mark W. White, Jr., (D-TX) due to recent developments. White blasted the Republican Governor's communications staff by accusing them of wiretapping his Senate office in Austin when he criticized Clements' inability of working with the Democratic-controlled supermajority Texas State Legislature including questioning whether Clements knows how state government works.

Clements in response, referred White as "that incompetent United States Senator" by stating White voted to raise taxes and brought up inadequate performance during White's tenure as Texas Secretary of State. Observers viewed the rivalry between them as a foreshadowing of a potential showdown in the 1982 Texas gubernatorial election when Clements will be up for reelection.

Besides White considering a run for the Texas Governor's Mansion in 1982, there are other Texas Democrats jockeying for the right to take on Clements: Texas Commissioner of the General Land Office Bob Armstrong (D) ,Texas State Attorney General Price Daniel, Jr., (D) and Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts Bob Bullock (D).

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: KENNEDY FORMS EXPLORATORY COMMITEE; SOURCES VIEW LIKELY LAUNCHING OF CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION IN 1980

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*May 13, 1979: United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) has formed an exploratory committee in anticipation of officially launching his campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1980. Kennedy will join fellow United States Senator Lawton Chiles (D-FL) in the nomination battle. In his statement, Kennedy justified his decision of forming an exploratory committee because the American people needs a new alternative and doesn't think the status quo running the federal government is acceptable to achieving another four years, without naming anyone in particular.

Originally, Kennedy was hesitant about running for the Presidency following the massive landslide victory of then-President Nelson Rockefeller in 1976 and despite attempts from some Democrats lobbying him to challenge Rockefeller, Kennedy felt at the time "I don't think it would appropriate facing an extremely popular incumbent" during a question and session in the aftermath of the 1978 Midterms.

Things took a shocking turn following Rockefeller's sudden death from a heart attack on January 26, 1979 and the ascenion of Linwood Holton as the 40th President of the United States.

Going into the early part of the Summer of 1979, Kennedy's calculus changed due to the yearning of calls of "new alternative" because Republicans have controlled the Presidency since 1969 and pollsters asked voters how they rated the mood of the country: while they strongly approved Holton's job performance overall including several key achievements of his administration, Americans believed it was time for a change in leadership. With Senator Chiles jumping into the 1980 presidential election early, representing the Moderate-to-conservative wing of the Democratic Party, Kennedy decided this was the right time for a presidential campaign, thus the formation of an exploratory committee.

Sources reporting Kennedy will make the official announcement declaring his candidacy sometime following the Memorial Day holiday break.

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 7: More political announcements as the 1980 Presidential election heats up.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: FINCH RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT; DEMOCRATIC FIELD SLOWLY GROWING

Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch (D) during press conference in Jackson. ​

*May 17, 1979: ABC News reported that Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch (D) announced he will be running for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1980, joining a field that is slowly growing that includes United States Senators Lawton Chiles (D-FL) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) as the campaign for the Presidency is emerging very slowly especially on the Democratic side.

Finch, who is term limited from succeeding himself and will leave office on January 22, 1980, was unsuccessful in his bid for higher office when in 1978, he was the Democratic Party nominee for the United States Senate in a three-way race that quickly turned upside down, which resulted in Finch losing by double digits to current United States Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS).

Being the only Governor in the race, Finch will carve out his outsider image and representing the South along with Senator Chiles, both of whom are currently the only two Southerners running for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, while Senator Kennedy is from the reviled Northeast.

Critics claimed Finch is only running for President because he wants to avoid embarrassing scrutiny due to personal issues (his recent divorce which made headlines) and rumored corruption scandals engulfing his administration.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BIG COMEBACK FOR REAGAN? POLITICAL OBSERVERS THINK THIRD CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT IS INCREASINGLY LIKELY

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*May 19, 1979: Former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R) has taken a low profile spending time at his ranch near Santa Barbara, California, where he enjoyed horseback riding and other outdoor activities. Despite getting trounced badly by Rockefeller in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries, Reagan had no intention of fading from the political scene ever.

He still had his eye on the White House, although he felt strongly reluctant about facing then-President Nelson Rockefeller in which many Reagan supporters assumed another primary challenge would become a lost cause due to term limits being abolished following the 1978 Midterms, which everyone had assumed Rockefeller was on the verge of a 51 State sweep in 1980......

Until the world was stunned when Rockefeller died of a heart attack on January 26, 1979. The political calculations for Reagan changed quickly, but once again, was hesitant of challenging President Linwood Holton or Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III (whom Reaganites feared would potentially be aggressive against Reagan if Holton chose to retire).

Months later, Reagan decided the timing for a political comeback was right and due to his age (Reagan turned 68 on February 6th), realized it was now or never. Sources reported several key Reaganites from Sacramento, began planning and raising millions of dollars for the 1980 Presidential campaign including an exploratory committee as well.

Political observers believe Reagan will likely launch his presidential campaign in the Fall; preferred to wait until President Holton makes a decision on his future.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: MEXICAN FIRST LADY FERNANDA ARIZMENDI COLLASPED DURING PUBLIC EVENT
*Details not revealed on why Mexican First Lady suddenly collapsed.
*No any further information has revealed new developments.
*Arizmendi's husband, Mexican President General Oscar Robles rushes to the hospital.

*May 20, 1979: During a public official function event at the National Palace in downtown Mexico City, where she was attending an outing with religious figures, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi began to feel tired and was sweating as close aides tried to give her some water, she drank a few sips and as she tried to leave the room, Arizmendi felt extremely dizzy and fell to the floor to shock and horror of those in attendance.

Security detail agents immediately carried the First Lady into her limousine accompanied by her close aides and rushed her to the hospital. Reports state her condition was "fair", but couldn't elaborate on what caused her sudden collapse.

Mexican President General Oscar Robles was notified about his wife's sudden collapse and rushed over to the hospital to be with his wife.

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Personal PoV's from Mexico.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

NEWS BULLETIN: CAREY LAUNCHING CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT
*New York State Governor Hugh L. Carey officially announcing his campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1980.
*Democratic field growing quickly
*Headlines: Can Carey become the Democratic Party savior in 1980?
*Field of Senators and Governors jumping in Democratic Party presidential primary battle.

New York State Governor Hugh L. Carey (D) officially confirmed he was running for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1980. "It is time to get serious and show real American leadership" Carey said during his campaign launch at the New York State Capitol Grounds in downtown Albany, New York State.

Having won reelection quite easily by double digits in 1978, Carey has been raising his profile in recent years including serving in major leadership roles of the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association. Political observers believe Carey could be a potential strong candidate in the general election next fall.

Of course, Carey will have to overcome skepticism from voters in the Midwest, South and the West due to outright hostility towards the Governor's home state and the Northeastern region of the country.

In the next upcoming weeks and months, Carey will be campaigning across the country getting his message out to voters.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Personal PoV's: Meanwhile in the Suburbs (Part I)
8:47 AM, May 31, 1979
Somewhere in Los Pinos
Outskirts of Mexico City, United Mexican States
​

On 20 May 1979, Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi, the wife of Mexican President General Oscar Robles, fainted in public during an official function event at the National Palace. She was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent surgery the next day.

The official version given to the public and the press, detailed that Fernanda had undergone an appendectomy. However, in reality, the real story behind closed doors was in fact, doctors who operated on the Mexican First Lady on May 21st, found out that the real cause of her sudden fainting spell determined that according to Dr. Rodolfo Mendes discovered after secret testing: Fernanda was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. Mendes was given the official report of the First Lady's diagnosis by one of the female medical nurses, who had analyzed the testing techniques of what caused the fainting spell incident.

Reading the full report consisted of sixteen pages, Dr. Mendes picked up the telephone and was originally planning on phoning the President, when he heard a knock at his office door: seeing group of Presidential Security Service agents guarding the hospital and locking down the perimeters, Mendes greeted Robles, "Mr. President. Nice to meet you sir, would you please have a seat?" "Thank you Dr. Mendes," Robles replied as he sat across the doctor's desk in his office.

Robles gave the President the sixteen-page full report on his wife's sudden collapse and confirmed the diagnosis: advanced cervical cancer. "Are you sure about the official diagnosis Dr. Mendes? Because I need to know what are the options of recovery?"

Mendes bluntly told Robles: "There could be some alternative treatments to relieve the pain, but if y'all had come to me sooner, we would've caught this early and prevented this from spreading. I am afraid it's terminal Mr. President. I am sorry." Robles stood in silence for twelve minutes looking at the report and was keeping a stoic front of calm, but inside was devastated because this pretty much ended any hope of Fernanda having more children (more on that later in Part II of the Personal PoV's from the Suburbs story).

Since Robles was keen into not letting anyone know the truth of his wife's diagnosis, he decided NOT to tell Fernanda anything regarding her health situation. "This has to be kept quiet forever and my wife must NEVER know the truth or anything else ever!" Robles told Mendes, who readily agreed to keep it top secret; Robles signed a personal check of $6.6 million to the hospital pledging more developmemts in major medical research facilities.

After taking Fernanda back home to Los Pinos (Residence of the Mexican President), she was taken to her special private bedroom, where one of the assigned nurses was instructed by Robles to keep watch over his wife for anything in particular since she was sleeping with an oxygen tank next to the bed.
COMING SOON IN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Robles secretly makes decisions on Fernanda's future State Funeral plans as her health continues to rapidly decline.
*Opponents of the Robleses gleefully escalate things way too far as word leaks out of the so-called details of her illness.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: VICE PRESIDENT EDWARD W. BROOKE, III NOT SEEKING POLITICAL OFFICE IN 1980; PLEDGING TO FINISH OUT TERM AS VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III reflecting inside his office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building after his shocking bombshell announcement.
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*June 13, 1979: The nation was shocked and stunned when regularly scheduled programming was interrupted by a major political bombshell: Vice President Edward William Brooke, III confirmed during a press conference inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC., that he was NOT going to be seeking political office in 1980 after his term as the 43rd Vice President of the United States ends on January 20, 1981.

Sources reported that Brooke confirmed his decision with President Linwood Holton during private lunch at the White House a few days earlier. In his announcement, Brooke explained "While it's been an amazing honor to serving as Vice President, I believe that I could be more helpful and contributing my efforts into a different arena instead of the hard-charging aggressive, rigorous nature of 24/7 politics. I have enjoyed serving in many capacities: Massachusetts State Attorney General, United States Senator, Attorney General of the United States and currently as the 43rd Vice President of the United States. Even though these positions have strong historical significance to future generations of Americans, I believe that by not running for any other political office, I can now focus on my duties and responsibilities as Vice President and working hard with President Holton in ensuring that the country will be on safe ground and lots of accomplishments before I leave office. It has been a tremendous pleasure of serving the people of the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the American people. Thank you very much for letting me serve you. God Bless America!"

Originally, Brooke was supposed to make an announcement on his political future on June 25th, but decided to move up the timetable. Now all eyes are on President Holton, who is expected to make a decision on his political furure either during the Summer or in the Fall.

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: DOLE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT; MORE RED FLAGS THAT HOLTON IS LEANING TOWARD RETIREMENT
Upon the shocking news of Vice President Brooke's bombshell political announcement of retiring from politics, there are signs that the 1980 Presidential campaign is aggressively slowly kicking off.

United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS) officially launched his campaign for the Republican Party presidential nomination during a rally at the Kansas Statehouse Grounds in downtown Topeka, Kansas. Calling himself "The Most Experienced Candidate", Dole is expected to face off against former CIA Director George HW Bush and former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R) ,whom political observers and analysts expect the former California Governor will officially launch his campaign in the Fall.

As if more signs and red flags haven't signaled the obvious: President Holton still hasn't made a decision about his political future on whether or not he'll seek reelection to a full four-year term in 1980 despite sky-high approval ratings of 70% according to the latest Gallup Poll and several major advantages of incumbency.
COMING UP THIS WEEK IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC:
*Official confirmation date on the Royal Coronation in Iran.
*Part II of Personal PoV's from the Suburbs
*All eyes of the nation on President Holton and his political furure
*Personal PoV's

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Candidates of the 1980 Presidential election
June 13, 1979
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DEMOCRATS:
United States Senator Lawton M. Chiles (D-FL)
Experience: Member, Florida House of Representatives from Group 1 (1958-1966); Member, Florida State Senate from District 26 (1966-1970); United States Senator from Florida since 1971.
Military Experience: United States Army during the Korean War.

United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)
Experience: United States Senator from Massachusetts since 1962.
Military Experience: United States Army (1951-1953) with the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Unit.

New York State Governor Hugh Leo Carey (D-NY St)
Experience: Member, US House of Representatives from New York State's 12th and 15th Districts (1961-1974); 51st Governor of New York State since January 1, 1975.
Military Experience: United States Army during World War II; New York State Army National Guard.

Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch (D-MS)
Experience: Member, Mississippi House of Representatives (1960-1964); District Attorney for the 17th Judicial District (1965-1971); 57th Governor of Mississippi since January 20, 1976 (term ending January 22, 1980)
Military Experience: United States Army during World War II.

REPUBLICANS:
Former CIA Director George Herbert Walker Bush (R-TX)
Experience: Member, US House of Representatives from Texas' 7th Congressional District (1967-1971); 10th US Ambassador to the United Nations (March 1, 1971-January 18,1973); Chairman, Republican National Committee (January 19, 1973-September 16, 1974); 2nd US Chief Liaison to the People's Republic of China (September 26, 1974-November 13, 1975); 11th Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (December 7, 1975-May 28, 1979).
Military Experience: United States Navy during World War II (1942-1945).

United States Senator Robert J. Dole (R-KS)
Experience: Member, Kansas House of Representatives from District 81 (1951-1953); Member, US House of Representatives from District 6 and District 1(1961-1969); United States Senator from Kansas since 1969.
Military Experience: United States Army during World War II.

Former US Treasury Secretary John Connally (R-TX)
Experience: 56th US Secretary of the Navy (January 25, 1961-December 20, 1961); 39th Governor of Texas (January 15, 1963 to January 21, 1969); 61st US Secretary of the Treasury (February 11, 1971-June 12, 1972).
Military Experience: United States Navy during World War II.

*************FORMED EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE**********
Former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R-CA)
Experience: 9th and 13th President of the Screen Actors Guild (March 10, 1947-November 10, 1952; November 16, 1959-June 12, 1960; 33rd Governor of California (January 2, 1967 to January 6, 1975).
Military Experience: United States Army Air Force Reserves (1937-1945).

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT DEVELOPMENTS: PRESIDENT HOLTON MAKES IT OFFICIAL: HE WILL NOT SEEK FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM IN 1980; PLEDGING ON CONTINUING SERVING THE NATION!

President Linwood Holton addressing the White House Press Corps.
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At 10:57 AM EST, June 23, 1979, reporters of the White House Press Corps were summoned to the Virginia State Capitol Conference Room in Richmond, Virginia for a major statement by President Linwood Holton. There had been speculation that Holton was supposed to make this important announcement set for this Fall, but sources indicate Holton decided to move things up by speeding up the timetable as well; there was no detailed specific information given in what the President would say and the gathering was just announced hours in advance, which some would assume it was supposed to be about the upcoming 5th G-7 Summit (more on that soon in the timeline) at the State Guesthouse in Tokyo, Japan set for June 28th-29th.

President Holton: "Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the White House Press Corps and my fellow Americans. I would like to sincerely apologize for this abrupt scheduling of this meeting and that many of you didn't have the necessary time of preparing and potentially discomforting coming from this development. However, the decision was supposed to be made in the fall, had to be moved up in the timetable of sense, because this is decision that I have debated about for the last several weeks and it is one that I am about to announce is one with thorough consideration and one that I need to make as soon as possible. Both for myself and my family, this has been a long process of reflection.

Right now, as I am speaking, America is facing numerous challenges, both domestically here at home and abroad. However, over the course of the past several weeks, I have been busy working on fulfilling my duties as the 40th President of the United States with several accomplishments in just over five months. The possibility of an exhausting political campaign would've made it increasingly difficult for me to continue fulfilling these duties of the office. And while I am extremely grateful to all of your passionate support during a potential campaign effort, it has become evident that the American people must have new leadership and passing on the mantle of leadership is what I intend to do. Therefore, I am announcing that I will not be seeking election to a full four-year term as President of the United States. I want everyone to know, that this was not an easy decision to make and a very difficult one to make, because neither do I shrink from the responsibility or the task to earning your trust and confidence. As I had carefully weighed in various different factors over the past few weeks, I came to the conclusion on whether I had to decide whether I spend the next several months and next year out campaigning or whether, I would continue, with all of my heart and mighty with the help of almighty God, to serving as as full-time President, working on fulfilling the people's business. And that's exactly what I strongly intend on doing. Until January 20, 1981, when my successor whoever it will be, will take this solemn oath of office.

When Nelson Rockefeller asked me to serve as Vice President in 1975, I said absolutely yes. I am also proud on what we have achieved together, especially after earning the American people's trust in such an overwhelming landslide victory in 1976. The Rockefeller/Holton years were a time of great renewal and incredible progress. America is more respected than ever before, all over the world that it ever was in its 203 year history. And still, we've got a lot of business which needs to be done, to forming the perfect union. Every single day, hour, minute and step by step. This is exactly what I intend on doing 24/7 in the remaining months left and beyond my Presidency. I shall always and forever be a humble servant of the American people.

Thank you very much for the privilege and honor of serving you, the American people. God Bless you all and most of all, God Bless the United States of America!"

The Fallout: Once President Holton left the Conference Room, reporters yelled questions out to him, to which he refused to respond. However, White House internal sources said that Holton was planning on making the official decision originally scheduled for September 25th, but decided to move up the timetable because of the national press coverage about his political future. With his shocking political bombshell now official, which comes less than 12 days after Vice President Brooke announced his retirement from politics by not seeking political office in 1980, this leaves the 1980 Presidential election completely wide open on the Republican side as political observers strongly expect former California Governor Ronald Reagan (R) to launch his campaign in the Fall and make it official by then, which pretty much means Reagan is the obvious odds-on favorite for the Republican Party presidential nomination in 1980.

Headlines of June 23, 1979:
*Shocking Political Bombshell of Campaign '80: Holton declines to seek full four-year term as President, all but clearing the way for Reagan
*With the exits of Holton and Brooke: the Republican Party almost certainly moving to the hardcore Right
*What caused Holton not to seek a full four-year term in 1980? Political experts want to know......
*Liberal Republicans all but politically homeless in the Republican Party with the retirements of Holton and Brooke; they should consider going to a new home: Democratic Party.
*Revenge of Senator Goldwater: finally gaining total control of the Republican Party from the East Coast Establishment folks.
*Can Senators Kennedy, Chiles and Governors Finch, Carey work hard to protect the legacies of Kennedy, Johnson, Rockefeller and Holton from being dismantled?
*Specific details and ways Reagan can win the Presidency.
*Beneficiary of the exits of President Holton and Vice President Brooke: Ronald Wilson Reagan!

 

[Sergeant Foley]

PRESIDENT HOLTON VISITS JAPAN; ATTENDS 5TH G-7 SUMMIT

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*June 25-29, 1979: President Linwood Holton made the 5th international trip of his Presidency by visiting Japan, where he attended a brief welcoming ceremony inside Akasaka Palace, which is the government guest house in the expansive palace courtyard where Emperor Hirohito watched President Holton walking along the red carpet reviewing Japanese troops including greeting scores of dignitaries. Soon afterwards, President Holton and Emperor Hirohito both rode together in a limousine, which took them to the nearby Imperial Palace, where Holton also greeted other members of the Japanese Imperial Royal Family.

Holton soon began the first of his meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira at the beginning of the President's three-day visit to Japan. However, overwhelming the visit was the 5th G7 Summit, where at the very top of the agenda: Energy. It will take place following OPEC, who is meeting in Geneva, where they're expected to be moving in approving another increase in the world price of oil.

During the 5th G7 Summit, where among those in attendance included: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; Japanese Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira; Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark; Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti; West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt; French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing; European Community Commission President Roy Jenkins and President Holton himself. In the aftermath of the sudden death of the late Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi on March 12th and the ascension of his wife, Queen Farah Diba Pahlavi as the Middle Eastern country's new Head of State, the economic summit also had to grapple with the Energy Crisis: where tempers between some of the attendees quickly escalated when Chancellor Schmidt scolded President Holton, by accusing him of "using American interference in the Middle East trying to work a peace treaty" in reference to the Camp David Accords which began under the late President Nelson Rockefeller and continued under Holton, for causing the oil problems across the world. In response, Holton reportedly punched Schmidt in the face and told him to "sit down and shut the fuck up" causing a nearly explosive fight where Holton had to be physically restrained by Giscard d'Estaing.

Gallup Polling Survey (June 25, 1979)
Job Approval for President Linwood Holton:
Approve: 72%
Disapprove: 16%

Job Approval for First Lady Jinks Holton:
Approve: 83%
Disapprove: 12%

Job Approval for Vice President Edward W. Brooke, III:
Approve: 71%
Disapprove: 16%

Job Approval for US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson:
Approve: 69%
Disapprove: 18%

Job Approval for US Secretary of Defense John G. Tower:
Approve: 57%
Disapprove: 25%

COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: President Holton's State Visits to the Republic of Korea and United Kingdom.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: ROYAL CORONATION OF HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY FARAH DIBA PAHLAVI SET FOR MARCH 10, 1980

*June 27, 1979: While everyone was busy with the explosive brawl between US President Linwood Holton and West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt over in Tokyo at the 5th G-7 Summit, there was official confirmation of the upcoming Royal Coronation of Her Imperial Majesty Farah Pahlavi as the Queen of Iran.

The Royal Palace announcing that the Royal Coronation ceremony will be on March 10, 1980 with the traditional Royal military and traditional precisions including Cannon Salutes honoring the new Head of State.

It's expected that several foreign dignitaries will be attending the festivities.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

PRESIDENT HOLTON VISITS REPUBLIC OF KOREA IN HISTORIC STATE VISIT; MEETS WITH ROK PRESIDENT PARK CHUNG-HEE

​

*June 29-July 1, 1979: Next on the itinerary was President Holton's State Visit to the Republic of Korea. Air Force One landed at the Kimpo International Airport, where the Holton's were greeted by ROK President Park Chung-hee and his daughter, defacto ROK First Lady Park Geun-hye. The 21 Cannon Salute was fired followed by the respective National Anthems of the United States and the Republic of Korea; President Holton reviewed the military troops of the ROK Armed Forces during the Honor Guard Inspection.

The Holton's and Park's then rode together in the limousine accompanied by US Secret Service, Korean Presidential Security Service agents and other vehicles left the Kimpo International Airport and rode through the heart of Seoul past cheering throngs of well-wishers waving American and Republic of Korea flags; Holton and Park held talks inside the Blue House (Residence of the ROK President), where they discussed US/ROK diplomatic relations; the ROKUS Military Alliance; National security threats from North Korea, etc; and other specific topics, it is reported that Holton pledged full support of Park's government 100%.

In the evening of June 29th, there was a State Banquet held at the Blue House, where President Holton and President Park respectively delivered remarks highlighting the ROKUS Alliance; the height of the ongoing Cold War, etc., following the State Banquet, there was special entertainment from traditional Korean female dancers afterwards. On June 30th, Holton addressed the US Forces Korea military troop personnel stationed in the Republic of Korea including the UN Forces Command. He also took a tour of the DMZ, where he was accompanied by US Army General John William Vessey, Jr., Commander of the US Forces Korea and attended a special military exercise event at the ROK Army 1st Corps Headquarters later that afternoon.

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: President Holton meets with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

Personal PoV's: Meanwhile in the Suburbs (Part II)
10:35 AM, July 14, 1979
Robles Ranch
Outskirts of Robles City, United Mexican States
​

While things were quiet inside the private quarters of Los Pinos where Fernanda was still recovering from her recent fainting episode and surgery on May 21st, her husband, the flamboyant Mexican President General Oscar Robles, was busy "exercising"....

It had been common knowledge that Oscar and Fernanda's marriage in 1969 was seen by many as a political stunt and smokescreen to covering up their secret lifestyles. While the populace strongly supported them due to their efforts of reducing poverty, implementing infrastructure projects across Mexico, building schools, hospitals, etc., there were several opponents who weren't impressed with either of them.

Speaking of the flamboyant Robles (full backstory on him somewhere around Chapter 7 in the tailend): he was supposedly "exercising" at his private ranch in the outskirts of Robles City (which he renamed the small town after himself of course), but in reality: Robles was busy thoroughly penetrating a naive beautiful young woman named Hannah, aged 20. She was naked and barefoot in the bed as she tried to cover up her moans, but the aggressive penetration from Robles was too much as she screamed and cried at the same time "Please your Excellency, don't...." Robles then kissed the back of her neck and told her, "You are mine beautiful young lady. Just enjoy the beautiful nature of love" as they continued having sexual intercourse all day long.

Allegations of infidelity has been the talk across Mexico and parts of Latin America for years or decades, depending whom you asked. Of course historian Maxwell Cortez thinks the rumors had always been part of the opposition's typical rhetoric due to their disgust of the Military Junta taking over the Mexican government in the Spring of 1973. Cortez summed it up like this: "Not saying what Robles or Arizmendi did was right, but both were ambitious, determined to getting what they want and also can also be generous to the people despite the opponents criticizing them," in reference to the flamboyant and controversial couple.

Of course, there were allegations against Mexican First Lady Fernanda Arizmendi and her personal life too. Some of the allegations ranged from Fernanda having notorious sexual and extramarital affairs with plenty of people including the rumors that she was having a secret sex escapade with then-US President Nelson Rockefeller during the latter's working visit to Mexico in Spring 1976. No proof has been given to the basis of this accusation, but considering Rockefeller's secretive sexual appetites, it wouldn't have been a surprise to anyone if Arizmendi and Rockefeller engaged in sexual escapades on more than one occasion.

Other allegations were that Fernanda engaged in lesbian sexual escapades as well due having all-female staff members working inside her office at the National Palace.

Speculation swirled behind closed doors on Fernanda's whereabouts during the weeks leading up to Rockefeller's sudden death on January 26, 1979 while she was in the midst of her tour of the United States and Canada; Close members of Fernanda's inner circle of course refused to talk due to strong code of silence and strong personal loyalty to the flamboyant and controversial First Lady of the United Mexican States.

Robles, if course, was accused of fathering more than 25 children from five different women. In an autobiographical sketch highlighting the Robles years, Cortez summed up the following:
"The Generalissimo was your typical ladies man. All of the beautiful young women wanted him and had pictures of Robles on the walls of their rooms. Some women referring to referred him as Mexico's JFK: Youth, Vigor, Stamina and Aggressive Energy. It was almost surprising that nobody knew of Robles' extracurricular activities behind closed doors: The wives and daughters of the Junta members were attracted to Robles as well, which was a bit of a surprise considering neither of the Junta members didn't kill Robles. I'm sure one of them was furious that their boss was sleeping with their wives and daughters."
------"Robles: Path to Power"
Autobiography (2003)
Maxwell Cortez

 

[Red_Tornado]

[will the conservative novement ever happen in this timeline?

 

[Sergeant Foley]

[will the conservative novement ever happen in this timeline?

I haven't gotten that far yet, but answering your question: YES it's likely Reagan will win in 1980 somewhere around Chapter 10. However, you can expect Chapters 8 and 9 to be heavily focused on the 1980 US Presidential election campaign 😎

Expect backstory Installments on the following Foreign Heads of State:
*Republic of Korea President Park Chung-hee (I'll be going into full detail on the 10.26.79 Incident including how the KCIA instigated his assassination).
*Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.,
*Chilean President General Augusto Pinochet.
******Both Pinochet and Marcos, Sr., will be factored in Chapter 10 due to long focus on the 1980 Presidential election.

 

[Sergeant Foley]

...."The second Holton and Brooke announced their respective retirements from politics, I knew the Conservatives took full control of the Republican Party. Liberal and Moderate Republicans were politically homeless in what used to be the Party of Lincoln.

Quite clear the Reaganites were determined to up the ante even further against their perceived enemies including those, who backed Rocky overwhelmingly in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries. Let's be honest: Nobody was beating Rockefeller in 1976 and I mean nobody! It was assumed that Reagan would have to wait until 1984 on the assumption of Rocky winning a second full term in 1980, but when Congress passed the controversial Stability in American Government Act during the lame duck session following the 1978 Midterms, everyone assumed Rocky, who was massively popular overall, would stick around forever by running non-stop in 1980 and 1984, which would've made him our longest-serving President by January 20, 1989.

Sadly, it was not to be as news broke that Rockefeller passed away from a sudden heart attack on the late night hours of January 26, 1979 while working in his office at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, New York State.

Rockefeller's sudden death led to Holton's ascension as the 40th President of the United States. He had a tough job and difficult task ahead of him: leading a shell-shocked nation mourning the death of his massively popular predecessor plus dealing with domestic and foreign policy challenges during his administration.

As the country slowly moved on, Holton was grappled with the chaotic situation in the Middle East: Where the Shah died overnight on March 12, 1979 in Cairo, Egypt while undergoing medical treatment for lymphoma. Due to the chaotic constitutional crisis, everyone breathing a sigh of relief when Farah Pahlavi ascending to the Throne as Iran's new Monarch and the country's first female Head of State leading her country during difficult times. At least there was no threat of revolution against the Monarchy..... Basically, Iran was calm once the remaining opposition got wiped out or driven into exile.

Another foreign policy challenge for Holton: Mexico. It was rumored by intelligence agencies that Robles was aggressively becoming the Juan Peron of Mexico and with the controversial refuge policy of allowing former Nazis and their families to live in Mexico, this became a huge problem as Holton threatened to use tariffs on Mexican goods and products if the flamboyant and controversial Mexican President didn't stop sheltering Nazis. It was also a topic of discussion between President Holton and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, where Begin demanded Robles extradite all of the living Nazis to face criminal prosecution, etc.,

According to unnamed sources: Holton was overheard scolding Robles over the phone saying: "FUCK YOU JACKASS CRAZY GENERAL!"
*Quote from former United States Senator Daniel J. Evans (R-WA St)
------"Leadership during Foreign Policy Challenges: Presidency of Linwood Holton (1979-1981)"
Excerpt: Spring 2004
COMING UP IN CHAPTER 7 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: More Personal PoV's 😎

 

[Sergeant Foley]

....."Seeing this hypocrite destroying a proud country and ruining any vestige of reputation that he once had, makes me angry. It made me sick watching this jackass of a President gloating about promoting stability in the government using the Yushin Constitution to maintain his grip on power has gotten to the point of seeing protests against President Park's authoritarian government going from small pockets in parts of Seoul and escalating in Busan.

It has gotten to the point of something has to be done to stop this madness in the Republic of Korea right now! We have to stop the Dictator from taking us down the fucking rabbit hole with him because if we don't do it, I am afraid of what Park and those ambitious freaks inside the Republic of Korea Armed Forces will do to us if this mission doesn't succeed...

We know the international community isn't going to piss off Park, so it has become apparent upon us that only I have to stop the madness once and for all!"
------Disgruntled KCIA agent
Secret Diary
July 25, 1979