Alternate History ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ November 2, 1976: President Nelson Rockefeller wins election to full 4-year term and the aftermath

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Chapter 5: Meanwhile in Virginia

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
Wilder
11:56 AM EST, Thursday, November 30, 1978
Richmond, Virginia

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United States Senator Lawrence Douglas Wilder (D-VA), whose upset landslide victory over then-United States Senator Harry F. Byrd (I-VA) in the 1976 Virginia US Senate election in what observers considered a huge political upset considering that President Rockefeller easily carried the Old Dominion by double digits of 20+ percentage points.

Since coming to the United States Senate on December 3, 1976, Wilder had been busy working on major pieces of legislation: lobbying hard to making Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 1977; filing legislation on Ethics Reform in light of the Watergate Scandal; co-sponsoring the Americans for Prosperity Act of 1977; using his oratory skills and bipartisan approaches with Senate Republicans when it comes to foreign affairs, national defense, etc.,

Wilder also faced some hostility from others such as United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) ,who tried to make things difficult for Wilder on the Senate floor with racially-charged epithets launched at the Junior United States Senator from Virginia. Attempts at pushing legislation on antipoverty programs were blocked by Helms.

Inside the Old Dominion, there was outright hostility towards Wilder by several key figures of the fading controversial Byrd Organization: whom they consider Wilder as a threat to the status quo. They tried to do everything to undermine the Senator 24/7: from wiretapping Wilder's US Senate campaign headquarters during the 1976 campaign; mailing racially-charged campaign paraphernalia in Southwestern Virginia; leaking embarrassing details on Wilder's personal life including documents on Wilder's divorce from his wife of 20 years.

The hostility also lead to death threats which forced Wilder to hire extra security guards including those from the US Capitol Police.
 
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Chapter 5: The Silver Fox from Louisiana

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
EWE
1:16 PM CST, Tuesday, December 19, 1978
Louisiana Governor's Mansion
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) and his wife, Louisiana First Lady Elaine Edwards.

Louisiana Governor Edwin Washington Edwards (D) was winding down his second term in the Louisiana Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge which was due to end on Monday, March 10, 1980. Not allowed to run for a third consecutive four-year term in the 1979 gubernatorial elections, he was looking forward to spending time with his family and doing some private law practice; however, there was an urge of seeking the Governorship again in 1983 (more on that later in the timeline).

Having shocked political analysts, experts and observers with his political rhetoric and public persona as a traditional Louisiana populist modeling it after legendary, but controversial Louisiana Governors Huey P. Long (who later served in the United States Senate) and Earl K. Long. During his first two terms, Edwards quickly developed a reputation (depending on whom you ask whether you liked or hated him) as being one of the most flamboyant, colorful and controversial politicians in the history of Louisiana, which was obviously known for its unorthodox political figures.

During his administration, Edwards appointed more women and minorities to high positions in state government than any of his predecessors. He was also instrumental in the creation of a new state constitution (which he openly intended to replace the 1921 Constitution altogether); a statewide constitutional convention was held early in his first term in 1973 and the resulting documents in the newly-created State Constitution was put into effect in 1975. As of today, the 1973 Constitution is viewed as one of Edwards' main achievements. He also aggressively undertook a major reorganization of how state government was being run: eliminating 80 state agencies and modeling the remaining structure following the federal government.

Plus Louisianans approved of his job performance during his first two terms in office as the economic situation in Louisiana was doing amazingly well. For example: the expansion of the Pelican State's oil revenues by basing severance taxes on a percentage of the price of each barrel rather than the former flat rates. The large amounts of oil money also fueled massive increases in state spending ranging around 163%. Edwards also managed to balancing the state budget because of the massive oil boom in revenue. Majority of this spending went to areas such as health and human service programs; increasing funding for vocational-technical schools and higher education.

Having delivered the Democratic Party Response to President Rockefeller's 1976 State of the Union Address, Edwards also increased his national exposure by endorsing California Governor Jerry Brown (D)'s campaign for the Democratic Party Presidential nomination that same year in a bid to prevent Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, Jr., (D) from winning the nomination. Despite hardworking efforts, Wallace ultimately won the nomination.....only to get crushed by the popular Republican President Nelson Rockefeller in a massive landslide in the November 2, 1976 general election. Audio recordings leaked revealed that Edwards and close confidant James Carville both slammed Wallace's campaign strategy as divisive, incompetent and too much word-salad idiocy.

National Democrats were quietly lobbying Edwards to consider running for the Presidency in 1980. But he wasn't interested in challenging one of the most popular Presidents in American history because of his hesitations of getting blown out badly (see the 1976 Presidential election where Rocky trounced Wallace).
 
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Chapter 5: 1977 College Football Season (Part I)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish QB Joe Montana throws the football during #5 Notre Dame's 38-10 blowout victory over #1 Texas Longhorns during the 1977 Cotton Bowl Classic.

The 1977 College Football Season was supposed to be having a happy ending for the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns Football Team, who hired Fred Akers as their Head Coach following the resignation of the legendary Darrell K. Royal following the 1976 Season. Upon taking over as the Longhorns Head Football Coach, Akers and his coaching staff immediately got rid of the Wishbone offense (which was legendary on Royal's watch) and opted for relying on the running backs including the implementation of the I-Formation offense.

Leading the Longhorns offensive attack during the 1977 campaign was popular running back Earl Campbell, who in his Senior year with the football team, rushed for 1,744 yards with 19 touchdowns. During the third game of the regular season against Rice, Campbell scored four touchdowns in a 72-15 blowout victory that also included a 67-yard field goal from kicker Russell Erxleben, who set an all-time NCAA record. During each of his four seasons, Campbell was selected as the Southwest Conference Running Back of the Year and finished with 4,444 career rushing yards overall. In their regular season finale on November 26, 1977: Campbell rushed for 222 rushing yards (a career high) during the Longhorns' 57-28 victory over their arch-rival #12 Texas A&M Aggies, finishing the regular season undefeated with (11-0) record and winning their 27th Southwestern Conference Championship in school history.

Among the Awards and Honors the Longhorns received:
*Earl Campbell: Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy, Consensus All-American.
*Brad Shearer: Outland Trophy, Consensus All-American.
*Fred Akers: SWC Coach of the Year.

The 1978 Cotton Bowl pitted #1 Texas Longhorns (11-0) against #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) on January 2, 1978 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas before an estimated record crowd of 76,701, who had arrived because they had assumed this would be the coronation of the Longhorn's fourth national championship in school history. However, the Fighting Irish was determined to shock the College Football world......

Despite Campbell rushing for 116 yards and 29 carries for the Longhorns, he was kept out of the end-zone as the Fighting Irish defense had shut him down. Following a 3-3 tie in the first quarter, the Fighting Irish scored three touchdowns within eight minutes before halftime: Terry Eurick scored two touchdowns (following fumble recoveries by the Longhorns' offense coughing up the football); Vagas Ferguson received a 17-yard touchdown pass from Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana (future four-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers). It wasn't until the Longhorns FINALLY got into the end-zone with Mike Lockett getting a 13-yard touchdown pass from Longhorns quarterback Randy McEachern with just 1 second left before halftime, trailing 24-10.

From that point on, the Fighting Irish defense shut out the Longhorns in the second half, while Notre Dame scored two additional touchdowns: Ferguson's 3-yard touchdown run during the third quarter with 6:49 remaining and a 26-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter with 9:41 remaining in the fourth quarter leading up to a 38-10 blowout victory. The Most Valuable Players of the Game: Fighting Irish linebacker Bob Golic for the defense and Fighting Irish running back Vagas Ferguson for the offense. This was the 10th national championship for the Fighting Irish.

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 5: PART II of the 1977 College Football Season.
 
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Chapter 5: International Headlines (Fall 1978)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
NEWS BULLETIN: THE SHAH SECRETLY LEAVES IRAN FOR UNKNOWN DESTINATION

*Thursday, December 21, 1978: Rumors have exploded on the whereabouts of the ailing Shah, whose health problems have become more precariously serious which doctors urged medical attention outside of Iran.

Depending on whom you ask, The Shah was secretly smuggled out of the country via US intelligence agents in am unmarked plane to avoid being discovered by angry rebellious protesters who have been violently enraged due to the constant demonstrations following the recent aggressive crackdown against the demonstrators.

White House spokespersons urged calm and restraint, clarifying they're monitoring the situation in Iran very closely.
 
Chapter 5: International Headlines (Fall 1978)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: STROESSNER INVITES PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER TO VISIT PARAGUAY
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*Saturday, December 23, 1978: In an interview with Paraguyan television news stations, Paraguyan President General Alfredo Stroessner confirmed he spoke with US President Nelson Rockefeller over the phone: discussing US/Paraguyan relations, bilateral cooperation efforts, etc.,

Stroessner also said he invited Rockefeller to visit Paraguay sometime following the Christmas holiday break. Rockefeller accepted the invitation to be there.

Details are being worked out on the logistics regarding security. Speculation swirling it'll take place sometime around December 29th.

PERONISTAS VOW TO TAKE BACK GOVERNMENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY

*In the Argentine Republic, groups of diehard and staunch Peronistas vow to keep speaking out against the violent, extremely repressive military dictatorship of Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla by any means necessary until the country returns to democracy.

Over 37,000+ opponents of the Military Junta have been arrested, tortured and mysteriously disappeared. Videla continues doubling-down on using aggressive violent methods against all forms of opposition because he wants to cleanse the Argentine Republic of all social ills.

PROGRESS IN MIDEAST PEACE ACCORDS

*US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson is busy working on the Mideast Peace Accords with several Middle Eastern countries. Experts state the negotiations are currently ongoing due to untangling years of hostility between Israel and neighboring Middle Eastern countries.

Wilson is currently in Jordan meeting with King Hussein on the Mideast Peace Accords and the progress of US/Jordanian diplomatic relations.
 
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Special Shout-out 😃

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
AUTHOR'S PERSONAL SHOUT-OUT: I would like to thank KingSweeden24 of "Bicentennial Man" from AH including @49ersfootball @WolfBear @bintananth @The Immortal Watch Dog for giving me the personal encouragement and inspiration on working on this super long timeline: The American Republic.

Stay tuned because I will continue with more highlights of the 1977 and 1978 College Football Seasons.
 
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Upcoming Installments of Chapter 6

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
AUTHOR'S NOTE ON CHAPTER 6: Coming Soon, the outlined sketch of Chapter 6 will focus on the following:
*January 26, 1979: Rocky's final moments
*The Secret Cover-Up and getting cover stories straight
*Breaking News Alerts across the world including channel-surfing.
*Holton becomes the 40th President
*Americans paying respects to Rocky in Washington, DC.
*February 5, 1979: State Funeral of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller.
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*Paying respects to Rocky at the New York State Capitol Rotunda in Albany, New York State.
*Final military honors rendered for Rocky at the Rockefeller Family Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York State.
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Upcoming Installments of Chapter 7 😎

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
AUTHOR'S NOTE ON CHAPTER 7: Here's the outlined sketch of Chapter 7 of "The American Republic" coming soon.
*America is for Lovers: The Presidency of Linwood Holton.
*National and International Headlines (Spring 1979)
*Personal PoV's.
*Foreign policy test for President Holton
*National and International Headlines (Summer 1979)
*July 14, 1979: President Holton announcing his political future.
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*Jockeying for position inside the Republican Party as Reagan plots his big comeback.
*Democrats facing potential dragged-out primary battles again.
*State Visits of the Holton Presidency
 
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Chapter 5: Personal PoV's

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following installment will be quite graphic and erotic. Viewer discretion advised!

Personal PoV's: An Argentinian soldier's secret life
10:25 PM ARGST, December 30, 1978
Somewhere in an undisclosed location in the Argentine Republic

"It was two days after Christmas and I was having a constant nervous habit. I had dreams about a mysterious, beautiful young woman in my sleep. Attempting to get the image out of my mind, I snuck in a secret drink out of my swask bag inside my underground private cave.

Returning to the living room, the phone rang and my cousin, Elaine asked me over the phone: "Everything ok Vincente? You've been having a nervous shaking sequence lately..." "I'm just nervous that's all" I told her by explaining it's the stress of the job that I've been doing lately, etc.,

After hanging up the phone, I locked the doors of the house and went to my study reading the local newspaper, doing other work with my current job, etc., The time was 10:25 PM when the flashbacks occurred once again: the images of the same young beautiful woman appeared in my dreams once again....this time she was calling my name and wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Deciding to get back into my super secret underground private hideout, I locked the doors with double-barrel locks and walked toward a casket, carefully opened it and gazed at the body of this beautiful young woman, aged 25 years old named Catalina Forteza (who died from severe complications of uterine cancer several weeks ago). She was a beauty pageant contestant who was well-known including her short acting career in the entertainment industry.

"Let's remove some stuff and see inside" I whispered as I removed all of her white clothing from head to toe, throwing the dress on the ground; she was naked and barefoot, I carefully lifted up her feet by massaging them including her hands, fingers making sure nothing was amiss.

Lifting her out of the casket, I placed Catalina on a black surface stretcher, removed the brown wig off of her head (she was bald underneath). The adrenaline rush inside me caused my urge to escalate when I used an incision to cut her open by removing all of the organs: brain: cerebrum; cerebellum; brain stem; pituitary; parathyroid; esophagus; larynx (including everything in the throat); heart; adrenals; ovaries; fallopian tubes; kidneys; stomach.

Putting all of the organs into a large cooler and proceeded to remove all of the skin off of Catalina from head to toe, putting it into the large cooler before locking it shut. Next, I sewed Catalina all up from head to toe, lifting her to place her on a steel slab and cleaned her up by using a power-washer, I left to take a quick shower.

Then I placed clear-like gel all over Catalina's naked skinless body. It was 12:29 AM when I took out a latex mask skin-suit with Catalina's resemblance and carefully put it on her by slowly adjusting it to make sure nothing was amiss, before carefully using blue paint-like chemicals including using a secret chemical on her.

What happened next was out of my control in the evening hours of December 29th when I carried Catalina out of the secret underground dungeon and carried her to my bed when I engaged in sex escapades with Catalina: for a dead woman, this young beautiful beauty pageant contestant and actress was beautiful dead even when she was alive. I know it was wrong, but I couldn't control myself.

The phone rang, I carefully got up from the floor and answered "Sergeant Toscano!" On the other line was one of my superior officers Lieutenant Colonel Gustav Bustamante, who said "Sergeant Toscano, are you alone? This is a very important call". Of course, I said "Of course I'm alone. Anything important?"

Lieutenant Colonel Bustamante responded "Listen up Toscano. Your presence is needed at Army intelligence headquarters. What time can you get here?"

"I'll arrive there at 7:00 PM," I told him before hanging up. I cleaned up Catalina's beautiful naked body from head to toe including placing a new brown wig on her head before lifting her up, walking back to the underground private secret dungeon; put her into a glass container before locking the doors.

Taking a shower and getting dressed in full dress military uniform, I closed the door to my house and locked it tightly before getting into the vehicle and driving all the way to the Army intelligence headquarters and participated in long meetings."
Sergeant Vicente Toscano
Argentine Republic Army
December 30, 1978
Secret Diary
 
Chapter 5: Polling Surveys

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
Gallup (Fall 1978)
Opinion of President Nelson Rockefeller:

Approve: 83%
Disapprove: 17%

Opinion of First Lady Happy Rockefeller:
Approve: 80%
Disapprove: 16%

Opinion of Vice President Linwood Holton:
Approve: 73%
Disapprove: 16%

Opinion of US Secretary of State Malcolm Wilson:
Approve: 61%
Disapprove: 25%

Opinion of US Secretary of Defense John Tower:
Approve: 57%
Disapprove: 38%

Opinion of US Attorney General Edward W. Brooke, III:
Approve: 73%
Disapprove: 23%

1980 Presidential Election Hypothetical Matchups:
Rockefeller (R): 64%
United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA): 23%

Rockefeller (R): 59%
New York State Governor Hugh Carey (D): 35%

Rockefeller (R): 73%
California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D): 16%

1980 Presidential Election Hypothetical: Do you think President Rockefeller might sweep all 50 States?
Yes: 83%
No: 16%


Do you support abolishing the 22nd Amendment in allowing future Presidents to seek reelection indefinitely?
Yes: 73%
No: 23%
 
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Chapter 5: Lame-duck Specials (Part I)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
LAME-DUCK POLITICAL NEWS: CONGRESS VOTES TO REPEAL 22ND AMENDMENT; PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION INTO LAW

*December 6, 1978: During the lame-duck legislative session following the 1978 Midterms, the Democratic-controlled Congress voted overwhelmingly to repeal the 22nd Amendment In controversial legislation called "Stability of American Government Act" which had previously passed in the Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives back in late July.

After five months of delaying tactics, the Democratic-controlled United States Senate voted in a 73-23 vote passing the controversial legislation which was signed into law by President Rockefeller, who was asked if there was going to be backlash against him or Congress for doing this extreme measure: "I strongly believe the American people has confidence that regardless who's in the White House, that person can be elected any times he or she wants."

Political observers and analysts viewed the Stability of American Government Act as a pretext for the possibility of future Presidents to stay in office forever. With the repeal of the 22nd Amendment, supporters say it's necessary to have quiet stability during good and tough times.

President Rockefeller, who turned 70 on July 8th, is eligible to seek reelection for a second full four-year term in 1980. Co-sponsors of the legislation: United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and US Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX) said that Rockefeller is allowed to seek a third full four-year term in 1984 if he wants to, which could make him as the nation's longest-serving President with 13 1/2 years by January 20, 1989.

HELMS BLASTS STABILITY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ACT; CALLS IT A POWER-GRAB

*Not surprisingly, conservatives blasted the Stability of American Government Act particularly United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC), who held a bitter rambling press conference "This piece of garbage legislation is nothing more than a POWER-GRAB! It appears to me that Congress being run by big government liberals shoved this crap down our throats! In 1980, the American people will remember when they vote!"

ROCKY TODAY! ROCKY TOMORROW! ROCKY FOREVER? AMERICANS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE OF PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER'S JOB PERFORMANCE

*December 25, 1978: During the height of the Christmas holiday break, Gallup polled millions of Americans in the aftermath of the 1978 Midterm elections and the lame-duck legislative session, the result was overwhelming majority of Americans voiced approval of President Rockefeller's job performance with 83% approving; 6% said the opposite.

Asked if they supported the controversial Stability of American Government Act, 73% of Americans in all 51 States said they strongly approve; only 12% expressed skepticism.

US SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS STABILITY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ACT IS THE LAW OF THE LAND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

*December 27, 1978: The US Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in favor of the Stability of American Government Act by effectively declaring it the law of the land for generations and generations to come.

This pretty much effectively kills the 22nd Amendment forever as political analysts predict it'll embolden several States to abolishing term limits as well. Anti-term limits advocates proudly praised the Stability of American Government Act as proof that stability in local, state, federal government is needed.

COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 5 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Highlights of President Rockefeller's State Visits to the Caribbean and Latin America.
 
Chapter 5: Lame-duck Specials (Part II)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR EDMUND G. BROWN, JR., (D) NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 1980; STAYING FOCUSED ON SACRAMENTO
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*December 27, 1978: Fresh off of his landslide reelection victory, California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., (D) was asked by reporters in Sacramento if he was interested in seeking the Presidency in 1980. Brown responded with the following: "While I'm honored by the national interests of many who want me to run for the Presidency in 1980, I strongly believe that my current focus must be trained laser-eyed on the job that Californians rehired me to doing the job that I was just overwhelmingly reelected to do last month. With all due respect, I will NOT be a candidate for President!"

Brown's refusal to seek the Presidency in 1980 is leaving Democrats at a major crossroads politically due to the Rockefeller massive landslide in 1976; while Democrats kept control of the US House of Representatives and the United States Senate last month, they lost several Governorships during the 1978 Midterm elections, which likely means the Democratic Party will have to focus elsewhere on who'll become the sacrificial lamb in two years.

WILL HE OR WON'T HE? INDECISION ON SENATOR CARTER'S POLITICAL FUTURE CONTINUING TO MOUNT

Speculation is swirling aggressively about whether United States Senator James E. Carter, Jr., (D-GA) will seek reelection to a second six-year term in 1980 or forgo his US Senate seat in order to seek the Presidency.

Carter hasn't said anything about his future political plans only telling reporters "I'm focused on my job as Georgia's junior United States Senator and that's what the people of Georgia hired me to do in 1974." Despite being on the Democratic Party ticket as the Democratic Party nominee for Vice President in 1976, many political analysts wondered if Carter might leave politics altogether due to the strenous requirements and long duties of serving in the United States Senate.

There's also talk of Georgia Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller (D) might be talking about launching a primary challenge against Carter in the 1980 Democratic primary for the United States Senate; former United States Senator Herman Talmadge (D-GA) is considering primarying Carter as well.

CHILES FOR PRESIDENT?

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United States Senator Lawton Chiles (D-FL) was interviewed by local newspapers in Tallahassee during the lame-duck session and was asked if he was interested in seeking the 1980 Democratic Party presidential nomination. Chiles smiled saying "Never say never because I want to take my time in making a specific clear decision about running for the Presidency in 1980."
 
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Chapter 5: Lame-duck Specials (Part III)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
THE SHAH SECRETLY RETURNS TO IRAN FROM MEDICAL EMERGENCY

*December 28, 1978: Following a secret "medical checkup", the Shah returned to Iran via secret private airplane on a late evening and returned to the Royal Palace in heavily guarded security detail.

No other details about why he left the country, but it's been speculated that the Shah's medical condition has been noted as serious, but close advisers suggest nothing more is to be worried about the health situation of the Shah in light of the recent aggressive crackdown against demonstrators.

MYSTERIOUS SWISS BANKER FOUND DEAD; DETAILS UNKNOWN

In a story which turned into an out of control soap opera, the mysterious Swiss banker who was accused of embezzling the Vatican and other illegal activities, before he mysteriously fled capture from Italian federal law enforcement agencies, was found dead in the outskirts of Rome, Italy.

Details haven't been revealed considering the mysterious death is under investigation.

POLITICAL NEWS: CARTER TO ANNOUNCE DECISION ON POLITICAL FUTURE ON DECEMBER 31ST

Meanwhile back in the States, spokerson from the office of United States Senator James E. "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., (D-GA) announced that Georgia's junior United States Senator will make an announcement about his political future sometime on December 31st in the closing days of the lame-duck.

Political observers believe Carter hasn't raised any money nor held campaign fundraisers despite campaigning for fellow Georgia Democrats such as United States Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA) and Georgia Governor George Busbee (D).

The consensus is that Carter is leaning towards announcing he will NOT be seeking reelection in 1980 and leaving politics altogether.

CAREY LIKELY FORMING EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1980.....AFTER LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN ALBANY ENDS

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On the cusp of his second inauguration as New York State's 51st Governor on January 1, 1979, New York State Governor Hugh Carey (D) has filed FEC paperwork in planning to form an exploratory committee with the likelihood of seeking the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1980.

Sources in Albany strongly state that Carey will make an official announcement once the legislative session is over, with June 1, 1979 as the official launching date.
 
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Chapter 5: Lame-duck Specials (Part IV)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
BREAKING NEWS ALERTS: MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PEACH STATE; UNITED STATES SENATOR JIMMY CARTER (D-GA) NOT SEEKING REELECTION IN 1980
*Georgia's junior United States Senator confirmed details with friends and supporters in private meetings during Thanksgiving holiday break.
*Political ramifications inside the Peach State escalating.
*Carter will not be endorsing any candidates in Democratic primary for the United States Senate.

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*December 31, 1978: In what many didn't see coming, United States Senator James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., (D-GA) held a press conference inside the Georgia State Capitol Rotunda in downtown Atlanta, announcing he was not seeking reelection in 1980 and will be leaving politics altogether once his term expires on January 3, 1981.

Carter explained while it was an honor serving Georgians in the United States Senate for the last three and a half years, the constant traveling and missing out on family gatherings, sporting events caused straining, stressful times. "I have decided not to seek reelection to another six-year term as your United States Senator in 1980. I've been in politics for nearly 26 years: serving as a member of the Sumter County Board of Education; Georgia State Senate; Governor of the great State of Georgia and currently as United States Senator since January 14, 1975 including being the Democratic Party nominee for Vice President in 1976 which resulted in winning three consecutive statewide elections in 1970, 1974 and 1976. After 26 years in politics, I've decided it's time for family to come first and foremost."

The political fallout has been escalating: Georgia Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller (D) and former United States Senator Herman Talmadge (D-GA) are likely candidates for Carter's US Senate seat. On the Republican side, national Republicans are recruiting candidates to seek the seat and potential of win it in two years.
 
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Chapter 5: Rocky's State Visits to the Caribbean and Latin America (Part I)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
PRESIDENT, FIRST LADY ROCKEFELLER VISIT PARAGUAY AMID DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS

*December 29, 1978: US President Nelson Rockefeller and US First Lady Happy Rockefeller boarded Air Force One in the late evening hours of December 28th and arrived in Asuncion, Paraguay at the Stroessner International Airport with Arrival Honors that included a loud thundering 21 Cannon Salute as well as the Honor Guard inspection.

Following the motorcade through the streets of Asuncion, the Rockefeller's arrived at the Presidential Palace where they met with authoritarian Paraguyan President General Alfredo Stroessner and his family.

Tensions between the two countries have been simmering over the surface in recent months due to the Democratic-controlled Congress voting to gut military and economic aid to Paraguay, which was over the strong objections of staunch national defense hawks of the Rockefeller administration. US Secretary of Defense John Tower blasted Congress on undermining the President's Good Neighbor Policy Initiative.

Of course, President Rockefeller vetoed the annoying controversial legislation HR#29 and the veto was NOT overridden due to conservative Democrats and Republicans uniting behind the Rockefeller administration's foreign affairs and national defense policies.

During the three-day visit, Rockefeller and Stroessner highlighted the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Paraguay. President Rockefeller also held a town hall meeting with Paraguyan college students where the topics ranged from the Good Neighbor Policy, economics, what's it like for Rocky to live in the White House, the abolishment of the 22nd Amendment, etc.,

Meanwhile, First Lady Rockefeller visited primary and secondary schools and met face-to-face with Paraguyan celebrities during a special New Years Eve celebration concert.
 
Chapter 5: Making North Carolina GREAT AGAIN!

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
Hunt
5:57 PM EST, December 29, 1978
North Carolina Executive Mansion
Raleigh, North Carolina
1977-01-08-taking-the-oath-of-office-jpg.486730

January 8, 1977: James Baxter Hunt, Jr., inaugurated as the 69th Governor of North Carolina.
Considered as one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party, North Carolina Governor James Baxter "Jim" Hunt, Jr., (D) introduced a double-pronged strategy during his first two terms in office: designed to encouraging long-term economic growth in the Tar Heel State; first, by improving education and second, by recruiting more industries and businesses with high-paying jobs.

While Hunt was successful in passing measures toward achieving these goals, he also coped with several key state issues that quickly caught national interest. The first issue of national interests was when US Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph Califano's aggressive campaign was launched in a bid to outlawing cigarette smoking. This controversial campaign from the HEW Department would have the drastic effect on dramatically lessening the profitability of tobacco, major cash crop of North Carolina.

Second major issue of national interest occurred when Califano struck again by announcing that the University of North Carolina System failed to adequately desegregate. This dragged on for the remainder of Hunt's first term; the UNC System desegregation issue was quietly resolved during the administration of President Ronald Reagan around 1981. Sometime around 1979, the Democratic-controlled North Carolina General Assembly passed an amendment allowing Governors to succeed themselves which Hunt easily exploited by successfully winning reelection in 1980 with 64% of the statewide vote, which catapulted him into potential Presidential contender status in the future.

Hunt's second term proved more aggressive and achieving lots of accomplishments including serving on the National Governors Association. National Democrats recruited the popular Hunt during 1982 to challenge staunch conservative United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) in the upcoming 1984 North Carolina US Senate election, where polling surveys showed Hunt leading by 22 percentage points.

Suddenly the shocking assassination of President Reagan in Seoul, Republic of Korea at the ROK Army 1st Corps Headquarters on November 13, 1983 flipped the 1984 North Carolina US Senate election upside down. Hunt's once-commanding lead in the polls evaporated due to Helms' vicious aggressive negative advertising attacks blasting Hunt's record as Governor including tying him to unpopular national Democrats.

Despite Hunt's focus on the main issues facing North Carolinians, Helms emerged victorious in a narrow election riding on the coattails of President George HW Bush in the November 5, 1984 general election. At the age of 47, Hunt's political career appeared to be over once he handed over the Governorship on January 5, 1985 to US Rep. Jim Martin (R-NC), who won the Gubernatorial election also riding on the popular Bush's coattails in 1984 and was easily reelected in 1988.

Hunt made a big political comeback by winning a historic third term as the 71st Governor in 1992 with 52% of the statewide vote and was reelected in 1996 with 56% of the statewide vote securing a fourth term, serving 16 years in the North Carolina Executive Mansion.
 
Chapter 5: 1977 College Football Season (Part II)

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1977 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON: BOWL GAMES (PART II)

#3 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE THROTTLES #9 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES IN THE SUGAR BOWL, 35-6.

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*January 2, 1978: In a match-up of coaching legends Bear Bryant and Woody Hayes, the third-ranked Crimson Tide, who reigned as the Southeastern Conference Champions and undefeated with a record of (11-0). Both Alabama and #6 Kentucky (10-1) finished undefeated in conference play, but due to the NCAA probation investigations, Kentucky wasn't eligible nor allowed to get a share of the SEC conference championship or even participate in postseason games. This pretty much all but assured the Crimson Tide would be representing the Southeastern Conference in Sugar Bowl against the Big 10 conference co-champions; it was the Crimson Tide's eighth appearance in the Sugar Bowl including their 31st bowl appearance overall in program history. Now this was their second game against a Big 10 opponent since 1928 when they faced Wisconsin.

The Buckeyes finished the 1977 regular season with an overall record of (9-2): losing to then-#3 Oklahoma 29-28 on September 24th and on the road to #5 Michigan (eventual Big 10 conference champion) in Ann Arbor on November 19th by a score of 14-6, both of these games were aired on ABC. The appearance marked the very first time that the Buckeyes had participated in the Sugar Bowl including their 12th overall bowl appearance; this was also their first game against an SEC team since 1935 when they defeated Kentucky in the season opener that season.

Ironically, the Sugar Bowl kicked off at 1:00 PM CST coinciding the Cotton Bowl Classic between eventual national champion #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs #1 Texas Longhorns (which the Fighting Irish trounced the Longhorns of course). Beginning in the second quarter, the Crimson Tide scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Tony Nathan which capped off a 10-play, 76-yard drive; their next possession resulted in a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Rutledge to Bruce Bolton taking a 13-0 lead at halftime. Picking up right where they left off, Alabama scored another touchdown when Rutledge threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Rick Neal, resulting in 21-0 lead for the Crimson Tide by the end of the 3rd Quarter. The Buckeyes finally got on the scoreboard with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Rod Gerald to Jim Harrell at the 13:34 mark in the 4th Quarter, but they couldn't convert the two-point conversion: 21-6.

The Crimson Tide closed out the 1977 Sugar Bowl with pairs of touchdown runs from Major Ogilvie (14 plays, 84 yards at 6:30 mark) and Johnny Davis (4 plays, 24 yards in the 5:09 mark) making the final score 35-6. On the statistics: the Crimson Tide had 25 first downs; 280 yards on 68 carries; 109 passing yards combining 389 yards of total offense. Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jeff Rutledge was named Most Valuable Player of the 1977 Sugar Bowl.

RAZORBACKS BLOWS OUT SOONERS IN ORANGE BOWL

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Noticing that the then top-ranked Texas Longhorns got blown out by Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl Classic, the Big 8 conference champion #2 Oklahoma Sooners (10-1) now had the inside track of winning their sixth national championship....if they can beat the #6 Arkansas Razorbacks (10-1) in the Orange Bowl. During the 1977 regular season, the Longhorns had defeated both the Razorbacks and Sooners in back-to-back weeks leading to their (11-0) record.

For the Sooners, despite losing to the Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas, Texas on October 8th, they had won sixth games in a row. This was their ninth appearance in the Orange Bowl in program history; the Razorbacks faced controversy behind the scenes, head coach Lou Holtz had suspended three players due to violating team rules. Two of the three players who got suspended: running back Ben Cowins and wide receiver Donny Bobo, both accounted for 78% of the Razorbacks' offense. Despite the protests from the suspended players to participate in the bowl game, Holtz refused to back down and doubled-down aggressively leading to the suspensions staying in place. Many college football analysts and experts had assumed Oklahoma would blow Arkansas out in the Orange Bowl; Oklahoma was favored by at least 18 points prior to the Arkansas suspensions. Following the suspensions, Las Vegas oddsmakers gave the Sooners to be favored by 24 points. It became apparent to everyone that the Orange Bowl was going to decide the 1977 national championship.

In the Orange Bowl: the Razorbacks showed the college football world by blowing out the Sooners 31-6 with the co-Most Valuable Players of the game awarded to Arkansas Razorback running back Roland Sales and teammate, nose guard Reggie Freeman.

HUSKIES UPSET WOLVERINES IN 1977 ROSE BOWL GAME

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During the third season under head coach Don James, the Washington Huskies quickly stumbled out of the gate, losing three of their four regular season games but rebounded with winning six out of seven games, losing to UCLA Bruins on October 29th (the Bruins' win was later vacated due to ineligible players and controversy); Washington finished the 1977 regular season with (7-4) record and with the Bruins losing to their crosstown rivals, USC Trojans 29-27, the Huskies won the Pacific-8 conference championship and entered the Rose Bowl Game ranked #13 and tied for #14 in the UPI Coaches Poll.

Michigan was lead by junior quarterback Rick Leach, they were ranked #2 and stayed there following the first four of the six weeks of the regular season. Despite an upset loss to Minnesota 16-0, they dropped to #6, but recovered with a 14-6 victory over their arch-rival Buckeyes and giving the Wolverines the Big 10 conference championship including an overall record of (10-1). They came into the Rose Bowl ranked #4 and were favored to win the game by 14 points...

In the 1977 Rose Bowl Game at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, the Huskies came out firing shocking the crowd: leading 17-0 at halftime; they extended their lead to 24-0 early in the 3rd quarter; Michigan however wasn't going to take this lying down by making an aggressive comeback attempt in the game, but fells short as Washington won the game 27-24. Washington Huskies quarterback Warren Moon was named Most Valuable Player of the game.
 
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Chapter 5: Rocky's final state visits as the 39th President

Sergeant Foley

Well-known member
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRIPS OF PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER (DECEMBER 29, 1978-JANUARY 20, 1979)

*January 4-9, 1979 (French Republic): Basse-Terre; Guadeloupe.
President Rockefeller met informally with French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and British Prime Minister James Callaghan.


*January 9-12, 1979 (Barbados): Bridgetown
Met with the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Dominica, Antiguia and Barbuda, Saint Christopher and Nevis; Saint Vincent and the Grenandines.

*January 12-13, 1979 (Haiti): Port-au-Prince
Met with Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvailier at the National Police and addressed joint session of the Haitian National Assembly.

*January 14-16, 1979 (Brazil): Rio de Janiero; Sao Paulo; Brasilia
Attended the Good Neighbor Policy Conference and met with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazao Odio; El Salvadoran President Carlos Humberto Romero; Mexican President General Oscar Robles; Honduran President General Policarpo Paz Garcia; Guatemalan President General Fernando Romeo Lucas Garcia; Colombian President Major General Seymour Quintero; Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley; Brazilian President Ernesto Geisel and Uruguayan President Aparicio Mendez.
*Spoke at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janiero.

*January 16-20, 1979 (Argentine Republic) San Carlos de Bariloche; Buenos Aires
Delivered several addresses; toured the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Bariloche; held town hall meeting with young Argentinian leaders, entrepreneurs and celebrities; laid a wreath at the tomb of Argentinian General Jose de San Martin at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires. Met with Argentine Republic President Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla and Argentine Republic First Lady Alicia Raquel Hartridge Lacoste de Videla at the Casa Rosada (Government Office); joint press conference between Presidents Rockefeller and Videla took place inside the Salon Blanco room of the Casa Rosada; State Dinner was held at the Quinta de Olivos in Olivos, Argentine Republic on the evening of January 16th; President and First Lady Rockefeller spent a few days at the Quina de Olivos (Residence of the Argentine Republic President) in Olivos.
 
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