Alternate History The State of the Future TL

[49ersfootball]

Chapter V: George & Barbara
9:58 PM EST, Thursday, June 18th, 1987
Kennebunkport, ME.

George & Barbara from back in the day​

The Vice President, his wife of 42 years, Barbara, their children & grandchildren all watched the resignation speech in silence at the family's private compound in Kennebunkport, ME. Barbara sat lifeless on the couch, holding her husband's hand while watching President Reagan announcing his resignation on television. George was also quiet, listening very closely & intently to the parting words of his close friend & onetime rival for the 1980 Republican presidential nomination. Their children & grandchildren all contained their anxieties & composure to themselves, realizing their lives as they knew it---were going to be changed forever. Following Reagan's speech, Bush---who generally liked & respected Ronald Reagan---couldn't help but feel the same indignant rage of feelings that so many Americans. While there was some acceptance of responsibility in terms of dropping the ball when it came to holding people accountable for the Iran-Contra Affair escalating into a disaster including some accounting of the misdeeds of several senior administration officials, George strongly felt Ronnie should've been more honest & upfront from the very beginning.

The US Secret Service quickly surrounded the property, with an increase of agents posted in the frontyard, backyard; the porch; including up & down the street. From this point on, things were not going to be very normal for the Bushes as the trappings of the Presidency was going to fall on the shoulders of George Herbert Walker Bush come July 14th, 1987. Bush, the son of legendary United States Senator Pierce Bush (R-CT) & World War II veteran of the United States Navy, was going to become the nation's 42nd chief executive. Now he was going to remain so. He had to. As the soon-to-be First Family retired to bed, but the Second Couple known by some as "The Original Ride & Die Couple" remained firmly on the couch in virtual silence. Finally, the Vice President spoke up on the situation.

"Barbara, I think we're going to need to begin cleaning house over there as soon as possible" he opined to his wife, "I can already sense there will be eager-beaver ambitious politicians plotting for 1988 in the primaries and I am going to be facing resistance for sure." in reference to Dole & Kemp including several others launching potential campaigns for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination with the speculation swirling former US Secretary of State Alexander Haig planning a bid in the primaries. Barbara was very well versed in the power networking that had been going on in the nation's capital city. While George's political career took off, Barbara quickly immersed herself in multiple projects, which piqued her interests such as various charities & women's groups of the Republican Party. When George was tapped by then-President Nixon to serve as US Ambassador to the United Nations, she formed relationships with prominent diplomats & their spouses in New York City, NY St. During the height of Watergate (which eventually resulted in Nixon's resignation in disgrace), Barbara strongly advised her husband in rejecting the offer of serving as Chairman of the Republican National Committee due to the aggressive heated political climate, but George being George & answering the call to serve the country in any way he could, chose to accept the position which ended up blowing up in his face once revelations revealed that Nixon flat out lied to him about other developments regarding the audio tapes & smoking gun evidence, etc., of the Watergate Scandal.

Then-President Gerald Ford named George to serve as the US Chief Liaison to the People's Republic of China in 1974, when the Bush family relocated to Beijing, China. While there, Barbara enjoyed their time in PRC, often rode bicycles with her husband in exploring cities & regions that few Americans had visited. However, following Ford's assassination on September 5th, 1975 that resulted in the ascension of Nelson Rockefeller to the Presidency, who terminated the Detente Policy with PRC & the Soviet Union including the Halloween Massacre, then-President Rockefeller recalled George back to the United States, where Rockefeller appointed him to serve as Director of Central Intelligence. Because of the ensuing sense of being isolated as well as not being able to achieving her own personal goals while other women were succeeding or surpassing their own goals, Barbara plunged into a depression, but chose not to seek professional help. She decided to deliver speeches & presentations about her time spent in the isolated communist PRC & volunteered at a local hospice.

It was during her six years as Second Lady, which made Barbara a nationally-household name. She took an interest in literacy issues (following her son Neil's diagnosis with dyslexia) & began working hard with several literacy organizations. She also spent time researching & learning about the factors of illiteracy---also believing that homelessness was a contributing factor---& efforts underway in combating both aggressively. As Second Lady of the United States, she traveled throughout the country & the world, either with her husband on official trips or by herself. In 1984, she wrote a children's book 'C. Fred's Story' & donated all of the book's proceeds to literacy charities & organizations.

Back to Kennebunkport: George wondered how would the country respond to his different kind of leadership, "How do you think we'll be accepted by the American people?" Barbara ribbed "George. You know what's also dangerous and concerning? Assuming the Presidency without a good night's sleep." as she turned off the lights and went upstairs, retiring to bed leaving the 44th Vice President of the United States alone in the living room in the glow of the television.

 

[49ersfootball]

Farewell Address from the Great Communicator
9:02 PM EST, Sunday, July 5th, 1987
Oval Office, White House
Washington, DC.

President Reagan delivering his Farewell Address to the Nation.​

The clock was ticking on the Presidency of Ronald Wilson Reagan & for the Great Communicator, he knew it. In just nine days, he was about to become a private citizen & having to stress about the ramifications of the Iran-Contra Scandal with the possibility of being indicted by federal prosecutors if things escalated to that point. The personal belongings & effects of the Reagan's were being packed up & placed into U-haul trucks which were on the South Portico of the White House as the inevitable clock was ticking down to July 14th.

President Reagan walked into the Oval Office to deliver his Farewell Address to the American people, where he would discuss several of his administration's accomplishments:

"My fellow Americans. This is the 34th time I'll be speaking with you and most likely the last. We've been together for 6 years now, and soon it'll be time for me to go. As many of you know in less than nine days I will be officially stepping down as your President and many of the allegations being made against me and members of my administration which are politically-motivated will be proven false as the truth comes out in due time. But before I leave, I wanted to share some thoughts, some of which I have been saving for some time.

Once again, it's been the honor of my life to be serving as your President for six wonderful, amazing and impactful years. So many of you have written the past few weeks to say thanks, but I could say as much to you. Nancy and I are both grateful for the opportunity you've given us to serve you, the American people.

One of the things about the Presidency is that you're always somewhat apart. You spend a lot of time going by too fast in a car someone else is driving, and seeing the people through tinted glass---the parents holding up a child, and the wave you saw too late and couldn't return. And so many times I wanted to stop and reach out from behind the glass, and connect. Well, maybe I can do a little of that tonight.

People ask how I feel about leaving. And the fact is, "parting is such sweet sorrow." The sweet part is California and the ranch and freedom. The sorrow------the goodbyes of course, and leaving this beautiful place.

You know, down the hall and up the stairs from this office is part of the White House where the President and his family live. There a few favorite windows I have up there that I like to stand and look out early in the morning. The view is over the grounds here to the Washington Monument, and then the Mall and the Jefferson Memorial. But on mornings when the humidity is low, you can see past the Jefferson to the river, the Potomac, and the Virginia shore. Someone said that's the view Lincoln had when he saw the smoke rising from the Battle of Bull Run. I see more prosaic things: the grass on the banks, the morning traffic as people make their way to work, now and then a sailboat on the river.

I've been thinking a bit at that window. I've been reflecting on what the past 6 years have meant and mean. And the image that comes to mind like a refrain is a nautical one---a small story about a big ship, and a refugee, and a sailor. It was back in the early eighties, at the height of the boat people. And the sailor was hard at work on the carrier Midway, which was patrolling the South China Sea. The sailor, like most American servicemen, was young, smart and fiercely observant. The crew spied on the horizon a leaky little boat. And crammed inside were refugees from Indochina hoping to get to America. The Midway sent a small launch to bring them to the ship and safety. As the refugees made their way through the choppy seas, one spied the sailor on deck, and stood up, and called out to him. He yelled "Hello, America sailor. Hello, freedom man."

A small moment with a big meaning, a moment the sailor, who wrote it in a letter, couldn't get out of his mind. And, when I saw it, neither could I. Because that's what it was to be an American in the 1980s. We stood, again, for freedom. I know we always have, but in the past few years the world again------and in a way, we ourselves------rediscovered it.

It's been quite a journey this decade, and we held together through some stormy seas. And at the end, together, we are reaching our destination.

The fact is, from Grenada to the Washington and Moscow summits, from the recession of '81 and '82, to the expansion that began in late 82 and continues to this day, we've made a difference. The way I see it, there were two great triumphs, two things that I'm proudest of. One is the economic recovery, in which the people of America created------and filled------19 million new jobs. The other is the recovery of our morale. America is respected again in the world and looked to for leadership.

Something that happened to me a few years ago reflects some of this. It was back in 1981, and I was attending my first big economic summit, which was held that year in Canada. The meeting place rotates among the member countries. The opening meeting was a formal dinner for the heads of government of the seven industrialized nations. Now, I sat there like the new kid in school and listened, and it was all Francois this and Helmut that. They dropped titles and spoke to one another on a first-name basis. Well, at one point I sort of leaned in and said, "My name's Ron." Well, in that same year, we began the actions we felt would ignite an economic comeback------cut taxes and regulation, started to cut spending. And soon the recovery began.

Two years later, another economic summit with pretty much the same cast. At the big opening meeting we all got together, and all of a sudden, just for a moment, I saw that everyone was just sitting there looking at me. And then one of them broke the silence. "Tell us about the American miracle," he said.

Well, back in 1980, when I was running for President, it was all so different. Some pundits said our programs would result in catastrophe. Our views on foreign affairs would cause war. Our plans for the economy would cause inflation to soar and bring about economic collapse. I even remember one highly respected economist saying, back in 1982, that "The engines of economic growth have shut down here, and they're likely to stay that way for years to come." Well, he and the other opinion leaders were wrong. The fact is, what they called "radical" was really "right." What they called "dangerous" was just "desperately needed."

And in all of that time I won a nickname, "The Great Communicator." But I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: it was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation---from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two centuries. They called it the Reagan Revolution. Well, I'll accept that, but for me it always seemed more like the great rediscovery, a rediscovery of our values and our common sense.

Common sense told us that when you put a big tax on something, the people will produce less of it. So, we cut the people's tax rates, and the people produced more than ever before. The economy bloomed like a plant that had been cut back and could grow quicker and stronger. Our economic program brought about the longest peacetime expansion in our history: real family income up, the poverty rate down, entrepreneurship booming, and an explosion in research and technology. We're exporting more than ever before because American industry became more competitive and at the same time, we summoned the national will to knock down protectionist walls abroad instead of erecting them at home.

Common sense told us that to preserve the peace, we'd have to become strong again after years of weakness and confusion. So, we rebuilt our defenses, and this New Year, we've toasted the new peacefulness around the globe. Not only have the superpowers actually begun to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons------and hope for even more progress is bright------but the regional conflicts that rack the globe are also beginning to cease. The Persian Gulf is no longer a war zone. The Soviets are leaving Afghanistan. The Vietnamese are preparing to pull out of Cambodia, and an American-mediated accord will soon send 50,000 Cuban troops home from Angola.

The lesson of all this was, of course, that because we're a great nation, our challenges seem complex. It will always be this way. But as long as we remember our first principles and believe in ourselves, the future will always be ours. And something else we learned: Once you begin a great movement, there's no telling where it will end. We meant to change a nation, and instead, we changed a world.

Countries across the globe are turning to free markets and free speech and turning away from the ideologies of the past. For them, the great rediscovery of the 1980s has been that, lo and behold, the moral way of government is the practical way of government: Democracy, the profoundly good, is also the profoundly productive.

When you've got to the point when you can celebrate the anniversaries of your 39th birthday you can sit back sometimes, review your life and see it flowing before you. For me there was a fork in the river, and it was right in the middle of my life. I never meant to go into politics. It wasn't my intention when I was young. But I was raised to believe you had to pay your way for the blessings bestowed on you. I was happy with my career in the entertainment world, but I ultimately went into politics because I wanted to protect something precious.

Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: "We the People." "We the People" tell the government what to do; it doesn't tell us. "We the People" are the driver; the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which "We the People" tell the government what it is allowed to do. "We the People" are free. This belief has been the underlying basis for everything I've tried to do these past 6 years.

But back in the 1960s, when I began, it seemed to me that we'd begun reversing the order of things------that through more and more rules and regulations and confiscatory taxes, the government was taking more of our money, more of our options, and more of our freedom. I went into politics in part to put up my hand and say, "Stop." I was a citizen politician, and it seemed the right thing for a citizen to do.

I think we stopped a lot of what needed stopping. And I hope we have once again reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.

I've been asked if I have any regrets. Well, I do. The deficit is one. I've been talking a great deal about that lately, but tonight's isn't for arguments, and I'm going to hold my tongue. But an observation: I've had my share of victories in the Congress, but what few people noticed is that I never won anything you didn't win for me. They never saw my troops, they never saw Reagan's regiments, the American people. You won every battle with every call you made and letter you wrote demanding action. Well, action is still needed. If we're to finish the job, Reagan regiments will have to become the Bush brigades. Soon he'll be the chief, and he'll need you every bit as much as I did.

Finally, there is a great tradition of warnings in Presidential farewells, and I've got one that's been on my mind for some time. But oddly enough it starts with one of the things I'm proudest of in the past 6 years: the resurgence of national pride that I called the new patriotism. This national feelings is good, but it won't count for much, and it won't last unless it's grounded in thoughtfulness and knowledge.

An informed patriotism is what we all want. And are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world? Those of us who are over 35 or so years of age grew up in a different America. We were taught, very directly, what it means to be an American. And we absorbed, almost in the air, a love of country and an appreciation of its institutions. If you didn't get these things from your family you got them from the neighborhood, from the father down the street who fought in Korea or the family who lost someone at Anzio. Or you could get a sense of patriotism from school. And if all else failed you could get a sense of patriotism from the popular culture. The movies celebrated democratic values and implicitly reinforced the idea that America was special. TV was like that, too, through the mid-sixties.

And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table. So, tomorrow night in the kitchen I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an American, let'em know and nail'em on it. That would be a very American thing to do.

We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan Revolution, the men and women across America who for 6 years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.

And so, goodbye, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America."

 

[49ersfootball]

Nancy
8:26 AM EST, Tuesday, July 14th, 1987
East Room, White House
Washington, DC.

July 14th, 1987: President Ronald Reagan & First Lady Nancy Reagan wiping away tears during farewell speech to staff members & administration officials.​

On a very cold Tuesday morning, the presidential anthem "Hail to the Chief" was played for the final time as President & First Lady Reagan entered the East Room of the White House to a thunderous round of applause from staff members, aides, Cabinet Secretaries (who were sitting on the front row on the left side), housekeepers, groundskeepers, cooks, butlers, maids including close friends, who all gathered to bid farewell to one of the most consequential & accomplished individuals, whose narrow election victory over then-Vice President Jimmy Carter in 1980 & massive landslide reelection in 1984 defeating United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA): where Reagan carried 50 out of 51 states that year, had resulted in a major realignment toward conservatism & conservative policies in the United States. It wasn't supposed to end like this, a Presidency which was on the cusp of being one of the most transformative in American history for future generations------brought down by the Iran-Contra Scandal which could've been so damn easily avoided. It just did not have to be like this!

Nancy Reagan, for all of the criticisms from many, going back to her tenure as California's First Lady in the late 1960s & majority of her tenure as First Lady of the United States, sacrificed a lot, accomplished lots of things in her own right. She was also the staunchest protector of Ronnie when it really came down to it all & the entire situation regarding the Iran-Contra Affair, which exploded into a massive scandal that resulted in her husband's resignation as the nation's 41st President, had left strong, bitter taste inside her mouth. On the other hand, she was happy that it was all over with. She had nothing or little anything in common with the women of Washington, DC society. Though Nancy supported Ronnie's selection of Bush for the Vice Presidency in 1980 following their bitter primary battle for the Republican presidential nomination for pragmatic reasons, it is common knowledge that Nancy NEVER fully trusted or get along with the Bush family, in particularly Vice President George HW Bush. It's also strongly well known that Nancy had a deep hostile, fractious relationship with Second Lady Barbara Bush.

Her perceived enemies, whom Nancy referred to in derogatory terms, had finally won. They had brought down the Great Communicator once and for all. 20+ years of public service down the drain.

She held Ronnie's hand as they walked through the throngs of well-wishers to the podium. Schulz, Chief Justice Rheinquist & their spouses sat in the front row on the left side with other dignitaries. The US Supreme Court Chief Justice had been flown in several days before on a military jet, his vacation in Brussels, Belgium interrupted by the reality that he needed to be present for the swearing-in of George Herbert Walker Bush at 12:00 PM EST. President Reagan delivered a solemn speech with glimmers of hope & promise including boasting of several of his administration's accomplishments in an in-depth summary. He thanked everyone whom he worked with ranging from the butlers, maids all the way to the heads of various cabinet departments.

While Ronnie was speaking, Nancy had a flashback of remembering everything. She remembered campaigning aggressively on his behalf in his successful 1966 gubernatorial campaign for the CA Governorship & successful reelection in 1970. She also remembered something else: strong, harsh criticism by those who blasted her decision to moving out of the California Governor's Mansion in Sacramento after living there for only four months; her strong dislike of having to live in Sacramento which lacked the excitement, social life & mild climate to which she had been accustomed to in Los Angeles. She also remembered the critics, who called her ugly derogatory nicknames. Nancy also remembered the lies, smear campaigns, the lies, the hypocrisies, back-stabbing & the double-crossing against Ronnie & herself.

Nancy remembered all of it & obviously HATED it all.

Once Ronnie was done speaking, he & Nancy left the East Room & greeted George & Barbara Bush, who escorted them outside of the South Portico of the White House before shaking hands & walking down the red carpet all the way to Marine One, where President Reagan turned around & saluted his incoming successor, who saluted back (both were military veterans). As Ronnie & Nancy got inside the presidential helicopter for the final time, which took off at 8:58 AM EST.

Outgoing President Ronald Reagan saluting incoming President George HW Bush before Marine One leaves the South Portico of the White House for the final time.
​

Upon arrival at Andrews AFB in Prince Georges County, MD: there was a final 21 Cannon Salute before a crowd of staunch Reagan supporters as they cheered "Thank You Ronnie and Nancy" as the "Star-Spangled Banner" was played. Soon afterwards, outgoing President Reagan inspected the troops for the final time as the nation's 41st President, who saluted them for the final time as their commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces. Once the Departure Honors Ceremony were over, the Reagan's then walked all the way to step aboard Air Force One, before waving goodbye to the crowd as they got inside the presidential plane, which left Andrews AFB at 9:30 AM EST.

Somewhere during the trip back to Los Angeles, CA., one of the Secret Service agents had immediately confiscated the nuclear football while Air Force One was soaring through the skies of Baton Rouge, LA, carrying the soon-to-be former President into a self-imposed exile at 10:00 AM CST. This pretty much officially marked the end of the Presidency of Ronald Wilson Reagan & the beginning of George Herbert Walker Bush's, even though Bush wasn't supposed to be officially sworn in until just about two hours depending on whom you asked with time differences, etc.,

Andrews AFB: Outgoing President Ronald Reagan reviewing the troops of the final time as the 41st President.

The Reagan's waving goodbye from Air Force One following the Departure Honors Ceremony at Andrews AFB in Camp Springs, MD.​

 

[49ersfootball]

42.)
George Herbert Walker Bush (R-TX)
July 14th, 1987 to January 20th, 1993
Preserve, Protect and Defend......
12:00 PM EST, Tuesday, July 14th, 1987
East Room, White House
Washington, DC.

George Herbert Walker Bush inside the Oval Oval Office as the 42nd President of the United States. ​

Chief Justice Rehnquist took to the podium to administer the oath of office. The clock had just struck 12:00 PM EST; the Reagan presidency officially expired. As Air Force One was flying through the skies of Middle America, former President Reagan personally thanked the airmen & airwomen for their service to the country & serving with him during his presidency; Nancy, on the other hand, was enraged by what had caused her husband's downfall: Air Force One, now officially referred to as Special Air Mission 41 was slowly flying through the skies of the Rocky Mountains, in particularly Denver, CO., it was going to be about some time before they finally landed in Los Angeles, CA for a welcome home ceremony hosted by CA Governor George Deukmejian (R), United States Senator Pete Wilson (R-CA), Los Angeles Mayor Thomas Bradley (D) & several others in attendance.

Back in Washington, DC., then-Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush had officially ascended into office as America's 42nd President. Chief Justice Rehnquist stood before the cameras, broadcasting the ceremony all over the world. "Mr. President" he begun, "It is now Noon, will you please repeat after me your oath of office?"
Rehnquist: "I, George Herbert Walker Bush, do solemnly swear."
Bush: "I, George Herbert Walker Bush, do solemnly swear."
Rehnquist: "That I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States."
Bush: "That I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States."
Rehnquist: "And will to the best of my ability."
Bush: "And will to the best of my ability."
Rehnquist: "Preserve, protect and defend,"
Bush: "Preserve, protect and defend,"
Rehnquist: the Constitution of the United States."
Bush: "the Constitution of the United States."
Rehnquist: "So help me God."
Bush: "So help me God."
Rehnquist: "Congratulations Mr. President."
Bush: "Thank you very much for doing this Mr. Chief Justice."

Almost immediately, the room broke out into applause as the cameras showed the body language of the new First Family, who was respectfully calm while President Bush's body language said it all "The weight of the entire country and the world is now on my shoulders" he thought to himself. Chief Justice Rehnquist went back to his seat, while First Lady Barbara Bush watched on as her husband began his inaugural address. The Chief Justice watched on as well, with the weight of the long national crisis of Iran-Contra being wrapped up....

President Bush: "Mr. Chief Justice, my dear friends and my fellow Americans:

This is the constitutional oath that I have just taken is the same oath that George Washington had taken and followed by every other President in accordance to the Constitution of the United States of America. But as I assume the Presidency under these difficult circumstances, which has once again been experienced by Americans. This is an hour of destiny and also an hour which has troubled our minds, hurts our hearts and breaks our trust. Therefore, I strongly believe that it's my first duty to make an unprecedented compact with my fellow countrymen. This is not a typical inaugural address, not a usual fireside chat, not even a national address from the Oval Office, just common sense talk among the American people.

I am strongly aware that while I was elected twice as Vice President by your ballots, I wasn't elected to the Presidency by your ballots-----having assumed the office under difficult circumstances and national constitutional crisis with America's credibility at stake. I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers and I hope that such prayers will be the first of many as we're closing out the 1980s.

I am indebted to nobody, and only strongly indebted to one woman, my dear wife and your new First Lady, Barbara Bush---as I begin this difficult job.

As we close out 1987 and head into an election year next year, there is no way we can go forward except together in spite of our differences and there's no way anybody can emerge victorious except by serving the people's urgent needs. We cannot stand still or let this crucial moment pass us by when future generations of Americans look back at the tail-end of the 1980s and heading into a new decade, the 1990s. It's very important that we move forward together because the world is watching. To the peoples and the governments of all friendly nations, and I hope that could encompass the whole world, I pledge an uninterrupted and sincere search for peace worldwide. America will remain strong and united, but its strength will forever remain dedicated to the safety and sanity of the entire family of man, as well as our own precious freedom.

When it comes to being transparent, I strongly believe that its important the truth is the specific glue, which holds government together, not only our government but civilization itself. The bond, though strained during tenuous periods, is unbroken at home and abroad. In all my public and private acts as your President, I expect to follow my instincts of openness with candor with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy when all is said and done.

My fellow Americans, the turmoil regarding the specific topic in question is finally over.

Our Constitution continues to work; our great republic though not perfect, will always be a government of laws. Here the people rule and are the decision-makers of how government should be run. There is a higher power, by whatever name we honor Him, who ordains not only the righteousness but love, not only justice but mercy. As we bind up the deep, internal wounds of Iran-Contra from over the past two years, more painful and more poisonous than those of foreign wars, let us restore the golden rule to our political process, and letting brotherly love purging our hearts of suspicion and hatred.

In the beginning of this address, I asked the American people and everyone watching to pray for me. Before I close, I once again ask for your prayers, for Ronald Reagan and his family. May our former President, who brought massive economic growth and peace to millions, find it for himself. May God bless and comfort his wonderful wife, his four children, and family members, whose love and loyalty will forever be a shining legacy to all who bear the lonely burdens of the White House. I can only guess at those burdens, although I have witnessed the tragedies that befell seven consecutive Presidents in a row within twenty-four years and the lesser trials of others. With all of the strength and all the good sense I've gained from life, with all the confidence my family, my friends, my dedicated staff impart to me, and with the goodwill of countless Americans I have encountered over the previous six years during my time as Vice President, I now solemnly reaffirm my promise to you: upholding the Constitution, doing what's right and doing the very best I can for America.

Thank you very much for listening and God Bless America."

 

[49ersfootball]

BREAKING NEWS: DOLE, KEMP, HAIG LIKELY ANNOUNCING PRIMARY CHALLENGES TO PRESIDENT BUSH IN 1988
*Sunday, July 19th, 1987: ABC News reported that US Rep. Jack Kemp (R-NY St), United States Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) & former US Secretary of State Alexander Haig all but declared they're going to be launching campaigns for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination.

With incumbent President George HW Bush expected to announce plans on seeking a full 4-year term in 1988, analysts suggest Bush might be having a difficult time in trying to distance himself from former President Ronald Reagan & the backlash from the Iran-Contra Scandal.

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: MEESE OUT AS US ATTORNEY GENERAL
*Monday, July 20th, 1987: In an effort to becoming his own man, President Bush requested the resignation of US Attorney General Ed Meese effective immediately. Reports out of Washington, DC circulated that Meese was scolded during a closed-door meeting in the Oval Office due to the ugly revelations of the Iran-Contra Scandal.

White House Chief of Staff Howard Baker addressed the Press Corps during a midday briefing & confirmed that the President has a shortlist of names to replace Meese, but didn't disclose which particular candidates are on the shortlist.

BREAKING NEWS: CLINTON NOT RUNNING IN 1988
AR Governor Bill Clinton (D) during a meeting with the National Governors Association, strongly put the kibosh on a potential 1988 campaign for the Presidency while suggesting he wouldn't rule anything out in the future. Clinton is considered one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party.

 

[49ersfootball]

BREAKING NEWS: BRADLEY NOT SEEKING CA GOVERNORSHIP AGAIN; FOCUSING ON CURRENT JOB AS LOS ANGELES MAYOR
*Tuesday, July 21st, 1987: Los Angeles Mayor Thomas Bradley (D), who unsuccessfully ran for the California Governor's Mansion in 1982 (narrowly losing by 50,000 votes) & again in 1986, losing both times to CA Governor George Deukmejian (R), addressed reporters at Los Angeles City Hall & said he was NOT going to seek the Governorship a third time in 1990. Bradley explained "Los Angelenos want me to focus on my current job here at City Hall." He also confirmed he plans on seeking reelection to a record fifth term in 1989.

Speculation is swirling around San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein (D) & CA State Attorney General Jeff Van de Kamp (D) are expected to launch gubernatorial campaigns on the Democratic side. While on the Republican side: there hasn't been any campaign activity from Governor Deukmejian about whether he'll be seeking reelection to a third full four-year term in 1990. If Deukmejian declines to run again, United States Senator Pete Wilson (R-CA) is mentioned as a likely contender for the Governor's Mansion.

Former President Brown, who held the Governorship as the Golden State's 34th Governor from January 6th, 1975 to January 17th, 1977, when he resigned after winning the Presidency & served as the 40th President of the United States from January 20th, 1977 to January 20th, 1981 when he chose not to seek reelection in 1980. In 1982, Brown ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate losing to current United States Senator Pete Wilson (R-CA), hasn't been mentioned as a contender for any political office.

Brown has been out of the spotlight altogether since losing the 1982 CA US Senate election to Wilson. Spokesperson for the former Governor says "Former President Brown will support whoever is the Democratic nominee for Governor of California in 1990."

Former CA Governor Mervyn Dymally (D) who served as CA's 35th Governor from January 17th, 1977 to January 3rd, 1983, was asked about the political situation in the Golden State, "California Democrats will be energized to take back the Governorship in three years. Now what happens between then and now, remains to be seen."

 

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BREAKING NEWS ALERT: MASS PROTESTS ESCALATING IN KOREA
*June 11th, 1987: Following news developments of Korean President Lee Tan-yong announcing plans to endorse Roh Tae-woo as the ruling government's preferred candidate in an upcoming indirect election, massive protests broke out acriss the country.

In response, Lee deployed crack troops to aggressively crack down on some of the protests. Rumors circulate that those captured by government law enforcement agencies, were taken to undisclosed locations & tortured or killed.

No word if the protests will cause international condemnation. Korea has been under martial law since the assassination of then-Korean President Chun Doo-hwan on September 7th, 1984.

Opposition leaders Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung & former Korean Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil all have blasted the Lee government's violent crackdown. No word if US President George HW Bush has spoken with Lee on the escalating situation on the phone, but reports circulate the Bush White House will be closely monitoring events in Korea.

 

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Political fallout of Reagan's resignation
Summer 1987
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In the aftermath of the resignation of then-President Ronald Reagan due to the backlash from the Iran-Contra Scandal on July 14th, the political ramifications had both Democrats & Republicans grappling with how it'll impact 1988 & beyond. The chatter became who would seek the Presidency in 1988.

NOT INTERESTED IN PRESIDENTIAL BID: WHITE STAYING PUT IN TX GOVERNOR'S MANSION

TX Governor Mark W. White, Jr., (D) holding press conference inside the Reception Room of the Governor's Office at the TX State Capitol in downtown Austin about the political ramifications of the Iran-Contra Scandal.


*Tuesday, July 21st, 1987: TX Governor Mark W. White, Jr., (D) was asked during a press conference inside the Reception Room of the Governor's Office at the TX State Capitol in Austin, where he delivered strong statements regarding the events of the Iran-Contra Scandal backlash & Reagan's resignation. White said the following: "Having watched the investigative hearings in Congress from the past several weeks and while I personally offered my prayers to former President Reagan and his family, I also believe that the American people want answers about Iran-Contra, who knew about the illegal operation of trading military arms in exchange for hostages as well as the blatant cover-up to keep these illegal operations a secret. I strongly believe in the full legal process on delivering verdicts against those responsible for the Iran-Contra Scandal. Let this send a message to all elected officials across the United States including both political parties, who think they're above the law and if we do something similar in breaking the trust of the American people, who entrusted us to these offices we currently hold, then some of us need to get thrown out via impeachment or resignation."

Asked if he would be a possible contender for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination, Governor White strongly rejected such notion saying he's focused on his current job as Governor & will be seeking reelection in 1990. He did however, say he'll be supporting whoever the Democratic presidential nominee is next fall.

HE'S IN: DUKAKIS LAUNCHES 1988 PRESIDENTIAL BID
*Thursday, July 23rd, 1987: MA Governor Michael Dukakis (D), who delivered the keynote address to the 1976 Democratic National Covnention in NYC, NY St., announced he's officially running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988. The list of Democratic candidates range from former United States Senator Gary Hart (D-CO), US Rep. Pat Schroeder (D-CO), United States Senators Joe Biden (D-DE), Al Gore (D-TN) & Paul Simon (D-IL) & former AZ Governor Bruce Babbitt (D) are currently running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT BUSH NOMINATES FORMER MICHIGAN GOVERNOR WILLIAM MILLIKEN (R) AS VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
*July 26th, 1987: President Bush announced he was nominating former MI Governor William Milliken (R) as his choice to serve as Vice President during a press conference inside the East Room of the White House.

Experts & analysts expect Milliken will be easily confirmed by both houses of Congress without any difficulty. The Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives will be holding confirmation hearings on August 6th followed by the Democratic-controlled United States Senate the same month, on August 15th with confirmation votes sometime around August 30th.

 

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BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT BUSH PARDONS FORMER PRESIDENT REAGAN FOR CRIMES, MISDEMEANORS IN RELATED TO IRAN-CONTRA SCANDAL
*August 22nd, 1987: President Bush announced in a televised address from the Oval Office at the White House announced he has officially pardoned former President Ronald Reagan for any crimes, misdemeanors from the Iran-Contra Scandal & justified issuing the pardon because in his view, "The American people wants to move on from the Iran-Contra Scandal and by doing this, I strongly believe the country wants to focus on other issues concerning Americans."

Reaction to the pardon has rankled many Democrats, who accused Bush of "accepting a secretive deal", even vowing to subpeanoa the President before congressional hearings in order to demand answers. However, Republicans took a different approach to the pardon by strongly backing President Bush's decision.

 

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COMING UP NEXT WEEK IN CHAPTER V OF THE STATE OF THE FUTURE
Segment of US House Speaker Jim Wright (D-TX)

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Wright
1:46 PM CST, August 24th, 1987
Fort Worth, TX.

September 18th, 1986: Wright shaking hands with Philippine President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.​

US House Speaker Jim Wright (D-TX) made history becoming the third Texan to hold the Speakership of the US House of Representatives & he had also accomplished quite a lot during his long tenure in Congress: rising to Majority Leader & eventually the Speakership replacing the legendary Tip O'Neill (D-MA). Now let's go back to where it began:

Born on December 22nd, 1922 in Fort Worth, TX to Marie (Lyster) & James Claude Wright. Because his father was a traveling salesman, Wright & his two sisters were reared in numerous communities in OK & TX. He mostly attended public schools in Dallas & Fort Worth, eventually graduating from Adamson High School (formerly Oak Cliff High School) & furthered his education at Weatherford College in his mother's hometown of Weatherford, the seat of Park County west of Fort Worth & later the University of Texas at Austin, but never received a bachelor's degree.

During the height of World War II, Wright enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in December 1941 (once Japan bombed Pearl Harbor resulted in the United States joining the war effort) & after basic training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Corps in 1942; he trained as a bombraider & earned the Distinguished Flying Cross flying during combat in B-24 Liberators with the 530th Bomb Squadron, 380th Bomb Group in the South Pacific during World War II.

He married Mary Ethelyn "Mab" Lemons in 1942; they would have four children, this marriage lasted until their divorce in 1972 & during that same year, he married Betty Hay. Following an honorable discharge from the United States Army Air Corps, Wright made his home in Weatherford, where he joined partners in forming a Trade Show exhibition & marketing firm. As a Democrat, he won his first election unopposed to a seat in the TX House of Representatives, but lost his reelection bid two years later in 1948, after a rival claimed that Wright was weak in opposing communism & interracial marriage. He quickly rebounded from this setback by winning election as Weatherford Mayor in 1950 serving until 1954. In 1953, he served as president of the League of Texas Municipalities.

In 1954, Wright was elected to Congress representing TX's 12th Congressional District which included Weatherford & Fort Worth. He won despite the staunch opposition of Amon G. Carter. He would go onto winning reelection in 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986 & again in 1988, gradually rising in prominence inside the Democratic Party including inside the US Congress. He developed a close relationship with Carter thereafter; Wright often said the easiest way to "defeat your enemy is to make him your friend." In 1956, he refused to join fellow Southerners in signing the Southern Manifesto. In 1957, he voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which created the Division of Civil Rights within the US Department of Justice & the investigatory Civil Rights Commission. Signed into law by then-President Dwight Eisenhower, this law was pushed through by then-US Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX) & US House Speaker Sam Rayburn (D-TX). However, Wright voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which required desegregation of public accomodations & established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. His reason for not supporting the legislation had nothing to do with the voting rights provision of the law, which he supported & felt the Civil Rights Act was weak without the right to vote granted to all citizens. It was signed into law by Wright's friend, President Johnson in the Summer of 1964. He later supported civil rights legislation in 1965 & 1966.

Upon Johnson's election as Vice President of the United States in November 1960, he resigned his US Senate seat on January 20th, 1961, having been inaugurated as the 38th Vice President), Wright decided to run for the United States Senate in a special election to finish out the remainder of Johnson's third term, he finished in third place missing out on the runoff. John G. Tower (R), a college professor from Wichita Falls emergged victorious in the runoff election, defeating the incumbent appointed United States Senator William Blakley (D-TX), resulting in Tower becoming the first Republican to represent the Lone Star State in the United States Senate since Reconstruction. Wright was in the motorcade in Dallas, TX on November 22nd, 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Continuing to serve in Congress, Wright became a senior member of the Public Works Committee. Though in line to become committee chairman, he quickly jumped in the race for House Majority Leader & was elected by just one vote in December 1976, defeating US Reps. Richard Bolling (D-MO) & Phillip Burton (D-CA). Wright won the majority leadership post with the support of all but two Democrats from the large TX congressional delegation, all Democrats on the Public Works Committee & virtually all other Southern representatives. When the 100th Congress convened on January 6th, 1987, Wright was elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives defeating US Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL) by a vote of 254-173, succeeding the legendary Tip O'Neill who had retired after 10 years as Speaker. At the time, Wright said being Speaker of the House "is the greatest responsibility that can come to a lawmaker anywhere in the world." He was reelected Speaker during the 101st Congress, which convened on January 3rd, 1989.

 

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Opinion of President George HW Bush:
Approve: 58%
Disapprove: 18%

Opinion of US House Speaker Jim Wright (D-TX)
Approve: 50%
Disapprove: 33%

Opinion of US Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd (D-WV)
Approve: 60%
Disapprove: 26%

Opinion of US Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS)
Approve: 62%
Disapprove: 20%

 

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COMING UP IN CHAPTER V OF THE STATE OF THE FUTURE
Profile on MA Governor Michael Dukakis (D)

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BREAKING NEWS: MILLIKEN CONFIRMED AS THE 46TH VICE PRESIDENT BY BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS OVERWHELMINGLY
*August 30th, 1987: Former MI Governor William Milliken (R) was confirmed by both houses of Congress without any difficulty: the Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives voted 406-26 while the Democratic-controlled United States Senate voted 80-16. Upon being confirmed by the Senate, Milliken was sworn into office as the 46th Vice President of the United States by US Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall inside the United States Senate chambers & delivered his inaugural address where he thanked his family, President Bush & pledged to work as a cooperative partner with the Bush administration's policy initiatives, etc.,

FOREIGN POLICY: ARMS REDUCTION TALKS
*September 5th, 1987: There had been progress of talks about arms reduction between the United States & the Soviet Union. Continuing from where then-President Ronald Reagan left off, President George HW Bush had been holding bilateral talks with Soviet President Mikhael Gorbachev, who pushed the Bush administration to abandon plans on building a space-based defense shield, the Strategic Defense Initiative. Bush refused to abandon SDI.

No word of where the arms reduction talks will result in anything productive as of yet.

 

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BREAKING NEWS: EXPLOSIVE BOMBSHELL OF PLAGIARISM FROM CAMPAIGN SPEECHES; POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE 1988 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES FOR PRESIDENT

The Des Moines Register reported of an explosive story that might have ramifications of the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination primaries. Sources state that a British politician has filed a lawsuit against one of the candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination & it's not known which one of the candidates is implicated in the scandal.

According to NBC News, journalists are working to find out how long had one of the presidential candidates was plagarising political speeches from the British politician.

PRESS CONFERENCE BOMBSHELL: HART IMPLICATED IN SEX SCANDALS
It's just four months away from the upcoming Iowa Caucuses & reports circulating former United States Senator Gary Hart (D-CO) has been implicated in sex scandals involving campaign staffers & there's another allegation that Hart had been photographed with one of his mistresses during a vacation trip.

When bombarded by reporters, Hart denied the allegations by calling them dirty tricks & "damned lies" from opposition research of campaigns looking to destroy his reputation. In light of the allegations, there is massive pressure on the former United States Senator to drop out of the race altogether.

FURLOUGH PROGRAM CONTROVERSY & CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS ENGULFING DUKAKIS??????
During a campaign stop in Houston, TX: United States Senator Al Gore (D-TN) went on the attack by bringing up corruption allegations as well as connections to the mafia against front-runner MA Governor Michael Dukakis (D). "I think the American people want to know if Governor Dukakis has something to hide because of the federal indictments against a strange cast of individuals, who've given the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts multiple campaign donations and contributions in return for questionable favors including influential benefits."

Gore during a recent debate, escalated the attacks by calling Dukakis "soft on crime", attacked the violent crime rate in the Bay State including the controversy surrounding the furlough program for prison inmates.

 

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BREAKING NEWS: VICE PRESIDENT MILLIKEN WON'T BE SEEKING FULL TERM IN 1988

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*October 5th, 1987: Vice President William Milliken confirmed in a press conference that he informed President Bush he won't be seeking election to a full 4-year term in 1988. Milliken said "While it's been an honor of serving as Vice President of the United States, I believe that my family comes first and even though I'll miss this important job, I will continue serving out the remaining 15 months, there's still lots of work to be done." President Bush thanked Vice President Milliken for his service to the country.

 

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BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT BUSH ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR FULL 4-YEAR TERM IN 1988

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*October 12th, 1987: During a campaign rally at the Galleria in Houston, TX., President George HW Bush announced his campaign for a full 4-year term in 1988. He pledged to continue the conservative policies of his administration including pledging "a kindler, gentler nation" in a bid to winning over moderate swing voters.

Assisting the President's campaign: Lee Atwater, Roger Ailes, Karl Rove & countless others; you can also expect members of the President's family to getting involved on the campaign trail.

REAGAN'S ENDORSING BUSH: REPORT
It has been less than three months since leaving the political spotlight & politics altogether, but former President Ronald Reagan & his wife, former First Lady Nancy Reagan have been in extreme seclusion at their ranch outside of Santa Barbara since resigning from the Presidency in disgrace on July 14th as a result of the Iran-Contra Scandal.

Reagan has been working on construction plans for his Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA. The Associated Press reported that close associates of the 41st President confirmed that the former President privately endorsing President Bush's election campaign for a full 4-year term in 1988.

Asked if he would be on the campaign trail, Reagan told associates & former colleagues, he prefer living at the ranch & working on construction of his Presidential Library.

 

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@Buba @Tiamat @almostinsane @Carrot of Truth @Circle of Willis @Zyobot @stevep @TheRomanSlayer @Husky_Khan @Zachowon @Rusty Shackleford @WolfBear @DarthOne @TerrificWarden @Morphic Tide @Captain X

Coming up this week: I'll be working on Retrospectives from 1986 & 1987.

 

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COMING SOON IN CHAPTER V OF THE STATE OF THE FUTURE
July 23rd, 1988: The Day that Altered TX Politics in the Lone Star State.

 

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RETROSPECTIVE: FALL 1986
Reflection of Fall 1986

The Fall of 1986 had a sense of twists & turns here in the Lone Star State & throughout the world.

In the 1986 Midterms, Democrats exploited the backlash against the Reagan administration by runninh television commercials highlighting the Iran-Contra Scandal. They were rewarded for their aggressiveness by winning back control of the United States Senate & keeping control of the US House of Representatives.

Here in the Lone Star State: TX Governor Mark Wells White, Jr., (D) overcame difficult odds stacked against him by defeating former TX Governor William P. Clements, Jr., (R) in one of the most closest gubernatorial elections in TX history which had undergone a full statewide recount.

TX Democratic Party won the down-ballot statewide offices including the TX Supreme Court & TX Court of Appeals. They also kept their majorities in both chambers of the TX State Legislature.