Heart of Glass - A Revolution Diverged

[theothresh]

May, 1st, 1980

After being delayed a week for technical issues The United States of America initiated Operation Eagle Claw to rescue the Iranian Embassy hostages. While there were some hiccups in the operation, the hostages would be successfully rescued and returned to the United States within a week. America, and especially President Carter would breathe a sigh of relief.


Carter would immediately seize upon the news and use the victory to shed his allegations of being too weak. Carter new found strength would also weaken the case for his primary challenger and rival Ted Kennedy. On Super Tuesday the next month Carter would hold off Kennedy in the largest contest: California. Carter would also win several smaller primaries that day with Kennedy only winning Rhode Island and New Jersey. This would underperformance would effectively end Kennedy’s chances.


On the GOP side, Reagan would issue a quiet austere congratulation to President Carter for his actions in bringing the hostages home. Reagan was more focused on securing the nomination of the Republican party after losing two big primaries in Pennsylvania and Texas to George Bush. Even worse in the long term, John Anderson announced that he would pursue an independent run for President possibly peeling off even more moderates he needed to win in November.


By the Republican convention in mid-July Reagan had the nomination but the victory was not so sweet. Poll numbers showed the race was getting closer between Carter and Reagan. Most alarmingly Reagan’s rivals were gaining with moderate voters. Something had to be done to change the course trends were on. Reagan had no qualms about breaking norms though.


Days before the Convention in Detroit a striking proposal was made in the Reagan inner circle when discussing potential VP candidates. Why not Ford? As a former president and vice president, he’s more than overqualified. He could rope in the moderates, clamp down foreign policy credentials, and more than anything create a two-for-one deal with the American voter. They weren’t just getting one President they were getting two.


While surprised Ford considered the offer to join the ticket. Ford was uneasy with the prospect at first and decided to make a tough-to-swallow pitch. Negotiations quickly became strained when he insisted he would only accept if he were treated as a packaged deal with former Secretary of State Kissinger, and former economic advisor Alan Greenspan. While Reagan didn't mind Greenspan, Kissinger was a sticking point as he was seen as too liberal in conservative circles. Furthermore, this would decrease his own power and effectively make Ford a co-president.


Reagan knew though that he needed Ford more than Ford needed him. He would go on to shock the convention and the country when he walked on stage with President Ford and after playing around with the crowd announced that the Republican ticket for the 1980 election would be Reagan & Ford. They were in it together for tomorrow.


While there was some alarm over Ford getting the VP spot, conservatives were more annoyed that the moderates blocked a resolution to remove support for the ERA from the party platform. Ford would win the nomination for Vice President and give an acceptance speech.

“Ladies and Gentlemen I am honored to once again have your support, and I will support Ronald Wilson Reagan with my full will. We will unite this party! We will unite this country! We will make it all the stronger, and we will make America great again!”

​

 

[theothresh]

The surprise return of former President Ford to the political scene was the biggest shock in the election since the rescue of the Embassy hostages in early May.


It would both dismay Carter and give him optimism that the Republicans were worried about his resurgence in the polls.




Where there was a crisis in confidence there was now optimism. Carter had proven himself a decisive leader with the rescue of the hostages in Iran and nipped Kennedy’s primary attempt as a result.




While the economy was still weak, and the energy crisis was still taking its toll, Carter would go into the convention with renewed energy. Carter and Kennedy would meet before the convention and discuss a possible compromise to unite the party. Ultimately Carter in a sign of goodwill promised privately that he would let Kennedy control Healthcare policy in his second term.




The Convention would try to emulate the unity of the Republicans. Kennedy would give a rousing speech ending with "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, the dream shall never die, and that is why we must do all we can now to keep Ronald Reagan out of the White House"




Carter would go on to give an optimistic yet less rousing speech memorializing the late Hubert Humphrey who he claimed would have been the greatest President. Unfortunately for Carter, before he was able to finish his speech the balloons partially dropped forcing him to end it early.




The embarrassment would be short-lived as soon after Carter and Kennedy would join and raise their hands together in a show of unity.




Each candidate would receive a post-convention boost with Reagan still in the lead in the polling data. It would come down to the debates. While Carter worried about a 3 way debate his own rising poll numbers just barely bumped Anderson below the required 15% required to be invited.




While the first debate had strong performances by both Carter and Reagan with viewers siding towards Reagan as the winner, the second debate would be considered a knockout win for Reagan.




Reagan would call out Carter’s blunder when he mentioned discussing nuclear policy with his 13-year-old daughter Amy. He ended the debate with a simple question “Are you better off than you were 4 years ago”. Soon the American People would answer.




On November 4th, 1980 the country would vote on who would be their next commander and chief starting on January 20th, 1981.




Reagan would immediately take the lead, but it would not be a total landslide as some had speculated. Carter looked likely to narrowly hold much of the South and performed better in the North than many had expected.




Ultimately Carter could not hold off the powerful unorthodox ticket of Reagan and Ford in the current national climate. He would be the second incumbent in a row to lose re-election.




Reagan would cherish this moment with both himself and Ford addressing the nation. “Tomorrow will be a new day in America. The work starts now.”​

 

[theothresh]

The feeling in the air for the Republican Party in the aftermath of the 1980 election was pure ecstasy. They made Carter a one-term president and finally rebounded after the Watergate years.



They even managed to win a whopping 10 seats to take back the US Senate with several southern Democrats just barely hanging on.



Although the presidential race was not particularly close down-ballot there was a multitude of very close races. Several Southern Democrat senators barely held in their re-elections and prevented an even larger Republican majority.



First-term Senator from Vermont Patrick Leahy wasn’t as lucky. Losing by just short of two thousand votes to Republican Stewart Ledbetter.



Another close result came from the First-term Governor of Arkansas Bill Clinton who was barely re-elected to a second term after several recounts with only 370 votes.



The closest result of the election would in the State of Idaho where Senator Frank Church would lose by a shocking 95 votes to Republican Steve Symms.

While many Republicans were celebrating their victories and newfound fortunes, some had already recognized the impending battle that would come with the so-called co-presidency.



Conservatives had fought hard for decades to finally not only take control of the Republican party but to win the presidency and they only were able to by dragging their former rivals with them. All parties acknowledged that the Reagan-Ford ticket was always going to be a one-time affair for the sake of both sides involved.



Negotiations would go on for hours in Reagan’s little white DC row house that he used as a base during the transition. The mood in some Republican circles would sour as details of the Reagan-Ford deal became known to more of Washington.



The most notable detail of the deal was that as promised Kissinger would return as Secretary of State. Although this would please many global diplomats many Americans would see it as a step backward.

The rest of the Cabinet would eventually fall into place as follows:

Secretary of State - Henry Kissinger

Secretary of the Treasury - Alan Greenspan

Secretary of Defense - George H. W. Bush

Attorney General - William French Smith

Secretary of Interior - James G. Watt

Secretary of Agriculture - John Rusling Block

Secretary of Commerce - Malcolm Baldrige Jr.

Secretary of Labor - Raymond J. Donovan

Secretary of Health and Human Services - Richard Schweiker

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development - Samuel Pierce

Secretary of Transportation - Drew Lewis

Secretary of Energy - James B. Edwards

Secretary of Education - Terrel Bell

Chief of Staff - Donald Regan

UN Ambassador - Jeanne Kirkpatrick



When Representative John M. Ashbrook of Ohio heard the news of the Cabinet picks he would famously remark: “So much for the Conservative Revolution.”



President-Elect Reagan decided to make the best of things as the inauguration drew closer. The cat herding had been drawing to a close, and soon everyone would know who was in charge.



President Carter’s last months in office were mostly filled with helping with the transition. Although the loss still stung he felt more at peace knowing he would return to Plains soon. When later asked what the proudest moment of his term in office he would say Operation Eagleclaw.



On January 20th, 1981 Ronald Wilson Reagan took the oath of office and was inaugurated as the 40th President of the United States. After several decades conservatives would have their man in the White House.



A new era had begun in America and with it new faces and old faces alike.


​

 

[theothresh]

The Reagan Era had officially begun. President Reagan hoped to emulate the momentum that his boyhood hero President Franklin D. Roosevelt had in his first 100 days (of course on the other end of the political spectrum).



Reagan’s goals were quite simple. The economy above all needed to be fixed. That would make or break his chances at re-election in 1984. The Great Society had to be reduced greatly to get the budget under control.



Reagan promptly began working with Congress to achieve his goals. Working with longtime allies such as Representative Jack Kemp to craft new tax legislation.





On military affairs, Reagan would direct Defense Secretary Bush to prepare plans for the largest military buildup since the Vietnam War. While the world was eased by the reappointment of Secretary Kissinger, Reagan wanted them to know there was a new sheriff in town.





FATAL TEST AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER LEAVES 3 DEAD

March, 19th, 1981

During a dry Countdown Demonstration Test (CDT) of the Space Shuttle Columbia, an accident took place on the launch pad that lead to the deaths of three inspectors. All eyes are on NASA to see if they still plan on launching in April.

PRESIDENT REAGAN AND FIRST LADY VISIT FORDS THEATER

March, 21st, 1981





On March 30th, President Reagan gave a luncheon speech to AFL-CIO representatives at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Reagan formerly a union president himself knew that even if he disagreed politically with them, he had to appease them somewhat. The speech although well received was noted more for the President’s soaring pose than any specifics on policy.





“We have a videotape of an incident that took place less than 15 minutes ago at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Shots were fired at President Reagan…”

“We can confirm that White House Press Secretary James Brady is one of the victims and has died of a gunshot to the head”

-Frank Reynolds, ABC Special Report, March 30th, 1981





“... it was a shock that the Washington Hilton a building known for its secureness by the secret service and having been a regular venue by past presidents could be so compromised…”

– Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Reagan, Henry Holt & Company Publishing, 2015





“...It has been confirmed that approximately 36 minutes ago President Reagan was shot, and later died in the presidential motorcade on the way to George Washington University Hospital. Vice President Ford is said to be en route to the White House right now to take the oath of office to become President once again…”

-Frank Reynolds, ABC Special Report, March 30th, 1981





“Curse of Tippecanoe, I wonder what could cause someone to do that.”

-Norm McDonald, SNL’s Worst of the Century Highlights, December 11th, 1999​

 

[theothresh]

PART 5: UNDER PRESSURE
​

“I could see it in my father’s eyes. The nightmare had returned to America.”

-Steven Ford



REAGAN ASSASSIN IDENTITY REVEALED

John Hinkley Jr. a 25 year old man from Colorado was apprehended on the scene after firing shots at President Reagan and his entourage. Hinkley is now in the custody of the FBI.

-NBC, March 30th, 1981



ACADEMY AWARDS POSTPONED BY A WEEK

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts, and Sciences has put out a statement saying that the awards will be postponed into April out of respect for the fallen President and his family. Sources indicate that tribute is being put together for President Reagan by many of his supporters and former associates in Hollywood.

-ABC, March 30th, 1981



PRESIDENT REAGAN LAIN IN STATE IN CAPITOL

Mirroring the aftermath of the assassination of President Kennedy, President Reagan has now been transported from the White House East Room where he had lain in repose for 24 hours to the Capitol Rotunda where he will lay in state for 18 hours.

-New York Times, April 1st, 1981



PRESIDENT FORD ADDRESSES THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT REAGAN ON A LIVE TV BROADCAST FROM OVAL OFFICE

“My fellow Americans it is in the worst circumstances that I speak to you once again from the Oval Office. Once again in my lifetime and many of yours has a great leader and a symbol of hope been struck down by the malice of society. While President Reagan had merely begun to leave his mark upon the halls of Washington, he has throughout his whole life imprinted upon our hearts with his kindness, intelligence, and reassuring voice. The weight of his absence is unknowable, and the pain our nation feels is incalculable… ”

“President Reagan had begun a great mission to ensure that the government works as people do; within its means. That Americans act worthy of themselves, and be a beacon to the whole world. That we stand up to the tyranny of the world not for the love of jingo but the love of peace…”

“We must carry on with his mission. We must hold up the great and storied life he lived, and not the terrible way it came to end. Ronald Reagan was my friend, and I will do everything I can to make sure that his legacy is enshrined…”

“May God bless Ronald Reagan and the country he loved so much.”



President Ford had come to a dilemma very early on in his second presidency after the death of President Reagan. He had a tall order of keeping together his country, his party, and his predecessor’s legacy. This balancing act would cause excessive stress and Ford seriously began considering resigning after he found a suitable replacement. This of course was shot down after consulting with Mrs. Ford. She was adamant that there was no one more perfectly suited for this situation than her husband.

Ford’s greatest immediate task was of course to find someone to fill the Vice Presidency. He had already done this back in 1974 by appointing liberal Republican Nelson Rockefeller. Ford faced backlash for the decision and it caused him to later pick conservative Senator Bob Dole in his unsuccessful 1976 re-election. Ford was already being pressured heavily by the RNC to appoint a conservative. He had already come to that conclusion though. Ford’s main struggle was whether to play politics and appoint someone his pick for 1984 or to pick someone amenable to the party that would just serve as Vice President.

If he chose the former he would easily choose either Defense Secretary George Bush or his old running mate Bob Dole. There was a brief fascination with the idea of finally seeing a Ford/Dole administration even if it was 4 years late and through very unnatural circumstances. Ford decided that it would not be very wise to use the present situation to recreate a failed presidential ticket.

Ford was a man originally appointed to the Vice Presidency to be a caretaker and to unite the party. In a moment of self-reflection during the stressful month of April 1981, it's been said that Ford noted that it was a mistake all along to go beyond those bounds to run in 1976. He needed someone to bring balance to the administration as there had been with the Reagan/Ford ticket. Someone who would not use the Vice Presidency to simply position himself for 1984. Therefore he and his staff crafted before himself a list of candidates to choose from setting his sights to make an appointment before Congress let out for the summer.

The list accordingly included:

• Bill Brock - US Trade Representative, and former Senator from Tennessee
• William Simon - former Secretary of the Treasury
• James Buckley - Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs, and former Senator from New York
• Meldrim Thompson Jr. - former Governor of New Hampshire
• Barry Goldwater - Senator from Arizona

-Connor Smith-Lee’s There and Back Again: The Ford Presidencies, PublicAffairs, 2000



SPACE SHUTTLE TAKES FLIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME

President Ford spoke today that “-the success of the Space Shuttle shows the very best of our nation and that we reach out towards the heavens, President Reagan smiles down upon America.”

Ford also thanked NASA for advancing the next generation of space exploration. Many experts say that the shuttle program will prove to be a triumph for NASA in the long term, and lead to many discoveries in space.

-Washington Post, April 12th, 1981



NANCY REAGAN LEAVES D.C. FOR CALIFORNIA

The widowed former First Lady has officially left Washington to return to her and her husband’s ranch, Rancho del Cielo. The former First Lady and the Reagan family have requested privacy and so far refused interviews.



(taken in January briefly after inauguration)

-Former First Lady and widow Jackie Kennedy Onassis has reportedly reached out to Mrs. Reagan and been offering her support. The Kennedy family has told Mrs. Reagan that she is welcome to visit Hyannis Port as she goes through this tough and all too familiar situation for the Kennedys.

-New York Times, April 14th, 1981



UNITED STATES DIVES DEEPER INTO RECESSION
UNEMPLOYMENT REACHES 8 PERCENT
-Washington Post, June 1st, 1981





5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RONALD REAGAN

1. Second shortest serving President at only 69 days in office.
2. He acted in over 50 major movies during his Hollywood career making him the only Actor-turned President
3. He was the oldest man ever elected President being 69 years old when he took office.
4. He was nearly killed by a chimp during the filming of Bedtime for Bonzo (1951) when Peggy the chimp playing Bonzo decided to pull on his tie till the knot was the size of Reagan’s thumbnail. Luckily the crew assisted him.
5. He was a proficient writer of love letters. Over 200 love letters featuring poems and doodles have been donated by the former First Lady Nancy Reagan to the Reagan Center. They would later be featured in the Oscar-winning romantic biopic Ron & Nancy (1996)

-Fizzed.web, February 6th, 2011.

 

[PayOfBigs]

Hey, noticing nobody has commented here besides you, so I wanna say keep up the good work!

 

[HailCaesar]

Yeah, this is great stuff! Thanks for sharing it.

-HC

 

[dwkm]

Watched, looks great!

 

[focus9912]

Hmm, a second Ford term after Carter, that is a bit different.

As for the VP pick, well perhaps there could be minor hurdles that is coming from the House of Representatives, especially from the conservative wing of the Republicans.

Keep it up.

 

[mrcubfan415]

Hey, noticing nobody has commented here besides you, so I wanna say keep up the good work!

Agreed!

 

[King of Danes]

Ford as accidental president again?! Very interesting!

 

[Timdoeswhatever]

ive been really interesting in this so far, keep up the good work

 

[theothresh]

Heart of Glass Part 6 - Stop Your Sobbing

“It's a great country, where anybody can grow up to be president... except me.”
-Barry Goldwater

POPE JOHN PAUL II ASSASSINATED IN ST. PETERS SQUARE

-1981 has proven thus far to be as consequential as 1968 in terms of assassinations. This only comes a little over a month since the assassination of President Reagan. The man detained is of Turkish origin, but Italian media is already claiming this to be a plot of the Soviet Union. Some geopolitical commentators have speculated that the Kremlin had been deeply worried about the Pope’s visit to Poland in 1979, and his connections with the independent trade union Solidarity.
-New York Times May, 13th, 1981

PRESIDENT FORD PICKS SENATOR GOLDWATER TO FILL VP SLOT
SANDRA DAY O’CONNER TO REPLACE JUDGE STEWART ON SUPREME COURT

President Ford has selected two Arizonans as his choices for Vice President, and Supreme Court Justice. While many pundits expected the selection of Sandra Day O’Conner due to Reagan’s campaign promise to nominate a woman to the Supreme Court, Goldwater came as a shock. The 1964 Republican nominee won re-election to the Senate last year with less than 10,000 votes. Speculation across Washington is that this is an attempt by the President to assure conservatives in his party worried after the loss of President Reagan. Many critics though are skeptical if Goldwater’s nomination can make it through both the House and the Senate.
-Washington Post, May 18th, 1981

SENATOR WEICKER
“-Jerry I just dont get why the hell out of all your options you picked him! Anytime he has gotten near to the presidency its been a disaster for our party! You can’t reason with these- these-”

PRESIDENT FORD
“These what Senator Weicker? These Martians? It makes no difference to the other team. I want to keep our party united. Ronald Reagan and I put our differences aside last year, whats your excuse?”

SENATOR WEICKER
“Mr. President… Goldwater is- Goldwater will be a mistake. I won’t vote for him. I cant vote for that madman.”

PRESIDENT FORD
“Senator I already anticipated this for you and it doesnt change our number at all. I got Rocky through and Goldwater voted against it. I’m gonna get Goldwater through regardless of you voting against it. Count your blessings you may be next. *laughter* *click*

Leaked Transcript of Senator Weicker’s Call with President Ford
May 18th, 1981

Then Congressman Gerald Ford hosting a Goldwater ‘64 fundraiser in Grand Rapids, MI with Senator Barry Goldwater and Governor George Romney

Ford picking Goldwater as his nominee to fill the vacant slot as Vice President started a bit of a gag but as some gags go evolved more and more until becoming serious considerations. We had narrowed things considerably since the early stages and wanted a definite conservative icon to fill the spot. While Ford originally was leaning towards former Senator, and RNC chair Bill Brock he decided that he would not appeal enough to the conservative base that worried that the administration would disregard them.

Eventually, it came down to two options for the President. Former Senator James Buckley of New York, and Senator Barry Goldwater. Both seemed to not have much of a career left in politics as Buckley had lost his Senate seat in New York years ago, and lost a senate race in Connecticut last November. Goldwater on the other hand only narrowly won re-election in Arizona last November with him massively underperforming the Reagan/ Ford ticket. Both men remained loyal to Ford in the 1976 primary with Goldwater endorsing the President, and Buckley staying silent for Nelson Rockefeller’s endorsement in his bid for re-election to his New York Senate seat.

Ford knew Goldwater and had a friendship that spanned decades. This and the fact that the Senator checked all his boxes made him the choice in the end. Goldwater was easily recognizable for better or worse as a conservative icon for decades. He was at the tail end of his career, and most importantly he was loyal when it really mattered.

Ford would invite the Senator to have dinner with him at the Whitehouse and following dinner, while puffing on tobacco President Ford would peer into his old friend's eyes. Mr. Republican though smart as ever was a hardened man. The years of being scorched by the hot Arizona sun, and wind of politics blowing against him had left him worn like leather. When the President asked him to be his Vice President it was as if the Senator was struck by lighting. To say he was in shock was an understatement. Finally, all he could say in response was,

“Jerry now why in the world would you put yourself through all that trouble?”

“Barry I want a choice, not an echo.” The president responded.

“Well don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

--Connor Smith-Lee’s There and Back Again: The Ford Presidencies, PublicAffairs, 2000

LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIALLY RENAMED
RONALD REAGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

City officials pushed to rename the Airport to honor the President and former Governor of the State of California. Mayor Bradley a Democrat along with local leaders supported the change saying that Reagan should be immortalized as a California icon.
-Los Angeles Times, June 8th, 1981

ALIGNMENT NARROWLY WINS ISRAELI ELECTIONS
SHIMON PERES TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER
-Jerusalem Post, June 30th, 1981

PRESIDENT FORD’S INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS;
CALLS ON CONGRESS TO HONOR REAGAN’S AGENDA

President Ford today has called on America and Congress to honor President Reagan’s legacy by passing his Economic Recovery Tax Act. President Ford accompanied by Representative Jack Kemp (the bill’s author) went as far as to call for a Balanced Budget Amendment to cement Reagan’s legacy permanently into the Constitution. The President says that America must secure its financial future now for its children. He called upon all Americans to reach out to their representatives at both the state and the federal level to make sure their voices are heard.
-New York Times, July 4th, 1981

GOLDWATER CONFIRMED BY HOUSE AND SENATE
BECOMES 44TH VICE PRESIDENT

In what was thought to be a quite contentious vote Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona has been confirmed by both the House of Representatives and Senate with comfortable margins. In the House Goldwater won the support of most of the Republican caucus besides a few holdouts, and won large amounts of Southern, and Western Democrats.

In the Senate the vote was mostly on party lines except for Republican holdouts Senators Mathias(MD), and Weicker(CT), Democrat Yes votes from Senators Morgan(NC), Nunn (GA), Talmadge(GA), Chiles(FL), Folsom(AL), Heflin(AL), Pryor(AR), Stennis(MS), Boren(OK), Cannon (NV), Biden(DE), DeConcini(AZ), and finally a yes vote from the only independent in the Senate Harry Byrd Jr (VA).

Goldwater was then quickly sworn in inside the Senate chamber before departing for the Vice Presidential residence at the One Naval Observatory Circle. President Ford called his new Vice President from the G7 summit in Ottawa to congratulate him on his confirmation.

-ABC News, July 17th, 1981

-44th Vice President, Barry M. Goldwater

TRAGEDY STRIKES KANSAS CITY HOTEL
TOTAL DEATHS COUNT EXCEEDS 100
-New York Times, July 17th, 1981

GOVERNOR BRUCE BABBIT SELECTS REPRESENTATIVE MO UDALL
TO FILL SENATE SEAT VACATED BY VICE PRESIDENT GOLDWATER

Governor Bruce Babbit has unsurprisingly selected longtime US Representative Morris Udall to fill Arizona’s vacant senate seat. Udall who previously ran for President in 1976 is well-liked in both Washington and his southwestern Arizona district, and known for his sense of humor.
Udall’s appointment will change the Senate’s composition to 50 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and 1 Independent caucusing with Democrats. Republicans will still control the upper chamber due to the vote of Vice President Goldwater.
-Washington Post, July 27th, 1981

THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
MTV IS LAUNCHED, AUGUST 1ST, 1981

On this day in 1981 Music and Television would change forever with the launch of Mtv (or Music Television), a channel devoted to playing music videos 24/7. Its first music video was the aptly named “Video Killed the Radio Star” by British band The Buggles.
-Historylore.web August 1st, 2004

PRESIDENT FORD ORDERS THE FIRING OF
STRIKING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

Ford called the strike being carried out by the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization illegal and against the very contracts they signed when gained employment. The number of those fired is at least over 10,000.
-Los Angeles Times, August 5th, 1981

CONGRESS PASSES REAGAN ECONOMIC RECOVERY TAX ACT
FORD SIGNS BILL INTO LAW

In what has proven to be reminiscent of President Lyndon B Johnson’s drive to fulfill President Kennedy’s agenda, President Ford has just signed into law a key goal of President Reagan.
Ford says this is just the beginning, as he intends to carry out large swaths of the fallen President’s platform.
-Washington Post, August 13th, 1981

PRESIDENT FORD SAYS THAT HE STILL SUPPORTS EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
SAYS THAT HE ENCOURAGES ITS RATIFICATION BEFORE JUNE 1982 DEADLINE

In a surprising twist, President Ford in a sit-down interview says that he still supports the passage of the ERA (or Equal Rights Amendment). While Ford previously supported the amendment in his first administration most assumed that he would put the issue behind him when he became the running mate of a noted opponent of the ERA Ronald Reagan.

Now in stark contrast with his passage of large parts of Reagan’s agenda, he says he still hopes that the ERA can be ratified. Conservative commentators such as Pat Buchanan have objected to the President’s comments saying that it is not what Ronald Reagan or a majority of conservatives want.

While this has caused an uproar on the right, ERA advocates see it as a second wind for their efforts to see its ratification. State legislatures such as Illinois, Florida, and Virginia have been considering placing new motions to ratify the ERA.
-Washington Post, August 14th, 1981

US FIGHTER JET STRUCK DOWN OVER GULF OF SIDRA
LIBYAN AIRFORCE PRESUMED TO BE RESPONSIBLE
-BBC, August 19th, 1981

 

[Americannerd1776]

Loving this so far! Surprised that Goldwater got confirmed by both chambers of congress. Also, nice reference to James L. Buckley since he died yesterday. Anyway, keep up the good work!

 

[theothresh]

Loving this so far! Surprised that Goldwater got confirmed by both chambers of congress. Also, nice reference to James L. Buckley since he died yesterday. Anyway, keep up the good work!

Well the Dems do end up getting a Senate seat out of it and Ford gets to please the Republican base giving him more political capital. Goldwater was well liked by many of his Senate colleagues (despite his politics) even including many of those across the aisle.

 

[Americannerd1776]

Well the Dems do end up getting a Senate seat out of it and Ford gets to please the Republican base giving him more political capital. Goldwater was well liked by many of his Senate colleagues (despite his politics) even including many of those across the aisle.

That makes sense, I suppose. 🤔