Mr. President, you're on a roll again and an another surprise but impressive chapter on President RFK's Domestic News and Politics in 1982 ITTL. I didn't even know that "No Nukes Now" started in this decade? I thought it was in the 90's just after The Cold War Era IOTL. The music concert was also something I've never heard of but must have skipped that part in music history? Anyway, Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, James Taylor, and Linda Rondstadt were made people sing-along with them. With the arrival of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, it made everyone applaud loudly throughout the night when it was happened at Central Park in New York City. While few Americans are in favor of nuclear disarmament, Republicans, some Democrats, and even President RFK were disagree at this time with the Cold War still heating up. Hoping that President RFK passed another SALT Treaty like IOTL later on his second term ITTL to put the fear, scare, and paranoia into rest. I wonder if Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and other musicians were in favor of nuclear freeze or not?
The 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee were just like IOTL but there were some changes ITTL. The push of Renewable Energy since President Udall is in full swing by the 80's ITTL, hoping also for President RFK to push the country to put more funds in using clean energy now that The Seven Sisters broke up. The town brought improvements in tourism, economy, including transport infrastructure so that everyone can visit the fair. Truly an another successful, memorable, and impactful World's Fair to all of whom became part of the event.
Being a Non-American, I've always heard of this "The Great Awakening" and I don't know if all of this matters to every Americans? The New South are improving in the previous decade to make their cities livable, moving away from their terrible past in favor of a better future, and Evangelical Christianity were on the rise with Rev. Billy Graham as the leading charismatic figure of the movement and became a spiritual advisor to every US President since Truman. Good thing that Rev. Graham accepted President JFK late in his term after in favor to oppose him due to being a Roman Catholic during The 1960 US Presidential Election IOTL. His endorsement of RFK for US President in 1980 ITTL was a surprise for me, until he became uncomfortable due to support LGBT+ Community and Abortion. With The So Have I Movement happening ITTL, I'm wonder what would happen to Rev. Graham, Pope Stanislaus, and other leaders of religion? Would they change their views now that the social landscape were changed or not?
Finally, the economy finally recovered and sustained growth after The Seesaw Seventies thanks to "The Kennedynomics" ITTL. "Peace and Prosperity" was the party's new slogan heading to The 1982 US Midterm Election and eventually to The 1984 US Presidential Election ITTL. With President RFK having a success in both foreign and domestic policy, I think the Democrats would clean sweep the election and both control the Senate and Congress. I have a question for you Mr. President, would President RFK battling The Yuppie Culture ITTL? I don't know if it still exists ITTL, but this would be an interesting fight of his political career. You still forgot about The Second Bill of Rights that he promised to bring jobs to millions of Americans during The 1980 US Presidential Election ITTL.
Well geniuses, looks like we're off to The Hårsfjärden War. The Soviets against the Swedish is something we look forward to in the next chapter updates. I'm wondering if ABBA would be affected by this conflict or not ITTL? You still haven't made an official chapter update on the Nordic Countries, some Slavic Countries, Southern Europe, other countries in Africa, some Southeast and Central Asian Countries, and the rest from Australia and Oceania. Please don't tell us that your going to post the next chapter tomorrow on my timezone. I don't know how many vacant days you have, but we're just surprised every time and always bring smiles to ourselves.
Please forgive me to respond at this late time due to having a busy schedule throughout the day and only at night that I'm doing this. I just hate when something interrupts your planned schedule and have to deal with it just to get this over with. Once again, I'm impressed with your chapter!
Excellent update, Mr. President. I must say that the evolution of religion in the United States is fascinating ITTL. Different (especially with no Pro-GOP and so-called Moral Majority forming and Evangelicals evenly distributed in both parties) and yet still recognizable from the point of view IOTL. Bobby Kennedy really struck a chord with many Americans, being very religious but at the same time supportive of progressive social causes. As for the effects of Kennedy-nomics, I think the United States in the 80's ITTL economically would also be different and yet still recognizable from the point of view IOTL, with prosperity returning but the methods of achieving it being vastly different from IOTL. The fate of certain economic hubs and urban centers as well as the state of the national infrastructure would also be somewhat different.
Cheers! 😁 That's definitely my goal with the 80's ITTL. I think to some extent, the 80's were always going to be a bit of a reaction to the turbulence and upheaval of the Late 60's and 70's. Albeit ITTL, those upheavals are squarely associated with the GOP, rather than Liberalism as a whole. The New Deal/New Frontier Coalition gets to have one final triumph before it must ultimately evolve into ITTL's Sixth Party System (which is still coming with the gradual awakening of Conservatism, mark my words). But what will the new dynamics of US Politics look like headed into the Late 80's and 90's and Beyond ITTL? Stay tuned. 😉
Looking forward to it Mr. President!
Never forget what Barry Goldwater said about Jerry Falwell (I may have posted this in the first part, too): "Every good Christian should kick Jerry Falwell in the ass."
Senator Goldwater is one of the more interesting figures in American History --he supported Gay Rights towards the end of his life, among other things (if Gay Rights is mentioned, I hope Goldwater gets a mention; he did this before it became a big issue)...
Definitely 😁 I believe that as Goldwater embarks on the twilight of his career, he could very well found a "Libertarian" branch to ITTL's GOP. Maybe he passes the torch to Ron Paul and other Like-Minded Republicans. The GOP here is in a bit of an identity crisis, divided between multiple wings: Romney-ite Moderates; Neoconservatives; Paleoconservatives; and so forth.
I didn't even know that Senator Goldwater was in favor LGBT+ Rights towards the end of his career in office. I'm impressed! Maybe the Republicans would be in shock that he's supporting this cause, now I'm wondering what would his fellow members of the party would say? Libertarian Republicans you say? Well alright then genius!
Interesting, very interesting. Once again, I would like to congratulate you sir on creating a hopeful and better timeline but still within the bound of realism.
Also, i may have stated this in the thread before, but the progression of RFK's Presidency makes me think that by 1984 ITTL, there is a potential that a "It's Morning in America" election campaign commercial would also be broadcast nationwide, but unlike IOTL, it was released by RFK's Presidential Campaign ITTL. The advertisement showcased a series of visuals depicting Americans heading to their jobs, accompanied by a serene and hopeful voiceover. This narration implied that the positive changes in the U.S. Economy since The 1980 US Presidential Election were the result of policies implemented by The Second Kennedy Administration, such as progressive taxes, income redistribution, comprehensive public services, universal healthcare, social security, labor rights, antitrust laws, social justice, and so on. A comparison would also be made to "The Wonder Years" of The First Kennedy Administration (JFK). It asked voters why they would want to vote Republican and return to the unstable "Seesaw Seventies."
There's a STRONG possibility that this will essentially be RFK's pitch for his reelection campaign. 😁
I second that suggestion geniuses! Keep it up for The 1984 US Presidential Election ITTL! Kennedy-Bentsen 1984: Peace and Prosperity!
Hey, guys.
I don't know if any of you remember me, but I was on this forum nearly two years ago and I remember posting a comment where I showed my undeniably rather rude impatience (as was pointed out) with the thread's creator not delivering a link I was eager to see yet. Back in 2022, I was a very emotionally immature person who just lacked the ability to understand that not every creator has the time necessary to update a thread and whatnot.
That same year, when I got called out for it, I know now that I deserved it, but at that time, I felt like I made everyone mad. Plus, I feel like I gave a rather pathetic apology that didn't even cut it. I can't even bother to go back and look at those first three comments I made... It just gives me bad memories every time I think about it.
Well, it's been nearly two years since I was on this site. I believe I've changed and have a better understanding of giving people time and being more patient, so on and so forth. I don't really expect to be forgiven, and I'm not here looking for attention of any kind. But either way, I'm genuinely sorry for the way I initially behaved on this thread. Had I been perhaps a little more mature, then I would not have made that comment in the first place. It's truly not like me to be rude to people, especially online...
Also,
@President_Lincoln, I just want to say that I really love the timeline you've been crafting on this thread since 2017. It's very beautifully written, and I can't wait to see you post the next update. But, do take your time. I know I had been an impatient person in the past, but I've learned I shouldn't push people for updates. That's all I have to say. Love your work!
Welcome back to the thread. Who doesn't cheer for the return of a reformed person?! I can only agree with you: This TL continues to be among the best on this forum, excellent world-building and writing by @President_Lincoln, but also an awesome community of readers commenting very civilly and friendly. As far as I am concerned, I am glad you joined these ranks, and let's let bygones be bygone!
Well it's good that you're back in this thread again with wisdom, maturity, and understanding of yours. Like what they all say "
Patience is a virtue." We're looking forward to have your discussion, opinion, and response here in the future genius.
Randomly idea for later down ITTL: Apparently Charles Barkley (who it should be noted was once part of the Republican Party) planned to run for Governor of Alabama. What if he actually went through with those plans ITTL?
The Charles Barkley of NBA? I've never heard of this information until today that he's planning to run for office? Well if you're going to ask me geniuses, maybe he'll start to plan this after NBA Retirement. For starters, he has both the charisma and humor that he'll be used during the campaign. What would be his views on the issues of the day ITTL? If he goes to this plan, he may never be part as host and sports commentator at NBA on TNT with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and later Shaquille O' Neal. Their humor and bonding makes them irreplaceable and hard to imagine who would fill his shoes as host. Magic Johnson did became as host for a brief time in the 2000's IOTL. Whatever you're planning for Barkley and his political career ITTL is anybody's guesses and predictions now, I'll let you geniuses here decide if we're going forward for this or not? Mr. President, it's your call.
