Home of The Brave: An 1960's Political RP (IC)

[Louisianan]

Dearest Senator Joshua Sharp,

I'm disgusted that you would bash me and say I've never invited you to meet with me. You know that you're welcome in my home anytime. In case you forgot where that was, it's known as the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

[Sao Nova Europa]

The Associated Press

Politics

---

January 17th, 1959

General Jonathan Jackson on Vietnam

Praises Soldiers, Promises Troop Surge If Elected

The Former Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and current presumptive Presidential nominee for the Republican Party, Jonathan Jackson, in a public announcement praised the American soldiers fighting in Vietnam and promised that, if elected, he would commit more troops in Vietnam in order to achieve an overwhelming victory and end the war.

"The American soldiers that died in Vietnam are martyrs. Martyrs for liberty and democracy. They died fighting to protect America and the free world from the expansion of Communism and to defend our sacred liberties. We must not let their sacrifice be in vain. We must support in any way we can our boys at the front. They need to know that back home, they are viewed as heroes. But most of all, we cannot give up. We cannot let those deaths be in vain; we cannot say to their families that they died for a lost cause and that we give up. No. We must fight and we must win! As President, I promise to use the full might of our armed forces to bring this war to a swift and victorious conclusion. The communists shall be defeated, Vietnam shall be reunited and our boys will return back home as victors. That's the best way to honor our dead; avenge them and obliterate those who killed them."

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

(Image)The Associated Press (Image)

BREAKING NEWS
(Image)
UPDATE ON THE VIETNAM WAR
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE RELEASES NEW INFO ON OUR PROGRESS IN WAR, PRESIDENT DAVIS' STATEMENT

By Hildegard Van Ramhorst
January 17th, 1959
VIETNAM - BREAKING NEWS today as the Department of Defense released this statement to the press,

"Today, we have been informed of the casualties that we are facing in Vietnam. Estimates are between 500 and 1000 but there may be many more. More information will be shared when President Davis arrives."

The Vietnam War seems to be both a popular and an unpopular war, about 50% of Americans feel that it is our duty to root out communism and about 50% think the war is not ours to fight. This will definitely affect the general and primary elections. After the DoD released that statement, the President released this statement.

"I will be honest to the people of America, and our boys overseas as well. We are fighting a righteous battle, we are fighting Communists, we are fighting a war that we will win. There is no doubt, that there will be casualties, there is no doubt that there will be bloodshed. Let's look back at the day that will live in Infamy. Pearl Harbor's bombing, was something that Congress could have stopped, had they listen to Franklin Roosevelt, we would have joined the War early, and stopped that outrageous assault from the Fascist government of Japan."

"Here we are, at a crossroads yet again, we joined the War so they could never gain the ground that the Japanese did, we joined the war to prevent bloodshed on American Lands. We will win this war, we will burn the Red Curtain of communism, and we will come out of this just like we did on the Day of Infamy. Our boys are brave, our boys are strong, and our boys will do their duty, and they will do it well."

"What is happening in Vietnam is our fight, not only because we are fighting communists, but because we are saving our fellow man from the Reign of Terror that is already inflicted on those in Russia. It is a devastating life, and as a Country that is the Home of the Brave, we have got to make sure that all fear and all threats to our Democracy are defeated, and that is exactly what is going to happen in Vietnam."

The Associated Press

Politics

---

January 17th, 1959

The Office of Senator Sofia Fraser puts out a statement in response to the DoD Causality Report

Expresses sympathy, says "no casualty need be tragic" within the context of a "measurable and achievable goal"

"Any Loss of life of like, particularly that of our brave men in uniform, willing to die fighting for the cause of liberty and justice. is saddening. It'd be amiss to suggest otherwise. I know, as the wife of a veteran and current naval reservist, the concern one feels being separated for weeks, months or even years at a time from a loved one. However, I was able to draw courage not only from knowing his unwavering nature, that he operated under competent officers and that his government respected his willingness to sacrifice for the good of the nation and the free world, but that there existed a clear for the direction of the war, the objectives and understood conditions of victory. While all casualties are sad, if the cause is not only just, but moving toward a measurable and achievable goal, no casualty need be tragic.

While I am sure that the President, the department of defense and all those involved in coordinating this struggle against communist tyranny are operating within the best of their abilities towards achieving specific goals in this intervention, I can not, as Senator, tell you if the casualties that we've experienced as this report informs us are low or too high, as doing that would require a greater cooperation with congress in the execution of this intervention. What I can say for sure, is that my heart goes out to the mothers, daughters and wives of these men who've lost their lives and that as fellow Americans, we all owe those who have sacrificed and will sacrifice for our country, our absolute support in the successful prosecution of this intervention."

[Louisianan]

Hubert Broussards Congressional Office

Hubert sat back, at his desk, wondering who else might possibly support his bills in the Senate when he remembered a good friend whose running for president. He quickly dialed Senator Boone's phone, and waited on him to answer,

"Hello? Boone! Hey you som' bitch, I need a favor if you got time to talk." Hubert boomed out,

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

Hubert Broussards Congressional Office

Hubert sat back, at his desk, wondering who else might possibly support his bills in the Senate when he remembered a good friend whose running for president. He quickly dialed Senator Boone's phone, and waited on him to answer,

"Hello? Boone! Hey you som' bitch, I need a favor if you got time to talk." Hubert boomed out,

Earl's lip curled in disgust at this disrespectful address and the vile, insolent man who uttered it. "Broussard," the Tennessean said curtly. "If you're looking for my support on the NRA or whatever other bill you're trying to push through Congress, I'm afraid I can't help you."

[Louisianan]

Hubert Broussards Congressional Office

Hubert sat back, at his desk, wondering who else might possibly support his bills in the Senate when he remembered a good friend whose running for president. He quickly dialed Senator Boone's phone, and waited on him to answer,

"Hello? Boone! Hey you som' bitch, I need a favor if you got time to talk." Hubert boomed out,

Earl's lip curled in disgust at this disrespectful address and the vile, insolent man who uttered it. "Broussard," the Tennessean said curtly. "If you're looking for my support on the NRA or whatever other bill you're trying to push through Congress, I'm afraid I can't help you."

"Well, hot damn. Ain't you just a fancy mind reader, but honestly, that ain't the only thing I'm calling about." Hubert cleared his throat, "Louisiana'll be going to Yankeefied Sharp, mostly 'cause he's from round south, and he ain't a Lilly-fied window licker. No offense. Anyway, I just want your assurance that if you win the primary and the race, you ain't got no integration plans do ya?"

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

"Well, hot damn. Ain't you just a fancy mind reader, but honestly, that ain't the only thing I'm calling about." Hubert cleared his throat, "Louisiana'll be going to Yankeefied Sharp, mostly 'cause he's from round south, and he ain't a Lilly-fied window licker. No offense. Anyway, I just want your assurance that if you win the primary and the race, you ain't got no integration plans do ya?"

The Senator moved the receiver another inch away from his ear to reduce the volume of the bastardized English coming from it.

"My administration will not support another Civil Rights Act, no," he confirmed directly.

[Louisianan]

"Well, hot damn. Ain't you just a fancy mind reader, but honestly, that ain't the only thing I'm calling about." Hubert cleared his throat, "Louisiana'll be going to Yankeefied Sharp, mostly 'cause he's from round south, and he ain't a Lilly-fied window licker. No offense. Anyway, I just want your assurance that if you win the primary and the race, you ain't got no integration plans do ya?"

The Senator moved the receiver another inch away from his ear to reduce the volume of the bastardized English coming from it.

"My administration will not support another Civil Rights Act, no," he confirmed directly.

"Alright, Senator." Hubert decided to go back to the original subject, "Now, I got a question, about my two bills. I just want to know if you will whip the vote to be Nay or Aye, or if you won't whip at all. You see, if you want to win any southern territories this election, you'll need to prove to us that ya care. I went to my district and I said, "Hey! Is you is, or is you ain't my constituents." Ya hear? I said, "Is you is, or is you ain't my constituents!" They all said, hell yes!" Hubert speaks a little bit louder in a moment of passion, "They like what I' doin, Mississippi does too! So does Alabama, so does Georgia! I tell ya beau, I love me some southern fried chicken, but I love my constituents more ya hear? So I just want to know your stance! But hell yea, I asked, 'Is you is or is you ain't my constituents,' and sure enough, they love it, they love it, I say!"

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

The Senator moved the receiver another inch away from his ear to reduce the volume of the bastardized English coming from it.

"My administration will not support another Civil Rights Act, no," he confirmed directly.

"Alright, Senator." Hubert decided to go back to the original subject, "Now, I got a question, about my two bills. I just want to know if you will whip the vote to be Nay or Aye, or if you won't whip at all. You see, if you want to win any southern territories this election, you'll need to prove to us that ya care. I went to my district and I said, "Hey! Is you is, or is you ain't my constituents." Ya hear? I said, "Is you is, or is you ain't my constituents!" They all said, hell yes!" Hubert speaks a little bit louder in a moment of passion, "They like what I' doin, Mississippi does too! So does Alabama, so does Georgia! I tell ya beau, I love me some southern fried chicken, but I love my constituents more ya hear? So I just want to know your stance! But hell yea, I asked, 'Is you is or is you ain't my constituents,' and sure enough, they love it, they love it, I say!"

Earl went back to what he had been doing— revising a campaign speech— managing to get through another paragraph before Broussard was done ranting.

"I will tell my Senators to vote their conscience," Boone explained patiently. "Which means that the chances of your bills passing the Senate, without any support from the Republicans or the liberal Democrats, are slim." So, why, then, must you drag our Party through the mud?

[Louisianan]

"Alright, Senator." Hubert decided to go back to the original subject, "Now, I got a question, about my two bills. I just want to know if you will whip the vote to be Nay or Aye, or if you won't whip at all. You see, if you want to win any southern territories this election, you'll need to prove to us that ya care. I went to my district and I said, "Hey! Is you is, or is you ain't my constituents." Ya hear? I said, "Is you is, or is you ain't my constituents!" They all said, hell yes!" Hubert speaks a little bit louder in a moment of passion, "They like what I' doin, Mississippi does too! So does Alabama, so does Georgia! I tell ya beau, I love me some southern fried chicken, but I love my constituents more ya hear? So I just want to know your stance! But hell yea, I asked, 'Is you is or is you ain't my constituents,' and sure enough, they love it, they love it, I say!"

Earl went back to what he had been doing— revising a campaign speech— managing to get through another paragraph before Broussard was done ranting.

"I will tell my Senators to vote their conscience," Boone explained patiently. "Which means that the chances of your bills passing the Senate, without any support from the Republicans or the liberal Democrats, are slim." So, why, then, must you drag our Party through the mud?

This was strange news to Hubert, he quickly responded, "Now hold the hell on! What is your problem with my bill?" he puffed on the cigarette that he had just lit and continued talking, "Give me feedback!"

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

Earl went back to what he had been doing— revising a campaign speech— managing to get through another paragraph before Broussard was done ranting.

"I will tell my Senators to vote their conscience," Boone explained patiently. "Which means that the chances of your bills passing the Senate, without any support from the Republicans or the liberal Democrats, are slim." So, why, then, must you drag our Party through the mud?

This was strange news to Hubert, he quickly responded, "Now hold the hell on! What is your problem with my bill?" he puffed on the cigarette that he had just lit and continued talking, "Give me feedback!"

Earl put his hand over the receiver as he let out a tremendous groan, then swiveled in his chair, eyes on the portrait of Andrew Jackson which occupied his wall.

"The Negro Relocation Act is inactionable. It does nothing to define or regulate the 'American Colonization Society,' and does not define its goals. In its current form, it could be used by the President as nothing more than an excuse to legally line his best friend's pockets with $112,000 every year. It is a corrupt executive's dream, a law that might as well be one giant loophole for all the good it does. Furthermore, everyone north of the Mason-Dixon will find the idea of a massive budget increase to fund the deportation of blacks unconscionable."

[Newne Carriebean7]

Dear President Davis

I know damn well where you live you miserable young bastard, I plan on being your evictor come next January, though the way the papers slandered me with Chicago, I might be better off chattin' with y'all for a bit. Hell, I'm not entirely sure that this whole " running for the President thing" was a good idea. I'll be over at the WH soon enough.

Yours Truly,

[Louisianan]

This was strange news to Hubert, he quickly responded, "Now hold the hell on! What is your problem with my bill?" he puffed on the cigarette that he had just lit and continued talking, "Give me feedback!"

Earl put his hand over the receiver as he let out a tremendous groan, then swiveled in his chair, eyes on the portrait of Andrew Jackson which occupied his wall.

"The Negro Relocation Act is inactionable. It does nothing to define or regulate the 'American Colonization Society,' and does not define its goals. In its current form, it could be used by the President as nothing more than an excuse to legally line his best friend's pockets with $112,000 every year. It is a corrupt executive's dream, a law that might as well be one giant loophole for all the good it does. Furthermore, everyone north of the Mason-Dixon will find the idea of a massive budget increase to fund the deportation of blacks unconscionable."

"I don't think you fully understand the bill, Senator." Hubert let out a rambunctious laugh, "Hot damn! Another dummy! Listen, I understand that you are an opportunistic motha' so I've been advised by a good many opportunistic constituents, to lend out some lobbyist cash, all backroom of course. You've got a hefty congressional record ain't ya? I assume that Lobbyist cash has lined your pocket before, and that's just what my friends want to do! Fund your campaign, glide you along them golden arches, and along that big house that Big Daddy Davis sits high and mighty in." Hubert coughs, "You light my cigarette, we'll light your cigar."

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

Earl put his hand over the receiver as he let out a tremendous groan, then swiveled in his chair, eyes on the portrait of Andrew Jackson which occupied his wall.

"The Negro Relocation Act is inactionable. It does nothing to define or regulate the 'American Colonization Society,' and does not define its goals. In its current form, it could be used by the President as nothing more than an excuse to legally line his best friend's pockets with $112,000 every year. It is a corrupt executive's dream, a law that might as well be one giant loophole for all the good it does. Furthermore, everyone north of the Mason-Dixon will find the idea of a massive budget increase to fund the deportation of blacks unconscionable."

"I don't think you fully understand the bill, Senator." Hubert let out a rambunctious laugh, "Hot damn! Another dummy! Listen, I understand that you are an opportunistic motha' so I've been advised by a good many opportunistic constituents, to lend out some lobbyist cash, all backroom of course. You've got a hefty congressional record ain't ya? I assume that Lobbyist cash has lined your pocket before, and that's just what my friends want to do! Fund your campaign, glide you along them golden arches, and along that big house that Big Daddy Davis sits high and mighty in." Hubert coughs, "You light my cigarette, we'll light your cigar."

Earl rolled his eyes. As much as he wanted to lambast the ignorant buffoon on the other end of the line, he held his tongue. It would do no good.

"While I would be glad to have your support for my Presidential campaign, Congressman, I simply cannot support the bill in its current form."

[Louisianan]

Dear President Davis

I know damn well where you live you miserable young bastard, I plan on being your evictor come next January, though the way the papers slandered me with Chicago, I might be better off chattin' with y'all for a bit. Hell, I'm not entirely sure that this whole " running for the President thing" was a good idea. I'll be over at the WH soon enough.

Yours Truly,
([url=https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210221/ed9514fcb4dd76f0541598d48f8b52a5.png]Image)[/url]

After receiving the letter, Henry was sure to set up the Oval Office in a way that the Senator could complain about, Union memorabilia lined the walls, and a big bust of Lincoln and General Grant on the desk. After doing so, he sat and waited, listening to some Depression Era music.

[Louisianan]

"I don't think you fully understand the bill, Senator." Hubert let out a rambunctious laugh, "Hot damn! Another dummy! Listen, I understand that you are an opportunistic motha' so I've been advised by a good many opportunistic constituents, to lend out some lobbyist cash, all backroom of course. You've got a hefty congressional record ain't ya? I assume that Lobbyist cash has lined your pocket before, and that's just what my friends want to do! Fund your campaign, glide you along them golden arches, and along that big house that Big Daddy Davis sits high and mighty in." Hubert coughs, "You light my cigarette, we'll light your cigar."

Earl rolled his eyes. As much as he wanted to lambast the ignorant buffoon on the other end of the line, he held his tongue. It would do no good.

"While I would be glad to have your support for my Presidential campaign, Congressman, I simply cannot support the bill in its current form."

"Alrighty then, hows about you or Yankee Doodle Sharp go right on ahead and amend it?"

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

Earl rolled his eyes. As much as he wanted to lambast the ignorant buffoon on the other end of the line, he held his tongue. It would do no good.

"While I would be glad to have your support for my Presidential campaign, Congressman, I simply cannot support the bill in its current form."

"Alrighty then, hows about you or Yankee Doodle Sharp go right on ahead and amend it?"

"Because I don't care how solid it is, you're not going to pass something this racially charged through Congress," Earl ground out, patience beginning to wear thin.

[Louisianan]

"Alrighty then, hows about you or Yankee Doodle Sharp go right on ahead and amend it?"

"Because I don't care how solid it is, you're not going to pass something this racially charged through Congress," Earl ground out, patience beginning to wear thin.

"It ain't racially charged! What gave you that idea! I'm takin an idea from the Reconstruction GOP, and making it modern! You're on a fast track to losing the South with comments like that bud." Broussard laughs, "Hell, the South rathered Davis than our nominee two times, and without the south, Jacksons got ya beat bud!"

[Newne Carriebean7]

Oval Office
Senator Joshua Sharp had never been in the White House. Hell, for his entire senate tenure he had made it a principle to never meet with the "devil" as he privately murmurred to himself. The Mississippian calmly walked through security, making sure he dropped his
coveted and precious pocket watch on the tray where the Secret Service Agents were sure to carelessly mishandle the priceless family heirloom. A fact proven quick when the agent threw the watch at the old senator, whose reflexes were just enough to prevent the watch from smashing onto the ground.
"You idjits! My watch!"
"oooh, lookey here, is old man Sharp gonna tear up? Boo fuckin' hoo Senator."
"You..." Before he said another word, he angrily stormed off, cradling the pocket watch in his hands before taking in a deep breath and entering the President's Office.

There were worse ways to die.

To have your soul leave your body at an instant.

To be utterly and swiftly ground down like atomic dust on some boot.

All that was blown out of the water when Sharp took in the yankee filled Oval office. Everywhere he looked was union half circles, with several civil war toy soldiers set up on the desk... all dressed in blue. When wondering where the grey confederate toy soldiers had gone, he cussed to himself at the grey wastebasket, one of the only grey things in the room.

He was in hell.

"Now this is fuckin' childish..." The Senator hissed venomously out loud before his eyes took in the large bust of Lincoln and someone who looked like Jefferson Davis?
"Was Davis President? No, he was secretary of war... but so was Floyd...wasn't he President?" The Mississippian pondered those questions before he took in his sights on Henry Davis. The old man looked signifgantly younger than the aging senator, a fact that Sharp loathed, but he couldn't help but smile.

At least on the inside. His features on the outside could best be described as a squirrel trying not to fart, and loosing the battle. After some akward silence, Sharp muttered.
"Goddamn, Dave, you're tryin' too hard now. Wasn't the Great Depression started by a republican President?" Senator Sharp said, finally listening to the depression era music that had previously been blocked out by his ears, but now were gleefuly soaking it up , at least to prevent his eyes from staring directly into the statue of Abraham Lincoln, as if he would go blind, or even worse, turn into a republican or end up not racist.

"Now, as much as I dislike your administration and your policies, I thank you for having the time to meet with me. I know there's not a whole lot of love between you and eye. Hell, between you and most of us deep south dixecrats. Maybe not that New York bitch.. what was her name? Fraser? Freidsam? Larry? Larry's a woman's name, right?"

[Louisianan]

Oval Office
Senator Joshua Sharp had never been in the White House. Hell, for his entire senate tenure he had made it a principle to never meet with the "devil" as he privately murmurred to himself. The Mississippian calmly walked through security, making sure he dropped his
coveted and precious pocket watch on the tray where the Secret Service Agents were sure to carelessly mishandle the priceless family heirloom. A fact proven quick when the agent threw the watch at the old senator, whose reflexes were just enough to prevent the watch from smashing onto the ground.
"You idjits! My watch!"
"oooh, lookey here, is old man Sharp gonna tear up? Boo fuckin' hoo Senator."
"You..." Before he said another word, he angrily stormed off, cradling the pocket watch in his hands before taking in a deep breath and entering the President's Office.

There were worse ways to die.

To have your soul leave your body at an instant.

To be utterly and swiftly ground down like atomic dust on some boot.

All that was blown out of the water when Sharp took in the yankee filled Oval office. Everywhere he looked was union half circles, with several civil war toy soldiers set up on the desk... all dressed in blue. When wondering where the grey confederate toy soldiers had gone, he cussed to himself at the grey wastebasket, one of the only grey things in the room.

He was in hell.

"Now this is fuckin' childish..." The Senator hissed venomously out loud before his eyes took in the large bust of Lincoln and someone who looked like Jefferson Davis?
"Was Davis President? No, he was secretary of war... but so was Floyd...wasn't he President?" The Mississippian pondered those questions before he took in his sights on Henry Davis. The old man looked signifgantly younger than the aging senator, a fact that Sharp loathed, but he couldn't help but smile.

At least on the inside. His features on the outside could best be described as a squirrel trying not to fart, and loosing the battle. After some akward silence, Sharp muttered.
"Goddamn, Dave, you're tryin' too hard now. Wasn't the Great Depression started by a republican President?" Senator Sharp said, finally listening to the depression era music that had previously been blocked out by his ears, but now were gleefuly soaking it up , at least to prevent his eyes from staring directly into the statue of Abraham Lincoln, as if he would go blind, or even worse, turn into a republican or end up not racist.

"Now, as much as I dislike your administration and your policies, I thank you for having the time to meet with me. I know there's not a whole lot of love between you and eye. Hell, between you and most of us deep south dixecrats. Maybe not that New York bitch.. what was her name? Fraser? Freidsam? Larry? Larry's a woman's name, right?"

"Senator, her name is, Fraser, a woman I respect greatly," Davis said as he turned off the radio, "You have got to have been accustomed to the facts by now, Senator. Your kind is going out of style, 'Dixiecrats' as you call them. Politics is changing too, and people like you, with a bowler hat, umbrella or cane with a pocket watch and a tight waistcoat, people like you are going out of style. People who read the ramblings of an outspoken and senile Senator. They, your main voting base, is also going out of style. Have you thought about that?"

[Newne Carriebean7]

Senator Joshua Sharp snorted at the comment.

"Me? outdated? Ha! I am simply an old-fashioned senator, not an outdated one. I preform admirably for Mississippi and they in turn reward me with senate goodies such as another term come August somethinth, 1960. The people of my state love me. They love that I stand up to you on occasion, and can even stomach bi-bi..."
The man was forced to forcibly slap his throat to get the word to come out.
"bipartisanship! What a hard word this day and age! I'm grateful I'm gettin' something other than lining my own pockets outta this Senate office. Not that I'd do that. I give my state with as much political bacon as they desire. That's the key to winnin' elections, ya only worry about the primary in my regard. I hear rumors of the north, I even joked with Warsawchowskii about it, that they have actual elections up there. With two parties! That's insane from some dirt-poor dumbass like myself!

The Dixiecrats are still going to be around, I might die of a heart attack some day from workin' too darn tootin' hard at keepin' the colored down and the price of cotton sky bloody high! Like it or not, I'm confident in playin' my cards right, Dave. I know I'm under all sorts of pressure, from the right with the damned Broussard bullyin' me in my own goddamned office. You and I don't always see eye to eye on much, but we can at least agree that bullying a sitting U.S Senator is frowned upon. It's a form of voter intimidation!"

Taking a breath that the long-winded senator's lungs couldn't object to, he continued.
"I know I've seemed wrong on many things, from Alaska to the Constitutional Amendment, I'm confident in my opinions. I know I'll be vindicated by history at the very end of it! As for my voting block, the people of Mississippi love me, they gave me a couple hundred dollars at a fundraiser, money I'll happily use to prop up my Senate bid. Though... those crowds in Chicago... that, I'll easily admit, was a pretty fuckin' stupid idea. Chicago, what the hell was I thinkin' to get more than two votes, one from the village idiot, and the other from his sister!

[Louisianan]

Senator Joshua Sharp snorted at the comment.

"Me? outdated? Ha! I am simply an old-fashioned senator, not an outdated one. I preform admirably for Mississippi and they in turn reward me with senate goodies such as another term come August somethinth, 1960. The people of my state love me. They love that I stand up to you on occasion, and can even stomach bi-bi..."
The man was forced to forcibly slap his throat to get the word to come out.
"bipartisanship! What a hard word this day and age! I'm grateful I'm gettin' something other than lining my own pockets outta this Senate office. Not that I'd do that. I give my state with as much political bacon as they desire. That's the key to winnin' elections, ya only worry about the primary in my regard. I hear rumors of the north, I even joked with Warsawchowskii about it, that they have actual elections up there. With two parties! That's insane from some dirt-poor dumbass like myself!

The Dixiecrats are still going to be around, I might die of a heart attack some day from workin' too darn tootin' hard at keepin' the colored down and the price of cotton sky bloody high! Like it or not, I'm confident in playin' my cards right, Dave. I know I'm under all sorts of pressure, from the right with the damned Broussard bullyin' me in my own goddamned office. You and I don't always see eye to eye on much, but we can at least agree that bullying a sitting U.S Senator is frowned upon. It's a form of voter intimidation!"

Taking a breath that the long-winded senator's lungs couldn't object to, he continued.
"I know I've seemed wrong on many things, from Alaska to the Constitutional Amendment, I'm confident in my opinions. I know I'll be vindicated by history at the very end of it! As for my voting block, the people of Mississippi love me, they gave me a couple hundred dollars at a fundraiser, money I'll happily use to prop up my Senate bid. Though... those crowds in Chicago... that, I'll easily admit, was a pretty fuckin' stupid idea. Chicago, what the hell was I thinkin' to get more than two votes, one from the village idiot, and the other from his sister!

"Senator," Henry sighed, he was clearly more upset that the man was this far gone, pointed towards a mirror, "Look at yourself, in that mirror, and tell me what you think of yourself. People in politics all over the country laugh at you because you act as though you're just a belligerent old fool. I know that you don't see yourself that way, but tell me this, how many of your bills have passed the House and Senate in the past 10 years? How many times does a man on the street of this city walk up and want to shake your hand? How much do others in politics respect you? How many people treat you like gum on the bottom of a boot? Nobody takes you seriously, and I think that you need to understand those things, sit back and just think for just a moment, as to what you want to be remembered for?" Henry begins doing paperwork, waiting for the Senator to respond,

[Dalmannia]

The Associated Press

Politics

---

January 17th, 1959

Governor Stoltzman Addresses California on Vietnam Casualties

Mourns loss of American Soldiers, Urges Repatriation of Bodies

“My fellow Americans and Californians, today we mark a truly grim milestone, as confirmed by the Department of Defense: 500 to 1,000 of our boys have died overseas in Vietnam. To acknowledge the scale of this mass death is to acknowledge the likelihood of many of those young men being not only young American men, but young Californian men. I have yet to reach any identification of how many soldiers of our state were killed, though my office is currently contacting the White House in order to grant our condolences to grieving families.”

“I understand the burden that comes with deployment in hostile foreign soil. I understand the fears of families, and the grief of those who have lost their loved ones. In the Pacific Theatre, I witnessed firsthand the brutality of war. Some of my fellow soldiers who died asked only in their final moments that their loved ones—children, wives, mothers, fathers siblings—be taken care of. They died without self-pity, but deeply concerned about the sorrow they knew the news of their death would cause their families and friends back home. That I left the war with my life, I can only thank God. These men who have died in Vietnam are no different than the men of my generation, for they have fought for freedom in a place where liberty is in danger. They endangered their own lives to help a distant people overcome the threat of tyranny. As with many I was honored to serve alongside, many of those who have died in Vietnam sacrificed their lives in the name of duty, honor, and country. We grieve all of them, whose fidelity and courage brightly lit the torch of Liberty, and upheld the true spirit of American selflessness.”

“I promise you that I will obtain the identification of those Californian soldiers so that their sacrifices may be honored in their own state. Families that wish to shall contact my office, so that I may directly petition the federal government to prioritize the repatriation of remains so that they may have a dignified burial.”

“May God bless America, and may God protect the brave troops of the United States.”

[Newne Carriebean7]

Senator Joshua Sharp heeded the President's advice and gazed at the mirror in his office. In it he took in the gauntly thin statue of a man. A man who looked tired. A man who felt exhausted from... what had he done anyways? In his decade as a Mississippi senator, he tried his damndest to remember some sort of legislative accomplishments. What did the Senator have to be exhausted from any how? If anything, it meant he could finally retire with some beloved Mississippian onions, calmly catching up on Warren G. Harding autobiographies in his room, complaining about politics with his wife.

"Y'all know I'm a senator. There's generally three rankin's as I sees thems. The firsts is the policy makers and the whips, people like Senator Boone, he's got a cushy job and a big ass office. The seconds are the ones who while not having much, still see to it that their state gets the needed bacon, and the thirds are the ones who buck their own party more than not, flirt with the idea of switching to an independent just to keep the other Dixiecrats in line with that threat.

I know my votes aren't popular, hell, I'm surprised gettin' some praise from you now and again on certain issues. I'm blending the line between a second and third-rate U.S Senator. Do I buck my party leadership on D.C and the other Constitutional amendments? Yes! If you're not willin' to take unpopular decisions and take the hard road in politics, you're not going to be fulfilled. Sometimes in politics and in friendships, it's more important to take an unpopular decision, knowing you'll be absolved in the lord at the very end.

Oh hell, maybe it's just me being cynical, but I'm not so sure I want to run for President between you and me. Hell, I like running, but I'm not happy on the inside, Dave. I get miserable some nights, bawlin' myself to sleep knowin' the whole damned political world is out to lynch Senator Joshua Sharp!

When I look in that mirror, I see a stubborn old bastard. A damn proud stubborn old bastard who's not afraid to go down the road less traveled. As for my bills that I've put forward...uh...er..."

Sharp put his head down for a solid few minutes, contemplating what exactly had he done in ten years?

What was his legacy?

Would he get a high school named after him? Hell, at this point he'd take Sharp avenue in Quitman County! A street sign, anything!

"I think there was one in the house that talked about getting the money for a dam to provide electricity towards some small Mississippian town, I know I added in a slew of last minute additions to widely popular bills, not sure if they fully passed or if Boone ripped them out like a band aid. From what I can remember, let me sound several off from my senate tenure:"

Taking a deep breath, he scribbled some bills that he remembered coming his way in the Senate and tried to recall his votes for each item. Taking much longer than remembering how to win an election in Mississippi (the primaries), the old man clearly wasn't firing on all cylinders, as he squished his face together and thought, scribbling something out, then laughing slightly when he got to the very end of the list.

Agricultural Act of 1949- Nay
Mutual Security Act- Aye
The Highway Bill- Nay
Communist Control Act- Aye, that was popular in Mississippi.

"G.I. Bill- Nay, I got some hefty flak for that one. That's probably why I'm backin' you so vigorously now with respect to Vietnam When I said no to the G.I. Bill, it was the biggest damned mistake of my career! (so far anyaways) I got so much damned flak in Mississippi at the time, some pundits with a stick up their ass wondered if I could survive. Bullshit. I lived, and I'm standin' before you as a Senator today!"

[Deblar]

(Image)The Associated Press (Image)

BREAKING NEWS
(Image)
UPDATE ON THE VIETNAM WAR
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE RELEASES NEW INFO ON OUR PROGRESS IN WAR, PRESIDENT DAVIS' STATEMENT

By Hildegard Van Ramhorst
January 17th, 1959
VIETNAM - BREAKING NEWS today as the Department of Defense released this statement to the press,

"Today, we have been informed of the casualties that we are facing in Vietnam. Estimates are between 500 and 1000 but there may be many more. More information will be shared when President Davis arrives."

The Vietnam War seems to be both a popular and an unpopular war, about 50% of Americans feel that it is our duty to root out communism and about 50% think the war is not ours to fight. This will definitely affect the general and primary elections. After the DoD released that statement, the President released this statement.

"I will be honest to the people of America, and our boys overseas as well. We are fighting a righteous battle, we are fighting Communists, we are fighting a war that we will win. There is no doubt, that there will be casualties, there is no doubt that there will be bloodshed. Let's look back at the day that will live in Infamy. Pearl Harbor's bombing, was something that Congress could have stopped, had they listen to Franklin Roosevelt, we would have joined the War early, and stopped that outrageous assault from the Fascist government of Japan."

"Here we are, at a crossroads yet again, we joined the War so they could never gain the ground that the Japanese did, we joined the war to prevent bloodshed on American Lands. We will win this war, we will burn the Red Curtain of communism, and we will come out of this just like we did on the Day of Infamy. Our boys are brave, our boys are strong, and our boys will do their duty, and they will do it well."

"What is happening in Vietnam is our fight, not only because we are fighting communists, but because we are saving our fellow man from the Reign of Terror that is already inflicted on those in Russia. It is a devastating life, and as a Country that is the Home of the Brave, we have got to make sure that all fear and all threats to our Democracy are defeated, and that is exactly what is going to happen in Vietnam."

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE NNRC

The NNRC officially acknowledges losses taken in Vietnam in the fight against communism. We fully admire and support the Americans risking their lives to spread freedom and democracy. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.