ð§ðððĄððĶ ð§ððð§ ðĄððĐððĨ ðŠððĨð: Ronald W. Reagan - Bobby Kennedy's America #9
UPDATE to Reagan File
March 27, 1971
TO: President Robert Kennedy, Campaign Staff
FROM: Ted Sorensen
The old file on Gov. Reagan was written in August 1970, seemingly under the assumption he'd lose to Sec. Unruh, decided to update missing info.
Gov. Ronald Reagan of California has made an early start to the next campaign, announcing his presidential bid only months after the midterm elections. His 1970 re-election organization has been outfitted into an operation to take the White House, and he's already making moves to solicit key endorsements within his party. In 1969 this file on Reagan was commissioned, the first of many I've done thus far, which speaks to his power within the Republican Party. However, since then, the arch-conservative party leader has made his fair share of mistakes.
Although he scored a strong win against Sec. Unruh, his immediate decision to launch a presidential campaign encapsulates well his greatest weakness in the eyes of his Republican allies: an almost incomprehensible overconfidence. Being both a front-runner and the only major candidate for the nomination, Reagan almost immediately pelted with attacks from both Democrats and prospective Republican opponents. Governor Agnew told the press in Maryland he had no reaction to Reagan's announcement, exclaiming, "I have a job to do, the job that the people of Maryland elected me to. Maybe [Governor] Reagan ought to look into that."
Although most chalk it all up to Reagan being in over his own head, it all may be a part of a larger strategy by his team to mend fences ahead of the primary contests. Over the course of his short political career, Reagan has gained a reputation as an extremely conservative firebrand, one who can even make Barry Goldwater blush with his gaffes. In 1970, and now with this next campaign, the Californian Governor has openly moderated on some rhetoric, hoping to play nice with a party deeply scared of losing another election. This has left him open to attacks from the right, which many potential opponents have gladly partaken in. This change hasn't been overwhelming, and in his first week on the campaign trail he openly pondered selling the TVA, and privatizing social security (if the chance were to arise, he said.) Even worse, his public stances on Vietnam only seem to grow more unpopular by the day.
Another point of concern is a potential alliance between Reagan and Gov. George Wallace, who, despite clearly harboring a certain distaste for Reagan, has suggested throwing his support behind the Governor of California wouldn't be close to impossible.
Still, even through it all, the decision to run an early campaign seems to have been a mistake for the Reagan campaign. Those old wounds with party leaders reportedly run deep. Even Richard Nixon, a Reagan ally, told reporters he was worried about what a general election with him as the candidate would look like. "Well, you have to have a winner... a winner... someone strong and confident. I think Governor Reagan can, uh, show them he's the right choice."
PRIVATE MEMO
We're really getting close now, aren't we. Welcome back, y'all, to another installment of Bobby Kennedy's America, a series giving you the deetz on all the information you need to get acquainted with and succeed in Things That Never Were. A mod following the administration of Robert Kennedy as it prepares for re-election.
For previous entries, set your pretty eyes yonder.
Mechanics
Republicans
As the Republican Party fortified their opposition to the Kennedy White House, the once thought doomed silver screen, bronze age Governor of California emerged victorious from a tough campaign against Secretary of the Treasury Jesse Unruh. While the Governor remains a favorite with those of a conservative inclination, his fight to the top was anything but easy.
Barred from the White House for nearing 12 years, the Republican party finds themselves in 2 minds. While Reagan's electoral record is certainly a strong one, what risks would the party be taking to nominate an untested, bolder variation of Senator Goldwater? Other party members can at least cut the shit and admit they've got more riding on another horse, Reagan isn't their guy because some other nutjob woo'd them instead.
Nevertheless, Reagan may easily prevail given a splintered Democratic Party and the old Kennedy charm burning out.
Teamed up with the freshman miracle worker from Johnson's home turf, Reagan is able to package himself as a conservative firebrand with a commonsense workhorse to assure moderates that he isn't a clear and present danger.
Yet even then, the successes of the bunch may not be enough to convince a majority of voters.
Reagan's candidacy is more of a retread of 1964 than Goldwater's own candidacy. Seen as a moment for those conservative underlings to come out of the shadows and preach the Gospel of Buckley-Bozell, what makes Reagan so appealing to those nut-jobs is exactly what makes him so toxic to voters looking for something new. At least Kennedy is a known danger, for them to consider Reagan external factors such as the economy must pollute society with a pervasive sense of dread.
Of course, the dread may sink in well before Reagan gets the nomination.
Midterms play an important role for a Reagan game.
With backlash well at the front of American voters' minds, more conciliatory candidates such as Bush can't win. This sends Reagan looking for a peer more well suited for the environment.
Someone just as bold as he.
Of course, if the Kennedy Administration plays their cards right they can squash the bug well before he has a chance to take over the party.
Reagan is quite the varied candidate and there's plenty more to explore in his route when playing Things That Never Were.
Now, with the Republicans all wrapped up, stay tuned for the next installment of Bobby Kennedy's America where we'll discuss what happens once all the votes are counted and what comes next.