The Presidents: 1836-1936 - An Interactive US AAR

[Gloa]

If the Soviet Union will not work for peace and world cooperation, then we must work without them. We must work with every free government of this planet, to prevent the creation of new dictatorships and extremist governments around the world. If the Soviet Union and those like her see the benefits of a free and peaceful world, they can stand beside us - let us use the United Nations to its fullest extent. If those in control see only their own 'benefits' from conquest and empire, then they can let us work alone. It is the difficult work of peace.

Peace. We relished the word just a few years ago, but now in some ways it is unsettling as war. Peace, as desperate bloody struggles erupt in the small scale in all corners of the world. Peace, in a deadlock. Peace, by the atomic bomb. Peace, by mutually assured destruction. It is a new reality we are waking to. But we should not fear peace. We simply must work hard in peace, as we worked in war - perhaps even harder, for in peace we fight for the hearts and minds of the world. We fight in Greece, in China, and in the new nations enfolding throughout the world.

To those new nations, I would say this: We are here to help you. We will stand against minority overthrows and support the ability of the people to choose their governments without the chains of extremist ideologies. We are the arsenal for peace -

- and so we must be, not distracted by the ambitions of warlike nations, but committed fully to the betterment of mankind. We fight not only with tanks, used to stop the advance of hostile militaries, but with schools and bread and kitchen stoves.

To the American people, I ask for the same cooperation and goodwill that we showed in the darkest hours of war. We must be the torch of liberty in the world.

For that purpose, I will be running for the Republican nomination once more. If elected, I will pursue closer support to free nations around the world. At home, I will do my best to ensure the continued excellence of personal liberties and government fiscal responsibility as we go into an era full of uncertainties. The free world must be strong against the many kinds of threats that can attack governments from within and without, but without sacrificing her liberty or the engines of peace.

[BigBadBob]

I will be seeking the Liberal Party's nomination for President.

Under a continued Emerson administration, we will continue to do whatever it takes to preserve peace and liberty at home and abroad. We will continue to support our allies in Europe and Asia. We shall support them with words in the UN and in our embassies. We shall support them with money for their coffers. We shall support them with guns for their hands. We shall support them with the full muscle of the United States on air, land and sea. Until Germany is reunited as the peaceful, sovereign nation it was meant to be. Until the wounds of the World Wars are healed. Until the Poles are allowed to declare their own government without being murdered for it. Until the Greeks and Chinese can live without fear of their governments falling to oppression and tyranny. Until the Iron Curtain comes crashing down and even Russia breathes free.

The expansion of communism, and the death and destruction it brings, ends here.

Domestically, I will continue the dismantlement of the final war-time regulations on industry, and continue the sound economic policies of my predecessors.

[yourworstnightm]

The Soviet juggernaut is indeed a threat. During the war, closer ties with Moscow was necessary, since we needed their help. Now we pay the prize for needing a Rabid Wolf to put down the devil. I have been Ambassador in Moscow. I know the Soviet Union has tremendous potential. I also know Stalin is a master of Realpolitik, who will use all means necessary to advance the position of Communism and the Soviet Union.

[Mikeboy]

I find myself concerned about the situation in the former British Raj, these new three new states are practically an invitation for Communist expansion, the massive populations of these nations, of Africa and the other European colonies in Asia would add insurmountable power to the Soviet Union if apprehended. It thus becomes an utmost priority to see our fellow democracies hold strong, particularly Great Britain, France, Portugal and the Netherlands. Both in politics and in economics we must provide assistance and we must diplomatically oppose any further extractions from their duties, and we as the leaders of the free world must take up guardianship of those areas already independent, in Latin America, Europe, and India.

We must make it the policy of the United States that without reservation or exception the Empires of Justice will not be allowed to fall and in its place rise any Red Empire.

[BigBadBob]

I just realized that, excluding the last 3-4 months, I've been running "The Presidents" pretty much non-stop, at least once-a-month (and more often before WWII) since April... two years ago.

Christ.

Anyway, I'm gonna wait until tomorrow to end the primary sign-up.

[Riccardo93]

I just realized that, excluding the last 3-4 months, I've been running "The Presidents" pretty much non-stop, at least once-a-month (and more often before WWII) since April... two years ago.

Christ.

Anyway, I'm gonna wait until tomorrow to end the primary sign-up.

((Tis impressive, and your resolve is truly inspiring. Love you ))

[BigBadBob]

The Primary of 1948

Liberal Candidate(s)

Calvin Emerson (b. 1901), Incumbent President of the Republic ((BigBadBob)). Having spent four years in the top executive position, Emerson is now more willing to use avenues of influence outside the UN to oppose the USSR. Economically he supports continuing down the path of McCahill’s non-war-time policies.

Christina Blancharde-Fredrick (b. ????), Congresswoman ((NikoHoI3)). Blancharde-Fredrick is a veteran of many an administration, and is now seeking the chance to become America’s first female president.

Republican Candidate(s)

Richard A. Jarvis (b. 1890), Republican politician ((Riccardo93)). One of the most experienced politicians in Washington, Jarvis is running on a campaign of fiscal responsibility, a strong defence, and warmer relations with the Soviet Union.

William Gallatin (b. 1894), Former Vice-President of the Republic ((Gloa)). The man who served as vice-president of the Republic throughout the war, has become acknowledged as one of the leading experts on “the Politics of Peace.” The man who coined the phrase “hearts and minds” now runs on a platform of doing everything to preserve peace through a campaign of winning them.

--------------------------------

Exceptional Situation(s):

None that I can think of right now.

Primary voting is thus open for the first time in 2013.

[theAhawk]

I cast my vote for President Emerson, though only because of his domestic policies; I am skeptical of his increasingly confrontational attitude.

~ President Philip JJ McCahill, US Representative at the United Nations

[Mikeboy]

I stand behind Emerson.

((Can I just say about the AAR in general, I do think it's better when we don't follow our history with different names, I think the best moments of the AAR are those that have been unique to it.))

[Riccardo93]

This "Emerson Doctrine" is utterly unacceptable; the United States can not, and should not, act as the policeman of the entire world. By acting in such a manner, not only will we continue to sour relations with the Soviets, we will incur the wrath of people all over the word. This policy is foolish, brash, and completely unenforceable. Under a Jarvis Administration, a policy of peace will be followed; however, the United States government will work both improve relations with the Soviet Union, and expand democracy through diplomatic and non-violent means.

In terms of economic policy, this administration has not been horrendous, but I believe that a gradual decrease of government will help promote growth. Prior to the Great Depression, my father encouraged fiscal responsibility and means to keep the economy afloat without massive bureaucracy; we chose to follow a different path suffered over a decade of economic turmoil. By keeping the effective reforms passed during the Depression and engaging in a policy of market liberalism, we can help propel growth forward and keep our country strong. These government programmes endorsed by the president, whilst secure and moderately effective now, will become greater burdens on our grandchildren and cause terrible problems in the market; we must work to avert this.

~ General Richard A. Jarvis, Former Secretary of Defence

[BigBadBob]

((Can I just say about the AAR in general, I do think it's better when we don't follow our history with different names, I think the best moments of the AAR are those that have been unique to it.))

((I agree, and will admit that this update was probably too reminiscent of OTL. I've managed to find a few places where I think I can really get my foot in the door with divergence in the 50s though)).

[NikoHoI3]

I, Christina J. Blancharde-Fredrick hereby drop out of the race, and support President Emerson.

~ Christina J. Blancharde-Fredrick, Congresswomen

[Marshall Daub]

Holy smokes! I thought this thing ended in 1936. I had no idea it was going beyond the set end date. I'm going to get back involved in politics. Can anyone give me a brief rundown of the parties, the current state of the world, and the major issues facing the US? I'll try to get caught up on the last few decades and get a character started soon in time for the 1952 election. Huzzah!

[yourworstnightm]

I would vote Emerson, but since he now run unopposed for the Liberal Nomination, it's kind of pointless.

[Dadarian]

I vote for Jarvis

~Attorney General Écossais

[Gloa]

We can give all the financial and military aid we can to struggling countries and it will have no power. Not that aid is itself bad - the world has gone through a long and destructive war. The countries in which the lines were drawn between the free and fascist armies - where the titanic struggle we fought was in the backyards and kitchens of ordinary citizens - are free but devastated and impoverished by the fight. Rebel forces and would be tyrants seek to benefit from the weakness of these states, funded by other powers which desire influence over peace. We should give aid, when needed and reasonable, but it is nothing more than a bandage for a wound.

We can send our troops in - again - to kill and be killed on foreign battlefields. We can prop up every nation with marines around their gates and tanks ready to roll into their elections, as some nations do, but it would be futile. The battlefield now is not with governments or even with radical armed movements. It is with the common man of every nation under the sun.

We do not need to counter the Soviets, but to provide an alternative for the world - one so compelling that even they may join with us in promoting it.

We have a great network of influence and authority in the world. So do the Soviets. We must show that this can be used to empower people, rather than to crack down on their elections and harass their speech.

We have the power of mass cooperation of our citizens - the mighty engine of industry, science, and community that won the war against the fascists. So do the Soviets. We must show that this can be used to give men freedom and opportunity - that men can live together with laws to make them safe but not to entangle them.

We have the knowledge and infrastructure for economic development and industry. So do the Soviets. We must show that this can be used to lift people - and whole nations - out of poverty and hunger, without radicalism or dominion. We must lead nations in development that encourages education, freedom, and increased democracy rather than indoctrination, control, and plunder.

We have the awful and mighty power of the atom. So do the Soviets. We must show that it can be used for peace and progress. Let us understand the use of the atom in war, but seek its uses for peace. Let us share with the world how the atom can be harnessed for good and humanitarian causes, rather than the devastation of cities or the brinksmanship of mutually assured destruction.

[BigBadBob]

Primaries are over.

Calvin Emerson will be the Liberal Candidate.
Joseph Jarvis will be the Republican Candidate.

Riccardo, your platform and choice for VP.