List of presidents of the United States

## List of US Presidents (2024 edition)

* 28th US President: Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) (D-NJ, Governor)
* 29th US President: James M. Cox (1921-1929) (D-OH, Governor)
* 30th US President: Frank O. Lowden (1929-1933) (R-IL, Governor)
* 31st US President: Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) (D-NY, Governor) Died in office.
* 32nd US President: Henry A. Wallace (1945-1949) (D-IA, VP)
* 33rd US President: Thomas E. Dewey (1949-1957) (R-NY, Governor)
* 34th US President: Richard M. Nixon (1957-1961) (R-CA, Senator)
* 35th US President: John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) (D-MA, Senator) Assassinated.
* 36th US President: Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1973) (D-TX, VP) Died in office.
* 37th US President: Ronald W. Reagan (1973-1981) (R-CA, Governor)
* 38th US President: Robert Walker (1981-1985) (D-VA, VP)
* 39th US President: William Morgan (1985-1993) (R-IN, Senator) First libertarian president.
* 40th US President: Charles Francis (1993-1997) (R-NY, General) First Black American president.
* 41st US President: Diane Jefferson (1997-2005) (R-IL, VP) First female president.
* 42nd US President: Henry Raymond (2005-2013) (D-MA, Senator) Second Roman Catholic president.
* 43rd US President: John Hansen (2013-2021) (R-MI, Governor) First Mormon president.
* 44th US President: Luke Nichols (Jan. 20, 2021-Jan. 13, 2025) (D-NY, Representative) Removed from office.
* 45th US President: Patricia Maxwell (Jan. 13-20, 2025) (Independent, Secretary of Defense) Term limited. Second female president.
* 46th US President: Frederick Hines (Jan. 20-Jul. 20, 2025) (Independent, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) Temporary. Second Black American president.
* 47th US President: Hank Harm (Jul. 20, 2025-Jan. 20, 2027) (R-TN, former Senator/former appointed House Speaker)
* 48th US President: John Boyer (since Jan. 20, 2027) (N-WI, former Vice President, presidential candidate for the 2020, 2024, and 2026 elections.)

## List of US Presidents (Variation 1)

* 28th US President: Woodrow Wilson (1913-1924) (D-NJ, Governor) Died in office.
* 29th US President: Thomas Marshall (1924-1925) (D-IN, VP) Died in office.
* 30th US President: William G. McAdoo (1925-1929) (D-CA, VP)
* 31st US President: Frank O. Lowden (1929-1933) (R-IL, Governor)
* 32nd US President: Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) (D-NY, Governor) Died in office.
* 33rd US President: Henry A. Wallace (1945-1949) (D-IA, VP)
* 34th US President: Thomas E. Dewey (1949-1957) (R-NY, Governor)
* 35th US President: Lyndon B. Johnson (1957-1973) (D-TX, Senator) Died in office.
* 36th US President: John F. Kennedy (1973-1981) (D-MA, VP)
* 37th US President: Robert F. Kennedy (1981) (D-NY, Governor) Assassinated
* 38th US President: Robert Walker (1981-1985) (D-VA, VP)
* 39th US President: William Morgan (1985-1993) (R-IN, Senator)
* 40th US President: Charles Francis (1993-2001) (R-NY, General)
* 41st US President: Diane Jefferson (2001-2009) (D-IL, Senator)
* 42nd US President: John Hansen (2009-2017) (R-MI, Governor)
* 43rd US President: Luke Nichols (Jan. 20, 2017-Jan. 13, 2021) (D-NY, Representative) Removed from office.
* 44th US President: Patricia Maxwell (Jan. 13-20, 2021) (Independent, Secretary of Defense) Term limited.
* 45th US President: Frederick Hines (Jan. 20-Jul. 20, 2021) (Independent, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs) Temporary.
* 46th US President: Hank Harm (Jul. 20, 2021-Jan. 20, 2023) (R-TN, former Senator/former appointed House Speaker)
* 47th US President: John "Jack" Boyer (since Jan. 20, 2023) (Nonpartisan from Wisconsin, former Vice President under President Hansen)

## List of U.S. Presidents (since 1920)

28. Woodrow Wilson (March 4, 1913-March 4, 1921) Democratic, New Jersey governor.

29. William G. McAdoo (March 4, 1921-March 4, 1929) Democratic, California cabinet secretary.

30. Frank Lowden (March 4, 1929-March 4, 1933) Republican, Illinois governor.

31. Franklin D. Roosevelt (March 4, 1933-April 12, 1945) Democratic, New York governor.

32. Henry A. Wallace (April 12, 1945-January 20, 1949) Democratic, Iowa vice president.

33. Thomas E. Dewey (January 20, 1949-January 20, 1957) Republican, New York governor.

34. Richard M. Nixon (January 20, 1957-January 20, 1961) Republican, California senator.

35. John F. Kennedy (January 20, 1961-November 22, 1963) Democratic, Massachusetts senator.

36. Lyndon B. Johnson (November 22, 1963-January 20, 1973) Democratic, Texas vice president.

37. Ronald W. Reagan (January 20, 1973-January 20, 1981) Republican, California governor.

38. Ted Kennedy (January 20-March 31, 1981) Democratic, Massachusetts senator.

39. Robert Walker (March 31, 1981-January 20, 1985) Democratic, Ohio vice president.

40. William Morgan (January 20, 1985-January 20, 1993) Republican, Indiana senator.

41. Charles Francis (January 20, 1993-January 20, 1997) Republican, New York general.

42. Diane Jefferson (January 20, 1997-January 20, 2005) Republican, Illinois vice president.

43. Henry Raymond (January 20, 2005-January 20, 2013) Democratic, Massachusetts senator.

44. John Hansen (January 20, 2013-January 20, 2017) Republican, Michigan governor.

45. Luke Nichols (January 20, 2017-January 13, 2021) Democratic, New York House representative.

46. Secretary of Defense (January 13-20, 2021) Independent, US Secretary of Defense from California.

47. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (January 20-July 20, 2021) Independent, US Army general from Virginia.

48. Speaker of the House (July 20, 2021-January 20, 2023) Republican, former US senator from Tennessee.

49. John Boyer (January 20, 2023-present) Non-partisan, former US Vice President from Pennsylvania.

Under the United States Constitution, the President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States. As chief of the executive branch and face of the federal government as a whole, the presidency is the highest political office in the United States by influence and recognition. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. The president is indirectly elected to a four-year term by an Electoral College (or by the House of Representatives, should the Electoral College fail to award an absolute majority of votes to any person). Since the ratification of the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1951, no person may be elected president more than twice, and no one who has served more than two years of a term to which someone else was elected may be elected more than once. Upon the death, resignation, or removal from office of an incumbent president, the vice president assumes the office. The president must be at least 35 years of age, has to have lived in the United States for 14 years, and has to be a "natural born" citizen of the United States.

## **List of U.S. Presidents under the Federal Continuity Charter of 2105**

\*In the latter half of the 21st century, a consensus emerged among the various surviving world governments which stated that the efforts to "slow and reverse" climate change had failed and a much more radical approach would be needed to restore the planet's equilibrium. For several years, scientists around the world struggled to find a solution until pop scientist Dr. Thanh Hamby of Australia suggested that the only viable alternative was to relocate the population of the planet Earth and resettle the citizens on nearby space stations, Lunar colonies or other locals further into the Solar System. As the climate crisis worsened it was determined that to enact Dr. Hamby's alternative. The governments of the world quickly contracted to an ANR-subsidiary called Coyote Corporation (which was later revealed to dabble in experimental flash cloning and mind uploading) to assist in the relocation efforts. Their deadline was stated for 2150, with another newly formed corporation called Terrestrial Renewal contracted to induce a global ice age which would in theory last between 500 and 1,500 years, after which point planetary homeostasis would be near 100% of pre-industrial levels and capable of resettlement. The U.S. government passed the Federal Continuity Charter of 2105, which stated that by 2150, the U.S. Cabinet, Congress and Supreme Court would be temporarily suspended until which time that the U.S. government could reclaim its states, territories and other possessions. The U.S. government would then grant full control of its remaining armed forces and law making powers to the Federal Council. The Council is essentially a "government-in-exile," it consists of a five-member panel which would be elected separately every two years by American citizens while the Council-members would elect the President. The elected President would then serve one five-year term and an additional five-year term (if the newly elected council approves), for a total of two consecutive terms. The President serves in a non-partisan capacity and all Presidents were former Council-members. The first Act passed by the Council in 2157, approved of a 1,000-year lease for the former possessions of the U.S. government. It expires 3157. They also passed a law that established the seat of the new federal government-in-exile would be in the city of Armstrong on the Moon. The primary defense force of the U.S. government after the relocation is the U.S. Space Command which now has sub-branches that specialize in land, sea and aerial combat.

## Matthew Sinclair

**Matthew Sinclair** (November 22, 1932-November 11, 2016) is an American businessman, philanthropist, public servant and politician. He served as the 39th President of the United States from 1975 until 1981 following the assassination of President Gerald Ford.

Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives at the age of 32 in 1964, Sinclair lead a staunchly neoliberal faction of the Republican party. He was selected by the Republican governor of New York to fill the Senate seat vacated by the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968. Sinclair would be successful in securing election to his own full term as U.S. Senator in 1970 at the age of 38. After the resignation of Richard Nixon, President Ford promptly nominated the up and coming U.S. Senator as the new U.S. Vice President. When President Ford himself was assassinated, Sinclair was elevated to President at the age of 42, becoming the youngest person to hold the office since Theodore Roosevelt.

Sinclair assumed the presidency at a very tumultuous time in American history. He is credited with staving off a conservative coalition led by California Governor Ronald Reagan from solidifying power in the Republican party. Sinclair defeated Democratic Governor Jimmy Carter in his bid for the White House in 1976, which granted him a full term of his own. As per the Constitution, Sinclair was eligible to serve an additional term and subsequently ran for re-election in 1980 but was ultimately defeated by Democratic Senator Robert Nichols.

**39th President of the United States**

September 5, 1975 – January 20, 1981

PredecessorGerald FordSuccessorRobert Nichols**Vice President**Robert Dole

**41st Vice President of the United States**

March 11, 1974 – September 5, 1975

PredecessorGerald FordSuccessorRobert Dole

**United States Senator from New York**

September 10, 1968 – March 11, 1974

PredecessorRobert F. Kennedy

**Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York**

January 3, 1965 – September 1, 1968

**Born**Matthew Sinclair

November 22, 1932

New York City, New York, U.S.

**Died**November 11, 2016 (age 83)

Albany, New York, U.S.**Political Party**Republican Party**Religion**Baptist**Profession**Public servant

## William Morgan

**William Arthur Morgan, Sr.** (born August 25, 1933) is an American politician who served as 42nd President of the United States from 1997 to 2005. He is often associated with the rise of "Compassionate Conservatism" and the architect of the "New Republican Party."

### Presidency of William Morgan

On January 20, 1993, William Morgan was inaugurated as the 41st President of the United States. On January 25, he announces that he would select the head of a task force on the creation of a market-based healthcare system to replace the current one. The president hopes to reform the American healthcare system to give citizens freedom of choice when it comes to healthcare and promises lower rates than under the current system. On February 5, Morgan vetoes the Family Medical Leave Act stating that it is not the government's job to regulate an employer. On March 3, President Morgan appoints Vice President John McCain to the National Performance Review board to devise an initiative called, "Reinventing the government." The initiative is to streamline the government by reducing the number of federal employees and cuts to federal spending not seen since the Kennedy administration. On April 19, the Department of Justice ends a standoff with a religious cult led by David Koresh in Waco, Texas. After a 24-day siege, Koresh and his followers are arrested and charged. On July 19, President Morgan announces an "honorable compromise" regarding gays in the military. Homosexuals would be allowed to serve, would be free of discrimination and allowed to sue if restricted for their sexual orientation. On August 3, the Senate confirms Morgan's first choice to replace Supreme Court justice Byron White and will become the third woman on the Supreme Court. On September 13, President Morgan presides over a ceremony in Washington D.C. at which the Israeli prime minister and Palestinian chairman sign the Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles, the first agreement between Jews and Palestinians, providing self-government in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. On September 22, President Morgan unveils his market-based healthcare system and emphasizes that it will be the first step forward toward better more effective healthcare in America, by allowing freedom of choice in healthcare. On October 3, a squad of US special forces operatives were engaged by African warlords in Somalia causing the deaths of many servicemen. The event caused many to become more skeptical of the idea of American intervention in foreign conflicts in peacekeeping capacities but President Morgan urged Americans to remain strong. On November 30, Morgan vetoes an act that would require a potential handgun purchaser to wait five days while a background check is performed by law enforcement officers. On December 8, after a hard fought battle with opposition in both parties, President Morgan signs the NAFTA, eliminating every trade agreement barrier between the US, Mexico and Canada.

On January 10, 1994, President Morgan visits the NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium, at which he states that the US will maintain at least 100,000 troops in Europe and introduces the "partnership for peace" program aimed at building closer ties with NATO and former Warsaw Pact nations. On February 3, President Morgan lifts a trade embargo with Vietnam, noting Vietnam is trying to locate 2,238 Americans missing since the Vietnam War. On May 26, Morgan renews China's Most Favored Nation trade status, which results in criticism from the Democrats stating that human rights violations by China shouldn't be overlooked. On June 14, Morgan unveils a welfare reform plan to "end welfare as we know it." On July 25, Morgan meets with the Israeli prime minister and the King of Jordan agreeing to end fifty years of antagonism. On August 26, the White House and congressional leaders announce that Morgan's ambitious plan for healthcare reform will be acted upon in 1994. After a few weeks of deliberation, both houses of Congress agree to pass the overhaul of the American healthcare system known officially as the Healthcare Freedom of Choice Act of 1994, but unofficially known as *MorCare,* which will begin its first stage on January 1. Many of Morgan's initiatives find support in Congress. On September 13, Morgan vetoes the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act stating that more cops is not the answer to the nation's crime issues and suggests eliminating the death penalty for many US states. On September 18, Haiti's government agrees to cede power at the request of the United States and UN in order to restore the democratically-elected president. On October 9, Morgan states that the US/UN are looking to deal with the Iranian Civil War in as diplomatic terms as possible but does not think military force will be necessary. On November 8, the Republicans win control of both Houses of Congress, this event becomes known as the Republican Wave, it is the first unified Republican control in many decades. On December 1, the Senate approves the GATT in order to create freer trade for market goods. On December 5, the President along with many other nations sign the START 1 treaty, eliminating 9000 nuclear warheads.

On January 23, 1995, President Morgan signs the Congressional Accountability Act, requiring Congress abide by the same anti-discrimination workplace rules that apply to the rest of the country. On January 31, Morgan refuses to make an emergency loan to Mexico, which creates a financial crisis that effects the interconnected economies of the US and Mexico. On July 11, the US restores full diplomatic recognition of Vietnam. On August 30, NATO with a strong contingent of American forces begin two weeks of air attacks on Serbian positions. On October 23, President Morgan and President Yeltsin meet in New York to discuss improving relations between the two nations, especially with regard to nuclear weapons. On November 21, the representatives of the Bosnian and Serbian governments sign a peace agreement in Dayton, Ohio. The agreement establishes a Bosnian unitary state and allows refuges to return home. On November 29, President Morgan urges to continue peace efforts with Northern Ireland, during a trip to Europe.

On January 23, 1996, President Morgan, during his State of the Union, that "the era of big government was over." Morgan re-positioned himself as a moderate, centrist Republican for the upcoming election in order to blunt Democratic charges that he is too conservative. On April 10, Morgan vetoes a bill that would have outlawed certain types of abortions, namely partial birth abortions. Morgan emerges as a strong advocate of the "right to choose," often stating that he wishes abortions in the US become "safe, legal and rare." On May 15, Morgan announces that some American troops would remain in Bosnia as a major component of an international peacekeeping force for an additional eighteen months. On August 21, Morgan signs his MorCare bill legalizes a free-market healthcare system to replace the current one he claimed was "inefficient and too expensive," which would eliminate MediCare and MediCaid. On August 22, Morgan signs a welfare reform bill that radically restructures the American welfare system, it limits the welfare benefits and decreases the amount of welfare available for many Americans. It was perhaps his most controversial signature. On September 24, an overwhelming majority of UN members, including the US, agree to a ban on all nuclear weapons testing. On November 5, President Morgan becomes the first Republican to win a second term since Richard Nixon did in 1972, though he endeavors to be the first Republican to complete his second term since Dwight D. Eisenhower. He defeats California Senator Jerry Brown by 315-233. On December 5, Morgan selects a female to serve as his secretary of state, she is confirmed on January 23.

On March 21, 1997, Presidents Morgan and Yeltsin meet in Helsinki, Finland and agree to the START III talks as soon as the START II talks conclude. The US Senate ratifies the START II treaty in January 1996. On April 24, the Senate ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention making chemical weapons illegal. On October 28, President Morgan welcomes the Chinese president for a state visit. On October 31, Morgan will not act on the international bail-out of Indonesia arguing that the market will stabilize if the country experiences the financial difficulty.

On March 23, 1998, President Morgan leaves on a six-country tour of Africa, a first for an American president. On April 10, Catholic and Protestant leaders meet in Northern Ireland sign the “Good Friday Peace Accords,” a substantial agreement in the Northern Ireland peace process. On October 23, after several days of negotiations in rural Maryland, Israeli leader and Palestinian leader sign the Wye River Memorandum, which results in an agreement highlighted by a three-stage withdrawal of Israeli troops from the West Bank.

On January 20, 1999, President Morgan gave his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and declared that he would like to make a move toward criminal justice reform before the end of his final term in office, to achieve his ultimate goal of removing government from intervening in people's lives. On February 23, Serbian and Kosovar representatives had agreed to a plan that would have granted more autonomy to Kosovo over a three-year period. Serbia reneged on the agreement, prompting US and NATO military action. On March 24, the US leads NATO attacks against Serbia, in response to Serbian aggression in Kosovo and Albania which report ethnic cleansing. On June 10, the NATO air campaign against Serbia ends after Serb forces agree on June 9 to withdraw from Kosovo. KFOR, an international peacekeeping force of 50,000 troops, enforces the agreement. On October 13, the United States Senate votes down the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which would have prevented the United States from conducting underground nuclear tests. On November 15, the United States and China agree to a trade treaty reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. The treaty is to come into effect after China joins the World Trade Organization and Congress grants permanent normal trade relations between the two countries. On December 1, the Labor Department reports that the nation was experiencing a slight recession due to destabilizing economic conditions in Latin America and Asia, marking an end to nearly seventeen years of economic expansion in the US.

Throughout the year 2000, after much deliberation among members of both houses of Congress, they move to legalize most of President Morgan's decriminalization of victimless crimes, thus making marijuana, pornography, prostitution legal while leaving the organization of them under state control. The case for legalization goes before the Supreme Court at is found to be Constitutional by December making the reforms legal. On March 8, Morgan sends a bill to Congress asking for permanent normal trade relations with China. After securing House (May 24) and Senate (September 19) approval, Clinton signs the bill on October 10. On June 3, President Morgan holds the first summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They reaffirm their commitment to reducing their arms, but disagree over the US development of a missile defense system. On July 11, President Morgan meets with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at Camp David in the hope of reaching a peace agreement. After two weeks of unsuccessful talks, the summit breaks down with no agreement. On August 14, Morgan speaks at the opening day of the RNC. Vice President John McCain wins the RNC nomination for president. On October 7, Serbian President Slodoban Milošević declares that Kostunica is the rightful president of Serbia. The announcement comes after the disputed elections, which Milošević had tried to rig, produce massive street protests. On November 7, Vice President McCain is defeated by Connecticut Governor Henry Raymond.

On January 20, 2001, Morgan leaves Washington, D.C. and returns to Indiana after Raymond is inaugurated 44th President of the United States.

 Predecessor
 Successor
 **United States Senator from Kansas**
 **Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy**
 **Born** | William Arthur Morgan
August 25, 1933 (age 83)
 **Profession** | Politician

## Ellis Briar

**Ellis H. Briar** (born July 30, 1947) is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2005, 47th Vice President of the United States from 1993 to 2001 and as a U.S. Representative from Connecticut from 1981 to 1993.

Almost two years into Briar's first term as president, the Labor Day terrorist attacks occurred. Briar responded with what became known as the Briar Doctrine: launching a "War on Communism," an international military campaign which included the war in Vilkovia, in 2003, and the occupation of Kazakhstan, in 2004. He also promoted policies on the economy, healthcare, education, and social security reform. He signed into law broad tax cuts, the Liberty Act, the Social Security Reform Act, and others. His tenure saw national debates on immigration, Social Security, electronic surveillance, and torture.

Briar unsuccessfully ran for re-election against Democratic Senator Henry Raymond in 2004, in another relatively close election. After his loss, Briar left office as the second one-term President in the last twenty years. In his last year of office, Briar removed several laws that precipitated the "Great Downturn," of 2012. Nationally, Briar was both one of the most popular and unpopular presidents in history, having received the highest recorded presidential approval ratings in the wake of the Labor Day Attacks, as well as one of the lowest approval ratings following the 2004 occupation of Kazakhstan.

After leaving office in 2005, Briar returned to his home in rural Connecticut. He is currently a public speaker, and has written a memoir entitled, *My Greatest Accomplishment.* His presidential library was opened in 2010. His presidency has been ranked among the worst in historian rankings of U.S. presidents published in the late 2000s and 2010s.

**Ellis Briar**Timeline: Temporal Incursion 1918
OTL equivalent: Fictional
 Predecessor
 Successor
 **47th Vice President of the United States**
 Predecessor
 Successor
 **Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut**
 **Born** | July 30, 1947 (age 69)
 **Profession** | Politician

## Henry Raymond

**Henry Raymond** (born October 11, 1953) is an American politician that served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2005 to 2013. He also served as Governor of North Carolina from 1993 to 2001. Raymond is credited with the implementation of the fifty-state strategy, as well as his campaigning methods during the 2000 presidential campaign, are considered significant factors behind Democratic victories in the 2002 congressional elections and the 2004 presidential election.

In the 2000 election, Raymond was the top fundraiser and front runner, prior to the Iowa caucus, for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Raymond pioneered Internet-based fundraising and grassroots organizing, which is centered on mass appeal to small donors which is more cost efficient than the more expensive contacting of fewer potential larger donors, and promotes active participatory democracy among the general public.

Before entering politics, Raymond earned his medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine in 1983. Raymond was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1987 which also enabled him to continue practicing medicine. In 1991, Raymond became governor of Connecticut. Raymond was subsequently elected to two four-year terms, serving from 1991 to 1999. Raymond served as chairman of the National Governors Association from 1994 to 1995; during his term, Connecticut paid off much of its public debt and had a balanced budget. Raymond also oversaw the expansion of the "Dr. Bulldog" program, which ensures universal health care for children and pregnant women in the state. He is a noted staunch supporter of universal health care.

Raymond supported an invasion of the country of Naziristan, only after significant evidence surrounding the Labor Day Attack of 2002 was presented in private. Raymond was named chairman emeritus of the DNC upon his retirement in 2009. Raymond published an op-ed in December 2014 in which he outlined why he would support relative unknown Governor Patrick Norton should he decide to run for president.

## Presidency of Henry Raymond

On November 7, 2000, Governor Raymond successfully defeats Vice President John McCain for the presidency, 378-160.

On January 20, 2001, Raymond is inaugurated as the 42nd President of the United States. On March 29, the Raymond administration decides to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, in order to set to set limits on industrial emissions. In July, Raymond proposes an overhaul of the many reforms approved by President Morgan stating that his policies had actually damaged American prestige and caused the recession. Raymond proposes to replace *MorCare* with a single-payer healthcare apparatus and reinvesting in American infrastructure and education like Pearson had nearly 20 years prior. On August 9, Raymond addresses the nation, outlining his plans to funding stem cell research, allowing government funding to research using human embryos. On December 2, the Enron Corporation files for bankruptcy, the largest bankruptcy case in American history.

On January 8, 2002, Raymond vetoes the No Child Left Behind Act stating that it did not represent true American values and would unfairly punish low preforming schools in lower income areas. On March 22, Raymond calls on the Palestinian leader to end attacks on Israel, the two deliberate and call a ceasefire. On May 15, President Pearson visits Cuba for a tour and a visit with Cuban president Fidel Castro, the first visit by an American president in over forty years. On May 20, President Raymond announces that he plans to lift the forty-year-old trade embargo against Cuba. But the Republican-controlled Congress declines this plan. On May 24, President Raymond and Russian President Putin sign a nuclear treaty vowing to reduce their nuclear arsenal by two-thirds over the next ten years. On June 24, President Raymond presses on the Israeli prime minister to move toward a two-state solution to the decades-long languid conflict. On July 8, following the Enron and WorldCom scandals, in which both companies claimed profits which turned out to be highly inflated, President Bush calls for new laws on corporate abuse. On July 10, the Dow Jones index drops below 9,000, its largest one-day loss since 2000. On September 2nd, in an event that becomes known as the Labor Day Attacks, Naziristani terrorists attack Downtown San Francisco with automatic rifles gunning down civilians and setting off car bombs around the city, the SFPD engage in a car chase on the Golden Gate bridge where the final suicide bombers detonate on the bridge. The final death toll is given as 150 people, mostly San Francisco residents. On September 6th, during an emergency joint session of Congress, President Raymond declares that this was an attack on "all Americans and their values" and that "immediate action against them will be taken after more facts are known." On September 20, after endless media speculation and debate, President Raymond announces that the attack was believed to have originated from Naziristan and that a military attack is justified but needs international approval. Many citizens began to site Raymond's perceived weakness and many called for his resignation, but this failed to gain any serious steam. On October 1, Raymond launches a review board to be headed by the Joint House Intelligence Committee on the intelligence failures on Labor Day 2002 and to propose necessary improvements. It later presses the administration about foreknowledge of the Labor Day Attacks, claiming that the administration knew more than it was letting on. On October 15, President Raymond addresses the UN general assembly about a world invasion of Naziristan to reconstitute the government and prevent further bloodshed. There are many nations around the world that criticize this action and many Democrats that question the use of military action stating that it isn't necessary. Raymond assures its allies that the invasion is only needed to oust the leader of the country and establish a democracy within the country to let self-determination rule its people. On October 21. a bipartisan Senate vote gives the administration the authority to invade the nation of Naziristan, but President Raymond continues to state that he will only act once the international community responds. October 27, the UN Security Council votes to approve the US led invasion of Naziristan under the clear conditions, i.e. an exit strategy and the clear objective of installing an American-style democracy there. On November 3, Raymond promised parents of servicemen heading to fight the war, that they would back by Christmas. On November 5, the Republicans lost some ground in both Houses of Congress, much to the surprise of pundits all over the nation. By Christmas 2002, the Naziristan War continued to rage on, however, the leader of the country had been deposed and 50,000 of the 200,000 troops originally sent, went home.

During his 2003 State of the Union, President Raymond speaks about national security and proposes a tax plan to push them out of the recession. His tax proposal is denied by Congress until a compromise is reached. On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia was destroyed upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts, NASA is grounded until an investigation can determine the cause of the accident. On February 12, North Korea announces that it has a missile capable of reaching the US mainland, Raymond ignores the claim. On April 7, the Joint House Intelligence Committee investigating the Labor Day Attacks advocates the consolidation of the intelligence community into one single department of the US cabinet. On June 1, the Israeli prime minister and Palestinian leader discuss a "road map" to a lasting peace. By August, the Naziristan War had come to a close with the Naziristan Army surrendering to UN forces but not without ending on the most horrific battle of the war. UN peacekeeping troops agree to remain in the country to keep the peace, the U.S. sends another 50,000 back to the states. Throughout the end of 2003, the US congress agreed to appoint an American Provisional Governor and institute a series of reforms within the country legally passed by a Naziristani legislature which took time to organize and elect. The Governor promised to "teach the people how to run a democracy." In October, the Department of National Intelligence was founded after President Raymond signs the National Security Act of 2003, which consolidates the US intelligence community and abolishes the CIA. On November 5, Raymond vetoes a proposed ban on late-term abortions noting that it would be a violation of the Roe v. Wade decision in the 1970s and the decision made by President Morgan in the 1990s. On December 8, Raymond signs into law adjustments to *MorCare,* in an attempt to decrease the number of complaints and rising costs due to inflation.

In May 2004, Raymond agrees to compromise with the Republicans on a tax plan, despite his own reservations about it being skewed toward the rich. On September 30, Republican nominee Chuck Hagel challenges President Raymond on the war and his precieved weakness on national security. On October 13, the final townhall debate ends with the public favoring the strength of the president with Raymond criticizing Hagel as a one-issue candidate. On November 3, Raymond won re-election with more electoral votes than he had won with in 2000.

On January 20, 2005, Raymond was inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States. On February 2, he gave his State of the Union and tried once again to convince Congress to replace the *MorCare* healthcare system or initiate a new educational system, Raymond gives them an ultimatum that if a decision is not made by August, "the American people will not forget it in 2006." On March 31, Terri Schiavo dies following the removal of her feeding tube. President Raymond openly supports the "right to die with dignity." On June 10, the South Korean president meets with Raymond in an effort to persuade North Korea to attend the six-party talks to end its pursuit of a nuclear weapon. On June 28, the Senate passes an omnibus bill aimed at supporting traditional energy industries like oil and natural gas while providing tax incentives for the use of alternative energy sources like solar and wind power. On July 26, the Space Shuttle Discovery takes off from Kennedy Space Center to repair the ISS, the first space mission since the destruction of the Columbia in 2003. On August 28, Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in New Orleans, Louisiana, Raymond is lauded for his response to the disaster area and pledges US government aid to the region.

On January 26, 2006, the President selects a female Hispanic replacement to fill the seat of a retiring Associate Justice. On May 3, the President works with the WHO to outline a plan to prevent the possibility of a pandemic outbreak in the US after an Avian flu outbreak occurs in Asia. On May 4, the U.S. District Court of Northern California sentences the lone surviving terrorist of the Labor Day Attacks to life imprisonment without parole. On October 26, Raymond vetoes a bill providing for the construction of a 700 mile border fence with Mexico, noting that it would be a waste of taxpayer money and the result of "ridiculous paranoia." On November 7, the Democrats recapture both houses of Congress, for the first time since 1994.

On January 4, 2007, California Representative Lorraine Richter becomes the first female Speaker of the House, the Democrats assume control of Congress. On April 16, Seung-Hui Cho kills himself and 32 fellow students at Virginia Tech in the deadliest campus shooting in US history. Raymond and his wife attend the memorial for the victims. Raymond uses the opportunity to pass sweeping gun control legislation which limit the amount of ammunition and strengthen background checks. On July 26, an Anti-Terrorism bill fails in Congress, which would have granted authoritative power to the US government. On Fifth anniversary of the Naziristan Invasion, only ten thousand US troops remain in Naziristan aiding the Transitional Government, President Raymond states that the time table to exit with the last remaining Americans will be 2014, when the country will be able to hold free and open elections. On October 9, the Dow Jones Industrial average closes above 14,000, highest in almost fifteen years. On December 19, Congress passes new energy legislation to increase automobile fuel efficiency standards and mandates increases in biofuel production.

On January 18, 2008, Raymond declines a $145 billion stimulus package, created in response to the housing crisis and increasing gas prices. On February 1, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the US economy lost more than 15,000 jobs during the previous month and that such job loss had not occurred in almost 4 years. On February 7, the Senate passes $170 billion bailout by a slim margin, but was then vetoed by President Raymond. On May 22, Raymond signed a $307 billion farm bill to provide for the needs of people not billionaires. On June 3, Senator Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination for President after Vice President Richard Agee declined to run. On September 7, the US government places Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under its control to prevent institutions from going under and endangering half of the country's mortgages. On October 3, Raymond once again vetoes a $700 billion bailout plan for failing bank assets. On October 30, the US GDP drops by 0.3%, for the first time in over two decades. On November 4, Utah Governor Bud McMurray is elected President, became the first Mormon to be elected to the office, the Democrats continue to hold onto their 2006 victories. On November 25, the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve agree to provide $800 billion in lending programs to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to provide small loans to consumers. On December 16, the Federal Reserve cuts interests rates to an all-time low of zero percent, as a plan to stimulate the economy. On December 19, Raymond signs a $17.4 billion auto bailout to GM and Chrysler to keep them from going bankrupt.

On January 20, 2009, Bud McMurray is inaugurated 43rd President of the United States. Raymond leaves Washington D.C. to settle in Connecticut, unashamed of his battles with Congress and proud of his accomplishments.

 Predecessor
 Successor
 **United States Senator from Massachusetts**
 **Born** | October 11, 1953 (age 63)
 **Religion** | Congregationalist

## John Hansen

**John Hansen, III.** (born February 19, 1955) is an American politician, businessman, diplomat and since 2013, the 44th and current President of the United States. Prior to being elected president, he served as the 54th Governor of Missouri from 2005 to 2009, and as United States Ambassador to China from 1999 to 2001. He has served in the administrations of four U.S. Presidents.

He began his career as a White House staff assistant for Robert Nichols, and was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce by Tom Bradley. He was also selected as an Ambassador to China from 1999 to 2001 under Morgan. Later as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, he launched global trade negotiations in Hong Kong in 2001 and guided the accession of China into the World Trade Organization. He also served as CEO of his family-owned Hansen Corporation and chairman of the Hansen Cancer Foundation.

While governor, he was named Chairman of the Western Governors Association, and joined the Executive Committee of the National Governors Association. Under his leadership, Utah was named the best managed state in America by the Pew Center on the States. He left office with approval ratings over 80% and in-state opinion polling stated that he would've almost certainly have won re-election if he had run in 2008.

President Hansen's grandfather was one of several Marines rescued by Lieutenant John Nichols.

 Predecessor
 Successor
 **Governor of Michigan**
 **United States Ambassador to China**
 **Chairman of the Republican National Convention**
 **Born** | John Hansen, III
February 19, 1955 (age 61)
 **Profession** | Businessman, diplomat, politician

### Presidency of Bud McMurray

On January 20, 2013, Bud McMurray was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, after besting Senator Joe Biden. McMurray ran a campaign selling "strength" after heavily criticizing Senator Biden's weaknesses and cavalier attitude toward the US military and violations of the Morgan Doctrine, which held that no American activities will take place if it does not benefit the US economy. During his inauguration speech, he spoke of a "renewed vision" for America. by which citizens would be given a McMurray's first act of Congress was to rewrite most of the reforms attempted by President Raymond. Morgan stated that Morgan's presidency had significantly undermined everything that President Morgan was trying to accomplish. He vowed to continue President Morgan's MorCare program, approving Congressional funds for the program until 2020. Though President McMurray had originally ran on a campaign to "restore America." President McMurray turned his attention from an Infrastructure Reinvestment project toward a plan to increase the militarization of the United States on a scale not seen since World War Two. He cited that the increased militarization would create jobs in the private sector. He was unsuccessful with stripping federal and states funds to Planned Parenthood and eliminating most forms of welfare including food stamps and cash aid. He did propose a Veterans Bill to increase benefits, college tuition and job opportunities for G.I. coming home from foreign conflict. He was heavily against stem-cell research and scientific applications for cloning and wrote an executive order banning them. McMurray spent the remainder of his time in office dedicated to economic development and limiting of government power to the lowest levels in many years.

The Democratic party lost their dominance of the House and control was returned to the Republican party. Throughout 2011 and 2012, President McMurray worked in concert with his allies in Congress to successfully strip Planned Parenthood funding and sponsored a proposal to cut taxes for people making $100,000 in a bid to increase the purchasing power of more wealthy individuals and signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2013 at the end of the year. McMurray was re-elected in one of the closest margins in U.S. history (270-261). McMurray painted the Democrats as too weak to handle the possibilities presented by the future. McMurray hoped the tax cut would ease the economic strain made under the Raymond administration. Significant funding increases were given to NASA. McMurray decided to write around the 1967 Outer Space Treaty in order to allow the placement of space weapons in Low Earth Orbit by 2018. He also hoped he could use the money to pay for an increase of funding to "rebuild the U.S. military." Since the end of the Second Russian Civil War was steadily approaching, as well as heightened tensions with China. McMurray announced financial sanctions against Russia for its intervention in Crimea. McMurray warned President Kharlakov of possible UN military action against Russia if it continues. On September 14, 2014, McMurray signed the Armed Forces Appropriations bill which would authorize the addition of five aircraft carriers slated for completion by 2019/2020 and a bolstering of American military posture for the first time since the Cold War to counter the Russian military build-up that has exploded under Kharlakov. In November, the Republicans lose some ground but hold onto their 2010 victory in Congress.

On January 20, 2015, McMurray delivers his annual State of the Union address and declares that America's strength is the most important thing to ensure American prosperity. On March 3, McMurray signs a bill approving funding increases to the National Intelligence Department. Throughout the year, McMurray signed bills limiting government power after the small increases in government power made over the last 15 years.

On January 12, 2016, McMurray delivered his next State of the Union, he set forth his goals for the next four years and for making the 21st century, the American century. He outlined a plan to partake in a global world tour to build relations by projecting America's new strength and forming alliances, presumably for a possible future war with Russia. McMurray went on to state that he supported his Vice President's campaign for the Republican nomination for President.

## John Boyer

**John David "J.D." Boyer** (born February 27, 1965) is an American politician and lawyer, as well as the 49th and current Vice President of the United States. He is the first Roman Catholic to hold the office. He is currently running for the 2016 Republican nomination for President of the United States. Prior to the Vice Presidency, Boyer served as the House Minority Whip.

## Early life

John Boyer is the son of a barber and a housewife. They never made a lot of money and being an only child, he was asked to inherit his father's barbershop. But John declined to attend Penn State University in 1983, shortly after acquiring his BA in business his father had died. His mother tried to survive on her husbands' Social Security benefits but struggled. In 1991, Boyer received his Juris Doctorate in law from Yale University. He spent several years in the 1990s at a law firm handling civil cases. Eventually, he made enough money to buy a house with a guest house where his mother could sleep. In 1996, many former case clients helped bankroll his Pennsylvania House of Representatives run and again in 2004 for his congressional seat, which he also won.

## Career in politics

Though becoming elected in 1996, he is counted in the "second batch" of the Morganites that took over several state legislatures and solidified their lead in the U.S. Congress.

His congressional career was characterized by staunch opposition to President Raymond's agenda. While in office, he voted against many of his proposals but supported many libertarian bills that passed through Congress.

Boyer was selected by Governor John Hansen to be his running-mate in the 2012 presidential election. The two men defeated the Democratic nominee and won re-election in 2016. His first term as Vice President was characterized by being head of independent commissions set up by President Hansen.

He is rumored to be a front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2020 election cycle.

## Political positions of John Boyer

Boyer is described as a center-right libertarian politician.

### Taxes

He supports a revision of the federal tax code by eliminating "double taxation" from both state and federal income taxes. He also supports abolishing the IRS.

### Jobs

He has made the point that while he was in office that he "didn't and never wanted to create jobs" while serving in Congress. He claims that it is not the government's job to create jobs but instead the job of the market to do so. He also advocates eliminating unnecessary burdensome regulations on many industries.

### Freedom

He champions the idea of personal freedom much like his predecessors William Morgan and John Hansen, who advocated the same. He supports individual initiative and proposes eliminating threats to the Bill of Rights, claiming that "government is not the answer."

### National defense and foreign policy

Boyer advocates the concept of "non-interventionism" and has entertained the idea of "isolationism." He has claimed that "America is not the world's policeman." He has frequently expressed anti-globalist views. He, however, supports what he calls "a strong military force at home," which he claims the Democrats have been trying to dismantle for nearly forty years and "a major factor in why the world thinks Americans are weak." He has suggested cutting the defense budget and outsourcing defensive activities to private organizations.

### Immigration

A small section of Republicans have supported the idea of a border fence along the U.S.-Mexico border but as Vice President, Boyer visited the border city of El Paso; suggested the best way to mitigate spillage over the border would be to create what he calls a "Fast Track" pass to speed immigrants on a strictly probationary basis toward citizenship. But also ensuring that the U.S. government's role is fairly limited and that the Fast Track immigrants would be allowed to work with Visas for many regional corporations but severely restricted from their use of money. The immigrants would not be able to send money they made in America to Mexico or any other country.

### Criminal justice

He supports upholding many of Morgan's stances and proposals, like legal prostitution, gambling and pornography. He vows to clamp down on certain state laws that promote extreme duration prison sentences.

### Internet freedom and security

Vice President Boyer has often said that,"there is nothing wrong with the Internet that I want the government to fix." He has heard what he claims to be the Democrats increased calls for internet regulation and intrusion onto the internet. He has spoken openly about his opposition to an "Internet Kill Switch" which he states that Democrats will only use in emergencies. He suggests that in an emergency," the Internet is the one thing you want available." He posits that keeping the government from the internet is only way to allow unfettered innovation and progress.

### Environment

Boyer believes that the governments only job is to enforce laws and protect citizens. He thinks that it is the governments duty to protect natural resources and parks from human activity. He states that "preventing a polluter from harming our water or air is one thing. Deciding in Washington, DC, that one source of energy should be subsidized and others penalized is a different matter." Though he doesn't flatly deny climate change, he has expressed his view that humans are accelerating climate catastrophes. He has vowed to continue to support alternative fuel sources and a kind of gradual weening off of fossil fuels but does not share the view that the government should regulate carbon footprints.

### Education

He advocates school choice as well as abolishing the Department of Education and limiting the power's of the teacher's unions claiming that the union members only care about their pensions and not being educators. He suggests that there is no role for government in education. He would return control of education to state and local levels. He opposes any short of national curriculum and believes the key to restoring education excellence in the U.S. lies in the innovation, freedom and flexibility that federal interference inherently discourages.

### Abortion

Boyer has never advocated abortion or taxpayer funding for it. However, Vice President Boyer recognizes the right of a woman to choose is the law of the land today, and has been for many decades. He believes that this right must be respected, and ultimately he believes this is a very personal and individual decision. He feels that each woman must be allowed to make decisions about her own health and well-being. He also feels strongly that women seeking to exercise their legal right must not be subjected to persecution or denied access to health services by politicians in Washington or elsewhere. But, he has supported a ban on late term abortions. He has suggested that adoption is a far better alternative to abortion.

### Transportation

Not since the completion of the interstate highway system many decades ago has there been a clear vision for the federal government’s role in surface transportation. Boyer states that he will direct policy authority, funding and responsibilities to the states, which are in the best position to assess infrastructure needs and develop strategies to manage them.

### Energy

Both the economy and environment benefit from technological breakthroughs. High-capacity, long-life batteries; fuel cells; the high-efficiency “smart” electricity grid and other technologies can help improve the environment, increase efficiency and conserve energy. Unreasonable barriers to their development should be identified and removed to help make them a reality. Washington assumes authority that does not exist in pursuit of reckless regulations that will kill jobs. Boyer will bring common sense and science to energy regulation in order to properly balance environmental stewardship and job creation. Sourcing all our energy from North America and eliminating our reliance on overseas energy makes America safer and stronger. He suggested opening up oil extraction in the Alaskan Territory, the Gulf states and in California, which he claims would create jobs.

### Commerce

Almost half of the Commerce Department’s budget goes to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service and its satellites, and the National Hurricane Center. These and other efforts align closely with the work of the Department of Interior to preserve and safeguard America’s natural resources and, after a review to eliminate duplication, would be moved there. The Department’s International Trade Administration ineffectively brings together trade promotion, trade agreement enforcement, and data collection and analysis functions that are not natural fits. The trade promotion work and efforts that prevent sensitive technology from being used against America would go to the State Department. Trade enforcement and compliance work are better suited at the International Trade Commission. The Economic Development Administration’s grant programs for local communities would be carefully analyzed for duplication and those not eliminated would be transferred to HUD where they would be returned to states and communities in large flexible block grants. Trade adjustment efforts could be transferred to the Department of Labor, where a trade adjustment program already exists.

### Healthcare

For the last twenty years, MorCare has been in place in America. A beacon of American achievement utilizing free market-based solutions for healthcare. Boyer believes in strengthening of the program to account for the generation of baby boomers that have begun to retire. He claims that "though the prices of care have gone up, so has the quality." However, a survey was published in 2014 that stated that the U.S. had "the most expensive and least effective healthcare systems in the world."

### Gun rights

Boyer is a staunch supporter of gun rights and has railed against gun control laws instead supporting the proliferation of concealed carry licenses nationwide and striking down any anti-gun legislation. He has opposed Governor Nichols proposal of bullet control in 2014.

 Predecessor
 **Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania**
 **Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives**
 **Born** | John David Boyer
February 27, 1965 (age 51)
 **Religion** | Roman Catholic

The **President of the United States** is the elected head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. The president is indirectly elected to a four-year term by the people through an Electoral College (or by the House of Representatives, should the Electoral College fail to award an absolute majority of votes to any person).

## Reggie Copeland

**Reginald Terrill Copeland** (born September 27, 1963) is the senior United States Senator from Georgia.

In November 2004, Copeland was elected to the United States Senate, and has served ever since. Copeland announced that he will retire from his senate office and instead make a run for President of the United States for the Democratic party. He is the first Democratic African American Senator from Georgia in the states history, Copeland, a fiscal conservative but cultural liberal, was endorsed by Green Party groups. He served as the DeKalb County Judge in 2000 until 2005 and as Georgia Solicitor General in the 1990s. Copeland is one of several African Americans currently serving in the United States Senate, but he is the first African American senator from the state of Georgia, and the first elected from the South since 1881, four years after the end of Reconstruction. He will not be running for re-election in 2016 due to term limits.

 **DeKalb County Judge of Appeals Court**
 **Georgia Solicitor General**
 **Born** | Reginald Terrill Copeland
September 27, 1963 (age 52)
 **Profession** | Judge

## Richard Agee

**Richard Vernard Agee** (born April 6, 1937) is an American public servant and politician that served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from 2005 until 2013. He was also the first African-American to hold the office. Prior to that he served for thirty years in the House of Representatives from 1971 until 2001. In 2012, he was defeated in a bid for the White House by then-Governor John Hansen.

Agee was born into a family of labor organizers, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps before serving on the Berkeley, California, City Council. Agee was the first African American elected to Congress from Northern California. Though his politics earned him a place on President Nixon's enemies list.

During his career in Congress, he fought the MX Missile project, which put him at odds with President Nichols and opposed expansion of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber program. In 1994, he lead a Democratically-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate to override a bill proposed by President Morgan to expand the military. The first presidential override of the 20th century.

 Predecessor
 Successor
 **Member of the U.S. House of Representatives**
 **Member of the Berkeley City Council**
 **Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps**
 **Born** | April 6, 1937 (age 79)
 **Profession** | Politician, public servant

## Richard Nixon

**Richard Milhous Nixon** (January 9, 1913-April 22, 1994) was an American politician who served as the 37th President of the United States from 1969 until his resignation in 1974, when he became the only U.S. president to resign from office. He had previously served as a U.S. Representative and Senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California. After completing his undergraduate studies at Whittier College, he graduated from Duke University School of Law in 1937 and returned to California to practice law. He and his wife Pat moved to Washington in 1942 to work for the federal government. He subsequently served on active duty in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II. Nixon was elected to the House of Representatives in 1946 and to the Senate in 1950. His pursuit of the Hiss Case established his reputation as a leading anti-communist, and elevated him to national prominence. He was the running mate of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Republican Party presidential nominee in the 1952 election. Nixon served for eight years as vice president. He waged an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 1960, narrowly losing to John F. Kennedy, and lost a race for governor of California to Pat Brown in 1962. In 1968, he ran for the presidency again and was elected by defeating incumbent Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

Nixon ended American involvement in the war in Vietnam in 1973 and brought the American POW's home, and ended the military draft. Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972 opened diplomatic relations between the two nations, and he initiated détente and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with the Soviet Union the same year. His administration generally transferred power from Washington to the states. He imposed wage and price controls for a period of ninety days, enforced desegregation of Southern schools and established the Environmental Protection Agency. Nixon also presided over the Apollo 11 moon landing, which signaled the end of the moon race. He was reelected in one of the largest electoral landslides in U.S. history in 1972, when he defeated George McGovern.

The year 1973 saw an Arab oil embargo, gasoline rationing, and a continuing series of revelations about the Watergate scandal. The scandal escalated, costing Nixon much of his political support, and on February 5, 1974, he resigned in the face of almost certain impeachment and removal from office. After his resignation, he was issued a pardon by his successor, Gerald Ford. In retirement, Nixon's work writing several books and undertaking of many foreign trips helped to rehabilitate his image. He suffered a debilitating stroke on April 18, 1994, and died four days later at the age of 81.

## Robert Walker

**Robert Nichols** (born February 17, 1925) is an American politician, academic and author who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. His father was Ohio Senator John Nichols and his grandson is Ohio Governor Luke Nichols.

### Early life and career

Nichols was raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio during the most trying years of the Great Depression. His family was described as "dirt poor" immediately following the Stock Market crash and that they would live in cardboard boxes for a few years with the name Nichols painted in faded ink. This was while his father John had successfully became a U.S. Representative for Ohio.

In 1932, his father had successfully became a U.S. Senator and helped bring much more income into their household.

Despite his upbringing, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 until 1945, once he came of age. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Okinawa, late in the war, he was shipped back to the United States where he underwent several months of recovery. But this was where his childhood friend Mary began to visit him and help nurse him back to health.

In early 1946, he proposed to Mary and the two were wed, the couple's first and only child William was born in 1951. Nichols was able to find a job with the school-board of Columbus, Ohio's district while he acquired his doctorate in political science from Ohio State University.

In 1955, Nichols received his doctorate and began teaching political science at OSU until 1964. When his father began having more health problems. Nichols ran for a Ohio State Senate seat with the help of friends and co-workers. When his father died in early 1968, Robert was convinced to take over his father's U.S. Senate seat.

Nichols served two terms as U.S. Senator before announcing his candidacy for president in late 1979.

### Presidency of Robert Nichols

Nichols emerged as the clear nominee among his competitors: Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson of Washington, Governor Cliff Finch of Mississippi and others. His warmth, confidence and stern appearance gave the impression that Nichols was presidential and an authentic individual. He won decisively and impressed his liberal bonafides to the DNC and worried some as stating he was "too liberal" to win the general election. During press conferences, he would typically introduce a policy, then tell an anecdote and convince others in the room that his policy was worth attempting. His idealism and optimism was infectious among the American public as he had a high favorability rating with them. In 1980, he defeated President Sinclair by vowing to lead America forward after the last several years of turmoil. He suggested that the assassinations of JFK and Ford as well as the resignation of Nixon had left a feeling of uneasiness and distrust of the government among the American public. He selected his primary rival, Senator Frank Church as his running mate, despite the fact that both were farther left politically. His presidency gave rise to the term, "Nichols Revolution," in which the country began to trend toward more liberal policies.

On Inauguration Day 1981, Iran released the fifty-two hostages held since November 1979. On February 18, he proposed significantly decreasing defense spending in favor of increasing spending on the space program while increasing taxes on the wealthy and domestic spending in a speech to Congress. Later in March, Nichols sent a balanced budget proposal for FY1982 which stripped funding from the military and gave it to many domestic programs within the country which angered many conservatives. Nichols was shot but not killed by John Hinckley Jr., he made a full recovery and became known as "Old Ironside" due to an old Whiskey flask (which he used to drink water, in style) being placed in his shirt pocket. On July 7, Nichols nominated a liberal female judge to fill the seat of retiring justice Potter Stewart, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court. On August 5, Nichols ordered a full investigation into FAA by the Department of Labor and assured the PACTO air traffic controllers that their demands would be met and that he would not stop until they were paid higher wages and their working conditions improved. On August 13, Nichols signed a tax cut for the middle class and poor families and increasing taxes on the wealthiest. On October 2, Nichols declares that the United States would discontinue the B1 bomber but continue development on the MX missile, as part of decreasing tensions with the Russians and a need to make the American military a defensive one as opposed to an offensive one, this was a highly controversial for members of both parties. On November 18, Nichols stated that he would not deploy ICBMs in Europe and suggested that the USSR dismantle similar weapons already in place as a token of good will. Nichols however, imposed economic sanctions on Poland following that government's imposition of marital law.

On January 26, 1982, Nichols called for an "Investment in the American future," advocating less federal spending on the military and more spending on domestic programs to alleviate social and economic problems. On June 6, Nichols became the first U.S. president to address the combined Houses of Parliament, taking Britain's side in the Falklands Islands conflict with Argentina. On June 11, he visited West Berlin. In the summer, he signed a series of executive orders attempting to address the income disparity among the rich and poor as well as making education a priority and incentivizing the science and technological sectors including investments in alternative fuels and power.

On January 25, 1983, during his State of the Union address, Nichols called for a freeze on military spending and increases to domestic spending. On March 23, Nichols declined the U.S. military proposal for development of the Strategic Defense Initiative. On April 20, Nichols signed a Social Security Expansion Bill into law; on the same day, it was reported that the US GNP showed dramatic growth for the first quarter of 1983, signaling the end of the recession. On June 18, Nichols chose Paul Volcker to a second term as head of the Federal Reserve. On July 1, the final phase of Nichols' tax cuts for the middle class and poor went into effect. On October 23, a suicide bombing in Lebanon left many dead, leading to discussions between the Israeli and the United States stating that it was not the United States job to be "the world's policeman." This caused a schism between Israel and the US, essentially taking the comment as "fend for yourselves." However, the Republicans calmed the tensions by continuing to support Israel.

On January 24, 1984, Nichols delivered State of the Union message calling on Congress to cooperate to reduce the deficit. Though he had lost re-election to Senate in Idaho, Church was inaugurated Vice President on January 20 and held the office with distinction for three years until he was diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor and less than three months later Vice President Church had died on April 7. Nichols asked his friend to return to Idaho to spend his final days. On April 30, Nichols signed a scientific and cultural exchange accord with the Beijing leadership on a six-day visit to China. On August 22, Nichols was unanimously renominated by the Democratic party for the 1984 presidential election. At the convention, after months of thought, Nichols chose his new running mate in Colorado Senator Gary Hart. On November 6, President Nichols was re-elected with Vice President-designate Gary Hart, defeating his challenger former Vice President Dole in one of the largest landslides in American history. (531-7)

On January 20, 1985, Nichols is inaugurated for a second term as President of the United States. On February 6, Nichols eases rules on a loan-guarantee program, but approves provisions for some additional funding, as farm credit crises poses a serious threat to U.S. agriculture. On May 1, The Nichols administration announces a trade embargo with Nicaragua. On May 5, Nichols attends a wreath-laying ceremony at Bitburg military ceremony in West Germany, the gravesite of 200 German soldiers including 49 members of Adolf Hitler's SS and lays a wreath a nearby concentration camp and states that "soldiers are brothers in arms no matter which side of the battlefield they fight on." On September 9, the Nichols administration announced economic sanctions against South Africa, after the South African government declares martial law. On November 19, Nichols and Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev hold a summit meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Gorbachev openly fears the collapse of his government is near. It is the first such meeting between US and Soviet heads of state since 1979. On December 12, Nichols signs the Gramm-Rudman deficit reduction bill.

In early 1986, Nichols signed a bill approving the Clean Water Act to be overseen by the EPA. On June 17, 1986, Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger announces his retirement; Nichols elevates a hardcore liberal Justice from San Francisco to the position of Chief Justice and nominates another woman as an Associate Justice. On October 11, Nichols and Gorbachev meet in Reykjavik, Iceland as the USSR had finally collapsed into a civil war. On October 22, Nichols signs a revision of the tax code into law, raising taxes on wealthy individuals to 40%. On November 4, The Democrats maintain control of the Senate, the longest period of a unified government has ever been in place. In November 1986, the Republicans attempted to launch an investigation into the foreknowledge of Vice President Church's illness and if he kept it secret until after the election to gain favor with the electorate, the case is denied.

On December 7, 1987, Gorbachev and Nichols meet in Washington DC and sign the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty which banned intermediate range nuclear weapons despite the ongoing Russian Civil War. In May, Vice President Gary Hart resigns his office and suspends his presidential campaign in disgrace over marital infidelity. After some discussion, Nichols selects long-time Senator Robert Bryd as Vice President. Byrd accepts the position after Nichols suggests to Congress the passage of a term limits amendment for Congress. The two men found it difficult to work with one another and tried their best to limit their interactions, later President Nichols would accuse Bryd of trying to "backseat" drive the presidency.

On January 29, 1988, the administration asks the Congress to approve funds to increase funding to federally funded family-planning centers providing women with access to abortion and other women's care including contraceptives. On May 29, Nichols visits the USSR for the first time amidst its civil war. On August 15, the Democratic party nominated California Governor Tom Bradley and Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen for President and Vice President, respectively. On November 8, Governor Tom Bradley was elected President of the United States, becoming the first African-American to hold the office. Bradley defeated challenger Jack Kemp, 341-197.

On January 11, 1989, Nichols delivered his iconic farewell address. On January 20, Nichols left office with public approval at 72%, casting him as the nation's most popular President since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

### Post-presidency

After leaving office in 1989, Nichols worked closely with the Democratic party in order to secure many new voters in the midterm elections of 1990 and 1994. Nichols established the Nichols Center in 1992.

 Predecessor
 Successor
 **Vice President** | Frank Church (1981-1984), died
 **United States Senator from Indiana**
 **Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana**
 **Corporal in the United States Marine Corps**
 **Born** | Robert Nichols
February 17, 1925 (age 91)
 **Profession** | College professor, politician