1960: The Journey to the Presidency

Wow! Can you believe it? The year is 1960, and I’m about to embark on a historical journey – the race to become the President of the United States. This is no ordinary year, my friend. It’s election time, and the stakes have never been higher. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of the 1960 presidential campaign!

Picture this: the year is 1960, and the race for the White House is on. The candidates for the presidency, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, are locked in a fierce battle, each vying for the chance to lead the nation. This is not just any election; it’s a moment that will shape the future of America.

But what makes this election so special? Well, my friend, it’s all about the candidates. Both Kennedy and Nixon are formidable opponents, each with their own unique set of qualities. Kennedy, a young and charismatic senator from Massachusetts, represents a new generation of leaders. Nixon, on the other hand, is a seasoned politician, vice president under the popular Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The campaign is in full swing, and the candidates are crisscrossing the country, shaking hands, kissing babies, and doing whatever it takes to win over the hearts and minds of the American people. It’s a whirlwind of speeches, debates, and photo ops, all leading up to the big day, Election Day.

As the candidates crisscross the country, they address the most pressing issues of the time. They talk about the economy, foreign policy, civil rights, and everything in between. Each candidate has their own vision for America, and they’re not afraid to make their voices heard.

But it’s not just the candidates who are making waves. The media plays a pivotal role in this election. The rise of television brings the campaigns into the living rooms of Americans across the country. Never before have the voters been so intimately acquainted with their potential leaders.

With the election just around the corner, tensions are running high. The country is divided, and everyone is holding their breath, waiting to see who will emerge victorious. It’s a moment of uncertainty, but it’s also a moment of hope.

In the end, it all comes down to the voters. They hold the power to shape the future of America. They have the final say, and their decision will have far-reaching consequences. So let’s take a step back, put ourselves in their shoes, and ask ourselves, who would we choose?

The journey to the presidency is fraught with challenges, but it’s also an incredible opportunity. It’s a chance for the American people to make their voices heard, to shape the course of history. So let’s buckle up, my friend, and join me on this thrilling ride. The year is 1960, and the race to the White House is on!

When it’s time to determine who goes first in the game, two cubes are drawn – one blue and one red. But since both players get one cube, we need a tiebreaker. So, we draw a third cube to break the tie. This time, it’s a blue cube, which means Kennedy gets the initiative. And guess what? He decides that Nixon will go first this turn.

Activity Phase 1

When I play Heartland Of America, I am able to make an important move. I spend 3 CP to take a Positioning action, which allows me to support the Defense issue with two points. This action not only strengthens my position but also grants me a rest cube, which I place in my rest cube zone.

Let’s talk about an interesting strategy in the game, which involves playing Kennedy’s Pledge card. This move can really give you an advantage, so pay close attention!

When you play Kennedy’s Pledge, something special happens. Nixon will start giving you momentum markers whenever he plays a card that isn’t a Campaigning action. This can be a big boost for you!

Activity Phase 2

As I strategize my next move, I decide to make a play in the New England region. I use 3 CP to launch a Campaigning action in California. This tactical move allows me to add three state support cubes in the Golden State. As a result, my influence and popularity grow.

Meanwhile, my opponent Kennedy decides to make a calculated move of his own. He chooses to expend one of his momentum markers to trigger the New England Event. This event grants him certain advantages in this region. Kennedy seizes the opportunity to increase his state support by two in New York, two in Massachusetts (which brings his total support there to 4, ultimately giving him control over the state), and one in Connecticut. This move significantly strengthens his position in the area.

The game of politics is filled with twists and turns. Every move counts and can make a significant impact on the overall outcome. It’s crucial to carefully consider your options and seize the right opportunities to secure victory.

Let me tell you about the Nixon’s Knee Event that happened during Kennedy’s turn. It had a big impact on Nixon’s campaign. From that point on, Nixon had to spend a momentum marker every time he wanted to play a card as a Campaigning action. This made things a lot more difficult for him.

Not only that, but the event also required Nixon’s candidate token to be moved to Maryland. This change in location had important implications for the campaign strategy.

What Happens in Activity Phase 3?

When I played the Southern Revolt strategy as Nixon, I spent 3 Political Capital points on an Advertising action. This meant I could do three support checks, so I drew three cubes from the Political Capital Bag: one red and two blue.

Only my own color cubes were allowed, so I decided to put my one media support cube in the Eastern advertising box. As a result, I also gained one rest cube. Because I didn’t perform a Campaigning action, Kennedy gained a momentum marker as a result of my Pledge.

Now, I’m playing as Harry F. Byrd in Kennedy’s shoes. I decide to Campaign in New York to gain two more points of state support. With this additional support, I now control New York. Since this is the only state I campaigned in, I’ll move my candidate token to New York to show my control.

Next, Nixon decides to use a momentum marker to activate the Event on his card. This allows him to decrease Kennedy’s state support by two points in Mississippi and one point in Alabama.

Time to Get Active

So, get this: Nixon pulls off a major blunder during the election. He says something stupid, which we’ll call a “Gaffe,” and it ends up costing Kennedy big time. Kennedy loses a momentum marker and three state support in New York, where his guy is stationed. And get this, because of this mess-up, Kennedy doesn’t even carry New York anymore, even though he was leading there!

But here’s the twist: Nixon decides not to take a Campaigning action. And guess what? That decision actually helps Kennedy! Because of Nixon’s Pledge, Kennedy gets a momentum marker. Talk about an unexpected turn of events!

I’m playing as Kennedy, and I’m ready to gather momentum in the West. I spend 4 CP on Campaigning, which allows me to add three state support in New York (which I now carry again) and one in Pennsylvania.

While I have the option to leave my candidate token in either state since I’m not leaving the region, I decide to finish in Pennsylvania. So, I move my candidate there.

Now it’s Nixon’s turn. Since he currently leads more states in the West than me, he doesn’t hesitate to trigger this Event. By doing so, he gains a momentum marker to make up for the one he spent to trigger it, plus one point of state support in every empty state in the West.

Activity Phase 5

Alright, let me break it down for you. Nixon, the man, decides to grab the attention of the Harvard Brain Trust, a group of clever folks. He pays them four points, also known as CP, to do a thing called Campaigning. With this move, he’s looking to gain some support from two important states: New York and Pennsylvania.

Now, here’s the tricky part. Kennedy is already getting a lot of love from the people in New York. So, normally, Nixon would have to work really hard and worry about checking his support for every bit he spent there. But Nixon has a sneaky advantage. He’s got some media support in the East that gives him a pass on all the support checks. He cuts straight to the point and takes away two points from Kennedy’s support in New York. Sneaky, huh?

Now, let’s talk about Pennsylvania. Kennedy has some influence there, but he’s not carrying the state. Usually, Nixon would have to make support checks because of Kennedy’s presence, even though he’s not winning the state. But again, Nixon has a trick up his sleeve. Remember when he advertised in that area before? It paid off. Thanks to his earlier efforts, Nixon gets to drop two points of support right into Pennsylvania without any checks.

So, here’s what happens: I can take away Kennedy’s only support cube in the state and replace it with one of my own. This will allow me to take the lead in that state. Since I have not left the region, I can move my candidate marker to either of the states where I campaigned. So, I choose to move to Pennsylvania.

After I’ve made my move, Kennedy decides to spend a momentum marker to activate the Event on his card. He puts the Harvard Brain Trust card on the board in the space reserved for ongoing Debate Events. This card will give him a bonus when he resolves issues during the Debates on Turn 6.

I start by playing Puerto Rican Bishops for 3 CP. This allows me to add one issue support each in all three issues. As a result, Nixon is left with only one cube in Defense, and I take the lead in both Economy and Civil Rights. Furthermore, I collect one rest cube, boosting my overall position.

Momentum Phase

Now it’s time for the Momentum Phase. Here, both players have to discard half of their unused momentum markers. However, it’s good news for me as I get to keep my one remaining momentum marker, while Nixon has none left to lose.

So, here’s the deal. Nixon has this chance to shake things up a bit on the Issue Track. He’s got more media support cubes on the board than Kennedy, so he can make a move. Right now, Defense is in a good spot for him, so he wants to leave that alone. But he decides to give Civil Rights a boost and move it up to second place, pushing Economy down to third.

After that, it’s time for the players to get some rewards for their support on the issues. Kennedy’s got the lead in Economy, so he gets a momentum marker. And since he’s leading in Civil Rights, he’s got a choice – another momentum marker or an endorsement. He goes with the endorsement and draws an Endorsement In The South card. With that, he can put an endorsement marker in the advertising box for that region.

In the Defense category, Nixon is leading, making it the most important issue in the race. This gives him a boost in momentum and an endorsement. He draws a card from the endorsement deck and gets a Major Endorsement. With this, he can place an endorsement marker anywhere he wants. Nixon decides to put it in the South, which removes Kennedy’s endorsement from that region.

After these events, one support cube is removed from each issue on the Issue Track. Since neither candidate had more than one support in any issue, there is no support remaining for either candidate in any issue.

Now it’s time for the Campaign Strategy Phase. Both players place their last card facedown on their respective Campaign Strategy Stacks. They also put their rest cubes in the Political Capital Bag. Turn 1 is now complete!

Moving on to the Debates, it’s Turn 6.

Determining Initiative, Planning the Campaign Strategy, and Setting the Stage

When it’s time to determine who goes first, we start by drawing two cubes. If both of these cubes are blue, no more draws are necessary, and I win the initiative. Now we can move on to the next step.

Now that I have the initiative, it’s time to plan my campaign strategy. I retrieve the cards from my Campaign Strategy Stack on the board, and you do the same. We then take the issue tiles from the Issues Track and place them on the debate board. We start with the lowest-ranking issue and work our way up. For example, if Economy is the lowest-ranked issue, we place it first. Then we move on to the next lowest-ranked issue, which could be Civil Rights, followed by Defense.

Let the Debate Begin! Round 1

It’s time for Round 2 of the debate between Nixon and Kennedy. In this round, they each select a card to help them make their case. Nixon chooses the Opposition Research card, while Kennedy goes with Give Me a Week. Both players reveal their choices.

Nixon plays his card to the Defense issue, placing it on his side. On the other hand, Kennedy plays his card to Economy, also on his side.

Let the debate continue!

I decided to play my “Peace Without Surrender” card this time. It’s a Defense card, but it only features my opponent’s candidate icon. This means I have to place it on Nixon’s side. I know I can’t win this issue, but I want to force it to resolve early. By doing so, I can increase the rewards for the other issues that I still hope to win.

On the other hand, Nixon chose the Economy card, featuring both candidates’ icons. He knows he can’t win this issue either, so he decides to place it on my side. He’s thinking along the same lines as I am, trying to maximize his chances of winning the other issues.

• Nixon has two cards on the Defense issue, and Kennedy has two cards on the Economy issue. These issues have been resolved, but Economy takes priority due to its lower position. Since Nixon doesn’t have any cards on his side of Economy, Kennedy wins by default. He earns two state support cubes that he can distribute as he pleases. Kennedy decides to use both cubes in California, reducing Nixon’s support from three cubes to just one. The Economy issue tile is then placed back on the Issues Track, at the bottom position. The cards played on the Economy issue are discarded.

I’ve got some exciting news for you! The issue regarding Defense has been settled, and it’s all thanks to Nixon. He was the only player with cards next to that issue, so he now has three state support. Nixon is one step closer to victory!

To strengthen his position, Nixon decides to place one of his state support cubes in Indiana. This gives him a total of four cubes there, allowing him to take control of the state. Nixon also puts the remaining cubes he received from the Defense issue in California, boosting his support there to three.

With the Defense issue resolved, its tile goes back to the middle position on the Issues Track. And as for the cards played to the Defense issue, they are discarded.

We’re now heading into round three of the debate. Get ready for more intense political battles and strategic moves!

When it’s time for the big debate, each candidate brings out their secret weapons. Nixon chooses Herb Klein, a trusted advisor, while Kennedy goes with his groundbreaking initiative, the Peace Corps. These powerful cards are then strategically placed on each player’s side of the Civil Rights board.

Let’s Get Ready to Debate!

As I strategize my gameplay, I have two cards to choose from: Rising Food Prices or Profiles in Courage. I consider the potential impact of each card on the Civil Rights issue, which is on my side of the table. It’s a tough decision, but ultimately I decide to play Nixon selects Rising Food Prices. Meanwhile, my opponent, Kennedy, chooses to play Profiles in Courage on his side.

This move marks the end of the issue. As we tally up the influence points, I have played 5 CP to support my stance, while Kennedy has played 6 CP on his side. At first glance, it seems like a victory for Nixon.

However, there’s a twist. Earlier on, during turn 1, the Harvard Brain Trust persistent Debate Event was put into play. This event gives Kennedy the advantage, granting him an additional +1 to his total in each issue during the Debates. This changes the dynamics of the situation and puts Kennedy in a more favorable position.

I’ve just scored 6 CP, bringing my total to a tie in Civil Rights. When there’s a tie, the player who won the initiative gets to decide the final issue. Luckily, I won the initiative, so I’m taking the win and placing four state support cubes. California seems like the perfect place, so I’ll remove Nixon’s three support cubes and replace them with one of my own. The Civil Rights issue tile goes back to the Issues Track, at the top of the stack. Oh, and I also need to discard the cards I played for the Civil Rights issue.

Now that all three issues have been dealt with, we’re done with the Debates. I have some cards left that I haven’t played yet, but those will go straight to the discard pile. It’s time to move on to Turn 7 and continue the game.

Now It’s Election Day – Turn 9

Bonus Cubes and Initiative

Alright, let’s look at how Nixon and Kennedy are strategizing their media support in different regions. Nixon is focusing on the East with two cubes, while Kennedy is dividing his attention between the Midwest and the South with two cubes in each. This means Nixon gets to add two cubes from his supply to the Political Capital Bag, while Kennedy adds three. They both clear out their media support cubes from the regional advertising boxes and issue support cubes from the issue tiles, placing them all in the Political Capital Bag.

But that’s not all. Kennedy decides to trade in his remaining momentum marker for two extra cubes to add to the bag. Nixon still has two momentum markers, so he adds four more cubes. Now it’s time for an Initiative Check. The first two draws are one blue and one red, so a third draw is made, and it’s a red cube. This gives the initiative to Nixon.

Strategizing the Campaign

So here’s how it goes. Both of us grab our cards from our Campaign Strategy Stacks on the board. And then, we each make three support checks. But here’s the catch: the one with the initiative goes first.

Let’s say I’ve got the initiative. I draw three cubes for the states on my cards: Minnesota, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Florida. In Minnesota, I get three red cubes. That means I get rid of two of Kennedy’s support and get one for myself. Nice!

In North Carolina, things don’t go so well. I end up with one red and two blue cubes. That’s only enough to eliminate Kennedy’s single cube there. No additional support for me.

But hey, I make up for it in Connecticut. I draw two red and one blue cube. Since I already have one cube there, I increase my support by two. Things are looking up!

Now, for Florida. I try my best, but I end up getting blanked. No support for me.

That’s how it goes for my support checks. Now, it’s time for the next move.

Now it’s my turn to draw some cards! I get Wisconsin, Ohio, and two cards for New York. Let’s see what I can do with them. Hmm, I pulled three red cubes for Wisconsin, but that doesn’t help me there. Oh well, better luck next time.

In Ohio, however, I draw three blue cubes, which means I gain three state support! That’s great news for me, because it gets rid of Nixon’s three support cubes there.

Now it’s time for New York. Since I already had two New York cards set aside, I get to draw a total of six cubes. Out of those six, four are blue and two are red. With four state support cubes, I can remove Nixon’s three cubes and even have one of my own. That’s a win for me!

Let’s take a look at how my support checks are going:

Election Day Events

Hey there! Are you excited about Election Day? I certainly am! It’s an important day for our country, when we all have the opportunity to make our voices heard and choose our leaders. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes on Election Day? Let me tell you about some of the interesting events that take place.

Firstly, early in the morning, the polling stations open their doors bright and early. People start lining up before the sun rises, eager to cast their vote and have a say in the future of our nation. It’s a bustling scene, with voters of all ages and backgrounds coming together to exercise their right to vote.

Once inside the polling station, you’ll be greeted by friendly volunteers who will guide you through the process. They’ll check your identification and make sure you’re eligible to vote. Then, they’ll hand you a ballot, which is a piece of paper with the names of the candidates and their political parties. You’ll head to a private booth, where you can carefully mark your choices.

After you’ve completed your ballot, you’ll bring it to a vote counting machine. This machine is designed to read and tally the votes, ensuring an accurate and fair election. It’s amazing how technology can help us carry out such an important democratic process!

As the day goes on, the polling stations remain open, allowing more and more people to cast their votes. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation, as the outcome of the election starts to take shape. News reporters are stationed outside, speaking to voters and providing updates on the progress of the election.

Finally, as the sun sets and the clock strikes closing time, the doors of the polling stations are shut. The volunteers begin the process of counting and verifying the votes, ensuring that every vote is accurately recorded. It’s a meticulous task, but one that is carried out with great care and attention to detail.

And then comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for – the announcement of the results. It’s a thrilling and nerve-wracking moment, as we find out who the people have chosen to lead our country. Whether our preferred candidate wins or not, we can all take pride in knowing that we had a say in the democratic process.

So, next time you step into a polling station on Election Day, remember the behind-the-scenes events that make it all possible. From the early morning lines to the careful counting of votes, every step is essential in ensuring a fair and democratic election. Let’s cherish this privilege and exercise our right to vote with pride!

So, after we’ve sorted out our Campaign Strategy cards, it’s time to address any persistent Election Day Events. In the present scenario, Nixon has the chance to tackle the Recount Event. This special event allows him to conduct three support checks in a state of his choosing. Ohio seems like a good pick. However, luck doesn’t favor Nixon this time. He draws three blue cubes and, unfortunately, fails to increase his support in Ohio.

Ohio – A Crucial Battleground

Endorsements and Undecided Voters

Now, it’s worth noting that any states without support from either player fall under the control of the player who has an endorsement there. If neither player has an endorsement, the state’s inherent advantage will come into play.

So here’s what’s happening: Kennedy is staking his claim in Ohio, bringing along his two endorsement markers in the Midwest. Nixon, on the other hand, has scored an endorsement in the South, specifically in North Carolina and Georgia. Now, when it comes to the East, neither player has any endorsements there. But fear not, because the vacant New Hampshire, which leans in Nixon’s favor, goes to him. Kennedy, on the other hand, snatches up West Virginia. As for the West, well, there’s nothing up for grabs over there.

The Final Count

So here’s how it goes: we’re finally at the end, and now both of us are going to try and grab those state seals for the states we have support in. We’ll add up all the electoral votes we’ve got, and that’ll give us our final score.

Now, there’s a bit of a twist – the Unpledged Electors Election Day Event is in play. What that means is that things might not go exactly as we expect. Take Louisiana, for example – I’ve only got three support there, which is less than the four required by this Event. As a result, I can’t claim Louisiana, and I don’t get any of its votes.

So, when all is said and done, here’s how things stand:

Nixon’s Total Electoral Votes = 266

My Total Electoral Votes: 261

I want to share with you the total number of electoral votes I received in the election. As you may know, electoral votes are the votes that ultimately determine who becomes the President of the United States.

Now, you might be wondering how exactly these electoral votes are calculated. Well, it’s quite a complex process that involves a mixture of voting by the people and representation from each state. Each state is given a certain number of electoral votes based on its population and representation in Congress.

In my case, I received a total of 261 electoral votes. This means that I was able to secure the majority of these votes from the various states across the country. It’s a significant number that contributed to my overall victory in the election.

Understanding electoral votes is essential for comprehending the outcome of a presidential election. Instead of simply tallying up the popular vote, which is the total number of votes by the citizens, the electoral vote system gives each state a stake in the decision-making process. This means that candidates need to win over different states to gather the necessary votes to win the presidency.

It’s important to note that electoral votes can sometimes lead to interesting outcomes. There have been instances in the past where a candidate has won the popular vote but lost the election due to the electoral vote system. This can be a source of confusion and debate, as people try to understand and interpret the results.

In conclusion, my total electoral votes amounted to 261, which played a crucial role in securing my victory in the election. It’s fascinating to think about the intricacies of the electoral vote system and how it shapes the outcome of a presidential race. By understanding this process, we can better comprehend the significance and impact of elections in our country.

So, in the end, I find out that I’ve only won 261 votes while Nixon has 266. It’s kind of a bummer, to be honest. Can you believe it? Nixon won the election! It’s like history just did a complete flip. But here’s the thing, if it wasn’t for the whole Unpledged Electors Event, or if I had just gotten one more point of support in Louisiana, I would have gotten an extra 10 votes and won the election. Isn’t that crazy? It’s like one small change could have completely turned things around. Oh well, I guess there’s always next time. Hopefully, I’ll have better luck then.