Robert Kennedy Survives

Timeline
1968: Robert Kennedy is not assassinated. He goes on to win the Democratic nomination for the presidency and win the election in November against Richard Nixon. 1969 - 1973: Robert Kennedy takes office in January 1969. The government orders the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam - the last are withdrawn mid-1970; extra money is given to NASA, which continues the Apollo program until Apollo 19 as well as beginning construction of the Space Shuttle and Skylab. More is done on issues such as racial equality and social improvement in American society. He is well-liked and is easily re-elected in 1972. 1973 - 1977: In early 1973, Robert Kennedy officially recognises the People's Republic of China as a legitimate nation - an unpopular decision. In April 1974 Apollo 19 makes the last landing on the moon for several decades. The Space Shuttle is developed more quickly, with the Enterprise built by 1975 and the Columbia to be ready by mid-1977. Plans are made for a second lunar program that would establish a permanent base, while Mars landings are put on hold. In 1976, Vice-President Humphrey decides not to run for President. Republican candidate Ronald Reagan wins the election as an economic reformer and anti-communist. 1977 - 1985: "Reaganomics" are adopted by the United States fiscally. The second lunar program is cancelled, as are plans for Mars landings. The space shuttle Columbia is completed in early 1978 and launches the following year, taking Skylab into a higher and more stable orbit. The Iran hostage crisis begins in 1979; during campaigning for the 1980 presidential election, Democratic candidate Ted Kennedy (who has a spotless driving record) attacks Reagan's inability to handle this as a major point in his campaign, but the hostages are released in October 1980 - in time for Reagan to manage a victory over Kennedy and be reelected for a second term. At the end of his second term Reagan's vice-president Bob Dole is elected President. 1985 - 1989: At first, President Dole runs the country much as Reagan did. In 1986 the Iran-Contra scandal occurs; Dole is unable to escape attacks from all sides and is impeached in 1987. Although he is not removed from office his name is mud in politics afterwards: in 1988 Ted Kennedy makes a political comeback and wins the Presidency in landslide. 1989 - 1993: The end of the Cold War. President Kennedy revives the second lunar program, named Artemis (sister of Apollo). The Gulf War happens much as it did ITTL. In 1992 many of Kennedy's supporters are drawn to independent candidate Ross Perot, but Kennedy is still re-elected with a respectable majority and is able to just scrape getting the popular vote. 1993 - 1997: The Artemis program begins. A permanent moon base is established in 1994 in the crater Clavius. The country's national debt is substantially reduced from the Reagan-Dole years but not eliminated. In 1996, Kennedy's vice-president Bill Clinton is elected President.

List of US Presidents
1961 - 1963: John F. Kennedy (Democrat) 1963 - 1969: Lyndon Johnson (Democrat) 1969 - 1977: Robert Kennedy (Democrat) 1977 - 1985: Ronald Reagan (Republican) 1985 - 1989: Bob Dole (Republican) 1989 - 1997: Ted Kennedy (Democrat) 1997 - 1999: Bill Clinton (Democrat) 1999 - 2001: Al Gore (Democrat) 2001 - 2009: John McCain (Republican)

List of US Vice-Presidents
1961 - 1963: Lyndon Johnson (Democrat) 1963 - 1965: vacant 1965 - 1977: Hubert Humphrey (Democrat) 1977 - 1985: Bob Dole (Republican) 1985 - 1989: George Bush (Republican) 1989 - 1997: Bill Clinton (Democrat) 1997 - 1999: Al Gore (Democrat) 1999 - 2001: Joe Lieberman (Democrat) 2001 - 2009: Jeb Bush (Republican)