Arthur Bremer - Aftermath

Aftermath

One hundred and thirteen pages of Bremer's diary were published in 1973 as An Assassin's Diary, from April 4, 1972, to the day before he shot Wallace and his subsequent arrest. In it, he states that he was not particularly opposed to Wallace's political agenda, which was notable for its pro-segregationist stance, but that his primary motive was to become infamous and to gain notoriety.

The first half of Bremer's diary (pages 1–148) was found on August 26, 1980, where he had concealed it, heavily wrapped and concealed in a plastic suitcase, at the foot of Milwaukee's 27th Street viaduct. It was dated from March 1 to April 3, 1972. In it, Bremer discussed his hatred for Nixon (Wallace was clearly a secondary target); fantasized about killing unnamed individuals who angered him, or opening fire at random at the corner of 3rd Street and Wisconsin Avenue downtown; and also confessed his admiration for Vel Phillips, a pioneering black officeholder of Milwaukee (who was elected and serving as Secretary of State of Wisconsin when the diary was found). The diary was eventually sold to an official of the University of Alabama-Birmingham, who donated it to UAB's Reynolds Historical Library.

Bremer's assassination attempt did not end Wallace's political career, let alone his life. Afterwards, Wallace was twice easily elected governor of Alabama, in 1974 and 1982. Neither did Wallace "die in a hail of bullets" as Bremer had hoped. While Bremer's actions in May 1972, and trial and conviction three months later, attracted media attention, he did not become as infamous as Lee Harvey Oswald or John Wilkes Booth, who both killed the presidents they shot. Bremer soon faded into comparative obscurity.

However, the result of the assassination attempt, combined with changing circumstances — both Wallace's, and on the political stage — ended Wallace's national political career. It also played a large part in destroying Wallace's second marriage to Cornelia Wallace. They separated in June 1977 and divorced in January 1978.

Despite the existence of many conspiracy theories, no one other than Bremer has ever been charged in connection with the shooting. One reason for talk of a conspiracy stemmed from the fact that Bremer's 1971 income tax return stated that he had earned only $1,611, bringing up the question of how Bremer paid for his travels while stalking Nixon and later Wallace. Another theory was based on the owner of Bremer's apartment building allowing reporters into the alleged assassin's apartment the night of the shooting. Some journalists were later seen leaving with items from Bremer's apartment. According to The Politics of Rage, a biography of Wallace by Dan T. Carter, Bremer had saved $1,500 when he lived with his parents. By the time he shot Wallace, all he had left was $1.73. It appears this was how he financed his travels between March and May 1972.

Wallace forgave Bremer in August 1995 and wrote to him expressing the hope that the two could get to know each other better. Part of Wallace's letter said "Dear Arthur, your shooting me in 1972 caused me a lot of discomfort and pain. I am a born-again Christian. I love you. I have asked our Heavenly Father to touch your heart, and I hope that you will ask him for forgiveness of your sin so you can go to heaven like I am going to heaven. I hope that we can get to know each other better. We have heard of each other a long time." He added, "Please let Jesus Christ be your savior". Bremer did not reply. Wallace died on September 13, 1998.