Atlas Election Match-Ups Through the Ages

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1856
With President Shua presiding over the disastrous attempt at a "Compromise of 1854", the stage was set for the now-dominant Democratic party to collapse completely. Unwelcome in his new party and having seen his old one sink just as he'd hopped ship, Shua knew he wouldn't be seeking re-election come 1856.

With the issues of tariffs, taxation, internal improvements, and slavery tearing the party asunder, it would happen that not one but three different conventions would be held. The "legitimate" one nominated backbencher Senator Malcolm Xavier of Ohio. A moderate in almost all respects who had previously been decried by some in his own state party as being rather "Whiggish", Xavier seemed a choice reflective of the newer, larger party. Favoring moderate tariffs to protect industry and popular sovereignty on the issue of slavery, some even called him a "moderate hero". As well, Xavier was known for his support of temperance, something that was hoped could win him the support of religious and progressive voters, South and North alike. For Vice President, Lt. Colonel Oliver "Gun Taker" Wellington of Rhode Island was chosen. "Gun Taker" had become notorious for his actions in the Mexican-American War, particularly an instance in which he had seized all weaponry in a small border town and loudly declared--albeit in a drunken and rather lame attempt at humor--that all force should be monopolized by the state. While the choice was a tad more controversial than the nomination of Xavier, it was hoped that adding Gun Taker would allow for appeal in Western and pro-expansion areas.

In contrast, the "Free Democratic" faction held its convention in Boston, Massachusetts. At the convention, T.N. Frick, 1852's failed Democratic nominee, was easily selected to head the ticket. Since his time as a major party candidate four years ago, "T.N.F." had become well known throughout the country, speaking and writing, as well as having held a few local positions in his Kentucky county. While atypical compared to most abolitionist Democrats in that he favored internal improvements and steep tariffs, along with taking a stance on worker organization, this made him ideal in appealing to a larger section of the country than merely "barn burners". Passing over Congressman Freak for the position of Vice President, Governor Zebulon "Zioneer" Smith of California was selected. The first member of Joseph Smith's LDS Church nominated on a major party ticket--as well as being Joseph Smith's son--the Zioneer had been instrumental in establishing California's education system as well as opposing numerous attempts by supporters of slavery to repeal the state's free status. Prior to his political rise, Smith had lived in the interior West and had served as both a soldier and a missionary in Mexico.

Lastly, the Southern Democratic convention would nominate the ex-Whig Senator Ben Kenobi of Texas. Despite Kenobi's former party affiliation, he had been able to win continuous elections since the 1840's based on the fact that he was so unlike his national party. An opponent of tariffs and a proponent of "property rights" and expansionism, Kenobi was the perfect "Southern Democrat" to represent the ticket. In order to run a national campaign, however, an atypical choice would be made for Vice President. Former Governor Cassius Cornwallis of Massachusetts, a (quite literal) old school conservative Whig, would be nominated. Cassius, while he had standardized Massachusetts' education system and had served in Shua's cabinet, was also a member of the gentry and, due to his conservative disposition, was un-inclined to favor any attempts to abolish slavery. While "T.N.F." might have been a Southern abolitionist with ties to labor, Cassius Cornwallis was just the opposite.

The campaign would be a brutal one, with attacks launched in newspapers and by surrogates against any and every candidate. Of note would be the activity in "T.N.F."'s favor on the part of German immigrants and especially Marxists from Europe. Following the election, Frick would receive a letter from Karl Marx and begin lengthy correspondence with him. As well would be Frick's attempts at mobilizing labor as a solid voting block in his direction. Meanwhile, Cassius Cornwallis would attempt to bridge the North-South gap by attempting to get industry's backin for his ticket based on fear of T.N.F.'s radicalism. However, they would eventually throw their resources behind Xavier due to fear of disparate economic interests when it came to having a President dedicated specifically to the South.

Harlan County Sheriff Thomas Norman "T.N.F." Frick (Free Democrat-Kentucky)/Governor Zebulon "Zioneer" Smith (Free Democrat-California) 157 electoral votes, 36.2% of the popular vote
Senator Malcolm Xavier (Democrat-Ohio)/Lt. Colonel Oliver "Gun Taker" Wellington (Democrat-Rhode Island) 82 electoral votes, 31.5% of the popular vote
Senator Benjamin "Obi Wan" Kenobi (Southern Democrat-Texas)/Former Secretary of State Cassius Cornwallis (Southern Democrat-Massachusetts) 57 electoral votes, 32.3% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1900
Under President Max Well, the nation saw unprecedented political consensus. Working with the Republicans' rival wings on different issues, he managed to cut military spending, gut the civil service, and enact the first successful trust-busting measures. When the National Democrats were delivered Congress in 1898, the president proceeded to lower tariffs and immigration restrictions as well. With a fiscally sound, gold-backed nation in 1900, there were few complaints regarding his administration.

The Republicans' conservative wing took over at the convention, unseating the "Cranberryans" at several state conventions earlier in the year. This was the result of successive losses with progressives and radicals at the helm. Instead of nominating Congressman LaFollette of Wisconsin or the backbenching, yet well-liked Senator Rockefeller Gop of Main, the former Indiana Governor and arch-conservative Michael "Madman" Motley was chosen. While having much in agreement with the National Democratic administration, much was made ado about their differences. Vice Presidential nominee Reagan Fann of Ohio made a blistering speech assailing Well's tariff and trust policies. Harkening back to the days of Union and Republican dominance, someone sarcastically said the nominee should've been named "Cathcon Fann".

With so little between the two major parties to argue about, it was natural that a third choice emerged. Former President TNF's "Populist Party", in an attempt to appeal to urban voters, nominated former Pittsburgh Mayor Snowe Stalker, known as "The Babe" for the large man's baby face. Despite previous jail time for patronage-related corruption, Stalker was popular with his constituents and had made headlines with several combative and crowd-pleasing lines, coupled with anti-corporate and pro-labor policies. His actions regarding the tossing of blacks out of city employment were less publicized. As a counterweight to the big city politician nominee, Nathaniel "Ziggy" Meursault, a self-titled "libertarian socialist" from rural Illinois, was put up by the Populists for Vice President. Meursault's writings "On the Socialist Origins of the Republican Party" and status as a pioneer in communal living had earned him the attention of various strands of left-wing politics.

With a prosperous union and little amiss, Max Well was easily re-elected against Motley and Stalker in the first landslide since the 1860's.

President Maxdonald A. Well (D-LA)/Senator Samuel Joyce (D-FL) 354 electoral votes, 55% of the popular vote
Former Governor Michael D. "Madman" Motley (R-IN)/Senator Reagan Fann (R-OH) 93 electoral votes, 40% of the popular vote
Former Mayor Snowe "The Babe" Stalker (P-PA)/Mr. N. "Ziggy" Meursault (P-IL) 0 electoral votes, 5% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

SKIP

List of Presidents of the United States, 1841-Present
9. T.N.F. (Whig-Kentucky) 1841
10. Albert H. Duke (Whig-South Carolina) 1841-1845
11. L. Acton Guy (Democrat-Illinois) 1845-1849
12. Shua (Whig/Democrat-Virginia) 1849-1857
13. Thomas Norman "T.N.F." Frick (Free Democrat/Union-Kentucky) 1857-1861
14. John A. Cathcon (Union-Michigan) 1861-1869
15. Robert Cranberry (Union-Maine) 1869-1873
16. William Robert Sbane (Union-Tennessee) 1873-1877
17. Seymour H.U. "Shua" Arnolds (Democrat-Virginia) 1877-1879
18. Miles Landrieu (Democrat-Louisiana) 1879-1881
19. Malcolm Xavier (National Democrat-Ohio) 1881-1885
20. Mung Beans (National Democrat-California) 1885-1889
21. Theodore Noland "T.N.F." Fallow (National Democrat-Kentucky) 1889-1893
22. Mung Beans (National Democrat-California) 1893-1897
23. Maxdonald A. Well (National Democrat-Louisiana) 1897-1905
24. Thomas Cathcon (National Democrat-Michigan) 1905-Present

I think it's time we're due for a Republican victory.

SKIP

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

It was Congress that ultimately had to sort out the fiasco of 1916. While many had expected Cranberry or Walsh to be able to finagle their way to the necessary House votes, in a stunned surprised, it would be Cassius Clay who triumphed. In an act of unusual diplomacy, Cassius managed to cut deals across political lines to secure his victory, lining up conservative Republicans that were put off by Max Walsh's moderation and foreign policy progressives that viewed Cranberry as doomed. Forging a coalition ranging from protectionists to internationalists, Cassius Clay would be sworn in as the nation's 26th President on March 4th, 1917.

Cassius Clay was an unlikely Kentucky Democrat. Though a Southron and the the descendant of slaveowners from years before the American Civil War, he was unsuited to Jacksonian populism, and was often more associated with both major parties' Northeastern wings, specifically the prominent Cornwallis family, with which he was friends with (to the point of nominating Cassius Cornwallis IV to the post of Secretary of State). And despite the turn towards laissez-faire economics that had happened to the Democrats under President Maxdonald Well, Clay was far more socially conservative than his party's more recent leaders, and was also in favor of protectionism. Despite the Civil War having devastated his family, they had worked their way back up through business on the Ohio River, and, as such, Clay was much more tied to Northern manufacturing than to textiles and other Southern industries. Such made for an unlikely Democrat in an unlikely time in American history.

Despite the bargaining taken to win, little of that skill in compromise would be reflected in the next four years. While Cassius had a number of legislative victories marking his first year in office, historians would ultimately criticize him on a number of fronts. Managing to defeat Cranberry's fiat currency, the "Hamiltonian monstrosity of a replacement" he left behind would still be decried for years to come. As well, while tariff increases would help with both the federal government's revenue as well as bolster American manufacturing, such a policy move would only aid in the post-war global diplomatic fallout that the United States experienced.

With the Great War wrapping up in 1918, the President, emboldened by this victory, set his sights on "Red Russia". Dictating policy from the Oval Office in a way many called unconstitutional, shots would be fired at Russian troops in three different preliminary expeditions throughout the summer and fall of that year. However, the electorate had had quite enough of the president's ardent nationalism and the duties associated with it. Immigrants, typically a Democratic constituency, would flock to the Grand Old Party with wild abandon. The most notable victory would be that of the newly elected Governor of Maine Thaddeus O'Connor. The son of Catholic immigrants on his father's side and distantly related to James G. Blaine on his mother's, like Cassius Clay, he was an unlikely man for his party.

O'Connor had spent the good portion of a decade as a backbencher Republican Congressman from Maine before his election as Governor in 1918. He had first risen to prominence at the 1916 Republican National Convention when the "liberal" wing of the Republican Party was successful in nominating Max Walsh for President. O'Connor had spoken eloquently on his behalf and had been an effective floor leader for the Governor. Two years later, he was elected on the promise of tax relief for Maine voters, a renewed look at the civil service, and on using the power of his office to protect immigrants and free as many "dissidents" as possible that had been jailed in the state under Cassius' administration.

1920
With the nation in a state of post-war economic collapse, war-weary, and tired of "red hunts" led by Solicitor General Cory Brooker (D-SC), it was clear that the country was looking for change. At the 1920 Republican National Convention, the progressive, liberal, and conservative wings would be (literally) at each other's throats over who could save the nation from Clay. The progressive and aristocratic Arnoldson Haliburton Duke of South Carolina would seem to many the favorite. Having forged out a strange coalition of formerly disenfranchised black voters, reformers, and more left-wing members of the upper-class, Duke was a successful two-term Republican Governor in the Democratic South. His background was also unconventional, his grandfather having been a Union soldier who married a the belle of the very plantation his platoon was raiding. However, this was one Cranberryan that wouldn't see convention victory. Nor would his conservative rival, the 1916 Vice Presidential nominee Adam Hurst, II. Known for controversial comments--including his convention address where he claimed "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice"--the anti-red and reportedly somewhat off-kilter Washington Congressman was not who the Republicans hoped could lead them to victory. Instead, it would again be the liberal "New Republican" faction that was nominated. This time, however, it would be the quiet Maine Governor Thaddeus O'Connor.

O'Connor, however, was at his family estate near Aroostook, and it took several days for the news to reach him of his nomination. Assuming that the liberals would again be supporting Max Walsh for the presidency, he had no reason to attend the convention, his state's delegates being in good hands. The convention was entering on a week and a half in length by the time the unlikely nominee was racing down a buckboard for the nearest train station, having already wired ahead at the first chance that he accepted. He had not done it enthusiastically, but upon having made his decision, he proceeded to move towards the New York City convention in all due haste. Arriving three days later and looking more than a bit disheveled, he made a brief acceptance speech before stepping aside. For Vice President, former Ambassador to Ethiopia Samuel Fallen of New Jersey was nominated.

The Democrats would as well have a surprising convention. While it had become clear that Cassius would face opposition to his renomination, few expected former President Maxdonald A. Well to come out of the woodwork. The aging titan had been silent in the party since his surprising endorsement of Nathaniel Cranberry. While at one point he had stood as the leader of his party's right wing on the national stage, by 1920, he was being dismissed by several younger conservative delegates as "the left-wing relic of a bygone age". Cassius' Minister to Germany, Hugh Flye, would be known for making derogatory comments about the former President's background, noting that he himself had attended school at Oxford in England.

While there were several other challengers, including the powerful Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee James Ernest and the Tammany Hall-backed Governor Benjamin Sawx of Pennsylvania, Maxdonald A. Well soon became the President's main opponent. Sixteen years out of office and well past his political prime, Well was willing to risk convention or even general election defeat in order to "save the party of Jackson, Guy, and Beans from this catastrophe". The gamble paid off, as even conservative delegates were conscious of Max's popularity as a respected former president. In order to keep the Clay administration's supporters in line, the party line-towing Governor Gerald Clinton of Arkansas was chosen for Vice President. Hardly a Clay loyalist, it was nevertheless assured that Clinton could "keep things in line".

The general election campaign was a brutal one to say the least. While Maxdonald Well and Thaddeus O'Connor both had respect for each other, their campaigns did not, and insults were traded back and forth as fast as goods in an urban market full of immigrants. While on a campaign swing through the Southwest, it was alleged by a Democratic reporter that O'Connor had been rumored to hate the South. "No! Of course not! I'm a fan of all the great people of the South, whether they be in Memphis, Atlanta or even Dallas, of which I'm particularly a fan of." O'Connor had been caught off guard, however, the nickname of "Dallas fan" would stick with him for the rest of the campaign.

Despite the hope that Well brought to the Democratic effort, he'd been well aware that he was doomed since the beginning. O'Connor would win rather easily, though his opponent put up far greater a fight than the Maine Governor could have expected.

Governor Thaddeus "Dallas Fan" O'Connor (Republican-Maine)/Former Ambassador to Ethiopia Samuel Fallen (Republican-New Jersey) 370 electoral votes, 55.3% of the popular vote
Former President Maxdonald A. Well (Democrat-Louisiana)/Governor Gerald "Jerry" Clinton (Democrat-Arkansas) 161 electoral votes, 41.3% of the popular vote
Mr. Nathan Debs (Single Tax-Massachusetts)/Former State Senator Mechwell Mann (Single Tax-Oklahoma) 0 electoral votes, 3.2% of the popular vote

The election would mark what the Governor referred to as "a definitive end for paternalism, prohibition, and protectionism." Within his first 100 days, O'Connor signed the greatest tariff decrease in several decades and saw the repeal of Cassius' short attempt at the nationwide prohibition of alcohol. Within that timeframe, several Clay administration heads including Solicitor General Cory Brooker, Commerce Secretary Walter W. Mitty, Ambassador to Great Britain Benjamin Constine, and even Secretary of War T.X. Condem would be tried on various corruption charges.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Bamp.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

President Motley considered himself a proud constitutional conservative, and, as such, had opposed the "New Deal", foreign war, and President Maxwell's crackdown on the South. While his friends and colleagues had seen little racism in him, for the incoming president, the issue was not about racism, but about the right of a state to determine its own policies. Following the issuance of the "Oakley Plan", in fact, Motley had simply stated that he encouraged all African-Americans to simply leave Alabama, and, in rather harsh words, described the types that wished to pursue Governor Oakley's agenda. However, when it came to legal opposition to it, he was far from inclined to act, viewing it as a matter of the limits of the federal government. "I would strongly urge the citizens of Alabama, rather than the U.S. Army, to point out that such an act is in violation of  the Alabama State Constitution. If--and I don't believe it would be--is found constitutional under such laws, they obviously need to be changed. However, that is not the job of anyone outside of that state."

Nevertheless, the idealistic Congressman, upon assuming the vast power of the presidency, was forced to look at things in a different light. While he would still work for passage of his economic policies and kept to his principles on U.S. isolationism, the situation in the South would be re-examined. Many of his party's base would accuse him of selling out in the wake of being granted such power. Some outside the Conservatives believed it had been a change of heart for the better. President Motley, however, would maintain until his passing in 1971 that "When I was exposed to the array of intelligence that a President must be forced to look at, after several attempts at negotiation on our terms had failed, and in viewing the amount of federal property the rebellion had confiscated and stolen, it seemed that the matter did fall in my lap, as much as I desired not to." While opponents to his left would still call him "weak" on his Southern policy, over the next four years, the South was saturated with force on the grounds that Motley had stated. By 1948, the war was winding down.

The capture, trial, and execution of SCA Benjamin "Banjo" Broski that wrapped up in June of 1948 would occur just as Motley was nominated for re-election. Despite the President's achievement, many claimed he had sold out. Senator D.S. Natureson of New York had won several primary victories against the president and had nearly won at the convention. Given the foundations of the party, the convention cobbled together an often-times contradictory platform to run Motley on. While applauding the President's success in the South, at the same time it maintained that no other government would have accomplished such a feat and that it was due specifically to the party's policies and principles that the conflict was winding down.

The Republicans, in a seeming electoral freefall nationwide with their main issue off the table--despite large gains in the 1946 mid-terms--nominated former Governor John Adams Winfield of Rhode Island, who was notable for his internationalism, ties to Eastern business interests, and his establishment of universal healthcare in his home state (though Liberals decried it as a "corporatist scheme"). He was joined on the ticket by M.L. King of New Mexico, a former bureaucrat known for his unorthodox style. Such a choice pissed off many in the party's right-wing who claimed that King pretended to be a New Mexico Republican for trolling purposes purely. Winfield, who was attempting to form a centrist coalition, ignored their claims. The Liberals, meanwhile, again nominated Darren Cranberry. This time he was paired with attorney Jefferson Dent of Alabama. Dent, the scion of a powerful Democratic political family, had rejected his roots and, during the uprising in the '40's, had led the legal crusade against the Oakley plan.

Motley won landslide re-election despite low turnout from his own party, easily trouncing the internationalist Winfield and the radical Cranberry.