Smith wins in 1928

[A18]

After running an awful campaign, Hoover manages to lose to Smith by a small margin. The GOP maintains narrow control of both houses of Congress.

What happens, and who do the Republicans run in 1932?

[© tweed]

Smith no doubt would lose big in 1932.  I have no idea who he'd lose to however.

He may have not run for re-election, but I doubt that helps the Dems at all as they'd be screwed as a party for a while just like happened to the GOP from 1930-1950 or so.

[Defarge]

Smith loses in '32, possibly to Hoover? Oh the irony.

While Republican efforts fail to revive the economy, Depression Democrats are locked out of government for two decades.  At that point, not knowing who the Republicans would nominate, I can't say anything.

[Lincoln Republican]

THE DEPRESSION YEARS

In 1928, President Calvin Coolidge, "Silent Cal," while vacationing in the Black Hills of South Dakota, announced, "I do not choose to run for President in 1928." 

Following two successive Republican administrations in which the economy was prospering, the Republicans nominated Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover of California for President and Senator Charles Curtis of Nebraska for Vice President.  Hoover was highly favored in the election. 

The Democrats nominated "The Happy Warrior," Governor Al Smith of New York for President, and Senator Joseph Robinson of Arkansas for Vice President.

In a surprise upset, Smith narrowly defeats Hoover.  Al Smith becomes the nation's first Roman Catholic President.

The Democrats were jubilant at winning back the White House after 8 years.  However, mere months after the swearing in of President Smith, the economy was tossed into chaos, and the nation, and the world, plunged into the worst depression of modern times.  The Smith administration tried a variety of measures to reverse the situation, but nothing worked. 

In 1932, the Republicans nominated former Congressman and former Illinois Governor Frank Lowden for President.  Lowden was renowned for his economic and financial acumen, and the Republicans believed a President with his skills and knowledge was needed at this time.  Lowden chose Senator David Reed of Pennsylvania for Vice President. 

The Democrats re-nominated President Al Smith and Vice President Joseph Robinson.

In the ensuing election, although Smith fought valiantly trying to convince the nation his economic policies were working, the nation blamed him and the Democrats for the depression, and the Lowden/Reed ticket overwhelmingly defeated the Smith/Robinson ticket.

The Lowden team went to work immediately following the election to lay the ground work for their economic policies, and immediately upon taking office, the Lowden administration began impleting it's "Economic Recovery Program." 

The Lowden administration's "Economic Recovery Program" produced slow but steady improvements in the U.S. economy over the next 4 years, and the ticket of President Lowden and Vice President Reed was nominated without opposition by the Republicans in 1936.     

In 1936, the Democrats nominated another New York Governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt for President.  Roosevelt chose Texas Congressman John Nance Garner, "Cactus Jack," for Vice President.

Governor Roosevelt proved to be a formidable campaigner and showed great signs of leadership, promising America a "New Deal."  However, in the 1936 election, with President Lowden's "Economic Recovery Program" working, the electorate returned the Lowden/Reed ticket to office by a large margin, reduced from 1932, nonetheless, still a huge victory.  The nation continued to hold the Democrats responsible for the economic crash.  It appeared no Democrat could have been elected in 1936. 

The Presidential ambitions of Franklin D. Roosevelt, this very promising political leader from New York, had been cut short, however, in 1938, he was elected to represent the state of New York in the United States Senate, becoming a very influential and powerful U.S. Senator until his death in 1945.

Ominous signs of war had been building in Europe since the first Lowden administration, however, at the outset of the second Lowden administration in 1937, the situation was becoming ever more critical. 

Less than 3 years after beginning his second administration, war broke out in Europe.  Economic recovery was well under way during the second Lowden administration, and now, President Lowden had to turn more and more of his attention to the European situation.  President Lowden kept in close contact with allied leaders in Europe, in particular with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.  Lowden authorized economic and armaments aid to the United Kingdom, but would not commit to active military participation.  The fall of France shortly after the outbreak of hostilities made the situation even more critical.

The 1940 election was fast approaching, and the President's health was failing.  Leading America out of the depression had taken it's inevitable toll on the President, and he announced he would not be running in 1940. He was to die slightly more than 2 years after turning over leadership of the nation to a new President, a President who would have to lead America through the worst crisis America, and the world, had ever faced.  The swearing in of the new President would see the clouds of war closing in ever more menancingly on America.   

The Republicans chose the right candidate in 1932 to lead the nation out of the depression, a man who understood economics, a man who understood what it would take to pull the nation up from the depths of economic despair, a man for the times. 

The new President would be called upon, as was the previous President, to lift the nation's spirits, to assuage the nation's fears, but in addition, would be required to mobilize for war, and to lead the forces of democracy and freedom to victory over the forces of tyranny and oppression.

The fate of freedom itself was at stake.

To be continued..........           

[A18]

How many times are you going to edit that same post before you continue?

[Lincoln Republican]

THE WAR YEARS

War broke out in Europe in September, 1939, less than 3 years after President Frank Lowden was sworn in for a second term.

President Lowden would not be seeking re-election to an unprecedented third term. 

In 1940, the Republicans nominated Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan for President.  Senator Vandenberg was by all accounts acknowledged as an authority on geopolitics, and had distinguished himself as a leader in the Senate who knew how to get results.  Senator William Barbour of New Jersey was chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate.  Senator Barbour was well respected by his Senate colleagues.

The Democrats nominated former Senator and current  Governor A. Harry Moore of New Jersey for President.  Governor Moore was well respected, and experienced in government both at the state and national levels.  Senator Moore rose to national prominence in 1932 when, as Governor of New Jersey, he took charge of the Lindbergh kidnapping investigation.   Senator Millard Tydings of Maryland was chosen as the Vice Presidential nominee.  Senator Tydings was a respected and seasoned politician with extensive experience in public life.

Besides the economy, the central issue of the campaign was the war in Europe.  Senator Vandenberg, although considered slightly to the isolationist side, vowed to protect America's interests at all costs.  This fit well with American society in 1940, still reluctant to engage fully in the armed conflict in Europe.  Vandenberg pledged to continue with the Lowden policy of providing economic and armaments aid to Great Britain, and promised to expand America's war readiness measures and armaments, without committing to active military participation.

Governor Moore criticized the administration's economic policies of the past 8 years, vowing to expand government intervention into the economy.  He too pledged to have America on a war ready footing, in the event armed conflict became unavoidable.

In the election, the voters chose Senator Vandenberg as the new President by a comfortable margin.  Vandenberg was seen by the electorate as the more knowledgeable and experienced of the candidates in the field of foreign affairs, and as the candidate to better deal with the war that was now raging in Europe.  The electorate was generally satisfied as well with the Republican's "Economic Recovery Program."

Arthur Vandenberg assumed the office of President of the United States at one of the darkest moments in the history of the world.  Most of Europe was ruled by Nazi tyranny.  Germany and Italy were moving into Africa.  The Japanese Empire was expanding their domains in the Pacific.  The Vandenberg administration continued and expanded war readiness measures. 

And then, without provocation, December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor.  The Japanese launched a devastating attack on the American  base in Hawaii.  America's resolve was about to be tested.

President Vandenberg had just been in office 10 months, and his resolve and leadership were about to be tested to the fullext extent anyone's resolve and leadership had ever been tested.

President Vandenberg convened a joint session of Congress, wherein he vowed to the nation "America will not rest until total victory has been achieved over the evil forces that would enslave the world.  Prepare yourselves for sacrifice, gird yourselves for the conflict that lies ahead, look past the dark clouds of despair and gloom, and know that that bright day of freedom will dawn more glorious and brighter than before." 

For the remainder of this term, President Vandenberg rallied the nation and the world in the war effort, working tirelessly with the nation and the Allies until total victory was achieved.

On November 22, 1943, America was saddened to learn of the passing of Vice President William Barbour.  Vice President Barbour had worked with total dedication in the war effort, and to steering the President's domestic agenda through Congress.

President Vandenberg prevailed upon Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York to leave the office of Governor, and accept the Vice Presidency.  The President was most impressed with Dewey's leadership capabilities.  Governor Dewey accepted, and the President urged the Senate to Confirm Governor Dewey as the new Vice President as quickly as possible.  Dewey was confirmed within 2 weeks.

The nation was now heading into the 1944 election cycle. 

The Republicans re-nominated without opposition President Arthur Vandenburg, and endoresed his choice for Vice President, the newly installed Vice President Thomas Dewey.

The Democrats nominated Missouri Senator Harry Truman for President.  Senator Truman was a plain spoken Senator from the midwest, who the Democrats hoped would appeal to the electorate, and break the Republicans hold on power.  They chose Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky for Vice President.  Senator Barkley was a seasoned and experienced politician.

The 1944 election was fought against the back drop of the war still raging in Europe and in the Pacific.  People were by 1944 optimistic that the war was being won, and were satisfied with President Vandenberg's leadership.  Vandenberg was re-elected by a substantial margin. 

Senator Harry Truman went on to serve the people of Missouri and the people of the United States with his considerable skills as a U.S. Senator until 1953, when he retired.

The allied victory finally came in May, 1945 in Europe and in August, 1945 in the Pacific.

Now that victory had been achieved over the forces of Facism, a old threat re-emerged, now strengtnened and expanded, and vowing to push further their domain, the threat of Communism.

President Vandenberg went to Moscow in 1946 and met with Soviet Leader Josef Stalin.  Vandenberg told Stalin that the Soviet Union must leave eastern Europe, and that the nations of eastern Europe must be free to chart their own destinies.  The President had gotten the leaders of western Europe on side with the United States in order to face down the Soviet threat.  In fact, at the instigation of President Vandenberg, starting after the war, the United States, with the aid of western Europe, was financing and supporting "Freedom Movements" in eastern Europe, and by 1946, these had become well organized and they had set up alternate governments in the nations of eastern Europe, and had declared themselves as the legitimate governments, financed by America and western Europe.  These alternate governments had organized well equipped armies by this time, and were prepared to fight any occupying Soviet troops. 

Backed with this knowledge, President Vandenberg presented Stalin with a choice, leave eastern Europe, or face armed conflicts in every country of eastern Europe, which would be supported by western Europe and the United States.

Vandenberg told Stalin the United States had already developed atomic weapons, and would not hesitate to use them on the Soviet Union if they did not leave eastern Europe commencing immediately. 

The Soviet Union decided, faced with these options, to leave eastern Europe.  The nations of eastern Europe have therefore prospered and enjoyed democracy since 1946.

President Vandenberg left office in January, 1949, and was to die 2 years later, having been acknowledged as one of America's great Presidents, rallying and inspiring the nation during World War II, and staring down the Soviet threat.   

To be continued..........                     

[ATFFL]

I imagine that the Soviets have a lot less intelligence assets in the US in this timeline. 

[Lincoln Republican]

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 1948-1972

1948
Republican ticket of Vice President Thomas Dewey (NY)/Senator John Bricker (OH) defeat Democratic ticket of Senator Harry Byrd (VA)/Senator Warren Magnuson (WA).

1952
Republican ticket of President Thomas Dewey (NY)/Vice President John Bricker (OH) defeat Democratic ticket of Senator J. William Fulbright (AR)/Governor Paul Dever (MA).

1956
Democratic ticket of Governor W. Averell Harriman (NY)/Senator Estes Kefauver (TN) defeat Republican ticket of Senator Everett Dirksen (IL)/Senator George Aiken (VT).

1960
President Harriman does not seek re-election due to age.
Democratic ticket of Senator Stuart Symington (MO)/Senator Hubert Humphrey (MN) defeat Republican ticket of Senator Barry Goldwater (AZ)/Senator Hugh Scott (PA).
Senator Stuart Symington (MO) defeated Senator John F. Kennedy (MA) to win the Democratic nomination.

1964
Democratic ticket of President Stuart Symington (MO)/Vice President Hubert Humphrey (MN) defeat Republican ticket of Senator Richard Nixon (CA)/Governor William Scranton (PA).
Senator Nixon holds a stormy press conference after the election and vows he will never again return to public life.

1968
Republican ticket of Governor Nelson Rockefeller (NY)/Senator Robert Griffin (MI) defeat Democratic ticket of Vice President Hubert Humphrey (MN)/Senator Edmund Muskie (ME).
Ambition getting the best of him, Richard Nixon again seeks the Republican nomination in 1968, but is defeated by Nelson Rockefeller.

1972
Republican ticket of President Nelson Rockefeller (NY)/Vice President Robert Griffin (MI) defeat Democratic ticket of Senator Henry Jackson (WA)/New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay (NY).       

[Lincoln Republican]

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 1976-2004

1976
Democratic ticket of former Governor and current Senator Dale Bumpers (AR)/Senator Birch Bayh (IN) defeat Republican ticket of Senator Charles Percy (IL)/Senator Lowell Weicker (CT)

1980
Democratic ticket of President Dale Bumpers (AR)/Vice President Birch Bayh (IN) defeat Republican ticket of Senator Howard Baker (TN)/Governor James Thompson (IL)

1984
Republican ticket of Senator Bob Dole (KS)/Governor Dick Thornburgh (PA) defeat Democratic ticket of Senator Alan Cranston (CA)/Senator Wendell Ford (KY)

1988
Republican ticket of President Bob Dole (KS)/Vice President Dick Thornburgh (PA) defeat Democratic ticket of Senator Paul Simon (IL)/Senator Lawton Chiles (FL)

1992
Democratic ticket of Senator Sam Nunn (GA)/Senator George Mitchell (ME) defeat Republican ticket of Senator John Danforth (MO)/Senator Alfonse D'Amato (NY)

1996
Democratic ticket of President Sam Nunn (GA)/Vice President George Mitchell (ME) defeat Republican ticket of former Governor Lamar Alexander (TN)/Governor John Engler (MI)

2000
Republican ticket of Senator John McCain (AZ)/Governor Tom Ridge (PA) defeat Democratic ticket of former Senator Bill Bradley (NJ)/Senator Tom Harkin (IA)

2004
Republican ticket of President John McCain (AZ)/Vice President Tom Ridge (PA) defeat Democratic ticket of former Governor Howard Dean (VT)/former NATO Commander General Wesley Clark (AR)

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

A progressive Republican beats Smith in 1932, and today the parties would be reversed.