The Great Primary: Failed Democratic nominees of the 20th century

[Liberté]

I did a series of these some time ago with every President elected from both parties in the 20th century. I'd like to resume these by including every candidate from both parties who won the nomination but lost in the general election.

That said, the scenario is as follows:


Imagine if you will a world in which the spirits of the dead have returned to make visitations upon us, the living. The dead - and the politically dead, who are often the same - have decided to return to their past vocation. Towards this end every failed Presidential nominee of the 20th century has been allowed the opportunity to enter into the ranks of his Party and compete for the nomination of that Party for the Presidency of the United States in 2012. This includes only those candidates who had never before been President; individuals who had attained the office but who had been defeated for re-election will not be included.

The rules are these: the world has changed; these men have not. They are re-emerging in history exactly as they were as they left it, and may have a Hell of a time adjusting to that fact. With that in mind, Democrats, these are your candidates:

William Jennings Bryan
Alton Brooks Parker
James Cox
John Davis
Al Smith
Adlai Stevenson
Hubert Humphrey
George McGovern
Walter Mondale
Michael Dukakis

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

HHH.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Let's assume a national primary, out of laziness. (I'll do a state-by-state one as per the 2012 calendar when I have time)

Hubert Humphrey
William J. Bryan
Al Smith
George McGovern

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Will there be a Republican one?

[Liberté]

Will there be a Republican one?

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=136570.0

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm doing the Democrats according to the 2008 schedule, however, it may look like Dallas', especially when considering Smith's victories in early states.
The Candidates:
Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska
Judge Alton Brooks Parker of New York
Governor James Cox of Ohio
Ambassador John Davis of Ohio
Governor Al Smith of New York
Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois
Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota
Senator George McGovern of South Dakota
Vice-President Walter Mondale of Minnesota
Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts


January 3rd, Iowa The Iowa caucus, the first race for the nomination in the country, will signal a large amount of candidates dropping out. Adlai E Stevenson, George McGovern, Walter Mondale, Hubert H Humphrey and William Jennings Bryan are all pinning their hopes on the caucus. Going into it, Humphrey is the early front-runner. However, with a coalition of Iowa farmers and members of Iowa's working class, Bryan pulls out a very narrow victory over Humphrey.

Results
Bryan-21%
Humphrey-19%
McGovern-17%
Mondale-13%
Smith-12%
Dukakis-8%
Stevenson-5%
Cox-2%
Parker-2%
Davis-1%

Following the results in Iowa, Davis, Cox, Stevenson, Mondale, and McGovern all announce that they were dropping out of the race for the nomination. While most of the candidates endorse Humphrey, Bryan's success gets him the endorsement of President Harry Truman, who, in his words "saved Liberalism in this party". Following an announcement that Parker will not drop out, Davis announces his endorsement of Parker. The remaining candidates are Bryan, Humphrey, Smith, Dukakis, and Parker.

January 8th, New Hampshire In New Hampshire, a who different crowd of candidates is setting up as Governor Alfred E Smith, Judge Alton Brooks Parker, and Governor Michael Dukakis believe they have the best hopes in the state. On January 28th, in a very tight race with Dukakis and Humphrey, Smith is declared the winner. His fiscal moderation helps him win in the "live free or die" state. Following this, Parker drops out, endorsing Smith. Bryan would, surprise of surprises, come in fourth behind Humphrey and Dukakis.

January 15th, Michigan Despite the Democratic National Committee not recogninzing Michigan because it moved its primary up early, Humphrey who despite being a front-runner, won in neither Iowa or New Hampshire, decides to stay on the ballot to boost his campaign. The only other candidate on the ballot there is Dukakis.

January 19th, Nevada Following an endorsement by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, as well as being the candidate of both immigrants and Nevada businesses, Smith edges a victory over Humphrey.

January 26th, South Carolina Humphrey is finally awarded a win as African-Americans vote heavily for the Happy Warrior, thus defeating Bryan, who lands second place.

January 29th, Florida Another state that is not recognized by the Democratic National Committee, Humphrey is one of only two candidates on the ballot and wins by a large amount there.

Red-Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan
Yellow-Governor Alfred E Smith
Blue-Senator Hubert H Humphrey

February 5th, Super Tuesday Despite a good showing for Bryan, the two clear winners of the day are Smith and Humphrey as Smith takes New York and his handful of Western states (as well as Massachusetts), and Humphrey takes California along with some North-Eastern and Mid-Western states.

Red-Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan
Yellow-Governor Alfred E Smith
Blue-Senator Hubert H Humphrey

June 3, The End of the Primary Season
Despite a tumultous beginning, Senator Hubert H Humphrey wins the Democratic nomination for President.

Blue-Senator Hubert H Humphrey of Minnesota
Red-Secretary of State and former Congressman William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska
Yellow-Governor Alfred E Smith of New York

[Liberté]

That was excellent. =D

Sad to see my guy George go down after a solid third-place showing in Iowa, though. Al Smith probably took a lot of his votes. Ah, well, at least Bryan was halted at the pass.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Just an FYI/this is hella nitpicky, Al Smith was also dubbed "The Happy Warrior."

Alright, I have done these "climactic primary battles" a few times, so this had better be appreciated.

This will be done in accordance with the 2012 Democratic Primary Calendar at DemConWatch.

1/16/12: The Democratic Primary officially kicks off. William Jennings Bryan and George McGovern find themselves in a deadheat after the debates, with Humphrey tightly clinging to third. George McGovern has spent much time barnstorming in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Oskaloosa, with some of his natural Western appeal aiding him greatly. William Jennings Bryan makes empassioned monologues about agricultural issues, trying to win over evangelical Iowans, but he is appealing to a mostly dead primary electorate. George McGovern prevails by a small margin.

1/24/12: The Democratic contenders head off to the Granite State and do battle on a frigid New Hampshire afternoon. Michael Dukakis, being something of a native son, has dubbed this contest as being "essential to my victory" but polls show him behind. Al Smith, running on a centrist tone has written off Iowa and put his eggs in this basket, and scores a narrow victory by winning independents handily. George McGovern, envigorated by his Iowa victory, is propelled to second place, students at the University of New Hampshire being an intergral part of his campaign.

28/1/12: Two important primaries taking place here today, but no candidates have their eyes on the same prize. South Carolina is called for Humphrey within minutes, who scores an impressive win by building a coalition of blacks and workers disenchanted about South Carolina's Right-to-work status. Mondale, who was counting on a strong showing, discontinues his campaign and endorses his mentor. Meanwhile, Alfred E. Smith, wins Nevada after receiving a surprising endorsement from the Nevada Culinary Union, which proves to be the kingmaker.

30/1/12: Florida. Dubbed by many as a microcosm of America, this state is crucial in a general election. Humphrey, William Jennings Bryan, and McGovern head into this state with a three-way tie, Al Smith in fourth running solely on momentum. Humphrey received a large bounce after his South Carolina victory, but it is not enough, and he is swamped by heavy turn-out in the Gold Coast, in favor of McGovern.

2/7/12: Super Tuesday. Over twelve primary states in today's contest, and William Jennings Bryan considers this to be his "ace in the hole", though his string of successive losses has hurt his standing. Oklahoma is called upon poll closing for him with a whopping fifty-three percent, followed not to far by Utah, enamored with his past prohibitionist stance (which he has since adjusted to more of a dog-whistle.) Delaware and Georgia are added under Humphrey's column with little competition, followed by Connecticut and New Jersey, both heartbreakers for Smith, who narrowly places second. After much trepidation, the battle of the two Happy Warriors in New York comes to an end, which Smith manages to carry by an inch. All eyes are on Dixie now, which has devolved into a final showdown between the Old Guard of Dixiecrats and Southern Blacks. Alabama is finally called for Humphrey, but William Jennings Bryan rebuts it with victories in Tennessee and Missouri. California is the last state outstanding. Humphrey is running strong amongst blacks, but he is matched with Smith's surprising popularity amongst hispanics. In the end, McGovern racks up heavy margins in San Francisco and amongst California's many college campuses, which seals the deal. Dukakis officially drops out, holding out his endorsement.

11/2/12: Years ago this would have been a cinch for Humphrey, but with its black constituency having been diminished, it is in doubt. After much anticipation, he carries the state.

14/2/12: Maryland is called for Humphrey with little doubt. Virginia has been getting all of the attention, and after a crucial endorsement from Senator Warner, Smith prevails.

(Looks like I am going to have to finish this tomorrow. I'm expecting company soon.)

The map, as it stands: