The Turn of the Century and on timeline

[GPORTER]

Yeah, I can see Hoover winning TN during a land-slide, just due to it's history. It was one of the more GOP-friendly Southern states. Interesting tl! What's FDR been doing? Or does he even have a political career without a TR Presidency?

FDR is looking at running for governor of New York the next time that seat is up for election. The 1930s are going to prove to show three democrats looking at the nomination for President. These three being FDR, Garner, and Smith.

What's he done in the past? Has his career mostly proceeded as it did in RL, with him in the NY State Senate (1911-1913) and then maybe Thomas Marshall's Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1913-1920)? Or has there been a notable change?

No, he was in the NY state senate for two terms and he was Thomas Marshall and Alton Parker's assistant secretary of the Navy (1917-1925).

[GPORTER]

Welcome back, we have two more states to declare at this hour. Missouri and South Dakota. Both are going to the President tonight.

First in South Dakota, a state that seems to be leaning republican over the last few cycles does it again tonight. President Hoover adds South Dakota to his winning column.

Herbert Hoover Wins South Dakota

And in Missouri, a state that tends to swing back and forth in elections, swings to Hoover tonight. Herbert Hoover wins in the show me state, Missouri tonight.

Herbert Hoover Wins Missouri

Now lets look at the electoral map.

Hull: 114        Hoover: 330        266 needed to win

We can also declare at this hour that Oklahoma will stay with the democrats. Oklahoma goes for congressman Hull.

Cordell Hull Wins Oklahoma

Hull: 124        Hoover: 330        266 needed to win

Were coming back, this is election night 1928 coverage. We'll be coming right back.

...just a few minutes ago, I called President Hoover and congragulated him on his victory. He ran an excellent campaign and we wished him well over the next four years as he continues as our President. There are so many people that we want to thank tonight, but first and foremost we thank God for all of the opprotunities that he gives us to serve...

Hull: 124        Hoover: 330        266 needed to win

election night 1928

[GPORTER]

Hoover Extends Victory Margin. Looks to Perhaps Sweep All Outside of South.
Good evening and welcome back. The Hoover victory margin extends as more states allow their polls to close. They strongly favor the President. Lets look them over.

First in Wisconsin, a state that was previously too close to call, does go to the President tonight. Hoover wins in Wisconsin.

Herbert Hoover Wins Wisconsin

Same story in New Mexico, a state that was previously undecided goes for the President. Hoover carries New Mexico tonight.

Herbert Hoover Wins New Mexico

In Montana, the west which is usually competetive or even lean democrat at the presidential level, well at least in Montana its not tonight. Montana goes for Herbert Hoover.

Herbert Hoover Wins Montana

Hoover performs surprisingly strong for a republican also in the state of Idaho. Hoover wins Idaho tonight.

Herbert Hoover Wins Idaho

Utah, another western state going for Hoover tonight. President Hoover wins in Utah.

Herbert Hoover Wins Utah

A few interesting states here. First in Nevada, the west is usually at least a toss up or lean democrat. Will Nevada drop to the Hoover wave tonight? We can't say, its undecided.

Also in North Dakota, this will come as a surprise to some. Its undecided in North Dakota.

Finally in Iowa, President Hoover easily carries the state of Iowa tonight.

Herbert Hoover Wins Iowa

Hull: 124        Hoover: 371        266 needed to win

Now thats an interesting result, North Dakota?

Well look the state voted for former Presidents both Parker and Marshall. I think Marshall both 1912 and 1916 and Parker in 1920. It could go that way again tonight.

With President Hoover performing so strongly in the rest of the region, wouldn't that help keep it in the republican column?

Well maybe, but when you look at the raw vote count for states in the farm region that Hoover has carried tonight, Hes getting basically less than fifty-three percent of the vote in most of them.

Lets come back to election night 1928 coverage. Stay with us.

Hull: 124        Hoover: 371        266 needed to win

election night 1928

[GPORTER]

Sweep Practically Confirmed: Hoover Wins Full West Coast.
Good evening again and welcome back. Polls have just closed on the west coast and we can make projections, all of which are for the President.

First in California, this state looked to be surprisingly competetive at the beginning, but it was not to be. Herbert Hoover wins in California.

Herbert Hoover Wins California

Also in Washington state, President Hoover continues his big win as he carries Washington state tonight.

Herbert Hoover Wins Washington

And one more in Oregon, Hoover wins in Oregon.

Herbert Hoover Wins Oregon

Now lets look again at our electoral map.

Hull: 124        Hoover: 396        266 needed to win

Arizona goes for Hoover. You heard it here, one of the strongest democratic states since the beginning of the Marshall/Parker era finally goes again republican tonight. Herbert Hoover wins an upset in Arizona.

Herbert Hoover Wins Arizona

Hull: 124        Hoover: 399        266 needed to win

Okay, only two more states to project and we'll come back after this.

Hull: 124        Hoover: 399        266 needed to win

election night 1928

[GPORTER]

Were back again as North Dakota does go for Hull tonight. This is an upset seeing how the evening has gone tonight, but congressman Cordell Hull will go on to carry the state of North Dakota for the democrats.

Cordell Hull Wins North Dakota

Now heres the electoral map.

Hull: 129        Hoover: 399        266 needed to win

Well this is an interesting night. What does any of this mean?

I think this might be the last of the democrats for this era. There are some big names coming up in the next few decades. Its been good, its not like the democrats have nothing to be proud of. The Marshall/Parker era was an overall prosperous time for America.

...Nevada goes for Hull. Congresman Hull wins in Nevada tonight and that was the last state to report. Nevada for Cordell Hull.

Cordell Hull Wins Nevada

Hull:132        Hoover: 399        266 needed to win

Well this has been another one, election 1928. We'll be back with you again, we'll look forward to that. Thanks for reading.

Hull: 132        Hoover: 399        266 needed to win

election night 1928

[GPORTER]

Final 1928 Election Results

President:

Hull: 132        Hoover: 399        266 needed to win

Senate:

Republican: 47        Democrat: 49        49 needed for absolute majority

House:

Republican: 192        Democrat: 233        213 needed for absolute majority

[GPORTER]

Brief 1928 Election Analysis

First the presidency. Obviously President Hoover was returned to the White House by a wide margin. An interesting note is that he fell one electoral vote short from a real mandate of 400 electoral votes. Might be one of the few things tough for the Hoover people to swallow this election. And it came because in an upset, North Dakota fell to congressman Hull late in the evening. North Dakota does not show a very consistent voting pattern in presidential elections. In the 1914 democratic congressional sweep for example, North Dakota was one of the few states to elect a republican senator. But, voted democrat in 1912 and 1920 for the presidency. Small state, but might become another swing state.

President Hoover besides that performed very well nationwide. He ate into the south, and carried Tennessee. This was a major turn of events because this is congresman Hull's home state. Virgnia was also very close, decided by less than a percentage point in the final tally. North Carolina and Florida also proved competetive. An interesting thing to look at, the east compared to the west. President Hoover did very well, not falling below sixty percent in any state on the east coast. However, in the west, only two or three states where he got sixty percent of the vote or more.

Perhaps on the other end of Pennsylvania avenue, things are going to be different for the next two years. It appeared that many people split their ballots. Voting for President Hoover, but not necessarily for the republican in congress. It was almost crazy to look at, and another fascinating piece to this timeline.

 We've had a democratic sweep in 1912 and 1914, only to have President Marshall very narrowly reelected in 1916. 1920 expected to be a republican year, sent vice president Parker to the oval office by a comfortable margin. Republicans finally returned to the White House when vice president Parker put up a fight, but couldn't make it in 1924 against Herbert Hoover. The presidency was and is the first political office ever to be held by President Hoover. And he is returned by a wide margin in 1928. What will happen next? Thats still to be seen.

[GPORTER]

1930 Congressional Election Results

Senate:

Republican: 50        Democrat: 46        49 needed for absolute majority

House of Representatives:

Republican: 226        Democrat: 199        213 needed for absolute majority

[Senator Snowstalker]

I assume blue is Democratic on the Senate map?

[GPORTER]

I assume blue is Democratic on the Senate map?

For some of the senate maps, like that one, yes.

[GPORTER]

At the end of March 1932, President Herbert Hoover was assassinated at a campaign stop in Portland, Oregon. President Hoover had thrown himself into a crowd shaking hands, when shots rang out. An escaped convict was charged with the assassination of President Herbert Clark Hoover. Vice President Frank Lowden was campaigning in Kentucky when he recieved the news. From a local judge in Lexington, vice president Lowden took the oath of office as President of the United States.

President Frank Lowden did his best to begin to bring the country together after the assassination. Lowden selected and Vermont governor Calvin Cooldige was swiftly confirmed as vice president by the united states senate. Both President Lowden and vice president Cooldige announced they were candidates for election to a full term in 1932. At the republican convention that summer, the new President Frank Lowden and vice president Calvin Cooldige were both nominated without issue at the republican national convention.

At the democratic national convention, a fierce battle for the nomination was on, but Al Smith came out of it the democratic nominee for President. Smith selected house minority leader John Nance Garner to be his running mate. The Smith/Garner ticket made history having the first catholic candidate at the top of the ticket.

All was going well for the Lowden/Cooldige ticket, until in September a story broke that President Lowden as governor of Illinois had taken kick backs. This story turned scandal rocked the republican administration and the republican ticket against Al Smith and John Nance Garner.
President Lowden saw his polls collapse against the Smith/Garner ticket. Would President Lowden survive and win a full term, or will Al Smith become the first catholic President in American history. Election night begins next.

[CathKhan]

Go Smoth! (Coolidge '36!)

[BritishDixie]

A great read. One question, is the Depression happening, or does that not occur in this Timeline

[GPORTER]

A great read. One question, is the Depression happening, or does that not occur in this Timeline

The depression has not happened, at least not yet in this timeline.

[GPORTER]

Exit Polls Predict Close Race: Called a Decision Between Two Evils
Good evening and welcome to our election night 1932 coverage. Tonight, a decision will be made about which man leads this country for the next four years. Governor Al Smith, the democratic nominee, has a good record as governor, however the catholic issue according to our exit polls has drawn some concern from voters. President Frank Lowden, the republican nominee, came into office earlier this year upon the assassination of President Herbert Hoover. Lowden held a double digit nearly twenty point lead in the polls that collapsed when it was revealed that Lowden took kick backs as governor of Illinois. An interesting race if I didn't know one. Some say it will be the closest election since 1916, others say one candidate or the other will walk away with an easy victory. Only the returns will tell.

Speaking of the returns, six states saw their polls close at the 7 o'clock hour on the east coast. Lets see what projections we have, lets look them over.

Indiana, a state where President Lowden despite the scandal, held a lead going into tonight. Indiana is too early to call at this hour. Too early to call in Indiana.

In Georgia, Lowden drawing better numbers here than any candidate since the civil war, but still not enough to be a threat. Governor Smith carries Georgia tonight.

Al Smith Wins Georgia

In Kentucky again, undecided in Kentucky. Too close to call between Lowden and Smith in Kentucky.

Govenor Smith carries the state of South Carolina. The most democratic state in the country does it again. South Carolina goes for Al Smith.

Al Smith Wins South Carolina

Vermont, this was a state that President Lowden and the Lowden camp was holding its breath about. They can start breathing, Frank Lowden wins in Vermont. Vermont for Lowden tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Vermont

And in Virgnia, its undecided in Virgnia at this hour.

Now lets look at the electoral map at this hour.

Smith: 20        Lowden: 3        266 needed to win

Okay, were coming back stay with us. Election night 1932 coverage.

Smith: 20        Lowden: 3        266 needed to win

election night 1932

[GPORTER]

Good evening, the polls have closed in two more states and we have some projections. One from a state that was undecided earlier. Polls have closed in Ohio and West Virgnia. Lets look over their results at this hour.

First in Ohio, the President does carry Ohio tonight. Despite the scandals, this was expected. President Lowden goes on to carry the state of Ohio.

Frank Lowden Wins Ohio

West Virgnia, a state that looked competetive going into the final days of the campaign, at least at this hour, its undecided.

But in Virgnia, Virgnia a state where the republicans hoped President Lowden would be competetive, its not to be. Govenor Smith carries another state as he wins Virgnia for the democrats again tonight.

Al Smith Wins Virgnia

Now, to the electoral map.

Smith: 31        Lowden: 29        266 needed to win

Lets come back to our election night coverage. Stay with us.

Smith: 31        Lowden: 29        266 needed to win

election night 1932

[GPORTER]

Good evening again, it is 8 o'clock on the east coast. Fifteen states have had their polls close and we have some results from them, lets look them over.

In Arizona, for the first time in its statehood voted republican for president four years ago, what will it do tonight? We don't know at this hour, its undecided.

In Connecticut, a famous presidential belwhether state, Connecticut is also undecided at this hour.

In Delaware, another state goes for the President. Lowden carries Delaware tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Delaware

In Florida, govenor Smith was expected to perhaps face some trouble in the south due to the catholic issue. Florida could be a sign of that, its undecided in Florida at this hour.

Illinois, the President's home state, became a close horse race in Illinois as the campaign drew to a close. Undecided in Illinois at this hour.

Maine, a traditionally strong republican state, does it again tonight. Frank Lowden wins in Maine tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Maine

Just a note, govenor Smith yet to carry a state in this line up.

Maryland, a state that was also competetive late in the campaign, is undecided at this hour.

In Massachussetts, heres a state for the governor. Al Smith wins tonight in Massachussetts.



Al Smith Wins Massachussetts

In Mississippi, govenor Smith wins there too. Smith carries Mississippi, part of the democratic solid south, for the democrats again tonight.

Al Smith Wins Mississippi

Missouri, a highly and traditionally competetive state throughout the campaign, Missouri the show me state is undecided at this hour.

New Hampshire is also undecided at this hour.

New Jersey, also at this hour, is undecided.

President Lowden wins Oklahoma in an upset. Oklahoma goes for Frank Lowden at this hour.

Pennsylvania, also a traditionally republican state, President Lowden carries Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania goes for Preisdent Lowden tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Pennsylvania

Tennessee, a state where the catholic issue could hurt govenor Smith. Voted republican four years ago, Tennessee is undecided at this hour.

Finally in Texas, despite some worry before the scandals, govenor Smith carries Texas tonight.

Al Smith Wins Texas

A state we lost earlier in this line for our graphic, Alabama goes for govenor Smith. Al Smith wins in Alabama.

Al Smith Wins Alabama

Now, after all of those projections, lets look at the electoral map.

Smith: 91        Lowden: 84        266 needed to win

Lets turn for just a moment to our panel.

Its a touch and go race. I thnk Lowden pulls it out.

Wow, thats a bold prediction. President Lowden, in your opinion, accused of kick backs as govenor, wins a full term as President.

Look, its the sympathy vote from the assassination earlier this year and the catholic issue works again govenor Smith. Smith will perform well tonight, but Lowden will walk away with around 300 electoral votes.

Does anyone agree or disagree?

I think it will be a closer race, but yes I agree Lowden will pull it out. Had it been Roosevelt or Garner, the catholic thing would not be an issue, and the democrat would win.

You disagree...

I don't believe that the American public is ready for a catholic to be in the Whte House in the year 1932.

Do kick backs matter?

Kick backs do matter, but we have had other candidates win high office that have legal issues in the past.

The presidency? The highest office in the land?

Theres no where in the consititution that says it can't happen. Its up to the people to decide.

Well I on the other hand believe that Smith will win the race. Lowden will prove that he still had some fire in him and it will be competetive, but Smith will pull out the race. The kick backs came back to haunt the President and I think it will cost him a full term in the office.

Some strong opinions among our panel...Tennessee drops for Smith. Okay, govenor Smith widens his lead in the electoral college. Tennessee, the volunteer state, goes for Al Smith tonight.

Al Smith Wins Tennessee

Smith: 102        Lowden: 84        266 needed to win

Were coming back to election night coverage 1932, stay with us.

Smith: 102        Lowden: 84        266 needed to win

eleciton night 1932

[BritishDixie]

A great read. One question, is the Depression happening, or does that not occur in this Timeline

The depression has not happened, at least not yet in this timeline.

Pity. I wanted to see President Smith.

[CathKhan]

Smith still has a chance. If he can win some of the Cleveland states, those that gave ol' Grover victory, then he could make it close. Don't know about the West though.

[GPORTER]

Good evening again, two more states have had their polls close at the 8:30 PM on the east coast mark. Arkansas and North Carolina polls have had their polls close.

First in North Carolina, republicans always try to make this state competetive. At least at this hour, North Carolina is competetive and undecided at this hour.

In Arkansas however, govenor Smith easily carries the state of Arkansas tonight. Arkansas goes for Smith.

Al Smith Wins Arkansas

We can also declare a state previously too close to call, New Jersey, will go for President Lowden. Lowden wins in New Jersey tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins New Jersey

Smith: 111        Lowden: 100        266 needed to win

Were coming back to election night 1932 coverage. Stay with us.

Smith: 111        Lowden: 100        266 needed to win

election night 1932

[BritishDixie]

Smith still has a chance. If he can win some of the Cleveland states, those that gave ol' Grover victory, then he could make it close. Don't know about the West though.

True. But with Lowden carrying Oklahoma and Delaware, I think that's probably put the kibosh on a Smith Presidency. A shame as Smith is one of my favourite Democrats.

[CathKhan]

Smith still has a chance. If he can win some of the Cleveland states, those that gave ol' Grover victory, then he could make it close. Don't know about the West though.

True. But with Lowden carrying Oklahoma and Delaware, I think that's probably put the kibosh on a Smith Presidency. A shame as Smith is one of my favourite Democrats.

I'm hoping Catholics GOTV for Smith in MI, WI, & MN, buy they're German Catholics so they're more GOP.

[BritishDixie]

Smith still has a chance. If he can win some of the Cleveland states, those that gave ol' Grover victory, then he could make it close. Don't know about the West though.

True. But with Lowden carrying Oklahoma and Delaware, I think that's probably put the kibosh on a Smith Presidency. A shame as Smith is one of my favourite Democrats.

I'm hoping Catholics GOTV for Smith in MI, WI, & MN, buy they're German Catholics so they're more GOP.

Maybe if he does well enough he might get renominated in 1936.

Would it be possible to see all the final result maps in one post. Just out of interest.

[GPORTER]

Smith still has a chance. If he can win some of the Cleveland states, those that gave ol' Grover victory, then he could make it close. Don't know about the West though.

True. But with Lowden carrying Oklahoma and Delaware, I think that's probably put the kibosh on a Smith Presidency. A shame as Smith is one of my favourite Democrats.

I'm hoping Catholics GOTV for Smith in MI, WI, & MN, buy they're German Catholics so they're more GOP.

Maybe if he does well enough he might get renominated in 1936.

Would it be possible to see all the final result maps in one post. Just out of interest.

Oh thats part of the suspense, carrying it out. So no sorry.

[GPORTER]

Okay welcome back, we have a series of projections for both candidates. Lets look them over, here they come.

First, and this is big news for the democrats. Connecticut, the big famous belwhether state in presidential elections, goes for govenor Smith tonight. Al Smith goes on to carry Connecticut tonight.

Al Smith Wins Connecticut

Also in Missouri, this is a state where the democrats got a big boost from the scandals surrounding the White House. Missouri, the show me state goes for the democrat tonight. Govenor Smith wins another one in Missouri.

Al Smith Wins Missouri

And North Carolina, North Carolina a southern state that Smith had to fight to hold, well he does tonight. Smith wins in North Carolina tonight.

Al Smith Wins North Carolina

Did we say for both parties, that turned out to be only one. That extends the lead for govenor Smith, though we have much of the west still to come in, maybe all of the west still to come in. But, at this hour, govenor Smith leads in the electoral college vote.

And he leads even more, we are not even going to look at the electoral map. It is 9 o'clock on the east coast, and we have some projections for the two candidates.

Beginning in Colorado, is this a sign for the west? Good news for the White House, despite the last three projections, President Lowden carries Colorado tonight. Colorado goes for President Frank Lowden tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Colorado

Kansas. Kansas, never really competetive by govenor Smith, a surprise to some. Frank Lowden carries Kansas tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Kansas

Louisiana, a traditional and loyal part of the democratic solid south, govenor Smith wins in Louisiana tonight.

Al Smith Wins Louisiana

Michigan, there was some hope for the democrats that was quickly diminished. President Lowden easily wins in Michigan tonight. Michigan for Lowden.

Frank Lowden Wins Michigan

Minnesota however is undecided at this hour. Undecided between Lowden and Smith in Minnesota at this hour.

We can also say that Nebraska, Nebraska is undecided at this hour. Too close to call between President Lowden and govenor Smith in Nebraska tonight.

The race is also undecided in New Mexico. The state of New Mexico for the presidency is undecided at this hour.

Here is the state of New York. Its undecided at this hour. New York is undecided between Smith and Lowden.

Govenor Smith does carry Rhode Island. Little rhody goes for the democrats and Al Smith tonight.

Al Smith Wins Rhode Island

Its undecided in South Dakota also tonight. South Dakota is too close to call there for the presidency tonight.

Wisconsin, we can say also that Wisconsin is undecided at this hour. Between Frank Lowden and Al Smith, its undecided.

And finally in Wyoming, we can declare the state of Wyoming for the President. Lowden does go on to carry the state of Wyoming tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Wyoming

Okay, lets look at our electoral map at this hour.

Smith: 161        Lowden: 137        266 needed to win

What can we say from those projections?

If the President were still below 100 electoral votes, there would be some worry in the White House. They expect to hold their own in the west, and pull out some more wins in the east, the Lowden camp is still feeling good at this hour.

Will they be feeling good after this? Two more projections coming in at this hour. New York, the home state of govenor Smith, goes to govenor Smith. Al Smith wins the big state in the east of New York.

Al Smith Wins New York

And maybe the catholics helped him here, despite Michigan. Wisconsin, a state that Smith led in going into tonight. Al Smith, the democrat goes on to carry Wisconsin tonight.

Al Smith Wins Wisconsin

If it means anything tonight, President Lowden goes on to carry Nebraska tonight. Nebraska for Lowden tonight.

Frank Lowden Wins Nebraska

And South Dakota also goes for President Lowden. Lowden wins in South Dakota.

Frank Lowden Wins South Dakota

Smith: 220        Lowden: 148        266 needed to win

I don't think thats much of a surprise to either camp. Connecticut must be a disappointment for the White House, but the republicans still optimistic.

That optimism might be getting quieter at this hour. New York and Connecticut going. But Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota as well as much of the west still yet to come in. Stay with us, election night 1932 coverage coming back. Stay with us.

Smith: 220        Lowden: 148        266 needed to win

election night 1932