Collaborative Presidential Elections - New

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1890
The 1884 election marked the last of the "Era of Good Feelings" that had been Democratic-National dominance since the nation's founding. With farmers all throughout the Deep South calling for lowered tariffs and lowered excise taxes, and with large businesses demanding a more stable currency, the time was right for a Sovereignty victory. They nominated Virginia Senator William L. Wilson, a proponent of free trade and the gold standard. Going up against him was the National Party candidate, Senator William O'Connell Bradley, the Governor of Kentucky. A proponent of high protective tariffs in order to help the burgeoning Confederate industry, development of natural resources, and diplomatic reconciliation with the United States, he was the perfect foil for Wilson's campaign.

Senator William L. Wilson (S-VA)/Senator James L. Pugh (S-AL) 76 electoral votes, 54.8% of the popular vote
Senator William O'Connell Bradley (N-KY)/Governor John P. Buchanan (N-TN) 44 electoral votes, 43.5% of the popular vote

[Penelope]

1896

Sen. John W. Daniel (S-VA) / Rep. John S. Henderson (S-NC) - 80 EV - 57.4%
Gov. John Tyler Morgan (N-NC) / Gov. Benjamin Tillman (S-SC) - 45 EV - 41.03%
Others - 0 EV - 1.35%

The election immediately following the realignment election of 1890 would be one of the most polarized elections in Confederate History up to that point. The only state remotely competitive would be the state of Florida, which was a victory for Gov. Morgan of 48%, to Sen. Daniel's 41%. Almost every other state would have the victor's vote percentage above 65%, only excluding Texas, which was won by Daniel with 63%.

The polarization would result in no states changing parties from the election 6 years ago. But the polarization itself would be a result of a divide that developed within the Confederate States. The divide between the Inner South and the Outer South, mostly one caused by economic issues, but also the result of remnants of the Southern War of Independence - The Inner South became much more rural and sparsely populated due to damage caused by the war and its campaigns. These rural regions would be much more friendly to the National Party, and its movement for centralized government and 'large government' economic policies. Much of the "burgeoning Confederate industry" that most National Party candidates wanted to help foster, however, would be located in places that the Sovereignty Party did very well in.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1902
While in the United States, the Republican party, united under a pro-silver platform was experiencing a cycle of power that had begun in 1896, a similar occurrence would happen in the CSA. While large plantations were benefitting from the free trade experienced under the Sovereignty Party's policies, and coastal merchants were importing cheaper goods from foreign markets, small farmers and industrial workers were taking the hit. With deflation occurring thanks to lower prices and pro-gold policies, farmers were unable to battle large amounts of debt they'd accumulated. Meanwhile, workers were being forced to take lower wages thanks to competition from overseas. The time was ripe for a resurgence in the National party under new leadership. Senator Thomas Watson of Georgia, a fierce populist, was able to rally poor farmers and workers alike. As well, concerns over "negro flight" to the North were put to rest as Watson vowed to clamp down on any escaping slaves along the Northern border.

In disgust with Watson's radical and reactionary rhetoric, part of the National party split off. Former Kentucky Governor William S. Taylor, a moderate on economic issues and publicly ambivalent on the issue of fugitive slaves, ran a third party campaign, centered around the northern states of Kentucky and Tennessee, where he was able to win the support of miners who had supported his economic plans and had little use for the overwhelmingly racist rhetoric of Watson. While Watson, as a National candidate, ordinarily would have taken Kentucky by overwhelming margins, he instead only took it by 42%, with Taylor coming in second with 31% and Carisle only winning 26% in his home state.

Senator Thomas Watson (N-GA)/Rep. Albert Taylor Goodwyn (N-AL) 75 electoral votes, 47.2% of the popular vote
Rep. John G. Carlisle (S-KY)/Senator Murphy J. Foster (S-TX) 58 electoral votes, 41.3% of the popular vote
former Governor William S. Taylor (IN-KY)/former Governor William E. Cameron (IN-VA) 0 electoral votes, 9.3% of the popular vote
Others: 2.2% of the popular vote

[OAM]

1908

Governor Samuel D. McEnery (N-LA)/Senator Thomas S. Martin (N-VA) - 67 EV/42.3% PV
Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon (S-GA)/Senator Joseph Weldon Bailey (S-TX) - 66 EV/41.1% PV
Governor Charles Allen Culberson (P-TX)/Senator William Hall Milton (P-FL) - 15.5% PV

Tayor's protest paves the way for a minor party to arise, the Populists.  The previous term marked an increased focus on affairs abroad, and while both major parties tried to avoid foreign entanglements, the Populists, in addition to having a domestic platform similar to the Sovereign Party, adopted strick isolationism as a plank.  Oddly, the vote splitting effect is not enough to prevent the election from coming down to one EV.  While political science is in its infancy, many newspapers predict that a straight up two way race would have only resulted in Florida flipping.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I want to comment that this is a wonderful thread. It is a real gold mine of creativity. Kudos to all involved!

Thanks a lot. We all appreciate it.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Senator Woodrow Wilson (P-VA)/Senator William Hall Milton (P-FL)-74 EV, 34.5% of the popular vote.
Former Governor Coleman Blease (S-SC)/Former Governor Braxton Comer (S-AL)-45 EV, 32.7% of the popular vote.
Senator Stephen Mallory II (N-FL)/Governor James Ferguson (N-TX)-20 EV, 31.9% of the popular vote.
Others (Socialist, African Rights, Prohibition)-0.9% of the popular vote.
 
Woodrow Wilson and his supporters took over the Populist Party at their 1914 convention, changing the platform into a much more Progressive force. President Wilson was elected President in an extremely close, three way race, campaigning on a platform of a strong national defense, universal education and healthcare, a progressive tax system, and most controversially, total abolition of slavery. Wilson finally pushed through the 20th amendment to the Confederate Constitution, totally banning slavery on May 18th, 1918.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1. Jefferson Davis (D-MS)/Alexander H. Stephens (D-GA) February 18th, 1861-March 4th, 1867
2. John H. Reagan (D-TX)/Alexander H. Stephens (D-GA) March 4th, 1867-March 4th, 1873
3. Judah Benjamin (N-VA)/Stephen Mallory (N-FL) March 4th, 1873-March 4th, 1879
4. James Longstreet (N-LA)/James Seddon (N-VA) March 4th, 1879-March 4th, 1885
5. Robert E. Whithers (N-VA)/Charles W. Jones (N-FL) March 4th, 1885-March 4th, 1891
6. William L. Wilson (S-VA)/James L. Pugh (S-AL) March 4th, 1891-March 4th, 1897
7. John W. Daniel (S-VA)/John S. Henderson (S-NC) March 4th, 1897-March 4th, 1903
8. Thomas Watson (N-GA)/Albert Goodwin (N-AL) March 4th, 1903-March 4th, 1909
9. Samuel D. McEnery (N-LA)/Thomas S. Martin (N-VA) March 4th, 1909-March 4th, 1917
10. Woodrow Wilson (P-VA)/William H. Milton (P-FL) March 4th, 1917-?

[OAM]

What was the house vote?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

What was the house vote?

I assume you're talking about the fact Wilson didn't get a majority? Hmmm. Should that be posted separate, or should we get ChairmanSanchez to include it in his update?

[OAM]

Yeah, the one time my update came down to it I included it in the post, following the example of someone else who did as well.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

What was the house vote?

I assume you're talking about the fact Wilson didn't get a majority? Hmmm. Should that be posted separate, or should we get ChairmanSanchez to include it in his update?

Forgot 65 was the majority! Sorry I will edit my post.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Under Wilson, a new party system emerged. While the Nationals had previously been a dominating force in Confederate politics, their split over the issues of economics and slavery had destroyed them. Meanwhile, the Sovereignty Party had become the major conservative party, favoring laissez faire economics. With Wilson's victory, the Nationals soon began to disperse, with conservative members going to the Sovereigns and liberal members heading over to the Populists.

As well, not only had the system changed, but the Populists themselves had. Originally founded as a moderate alternative to the Nationals who had drifted far off in one direction, with the 1914 election, Wilson's forces, liberal refugees from both parties, had made it the prime progressive party.

In the second half of Wilson's term, he began taking an interest in foreign policy. In an historic summit, he met with President Judson Harmon of the United States, the first official summit of Union and Confederate diplomats since the 1860's. As well, on a 1919 trip to Europe, he proposed a "League of Nations" to form an international network to help promote and preserve world peace. While such an idea never came to be, years later, world leaders would look back to Wilson's original plan.

The 1918 mid-terms had left a Congress controlled by the Sovereignty party. With the President failing to pass an amendment guaranteeing direct election of Senators combined with other legislative failures, Wilson soon grew frustrated. While speaking with Senate Minority Leader Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas, the President suddenly collapsed and suffered a stroke, crippling the final year and a half of his Presidency.

1920
At the Populist party convention, the split was between pro-Wilson and anti-Wilson candidates. Congressman Alfred A. Taylor of Tennessee represented the more moderate Populists who supported infrastructure improvements and tariffs as well as protection of the rights of blacks. The Wilson faction, on the other hand, supported much larger and ambitious government programs and they were headed by Governor Henry Clayton Jr. of Alabama. With First Lady Edith Wilson struggling to line up delegations for the Wilson-supported Clayton, and the Populist "Old Guard" staunchly supporting Taylor, it was one of the most epic convention fights in Confederate history. However, in a stern rebuke of the last two unsuccessful years and calls for a more compromising approach with Congress, Taylor was nominated with Alabama Senator Oscar W. Underwood as his running-mate.

The Sovereignty Party on the other hand nominated the doubly conservative ticket of Virginia Senator Carter Glass and Texas Representative John Nance Garner.

Senator Carter Glass (S-VA)/Rep. John Nance Garner (S-TX) 71 electoral votes, 49.5% of the popular vote
Rep. Alfred Layton (P-TN)/Senator Oscar W. Underwood (P-AL) 68 electoral votes, 48.9% of the popular vote

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

1926

Vice President John Nance Garner (S-TX)/Senator Park Trammell (S-FL)-126 EV, 66.5% of the popular vote.
Mrs. Edith Wilson (P-VA)/Former Treasury Secretary William Gibbs McAdoo (P-VA)-13 EV, 33.1% of the popular vote.
Other (Communist, Prohibition, National)-0.4% of the popular vote.

After former President Wilson died of a stroke in 1921, his widow, Edith Wilson, became the face of the Populist Party. Despite her activism, it was a surprise to many when she announced at the Populist Convention that she was a candidate. Edith Wilson was nominated on the first ballot, and became the first female nominee of a Confederate political party. Woman, having gained the right to vote in the CSA in 1924, flocked to Wilson, but her sex alone was enough to deem her for a landslide defeat.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

That was an interesting twist.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

That was an interesting twist.

Yeah, I figured I would have the CSA come ahead of the Union a little bit...just 70 years

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

With "Cactus Jack" Garner's term, the era of "Sovereign Prosperity" continued. With Progressive policies dominating in the United States, Garner's low-tax, mainly conservative policies attracted a number of businesses into his native Texas as well as states like Florida, Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

1932
The Populist Convention was, as in 1920, contentious. A number of different factions either re-emerged or came into being for the first time. The "Wilsonites" of course were looking to nominate Virginia Senator and former Wilson Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo. The "Old Guard" was pushing the un-inspiring Kentucky Governor Flem D. Sampson. Meanwhile, a new radical faction that seemed to take after Thomas Watson's 1904 coalition was being led by Governor Huey Long of Louisiana. As well, a prohibition faction emerged, supporting former Florida Governor Sidney Johnston Catts. Eventually, McAdoo and Sampson agreed to merge, fearing the "radical and reactionary" pair of Long and Catts. With Sampson himself having a lacklust record as Governor, the obvious choice for the top spot on the ticket was McAdoo despite his age. Sampson was nominated for Vice President. Meanwhile, the Sovereign Party nominated Commerce Secretary Jesse H. Jones of Texas. Running on the slogan "a chicken in every pot" in reaction to the ongoing prosperity, Jones' gain in polling steadily grew throughout the summer and fall.

Commerce Secretary Jesse Jones (S-TX)/Senate Majority Leader Harry F. Byrd (S-VA) 94 electoral votes, 58.3% of the popular vote
Senator William Gibbs McAdoo (P-VA)/Governor Flem D. Sampson (P-KY) 31 electoral votes, 40.2% of the popular vote
Faithless Electors: cast for Governor Huey Long (P-LA), 10 electoral votes, .3% of the popular vote

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I'd like to make a note about the US-CSA war in the 1940's....by 1944, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia should be occupied. We have made the timelines match up really well so far, so lets not forget about the 1940's war

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'd like to make a note about the US-CSA war in the 1940's....by 1944, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia should be occupied. We have made the timelines match up really well so far, so lets not forget about the 1940's war

Yeah, I was thinking about that. That includes taking away VA for all the post-occupation elections.

[OAM]

KY, they get VA back later.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

KY, they get VA back later.

Ah, I meant KY.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

1938

Senator Huey Long (P-LA)/Senator Claude Pepper (P-FL)-127 EV, 62.0% of the popular vote.
Vice President Harry F. Byrd (S-SC)/Congressman James Carson Breckinridge-8 EV, 37.5% of the popular vote.
Other (Socialist, Communist, Prohibition)-0.5% of the popular vote.

1933 saw the global economic depression hit the Confederacy. The economic boom truly ended with the dust bowl of 1932. Dust storms rolled across western Texas, the result of years of planting loosening the soil. The prices of food skyrocketed across the country, particularly in Texas, which was formally known as the “breadbasket of Dixie”. The collapse of the stock market in New York City ruined investors in the Confederacy and Union, many of whom were industrialist. By late 1936, unemployment was at 14%, and poverty had skyrocketed. Huey Long took advantage of this, and was elected President in a landslide. But war looms on the horizon, as tensions regarding Kentucky once again boil over….

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

President Long's term would be one of the tumultuous in Confederate history. He greatly expanded the social welfare programs first put in place by President Wilson. As well, to finance it, an incredibly large tax was placed on all those making more than  $250,000, CSD. While Congressional Sovereigns protested, Long was able to maintain personal popularity and the support of his constituents. In foreign policy, Long would take a severely anti-Union stance as opposed to his predecessor who had favored a policy of neutrality or in Wilson's case, even cooperation. With the inauguration of US President Douglas MacArthur and nationalism on both sides rising to a fever pitch, the first shots were fired across the Ohio river on December 7th, 1941. With the nations rising to war, Long's popularity--somewhat lagging after losses in the 1940 congressional elections--rose once again and he used the reigns of power to lead the Confederacy into war. Despite the tide turning against the Confederacy early on thanks to superior Union technology and victories in Kentucky, Long's popularity persisted. While some supporters began pushing an amendment to allow the President to run for unlimited terms, it failed in sub-committee and Long was term limited.

1944
The President proudly endorsed his loyal Vice President Claude Pepper at the 1944 PNC. While a grouping of delegates attempted to nominate General George S. Patton who had been the brightest light in the Confederate Army due to his ability so far to stall Union advances in Virginia, Pepper was nominated on the first ballot. For Vice President, Governor William Prentice Cooper of Tennessee was nominated. the Sovereign Party too pushed to nominate Patton, but it wasn't going to happen. Instead, former Governor William H. Murray of Texas was nominated. Largely moderate on economics, he was however able to match any other politician in terms of racist rhetoric. It was hoped these two qualities might produce an electable ticket. To balance the ticket, the much more mellow but also more economically conservative Senator Richard B. Russell of Georgia.

Vice President Claude Pepper (P-FL)/Governor William P. Cooper (P-TN) 67 electoral votes
Former Governor William H. Murray (S-TX)/Senator Richard B. Russell (S-GA) 40 electoral votes

Due to Union occupation of Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia, no electors were sent form any of the three to cast their votes in the election.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Anyone else want to go next?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Bump, people.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I guess I will go again. I feel like I have been going too much though. If anyone else wants to follow me, please do