Alternate US History (1788 onwards)

[West_Midlander]

Congressional Elections
United States Senate elections, 1916
49 for a majority
Republican: 45 (+16)
Democratic-Left: 43 (+6)
Progressive: 8 (-22)
Many progressives incumbents fled for other parties, in general, the Republicans. Every Progressive contestant for any Senate election lost in 1916. The remaining Progressives only survived because they were not up for election. The Progressives caucused with the Republicans allowing them a 53-43 majority.
United States House of Representatives elections, 1916
218 for a majority
Republican: 224 (+121)
Democratic-Left: 204 (+26)
Progressive: 7 (-147)
With so many seats to defend a collapse of the party's standing was imminent. The Progressives fell from the second major party in both chambers to third party status. The Republicans swept into first party status in both houses of Congress. They have an outright majority in the House.

[West_Midlander]

A New Beginning

President-elect Charles Evans Hughes begins a brief victory tour on December 2nd, 1916.

"America has made its choice. It is time now, for us all to come together as a nation indivisible. We face great challenges with the war in Europe but we will overcome them so long as we do not forsake our fellow countrymen. We cannot allow partisan squabbles to divide us up. To distract us into ignoring the bigger picture. A country united, a war won, and peace and prosperity. May God Bless the United States of America and may God Bless all of you! Thank you!" - An excerpt of Pres. elect Hughes' "December Speech," as it came to be known.

The Literary Digest - Poll
Do you approve of President-elect Hughes? (Before December Speech)
Approve 63
Disapprove 31
DK/Never Heard Of 6
Do you approve of President-elect Hughes? (After December Speech)
Approve 72 (+9)
Disapprove 20 (-11)
DK/Never Heard Of 8 (+2)

January 20th - Charles Evans Hughes is inaugurated. President Hughes sees an approval bump into the 80s as he is sworn in.

Hughes' Cabinet
Vice President: Theodore Elijah Burton
Secretary of State: Robert Marion La Follette, Sr.

Heavily weakening the battered Progressives, La Follette solidified his allegiance to the Republicans and took the position as Secretary of State abating party progressives.

Secretary of the Treasury: Andrew William Mellon
Secretary of War: Thomas Coleman du Pont
Attorney General: Lawrence Yates Sherman
Postmaster General: Albert Baird Cummins
Secretary of the Navy: John Wingate Weeks
Secretary of the Interior: Martin Grove Brumbaugh
Secretary of Agriculture: Henry Cantwell "Harry" Wallace
Secretary of Commerce: Herbert Clark Hoover
Secretary of Labor: James John Davis

Hughes included many former opponents (primary) in his cabinet in order to unify his party (Weeks, du Pont, La Follette, Sherman, Cummins, Brumbaugh).

June 1917 - By this point it became clear to the public that winning the war in Europe would take precedence in the Hughes administration and other tenants of the Republican platform would have to take a back-burner until peace in Europe was achieved. This led Hughes' approval to decline from its post-inaugural low 80s to the high 60s - still a stunning mandate.

[West_Midlander]

Canadian Affairs
After President Hearst's withdrawal from American public life, he had moved to Canada as previously recounted. In 1915, Randolph Apperson Hearst was born a natural (born) citizen of Canada. In 1916, the Hearts publicly moved from Kingston, Ontario to Winnipeg, Manitoba due to a lack of women's suffrage in Ontario. This move was first brought up by Phoebe Hearst and quickly embraced by William Randolph Hearst and Millicent Hearst. That same year another son, David Whitmire Hearst was born.

Election Season 1917 - Canada: Borden, the Independent former Conservative leader who was lambasted by his own party, did not pursue re-election.

Prime Minister Arthur Meighen (Conservative) faced limited opposition for the leadership of his own party in 1917. He shifted the Conservatives to the left embracing a solid center-right platform as opposed to the center-right to right-wing platform they had in 1911. The Conservatives once again stood for protectionism and conservatism. Meighen led party members to strike Toryism from the platform and he removed Canadian self-determination from the platform. Instead of returning pro-British imperialism to the platform, the 1917 platform was moderately pro-British with no endorsement of imperialism. The Conservatives were unafraid of defections because no party stood in 1917, to their political right. Most right-wingers and far-right members of the electorate would bite their tongue and vote Conservative.

W. L. Mackenzie King led the Liberals after Laurier's defeat in 1911. He narrowly survived a leadership challenge in 1917 and continued to push against the left-wing of his party. Many in his party were pushing the Liberals to stand and to stand strongly against mobilization for "a British war in Europe." King drew his line in the sand, standing firmly with London on this issue. The Liberals remained from the center to center-left as in 1911 and continued to embrace economic liberalism, centrist social policy, and a pro-British stance.

The Canada's Choice Committee (CCC) continued to support anti-British interests in Canada offering a strong endorsement and much funding from the Hearst Family and to Labour and especially the North American Unity Party. The CCC timidly endorsed Canada's Party and the Regional Coalition and fielded thin resources to these two parties. The Independent Polling Firm (IPF), now profitable, severed ties with the Hearsts and now without question would poll matters unbiasedly.

The other Canadian parties kept the same leaders.

Canada's Party was led by the leader of the Free Canadian Militia (not active, but not dissolved). The British party was led by an industrialist from Prince Edward Island. The Regional Coalition and North American Unity were led by grassroots organizers. Labour was led by former Foreign Minister Charles Murphy.

Murphy pulled the Labourites to the right in a bid for increased electability. Knowing the far-left would have no alternative and would likely vote Labour regardless (the only left-wing party in Canada), Murphy pulled the Labour platform to the center-left to left-wing as opposed to the left-wing to far-left in 1911. The Labourites mostly touted democratic socialism, libertarian socialism, and socialism this election cycle while abandoning Classical Marxism and Impossibilism.

The British Party, Canada's Party, and the North American Unity party all remained big-tent parties stressing their focus on one-issue campaigns. The British Party stood only for pro-British unification by provincial referendums across Canada. Canada's Party outlined only the goal of Canadian independence. North American Unity outlined a goal of unification with the United States.

The Regional Coalition redefined their center-right platform as centrist in a bid for more national support. This was disappointing to the mostly right-wing Quebecer nationalists. The Regional Coalition once again argued for provincial independence across all of Canada. In an attempt to be taken more seriously, this time they stated that a union, the terms to which would be negotiated after the Coalition's victory, would include all the new provincial-national governments and would be headed at Ottawa. It would be a confederation.

[West_Midlander]

Canadian Affairs II
Canadian federal election, 1917
Seats
North American Unity: 81 (+36)
Conservative: 59 (+9)
Liberal: 41 (-6)
Labour: 27 (+9)
Regional Coalition: 12 (-12)
Canada's Party: 6 (-9)
Independent: 5 (+4)
British Party - 4 (-17)

The North American Unity Party saw massive gains in the 1917 elections. The Conservatives gained nine seats with their moderate platform. The Liberals lost six seats and slipped to third-party status. The NAU shocked pollsters across Canada by winning a decent plurality of seats. Labour became the fourth party, legitimizing their feud with the Liberals and their fight for the title of the rightful left party. A centrist platform left the Regional Coalition without much of their Quebecer support. The RC was also hard hit by increasing pro-American sentiments and the same happened to Canada's Party. Five Independents were elected across the nation. The British Party virtually collapsed with London's resources and attention diverted to the war in Europe. With limited grassroots support and growing support for American unification, the British Party lost the most seats of any party and finished last.

Defections to Labour was a major blow to the Liberals. The anti-draft wing of the party fled Liberal en masse after King finalized his party's platform. The draft was not made a major party of any party platform with the exception of the Liberals who embraced a British draft for the Great War and Labour who fiercely denounced the draft.

A precarious coalition was formed in December of 1917. North American Unity led a coalition alongside Labour, Canada's Party, and four of five Independents. The coalition had exactly 118 of 235 seats. A majority, no more, no less. As soon as the new Prime Minister took office he assured the public when the Great War was finished a referendum would take place. Three options would be presented to the electorate, Canada would take steps to align with and join the United States eventually, Canada will continue its current path aligned with Britain, or Canada will stand independent and free of foreign influence (this option would be on the ballot as per Canada's Party's condition to join the coalition). The official opposition consisted of just over a quarter of the Parliament, the Conservatives and the final Independent (a conservative to the right of the Conservative Party). With 45 seats, the Liberals and the British Party became the first Unofficial Opposition. The British Party said with dismay, "The Conservatives have drifted far from pro-British policy." The party leader went on to cite the Liberals' support for the British draft while the Conservatives "cowered and made no comment." The Regional Coalition stood alone as the 2nd Unofficial Opposition.

[West_Midlander]

1918
Given America's early entrance to the war, the Great War found its conclusion in early 1918. The German Empire surrendered on January 11th, 1918. Americans troops in Europe celebrated the conclusion to the war (pictured).

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on August 28, 1918, officially ending the war. The main terms of the treaty were:
- the formation of a League of Nations and the surrender of German colonies to the LoN
- cession of Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium, Memel to Lithuania, and cessions to Czechoslovakia
- cessions to Poland and Danzig created as a free city
- referendums to be held on the status of the Danish-German border
- demilitarization and a 15-year occupation of the Rhineland
- war reparations of £6.6 billion
- a ban on a union between Germany and Austria
- Germany accepts blame in causing the war
- a trial for the former Kaiser and other war leaders
- Germany's army limited to 100,000 and no conscription, no tanks, no heavy artillery, no poison-gas, and no airforce
- Germany's navy limited to six battleships and six light cruisers, 12 destroyers, and no submarines

The League of Nations was mostly the brainchild of Former Congressman Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey. He was called on by President Hughes to be an advisor to the President in assistance of finding a solution to the war, in negotiating a treaty, abating both major political parties. Wilson agreed to this and presented the administration with his 14 Points Plan which was partially realized in the Versailles Treaty (treaty as IRL).
United States Senate elections, 1918
49 for a majority
Republican: 48 (+3)
Democratic-Left: 43
Progressive: 5 (-3)
The Progressives saw continued losses and the Republicans made some gains. The Progressives agreed to continue a coalition with the Republicans in the Senate.
United States House of Representatives elections, 1918
218 for a majority
Republican: 240 (+16)
Democratic-Left: 192 (-12)
Progressive: 3 (-4)
After the great fall of 1916, the Progressives continued to falter. Bolstered by the charismatic President Hughes and the agreeable end to the Great War, Americans voted to expand Hughes' majority in the House.

[West_Midlander]

Life Carries On
Phoebe Elizabeth Apperson Hearst dies in 1919 and President Charles Evans Hughes orders flags lowered to half-mast for the fallen titan. Phoebe Hearst was a major suffragist and the mother of Former President William Randolph Hearst. She died at age seventy-six at her newly built home in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In early 1920, William Randolph Hearst and his wife, Millicent Hearst became Canadian citizens. They would be followed by their American-born children who would be naturalized in the coming years. They included American-born John Randolph Hearst (b. 1909), William Randolph Hearst, Jr. (b. 1908), and George Randolph Hearst (b. 1904). Two of the Hearst sons, Randolph Apperson Hearst (b. 1915) and David Whitmire Hearst (b. 1916) were natural born Canadians.

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Begin
Presidential Campaign Announcements
Min. Whip in the US House William Gibbs McAdoo Jr. (D-CA) — September 4, 1919
McAdoo was elected to the US House in 1911 and he rose quickly in the ranks to Minority Whip by 1917.
Gov. James M. Cox (D-OH) — September 6, 1919
Sen. Warren G. Harding (R-OH) — September 18, 1919
Senator Harding entered the fray in a bid to secure a position as Majority Leader. Harding was largely a do-nothing Senator but likable and thought a presidential bid would increase his name recognition enough to legitimize an attempt at becoming the Republican Majority Leader in 1921.
Gov. Al Smith (D-NY) — September 29, 1919
Catholic Governor Al Smith of New York announced a bid for the presidency.
Sen. Thomas R. Marshall (D-IN) — October 6, 1919
After completing a second term as Governor in 1917, Marshall took a seat in the Senate that same year. Despite not rising to fame as Wilson's Vice President in this timeline, Marshall still rose to prominence as a leader of opposition under Republican majorities. (Note that Marshall is a favorite among Democratic voters and a symbol of resistance but not in the Senate leadership).
Sen. Hiram Johnson (R-CA) — October 12, 1919
Senator Johnson was elected in 1917 and switched from the Progressives to the Republicans that year (prior to being elected). Johnson stood as the defacto leader of the Progressive Republicans in 1920. Though most progressives viewed Hughes as progressive enough.
Sen. Robert L. Owen (D-OK) — November 1, 1919
Progressive Democrat Robert L. Owen is running for the presidency and will appeal to the left faction of the DL Party.
Min. Ldr. in the US House Carter Glass (D-VA) — November 14, 1919
Congressman Carter Glass was elected to the US House in 1902. He became the Democratic Majority Whip in 1915 and served in that post until 1917. Glass became Minority Leader of the Democrats in 1917 and currently serves in that post.
Gen. John J. Pershing (R-MO) — December 8, 1919
The victorious, leading American general, John Pershing announced a run for the presidency.
Sen. Ella Reeve "Mother" Bloor (D-NJ) — December 15, 1919
After being elected the nation's first female governor in 1910, Bloor was reelected in 1914. Bloor was then elected to the Senate in 1918 and began serving her term in 1919. Women for Bloor launched a massive grassroots campaign after her announcement with the slogan "Mother Bloor For President" and "Elect Mother Bloor!"
President Charles Evans Hughes (R-NY) — January 1, 1920
President Charles Evans Hughes announced his intention to run for a second term on the first day of 1920. Vice President Burton rallied with Hughes in Richmond, VA on the first of the year. Until this point, Hughes did not definitively say "yes" to a presidential run but with his popularity so high, stepping down would've been unthinkable.
Lt. Gov. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (D-NY) — January 8, 1920
FDR served in the NY State Senate from 1911 to 1917. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York in 1916 and lost a primary against Al Smith for Governor of New York that same year.

"Not Running" Announcements
Rep. A. Mitchell Palmer (D-PA) — September 20, 1919
A congressman since 1909, Palmer did not rise to prominence in this timeline. He refused to run for President in 1920 disappointing his small group of supporters but he was little known outside his district.
Gen. Leonard Wood (R-MA) — September 30, 1919
The popular General Leonard Wood announced he would not seek the presidency and would be glad to support President Charles Evans Hughes for a second term.
Gov. Frank Lowden (R-IL) — October 10, 1919
Governor Lowden had told supporters he was considering a bid for the presidency during the summer but eventually decided against it, viewing himself as too similar to President Hughes politically. He also thought Hughes was too popular following the amazing victory in The Great War and he concluded it would be likely neither his dignity nor his career would survive an attempted primary challenge this election season. Governor Lowden refused to answer when questioned on whether he would support President Hughes or another candidate.
Gov. William Cameron Sproul (R-PA) — October 27, 1919
The newly elected Governor Sproul of Pennsylvania was wildly popular heading into the fall of 1919. However, Sproul viewed his lack of experience as a big fault to a presidential campaign and eventually decided instead to endorse Hiram Johnson for President.
Gov. Calvin Coolidge (R-MA) — October 31, 1919
Governor Coolidge rose to national fame due to his handling of the Boston Police Strike. Coolidge told friends privately he would've run if a Republican President was not in the White House in 1920. Coolidge disappointed supporters when he announced he would not run and endorsed President Hughes.
SoS Robert La Follette (R-WI) — November 5, 1919
Secretary of State Robert La Follette announced he would not run for President in 1920 for any party demoralizing Progressives and uniting anti-Hughes progressive Republicans behind Johnson. La Follette initially dodged the question when asked whether he supported the President for a second term but after private pressure from Hughes, himself, La Follette emerged and endorsed the President on November 12th, 1919.
Mr. Nicholas Butler (R-NY) — November 9, 1919
The President of Columbia University, Nicholas Butler, announced he would not run for the presidency and did not comment on a potential endorsement.
Gov. Edwin Meredith (D-IA) — November 10, 1919
Governor Edwin Meredith was elected in 1919. He endorsed Senator Owen.
Fmr. Sen. Jeter Pritchard (R-NC) — November 17, 1919
Sen. Miles Poindexter (R-WA) — November 17, 1919
Former Populist Senator turned-Republican Jeter Pritchard announced he would not reemerge onto the political arena in his own right. Senator Miles Poindexter of Washington, a progressive Republican and former Progressive, announced he would not be seeking the presidency either. Both politicians threw their support behind Hiram Johnson.
Sen. Howard Sutherland (R-WV) — November 28, 1919
Senator Sutherland of West Virginia announced he would not pursue the presidency, dispelling rumors that had taken hold across the state. Sutherland did not comment on whether or not he would endorse any candidate during the primary.
Sec. Thomas Coleman du Pont (R-DE) — December 2, 1919
Sec. Herbert Hoover (R-IA) — December 2, 1919
Secretaries du Pont and Hoover announced they had no intention of running for the presidency and threw their support behind President Hughes.
DNC Chairman Homer Cummings (D-IL) — December 3, 1919
DNC Chair Homer Cummings declined a run for the presidency and agreed to support the eventual nominee.
Rep. Champ Clark (D-MO) — December 5, 1919
The aging statesman and former Speaker of the House, Champ Clark, declined a run for the presidency. Clark endorsed Minority Leader Glass.
Gov. Edward Edwards (D-NJ) — January 20, 1920
On his first day in the Governor's chair, Governor Edwards declined a bid for the presidency disappointing those who wanted fresh blood to lead the Democratic-Left.

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Are On
No major candidates declared their intent to run for the Progressive Party. The Progressives will convene in the summer and have to choose how to proceed.

Republican Primary Polling — January 9, 1920
Hughes 22%
Pershing 12%
Johnson 9%
Harding 4%
Undecided 53%

Democratic Primary Polling — January 9
McAdoo 19%
Cox 11%
Smith 8%
Glass 4%
Bloor 3%
Roosevelt 2%
Marshall 2%
Owen 2%
Undecided 49%

Republican Primary Polling — January 16
Hughes 34% (+12)
Pershing 20% (+8)
Johnson 18% (+9)
Harding 7% (+3)
Undecided 21% (-32)

Democratic Primary Polling — January 16
McAdoo 19%
Cox 13% (+2)
Smith 8%
Glass 6% (+2)
Roosevelt 4% (+2)
Bloor 3%
Marshall 3% (+1)
Owen 2%
Undecided 42% (-7)

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Are On II
Republican Primary Polling — January 23
Hughes 33 (-1)
Pershing 21 (+1)
Johnson 18
Harding 9 (+2)
Undecided 19 (-2)

— January 30 —
Hughes 33
Pershing 22 (+1)
Johnson 18
Harding 10 (+1)
Undecided 17 (-2)

Democratic Primary Polling — January 16
McAdoo 24 (+5)
Cox 20 (+7)
Smith 10 (+2)
Glass 8 (+2)
Roosevelt 8 (+4)
Bloor 6 (+3)
Marshall 3%
Owen 2%
Undecided 19 (-23)

— January 30 —
McAdoo 24
Cox 20
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9 (+1)
Glass 8
Bloor 6 (+3)
Marshall 4 (+1)
Owen 2
Undecided 17 (-2)

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Are On III
— February 6 —
Hughes 32 (-1)
Pershing 22
Johnson 19 (+1)
Harding 10
Undecided 17

— February 13 —
Hughes 31 (-1)
Pershing 24 (+2)
Johnson 18 (-1)
Harding 11 (+1)
Undecided 16 (-1)

The country is heavily divided with no one leading one whole region in the Republican Primary. Hughes was hovering around 32% and this week fell to 31%. Pershing was holding steading at 22% but this week got a moderate bump to 24%. Hughes still has a decent sized lead of seven, but considering he is the incumbent President, this is worrying for him and his allies. Johnson has capped below 20% and Harding's unserious bid for the presidency is drawing a significant 11% and has momentum.

— February 20 —
Hughes 31
Pershing 25 (+1)
Johnson 19 (+1)
Harding 10 (-1)
Undecided 15 (-1)

— February 27 —
Hughes 30 (-1)
Pershing 24 (-1)
Johnson 19
Harding 11 (+1)
Undecided 16 (+1)

— March 5 —
Hughes 29 (-1)
Pershing 24
Johnson 19
Harding 11
Undecided 17 (+1)

— February 6 —
McAdoo 24
Cox 20
Smith 10
Roosevelt 10 (+1)
Glass 9 (+1)
Bloor 7 (+1)
Marshall 3 (-1)
Owen 2
Undecided 15 (-2)

— February 13 —
McAdoo 23 (-1)
Cox 20
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9 (-1)
Glass 9
Bloor 7
Marshall 4 (+1)
Owen 3 (+1)
Undecided 15

McAdoo began the primary with a large lead and Cox is now on his heels. Smith, Roosevelt, Glass, and Bloor are second-tier candidates and well behind the two frontrunners. Cox is now being viewed as one of two frontrunners and not second place to a sole frontrunner, McAdoo. Roosevelt has been rising quickly but that momentum seems to be fading. Marshall and Owen are at the back of the field. Many candidates lead in one or a few states but McAdoo leads in the majority of states and Cox leads in just a handful (second most states led).

— February 20 —
McAdoo 23
Cox 20
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9
Glass 9
Bloor 7
Marshall 5 (+1)
Owen 4 (+1)
Undecided 13 (-2)

— February 27 —
McAdoo 23
Cox 21 (+1)
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9
Glass 9
Bloor 7
Marshall 5
Owen 4
Undecided 12 (-1)

— March 5 —
McAdoo 23
Cox 21
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9
Glass 8 (-1)
Bloor 7
Marshall 7 (+2)
Owen 6 (+2)
Undecided 9 (-3)

[West_Midlander]

The First In The Nation Primary
NH GOP PRIMARY: HARDING WINS, PERSHING AND HUGHES CLOSE BEHIND, JOHNSON DEAD LAST— March 12 —
Hughes 28 (-1)
Pershing 25 (+1)
Johnson 19
Harding 12 (+1)
Undecided 16 (-1)

Harding gets a small boost after his win in New Hamsphire. Pershing is now on Hughes' heels as he bested him in New Hamsphire.

DEM-LEFT PARTY VOTES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: MARSHALL DEFEATS McADOO, FOURTY-EIGHT TO FOURTY-ONE PERCENT, ALL OTHERS BELOW 5%— March 12 —
McAdoo 23
Cox 22 (+1)
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9
Glass 8
Bloor 7
Marshall 7
Owen 5 (-1)
Undecided 9
COX MAKES A COMEBACK, WINS ND PRIMARY IN LANDSLIDE, DEFEATS McADOO 49% TO 21%, GLASS AT 19%, ALL OTHERS BELOW 5%

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Continue
MN CAUCUS: HARDING WINS AGAIN! PERSHING COMES SECOND IN A LANDSLIDE LOSS OF 60 TO 29%, PRESIDENT HUGHES HUMILIATED AGAIN, RECIEVES 8%, JOHNSON DEAD LAST TWICE IN A ROW— March 19 —
Hughes 28
Pershing 25
Johnson 19
Harding 13 (+1)
Undecided 15 (-1)

ND GOP PRIMARY: JOHNSON WINS IN A LANDSLIDE OF 94%, PERSHING 4%, HUGHES 2%, HARDING <1%---
VIRGINIA GOP PRIMARY: THE PRESIDENT WINS BY 19 PERCENT, GENERAL PERSHING COMES SECOND AND OTHERS AT <5%
— March 19 —
McAdoo 23
Cox 22
Smith 9 (-1)
Roosevelt 9
Glass 8
Bloor 7
Marshall 7
Owen 5
Undecided 10 (+1)

SD REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: PERSHING DEFEATS JOHNSON 57-31, HUGHES AND HARDING BOTH BELOW TEN PERCENT---
SOUTH DAKOTA DEMOCRATS VOTE: COX DEFEATS BLOOR 50-25, OTHERS DEMS <10%, McADOO DEAD LAST
— March 26 —
Hughes 27 (-1)
Pershing 26 (+1)
Johnson 19
Harding 14 (+1)
Undecided 14 (-1)

— March 26 —
Cox 24 (+1)
McAdoo 23
Smith 9
Roosevelt 9
Glass 8
Marshall 8 (+1)
Bloor 7
Owen 5
Undecided 8 (-2)

COX TAKES LEAD OF ONE IN POLLS!
— April 2 —
Pershing 28 (+2)
Hughes 26 (-1)
Johnson 19
Harding 14
Undecided 13 (-1)

PRESIDENT HUGHES OUT OF THE LEAD, TRAILS HERO OF THE GREAT WAR, GEN. PERSHING, BY TWO
— April 2 —
Cox 25 (+1)
McAdoo 23
Smith 9
Roosevelt 9
Glass 8
Marshall 8
Bloor 7
Owen 6 (+1)
Undecided 8 (-2)

MI GOP RESULTS: JOHNSON WINS, PERSHING FAR BEHIND 55-26-13-6, PRESIDENT HUGHES HUMILIATED AGAIN, EARLY PRIMARY DARLING HARDING DEAD LAST

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Continue II
NEW YORK PRIMARY: PERSHING WINS 55-20-14-11, HUGHES FOLLOWS IN STUNNING DEFEAT, JOHNSON, HARDING TRAIL---
WISCONSIN PRIMARY: PERSHING WINS AGAIN, JOHNSON THIRD, HARDING LAST, 52-23-19-6---
PERSHING EXPANDS LEAD IN POLLS TO SIX— April 9 —
Pershing 31 (+3)
Hughes 25 (-1)
Johnson 21 (+2)
Harding 15 (+1)
Undecided 13 (-1)
MICHIGAN: McADOO WINS BIG WITH 82%, OTHERS ALL BELOW TEN PERCENT---
NEW YORK: AL SMITH DEFEATS COX 58-14, OWEN 8%, LT. GOV. OF NY ROOSEVELT 7%, OTHERS 5% AND BELOW---
WISCONSIN PRIMARY: McADOO DEFEATS COX 41-39 IN CLOSE CONTEST---
ROOSEVELT TAKES THIRD PLACE IN POLLS— April 9 —
Cox 24 (-1)
McAdoo 23
Roosevelt 10 (+1)
Smith 9
Glass 8
Marshall 8
Bloor 7
Owen 6
Undecided 5

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Continue III
IL REPUBLICANS PREFER HUGHES, PERSHING AND JOHNSON FOLLOW, 38-32-29-1%---
IL DEMOCRATS VOTE: GLASS WINS BIG, COX COMES SECOND, McADOO THIRD, 35-21-17, OTHERS BELOW 10%— April 16 —
Pershing 31
Hughes 25
Johnson 21
Harding 15
— April 16 —
Cox 23 (-1)
McAdoo 23
Roosevelt 10
Smith 10 (+1)
Glass 8
Marshall 8
Bloor 7
Owen 6

Cox leads in most Western states but other regions still remain divided. Cox and McAdoo are now in a dead heat as Roosevelt and Smith battle for second-tier candidate status and Glass and Marshall are third tier candidates. At this point in time, Bloor's bid for the presidency is majorly discredited as frivolity due to her gender and low polling numbers and the progressive Senator Owen has failed to find a large base and trails at the back of the pack, relegated to the same status as Bloor.

NO ONE GAINS MAJOR EDGE IN GOP PRIMARY AS NEBRASKA VOTES DIVIDED, MESSAGE TO AMERICA: THE PRIMARY IS FAR FROM OVER---
NE PRIMARY RESULTS: PERSHING TRIUMPHS, JOHNSON, HUGHES AND HARDING FOLLOW; 32-25-24-19%---
MOTHER BLOOR IS HERE TO STAY: NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS CHOOSE BLOOR OVER COX 25-22, MARSHALL AT 18%, OTHERS BELOW 15%(The idea I've been doing for the moving text is these are newspaper headlines).
— April 23 —
Pershing 32 (+1)
Hughes 25
Johnson 21
Harding 15
— April 23 —
Cox 23
McAdoo 23
Roosevelt 10
Smith 10
Glass 9 (+1)
Marshall 9 (+1)
Bloor 7
Owen 5 (-1)
PERSHING SOUNDLY DEFEATS PRES. HUGHES IN MA, HARDING COMES THIRD NARROWLY BESTING JOHNSON---
MONTANA GOP CAUCUS: JOHNSON DEF. PRES. HUGHES BY MORE THAN 20%---
NJ PRIMARY: JOHNSON DEF. PERSHING BY MORE THAN 10%---
FAVORITE SON HARDING WINS OHIO WITH 49%, HUGHES, PERSHING, JOHNSON DIVIDE REST 29-21-1%---
DEMS HEAVILY DIVIDED IN MA: COX WINS WITH 24%, FOLLOWED BY McADOO, 21%, SMITH, 18%, GLASS, 17%, MARSHALL, 8%, ROOSEVELT, 6%, BLOOR, 4%, OWEN, 2%---
DEMOCRATIC-LEFT CAUCUS IN MT: McADOO DEF. COX 41-29, BLOOR RECIEVES 13%, OTHERS BELOW 10%---
NJ DEM-LEFT CHOOSES ROOSEVELT OVER GLASS 27-24, MARSHALL AND SMITH ARE ABOVE 10% AND OTHERS BELOW 10%---
GOVERNOR COX WINS HIS HOME STATE OF OHIO BIG WITH 74%, ALL OTHERS BELOW 10%— April 30 —
Pershing 33 (+1)
Hughes 25
Johnson 22 (+2)
Harding 15

The media is beginning to view Hughes and Johnson as equals for the position of challenger and Pershing is being viewed as the undisputed frontrunner, with his expanding lead of now eight. President Hughes is humiliated but continues to fight on and he is heavily embattled. Once President Hughes drew major primary foes and especially when he failed to unify the party in the polls early, he lost a lot of influence and legislative goals for the President ground to a halt in late 1919 and the first half of 1920 due to interparty struggles and slings of weakness from the opposition. The struggles and ugliness of the 1920 campaign are being reflected in the US Congress at this time and has led to a major gridlock.

Cox has regained frontrunner status, narrowly, but his camp is too nervous to celebrate just yet due to the extreme closeness of the race. Roosevelt has slipped again to fourth and this allowed his bitter rival, Gov. Al Smith of New York to overtake him for third place. Smith defeated Roosevelt in the gubernatorial primary in 1916 in a bitter campaign and Roosevelt is Smith's Lieutenant Governor, forcing them to work in close quarters and making Smith, Roosevelt's immediate 'boss.' Smith and Roosevelt also bitterly campaigned against one another for the home state New York Primary in 1920 and Smith triumphed in a landslide.

— April 30 —
Cox 24 (+1)
McAdoo 23
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9 (-1)
Glass 9
Marshall 9
Bloor 7
Owen 5

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Continue IV
CALIFORNIA REPUBLICANS VOTE: JOHNSON WINS MAJORITY, HUGHES FAR BEHIND WITH 23%---
IN GOP CAUCUS: JOHNSON DEFEATS HUGHES BY NINE, PERSHING CLOSE THIRD---
MD REP PRIMARY: PERSHING DEF. JOHNSON 36-29, HARDING COMES LAST WITH 13%---
McADOO WINS ON THE HOME FRONT, ONE THIRD OF CALIFORNIANS CHOOSE HIM OVER COX, ROOSEVELT, OTHERS— May 7 —
Pershing 34 (+1)
Hughes 25
Johnson 22
Harding 16 (+1)
— May 7 —
Cox 24
McAdoo 24 (+1)
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9
Glass 9
Marshall 9
Bloor 6 (-1)
Owen 5
— May 14 —
Pershing 34
Hughes 24 (-1)
Johnson 22
Harding 16
— May 14 —
Cox 24
McAdoo 23 (-1)
Smith 10
Roosevelt 9
Glass 9
Marshall 9
Bloor 6 (-1)
Owen 5
PA GOP DIVIDED: PERSHING DEFEATS PRES. HUGHES BY <0.5%, JOHNSON AND HARDING CLOSE BEHIND---
VT GOP CAUCUS: PERSHING WINS 42-27 AGAINST THE PRESIDENT, JOHNSON CLOSE THIRD---
PA DEM-LEFT PRIMARY: COX WINS BIG WITH 37%, NO OTHERS ABOVE 20%---
DEMS CAUCUS IN VERMONT: CHOOSE COX OVER McADOO BY NINE— May 21 —
Pershing 35 (+1)
Hughes 24
Johnson 23 (+1)
Harding 15 (-1)
— May 21 —
Cox 25 (+1)
McAdoo 23
Smith 11 (+1)
Glass 10 (+1)
Marshall 10 (+1)
Roosevelt 9
Bloor 6
Owen 5

Political Report
Pundits consider Pershing to be the sole frontrunner. Many are wondering now why President Hughes has continued to fight on and perhaps that he should withdraw his candidacy now and end his bid for a second term with what little dignity he has left. The shock and amazement at the close race Pershing initially put on has turned to shame and embarrassment for long-time supporters of the President as he continues to fail massively to defend his renomination. Harding remains a solid fourth place candidate drawing a full sixth of the Republican Party at this time. Pundits view Harding's bid as unserious and believe he does not sincerely seek the presidency. He can now end his bid anytime and place himself in a great position to run for Majority Leader of the Senate Republicans for the 1921 Congress. Hughes is now largely viewed as weak and will not be able to strongly contest the nomination should he head to the convention without a majority or plurality of delegates. Johnson has nearly caught Hughes, if he reaches second place, he will be viewed as the defacto nominee for Vice President should Pershing accept him, bringing progressive Republicans entirely into the fold.

Delegates as of today
560 allocated so far, 421 to go, 491 to win, 981 delegates
Pershing 204 - needs 287 for a majority (51.3% of remaining delegates)
Hughes 139 - needs 352 (62.3%)
Johnson 137 - needs 354 (63.3%)
Harding 80 - needs 411 (73.4%)

With Johnson still actively winning states pundits say it's unlikely Pershing will win on the first ballot but it's possible. Pundits say a Hughes or Johnson victory is improbable and both are about equally as possible and they say it's a near impossibility Harding will win.

Cox is the frontrunner. Cox has massively pulled ahead in the delegate count and is beginning to build a small lead on McAdoo. Gov. Al Smith is tied for second place in delegates and has emerged as the third-place candidate in the polls. Marshall and Glass have risen in the polls to double digits while Roosevelt has risen and fallen, now to third to last. Roosevelt's time is considered over by many (for the 1920 campaign) and the Bloor and Owen campaigns are viewed as beating a dead horse.

Delegates as of today
478 allocated so far, 586 to go, 533 to win, 1064 delegates
Cox 188 - needs 345 (58.9%)
McAdoo 90 - needs 443 (75.6%)
Smith 90 - needs 443 (75.6%)
Glass 58 - needs 475 (81.1%)
Roosevelt 28 - needs 505 (86.2%)
Bloor 16 - needs 517 (88.3%)
Marshall 8 - needs 525 (89.6%)
Owen 0 - needs 533 (90.1%)

Pundits say Cox winning a majority of delegates before the convention is very unlikely. They say McAdoo or Smith winning is improbable. The McAdoo campaign fired back saying they lead in the Oregon primary (polls close tonight) and the vast majority of states yet to vote, which is true. Pundits say it is virtually impossible for Glass, Roosevelt, Bloor, Marshall or Owen to win. Glass fired back saying he has as much of a chance as Smith or McAdoo citing his recent rise in the polls and that he is a close fifth in the polls and fourth in delegates, which is somewhat true though he is very far behind.

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Continue V
OR GOP PRIMARY: JOHNSON WINS WITH 48%, PERSHING RECIEVES HALF THAT, HUGHES AND HARDING PLACE IN THE BOTTOM HALF---
WV REPUBLICANS VOTE: HUGHES DEF. PERSHING 53-34---
OR DEMS: McADOO DEF. MARSHALL 56-22, ROOSEVELT RECIEVES 9%, OTHERS PLACE WORSE— May 28 —
Pershing 35
Hughes 24
Johnson 23
Harding 15
— May 28 —
Cox 26 (+1)
McAdoo 23
Smith 11
Glass 10
Marshall 10
Roosevelt 9
Bloor 6
Owen 4 (-1)

McAdoo leads in the vast majority of remaining states. Cox leads in most of Appalachia. McAdoo leads in every state West of the Plains save Nevada.

Pershing leads in most of the South and divides the West with Johnson. Hughes looks done in for and Harding has a few victories left in his bag.

Major Endorsements By This Point In Time
Ms. Jane Addams - Pershing
NAACP - Johnson
Mr. W. E. B. Du Bois - Johnson
Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA) - Pershing
Sen. Oscar Underwood (D-AL) - McAdoo

— June 4 —
Pershing 36 (+1)
Hughes 24
Johnson 23
Harding 15
— June 4 —
Cox 27 (+1)
McAdoo 23
Smith 11
Glass 10
Marshall 10
Roosevelt 8 (-1)
Bloor 6
Owen 4
AL REPUBLICAN CAUCUS: JOHNSON DEF. PERSHING 49-29---
AZ GOP CAUCUS: PERSHING DEF. HUGHES 44-31---
PERSHING DEF. HARDING IN ARKANSAS---
JOHNSON LANDSLIDE OF 64% IN COLORADO---
JOHNSON WINS CT BY 18%---
PERSHING WINS BY FIVE IN DE---
PERSHING TAKES 50% IN FL, WINS BY 29%---
GA WON BY PERSHING, PERSHING DEFEATS HUGHES BY TWENTY---
PERSHING WINS ID BY 14---
IOWA CAUCUS: PERSHING WINS 56-23---
PERSHING WINS KANSAS 61-20---
PERSHING WINS KENTUCKY CAUCUSES 45-22---
LA CAUCUS: PERSHING DEFEATS HARDING 41-28---
HARDING DROPS OUT BEFORE FINAL CAUCUSES!---
HUGHES WINS MAINE 60-31---
JOHNSON WINS MISSISSIPPI---
HUGHES WINS BY NINE IN MISSOURI---
JOHNSON DEFEATS PRESIDENT HUGHES BY THREE IN NEVADA---
NEW MEXICO CAUCUS: PERSHING WINS 51-41---
NORTH CAROLINA CAUCUS: JOHNSON WINS 58-28---
OKlAHOMA: PERSHING WINS 43-33---
RI: HUGHES WINS WITH 60%---
CLOSEST CONTEST OF THE YEAR: SOUTH CAROLINA, PRES. HUGHES DEFEATS GEN. PERSHING BY 1/3 OF ONE PERCENT!---
TENNESSEE: PRESIDENT DEFEATS GENERAL PERSHING BY THREE---
TEXAS CAUCUS: HUGHES WINS BY ONE---
UT CAUCUS: PERSHING DEFEATS HUGHES BY ONE---
WA: PERSHING WINS BY 3 AS JOHNSON CONTINUES TO TAKE BACK BURNER IN FINAL PRIMARIES; PERSHING, HUGHES COMPETE FOR FINAL STATES---
HUGHES WINS BIG IN FINAL WY CAUCUS, 58-34

[West_Midlander]

Results Of The Republican Primary
Popular Vote (%)
Pershing 36.9% (+1.9%)
Hughes 27.1% (+3.1%)
Johnson 23.8% (+0.8%)
Harding 12.2% (-2.8%)
States Won (% of States)
Pershing 22 (45.8%)
Johnson 13 (27.1%)
Hughes 10 (20.8%)
Harding 3 (6.3%)
981 delegates, 491 to win (needed, % of delegates)
Pershing 379 (112, 38.6%)
Hughes 278 (213, 28.3%)
Johnson 226 (265, 23%)
Harding 98 (393, 10.1%)
REPUBLICANS DISUNITED, CHICAGO CONENTION WILL BE CONTESTED!
"We will continue to fight on to the convention hall and we will win!"
— President Charles Evans Hughes (R-NY), June 11, 1920

"I am the rightful nominee. For the good of the Republican Party, we should unite behind the delegate and vote leader in this election."
— General John "Black Jack" Pershing (R-MO), June 12, 1920

"General Pershing does not have the experience in government to lead in the Oval and President Hughes has failed in his first duty of the office, keeping our party together. I am the only legitimate choice for the nomination."
— Senator Hiram Johnson (R-CA), June 14, 1920

"General Pershing led American forces to victory in Europe while President Hughes sat in Washington. He is the only man for the job. That is why I am now endorsing him for the presidency of the United States."
— Senator Warren Harding (R-OH), June 17, 1920

A virulent battle for the nomination continues and Senator Harding has made a major gamble throwing his support behind Pershing. It is a bold move and betting that Hughes would support the Senate Majority Leader for another term as the leader means his choice on who to endorse is obvious. Harding considered swinging at Johnson and Hughes in his endorsement speech but advisors suggested he not do this as Johnson may be necessary for uniting the party.

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Continue VI
— June 11 —
Cox 26
McAdoo 23
Smith 11
Glass 10
Marshall 10
Roosevelt 9
Bloor 6
Owen 4

June 18, 2020: Republican National Convention
1st Ballot
Pershing 477
Hughes 278
Johnson 226
2nd Ballot
✔ Hughes 504
Pershing 477
Harding, hearing rumors out of the Johnson campaign that they would stand for Hughes, pulled newspaper ads he had planned on running against the President the week before the convention. The Harding campaign had, with their remaining funds, prepared a sizable poster campaign across Chicago, the site of the GOP convention, to attack Hughes on behalf of Pershing.

Harding disappeared from Pershing's side as the Johnson delegates began to vote for Hughes amidst the second convention vote. The Ohio Senator emerged across the convention hall to be the first man to congratulate the victorious President, on his nomination. Harding then officially endorsed Hughes at the convention, followed by the defeated Pershing. Johnson finally took the stage, officially endorsing the President and accepting the nomination for Vice President.


GOP Primary State Map

Note: PA was in the 20-29% range
Color Key: Yellow (Pershing), Green (Hughes), Red (Johnson), Blue (Harding)

[West_Midlander]

The Primaries Continue VII
— June 18 —
Cox 26
McAdoo 22 (-1)
Smith 11
Marshall 11 (+1)
Glass 10
Roosevelt 8 (-1)
Bloor 6
Owen 5 (+1)
— June 25 —
Cox 26
McAdoo 21 (-1)
Smith 11
Marshall 11
Glass 10
Roosevelt 8
Bloor 6
Owen 5

Final Primary Day Results
McAdoo wins Alabama, Cox second, 44-23
McAdoo wins 50-15 in Arizona
Cox wins Arkansas 69-9
McAdoo wins Colorado 63-10
Senator Owen emerges victorious in Connecticut caucuses, 23-21 against Cox
McAdoo wins Delaware 59-15
McAdoo wins Florida 29-16
Franklin Roosevelt wins Georgia 42-26
ID Caucuses: McAdoo wins 45-17
Marshall wins IN Caucuses, Senator scores home state landslide of 64-13
Mother Bloor wins Iowa 46-18
McAdoo triumphs in Kansas caucus, 54-19
KY: Cox wins 53-20
LA: Cox wins 39-28
Maine: McAdoo wins 64-10
Maryland Caucus: Cox wins 49-21
MN: McAdoo wins 53-15
MO: McAdoo wins 32-24
NV: Cox wins 55-15
NM: McAdoo wins 59-13
North Carolina Democratic Caucuses: Southern Congressman Glass wins 36-27
Senator Owen wins home state of Oklahoma 48-20
McAdoo narrowly defeats Al Smith in Rhode Island, 38-36
South Carolina: McAdoo wins 64-13
Cox wins TN 55-13
McAdoo wins TX 57-13
McAdoo wins UT 43-35
Glass wins home state of Virginia 67-20
McAdoo wins WA 56-13
WV: Cox wins 60-14
Wyoming Caucus: McAdoo wins 52-26

June 28, 1920: The Democratic National Convention begins in San Francisco, CA

[West_Midlander]

Results Of The Democratic Primary
Popular Vote (%)
Cox 26.6% (+0.6%)
McAdoo 21.7% (-0.3%)
Smith 11%
Marshall 11%
Glass 10.1% (+0.1%)
Roosevelt 8.9% (+0.9%)
Bloor 5.8% (-0.2%)
Owen 4.9% (-0.1%)

Interestingly, Democrats were so divided that Cox, the first place popular vote leader has a lower percentage than Hughes did in his primary (second place on the Republican side).

States Won (% of States)
McAdoo 22 (45.8%)
Cox 14 (29.0%)
Glass 3 (6.3%)
Marshall 2 (4.2%)
Roosevelt 2 (4.2%)
Bloor 2 (4.2%)
Owen 2 (4.2%)
Smith 1 (2.1%)

The state leader in each primary won twenty-two states (McAdoo and Pershing). Though McAdoo lost the popular vote by a sizable margin, he won more than one-third more states than Cox.

1064 delegates, 533 to win (needed, % of delegates)
McAdoo 364 (169, 34.2%)
Cox 334 (199, 31.4%)
Glass 106 (427, 10.0%)
Smith 90 (443, 8.5%)
Roosevelt 56 (477, 5.3%)
Bloor 42 (491, 3.9%)
Marshall 38 (495, 3.6%)
Owen 34 (499, 3.2%)
DEMOCRATS REMAIN DIVIDED, CONTESTED CONVENTION WILL TAKE PLACE!---
COX SUPPORTERS DECRY LESS DELEGATES DESPITE WINNING THE POPULAR VOTE BY A WIDE MARGIN, COX REFUSES TO COMMENT ON PROCESS, WILL FIGHT FOR THE NOMINATION---
DEMS PREPARE FOR SAN FRANCISCO CONVENTION, CANDIDATES REFUSE TO BACK DOWN, ALL WILL FIGHT TO THE CONVENTION FLOOR, TALK TURNS TO SPECUlATION ON WHO OWEN WILL ENDORSE ON 2ND BALLOT

[West_Midlander]

Mapping The Democratic Primaries
Primary State Map
Note: Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nebraska, and Mississippi were in the 20-29% range

Color Key: Green (McAdoo), Yellow (Cox), Blue (Glass), Red (Roosevelt), Gray (Won by others)

Remaining Candidates
Color Key: Red (Owen), Yellow (Marshall), Blue (Smith), Green (Bloor)

Candidates and Status On Home State
McAdoo, WON
Cox, WON
Glass, WON
Marshall, WON
Roosevelt, LOST
Bloor, LOST
Owen, WON
Smith, WON

Note: Roosevelt lost New York to fellow New Yorker, Governor Al Smith.

(I forgot to do this for the Republicans so I'll put it here)
Pershing, LOST
Hughes, LOST
Johnson, WON
Harding, WON

Interestingly, Pershing and Hughes won each other's home state by large margins.

[West_Midlander]

Democratic National Convention, 1920
1st Round
McAdoo 364
Cox 334
Glass 106
Smith 90
Roosevelt 56
Bloor 42
Marshall 38
Owen 34 Endorsed Cox!
2nd Round
Cox 368
McAdoo 364
Glass 106
Smith 90
Roosevelt 56
Bloor 42
Marshall 38 Endorsed Cox!
3rd Round
Cox 406
McAdoo 364
Glass 106
Smith 90
Roosevelt 56
Bloor 42 Endorsed Cox!
4th Round
Cox 448
McAdoo 364
Glass 106
Smith 90
Roosevelt 56 Endorsed Smith!
5th Round
Cox 448
McAdoo 364
Smith 146
Glass 106 Endorsed Smith!
6th Round
Cox 448
McAdoo 364
Smith 252 Endorsed Cox!
7th Round
✔ Cox 700
McAdoo 364

Deciding to put their differences behind them, Roosevelt endorsed Al Smith for the nomination. Of course, Smith had no chance to win at this point but Roosevelt decided, as his Lieutenant Governor, to proceed with this act of good faith in the interests of cordiality and the interests of the State of New York.

Al Smith, a Catholic against prohibition, made a strong stand for the nomination, finishing third. Smith also placed well enough to be kingmaker of his party. In endorsing Cox, any bad blood for Roosevelt and Glass snubbing Cox in their endorsements was forgotten. Roosevelt and Glass immediately endorsed Cox for the presidency and McAdoo accepted the results, endorsing his former foe.

Cox decided ton Senator Robert Owen as the running mate. Oklahoma is a swing state this election and the race is close. His initial choice on his short list for running mate was Minority Leader Glass. Glass would not be needed to shore up Virginia but would elevate the ticket, himself being an experienced titan of a statesman. Glass would have resigned from the Minority Leadership if he accepted Cox's terms of becoming the running mate. Glass declined the offer to run with Cox because it entailed quitting his leadership position in the Congress and he did not want to force a successor if he left in the first place. Cox had also insisted on elevating McAdoo to Minority Leader in Glass' absence. This would have brought McAdoo's supporters fully into the fold, making a strong and active ally of him. Senator Owen was Cox's second choice for running mate. Lower on his short list was Senator Marshall of Indiana and Lt. Gov. Roosevelt of New York, among others.

[West_Midlander]

The Campaign Season
President Hughes began with a narrow lead after the conventions and the race remained in a dead heat for some time, then Hughes began to build a strong lead. Soon the tide turned against the President and Cox narrowed the gap before finally taking the lead in the polls for the first time on September 23, 1920. Hughes led massively in the projected electoral vote but the gap narrowed to 302-221 by September 30. The West was entirely Republican when the campaign season began but by the beginning of September, Cox began to break through the Plains. By early October, Cox led in most of the Plains and broke through the Pacific barrier of Republican states, taking a lead of two in Oregon.

The First Presidential & Vice Presidential Debates
Broadcast over the radio, and in the style of the Lincoln-Douglas debates for US Senate, with no moderator

The presidential candidate's debate took place on October 13, 1920, in San Jose, California. California was chosen as the former Republican state is now hotly contested and neutral ground as Cox took a narrow lead there the week of the debates. The debate was widely considered to have ended in a draw.

The vice presidential debate was held in Salem, Oregon on October 15, 1920. Oregon is a swing state this election and was chosen for the vice presidential debate so as to not give Johnson a home-field advantage. Johnson kept collected, despite his home state recently slipping to the Democrats, and was all around considered to have defeated Senator Owen.

[West_Midlander]

The Results of The Election of 1920

✔ Pres. Charles Evans Hughes Sr. (R-NY) / Sen. Hiram Warren Johnson (R-CA)
51.86% PV / 349 EVs (65.73% of total) / 30 States (62.50% of total)
Gov. James Middleton Cox (D-OH) / Sen. Robert Latham Owen Jr. (D-OK)
48.14% / 182 EVs (34.27%) / 18 States (37.50%)
Governor Cox won his home state of Ohio. It was the closest state in the nation and surrounded entirely by Republican states. Cox won with 50.2% of the vote and the rest went to Hughes. Senator Owen's home state was lost by 52.1% to 47.9%. Senator Johnson's home state was closely won with just over 53% of the vote. President Hughes came just shy of 55% in his own home state.

Flashback to the Progressive National Convention, 1920 in Milwaukee, WI
491 delegates, 246 for a majority, 295 needed for a 3/5ths majority
Majority Vote: Motion to nominate a Progressive candidate for President in 1920
That candidate and running mate TBD if the vote succeeds
✘ Failed 154-337
Majority Vote: Motion to endorse the Republican Ticket in 1920
✘ Failed 243-248
The Progressives praised Johnson on the ticket but viewed Hughes as not progressive enough.
Majority Vote: Motion to endorse the Democratic Ticket in 1920
✘ Failed 231-260
The Progressives hailed Senator Owen as a great progressive but despite the progressive Democratic platform viewed Cox as too moderate.
3/5ths vote: Motion to dissolve the Progressive Party or to merge with another party
If the vote passes, a second and perhaps subsequent votes would be held. The second vote would determine if the party dissolves or merges with another party. If the party then voted to merge with another party, a subsequent vote or votes would be held to determine which party to merge with.
✘ Failed 283-208 (57.64% in favor)
The Progressive Party will continue to exist in its current state. The Progressive Party will field no candidate and endorse no candidate in this election cycle, at the presidential level. The Progressive Party will field its lower office candidates for 1920 (Senate, US House, etc.).

[West_Midlander]

Congressional Elections
United States Senate elections, 1920
49 for a majority
Republican: 59 (+14)
Democratic-Left: 37 (-6)
Four of eight Progressive Senators lost their seats in 1920. Vice President-elect Johnson convinced the remaining four Progressives to switch to the Republicans. Fifty-nine Republicans swore into the 67th Congress.
United States House of Representatives elections, 1920
218 for a majority
Republican: 240 (+16)
Democratic-Left: 195 (-21)
All Progressives lost their House seats.