U.S. presidential election, 1884

[A18]

No hindsight.

The GOP platform favored a high tariff, regulation of the railroads, creation of a bureau of labor, enforcement of the eight-hour law, the extension of civil service reform, expansion of the navy, and continued limits on Chinese immigration.

The Democratic platform supported tariff revisions, taxing luxuries more severely than necessities, a hard-money policy, Pan-Americanism, the rights of organized labor, expansion of the merchant marine, and continued limits on Chinese immigration.

The campaign was waged mostly on the personal morality of the candidates.

Democrats accused Blaine of having profited from association with railroad interests while in Congress. A popular chant went, "Blaine! Blaine! James G. Blaine! Continental liar from the state of Maine!"

Republicans exposed Cleveland's premarital affair with Maria C. Halpin. But Cleveland's candid admission did much to diffuse the issue.

On election day, Cleveland became the first Democrat to win a presidential election in 28 years.

[Emsworth]

Cleveland. Blaine and the Republicans supported the unnecessary extension of the federal government, while Cleveland and the Democrats supported a more limited view of federal power.

[minionofmidas]

Democrats accused Blaine of having profited from association with railroad interests while in Congress. A popular chant went, "Blaine! Blaine! James G. Blaine! Continental liar from the state of Maine!"

Republicans exposed Cleveland's premarital affair with Maria C. Halpin. But Cleveland's candid admission did much to diffuse the issue.

And (to the same melody) "Ma! Ma! Where's my Pa? Gone to the White House, ha ha ha !"
"premarital" is not quite correct btw, as Cleveland was a bachelor at the time.

[Virginian87]

Cleveland! 

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Blaine

[PBrunsel]

Cleveland. Far lest corrupt and wanted to keep out of business.

[KEmperor]

Democrats accused Blaine of having profited from association with railroad interests while in Congress. A popular chant went, "Blaine! Blaine! James G. Blaine! Continental liar from the state of Maine!"

Republicans exposed Cleveland's premarital affair with Maria C. Halpin. But Cleveland's candid admission did much to diffuse the issue.

And (to the same melody) "Ma! Ma! Where's my Pa? Gone to the White House, ha ha ha !"
"premarital" is not quite correct btw, as Cleveland was a bachelor at the time.

Actually, premarital is quite correct, in the sense that he was a bachelor.