Bryan defeats McKinley, 1896!

[TommyC1776]

Note: not to sound lazy but, for this election the Progressives won't have primaries this year.  I thought about it but then I decided not to.

[TommyC1776]

Massachusetts: April 27th

Republicans: 36 delegates
Ford 54%-19 delegates
Hughes 45%-17 delegates
Write-in 1%.

Democrats: 37 delegates
Cox 52%-19 delegates
Clark 48%-18 delegates

New Jersey: April 27th

Republicans: 31 delegates
Ford 54%-17 delegates
Hughes 46%-14 delegates.

Democrats: 33 delegates
Cox 56%-18 delegates
Clark 44%-15 delegates.

Ohio: April 27th

Republicans: 46 delegates
Ford 51%-23 delegates
Hughes 49%-23 delegates.

Hughes considers dropping out.  He will decide within the next day or so.

Democrats: 45 delegates
Cox 61%-27 delegates
Clark 39%-18 delegates.

Total delegates so far:

Republicans:
Ford-224 delegates.
Hughes-191 delegates.

Democrats:
Cox-228 delegates.
Clark-200 delegates.

[TommyC1776]

April 29th, 1919 the Prohibion Amendment is ratified and takes effect in July.

Republican candidate Charles E Hughes states "I am staying in this race until I win." he tells supporters.

President Bryan keeps telling people to support the Vice President in the Democratic primaries.  "Vice President Clark is a very good and honest man.  He will lookout for you."

Some people are predicting (from what results they've seen) Cox as the Democratic nominee and Ford as the GOP nominee.

[TommyC1776]

Henry Ford is heading to campaign in Maryland and California.  He leaves Indiana to Hughes as he expects Hughes will win their.

Charles Hughes does all he can to catch up to Ford in delegates.  He campaigns hard in Indiana but even harder in Maryland and California.

Senator Robert Lincoln goes campaigning for Hughes and states "Hughes is the only man who can work hard for our nation's interests."

Maryland: May 3rd

Republicans: 19 delegates
Ford 54%-10 delegates
Hughes 46%-9 delegates.

Democrats: 23 delegates
Clark 51%-12 delegates
Cox 49%-11 delegates.

VP Clark states "I won another primary, which proves this isn't over yet.  Let's go on and win Indiana and California tomorrow."

[TommyC1776]

California: May 4th

Republicans: 27 delegates
Ford 54%-15 delegates.
Hughes 46%-12 delegates.

Democrats: 30 delegates
Cox 56%-17 delegates.
Clark 44%-13 delegates.

Indiana: May 4th

Republicans: 32 delegates
Hughes 61%-20 delegates
Ford 39%-12 delegates

Democrats: 35 delegates
Cox 57%-20 delegates
Clark 43%-15 delegates.

Total delegates so far:

Republicans:
Ford-261 delegates.
Hughes-232 delegates.

Democrats:
Cox-276 delegates.
Clark-240 delegates.

Vice President Clark drops out of the race for the Democratic nomination.  That makes Senator James M. Cox the presumptive Democratic nominee in 1920.

Charles Hughes states he's going to see how PA goes (in 2 weeks) and go from there.  Henry Ford is pretty much (at this point) certain to get the GOP nod in 1920.

[TommyC1776]

James Cox starts campaigning for the Presidency.  Cox says "Let's keep Democrats in office.  Our President has done alot.  He helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1917 and he kept us out of war.  I will continue his work as I will make sure you all are equal and that the poor get some help from the Government.  Another issue of importance is unions.  We must keep labor unions as they are a great thing to have."

privately Cox is considering picking VP Champ Clark as his running mate.

Meanwhile, the Progressives are getting ready to nominate a candidate for President on May 30th at their convention.  Former VP Bob LaFollette hopes to be the nominee again while he is challenged for the Progressive nod by Representative George Norris.  Hiram Johnson is also running for the Progressive nod.  We will see at the end of the month who the Progressives pick for President and Vice President in 1920.

A week before the Pennsylvania primary Charles Hughes decides to drop out and endorse Ford.  He says "We need a businessman in the White House and Ford is the right candidate for the business population and the GOP."

Now the election is Ford vs. Cox vs. Prog nominee (?)

[TommyC1776]

Progressive Party Convention, 1920: May 30th-May 31st.

Former VP Robert LaFollette is nominated on the 3rd ballot for President.  LaFollette picks Representative George Norris for his Vice Presidential nominee.

LaFollette states "Progressives, let's go on and win in November.  America is about choices and we should be a multi-party system not just the 2 parties.  Representative Norris and I will campaign hard for you and we will beat both Henry Ford and Senator Cox."

Democratic and Republican conventions coming up.

[TommyC1776]

Republican Convention: June 8th-June 12th, 1920.

Henry Ford is nominated on the first ballot.  He nominates former Associate Justice Charles Hughes as his running mate.

Ford tells convention "We will win and make the Republican Party better.  The war issue is done so we all should come together and beat Democrats.  America should be run like a business and that's just what I intend to do.  Justice Hughes and I will win and win big.  As I've said before this election is where all Republicans should be together.  Now, let's go and win in November.  Vote for business, vote Ford/Hughes in 1920.  Thank you."

Edith Roosevelt addresses the convention urging all woman to support Henry Ford.  "Woman all across America I urge you to support Henry Ford this election.  He is the right man at this time.  Go Ford/Hughes."

Democratic Convention: June 28th-July 2nd.

The Democrats nominate Senator James Cox for President and Vice President Clark for Vice President.

Cox tells delegates "Let's continue the success of the Bryan administration and vote for me in November.  Democrats are really the candidates for the smaller people.  We will look out for you.  If you want your local union to get any help vote Democratic this fall, if you want equal rights vote Democratic, etc.  Remember that.  Thanks to you all who voted for me in the primaries."

[TommyC1776]

Campaign 1920:

Senator Cox starts telling Americans that Ford will only help those in the business industry.  Ford denies this saying "I will work for the poor too."

President Bryan tells Americans to vote Cox/Clark in 1920 as it's the "best team for America at this time."

Former First Lady Edith Roosevelt goes out on the stump for Ford telling every woman in America that Ford is truly the candidate for woman too.  she's asked why she's supporting Ford when he almost beat her husband during the 1916 primaries.  Roosevelt says "My husband and Mr. Ford may have disagreed with eachother on certain issues but in the end we're both Republicans and I believe Ford will carry on my late husband's policies."

Ford thanks Roosevelt for her nice words about him.  President Bryan goes on the stump to say "Ford's using the former first lady to get votes.  I will tell you that Democrats will do more for woman than Republicans will."

As election day nears Senator Robert Lincoln tells Republicans to vote for Ford this time and not LaFollette.  He states "Former Vice President LaFollete has some good ideas but he can't win and we need Ford at this time.  Vote for Ford/Hughes in November."

LaFollette states "It's fine for the former President to change his mind and support Mr. Ford this election but to say I can't win is wrong.  That's the problem with just having a 2 party system.  They try to exclude third parties from the media and from voters.  Remember in November vote for who you want and if you want to vote for Mr. Ford or Senator Cox that's fine but I say that a vote for me is a better one."

The election is almost here and get ready for the election results.

[TommyC1776]

Ford wins with 286 EV's.

Ford-blue.
Cox-red.
LaFollette-green.

PV%: Ford 43% Cox 40% LaFollette 15% Others (Socialist, Prohibition, etc.) 2%.

Cox accepts defeat and states "We ran a good campaign but we lost.  I congratulate Mr. Ford for winning the Presidency.  We may have better luck next time.  Again, thanks and good luck to Mr. Ford."

Ford is happy he won.  "I just can't believe it.  It feels so amazing to win the Presidency.  I would like to state that Senator Cox and the former Vice President, Bob LaFollette on a good race.  Now let's get ready for March 4, 1921.  Thanks all and I appreciate it.  Have a good night.  Bye."

House and Senate totals later.  Excited.

[TommyC1776]

House results, 1920: 230 Dems, 201 Reps, 3 Prog., 1 FL.
Senate results, 1920: 50 Dems, 44 Reps, 2 Progs.

House Leaders:
Speaker of the House: John W Davis
House Majority Leader: William McAdoo
House Republican Leader: Warren Harding
House Progressive Leader: George Norris

Senate Leaders:
Senate Majority Leader: James Cox
Senate Republican Leader: Robert T. Lincoln.

The Democratic majority is shrinking in both Houses.  President-elect Ford plans to work well with Davis, McAdoo and Cox.

[TommyC1776]

On March 2nd, 1921: Vice President Champ Clark dies.  He will be missed.  President Bryan states "We will miss the Vice President.  He did a great job in politics.  Thank you again Mr. Vice President."

On March 4, 1921 Henry Ford is inaugurated President.
Inaugural address:
"My fellow Americans, let's start the 1920's off with a bang.  I am glad to be President of the United States.  I never thought I could do it but I did it.  Thanks to all of you we won.  God Bless America and Thank you all again."

President Ford asks the House and Senate for a bill that would make the number of immigrants to 3%.

Speaker of the House John W. Davis had reservations about this Act as he thought it was a "discrimination act" against people who wanted to come to America.  He did bring it up though and had the House vote on it.

The House voted 218-215 for the Act.  It barely passed the House.  Now it goes to the Senate where Senator Cox brings it up.  The Senate votes 48-48 on the Act.  Vice President Hughes then votes and makes the vote 49-48, so it passes.  Now the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 becomes law.

Then President Ford and Republicans wanted to relieve taxpayers by lowering them.  Democrats, who controlled both Houses, were against this, especially when it came to the rich.

They wouldn't allow this to come up for a vote.  The President planned that this could pass during the next Congress, if it had to come to that.

Senator Cox stated "We got the President here.  He can't pass this as long as we're in power."

President Ford wanted to pass a lot of business legislation.  Speaker Davis and Senator Cox wouldn't allow that as they wanted to help the little man.

The Congress took a summer recess at this time.  Ford starts campaigning for Republicans to win in the 1922 midterm elections.  He tells Americans "Vote Republican in 1922.  It's what needs to be done."

[TommyC1776]

As 1921 came to an end the President wasn't able to get much done with a Democratic Congress.

1922 saw the Cable Act of 1922 come about.  This was brought up by the House in April.  The House passed it 239-193.  Now it moved to the Senate.

The Senate passed it on May 19th.  The vote was 54-41.  The next day President Ford signed it into law.

At this time Ford was really campaigning hard for Republicans to win in the midterm elections.  House Republican Leader Warren Harding went out on the stump for Republicans too.  He hoped to be Speaker in the next Congress.

Progressives also campaigned hard for more seats.  Bob LaFollette told Americans "Progressives will really look out for you.  Let's get some Progressives in the House and Senate.  It's really a must, for sure."

It looked as if Republicans were going to gain control of both Houses in the midterm elections.  Former President Bryan told people "Keep Democrats in there.  Let's make sure President Ford doesn't get his way."

[TommyC1776]

The midterms were coming and Republicans really wanted control of both Houses.

Former President Bryan stated "President Ford just cares about the businesses while Democrats care about you and your families.  Vote Democrat in November."

As Americans went to the polls it looked as if the Republicans would get control of both Houses just by what the voters are saying.

House results, 1922: 221 Reps, 208 Dems, 6 Progs.
Senate results, 1922: 47 Dems, 47 Reps, 2 Progs.

The Senate was a tie and since Charles Hughes (a Republican) was VP that meant the Republicans had control of the Senate starting March 4, 1923.

Senator James Cox said that Democrats need to start getting some things done before the 67th Congress leaves session.

Northern Democrats wanted to bring up Civil Rights for blacks but Southern Dems said they would protest the vote.  Cox told the Senators that people shouldn't be discriminated against just because of their color.  Speaker Davis told the House that the KKK needs to be stopped.  President Ford said that he may veto legislation about discrimination.

Speaker Davis scheduled a vote for the bill in January as did Senator Cox.  The Senate and House went to recess until January.

President Ford had stated privately "Luckly Republicans will be in control of both Houses by March.  That way I can get alot done."

[TommyC1776]

January 1923 comes and the vote in the House is 230-205 against the bill.  It failed in the House.  The Democrats only had one month left and told Americans they would work hard for them to fillibuster legislation.  Bryan told Democrats whenever they could to fillibuster any legislation that was "anti-middle class or against the farmers, etc."

March 4, 1923 Republicans gain control of both Houses. (the first time in 10 years.)  Robert Lincoln is now Majority Leader in the Senate while Nicholas Longworth is Speaker of the House.  House Majority Leader is Warren Harding.

The Republicans scheduled a vote on the newly devised bill, the Immigration Act of 1923.  Republicans wanted the number of immigrants down to 2% now compared with 3% before.

The House vote was 232-195.  It passed and now it went on to the Senate.  President Ford was praised that something had passed with majority of Republican approval.  The Senate was now waiting to vote on it.

The Senate voted 50-45 on this.  It passed in the Senate and was sent to President Ford to sign.  He did sign it the next day.

President Ford was getting ready for re-election the following year.

[TommyC1776]

In July 1923 Republicans pass the Indian Citizenship Act of 1923 into law, which gives Native Americans will become citizen's of the United States.

As August 1923 gets here House Majority Leader Warren Harding dies of a heart-attack.  President Ford states "Harding was a great man.  He had great ideas and he was all around a terrific member of the House."

Meanwhile no one will challenge President Ford for the Republican nod in 1924.

On the Democratic side possible contenders are:
Senator James Cox.
Representative John W Davis.
NY Governor Al Smith.

Prospective Progressive candidates:
Former VP Bob LaFollette.
Senator William Borah.
Senator Burton Wheeler.

The Farmer Labor Party starts ceasing existence at this point.

At this time Senate Majority Leader Robert Lincoln decides not to run for re-election to the Senate.

Former First Lady Edith Roosevelt is considering a run for Congress from NY.  She states "If I decide to run it will be an exciting day in history.  Teddy would be proud of me."

Note: radio was starting to broadcast in big cities.  It was decided that the radio networks would report the 1924 President General Election.

Inventor Thomas Edison tells people that "We must re-elect President Ford as he is an honest man and we need him right now."

[TommyC1776]

President Ford asked Congress to pass the Revenue Act. This act would lower taxes to make the economy better after the war. The House decided to support it 223-208.  It passed the House.

It then went to the Senate, where most of the Democrats wanted it filibustered.  Senate Majority Leader Robert Lincoln had Republicans debate the issue for a week.  They hoped to convince Democrats that this was the right thing to do.

The final Senate vote was 46-45 against it.  The Democrats prevailed with the help of Progressive Senator Burton Wheeler.  It didn't pass the Senate.  Republicans, at this point, were frustrated that this didn't pass the Senate.  Senator Lincoln had said "We need more Republicans in the Senate at this time."

1924 is coming up quick.

[TommyC1776]

Ford wins with 286 EV's.

Ford-blue.
Cox-red.
LaFollette-green.

PV%: Ford 50% Cox 40% LaFollette 8% Others (Socialist, Prohibition, etc.) 2%.

How does La Folette win that many EVs and only 8% of the PV? In 1924, he won one state but won something like 17% of the vote.

Thanks for pointing that out.

[TommyC1776]

George Norris endorsed LaFollette in the beginning of 1924.

the 1924 primaries are next.  Republicans wont have any as Ford is going to unopposed.  (Note: an estimate on the delegates)

New Hampshire: March 11th.

Democrats: 14 delegates
Smith 47%-7 delegates
Cox 41%-6 delegates
Davis 12%-1 delegate.

Smith told supporters "We won New Hampshire.  Now, let's go on."  Cox reportedly said "I am not worried.  I didn't do that bad."

Progressives: 9 delegates
LaFollette 54%-5 delegates
Borah 39%-3 delegates
Wheeler 7%-1 delegate.

North Dakota: March 18th

Democrats: 16 delegates
Cox 49%-8 delegates
Davis 34%-5 delegates
Smith 17%-3 delegates.

Progressives: 11 delegates
Wheeler 51%-6 delegates
Borah 38%-4 delegates
LaFollette 11%.-1 delegate.

There isn't a clear frontrunner for either the Dems or the Progs.

[TommyC1776]

Total delegates so far:

Democrats:
Cox-14 delegates
Smith-10 delegates
Davis-6 delegates.

Progressives:
Wheeler-7 delegates
Borah-7 delegates
LaFollette-6 delegates

The Progressive candidates are close in the delegates.  LaFollette tells Progressive that he is the candidate they need, as he can get more votes than either Borah or Wheeler in the general election.

[TommyC1776]

South Dakota: March 25th

Democrats: 13 delegates
Cox 50%-7 delegates
Davis 40%-5 delegates
Smith 10%-1 delegate

Progressives: 10 delegates
Wheeler 52%-5 delegates
Borah 36%-4 delegates
LaFollette 12%- 1 delegate

Wisconsin: April 1st

Democrats: 29 delegates
Cox 53%-15 delegates
Smith 40%-13 delegates
Davis 7%-1 delegate.

Progressives: 22 delegates
LaFollette 61%-13 delegates
Borah 30%-8 delegates
Wheeler 9%-1 delegate.

Total delegates so far:

Democrats:
Cox-36 delegates
Smith-24 delegates
Davis-12 delegates.

Senator Cox is the Democratic frontrunner.  Representative John Davis jumps out of the race and endorses Senator James Cox.  Davis tells his supporters "I urge you all to support Senator Cox as I am going to step aside in this race and endorse him."

Progressives:
LaFollette-20 delegates
Borah-19 delegates
Wheeler-13 delegates.

This is still a close race.  get excited ok?

[TommyC1776]

Representative (and Progressive House Leader) George Norris is going to run for the Senate as a Progressive this year.

Bob LaFollette states "This is a great man.  Nebraskans I urge you to support him for the Senate.  He will help keep the Progressive movement alive."

Also, most of Davis's delegates go to Cox at this time.

Democratic delegates at this time:
Cox-43 delegates
Smith 24 delegates
Undecided, 5 delegates.

Senator Cox feels confident he can be nominated by the Democrats.  Meanwhile, Al Smith is doing all he can to defeat Cox.

[TommyC1776]

Michigan: April 7th

Democrats: 38 delegates
Cox 56%-21 delegates
Smith 44%-17 delegates.

Progressives: 31 delegates
LaFollette 54%-17 delegates
Borah 38%-12 delegates
Wheeler 8%-2 delegates.

At this point Burton Wheeler decides to dropout and endorse LaFollette.

Illinois: April 8th

Democrats: 54 delegates
Cox 54%-29 delegates
Smith 46%-25 delegates

Progressives: 47 delegates
LaFollette 56%-26 delegates
Borah 44%.-21 delegates.

Nebraska: April 8th

Democrats: 23 delegates
Cox 53%-12 delegates
Smith 47%-11 delegates.

Progressives: 17 delegates
LaFollette 50%-9 delegates
Borah 46%-8 delegates
Wheeler (write-in) 4%.

Total delegates so far:

Democrats:
Cox-109 delegates.
Smith-78 delegates.

Cox says "We're on our way to the nomination.  Let's go on and beat Governor Smith."  Smith states "Let's go on and win in New Jersey and Pennsylvania next."

Progressives:
LaFollette-87 delegates
Borah-60 delegates.

Borah tells his supporters "It's not over yet.  Let's go forward."

Senator Cox is campaigning hard in both PA and NJ.  He hopes to win one of them to keep Smith from getting ahead in delegates.

Representative John W Davis goes campaigning for Cox in Pennsylvania telling voters "Cox can represent you better than Smith can.  Cox has a proven record for the people."

Smith comes back with an attack "Senator Cox was the nominee in 1920 and he lost.  He might lose again as our nominee.  We need someone like me who's in the middle on some of the issues.  I can and will work with Republicans.  So, come on and let's win here and win here big.  Thank you all.  God Bless."

[TommyC1776]

William Borah of ID decides to drop out and endorse Bob LaFollette for the Progressive nomination.  Therefore, LaFollette is once again the Progressives nominee.

LaFollette states he will consider either Hiram Johnson or William Borah as his running mate in 1924.

LaFollette starts calling President Ford "The man who mostly cares about big businesses."

Senate Leader Robert Lincoln states "I don't why Bob is running again.  He hasn't got a chance.  I still say he should just endorse President Ford in 1924."

Meanwhile on the Democratic side, Al Smith is still determined to fight for the nomination.  He is expected to win both New Jersey and Pennsylvania on April 22nd.  Cox knows this but would like a good showing in both states.

Note: I know they didn't have polls back then but I am going to maybe do a couple.

polls for President, 1924: (with Cox as Dem nominee)
Ford 51%
Cox 39%
LaFollette 10%

polls for President, 1924: (with Smith as the Dem nominee)
Ford 48%
Smith 41%
LaFollette 8%
Undecided 3%.

Governor Smith sees these numbers and is happy that he does better than Cox.  He says that "I do better than Cox because I am more moderate in my views."  "Vote for me in Pennsylvania and New Jersey on April 22nd."

[TommyC1776]

Pennsylvania: April 22nd

Democrats: 75 delegates
Smith 56%-42 delegates
Cox 44%-33 delegates

New Jersey: April 22nd

Democrats: 37 delegates
Smith 55%-20 delegates
Cox 45%-17 delegates

NY Governor Al Smith states "We did it.  We beat Senator James Cox in both of the primaries that were held today.  Let's show the Senator we mean business."

Cox tells supporters "We did a fine job in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Now on to Massachusetts and Ohio next week."

Massachusetts: April 29th

Democrats: 45 delegates
Smith 52%-23 delegates
Cox 48%-22 delegates

Ohio: April 29th

Democrats: 52 delegates
Cox 63%-33 delegates
Smith 37%-19 delegates.

Total delegates so far:

Democrats:
Cox-214 delegates
Smith-182 delegates.

Governor Smith decides that he will drop out and endorse Senator Cox for the Democratic nomination in 1924.

Senator Cox states "I want to tell you supporters that Governor Smith dropped out and endorsed me so therefore I am the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1924."

Next up: the conventions.