Study Notes on the 1928 Presidential Election: Hoover vs. Smith

Overview of the 1928 Presidential Election

  • The election features Republican candidate Herbert Hoover against Democrat candidate Al Smith.

Candidates

  • Herbert Hoover

    • Self-made millionaire, pro-business.

    • Gained recognition for food and economic relief programs post-World War I.

    • Served as Secretary of Commerce under the Calvin Coolidge Administration in the 1920s.

    • Has been anticipating the presidential nomination.

  • Al Smith

    • Governor of New York.

    • Represents a new type of Democrat: Northern, urban, and Catholic.

    • Associated with Tammany Hall, the political organization in New York City.

    • Strongly opposes Prohibition, known as a "wet".

Electoral Map and Results

  • Hoover wins decisively: 444 electoral votes to Smith's 87.

  • Popular vote: Hoover 58% vs. Smith 41%.

  • Hoover carries 40 states; Smith only holds 8 states.

  • The Solid South (11 former Confederate states) breaks with Smith winning only 6.

  • Smith manages to capture Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

  • The shift in voting patterns indicates significant changes in political alignment.

Main Issues of the Campaign

  • Key issues outlined by reporter Frederick William Wild:

    • Prohibition

    • Prosperity

    • Prejudice

Prosperity

  • The economy is thriving, except for farmers who face challenges.

  • Stock market is rising; unemployment rates are low; national debt is reduced (approximately $7 billion).

  • Calvin Coolidge's administration promotes economic conservatism: no debt, limited spending.

Prejudice

  • Catholicism's impact on Smith's campaign:

    • Anti-Catholic sentiments, comparison drawn to contemporary views on Muslims in politics.

    • The KKK, while declining, still influences public perception against Al Smith.

    • Religious groups (Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans) preach against electing a Catholic president fearing control by the Pope.

    • Rumors suggest secret connections between Smith and the Vatican, exacerbating fears across Protestant communities.

    • A survey reveals only 4 out of 8,500 Protestant ministers support Smith.

    • Smith is painted as corrupt, an alcoholic, reinforcing lower-class stereotypes.

Campaign Challenges

  • Al Smith's campaign does not appeal to rural voters:

    • Smith's campaign theme song, "Sidewalks of New York," fails to resonate with a national audience.

    • His public appearances often portrayed him unfavorably (e.g., appearing in pajamas, smoking, etc.).

Vice Presidential Candidates

  • Al Smith chooses Joe Robinson, a Southern senator, to bolster support in the South.

  • Herbert Hoover selects Charles Curtis, a progressive Republican from Kansas, to appeal to rural voters.

Economic Policies and Public Perception

  • Al Smith promotes progressive ideals like consumer protection and workplace regulations, but is not strongly advocating for big government.

  • Smith's political stance centers around states' rights; avoids racial issues initially.

  • Hoover incorporates anti-lynching language into the Republican platform, seeking to appeal to African American voters, contrasting with Smith’s reluctance to engage on racial matters.

Election Outcome and Implications

  • The 1928 election results indicate a significant rift in traditional voting patterns, particularly with the Solid South contributing to a substantial Republican victory.

  • FDR's future candidacy will leverage the groundwork laid by Smith in urban areas and among immigrants.

  • The election marks a crucial point in shifting political allegiances and sets the stage for future Democratic gains.

Conclusion

  • The 1928 election serves as a pivotal moment in American political history, illustrating the impact of economics, religion, and the evolving political landscape.

  • Future implications hint at broader changes in party dynamics leading to the next elections regardless of the specific outcomes.

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