Study Notes on the 1928 Presidential Election

Presidential Election Series: The 1928 Election

Overview of Candidates

  • Republican Candidate: Herbert Hoover

    • Background: Self-made millionaire, very pro-business, known for economic relief programs post-World War I.

    • Role: Secretary of Commerce in the Calvin Coolidge Administration during the 1920s.

    • Election Goals: Has been long awaiting the presidency and focuses on conservative economic policies.

  • Democrat Candidate: Al Smith

    • Background: Governor of New York with deep ties to Tammany Hall, an influential political organization in New York City.

    • Campaign Stance: Identifies as a "wet" (opposed to Prohibition), a northern Democrat, and a Catholic.

    • Election Goals: Aimed to shift the Democratic platform to address modern, urban concerns.

Electoral Map of 1928

  • Election Outcome:

    • Electoral Vote: Herbert Hoover - 444 votes; Al Smith - 87 votes.

    • Popular Vote: Hoover - 58%; Smith - 41%.

    • States Won: Hoover carried 40 states; Smith carried 8 states, notably losing the Solid South (historically Democratic states).

    • Significant Shifts:

    • Smith only secured 6 of the 11 states of the Solid South.

    • Smith gained unexpected support in Massachusetts and Rhode Island (states typically Republican).

Key Issues Defining the Campaign

  • Three 'P's That Defeated Al Smith: Prohibition, Prosperity, and Prejudice.

1. Prosperity

  • Economic Context:

    • The country experienced a booming economy with the stock market rising, unemployment decreasing and national debt being reduced under Calvin Coolidge (approximately $7 billion reduction in debt).

    • Voter's Attitude: Since the economy was thriving, voters leaned towards the Republican Party, associating it with prosperity.

2. Prohibition

  • Impact on Campaign: Al Smith’s status as a "wet" colored perceptions of him negatively, reinforcing stereotypes related to drinking and class.

  • Public Sentiment: Smith was portrayed as corrupt and lower class due to his opposition to Prohibition.

3. Prejudice

  • Religious Discrimination:

    • Smith, as a Catholic, faced significant prejudice at the time when anti-Catholic sentiment was prevalent, similar to contemporary biases against Muslims.

    • The KKK role: Although the KKK was losing traction, they influenced anti-Catholic sentiments.

    • Religious Leaders' Influence: Baptists, Methodists, and Lutherans warned their congregations about electing Smith, suggesting it would mean electing the Pope as the head of the U.S. government.

    • Campaign Propaganda: Rumors circulated that there was a secret passage from the Vatican to the U.S., fueling fears of Catholic control of government.

    • Electoral Consequence: Fear tactics significantly impacted Smith's ability to win key demographics, particularly in the Midwest Bible Belt.

Campaign Strategies and Challenges

  • Al Smith's Campaign Tactics:

    • Engaged prominent celebrities like Babe Ruth to draw support.

    • Suffered from a poor campaign image, often appearing disheveled and unconventional.

  • Vice Presidential Choices:

    • Al Smith selected Joe Robinson (Senator from Arkansas) to consolidate Southern support.

    • Hoover chose Charles Curtis, a more progressive Republican from Kansas, aimed at appealing to farmers.

Societal Issues and Public Perception

  • Impact of Personal Attacks:

    • Al Smith's wife was criticized for her lower-class background, impacting perceptions of the Smith campaign.

  • Racial Considerations:

    • Hoover included an anti-lynching provision in the Republican platform to draw African American voters.

    • Racial dynamics affected Hoover's reputation, as rumors regarding his interactions with Black individuals persisted.

Conclusion

  • Electoral Significance:

    • Outcome indicated the fragility of the Democratic Party in the 1920s, with shifting population demographics and emerging political ideologies.

    • Al Smith's campaign was a precursor to FDR's successful campaign, creating a pathway for later Democratic successes by appealing to diverse urban populations.

Final Notes

  • Changing Political Landscape: The election was not only a decisive win for Hoover but also marked the beginning of a significant transformation within the Democratic Party, setting the stage for future elections in America.