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Delve into the fascinating world of historical presidential campaigns, from the scathing insults of 1800 to the media's influence in modern times. Explore the colorful characters, intense rivalries, and evolving campaign tactics that have shaped American politics. Uncover the personal sacrifices and ambitious quests for power that define the quest for the presidency. From fiery speeches and compelling debates to strategic media campaigns, witness the evolution of political communication and the relentless pursuit of the highest office in the land.
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A History of Presidential Campaigns POLS 125: Political Parties & Elections
During the election of 1800, one of Thomas Jefferson’s political foes called him a “mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father… raised wholly on hoe-cake made of course-ground Southern corn, bacon and hominy, with an occasional change of fricasseed bullfrog.”
The Reluctant Candidate “People will never make a man President who is so importunate as to show by his life and conversation that he not only has an eye on, but is in active pursuit of the office…. No man who has laid himself out for it, and was unwise enough to let the people into his secret, ever yet obtained it. Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Scott, and a host of lesser lights, should serve as a guide-post to future aspirants.” Martin Van Buren, in a letter to his son, John, in 1858
“Come swell the throng and join the song Make the circle wider Join the round for Harrison, Log Cabin and Hard Cider With Harrison our country’s won No treachery can divide her Thy will be done With Harrison, Log Cabin and Hard Cider …" Harrison Yankee Doodle
A Democrat wants to know—Why will the members of the Whig party for the next Presidency be like the General who killed himself by falling on his sword? Because they will be Pierced in the Fall!
“Douglas is going about peddling his opinions as a tin man peddles his ware. The only excuse for him is that as he is a small man, he has a right to be engaged in small business; and small business it is for a candidate for the Presidency to be strolling around the country begging for votes like a town constable.” — Newspaper editorial “It is not personal ambition that has induced me to take the stump this year. I say to you who know me that the presidency has no charms for me. I do not believe that it is my interest as an ambitious man to be President this year if I could. But I do love this Union. There is no sacrifice on earth that I would not make to preserve it.” —Stephen Douglas, 1860
“You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”
From Broadsides to Broadcasts • Over the course of 100 days in the campaign of 1896, William Jennings Bryan, by his own account, made 600 speeches in 27 states. He traveled over 18,000 miles to reach 5 million people. • In a single fireside chat delivered while seated in his very own parlor a generation later, Franklin D. Roosevelt was able to reach 12 times that number by radio.
Which is it? • The media are a “convenient scapegoat for our myriad ills” (Stuckey) OR • The media distort politics with their “simple, character-driven narratives” (Peretz).
