1932 Election (The Hearse at Monticello)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 plunged the nation into recession, scuttling President Upton Sinclair's plans for a tranquil second term. While the Sinclair Administration has managed to halt the damage of the Depression, unemployment remains startlingly high, and many fear that the country's economic system is permanently broken.

The Populists have nominated the charismatic and corrupt Governor Huey Long of Louisiana as their candidate for president. Running on a promise to "Make Every Man a King", Long has proposed an elaborate wealth redistribution plan to end the depression in addition to massive public employment and welfare projects. In a show of unity, Vice President Eleanor Roosevelt - Long's main opponent for the nomination - has agreed to stay on in her position, and the ticket has toured the country in an attempt to revive their party's sagging prospects.

The Americans, meanwhile, have blamed Sinclair for the Depression and argue that further Populist presidencies will only make things worse. Senator Herbert Hoover, who ran in 1928 predicting that Sinclair's fiscal policies would destroy the economy, is now being hailed as a prophet within conservative circles and was nominated once more after a bitter convention battle with progressive Senator Joseph France. Hoover has called for the repeal of most government regulations of business in light of the Depression, arguing that a laissez faire policy is the only way to get the country back on its feet.

Last but not least, the Democrats have once again nominated former Governor Al Smith, who is making his third run for the presidency this year. Like Hoover, Smith blames Sinclair for bringing on the Depression, but is more willing to accept the necessity of some government intervention to end the recession than his American opponent. For this, Smith has been attacked by both sides as trying to be all things to all people, though the former governor insists he is the "common sense" candidate.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Bump.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

1932 Presidential Election

Governor Huey Long (People's-Louisiana)/ Vice President Eleanor Roosevelt (People's-New York): 301 Electoral Votes; 41.2% popular votes
Senator Herbert Hoover (American-California)/ Mayor Fiorello La Guardia (America-New York): 137 Electoral Votes; 29.4% popular votes
Fmr. Governor Al Smith (Democratic-New York)/ Governor John N. Garner (Democratic-Virginia): 93 Electoral Votes; 29.4% popular votes

It would later be remarked with bitter regret that conservatives likely could have ousted the Populists in 1932 had they united around a single candidate. Indeed, the trials of the Great Depression and Governor Long's radical proposals handed the party its worst defeat in over a decade, with the Long/ Roosevelt ticket winning just over 40% of the popular vote. The similarity of Smith and Hoover, however, worked against the two candidates, who split the remainder of the vote and handed the Populists another victory. Thus, Louisiana's "Kingfish" would go to the White House, inaugurating one of the most influential and controversial presidencies in American history.