The Great Primary: Failed Democratic nominees of the 20th century

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Will there be a Republican one?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm doing the Democrats according to the 2008 schedule, however, it may look like Dallas', especially when considering Smith's victories in early states.
The Candidates:
Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska
Judge Alton Brooks Parker of New York
Governor James Cox of Ohio
Ambassador John Davis of Ohio
Governor Al Smith of New York
Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois
Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota
Senator George McGovern of South Dakota
Vice-President Walter Mondale of Minnesota
Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts


January 3rd, Iowa The Iowa caucus, the first race for the nomination in the country, will signal a large amount of candidates dropping out. Adlai E Stevenson, George McGovern, Walter Mondale, Hubert H Humphrey and William Jennings Bryan are all pinning their hopes on the caucus. Going into it, Humphrey is the early front-runner. However, with a coalition of Iowa farmers and members of Iowa's working class, Bryan pulls out a very narrow victory over Humphrey.

Results
Bryan-21%
Humphrey-19%
McGovern-17%
Mondale-13%
Smith-12%
Dukakis-8%
Stevenson-5%
Cox-2%
Parker-2%
Davis-1%

Following the results in Iowa, Davis, Cox, Stevenson, Mondale, and McGovern all announce that they were dropping out of the race for the nomination. While most of the candidates endorse Humphrey, Bryan's success gets him the endorsement of President Harry Truman, who, in his words "saved Liberalism in this party". Following an announcement that Parker will not drop out, Davis announces his endorsement of Parker. The remaining candidates are Bryan, Humphrey, Smith, Dukakis, and Parker.

January 8th, New Hampshire In New Hampshire, a who different crowd of candidates is setting up as Governor Alfred E Smith, Judge Alton Brooks Parker, and Governor Michael Dukakis believe they have the best hopes in the state. On January 28th, in a very tight race with Dukakis and Humphrey, Smith is declared the winner. His fiscal moderation helps him win in the "live free or die" state. Following this, Parker drops out, endorsing Smith. Bryan would, surprise of surprises, come in fourth behind Humphrey and Dukakis.

January 15th, Michigan Despite the Democratic National Committee not recogninzing Michigan because it moved its primary up early, Humphrey who despite being a front-runner, won in neither Iowa or New Hampshire, decides to stay on the ballot to boost his campaign. The only other candidate on the ballot there is Dukakis.

January 19th, Nevada Following an endorsement by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, as well as being the candidate of both immigrants and Nevada businesses, Smith edges a victory over Humphrey.

January 26th, South Carolina Humphrey is finally awarded a win as African-Americans vote heavily for the Happy Warrior, thus defeating Bryan, who lands second place.

January 29th, Florida Another state that is not recognized by the Democratic National Committee, Humphrey is one of only two candidates on the ballot and wins by a large amount there.

Red-Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan
Yellow-Governor Alfred E Smith
Blue-Senator Hubert H Humphrey

February 5th, Super Tuesday Despite a good showing for Bryan, the two clear winners of the day are Smith and Humphrey as Smith takes New York and his handful of Western states (as well as Massachusetts), and Humphrey takes California along with some North-Eastern and Mid-Western states.

Red-Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan
Yellow-Governor Alfred E Smith
Blue-Senator Hubert H Humphrey

June 3, The End of the Primary Season
Despite a tumultous beginning, Senator Hubert H Humphrey wins the Democratic nomination for President.

Blue-Senator Hubert H Humphrey of Minnesota
Red-Secretary of State and former Congressman William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska
Yellow-Governor Alfred E Smith of New York