Why did Wilson win NH in 1916?

[nini2287]

Granted it was only by 56 votes, but still why was there such a strong Wilson following there?

[A18]

Check that title again.

[The Dowager Mod]

In one New Hampshire county, a clerk had switched the votes for the candidates. It was originally reported that Hughes had received 225 votes, Wilson 88. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Wilson received 225 votes, and Hughes 88 votes.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Don't know why Wilson won

[PBrunsel]

Texasgurl is right. Beat me to it.

[A18]

Texasgurl is right. Beat me to it.

That does absolutely nothing to answer the question.

[nini2287]

Check that title again.

Thanks.  Corrected.

[jimrtex]

Granted it was only by 56 votes, but still why was there such a strong Wilson following there?

New Hampshire was the 2nd most Democratic state in New England after Connecticut from the Civil War onward, with the Democrat candidate usually getting in the 45-50% range but never quite winning.   This was 15-20% ahead of Vermont.

From 1908-1920, NH was the most Democratic state in New England (and almost was in 1924 despite having native son Coolidge running for the Republicans).  Wilson was able to narrowly win in NH, while running close in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.  But the relative margin between the states was not atypical.

In 1928, there was big swing to the Democrats in the southern New England states, likely due to the larger percentage of Catholics, and larger recent immigration.  From 1928, until 1968 New Hampshire was more Democratic than Maine or Vermont.

[PBrunsel]

I may have it.

Becuase he was able to tie Hughes to Teddy Roosevelt and the pro-war people. The New York Times ran an ad from October 21st to Election Day 1916 that said:

"Our sons our alive, not cannon foder
Our wives are happy, not widows.

The choice is clear, Wilson and Marshal and Peace

or

Hughes and Roosevelt and War!"

TR hurt Hughes (who he called "The Bearded Iceberg") by campagingin for Hughes while screaming for war.

[jimrtex]

Granted it was only by 56 votes, but still why was there such a strong Wilson following there?

From 1908-1920, NH was the most Democratic state in New England (and almost was in 1924 despite having native son Coolidge running for the Republicans).  Wilson was able to narrowly win in NH, while running close in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.  But the relative margin between the states was not atypical.

In 1916, Wilson only carried a few counties in NH, but in particular he carried Hillsborough County which includes Manchester and Nashua.   This suggests that there was enough of a mill town element in NH to tip it slightly more Democrat than its neighbors.

The results for Maine are interesting.  Wilson carried some counties along the coast, and was reasonably close elsewhere.  But Hughes rolled up a 40% margin in Aroostook County.  The county had 8,300 votes, but produced a 3,400 vote plurality for Hughes.  Statewide Hughes won by 5,400 votes out of 136,000 cast.

[bullmoose88]

Granted it was only by 56 votes, but still why was there such a strong Wilson following there?

New Hampshire was the 2nd most Democratic state in New England after Connecticut from the Civil War onward, with the Democrat candidate usually getting in the 45-50% range but never quite winning.   This was 15-20% ahead of Vermont.

From 1908-1920, NH was the most Democratic state in New England (and almost was in 1924 despite having native son Coolidge running for the Republicans).  Wilson was able to narrowly win in NH, while running close in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.  But the relative margin between the states was not atypical.

In 1928, there was big swing to the Democrats in the southern New England states, likely due to the larger percentage of Catholics, and larger recent immigration.  From 1928, until 1968 New Hampshire was more Democratic than Maine or Vermont.

Funny how nowadays that if theres any GOP strength in New England, it first comes from New Hampshire, and then Connecticut (maybe). (Maine follows after that)