Liberty's election rankings

[??????????]

In that aspect I think 1968 is more interesting then 1948.

[zachman]

In that aspect I think 1968 is more interesting then 1948.

Agreed. I would have put 1968 at 1, because it really set up the Democrats as the party of Johnson and of an unconfident foreign poliicy for decades. The assassinations, the Dem. convention, the events of the year, and also Johnson's decision not to run have got to make it the number 1 election in my books.

I am away at summer school and probably will not be on again for another month.

[jimrtex]

In 39th Place: 1792
Unique for being one of two unanimous elections (along with 1789). It also featured the first political race for an executive office: Adams versus Clinton for the office of VP (Adams won 77-50). It didn't have the newness of 1789, but it was still exciting any time the country got a chance to elect 'Father of our Country' Washington president.

Only election in which an elector voted for two persons from the same State.  The 4 Kentucky electors voted for George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both of Virginia.  Even under the terms of the 12th Amendment, the constitutional impediment is for an elector casting both his votes for someone from the elector's State.  Maybe the newly admitted Kentuckians wanted to emphasize that they were no longer part of Virginia.

While in 1789, Georgia's electors misinterpreted the Constitution and believed that they were two vote for two people exactly one of which was not to be from Georgia.
Now, if that were the rule, presidential history would look a good bit different...

But only 3 of the 5 2nd (non-Washington) votes were for Georgians.   Massachusetts (10 of 10), Connecticut (2 of 7), Maryland (6 of 6 voting), and South Carolina (6 of 7) also went for a favorite son.

[minionofmidas]

What's left apart from 2000?

1948

What in the world is so interesting about 1948?

Don't forget Thurmond's insurgents candidacy.

And Wallace's.

[minionofmidas]

In 39th Place: 1792
Unique for being one of two unanimous elections (along with 1789). It also featured the first political race for an executive office: Adams versus Clinton for the office of VP (Adams won 77-50). It didn't have the newness of 1789, but it was still exciting any time the country got a chance to elect 'Father of our Country' Washington president.

Only election in which an elector voted for two persons from the same State.  The 4 Kentucky electors voted for George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both of Virginia.  Even under the terms of the 12th Amendment, the constitutional impediment is for an elector casting both his votes for someone from the elector's State.  Maybe the newly admitted Kentuckians wanted to emphasize that they were no longer part of Virginia.

While in 1789, Georgia's electors misinterpreted the Constitution and believed that they were two vote for two people exactly one of which was not to be from Georgia.
Now, if that were the rule, presidential history would look a good bit different...

But only 3 of the 5 2nd (non-Washington) votes were for Georgians.   Massachusetts (10 of 10), Connecticut (2 of 7), Maryland (6 of 6 voting), and South Carolina (6 of 7) also went for a favorite son.

Hmmm...so maybe that's a legend thought up to explain why Georgia's electoral vote went to unknown guys who received no votes from elsewhere...as opposed to the MA, CT and SC favorite sons you're referring to...

[© tweed]

In that aspect I think 1968 is more interesting then 1948.

Agreed

[jimrtex]

But only 3 of the 5 2nd (non-Washington) votes were for Georgians.   Massachusetts (10 of 10), Connecticut (2 of 7), Maryland (6 of 6 voting), and South Carolina (6 of 7) also went for a favorite son.

Hmmm...so maybe that's a legend thought up to explain why Georgia's electoral vote went to unknown guys who received no votes from elsewhere...as opposed to the MA, CT and SC favorite sons you're referring to...

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Maybe it is because Milton and Telfair are particularly obscure.
Samuel Huntingdon (CT) is not particularly well known, though he was the first person to be a member of Congress when an electoral vote was counted for him.   Robert Harrison (MD) was nothing except chief justice of Maryland - unless he was related to the Virginia's Benjamin Harrison (father of William Henry and GGfather of Benjamin).  John Adams (MA) and John Rutledge (SC) were more widely known.

[ijohn57s]

What's left apart from 2000?

1948

What in the world is so interesting about 1948?

I think "Dewey defeats Truman" is probably the reason it ranks so high.

[minionofmidas]

But only 3 of the 5 2nd (non-Washington) votes were for Georgians.   Massachusetts (10 of 10), Connecticut (2 of 7), Maryland (6 of 6 voting), and South Carolina (6 of 7) also went for a favorite son.

Hmmm...so maybe that's a legend thought up to explain why Georgia's electoral vote went to unknown guys who received no votes from elsewhere...as opposed to the MA, CT and SC favorite sons you're referring to...

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Maybe it is because Milton and Telfair are particularly obscure.
Samuel Huntingdon (CT) is not particularly well known, though he was the first person to be a member of Congress when an electoral vote was counted for him.   Robert Harrison (MD) was nothing except chief justice of Maryland - unless he was related to the Virginia's Benjamin Harrison (father of William Henry and GGfather of Benjamin).  John Adams (MA) and John Rutledge (SC) were more widely known.

Note I didn't mention Maryland...

[Schmitz in 1972]

Well this is it, the post where I reveal 2nd Place, and in doing so I reveal 1st place as well.

In 2nd Place: 2000
The last election of the 20th century gave us the closest and longest lasting election since 1876. Arguably the most drama filled election ever! The butterfly ballots, the recounts, the court cases (including the the 5-4 Supreme Court one)... For 26 days all of America was focused on one man and one state.  Tensions ran high, there was talk of defecting Bush electors (but funnily enough the only one that did defect was one of Gore's). Never before in this century had the public been so split about who should be president. The night of November 7, 2000 is one of the most vivid memories in my life. This was one great election no matter who you supported.

Which means that number one has to be...

In 1st Place: 1948
Three reasons 1948 is number one. 1, It was the greatest upset ever. The odds were so stacked against Truman and Thurmond and Wallace virtually guaranteed a Dewey victory. At one time 50 pollsters were asked who would win and all 50 said Dewey. 2, It had one of the greatest campaigns ever. Who can forget the "Give 'em Hell Harry" whistle-stop, speech-filled cross country tour, which mustered up public support that no one thought he had. And 3, It geve us the most memorable election image ever. There isn't anyone interested in elections who hasn't seen "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN", a picture that has become iconic over the years. So whether you agree or not there you have it, all 54 elections ranked, and like it or not 1948 is number one (if not just read the disclaimer again). So that's the end ladies and gentlemen thank you and good day!

God Bless America!

[7,052,770]

I agree with 1948 and 2000 both being very high, but I may have put 2000 just higher.  Also I'd have 1912 higher
But a great list nonetheless

5. 1968
4. 1876
3. 1912
2. 1948
1. 2000
maybe

[© tweed]

I'll do my top five now.

5. 1912
4. 1948
3. 1876
2. 2000
1. 1968

[Akno21]

2000 has got to be No. 1. Although I agree with Liberty that Nov. 7 was one of the greatest nights ever no matter who you supported.

[dazzleman]

For me, the most interesting election was 1980.

The results were pretty surprising, considering that we had been told that the election would be very close.

And it represented a major break with the past.

[PBrunsel]

In 1948 Gallop Polling was so sure of a Dewey victory they stopped polling in Mid October.

[PBrunsel]

In 1948 Gallop Polling was so sure of a Dewey victory they stopped polling in Mid October.

Polls have sure come a L O N G way, eh?

I think they have, but I still don't listen to them.

[dazzleman]

In 1948 Gallop Polling was so sure of a Dewey victory they stopped polling in Mid October.

Polls have sure come a L O N G way, eh?

I think they have, but I still don't listen to them.

I'm not sure they have.  One big problem with polls now is caller ID.  Many people don't answer their phones unless they know who is calling, and that is making it more difficult to get a representative sample of opinion.

People are so sick of harassing phone calls that they are less willing to take the time to listen to somebody and answer questions, if they answer their phone at all.

[??????????]

Obviously the media was no where near as good as now. 1948 was no where near close.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

My top 5.
5. 1948
4. 1912
3. 1824

and in the contest in my brain for first place, there is a virtual tie between 1876 and 2000. We're going to need some a recount and the Supreme court to decide this one.

[ijohn57s]

In 1948 Gallop Polling was so sure of a Dewey victory they stopped polling in Mid October.

Polls have sure come a L O N G way, eh?

I think they have, but I still don't listen to them.

I don't either. November is all that matters.

[© tweed]

My top 5.
5. 1948
4. 1912
3. 1824

and in the contest in my brain for first place, there is a virtual tie between 1876 and 2000. We're going to need some a recount and the Supreme court to decide this one.

No 1968?

[Schmitz in 1972]

Now that 2004 is in the books (who cares if the electoral college hasn't actually voted yet) I decided to try to find where I should place this new election on the list. I decided on 14th place above 1884 and below 1912.

In 14th Place: 2004
American's were spared a second coming of 2000 when Kerry conceded after it became obvious he could not win Ohio. The campaign had been rather nasty and the polls showed the candidates close throughout the whole campaign. One of the important weaknesses of Kerry which led to his defeat was his supposed "flip-flopping" on issues. This was typified by his now famous comment "I actually did vote for the $87,000,000,000 before I voted against it"

[A18]

Hey Liberty, when does the Electoral College vote?

[© tweed]

Hey Liberty, when does the Electoral College vote?

I remember it was Dec. 18th in 2000.

[Phony Moderate]

I remember reading this thread a few years ago.

Wonder where 2008, 2012 and 2016 would fit in to these rankings.