Hercules Daniel Taffs was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1921 to a middle-class white family. He was a New Deal lawyer before fighting in World War II, subsequently becoming a protege of Estes Kefauver.
In 1954, Taffs was elected to the State House, becoming a supporter of welfare programs and civil rights. He was continuously reelected by large margins. In 1967, Taffs was elected to the State Senate, where he opposed busing while remaining a liberal.
In 1970, Taffs was elected to the governorship of Tennessee. During his governorship, he developed a reputation as a progressive, effective politician, who protected unions, supported civil rights (outside of desegregation busing), and expanded education access and healthcare coverage.
In 1974, Taffs chose not to run for reelection, instead focusing on a bid to the Presidency. He won the Democratic nomination with relative ease as a liberal populist and Washington outsider.
In the general election, Taffs emphasized his outsider credentials in contrast to Gerald Ford, whom he attacked for his pardon of Nixon. Taffs promised to not tolerate criminal activity of any sort on his administration.
As to policy, Taffs supported an universal healthcare system, guaranteed employment, Departments of Education and Energy, naming strict constructionists to the courts while overhauling the criminal code and increasing funding for local police, tuition-free trade schools, abortion rights with reasonable restrictions, the Second Amendment with common-sense restrictions like the 1968 Act, a strong foreign policy, and banning nuclear testing with the Soviet Union.
After the Democratic National Convention, Taffs had a massive lead in the polls. However, the race gradually tightened.
After Walter Cronkite asked Taffs about his achievements as Governor of Tennessee (other than fighting corruption), Taffs said "I'll get back to you on that"
A statement was also leaked, where Taffs opposed Roe v Wade when it came out.
However, Taffs ran a good campaign and was elected fairly easily.
