1952: How would Taft have done in a GE?

[Property Representative of the Harold Holt Swimming Centre]

His best chance would have been against Truman (who most assumed was going to at least contest the nomination again until his announced his withdrawal at a Jefferson-Jackson dinner just after the New Hampshire primary). Even in this scenario, however, he would be far from assured of victory. Taft held positions on various issues that were anathema to crucial groups of voters. Additionally he would have probably been the least charismatic major party nominee in the Fifth Party System era. Truman was obviously a great campaigner and if he rallied the labor, urban and minority votes enough he could pull off another 1948. He'd be the favourite in the biggest electoral prize of New York (which had only voted for Dewey by about 1% in 1948 and with a big Henry Wallace vote) and that would make it difficult for Taft.

Against Stevenson or Kefauver, he'd be toast.

[Agonized-Statism]

Governor Adlai Stevenson (D-IL) / Senator John Sparkman (D-AL) ✓
Senator Robert Taft (R-OH) / Fmr. General Douglas MacArthur (R-NY)