Potus Geeks Book Review: The First Modern Clash Over Federal Power
As the 1916 presidential election approached, Republicans were confident of a return to the White House. A divided Republican Party had allowed Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency in 1912 with 42% of the popular vote, and as 1916 approached, the Republicans were determined not to make the same mistake again. In The First Modern Clash Over Federal Power: Wilson Versus Hughes in the Presidential Election of 1916, Professor Emeritus Lewis Gould explains how Republican presidential candidate Charles Evans Hughes snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, and how Wilson became the first Democrat since Andrew Jackson to win two consecutive terms in the White House.
This book is part of the presidential elections series published by University of Kansas Press. In a concise but very efficient 135 pages, Professor Gould ably analyzes the period leading up to the contest. In 1914 war had begun in Europe and America was divided about whether or not to remain neutral or to join the conflict on the side of the Allies. President Woodrow Wilson sought to maintain a delicate political balance, keeping his nation neutral in the conflict, while maintaining preparedness in the event that American involvement in the conflict became later a necessity. Republican ex-president Theodore Roosevelt beat the drum for his nation to join the fight on the side of the allies, while former Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan preached a message of neutrality. German- and Irish-American immigrant populations maintained political sway as both parties considered the political calculus necessary to win the next election.
Professor Gould explains how the Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes became the only real option that a divided Republican Party had for its presidential nomination. He also provides an interesting comparison of the well-funded Republican campaign, and the more spartan Democratic campaign, and how the latter was better managed than the former, despite its financial disadvantage. He also provides a very interesting account of the campaign, including how the parties got their message out, how each approached the major issues of the day, and even how each side got into the gutter as the campaign reached the home stretch. Especially interesting is Gould's analysis of Hughes as a candidate and how his unforeseen flaws contributed to his electoral defeat. Professor Gould dispels the myth that the Republicans lost California because of Hughes' snub of Governor Hiram Johnson, and he sets out the real reasons why Hughes lost this important pivotal state that ultimately ended up deciding the closest election since 1876.
There have been a number of elections that have turned out differently from how everyone expected: Truman's win in 1948, Clinton's 1992 victory and the recent election of Donald Trump come to mind as good examples of this. 1916 was such an election, and Lewis Gould writes a clear and well-written account of the what, why and how of this fascinating electoral contest. It is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in presidential politics.
This book is part of the presidential elections series published by University of Kansas Press. In a concise but very efficient 135 pages, Professor Gould ably analyzes the period leading up to the contest. In 1914 war had begun in Europe and America was divided about whether or not to remain neutral or to join the conflict on the side of the Allies. President Woodrow Wilson sought to maintain a delicate political balance, keeping his nation neutral in the conflict, while maintaining preparedness in the event that American involvement in the conflict became later a necessity. Republican ex-president Theodore Roosevelt beat the drum for his nation to join the fight on the side of the allies, while former Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan preached a message of neutrality. German- and Irish-American immigrant populations maintained political sway as both parties considered the political calculus necessary to win the next election.
Professor Gould explains how the Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes became the only real option that a divided Republican Party had for its presidential nomination. He also provides an interesting comparison of the well-funded Republican campaign, and the more spartan Democratic campaign, and how the latter was better managed than the former, despite its financial disadvantage. He also provides a very interesting account of the campaign, including how the parties got their message out, how each approached the major issues of the day, and even how each side got into the gutter as the campaign reached the home stretch. Especially interesting is Gould's analysis of Hughes as a candidate and how his unforeseen flaws contributed to his electoral defeat. Professor Gould dispels the myth that the Republicans lost California because of Hughes' snub of Governor Hiram Johnson, and he sets out the real reasons why Hughes lost this important pivotal state that ultimately ended up deciding the closest election since 1876.
There have been a number of elections that have turned out differently from how everyone expected: Truman's win in 1948, Clinton's 1992 victory and the recent election of Donald Trump come to mind as good examples of this. 1916 was such an election, and Lewis Gould writes a clear and well-written account of the what, why and how of this fascinating electoral contest. It is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in presidential politics.