The Contenders (2011 - 2011)

Historians discussed the role of Henry Clay (1777-1852) in changing politics. Known as the “Great Compromiser” but also as “The Dictator,” Henry Clay was perhaps the most powerful politician of his time. He served as speaker of the House, senator, and secretary of state. Topics included his relevancy today, his almost 50 years in politics, his support for both slavery and keeping the Union together, and five unsuccessful presidential campaigns. Video clips were shown of House Speaker John Boehner, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul talking about Clay and his relevancy. The historians also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from Ashlands, The Henry Clay Estate, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Historians discussed the role of James Blaine (1830-1893) in changing politics. One of the most colorful, and divisive figures in post-Reconstruction U.S. politics, James Blaine was the 1884 Republican presidential nominee, and served as speaker of the House, a U.S. senator from Maine, and secretary of state under three presidents. He lost the 1884 election by 1,047 votes in New York State in what has been called “the dirtiest campaign in American history.” Maine Governor Paul LePage (R) also commented on Blaine’s relevance today. The historians also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from his former home, Blaine House, which is now the official residence of the governors of Maine.

Historians discussed the role of William Jennings Bryan as an enterprising figure in American politics. He was a former U.S. representative, secretary of state under President Woodrow Wilson, and one of the best orators of his time, and the Democratic Party presidential nominee three times. The discussion focused on the election of 1896, his religious convictions, progressive politics, the Scopes Trial, and the current political climate. Audio clips of Bryan’s oratory, most notably his “Cross of Gold” speech from the 1896 campaign were featured and 1908 presidential candidate Taft. Historians also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from “Fairview,” the former Bryan residence which serves as a museum as well as part of a medical facility.

Historians Ernest Freeberg and Lisa Phillips talked about the political career of Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926), who founded several labor unions and represented the Socialist Party of America as candidate for president. He ran five times, the last time from prison in 1920 when he received almost a million votes, and even though he lost he changed political history. Silent film clips of Mr. Debs were shown and a video clip of Senator Bernie Sanders being interviewed about Mr. Debs. The historians responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from the home that Eugene Debs had built in 1890 and lived in until his death.

Historians Bernadette Meyler and David Pietrusza and former Solicitor General Paul Clement talked about the life and career of 1916 Republican presidential nominee Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948) and responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Hughes served two Supreme Court terms, the second as chief justice, and was a two-term governor and the secretary of state. Video clips included Mr. Patryk showing artifacts in Mr. Hughes' former New York City law offices, Mr. Hughes speaking on December 31, 1940, and swearing in President Roosevelt, and Chief Justice Roberts discussing his legacy. Newsreels from 1937 showed the justices and a fireside chat from President Roosevelt about packing the Supreme Court.

Historians Beverly Gage and John Evers talked about the life and career of 1928 Democratic presidential nominee Alfred E. Smith, Jr. (1873-1944). Nicknamed the “Happy Warrior,” Al Smith never went to high school or college, yet he was speaker of the New York State Assembly and four-term governor. He was the first Catholic ever nominated by a major party and is honored at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner, at which presidential nominees of both parties speak. Video clips of past dinners were shown as well as clips of Al Smith and a 1932 newsreel. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Al Smith’s great-grandson gave taped interviews. The historians responded to telephone calls, electronic communications, and the audience in the New York State Assembly Chamber.

Amity Shlaes, James Madison, and David Willkie talked about the life and career of 1940 Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie (1882-1944) from the Rush County Historical Society. Wendell Willkie lived in Rushville, Indiana, and ran his presidential campaign from there. The lawyer and utilities executive had never before run for office. After loosing to President Franklin Roosevelt, he then became his informal representative to Britain, the Middle East, the Soviet Union, and China. In 1943 he wrote One World, the story of his travels. Video clips included speeches and campaign ads. There was an August 1940 audio clip of President Roosevelt. Remarks by Senator Lugar were pre-recorded. The historians responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.

Richard Norton Smith and Thomas E. Dewey, III, talked about the life and career of 1944 and 1948 Republican presidential nominee Thomas E. Dewey (1902-1971). They responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from the Governor’s Suite in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. The suite was named for the three-term New York governor who, with his family, spent much of his time there. It is where he learned of his famous defeat by President Truman in 1948. Governor Dewey also lost against President Roosevelt in 1940. Prior to that he was one of the most famous prosecuting attorneys in the country and he remained powerful in the Republican Party. A debate audio clip and numerous video clips of speeches, newsreels, and campaign films were shown.

Historian Richard Norton Smith, former Senator Adlai Stevenson III, and Newton Minow, who had worked for him, talked about the life and career of 1952 and 1956 Democratic presidential nominee Adlai E. Stevenson II (1900-1965). They responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from the Stevenson family home in Libertyville, Illinois. While governor of Illinois, he was drafted as the Democratic nominee against General Eisenhower. Twice defeated in the general election, he lost the 1960 nomination to Senator John Kennedy, who later appointed him as ambassador to the United Nations. Video clips of speeches and campaign ads were shown, including an August 1, 1960, news conference with Senator Kennedy. Jacqueline Kennedy was heard in a March 1964 interview.

Rick Perlstein, Bill McCune, and Darcy Olsen talked about the life and career of 1964 Republican presidential nominee Barry M. Goldwater (1909-1998). They responded to telephone calls and electronic communications and to questions from members of the studio audience at the Goldwater Institute. The senator from Arizona, who was called “Mr. Conservative,” lost in a landslide to President Lyndon B. Johnson, but paved the way for younger conservatives. After the election he resumed his senate career. Topics included Senator Goldwater’s libertarian philosophy. Video clips were shown of interviews, news conferences, and speeches. Also shown were campaign ads, including the “Daisy Ad,” and a clip from Ronald Reagan’s 1964 “A Time for Choosing” speech.

Juan Williams and Mick Caouette talked about the life and career of 1968 Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978). They responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from the 1968 Exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. Topics included his record on civil rights reform as Minneapolis mayor and then U.S. senator, his relationship with the Kennedys and President Johnson, his views on Vietnam, and the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He lost a close race to former Vice President Nixon and did not obtain the Democratic nomination in the following elections. He resumed his Senate career until his death. Video clips included speeches, broadcasts, and interviews, including many from Mr. Caouette’s documentary.

Dan Carter and Joe Reed talked about the life and career of George C. Wallace, Jr. (1919-1998) and responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from in front of the Alabama Governor’s Mansion. Peggy Wallace Kennedy also commented from the foyer. He was a state attorney, legislator, judge, and a four-term governor. He became a national figure during the civil rights movement with his pro-segregation stance and sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1964, 1972, and 1976. In 1968 he ran as a third-party candidate, receiving 46 electoral votes and 13.5 percent of the popular vote. Dan Carter called him “the most influential loser” in 20th-century U.S. politics. Video clips were shown of news reels, campaign ads, news conferences, and speeches.

Authors Scott Farris and Jules Witcover talked about 1972 Democratic presidential nominee and anti-Vietnam war candidate Senator George S. McGovern (b. 1922) and responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Mr. Farris spoke from the McGovern Legacy Museum at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. Ambassador McGovern was seen in a recent interview. Senator McGovern lost even his own state in a historic landslide to President Nixon. The reforms he made to the Democratic Party presidential nomination process changing party demographics remain an election factor. Video clips included Gary Hart, Frank Mankiewicz, Bill Clinton, McGovern speeches and campaign film, and President Nixon, including audio of a telephone conversation with Henry Kissinger.

Douglas Brinkley and Carolyn Barta talked about independent presidential candidate H. Ross Perot (b. 1930). Professor Barta participated from her home in Dallas as they talked about his campaigns and responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. In 1992, businessman Ross Perot won almost 19 percent of the popular vote as an independent presidential candidate. In 1996 he campaigned under the Reform Party USA. His platform included balanced budgets, health care reform, personal spending, income disparity, job exportation, campaign finance reform, and dissatisfaction with the two main political parties. Video clips included Larry King, Molly Ivins, Ed Rollins, Al Gore, and impersonators as well as Ross Perot in debates, speeches, ads, and interviews.

Richard Norton Smith, Carl Cannon, and Jean Baker participated in a roundtable discussion reflecting on the C-SPAN series, “The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History.” They talked about the concept of the series, what was learned about each of the 14 candidates chosen for the series, and what themes emerged. They reacted to video clips from the programs. Also shown were a few clips, including George McGovern and Ross Perot, that were not included in the series. Topics included the historical context of the presidential candidates and their relevance to the upcoming 2012 presidential election.