Electing FDR: The New Deal Campaign of 1932

American Presidential Elections

by Donald A. Ritchie

With the landmark election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932, decades of Republican ascendancy gave way to a half-century of Democratic dominance. It was nothing less than a major political realignment, as the direction of federal policy shifted from conservative to liberal--and liberalism itself was redefined in the process.

Electing FDR is the first book in seventy years to examine in its entirety the 1932 presidential election that ushered in the New Deal. Award-winning historian Donald Ritchie looks at how candidates responded to the nation's economic crisis and how voters evaluated their performance. More important, he explains how the Democratic Party rebuilt itself after three successive Republican landslides: where the major shifts in party affiliation took place, what contingencies contributed to FDR's victory, and why the new coalition persisted as long as it did. Ritchie challenges prevailing assumptions that the Depression made Roosevelt's election inevitable. He shows that FDR came close to losing the nomination to contenders who might have run to the right of Hoover, and discusses the role of newspapers and radio in presenting the candidates to voters. He also analyzes Roosevelt's campaign strategies, recounting his attempts to appeal to disaffected voters of all ideological stripes, often by altering his positions to broaden his popularity. With the advent of the New Deal, Americans came to enjoy a wide federal safety net that provided everything from old age pensions to rural electricity-government innovations so embraced by voters that even later conservative presidents recognized their importance. Ritchie traces this legacy through the Reagan and Bush years, but he relates how FDR in 1932 was often vague about the specifics of his program and questions whether voters really knew what they were in for with the New Deal. As pundits, politicians, and citizens eye the upcoming 2008 campaign, Electing FDR reminds incumbents not to take their party support for granted or to underestimate their opponents-and reminds students of history that understanding the New Deal begins with the 1932's transformative election.

Genres: Politics, History, American History, Nonfiction

284 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2007

Reviews

[Brian Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear and concise look at the factors that led to FDR's election, the germination of New Deal policies, the personalities of Hoover and FDR, and how the New Deal affected American society and politics well into the twentieth century. The most fascinating passages are the contrast in personalities and campaign styles that were Hoover and FDR. Hoover's multiple fatal flaws, not the least of which was a brusque personality and an inflexibility to change, are warning signs for politicians in Washington today, and FDR's winning style is the blueprint for electoral success. Ritchie successfully charts the multiple delivery styles of FDR and roots them in the physical necessity that required them (since FDR had to hold onto something to steady his disabled legs, his lack of hand gestures are rectified through those distinctive head wags and facial expressions). If you are fascinated with political history, particularly the Great Depression and the rise of the New Deal, this is a good book to orient you with delving into the minutiae of the programs. If you want the broadview in all of its details, Schlesinger's multiple volumes on the age of FDR are landmarks.

[Earl Ecklund III · Rating 5 out of 5]

1932 is generally remembered as FDR's inevitable triumph over Hoover as the Great Depression roared on. In this book Donald A.Ritchie shows that at the beginning of 1932 Hoover was widely viewed as having a great chance of being re-elected and that a Democratic victory was not a certainty.

While FDR was the frontrunner leading up to the Democratic convention he was but no means a sure thing to win. He was opposed by his former friend Al Smith, favorite son candidates such as William McAdoo, John Nance Garner and Albert Ritchie. In the end FDR was nominated after offering the Vice Presidency to Garner and appeasing William Randolph Hearst by renouncing interest in joining the League of Nations.

As the year went on Hoover's troubles were compounded by the Army's heavy handed dealing with a group of homeless veterans known as the Bonus Army and Hoover's own rigid campaigning in contrast to FDR's cheerful exuberance and lack of specifics. In the end FDR won in a landslide that gave Democrats a commanding control of the government that lasted for almost 50 years.

A great addition to the literature on this most consequential election.

[Mark Cheathem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. A little dry at times.

[Eric Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for politicos! Lot of interesting tidbits included.

[Jason S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, concise account of the 1932 election. Gives sufficient background and post election information about both candidates. A very compelling book.