Time Capsules

Vintage Politics: Gene McCarthy Declares at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall

Vintage Politics: Gene McCarthy Declares at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall

Shortly after Sarah Palin’s magical mystery bus tour arrived in Philadelphia yesterday, the diva of the Tea Party movement and her family took a rushed half-hour tour of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Pavilion. As a crowd of onlookers and a horde of media […]

by · June 1, 2011 · 0 comments ·
Worth Reading: Harry Browne Refuses Matching Funds in 1996

Worth Reading: Harry Browne Refuses Matching Funds in 1996

As we get into the full swing of the Presidential cycle in the next few months, many of the candidates will begin to scoop up donations from around the country in pursuit of qualifying for Federal matching funds. In 1996, Libertarian Party presidential nominee Harry […]

by · May 11, 2011 · 0 comments ·
Vintage Politics: FDR Easily Dispenses of Democratic Opposition in ’36

Vintage Politics: FDR Easily Dispenses of Democratic Opposition in ’36

With Ely out of the picture, Roosevelt was virtually assured of his party’s nomination. He faced only token opposition from Col. Henry S. Breckinridge, a former assistant Secretary of War in Woodrow Wilson’s administration. A conservative Democrat, Breckinridge was a prominent member of the rabidly anti-New Deal American Liberty League, a right-wing organization heavily funded by the Du Pont family.

by · November 8, 2010 · 0 comments ·
Flashback Friday: Socialist Norman M. Thomas Challenges Willkie to a Debate

Flashback Friday: Socialist Norman M. Thomas Challenges Willkie to a Debate

Seventy years ago this week Norman M. Thomas, waging his fourth consecutive campaign for the presidency on the Socialist Party ticket, challenged Republican Wendell Willkie to a face-to-face debate…

by · August 20, 2010 · 1 comment ·
Flashback Friday: The ‘Happy Warrior’ Endorses Wendell Willkie

Flashback Friday: The ‘Happy Warrior’ Endorses Wendell Willkie

Alfred E. Smith, the former governor of New York and Democratic nominee for president in 1928, declared his support for Republican Wendell L. Willkie for the presidency seventy years ago today…

by · July 31, 2010 · 1 comment ·
Campaign Documentaries Bring the Process to Life

Campaign Documentaries Bring the Process to Life

OK, I’ll admit it. One of my favorite things in the world is to discover a new campaign documentary. With that in mind, I thought it might be fun to share a handful of my personal favorites. I’ll give you my top three picks, plus a few others worth checking out…

by · July 15, 2010 · 0 comments ·
Flashback Friday: Sandy D’Alemberte Abandons Independent Candidacy

Flashback Friday: Sandy D’Alemberte Abandons Independent Candidacy

State Rep. Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte abandoned the idea of running for governor of Florida forty years ago this week. Regarded as one of the most liberal members of the Florida legislature, the 37-year-old Miami lawyer had seriously considered bolting his party in 1970 to run for governor as an independent.

by · July 9, 2010 · 0 comments ·
Flashback Friday: ‘Mouth of Massachusetts’ Shakes Up Gubernatorial Campaign

Flashback Friday: ‘Mouth of Massachusetts’ Shakes Up Gubernatorial Campaign

Described by columnist George F. Will as the most interesting candidate in the country, Boston University President John R. Silber was drawing a lot of attention twenty years ago this summer…

by · July 2, 2010 · 0 comments ·
What Ever Happened to…South Dakota’s Larry Pressler?

What Ever Happened to…South Dakota’s Larry Pressler?

Citing the experience of 42-year-old Teddy Roosevelt and suggesting that the burdens of the presidency were so great that the nation might be better served by electing a person in their prime rather than someone in the twilight of his career…

by · June 30, 2010 · 3 comments ·
Waterville Mayor Hopes to ‘Pull a Muskie’ in Maine

Waterville Mayor Hopes to ‘Pull a Muskie’ in Maine

Lost in the flurry of news coverage surrounding the come-from-behind victories by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle in Nevada and South Carolina’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley in Tuesday’s primaries, was the stunning, tea party-fueled nomination of Waterville Mayor Paul LePage…

by · June 13, 2010 · 0 comments ·