A question about Al Smith

Who would Al Smith have listened to primarily if he were President?


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There was a fear back during his presidential campaign in 1928 that Al Smith, if elected President, would listen to the Pope instead of the Constitution. So my question is this. If Al Smith were elected President in 1928, would he have listened to the Pope, or the Constitution?
 

mowque

Banned
There was a fear back during his presidential campaign in 1928 that Al Smith, if elected President, would listen to the Pope instead of the Constitution. So my question is this. If Al Smith were elected President in 1928, would he have listened to the Pope, or the Constitution?

Did you really have to ask this? This is kinda an insult to all of us political minded Catholics. :p
 
Choose the wrong one darn it. Meant the Constitution.

And yes, just because you are a Roman Catholic does not mean that you take your orders from the Vatican.​
 
When he would be President?
If the election year is 1928 like in OTL, it's ASB. The economy was too strong for a Republican to lose.
If it was 1932, he'd have to win the nomination first, and with Roosevelt running, that'd be pretty tough.
 
I don't really see, where the teachings of the 20th century church conflict with the US constitution.
 
No, he'd be just as likely as Kennedy to take his orders from the Vatican. Even in 1928, it was understood that the whole "taking orders from the Pope" thing was just slanderous propaganda. (Spoiler - And I don't think he'd take orders from Pope Hitler, anyway.)
 
No, he'd be just as likely as Kennedy to take his orders from the Vatican. Even in 1928, it was understood that the whole "taking orders from the Pope" thing was just slanderous propaganda. (Spoiler - And I don't think he'd take orders from Pope Hitler, anyway.)

Ah, good catch. Yes, the two are related and this is an option I'm exploring.
 

mowque

Banned
Ah, good catch. Yes, the two are related and this is an option I'm exploring.

Ah! I see what you are doing. Mine as well just forget that approach. Sorry, the Pope has enormous sway, but not in the manner you are trying to show.
 
It migh affect his policies but not his adherence to the constitution. As President he would be sworn to uphold it and Kennedy did. He is an American
 
Smith would be as likely to take orders from the Pope as Kennedy was. That is to say, not a chance, no matter what Jack Chick and other fundamentalist conspiracy theorists might suggest.
 

bguy

Donor
When he would be President?
If the election year is 1928 like in OTL, it's ASB. The economy was too strong for a Republican to lose.
If it was 1932, he'd have to win the nomination first, and with Roosevelt running, that'd be pretty tough.

If Smith doesn't run in 1928 then presumably he runs for and wins reelection as Governor of New York which means FDR won't be Governor. Without his 2 terms as a successful Governor, FDR doesn't have a strong enough resume to be a credible presidential candidate in 1932, so the nomination is pretty much Smith's to lose.
 
If Smith doesn't run in 1928 then presumably he runs for and wins reelection as Governor of New York which means FDR won't be Governor. Without his 2 terms as a successful Governor, FDR doesn't have a strong enough resume to be a credible presidential candidate in 1932, so the nomination is pretty much Smith's to lose.

But if Smith doesn't run in '28, who does?
 
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