Blood, Sweat, and Fire
(1948-2017: Sixty-Nine Years that Changed the World)
Part One, Chapter Four:
Poor, Unfortunate Soul
“...I remember the day we left Japan. While Douglas was moving on to bigger and better things, leaving Japan did cause him some sadness. After all, he'd been helping the Japanese to rebuild their nation since the end of World War Two. But at least his successor, Matthew Ridgway, would help continue on his work. And so, after having one last tea ceremony with the Emperor (who insisted on meeting with Douglas one last time before he left), we all boarded a plane and left for the United States. I only hoped that Douglas hadn't given up his (as of yet) greatest job in vain.”
Natalie V. Henderson, author of, Through the Eyes of a Secretary: The Untold Story of Douglas MacArthur (circa 1977)
“...Can I fire him over this?”
“Sir, General MacArthur has already resigned as Occupation Governor of Japan. Technically speaking, he doesn't work for you anymore.”
“Damn. Well, at least it isn't that nut-job Patton out to steal my job...”
A conversation attributed to President Truman and an unnamed confidant
Within a few days after being nominated as the Republican Candidate for the Presidency, MacArthur took swift action. He resigned from his job as Military Governor of Japan, gathered up his family and staff, and boarded a plane, first landing in Honolulu, Hawaii, and then in Sacramento, California. In both Honolulu and Sacramento, the General was given a warm welcome home by many well wishers and supporters. Most surprisingly of all, President Truman welcomed MacArthur in Sacramento himself, meeting up with him at the airport not long after his flight had landed.
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“Good to see you again, General.” Truman said, giving a slight nod as he and his escort service walked over to the man of the hour. MacArthur looked briefly surprised at the sudden appearance of his former superior, but he rolled with it and gave a nod back, politely smiling at the President as well.
“Likewise, Mister President. To what do I owe the honor of meeting you here, today?” MacArthur inquired, his smile never dropping.
“I just want to congratulate you, General. Everyone expected Dewey to be the nominee again, this year, but you proved them all wrong.” Truman replied.
“Thank you, Sir. I always do my best to exceed expectations.” the General stated, his smile turning a tad smug. Truman shook his head and offered his hand. MacArthur eagerly accepted it, and they shook.
“Well, may the best man win, General.”
MacArthur gave a curt nod, and the two disengaged. As he left the President, MacArthur muttered under his breath,
“I intend to.”
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After a few days spent to rest, MacArthur went straight to campaigning. Interviews were being scheduled with all the big name reporters; rallies for the MacArthur/White ticket were being planned across the country; and, of course, MacArthur went to work crafting speeches to sway the public to his side. Unlike any other of the potential nominees, he would not let the press prediction that Truman would lose to the ghost of President Harding in the election get to his head. He wouldn't take it safe at all; he'd fight, fight and fight until the Presidency was finally his. Just like he had with the Japanese, MacArthur would give this contest his all. He'd treat it just like a military campaign, and give the enemy (in this case, President Truman) hell.
Of course, MacArthur wouldn't need to fight all that hard. Public Opinion was against Truman in nearly all polling, and nearly the entirety of the Press was predicting a landslide for the General. Adding more heartache to the Truman Reelection Campaign, Dixiecrat Nominee Strom Thurmond was taking away much needed support in the South, which had been a Democratic Stronghold since the end of Reconstruction.
While reluctant at first, many Southerners were giving Governor Thurmond and the Dixiecrat Party another look, as approval for President Truman dropped. Thurmond was now painting the addition of Civil Rights for Blacks in the Democratic Platform as a violation of States' Rights, as only the States should pass any legislature giving Blacks rights. Or so he argued. This endeared him to the hearts of many in the South, whether or not that was why they believed African-Americans should not have Civil Rights. In polling across the whole of the Deep South, Thurmond continued to rise above President Truman, which pleased the Dixiecrats to no end.
Outside of the Deep South, the Dixiecrats suffered poorly, and were labeled as “racist hicks” by many in the North. Truman himself polled much better in the Midwest and Desert States, beating out Thurmond and MacArthur by large margins.
The rest of the country, however....it was not a pretty picture for President Truman.
From the East to the West, MacArthur reigned supreme in nearly all polling, aside from the already aforementioned states. Being a popular War Hero did not hurt him either, which made it very difficult for Truman and Thurmond to question the General's record.
Soon enough, Election Night was just around the corner, and the President was still struggling to catch up with MacArthur. Unfortunately for him, there was little that could save him now...