Jack Reed vs. Huey Long in 1936

Hypothetically what if Jack Reed and Huey Long both ran for president in 1936, Reed with a leftist coalition of trade unions, and Long with an enlarged Share Our Wealth Society that I guess has pretty progressive economic policies but also its share of right-wing ideologues such as Gerald L. K. Smith and Father Coughlin. How would the two be able to challenge whomever Democrats and Republicans are putting up? How would Reed and Long's groups be able to differentiate themselves from each other?
 

yourworstnightmare

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Hypothetically what if Jack Reed and Huey Long both ran for president in 1936, Reed with a leftist coalition of trade unions, and Long with an enlarged Share Our Wealth Society that I guess has pretty progressive economic policies but also its share of right-wing ideologues such as Gerald L. K. Smith and Father Coughlin. How would the two be able to challenge whomever Democrats and Republicans are putting up? How would Reed and Long's groups be able to differentiate themselves from each other?
Playing Kaiserreich??
 
Yeah, he was definitely playing Kaiserreich :) That would need a POD in 1920, the year Jack Reed died. I still cannot imagine Reed to have a chance for presidency, radical communism was never popular enuogh in the USA. Long might have a chance though if he survives the asassination attempt in 35. You need a completely different America to have these guys being the two top runners for presidency as they both had very leftist ideas, so the election would be basically radical left vs. moderate left. Perhaps a worse depression and/or a failed new deal (or the CP winning WWI :) ) would do it.
 

yourworstnightmare

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Donor
Yeah, he was definitely playing Kaiserreich :) That would need a POD in 1920, the year Jack Reed died. I still cannot imagine Reed to have a chance for presidency, radical communism was never popular enuogh in the USA. Long might have a chance though if he survives the asassination attempt in 35. You need a completely different America to have these guys being the two top runners for presidency as they both had very leftist ideas, so the election would be basically radical left vs. moderate left. Perhaps a worse depression and/or a failed new deal (or the CP winning WWI :) ) would do it.
Like in Kaiserreich, where US has been in a Depression since the 20s, and Britain and France are Syndicalist nations, which makes it easier for Americans to accept radical socialism.
 
Yes, in fact was the background who allow to make that scenario, in OTL i think only Huey can have a shot against FDR(or against hoover if the second butterfly in USA attack.. the die of FDR durring the primaries.. leaving the democrats divided and unable to beat hoover who make almost nothing than a soft New deal during his term)
 

Teleology

Banned
1936 Election, First Phase -
Lindbergh

Thurmond

Landon

LaGaurdia

Wallace

Long

Reed


Developments:
Thurmond drops out of the race to join Lindberg as VP candidate

Wallace drops out of the race to join Reed as VP candidate

LaGuardia and Landon are unable to come to a compromise over who should drop out and be the others VP, with differences coming from Landon's midwestern anglo-saxon background and LaGuardia's innercity Jewish-Italian background, as well as Landon's commitment to a New Deal lite versus LaGuardia's commitment to continuing the New Deal in its entirety


1936 Election, Second Phase -
Lindbergh/Thurmond

Landon

LaGuardia

Long

Reed/Wallace


Developments:
Unwilling to see Long or Reed win, Landon drops out of the race.

Unwilling to see Long's Populists or Reed's Communists win, Upton Sinclair's progressives and Norman Thomas' socialists back LaGuardia


Final Ballot -

Lindbergh/Thurmond


LaGuardia/Sinclair

Long/(?)

Reed/Wallace
 
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