I. Introduction:
At the 1952 Republican National Convention, Earl Warren gets wind of Richard Nixon's machinations in favor of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Warren is furious and cuts off Nixon at the knees by making a deal with Robert Taft. Taft wins the “fair play” vote and keeps his Southern delegates. He then wins a narrow first ballot victory over Dwight D. Eisenhower.
However, the party is badly split. Taft desperately needs the support of the Eastern wing of the GOP to have a chance in November. He thus turns to the relatively little known, but youthful and progressive Republican Governor of New Jersey, Alfred Driscoll. Taft also asks Eisenhower to become his Secretary of State if he wins.
The Democrats meanwhile have chosen Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson for President and Alabama Senator John Sparkman for Vice President.
Taft lacks Eisenhower's star power. Stevenson turns out to be a much better speaker. Even so, after 20 years of Democratic control, along with the fear of Communism in Washington and internationally, and a bloody stalemate in Korea, the Taft-Driscoll ticket wins a narrow victory over Stevenson-Sparkman in the popular vote: 31,219,278(51%) to 29,284,395 (48%). In the electoral college, the margin is wider: 355 for Taft, 176 for Stevenson. Compared to 1948, there was a noticeable trend to the Republicans in the South, with Taft carrying Virginia and Florida, and barely missing in Texas. The GOP also gains in the West and Midwest. Stevenson narrowly loses even his home state of Illinois and carries not a single Great Lakes or Farm Belt State.
But Taft's victory was reduced by a trend to the Democrats in parts of the East. After losing Pennsylvania in 1948, the Democrats win the state in 1952, and also come close in New York. Driscoll's presence helped Taft hold onto New York and New Jersey.
The Congressional elections show only slight changes. The GOP picks up one seat in the Senate. But with the defection of Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon, the GOP and Democrats each have 49 seats. Vice President Driscoll will have more importance and visibility than most Vice Presidents because he will be needed to break any tie votes, beginning with the vote to organize the Senate. Leverett Saltonstall of Massachusetts becomes Majority Leader. Lyndon Johnson of Texas is the new minority leader after Arizona's Ernest McFarland went down in a stunning upset to Barry Goldwater. The GOP takes control for the second time since 1932. The GOP also has a tiny margin in the US House.
However, the party is badly split. Taft desperately needs the support of the Eastern wing of the GOP to have a chance in November. He thus turns to the relatively little known, but youthful and progressive Republican Governor of New Jersey, Alfred Driscoll. Taft also asks Eisenhower to become his Secretary of State if he wins.
The Democrats meanwhile have chosen Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson for President and Alabama Senator John Sparkman for Vice President.
Taft lacks Eisenhower's star power. Stevenson turns out to be a much better speaker. Even so, after 20 years of Democratic control, along with the fear of Communism in Washington and internationally, and a bloody stalemate in Korea, the Taft-Driscoll ticket wins a narrow victory over Stevenson-Sparkman in the popular vote: 31,219,278(51%) to 29,284,395 (48%). In the electoral college, the margin is wider: 355 for Taft, 176 for Stevenson. Compared to 1948, there was a noticeable trend to the Republicans in the South, with Taft carrying Virginia and Florida, and barely missing in Texas. The GOP also gains in the West and Midwest. Stevenson narrowly loses even his home state of Illinois and carries not a single Great Lakes or Farm Belt State.
But Taft's victory was reduced by a trend to the Democrats in parts of the East. After losing Pennsylvania in 1948, the Democrats win the state in 1952, and also come close in New York. Driscoll's presence helped Taft hold onto New York and New Jersey.
The Congressional elections show only slight changes. The GOP picks up one seat in the Senate. But with the defection of Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon, the GOP and Democrats each have 49 seats. Vice President Driscoll will have more importance and visibility than most Vice Presidents because he will be needed to break any tie votes, beginning with the vote to organize the Senate. Leverett Saltonstall of Massachusetts becomes Majority Leader. Lyndon Johnson of Texas is the new minority leader after Arizona's Ernest McFarland went down in a stunning upset to Barry Goldwater. The GOP takes control for the second time since 1932. The GOP also has a tiny margin in the US House.
(Blue = Taft/Driscoll)
(Red = Stevenson/Sparkman)