WI: Herbert Hoover Assassinated

I read that while he was visiting Argentina, anarchists planned to blow up his railroad car. But the bomber was arrested before he could place the explosives. What if this assassination plot succeeded? What would the reaction be, to not only a president assassinated by anarchists, but a president with Native American ancestry (Charles Curtis)?
 
The assassination of Hoover in December of 1928 will certainly shake things up. I'd wager that it's going to sour US/Latin American relations for a while, perhaps delaying the implementation of the Good Neighbor Policy. Hoover's assassination could also bring the full fury of the state down upon various anarchist organizations both in the US and abroad.

Barring further assassinations, Charles Curtis, Hoovers VP would be inaugurated in his place in March 1929. Given his exemplary Congressional record and long history of service, I doubt many would raise a fuss about a man with Native American roots becoming President. Oh, there would be some fuss for sure, in the South by organizations like the KKK and those sympathetic to them, but overall I think America would be quite pleased with President Curtis.

Curtis' cabinet choices would be interesting. As a member of the more Conservative wing of the GOP, he might be tempted to pick a more liberal VP (Perhaps Borah, or La Follette Jr.?) His other choices however, might very well mirror Hoovers'.

However Curtis' is still not the right guy to deal with the Great Depression. IIRC he was even more protectionist than Hoover, and his strategies for solving the Great Depression would do far more harm than good. Come the 1932 election, that's where things get interesting, Does Curtis run for a Second Term? If so is he challenged? If not, who gets the GOP nod to go up against the Democrats?
 
When would the assasination have happened. Had the electoral college voted. If it had then there would have been no VP.
Very good point. In those days a VP succeeding to 1600 did not appoint (with Congressional approval) a replacement for VP. Jerry Ford was the 1st and only. As far as indian ancestry? Jim Thorpe was an Indian. Nuff said.
 
Very good point. In those days a VP succeeding to 1600 did not appoint (with Congressional approval) a replacement for VP. Jerry Ford was the 1st and only. As far as indian ancestry? Jim Thorpe was an Indian. Nuff said.

YEa and once the revelations came out about how Carlisle College was run. Jim Thorpe was disgraced. I believe he was even stripped of his Olympic medals. He ended up playing the drunken Indian in Hollywood movies to make ends meet in the 40s.

If Charles Curtis was Native-American or partially how did he get on the ticket?

Unless you were intentionally being sarcastic. Then I applaud you. :D
 
When would the assasination have happened. Had the electoral college voted. If it had then there would have been no VP.

Ha! It seems you have a point there!

The electoral college casts it's votes (according to the infallible wikipedia) on the Monday After the second Wednesday in December

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_(United_States)

Now in 1928 that makes the exact date that the Electoral College meets December 17th

1928 Calendar

Going with the OP that states that Hoover in TTL would be assassinated by Argentine anarchists led by Severino Di Giovanni during his visit there, that would put the exact date of his assassination between December 13-15 (link), Before the Electoral College Votes. Now this would cause a huge upset because it has never happened before. The Electoral College would in all likelihood suspend it's voting until they figure out what to do.

Now it's hard to say what they would have done for sure as this hypothetical event is completely unprecedented in American History. My guess is that the Electoral College suspends their vote until the Republican party can reconvene have a second National Convention and settle on it's nominations for President and Vice President. Once the GOP has settled on it's candidates, the Electoral College will cast their votes and conclude the election.

Or at least that's what I think they would do. Anyone else have any ideas as to how this would all go down?

Assuming that my scenario is plausible, the Republicans would try to hold their convention ASAP. within the next week or so. Now it will probably turn into a messy affair, however I think Curtis has the real upper hand in this situation as he was elected Vice-President by the people. I think that source of popular legitimacy coupled with his efficient backroom dealing in his OTL Senate career will be enough to give him the nomination for President IMO. I doubt anyone but Coolidge could mount a serious challenge to Curtis (though he wouldn't) and even then, face serious public recrimination.

Now the real question would be who would the GOP nominate as Curtis' VP. Considering that Curtis was added to the ticket to counterbalance Hoover's pro-business credentials, I'd wager that the business wing of the GOP would seek to balance Curtis somehow. I'd wager a pretty good choice for them would have been Alvin T. Fuller, former 2-term governor of Massachusetts and founder of Packard branch in Boston.

Following the controversial Republican convention, the Electoral College casts their ballots in late December. Curtis and Fuller are inaugurated on schedule in March and go on to bear the brunt of the responsibility for the upcoming Great Depression.
 
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