American Elections: Wicked Game
History
On February 10th, 1796, Vice President John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, lamenting the state of discourse in the country. The election was nearing—and becoming heated. Newspapers screamed, factions warred, and John Adams was dismayed with what he called “the wicked Game.”
Americans in 2023 can relate. They still have to endure months of shouting, outrage, and the worst sort of political rancor as the country once again chooses its president. But it’s almost always been this way. And to prove it, American Elections: Wicked Game will review the entire history of presidential elections, from the unanimous and inevitable election of George Washington in 1789 to Donald Trump’s surprise electoral victory in 2016—and his contested defeat in 2020.
From the host of the American History Tellers and American Scandal, this podcast will explore all 59 presidential elections to discover that there never never was a “good ol’ days,” and that presidential politics has always been played dirty.
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1920, Harding vs. Cox vs. Debs: A Return to Normal
1916, Hughes vs. Wilson: He Kept Us Out of War!
1912, Wilson vs. Taft v. Roosevelt: The Bull Moose
1908, Taft vs. Bryan: A Significant Loser
1904, Parker vs. Roosevelt: Rough Rider
1900, McKinley vs. Bryan: The Rise and Fall of Empires
1896, Bryan vs. McKinley: The Battle of the Standard Bearers
1892, Harrison vs. Weaver vs. Cleveland: The Centennial President
1888, Cleveland vs. Harrison: Tariffs and Truths
1884, Blaine vs. Cleveland: Tell the Truth
1880, Hancock vs. Garfield: Maelstrom
1876, Tilden vs. Hayes: Faustian Bargain
1872, Greeley vs. Grant: Progress Under Siege
1868, Seymour vs. Grant: The Rise of the General
1864, McClellan vs. Lincoln: Providence.
1860, Lincoln vs. Douglas: A House Divided
1856, Fremont vs. Buchanan vs. Fillmore: The End of Compromise
1852, Scott vs. Pierce: Bursting at the Seams
1848, Cass vs. Taylor: Old Rough and Ready
1844, Clay vs. Polk: His Accidency
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