46 Fascinating Facts About Our 46 Presidents-- Part 1: Washington to Monroe

I'm going to take a break from the Battle of Princeton (and hopefully get back to it in a more timely amount of time than last time) to go through this list from the History Site about our presidents in honor of Presidents Day coming up this Monday.

1.  GEORGE WASHINGTON (1789-1797)  

The first U.S. president and hero of the American Revolution was an enthusiastic dog breeder, particularly of hunting hounds,  to which he gave names like "Sweet Lips" and "Drunkard."

2.  JOHN ADAMS  (1797-1801)

Adams and his wife Abigail exchanged more than 1,100 letters over the course of their lengthy relationship.

3.  THOMAS JEFFERSON (1801-1809)

Jefferson, the principal author of the declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826, within hours of  his "frenemy" John Adams.

4.  JAMES MADISON (1809-1817)

Madison was the shortest president at 5'4" and weighed barely 100 pounds.

5.  JAMES MONROE--  (1817-1825)

Other than Washington, Monroe was the only president to ever run essentially unopposed, coasting to re-election in the 1820 race.

--CootPres

Voting in the 1918 Election: A War Winding Down and a Full-Fledged Pandemic

One hundred and two years ago on Tuesday, November 5, Americans were heading to the polls to vote.  It was not a presidential election, but stakes were high.  People were electing members of the 66th Congress.  It was also the lone election to take place during the United States' involvement in World War I (though it was winding down) and there was a full-scale pandemic going on at the time.

Campaigning was disrupted tremendously around the country as states had banned large gatherings.  Nebraska, for example, lifted a ban on public gatherings to allow campaigning five days before the election.

The president was Democrat Woodrow Wilson, but the republicans swept to control of both houses in Congress.

This was also a big election for women suffragists.

And, Now We have 2020.  --Cooter

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Presidential Also-Rans-- Part 1: "Live Forever" Jones and Victoria Woodhull

From the Aug. 2, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Mark Jacob and Stephan Benzkofer, researchers par excellence.

I don't know about you, but I haven't picked a candidate yet.  I don't like any of them, but regardless, someone is going to end up as an also-ran.

The two did this one because of the upcoming Republican presidential debate back then.

1.  Back in the mid-19th century, LEONARD "LIVE FOREVER" JONES of Kentucky believed that if people lived a sinless life, they would never die.  He envisioned a world of immortals where cemeteries would be unnecessary.  he ran for the High Moral Party, but never made much headway in elections.  He must have sinned because he died in 1868.

2.  VICTORIA WOODHULL of Ohio is considered the first female candidate for president.  She was quite an amazing public figure, advocating women's sexual freedom, a Wall street broker, spiritual healer and the first American publisher of "The Communist Manifesto."

Ran for the equal Rights Party for president in 1872, even though women did not yet have the right to vote and she wasn't the minimum age of 35.  She spent election day in jail on charge of sending obscene materials through the mail.  If she received any votes, they weren't counted.

She left for England in 1977 and became one of the first women there to own a car.

--Cooter

No School? Why?-- Part 5: Illness and Elections

We had another three inches of snow last night, but schools weren't called off.  So far this new year, schools have been closed three days.  Two for extreme cold and one for snow.

ILLNESS

Smallpox, measles, scarlet fever and influenza outbreaks have shut down individual schools across the Chicagoland area dozens of times over the decades, but polio hit schools particularly hard because of the way the disease targeted children.

The polio scare of 1937 delayed the start of school in the fall in Chicago and suburbs for three weeks.  There was a similar scare in 1941.


ELECTIONS

City schools were closed on Election Day for many years.  In 1928, city schools urged principals and teachers, "Vote for any candidate you choose, but be certain to vote."

--Cooter

Why JFK Came to Chicago-- Part 2

Former Cook County State's Attorney Benjamin Adamowski was hammering away at Daley's shady construction deals. The president's visit was just two weeks before the April 2nd election.

It was also no surprise that Kennedy flew in with U.S. Reps. Roman Pucinski and John Kluczynski, two high-profile Illinois politicians who backed Daley.

Well, it certainly helped Daley get 56% of the vote and continue as Chicago's mayor.

The Daley Family Thanks JFK. ---DaCoot

Some More Campaign Slogans

From the Nov. 4, 2012, Parade Magazine.

According to Steve Cone, author of "Powerlines" the candidate with the best slogan usually wins.  This year it is "Forward" versus "Believe in America" two namby-pamby ones if you ask me.  While we wait to see which one wins,  here's a look back at some from past elections.

Remember "All the Way With LBJ" or "I Like Ike?"  Winner first, loser second

1844 ELECTION

James K. Polk "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight" //// Henry Clay "Who Is James K. Polk?"

1884 ELECTION

Grover Cleveland "Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, the Continental Liar from the State of Maine" (Hey, that rhymes) //// James G. Blaine "Ma,Ma, Where's My Pa?"

1936 ELECTION

Frankin D. Roosevelt "Remember Hoover" //// Alfred Landon "Let's Make It a Landon-Slide"

1960 ELECTION

John F. Kennedy "A Time for Greatness" //// Richard Nixon "Experience Counts"

1980 ELECTION

Ronald Reagan "Are You Better Off Than You Were Four Years Ago //// Jimmy Carter "It's a Matter of Values"

What Change?  --RoadDog

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Campaign Slogans-- Part 2: Vote For the Lizard, Not the Wizard!!

6.  When ethnically challenged EDWIN EDWARDS ran against former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard DAVID DUKE for Louisiana governor in 1991, the bumper stickers included "Vote for the crook--it's important" and "Vote for the lizard, not the wizard."  The Lizard won.

7.  The second spot on a ticket rarely gets much respect, but GROVER CLEVELAND's running mate, former Indiana governor Thomas Hendricks, might have been offended when 'We'll shout for our man and his important appendix!  We'll whoop'er up lively for Cleveland and Hendricks."

8.  Some slogans seem doomed from the start.  In 1952, ADLAI STEVENSON, facing Dwight Eisenhower, had "You Never Had It So Good."  In 1968, HUBERT HUMPHREY asked "Who but Hubert."

9.  It's a good thing that slogans have an expiration date, like WOODROW WILSON's "He kept us out of war" which was only good until we went to World War I on April 6, 1917.

10.  BARACK OBAMA was the "hope and change " candidate in 2008, but in 1900, President WILLIAM McKINLEY won re-election with the opposite slogan "Let well enough alone."

Another Great Job, Jacob and Benzkofer.  --Cooter

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Campaign Slogans-- Part 1: We Polked You in 1844

From the October 28, 2012, Chicago Tribune by Mark Jacob and Stephan Benzkofer, researchers par excellent.

Currently, you see lots of Mitt Romney's "Believe in America and Barack Obama's "Forward" for some reason, hopefully not after tomorrow.

But here are some more campaign slogans.

1.  Democrats hoping to get FRANKLIN PIERCE elected in 1852 reminded voters of James Polk, eight years earlier:  "We Polked you in 1844; we'll Pierce you in 1852."  Wonder if there was any double meaning there?

2.  "Sunflowers die in November" doesn't seem to be too catching of a slogan, but FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT used it in 1936, referring to opponent Alf Landon home state of Kansas and use of the state flower on campaign buttons.  They did.

3.  In 1997, Liberian rebel CHARLES TAYLOR intimidated, suggesting a civil war would start again if he was not elected president: "He killed my ma, he killed my pa, but I will vote for him."  He won, but later was arrested and convicted of war crimes.

4.  The 1884 U.S. election was nasty.  New York Gov. GROVER CLEVELAND was considered to be an honest man, but it came out that he had had an affair years earlier and that he was financially supporting the woman and his son by her.  Republicans enjoyed shouting, "Ma! Ma! Where's My Pa?"  Cleveland won anyway and Democrats shouted, "Gone to the White House. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

5.  In Illinois, Gov. RICHARD OGILVIE used "Charisma isn't everything" but voters still elected Dan Walker in 1972.  Dawn Clark Netsch used "More Than Just a Pretty Face" but lost to incumbent Jim Edgar in 1994.

Five More to Come.  --DaCoot

Election Connection?-- Part 3: A Non-Scientific Way to Figure Out Who Is Going to Win

THE MASKS

The Theory:  The party with the better-selling Halloween masks of nominees on www.buycostumes.com will win the election.

ACCURACY:  Accurately predicted the outcome of each presidential election since 2000.

This Year:  Biden and Obama masks have been chosen by 52% of the people.

Resulting Prediction:  Obama


THE LAKERS LAW

The Theory:  If the Los Angeles Lakers reach the NBA Finals in an election year, the Republican candidate will win.

Accuracy:  The Republican has won eight of nine such occasions-- in 1952 (as the Minneapolis Lakers), 1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, 1988, 2000, and 2004.  The lone exception, 2008 and Obama's win over McCain.

This Year:  The Lakers did not reach the Finals.

Resulting Prediction:  Doesn't apply.

So, according to these connections, Romney wins 3 to 2.

Wonderin' What the Chicago Bear Factor Is?  --Cooter

Election Connection?-- Part 2

THE WORLD SERIES FACTOR

The Theory:  If the American League team wins, Republicans win.  If the National League team wins, the Democrats do as well.

Accuracy:  Rule has held true in 11 of 15 elections since 1952, but in only 15 of 26 overall.

This Year:  The National League's San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers in four games.

Resulting Prediction:  Obama


THE 7-ELECTION

The Theory:  The coffee cup color selected by more customers at 7-Elevens will predict the winner.   More blue cups taken, the Democrat wins.. More red= the Republicans

Accuracy:  Cup selection has accurately predicted the winner since the promotion was introduced in 2000 according to the convenience store chain.

This Year:  Customers have grabbed the blue cup 59% of the time and red cups  41%.  (Republicans probably drink coffee at Starbucks.  Democrats can't afford to drink there.)

Resulting Prediction:  Obama

Masks and the Lakers Law on Monday.  --DaCoot

Election Connection?-- Part 1

From the Oct. 21, 2012, Chicago Tribune by Rob Manker.

"Between now and Nov. 6, no shortage of polls and pundits will attempt to predict the big winner on Election Day....Some indicators will claim to be scientific, others will not.  These fall into the latter category."


THE HEIGHT FACTOR

The Theory:  the taller of the two presidential candidates will win the election.

Accuracy:  The taller one has won 19 times and lost 8 dating to 1896.  Two listed candidates of the same height--Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush in 1992 and Woodrow Wilson and Charles E. Hughes in 1916.

This Year:  Obama 6'1", Romney reportedly 6'2" (something else he won't release?)

Resulting Prediction:  Romney


THE REDSKINS RULE

The Theory:If the Washington Redskins win their last home game before the election, the incumbent will win.  If not, the incumbent loses.

Accuracy:  True in 17 of 18 cases

This Year:  The Redskins play the Carolina Panthers tomorrow.

Resulting Prediction:  TBD  Updated 11-5. The Redskins lost, so expect the non-incumbent party, that'd be the Republicans to win.  That'd be Romney.

What If the Game Ends in a Tie?  --Cooter

An Election Story

This being election day 2008, there was an interesting story in today's Chicago Tribune about a photograph taken back in 1946.

During a 1946 voter registration drive, the mother of Charles Linn parked his stroller out in front of a sign reading " Don't Cry.. About Bad Government If You Don't Vote!! Register Now." And, as if on cue, or perhaps he missed his mother, Charles Linn started crying and the moment was captured by a Tribune photographer.

Now, how's that for being in the right place at the right time. The picture was published in the Tribune the next day, October 6, 1946.

Charles Linn was stricken by polio as a child, but didn't let that stop him. He went on to be a lawyer and active in many social causes before dying in 1998.

I guess today, if Linn's mother left him outside a store, she'd be arrested for child endangerment.

Hope this gets through to those who didn't register or who don't vote. I'm out of here in a few hours to vote myself. Pretty important election you might say.

A Trip Back. --Cooter