Work in progress — cycles are added one at a time. Every quote is machine-verified against an archived source; follow the links to read it.
Issues › Executive Power
Overall role and scale of the federal government
| Cycle | Candidate | Position | Solution | Strength | Attribution | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Alfred E. Smith (Democratic) | War on any candidate who makes 'demagogic appeals to the masses' setting class against class | Oppose, and refuse to support, any Democratic candidate whose appeal sets 'class against class and rich against poor' — the 'forgotten man' politics of Roosevelt's April 7 broadcast; by implication, a campaign on repeal … | directional_stance | reported | not_applicable |
| 1932 | Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) | "A new deal for the American people" — work and security through liberal, planned government action | Unspecified: a "party of liberal thought, of planned action, of enlightened international outlook, and of the greatest good to the greatest number," pursuing "work and security" for the mass of the people and "more equit… | vague_gesture | candidate_direct | kept? |
| 1932 | Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) | Remove government from private enterprise except public works and natural resources | Government to withdraw from all fields of private enterprise, with the exception of developing public works and natural resources in the common interest. | directional_stance | candidate_direct | reversed? |
| 1932 | Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) | Government as a check on concentrated economic power — "individualism" redefined as equality of opportunity | Government, "without becoming a prying bureaucracy," to act as a check or counterbalance to the financial oligarchy so as to secure "the chance to work and the safety of savings"; oppose regimentation whether by private … | directional_stance | candidate_direct | kept |
| 1932 | Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) | An "economic declaration of rights" — the right to make a living and the right to safe savings | Government to assist the development of "an economic constitutional order" under which every man has a right to a comfortable living through his own work and a right to the safety of his savings, restricting "the specula… | directional_stance | candidate_direct | kept? |
| 1932 | Herbert Hoover (Republican) | Preserve 'ordered freedom' and equality of opportunity; reject a state-controlled or state-directed economy as 'tyranny' | Meet the crisis by 'organic development' and cooperation that builds strength outside government; emergency instrumentalities must supplement, not supplant, private and local initiative and be demobilized afterward; no '… | directional_stance | candidate_direct | not_applicable |
| 1936 | Alf Landon (Republican) | Restore confidence by 'unshackling initiative': steady, open, non-partisan administration that stops 'fumbling with recovery' | Replace uncertainty with a steady hand: make policies public, use the best talent irrespective of party, stop 'spending for spending's sake' and government competition with private payrolls. | vague_gesture | candidate_direct | not_applicable |
| 1936 | Frank Knox (Republican) | Fair, honest, economical and efficient government; preserve free enterprise against 'amateur economic planners' | No 'patent nostrums': promise honest administration, economy, and sensible measures; the election decides between regimentation by federal bureaucrats and free enterprise under constitutional powers. | vague_gesture | candidate_direct | not_applicable |