PresidentialPositionsIssuesReceptionTimelineDocuments

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.

Positions (15)

clear
CycleCandidateIssuePositionKindStrengthAttributionEv.Verdict
1932Norman ThomasFarm and home mortgage reliefGovernment aid to farmers and small home-owners against foreclosure and tax sales; moratorium on interest debatedpledge_forwarddirectional_stanceparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasEqual rights and opportunity for Black AmericansEconomic, political and legal equality for the Negro; a federal anti-lynching law; enforce the First Amendmentpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasEuropean war debts and reparationsCancel the war debts (against cancellation of reparations) and raze the tariff wallpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasLeague of Nations and international organizationsJoin the League and World Court; lead general disarmament; free the Philippines; withdraw from Nicaragua, Haiti and China; recognize the Soviet Unionpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasIndependence of the Supreme CourtA Workers' Rights Amendment; curb the Supreme Court's power over Congress; proportional representation; direct election of the Presidentpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasSickness and health insuranceNational health insurancepledge_forwarddirectional_stanceparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasPublic ownership of major industriesTransfer the principal industries — banking, natural resources, utilities — to social ownership by compensation, not confiscationpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasPublic works as employment policyA $5 billion federal public-works program — roads, reforestation, slum clearance, workers' housing — and idle factories and land turned over to the unemployedpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasChild laborAbolition of child laborpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasWorking hours and labor standardsThe six-hour day and five-day week without reduction in wagespledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasNational ProhibitionRepeal the Eighteenth Amendment — the candidate preferring a binding national referendumpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasUnemployment insuranceCompulsory unemployment insurance funded by employers and by higher income and inheritance taxespledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasFederal responsibility for reliefA $5 billion federal appropriation for immediate relief of those in needpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasOld-age pensions and social insuranceOld-age pensions for men and women sixty and overpledge_forwardspecific_pledgeparty_platformBnot_applicable
1932Norman ThomasIncome and inheritance tax progressivitySteeply increased income and inheritance taxespledge_forwarddirectional_stanceparty_platformBnot_applicable