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.

Resubmit the Eighteenth Amendment so each state may decide, with constitutional guarantees against the saloon and against interference with dry states; enforce the law meanwhile — Herbert Hoover, 1932

Similar by solution solution · rationale

ScoreCycleCandidateIssuePosition
0.721936Alf LandonAmending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal powerWages, hours and child labor by State law and interstate compact -- and a constitutional amendment giving the States power if the courts forbid
0.691932Franklin D. RooseveltNational ProhibitionRepeal the Eighteenth Amendment by state conventions; legalize beer now; states control liquor and bar the saloon
0.681936Franklin D. RooseveltAmending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal powerMeet constitutional obstacles by 'clarifying amendment' -- and say nothing about the Supreme Court
0.671936Frank KnoxAmending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal powerNew federal activities only when legalized by constitutional amendment -- 'the horse and buggy method'
0.661932Albert C. RitchieNational ProhibitionRepeal of the Eighteenth Amendment as a matter of states' rights
0.651936Alf LandonIndependence of the Supreme CourtAn independent Supreme Court secure from executive or legislative invasion; maintain the balance between States and nation
0.641932Herbert HooverRegulation of securities issuance and exchangesNo federal 'blue sky' law — securities regulation belongs to the states, and the President should not police booms
0.641936Alf LandonAntitrust and concentration of economic powerUse the full power of the federal government to break up private monopolies and enforce the antitrust laws 'without fear or favor'
0.631932Norman ThomasEqual rights and opportunity for Black AmericansEconomic, political and legal equality for the Negro; a federal anti-lynching law; enforce the First Amendment
0.631936William LemkeMinimum wagesA 'living annual wage' -- $1,800 for a family of five -- by federal law and a constitutional amendment if necessary
0.621932Norman ThomasIndependence of the Supreme CourtA Workers' Rights Amendment; curb the Supreme Court's power over Congress; proportional representation; direct election of the President
0.601936Franklin D. RooseveltAntitrust and concentration of economic powerVigorously enforce the antitrust laws and restore their efficacy against new corporate devices
0.581932Franklin D. RooseveltOverall role and scale of the federal governmentGovernment as a check on concentrated economic power — "individualism" redefined as equality of opportunity
0.571936Alf LandonUnemployment insuranceLeave unemployment insurance to State experiment; no federal tax to compel it
0.551932Alfred E. SmithNational ProhibitionOutright repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment — the issue Roosevelt was downplaying
0.551932Franklin D. RooseveltAntitrust and concentration of economic powerStrengthen and impartially enforce the antitrust laws
0.541932Herbert HooverTariff levelsUnconditional most-favored-nation treatment; no reciprocal bargains or preferences
0.541936Frank KnoxOverall role and scale of the federal governmentFair, honest, economical and efficient government; preserve free enterprise against 'amateur economic planners'
0.541932Herbert HooverIndependence of the Supreme CourtPreserve the independence of the Supreme Court from party control
0.541936Franklin D. RooseveltCivil service and patronageImmediately extend the merit system to all non-policy-making federal positions
0.541932Franklin D. RooseveltUnemployment insuranceUnemployment insurance under state laws
0.531936Alf LandonExecutive reciprocal trade agreements (1934 Act)Repeal the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act; return treaty power to the Senate and tariff-making to Congress
0.531932Franklin D. RooseveltTariff levelsA "competitive" tariff set through a scientific Tariff Commission, with anti-log-rolling rules and a public counsel
0.531932Herbert HooverFederal guarantee of bank depositsOppose a federal guarantee of bank deposits
0.521932Franklin D. RooseveltRegulation of utility rates and holding companiesEight-point federal utility program: publicity, Federal Power Commission control of holding companies, prudent-investment rate base