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.

Repeal the Eighteenth Amendment — the candidate preferring a binding national referendum — Norman Thomas, 1932

Similar by solution solution · rationale

ScoreCycleCandidateIssuePosition
0.641932Alfred E. SmithNational ProhibitionOutright repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment — the issue Roosevelt was downplaying
0.601932Albert C. RitchieNational ProhibitionRepeal of the Eighteenth Amendment as a matter of states' rights
0.591932Franklin D. RooseveltNational ProhibitionRepeal the Eighteenth Amendment by state conventions; legalize beer now; states control liquor and bar the saloon
0.551932Newton D. BakerLeague of Nations and international organizationsDo not make the League of Nations a party issue; no entry until a majority of Americans approve
0.541932Norman ThomasIndependence of the Supreme CourtA Workers' Rights Amendment; curb the Supreme Court's power over Congress; proportional representation; direct election of the President
0.511936Franklin D. RooseveltAmending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal powerMeet constitutional obstacles by 'clarifying amendment' -- and say nothing about the Supreme Court
0.501932Herbert HooverNational ProhibitionResubmit the Eighteenth Amendment so each state may decide, with constitutional guarantees against the saloon and against interference with dry states; enforce the law meanwhile
0.491936William LemkeMinimum wagesA 'living annual wage' -- $1,800 for a family of five -- by federal law and a constitutional amendment if necessary
0.491936Frank KnoxAmending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal powerNew federal activities only when legalized by constitutional amendment -- 'the horse and buggy method'
0.481936Franklin D. RooseveltWorking hours and labor standardsRevive the NRA's principles 'by one device or another' (imputed; the President would not say)
0.461932Herbert HooverEqual rights and opportunity for Black AmericansMaintain equal opportunity and rights for Negro citizens
0.461932Herbert HooverTariff levelsUnconditional most-favored-nation treatment; no reciprocal bargains or preferences
0.461936Alf 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
0.451936Alf LandonExecutive reciprocal trade agreements (1934 Act)Repeal the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act; return treaty power to the Senate and tariff-making to Congress
0.441936Alf LandonUnemployment insuranceLeave unemployment insurance to State experiment; no federal tax to compel it
0.431932Franklin D. RooseveltOverall role and scale of the federal governmentGovernment as a check on concentrated economic power — "individualism" redefined as equality of opportunity
0.421932Herbert HooverIndependence of the Supreme CourtPreserve the independence of the Supreme Court from party control
0.411932Herbert HooverOverall role and scale of the federal governmentPreserve 'ordered freedom' and equality of opportunity; reject a state-controlled or state-directed economy as 'tyranny'
0.401936Frank KnoxOverall role and scale of the federal governmentFair, honest, economical and efficient government; preserve free enterprise against 'amateur economic planners'
0.401932Alfred E. SmithTariff levelsEndorsement of the Smoot-Hawley tariff
0.401932Franklin D. RooseveltOverall role and scale of the federal government"A new deal for the American people" — work and security through liberal, planned government action
0.401932Alfred E. SmithOverall role and scale of the federal governmentWar on any candidate who makes 'demagogic appeals to the masses' setting class against class
0.391932Norman ThomasEqual rights and opportunity for Black AmericansEconomic, political and legal equality for the Negro; a federal anti-lynching law; enforce the First Amendment
0.391932Herbert HooverRegulation of securities issuance and exchangesNo federal 'blue sky' law — securities regulation belongs to the states, and the President should not police booms
0.391936Norman ThomasCommunism, radicalism and "alien isms" as a political issueKeep the Socialist vote independent; chide the La Follettes for handing Roosevelt 'everything on a silver platter'