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.

Revive the NRA's principles 'by one device or another' (imputed; the President would not say) — Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936

Similar by solution solution · rationale

ScoreCycleCandidateIssuePosition
0.551936Alf LandonNational economic planningEnd federal regimentation: no revival of NRA or AAA controls, no more emergency powers over production, wages and hours
0.551936Franklin D. RooseveltAmending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal powerMeet constitutional obstacles by 'clarifying amendment' -- and say nothing about the Supreme Court
0.511932Franklin D. RooseveltOverall role and scale of the federal government"A new deal for the American people" — work and security through liberal, planned government action
0.491932Franklin D. RooseveltTariff levelsA "competitive" tariff set through a scientific Tariff Commission, with anti-log-rolling rules and a public counsel
0.481932Norman ThomasNational ProhibitionRepeal the Eighteenth Amendment — the candidate preferring a binding national referendum
0.481932Franklin D. RooseveltOverall role and scale of the federal governmentAn "economic declaration of rights" — the right to make a living and the right to safe savings
0.481932Franklin D. RooseveltRegulation of securities issuance and exchangesNo implied government approval of foreign bond sales; officials will not try to move stock prices
0.471932Franklin D. RooseveltOverall role and scale of the federal governmentGovernment as a check on concentrated economic power — "individualism" redefined as equality of opportunity
0.461932Herbert 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
0.461932Herbert HooverTariff levelsUnconditional most-favored-nation treatment; no reciprocal bargains or preferences
0.461932Franklin D. RooseveltRegulation of utility rates and holding companiesEight-point federal utility program: publicity, Federal Power Commission control of holding companies, prudent-investment rate base
0.451936Frank KnoxAmending the Constitution to enlarge (or restrain) federal powerNew federal activities only when legalized by constitutional amendment -- 'the horse and buggy method'
0.451936Frank KnoxOverall role and scale of the federal governmentFair, honest, economical and efficient government; preserve free enterprise against 'amateur economic planners'
0.451932Herbert HooverOverall role and scale of the federal governmentPreserve 'ordered freedom' and equality of opportunity; reject a state-controlled or state-directed economy as 'tyranny'
0.451936William LemkePublic control of the central bank and money creation'Drive the money changers out of the temple': public control of money and credit, further inflation of the currency
0.441932Herbert HooverLevel of federal spendingCut federal spending $1.5 billion below fiscal 1932 and reorganize the executive branch
0.431932John Nance GarnerPublic works as employment policyThe Garner-Rainey $1.2 billion public-works bill — and a pledge to reintroduce it
0.421932Franklin D. RooseveltRestoring the commodity price level (reflation)Restore commodity prices toward their former dollar value rather than write down all debts
0.421936Alf 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
0.421936William LemkeMinimum wagesA 'living annual wage' -- $1,800 for a family of five -- by federal law and a constitutional amendment if necessary
0.421932Norman ThomasIndependence of the Supreme CourtA Workers' Rights Amendment; curb the Supreme Court's power over Congress; proportional representation; direct election of the President
0.421936Franklin D. RooseveltWorking hours and labor standardsShorter hours, higher wages, end child labor and sweatshops
0.421932Herbert HooverRegulation of securities issuance and exchangesNo federal 'blue sky' law — securities regulation belongs to the states, and the President should not police booms
0.421932Newton D. BakerLeague of Nations and international organizationsDo not make the League of Nations a party issue; no entry until a majority of Americans approve
0.411932Herbert HooverFederal responsibility for reliefRelief through voluntary mobilization and local responsibility, with RFC loans to exhausted states — no federal dole