Version 2.0 (w/ events added by Davis Os)
*This scenario has been greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on October 8, 2017 and it can be downloaded here: United States – 1952 v.2.0
America is in the midst of a Cold War with the Soviet Union abroad, and in the middle of the Red Scare domestically. Which party can promise the greatest defense against the fear of Communism?
The Republicans have not won a presidential election in 24 years. The Republican moderate Eastern establishment, including two-time nominee Thomas Dewey, have decided to endorse World War II hero, Dwight D. Eisenhower, as he promises to be the best bet to bring the Republicans back to the White House. However, the aging Robert Taft realizes this is his last chance to win the White House for his conservative wing. Harold Stassen once again hopes to be the liberal option; however, he will have to share influence with Earl Warren. General Douglas MacArthur is also running; however, unofficially.
The Democratic party is collapsing around the unpopular incumbent president Harry S Truman. He would eventually refuse a 3rd term, allowing for a fresh face. The front runner is the populist and liberal Southern senator from Tennessee Estes Kefauver. However, some view him slightly too radical for 1952. Two moderate options exist in Adlai Stevenson (a reluctant candidate) and Averell Harriman (who is inexperienced). The conservative Southern option is Richard Russell. Truman’s VP, Alben Barkley, hopes to be a moderate Southern compromise choice. Several favorite son candidate try to hold their state’s delegates.
The Progressive Party is the largest 3rd party led by lawyer Vincent Hallinan and his running mate, Charlotta Bass, the first African-American VP nominee.
This election has many what-if scenarios:
- What if Thomas Dewey, the 1944 and 1948 nominee ran for the Republican ticket again?
- What if anti-Communist Red Scare monger, Joseph McCarthy, ran for the presidency at the height of his influence?
- Liberal Wayne Morse, Moderate Henry Cabot Lodge and Conservative Everett Dirksen and John W. Bricker were other Republican candidates with support that chose not to run. What if they Ran?
- What if President Truman decided to run for a 3rd term?
- What if Harry F. Byrd attempted to be the Southern option once again for the Democrats?
- Can George C. Marshall be the war hero option for the Democrats?
- FDR, Jr. had some backers pushing him to run to revitalize the party. What if he had agreed despite his inexperience.
- What if billionaire Joseph P. Kennedy pushed his son, Rep. John F. Kennedy to run in 1952 in his first year of eligibility. Can a 35 year old U.S. Rep win the nomination and the White House? He would have been the strong anti-Communist option for the Democrats.
- Eleanor Roosevelt (added by Davis Os)
Feedback, along with any suggestions to remedy any problems, is desired.
You should add Eisenhower as a what if for the Democrats.
Viking, I will in the update for 1948. By 1952, he was clearly known to be a Republican, though.
Korea should also be an issue.
The only reason I mention it is because the Democrats asked him to run in 52.
You’re right about Korea. Oddly, Korea is mostly absent from either party’s platforms for 1952 for some reason. But I could add that. I could also make Eisenhower as a Democrat for 1952 if I can find something that supports Democrats urging him to run for their party for 1952. If I understand correctly, the Republicans grabbed him just after the 1948 election.
This is from wikipedia: “President Truman, symbolizing a broad-based desire for an Eisenhower candidacy for president, again in 1951 pressed him to run for the office as a Democrat. It was at this time that Eisenhower voiced his disagreements with the Democratic party and declared himself and his family to be Republicans”
https://archive.org/stream/eisenhowerthepre002645mbp#page/n19/mode/2up
I actually found out that he had not chosen until January 1952. The Democrats tried to get it where he was both party’s nominee and they had different VP candidates. Eisenhower actually did not campaign much for the nomination.
In the description of Stevenson, you say he is Governor of New York, but of course he was Governor of Illinois.
Van,
Thanks for catching that. It’s because he was made over FDR. I’ll update that after posting the 1956 election.
Will you add Sparkman as a VP candidate?
I might. He’s the VP candidate in 1956.
I may be wrong but I thought that was Kefauver. And Sparkman was ’52.
Ya, Sparkman was ’52.
Yeah, y’all are right. Sorry, I answered too quickly. Yeah, Sparkman should have been in the 1952 scenario. He’ll be in the update. I thought he had already been created.
Yea, something is up with the game…Eisenhower was crushed by Kefaveur by 12 points in an electoral college sweep.
Scenario works properly until GOP convention. Would reinstalling scenario help?
I don’t think so. This scenario is extremely outdated, granted that it has never been worked on since 2015.