Election of 1920

President Wilson became increasingly unpopular due to his policies which caused recession in the economy. Later on severe stokes followed forbidding him to speak on his own behalf. The frontrunner for Republican nomination, Theodore Roosevelt, died in 1919, leaving the heir in Republican party to Warren G. Harding. In the election of 1920, Democrats nominated James M. Cox, who was also a newspaper publisher like Harding. Cox chose Franklin D. Roosevelt as his running mate in order to help his campaign and did all he could to defeat Harding. However, Harding ignored Cox and campaigned against Wilson, calling for normalcy. In the end Harding won with the largest popular vote percentage of 60.3% to 34.1% in Presidential elections with Calvin Coolidge along his side as the vice-president.



He used a slogan “Return to Normalcy” to called an end to the Era of the Great War, which included a “renewed isolationism in reaction to war, a revival of nativism, and ignoring government activism of the reform era” (Wikipedia). His campaign was covered by press and received widespread coverage. It was also “the first campaign to use the power of Hollywood and Broadway stars who travelled to Marion for photo opportunities” (Wikipedia). The campaign was very popular among women because of his support in women suffrage. The election was the first election that allowed women to vote nationwide and was also the first presidential election to be covered on the radio. His wife was one of his biggest supporters. She would care for the press and was very open in answering questions from the press. Her support obviously adds up to the public’s favor for Harding.