Two 19th-century elections are a reminder that a sizable midterm shift, like the one expected in November, can signal long-lasting changes in American politics that set the country in a new direction.
Articles on Grover Cleveland
Displaying all articles
There are lessons from history for today’s divided America. Political division in the second half of the 19th century produced more problems than solutions. But it did end − at the ballot box.
According to myth, the ghost of George Washington cursed anyone serving more than four years. But a nonconsecutive second term is different – as is Donald Trump.
Effective Republican organizing and intraparty divisions among Democrats solidified GOP political dominance until the 1930s.
Second acts in politics have historically been marred by leaders who are unable, or unwilling, to adjust to unexpected developments in the domestic, economic or global arenas.
While some Republicans want to put Donald Trump onto Mt. Rushmore, historians often change their views of presidents over time.
Only one president has done so – Franklin Delano Roosevelt – but others considered it, and even tried.
Only one American president – Grover Cleveland – has lost reelection and then won back his office.
Journalists want to be first to tell the public who won, but the 2020 election night news frenzy may be very different from past years’ coverage.
President Trump was direct in announcing he had COVID-19. But presidents in the past have been very good at deceiving the public about the state of their health. Which direction will Trump go now?
Top contributors
-
Senior Fellow, Miller Center, University of Virginia
-
Associate Professor, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia
-
Associate Professor of Journalism, Indiana University
-
Professor in Leadership Studies, University of Richmond
-
Associate Professor of Political Science, Erie Campus, Penn State
-
Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, York University, Canada
-
Associate Professor of Political Science, Emmanuel College
-
Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato
-
Professor of Political Science, University of Connecticut