William Jennings Bush

by Liberty and Power

Prior to the election Ralph Luker at Cliopatria pointed out that the states carried by William Jennings Bryan in 1896 were remarkably similar to those where Bush was ahead in the polls. The final results are even closer (see below). Several current western states, such as Arizona, were territories so are not indicated. Bryan's states are red and McKinley's are blue. The Bush/Kerry distribution is shown on the map below it. Make of it what you will.

comments powered by Disqus

More Comments:

mary lili jory - 8/17/2009

I like very much the writings and pictures and explanations in your adress so I look forward to see your next writings.
In the present lively world, food and clothing put on the line in our life have already to obtain the sublimation, life needs the entertainment, in the market shoe's design is all kinds, Women is Dakota and Sundance UGG Boots were the riotous multi-colors, each kinds of color and design are finitely looks like the young women's hairstyle , every day them use the ghd Hair Straightener to changes themself hairstyle,when went out they brought MP3 to wear the fashion to symbolize that Bose in ear headphones and Bose on ear headphones ,let us feel the fashionable news of life.
People to enjoy music, a need for a high-quality sound equipment to show the moving melody to enhance the music quality of life,It is the use of bose headphones.Now bose headphones for sale in hot.

David T. Beito - 11/6/2004

Bryan was not literally a pacifist. He supported the Spanish American War, for example. For the most part, however, he was associated with antiwar and antiimperialist movements (especially after 1900).

Radley Balko - 11/6/2004

Fascinating.

But wasn't Bryan a pacificst?

I could be wrong.

David T. Beito - 11/6/2004

Bob:

I should have noticed Kentucky. When I wrote my article on the Gold Democrats, I remember that they boasted quite a bit about that. Thanks for the county map. I'll put it up next week if you don't mind.

David

Robert W. Cherny - 11/6/2004

Corretion: The URL for the 2004 map of the election by counties is at
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?m=/c/pictures/2004/11/04/mn_election04cnty.jpg&;f=/c/a/2004/11/04/MNGM89LL8L1.DTL

Robert W. Cherny - 11/6/2004

I'd noticed the same thing some time ago for the 2000 electoral map, and have incorporated it into lectures over the past several years. The crucial battleground states in 1896 were Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin.

However, the map for 1896 is incorrect in showing the Bryan took Kentucky. He did not; Kentucky went to McKinley based on the vote drawn from Bryan by the Gold Democrats.

There are MAJOR differences between the 1896 map and the 2000-2004 maps, however, if one looks at counties. For the 2004 map by counties, see
<http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2004/11/04/MNGM89LL8L1.DTL&;o=1> For the 1896 map by counties, go to http://bss.sfsu.edu/cherny/Leiden%20lecture,%20Oct%2004.pdf and scroll to slide 44.

Bob Cherny

Common Sense - 11/6/2004

Great post, DBB. I will limit myself to two thoughts. First, there is a literature on this geographic pattern, and I would recommend Albion's Seed by David Hackett Fischer as the jumping off point. Second, one should note that, although the geographic divide remains the same, the parties themselves have traded places and survived the process. Understanding this switch is to me, at least, one of the most important stories in the past 100+ years of American politics

Kenneth R Gregg - 11/6/2004

David,
At first, my reaction is that this must be some odd coincidence, as the demographics have surely changed in the past century. Perhaps I'm wrong on this. The ethno-religious roots within a region may just remain as part of the local culture. Immigrants, regardless of their background, assimilate the local values, as much as they participate in the local economy.

This is a fascinating comparative map. Certainly both Jennings and Bush brought an evangelical dimension into their respective campaigns. I wonder if there are other comparisons between different campaigns that show similar loss/win divides as this?

Certainly leaves one with as many questions as answers.

Ken
kgregglv@cox.net
http://classicalliberalism.blogspot.com/