The “Happy Warrior”

[FarLeftRage]

Alfred Emmanuel Smith was born on this day 130 years ago.

After serving four terms as Governor of New York, his name was placed in nomination as the Democratic candidate for the presidency by Franklin Roosevelt at the 1924 Democratic convention.
It was in Roosevelt’s nominating speech that Smith was dubbed “The Happy Warrior”.
Smith was the first Roman Catholic to be seriously considered for the presidency, and this along with his opposition to Prohibition, became a major issue.
Following 102 ballots, the nomination went to John Davis.

In 1928, Al Smith won the nomination on the first ballot and the ensuring campaign dealt with many issues.
None the least which was his religious affiliation and various groups (including the ku klux klan) openly opposed him.
Smith answered by saying, “I believe in absolute freedom of conscience for all, and in the equality of all churches, all sects, and all beliefs before the law as a matter of right and not as a matter of favor”.

Smith lost the 1928 election in a landslide to Hoover, 444 to 87 electoral votes.

[Snow]

1. Huh! Thanks.

I coulda sworn HHH was the first "Happy Warrior". Guess nothing's every very original in politics.

[argyl]

2. I thought me same thing.Learn something new every day.

xx

[NoPasaran]

3. Happy Birthday Al Smith!

My father has told me of hearing some of the endless 1924 Convention on a crystal radio belonging to a young man boarding with his family in their New York tenement. Apparently most of those ballots began "Mr Chairman, the Great State of Alabama casts its votes for Oscar W. Underwood."