1924

35A-1067084

After Harding died in 1923 and Calvin Coolidge assumed the presidency, corruption was revealed in the Harding administration. Although Coolidge's record was clean, cartoonists still pictured these scandals as haunting his candidacy in 1924 (35A-1067084). The Democratic candidate John W. Davis was pictured as the man to "clean up" government (35B-1067085). But Coolidge ran on the slogan "keep cool with Coolidge" and emphasized his accomplishments. This cartoon combines elements of two cartoons of Roosevelt that we saw earlier (see 30D-1067045, 30F-1067047) into a pledge of support for Coolidge (35C-1067086). His "coolness" was parodied as well; here he is shown engaged in a "whirlwind campaign."(35D-1067087)

The Conference for Progressive Political Action nominated Robert M. LaFollette, who had the support of many Socialists, intellectuals, and farm and labor groups, though he lacked money and organization. Both parties had to recognize him as a force to contend with, and they are shown here "courting" Progressive votes, but the prosperity under Coolidge helped to give him some of the farm support (35E-1067088, 35F-1067089). Uncle Sam's prediction in this case was right: "Bob" did not make it to the White House; Calvin Coolidge was elected (35G-1067090).