Many people on Twitter are reacting this morning to Abigail Spanberger's "Nobody elected him to be FDR" quote.
"I did!" many voices answer. Ok, so you want FDR? Here's a story about FDR ... 1/x
"I did!" many voices answer. Ok, so you want FDR? Here's a story about FDR ... 1/x
In May 1936, Roosevelt's postmaster general James Farley spoke at the Michigan Democratic state convention. Postmaster General was a very big job in those days, and Farley functioned as FDR's de facto campaign manager. So people listened carefully. 2/x
n the speech, Farley referenced a likely FDR opponent in the election ahead, Kansas Governor Alf Landon. He described Landon as governor of a "typical prairie state." 3/x
As political derision goes, Farley's remark was not so very derisive. He didn't denounce "prairie supremacy" or deride prairie-dwellers as bigots or Karens. But many took offense even so. Had not Abraham Lincoln also come from a "typical prairie state"? 4/x
FDR sent Farley a letter of rebuke. Don't criticize blocs of voters! Compliments only! EG: "one of our SPLENDID prairie states." This is all the more true if you don't belong to the group yourself, as Farley - a New Yorker - most certainly did not. 5/x
FDR understood this rule deeply. He carried the prairies in 1936, including Landon's home state of Kansas.
Do thou likewise. END
Do thou likewise. END
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