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When Center East Politics (Virtually) Tipped an American Presidential Election
I already knew that in 1948, Harry Truman moved rapidly to acknowledge the state of Israel. And that in identical yr, Truman’s former Commerce Secretary Henry Wallace challenged him with a third-party presidential bid.
However till I used to be researching Tuesday’s publication (concerning the “quick historical past of Democratic pre-election bed-wetting”), I didn’t understand how these two historic occasions collided and nearly modified the course of historical past.
Earlier than I’m going on, right here’s what’s main the Washington Month-to-month web site:
I used to be re-reading Truman biographies, refreshing my reminiscence of when outstanding liberals referred to as for Truman to bow out of the 1948 race and for Common Dwight Eisenhower to run in his place.
That occurred in April 1948, one month earlier than Truman memorably acknowledged Israel, however one month after Truman’s State Division much less memorably backed away from a plan to ascertain a Jewish state.
The ensuing backlash from the seeming abandonment of the Jewish trigger led to an enormous drop in help for Truman in April polls.
In the meantime Wallace, a staunch supporter of Zionism, was operating laborious to win over Jews in New York, which supplied the largest haul of Electoral School votes. Few thought Wallace might win New York, however he might play spoiler and tip the state to the Republicans. Democratic panic went off the charts.
Does any of that appear acquainted at this time? As a substitute of fears of Truman dropping Jewish help in New York, at this time Democrats worry Joe Biden is dropping Arab and Muslim help in Michigan.
Does the story of 1948 counsel Democrats have motive to panic, or motive to stay calm? To seek out out, you’ll need to click on right here and skim to the top!
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