National Politics: The 1920 Elections

Harding Campaigns on Image.

The Republicans' strategy reflected their growing confidence and the prevailing attitude that the 1920 election was theirs to lose. Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge conducted a low-risk campaign. Rather than center the campaign on debates over issues and jeopardize his front-runner status, Harding opted to campaign on his image, which was consistent with Americans' desires for peace and tranquillity. The major obstacle for Harding was his lack of a national reputation. Instead of taking to the time-honored stump to overcome this handicap, Harding campaigned from another favorite American icon—the front porch. He invited all interested Americans to his home in Marion, Ohio, and delegations of voters appeared there regularly. Drawing on his experience as a newspaper publisher, Harding successfully wooed the press. Nearly 90 percent of newspaper editors around the country supported him, and reporters...

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