LA FOLLETTE'S CANDIDACY CHANGES STRATEGY OF TWO MAJOR PARTIES
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 18, 1924, David Lawrence of The Evening Star reports that Senator Robert M. La Follette* "is determined to head a third party ticket" in 1924 if the Republican Party nominates President Calvin Coolidge as its standard bearer.
Senator La Follette's supporters, Lawrence writes, want "nothing short of a radical program."
The strategy of the two major parties will change due to La Follette's third party candidacy. The Democrats will likely charge Coolidge Republicans are too conservative while La Follette Republicans are too liberal so their party will offer a "compromise between the two extremes."
*Robert M. La Follette (1855-1925) was born in Primrose, Wisconsin & graduated University of Wisconsin 1879. RML served in the US House of Representatives 1885-1891, as governor of WI 1901-1906 & in the US Senate 1906-1925.
RML has been called "the most celebrated figure in Wisconsin history." As standard bearer for the Progressive Party, he carried Wisconsin in the Election of 1924, finished 2nd in 11 states, and won a total of 16.6% of the popular vote.
SOURCE
"La Follette Move Stirs Two Parties," by David Lawrence, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 18, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
