Biden, Harris, and History

While his opponent logged 20,000 miles and gave 400 speeches, he was the ultimate compromise candidate who barely campaigned and spoke to the nation from his home. 1/9

His campaign caught fire when he chose a wildly popular running mate, someone with more charisma, who rose to national prominence as an advocate for police reform. After the chaos of the previous administration, their campaign theme was, “A return to normalcy.” 2/9

The incumbent was a white supremacist whose sympathies resided with the former Confederate states. His presidency led to a resurgence of the KKK and a rise in violence against Black Americans. When race riots erupted across the US, he sent in federal troops. 3/9

He was anti-union, anti-socialist, and favored a Russian dictator.

When he installed a crony as Postmaster General, he was accused of manipulating the mail for political purposes. 4/9

Near the end of his presidency he suffered a stroke, though that knowledge was kept from the public for months.

Yes, I’m talking about the candidate, Warren G. Harding, and the incumbent, Woodrow Wilson. 5/9

As a historian, you’d think I’d be used to how many times history repeats itself, but, it never ceases to amaze. Oh, and if you’re wondering what happened next:

6/9

With a nation weary of Wilson’s policies and with women voting for the first time, Harding defeated Wilson’s hand-picked successor (James Cox) in a landslide without even campaigning. 7/9

Harding did die in office, however, and his running mate, Calvin Coolidge became President, so Joe may want to avoid buying green bananas. 8/9

(I know, Wilson was a Democrat and Harding was a Republican. I also know those parties have traded places when it comes to race and nativism. Don’t believe me? There are 53 members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Can you guess how many GOP members there are? I’ll wait…) 9/9