Jane Byrne's apparent upset victory against the Chicago machine presaged the rising discontent of many of the city’s voters against the domineering Democratic organization, as she railed against an evil cabal controlling the city. Yet over her tumultuous mayoralty, she has embraced party regulars like Ed Vrdolyak, alienated Black Chicago, all while growing increasingly unpopular.
Now, she attempts to fend off a challenge from Richard Daley, the former Machine Mayor's son, arguing to turn back the clock to the more stable years of his father. Black dignity begins to seem an elusive concept as Black voters are perpetually slighted and demeaned in the political realm.
Thanks for playing! I’ve been working on this project for a few months now, and I’m very happy how it turned it. I hope you enjoyed it too, but if you have any feedback, feel free to contact me (I’m yeahforsure on discord).
In addition to these sources listed, I also looked at quite a few contemporary articles from the time about the race, mainly from the Chicago Sun Times. Again, thank you for playing.
\", \"has_visits\": 0, \"no_electoral_majority_image\": \"/static/images/1960-no-majority-photo.jpg\", \"site_image\": \"https://i.imgur.com/Swi49Jl.png\", \"site_description\": \"The Chicago machine, having thrived long after machines were supposed to under the ruling of the ailing Mayor Richard Daley, has prospered long-since his death. Victory in 1975 gave way to a 'loss' to Jane Byrne, a promised anti-machine leader, but her stance lasted all of two months. Black voters had been neglected, treated at-best as a necessary part of the machinery, yet these relations have only decayed further under the turbulent and unpopular Byrne administration. Soon, a change may be a-coming.\"}}]"); campaignTrail_temp.candidate_json = JSON.parse("[{\"model\": \"campaign_trail.candidate\", \"pk\": 200, \"fields\": {\"first_name\": \"Lu\", \"last_name\": \"Palmer\", \"election\": 20, \"party\": \"None\", \"state\": \"Chicago\", \"priority\": 1, \"description\": \"
Lu Palmer — political activist, reporter, radio host — is near-infamous among Chicago reformers. His writings after resigning from the Chicago Daily News placed him on the fringes of even the Chicago antimachine coalition for its outspoken and provocative flair, alongside his biting critques.
While he emerged as a radio personality, he was known for constantly evoking controversy for his attacks on the likes of prominent Black clergy, Black politicans, claiming they were Machine toadies, even feuding with Jesse Jackson over a handshake with Mayor Daley. But something changed. Harold Washington's first campaign for mayor in 1977 provided him with a dilemma: despite his regular dismissal of electoral politics, Palmer really believed in Washington. Ultimately, he decided that the solution for his predicament was to mobilize voters for Harold while never registering to vote himself — in the end, Washington lost, and Jane Byrne was elevated.
Palmer began to feel as if he must bridge a gap, of sorts. As Washington won his election to Congress, the first year Palmer registered to vote, Lu began ceaselessly talking about the 1983 election, murmuring that it may be the year for a Black Mayor. Palmer knows the key is to unite the movement, and finally notch a viable Black candidate in a year where victory is possible. That candidate is Harold Washington.
Palmer needs Washington. He feels he is the only potential candidate with any shot at victory. And yet Washington is skeptical, hesitant. Palmer, for his part, has a plan: he will mobilize the Chicago Black community to draft Harold, and then, Harold will win — if he only has the courage.
In spite of a hard-fought challenge from Hillary Clinton, you have shocked the world with your election victory.
On the political front, you have the bully pulpit in your favor, but support in Congress in uncertain. Will you govern as a more traditional conservative, or will you make a break from orthodoxy?
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
Many of your supporters are despondent that you have faltered to the likes of Hillary Clinton. Republicans in general believe this was a very winnable election, and are enraged that you came in to blow it. Luckily, there are any number of ways for you to take advantage of your newfound exposure. One rumor even has you founding a television station to profit from the aggrieved sensibilities of your followers. The future is in your hands.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Wow! You have pulled out 2016 election.
No candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College. However, the Republicans won a majority in Congress and will elevate you to the Presidency. Time will tell how things go in that regard. Any mutual affection between you and Congress is predicted to be short-lived, but you've pulled off a number of surprises to get this far.
As expected, Hillary Clinton has carried her party's nomination, and now faces an unexpected opponent in Donald Trump. She was traditionally known as a mainstream Democrat, but tacked significantly to the left during the primary campaign. Clinton enters the general election in a strong position, but she'll be under relentless attack on a number of fronts. Can she make the case that she truly in touch with the American people -- or that Trump would be an even worse option?
In spite of a hard-fought challenge from Donald Trump, you have become the first woman elected to serve as President.
On the political front, it is unclear how much of your agenda you will be able to push forward with the current Congress. Hopefully your victory has helped Democrats further down the ballot. Start packing and prepare to move back into the White House!
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
Many of your supporters are despondent that you have faltered to the likes of Donald Trump. Many in the left wing of the party are furious that you pushed their candidate aside, only to lose. Time will tell how Trump operates as President. As for you, a long and sometimes ambiguous political career seems to be coming to its end.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
No candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College. However, the Republicans won a majority in Congress and will elevate Trump to the Presidency. Time will tell how things go in that regard. As for you, a long and sometimes ambiguous political career seems to be coming to its end.
The CBUC is Palmer’s vessel for finally electing a Black Mayor. Evolving from Palmer's basement meetings meant to drum up support for this effort, he intends for this organization to be a force for real opposition against the machine: training volunteers to do battle with the organizations patronage armies, uniting the desperate strands of the Movement in Chicago. Unfortunately, the wrangling Palmer will need to perform won't be easy.
There stands several factions of this Movement: the coalitionists of Richard Barrnett and James Compton of the Urban League, hailed by liberals as the rulers of the Chicago Civil Rights movements, previously mocked by Palmer for being ‘used’ by white politicians. On the other side, the nationalists, voices of Black militancy, echoing the late Fred Hampton, denouncing the process — with a third faction lying with Jesse Jackson and his Operation PUSH. Palmer is no diplomat, but he feels that he is the only activist in the Washington camp with enough nationalist clout to build true unity in the movement — and then, in Chicago.
Tim Kaine has served as a Governor and Senator from Virginia, and shares similar political views to Hillary Clinton. He is fluent in both Spanish and English.
A lot of people see Kaine as a safe, experienced pick. He has little to offer to the wing of the party that supported Bernie Sanders during the nomination fight.
Bernie Sanders was your main opponent in the nomination battle. There's no pretending that the two of you have a warm relationship, but he does have fierce support from many of your potential voters. On the other hand, if you want to make the case that you're a moderate alternative to Trump's extremism, having Bernie on the ticket will not help on that front.
Cory Booker is a Senator from New Jersey and was also the Mayor of Newark for several years. Politically, he is a mainstream Democrat, relatively similar to Barack Obama. He is also relatively youthful, with somewhat of a national profile. Turning out the black vote, and preventing even a handful of defectors to Trump, will be essential to a Clinton victory. However, Booker inspires limited enthusiasm amongst Sanders supporters.
Elizabeth Warren is a Senator from Massachusetts and an icon to progressive Democrats. Selecting her could be a good way to appeal to supporters of Bernie Sanders, but she will expect Clinton to adhere to progressive stances throughout the campaign, as a condition of joining the ticket. Some observers think that having two women on the ticket may be a bit much, and also point out that Warren's home state is safely Democratic.
Sherrod Brown is a Senator from Ohio with a long history in that crucial state. He has generally been on the liberal end of the Democratic spectrum, but could help Clinton compete in the Midwest. Brown is reluctant to serve as a running mate this year. Clinton will need to give assurances that her change of position on trade issues, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is a permanent change, and was not one of political expediency.
Joe Biden came back from the dead to win the Democratic Party's nomination, and seems to enter the campaign slightly ahead in the polls against incumbent Donald Trump. Emotions are running high, even more than usual, in this campaign. Can Biden live up to his promise to calm tensions, or will he be overwhelmed by events?
Things may have been closer and more contested than you hoped for, but the final result remains. Can you help bring the country back together after a tumultuous few years? Or will you be seen as a lame duck from the first day -- unable to keep the two wings of your party coordinated? Time will tell.
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Perhaps the party will need to go in a completely different direction in 2024. As for yourself, it seems that your long, illustrious political career has surely drawn to a close.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
In spite of the 269-269 tie in the electoral college, Republicans control a majority of state delegations in the House of Representatives. After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Perhaps the party will need to go in a completely different direction in 2024.
President Donald Trump enters the campaign with the advantages of incumbency, yet seems to be the underdog for a second time. Can Trump piece together a winning coalition again, and will it be the same one that got him over the finish line in 2016? The pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement only serve to complicate his task even further.
For the second time in a row, many analysts saw a victory for you as practically impossible. But whatever they say, it is clear that your Make America Great Again agenda has been vindicated. Where do you take things from here?
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Many analysts believe the party will need to go in a completely different direction next time. As for yourself, will you take these results sitting down, or will you prepare yourself for an epic political comeback in 2024?
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Congratulations! You have won the 2020 election.
In spite of the 269-269 tie in the electoral college, Republicans control a majority of state delegations in the House of Representatives. A lot of liberals are absolutely distraught and outraged that the election came down to such a technicality, but hey, those are the rules!
Kamala Harris is a Senator from California who made her own run for President in 2020. She would be acceptable to moderates and financial supporters, has some appeal to progressives, and brings diversity to the ticket. She's not the preferred choice of most progressives.
Susan Rice was a UN Ambassador and a National Security Advisor to Barack Obama, and brings decades of foreign policy experience. She would be a true center-left pick, but has never run for elected office. Her foreign policy record would also be a turnoff to progressives.
Karen Bass is a Congresswoman from California and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. She has taken more progressive policy stances (including support for Medicare For All) than some of the other candidates, with the attendant supporters and detractors.
Gretchen Whitmer is the Governor of Michigan who could bring some undecideds over the line in that state and region. She is seen as a mainstream Democrat with solid experience. Choosing her would anger some supporters who expect an African-American running-mate after this summer's protests.
Elizabeth Warren is a Senator from Massachusetts who made a serious run at the Democratic Nomination in 2020. She is generally seen as a solid progressive with a particular interest in financial reform and regulation. Choosing her would anger some supporters who expect an African-American running-mate after this summer's protests.
Mike Pence has served as your Vice President for the past four years, sticking to all of your talking points and staying out of the limelight. Most feel he should be rewarded for this loyalty with another turn on the top of the ticket. He also helps shore up your support with social conservatives.
Nikki Haley has served as the Governor of South Carolina, and as a UN Ambassador. She could help you moderate your image and try to close the female vote. Choosing her would probably lead to hard feelings between yourself and Pence, but would your voters care?
Val Demings is a Congresswoman and former police chief from Florida. She could allow Biden to select a black running mate with more moderate credentials than some of the other choices. However, she has had a limited national profile and may be a disappointment to the more progressive wing of the party.
Tammy Duckworth is a Senator from Illinois who served in Iraq and has been active in foreign policy issues. She could help in the Midwest, but was also born in Thailand (as a U.S. citizen) and will need to deflect questions about her eligibility. Additionally, many party activists are expecting an African-American to be selected as well.
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Defying the loftiest of Chicago movement expectations, Harold Washington has beaten Richard Daley and Mayor Byrne, upsetting the Chicago machine while assuring himself as the Democratic nominee. Republicans haven’t held the mayorality in decades — many outlets declare Washington the de facto Mayor, with Democrats' traditional strength in the city.
One must note, however, that those assurances were built off the Chicago Democratic organization; the Daley Machine. Some of Washington’s advisors worry that the maligned Chicago Republicans, nominating no-name state legislator Bernard Epton, could harness racial resentment and a disinterested, unwilling Democratic establishment to revitalize their party, and upend Harold's hope to defeat the city's politics as usual.
Thanks for playing! I’ve been working on this project for a few months now, and I’m very happy how it turned it. I hope you enjoyed it too, but if you have any feedback, feel free to contact me (I’m yeahforsure on discord).
In addition to these sources listed, I also looked at quite a few contemporary articles from the time about the race, mainly from the Chicago Sun Times. Again, thank you for playing.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face off in the 2016 election. Clinton has served as First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State. Trump has never served in elected office. Clinton was the presumptive nominee from start to finish, while Trump has shocked the political world.
How will their campaign play out? Can Clinton continue the legacy of Obama? Can Trump pull off an upset?
(NOTE: scenario created in March 2016, may not reflect subsequent events.)
Barack Obama attempts to win reelection while Mitt Romney hopes to bring a more conservative vision to the White House. The poor economy and Obama's signature health care initiatives loom large in the 2012 election.
Obama will attempt to make the case that his stewardship prevented economic disaster after the 2008 financial crisis.
Romney will try to frame his business and executive experience as a contrast to the background and results of Obama.
George W. Bush attempts to chart a new direction for the U.S., while Al Gore tries to win election as the sitting Vice President. Ralph Nader is a leftist third-party candidate. The economy has been booming, until quite recently, but President Clinton has been through an embarrassing scandal.
Candidates will debate what to do with a $200 billion budget surplus, among other things. In the real world, Florida was decided by 537 votes after 36 days and a Supreme Court decision.
President Gerald Ford attempts to win election to office after replacing Richard Nixon in 1974, and narrowly defeating Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination. Jimmy Carter is a new face on the national scene, having served as Governor of Georgia. He will make the case that the nation needs new blood after the scandals of the Nixon era. Both candidates are seen as moderate by the standards of their party. The battleground states are in the West, the Midwest, and the Northeast.
The 1968 election enters its final stretch in chaos. Riots are a frequent occurrence as the Vietnam War divides the nation, and Johnson's \\\"Great Society\\\" is under full attack.
Nixon attempts to present himself as a law-and-order candidate who will bear the standard of Republicanism.
Humphrey tries to hold the line for liberalism in a year of social chaos and racial agitation.
Wallace hopes to bring an end to Civil Rights and desegregation.
After eight years of Dwight Eisenhower, two youthful candidates compete to be his successor. Kennedy is a Senator with a moderate record, a telegenic face, and high-minded rhetoric. Nixon is the sitting Vice President with a strong Cold War record, moderate economic views, and potential likeability problems. Nixon begins the campaign as the slight favorite, but every region of the country could be competitive. Key issues are the Cold War, civil rights, and health care.
The 1948 election begins with President Truman trailing badly in the polls. Thomas Dewey, loser in 1944, is widely expected to redeem himself this time around. Truman not only has to deal with Dewey, a moderate Republican, but also with two splinter candidates. Henry Wallace is a far-left candidate with the Progressive Party, while Strom Thurmond runs as a Dixiecrat. Some hot issues are the Soviet Union, civil rights, the \\\"Do-Nothing\\\" Congress, and the Taft-Hartley Act.
War rages in Europe, while Woodrow Wilson has used his first term to push a number of progressive laws, such as the income tax and Federal Reserve. Charles Evans Hughes has resigned from the Supreme Court to unite his party and deny a second term.
Wilson will emphasize the U.S. non-involvement with World War I, and his legislative achievements.
Hughes must balance the Old Guard and Progressive wings of his own party -- or cast one overboard entirely.
William McKinley runs as the establishment Republican while William Jennings Bryan brings a radically different agenda to the race. The bad economy and the coinage of silver dominate discussion.
McKinley will make the case for traditional Republican policies, including a strong defense of the gold standard.
Bryan will state that there can be no relief for debtors or the larger economy without inflation, which he hopes to bring about via \\\"free silver\\\".
Abraham Lincoln runs as the Republican against his rival Stephen A. Douglas. Slavery is the dominant issue and has caused two splinter candidates to step forward -- Breckinridge and Bell -- both with Southern roots.
Lincoln begins with the lead, and must simply hold his Northern coalition together to take the victory.
The other three candidates must find some way to prevent a Lincoln victory. In that case, the House of Representatives will choose.
President Tyler has defined the key issue of this election with his proposed annexation of Texas. James K. Polk, the Democrat, gained his nomination by favoring the measure. Henry Clay, the Whig, has more latitude.
The Liberty Party lurks as an abolitionist third party, and will pressure the Whigs. Conversely, John Tyler hopes to use the Texas issue to energize an independent campaign, if Polk wavers. Other campaign issues are tariffs, internal improvements, and the banking system.
Bitter from seeing Jane Byrne’s transformation from a surprise 1979 victory to machine subservience, few let themselves hope that they wouldn’t be condemned to another four years of false, Machine-led promises. And yet, through the registration and inspiration of hundreds of thousands of Black voters, from a reform coalition to unite the city, the Congressman from Bronzeville has won the Democratic primary. From his enduring work for Ralph Metcalfe and the 3rd Ward Democrats, to his ample career through the state legislature, to his break with the machine and Congressional victory, Washington has proven himself again and again — Harold is now the hope of a people.
Washington has overcome what he saw as his toughest election yet — his second for Mayor — and achieved victory, yet still needs to win over the general. If he can keep the Chicago Democratic Party with him while continuing to tend to his base, this should be no problem, considering the state of the Cook County Republicans.
In spite of a hard-fought challenge from Hillary Clinton, you have shocked the world with your election victory.
On the political front, you have the bully pulpit in your favor, but support in Congress in uncertain. Will you govern as a more traditional conservative, or will you make a break from orthodoxy?
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
Many of your supporters are despondent that you have faltered to the likes of Hillary Clinton. Republicans in general believe this was a very winnable election, and are enraged that you came in to blow it. Luckily, there are any number of ways for you to take advantage of your newfound exposure. One rumor even has you founding a television station to profit from the aggrieved sensibilities of your followers. The future is in your hands.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Wow! You have pulled out 2016 election.
No candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College. However, the Republicans won a majority in Congress and will elevate you to the Presidency. Time will tell how things go in that regard. Any mutual affection between you and Congress is predicted to be short-lived, but you've pulled off a number of surprises to get this far.
As expected, Hillary Clinton has carried her party's nomination, and now faces an unexpected opponent in Donald Trump. She was traditionally known as a mainstream Democrat, but tacked significantly to the left during the primary campaign. Clinton enters the general election in a strong position, but she'll be under relentless attack on a number of fronts. Can she make the case that she truly in touch with the American people -- or that Trump would be an even worse option?
In spite of a hard-fought challenge from Donald Trump, you have become the first woman elected to serve as President.
On the political front, it is unclear how much of your agenda you will be able to push forward with the current Congress. Hopefully your victory has helped Democrats further down the ballot. Start packing and prepare to move back into the White House!
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
Many of your supporters are despondent that you have faltered to the likes of Donald Trump. Many in the left wing of the party are furious that you pushed their candidate aside, only to lose. Time will tell how Trump operates as President. As for you, a long and sometimes ambiguous political career seems to be coming to its end.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
No candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College. However, the Republicans won a majority in Congress and will elevate Trump to the Presidency. Time will tell how things go in that regard. As for you, a long and sometimes ambiguous political career seems to be coming to its end.
The Cook County Democrats had thrived. Their machinery, commanded by Richard Daley, tightly churned any politicos hoping for an inkling of power into proving their loyalty to the party. The ailing Daley may have felt his grasp loosened in the end, when he felt his first truly competitive primary amid tales of administrative corruption, but he didn’t live to see its power truly fail. Regular Democrat Michael Bilandic took his place, yet soon was unseated by Jane Byrne, as she promised an end to the organization with the help of independent-leaning lakefront liberals.
It was a farce, of course. Why else did the establishment coalesce around her once she won the primary? Four years later, she paid for it: after a tumultuous term, she faced an expected challenge from Daley’s son, and polled far behind him. Yet he failed, she fundraised, and Harold won with good governance liberals and Black voters. Now, the new reformer hero must convince this machinery to lend him their support, least they elect a Republican.
Tim Kaine has served as a Governor and Senator from Virginia, and shares similar political views to Hillary Clinton. He is fluent in both Spanish and English.
A lot of people see Kaine as a safe, experienced pick. He has little to offer to the wing of the party that supported Bernie Sanders during the nomination fight.
Bernie Sanders was your main opponent in the nomination battle. There's no pretending that the two of you have a warm relationship, but he does have fierce support from many of your potential voters. On the other hand, if you want to make the case that you're a moderate alternative to Trump's extremism, having Bernie on the ticket will not help on that front.
Cory Booker is a Senator from New Jersey and was also the Mayor of Newark for several years. Politically, he is a mainstream Democrat, relatively similar to Barack Obama. He is also relatively youthful, with somewhat of a national profile. Turning out the black vote, and preventing even a handful of defectors to Trump, will be essential to a Clinton victory. However, Booker inspires limited enthusiasm amongst Sanders supporters.
Elizabeth Warren is a Senator from Massachusetts and an icon to progressive Democrats. Selecting her could be a good way to appeal to supporters of Bernie Sanders, but she will expect Clinton to adhere to progressive stances throughout the campaign, as a condition of joining the ticket. Some observers think that having two women on the ticket may be a bit much, and also point out that Warren's home state is safely Democratic.
Sherrod Brown is a Senator from Ohio with a long history in that crucial state. He has generally been on the liberal end of the Democratic spectrum, but could help Clinton compete in the Midwest. Brown is reluctant to serve as a running mate this year. Clinton will need to give assurances that her change of position on trade issues, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is a permanent change, and was not one of political expediency.
Joe Biden came back from the dead to win the Democratic Party's nomination, and seems to enter the campaign slightly ahead in the polls against incumbent Donald Trump. Emotions are running high, even more than usual, in this campaign. Can Biden live up to his promise to calm tensions, or will he be overwhelmed by events?
Things may have been closer and more contested than you hoped for, but the final result remains. Can you help bring the country back together after a tumultuous few years? Or will you be seen as a lame duck from the first day -- unable to keep the two wings of your party coordinated? Time will tell.
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Perhaps the party will need to go in a completely different direction in 2024. As for yourself, it seems that your long, illustrious political career has surely drawn to a close.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
In spite of the 269-269 tie in the electoral college, Republicans control a majority of state delegations in the House of Representatives. After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Perhaps the party will need to go in a completely different direction in 2024.
President Donald Trump enters the campaign with the advantages of incumbency, yet seems to be the underdog for a second time. Can Trump piece together a winning coalition again, and will it be the same one that got him over the finish line in 2016? The pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement only serve to complicate his task even further.
For the second time in a row, many analysts saw a victory for you as practically impossible. But whatever they say, it is clear that your Make America Great Again agenda has been vindicated. Where do you take things from here?
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Many analysts believe the party will need to go in a completely different direction next time. As for yourself, will you take these results sitting down, or will you prepare yourself for an epic political comeback in 2024?
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Congratulations! You have won the 2020 election.
In spite of the 269-269 tie in the electoral college, Republicans control a majority of state delegations in the House of Representatives. A lot of liberals are absolutely distraught and outraged that the election came down to such a technicality, but hey, those are the rules!
Kamala Harris is a Senator from California who made her own run for President in 2020. She would be acceptable to moderates and financial supporters, has some appeal to progressives, and brings diversity to the ticket. She's not the preferred choice of most progressives.
Susan Rice was a UN Ambassador and a National Security Advisor to Barack Obama, and brings decades of foreign policy experience. She would be a true center-left pick, but has never run for elected office. Her foreign policy record would also be a turnoff to progressives.
Karen Bass is a Congresswoman from California and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. She has taken more progressive policy stances (including support for Medicare For All) than some of the other candidates, with the attendant supporters and detractors.
Gretchen Whitmer is the Governor of Michigan who could bring some undecideds over the line in that state and region. She is seen as a mainstream Democrat with solid experience. Choosing her would anger some supporters who expect an African-American running-mate after this summer's protests.
Elizabeth Warren is a Senator from Massachusetts who made a serious run at the Democratic Nomination in 2020. She is generally seen as a solid progressive with a particular interest in financial reform and regulation. Choosing her would anger some supporters who expect an African-American running-mate after this summer's protests.
Mike Pence has served as your Vice President for the past four years, sticking to all of your talking points and staying out of the limelight. Most feel he should be rewarded for this loyalty with another turn on the top of the ticket. He also helps shore up your support with social conservatives.
Nikki Haley has served as the Governor of South Carolina, and as a UN Ambassador. She could help you moderate your image and try to close the female vote. Choosing her would probably lead to hard feelings between yourself and Pence, but would your voters care?
Val Demings is a Congresswoman and former police chief from Florida. She could allow Biden to select a black running mate with more moderate credentials than some of the other choices. However, she has had a limited national profile and may be a disappointment to the more progressive wing of the party.
Tammy Duckworth is a Senator from Illinois who served in Iraq and has been active in foreign policy issues. She could help in the Midwest, but was also born in Thailand (as a U.S. citizen) and will need to deflect questions about her eligibility. Additionally, many party activists are expecting an African-American to be selected as well.
Jane Byrne's apparent upset victory against the Chicago machine presaged the rising discontent of many of the city’s voters against the domineering Democratic organization, as she railed against an evil cabal controlling the city. Yet over her tumultuous mayoralty, she has embraced party regulars like Ed Vrdolyak, alienated Black Chicago, all while growing increasingly unpopular.
Now, she attempts to fend off a challenge from Richard Daley, the former Machine Mayor's son, arguing to turn back the clock to the more stable years of his father. Black dignity begins to seem an elusive concept as Black voters are perpetually slighted and demeaned in the political realm.
Thanks for playing! I’ve been working on this project for a few months now, and I’m very happy how it turned it. I hope you enjoyed it too, but if you have any feedback, feel free to contact me (I’m yeahforsure on discord).
In addition to these sources listed, I also looked at quite a few contemporary articles from the time about the race, mainly from the Chicago Sun Times. Again, thank you for playing.
\", \"has_visits\": 0, \"no_electoral_majority_image\": \"/static/images/1960-no-majority-photo.jpg\", \"site_image\": \"https://i.imgur.com/Swi49Jl.png\", \"site_description\": \"The Chicago machine, having thrived long after machines were supposed to under the ruling of the ailing Mayor Richard Daley, has prospered long-since his death. Victory in 1975 gave way to a 'loss' to Jane Byrne, a promised anti-machine leader, but her stance lasted all of two months. Black voters had been neglected, treated at-best as a necessary part of the machinery, yet these relations have only decayed further under the turbulent and unpopular Byrne administration. Soon, a change may be a-coming.\"}}]"); campaignTrail_temp.candidate_json = JSON.parse("[{\"model\": \"campaign_trail.candidate\", \"pk\": 200, \"fields\": {\"first_name\": \"Lu\", \"last_name\": \"Palmer\", \"election\": 20, \"party\": \"None\", \"state\": \"Chicago\", \"priority\": 1, \"description\": \"
Lu Palmer — political activist, reporter, radio host — is near-infamous among Chicago reformers. His writings after resigning from the Chicago Daily News placed him on the fringes of even the Chicago antimachine coalition for its outspoken and provocative flair, alongside his biting critques.
While he emerged as a radio personality, he was known for constantly evoking controversy for his attacks on the likes of prominent Black clergy, Black politicans, claiming they were Machine toadies, even feuding with Jesse Jackson over a handshake with Mayor Daley. But something changed. Harold Washington's first campaign for mayor in 1977 provided him with a dilemma: despite his regular dismissal of electoral politics, Palmer really believed in Washington. Ultimately, he decided that the solution for his predicament was to mobilize voters for Harold while never registering to vote himself — in the end, Washington lost, and Jane Byrne was elevated.
Palmer began to feel as if he must bridge a gap, of sorts. As Washington won his election to Congress, the first year Palmer registered to vote, Lu began ceaselessly talking about the 1983 election, murmuring that it may be the year for a Black Mayor. Palmer knows the key is to unite the movement, and finally notch a viable Black candidate in a year where victory is possible. That candidate is Harold Washington.
Palmer needs Washington. He feels he is the only potential candidate with any shot at victory. And yet Washington is skeptical, hesitant. Palmer, for his part, has a plan: he will mobilize the Chicago Black community to draft Harold, and then, Harold will win — if he only has the courage.
In spite of a hard-fought challenge from Hillary Clinton, you have shocked the world with your election victory.
On the political front, you have the bully pulpit in your favor, but support in Congress in uncertain. Will you govern as a more traditional conservative, or will you make a break from orthodoxy?
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
Many of your supporters are despondent that you have faltered to the likes of Hillary Clinton. Republicans in general believe this was a very winnable election, and are enraged that you came in to blow it. Luckily, there are any number of ways for you to take advantage of your newfound exposure. One rumor even has you founding a television station to profit from the aggrieved sensibilities of your followers. The future is in your hands.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Wow! You have pulled out 2016 election.
No candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College. However, the Republicans won a majority in Congress and will elevate you to the Presidency. Time will tell how things go in that regard. Any mutual affection between you and Congress is predicted to be short-lived, but you've pulled off a number of surprises to get this far.
As expected, Hillary Clinton has carried her party's nomination, and now faces an unexpected opponent in Donald Trump. She was traditionally known as a mainstream Democrat, but tacked significantly to the left during the primary campaign. Clinton enters the general election in a strong position, but she'll be under relentless attack on a number of fronts. Can she make the case that she truly in touch with the American people -- or that Trump would be an even worse option?
In spite of a hard-fought challenge from Donald Trump, you have become the first woman elected to serve as President.
On the political front, it is unclear how much of your agenda you will be able to push forward with the current Congress. Hopefully your victory has helped Democrats further down the ballot. Start packing and prepare to move back into the White House!
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
Many of your supporters are despondent that you have faltered to the likes of Donald Trump. Many in the left wing of the party are furious that you pushed their candidate aside, only to lose. Time will tell how Trump operates as President. As for you, a long and sometimes ambiguous political career seems to be coming to its end.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2016 election.
No candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College. However, the Republicans won a majority in Congress and will elevate Trump to the Presidency. Time will tell how things go in that regard. As for you, a long and sometimes ambiguous political career seems to be coming to its end.
The CBUC is Palmer’s vessel for finally electing a Black Mayor. Evolving from Palmer's basement meetings meant to drum up support for this effort, he intends for this organization to be a force for real opposition against the machine: training volunteers to do battle with the organizations patronage armies, uniting the desperate strands of the Movement in Chicago. Unfortunately, the wrangling Palmer will need to perform won't be easy.
There stands several factions of this Movement: the coalitionists of Richard Barrnett and James Compton of the Urban League, hailed by liberals as the rulers of the Chicago Civil Rights movements, previously mocked by Palmer for being ‘used’ by white politicians. On the other side, the nationalists, voices of Black militancy, echoing the late Fred Hampton, denouncing the process — with a third faction lying with Jesse Jackson and his Operation PUSH. Palmer is no diplomat, but he feels that he is the only activist in the Washington camp with enough nationalist clout to build true unity in the movement — and then, in Chicago.
Tim Kaine has served as a Governor and Senator from Virginia, and shares similar political views to Hillary Clinton. He is fluent in both Spanish and English.
A lot of people see Kaine as a safe, experienced pick. He has little to offer to the wing of the party that supported Bernie Sanders during the nomination fight.
Bernie Sanders was your main opponent in the nomination battle. There's no pretending that the two of you have a warm relationship, but he does have fierce support from many of your potential voters. On the other hand, if you want to make the case that you're a moderate alternative to Trump's extremism, having Bernie on the ticket will not help on that front.
Cory Booker is a Senator from New Jersey and was also the Mayor of Newark for several years. Politically, he is a mainstream Democrat, relatively similar to Barack Obama. He is also relatively youthful, with somewhat of a national profile. Turning out the black vote, and preventing even a handful of defectors to Trump, will be essential to a Clinton victory. However, Booker inspires limited enthusiasm amongst Sanders supporters.
Elizabeth Warren is a Senator from Massachusetts and an icon to progressive Democrats. Selecting her could be a good way to appeal to supporters of Bernie Sanders, but she will expect Clinton to adhere to progressive stances throughout the campaign, as a condition of joining the ticket. Some observers think that having two women on the ticket may be a bit much, and also point out that Warren's home state is safely Democratic.
Sherrod Brown is a Senator from Ohio with a long history in that crucial state. He has generally been on the liberal end of the Democratic spectrum, but could help Clinton compete in the Midwest. Brown is reluctant to serve as a running mate this year. Clinton will need to give assurances that her change of position on trade issues, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is a permanent change, and was not one of political expediency.
Joe Biden came back from the dead to win the Democratic Party's nomination, and seems to enter the campaign slightly ahead in the polls against incumbent Donald Trump. Emotions are running high, even more than usual, in this campaign. Can Biden live up to his promise to calm tensions, or will he be overwhelmed by events?
Things may have been closer and more contested than you hoped for, but the final result remains. Can you help bring the country back together after a tumultuous few years? Or will you be seen as a lame duck from the first day -- unable to keep the two wings of your party coordinated? Time will tell.
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Perhaps the party will need to go in a completely different direction in 2024. As for yourself, it seems that your long, illustrious political career has surely drawn to a close.
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
In spite of the 269-269 tie in the electoral college, Republicans control a majority of state delegations in the House of Representatives. After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Perhaps the party will need to go in a completely different direction in 2024.
President Donald Trump enters the campaign with the advantages of incumbency, yet seems to be the underdog for a second time. Can Trump piece together a winning coalition again, and will it be the same one that got him over the finish line in 2016? The pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement only serve to complicate his task even further.
For the second time in a row, many analysts saw a victory for you as practically impossible. But whatever they say, it is clear that your Make America Great Again agenda has been vindicated. Where do you take things from here?
\", \"electoral_loss_message\": \"
Sorry! You have lost the 2020 election.
After an election in which many of your supporters claimed democracy itself was at stake, what happens now? Many analysts believe the party will need to go in a completely different direction next time. As for yourself, will you take these results sitting down, or will you prepare yourself for an epic political comeback in 2024?
\", \"no_electoral_majority_message\": \"
Congratulations! You have won the 2020 election.
In spite of the 269-269 tie in the electoral college, Republicans control a majority of state delegations in the House of Representatives. A lot of liberals are absolutely distraught and outraged that the election came down to such a technicality, but hey, those are the rules!
Kamala Harris is a Senator from California who made her own run for President in 2020. She would be acceptable to moderates and financial supporters, has some appeal to progressives, and brings diversity to the ticket. She's not the preferred choice of most progressives.
Susan Rice was a UN Ambassador and a National Security Advisor to Barack Obama, and brings decades of foreign policy experience. She would be a true center-left pick, but has never run for elected office. Her foreign policy record would also be a turnoff to progressives.
Karen Bass is a Congresswoman from California and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. She has taken more progressive policy stances (including support for Medicare For All) than some of the other candidates, with the attendant supporters and detractors.
Gretchen Whitmer is the Governor of Michigan who could bring some undecideds over the line in that state and region. She is seen as a mainstream Democrat with solid experience. Choosing her would anger some supporters who expect an African-American running-mate after this summer's protests.
Elizabeth Warren is a Senator from Massachusetts who made a serious run at the Democratic Nomination in 2020. She is generally seen as a solid progressive with a particular interest in financial reform and regulation. Choosing her would anger some supporters who expect an African-American running-mate after this summer's protests.
Mike Pence has served as your Vice President for the past four years, sticking to all of your talking points and staying out of the limelight. Most feel he should be rewarded for this loyalty with another turn on the top of the ticket. He also helps shore up your support with social conservatives.
Nikki Haley has served as the Governor of South Carolina, and as a UN Ambassador. She could help you moderate your image and try to close the female vote. Choosing her would probably lead to hard feelings between yourself and Pence, but would your voters care?
Val Demings is a Congresswoman and former police chief from Florida. She could allow Biden to select a black running mate with more moderate credentials than some of the other choices. However, she has had a limited national profile and may be a disappointment to the more progressive wing of the party.
Tammy Duckworth is a Senator from Illinois who served in Iraq and has been active in foreign policy issues. She could help in the Midwest, but was also born in Thailand (as a U.S. citizen) and will need to deflect questions about her eligibility. Additionally, many party activists are expecting an African-American to be selected as well.
