Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Life

Contenders

Portraits of some of America’s most original presidential candidates.

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Victoria Woodhull: The First Woman to Run for President

In the 19th century, Victoria Woodhull was many things: a clairvoyant, a businesswoman, an advocate for women’s rights and sexual freedom, and a presidential candidate.

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William Jennings Bryan: The Speech That Changed Politics

William Jenning Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” speech is known today as one of the most important oratorical performances in American history.

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Adlai Stevenson: A Candidate in the Age of Television

The 1952 presidential campaign pitted the popular General Dwight D. Eisenhower against the intensely private Adlai Stevenson. It was an election fought on a new battleground: television.

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Margaret Chase Smith: Cold War Warrior in Pearls

In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman from a major party to run for President.

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Shirley Chisholm: The Politics of Principle

In 1972, Shirley Chisholm launched a spirited campaign for the Democratic nomination. She was the first woman and first African American to run.

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Gracie Allen: The Joke That Became a Campaign

In 1940 the United States was just emerging from the shadow of the Great Depression and war loomed in Europe. Into these serious times stepped Gracie Allen.

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The “Veep”

Alben Barkley served in Congress for close to 40 years and was Harry Truman’s vice president. But he never made it to the pinnacle of power.

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