Book Jacket

 

rank 5463
word count 30971
date submitted 08.09.2010
date updated 21.09.2010
genres: Non-fiction, History, Biography, Co...
classification: universal
complete

Losers: Interesting Americans who lost Presidential Elections

Dave Brummett

Light-hearted stories of the 50 most interesting Americans who have lost presidential elections. Election losers? You’re kidding. Who cares? You might. Check them out.

 

Losers: Interesting Americans who lost Presidential Elections is light-hearted, personal, and interactive and can be read front-to-back or episodically. It’s written for the general adult reader who is interested in history, politics, elections, gossip, and those who love lists and creating their own. Readers discover losers who went to bed thinking they had won, losers who received more popular and electoral votes than the winner, a loser who was a bastard before he went into politics, a loser who created a winning idea that was then used against him, losers who became president, and presidents who became losers. Quotes from each candidate focus the election issues; many are still relevant today. The stories are supported by data and features that help the reader understand the times and increase the interactivity of the book including explanations of timely events or issues, related information, a fun multiple-choice test, and a place for the reader to vote for or against the loser. Losers is a book that can be updated and extended for every election. Imagine a trivia game, a television series or program. The “losers” idea could be developed into a franchise that highlights losing competitors in other arenas.

 
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Losers Intro

Losers

 

Interesting Americans

 

who lost

 

Presidential Elections

 

 


 

 

Dedication

 

 

For anyone who’s ever come in second. 


 
Beginning Thoughts

 

Second place is just the first place loser.” 

                    Dale Earnhardt

 

Did you see Al Gore some time after he had officially lost the 2000 Presidential election?  There he was with a beard, a plaid shirt, and farmer jeans.  He looked so totally out of place.  He did, however, get me thinking: what would it be like to lose a presidential election.  How did it affect the men who lost?  How might the country have changed if the results were different?

 

So, I decided to check it out, if I could.  I’m not a professional historian.  I had some matchbook cover knowledge of American political history.  I could name the presidents from the beginning up to Jackson, if you didn’t count which came first Madison or Monroe.  Starting from the present I could get almost out of the 20th century.  Herbert Hoover.  And there was Lincoln.  Grant.  And some others in no particular order.

 

Election losers?  You had to be kidding.  I knew some historical figures like Aaron Burr, Stephan Douglas, Horace Greeley, General George McClellan, John D. Rockefeller.  Carrie Nation.  George H. Ruth.  Elliot Ness.  Al Capone.  Did any of these folks run for president?  If so, who beat them?  Is that why Al Capone went into the distribution business and George Herman became The Babe?

 

Digging in I discovered some interesting characters.  People who had a lot to do with how the country turned out: before and after the election(s) that they lost.  I discovered losing ideas; those that became mainstream; those that disappeared.  Same with political parties, with the gentlemen who ran for office.  Same for how elections and campaigning were carried out.

 

I found quotes from each candidate, many of which are relevant today.  I discovered that the issues that framed elections needed to be explained.  I met other people and events that shaped the political and emotional climate of the times.  My understanding of America’s past became enriched.

 

I started rank each of the losers on my personal interest.  I’ve included vignettes about my top 50. I selected the people that interested me: as interesting characters, as benchmarks, or as people who highlighted a particular historical event.  My list of fifty likely won’t be the same as your list or the list of an historian or a political scientist.  Take a look and create a list of your own.

 


 
Candidate Knowledge Warm-Up

 

How many presidents can you find?  Presidential losers?  How many next-door neighbors? 

 

Lucky Jack Aubrey

John Adams

John Q. Adams 

Samuel Adams

The Adams Family

John B. Anderson

T. Coleman Andrews

James Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

Neil Armstrong

Lance Armstrong

Henry Aaron

John Bell

Allan Benson

Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr.

Moe Berg

David Bergland 

Bill Bidwell

John Bidwell

James G. Blaine

Henning A. Blomen

John Wilkes Booth 

J. C. Breckinridge

B. Gratz Brown

Harry Brown

Wernher von Braun

William J. Bryan

James Buchanan 

Patrick Buchanan

Aaron Burr

George H. W. Bush

George W. Bush

Benjamin Butler

Harry F. Byrd

James E. Carter, Jr

George Washington Carver

Lewis Cass

Eugene Chafin

Shirley Chisholm

Charo 

Parley Christensen 

Clarabell

Edward E. Clark 

Henry Clay

Grover Cleveland 

DeWitt Clinton

Elizabeth Crocker

 

George Clinton

William J. Clinton 

Calvin Coolidge 

Peter Cooper

James M. Cox

W. H. Crawford

Elizabeth Crocker

Helen Crump

David Davis

John W. Davis

Clifton DeBerry

Eugene Debs

Thomas E. Dewey

Robert Dole

Stephen A. Douglas

P. T. M. Dragon

Michael S. Dukakis

Dumbledore

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Oliver Ellsworth

Eminem

Edward Everett

Lola Falani

Millard Fillmore

Clinton Fisk

John Floyd

Gerald R. Ford

William Z. Foster

John C. Frémont

Lenora Fulani

James A. Garfield 

Barry M. Goldwater

Al Gore

Ulysses S. Grant 

Horace Greeley

Mr. Green Jeans

John Hale

Nathan Hale

Vincent Hallinan

Stuart Hamblen 

John Hancock

Winfield S. Hancock

James F. Hanly

Warren G. Harding 

Benjamin Harrison

R. H. Harrison

Robert Harrison

 

William H. Harrison 

Eric Hass

Rutherford B. Hayes 

Thomas Hendricks 

Herbert C. Hoover

John Hospers

Charles E. Hughes

Samuel Huntington

Horatio Hornblower

Hubert H. Humphrey     

Andrew Jackson

John Jay

Thomas Jefferson

Aunt Jemima

Charles Jenkins

Lyndon B. Johnson

Walter B. Jones

John F. Kennedy 

John Kerry

Rufus King

Stephen King

Martin L. King

Robert M. LaFollette

Alfred M. Landon

William Lemke

Joshua Levering 

Abraham Lincoln 

Benjamin Lincoln

Roger MacBride

James Madison 

Clothing Malfunction

W. P. Mangum

Eugene McCarthy

George B. McClellan

George McGovern

William McKinley

John Milton

Walter F. Mondale

James Monroe

Ralph Nader

Willie Nelson

Richard M. Nixon 

Charles O’Connor 

John Palmer

Alton B. Parker

Ron Paul

 

H. Ross Perot    

Franklin Pierce

C. C. Pinckney

Thomas Pinckney

James K. Polk 

Ronald Reagan

Frederick McFeely Rogers

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt

J. K. Rowling

George Herman Ruth

John Rutledge

Soupy Sales

John G. Schmitz

George C. Scott

Randolph Scott

Winfield Scott

Pete Seeger

Horatio Seymour

Wallace Simpson

Alfred E. Smith

Lemony Snicket

Benjamin Spock

Adlai E. Stevenson

John St. John 

Alson Streeter 

Silas Swallow

William H. Taft

Zachary Taylor 

Edward Telfair

Samuel J. Tilden

Norman Thomas

Harry S. Truman 

Strom Thurmond

Martin Van Buren 

George C. Wallace

Henry Wallace

William Wallace

George Washington

Claude A. Watson 

James B. Weaver

Daniel Webster

Hugh L. White

Wendell L. Willkie

Woodrow Wilson 

William Wirt

 


 
Losers by Year

 

The number following the name indicates their position on the interest list.

 

1789 John Jay 13

1792 John Adams, Federalist 41

1796 Samuel Adams, Dem.-Rep. 16

1796 George Washington  46

 

1800 Aaron Burr, Dem.-Rep. 8

1820 John Q. Adams, Dem.-Rep. 29

1824 Andrew Jackson, Dem.-Rep. 1

1832 William Wirt, Anti-Masonic 47

1832 Henry Clay, National Republican 7

1836 William H. Harrison, Democrat 25

1836 Daniel Webster, Whig 17

1844 James Gillespie Birney, Liberty 4

1848 Lewis Cass, Democrat 31

 

1852 Winfield Scott, Whig  11

1856 John C. Frémont, Republican 20

1860 Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat 40

1864 George B. McClellan, Democrat 9

1872  James Black, Prohibition 43

1872 Horace Greeley, Democrat 10

1876 Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat 6

1884 James G. Blaine, Republican 34

1888 Grover Cleveland, Democrat  48

1892 James Baird Weaver, Populist  27

1896 William J. Bryan, Dem., Populist 5

 

 

 

1912 Theodore Roosevelt 21

1912 Eugene Debs, Socialist 3  

1916 Charles E. Hughes, Republican 2  

1928 Alfred E. Smith, Democrat 19

1928 Norman Thomas Socialist 18

1932 Herbert Hoover, Republican 30

1936 Alfred M. Landon, Republican 37

1940 Wendell L. Willkie, Republican 24  

1948 Henry Wallace, Progressive 28

1948 Thomas E. Dewey, Republican 49

1948 Strom Thurmond, State’s Rights 15 1952 Adlai E. Stevenson, Democrat 35

1960 Richard M. Nixon, Republican 32

1964 Barry M. Goldwater, Republican 36

1968 Hubert H. Humphrey, Democrat 12

1968 George C. Wallace, American     Independent 39

1972 John G. Schmitz, American 50

1972 Benjamin Spock, People’s 42  

1972 George McGovern, Democrat 22

1976 Gerald R. Ford, Republican 33

1980 James E. Carter, Jr., Democrat 38

1984 Walter F. Mondale, Democrat 26

1996 Robert Dole, Republican 23

1996 H. Ross Perot, Reform 45

2000 Ralph Nader, Green 44  

2008 John McCain, Republican 14

 

 

 

 

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strachan gordon wrote 296 days ago

Absolutely fascinating, if it wasn't for the fact that I dislike reading on computers , I would definitely read the whole thing through. A really fascinating and quitre radical perspective. Commercially ,you might have a prob lem with the title!I don 't know if you are still active , but would you be able to read the first chapter of my novel 'A Buccaneer' set amongst Pirates in the 17th century , with best wishes , Strachan Gordon

Misc. wrote 599 days ago

As a political junkie working in government settings in DC, I am fascinated by this topic and love your approach. It's easy to get into and informative. I could easily see something like this being sold throughout our nation's capital in gift shops. If this is published (and I hope it will be), I want to buy a copy for my dad.

MickR wrote 599 days ago

I read enough to see that the writing is fine and for that I will back you.
I am Canadian and I really don't care about this subject matter but that doesn't make it less viable.
I don't know that it will be of interest to anyone outside the USA, but it doesn't have to be.
I commend you on the amount of research you had to do to achieve this.
Good luck,
MickR - The Nightcrawler

Robert Craven wrote 601 days ago

Easy to read & well laid out - a suggested addition to the American Party's ideals - 'Make sure when you go to war you have enough troops left over; otherwise it looks like you've lost.'

backed

Rob

GET LENIN

Robert Craven wrote 601 days ago

Easy to read & well laid out - a suggested addition to the American Party's ideals - 'Make sure when you go to war you have enough troops left over; otherwise it looks like you've lost.'

backed

Rob

GET LENIN

Robert Craven wrote 601 days ago

Easy to read & well laid out - a suggested addition to the American Party's ideals - 'Make sure when you go towar you have enough troops left over; otherwise it looks like you've lost.'

backed

Rob

GET LENIN

Strayer wrote 604 days ago

This is a great book to have on hand. It is easy to read and understand. One could bring it out during an arguement and open it with expectation of winning.

teremoto wrote 607 days ago

Fantastic idea. The voice comes at you firmly and is oozing with personality. Entertaining and informative with solid research to back it up. Nicely done.

Geveret wrote 608 days ago

Lucky Jack Aubrey ... Ha ha .... Has anybody else caught that???

Backed, by the way. I think you can forego the explanation about not being a professional historian, though. Just write the stories and keep them entertaining.

Best--
Gev

CarolinaAl wrote 609 days ago

Fascinating. Oddly riveting. Wonderfully detailed. Perceptive narrative. Impressive work. An absorbing read. Backed.

andrew skaife wrote 610 days ago

I know why some will say this would not work as a book but I would buy it. I love stuff like this. I am backing it now but keeping it on my WL so I can finish it. Fantastic and thank you for taking the time to give me this resume. As my blog suggest, I love politics (british in my case but the McCAin/ Palin campaign and now O'Donnel are giving me across the Pond envy)

BACKED

philip john wrote 611 days ago

This must have taken a great deal of research and on that count alone it deserves support. it is an interesting work of reference, even for a non American, but it could possibly benefit from a little more background and analysis. Especially analysis of the candidates' personalities, given that people often vote for the guys they happen to like, rather than their policies.

Philip John

Vanessa Darnleigh wrote 616 days ago

I can't see this becoming a bestseller but I guess that's not why you went to so much trouble, is it? A must for those who are excited by this kind of thing!
Good luck
Stewart

Linda Lou wrote 617 days ago

LOSERS:INTERESTING AMERICANS WHO LOST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS-Dave Brumm
hullo Dave, geez what a super 'coffee table' book. Now, Now no offence intended! Can you imagine the discussions your book could stimulate given the current day? Really terriffic. Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

GK Stritch wrote 618 days ago

Very interesting and entertaining premise that you succinctly fulfill, Mr. David Brummett with Losers: Interesting Americans Who Lost Presidential Elections. Last night we watched the American Masters series on Alexander Hamilton. Some said he was a loser but what a funeral and what a magnificent legacy he left for future generations. He’d be flipping in his grave, if he saw the shambles we have today. As for Aaron Burr, well, the more things change the more they stay the same, don’t they? Bring back the duel and let these absurd politicians have a go at each other. All in fun, Mr. Brummett, and three cheers for your book and backed.

GK Stritch
CBGB Was My High School

Barry Wenlock wrote 618 days ago

hI dAVE,
Haha, this really tickled me. Great writing.
Backed 100%.
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

Barry Wenlock wrote 618 days ago

hI dAVE,
Haha, this really tickled me. Great writing.
Backed 100%.
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

Andrew Burans wrote 618 days ago

My first degree is in 20th Century American Political Science and I found your work fascinating. You know your subject matter extremely well, losers aren't written about very often, and I do like your absolute attention to detail, stats and all. Your first person narrative voice is perfect for this genre of book and it also resonates with authenticity. Backed with pleasure.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Elizabeth Wolfe wrote 620 days ago

Dear Dave,
This is quite an interesting premise. Very unique. I think there is probably a market for a book like this, as people like the underdogs (though not necessarily the losers.) I think a lot of people would buy your excellent book!

BACKED
Elizabeth Wolfe (MEMORIES OF GLORY)

missyfleming_22 wrote 621 days ago

Very interesting, no one ever wonders what happens to the guy who loses. This is a great look back into history, I can see that you've put a lot of hard work in this, it really shows in your writing. The research is so interesting and I'm glad I came across it. You write this in a way that makes it fun and entertaining.

Missy
Mark of Eternity

Christian Piatt wrote 621 days ago

Dave:
What an original, interesting concept, and well executed. History so often is told from the point of view of thew victors; a great turn of the tables to give the losers their due!
Best of luck with your book. BACKED.
Peace,
Christian Piatt
PULLING THE GOALIE

SammySutton wrote 622 days ago


Great idea! Extremely impressive investigation and research.
Very Interesting!

Good Luck!
Backed!
Sammy Sutton
King Solomon's '13'

eurodan49 wrote 622 days ago

Really enjoyed it. Should be compulsory read in HS.
Backed.
Dan
PS. Could you pls take a look at mine?

drachat wrote 622 days ago

Love this type of book; kind of like an interesting history book. I love all the detail that was put in; must have been very time-consuming.

Happily backed
Denise

stoatsnest wrote 622 days ago

This is a winner,the type of book I'd like to have by my bedside to dip into whenever I felt like my mood needed lifting.

SusieGulick wrote 622 days ago

You are totally fantastic, Dave! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my memoir book? :)
God bless you. :) Love, Susie :)

Frank James wrote 622 days ago

To Dave Brummett
I'm sure you know the American market you are aiming at although there is bound to be quite a few Brits who would have more than a passing interest in the 'Political Losers.' I liked it, enough to give it my BACKING and my best wishes.

Frank James (The Contractor)

name falied moderation wrote 622 days ago

Dear Dave


I have to comment on your short and long pitch, as they both encourage your reader to delve deeper into your book. Original storyline and you certainly have a way of crafting that really keeps me ( your reader) wanting to really finish this read. Even with a non-fiction one is still telling, and you tell well. As one reads your work it becomes obvious that you have done done much research which gives addedd interest.


BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK
also

The VERY best of luck to you

Denise
The Letter

PATRICK BARRETT wrote 623 days ago

This will be fascinating for Americans and I enjoyed reading snippets about the people I had heard of but overall this will concentrate on the U.S. market. Good luck. Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean ismy valley)

Despinas1 wrote 623 days ago

Brilliant. Backed with pleasure
Helen
The Last Dream

alison woodward wrote 623 days ago

like this its different, your hard work shows, well done, backed

alison

celticwriter wrote 623 days ago

Very fun stuff, Dave. I'm not a critic, just a scriptwriter who enjoys a good read. Simply backed.

blessings,
jim
jack & charmian london

CoachDave wrote 623 days ago

KW-Yea, okay, booze-nooze....cheese whiz. What year did you run for pres. I got, I believe, 14 votes in the Humphrey-Nixon election. Tried to check it out. Best I could do was "others." Glad this helps and thanks.

I forgot that Benjamin Spock had run for President. I'm a little pissed, though, since I didn't see my name listed. Oh well, it was a very private run for the presidency. You have a wealth of information here. I was intrigued to find out that two electors had voted for Washington in 1796. Also, I prohibition the slogan from 1872 was pretty chessy: "No booze is good nooze." When I get a little time, I'll read more. Thanks for unloading the complete text. It's a very useful resource. Backed for now.

KW wrote 623 days ago

I forgot that Benjamin Spock had run for President. A great anti-war candidate with an very forward-looking platform. I'm a little pissed, though, since I didn't see my name listed. Oh well, it was a very private run for the presidency. You have a wealth of information here. I was intrigued to find out that two electors had voted for Washington in 1796. Also, I prohibition the slogan from 1872 was pretty chessy: "No booze is good nooze." When I get a little time, I'll read more. Thanks for unloading the complete text. It's a very useful resource. Backed for now.

Mr. Nom de Plume wrote 623 days ago

An interesting read. This work has a future. Backed with Pleasure. Chuck

lfk wrote 623 days ago

An excellent concept. Do you have any ideas for the layout/presentation or did you envisage the book more or less as it is presented in authonomy? Personally, I'd quite like to see it illustrated with perhaps historical photos and political cartoons of the day.

Lorraine
Mannin Boy

lizjrnm wrote 623 days ago

Excellent concept and intelligent writing. I believe you have a winner here! Backed 100%

Liz
The Cheech Room
A Fine Pickle

SusieGulick wrote 623 days ago

Dear Dave, I love your quotes at the beginning of each chapter :) - giving up just before success/quit...give up the last minute one foot from the winning touchdown - I wrote it down because I'm wanting to give up on authonomy with my memoir book because I'm so sick & I'm so weary, so I ask myself, "should I give up" or am I near success? :) - after I read your quote. :) Your pitch was a challenge to not give up, as was all of your statistics in your book. :) Amazing, all of the time you put in on this. :) Thank you. :) I've backed your book :) - could you please take a moment to back my memoir book? :) Thanks so very much. :) Love, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs." comment to follow :)

Neville wrote 623 days ago

Hi Dave, I can say one thing about your book for certain, there's a lot of work gone into it.
To delve into the history of politics to gain information for your book requires a mega effort surely.
I can see this book being a hit in the U.S.A. but not so much elsewhere. Then again the U.S.A. is a big country so sales could be very high there.
Anyway I back your book because it has opened my eyes to many things that have a direct influence on the outcome of your voting system. SHELVED.

Kind regards,

Neville (The Secrets Of The Forest - Series)

flower girl wrote 623 days ago

I'm not even sure why i find this fascinating, but somehow it is. I'm English, and can just imagine a similar book about the UK Prime Ministerial losers. I've backed this because I can imagine people being interested enough to buy it.

Cariad wrote 623 days ago

This book took me a while to get my head round, but you know what? It's one of those 'unusual' books, That can do really well - around Christmas especially, this sort of book sells really well, then word of mouth sends it further. I'm not American, but even I found myself dipping in and out and round about. I kinda like it......
Polly
STONES.

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