Presidential election press release, August 3, 1920

Written August 3, 1920, this newspaper story shares insights into the 1920 presidential election from William Plattner, a representative on the Massachusetts state legislature and former Ohioan. Plattner states that the odds are very much in Harding's favor, as the New England states favor him, and he claims that even Democrats are voting for Harding. According to Plattner, Democrats want to remove themselves from President Woodrow Wilson, and Democratic nominee James M. Cox has sided with Wilson and pledged his support for the Wilson administration. This press release is part of the Warren G. Harding Papers (MSS 345). This collection includes correspondence, business records, and other materials documenting Harding’s business career as owner and editor-in-chief of The Daily Marion Star, as well as the various stages of his political career. A significant portion of the collection, and what’s available on Ohio Memory, highlights his 1920 presidential campaign, spanning just before publicly announcing his candidacy to handily defeating Ohio Governor James M. Cox in the election. Correspondents include both Ohio and national businessmen, political figures, and ordinary citizens writing with questions, support, congratulatory notes, and campaign advice. Some of the most interesting insights into the tumultuous political climate in the U.S., the extreme factionalism within the Republican Party in Ohio, and Harding’s campaign strategies are described in letters between Harding and his campaign manager, Harry M. Daugherty. Some of the topics addressed include women’s suffrage, Prohibition, the League of Nations, African American representation and issues, and lingering peace negotiations following World War I