The Triumph of William McKinley : Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters

From New York Times bestselling author and political mastermind Karl Rove comes a fresh look at President William McKinley who found a message that healed his nation, pried his party away from its bosses, and extended its reach to forge a governing majority that lasted thirty years. Many of the changes that the country experienced in 1896 match those of today: A rising immigrant population made traditional white Protestants a shrinking share of the electorate, an economic upheaval led to rising inequality, and there was little common ground between the two parties. McKinley's campaign found answers to many of these challenges, which is why it is so relevant to what ails our politics now. A talented politician and reserved Ohioan, McKinley (called "The Major") changed the arc of American history by running the first truly modern presidential campaign. Knowing he didn't stand a chance with the GOP's traditional base of supporters, he did the unthinkable and reached out to diverse ethnic groups, including openly seeking the endorsement of Catholic Church leaders. Running on the slogan "The Man Against the Bosses," McKinley also took on the moneymen who controlled the party by doling out favors. He even deployed what we would consider modern tactics, including micro-targeting voters with the use of the latest technology. Above all, he offered bold and controversial answers to the nation's most pressing challenge: how to make a new, more global economy work for everyone. And although he alienated factions within his party and longtime allies, he won the White House. The 1896 election is a compelling drama in its own right, but McKinley's brilliant strategies offer important and powerful lessons for both political parties today Examines President William Mckinley, Whose 1896 Campaign Ended A Bitter Period Of Political Gridlock And Reformed And Modernized His Party, Thereby Creating A Governing Majority That Dominated American Politics For The Next Thirty-six Years--amazon.com. President William Mckinley's 1896 Campaign Ended A Bitter Period Of Political Gridlock And Reformed And Modernized His Party; The Result Was A Governing Majority That Dominated American Politics For The Next Thirty-six Years. Rove Shows How Mckinley's Strategies Offer Important Lessons For Both Political Parties Today. [from] Karl Rove Comes A Fresh Look At President William Mckinley, Whose 1896 Campaign Ended A Bitter Period Of Political Gridlock And Reformed And Modernized His Party, Thereby Creating A Governing Majority That Dominated American Politics For The Next Thirty-six Years. The 1896 Political Environment Resembles That Of Today: A Rapidly Changing Electorate Affected By A Growing Immigrant Population, An Uncertain Economy Disrupted By New Technologies, Growing Income Inequality, And Contentious Issues The Two Parties Could Not Resolve. Mckinley Found Ways To Address These Challenges And Win, Which Is Why His Campaign Is So Relevant To Our Politics Now. Mckinley, A Civil War Hero Who Preferred 'the Major' Above Any Other Title He Was Given, Changed The Arc Of American History By Running The First Truly Modern Presidential Campaign. Knowing His Party Could Only Win If It Grew Beyond Its Base, He Reached Out To Diverse Ethnic Groups, Including Openly Seeking The Endorsement Of Catholic Leaders And Advocating For Black Voting Rights. Running On The Slogan 'the People Against The Bosses,' Mckinley Also Took On The Machine Men Who Dominated His Own Party. He Deployed Campaign Tactics Still Used Today, Including Targeting Voters With The Best Available Technology. Above All, He Offered Bold, Controversial Answers To The Nation's Most Pressing Challenge--how To Make A New, More Global Economy Work For Every American--and Although This Split His Own Party, He Won The White House By Sticking To His Principles, Defeating A Charismatic Champion Of Economic Populism, William Jennings Bryan. The 1896 Election Is A Compelling Drama In Its Own Right, But Mckinleys Strategies Offer Important Lessons For Both Political Parties Today.--publisher Website. Sense Of Duty -- Early Beginnings -- Political Apprenticeship -- Rise And Fall -- Three Steps Closer, One Step Back -- Resurrection -- The Major's War Plan -- Audacious First Strike -- The People Against The Bosses -- Democrats Fall Apart -- Maneuvering -- The Battles Begin -- Mckinley Gains Traction -- High Stakes In Springfield -- Last-minute Attacks Before St. Louis -- Battle For An Idea -- Credentials And Currency Fights -- Gop Convention -- Republicans' Shaky Start -- The Silver Edge -- The Logic Of The Situation -- Cross Of Gold -- Change Course Or Fail -- Three Revolts -- The Front-porch Campaign -- Message For The Workingman -- Closing Arguments -- Coercion And Farm Prices -- Mckinley's Triumph. Karl Rove. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 441-450) And Index. A fresh look at President William McKinley from New York Times bestselling author and political mastermind Karl Rove—"a rousing tale told by a master storyteller whose love of politics, campaigning, and combat shines through on every page" (Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Team of Rivals ). The 1896 political environment resembles that of today: an electorate being transformed by a growing immigrant population, an uncertain economy disrupted by new technologies, growing income inequality, and basic political questions the two parties could not resolve. McKinley's winning presidential campaign addressed these challenges and reformed his party. With "a sure touch [and] professional eye" ( The Washington Post ), Rove tells the story of the 1896 election and shows why McKinley won, creating a governing majority that dominated American politics for the next thirty-six years. McKinley, a Civil War hero, changed the arc of American history by running the first truly modern presidential campaign. Knowing his party needed to expand its base to win, he reached out to diverse ethnic groups, seeking the endorsement of Catholic leaders and advocating for black voting rights. Running on the slogan "The People Against the Bosses," McKinley also took on the machine men who dominated his own party. He deployed campaign tactics still used today, including targeting voters with the best available technology. Above all, he offered bold, controversial answers to the nation's most pressing problem—how to make a new, more global economy work for every American—and although this split his own party, he won the White House by sticking to his principles, defeating a champion of economic populism, William Jennings Bryan. Rove "brings to life the drama of an electoral contest whose outcome seemed uncertain to the candidate and his handlers until the end" ( The New York Times Book Review ) in a "lively and...rigorous book" ( The Wall Street Journal ) that will delight students of American political history. From New York Times bestselling author and political mastermind Karl Rove comes a fresh look at President William McKinley, whose 1896 campaign ended a bitter period of political gridlock and reformed and modernized his party, thereby creating a governing majority that dominated American politics for the next thirty-six years. The 1896 political environment resembles that of A rapidly changing electorate affected by a growing immigrant population, an uncertain economy disrupted by new technologies, growing income inequality, and contentious issues the two parties could not resolve. McKinley found ways to address these challenges and win, which is why his campaign is so relevant to our politics now. McKinley, a Civil War hero who preferred The Major above any other title he was given, changed the arc of American history by running the first truly modern presidential campaign. Knowing his party could only win if it grew beyond its base, he reached out to diverse ethnic groups, including openly seeking the endorsement of Catholic leaders and advocating for black voting rights. Running on the slogan The People Against the Bosses, McKinley also took on the machine men who dominated his own party. He deployed campaign tactics still used today, including targeting voters with the best available technology. Above all, he offered bold, controversial answers to the nations most pressing challengehow to make a new, more global economy work for every Americanand although this split his own party, he won the White House by sticking to his principles, defeating a charismatic champion of economic populism, William Jennings Bryan. The 1896 election is a compelling drama in its own right, but McKinleys strategies offer important lessons for both political parties today. Sense of Duty Early Beginnings Political Apprenticeship Rise and Fall Three Steps Closer, One Step Back Resurrection The Major's War Plan Audacious First Strike The People Against the Bosses Democrats Fall Apart Maneuvering The Battles Begin McKinley Gains Traction High Stakes in Springfield Last-Minute Attacks Before St. Louis Battle for an Idea Credentials and Currency Fights GOP Convention Republicans' Shaky Start The Silver Edge The Logic of the Situation Cross of Gold Change Course or Fail Three Revolts The Front-Porch Campaign Message for the Workingman Closing Arguments Coercion and Farm Prices McKinley's Triumph Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index Photo Credits. The 1896 election is a compelling drama in its own right. But McKinley's brilliant strategies also offer important lessons for both political parties today, which find themselves in an age similarly marked by intense partisanship, deep philosophical disagreements, a changing electorate and an even more rapidly changing country