As readers are aware, we often discuss early primaries and early presidential campaigns on this blog, a topic that's been especially pertinent this year. That is the topic of this Cincinnati Post article by historian Michael Kazin, author of A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan. Kazin says that "the nearly permanent campaign" has a long political tradition stretching back to "before the Civil War" as "mass parties" organized together and campaigned for votes from the "mass electorate." While presidents ranging from Martin Van Buren to John Kennedy have started early campaigns, the "prize for the earliest start probably goes to William Jennings Bryan," who began campaigning one month after his 1896 loss to William McKinley. It's a good read, so be sure to check it out.
For those wondering about how Kazin's book is, I have no idea. But it's sitting on my desk awaiting a read. It looks pretty good, and it appears Kazin is arguing that Bryan was an early advocate of what became American liberalism. Bryan's image was tarnished by H.L. Mencken, who covered his role in the Scopes trial of 1925 and painted him as a religious fundamentalist. But, Kazin seems to argue, Bryan's beliefs were not extreme but sincere and provided a basis for his views on public policy. Seems like an important discussion given today's political atmosphere, where some on the Left (including some libertarians) find it easier to believe in the idea that religious people ("Christianists" or "fundamentalists," in their vernacular) are marching America towards Gomorrah rather than respectfully consider their ideas and positions.
UPDATE: This essay by Mary Eberstadt entitled "The Scapegoats Among Us" includes a section on the "Christianist"/"fundamentalists" fears among the Left and Right.
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