American history tv on cspan3 every saturday at 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Lectures in history is also available as a podcast. Find it where you listen to podcasts. The u. S. Capitol has been home to the house and senate since 1800. But it is their home districts and states that send members to washington, d. C. Over the next 90 minutes, a look at pivotal u. S. Politicians as we travel the nation in search of their stories. Coming up first, u. S. Congressman and senator, former wisconsin governor, and 1924 Progressive Party president ial candidate, robert fighting bob lafollette. There is work for everyone. It is large. It is a glorious service. This service for the country, the call comes to every citizen. It is an unending struggle to make and keep government representative. Bob is probably the most important political figure in wisconsin history, and one of the most important in the history of the 20th century in the United States. He was a reforming governor he defined what progressivism
You today by your television provider. And i come here tonight to the alsmith dinner knowing im the underdog in these final weeks. If you know where to look, there are signs of hope, theres signs of hope, even in the most unexpected places, even in this room, full of proud manhattan democrats, i cant i cant shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me. Im delighted to see you here tonight, hillary. I was thrilled to get this invitation. And i feel right at home here because its often been said that i share the politics of alfred e. Smith and the ears of alfred e. Newman. It is an honor to be here with al smith. I obviously never knew your great grandfather but from everything that senator mccain has told me the two of them had a great time together before prohibition. So of course i am delighted. But not surprised by the final repeal of the 18th amendment. I felt all along that when this matter was properly submitted to the rank and file of our people they would readily
Coming up on American History tv, a Campaign Film supporting 1940 republican president ial candidate Wendell Wilke. Well hear conventions from those that knew the founding father. Here a century and a half ago, our nation was born. Here is the declaration of independence which proclaimed our freedom. All men are created equal. They are endowed by their creator by certain rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We adopted the constitution of the United States which guarantees our freedom. Which determines that neither king nordic ta dictator but onl the people shall rule. Dr. Franklin . Youve just come from the Constitutional Convention. What have we got . A republic or and a republic. And you can keep it so. The statement that of Benjamin Franklin as the Constitutional Convention ended labors in september 1787. A republic if you can keep it so. He established the Great American edition of 145 years and our safeguard against dictatorship that no president sho
The life of Wendell Willkie. I stand before you without a single pledge or promise or understanding of any kind except for the advancement of your costs and that your cause and that of democracy. [applause] i expect the republicans Wendell Willkie ran for president in 1940. These are some damages some images of him on the campaign trail. We are here with David Willkie. I want you to introduce the cabinet audiences of some of the fervor. Your grandfather ran for president and try to defeat Franklin Delano roosevelt, who was seeking a third term. Was seeking a third term. Captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2008 captioning performed by vitac. Grew up in elwood. When they married, this was the place they generally call home. In the family, my great great grandfather had lost his shirt during the depression. Instead of giving his father in law a handout, when the willkie and bought a farm land. He asked his fatherinlaw if he would manage it. How much time did he spend no ques
I stand before you without a single pledge or promise or understanding of any kind except for the advancement of your cause and the preservation of american democracy. And as your nominee i expect to conduct by crusading an aggressive, fighting campaign. The republicans in we want willkie, Wendell Willkie ran for president in 1940. And as we watch some of the images of him on the campaign trail were joined here in rushville, indiana with David Willkie. I want you to introduce our audience to some of the fervor were seeing from these Iconic Images of the 1940 campaign that really surrounded your grandfather as he ran for president and tried to defeat Franklin Dell know roosevelt who was seeking a third term. What an exciting time in the country. Here wed come out of entering into the great depression, the end of the hoover administration, eight years of the roosevelt administration, roosevelt was president , right at the height of his power and that opened up a time for a dark horse can