Today, Explained The most important “most important election”?
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Nov 5, 2024 
Join historian Jeffrey Engel, the Director of the Center for Presidential History, and Julia Azari, a political science professor, as they dissect the recurring claim that each election is the most crucial yet. They explore pivotal historical elections and their influence on current voter engagement. The duo reflects on the significance of the upcoming election, contrasting the campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, while discussing the emotional toll of election anxiety and the evolving landscape of American democracy.
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The Most Important Elections
- Every election cannot be the most important, some are more consequential than others.
- A key factor is the difference in what the candidates offer.
1932 Election
- During the Great Depression (1932), FDR's campaign was simple: "I'm not Hoover."
- This resonated because Hoover opposed government intervention to ease the crisis.
1860 Election
- The 1860 election wasn't about the outcome, but national unity.
- Southern states threatened secession if Lincoln won, turning it into a referendum on the Union.