The Men Who Were Almost President

Everyone knows who became our president, but how many of us know about the men that ran against them? Throughout the history of the United States there have been many cases where the losing candidate eventually would become the future president of the United States. This article is not about them. This article is about the names and faces that time has almost forgotten. In truth, the very first nearly forgotten name would not appear until the 1800's. That is exactly where we will begin.

The 1800's

1804-Charles C. Pinckney, representing the Federalist party, was defeated in a landslide. During the next election he would once again represent the Federalist party only to repeat his past failure. In truth, the Federalist representatives, Dewitt Clinton and Rufus King, would meet the same fate as their predecessor.

In 1832, Henry Clay represented the National Republican party, once again the second place finisher was whalloped. Henry Clay was not finished with his political career, he switched over to the Whig party in 1844. He fared a little better, but still only managed a second place finish.

In 1848, the Democratic party was represented by Lewis Cass, who came up a bit short during the election.

In 1852, the Whig party's candidate, Winfield Scott, fell short.

1856 saw the Republican candidate, John C. Fremont narrowly defeated.

The democratic party suffered consecutive losses with John C. Breckinridge, George C. McClellan, Horation Seymour, Horace Greeley, Samuel J. Tilden, and Winfield S. Hancock representing them.

In 1884, James G. Blaine broke the streak for the Republican party.

In the last election year of the 1800's, the democratic party saw William J. Bryan narrowly defeated.

The 1900's

The 1900's opened with consecutive losses for the democratic party. They were represented by William J. Bryan and Alton B. Parker.

1916 found the republican party candidate lost by the narrowest margin possible, they were represented by Charles E. Hughes.

Once again, the 1920's found the democratic parties suffering losses. They were represented by James M. Cox, John W. Davis, and Alfred E. Smith.

In the 1930's and 1940's the republican parties faced significant losses when they were represented by Alfred M. Landon, Wendell L. Willkie, and Thomas E. Dewey.

The democratic parties found the same fates in the 1950's when they were represented by Adlai Stephenson.

In 1964, Barry Goldwater lost for the republican party.

In 1968, Hubert H. Humphrey lost for the democratic party. The next election the democratic party fared the same as before with George McGovern at the helm.

The democratic party faced losses in the 1980's when both, Walter F. Mondale and Michael S. Dukakis, ran for office.

The 1990's found the republican candidate, Robert J. Dole, on the losing front.

Currently, the Republican candidacy has been represented by George Bush after his victories over Albert A. Gore and John F. Kerry. Only time will tell who the next forgotten candidates will be.