Senatorial Campaign (1948)

In 1948, Kefauver wrote an article decrying excessive Congressional travel and “headline-hunting hearings.” Did his later career make him a hypocrite?

In 1948, disaffected Southerners tried to hijack the Electoral College because they felt that their region was getting ignored by the national parties. Kefauver sympathized with their complaints… but he felt there was a better way.

Throughout his career, Estes Kefauver used country music to connect with people and promote his campaigns. Like Kefauver himself, it may not have impressed the powerful, but it hit home with regular people.

India Edwards should be an icon: female DNC vice chair, H, 1952 VP candidate, convinced Truman to appoint numerous women. Why is her story so little remembered?

Kefauver was a principled politician, which cause stumbling blocks for his ambitions. In particular, his refusal to build a political organization made his campaigns harder than they had to be… and may have been hazardous to his health.

Think Kefauver’s rise from freshman Senator in ’48 to Presidential candidate in ’52 was really quick? Turns out he was being talked up for national office even earlier… as in immediately.

Let’s go back to where it all began. In Estes Kefauver’s first campaign for the Senate, he took down a powerful political machine, earned the national spotlight… and gained a symbol that stuck with him.

The coonskin cap was a symbol for Estes Kefauver throughout his political career. Why? Hint: It had nothing to do with Davy Crockett.