Tag: drew pearson
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Government In the Spotlight
Kefauver’s high-profile Senate hearings demonstrated his theory about how the legislature could remain relevant and serve the public. His colleagues didn’t understand the theory – so they didn’t understand him either.
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The Bosses Know Best
The Democrats ignored the people’s preference for Kefauver in 1952. A national columnist tried to prove it was justified… but just proved how weak party leaders’ case was.
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How Adlai Really Won
Stevenson is remembered as the man who practiced a nobler brand of politics. A forgotten incident from the 1956 campaign tells a different story.
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He Never Fixed the Washing Machine
In Kefauver’s home life and his political life, he often started projects he couldn’t finish. Why was that?
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Electoral College Dropout, Part 4: The Dixiecrats’ Dress Rehearsal
We’ve all heard about the South’s third-party effort in the 1948. But did you know that they plotted to subvert the Electoral College four years earlier?
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An Ode to Nancy, Kefauver’s Wife and “Secret Weapon”
Nancy Kefauver was the ideal partner for Estes. She was a loving wife and mother, a brilliant household manager… but also a talented artist, a capable campaigner, and a certified charmer.
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Power of the Press: Drew Pearson’s Campaigns for Kefauver
Kefauver had a lot of challenges in his runs for President, but he had the most powerful political columnist in America on his side. How far did the columnist go to help Kefauver win, and why wasn’t he ultimately able to get it done?
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Anybody But Estes: Truman’s Biggest Mistake?
Harry Truman was looking for a successor… as long as it was anyone but Estes Kefauver. Did Truman let a personal grudge cost the Democrats their best shot at beating Ike and extending Truman’s legacy?
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World Champion in the Nation’s Capital: Floyd Patterson’s Day in DC
In January of 1962, columnist Drew Pearson took the reigning heavyweight champ to meet some of DC’s highest leaders. The leaders had handshakes and well-wishes for the champ… but also tried to warn him about his next fight.
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“A Serious and Difficult Situation”: The Integration of Clinton High
After Brown v. Board of Education, the first Southern school to integrate was in Estes Kefauver’s native Tennessee. In a difficult situation, Kefauver had the courage to stand up against segregationist violence and for rebuilding and the rule of law.
