Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:30 — 6.8MB)
After deadlocks in counting the ballots, we find ourselves back in time , and the date, February 17, 1801. Who will emerge the winner, and next president of the United States? Join CBS reporters and relive this dramatic moment in history.
Emotions run high in Congress as the Federalists want Aaron Burr to emerge as the winner over the Democratic candidate, Thomas Jefferson. When further delays occur, CBS reporters go to a remote elsewhere in the nation.
The feelings in the country are such that even militias in Virginia and Pennsylvania are ready to fight to place their candidate into office. Might there be an assassination attempt to get the way of the people?
Representatives of various political factions are interviewd to get a taste of the political climate of the times. The Federalists want change, even governmental overthrow is demanded, as long as the people retain their freedom, and civil liberties. In the home of John Quincy Adams, Mrs Adams talks in more sane tones about religious over tones in the election. In fact, direct questions related to politics are being discouraged. Hey, you know how pushy reporters can be. The issue is forced, and opinions are forced out. Though Alexander Hamilton is a known enemy of Jefferson, he is willing to support him, and the Democratic party, if it means keeping out the Federalists, and Aaron Burr.
A heated quarrel breaks out. politicians and delegates come to blows over trying to sway others to vote for their candidate. What will it be? Thomas Jefferson, and the atheists who support him? Aaron Burr, who has the religious folk on his side, but who are accused of having loyal tendencies to the old monarchy? The news remote returns to a cultured environment, and a talk with Dolly Madison. Even Thomas Jefferson is interviewed to have a say on the topics covered.
Get ready, the votes are about to be announce. Although we already know who will win, due to the advantage of being able to look back over the past, keep in mind that the convoluted ideas,differing opinions, and attitudes of the day. In that heat of the moment, it was never certain who would win. The votes were close. It’s the same even today. voting is important. No matter how small one person’s decision might be, each one matters. Get out and vote this week.
In 1948, Thomas Dewey was the clear leader in the pols. He knew he would win, the election was in the bag. All the people knew he would win, they liked him better than his rival, Harry S Truman. They knew the vote would be overwhelming, but that their one little vote wouldn’t matter much in the tidal wave of sentiment. So each person decided to stay home, and let all those other voters handle it. Trouble is, while all of Dewey’s voters stayed home, Truman’s were all out voting, and doing their civic duty. Truman won. Votes matter.
