The Contenders: FDR, Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover Guest: David Pietrusza This segment introduces the rising stars of the 1920s: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. At age 38, FDR was an ambitious Assistant Secretary of the Navy who

The Contenders: FDR, Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover Guest: David Pietrusza This segment introduces the rising stars of the 1920s: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. At age 38, FDR was an ambitious Assistant Secretary of the Navy who, despite his famous name, was considered "not ready for prime time" due to early political mistakes and a strained marriage following an affair with Lucy Mercer. Conversely, Governor Calvin Coolidgegained national fame for his decisive handling of the Boston police strike. Known for his Vermont-bred rectitude and "upstanding" persona, Coolidge was viewed as a man of few words but great reliability. Meanwhile, Herbert Hooverwas the "great engineer" and humanitarian who had fed millions in Europe. His popularity was so immense that FDRonce proposed a joint Hoover-Roosevelt Democratic ticket. Though Hoover eventually identified as a Republican, his systematic, modern approach to government made him a formidable figure for either party as the 1920 conventions approached. (3)
1919