New Hampshire

March, 1952

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The polls closed in March of 1952 to reveal a number of surprises to both parties.

Senator Kefauver, campaigning on dogsled and in a coonskin hat, crossed the state energetically for weeks before the polls opened. His competitors had little to offer to best his performance-- Senator Russell appeared for speeches in Manchester and Concord, but he was not well received in this northern state where he was judged by many voters to be a racist incapable of holding the highest office in the land. Former Senator Scott Lucas, at the behest of President Truman, made several speeches in the state touting W. Averell Harriman, but the candidate himself did not impress with his campaigning abilities. Kefauver won a convincing victory.

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Minnesota, who conducted primaries a week later on March 18, returned no surprises-- the only candidate on the ballot was favorite son Senator Hubert Humphrey, who won a commanding 77% of the vote against write-in campaigns by Senator Kefauver and by the Draft Eisenhower movement, which claimed the other 23% of the vote.

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On the Republican side, a shock rang through the complacent headquarters of President Dewey's campaign, which had not seen the candidate campaign in New Hampshire at all-- he was, per their releases, "totally engaged" in the conduct of the ongoing Korean War, now entering its second year. Senator Taft had performed well beyond their expectations, spawning some concern.

The results were:

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The President's men was aware that former Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen was operating with home field advantage and tempered their expectations-- as predicted Stassen, who had been backed by the political establishment of his home state, won a plurality of votes and the primary. Senator Taft conducted a write-in campaign but did not dedicate significant resources to the state.

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