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Stassen Again
A new investigation of the meteoric rise, lifetime of achievements, and unique persona of "boy wonder" and perennial candidate Harold E. Stassen.
In ten unsuccessful runs at the U.S. presidency, Harold E. Stassen became infamous as a perennial candidate. But his lifetime of achievements, now mostly forgotten, demonstrate his contributions to Minnesota's political evolution, to international cooperation, and to world peace, as well as his importance to American history. It's time to consider Stassen, again.
At the start of his career in the 1930s, extremism thrived in both state and national politics. Fear-mongering was an increasingly effective weapon in the battle for votes—and for international influence. Stassen's leadership as the moderate "boy governor" of Minnesota, lauded by national media, revitalized the state's Republican Party and helped pave the way for the national party's return to power. In the middle of his third term as governor, this principled man enlisted in the navy, served in the Pacific, directed the liberation of Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, and helped write the charter for the United Nations. After the war, he served in Eisenhower's cabinet, showing his energy and his ambition. Stassen argued successfully throughout his career for moderation, tolerance, and common sense— "the middle way"— at a time when America, and the world, was in woefully short supply of each.
In ten unsuccessful runs at the U.S. presidency, Harold E. Stassen became infamous as a perennial candidate. But his lifetime of achievements, now mostly forgotten, demonstrate his contributions to Minnesota's political evolution, to international cooperation, and to world peace, as well as his importance to American history. It's time to consider Stassen, again.
At the start of his career in the 1930s, extremism thrived in both state and national politics. Fear-mongering was an increasingly effective weapon in the battle for votes—and for international influence. Stassen's leadership as the moderate "boy governor" of Minnesota, lauded by national media, revitalized the state's Republican Party and helped pave the way for the national party's return to power. In the middle of his third term as governor, this principled man enlisted in the navy, served in the Pacific, directed the liberation of Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, and helped write the charter for the United Nations. After the war, he served in Eisenhower's cabinet, showing his energy and his ambition. Stassen argued successfully throughout his career for moderation, tolerance, and common sense— "the middle way"— at a time when America, and the world, was in woefully short supply of each.
248 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 5, 2015
Wow! Just Wow! I am so indebted to the author for writing so beautifully about an important person in MN and US history. The research is meticulous, the insights into history captivating and the writing style impressive. As someone who follows the "middle way" politically, I appreciate and admire Harold Stassen's motives and quest for peace. The Prologue and Epilogue brought me to unexpected tears which is a nod to Werle's "mad writing skills". It seems more would get done in government if there were more politicians of Stassen's ilk on both sides of the aisle today!
April 3, 2020
Werle clearly cares a lot about Harold Stassen, but still paints a balanced picture of the man. I enjoyed learning more about this great man who was mostly a caricature by the time I was an adult. I did get to hear Stassen speak once, however, and was blown away. I also liked learning about this period of history that was also a void for me before reading this incredibly well-researched book.
December 2, 2015
Such a great story about an individual that I didn't even know that I needed to know about! I will say that, although it was necessary context, the first chapter was hard to digest. But don't give up...it is totally worth it!
December 21, 2015
Fascinating life and a good read for all of us who only knew him in his later years when his runs for the presidency had become a joke. This is an illustration of how much a young person can do to make the world a better place.
December 2, 2017
Nice book
March 9, 2018
The meticulous writing from Werle is superb. The stories and experiences I learned about Stassen were some of the most interesting things I have ever read. Big props to Werle for a job well done.
November 5, 2018
In his life Harold Stassen announced he was running for president 11 times. But only the last nine were a comedian's punchline. In 1948 and 1952 he was actually quite serious and won delegates to
prove it. For most except people a bit older than myself he was a national laughingstock, a politician
who missed his main chance and refused to recognize he wasn't relevant any more.
Stassen was born in 1907 and possibly he peaked too early. Right after graduating from the University
of Minnesota Law School in 1929 he was elected District Attorney of Dakota County, Minnesota in
1930 and 1934. At the age of 31 he ran and won for Governor of Minnesota becoming the nation's
youngest governor and with that came a bit of glamor and pizzazz. He gave the keynote address at
the GOP convention and was on born with longshot nominee Wendell Wilkie when Wilkie won the
nomination. Stassen at 33 was too young to run himself.
In 1944 he resigned as Governor of Minnesota and entered the Navy and served in the Pacific on the
staff of Admiral William F. Halsey. He did serve with distinction, but he probably also figured it
was a career move. Stassen's main weakness was ambition which led him to make some really
dumb moves.
The first was in 1946 with the war over Stassen chose not to run for the Senate against isolationist
Senator Henrik Shipstead who was in real trouble because of those views. Isolationists in those
elections in the 40s were being eliminated from office, Shipstead got caught in the switches. Stassen rather loftily declared he was not a legislator his talents were more in the executive area.
Stassen's Lieutenant Governor Edward J. Thye who succeeded him in office ran and beat Shipstead
and in that GOP year of 1946 went to the Senate. Thye and he were very close and if Stassen wanted Thye would have stepped aside.
In 1948 he ran for the first time for president and made the mistake of challenging Robert Taft in
his home state of Ohio. At that time you didn't run against a rival in his home, wasn't proper
etiquette. He lost and Taft was out for blood. Stassen later lost the hard fought Oregon primary
to Tom Dewey.
In 1952 he ran as a Minnesota favorite son, a stalking horse for Dwight Eisenhower who did go on
to become president. In Ike's administration he was Mutual Security Administrator a job which
oversaw foreign aid grants as part of our system of Cold War alliances. Stassen was like a fifth
wheel on the wagon, forever using a rather ill defined position to encroach on other's territories
most especially John Foster Dulles the Secretary of State.
His biggest blunder was in 1956 when he tried to start a movement to dump Richard Nixon from the Republican ticket. He wound up humiliated even having to second Nixon's renomination at
the GOP convention. He earned himself a lifetime enemy and one who as we all know carried grudges.
This is hardly to say Stassen was without merit. The biggest constant in his life was his firm belief
in the United Nations. FDR named Stassen after his navy discharge as a delegate to the conference
in San Francisco which created the UN. He probably should have gone to work for it after the
Eisenhower administration it would have been a better capstone to a career than forever running
for president after the parade passed you by. In 1963 he marched with Martin Luther King in
Washington, DC. He was also solidly his whole career committed to the civil rights struggle and it
must have wounded him deeply to see the Republicans abandon the issue. And at the hands of his
old enemy Richard Nixon.
I'm not sure if Harold Stassen wouldn't have made a pretty good president if he had better timing
and less obvious ambition. He's worth some study and not just as a joke and Steve Werle's book
will make that point.
prove it. For most except people a bit older than myself he was a national laughingstock, a politician
who missed his main chance and refused to recognize he wasn't relevant any more.
Stassen was born in 1907 and possibly he peaked too early. Right after graduating from the University
of Minnesota Law School in 1929 he was elected District Attorney of Dakota County, Minnesota in
1930 and 1934. At the age of 31 he ran and won for Governor of Minnesota becoming the nation's
youngest governor and with that came a bit of glamor and pizzazz. He gave the keynote address at
the GOP convention and was on born with longshot nominee Wendell Wilkie when Wilkie won the
nomination. Stassen at 33 was too young to run himself.
In 1944 he resigned as Governor of Minnesota and entered the Navy and served in the Pacific on the
staff of Admiral William F. Halsey. He did serve with distinction, but he probably also figured it
was a career move. Stassen's main weakness was ambition which led him to make some really
dumb moves.
The first was in 1946 with the war over Stassen chose not to run for the Senate against isolationist
Senator Henrik Shipstead who was in real trouble because of those views. Isolationists in those
elections in the 40s were being eliminated from office, Shipstead got caught in the switches. Stassen rather loftily declared he was not a legislator his talents were more in the executive area.
Stassen's Lieutenant Governor Edward J. Thye who succeeded him in office ran and beat Shipstead
and in that GOP year of 1946 went to the Senate. Thye and he were very close and if Stassen wanted Thye would have stepped aside.
In 1948 he ran for the first time for president and made the mistake of challenging Robert Taft in
his home state of Ohio. At that time you didn't run against a rival in his home, wasn't proper
etiquette. He lost and Taft was out for blood. Stassen later lost the hard fought Oregon primary
to Tom Dewey.
In 1952 he ran as a Minnesota favorite son, a stalking horse for Dwight Eisenhower who did go on
to become president. In Ike's administration he was Mutual Security Administrator a job which
oversaw foreign aid grants as part of our system of Cold War alliances. Stassen was like a fifth
wheel on the wagon, forever using a rather ill defined position to encroach on other's territories
most especially John Foster Dulles the Secretary of State.
His biggest blunder was in 1956 when he tried to start a movement to dump Richard Nixon from the Republican ticket. He wound up humiliated even having to second Nixon's renomination at
the GOP convention. He earned himself a lifetime enemy and one who as we all know carried grudges.
This is hardly to say Stassen was without merit. The biggest constant in his life was his firm belief
in the United Nations. FDR named Stassen after his navy discharge as a delegate to the conference
in San Francisco which created the UN. He probably should have gone to work for it after the
Eisenhower administration it would have been a better capstone to a career than forever running
for president after the parade passed you by. In 1963 he marched with Martin Luther King in
Washington, DC. He was also solidly his whole career committed to the civil rights struggle and it
must have wounded him deeply to see the Republicans abandon the issue. And at the hands of his
old enemy Richard Nixon.
I'm not sure if Harold Stassen wouldn't have made a pretty good president if he had better timing
and less obvious ambition. He's worth some study and not just as a joke and Steve Werle's book
will make that point.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews