General election Grover Cleveland presidential campaign, 1888

allen thurman, cleveland s vp pick in 1888.

the republican party nominated former u.s. senator benjamin harrison (from swing state of indiana) run against cleveland in 1888 after 1884 republican presidential nominee james g. blaine (who lost cleveland razor-thin margin) refused run again , after several other candidates failed win enough support. president cleveland s campaign managers in 1888 william barnum, democratic national chairman, , calvin brice, railroad promoter. democratic campaign hurt lack of funds (by september 1888) , cleveland s lethargy , unwillingness re-election campaign (even behind scenes). major things president cleveland did campaign writing letter of acceptance (in september) , few publicized letters on policy. 74-year-old allen g. thurman (cleveland s vice presidential pick) did heavily campaign in favor of democratic ticket, in midwest , northeast. thurman s brief speeches explained why high tariffs bad workingmen , consumers , delineated physical ailments, such cholera, head cold, , neuralgia. possibly (at least in part) because thurman collapsed twice on stage during speeches, press concentrated on thurman s poor health rather on contents of speeches (something might have brought negative publicity cleveland campaign). in contrast cleveland, harrison ran relatively active (for time) campaign, giving 100 speeches throughout front porch campaign in defended republican platform (especially call higher tariffs) while simultaneously criticizing policies of president cleveland , democratic party. murchison letter released shortly before 1888 election in attempt reduce cleveland s support, apparently did not work, since cleveland gained more irish american votes in 1888 in 1884. general election pretty close—cleveland ended winning popular vote 1%, while harrison managed win electoral vote 233 168 (and election) narrowly winning new york (cleveland s home state) , indiana (harrison s home state) (both of voted cleveland in 1884). cleveland hurt in new york (which lost 1.09%) tammany hall s (and boss richard croker s) lukewarm support him. interestingly enough, cleveland came close losing connecticut, west virginia, , ex-confederate state of virginia harrison well. democratic vice presidential nominee thurman s home state of ohio narrowly went harrison in 1888. though benjamin harrison won 1888 u.s. presidential election, outgoing u.s. president grover cleveland return political life in couple of years , challenge harrison again u.s. presidency in 1892.