Contenders

Series produced by Radio Diaries

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Portraits of some of America’s most original presidential candidates.

There have been 43 presidents in American history. But the names of the hundreds who sought the office – and lost – are often forgotten. "Contenders" tells the stories of some of the most groundbreaking and unusual presidential candidates from elections past.

Produced by Radio Diaries, this series weaves together archival news clips, first-person accounts and home recordings to create sound-rich portraits of candidates that changed the course of America’s political history...and others who didn't. Originally broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered. http://www.radiodiaries.org/tag/contenders/


8 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: William Jennings Bryan
Portraits of some of America’s most groundbreaking and unusual presidential candidates...who never won the white house.

Bought by WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, KPIK-LP, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, WCQS, KALW and more


  • Added: Jul 19, 2016
  • Length: 53:25
  • Purchases: 22
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In the 19th century, Victoria Woodhull was many things: a clairvoyant, a businesswoman, an advocate for women’s rights and sexual freedom, and a ma...

Bought by KUNM, New Hampshire Public Radio, New Hampshire Public Radio, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, Prairie Public and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 07:18
  • Purchases: 8
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At the 1896 Democratic Convention, Bryan gave a speech that electrified his party and won him the nomination. His “Cross of Gold” speech is known t...

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, The Story, PRX Remix, KUT and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 07:11
  • Purchases: 7
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In 1940 the United States was just emerging from the shadow of the Great Depression and war loomed in Europe. Into these serious times stepped Grac...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, WEZU, New Hampshire Public Radio, Troy Public Radio, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 05:12
  • Purchases: 10
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Alben Barkley served in Congress for close to 40 years and was Harry Truman’s vice president from 1948-1952. Though he wanted to be President himse...

Bought by WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, PRX Remix, WDET Detroit Public Radio, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 07:25
  • Purchases: 4
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The 1952 presidential campaign pitted the immensely popular General Dwight D. Eisenhower against the ferociously intellectual and intensely private...

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio, XRAY.fm, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, PRX Remix, WDET Detroit Public Radio and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 07:36
  • Purchases: 6
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In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman from a major party to run for President. The Republican Senator ran as a staunch hawk and expe...

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, PRX Remix, WDET Detroit Public Radio, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 07:38
  • Purchases: 5
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In 1972, Shirley Chisholm launched a spirited campaign for the Democratic nomination. She was the first woman and first African American to run. De...

Bought by WABE, WEZU, New Hampshire Public Radio, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, WXAV 88.3FM Chicago and more


  • Added: Oct 16, 2012
  • Length: 07:37
  • Purchases: 10