Six-Chart Sunday (#37) – Trivia Time

6 Infographics from the week + 1 Video (former Defense Secretary Mark Esper)

This crazy election cycle presents so many rarities or firsts – potentially the oldest President ever elected, the first woman to win the White House, first time the House flipped in a Presidential year since 1952, first nominee not to compete in any primary contests since 1968, first major party VP nominee with a full beard since 1880 – that this week’s Six Charts are presented as answers to the following six trivia questions. Test your knowledge!

1. W.H. But Not Senate: While Republican George H.W. Bush was the last President to win the White House without his party also winning the Senate (in 1988), who was the last Democrat to win the Presidency for the first time without Democrats also winning the Senate (and when)?

2. House Coattails: How many House seats has the party winning the W.H. netted in Presidential election years over the past century, on average (1924-2020)?

3. Three-Timers Club: How many men ran for President as a major party nominee at least three times, who were they & how’d they do?

4. Winners Below 50%: In our nation’s 59 Presidential elections, how many times has the winning candidate received less than 50% of the popular vote?

5. Beyond the B-B-C: Prior to 2024 (after 7/21), what was the last election where neither major party ticket included a Bush, Biden or Clinton?

6. Quarterbacks & Presidents: How many colleges graduated both a President of the United States and a Superbowl-winning NFL quarterback – name them.  (Bonus, how many of these Presidents served two terms?)

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ANSWERS

1. Grover Cleveland in 1884 was the last newly-elected Democratic President to take office without Democrats also controlling the Senate. (Why this matters: There’s a decent chance Kamala Harris wins the White House while Republicans take the Senate, setting up confirmation crises & showdowns over debt ceiling, taxes & regulation.)

2. The party winning the White House has gained 15 seats in the House over the past century, on average. (Why this matters: With a current GOP margin of just four, the party that wins the White House in 2024 probably also takes the House).

3. Six men ran for President at least three times as a major party nominee, with Donald Trump now the seventh. FDR did the best going 4-for-4, while prairie populist Williams Jennings Bryan went 0-for-3. (Why it matters: While not predictive, the third time was the charm for 6 of the prior 7).

4. In 19 out of 59 U.S. Presidential elections (roughly 1/3rd), the winning candidate received less than 50% of the popular vote due to the presence of third party candidates. In 54 of 59, the winner of the national popular vote also carried the Electoral College. (Why it matters: 3rd party candidates are on the ballot in multiple states in 2024, so Trump or Harris could win with less than 50% of the popular vote. This is why Democrats are suing to keep Cornell West off ballots and RFK Jr. on them, while Republican lawyers fight for the reverse.)

5. The 1976 Presidential election was the last (before 2024) without a Bush, a Clinton or a Biden on a major party ticket. (Why it matters: Voters want change).

6. Five colleges graduated both a U.S. President & Superbowl-winning quarterback. All five Presidents served only one term. (Why it matters: It doesn’t).

VIDEO

Mark Esper served as the 27th U.S. Secretary of Defense. We discussed his 2022 book surveying the state of the world, U.S. military readiness & 21st century challenges.