Historical Context: November, 1944

Fans of radio were directed to the mid-week shows at the Oasis Theatre in Hermiston, Oregon during November of 1944: Gildersleeve’s Ghost showing Nov. 14-16 and Heavenly Days with Fibber McGee and Molly Nov. 21-23 (See Movie Facts).

Historically, on Nov. 7, 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt (D) was re-elected President of the United States for a record fourth term, defeating Republican candidate Thomas E. Dewey.

Roosevelt and his running mate Harry S. Truman won a whopping 432 electoral college votes compared to Dewey’s 99. In the popular vote, Roosevelt won 53.4 percent of votes cast compared to Dewey’s 45.9 percent. In actual votes, the Democrats ticket received 25.6 million compared to some 22 million for the Republicans. Dewey won 12 states: Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Dewey, the governor of New York at the time, campaigned against the New Deal and for less  government. With the success of the war effort, Roosevelt remained popular despite rumors about his health.