Harry S Truman, placed in the Presidency by Roosevelt's death, was nominated to run in 1948 against the Republican candidate, Thomas E. Dewey. The Progressive Citizens of America nominated former vice president Henry Wallace who ran on an equal rights and disarmament platform. Walt Kelly, creator of Pogo, caricatured Wallace's eccentricity, Truman's blindness, and Dewey's machine-like efficiency in this cartoon (41A-1067119). Dewey did run a smooth campaign, which Kelly often satirized. Here he is shown with Hubert Humphrey, printing policies favoring big business (41B-1067120). He is depicted as an adding machine in this cartoon, which parodies the attitude of all three candidates toward the New Deal (41C-1067121). Dewey ran confidently, playing up his image as an experienced political leader.

Both Truman and Dewey campaigned extensively; Truman blasted the Eightieth Congress for its refusal to cooperate in carrying out his programs and supported civil rights.

It was expected that Dewey would win, so it is surprising, considering the predictive records of past cartoonists, that Dorman H. Smith drew this cartoon, and later its sequel, when the prediction was borne out by Truman's "unexpected" victory (41D-1067122, 41E-1067123).

 Elections by Year 

^41A-1067119 Walt Kelly, "They're Off," cartoon, The New York Star 26 July 1948.

^41B-1067120 Walt Kelly, "The Old Man Of The Sea Is Wading Ashore," cartoon, The New York Star 27 Oct 1948.

^41C-1067121 Walt Kelly, "New Deal Hat Shop," cartoon, The New York Star 1 Nov 1948.

^41D-1067122 Dorman Smith, "Look, No Hands!" cartoon, proofs supplied by NEA.

^41E-1067123 Dorman Smith, "Look, No Victory!" cartoon, proofs supplied by NEA.