Hello and welcome to this day in esoteric political history from Radiotopia.

My name is Jody Avergan.

This day, March 31st, 1952.

It actually happened on March 29th, 1952.

We want to be accurate about the day

because it is a pretty big moment.

This is when Democratic President Harry Truman announces that he will not be seeking

re-nomination for the presidency that fall. This through the Democratic nomination contest

wide open, a couple months before that summer's convention.

Speaking at a Democratic Party fundraiser, his remarks were largely a surprise to those in the audience.

He said, I shall not be a candidate for re-election. I have served my country long, and I think,

efficiently and honestly, I shall not accept a re-nomination. I do not feel that it is my duty

to spend another four years in the White House.

So cut to that fall and as you may know the winner of the election was Republican Dwight

Eisenhower in a landslide which ended some 20 years of Democratic dominance.

But there were lots of twists and turns that got us from Truman's announcement to Eisenhower's

route.

So let's talk about that moment where Truman backs out certainly a moment that has been popping up a lot as Democrats have

Conversations a little bit about whether their nominee should be the nominee for this fall

Here as always Nicole Hammer of Vanderbilt and Kelly Carter Jackson of Wesley. Hello there. Hello Jody. Hey

there. I think we have to talk about the sort of resonance and people name checking this moment

here in 2024 around Biden but let's go to that night and that announcement.

...