Senator robert taft biography of donald

Taft continued to oppose expansion of the executive power after harry s. During the steel seizure controversy Taft argued that if the President could increase his own powers by simply declaring a national emergency the Constitution would become a dead letter. He confessed in that "while I have no difficulty talking, I don't know how to do any of the eloquence business which makes for enthusiasm or applause" [1].

Senator robert taft biography of donald: The son of President William Howard

A lackluster speaker who did not mix well or glad-hand supporters, nevertheless Taft was a tireless worker with a broad range of policy and political interests. His total grasp of the complex details of every issue impressed reporters and politicians. Senator Taft was elected to the first of his three terms as U. Senator in the election of Cooperating with conservative southern Democrats, he led the Conservative Coalition that opposed the "New Deal.

He criticized the New Deal as socialistic and attacked deficit spending, high farm subsidies, governmental bureaucracy, the National Labor Relations Board, and nationalized health insurance. He did, however, support social security and public housing. Taft set forward a conservative program oriented toward economic growth, individual economic opportunity, adequate social welfare, strong national defense, and non-involvement in European wars.

Taft was re-elected again in and inafter high-profile contests fighting organized labor. He became chairman of the Senate Republican Conference in Taft was a contender for the GOP presidential nomination inlosing to charismatic Wendell Willkie.

Senator robert taft biography of donald: Robert Alphonso Taft Sr. (September 8,

Republican"; he was the chief ideologue and spokesperson for the paleoconservatism of the Republican Party of that era. As a leader of the Old Right non-interventionist wing of the GOP he strove to keep the United States neutral duringand opposed the draft. He supported the general principles of the America First Committee but did not join it.

However, he strongly supported the war effort after the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor. Decrying the effect of the Wagner Act in tilting the balance toward labor, he wrote and passed over Truman's veto the Taft-Hartley Actwhich remains the basic labor law as of It bans "unfair" union practices, outlaws closed shops, and authorizes the President to seek federal court injunctions to impose an eighty-day cooling-off period if a strike threatened the national interest.

Determined to curtail the pro-labor Wagner ActTaft worked hard to restrict the power of unions. Since his bills would have to achieve a two-thirds, "super majority" vote of senators and representatives to override a Truman veto, he designed the measures to be palatable to moderates on both sides of the aisle. Taft's strategy paid off. As expected, Truman vetoed the Taft-Hartley Labor Act, which limited the use of strikes and prevented unions from donating directly to political campaigns.

The House and Senate, however, overturned this veto, as well as a veto on a tax-reduction bill. He made another run for the nomination inbut once again, the Republican convention passed him over. This time, the delegates chose one of Taft's political rivals to head the ticket, Thomas E. Dewey, a progressive Republican who represented the more liberal, eastern wing of the party.

In the general elections, Truman narrowly defeated Dewey, and the Democrats took back the Senate. In fact, Taft's coalition of conservatives outnumbered the regular Democrats.

Senator robert taft biography of donald: The book focuses on

Lucas failed to gain recognition as an effective leader, while Taft retained his reputation as the most powerful member of Congress. Taft lived up to his nickname, "Mr. Republican," and unified his party against the Truman administration. InTaft made his final attempt to win the Republican nomination for president, but was outmatched by his competition, the popular General Dwight Eisenhower.

Eisenhower won election inas did several other Republican candidates, and once again, the GOP commanded the Senate. Rather than pick another "front man" to express his views, Taft became the official majority leader in January In the first months of his term, he enjoyed a good relationship with Eisenhower. Kennedy in Profiles in Courageapplauded Taft's principled stand even in the face of great bipartisan criticism.

A similar program in Medicaid would eventually be signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in Undoubtedly, in that system there are gaps Decrying the effect of the Wagner Act in tilting the balance toward labor unions, he wrote the Taft—Hartley Actwhich remains the basic labor law.

Senator robert taft biography of donald: Robert A. Taft was a

It bans "unfair" union practices, outlaws closed shopsand authorizes the President to seek federal court injunctions to impose an day cooling-off period if a strike threatened the national interest. Taft displayed all of his parliamentary skills in getting the bill through Congress. When President Harry Truman vetoed it, Taft then convinced both houses of Congress to override the veto.

By earlyElbert Thomas sponsored legislation sent to Congress by the Truman administration that would repeal the Taft—Hartley Act. Taft predicted that a majority of the Taft—Hartley Act would remain in law and began a week-long period of "one hard-pounding argument after another" defending the legislation. Donnell in introducing legislation that Taft promoted as retaining "the best features of the Taft—Hartley law".