Why did Smith oppose the approach Roosevelt wanted to take to combat the Great Depression? *
"Now what would I have my party do? I would have them re-declare the
principles that they put forth in that 1932 platform (reduce the size of
government, balance the federal budget) Just get the platform of the
Democratic party and get the platform of the Socialist party and ... make
your mind up to pick up the platform that more nearly squares with the
record, and you will have your hand on the Socialist platform."
-Alfred E. Smith, former Democratic presidential candidate, from
a speech delivered January 25, 1936