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== The Conservative Democrat ==

== The Conservative Democrat ==

After Chester Arthur served out the presidential term for the late James Garfield, Republicans were so unhappy with Arthur that they did not renominate him.  Meanwhile, the Democratic Party -- which had not won a presidential election in nearly 30 years, turned to a conservative candidate from the Republican state of New York: Grover Cleveland.  The Democrats hoped that by nominating Grover Cleveland they could pick up some Republican support and finally win a presidential election.

After Chester Arthur served out the presidential term for the late James Garfield, Republicans were so unhappy with Arthur that they did not renominate him.  Meanwhile, the Democratic Party -- which had not won a presidential election in nearly 30 years, turned to a conservative candidate from the Republican State of New York: Grover Cleveland.  The Democrats hoped that by nominating Grover Cleveland they could pick up some Republican support and finally win a presidential election.

His opponent was the Republican Senator James Blaine from Maine, who was a  moderate.  Blaine is best known today for his opposition to the funding of Catholic schools, and he pushed through many state amendments (and nearly succeeded with a constitutional amendment) to prohibit the use of any taxpayer money towards religious schools.

His opponent was the Republican Senator James Blaine from Maine, who was a  moderate.  Blaine is best known today for his opposition to funding by States of religiously affiliated schools (and particularly Catholic schools).  In 1875, Blaine tried to amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit States from providing any funding to religiously affiliated elementary and high schools.  When that failed, his "Blaine Amendment" was incorporated into 36 State Constitutions, where they remain today and frustrate school voucher programs.  A recent effort in Florida to establish school vouchers and to repeal the Blaine Amendment there failed.

Some key eastern Republicans opposed James Blaine due to scandals, and supported Grover Cleveland for president instead.  These Republicans were known as the "Mugwumps"; they felt Blaine could not be trusted, and they were probably right!  The defection by the Mugwumps to support Cleveland enabled him to win his key home state of New York, despite its Republican tradition at the time.  (Today New York is very Democratic.)

Some key eastern Republicans opposed James Blaine in 1884 due to scandals, and supported Grover Cleveland for president instead.  These Republicans were known as the "Mugwumps"; they felt Blaine could not be trusted, and they were probably right!  The defection by the Mugwumps to support Cleveland enabled him to win his key home state of New York, despite its Republican tradition at the time.  (Today New York is very Democratic.)

The strategy of the Democrats, aided by division within the Republican Party, worked.  Cleveland was elected president in 1884 for his integrity, his support of gold standard, his opposition to unions, his opposition to government spending, and his support of free enterprise.  He was the most conservative president since James Monroe, even though Cleveland was a Democrat.

The strategy of the Democrats, aided by division within the Republican Party, worked.  Cleveland was elected president in 1884 for his integrity, his support of gold standard, his opposition to unions, his opposition to government spending, and his support of free enterprise.  Cleveland was the most conservative president since James Monroe, even though Cleveland was a Democrat.

Cleveland then did as he said he would.  He vetoed a record number of bills passed by Congress, mostly concerning pensions for Civil War veterans.  Cleveland was frugal like most conservatives, and did not want more government spending.

Cleveland did as he said he would.  He vetoed a record number of bills passed by Congress, mostly concerning pensions for Civil War veterans.  Cleveland was frugal like most conservatives, and did not want more government spending.

In 1888, Cleveland faced a new Republican candidate, Benjamin Harrison.  Cleveland won more votes, but Harrison won more electoral college votes and thus won this close election.  Harrison, who was from Indiana and enjoyed the popularity of his grandfather president, favored protective tariffs and increasing veterans' pay.

In 1888, Cleveland faced a new Republican candidate, Benjamin Harrison.  Cleveland won more votes, but Harrison won more electoral college votes and thus won this close election.  Harrison, who was from Indiana and enjoyed the popularity of his grandfather president, favored protective tariffs and increasing veterans' pay.