I do not choose to run
Encyclopedia
I do not choose to run is President
Calvin Coolidge’s
statement to the press on his decision not to run for the 1928 Presidential election. The statement was ambiguous, and led to considerable debate as to the intentions of its language.
when he gave his secretary, Everett Sanders
a piece of paper that said, “I do not choose to run for president in 1928.” Sanders endorsed Coolidge’s declaration, and the announcement was scheduled for the 9 am press conference on Tuesday August 2, 1927.
However, to avoid an overreaction by the stock market on the east coast, the announcement was moved to midday. At 11:30, Coolidge cut out strips of paper with his statement on it, and at the conference, handed each reporter a strip. Without providing any further information, Coolidge remarked, "There will be nothing more from this office today."
While some close to Coolidge knew he wouldn't run for another term, others were stunned by his announcement, including Sanders, his personal secretary. Later in the day on August 2, Grace Coolidge
found out of her husband’s announcement from visiting senator Arthur Capper
. She remarked, “Isn’t that just like the man. He never gave me the slightest intimation of his intention. I had no idea.”
by the party for the 1928 election. Vice President
Dawes
believed he “ardently” wanted nomination. Commerce secretary Herbert Hoover
, himself considering a 1928 election bid, asked Coolidge if his decision was “absolutely conclusive,” and the president made no direct reply. Even one of Coolidge’s closest friends, Senator Butler, said of the decision, “I do not know what he wants.”
As for being drafted as the party’s candidate, Coolidge stated he “was determined not to have that contingency arise.”
., in 1924, took a heavy toll on the president, which some say led to clinical depression. “When he died, the power and the glory of the Presidency went with him,” Coolidge later wrote in his autobiography. He also noted that another term would put him in the White House longer than any other man had been there, and ten years is more time than any man should spend there.
Also, Coolidge took some steps to make sure he was not drafted for the nomination. He said, “I do not approve the circulation of a petition, such as has been reported in the morning press, requesting me to run for President in 1928. I don’t see that anything good could come from it. I hope it will be discontinued.” He also announced in December 1927, “My statement stands. No one should be led to suppose that I have modified it. My decision will be respected.” Informed that some Massachusetts Republicans were mounting a campaign to have him win their state’s presidential primary, Coolidge informed the Republican state chairman “Such an action would be most embarrassing to me… I request that it not be done.”
While the language was open for debate, some pointed out that it was the language of a Vermont Yankee. "The Yankee language is founded on understatement and not overstatement," said publisher Charles Thompson.
set by President Washington
. Coolidge held the opinion that a Vice President who succeeded to part of another president’s term would not violate the rule by then running twice for election in his own right.
Within the Republican party, there was talk that the “no third term tradition” could damage Coolidge’s, and thus the party’s, chances come election day. This led to some party members calling for him to not run for a third term, though most scholars feel their opinion had little effect on Coolidge’s reasoning.
's jazz band for Brunswick Records
. The humorous lyrics tell the story of a watch which, rather than ticking and telling time, utters Coolidge's famous phrase.
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Calvin Coolidge’s
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
statement to the press on his decision not to run for the 1928 Presidential election. The statement was ambiguous, and led to considerable debate as to the intentions of its language.
Background
Coolidge was at his “summer white house” in the Black HillsBlack Hills
The Black Hills are a small, isolated mountain range rising from the Great Plains of North America in western South Dakota and extending into Wyoming, USA. Set off from the main body of the Rocky Mountains, the region is something of a geological anomaly—accurately described as an "island of...
when he gave his secretary, Everett Sanders
Everett Sanders
Jmes Everett Sanders was an American political figure. He was Presidential secretary to President Calvin Coolidge and chairman of the Republican National Committee.-Biography:...
a piece of paper that said, “I do not choose to run for president in 1928.” Sanders endorsed Coolidge’s declaration, and the announcement was scheduled for the 9 am press conference on Tuesday August 2, 1927.
However, to avoid an overreaction by the stock market on the east coast, the announcement was moved to midday. At 11:30, Coolidge cut out strips of paper with his statement on it, and at the conference, handed each reporter a strip. Without providing any further information, Coolidge remarked, "There will be nothing more from this office today."
Public
Upon Coolidge's announcement, the gathered media were stunned. The public, too, were shocked by the announcement. Many felt Coolidge could easily win a second term, based on “Coolidge Prosperity,” the booming economy, and a more than $300 million surplus.Family and Colleagues
As early as 1924, Coolidge had made it clear he would not run again after his '24 campaign. He relayed this to his father after Calvin Jr.'s death. After the election, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. "clearly remembered" Coolidge mentioning his desire to not run again, a conversation Coolidge also had with Frank Stearns at the same time. Also, Secret Service Agent Edmund Starling, who served at the White House for thirty years, and protected 5 presidents, recounted that Coolidge decided "long ago" not to run again for office.While some close to Coolidge knew he wouldn't run for another term, others were stunned by his announcement, including Sanders, his personal secretary. Later in the day on August 2, Grace Coolidge
Grace Coolidge
Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge was the wife of Calvin Coolidge and First Lady of the United States from 1923 to 1929.-Biography:...
found out of her husband’s announcement from visiting senator Arthur Capper
Arthur Capper
Arthur Capper was an American politician from Kansas. He was the 20th Governor of Kansas from 1915 to 1919 and a United States Senator from 1919 to 1949....
. She remarked, “Isn’t that just like the man. He never gave me the slightest intimation of his intention. I had no idea.”
Reasons for the statement
After Coolidge’s announcement, there was much debate as to what he meant in his choice of words. Some took the language as a definitive statement that he was not willing to be President any longer. Others thought that he was hoping to be drafted by the party as a candidate.Hope to be drafted
Some close to the president took the view that Coolidge was looking to be draftedDraft (politics)
In elections in the United States, political drafts are used to encourage or pressure a certain person to enter a political race, by demonstrating a significant groundswell of support for the candidate. A write-in campaign may also be considered a draft campaign.-The movement to draft Dwight D....
by the party for the 1928 election. Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Dawes
Dawes
Dawes Cycles is a British bicycle manufacturer known for its high-quality hand-built bicycles. Dawes produces a full range of bikes including road, mountain bikes and tandems, but is best known for touring bikes, specifically the Galaxy and the Super Galaxy model lines.Founded in Birmingham, the...
believed he “ardently” wanted nomination. Commerce secretary Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
, himself considering a 1928 election bid, asked Coolidge if his decision was “absolutely conclusive,” and the president made no direct reply. Even one of Coolidge’s closest friends, Senator Butler, said of the decision, “I do not know what he wants.”
As for being drafted as the party’s candidate, Coolidge stated he “was determined not to have that contingency arise.”
Desire for private life
Others saw Coolidge’s message as a desire to get back to private life. As early as 1924, Coolidge decided he would not run for the presidency a second time. The death of his son, Cal JrCalvin Coolidge, Jr.
Calvin Coolidge Jr. was the son of President Calvin Coolidge-Biography:Calvin Coolidge, Jr, was born in Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, on April 13, 1908 and was the younger of the two children of Calvin Coolidge , the 30th President of the United States and Grace Anna Goodhue ,...
., in 1924, took a heavy toll on the president, which some say led to clinical depression. “When he died, the power and the glory of the Presidency went with him,” Coolidge later wrote in his autobiography. He also noted that another term would put him in the White House longer than any other man had been there, and ten years is more time than any man should spend there.
Also, Coolidge took some steps to make sure he was not drafted for the nomination. He said, “I do not approve the circulation of a petition, such as has been reported in the morning press, requesting me to run for President in 1928. I don’t see that anything good could come from it. I hope it will be discontinued.” He also announced in December 1927, “My statement stands. No one should be led to suppose that I have modified it. My decision will be respected.” Informed that some Massachusetts Republicans were mounting a campaign to have him win their state’s presidential primary, Coolidge informed the Republican state chairman “Such an action would be most embarrassing to me… I request that it not be done.”
While the language was open for debate, some pointed out that it was the language of a Vermont Yankee. "The Yankee language is founded on understatement and not overstatement," said publisher Charles Thompson.
Honoring two-term tradition
Some feel that Coolidge was trying to honor the two-term traditionTerm limits in the United States
Term limits in the United States apply to many offices at both the federal and state level, and date back to the American Revolution.-Pre-constitution:...
set by President Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. Coolidge held the opinion that a Vice President who succeeded to part of another president’s term would not violate the rule by then running twice for election in his own right.
Within the Republican party, there was talk that the “no third term tradition” could damage Coolidge’s, and thus the party’s, chances come election day. This led to some party members calling for him to not run for a third term, though most scholars feel their opinion had little effect on Coolidge’s reasoning.
Popular culture
The phrase entered popular culture of the era. I tune "I Do Not Chose to Run", credited to Kenny & Dennis was recorded in March of 1928 by Harry ReserHarry Reser
Harry F. Reser was an American banjo player and bandleader. Born in Piqua, Ohio, Reser was best known as the leader of The Clicquot Club Eskimos.- Career :...
's jazz band for Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
. The humorous lyrics tell the story of a watch which, rather than ticking and telling time, utters Coolidge's famous phrase.