Cooke's Elections

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

20080630

BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years.

The contest between the Republican candidate Thomas Dewey and Democrat President Truman in 1948 appeared to be a foregone conclusion. But to everyone's surprise, Truman won by two million votes.

The contest between Republican Thomas Dewey and Democrat President Truman in 1948.

20080701

BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years.

Lyndon Johnson won a landslide victory in 1964 but faced continuing questions in 1966 because of the war in Vietnam. Alistair Cooke reflects on the changes in American democracy from the days when everyone knew their place to an age when people were demanding to know what was being done in their name.

Lyndon Johnson won a landslide victory in 1964 but faced continuing protests over Vietnam.

20080702

BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years.

Gerald Ford was keen to play down party differences when he announced his intention to stand for the American presidency in 1976. So what, wondered Alistair Cooke, did it mean to be a Republican or a Democrat? Justin Webb asks whether things are any different today.

Gerald Ford was keen to play down party differences when he announced that he would stand.

20080703

BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years.

Bill Clinton defeated George Bush senior in 1992. Cooke focuses on the dress style of the Clinton camp and wonders what the rejection of the old blue blazer will mean for the American political system.

05 LAST

20080704

BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years.

Cooke saw many presidents come and go, but the election of George W Bush in November 2000 was to be the last. The veteran broadcaster announced his retirement four years later, by which time America had changed forever.

The election of George W Bush in November 2000 was to be Cooke's last.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20080630	BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years. The contest between the Republican candidate Thomas Dewey and Democrat President Truman in 1948 appeared to be a foregone conclusion. But to everyone's surprise, Truman won by two million votes. The contest between Republican Thomas Dewey and Democrat President Truman in 1948.
02	20080701	BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years. Lyndon Johnson won a landslide victory in 1964 but faced continuing questions in 1966 because of the war in Vietnam. Alistair Cooke reflects on the changes in American democracy from the days when everyone knew their place to an age when people were demanding to know what was being done in their name. Lyndon Johnson won a landslide victory in 1964 but faced continuing protests over Vietnam.
03	20080702	BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years. Gerald Ford was keen to play down party differences when he announced his intention to stand for the American presidency in 1976. So what, wondered Alistair Cooke, did it mean to be a Republican or a Democrat? Justin Webb asks whether things are any different today. Gerald Ford was keen to play down party differences when he announced that he would stand.
04	20080703	BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years. Bill Clinton defeated George Bush senior in 1992. Cooke focuses on the dress style of the Clinton camp and wonders what the rejection of the old blue blazer will mean for the American political system.
05 LAST	20080704	BBC North American editor Justin Webb introduces Alistair Cooke's famous Letters from America, broadcast during previous election campaigns over the past 60 years. Cooke saw many presidents come and go, but the election of George W Bush in November 2000 was to be the last. The veteran broadcaster announced his retirement four years later, by which time America had changed forever. The election of George W Bush in November 2000 was to be Cooke's last.