1932 and President Roosevelt"I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932after accepting the Democratic nominations

What was it?

Franklin D. Roosevelt had a secret that he kept from the public at large for much of his presidency.

Polio

FDR & PolioContracted while vacationing in Canada in 1921

August 10th – Tired with chills and abdominal pains.August 11th – AM: Leg weak

PM: Leg completely paralyzed. Other leg weakAugust 12th – Both legs paralyzed with no sensitivity.

Paralysis spread upwards preventing urination for several days to come. August 13th – Paralyzed from the chest down.August 25th – Entire body paralyzed.

Paralysis in parts of his face.

A slow recovery would begin in mid-September

FDR & PolioParalytic polio occurs in .1% to 2% of polio cases.

Virus enters the body, leaves the intestinal tracts, enters and spreads through your blood stream .

The 1932 Presidential Election

President Herbert Hoover (R) Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)

1928 v. 1932

Why the change?Americans were tired of Republican leadership after a decade

of Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover.

“I'm just afraid that I may not have the strength to do this job.

After you leave me tonight, Jimmy, I am going to pray. I am going to pray that God will help me, that he will

give me the strength and the guidance to do this job and to do it right. I hope that you will pray for

me, too, Jimmy.”

FDR talking to his son, James, following his victory over President Hoover