Wayne Surges Ahead In Polls (PJW)

September 13, 1952
"Frontier spirit" is the rallying cry of Republican candidate John Wayne and his supporters. Wayne's appearance as a common citizen representing the interests of the common American has led to a surge in the polls. Once even with Stevenson, even behind Stevenson following a post-nomination bump, Wayne now possesses a comfortable lead.

Wayne began picking up steam as he campaigned across middle America. The voters in those areas rallied around Wayne, who presented himself as supporting the common man while the Democrats and their "egg-head" candidate Adlai Stevenson only represented the elite and the corrupt. "It's high time for a change in America!" Wayne told a crowd in Indianapolis, Indiana. "The corrupt elites in Washington have had their way for too long. Together, as Americans with a little frontier spirit, we will usher in a new age for America!"

Stevenson has found himself floundering in the polls. His initial attacks on Wayne for his lack of experience were curtailed when Wayne chose Senator Everett Dirksen (R-IL) as his Vice President. Stevenson's speeches, though great in oration, lacks the charisma of Wayne's and though thrilling to intellectuals and academics, are feared to be going "over the head" of the common American voter.

The majority of Stevenson's support remains in the southern states, while Wayne is popular across the nation, especially in the Midwest and the middle American heartland.

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