Gracie Allen for President

"Win the Presidential racie ...
Vote for Gracie, Keep voting all day long ... "

In the 1940 presidential election, Franklin D Roosevelt had some competitive contenders: Wendell Willkie (GOP) and comedianne, Gracie Allen, of the "Surprise Party."

Gracie Allen's spoof 1940 bid for the presidency was a publicity stunt which boosted ratings of the Burns and Allen Show during a whistle-stop tour across the US.

   Q. "What do you think of the national debt?"

   A. "We ought to be proud of it—it's the biggest in the world."

   Q. "What do you think of the Dies Committee?"

   A. "We've got to keep it going. Who'd color the Easter eggs?"

FDR was ulitmiately reelected for his third term with 54% of the electorate, but Gracie did draw some write-in votes. The collection contains the Feb 28 - May 29, 1940 Burns and Allen broadcasts as well as an episode of Good News, Fibber McGee and Jack Benny Show.

For more Gracie Allen's publicity stunts see the collection of her barging into other radio shows. See also: Election Collection.

Gracie Allen's Concession Telegram to FDR (November 6, 1940):
FDR's Response (November 26, 1940):