Punishing the Past: Presidential Elections in Times of Crisis (1932, 1968, 2008)

President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933

Source: Public Domain-Presidential Portrait

Hubert Humphrey, Democratic Presidential Candidate in 1968

Source: Public Domain-Vice Presidential Portrait

President Harry Truman (1945-1953)

Source: Public Domain-Presidential Portrait

President Herbert Hoover

Source: Public Domain-Presidential Portrait

President Lyndon Johnson

Source: Public Domain-Work of American Government

President Richard Nixon

Source: Public Domain-Presidential Portrait

Presidental Candidate Sen. John McCain

Source: Public Domain-Congressional Portrait

1948 Presidential Candidate Thomas Dewey

Presidential candidate in 1968, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Assassinated during the campaign.

Source: Public Domain-Work of American Government

U.S. Air Force Capt. James J. Arnold shows staff at the Shajoy District Hospital in Shajoy, Afghanistan how to operate a system that makes salt water into drinkable water Aug. 10, 2008. The U.S. has been engaged militarily in Afghanistan since 2001.

Source: Department of Defense Picture

Vietnam War Protest 1967

Source: GNU License-wikipedia.org

Iraqi scouts from 8th Iraqi Army Division prepare during a combat training exercise on Camp Echo, Iraq, July 14, 2008.

Source: Public Domain-Department of Defense (Airman Matthew Piew)

President Lyndon Johnson with Vice President Hubert Humphrey discussing strategy in Vietnam with General Creighton Abrams, 1968.

Source: Public Domain-Work of American Government

Depression-Era Photo of a migrant mother and children by Dorothea Lange

Source: Public Domain-Work of American Government

A Depression-Era Bank Run at American Union Bank in the early part of the Depression. Hoover's Presidency took much of the blame for the economic crisis.

Source: Public Domain-Work of American Government