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Cramer was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and lived there his entire life.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cramer was born in Denver, Colorado, and his family moved to St. Petersburg when he was three. He passed away in South Pasadena, Florida, not necessarily living his entire life in St. Petersburg itself, and certainly not born there.
William C. Cramer was a member of the Democratic Party for the majority of his political career before switching to the Republican Party in the late 1960s.
Answer: False
Explanation: William C. Cramer was a member of the Republican Party from 1950 until his death in 2003, indicating he was not a Democrat for the majority of his career.
Cramer served in the United States Navy during World War II as a gunnery officer and participated in the liberation of France.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cramer enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943, was commissioned as a gunnery officer, and participated in the liberation of France during World War II.
In 1950, Cramer's success in managing the Pinellas County Republican slate led to the election of all GOP candidates, establishing him as the county party's leader.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1950, Cramer managed the Pinellas County Republican slate, leading to the election of all but one of the fourteen GOP candidates, not all of them.
As minority leader in the Florida House, Cramer successfully established the state's first anti-crime commission with bipartisan appointments.
Answer: False
Explanation: As minority leader, Cramer worked to establish the state's first anti-crime commission, but Democrats refused to appoint Republicans to it, preventing bipartisan appointments.
Cramer won his first bid for the U.S. House in 1952 by a narrow margin, benefiting from the national Eisenhower-Nixon ticket.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cramer lost his first bid for the U.S. House in 1952 by a narrow margin of 0.7 percent, despite benefiting from the national Eisenhower-Nixon ticket.
Where was William C. Cramer born?
Answer: Denver, Colorado
Explanation: William C. Cramer was born on August 4, 1922, in Denver, Colorado.
Which of the following educational institutions did William C. Cramer attend?
Answer: St. Petersburg Junior College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Harvard Law School
Explanation: William C. Cramer attended St. Petersburg Junior College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Harvard Law School.
What was William C. Cramer's primary profession?
Answer: Attorney
Explanation: William C. Cramer's profession was an attorney.
What was William C. Cramer's military service during World War II?
Answer: He enlisted in the United States Navy as a gunnery officer and participated in the liberation of France.
Explanation: In 1943, Cramer enlisted in the United States Navy, was commissioned as a gunnery officer, and participated in the liberation of France during World War II.
How did Cramer use his position as minority leader in the Florida House of Representatives?
Answer: He asserted political 'minority rights' to raise his and the party's visibility, defended junior colleges, and worked to establish an anti-crime commission.
Explanation: As minority leader in the Florida House, Cramer asserted political 'minority rights' to raise his and the party's visibility, defended junior colleges, and worked to establish the state's first anti-crime commission.
What was the outcome of Cramer's first run for the U.S. House in 1952?
Answer: He lost the open race by a narrow margin of 0.7 percent.
Explanation: In 1952, Cramer lost his first bid for a U.S. House seat by a narrow margin of 0.7 percent to Democrat Courtney W. Campbell.
What was the financial aspect of Cramer's 1954 congressional campaign that contributed to his victory?
Answer: He spent $40,000, and the state party contributed several thousand dollars for television advertising.
Explanation: In his 1954 campaign, Cramer spent $40,000, and the state party contributed several thousand dollars for television advertising, which helped him secure his victory.
William C. Cramer was the first Republican elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida since the late 19th century, marking a significant shift in the state's political landscape.
Answer: True
Explanation: William C. Cramer was the first Florida Republican elected to Congress since 1880, a significant event that marked the beginning of the Republican Party's resurgence in the state.
The Republican Party in Florida was strengthened in the mid-20th century by Cramer's efforts to attract new migrants from the Northern and Midwestern United States, as well as Cuban Americans.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cramer was instrumental in attracting new Republican migrants from the Northern and Midwestern United States, as well as Cuban Americans and other minorities, to the party, contributing to its revival.
Prior to Cramer's influence, the Republican Party in Florida was weak primarily due to a lack of strong leadership within the state.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Republican Party in Florida was weak primarily due to the systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans, who had historically formed the majority of the party, rather than solely a lack of leadership.
The influx of white migrants and retirees from the American Midwest and Northeast in the 1940s and 1950s helped solidify Democratic dominance in Florida.
Answer: False
Explanation: The influx of new Republicans, primarily white migrants and retirees from the American Midwest or northeastern states, began to challenge the long-standing Democratic dominance in Florida.
The Florida GOP made significant gains in the 1970s, quickly achieving a majority in the state's congressional delegation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Florida GOP made little headway during the 1970s, only achieving their first majority among members of the state's congressional delegation by 1989.
The Tampa Tribune humorously described Cramer's influence in the state GOP in 1967 by stating, 'In the beginning there was the party, and the party was with Bill Cramer, and the party was Bill Cramer.'
Answer: True
Explanation: The Tampa Tribune, in 1967, used this humorous paraphrase to emphasize Cramer's central and foundational role in the state Republican Party.
What was William C. Cramer's significant political achievement in Florida in 1954?
Answer: He was the first Florida Republican elected to the U.S. House of Representatives since 1880.
Explanation: In 1954, William C. Cramer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Florida Republican to achieve this since 1880, a pivotal moment for the state's Republican Party.
What historical factor significantly contributed to the weakened condition of the Republican Party in Florida prior to Cramer's influence?
Answer: The systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans, who had been the majority of the Republican Party.
Explanation: The Republican Party in Florida was weakened by the systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans at the turn of the century, who had constituted the majority of the party at that time.
What demographic shifts began to challenge Democratic domination in Florida in the mid-20th century?
Answer: New Republicans, primarily white migrants and retirees from the American Midwest or northeastern states, settling in Florida.
Explanation: In the 1940s and 1950s, new Republicans, primarily white migrants and retirees from the American Midwest or northeastern states, settled in Florida, challenging the long-standing Democratic dominance.
What was the humorous paraphrase used by the Tampa Tribune in 1967 to describe Cramer's influence in the state GOP?
Answer: 'In the beginning there was the party, and the party was with Bill Cramer, and the party was Bill Cramer.'
Explanation: In 1967, the Tampa Tribune humorously paraphrased the biblical Book of John to emphasize Cramer's central role in the state GOP: 'In the beginning there was the party, and the party was with Bill Cramer, and the party was Bill Cramer.'
As a ranking member of the Roads subcommittee, Cramer advocated for the introduction of tolls on newly constructed Interstate highways to ensure their financial sustainability.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cramer worked to keep Interstates toll-free and secured funding for federal interstate projects, contrary to advocating for tolls.
William C. Cramer represented Florida's 1st, 12th, and 8th congressional districts during his time in the U.S. House due to reapportionment.
Answer: True
Explanation: William C. Cramer represented Florida's 1st, 12th, and 8th congressional districts during his tenure in the U.S. House, with changes occurring due to reapportionment.
In 1957, Cramer supported President Eisenhower's decision to deploy federal troops to Little Rock to enforce school integration.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1957, Cramer joined other southern Republican House colleagues in seeking to persuade President Eisenhower to remove federal troops from Little Rock, not supporting their deployment.
William C. Cramer consistently voted against all major Civil Rights Acts during his time in Congress, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Cramer voted against some Civil Rights Acts, he voted in favor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, indicating he did not consistently vote against all major acts.
Cramer served as the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, a position that gained influence as southern state representation increased.
Answer: True
Explanation: William C. Cramer served as the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, a position that indeed grew in influence as representation from southern states increased.
Cramer's anti-riot measure, added to the Civil Rights Act of 1968, made police assault a federal crime and federalized interstate rioters as conspiracy.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cramer's anti-riot measure, added to the Civil Rights Act of 1968, made police assault a federal crime and federalized as conspiracy those rioters who crossed state lines to commit riots.
U.S. Representative Robert L. F. Sikes initially praised Cramer's effectiveness in a Democratic Congress, recognizing his immediate impact.
Answer: False
Explanation: U.S. Representative Robert L. F. Sikes initially depicted Cramer as potentially ineffective in a Democratic Congress, stating he 'would be like a lost ball in high weeds,' rather than praising his immediate impact.
How did William C. Cramer influence national highway policy during his time in Congress?
Answer: He worked to keep Interstates toll-free and secured funding for a federal interstate project in Florida.
Explanation: As a ranking member of the Roads subcommittee, Cramer worked to keep Interstates toll-free and secured extra funding for a federal interstate project in Florida to link Tampa and Miami.
Which congressional districts did William C. Cramer represent during his tenure in the U.S. House?
Answer: Florida's 1st, 12th, and 8th districts
Explanation: William C. Cramer represented Florida's 1st congressional district from 1955 to 1963, the 12th district from 1963 to 1967, and the 8th district from 1967 to 1971, due to reapportionment.
What was Cramer's stance and actions regarding the Little Rock Integration Crisis in 1957?
Answer: He joined other southern Republican House colleagues in seeking to persuade President Eisenhower to remove federal troops.
Explanation: In 1957, Cramer joined four other southern Republican House colleagues in seeking a conference with President Eisenhower to persuade him to remove federal troops during the Little Rock Integration Crisis.
Which of the following Civil Rights Acts did William C. Cramer vote *in favor* of?
Answer: Voting Rights Act of 1965
Explanation: William C. Cramer voted in favor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, despite voting against earlier Civil Rights Acts.
What was Cramer's anti-riot measure, introduced as an addition to the Civil Rights Act of 1968?
Answer: It made police assault a federal crime and federalized as conspiracy those rioters who crossed state lines to commit riots.
Explanation: Cramer's anti-riot measure, added to the Civil Rights Act of 1968, made police assault a federal crime and federalized as conspiracy those rioters who crossed state lines to commit riots.
What was U.S. Representative Robert L. F. Sikes' initial depiction of Cramer's effectiveness in a Democratic Congress?
Answer: He would be like a lost ball in high weeds.
Explanation: U.S. Representative Robert L. F. Sikes initially depicted Cramer as potentially ineffective in a Democratic Congress, stating he 'would be like a lost ball in high weeds.'
The schism between Cramer and Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. was primarily due to their differing views on national highway policy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The schism between Cramer and Governor Kirk was primarily rooted in Kirk's belief that Cramer offered no assistance in his campaigns and Cramer's belief that Kirk intended to form his own organization within the party, leading to a power struggle, not highway policy differences.
President Nixon actively discouraged Cramer's 1970 Senate candidacy, preferring another Republican candidate.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Nixon actively encouraged Cramer's 1970 Senate candidacy, stating, 'Bill, the Senate needs you, the country needs you, the people need you—now run.'
G. Harrold Carswell entered the 1970 Florida Senate race after being rejected as President Nixon's Supreme Court nominee.
Answer: True
Explanation: Judge G. Harrold Carswell entered the 1970 Florida Senate race in April 1970, following the Senate's rejection of his nomination to the Supreme Court by President Nixon.
In his 1970 Senate primary campaign, Cramer advocated for forced busing to achieve racial balance in public schools.
Answer: False
Explanation: In his 1970 Senate primary campaign, Cramer stressed his amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which aimed to prohibit forced busing to achieve racial balance in public schools.
Lawton Chiles's 'Walkin' Lawton' campaign tactic significantly boosted his name recognition from a low percentage of voters to a much broader audience.
Answer: True
Explanation: Lawton Chiles's 'Walkin' Lawton' campaign, a 92-day, 1,000-mile trek, was a 'public relations stroke of genius' that significantly boosted his name recognition from only 5 percent of voters to a much broader audience.
In the 1970 Florida U.S. Senate election, William C. Cramer defeated Lawton Chiles, securing a majority of votes across most counties.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the 1970 Florida U.S. Senate election, Lawton Chiles defeated William C. Cramer with 53.9 percent of the vote, gaining majorities in 55 counties compared to Cramer's 13.
Historian Billy Hathorn concluded that the Cramer-Kirk schism had a negligible impact on the long-term growth of the Republican Party in Florida.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historian Billy Hathorn argued that the Cramer-Kirk schism significantly damaged the growth of the Republican Party in Florida, causing it to take years to recover, rather than having a negligible impact.
What event in April 1970 led to Judge G. Harrold Carswell's unexpected entry into the Florida Senate race?
Answer: The Senate rejected him as President Nixon's Supreme Court nominee.
Explanation: In April 1970, Judge G. Harrold Carswell entered the Florida Senate race after the Senate rejected his nomination as President Nixon's Supreme Court nominee.
What was a key issue Cramer stressed in his 1970 primary campaign for the Senate?
Answer: His amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which aimed to prohibit forced busing.
Explanation: In his 1970 primary campaign, Cramer stressed his amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which aimed to prohibit forced busing to achieve racial balance in public schools.
What was the 'Walkin' Lawton' campaign tactic used by Lawton Chiles in the 1970 Senate election?
Answer: A 92-day, 1,000-mile trek from the Florida panhandle to Key Largo.
Explanation: Lawton Chiles gained widespread public recognition through his 'Walkin' Lawton' campaign tactic, which involved a 92-day, 1,000-mile trek from the Florida panhandle to Key Largo.
What were the final results of the 1970 Florida U.S. Senate election?
Answer: Lawton Chiles won with 53.9 percent of the vote.
Explanation: In the 1970 Florida U.S. Senate election, Lawton Chiles defeated William C. Cramer, receiving 902,438 votes (53.9 percent).
According to historian Billy Hathorn, what was the long-term impact of the Cramer-Kirk schism on the Florida Republican Party?
Answer: It significantly damaged the growth of the Republican Party in Florida, causing it to take years to recover.
Explanation: Historian Billy Hathorn argued that the Cramer-Kirk schism significantly damaged the growth of the Republican Party in Florida, causing it to take years to recover and losing an opportunity in the 1970 campaign.
In the 1970 Florida gubernatorial Republican primary, which candidate's votes were sufficient to force a runoff with incumbent Governor Kirk?
Answer: L. A. 'Skip' Bafalis
Explanation: In the 1970 Florida gubernatorial Republican primary, L. A. 'Skip' Bafalis's votes were sufficient to prevent incumbent Governor Kirk or Jack Eckerd from winning an outright majority, thus forcing a runoff.
What was the media's general sentiment towards Cramer in the 1970 general election for the Senate against Lawton Chiles?
Answer: He received support from only three publications in Florida: Orlando, Fort Myers, and Pasco County.
Explanation: In the 1970 general election, Cramer received support from only three publications in Florida (Orlando, Fort Myers, and Pasco County), indicating a limited media endorsement.
William C. Cramer was honored as Florida's 'Mr. Republican' in 1974 by the Florida Republican State Executive Committee.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1974, the Florida Republican State Executive Committee honored William C. Cramer as Florida's 'Mr. Republican'.
William C. Cramer's former district assistant, Charles William 'Bill' Young, succeeded him in his House seat and became a long-serving Republican member of Congress.
Answer: True
Explanation: Charles William 'Bill' Young, Cramer's former district assistant, succeeded him in his House seat and was continuously re-elected, becoming the longest-serving Republican member of Congress at the time of his death.
After leaving Congress, Cramer continued to seek public office, running for various state-level positions.
Answer: False
Explanation: After leaving Congress, William C. Cramer never again sought public office, instead opening a law practice and serving as an adviser.
In 1979, Cramer led the first trade mission to China after the normalization of relations between the two countries.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1979, William C. Cramer was selected by the Ford administration to head the first trade mission to China after the normalization of relations between the two countries.
The William C. Cramer Post Office and a section of I-275 in Pinellas County are named in his honor.
Answer: True
Explanation: The William C. Cramer Post Office in St. Petersburg and a section of I-275 in Pinellas County are named in his honor, recognizing his efforts in procuring its construction.
What honor did the Florida Republican State Executive Committee bestow upon Cramer in 1974?
Answer: Florida's 'Mr. Republican'
Explanation: In 1974, the Florida Republican State Executive Committee honored William C. Cramer as Florida's 'Mr. Republican'.
How long did Cramer serve on the Republican National Committee?
Answer: 20 consecutive years
Explanation: Cramer was elected to the Republican National Committee in 1964 and held that position for 20 consecutive years.
Who succeeded William C. Cramer in his House seat when he ran for the Senate in 1970?
Answer: Charles William 'Bill' Young
Explanation: William C. Cramer's former district assistant, Charles William 'Bill' Young, succeeded him in his House seat when Cramer ran for the Senate in 1970.
What was William C. Cramer's career path immediately after leaving Congress?
Answer: He opened a law practice and served as an unpaid adviser to House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford Jr.
Explanation: After leaving Congress, William C. Cramer opened a law practice and served as an unpaid adviser to House Republican Leader Gerald R. Ford Jr.
What significant international role did Cramer undertake in 1979?
Answer: He headed the first trade mission to China after the normalization of relations.
Explanation: In 1979, William C. Cramer was selected by the Ford administration to head the first trade mission to China after the normalization of relations between the two countries.
When Cramer became a Republican in 1950, statewide voter registration in Florida was almost evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
Answer: False
Explanation: In January 1950, when Cramer became a Republican, statewide voter registration in Florida was approximately fourteen-to-one Democratic.
V.O. Key, Jr. characterized Florida elections before demographic changes as highly ideological and competitive across both major parties.
Answer: False
Explanation: V.O. Key, Jr. described Florida elections in the years prior to demographic changes as 'personality-oriented within narrow ideological boundaries,' with competitive races occurring only in Democratic primaries.
The Eisenhower-Nixon ticket failed to carry Florida in the 1950s, indicating continued strong Democratic presidential support in the state.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Eisenhower-Nixon ticket carried Florida in both 1952 and 1956, reflecting a changing partisan profile in presidential voting.
Following the Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans in Florida primarily affiliated with the Republican Party, as they had historically.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following the Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans in Florida generally affiliated with the national Democratic Party, despite their historical support for the Republican Party prior to disenfranchisement.
According to V.O. Key, Jr., how were Florida elections characterized before significant demographic changes?
Answer: Personality-oriented within narrow ideological boundaries, with competitive races only in Democratic primaries.
Explanation: V.O. Key, Jr. characterized Florida elections before demographic changes as 'personality-oriented within narrow ideological boundaries,' with competitive races occurring only in the Democratic primaries due to one-party dominance.
How did presidential election results in Florida reflect changing partisan profiles in the mid-20th century?
Answer: The Eisenhower-Nixon ticket carried the state in 1952 and 1956, and Richard Nixon prevailed in later elections.
Explanation: The Eisenhower-Nixon ticket carried Florida in 1952 and 1956, and Richard Nixon also prevailed in Florida as the presidential nominee in 1960, 1968, and 1972, indicating a shift in presidential voting patterns.
What impact did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 have on African American voters in Florida?
Answer: African Americans were able to register and vote again in increasing numbers, generally affiliating with the national Democratic Party.
Explanation: Following the passage of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans were able to register and vote again in increasing numbers, generally affiliating with the national Democratic Party.
What was the primary reason for the Democratic Party's overwhelming voter registration advantage in Florida during the mid-20th century?
Answer: The systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans, who had historically supported the Republican Party.
Explanation: The primary reason for the Democratic Party's overwhelming voter registration advantage in Florida during the mid-20th century was the systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans, who had historically supported the Republican Party.
What was the 'ideological majority' that President Nixon sought after the 1970 elections?
Answer: A bipartisan coalition of conservatives and moderates to pass his legislative programs.
Explanation: After the 1970 elections, President Nixon sought to claim an 'ideological majority,' which was a bipartisan coalition of conservatives and moderates, to pass his legislative programs.