PAST VISITORS

About a dozen politicians or their wives have visited Cape Girardeau on the campaign tour. Missourians have chosen the winning presidential candidate in all but one race during the last century.

(with photos)

Oct. 26, 1909 William Howard Taft, a Republican, stopped in Cape Girardeau as part of a tour on the Mississippi River. He was the first president to visit the city.

Oct. 1, 1920 Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited Cape Girardeau on a campaign tour as a Democratic candidate for vice president. He was later elected president in 1932 and was re-elected three times.

Harry S. Truman visited Cape Girardeau often as a U.S. senator from Missouri.

Oct. 21, 1952 Richard Nixon, a Republican candidate for vice president, campaigned in Cape Girardeau. He was elected to office later that year and became president in 1969.

Oct. 18, 1957 Eleanor Roosevelt spoke to the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association meeting at Houck Field House.

April 24, 1968 Sen. Robert Kennedy campaigned in Cape Girardeau during his three-way bid fofr the Democratic presidency nomination. Kennedy was assassinated 41 days after his visit here.

Oct. 31, 1980 Nancy Reagan visted Cape Girardeau on a campaign tour for her husband, Ronald. The visit came just days before Reagan was elected president.

Nov. 1, 1980 Vice President Walter F. Mondale, a Democrat, stopped at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport on a three-day campaign trip to the Midwest.

Oct. 22, 1984 Vice President George Bush stopped in Cape Girardeau for a public forum at Southeast Missouri State University. Bush was a running mate for Ronald Reagan.

Oct. 29, 1984 Joan Mondale, wife of Democratic presidential candiate Walter Mondale, stopped in Cape Giardeau for a rally. Walter Mondale served as vice president.

Sept. 14, 1988 President Ronald Reagan spoke to crowds at the Show Me Center. His visit was part of a campaign speech for presidential candidate George Bush. Reagan was ending his second term in office.

Sept. 16, 1992 First Lady Barbara Bush visited the SEMO District Fair on a re-election campaign tour for her husband, President George Bush.

Sept. 26, 1992 Tipper Gore, wife of then vice-presidential candidate Al Gore, met with Democratic supporters at the Common Pleas Courthouse.

Oct. 2, 1992 Vice President Dan Quayle visited the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority and attended a Missouri Republican fund-raising rally.

March 4, 1996 Former Vice President Dan Quayle came to the Show Me Center for a speech.

June 19, 1996 Elizabeth dole, wife of GOP presidential candiate Bob Dole, visited with residents at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau before attending a Republican Rally.