Historians discussed the role of James Blaine (1830-1893) in changing politics. One of the most colorful, and divisive figures in post-Reconstruction U.S. politics, James Blaine was the 1884 Republican presidential nominee, and served as speaker of the House, a U.S. senator from Maine, and secretary of state under three presidents. He lost the 1884 election by 1,047 votes in New York State in what has been called “the dirtiest campaign in American history.” Maine Governor Paul LePage (R) also commented on Blaine’s relevance today. The historians also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from his former home, Blaine House, which is now the official residence of the governors of Maine. 
“The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History” is a C-SPAN series of live programs about 14 presidential candidates before 1996 who lost the election but who had a lasting effect on U.S. politics.