Harry Truman Laughs About the 1948 Presidential Campaign

It was the 1948 presidential campaign. Harry Truman was on his famous Whistlestop Campaign in what would prove to be one of the biggest political upsets in history.

Truman liked to tell a delightful story that may or may not be entirely factual but is too good not to share.

The tale goes like this: President Truman was delivering a speech in a pasture on an Indian reservation. As he launched into his first political promise, the crowd erupted with enthusiastic cries of “OOMPAH! OOMPAH!”

Buoyed by the apparent wave of support, Truman doubled down, offering another grand promise. Once again, the crowd responded with even louder chants of “OOMPAH! OOMPAH!”

This continued throughout the speech. Every political vow, every grand vision, and every heartfelt platitude was met with a thunderous chorus of “OOMPAH! OOMPAH!” The president, clearly energized, kept going strong, basking in the enthusiastic response.

Finally, Truman wrapped up, stepping off the platform with a confident spring in his step. That’s when the tribal chief stopped him.

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“Mr. President,” the chief said, with a knowing smile, “be careful where you walk. You don’t want to step in any oompah.”

Is it true? Charles Osgood reports it as a fact in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House and we know Truman loved to tell the story. Regardless of whether it actually happened, it’s a perfect reminder to watch where you step, especially in the metaphorical pasture of politics. And, as always, it proves that Harry Truman knew how to take a moment in stride—oompah and all.

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