[Verginius Rufus]

I think that jingle dates to the 1884 Presidential election. During the election the Republicans were taunting Cleveland with "Ma, Ma, where's my Pa?" because he had admitted to fathering an illegitimate child some years earlier. The Democrats added a line: "Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha."

Cleveland was still a bachelor when he ran for President. There is some uncertainty whether he was really the father of the illegitimate child. Apparently the mother had had affairs with several men but the others were all married so Cleveland agreed to take responsibility. I think the child later grew up to be a doctor. It would be interesting to find a descendant and do a DNA test to determine whether Cleveland was really the father.

Apparently James G. Blaine's first child was born three months after their wedding.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

I had the benefit of a great history teacher in high school, which I think is where I learned the jingle. I know for sure he told us about Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa, and the Democrats’ rejoinder, as well as “Rum, Romanism and Rebellion”.