after roosevelt took office in 1933, new deal legislation sailed through congress at lightning speed. in the 1934 midterm elections, ten republican senators went down to defeat, leaving them with only 25 against 71 democrats. the house of representatives was also split in a similar ratio. the "second new deal" was heavily criticized by the republicans in congress, who likened it to class warfare and socialism. the volume of legislation, as well as the inability of the republicans to block it, soon made the opposition to roosevelt develop into bitterness and sometimes hatred for "that man in the white house". former president hoover became a leading orator crusading against the new deal, hoping unrealistically to be nominated again for president.