Final answer:
In the 1928 election, Alfred E. Smith's campaign was hurt due to his Irish Catholic identity, his stance against prohibition, and his urban background, which alienated rural and nativist voters.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1928 presidential election, Democratic nominee Alfred E. Smith was disadvantaged by several factors that resonated poorly with a significant sector of the American electorate. Notably, he was an Irish Catholic against prohibition, and he represented urban interests, which stood in stark contrast to the values of small-town, rural America at that time. His identity and policy positions led to a lack of support from voters who were influenced by nativist attitudes, which were still prevalent despite the decline of groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Smith's candidacy also highlighted the cultural divide within the country, but it was an important milestone as it mobilized immigrant voters and brought Catholic voters into the Democratic fold—groups that would later become crucial to the party's base.