Political Trivia

[SnakeTom]

For any history buffs here. It is becoming more and more a possibility that the GOP Convention will not be decided on the first ballot. What was the last time that each national convention went to multiple ballots before selecting their Presidential Candidates? Who was the Democratic candidate and who was the Republican Candiate on those two occasions?

(no look ups please)

Tom K

 

[Old_alum]

For the Grand Ol' Party I believe it was 1964 when Gov. Bill Scranton of PA was proffered as a new compromise candidate in a futile attempt to wrest the nomination away from AZ Senator Barry Goldwater, who, as many men before their times, was destroyed by LBJ.

For the Dems it was probably 1972 when the anti-war candidates like McCarthy scared the establishment into compromising on McGovern.

 

[SnakeTom]

Good guesses Old Alum but not correct. Both Goldwater and McGovern won on the first ballot.

TK

 

[SnakeTom]

I will say this about Senator's Goldwater and McGovern. Though their political views were miles apart, in my lifetime they were probably the two most honest candidates to win the nomination of their respective party's for the Presidency. Maybe that is why they both lost the general election in landslide votes. Too often it seems that honesty and political success are contradictory terms.

Tom K

 

[rcodey]

Last Republican convention might have been Eisenhower in 52. Dems maybe 48 with Truman and the Dixiecrats.

 

[SnakeTom]

Originally posted by rcodey:
Last Republican convention might have been Eisenhower in 52. Dems maybe 48 with Truman and the Dixiecrats.

Also good guesses but no cigar RC. Ike won on the first ballot over Sen. Robert Taft. Truman also won on the first ballot after the Dixiecrats walked out of the convention in opposition to the civil rights planks and then formed their own party which nominated Strom Thurmond.

Tom K

 

[bluerock]

Can't tell you who but I remember reading that a convention in I think the 1920s took over 100 ballots.

 

[SnakeTom]

Originally posted by bluerock:
Can't tell you who but I remember reading that a convention in I think the 1920s took over 100 ballots.

Yes in 1924 John W. Davis got the Dem nomination on the 103rd ballot. The favorite going into the convention had been Alfred E Smith who thee party was relutant to nominate due to his Catholic religion. Four years later Smith was the Dem nomninee.

Tom K

 

[Piratefan1]

How about Ford and Reagan in either 1976 or 1980.

 

[SnakeTom]

The Reagan/Ford race in 1976 was close but no Ford won on the first ballot.

CLUE: There have been no correct answers for either question but rcodey has come the closest so far.

Tom K

 

[bluerock]

Could it be Adlai Stevenson?

 

[SnakeTom]

Originally posted by bluerock:
Could it be Adlai Stevenson?

Yup that's one correct answer bluerock. RC had the correct year but the wrong candidate in his guess for this part of the answer.

DEMS: 1952 Adlai Stephenson got nomination on 3rd ballot over Sen. Estes Kefaufer (Tenn) and Sen. Richard Russell (Georgia). Kefaufer won most of the primaries but Stephenson was drafted after being urged to run by President Truman.

OK who was the last Republican to get the nomination in a multi ballot convention ?

Tom K

 

[SnakeTom]

CLUE to last part of the question: He won the GOP nomination on the third ballot over Senator Robert Taft and Gov. Harold Stassen. (I guess you have to be a history/political buff to know those names).

Tom K

 

[SnakeTom]

Last clue: they say that "he looked like the groom on a wedding cake"

TK

 

[bluerock]

Taft was always battling Thomas Dewey so that would be my guess.

 

[SnakeTom]

Correct bluerock. The last multiballot GOP converntion was 1948 when NY Governor Tom Dewey won the nomination over Ohio Sen. Robert Taft and Minn Gov. Harold Stassen on the third ballot.

Dewey then became the overwelming favorite to be elected President over President Truman as the Dem Party was split into three parts with independent candidates Strom Thurmond and the anti civil rights Dixicrats breaking away from the Dem Party and Former Vice President Henry Wallace also mounting a third party campaign with support of the Dem left wing. Problem was the common man could not identify with Dewey & Truman pulled the stunning upset to be re-elected.

Tom K

 

[SnakeTom]

I find rcodey's guess interesting as he had the right years for both answers 1948 and 1952 but had the candidates reversed.

Tom K

 

[bluerock]

While at SHU I had a double major in Social Studies and Pre Law. Many of the courses I had were taught by Dr Mitchell,a fantastic professor of history. Just wondering if you also had the privlige of taking his courses.

 

[SnakeTom]

No I did not have any classes with Dr. Mitchell though I majored in History and Social Studies. I don't think there was a specific pre-law program at the time. But it would not have mattered as Law School was a thought that never entered my mind until my Senior year. Dr. Mitchell may have come to Seton Hall shortly after I graduated.

Tom K

 

[rcodey]

Tom it's called dyslekia. LOL