1952 GOP convention: Georgia's moment in politics

The Georgia Politics Podcast

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! With the 2024 Republican National Convention kicking off this week, we thought we'd take a look back at the last truly contested Republican convention - 1952.

Held in Chicago from July 7 to July 11, the convention was a pivotal moment in American political history. The primary contenders for the presidential nomination were Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio, representing the conservative wing, and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a popular war hero and moderate. A major issue was the seating of delegates from contested states, particularly Texas, leading to the decisive "Fair Play" amendment favoring Eisenhower.

The convention's atmosphere was charged with intense debate and strategic maneuvering. Eisenhower emerged victorious on the first ballot with 595 votes to Taft's 500, securing the nomination. Senator Richard M. Nixon of California was chosen as his vice-presidential running mate, balancing the ticket with his anti-communist stance. The convention highlighted the GOP's internal struggles and set the stage for Eisenhower's eventual victory over Democrat Adlai Stevenson in the November election.

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