Hurricane Isaac notwithstanding, the 2012 Republican National
Convention, like most in recent memory, has been orchestrated to
somehow give a foregone conclusion a hint of drama. It can be a tough
sell. But the world will be watching this week as Mitt Romney receives
the Republican nomination for the presidency and has his moment to speak
to history.
Actually, up until 1932, it wasn't accepted practice for a nominee to even appear at a convention to accept in person. Instead, after the votes were counted, a delegation would travel to the candidate's hometown to notify him. This, for example, was the case with Republican Warren Harding, who accepted the nod in 1920 on his front porch.
Franklin D. Roosevelt changed all that. He broke with tradition and flew from New York to Chicago in 1932. The next time he was nominated (1936), he told that audience about America's "rendezvous with destiny." But that was only after some high drama. As he approached the podium that night, one of his leg braces broke, and the polio-stricken president fell to the floor as thousands watched in horrified silence. But not a single flashbulb burst -- nor did the radio audience hear about it. It was a different world, one without cell phone cameras, bloggers, YouTube, or TMZ.
John F. Kennedy accepted the 1960 Democratic nomination speaking at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. What is seldom noted these days, however, is that the speech didn't play well on television. JFK would make up for that with a better tube moment a few months later.
Actually, up until 1932, it wasn't accepted practice for a nominee to even appear at a convention to accept in person. Instead, after the votes were counted, a delegation would travel to the candidate's hometown to notify him. This, for example, was the case with Republican Warren Harding, who accepted the nod in 1920 on his front porch.
Franklin D. Roosevelt changed all that. He broke with tradition and flew from New York to Chicago in 1932. The next time he was nominated (1936), he told that audience about America's "rendezvous with destiny." But that was only after some high drama. As he approached the podium that night, one of his leg braces broke, and the polio-stricken president fell to the floor as thousands watched in horrified silence. But not a single flashbulb burst -- nor did the radio audience hear about it. It was a different world, one without cell phone cameras, bloggers, YouTube, or TMZ.
John F. Kennedy accepted the 1960 Democratic nomination speaking at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. What is seldom noted these days, however, is that the speech didn't play well on television. JFK would make up for that with a better tube moment a few months later.
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