Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for January 14, 2020
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
January 14, 2020: It’s been 68 years since a presidential candidate was selected by a major party in a brokered convention. Some analysts believe that the large number of Democratic candidates, the lack of a clear frontrunner, and other factors could lead it to happen again in 2020.[1]
In 1952, there were many Democratic candidates with support from different factions of the party. On the first ballot, Senator Estes Kefauver had the most delegates (340) but did not reach the 50% mark.[2]
On the second ballot, Kefauver was still ahead but Governor Adlai Stevenson was getting closer. Finally, after the intervention of President Harry S. Truman, Stevenson was nominated on the third ballot. According to the New York Times, this was a victory for the “center of the Democratic party.” Kefauver had the support of “advanced liberals.”[2]
In today’s Democratic Party, that would be roughly the equivalent of Senator Bernie Sanders winning on the first ballot and then having the delegates nominate former Vice President Joe Biden.
Although Stevenson captured the nomination, he was soundly defeated by Dwight D. Eisenhower in the general election.[3]
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
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See also
Footnotes
- ↑ RealClearPolitics, "Why a Contested Democratic Convention Is Possible," December 27, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The New York Times, "Stevenson Nominated on the Third Ballot; Pledges Fight 'With All My Heart and Soul'; Truman Promises to 'Take Off Coat' and Help," July 26, 1952
- ↑ Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections, "1952 Presidential General Election Results," accessed January 13, 2020
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