A dramatic and bizarre definition of presidential convention history

WASHINGTON (AP) — In 1948, Republicans and Democrats did something unthinkable in today's climate of intense political hostility: They not only held their national conventions in the same city, they even shared some props.

Both met in Philadelphia, primarily because Philadelphia City Auditorium already had the wiring necessary for what was then a groundbreaking feat: live broadcast of the conventions on national television.

To save money, Democrats asked Republicans to leave behind American flags and bunting to reuse at the event 17 days later, and Republicans agreed, though in the meantime some of the items have become faded and worn.

Gone is the more informal format of party conventions, once fierce contests to decide the party's presidential nominee, as well as internal camaraderie. Modern gatherings have evolved It was transformed into a meticulously scripted, made-for-television event meant to show party unity.

The Republican Party is expected to achieve that goal by nominating former President Donald Trump as its presidential candidate. This Week in Milwaukee. Democratic Convention The film, which will be released on August 19th, is about the president Joe Biden should remain at the top of the party.

But even with all the meticulous choreography that conventions undergo today, the unexpected still happens. Here are some of the most memorable convention scenes: floor fights, street battles, and other memorable moments that are either uplifting, outlandish, or just plain awkward.

Refusal to endorse Ted Cruz

The Texas senator was the last candidate Donald Trump defeated in the 2016 Republican primary… Ted Cruz He gathered enough delegates to speak at the party's convention in Cleveland, but was hesitant to endorse his former rival.

Cruz, still upset that Trump had called him “Lying Ted,” mocked his wife, Heidi Cruz's appearance and suggested Cruz's Cuban-born father had been involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy, pleaded with the delegates to “vote your conscience.” Prolonged booing.

Cruz reversed course in the fall and endorsed Trump, and is now one of his most staunch defenders, but the criticism was so intense at the time that Heidi Cruz was escorted out of the convention as a precaution.

Clint Eastwood's

Empty chair

Something surprising happened in 2012. Clint Eastwood He spoke at the Republican Party convention in Tampa, Florida, in an open seat on behalf of then-President Barack Obama.

For 12 minutes, the actor and director conversed with the furniture while also dodging a barrage of imaginary obscenities fired from the furniture.

“What do you mean, shut up?” Eastwood said proudly.

He also joked about then-Vice President Biden's tendency to make gaffes, launching a critique that may prove prescient given current questions about whether Biden can survive a second term following his dismal debate performances.

“Of course, we all know Biden is the intellectual voice of the Democratic Party,” Eastwood told the speaker, “but we're just laughing our heads off.”

“The Audacity of Hope”

2004 was a terrible year for Democrats. George W. Bush He won reelection and Republicans maintained control of Congress, but one bright spot came from Obama, then a little-known Illinois senator. Creates enthusiasm at the Boston convention.

Obama described himself as “a skinny kid with a funny name who believed there was a place for him in America,” and summed up his political philosophy as one built around “the audacity of hope.”

Gore's Long Kiss

When he took the stage to deliver his party's acceptance speech in the 2000 presidential election in Los Angeles, Al Gore He embraced his wife, Tipper, and gave her a full-mouth kiss, a much longer one than was normal for such a public display of passion.

The crowd cheered, but the kiss ultimately amounted to an uncomfortable three seconds of screen time.

Gore has been battling criticism that he's too stiff in public, which may have been why he leaned in so hard. Either way, the kiss was more memorable than Gore's speech.

He was narrowly defeated by Bush in November of that year. Ten years later, the Gores separated after 40 years of marriage.

Women candidates

At the 1984 Democratic Convention in San Francisco, presidential candidate Walter Mondale Announced Geraldine Ferraro Ferraro was nominated as Mondale's running mate, becoming the first woman to be nominated as a major presidential candidate. Although Ferraro proclaimed that “America is the country where all our dreams can come true,” Ferraro and Mondale received only 13 electoral votes for the presidential nomination. Ronald Reagan It's 525.

Twenty years later, Senator. John McCain Selected Sarah Palin McCain was nominated as the vice presidential candidate, and his speech at the Republican Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, in which the then-Alaska governor mixed powerful personal stories with humor and political impact, was a huge hit. McCain was on a roll, but he still lost to Obama.

At the 2016 Philadelphia Democratic Convention, Hillary Clinton She became the first female major party presidential nominee and proclaimed that “when we break down barriers for anyone in America, we open the way for everyone.” She ultimately lost to Trump.

Kamala Harris She was the first woman among successful candidates to accept the position as Biden's running mate during the last election's mostly virtual convention, and is now being nominated by some Democrats to succeed Biden in this year's presidential election.

Against the incumbent

In 1976, Reagan, who was then Governor of California, Gerald Ford He faced criticism from the right and provoked a fierce battle at the Kansas City Republican Convention, where Ford narrowly won by 1,187 votes to 1,070, but was defeated by the Democrats in November. Jimmy Carter.

Four years later, at the New York Democratic Convention, Carter himself faced a challenge from a Massachusetts senator. Ted KennedyCarter, who was well behind the president in delegate counts, tried to relax the rules on delegate voting pledges, but tensions rose and the change was defeated, but Carter later lost to Reagan.

Eagleton's 18 days as vice presidential candidate

Biden is facing growing pressure to drop out of the race, something unprecedented in recent years for a top presidential contender, but not for his running mate.

Shortly after the 1972 Democratic Convention in Miami, Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern Vice Presidential candidate and Senator from Missouri. Thomas Eagletonhad previously undergone electroshock therapy to treat depression.

A divided convention meant Mr McGovern nominated Mr Eagleton at the last minute after several candidates turned him down, meaning Mr Eagleton's background was not fully vetted and his health problems could have surfaced sooner.

Eagleton resigned after 18 days of campaigning and was replaced by Sargent Shriver. Richard Nixon By November of that year, he had won 49 of the 50 states.

Chicago Chaos

After taking office Lyndon B. Johnson After President Kennedy chose not to seek reelection and President Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated, Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic nomination at the 1968 Democratic Convention, but only after a bitter floor fight in which delegates rejected a peace platform calling for an end to the Vietnam War.

What happened at the rally was overshadowed by thousands of anti-war protesters taking to the streets. Protesters were attacked by police, chaos ensued, and Tear gas was fired Humphrey was preparing for his appearance in a suite on the 25th floor of a hotel five miles from the convention site.

The Democratic Convention is returning to Chicago in a few weeks, with large demonstrations against the Biden administration's policies planned. Support for Israel in The war with Hamas Some people A repeat of 1968 may be on the wayThings could get just as heated inside the convention as questions remain about whether Biden will continue to campaign.

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