Everett Dirksen Defends Taft

Republican National Convention 1952
Chicago, IL

Sen. Everett M. Dirksen gives his speech in support or Sen. Robert Taft for President against Dwight D. Eisenhower.

[bryanthomsen]

America and the Republican Party needs an Everett Dirksen today. A man of character and integrity. A brilliant orator.

[daddybrock]

I saw this convention on TV. This was a time when the party conventions were meaningful and contained some suspense. There were usually contentious issues at both conventions. There were speeches by men who could move a vote. The conventions were extremely good theater and put the people in touch with the parties. The conventions today are meaningless BS and a waste of time.

[allengreene]

Back when both parties were honorable parties and had great men and women in those parties unlike now.

[ciroalb]

Perhaps it should be explained that Dirksen was a big star in the Party
in 1952 because he had won election to the Senate two years earlier
when he defeated the Democratic majority leader, Scott Lucas

[bryanthomsen]

The Republican party of today needs an Everett Dirksen in its ranks.

[allenschmitz]

As a kid from Il. I could listen to this old smooth talker all day long on radio..didnt matter what he was talking about, he had that story teller voice and didnt git all jiggy like charles choughlin.

[jeffboice]

Never heard Dirksen give a speech before this. I now understand why they called him the Wizard of Ooze. His famous slam of Tom Dewey is at 17:40. Memorable, but it might have cost him the Vice Presidency...

[ciroalb]

All the prelude was building up to deliver the hammer blow at 18:15

[BenjaminWirtz]

I should show this to anyone who thinks the corruption is recent.

[lukehauser]

Great footage! Love the fight at 20:00

[MrShobar]

Back when political conventions were important, and actually worth watching.

[thatguyoverthere]

Whelp I’m an idiot I thought the title meant President William Howard Taft

[DuggerMan]

I’m used to hearing his rumbling baritone. He sounds like a different person here! His voice dropped a lot as he aged.

[byrd]

Notice the "hand-written" title card for Dirksen at the 1:00 mark. Those were very advanced graphics by 1952 standards.

[bfan]

no teleprompter.  My dad loved Senator Dirksen.

[ernieparker]

A reasonable republican. Pay attention Carl Rove

[MrShobar]

At 18:15. Sen. Dirksen disses Thomas Dewey.

[jonbrown-nghx]

He spoke so well his grammar and linguistics is good

[hudsondeal]

How I miss this level of political oratory and urbane behavior.

[gdogg]

"the lower house of Congress" is funny

I agree, the Senate is much more deliberative.