Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep2 1952 Texas Dem Conventions Don't Back Stevenson

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Democrat BUT like many Texans in 1952, Emmett became an 'Eisenhower Democrat'.
          In the 1950s, Central Texas had become liberal. Emmett was active in the Texas Democratic Party and Gov. Alan Shivers asked for Emmett's help to swing the leadership to the right for the Ntl. Democratic Convention but Emmett had pledged to Eisenhower. Instead, Emmett's friend Herman Heath went to the Republican Convention to push for Taft.
          Emmett tells back-room tales of the Texas State Democratic Convention in preparation for the National Dem. Convention in Chicago, including the list of local delegates. Governor's Convention in Amarillo later in the year did not support the Democratic nominee Adelaide Stevenson and instead did not endorse any candidate!
         As an alternative to Stevenson for Texas Democrats, Emmett organized Central Texas Dems for Eisenhower.
         Next Episode - In Ep3, instead of voting Republican, Emmett leads Central Texas Dems for Eisenhower with the help of Republican Eisenhower supporter, Ms. Davenport. Emmett tells the behind-the-scenes story of flatbed campaigning.
        

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Music: "Vote'm Out" by Willie Nelson

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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.