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.

[@bryanthomsen5551]

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

[@daddybrock32]

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.

[@allengreene9954]

Brock Matthews Especially when you got Clint Eastwood talking to chairs.

[@davidnavarro4821]

Nice to read testimonies from people who lived at that time!

[@powerfulstrong5673]

Yes!

[@allengreene9954]

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

[@lukehauser1182]

Nixon and McCarthy - honorable?

[@bryanthomsen5551]

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

[@shirtless6934]

The Republican party of today needs to be putin prison for treason.

[@BrandonSoto92010]

@@shirtless6934Never vote Republican

[@ciroalb3]

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

[@BenjaminWirtz]

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

[@jeffboice1943]

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...

[@allenschmitz9644]

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.

[@ciroalb3]

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

[@MrShobar]

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

[@allengreene9954]

MrShobar It was nice to see that each party had their own fractions. A mix of Liberal, Moderate and Conservative fractions instead of the crap we have now.

[@lukehauser1182]

Really? I think he's full of hot gas

[@powerfulstrong5673]

@@allengreene9954Yes. Very true!

[@DuggerMan]

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

[@andrewthetextbook489]

He was a smoker, perhaps that is what gave his voice his rumbling baritone as he aged.

[@nate_kang]

thanks for uploading

[@ernieparker00]

A reasonable republican. Pay attention Carl Rove

[@leonardwilsonsr8198]

A Grate Republican we need him now

[@thatguyoverthere468]

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

[@bfan6032]

no teleprompter. My dad loved Senator Dirksen.

[@MrShobar]

+BFan60 It hadn't been invented yet. Dirksen read from his own notes.

[@lukehauser1182]

Great footage! Love the fight at 20:00

[@belialuedke1880]

Truly enjoyed the video. :)

[@gdogg8029]

"the lower house of Congress" is funny I agree, the Senate is much more deliberative.

[@jonbrown-ng2hx]

He spoke so well his grammar and linguistics is good

[@jimjohnson9028]

We need him back

[@byrd56]

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

[@hudsondeal]

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

[@ciroalb3]

no teleprompter, no notes

[@DimensionsofChange]

Why'd they stop making those the tall signs? They should bring those back.

[@allenschmitz9644]

they would be WMD's nowdays.

[@marbury2403]

Dewey was pissed.

[@chicagoeconomist1643]

Swan song of the old right.

[@TheSlowdream101]

Nuts to Thomas Dewey

[@MrShobar]

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

[@johe64]

The 1952 Republican convention will appear in pale compared to the upcoming 2016 Republican convention, I am afraid.

[@bfan6032]

Pleidian vision... how about Rand Paul?

[@PoliticalWeekly]

Someone who thinks the expansion of the federal government must be beneficial. YOu know, FDR's legacy can die.

[@deetjay1]

Still one more GOP pit bull BARKS...