The 1920 Democratic Convention and the Ohio Connection Guest: David Pietrusza Meeting in San Francisco, the Democrats faced a grueling nomination process dictated by the "two-thirds rule," which required 44 ballots to select James M. Cox. The convention w

The 1920 Democratic Convention and the Ohio Connection Guest: David Pietrusza Meeting in San Francisco, the Democrats faced a grueling nomination process dictated by the "two-thirds rule," which required 44 ballots to select James M. Cox. The convention was overshadowed by a frail Woodrow Wilson, who still harbored secret hopes for a third term despite his inability to even put in a full day's work. The contest featured William Gibbs McAdoo, Wilson's"dry" son-in-law, and the "moderately wet" Cox. The atmosphere was further charged by the recent Palmer Raids and anarchist bombings. Al Smith emerged as the first viable Roman Catholic candidate, though his time would not come until years later. Ultimately, the party chose Franklin D. Roosevelt as the vice-presidential nominee. FDR was selected largely for his famous last name and to move him out of New York state politics, where he had been a troublesome figure for the Tammany Hall machine. (5)
1920