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

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Democrat BUT like many Texans in 1952, Emmett was 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. 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 Stevenson and instead did not endorse anyone.
         Emmett organized Central Texas Dems for Eisenhower.
         Next Episode - In Ep3, instead of voting Republican, Emmett leads Democrats for Ike in Central Texas with the help of Republican 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.