1956 Mock Republican Convention

In early 1956 the Political Science students and faculty decided to stage a Mock Republican Political Convention as a learning exercise. Dr. John Laubach, with help from Dr. Harold Hancock (above), were the faculty in charge and John Howe (below, left) and Allan Norris (below, right) were student leaders that I knew of.

I believe that it was Allan and John who came up with the idea of injecting a little fun by seeing if they could manipulate the convention into nominating (almost) a known communist. (Unfortunately, I cannot remember the person's name.) Of course, at this time it was clear that Dwight Eisenhower would be the actual Republican nominee.

In order to involve more people, the planners had decided to invite high school students to attend and participate as delegates. Allan's younger brother, Dave, was asked to round up Westerville high school students to be a band for the convention and also to be the California Delegation. I was a part of this group. Those of us in the California Delegation had been let in on what was being attempted and were pledged to vote for the communist candidate. In this way he would get a large block of votes early on and it was hoped that a bandwagon effect would get started.

I don't know what else was done to get votes, but it worked. As I remember, the vote from the Wyoming delegation put the communist over the top. At this point, his supporters gained the floor and withdrew him from candidacy, transferring his votes to Eisenhower. I can only imagine the consternation of Drs. Laubach and Hancock. The convention was being covered by the Columbus press, and the contemplation of the next day's headlines must have been fearful.