Word: alf
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...drill going down, the column of Landon delegates continued steadily up. To the 388 lined up by Monday were added most of New York's 90. Then 50 of Pennsylvania's 75. That clinched it-unless the rig should go haywire before the actual balloting. Alf Landon permitted himself to josh Harry Woodring, his Democratic predecessor as Governor, now Assistant Secretary of War, who had bet against Landon's luck. "Well, Harry," he said, "I'll invite you to dinner at the White House to compensate...
Thursday dragged itself out interminably. Alf Landon stayed home, now glued to the long-distance telephone, now out in the back yard playing with the two youngest children, Nancy Jo, 3, and Jack, 2, for the cameramen. Grandmother Cobb took the children to her house for the night, came back to listen in her son-in-law's study while the platform was being read...
When the words of Alf Landon's dramatic platform telegram to the convention boomed out from three loudspeakers on the porch, the crowd that had gathered outside set up their first victory cheer. Then John Hamilton's smashing speech of nomination began, followed by the roaring demonstration...
Before the seconding speeches were over, Alf Landon snapped off his radio, went alone to a room off the study. Through a half-open window, people outside could see him pacing nervously back & forth, hands behind his back, head down...
...Alf Landon walked out on the porch, his arm around Mrs. Landon's waist. For five minutes the crowd would not let him talk. When they quieted down, Nominee Landon stepped into a circle of microphones and in high-pitched, quavering tones, began a stumbling, halting, repetitious little speech. "Your good wishes and goodwill touch Mrs. Landon and myself very deeply. . . ." Once his voice broke completely. Once he raised a finger to brush away tears behind his rimless spectacles. Finally he got through: "We shall always cherish the memory of this happy evening together...