In 1831, a radical third party had a new idea for selecting a presidential candidate, and it’s still in use today: the national nominating convention.
In partnership with Politico
How It Started (1831): Conventional Wisdom
This series was produced by Matt Spolar, in partnership with Politico.
Part of the Standout Moments From U.S. Political Conventions Series
Standout Moments From U.S. Political Conventions
We've partnered with Politico for an eight-part series titled “Conventional Wisdom,” telling the stories behind some of the most memorable political conventions in U.S. history -- and how they have impacted today's political climate.
More Like This
"No" on Impeachment Unites Today's GOP. In the 1950s, a Renegade Dared to Break Ranks
Breaking with party unity can be costly. In the 1950's, Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine faced backlash after she condemned Joseph McCarthy, a fellow Republican.
Do Whistleblower Protections Work? Ask This One.
A case from almost a decade ago reveals the peril faced by whistleblowers seeking to expose wrongdoing.
Echoes of Nixon in Trump's War on Press
President Trump’s efforts to clamp down on White House leaks have echoes of a pattern set during the Nixon era.
Israel Survived an Early Challenge With War Planes Smuggled by U.S. Vets
In 1948, World War II aviators risked their lives in a secret operation to smuggle weapons and planes to the Israeli military.