1964 Democratic National Convention

1964 Democratic National Convention
Arnold Newman · Public domain · source
Name	1964 Democratic National Convention
Caption	The Atlantic City Convention Hall hosted the convention.
Date	August 24–27, 1964
Venue	Atlantic City Convention Hall
City	Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Chairman	John O. Pastore
Presidential nominee	Lyndon B. Johnson, President
Vice presidential nominee	Hubert Humphrey, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
Prev	1960 Democratic National Convention
Next	1968 Democratic National Convention

1964 Democratic National Convention was held from August 24 to 27 at the Atlantic City Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a carefully orchestrated event to showcase party unity and nominate incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson for a full term. The convention is most remembered for the dramatic credential challenge by the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the selection of Senator Hubert Humphrey as the vice-presidential nominee. It set the stage for the general election against Republican nominee Barry Goldwater.

Background and context

The convention occurred during a period of significant national transition following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had assumed office, was riding a wave of popularity after successfully steering the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through the Congress. However, the Democratic Party was deeply divided over civil rights, with Southern Dixiecrat delegations opposing the national party's stance. The burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, was applying intense pressure for greater racial equality. Internationally, the Cold War and growing involvement in the Vietnam War loomed as critical foreign policy issues.

Convention proceedings

The proceedings, chaired by Senator John O. Pastore of Rhode Island, were designed to project an image of harmony and momentum for the Johnson administration. A major televised moment was a tribute film to the late President John F. Kennedy, introduced by his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, which elicited a powerful emotional response from delegates. The central drama, however, unfolded off the main stage during the credentials committee hearings. The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, an integrated group challenging the all-white official Mississippi Democratic Party delegation, argued they better represented the state's electorate. Key figures like Fannie Lou Hamer gave riveting testimony about racial violence, which was broadcast on national networks like NBC.

Presidential nomination

The presidential nomination was a foregone conclusion. President Lyndon B. Johnson was unanimously nominated by acclamation, with no other candidate entering serious contention. His nomination was seconded by a diverse array of party leaders, including Governor George Wallace of Alabama, a segregationist, and civil rights advocate Walter Reuther of the United Auto Workers. In his acceptance speech, Johnson framed the upcoming election as a choice between progress and reaction, coining the phrase "the Great Society" to describe his domestic vision. He positioned himself as a moderate against the perceived extremism of his Republican opponent, Barry Goldwater.

Vice-presidential nomination

The selection of a vice-presidential nominee was closely managed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. After a lengthy and secretive process, he chose Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, a renowned liberal and champion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Humphrey's nomination was also achieved by acclamation. His selection was intended to energize the party's liberal base, labor unions, and civil rights supporters. Other potential candidates considered included Senator Eugene McCarthy, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, and United Nations Ambassador Adlai Stevenson II.

Platform and key issues

The party platform strongly reflected President Lyndon B. Johnson's legislative agenda. It contained a robust civil rights plank, endorsing the recently passed act and promising further action, including what would become the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It championed Johnson's "War on Poverty" initiatives, such as the Economic Opportunity Act, and outlined the "Great Society" goals of improving healthcare, education, and urban development. On foreign policy, it supported a stance of containment against Communism, backing the NATO alliance and the administration's policies in Southeast Asia, while criticizing the isolationism of the Republican platform.

Aftermath and legacy

The convention's aftermath was marked by both immediate political success and long-term discord. The compromise offered to the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party—two at-large seats—was rejected, creating lasting disillusionment among many civil rights activists. Johnson and Humphrey went on to win a historic landslide victory in the general election against Barry Goldwater. However, the tensions exposed at the convention, particularly over Vietnam and civil rights, erupted dramatically at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The 1964 convention is thus seen as a high-water mark for liberal consensus within the party before the upheavals of the late 1960s.

Category:1964 Democratic National Convention Category:1964 in American politics Category:Democratic National Conventions