WASHINGTON (news agencies) — In 1948, the Republican and Democratic parties did something unthinkable in today’s climate of ferocious political animosity: They not only held their national conventions in the same city, but shared some of the props.
Both gathered in Philadelphia, largely because its Municipal Auditorium had already been fitted with the wiring needed for then-groundbreaking live convention coverage on national television.
To save money, Democrats asked Republicans to leave the American flags and bunting up to be reused at its event 17 days later. The GOP complied, though some items became faded and worn in the interval.
Like party comradery, the more informal way conventions were staged has evaporated. Once bare-knuckled showdowns to hammer out presidential nominees, modern gatherings have evolved into carefully scripted, made-for-TV events meant to showcase party unity.
Republicans are largely on track to deliver that as they nominate former President Donald Trump in Milwaukee this week. The Democratic convention could feature more drama when it opens on Aug. 19, given the bitter debate over whether President Joe Biden should stay atop the party’s ticket.
But even with conventions now choreographed down to tiny details, the unexpected can still happen. Here’s a look at the floor fights, street battles, and other memorable convention scenes that were uplifting, outlandish or just plain awkward:
As the last candidate Donald Trump defeated during the 2016 GOP primary, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz amassed enough delegates to address the party’s convention in Cleveland — but balked at endorsing his former rival.
Still smarting over Trump calling him “Lyin’ Ted,” mocking his wife Heidi Cruz’s appearance and suggesting that the senator’s Cuba-born father was involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Cruz implored delegates to “vote your conscience.” It drew prolonged boos.
Cruz reversed himself and endorsed Trump that fall, and today is among his staunchest defenders. But, at the time, the vitriol was high enough that Heidi Cruz was led from the convention floor, just in case.
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