U.S. At War: The Man Who Said No

The big surprise of the convention was the man who said no and meant it. California's big, blond, husky Earl Warren could have had the Vice Presidential nomination. Republicans were sure that he—like Tom Dewey—only needed urging. His last-minute refusal put John Bricker on the ticket in his stead, and raised two questions: why had he declined, and why had he waited so long?

For six months, Governor Warren had been consistent in his firm stand against campaigning for the nomination. But he had never finally shut the door against a draft. Not until...