In Chicago this week, one of the quadrennial climaxes of American politics was beginning to take form. Candidates' headquarters were open, delegates' rooms were reserved for the Republican National Convention. After a year of campaigning, four years of talking and 20 years of Democratic rule, the Republicans again were going to try to pick a winner. Would it be Dwight David Eisenhower or Robert Alphonso Taft?
Skirmishing was brisk on two fronts:
1) the uncommitted delegates last week were shifting toward their final positions;
2) the fight over contested delegates was moving swiftly toward a decision.
As the candidates and delegates packed their...