A real life Mr. Smith.

• Author: Peters, Charles
• Position: Tilting at Windmills;Wendell L. Willkie - Brief Article

Idealism--the conviction that Mr. Smith really could go to Washington--motivated the outpouring of volunteers who tallied to Willkie's cause in 1940. Willkie, a charismatic businessman, had only recently become a Republican. But unlike the other Republican candidates, he was firmly committed to stopping Hitler. His volunteers packed the gallery at the Republican National Convention, chanting, "We want Willkie!" After five exciting ballots, during which...