At the convention in Philadelphia , Osro Cobb , the then Republican state chairman in Arkansas , made a seconding speech for Stassen , having been motivated by Stassen 's promise if nominated to campaign actively in the South . Cobb described the South as " the last frontier to which we can turn for substantial gains for our party - gains that can be held in the years to come . There is a definite affinity between the southern farmer and the grassroots Midwestern Republicans . ... Our party simply can not indulge the luxury of a Solid South , handed on a silver platter to the opposition every four years .... " In the first two rounds of balloting , Stassen finished third behind Dewey , the front runner , and Robert Taft . After the second round , Stassen and Taft bowed out and Dewey was selected unanimously as the nominee on the next ballot . In all Republican conventions since 1948 , the nominee has been selected on the first ballot
convention
1948 Republican National Convention
Harold Stassen