The 1952 Republican National Convention met in Chicago . General of the Army Eisenhower and US Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio were the two main candidates . On July 8 , 1952 , Taft asked Knowland if he were interested in the vice presidency . Eisenhower won the nomination and selected as his running mate Richard M. Nixon , who was serving as California 's junior US Senator . On September 23 , 1952 , Nixon gave the Checkers speech , a response to allegations that Nixon had maintained a secret fund of political donations from business leaders . ( It was reported that Knowland said after the Checkers speech , " I had to have my picture taken with that dirty bastard , crying on my shoulder ! " ) Eisenhower 's aides contacted Knowland and persuaded him to fly from Hawaii to join Eisenhower and be available as a potential replacement running mate . However , seeing public opinion , Eisenhower retained Nixon on the 1952 Republican ticket
1952 Republican National Convention
1952 Republican National Convention
William Knowland