Between 1928 and 1932 , the gross national product dropped by 30 percent , and by mid-1931 few observers thought that Hoover had much hope of winning a second term . Despite the economic calamity facing the nation and his dim hopes for re-election , Hoover faced little opposition for re-nomination at the 1932 Republican National Convention . Some Republicans talked of nominating Coolidge , former Vice President Charles Dawes , Senator Hiram Johnson , or Governor Gifford Pinchot , but all passed on the opportunity to challenge Hoover . Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidential nomination on the fourth ballot of the 1932 Democratic National Convention , defeating the 1928 Democratic nominee , Al Smith . By 1932 , the radio was in 12 million homes , changing the nature of presidential campaigns . No longer could presidents change the content of their speeches for each audience ; anyone with a radio could listen to every major speech
1932 Democratic National Convention
1932 Democratic National Convention
Presidency of Herbert Hoover