Democrats considered nominating him for vice president that year , calculating that his party loyalty and appeal to rural , agricultural and prohibitionist constituents , could balance a ticket headed by likely presidential nominee Al Smith , an urban anti-prohibitionist . When the Kentucky delegation arrived at the 1928 Democratic National Convention , they approached Smith supporters with a view to pairing Barkley to their candidate . They were received cordially , but Smith 's advisors thought placing candidates with such differing views on the ticket would seem contrived to the electorate . They did not tell Barkley of their decision until after he seconded Smith 's nomination for president . Smith then announced Arkansas Senator Joseph T. Robinson as his preferred running mate . The Kentuckians nominated Barkley in spite of Smith 's preference , but the overwhelming majority of delegates voted for Robinson , and Barkley announced that Kentucky was changing its support in order to make the nomination unanimous
1928 Democratic National Convention
1928 Democratic National Convention
Alben W. Barkley