Hubert Humphrey was first elected to public office in 1945 as Mayor of Minneapolis . He served two , two-year terms , and gained a reputation as an anti-Communist and ardent supporter of the Civil Rights Movement . He gave a rousing speech at the 1948 Democratic National Convention arguing for the adoption of a pro-Civil Rights plank , exclaiming " The time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states ' rights and to walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights . " That same year , he was elected to the United States Senate , where he worked closely with Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson . Humphrey 's persona and tactics in the Senate led to his nickname of " The Happy Warrior " . Contemporaries noted that he succeeded in politics because of a likable personality and ability to connect with voters on a personal level
1948 Democratic National Convention
1948 Democratic National Convention
Hubert Humphrey 1968 presidential campaign