At the 1956 Democratic National Convention in Chicago , former President Truman endorsed Governor Harriman , to Stevenson 's dismay , but the blow was softened by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt 's continued enthusiastic support . Stevenson easily defeated Harriman on the first ballot , winning his second Democratic presidential nomination . He was aided by strong support from younger delegates , who were said to form the core of the " New Politics " movement . In a bid to raise enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket , Stevenson made the unusual decision to leave the selection of his running mate up to the convention delegates . This set off a frantic scramble among several prominent Democrats to win the vice-presidential nomination , including Kefauver , Senator Hubert Humphrey , and Senator John F. Kennedy . After fending off a surprisingly strong challenge from Kennedy , Kefauver narrowly won the vice-presidential nomination on the second ballot . In his acceptance speech , Stevenson spoke of his plan for a " New America " , which included extending New Deal programs to " areas of education , health , and poverty . " He also criticized Republicans for trying to " merchandise candidates like breakfast cereal . " Following his nomination , Stevenson waged a vigorous presidential campaign , delivering 300 speeches and traveling ; he crisscrossed the nation three times before the election in November . Robert F. Kennedy traveled with the Stevenson campaign , hoping to " take home some lessons on how to manage a presidential campaign . " Kennedy was deeply disillusioned by Stevenson 's campaign , later saying that " I thought it was ghastly . It was poorly organized ... my feeling was that he had no rapport with his audience - no comprehension of what campaigning required , no ability to make decisions ... In 1952 I had been crazy about him ... Then I spent six weeks with him on the campaign and he destroyed it all . " Kennedy voted for Eisenhower in November . For their part , Stevenson and many of his aides resented Kennedy 's attitude during his stay with the campaign ; Stevenson friend and aide George W. Ball recalled " My impression was that Bobby was a very surly and arrogant young man ... he was n't doing any good for Adlai . I do n't know why we had him along . " The tension that developed between Stevenson and Robert Kennedy would have significant consequences for the 1960 presidential campaign , and for Stevenson 's relationships with both John and Robert Kennedy during President Kennedy 's administration
1956 Democratic National Convention
1956 Democratic National Convention
Adlai Stevenson II