Edward R Murrow 1948.xx.xx I Can Hear It Now - We Want Willkie - Harold's Old Time Radio

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Edward R Murrow 1948.xx.xx - I Can Hear It Now: We Want Willkie
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Date: October 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio offers an immersive journey into American politics and broadcasting during the pivotal years around the 1940 presidential election. Through archival clips, narration, and iconic soundbites, the episode recounts the rise of Wendell Willkie as the Republican presidential nominee and explores the grave international situation leading up to America’s entry into World War II. Anchored by the legendary reportage style of Edward R. Murrow, the episode captures the energy and rhetoric of the era, culminating in the shock of Pearl Harbor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Republican Convention of 1940 and the Rise of Willkie

Setting the Scene (00:30):
The episode transports listeners to the 1940 Republican Convention in Philadelphia, where Wendell Willkie emerged as a surprise candidate:
- “He was a wealthy corporation lawyer, a political unknown who had been a Democrat for all but four years of his life...” (00:30, Speaker B)
- The convention is depicted as an uprising by political amateurs and reformers, leading to the now-famous chant for Willkie.
- Quote:
  - “Out of the heart of these patriotic Americans came the chant, ‘We want Willkie.’” (00:59, Speaker C)

Willkie as a Campaigner and Orator

Vivid Description (01:10):
Murrow’s narration captures Willkie’s persona—large, energetic, and impassioned, drawing a parallel to Teddy Roosevelt’s vitality on the campaign trail.
Willkie’s Values (01:32):
Willkie’s own words on accepting the nomination highlight his intent to challenge the norms and foster sacrifice for the greater good:
- Quote:
  - “I accept the nomination of the Republican party for president on stage. But I say this too. In the pursuit of that goal, I shall not lead you down the easy road. I shall lead you down the road of sacrifice and of service to your country.” (01:45, Speaker D)

The 1940 Election—Willkie vs. Roosevelt

Historic Turnout (02:22):
Willkie breaks records for Republican votes (22 million), but he faces the formidable Franklin D. Roosevelt—a master campaigner and communicator.
- “More Americans cast their ballot for Wilkie than for any Republican candidate in history. 22 million. But he was stacked up against the most successful vote getter of them all.” (02:22, Speaker B)

Roosevelt’s Voice and Wartime America

FDR on the Campaign Trail (02:32–02:44):
Listeners hear FDR's charisma and unique rhetoric, as well as his criticism of opponents.
- Memorable Line:
  - “[Willkie] is one of that great historic trio which has boded consideration persistently against every measure for the relief of agriculture...” (02:44, Speaker C)
Global Context (03:01): The war in Europe is escalating; the U.S. is wrestling with its role, with Murrow painting a vivid scene of Hitler’s dominance and Britain’s desperate stand.
- “Adolf Hitler held the continent. Britain braced itself, endured its ordeal by fire and blast, and new hope came from the New world.” (03:01, Speaker B)

Willkie’s Visit to Churchill and the ‘Arsenal of Democracy’

Roosevelt’s Message to Churchill (03:23–03:29):
A poignant moment: Roosevelt, although political rivals with Willkie, sends a poetic message via Willkie to Churchill.
- Quote:
  - “Sail on, O ship of state. Sail on, O Union Strong and great... Humanity, with all its fears, with all the hopes of future years is hanging breathless on thy fate.” (03:45, Speaker E)
- Churchill’s stirring reply underscores the transatlantic call for American aid:
  - “Give us the tools and we will finish the job.” (04:20, Speaker E)

Countdown to Pearl Harbor

Escalating Tensions (04:22):
The narrative details tightening embargoes, the Lend-Lease program, and the drafting of the Atlantic Charter, setting the backdrop for war.
Where Were You on December 7, 1941? (04:22–05:18): Murrow’s reporting personalizes the day of the Pearl Harbor attack by detailing where various Americans (and Japanese officials) were when the attack began.
- “If your name is Saburo Kurusu, you are waiting in the outer office of Cordell Hull. If you are a sailor named Clamish at a place called Pearl harbor, you and 2,116 of your buddies will be dead when the day is done.” (05:00, Speaker B)

Live Radio Interrupts the Nation

The Bulletin Arrives (05:18):
A chilling moment when regularly scheduled radio is interrupted for the announcement of the Pearl Harbor attack:
- Quote:
  - “We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin. The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by air. President Roosevelt has just announced..." (05:18, Speaker F)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Out of the heart of these patriotic Americans came the chant, ‘We want Willkie.’”
(00:59, Speaker C)
“I accept the nomination of the Republican party for president...I shall not lead you down the easy road. I shall lead you down the road of sacrifice and of service to your country.”
(01:45, Speaker D)
“Sail on, O ship of state...”
(Roosevelt’s handwritten verse delivered by Willkie to Churchill, 03:45, Speaker E)
“Give us the tools and we will finish the job.”
(04:20, Speaker E/Churchill)
“We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin. The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor...”
(05:18, Speaker F)

Important Segment Timestamps

00:30–01:10: The 1940 Republican Convention and Willkie’s nomination
01:32–01:45: Willkie’s acceptance speech
02:22–02:44: Election statistics and FDR’s rhetoric
03:01–03:11: Global tensions and U.S. role
03:29–04:22: Willkie’s mission to Churchill; Roosevelt’s message
04:22–05:18: Escalation to Pearl Harbor; where Americans were
05:18: Pearl Harbor attack bulletin

This episode artfully blends historic recordings and narrative to bring alive a critical chapter in American political history, showing how ordinary citizens, political mavericks, and world leaders responded in a time of uncertainty—and how broadcasters like Edward R. Murrow delivered those moments to a nation gathered around their radios.

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Transcript17 lines

[00:02]
A
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[00:18]
B
Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
[00:21]
A
Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings. Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.
[00:30]
B
48 days before the report, Republicans moved into Philadelphia's convention hall to select their candidate for 1940. He was a wealthy corporation lawyer, a political unknown who had been a Democrat for all but four years of his life. But by the dawn of June 28, an army of political amateurs had incited a GOP rebellion. And Wendell L. Wilkie had knocked the Taft, Dewey, Vandenberg campaigns into a cocked hat. As chairman Joe Martin put it.
[00:59]
C
Out of the heart of these patriotic Americans came the chant, we want Wilkie.
[01:10]
B
Wilkie's hulking Midwestern frame, his shock of rumpled hair, his big gesturing hands were seen by millions of voters in 51 days and 18,000 miles of the most vigorous campaigning since Teddy roosevelt at Elwood, 200,000 fellow Hoosiers heard that hoarse yet vibrant voice. Accept the nomination.
[01:32]
D
And I would also like to debate the question of the assumption by this president in seeking a third term of a greater public confidence than was accorded to our presidential giants, Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. I accept the nomination of the Republican party for president on stage. But I say this too. In the pursuit of that goal, I shall not lead you down the easy road. I shall lead you down the road of sacrifice and of service to your country.
[02:22]
B
More Americans cast their ballot for Wilkie than for any Republican candidate in history. 22 million. But he was stacked up against the most successful vote getter of them all.
[02:33]
C
I've had a glorious day here in New England.
[02:38]
B
During this campaign, FDR coined one of his favorite slogans I still remember.
[02:44]
C
He is one of that great historic trio which has boded consideration persistently against every measure for the relief of agriculture, modern bottom and fish.
[03:02]
B
Adolf Hitler held the continent. Britain braced itself, endured its ordeal by fire and blast, and new hope came from the New world.
[03:12]
D
We must be the great arsenal of democracy. For us, this is an emergency as serious as war itself.
[03:24]
B
And when Wilkie went abroad to see for himself, he carried a message to Churchill.
[03:29]
E
The other day, President Roosevelt gained his opponent in the late presidential election, a letter of introduction to me. And in it he wrote out a verse in his own handwriting from Longfellow. Sail on, O ship of state. Sail on, O Union Strong and great humanity, with all its fears, with all the hopes of future years is hanging breathless on thy face. What is the answer that I shall give in your name to this great man? Give us the tools and we will finish the job Now.
[04:23]
B
There was an embargo on scrap iron shipments to Japan. A month later, Lend Lease was lost. And nine months later, the Atlantic Charter was born off the Newfoundland Bank. Where were you on the afternoon of December 7, 1941? If your name is Michelle Piastro, you were at Carnegie hall tightening the strings of your violin for the Sunday afternoon performance. If you are Gerald Nye, you are addressing 2,200America Firsters in Pittsburgh. If your name is Saburo Kurusu, you are waiting in the outer office of Cordell Hull. If you are a sailor named Clamish at a place called Pearl harbor, you and 2,116 of your buddies will be dead when the day is done.
[05:19]
F
We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin. The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by air. President Roosevelt has just announced. Announced. The attack also was made on all naval and military activities on the principal island of Ohaud.