
Edward R Murrow 1948.xx.xx I Can Hear It Now - We Want Willkie
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A
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B
Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
A
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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.
C
Out of the heart of these patriotic Americans came the chant, we want Wilkie.
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.
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.
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.
C
I've had a glorious day here in New England.
B
During this campaign, FDR coined one of his favorite slogans I still remember.
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.
B
Adolf Hitler held the continent. Britain braced itself, endured its ordeal by fire and blast, and new hope came from the New world.
D
We must be the great arsenal of democracy. For us, this is an emergency as serious as war itself.
B
And when Wilkie went abroad to see for himself, he carried a message to Churchill.
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.
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.
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.
Episode: Edward R Murrow 1948.xx.xx - I Can Hear It Now: We Want Willkie
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Date: October 8, 2025
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.
FDR on the Campaign Trail (02:32–02:44):
Listeners hear FDR's charisma and unique rhetoric, as well as his criticism of opponents.
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.
“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)
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.