On August 23, 1956, singer Nat King Cole spoke at the Republican Convention.

Presidential Balloting / 3rd Day of Convention (August 22, 1956) Eisenhower had considered other running mates, but with his health a concern, he ultimately decided that Vice President Richard Nixon was best prepared to assume the presidency.

By the time of the convention, a unanimous renomination for Nixon was expected until one renegade delegate, former Democratic Congressman and perennial candidate Terry Carpenter, decided to place in nomination for Vice President a man named Joe Smith, from Carpenter's own Terrytown, Nebraska.

"[4][3] It was eventually revealed that there was no such man, and that his nomination was a protest against the perceived political theater of the closed 1956 Republican National Convention.

[5] Carpenter ultimately did cast his one dissenting vote for Vice President for Joe Smith.