By the time the Republican convention opened, Nixon had no opponents for the nomination.

Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona removing himself from the race, in which he called on conservatives to "take back" the party.

[3] Though Lodge was not viewed by Republicans as a charismatic speaker, his foreign policy experience as well as his longtime Republican Party ties as a descendant of the Lodge family made him an appealing candidate.

[3] Lodge was unpopular with the conservative wing of the party, who regarded him as a Northeastern moderate.

[4] After the session, Nixon announced his choice publicly, and the convention ratified it.