July 13, 1964 | Republican National Convention, Night 1 (ABC News)

July 13, 1964 - Senator Barry Goldwater’s forces took firm command of the Republican National Convention at the opening session today in San Francisco.
They defeated a proposed rule change which would have banned “lily white” delegations from states practicing racial discrimination. The action reinforced predictions that the Arizonan will win the GOP Presidential nomination on the first ballot Wednesday night.
Goldwater raised his claim to “more than 800” delegates, with 655 needed to nominate, after the 58-member Ohio delegation — as expected — was released from its favorite son commitment by Gov. James Rhodes. Goldwater got 42 of those votes.
Goldwater’s Cow Palace floor managers also declared they are ready to throw back a last-ditch attack by Pennsylvania Gov. William Scranton’s troops on platform issues tomorrow night.

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