Charles Franklin Robertson, May 25, 1915 (W. Va.) - Mar. 4, 1999 (Tulsa, Okla.)
VP candidate for Christian Nationalist Party (aka Christian National Party) (1956)
Running mate with nominee: Gerald L.K. Smith (1898-1976)
Popular vote: 8 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/531
The campaign:
By the time Gerald L.K. Smith-- Disciples of Christ minister, fascist sympathizer, anti-Semite, white supremacist, and Holocaust denier-- made his final run for the Presidency in 1956 his star, such as it was, was already fading quickly.
Smith's running mate was his trusted aide and editor of the periodical used to promote the views of his Christian Nationalist Crusade, The Cross and the Flag.
When there was an anonymous boomlet before the 1956 Republican Convention for Right-wing California US Sen. William Knowland, it was Robertson who was identified as the source.
In August Smith threatened a "voter's strike" if Harold Stassen's effort to dump Nixon from the Republican ticket was successful. Nixon himself made it clear he did not need or want help from Smith: "Generally what Gerald L.K. Smith says should never be dignified by a comment. In this instance, however, I think it is necessary to depart from that rule. As I stated, unequivocally when I ran for the Senate in 1950, there is no place in the Republican party for race-baiting merchandizers of hate like Gerald L.K. Smith. I have been complimented by the fact that his publication, the Christian Nationalist Crusade, has on several occasions attacked me because of my work in behalf of President Eisenhower's program for guaranteeing equality of opportunity for all Americans. I am proud of the fact that our Republican platform speaks out so clearly and unequivocally on this great issue that Mr. Smith and those who share his views will take no comfort whatever from it."
Smith and Robertson initiated a lawsuit in September to get on the California ballot, complaining the requirements were too strict. The case eventually landed in the California Supreme Court where they failed to prevail in Nov. 1957.
Waging a write-in campaign, their only recorded votes nationally came to 8 in California.
Election history: none
Other occupations: part of his mother's business the B.N. (Britta N.) Robertson Publishing Co., Eureka Springs Ark. Planning Commission member, minister, editor of The Cross and the Flag
Buried: IOOF Cemetery (Eureka Springs, Ark.)
Notes:
Smith and Robertson became instrumental in constructing a giant figure of Jesus in Eureka Springs,
Ark. as part of a never completed vision to building a Christian theme park.
In 1985 Robertson published his autobiography titled The Peaceful Storm.
Lived in Eugene, Oregon, 1930.
"One of the biggest lies of our time is that six million Jews were slaughtered." "Let's face it. The Negroes are fresh from the Jungle, and they have brought with them many of the same characteristics."--Charles F. Robertson
