his rival, thomas e. dewey had to accept defeat. this week on "the conte nders," we are live from the roosevelt hotel in new york city, which in november hosted the republican party headquarters and thomas dewey's campaign. he used this suite, number 1527, whenever he was in new york during 12 years as governor. he and his family and the closest aides gathered in these rooms on election night. joining me is richard norton smith. it is november 2, 1948 at the roosevelt hotel. what happened here? richard: well, the day began with a virtual unanimity in the nation's press corps that this election was over. that it was thomas e. dewey's to lose. had polling after labor day. they were so convinced there was no contest. gov. dewey and mrs. do we want to vote at midday not too far from here. he got out of his car and decided to walk back to the hotel. reporters thought it was a good sign. he was a new dewey,a warmer dewey that people have seen on the campaign trail. they had an election night tradition of having dinner with their friends, r