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Co-Host Madeleine Brand and NPR's political editor Ken Rudin talk about three political conventions from history where crucial and unpredictable decisions were made: the Democratic Convention of 1860, the Republican Convention of 1912, and the Democratic Convention of 1944. The two earlier conventions are brought to life through dramatic recreation.

Commentator Kevin Phillips says this is the sixth time Philadelphia has hosted the Republicans since 1856. The city has been good to GOP incumbents, but three times an untested candidate has won the nomination, and all three lost in November.

Jackie Northam of Chicago Public Radio reports one of Chicago's oldest and most influential radio stations has gone off the air today. Once the home of such radio shows as "Amos and Andy" and "Fibber McGee and Molly," WMAQ will cease transmissions, and its frequency will now be used by an all sports station.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand talks to some of the delegates who bring diversity to the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. They include Asian-American delegate Joseph Kung from California, black delegate James Evans from Utah, and white delegates Blair Thorsen and June Hartley from North Dakota and Oregon, respectively.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on the defeat of former Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Yesterday Israel's parliament selected Moshe Katsav to become the next president. The victory of Iranian-born Katsav of the opposition Likud Party puts a humiliating end to Peres' half-century political career.

NPR's Pam Fessler examines the strategy behind a recent series of Democratic television ads being aired during the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.

There have been many political dynasties in the United States, but only two presidential sons have risen to be nominated for president in their own right. John Quincy Adams... and George W. Bush. The Bush clan never uses the word dynasty, of course, but it's hard to miss the importance of family in this political year. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on the importance of being a Bush.

Linda talks to Howard Neufield, Professor of Biology at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, about his study of the effects of ozone on vegetation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Neufield says ozone levels in the Great Smokies are among the highest in the National Park system. The study documents visible ozone injury to at least thirty species of plants in the park.

Writer and editor William Maxwell has died at the age of 91. Maxwell was on staff at The New Yorker for forty years, where he worked with many famous authors -- including J.D. Salinger and John Updike.

We continue our conversation with Philip Furia. BECKY KILGORE and pianist DAVE FRISHBERG perform more of Fields music.Composer and Broadway director CY COLEMAN talks about working with Dorothy Fields in the 1960s and 70's. They collaborated on the Broadway shows "Sweet Charity," and "Seesaw."12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next fresh air We continue our Monday encore presentations of our series on American popular song, with a tribute to lyricist Dorothy Fields. Fields wrote the lyrics for the Sunny Side of the Street, I Can't Give You Anything but Love, I'm in the Mood for Love, and The Way You Look Tonight. Join us for the next fresh air.