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I realize that a Dewey victory is something of a cliche', but let's say he beats Truman for whatever reason. Assuming he isn't assassinated, and that he runs for reelection in 1952, who would the Democrats nominate to run against Dewey/Warren?

The candidate that immediately comes to mind is Estes Kefauver. Indeed, in most "Dewey wins" Timelines that I've read, Kefauver is the candidate who challenges Dewey in 1952, and he usually manages to defeat the President. Kefauver did have some degree of popularity historically in 1952. Indeed, had the system worked then as it does now-there is every reason to suppose that he would have been the nominee in 1952, instead of Adlai Stevenson. However, Kefauver was despised by party bosses. And as such they probably are not going to be wiling to give the Presidential nomination to him.

I believed Truman's preferred candidate was Averell Harriman, but he was probably too inexperienced to merit serious consideration. Even Stevenson had served as Governor of Illinois for a few years before becoming the Democratic Party's sacrificial lamb against Eisenhower. And Truman's backing probably won't count for much once he's been beaten by Dewey, no matter how narrow a race 1948 ends up being.

Then there's Adlai Stevenson himself. Historically his nomination was something of a fluke, so I'm not sure how likely his nomination in a Dewey wins World would be. He didn't even really want to run historically, so he may well stay out of the race here.

Richard Russell would have the same handicap he had historically. He was southern, and a segregationist. Therefore he probably isn't the nominee.

former Vice President Barkley is too old....

So, who the Democrats nominate?
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