FDR does not run in 44

What if a doctor could talk Franklin Roosevelt from running for a fourth term. I assume this does not stop Dewey from getting the Republican nomination. The Democratic nomination is up for grabs. Part of Roosevelt;s genius is that he did not set up a successor. I think Henry Wallace would run but
he would meet opposition from the Conservative wing of the party and from those who knew of his political incompetence. I think there would be a compromise candidate at a brokered convention. Could Harry Truman have been nominated? Who wins the general election?
 
I don't think anyone could have convinced FDR not to run- Roosevelt had a psychological insight into the American electorate that no other POTUS has equalled, nor probably ever will. Truman would be a good compromise candidate, but no one's ever heard of Truman. Byrnes would get through but labour would go nuts. Also Byrnes was a Catholic convert to Episcopalianism. The bigots on both sides will make Pat Robertson sound like a pinko in comparison.
 
Depends how he does it. He could resign from the Presidency and give Henry Wallace the office so that he has the benefit of being the incumbent. Even if he doesn't Wallace would receive the majority of his support, and likely would have narrowly won at the Democratic Party convention. The Southern Democrats will not be happy, and they likely will pull a stunt like they did in '48. Wallace will definately be removed from the ballot in at least Texas, where they had almost succeeded with Roosevelt.

The Republican nomination would probably be the same, though Taft could decide to throw his hat into the ring after Roosevelt's annoucement. Dewey probably still wins the nomination over the others.

Therefore, I would mark the election as a tossup, and Lean-Republican if the South does decide to bolt from Wallace and nominates its own ticket(s).
 
Truman was sort of known, since he had been on a Congressional Committee. Wallace was highly popular among the base of the party, though not the establishment. The party elites may bolt, but Wallace would likely carry the agricultural votes in the South.
 
The Republicans win with Tom Dewey, a candidate whom the very thought of as president filled FDR with dread and convinced him to run for a fourth term with Truman as the running mate he considered best to succeed him.
 
Top