FDR makes it through his whole fourth term...

Maybe not likely due to his health concerns, but let's say FDR finishes his whole fourth term. How much different are his four years than Truman's essential four when he takes over from Roosevelt in April of FDR's first year of his fourth term?

If Roosevelt is immaculately healthy, does he run for a fifth term (he would've been 67)? Could he win?

I know, unlikely, but we kind of deal in the unlikelies here, right?
 
I'm not sure how to make Franklin Roosevelt healthier without preventing his polio, in which case we are talking about an entirely different Roosevelt, who might not even be President. But for the sake of argument, let's say he holds on a bit longer. Stranger things have happened in the world of health after all, unlikely as FDR surviving would be. There has been some talk of him resigning after the war to become UN Secretary General. That may be a myth, as I do not know what the source originating that dramatic claim is. Also, such a plan might have been an outcome of Roosevelt's knowledge of his own poor health. If FDR does that, Truman becomes President a few months later than he historically did, and probably has even less support than historically, which means he loses in 1948. If Roosevelt decides to stick around till 1949, I think a Democratic defeat in that election is even more likely due to incumbency fatigue. Also, a surviving Roosevelt might end up tainted for a time as Truman was by the espionage problem. And that would affect his reputation in the fifties at least.
 
I'm not sure how to make Franklin Roosevelt healthier without preventing his polio, in which case we are talking about an entirely different Roosevelt, who might not even be President. But for the sake of argument, let's say he holds on a bit longer. Stranger things have happened in the world of health after all, unlikely as FDR surviving would be. There has been some talk of him resigning after the war to become UN Secretary General. That may be a myth, as I do not know what the source originating that dramatic claim is. Also, such a plan might have been an outcome of Roosevelt's knowledge of his own poor health. If FDR does that, Truman becomes President a few months later than he historically did, and probably has even less support than historically, which means he loses in 1948. If Roosevelt decides to stick around till 1949, I think a Democratic defeat in that election is even more likely due to incumbency fatigue. Also, a surviving Roosevelt might end up tainted for a time as Truman was by the espionage problem. And that would affect his reputation in the fifties at least.

I haven't heard that rumor before (do you have a source on it?), but if it were to happen, it would be fascinating.

Roosevelt becoming the first Secretary-General would completely and utterly change the nature of the United Nations. It would be an American-led club from which the Soviets would probably withdraw at some point to form their own club.

It would probably be combined with NATO to some degree and lead to a greater degree of political integration in the West during the Cold War. Interesting scenario. And, of course, the UN and the Secretary-General's post would be much more powerful.

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
If Roosevelt decides to stick around till 1949, I think a Democratic defeat in that election is even more likely due to incumbency fatigue.

Then again, Roosevelt was far more personally popular than Truman, the mention of his name evoking almost religious fervour in some parts of the USA in the forties. I doubt Dewey would run again, after Roosevelt defeated him comfortably in 1944, the unappealing, isolationist and conservative Senator Robert Taft would likely gain the Republican nomination. Under Roosevelt's authority the Dixiecrats and Progressives probably wouldn't break away either.

Roosevelt living until 1948 is very unlikely, Roosevelt being in any condition to run for President in 1948 is more or less ASB, but if he could somehow he would probably win.
 
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Then again, Roosevelt was far more personally popular than Truman, the mention of his name evoking almost religious fervour in some parts of the USA in the forties. I doubt Dewey would run again, after Roosevelt defeated him comfortably in 1944, the unappealing, isolationist and conservative Senator Robert Taft would likely gain the Republican nomination. Under Roosevelt's authority the Dixiecrats and Progressives probably wouldn't break away either.

Roosevelt living until 1948 is very unlikely, Roosevelt being in any condition to run for President in 1948 is more or less ASB, but if he could somehow he would probably win.

What sort of plausible POD could keep Roosevelt's health issues from killing him while still keeping him President from 1932 onwards?

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
What sort of plausible POD could keep Roosevelt's health issues from killing him while still keeping him President from 1932 onwards?

Cheers,
Ganesha

A time traveller armed with the polio vaccine and a DeLorean set for 1921?

I presume your serious answer to be, FDR not afflicted with polio, right? ;)

A "no polio" POD may not accomplish both of Genesha's aims, as FDR contracting polio was, in Eleanor Roosevelt's words, "a turning point" that "proved a blessing in disguise; for it gave him strength and courage he had not had before".

Here's an article covering FDR's maladies and conditions that might be useful background for this discussion: http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/g32.htm

Based upon this article, I can't see FDR living through the end of his 4th term, let alone him being an effective President (and certainly not being able to function as Sec. Gen. of the U.N.) unless he makes some significant medical/behavioral (life style) changes prior to 1940 (or earlier).
 
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