alternatehistory.com

Defeated in his second bid for the White House, Willkie announced he was returning to the practice of law, but his friends doubted he would be content there. Roosevelt was anxious to dump Vice President Wallace from the ticket in the president's bid for a fourth term, and had an intermediary sound out Willkie about running in Wallace's place. Willkie was reluctant even to respond, knowing Roosevelt had made promises to potential running mates he did not follow through on. There were further discussions between Willkie and the White House, of which third parties were aware though the details are not known; the vice presidential nomination went to Harry S. Truman. Willkie interested Roosevelt in a new, liberal, party, to be formed once peace came, that would combine the left of the two existing major parties, but Willkie broke off contact with the White House after there were leaks to the press, and he felt used for Roosevelt's political gain. Roosevelt sent a letter expressing his regret for the leak, but that too was printed in the papers, and Willkie stated, "I've been lied to for the last time."

Suppose FDR wasn't just stringing Wilkie on. Would this have led to the creation of a united American leftist party?

I actually don't think so, because:

1. Wilkie was a lifelong Democrat who converted to the GOP in 1939. He's not like some Progressive Republican who could bring over others of his stripe into the Democratic Party, during a realignment. Plus, the main issue he shared with FDR was being pro-interventionist.

2. Wilkie dies even earlier than FDR does.
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