alternatehistory.com

Yes I know, there's plenty of stuff that we can just write the thing off by saying "BUT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN" but if we can ignore that and move on, I'd appreciate it.

In 1940, Franklin Roosevelt never openly campaigned for a third term until he was "drafted" at the Democratic National Convention. As a result of this, in the lead up to the election he pretty much talked from time to time about supporting Cordell Hull as a nominee, but Hull stayed out, and there was an awkward lack of declared candidates in the race. Thus we have Jim Farley the Postmaster General and Chairman of the DNC. Farley was opposed to the concept of a third term, and lacking any other candidates started throwing his hat in the ring. Throughout the year, polling showed that Roosevelt excluded, Farley had the most support from potential Democratic voters. Of course, when the voices rose from the Sewers at the convention that was that and FDR was "drafted", besting Farley and causing a rift between the two allies that never ended.

But, lets say, theoretically Farley gets the nomination. How does the election of 1940 go, and how might a Farley presidency go? 12 years previously another New York Catholic ran for President with disastrous results, but Farley would have the whole New Deal Coalition behind him, and plenty of machines that he worked so well with, though that in turn can also be a problem for him.

Can he win? And if he does, what comes next?
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