Vice President Wendell L. Willkie - 1944

[Beck Reilly]

Despite a relatively bitter Presidential campaign in 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Wendell Willkie became fast friends following Roosevelt’s election. In OTL, during the war years, the two became so friendly that, in 1944, Roosevelt first offered Willkie the chance to become Vice President on his ticket. Obviously, Willkie, a Republican, rejected the offer.

But what if he had accepted and become Roosevelt’s third Vice President in his four terms in office?

First of all, Willkie died just a month before the election of 1944 in OTL. But, considering the amount of work he would have to do, Willkie may just live an extra month or two. So, first of all, we’ll move Willkie’s date of death from October 8, 1944, to December 8, 1944. Now, Roosevelt has no Vice President. Does Sam T. Rayburn, the Speaker of the House at the time, assume the Vice Presidency following Willkie’s death? However, even more pressing, Franklin D. Roosevelt is also about to die. On April 12, 1945, FDR dies of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Now, is Sam T. Rayburn of Texas the President of the United States? What happens with Rayburn as the President? What changes occur in the early post-war years? Is Rayburn reelected in 1948? How does this affect the Korean War (if it occurs)? Does the President fire MacArthur (and, for that matter, does MacArthur show the same disrespect for the new President that he did in OTL for Truman)? Does the President allow the war to expand into China? What role does Patton play in the post-war years (as his death will almost certainly be butterflied away)? Who’s up for election in 1952?

 

[Derek Jackson]

I think this requires somehow that Roosevelt manages or is forced to produce more of a coalition government after Pearl Harbor. Perhaps this is possible.

Alternatielythe Republicans could have somehow been more extreme and put off moderates like Wilkie.

If Wilkie accepted the nomination and survived until the Electoral vote that is indeed an interesting situation.

BUT under the then succession law it would not be Sam Rayburn Speaker of the House but the Secretary of State.

Who was Roosevelt's Secretary of State in 1945- and would it have been different had the Secreatary of State been next in line

 

[emperorharry86]

Edward R. Stettinius, Jr. of VA

 

[Archangel Michael]

Roosevelt doesn't have to pick another vice-president. So when FDR dies, Edward R. Stettinius becomes president, unless FDR picks another VP between Willkie's death and his own death.

 

[Derek Jackson]

The 25th Amendment was not passed until the 1960s. FDR would not have the power to choose a new VP unless Wilkie's death occured before the Electors voted.

I do wonder whether it would change who was Secretary of State. I note that the Stettinious did not sound familiar. I am guessing he was not famed at the time. (On the other hand neither was Truman.)