WI: FDR enters politics as Republican?

A quick internet search reveals that Franklin Roosevelt became a Democrat because he was calculating, as the perennial out party pre New Deal there were more opportunities to move up. What if he had been less calculating and had just joined the Republican Party?
 
His connections with the oyster bay tr roosevelts, would have made that possible. The memory of his democratic father might prove an obstacle, but his Brahmin connections could help.
Perhaps Henry Cabot lodge senior, could assume the Wilson mentor role.
 

SsgtC

Banned
Possible. But I think you need an earlier POD. If TR wins the 1912 Republican nomination, that keeps the Progressive faction in control of the Republican Party. That would let FDR (and likely others like him) to propose the New Deal as a Republican program. It also likely means a long term shift in American politics. As the Republican Party would remain the Progressive Party in America
 
1910 was a bad year for Republicans in New York state (and elsewhere) and anyway the incumbent Republican state senator certainly wasn't going to retire to make room for FDR.
 
Just for grins, let's say TR is elected president in 1912. It would be a simple matter to appoint his cousin, roughly a quarter century his junior as assistant Secretary of the Navy. Then things progress from there. As a side effect, Harold Ickes, a notable member of FDR's cabinet IOTL would remain in the GOP fold (he was a Progressive IOTL. Also, he was rather irascible, leading FDR to refer to him privately as "Donald Duck".)
 
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