WI Roosvelt declines running for 3rd time? Could Garner be elected President?

During 1938 and 1939, numerous Democratic party leaders urged Garner to run for President in 1940. Garner saw himself as the champion of the traditional Democratic Party establishment, which often clashed with supporters of Roosevelt's New Deal. Gallup polls showed that Garner was the favorite among Democratic voters, presuming that Roosevelt would defer to the longstanding two-term tradition and not run for a third term.
Though he never declared his candidacy, Roosevelt quietly made it known that he would seek a third term. Even though this decision made it highly unlikely that Garner would win the nomination, he stayed in the race anyway, because he opposed much of what the President stood for, and opposed the idea of anyone having a third term as President.
WI Roosvelt declined to run for President in 1940? Could Garner defeat the Republican candidate (propably Wendel Wilkie as per OTL)?

How is a Garner Presidency affecting History amidst WWII? Who would be his VP?
 
The idea of VPs seeking the main job is a post WW2 phenominan.

I do not think that Garner would get the Democrat nomination. I also suspect that the suspicion of the South would make it much harder.

I do not know who the alternatives would be, but it would be very surprising had Garner become President by any route other than succsession on FDR's death.
 
The idea of VPs seeking the main job is a post WW2 phenominan.

I do not think that Garner would get the Democrat nomination. I also suspect that the suspicion of the South would make it much harder.

I do not know who the alternatives would be, but it would be very surprising had Garner become President by any route other than succsession on FDR's death.

Well the other candidate was the Postmaster General Farley... FDR didnt liked the guy and its almost certain that if he declined a 3rd running he would support either Cordell Hull or John Garner for the Presidency... So if this happens Garner has a big chance of success...
 

Xen

Banned
Well the other candidate was the Postmaster General Farley... FDR didnt liked the guy and its almost certain that if he declined a 3rd running he would support either Cordell Hull or John Garner for the Presidency... So if this happens Garner has a big chance of success...

No way, FDR absolutely hated Garner, with a fiery passion by 1940, it is far more likely FDR would do the Charleton on the Resolute Desk while humping Judy Garland doggy style than to hear him support Garner.

If FDR turns down a third term is it possible Wendell Willkie, up to this point a Democrat (or did he turn to the GOP in 1937/38?) run as the DNC candidate
 
No way, FDR absolutely hated Garner, with a fiery passion by 1940, it is far more likely FDR would do the Charleton on the Resolute Desk while humping Judy Garland doggy style than to hear him support Garner.

If FDR turns down a third term is it possible Wendell Willkie, up to this point a Democrat (or did he turn to the GOP in 1937/38?) run as the DNC candidate

If FDR hates both Farley and Garner then he will support Cordell Hull for President in 1940...
 
The idea of VPs seeking the main job is a post WW2 phenominan.

I do not think that Garner would get the Democrat nomination. I also suspect that the suspicion of the South would make it much harder.

I do not know who the alternatives would be, but it would be very surprising had Garner become President by any route other than succsession on FDR's death.

Other Altrernatives could include Ambassador Joseph Kennedy(whom Roosevelt truly hates) and Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace (whom Roosevelt will most likely support).
 
Other Altrernatives could include Ambassador Joseph Kennedy(whom Roosevelt truly hates) and Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace (whom Roosevelt will most likely support).

The Presidential nomination of Democratic party in 1940 would be a harsh battle between Wallace and Hull i guess... Unless Garner manages to rally the "traditional" Democrats around him... The question would be who FDR likes most Hull or Wallace... Or if Garner manages to gather enough support would FDR be forced to support him too?
 
The Presidential nomination of Democratic party in 1940 would be a harsh battle between Wallace and Hull i guess... Unless Garner manages to rally the "traditional" Democrats around him... The question would be who FDR likes most Hull or Wallace... Or if Garner manages to gather enough support would FDR be forced to support him too?

It think what would happen is that Garner, Kennedy,Hull and Wallace will all compete for the nomination in the primaries and all 4 of them will make it to the Convention. I'd put my money on Henry Wallace getting the nomination. Hull has several distinct disadvantages; he's getting on with age, 69 years old, and he's a southerner, that is he's from Tennessee. I still think the Republicans will nominate Wendell Willke. This will be rather unique for there would two presidential candidates from the two major parties and neither of them ever held elected office.
So in this case Henry Wallace will serve as president from January 20th 1941 to January 20th 1949.
 
Top