US Elections of 1940 (HM6)

The US Elections of 1940 happen while World War II is going on in Europe and East Asia. Hence, people are tense.

Primaries of the Democrats[]

So far, no US president has ever gained a third term, and Franklin D. Roosevelt got competition from his own cabinet: Both his VP John Nance Garner and postmaster general James Farley decided to run against him. FDR never actually announced his candidacy, but his supporters simply wrote him in, and in late May (after him winning the primary in Vermont on the 22nd) his party has him as good as nominated. However, he made the condition to be nominated unanimously. After the Republicans surprisingly nominated the charismatic Wendell Willkie on their convention in June for the presidency, FDR seemed to be the only one who could keep the White House for the Democrats.

Primaries of the Republicans[]

Thomas E. Dewey had won most primaries of his party, with Robert A. Taft already withdrewing in New Jersey. But so far nothing was clear. The final decision was made at the Republican National Convention in June 1940, and only one third of the delegates had been pledged to a candidate. Maybe a dark horse candidate like Arthur Vandenberg or Wendell Willkie, or even ex-POTUS Herbert Hoover would make it?

The first ballot gave Dewey a plurality, albeit less than one third of the votes. On the second ballot, Willkie made second place. On the third, he was leading already. On the fourth, Dewey's votes collapsed, but there was no majority yet, which Willkie got on the fifth. For people watching TV (it was the first party convention broadcast, at least in New York City and Philadelphia), it was an exciting race.

Hence, ex-Democrat Willkie became the candidate. Since he had given little thought to the vice-presidential nominee, he left the decision to the convention chairman, Representative Joe Martin (R-Massachusetts), the House Minority Leader. Martin suggested Senate Minority Leader Charles L. McNary of Oregon. Now, even some Democrats would support him, under the Slogan „No third term! Democrats for Willkie“.

Willkie had impressed the Delegates by appearing in person on the Convention (something only FDR had done before him), and furthermore Dewey seemed too young for the office, considering the serious situation in Europe after the victory of the Wehrmacht over France and Great Britain in the battle of Dunkirk (a few days before the Convention, France had capitulated). However, most people didn't know about the British involvement in the nominating campaign.