1932, Be Cool with Coolidge

[Senator Barnes]

Alright I really don't wish what happens in this timeline to FDR, but it's the only way I can explain him not being a candidate!

On his way to accept the 1932 Democratic nomination for President, Franklin Roosevelt's airplane crashed in New York, not long after taking off. Roosevelt miraculously lives, but would be in intensive care for at least a year, with the possibility of having a leg amputated.

The convention entered pandemonium. After holding an hour long ceremony for Roosevelt, they started off the balloting again. The votes were divided between Al Smith and John Nance Garner (Roosevelt's running mate and, in many views, his heir apparent) The convention dragged on for 13 ballots, a compromise candidate is reached with Governor of Maryland, Albert Ritchie. Ritchie picks Garner to again be the VP candidate.

At the Republican Convention, a huge "Stop Hoover" campaign is able to nominate former President, Calvin Coolidge, after 19 ballots. Coolidge picks current Vice President, Charles Curtis, as his running mate, to try and unite the party.

How does this wildly different election unfold?

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

With depression Republicans would still be unwineable

Coolidge may not be blamed directly (even if I think he was far more responsible than Hoover), and Ritchie may not be FDR, but still a Democratic win

[Senator Barnes]

I just figured out the weirdest thing. If Coolidge is elected, he dies in January before taking office, Charles Curtis becomes President. In February 1936, Curtis dies, and John Nance Garner becomes President.

If Ritchie is elected, he serves until he dies in February 1936, and Garner still becomes President. So weird!

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

I just figured out the weirdest thing. If Coolidge is elected, he dies in January before taking office, Charles Curtis becomes President. In February 1936, Curtis dies, and John Nance Garner becomes President.

If Ritchie is elected, he serves until he dies in February 1936, and Garner still becomes President. So weird!

Lucky "Cactus Jack", either was, as Speaker of Vice President, he'd be President

[Senator Barnes]

I just figured out the weirdest thing. If Coolidge is elected, he dies in January before taking office, Charles Curtis becomes President. In February 1936, Curtis dies, and John Nance Garner becomes President.

If Ritchie is elected, he serves until he dies in February 1936, and Garner still becomes President. So weird!

Lucky "Cactus Jack", either was, as Speaker of Vice President, he'd be President

I just remembered that before 1947, the Secretary of State was after the VP, oh well!

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

I just figured out the weirdest thing. If Coolidge is elected, he dies in January before taking office, Charles Curtis becomes President. In February 1936, Curtis dies, and John Nance Garner becomes President.

If Ritchie is elected, he serves until he dies in February 1936, and Garner still becomes President. So weird!

Lucky "Cactus Jack", either was, as Speaker of Vice President, he'd be President

I just remembered that before 1947, the Secretary of State was after the VP, oh well!

Dang! But when administration term expires? Cabinet officers were gone, I guess

[Senator Barnes]

So what would maps look like?

The way I'm going to work this is someone makes a map I really like, I say that's how the election happened, and continue with the timeline.