Who would have won a Roosevelt-Willkie debate?

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

Willkie challenged FDR to a debate several times in 1940. Who would have won?

[RINO Tom]

Willkie.

[Mr. Smith]

FDR easily.

No one running for that office has ever quite matched him rhetorically, hard as JFK and Obama try.

[Antonio the Sixth]

FDR easily.

No one running for that office has ever quite matched him rhetorically, hard as JFK and Obama try.

Yeah, FDR invented modern Presidential communication (although obviously he did so with the means of the time, and TV changed things quite a bit... but still).

[Kingpoleon]

The one who was willing to debate and not in a wheelchair.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

"I have as much political experience as General Zachary Taylor had, when he sought the Presidency."

[LLR]

"I have as much political experience as General Zachary Taylor had, when he sought the Presidency."

I knew Zachary Taylor, I worked with Zachary Taylor, Zachary Taylor was a friend of mine. Businessman, you're no Zach Taylor

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

"I have as much political experience as General Zachary Taylor had, when he sought the Presidency."

I knew Zachary Taylor, I worked with Zachary Taylor, Zachary Taylor was a friend of mine. Businessman, you're no Zach Taylor

That was really uncalled for, Wheelchair Man.

[Sir Mohamed]

I think about 50-50%. No clear winner.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The one who was willing to debate and not in a wheelchair.

Being in a wheelchair wouldn't have been a problem since TV didn't exist (which kind of makes you regret these days, tbh).

[RogueBeaver]

FDR would have wiped the floor with Willkie, especially on radio.

[windjammer]

Roosevelt is a great orator, I don't know who Wilkie is.

So Rossevelt?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Roosevelt is a great orator, I don't know who Wilkie is.

You've been a poster here for almost 4 years and still don't know the names of all major party candidates? That's inexcusable.

[President Johnson]

I think Willkie would have won. He was an excellent speaker and debater. He crushed Robert Jackson in a radio debate in 1938 (too bad that I couldn't find a recording of it). But not sure whether that could have turned the election around. However, both men were real heroes.

[Kingpoleon]

The one who was willing to debate and not in a wheelchair.

Being in a wheelchair wouldn't have been a problem since TV didn't exist (which kind of makes you regret these days, tbh).

TV existed... It was becoming pretty widespread by the late 1930s.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

FDR, for sure

[DC Al Fine]

FDR easily.

No one running for that office has ever quite matched him rhetorically, hard as JFK and Obama try.

Speaking from prepared remarks is not the same skill as debate. They're similar, but one doesn't translate 100% to the other.

I think about 50-50%. No clear winner.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Roosevelt is a great orator, I don't know who Wilkie is.

You've been a poster here for almost 4 years and still don't know the names of all major party candidates? That's inexcusable.

Pretty much. Any poster should be able to summarize every election.

[Kingpoleon]

Roosevelt is a great orator, I don't know who Wilkie is.

You've been a poster here for almost 4 years and still don't know the names of all major party candidates? That's inexcusable.

Pretty much. Any poster should be able to summarize every election.

1860: Lincoln ran on opposition to outlawing abortion, Douglas ran on state popular votes on it, Bell ran as a moderate hero, and Breckinridge was staunchly pro life to the point of secession?

y/y?

[Lyin' Steve]

Willkie would have had a hard time really saying anything negative about Roosevelt given that he was a man of integrity and kindness and generally agreed with Roosevelt on a number of issues.

Roosevelt, on the other hand, would have had no qualms about ripping Willkie a new one.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The one who was willing to debate and not in a wheelchair.

Being in a wheelchair wouldn't have been a problem since TV didn't exist (which kind of makes you regret these days, tbh).

TV existed... It was becoming pretty widespread by the late 1930s.

I'm not sure what you mean by "pretty widespread", but didn't it reach a majority of households only in the 1960s?

[Kingpoleon]

The one who was willing to debate and not in a wheelchair.

Being in a wheelchair wouldn't have been a problem since TV didn't exist (which kind of makes you regret these days, tbh).

TV existed... It was becoming pretty widespread by the late 1930s.

I'm not sure what you mean by "pretty widespread", but didn't it reach a majority of households only in the 1960s?

The pictures of the debates in newspapers alone would probably be pretty memorable.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Roosevelt is a great orator, I don't know who Wilkie is.

You've been a poster here for almost 4 years and still don't know the names of all major party candidates? That's inexcusable.

Pretty much. Any poster should be able to summarize every election.

1860: Lincoln ran on opposition to outlawing abortion, Douglas ran on state popular votes on it, Bell ran as a moderate hero, and Breckinridge was staunchly pro life to the point of secession?

y/y?

A. Disgusting.
B. No.
C. Rly?
D. Who care?

[OSR stands with Israel]

Roosevelt is a great orator, I don't know who Wilkie is.

You've been a poster here for almost 4 years and still don't know the names of all major party candidates? That's inexcusable.

I really don't know opponents of elections without looking it up from 1804-1816, 1832-1848,1880,