Oh, Franklin Roosevelt. What potential he had: No FDR in politics
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  Oh, Franklin Roosevelt. What potential he had: No FDR in politics
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Author Topic: Oh, Franklin Roosevelt. What potential he had: No FDR in politics  (Read 18968 times)
Peter the Lefty
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« on: August 29, 2012, 09:53:44 PM »

1919: An investigation into the Newport Sex Scandal finds complicity on the part of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, forcing him to resign in shame.  Democratic Presidential candidate James Cox, who is on the verge of choosing Roosevelt as his running-mate, suddenly changes his mind and chooses New York Governor Al Smith instead.  Roosevelt's chances of a political career are shattered.  Smith calls his complicity a "tragic dismissal of what could be tremendous potential."

1920: James Cox and his running mate, New York governor Al Smith, loose the presidential election to the Republican Harding/Coolidge ticket.  

Same as OTL until 1928

1928: Herbert Lehman is elected governor of New York state.  Smith looses the presidential election to Hoover same as RL.  

Same as OTL until 1932.  

1932: The presidential election appears to be a shoe-in for the Democrats.  The only major candidates appear to be former New York governor and 1928 nominee Al Smith and Texan Speaker of the House John Nance Garner.  Due to Tammany Hall-related scandals that rock Smith, Garner wins the nomination, but makes Smith his running mate.  He runs to the right of Hoover in the general election, calling for corporate tax cuts, looser labor laws, and lower tariffs.  In the end, Garner wins with 45% of the vote, compared 42% for Hoover, and 12% for Socialist Norman Thomas.  Turnout is also very low.  Without being appointed Secretary of Agriculture, Henry A. Wallace runs for Governor of Iowa and wins.
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Dr. Cynic
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« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2012, 10:26:00 PM »

...And the depression continues....
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LastVoter
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« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2012, 01:17:26 AM »

But then we have the natural result, revolution!
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morgieb
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« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2012, 01:19:58 AM »

USSA, maybe? Tongue
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« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2012, 03:39:58 AM »


So...same as OTL?
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2012, 05:53:33 AM »

Nope.  Stay tuned...
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2012, 07:24:22 PM »

1933-1936: Garner's deregulations and corporate tax cuts cause even more unemployment.  His military break-ups of strikes cause massive public outcry.  Meanwhile, Iowa governor Henry A. Wallace defies the federal government by putting high taxes on the wealthy and on corporations, increasing social spending dramatically, and putting a state-wide minimum wage of $1.50/hour in place.  Agriculture co-operatives are encouraged throughout the state.  Many are already calling for Wallace to challenge Garner in the 1936 election for the Democratic nomination. 
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TNF
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« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2012, 06:37:38 AM »

In b4 Huey Long
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2012, 06:17:04 PM »

        On the 12th of August, 1935, Governor Wallace finds himself beaten to the position of challenging President Garner by Louisiana Senator and former Governor Huey Long.  Long makes the announcement in Baton Rouge:
        "My friends, I have watched for two and a half disastrous years as President Garner has given more and more wealth to those at the very top, on Wall Street, and elsewhere, the people who caused this catastrophe, while the poor, who have suffered horrendously, have had the few ounces of wealth which they hold taken away.  And I have fought these as hard as I could.  But the only way for this to stop is for change at the top.  Therefore, I am announcing that I will stand against the rich-lovin' bastard Garner for the Democratic nomination for President of this country.  Join me, so we can share our wealth, and bring true prosperity to those who so desperately need it!".
        Socialist front-man Norman Thomas dismisses Long as a "phony, a utilitarianist attempting to bait the working classes to save capitalism, and a dictator." Immediately, Garner points out the authoritarian tendencies of his challenger with this statement:
        "If you are a Democrat, and you want a Hitler, a Stalin, or a Mussolini taking over this land of liberty, then be my guest and vote for Senator Long in next year's primary.  If you want to see what this man can do, look at the way he still controls his state.  He submits bills to the legislature easily in spite of being a federal senator, and has Governor Allen taking his orders like a loyal pet.  And consider, my fellow Democrats, the way in which he usurped all the powers from the Louisianian municipalities and gave them all to himself.  If he is ever president, he will take powers up to the next level above that in a similar fashion.  My friends, if this is what you want, Long is your man."
        August 16th: Father Charles Coughlin endorses Senator Long for President.  Immediately, cartoons appear in newspapers showing Long as President, in the oval office, bowing down to the Pope.  Long calls it a "desperate attempt to play on bigoted attitudes against our fellow God-fearing Christians."
        August 23rd: A Gallup poll is released showing that among registered Democrats, Long is preferred 63-37.  Cartoons appear in newspapers lamenting the fact that the two candidates are an unfettered free-market capitalist incumbent and a dictator.  When asked if he will be the "dream candidate" that many Democrats hope for on the 25th, Iowa Governor Henry A. Wallace says the following:
        "We are more than a year from the election and more than half a year from the convention.  I'm not ruling anything out.  But that doesn't yet mean I'm running."
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« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2012, 07:32:24 PM »

This is getting interesting, despite my disagreement over the whole economic setup of the US at this time. Wallace is the man I would've imagined to challenge Garner, although remember that in OTL, another progressive, William E. Borah, ran in the Republican primaries and won the plurality of states as I recall (though the convention chose Landon, if I remember correctly). How will Wallace deal with that? Also, a 1936 map would look quite interesting.
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2012, 09:02:33 PM »

        September 3rd: Long returns to Baton Rouge for political business, in particular the gerrymandering of boundaries for district courts to eliminate his long-time rival, Benjamin Pavy.  President Garner immediately takes advantage of this. 
        "Anyone who is in doubt that Long is a dictator need only look at his current business.  If he's president, anyone who represents you who dares to oppose him will no longer have a place.  He'll just remove 'em."
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2012, 10:40:02 AM »
« Edited: September 08, 2012, 08:59:52 PM by Peternerdman »

September 8th, 1935: Huey Long is assassinated by the son-in-law of Judge Pavy, Carl Weiss.  Immediately, outrage sweeps the nation.  Many suspect that Long's assassin was motivated by more than just dedication to his father in law, and many even quietly whisper that Garner may have put him up to it, yet few speak of these suspicions to more than just family for a few days.  
        September 11th, 1935: In his Sunday radio sermon, Father Coughlin eulogizes Long and says "the nation has lost a great, and courageous leader, who had the potential to bring about salvation to this country." He then goes on to say that "The American people all have a feeling, in their gut, in their mind, that there is more to this tragedy than what we are being told.  This feeling whirls around through their heads, yet never escapes their lips.  Well, today, it'll escape mine.  Does anyone truly believe that Mr. Weiss killed Mr. Long simply because he was angry about his father-in-law being redistricted out of the district court?  Brothers and sisters, men are sinful.  Some men, a few of them, are sinful to the point where they may commit murder.  But I know of few who would commit murder because their father-in-law had his district carved up.  Let us think about this.  Who most feared Mr. Long.  Judge Pavy?  No.  He only had the position of district court judge to loose to him.  The President of the United States and his Wall Street allies all knew that their power and wealth was at stake because of him.  Mr. Weiss was put up to it by the the federal government.  You know, brothers and sisters, that feeling in your gut is telling you it's true.  That feeling in your gut is the voice of God telling you it's true.  Let them do a federal, impartial investigation into this event if they want to prove to us that it's not.  Let them try!"
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« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2012, 11:42:23 AM »

Very interesting, but I see one problem.

Henry Wallace was a Republican and did not join the Democratic Party before after he joined FDR cabinet. Why would he became a Democrat after Garner, a man who as more conservative candidate than freaking Herbert Hoover, became President?

I think more plausible would be to have Wallace remaining a Republican and the GOP as whole becoming more liberal party.
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2012, 05:21:43 PM »

Very interesting, but I see one problem.

Henry Wallace was a Republican and did not join the Democratic Party before after he joined FDR cabinet. Why would he became a Democrat after Garner, a man who as more conservative candidate than freaking Herbert Hoover, became President?

I think more plausible would be to have Wallace remaining a Republican and the GOP as whole becoming more liberal party.
Oh wait, I forgot to mention that.  I think Wallace would've left the Republicans 'cause of Hoover anyway.  He might've regretted it when they'd have picked Garner, but to go back again would be kinda pointless.  But yeah, overall, the Republicans become the more liberal of the two main parties.   
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #14 on: September 08, 2012, 08:58:01 PM »

        September 12th: President Garner pays a rare tribute to Long, calling him "a fighter for the underprivelleged, and a man who did what he believed to be right." He also vehemently denies any hand in his death, and announces that an independent investigation into the murder will be conducted.  Socialist forebearer Norman Thomas calls Long "a man with honorable aims and intentions, if dishonorable methods, in many respects."
        September 18th: In is radio sermon, Father Coughlin predicts the investigation will be rigged.  "Make no mistake, the President will ensure that nothing substantial is found linking him to the murder, but we all have.  With a name like Weiss, is there any doubt that the assassin was a servant of Wall Street, a member of the wealthy, filthy elite?" The clear anti-Semitism of the remark leads to the discrediting of the conspiracy theories.  
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #15 on: September 08, 2012, 10:09:38 PM »

        October 7th, 1935: Senator William Borah announces his candidacy for the Republican Nomination for President.  With an incredibly progressive platform, he wins a massive following.
        October 16th, 1935: Kansas Govornor William E. Borah announces his candidacy for President, calling for social welfare programs, greater education and infrastructure funding, but also maintaining tough laws against labor unions.  
        December 3rd, 1935: After waiting for what seemed like an eternity (due to not wanting to be perceived as winning political capital from Long's death), Iowa Governor Henry A. Wallace announces his candidacy for President as a Democrat.  Having been preparing his campaign for some time, he enjoys a lead of 70%-30% against Garner in the beginning.  He begins to prepare for the New Hampshire primary (since the Iowa caucuses came after New Hampshire back then, plus he'd have Iowa in the bag.)  Many in the SPA's right-wing are keen to support Wallace.  Old guard faction bigwig Louis Waldman remarks that as Governor, Wallace is in the process of "re-creating Iowa as an agrarian socialist paradise in the middle of a capitalist hell." However, a few of the "militant" Marxists oppose any endorsement of Wallace by the party.  
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #16 on: September 09, 2012, 11:33:10 AM »

        Early 1936: Borah consistently beats Landon in nearly every Republican primary/caucus.  Wallace also consistently beats Garner, in almost every state.  
        June 9-June 12, 1936: At the RNC, with the party's electorate having solidly chosen Borah, the conservative party bosses, unwilling to have him as their candidate, are afraid of the backlash that will occur if they pick Landon.  Senate minority leader Charles McNary, of Oregon, is picked as a compromise candidate due to his support among both conservatives and progressives.  
        July 23-July 27th: At the DNC, a similar dilemma is faced.  However, a big stigma for the party bosses is not only Wallace's social democratic views, or even his religious beliefs, but the fact that nominating him would require stabbing an incumbent, who they liked personally, in spite of his massive unpopularity, made them re-nominate Garner and Smith.  Outraged, Wallace and his supporters walk out of the convention.  
        July 31st: Wallace announces his departure from the Democratic Party, and the formation of the new party.  
        "Ladies and gentlemen, I speak to you today, not angry, but disappointed, in the decision of the dictators of our Undemocratic Party to deny the decision of the people and renominate a rejected President.  I am disappointed for all the Democrats who desired a change at the top, who wanted something other than a repeat of the last four years.  I am disappointed for the worker, struggling to earn enough money to survive.  I am disappointed for the child, who can't go to school and go on to make something of himself because his parents don't have the financial means to do so.  I am disappointed for the farmer, struggling just to sell enough food to survive.  The decision of the so-called Democratic party's bosses to renominate a man who has caused devastation to all three of these people proves that the interests of the worker, the farmer, and the child, cannot be advanced within either of the two establishment parties.  For this reason, I am forming a Progressive Party, and I invite fellow progressives in both main parties to join me."  
        September 17th: A proposal for a merger between the two parties is announced on a platform shared by both Thomas and Wallace.  
        September 26th: At a snap convention of the Socialist Party, a resolution in favor of a merger with the Progressives is passed after an impassioned speech by Norman Thomas:
        "Comrades, shall we not ally with our fellow enemies of the capitalist system which has destroyed this country, and the world?  How many more children must starve to death before we put aside our tribal differences over party and work with other socialist comrades?  How many more must die before we welcome new people who can be of use to our cause?"
        The resolution is passed by a 70%-30% margin.  
        September 28th: A snap convention of the Progressive Party is held.  The resolution in favor of the merger is passed 67%-37%.  
        September 30th: A founding convention of the new Socialist Party of America (which keeps this name temporarily to maintain ballot access) is held.  The rules of the new party are made, and they decide to nominate their tickets all at once.  For this election, it is decided that Wallace is to be nominated for President, and Thomas for VP.  
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« Reply #17 on: September 09, 2012, 08:23:02 PM »

Election day's gonna be interesting. Tongue Go McNary I suppose, though I'd have preferred a successful Cactus Jack.
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #18 on: September 15, 2012, 05:51:51 PM »

      November 3rd, 1936: President Garner is re-elected in what is the most exciting election since at least 1912.  Garner wins 39% of the vote, while Wallace gets 33%.  McNary gets 28%.  Garner's electoral college victory is far more convincing, however, with Garner getting 438 of 531 votes.  Wallace wins 56, while McNary gets 37.  
Garner's victory speech:
Thank you, ladies and gentleman!  
      We are in the midst of a crisis which has caused devastation left and right.  And it is one which we knew would get worse before it got better, even if we enacted the right measures, which our administration has done.  But I want the American people tonight, not only for their strong endurance throughout these difficult years, but for making a smart decision in a time when less sensible options were fare more appealing to them.  But Americans have once again shown their commitment to sanity, even as a tide of extremism sweeps Europe.  Today, Americans have chosen moderation over radicalism!  Today, Americans have chosen reason over madness!  Today, Americans have said that allthough we are suffering as a nation, we will stick with the policies that made us great before, and will make us great again!  We are in it for the long haul!  Thank you very much!  May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America!" (*dodges rotten tomato)*.  
      
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Cathcon
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« Reply #19 on: September 15, 2012, 05:52:53 PM »

Map?
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #20 on: September 15, 2012, 06:05:28 PM »


Red is Garner, blue is McNary, green is Wallace.  I suppose that I should change the color scheme since red was the socialist party's color...
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Cathcon
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« Reply #21 on: September 15, 2012, 06:12:01 PM »

1936 version...


Though I'd recommend giving Oregon and Maine to McNary, Ohio to Garner (unless the Mid-West as a whole is revolting), and MA to either McNary or Garner.
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #22 on: September 15, 2012, 06:21:38 PM »

Interview with Wallace after his speech:
Reporter: Congratulations on your showing, Governor!
Wallace: Thank you very much!
Reporter: Do you interpret this result as a victory or a defeat?
Wallace: I interpret it as a victory without question.  We were very late getting started, and were dealing with two other candidates who both had the backing of money from the big businesses and Wall Street.  And, more obviously, we were running as a third party against two much-better-established parties' candidates.  So this is a victory for us, the fact that we broke the two party system.  And it's a victory which will lead to greater ones in the future.  
Reporter: You've said that you've broken the two-party system as a third party candidate.  I'm sure that you know this of course, but Theodore Roosevelt broke it too in 1912, but nothing came out of it.
Wallace: Well, that was because he rejoined the Republicans.  And I know for certain that I will not be rejoining the Democrats, and none of the other people in this party who came from either the Democrats or Republicans will rejoin their old homes.  Instead, I'm very sure that our movement will continue to grow, instead.  
Reporter: How is the party getting along?  Are the two factions blending together well?
Wallace: It's very good.  Those who were in the Socialist Party before the Progressives came have been incredibly welcoming to us.
Reporter: Is their any conflict between various factions?  For instance, between supporters of yourself and Mr. Thomas, who lost to you in the primary?
Wallace: None whatsoever.  We are united as a party, and Mr. Thomas and I, as well as our supporters, are proud to be part of the same socialist, social democratic, and progressive movement.  
Reporter: Lastly, Governor, I realize you probably don't particularly wish to answer this question, but do you plan to run again in 1940?
Wallace: I'm not making any decisions with regards to four years from now.  
Reporter: Thank you for your time, Governor.
Wallace: Thank you.  
Wallace:
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Peter the Lefty
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« Reply #23 on: September 15, 2012, 06:23:24 PM »

1936 version...
Though I'd recommend giving Oregon and Maine to McNary, Ohio to Garner (unless the Mid-West as a whole is revolting), and MA to either McNary or Garner.
I figured that being a swing state, Ohio would go for the moderate candidate.  And MA had a large working-class population even then, didn't it?
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« Reply #24 on: September 15, 2012, 06:33:16 PM »

1936 version...
Though I'd recommend giving Oregon and Maine to McNary, Ohio to Garner (unless the Mid-West as a whole is revolting), and MA to either McNary or Garner.
I figured that being a swing state, Ohio would go for the moderate candidate.  And MA had a large working-class population even then, didn't it?

OH is a big state though, so unless you're a big national presence, (which this timeline's Republicans aren't), it'd be hard to take. It'd be really close to say the least. And MA was only beginning to start voting Democratic (after decades of voting for Republicans since 1856, interrupted only by the 1912 election), and from what I've understood, that was thanks mostly to the Catholic working class and the progressive/activist/intellectual types consolidating under one party (and even then, Republicans could still take MA, see Ike's victories). It'd be split in this election, me thinks. Overall, I see Republicans taking New England and maybe a few Mid-Western states and maybe Oregon. Wallace might take large swaths of the West. I'm thinking that MT, WY, ID, states that today vote heavily Republican, back then might cast their votes for Wallace. But hey, it's your timeline.
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