WI: Roosevelt elected in 1924

[CanadianTory]

No, not FDR, I’m talking about Teddy Roosevelt, Jr. (technically Theodore Roosevelt III). Maybe the title was a bit misleading 😜

The idea is that Teddy defeats Al Smith and is elected Governor in the 1924 gubernatorial election that IOTL saw every Republican member of the ticket win...except Roosevelt. How would having a Governor Roosevelt impact the national political world? Would that scuttle FDRs comeback as Governor in his own right? Would Teddy Jr eventually run for President?

Discuss.

 

[Bene Tleilax]

If Harding was still alive, he could primary him. But what happens to Coolidge?

 

[CanadianTory]

If Harding was still alive, he could primary him. But what happens to Coolidge?

Primary a sitting President is a pretty daunting task. Even his Dad couldn’t beat Taft. As for Coolidge, maybe stays in Massachusetts? Cabinet position? I’m not sure.

 

[Bene Tleilax]

Primary a sitting President is a pretty daunting task. Even his Dad couldn’t beat Taft. As for Coolidge, maybe stays in Massachusetts? Cabinet position? I’m not sure.

Teapot Dome, anyone?

 

[CanadianTory]

Teapot Dome, anyone?

True. Although he might be a little young to primary the President. Conceivably he could wait. I remember seeing somewhere the idea of him serving as President during WW2. Trade one Roosevelt for another.

 

[raharris1973]

TR Jr. becomes GOP candidate in 1928 and sails to victory. He's smacked down by Great Depression. He is doomed in '32. His cousin FDR is not there to defeat him, with his own rise in New York State cut off. And besides, for the Democrats, nominating a Roosevelt to fight the Roosevelt Depression in '32 is not a good look.

 

[Deleted member 109224]

TR Jr. becomes GOP candidate in 1928 and sails to victory. He's smacked down by Great Depression. He is doomed in '32. His cousin FDR is not there to defeat him, with his own rise in New York State cut off. And besides, for the Democrats, nominating a Roosevelt to fight the Roosevelt Depression in '32 is not a good look.

So who is nominee in 32? Al Smith and FDR aren't contenders.

John Nance Garner? William McAdoo?

I could perhaps see Hoover primarying Theodore Roosevelt Jr or being the GOP nominee in 36 or 40.

 

[CanadianTory]

So who is nominee in 32? Al Smith and FDR aren't contenders.

John Nance Garner? William McAdoo?

I could perhaps see Hoover primarying Theodore Roosevelt Jr or being the GOP nominee in 36 or 40.

Or maybe Roosevelt waits until after '28 to run?

 

[Ryan lozano]

actually Hoover was blamed for the depression for not actually doing anything to stop it or do what FDR did

 

[redjirachi]

TR Jr. becomes GOP candidate in 1928 and sails to victory.

The virgin Kennedy dynasty vs the chad Roosevelt dynasty

Seriously, I like TR Jr but it seems too on the nose for both him and FDR to be presidents in one timeline

 

[CanadianTory]

The virgin Kennedy dynasty vs the chad Roosevelt dynasty

Seriously, I like TR Jr but it seems too on the nose for both him and FDR to be presidents in one timeline

If Teddy Jr becomes Governor, it likely scuttles FDRs comeback and erases his presidency.

 

[redjirachi]

If Teddy Jr becomes Governor, it likely scuttles FDRs comeback and erases his presidency.

I'd love to know how he would've handled the Depression compared to his relative. He was around during it, so he must've made his opinions known

 

[52cardsshortofadeck]

If Teddy Jr becomes Governor, it likely scuttles FDRs comeback and erases his presidency.

So no opportunity for Roosevelt vs Roosevelt?

 

[CanadianTory]

So no opportunity for Roosevelt vs Roosevelt?

Just seems unlikely.

 

[troosvelt_68]

TR is elected in 1924 and 1926

He thinks about running for POTUS in 1928 but Coolidge runs so TR runs again for Governor then Coolidge dies of a stroke right before election

Democrats compromise on Mc Adoo who narrowly wins in the chaos

Depression happens on Schedule

TR runs for POTUS in 1932 and basically becomes a Republican FDR

GOP becomes more of a broad tent center to center-right party but with a decent sized liberal faction

Democrats split between Northern and Southern factions

In the post WW2 era we see a merger between moderate -liberal to moderate conservative Democrats/Republicans (the Union Party)

Southern Conservatives and progressives each form their own party but they are rarely in power, instead it goes between factions of the Union Party