1940 Republican Party presidential primaries

Selection of Republican US presidential candidate June 2025 1940 Republican Party presidential primaries United States 1912 primary no 1936 Republican Party presidential primaries 1936 1944 Republican Party presidential primaries 1944 March 12 to May 17, 1940 1,000 delegates to the Republican National Convention 501 (majority) File:Thomas E. Dewey color photograph (crop).png 150x150px Thomas E. Dewey FF8080 371Willkie Reported "Practical" on G.O.P. Patronage 24 Jun 1940 The Cincinnati Enquirer https://www.newspapers.com/image/100337109/ subscription 17 Dec 2022 New York 5 1,605,754 49.76% File:Robert Taft 1939 stands at microphone (cropped) (3x4).jpg Robert A. Taft 8080FF 242 Ohio 1 516,428 16.00% File:Portrait of Wendell Lewis Willkie Sitting by Wall (cropped).jpg Wendell Willkie ffdd55 178 New York 0 21,140 0.66% 350px First place by first-instance vote 350px First place by convention roll call 1 #FF8080 Dewey #8080FF Taft #ffdd55 Willkie #003380 Vandenberg#a05a2c MacNider #bd3a31 Martin #399d7f Bridges #917c6f VariousFavorite sons received the majority of delegates from Pennsylvania (Arthur James), Oregon (Charles McNary), Kansas (Arthur Capper), and South Dakota, respectively. Publisher Frank Gannett received the majority vote of Arizona and Herbert Hoover tied for a plurality in California. Republican nominee Alfred Landon Wendell Willkie From March 12 to May 17, 1940, voters of the Republican Party chose delegates to nominate a candidate for president at the 1940 Republican National Convention. The nominee was selected at the convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from June 24–28, 1940.https://books.google.com/books?id=9CZECwAAQBAJ&pg=PA397 Guide to U.S. Elections - Google Books 2016-02-19 9781483380353 2016-02-19 Kalb Deborah CQ Press The primaries were contested mainly by Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey and Senators Robert A. Taft and Arthur Vandenberg, though only a few states' primaries featured two or more of these men. By the start of the convention, only 300 of the 1,000 convention delegates had been pledged to a candidate, far fewer than was necessary to determine a victor. Estimates of delegate loyalty placed Dewey first, Taft second, and Wendell Willkie, an internationalist businessman, third. Late momentum following the escalation of World War II allowed Willkie to take the nomination on the sixth ballot at the convention. Background 1936 presidential election 1936 Republican Party presidential primaries 1936 United States presidential election In 1936, Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Alf Landon in a historic landslide; his party expanded its majority in both houses of Congress. The result left the Republican Party at its lowest point since its founding: diminished, leaderless, and unpopular. Following two successive landslide defeats, the party was bereft of potential candidates for president in 1940. 1938 midterms 1938 United States elections 1938 New York state election In the wake of his historic victory, Roosevelt overplayed his hand. He attempted to expand his formal powers dramatically (as in the proposed Judicial Procedures Reform Bill and Reorganization Bill) and informally purge his party of its conservative elements, angering allies and the public. The country also suffered an economic recession, further damaging Roosevelt's popularity. The 1938 elections were thus a massive victory of the Republican Party. The results reinvigorated Republicans and halted the growth of Roosevelt's New Deal. New York was a notable exception to the Republican gains. Young prosecutor Thomas E. Dewey had made a national name for himself as a "Gangbuster" after his convictions of numerous American Mafia figures, including Lucky Luciano and Waxey Gordon. However, in one of the most watched races of the year, he narrowly failed to unseat Governor Herbert Lehman. Dewey had made major improvements on the disastrous performance of Robert Moses in the 1934 race and elevated his status to that of a national politician. William Allen White compared his loss favorably to that of Abraham Lincoln in 1858: a prelude to the presidency. A poll by Gallup, Inc. shortly after his loss showed Dewey as the leading Republican candidate for the presidency with 33 percent of the popular vote.Smith 1982 270–74 Pre-campaign maneuvering thumb|right|400px|(From left to right) Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio, Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey, and Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg of Michigan at a 1939 Gridiron Dinner. The three men were considered leading candidates for the Republican nomination through 1940. As the presidential field shaped up, Republican candidates were largely focused on opposition to President Roosevelt's involvement in European affairs. Among the leaders in their cause was Robert A. Taft, the newly elected Senator from Ohio and the son of a former president himself. Though Taft struggled to develop a popular following equal to that of Dewey's, he was positioned as a natural heir to his father's conservative, Midwestern base. Arriving in Washington as a young member of a party lacking in leaders, Taft was immediately lauded as a presidential contender.Smith 1982 278–82 Meanwhile, Dewey set to work expanding and strengthening the New York Republican Party and continued in his role as Manhattan District Attorney.Smith 1982 278–82 His conviction of Tammany Hall leader James Joseph Hines won him further national praise, especially from Republicans eager to tie Hines to the Roosevelt administration. A Gallup poll following the verdict showed him with a majority of the Republican vote (well ahead of Taft and Senator Arthur Vandenberg) and leading President Roosevelt, 58–42.Smith 1982 285 In December, he delivered an anti-New Deal speech to a capacity crowd in Minneapolis.Smith 1982 288 As Dewey resolved to seek the presidency, he made overtures to the conservative wing of the national party, including former President Herbert Hoover. These efforts simultaneously alienated New York County party chair Kenneth F. Simpson, an avowed liberal Dewey ally and Hoover critic; instead of supporting Dewey's campaign, Simpson joined with Russell Davenport to support a Democratic businessman for the nomination: Wendell Willkie, president of a utilities holding company and an eloquent critic of the New Deal.Smith 1982 292–93 From the start, Dewey engaged in a popular campaign designed to secure the nomination through a show of overwhelming support in the primary elections, whereas Taft and Vandenberg (who avoided making any formal commitment to running) pursued victory through the backroom convention and caucus processes.Smith 1982 297 Candidates Nominee CandidateExperienceHome stateCampaignPopular voteContests wonRunning mateWendell Willkiealt=|109x109pxActivist and Statesman (1940-1944) Businessman (1919–1939)alt=|94x94px|New York (state)New Yorkalt=|95x95px(Campaign)21,140 (0.44%) (Bypassed primary)0 (Bypassed primary)Charles L. McNary Major candidates These candidates participated in multiple state primaries or were included in multiple major national polls. Competing in primaries CandidateExperience Home stateCampaignPopular voteContests wonThomas E. Deweyalt=|106x106pxManhattanDistrict Attorney(1938–1941)alt=|84x84px|New York (state)New York(Campaign)1,605,754 (49.76%)5Robert A. Taftalt=|101x101pxU.S. Senatorfrom Ohio(1939–1953)alt=|85x85pxOhio(Campaign)516,428 (16.00%)1Arthur Vandenbergalt=|104x104pxU.S. Senatorfrom Michigan(1928–1951)alt=|95x95pxMichiganFebruary 20240 Bypassing primaries The following candidates did not actively campaign for any state's presidential primary, but may have had their name placed on the ballot by supporters or may have sought to influence to selection of un-elected delegates or sought the support of uncommitted delegates. CandidateMost recent positionHome stateCampaignStyles Bridgesalt=|115x115pxU.S. Senator from New Hampshire(1937–1961) Governor of New Hampshire(1935–1937)alt=|92x92pxNew HampshireHerbert Hooveralt=|114x114pxPresident of the United States(1929–1933) U.S. Secretary of Commerce(1921-1928) Director of the U.S. Food Administration(1917-1918) Chairman of the Belgian Relief(1914-1917)alt=|98x98px California(Campaign)Arthur Jamesalt=|124x124pxGovernor of Pennsylvania(1939–1943) Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania(1927–1931)alt=|96x96pxPennsylvaniaFrank Gannettalt=|124x124pxFounder of Gannett Company, Inc.(1923-1957) Owner of Elmira Gazette(1908-1957) Unsuccessful candidate for Governor of New York in 1936alt=|94x94px|New York (state)New York Favorite sons The following candidates ran only in their home state's primary or caucus for the purpose of controlling its delegate slate at the convention and did not appear to be considered national candidates by the media. Governor Harland Bushfield of South Dakota Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas Ryan N. Davis of West Virginia House Minority Leader Joseph W. Martin of Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Charles L. McNary of Oregon Charles Montgomery of Ohio State Senator Jerrold L. Seawell of California Governor Harold E. Stassen of Minnesota Declined to run The following persons were listed in a major national poll or were the subject of media speculation surrounding their potential candidacy, but declined to actively seek the nomination. Governor George Aiken of Vermont (ran for U.S. Senate) Representative Bruce Barton of New York (ran for U.S. Senate) (endorsed Willkie) Senator William Borah of Idaho (died January 19, 1940) Governor John W. Bricker of Ohio Representative Hamilton Fish III of New York (withdrew from consideration February 25, 1940) Businessman Henry Ford of Michigan Former University President Glenn Frank of Wisconsin (ran for U.S. Senate and died September 15, 1940) Senator Hiram Johnson of California Publisher Frank Knox (appointed as Secretary of the Navy on July 11, 1940) Mayor Fiorello La Guardia of New York (endorsed President Roosevelt)La Guardia Drops Out of Illinois Primary; 'Phooey!' He Says of Republican Aspirants 24 Feb 1940 The New York Times 1 Former Governor Alf Landon of Kansas Aviator Charles Lindbergh of New Jersey Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. of Massachusetts Theodore Roosevelt Jr. of New York Governor William Henry Vanderbilt III of Rhode Island (endorsed Willkie)VANDERBILT BACKS WILLKIE CANDIDACY 16 June 1940 The New York Times 20 Representative James W. Wadsworth Jr. of New York Polling Opinion polling for the 1940 Republican Party presidential primaries.chart Opinion polling for the 1940 Republican Party presidential primaries.tab 450px yes Graph of opinion polls conducted National polling SourcePublication Thomas Dewey 1 4 Herbert Hoover 1 4 Robert Taft 1 4 Arthur Vandenberg 1 4 Wendell Willkie 1 4 Other 1 4GallupGallup George Vandenberg Holds G.O.P. Preference 22 May 1938 Los Angeles Times A5May 21, 1938??–35%–?Others mentioned but not counted included Thomas Dewey, Henry Cabot Lodge, Alf Landon, Herbert Hoover, and Glenn Frank.GallupGallup George Rank and File Of Republicans Want New Faces Survey Shows 27 Nov 1938 The Baltimore Sun SM1Nov. 27, 193833%6%18%18%–25%Alf Landon with 6%, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. with 5%, and Arthur James with 2%Others mentioned but not counted included William Borah, Bruce Barton, and John Bricker.GallupGallup George Dewey, Vandenberg and Taft Lead in Gallup G. O. P. Poll 17 Feb 1939 The Boston Daily Globe 17Feb. 17, 193927%4%16%21%–32%Alf Landon with 7%, William Borah with 4%, and Fiorello LaGuardia with 4%Other mentioned but not counted included Frank Knox, Henry Cabot Lodge, Arthur James, Bruce Barton, John Bricker, Leverett Saltonstall, George Aiken, James J. Wadsworth, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Henry Ford, Harold Stassen, Arthur Capper, Julius Heil, Frank Gannett, Gerald Nye, and Hamilton FishGallupGallup George Dewey Popularity For 1940 Boosted By Hines Conviction 22 Mar 1939 The Baltimore Sun 13Mar. 22, 193950%5%13%15%–23%Alf Landon with 4% and William Borah with 2%Others named but not counted included Frank Knox, Hiram Johnson, Gerald Nye, George Aiken, Bruce Barton, Arthur James, Leverett Saltonstall, John Bricker, Fiorello LaGuardia, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Frank Gannett, and Arthur CapperGallupGallup George Dewey and Taft Gain in Republican Popularity 10 May 1939 Los Angeles Times 26May 10, 193954%4%15%13%–14%William Borah with 3%, Alf Landon with 3%, John Bricker with 1%, Henry Cabot Lodge with 1%, Fiorello LaGuardia with 1%, Bruce Barton with 1%, "All Others" with 4%GallupVandenberg Gains in Voters' Survey 8 Jul 1939 The New York Times 2July 8, 193947%6%13%19%–15%Alf Landon with 4%, William Borah with 3%, Fiorello LaGuardia with 2%, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. with 1%, John Bricker with 1%, and "All Others" with 4%GallupGallup George Vandenberg's Popularity Rises Sharply, Survey Of Republican Voters Shows 13 Aug 1939 The Atlanta Constitution 15AAug. 13, 193945%6%14%25%–10%Alf Landon with 3%, William Borah with 2%, John Bricker with 2%, and Others with 3%GallupGallup George Dewey Maintains Lead in G.O.P. But Drops in Popularity Since War Began 13 Oct 1939 The Washington Post 2Oct. 13, 193939%5%17%27%–12%Alf Landon with 3%, William Borah with 3%, Charles Lindbergh with 1%, Henry Cabot Lodge with 1%, and Others with 4%GallupGallup George Dewey Holds 1940 Lead in Survey of Republicans 10 Nov 1939 The Daily Boston Globe 17Nov. 10, 193939%5%18%26%–12%Alf Landon with 3%, William Borah with 3%, Charles Lindbergh with 1%, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. with 1%, and Others with 4%Among "Others", those receiving most frequent mention included Styles Bridges, Leverett Saltonstall, and William Vanderbilt.44%–25%31%––GallupGallup George Dewey Increases His Lead for Republican Nomination 7 Jan 1940 Daily Boston Globe 26Jan. 7, 194060%5%11%16%–8%Arthur James with 1%, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. with 1%, John Bricker with 1%, William Borah with 1%, Alf Landon with 1% and All others with 3%GallupGallup George Taft, Vandenberg Gain in Survey Of G. O. P. Voters But Dewey Leads 11 Feb 1940 The Atlanta Constitution 12AGallup George Dewey vs. Vandenberg Test Indicates Close Contests 24 Mar 1940 Los Angeles Times A5Feb. 194056%3%17%17%–7%Frank Gannett with 1% and all others with 6%35%2%11%11%–41%Frank Gannett with 1% and all others with 4%. 36% were undecided.GallupMar. 24, 194053%5%17%19%–6%Frank Gannet with 1%, Arthur James with 1%, and all others with 4%32%3%10%11%–44%Frank Gannett with 1%, Arthur James with 1%, and all others with 2%. 40% were undecided.GallupPOPULARITY GAIN SHOWN BY WILLKIE: 'DarkHorse' Has Jumped Ahead of Hoover and Landon 8 May 1940 The New York Times 18WILLKIE IS CALLED CHIEF 'DARK HORSE': He Has 'Jumped From Nowhere to 4th Place in List' 17 May 1940 The New York Times 15May 8, 194067%2%12%14%3%2%Others with 2%GallupMay 17, 194062%2%14%13%5%4%Frank Gannett with 1%, Styles Bridges with 1%, and Others with 2%GallupMay 194056%2%16%12%10%GallupGallup George Dewey and Willkie Lead on Convention's Eve 21 June 1940 Daily Boston Globe 28June 12, 194052%2%13%12%17%4%Alf Landon with 1%, Frank Gannett with 1%, and Others with 2%GallupJune 21, 194047%6%8%8%29%2%Others with 2% lower-alpha State polling Illinois SourcePublication Thomas Dewey 1 4 Herbert Hoover 1 4 Robert Taft 1 4 Arthur Vandenberg 1 4 Wendell Willkie 1 4 Other 1 4GallupGallup George Illinois Swing to G.O.P. Shown by Gallup Survey: Prairie State, Along With New York and Pennsylvania, Drifting From Democratic Fold 2 Aug 1939 Los Angeles Times 4Aug. 2, 193945%8%12%14%–21%Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. with 14%, Al Landon with 2%, Styles Bridges with 2%, and Others with 3% Massachusetts SourcePublication Thomas Dewey 1 4 Herbert Hoover 1 4 Robert Taft 1 4 Arthur Vandenberg 1 4 Wendell Willkie 1 4 Other 1 4GallupVoters In Massachusetts Still Favor G. O. P.; Dewey, Garner Preferred for 1940 14 Aug 1939 The Atlanta Constitution 7Aug. 14, 193945%8%12%14%–21%Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. with 14%, Al Landon with 2%, Styles Bridges with 2%, and Others with 3% Michigan SourcePublication Thomas Dewey 1 4 Herbert Hoover 1 4 Robert Taft 1 4 Arthur Vandenberg 1 4 Wendell Willkie 1 4 Other 1 4GallupMichigan Leans to G. O. P.; Vandenberg Leads Dewey, Popularity Survey Shows 9 Aug 1939 The Atlanta Constitution 4Aug. 15, 193929%1%5%62%–3%Alf Landon with 2% and Others with 1% Ohio SourcePublication Thomas Dewey 1 4 Herbert Hoover 1 4 Robert Taft 1 4 Arthur Vandenberg 1 4 Wendell Willkie 1 4 Other 1 4GallupOhio, One of Key States, Favors Return to Fold Of G.O.P. Survey Shows 7 Aug 1939 The Atlanta Constitution 8Aug. 7, 193929%3%33%19%–16%John Bricker with 12%, Alf Landon with 1%, and Others with 3% Wisconsin SourcePublication Thomas Dewey 1 4 Herbert Hoover 1 4 Robert Taft 1 4 Arthur Vandenberg 1 4 Wendell Willkie 1 4 Other 1 4GallupAug. 15, 193937%5%16%24%–18%Fiorello LaGuardia with 4% and "Others" with 14% (including William Borah, Alf Landon, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., and Styles Bridges) Statewide contests March 12: New Hampshire The New Hampshire primary was the first in the nation and widely considered one of the most notable at the outset of the process. The state elected four delegates at-large and two from each of the state's two congressional districts. Though all delegates were formally uncommitted, J. Howard Gile of Nashua announced his intention to vote for Thomas Dewey — against the Dewey campaign's wishes. The Dewey campaign asked Gile to withdraw from the race; it was assumed Dewey had bypassed New Hampshire in respect and recognition of favorite-son presidential candidate Senator Styles Bridges, who ran as a delegate at-large.Presidential Tests at Polls Open Tuesday: New Hampshire's Voters Will Have Opportunity to Support a DeweyMan Gamer and Farley Candidates Also Up 1936 Delegation Head, Pledged to Roosevelt, Excluded From Slate 10 Mar 1940 The New York Herald Tribune A1 In the Second Congressional District, James P. Richardson expressed his support of Dewey but did not formally pledge himself to any candidate. Most of the elected delegates expressed a non-binding preference for Senator Bridges. April 2: Wisconsin The first competitive race was between Dewey and Vandenberg in Wisconsin. The state was expected to be favorable to Vandenberg, the Senator from neighboring Michigan. Vandenberg was also an opponent of expanded trade agreements, a supporter of dairy and beet farmers, an isolationist, and a supporter of the St. Lawrence Waterway project — all positions expected to gain him strong support in the state. It was also said that Vandenberg had the stronger, more popular slate of delegates.Blair Edson Washington: Both Sides of the Curtain ..: Much at Stake for Both Dewey and Vandenberg in This Week's Wisconsin Primary 1 Apr 1940 Barron's 4 He was also seen to have the support of the state's many Progressive Party voters as against Dewey, but may have been hurt by those voters' last-second swing to support President Roosevelt in the Democratic primary.Fleming Dewey La Follettes Drifting Back To Roosevelt Band Wagon: Most Progressives Expected To Support President Today 2 Apr 1940 The Baltimore Sun 1 Dewey gained support from voters and political leaders by announcing his support for the expansion of the St. Lawrence Waterway. After his endorsement, many of the state's Congressmen opted not to take sides in the race. Dewey also took a hit when the leadership of the state's active Progressive Party objected to a Dewey supporter's use of "Progressive" in campaign material. Dewey, unlike Vandenberg, personally campaigned in Wisconsin. He held a barnstorming tour across the state in the final week of March. Although internal polling showed him winning easily, the Dewey campaign took an intentionally modest stance, expressing worry over the result and offering to split the delegation with Vandenberg.Smith 1982 301 Although Wisconsin held a delegate election and a preference poll on primary day, Dewey's name was not entered the latter; his campaign opted only to run a slate of delegates. His slate won 61.8% of the vote, carried all but four of Wisconsin's counties, and swept its 24 delegates.Smith 1982 301 April 9: Illinois and Nebraska The Illinois primary was initially expected to be one of the more competitive votes of the process. Congressman Hamilton Fish III filed to run as an isolationist candidate, but later withdrew his name.LaGuardia's Name Filed in Illinois Race: Entered as a Republican Presidential Candidate, Says He Didn't Know It Garner Files to Run Against Roosevelt Hamilton Fish Is Placed on Ballot to Compete With Mayor and Dewey 10 Feb 1940 New York Herald Tribune 1Dewey Left Unopposed For Primary in Illinois: Fish's Withdrawal Follows Action by LaGuardia 25 Feb 1940 The New York Herald Tribune 6 Mayor of New York Fiorello La Guardia was also submitted as a candidate without his knowledge, but did not sign a statement of candidacy necessary to appear on the ballot and declined to be considered. Regardless of who else appeared on the ballot, Dewey was considered the heavy favorite; he ultimately went unopposed. None of the state's delegates, who were elected separately, were bound by the "advisory" result. Instead, most focus was on Nebraska, where Vandenberg made his last stand against Dewey. With the support of the party's Old Guard, including fellow Senators Arthur Capper, Charles McNary and Gerald Nye, the Vandenberg campaign argued that Dewey was unsound on agricultural issues. The campaign was in vain; Dewey won the state as easily as he had Wisconsin, effectively eliminating Vandenberg from contention. Sensing Dewey's popular momentum, Senator Taft withdrew from the Maryland and New Jersey primaries rather than face a likely popular defeat.Smith 1982 301 Date PrimaryDeweyVandenbergApril 9Illinois100% –Nebraska59%41% April 23: Pennsylvania Date PrimaryThomas DeweyArthur JamesRobert A. TaftArthur VandenbergWendell WillkieHerbert Hoover UnpledgedApril 23Pennsylvania67%10%7%3%1%1%0% April: Massachusetts and Pennsylvania In Massachusetts, all delegates were as a rule formally uncommitted, but could pledge themselves to a candidate if they wished. In general, the division was not based on any presidential candidacy but was between an establishment Republican slate and an insurgent Townsendite slate supporting the institution of an old-age pension.Hagerty James G.O.P. Regulars Face Contests Pledges Not Binding 14 Mar 1940 The New York Times 18 Two delegates from Springfield, Dudley Wallace and Clarence Brooks, attempted to pledge themselves to Dewey but were not granted the privilege. The establishment slate listed as delegates at-large Governor Leverett Saltonstall, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., U.S. House Minority Leader Joseph W. Martin Jr., and State Treasurer John W. Haigis. The insurgent slate listed William McMasters, Byron P. Hayden, Harry P. Gibbs, and Seldon G. Hill. 1940 Republican primary, at large Leverett Saltonstall Republican Party (US) 62,152 22.11% Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Republican Party (US) 61,539 21.89% John W. Haigis Republican Party (US) 55,379 19.51% Joseph W. Martin Jr. Republican Party (US) 54,845 19.51% William McMasters Republican Party (US) 14,091 5.01% Byron P. Hayden Republican Party (US) 11,489 4.09% Henry P. Gibbs Republican Party (US) 10,845 3.86% Selden G. Hill Republican Party (US) 10,756 3.83% 281,117 100.00% May: War and momentum for Willkie The May primaries largely went for local favorites. Dewey's name was entered in only three: New Jersey and Maryland, where he was unopposed, and Oregon, where he was soundly beaten as a write-in candidate in favor of Senator Charles McNary. However, Wendell Willkie received a strong 5.55% of the vote as a write-in candidate in New Jersey. In May, Germany invaded the Low Countries and France in a major escalation of World War II. The events shook the primary race by ensuring the re-enlistment of President Roosevelt as a candidate for re-election to an unprecedented third term and refocusing the election on foreign policy. Dewey, until then the favorite for the nomination, began to struggle as he attempted to chart an inconsistent path between Vandenberg's isolationism and Roosevelt's aggressive involvement. Advised by John Foster Dulles, he was convinced that American involvement was unnecessary or futile.Smith 1982 303–306 On May 10, the night of the invasion of the Netherlands, Ed Jaeckle privately told the Dewey campaign that his chances of being nominated were slim, but he should continue through the convention to ensure control of the New York party and his election as governor in 1942.Smith 1982 303–306 Taft and Dewey began to diverge on their attacks against the Roosevelt administration; Taft maintained strict opposition to American involvement in the war, while Dewey accepted American support for the Allies as inevitable and criticized the President's failure to ensure military preparedness in case of German aggression.Smith 1982 303–306 The political benefits of the invasion went to Wendell Willkie over the two young favorites; an independent petition drive to nominate the businessman, led by Oren Root, gathered 4.5 million signatures. Willkie, who Alice Roosevelt Longworth has derided as having grassroots support "in every country club in America," began to attract popular audiences, and Willkie for President clubs sprouted across the country. Post-primary events and convention 1940 Republican National Convention By mid-June, little over one week before the Republican Convention opened, the Gallup poll reported that Willkie had moved into second place with 17%, and that Dewey was slipping. Fueled by his favorable media attention, Willkie's pro-British statements won over many of the delegates. As the delegates were arriving in Philadelphia, Gallup reported that Willkie had surged to 29%, Dewey had slipped 5 more points to 47%, and Taft, Vandenberg and former President Herbert Hoover trailed at 8%, 8%, and 6% respectively. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps as many as one million, telegrams urging support for Willkie poured in, many from "Willkie Clubs" that had sprung up across the country. Millions more signed petitions circulating everywhere. At the 1940 Republican National Convention itself, keynote speaker Harold Stassen, the Governor of Minnesota, announced his support for Willkie and became his official floor manager. Hundreds of vocal Willkie supporters packed the upper galleries of the convention hall. Willkie's amateur status, his fresh face, appealed to delegates as well as voters. The delegations were selected not by primaries but by party leaders in each state, and they had a keen sense of the fast-changing pulse of public opinion. Gallup found the same thing in polling data not reported until after the convention: Willkie had moved ahead among Republican voters by 44% to only 29% for the collapsing Dewey. As the pro-Willkie galleries repeatedly yelled "We Want Willkie", the delegates on the convention floor began their vote. Dewey led on the first ballot but steadily lost strength thereafter. Both Taft and Willkie gained in strength on each ballot, and by the fourth ballot it was obvious that either Willkie or Taft would be the nominee. The key moments came when the delegations of large states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York left Dewey and Vandenberg and switched to Willkie, giving him the victory on the sixth ballot. The voting went like this: + Presidential voteballot: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thomas E. Dewey 360 338 315 25057 11 Ohio Senator Robert A. Taft 189 203 212 254 377 310 Wendell L. Willkie 105 171259 306 429 633 Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg 76 73 72 61 42 - Pennsylvania Governor Arthur H. James 74 6659 56 59 1 Massachusetts Rep. Joseph W. Martin 44 26- - - - Hanford MacNider 32 3428 26 4 2 Frank E. Gannett 33 30 11 9 1 1 New Hampshire Senator Styles Bridges 19 9 1 1 - - Former President Herbert Hoover 17 - - - 20 9 Oregon Senator Charles L. McNary 3 10 10 8 9 - Willkie's nomination is still considered by most historians to have been one of the most dramatic moments in any political convention. Having given little thought to who he would select as his vice-presidential nominee, Willkie left the decision to convention chairman and Massachusetts Congressman Joe Martin, the House Minority Leader, who suggested Senate Minority Leader Charles L. McNary of Oregon. Despite the fact that McNary had spearheaded a "Stop Willkie" campaign late in the balloting, the candidate picked him to be his running mate. + Vice presidential vote Charles L. McNary 848 Dewey Short 108 Styles Bridges 2 See also 1940 Democratic Party presidential primaries Notes References lower-alpha Further reading Smith Richard Norton Richard Norton Smith Thomas Dewey and His Times 1982 9780671417413 https://archive.org/details/thomasedeweyhist00smit registration Category:Thomas E. Dewey Category:Herbert Hoover Category:Wendell Willkie