In the midst of the war, there was no question that Roosevelt would be renominated. Roosevelt was forced to replace Vice President Henry Wallace, because of his unpopularity, with Harry Truman. The Republicans nominated Thomas Dewey at the their convention in Chicago. For the first time the Republican platform totally abandoned its traditional opposition to involvement in foreign treaties. It supported the United States participation in post war organizations.
With a war going on Dewey did not attack the policies of Roosevelt. On the other hand, he indirectly questioned his abilities to continue by referring to the "tired old man." The most memorable moment in the campaign came when the Republicans attacked Roosevelt for using a navy destroyer to retrieve his dog, who was left behind in the Aleutian islands. Roosevelt responded by saying: "These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, or my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course, I don't resent attacks and my family doesn't resent attacks, but Fala does resent them." His speech galvanized the Roosevelt supporters. The elections were the closest one for Roosevelt, but once again he won.
Participation of Eligible Voters: 56%
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