Wallace might've been a good guy, but he would be a lousy president and had too close of ties to the Soviets and Stalin - who even FDR was becoming increasingly wary of at the end of the World War. I know the Cold War is very conflicting here on DU, but his naivety toward the Soviets - buying into the idea that communism, specifically their communism, was some Utopian society, would have setup for some nasty, nasty blowback at home.
Now while I expect Wallace would have become increasingly cautious toward the Soviets the more he saw their true intentions, as Roosevelt did toward the end of his presidency, the damage would've been too grave and his lack of political skills (Wallace wasn't the most charismatic, give 'em hell types) probably means he's not elected outright - and worse, Republicans might go to the right and nominate Taft instead of staying left with Dewey. Either way, Dewey/Taft win, the Roosevelt era comes to an end, Wallace is remembered has a Soviet sympathizer, who hurt the Democrats' image to the point where it's not far-fetched to suggest Republicans dominate the government for a generation-plus.
I know some DUers will disagree and buy the line that he would've been a fantastic leader - but I don't. I think his soft approach on communism would have been devastating, especially if it was a direct result of Soviet aggressiveness in Europe. A big reason why the Soviets didn't start World War III (or at least march into, say, Greece) in the '40s is because they knew America would not be on their side. If Wallace, who was not nearly as vocal in his criticism of the Stalin regime, was seen as not countering that aggression, who knows what stunts the Soviets pull. But while the Cold War certainly outlived its usefulness, in the 1940s, it was the only thing keeping the Soviets in check, as they very well could have run roughshod over Europe if they wanted to - you know, if they were up for another bloody war.
I'm not saying Wallace was a bad guy (I think he was a good guy who wanted to do good), I just think he was not set to be president and many high-profile Democrats knew this. Hell, even FDR had to sign off on this and he did. Roosevelt was still the President and if he really, really wanted Wallace his vice-president, he would have looked at the party and told 'em flat out they either renominate him or he declines a fourth term - which would have instantly ended any hope for the Democrats to win (as FDR was the only candidate who probably could have won that election, even with the U.S. gripped in war).
Even if he reluctantly agreed to the move - he still agreed to it and signed off on it. FDR was just as culpable as everyone else.
= new reply since forum marked as read
