The Election: What Happened

It was Franklin Roosevelt in a walkaway. His popular percentage was a shade lower than in 1940, his Electoral College vote a smashing victory. Once the returns began piling in, there was never any doubt.

The people did more than reject a tradition against extra Presidential terms. They reversed a historic decision of 25 years ago, when the U.S. embraced isolationism after World War I. In the 1944 election no isolationist could find comfort. The people had spoken for international cooperation.

One other great fact emerged: the new political influence of labor. This time organized labor really worked in U.S. politics, with money,...

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