'Fala Speech,' FDR Turns His Dog on Dewey, 1944 Campaign, WW2, Wins 4th Term US President

[appalachiablue]

- Running for his 4th term in office, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt defended his dog 'Fala' during a campaign dinner at The Statler hotel in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 23, 1944. Fala became the most famous dog in America during WW2. He was 4 months old when presented to FDR in 1940..(more below).
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- Comments, YouTube: "FDR classic humor; 'Republican fiction writers in Congress'; One of the best presidents this country has had; He got us through the Depression and won WWII; I wouldn't have an income of Social Security without him; He should be on Mt. Rushmore and his birthday a national holiday; God bless his soul, thank you FDR for everything..."
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- 'FDR Defended His Dog During a Campaign Speech in DC.' You can insult a president, but you don't mess with man's best friend, Washingtonian, Sept. 23, 2016. Running for his 4th term in office, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, defended his black Scottish Terrier, Fala, during a campaign dinner with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America on Sept. 23, 1944 (at The Statler Hotel)...https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/09/23/fdr-defended-his-dog-during-a-campaign-speech-in-dc/
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- 1944: FDR'S 4th Presidential Campaign, - Ed.
Thomas E. Dewey: Republican Candidate

Thomas E. Dewey had gained fame in the mid-1930s as a prosecutor of organized crime in NYC. He went after wrongdoing wherever, arresting an elite member of the NY Stock Exchange as well as Nazi sympathizers. He was elected District Attorney of NY County (Manhattan) in 1937, and ran for the governorship in 1938 and lost. He also lost the GOP presidential nomination to Wendell Willkie in 1940 but won the NY governorship in 1942, putting him in a stronger position for the 1944 presidential race.
Dewey was considered a moderate among Republicans. He supported the UN, U.S. engagement with international affairs, and much of FDR’s New Deal legislation. He was constrained in criticizing the conduct of the war to maintain morale. Dewey campaigned vigorously and in fall 1944 claimed there was Communist infiltration of the govt.
He also carefully suggested that FDR was too tired and too old to go on..- FDR: A 4th Term with Harry S. Truman...
https://www.roosevelthouse.hunter.cuny.edu/seehowtheyran/portfolios/1944-fdrs-fourth-presidential-campaign/
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- "Fala: The Most Famous Dog in America," FDR Presidential Library and Museum, FDR Blogs, National Archives, June 16, 2022. - Ed. This is a very well done article on FDR and Fala and other presidents' dogs... at this point, some of you might be thinking—“That’s is all very nice, but why is Fala important??? And why are artifacts associated with him in the Roosevelt Museum’s collection? Well, for starters, during World War II, Fala became the most famous dog in America. And in 1944—as I will demonstrate—he had a surprising role in FDR’s campaign for a 4th term as America’s president. I also think Fala’s story offers us interesting glimpses into Franklin Roosevelt’s personal side.
But before I get to all of that I want to say a few words about president’s and their dogs. Many of America’s presidents have found friendship and solace in dogs. It’s a tradition that goes all the way back to George Washington, who bred foxhounds...https://fdr.blogs.archives.gov/2022/06/16/fala-the-most-famous-dog-in-america/

[Deuxcents]

1. I love this and never tire of seeing the story of Fala with as deadpan as it could get!

Our great President Roosevelt delivered brilliantly not only this tidbit but thru the depression, WWII, Social Security, Tennessee Valley Authority Act, Labor relations and so much more.

[appalachiablue]

2. Agree, this is a classic from a truly remarkable leader

and exceptional US President, at the top of the list. Thanks for adding the TVA and Labor relations.

The few other posts on FDR that I've seen here in 10+ years don't receive much interest. And I also don't know why he isn't noted more prominently. By the 90s the party had to move to the right, but a lot has changed since then.

Regardless, I still think the world of FDR's courage, genius and leadership abilities in the most difficult times. On par with Lincoln and Washington at least.

Thanks for replying, and here's to a great year in 2024!

[Deuxcents]

3. Wishing you a great new year, too. He and his wife, Eleanor hold a place of high esteem with me.

[appalachiablue]

4. Eleanor was intelligent, dedicated & active in many progressive

areas. A great woman and First Lady.

[Deuxcents]

5. Ken Burns from PBS has a documentary about them. I think it's 3-4 series

In depth and as all his documentaries, very well done. Your comment about the lack of interest FDR gets on some posts is discouraging as it’s only been a generation ago..well, for me as I’m a post war baby. So much can still apply to the issues we have today. Time does march on but forgetting our history should not be left behind but I know so much of it is. Maybe they should make video games based on American History and somehow make learning fun. O, yeah..I’m getting old….

[appalachiablue]

6. Same, all of us post war children after dad

returned from military service in Europe.

The era wasn't that long ago to me either and there are alarming similarities in the last 7- 8 years, increased antisemitism and racism, nationalism, far right militia groups and violence, the trend towards anti democratic, authoritarian governments here and globally. Trump's Hitlerian styling and remarks as well.

I must be missing something about the omission of FDR. In addition to the other major struggles he led us through, he saved capitalism. With the depths of misery caused by the Great Depression there very well could have been a revolution here. But he created jobs and programs to help Americans and the country get through the crisis.

PBS The Roosevelts, I saw the first episode and need to watch the others. Ken Burns is wonderful, I met him once at a lecture on the Civil War he gave at the National Archives where I worked. PBS American Experience has a new program, 'Nazi Town, USA' that will air Feb. 23. I just posted the trailer and info in the Video section. It's about Nazi supporters in the US in the 1930s, mainly with the German American Bund that had members, chapters and camps in US states - NY, Long Island, PA, NJ, WI, Midwest, California. It should be interesting. Take care!

- Nazi Town, USA - PBS, Feb. 23
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218568908