Chapter 829 Roosevelt at a Historical Turning Point (Part 1, 4800 Votes Plus Additional Content)

After a heated discussion that night, Congress decided to form an independent investigative committee on the two matters Dewey asked about. Due to the importance of the matter, the total number of members of the entire investigative committee was as high as 10, with five members each from the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The chairman of the committee was President Roosevelt. Appointed, the Vice Chairman was appointed by the Republican leader of Congress. His responsibilities were to investigate the truth about the 40% toll incident, the legitimacy of the Navy's decision-making in the Cape Verde Campaign, and the actual causes of the "pre-battle uprising" of two army divisions.

Since we are currently in a war period and all high-level officials of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are involved, we are required to complete the committee's construction on February 7 and complete the investigation and report to Congress within the next six weeks. In order to improve efficiency and improve work capabilities, it also stipulates that the independent investigative committee has great power to "send subpoenas to anyone in the United States." However, if the investigative committee really wants to issue a subpoena to a senior government official, it must obtain unanimous approval from the chairman and vice chairman or at least 6 members agreed.

At a closed-door meeting within the Democratic Party, Roosevelt, who was physically and mentally exhausted, made painful self-criticisms in front of the party bosses - he knew the inside story, and the top brass of the Joint Chiefs of Staff knew the truth about tolls. At least Generals Li Hai and Kim knew about it. Marshall might not necessarily. But in public, since Li Hai gritted his teeth and said he didn't know, everyone had no choice but to go to the dark side, because admitting and defending is not a good strategy, and it is likely that the lawmakers will pursue him. Of course, this is also very risky. Once the blatant lie is found out, the person's reputation will be ruined at the least, and he will be jailed at the worst. Roosevelt himself was able to get away with it, but the top brass of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were completely screwed.

They were all political masters. Of course, everyone understood Roosevelt's implication, and the direction of their guesses was not far from the truth of the matter. Most people concluded that Roosevelt himself had acquiesced in this, and that he was hospitalized and instructed Wallace to act on his behalf. The Joint Chiefs of Staff then asked Wallace to take the blame. The only thing that messed up was that not only did Wallace refuse to sign the document, but he also exposed it in public.

This kind of betrayal is unbearable. Everyone was not very fond of the maverick Wallace. If Roosevelt hadn't supported him back then, how could he be where he is today? Things are matters, whether you agree or not is confidential. But now you only have an individual in your eyes and you still expose him. Are there any interests for the party?

"President, I am not blaming you. It seems that it was a huge mistake to choose Wallace as vice president."

Roosevelt nodded disheartenedly: "I really didn't expect it to be like this. How did Dewey and Wallace hook up?"

"This is no longer important now, but we will never spare him in the future, otherwise where is the dignity and prestige of the party? Where is the reputation of the president and the unity of the government?" Truman said angrily, "This despicable villain not only stabbed him in the back With one blow, we have just roped in several speculators to announce the establishment of the Progressive Party and prepare to independently participate in the next presidential election.”

Speaking of the presidential campaign, everyone sighed again. Roosevelt's body could no longer support him in the fourth presidential election. Continuous military defeats and political blows also caused Roosevelt's approval rating to fall to the bottom. The party originally planned to use Wallace to take the lead, but it turned out to be self-defeating and made matters worse!

"Everyone, I will not participate in the next presidential election, but our party must still unite and go all out to win the next election." Roosevelt explained, "This incident must be resolved as soon as possible. After resolution, it will not only save the government It can also win the understanding and support of the military. Although the military has always been neutral towards politics, I don’t believe that their position will not change subtly after this incident.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Of course, this incident was a major crisis, but on the other hand, if it was solved well, it would also be an opportunity - it could bring the entire military world together! During peacetime, soldiers can be manipulated by politicians, but during wartime, the status and importance of soldiers cannot be ignored. Otherwise, how would the Joint Chiefs of Staff dare to scold the Vice President in person?

"Harry." Roosevelt turned his eyes to Truman, "I heard others tell you about the speech you made angrily against Wallace at the meeting that day. I think you did a great job."

"Thank you! I have long seen that this guy is nothing. He has no sense of responsibility or responsibility at all. He is the biggest and most complete hypocrite I have encountered in my more than 30 years in politics!"

"Harry, do you want to be the president of the United States?" Roosevelt asked unexpectedly.

"Me? Of course I do! Why don't you want to?" Truman subconsciously asked, "But can I do it?"

"Now is a good opportunity." Roosevelt said, "I know that you are in charge of auditing and economic responsibility audits in the military circles, and you have a good relationship with the soldiers, and you have sincerely won their respect. If you are willing, I would like to Nominate you to be the chairman of this independent investigative committee, and Dewey is not a senator, he is not even qualified to be elected!”

The big guys in the party looked at each other and nodded one after another, thinking it was feasible. The committee now chaired by Truman has done a great job, showing that he has the ability. Judging from his attitude towards Wallace, his loyalty to the party is not bad.

"The results will be announced in one and a half months at the latest, so it won't waste too much time. If you can defeat Dewey's conspiracy, you will not only completely overwhelm him in terms of momentum, but also win the love of these soldiers. At that time, I will will nominate you for vice president.”

The U.S. Constitution stipulates that when the vice president becomes vacant, the president shall nominate a new vice presidential candidate and the candidate shall be voted by Congress. He may take office with the approval of a simple majority without the need for popular election.

Truman was stunned for a moment, and his eyes suddenly shone with a strange light - this position is still very attractive.

Perhaps to add weight, Roosevelt added: "There are still 11 months left in my current term, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for my body to fully support it. You will have more opportunities to act as president, especially at the peak of the campaign. Your role as acting president has a completely different meaning to the voters. This is an advantage for you! If there are any disadvantages and you need to take responsibility, I can come forward to take over. Anyway, I won’t live for a few years.”

"President...you..." Truman was a little moved. This was because Roosevelt was fully supporting him in taking office.

Everyone had a heated discussion. Although everyone had different ideas about nominating Truman as the next presidential candidate, as Roosevelt said, if Truman could successfully resolve these two things, his prestige, ability and means would be proven. , giving him a vice presidential remuneration is not a big deal, and if he can really do a good job, it will not be difficult to win the party nomination as a candidate.

Truman quickly elaborated on his opinion: "The matter of tolls is not particularly difficult to deal with, because Wallace also admitted that there was no tolls written in black and white on the document and it was purely Admiral Lehi who communicated with him. Lehi himself Now that I have categorically denied this view, no matter whether the files exist or not, it will not change the fact that there is no conclusive evidence. And I also believe that even if the Joint Chiefs of Staff really wants to do this kind of thing, the big bosses will not leave the meeting. Or the discussion minutes become a handle.”

Everyone nodded, and when Truman said it, everyone thought that the situation might not be as serious as they thought - you said something unfounded, but you, Wallace, came up with recordings or other evidence.

"The only thing I worry about is two breakthroughs. First, the close confidants of these generals or the confidential personnel around them may get wind of it more or less. Once they give testimony or testify against the generals, Even if there is no actual evidence, it will be difficult to end it; secondly, the attitude of the Soviet Union. If the Soviets foolishly admit this and communicate with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then the generals will be finished." Truman thought for a moment, "Actually. There is still a breakthrough, if Congress can find the Japanese and let them prove..."

The last part of the sentence made everyone laugh. Are you looking for a Japanese? No kidding, what if the Japanese say that the Joint Chiefs of Staff are all Japanese spies, would you believe it or not?

Senator Richard interjected: "I don't think the generals' cronies and people around them will betray their superiors. This is not good for them - politicians are turbulent and use them and then throw them away. How can senior officials be reliable in supporting them every step of the way?" There shouldn’t be any fools hanging around the general, right?”

"I'm afraid there will be another Wallace!"

Now Wallace is almost synonymous with traitor. Roosevelt knocked on the table, remembering Le Hai's confident look. He thought that the other party was sure of the people around him, so he ordered: "Everyone around the general must be scrutinized. Please Harry will find a way to coordinate..."

Everyone understands what coordination means.

"As for the Soviet Union..." Roosevelt said, "I will think of a way. If the Russians still want assistance in the future, they will have a clear attitude."

Everyone nodded, convinced that this matter was the most serious in nature and the position was the most ambiguous, but as long as there was no solid evidence, it would be over. However, the matter in Cape Verde was a bit troublesome. According to Roosevelt's idea, Turner must be saved. The responsibility for Cape Verde has already been borne by General Ingersoll. How can another Turner be brought in? And Turner was right. If we lost the fleet that time, what would we do now? Nothing can be done!

"Turner may need to spend more energy." Roosevelt said slowly, "I have some ideas, but they are not mature yet. I will communicate with you in a few days."

While the Democratic Party was discussing how to deal with the situation, the chaotic Joint Chiefs of Staff was also meeting, headed by Smith Timson and including Arnold, Nimitz, Eisenhower, and Mark Mitchell to form a new decision-making team. Er was originally the commander of the aircraft carrier force, but his abilities were slightly inferior. Last year, he returned to China and was in charge of naval aviation and west coast air security, and his military rank was promoted to lieutenant general. Originally, Roosevelt's preferred person for this position was Spruance, but Nimitz believed that he himself, who was also the commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet, was no longer working on the warship. Spruance could no longer be withdrawn from the fleet, otherwise it would completely lose control.

The development of events confirmed his judgment, and the test of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has just arrived...