How was FDR able to run for a third and fourth term as President?
A. No law had been passed limiting Presidential terms.
B. He used emergency war powers.
C. He ran as Vice President under Tom Pelltier. Once Pelltier was sworn in he stepped down and FDR assumed the position.
D. He only ran for two terms.
The two-term tradition had been an unwritten rule (until the 22nd Amendment after his presidency) since George Washington declined to run for a third term in 1796. Roosevelt moved the convention to Chicago where he had strong support from the city machine (which controlled the auditorium sound system). At the convention the opposition was poorly organized. Roosevelt sent a message saying that he would not run, unless he was drafted, and that the delegates were free to vote for anyone. The delegates were stunned; then the loudspeaker screamed "We want Roosevelt... The world wants Roosevelt!" The delegates went wild and he was nominated by 946 to 147.