2-378-250 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

Republican supporters outside Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, New York, USA, 15 October 1940. A crowd of more than 10,000 people, many carrying placards who were unable to get into the auditorium for the rally held there for Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie. A corporate lawyer who had never held any political office, Wilkie was a surprise choice for the Republican nomination. He campaigned against what he described as the inefficiencies and anti-business policies of the New Deal but was defeated by Democratic incumbent Franklin D Roosevelt in the election.