Wendell Willkie photo

Remarks to Campaign Workers at the Hotel Commodore in New York City

November 06, 1940

Fellow workers: I first want to say to you that I never felt better in my life. I congratulate you in being a part of the greatest crusade of this century. And that the principles for which we have fought will prevail is as sure as that the truth will always prevail.

And I hope that none of you are either afraid or disheartened because I am not in the slightest.

I just wanted to come down and thank you so much for being my fellow fighters in this struggle—to say hello to you—before going back to my room just now.

I hear some people shouting to me, "Don't give up." I guess those people don't know me. I must be going back upstairs, but I did want to come by to thank you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Don't be afraid and never quit. Good night.

Source: "Willkie Retires Refusing to Give Up; He Declines Any Statement before Today," New York Times, November 6, 1940, p. 1, 5.

Wendell Willkie, Remarks to Campaign Workers at the Hotel Commodore in New York City Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/346003

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