"After the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Wallace supported Roosevelt's program of military build-up and, anticipating future hostilities with Germany, pushed for initiatives like a synthetic rubber program and closer relations with Latin American countries.As Roosevelt refused to commit to either retiring or seeking re-election during his second term, supporters of Wallace and other leading Democrats such as Vice President John Nance Garner and Postmaster General James Farley laid the groundwork for a presidential campaign in the 1940 election.