Barkley was among 12 nominated at the 1944 Democratic National Convention to serve as Roosevelt 's running mate in the presidential election that year , receiving six votes . Delegates favored dropping vice president Henry Wallace from their ticket in favor of Barkley , but Roosevelt refused to consider him , telling a July 11 meeting of Democratic leaders that he was too old . Instead , he took the recommendation of Democratic National Committee chairman Robert E. Hannegan and choose Harry S. Truman . Despite his differences with Roosevelt , Barkley faced no serious challengers in the 1944 Democratic primary and defeated his Republican challenger , Fayette County Commonwealth 's Attorney James Park , by a vote of 464,053 to 380,425
1944 Democratic National Convention
1944 Democratic National Convention
Alben W. Barkley