from 1939 through 1941, there was a sharp debate within the gop about support for britain in world war ii. internationalists, such as henry stimson and frank knox, wanted to support britain and isolationists, such as robert a. taft and arthur vandenberg, strongly opposed these moves as unwise, if not unconstitutional. the america first movement was a bipartisan coalition of isolationists. in 1940, a total unknown wendell willkie at the last minute won over the party, the delegates and was nominated. he crusaded against the inefficiencies of the new deal and roosevelt's break with the strong tradition against a third term.