United States presidential election, 1912

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Category: United States presidential elections

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United States presidential election, 1912

The Contenders

Incumbent William Howard Taft of Ohio, Republican

Governor T. Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey, Democrat

Former President Theodore Roosevelt of New York, "Bull Moose" Progressive

The Issues

Trustbusting; continuation of progressive reform; government-business cooperation vs. strong government control.

The Result

In 1908, outgoing President Teddy Roosevelt strongly endorsed his Secretary of Defense William Howard Taft for the Presidency. Four years later, Roosevelt, a progressive Republican, became disenchanted with Taft's presidency, arguing that he does not do nearly enough to promote social reform. Taft was indeed more conservative than Roosevelt, but he had a relatively solid record at least as far as trustbusting was concerned. Roosevelt challenged Taft for the nomination. When the Republican convention gave the nomination to the incumbent, Roosevelt and his supporters bolted out the door and created the Progressive Party. When Roosevelt was asked about his health, he proclaimed himself to be "as fit as Bull-Moose". The party was henceafter nicknamed the Bull Moose Party.

On the other side, the Democratic battle for nomination pitted Missouri Rep. Champ Clark against New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson. William Jennings Bryan threw his support behind Wilson, and Wilson emerged victorious.

With the Republican party split in two, Wilson had no problem swamping both Roosevelt and Taft in the general election. Interestingly, Roosevelt's party beat out the Taft Republicans, 88 electoral votes to 8.

Recommended Reading

• 1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft & Debs - The Election that Changed the Country by James Chace.

See also