WI 1912: Taft and Roosevelt don't run.

[Zioneer]

So what if neither Taft nor Roosevelt run in 1912 (maybe Taft is promised a Supreme Court seat?), and instead decide to jointly support "Fighting Bob" La Follette?

Would La Follette be accepted by the 1912 Republicans? Will he be able to beat Woodrow Wilson (or someone else, if butterflies meddle with the 1912 Democratic primaries?)

[RogueBeaver]

If both Taft and TR agree, yes. LaFollette can't beat Taft at the convention because they'll rig it just as it was rigged IOTL against TR. He can probably beat either Clark or Wilson in the fall.

[Zioneer]

Originally Posted by RogueBeaver

If both Taft and TR agree, yes. LaFollette can't beat Taft at the convention because they'll rig it just as it was rigged IOTL against TR. He can probably beat either Clark or Wilson in the fall.

Would Taft and TR mend ties quickly enough AND endorse someone who isn't either one of them, though? What kind of PoD would be needed for something like that?

[theReturner]

I wonder, what would La Follette do about the war?

[Mikestone8]

Originally Posted by theReturner

I wonder, what would La Follette do about the war?

He'd have absolutely nothing to do with it. He was probably its most implacable opponent outside the German-American community, continuing his outspoken dissent even after war was declared, something which even Bryan was unwilling to do.