Getting Taft a 2nd term is probably possible if TR dies sooner or they manage to patch up the feud.
It would be a closer race in 1912 after 12 year of GOP rule but the nation was still pretty much GOP at a Presidential level.
Another term, especially with the war crisis could ruin his health to the point of eliminating appointment to the court.
I think killing Theodor Roosevelt, is the best option, as it also gives the sympathy vote to the Republicans.
Taft will have to race in 1912, as 1916 would be too late and most voters don't change leaders, during a war.
1912 will have to be really close race.
With Taft winning the 6 Progressive states, swing the states of New Hampshire, New Mexico, Idaho and Connecticut and winning the home states of New York and Ohio, this only gives Taft 178 to Wilsons 352.
Taking the close states of Maine, Massachusetts, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Iowa, Wyoming, Delaware, North and South Dakota, gives Taft the majority with only 273 to Wilson's 258.
This is the closes to cooking the books I think you can go without going over the edge. So with only a slight majority and hopefully a higher popular votes.
William Taft could carry on as President, but also like Troosvelt_68 stated, I believe that Taft will not be healthy enough to work after his Presidency.
I might even be as bleak to say, he may die in office. In 1912, Taft was at his peak weight of 335–340 pounds (152–154 kg) the heaviest president, so far; though he reduced this after his presidency, and weighed by 1929 just 244 pounds (111 kg) I doubt he would be able to carefully planned a fitness regimen during the Great War.
This means he could end up staying at 340 pounds or gain even more weight, which could lead to Stroke, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Cardiovascular Diseases or Type 2 Diabetes.
Would newly elected vice president, Nicholas Murray Butler, be able to take the responsibilities of this high office? Or would the party have nominated a serious contender for Taft after Sherman's own death of a heart attack and if so who?
- Former Vice President, Charles W. Fairbanks?
- Governor Hiram Johnson of California?
- Senator Robert M. La Follette from Wisconsin?