Alternate James Cox

James Cox was seen as the dark horse standard bearer of the Democratic Party’s conservative wing during the 1920 convention. Was there any democratic politician other than Cox who could’ve served that same role, as the conservative answer to the progressivism of Palmer and McAdoo, and still been successfully nominated? Ie could a Cox nomination have been avoided, without nominating a progressive?
 
Similarly to in 1924, Davis was widely considered the compromise candidate if the ballot continued to deadlock in 1920. However IOTL, Cox surged to the lead.
 
Cox actually had a moderately progressive record as governor of Ohio, but yes, he was considered a relative conservative among the contenders for the 1920 Democratic presidential nomination. John W. Davis would be his most obvious competitor for the conservative Demooratic vote, although Davis's reputation was not as conservative as it would be after years as a Wall Street lawyer.

It's too early for Al Smith.

Oscar W. Underwood would be another possibility, but his opposition to Prohibition would impede any effort to get the South united behind him.
 
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