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1919
Theodore Roosevelt Was Dead. The Bull Moose lay dead in his home that day, January 6th, 1919. It was unbelievable that the expected nominee for 1920 had died, the Republican party was in a scramble, all candidates could step forward, but no one Expected Senator William Hale Thompson to declare his candidacy a week after Roosevelt's passing. Thompson during his senate bid two years prior was criticized for Flip Flopping on The Great War, Initially Opposing it before changing his opinion after receiving donations from pro war organizations. Thompson Announced his campaign in the Chicago City Hall, where he had served as mayor for 4 years before his election to the Senate. But he had many campaign rivals in the form of Moderate Warren g Harding and progressive Leonard Wood. Thompson would be even more conservative than Harding, believing in a complete undoing of much of Wilson's New Freedom, saying Roosevelt and Taft had done enough. He Also called for America to not join the "European Dominated" League of Nations, Saying America should establish a sphere of influence in the Americas and Pacific, even cooperating with Japan. But focus mainly at home.

Thompson declares his candidacy, 1919

Big Bill's Campaign
Thompson's bombastic campaign style was in full display as he was determined to win Iowa and New Hampshire. His Slogan was adopted as "Putting America first." he also favored America lower government spending overall. he would even hold a mock debate in Detroit with Two Parrots representing his opponents, saying "They Just keep repeating themselves!" in the fall of 1919. With more candidates entering the race, many wondered if this eccentric would win.
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