How to make a better 1908

So, I'm thinking about doing a TL on the early 1900s, however, in my research I've found The terrible presidency of William Howard Taft, My question is if we could make the years 1908-1912 better.

So basically I have 2 questions.

1. Who would be a good replacement for Taft
2. What would they do (i.e. Asian immigration, Mexican Revolution, Panama, French Treaties, etc.)

Thanks!
 
No, but when you look at this guy he was just terrible.

Probably no more so than any other Republican would have been.

After eight years of TR, the GOP had accepted as much reform as it could swallow. Even TR's own final year didn't produce much. Basically, for any further reform you needed a Democratic Administration.
 
Probably no more so than any other Republican would have been.

After eight years of TR, the GOP had accepted as much reform as it could swallow. Even TR's own final year didn't produce much. Basically, for any further reform you needed a Democratic Administration.
Okay, That makes sense.
Any democrats in general
(Please don't say William Jennings Bryan, Please don't say William Jennings Bryan)
 
Taft actually got more Progressive legislation thru than TR, broke up twice as many Trusts, including Standard Oil. His ICC got stronger. Taft had a Free Trade Tready approved, but it failed on the Canadian side.

And there is no way to avoid WJB running, and losing to Team R, again.
 
Taft actually got more Progressive legislation thru than TR, broke up twice as many Trusts, including Standard Oil. His ICC got stronger. Taft had a Free Trade Tready approved, but it failed on the Canadian side.

And there is no way to avoid WJB running, and losing to Team R, again.
I was looking more on the treaty side of things.
 
If William Jennings Bryan is out of the picture well before the 1908 election, perhaps a Democrat could get into office. Plenty of chances for streetcar accidents, horses to throw someone, or even a good old fashioned lightning bolt as he's preaching...
 
If William Jennings Bryan is out of the picture well before the 1908 election, perhaps a Democrat could get into office. Plenty of chances for streetcar accidents, horses to throw someone, or even a good old fashioned lightning bolt as he's preaching...


Trouble is, most if not all of the Democratic alternatives to Bryan would have fared even worse than he did.

Whatever his faults, WJB was the strongest candidate they had. If he couldn't win, then almost certainly no Democrat could win
 
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