In the 1908 Presidential election William Jennings Bryan made his third run for the Presidency, and it was his worst running yet. But if he waited 4 years, when the Republicans were split between Taft and Roosevelt, could he first win the nomination, and could he have finally won the Presidency?
Plausibility Check: William Jennings Bryan waits out 1908, could he win in 1912?
- Thread starter Nofix
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No reason at all why not. Some Democratic leaders felt he was a bit "past his sell-by date" but he was still hugely popular with the party's rank and file, and would probably have coasted through the Primaries, esp if Clark decided not to run.
Also, TTL he is quite a bit less shopworn. The Dems will have lost twice with Bryan, but also twice without him, and the latter two defeats will have been heavier than the former. The sentiment to give him another go will be at least as strong as in 1908 and probably stronger.
As for November, there's no reason why he should have any problem. After all, even in 1908, facing the handpicked heir apparent of a hugely popular incumbent, he did better than Wilson would do four years later. In 1912, with the Republicans in a total train wreck, he will surely get at least the 43% he got then, and quite possibly more - maybe around his 1900 score of 45.5%.
The votes may be differently distributed. Bryan could lose one or two New England states that Wilson took OTL, but he'd probably pick up Utah and California, and if he equals his 1908 performance he could even edge TR out in Pennsylvania. Not that it matters. He could lose all NE and gain nothing, and he'd still be around the 400 electoral vote mark.
I agree with those who say that Bryan would have become president in 1912 had he sat out 1908-indeed 1912 in a scenario where he doesn't run 4 years priar is by far his best chance of actually reaching the Whitehouse.
Problem is, how do you get him to do that? He sat out 1904 rather than lose to a popular encumbent, but 1908 is an open race. I guess he could always get into some kind of accident that temperarily means he can't run.
Assuming this happens, then I'm pretty sure that Bryan would win the Dem nod and the election with relative ease. I wonder who his running mate will be?
Would be interesting to explore a Bryan presidency. Besides a more isolationest stance re foreign polecy than Wilson, what would be the key differences?
I imagine his chances at reelection are about the same as Wilsons in OTL-eg it'd be close either way?
If it comes about, 'The Noble Experiment' will get much greater Whitehouse support ITTL.
Problem is, how do you get him to do that? He sat out 1904 rather than lose to a popular encumbent, but 1908 is an open race. I guess he could always get into some kind of accident that temperarily means he can't run.
Assuming this happens, then I'm pretty sure that Bryan would win the Dem nod and the election with relative ease. I wonder who his running mate will be?
Would be interesting to explore a Bryan presidency. Besides a more isolationest stance re foreign polecy than Wilson, what would be the key differences?
I imagine his chances at reelection are about the same as Wilsons in OTL-eg it'd be close either way?
If it comes about, 'The Noble Experiment' will get much greater Whitehouse support ITTL.
mowque
Banned
My TL explores it. But you'd see a rush of Populist reforms come down the pipe, assuming Bryan has enough support in the House and Senate. Expect alot of regulations and such, maybe even some talk about government owned railways and debt relief.
The question might not arise.
In Feb 1913, the Senate passed a Constitutional Amendment limiting Presidents to a single term, whilst at the same time increasing it to six years. Only one Democrat voted nay, while the Republicans were almost equally divided. It seemed assured of passage in the House, until President-elect Wilson intervened, and wrote to the relevant Committee Chairman expressing opposition. The Amendment died in Committee and never came to a vote.
Bryan was a staunch supporter of term limits, and would never have acted as Wilson did, so TTL the Amendment almost certainly goes to the states. What happens there is unknowable, but of eleven Amendments passed by Congress in the 20C, only two failed of ratification, both largely due to Southern opposition, which is absent in this case. So with the Dems and half the Reps onside, its chances look good. Assuming ratification, the next election is moved back to 1918, and President Bryan will not be a candidate.