Starting from 1909, could the Progressive/Bull Moose Party establish itself as a lasting party?

Say that Theodore Roosevelt, growing irate at the rightward swing of Taft after taking office as President in 1909, goes to you with the idea of founding a party to protect and advance the gains made with the Square Deal, and he asks for your advice on how to have it gain a lasting presence in American politics, saying in as many words that he doesn't expect to live for many more years and wants American Progressivism to be a major force even when he's gone (This is already a bit of a change, since he's dedicating himself to starting a new party well before 1912, when IOTL it only got off the ground after he lost the Republican Primary to Taft). Would would you tell him to do, what strategies this new party aught to follow?
 
Well, if it is us at that time, my guess would be that communication is key. The Newspaper and communication outlet will become more important and influential overtime, especially as they are likely to be succeeded by things we cannot comprehend. Also, reach toward the largest number of people, hence inclusion toward minorities.
 
The question is basically "What should the Progressives have done to permanently establish themselves, given total hindsight?"
 
The question is basically "What should the Progressives have done to permanently establish themselves, given total hindsight?"

Probably maintain more suspicion toward their more conservative counterparts, but the problem is that they need to be able to obtain resources and support. Focus on building local power and play the long game.

One thing would definitely be to focus on building and maintaining local offices and spread from there. Another could be in that they keep tabs with FDR over time. If the Democrats and Republicans both f*ck up and things lead to the Great Depression, the Progressives can make alliances with the Socialists and whatnot and see if they can have FDR join them and push them as the third party to save them. This would probably require a good investment in Keynesian economics and maintaining criticism toward big businesses. Kinda like how the thread Keynes Cruisers had FDR maintain Keynesian policies by investing in said ships, here FDR could do something like nationalize railways or something, investing in projects to keep people working and building up credibility with the people.

When the war would hit, it could progress them further though the Progressives would need to either absorb the Socialists or warn them to change their appearances given the air of distrust toward the Soviets (pointing out that they may be not true socialists or that the higher-ups have corrupted the movements) to avoid any political tainting. FDR could push more if he had a stronger hold in House and Senate, especially with maybe the Second Bill of Rights or at least universal healthcare.

The focus on local and regional offices means that they can deter accusations of "States' rights" nuts and possibly discredit the future Dixiecrats on that.
 
I had the thought that the Progressives could do well by starting with a focus on local, state, and congressional elections, particularly in places where women have partial suffrage. As the most pro-woman party, with a platform on education, maternity and children's health, labour laws protecting women and children and an expansion of suffrage, they could be posed to capture a big chunk of 50% of the vote.
 
I had the thought that the Progressives could do well by starting with a focus on local, state, and congressional elections, particularly in places where women have partial suffrage. As the most pro-woman party, with a platform on education, maternity and children's health, labour laws protecting women and children and an expansion of suffrage, they could be posed to capture a big chunk of 50% of the vote.

Yeah, definitely. Like in Wyoming though they would also need to take in people of color as well and help secure them. Building strong enduring power bases is what they will need to do.
 
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