Then just before the [1912 Republican] national convention in Chicago [William Howard] Taft had an attack of what is now referred to as sleep apnea. On the advice of his doctors Taft withdrew from the race. In a strange turn Taft pledged his delegates to [Theodore] Roosevelt saying that Roosevelt had the best chance of winning effectively knocking [Robert M.] LaFollette out of the race for the nomination. After [Vice president James S.] Sherman declined to be renominated at the convention there was a campaign among the progressives of the party to be his Vice president. In the end, however, Roosevelt had to make a concession to the Conservative wing of the party and selected [Secretary of State] Philander Knox.
-From The Colonel Rides Again by Ronald W. Reagan. Harper/Collins, New York, 1980.
Of course Taft gave father his support. They may not have liked each other much at the time but Taft knew that father was the most likely to win over LaFollette. After the convention sealed his nomination father really started campaigning. Knox of course helped to swing the conservative vote. Knox in all likelihood would have lost that year. The Democrats had a fight on their hands.
-My Father the Bull Moose by Quentin Roosevelt, Harper’s Monthly v. 180 Jan. 1940.
GOVERNOR AT SEA GIRT AUG. 7.
Governor Will Interpret Platform There.
After gaining the nomination for the Democrats Gov. Wilson will hold the first speech of the campaign in Sea Girt, New Jersey. While there were concerns that W. J. Bryan’s pick for the Democratic nominee would beat Gov. Wilson like he did Mr. Bryan in 1908. However after giving Gov. Wilson the nomination on the 52nd ballot they were content.
-special report to the New York Times July 6th, 1912.
The predictions of the leader of the Republicans are as alarming as that of the stand-patters. He does not seem to care that there is a large amount of money taken out of the pockets of the general taxpayer. […] Therefore you will find that the platform of the Republicans legalizes monopolies and, of necessity, subordinates the working man and the plans of the government to them.
-excerpt from a campaign speech given by Woodrow Wilson, August 19th 1912.
What Mr. Wilson is proposing is the liberty of the oppressor to oppress. What we propose is extend governmental power in order to secure the liberty of the wage worker, to save the liberty of the oppressed from the oppressor.
-excerpt from a campaign speech given by Theodore Roosevelt, August 21st 1912
As the campaign went on Roosevelt’s already strong popularity grew stronger by the day. After an attempted assassination in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (after which he gained nickname of “The Bull Moose”) Roosevelt started to campaign even harder. The assassination attempt would have other effects down the line as well.
-From The Colonel Rides Again by Ronald W. Reagan. Harper/Collins, New York, 1980.
The assassination attempt did not lead to any new gun control laws as one might expect. At least not at that time. Instead father added better mental health programs to the National Health service plank of his platform. With that part of the platform added father put more effort into his campaign than ever. When it was over on November 5th father won by a narrow margin mainly because some conservative Republicans still left the party even with Knox as Vice President.
-My Father the Bull Moose by Quentin Roosevelt, Harper’s Monthly v. 180, Jan. 1940.
Edith and I didn’t think that father make it past the convention let alone to the Executive Mansion. Which just goes to show that anything is possible under the right circumstances. Especially where my father was concerned.
-Alice Roosevelt Longworth quoted via archive footage in The Strenuous Life of Theodore Roosevelt, Documentary prize winner at the Toulon International Film Festival, 2011.
The re-election of Col. Roosevelt to the presidency has caused quite a stir especially in Ottawa. While Prime Minister Borden would have liked Gov. Wilson to have been president he has said that he will work with Col. Roosevelt.
-The Hamilton Spectator 07/11/12