Okay here goes nothing, my rough draft of the first part of my Rise of Progressivism TL. Im very welcoming to comments and yes, the chapter will be fattened and expanded in due time.
Part 1: A cold day in Buffalo
September 6, 1901 Temple of Music, Buffalo NY.
It was a cold day in Buffalo when a Secret Servicemen for President William McKinley named George Foster notices a man acting suspicious, in line to shake President William McKinley’s hand, with his arm wrapped in a white handkerchief. The agent detains the man to find that he is Leon Czolgosz, an unemployed anarchist from Detroit, and that in his hand he had a gun that he planned to assassinate the President McKinley.
William McKinley safely makes it through the rest of his term leaving office with a 64% approval rating.
1904:
July 1-July 4 Republican National Convention
William McKinley declines to run for a third consecutive term but instead endorses his former Vice President Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt was the predicted favorite for nomination coming into the Republican National Convention, in Chicago, Illinois. Although just days before the convention veteran of politics and New York Senator, Thomas Collier Plat throws his hat in the race as only the third candidate along with Mark Hanna of Ohio. At the convention Platt turns the tide when he gives his "Experience speech"
"There is no time for indecision within the Republican party, it is not time for inexperience but progress. This is a crucial time when we cannot lose any seat in the house, or senate to the Democrats and especially not the Presidential Election. We cannot unravel the years of progress put in by President McKinley and nomination a politician of 8 years experience will do just that. We cannot fall back to the conservative ways of old but must fight for the ways of new. These years will create American society for years to come and mold the futures of my children, and your children. It is time to nominate another strong willed experienced Republican that can fight for American workers. I believe Im the best candidate for that job. Now is the time to make the decision for the nomination of not just the Republican party but nomination for America's next leader, the leader of the next generation. So make your choice, experience and true leadership or cartful words and false promises."
So the Republicans, afraid of Teddy’s lack of experience and stirred by Thomas's speech, unwittingly nominate veteran of the Senate Thomas Collier Plat narrowly 507 - 490 votes.Teddy declines the invitation to run as Thomas Plats Vice President and instead decides to run for Senate in New York where he easily wins over Democrat Rumsfeild Johnson in a landslide taking Plats place.
Historians later say that the blunder of the nomination costed the Republicans the election.
July 9-July 12th Democrat National Convention
William Jennings Bryan again receives the Democratic nomination, this time with his best hopes yet. Adlai Stevenson is selected as his running mate. At the nomination there is a stir when Conservatives rile up there side of the party. They call for a conservative for the Democratic Nomination, and almost recieve there wish, but it turns out to be to little to late.
Campaign
Thomas Collier Plats poor personality, and un-inspirational campaigning puts him quickly behind veteran William Jennings Bryan. Bryan campaigned on a progressive platform attacking "government by privilege". His campaign slogan, "Shall the People Rule?", was featured on numerous posters and campaign memorabilia. Bryan undercut Plats’ liberal support by accepting some of his reformist ideas and pointing to the shady past of Platt in the New York Political arena.But Bryans consecutive losses in 1896, and 1900 made him seem un-accountable to Moderate voters and through most of the election cycle Bryan was trailing Plat 60% to 40%. Although the debates proved to be a tide changer.
When asked about his comments calling himself the "Godfather of the New York Political world" Platt responded:
"I have been in the world of politics as long as any of the other candidates, including Repersentative Bryan.I have proven that I can lead a political state, and that I am the founder of modern NY progressive politics."
But Bryans famous response was
"America doesnt need a mafia ruler, they need a leader."
That phrase quickly turned into one of Bryans caimpaign slogans and after the debate Bryan shrunk the gap to 45%-55% and kept shrinking it, with barnstorm caimpaigning across the nation.
Bryan at the debates
Platt went into the election leading 52% to 48% but a slight win in Wisconsin and Indiana led to Bryan winning in a upset, taking the electoral college 243-233 and winning the popular vote 48%-47%
1904 Election Map
Blue-Platt
Red- Bryan
