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"Possibly the President was surprised at the peace sentiment still existing when the Senate on April 19 passed a war resolution by the narrow vote of 42 to 35. Only four more Senators on the peace side would have swung the balance, indicating that determined President leadership might have foiled [newspaper magnate and loud caller for war William Randolph] Hearst. But when the House concurred with the Senate in a 310-6 vote for war, it demonstrated that McKinley, had he won peace, would have won unpopularity along with it."
-pg. 171-172, Citizen Hearst by W. A. Swanberg

Basically, what would happen if McKinley, more dedicated to preserving peace even at the cost of his popularity, swung at least 4 Senators to the peace side and not gone into confrontation with Spain? How would the voters react in 7 months when it came time to vote? What would be the fate of the next Presidential election? Could McKinley secure renomination, would Bryan still be the nominee? Would a Bryan administration go to war with Spain, or would the war engine run out of steam by the 1900 election and it be avoided? What would the be ramifications on the Cuban War of Independence, on Spain's government without a humiliating beat-down by the US? With no war in 1898 how would the careers of many important men like T. Roosevelt and the aforementioned Hearst go?
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