Theodore Roosevelt: The Right Choice

By the time the Presidential Election of 1912 occurred, Theodore Roosevelt was already an accomplished politician. He gained much acclaim for his work as New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Governor of New York, trustbuster, and leader of the Rough Riders. His most significant role was the one where he was President of the United States for two terms. Roosevelt was not only determined to gain a third term, but he was still eager to bring much need change to America, even if it meant starting a political party that promoted reform: the Progressive Party.

The Presidential Election of 1912 proved difficult for Roosevelt as he had to run against President Taft and his strong ties to the Republican Party with his newborn Progressive Party. One of the main objectives that both candidates had to meet was to acquire the Republican nomination on the first ballot by gaining 254 delegate seats before the Republican National Convention in mid-June 1912. However, there was controversy in which the Taft campaign allegedly gained more than enough seats to gain the nomination through the use of dishonest means. This serious matter eventually went to court as lawyers and witnesses from both sides passionately argued with each other. Even with the controversy looming, Taft was able to legitimately gain enough seats throughout the country, while Roosevelt, who felt that the Republican National Committee had an unjustified preference towards Taft, unfortunately received a small amount. There were some cases in which Roosevelt deserved the seats that he did not get due to political fraud that occurred during the state primaries and the National Committee's questionable decisions. In California, Roosevelt won more seats than Taft- 24 out of 26; "of the 254 seats, the National Committee finally awarded 235 to Taft and only 19 to Roosevelt" (Goodwin, 716).

Even after failing to get the nomination on the first ballot, Roosevelt still decided to go to Chicago anyway as a last ditch effort to clinch the victory he and his loyal supporters felt he deserved. His political opponents mocked his decision and viewed it as futile and desperate. However, once he and his wife arrived to the Windy City, he was well-received and praised by his local supporters. The streets of Chicago were flooded with people who skipped work just to see Roosevelt in person. Roosevelt traveled from La Salle Station to the Congress Hotel. As soon as he got to his hotel room, he went to a balcony facing Michigan Avenue and addressed the masses, reassuring them that he will defeat the people responsible for stealing and receiving his much-deserved seats, especially President Taft himself. The term "Bull Moose Party" actually originated during Roosevelt's trip to Chicago. When a newspaper reporter inquired whether he was ready to face the trials and struggles that lay ahead on the campaign trail, Roosevelt stated that he felt like a bull moose. The fact that a bull moose has a supposed instinct to gore its enemies reflected Roosevelt's combative mood; "the bull moose icon captured the imagination of the American people. Images of the massive creature suddenly appeared on posters and placards all across the country, while button manufacturers desperately tried to keep up with the demand. The Teddy bear had been supplanted by a far more imposing and belligerent mascot." (Goodwin, 718).

Aside from stirring up excitement and anticipation within his numerous supporters, Theodore Roosevelt kept himself very busy as he prepared for his final speech of his nominating campaign; "he met with streams of supporters, interviewed Taft delegates who might be persuaded to change their minds, conferred with the seven governors, and talked with reporters, all the while continuing to draft the address he would deliver that evening to a mass audience " (Goodwin, 719). When the time came for him to deliver his much anticipated speech, he made remarks on the injustice that befell him prior to arriving to Chicago. Roosevelt declared to his audience that he intended on winning the election fair and square and that the Republican progressives would refuse to let the Republican conservatives discourage them from taking action against them. The audience who heard Roosevelt's speech gave a loud, welcoming applause once he was finished.