U.S. presidential election, 1912

The U.S. presidential election of 1912 was fought among three major candidates, two of whom had served as President of the United States. Incumbent President William Howard Taft was nominated by the Republican party with the support of the establishment wing of the party, despite the fact that former President Theodore Roosevelt had won all but one of the Republican primaries; at the convention, the Republicans' progressive wing split off as the Bull Moose Party and nominated Roosevelt. Democrat Woodrow Wilson, nominated by his own Party on the 46th ballot of a contentious convention, defeated both in the general election, winning a vast majority in the Electoral College with only 42% of the popular vote, and initiating the only period between 1897 and 1933 when a Democrat would be elected President.

Nominations

Republican Party nomination

The Republican Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois 8 June to 22 June. Even though Roosevelt had won all but one of the primaries, Republicans renominated William Howard Taft and James S. Sherman, incidentally making Sherman the first vice president since Richard M. Johnson to be nominated for reelection.

Related Topics:
Chicago, Illinois - 8 June - 22 June - William Howard Taft - James S. Sherman - Richard M. Johnson

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On the evening of June 22, 1912, former President Theodore Roosevelt asked his supporters to leave the floor of the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Roosevelt maintained that President Taft had allowed fraudulent seating of delegates in order to capture the presidential nomination from progressive forces within the Party. Taft's poor showing against Roosevelt in the primaries, the latter contended, evidenced popular support for a more progressive Republican agenda.

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The rift between progressive and conservative wings of the Republican Party had been apparent even before Roosevelt left office in 1908. Roosevelt's support of government regulation, his groundbreaking efforts in conservation and consumer protection, and his willingness to work with organized labor alienated pro-business party members. When Roosevelt tapped William Howard Taft as his successor, he had assumed Taft would continue to support this agenda. Taft's record suggested a leader sympathetic to reform, but the former jurist's attention to the letter of the law irritated Roosevelt and disappointed Republican progressives.

Related Topics:
1908 - Conservation - Organized labor

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Progressive Party nomination

Republican progressives reconvened in Chicago's Orchestra Hall and endorsed the formation of a national progressive party. When formally launched later that summer, the new Progressive Party chose Roosevelt as its presidential nominee. Questioned by reporters, Roosevelt said he felt as strong as a "bull moose." Thenceforth known as the "Bull Moose Party," the Progressives promised to increase federal regulation and protect the welfare of ordinary people.

Related Topics:
Orchestra Hall - Progressive Party

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Democratic Party nomination

The Democratic Convention was held in Baltimore, Maryland from 25 June to 2 July. After a long deadlock, former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan threw his support to Woodrow Wilson in order to defeat Missouri Representative Champ Clark. Wilson received the nomination on the 46th ballot.

Related Topics:
Baltimore, Maryland - 25 June - 2 July - William Jennings Bryan - Woodrow Wilson - Missouri - Champ Clark

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