1912- Taft's Revenge

[Dancing with Myself]

I am thinking about doing a TL with Taft winning in 1912. What do you guys think?

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Go for it! It's a unique POD that most people (at least from what I've seen) haven't attempted. I'm sure you'll do great!

[Dancing with Myself]

Go for it! It's a unique POD that most people (at least from what I've seen) haven't attempted. I'm sure you'll do great!

Thanks

[Dancing with Myself]

Expect the first post in a few.

[Dancing with Myself]

1912- Former President Theodore Roosevelt announces he will not seek the Republican Nomination for President. Rumors were circulating for the last two years the former President was considering running for the nomination due to his disagreements with his successors polices, but he has declined the opportunity, instead he will do his best to get his successor re-elected.


The former President, who declined a chance to win the nomination.
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Up Next: The Conventions

[Dancing with Myself]

The 1912 Republican Convention:
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With no real opposition, President Taft faced an easy nomination process. The real battle was to nominate a new Vice Presidential candidate. Vice President has declined due to be re-nominated due to health concerns.


Both of the two Presidents agreed that anew VP was necessary, and President Roosevelt suggested Governor Hiram Johnson of California. President Taft agreed with the choice, but the other delegates wanted another candidate

Enter Robert La Follete. The convention's vice president vote went to five ballots until Hiram Johnson was officially nominated as the Vice President.

The Official Republican Ticket for 1912:




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Up Next: The highly contested Democratic Convention

[Dancing with Myself]

1912 Democratic Convention
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One word to describe this convention: Chaos.

The Democratic Convention was held in Baltimore from June 25 to July 2. It proved to be one of the more memorable presidential conventions of the twentieth century. Initially, the frontrunner appeared to be Champ Clark of Missouri, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Clark did receive a majority of the delegate votes early in the balloting. However, due to the then-official two-thirds rule used by the Democratic Party, Clark was never able to get the necessary two-thirds majority to win the nomination. Clark's chances were hurt when Tammany Hall, the powerful and corrupt Democratic political machine in New York City, threw its support behind Clark.

Governor Woodrow Wilson took the lead on the 10th ballot, but the excitement proved too much, and the governor had a heart attack. With Governor in serious condition, and Speaker Clark won by the 12th ballot.

For the VP pick, it proved to be a less of a battle. Governor John Burke of North Dakota was nominated on the third ballot. But, with the Drama of the convention over, how will the Democrats succeed?

The Official Democratic Ticket:





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Up next: The Election of 1912

[Dancing with Myself]

The Election of 1912:
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The election proved to be less interesting than it was predicted. Most of this is due to the absence of Theodor Roosevelt. But President Taft made all of this back up with his campaigning. "America's Friend" was his slogan during the election, and America ate it up, with Taft making the most campaign stops of any Presidential candidate before him.

Meanwhile with the Democratic candidate, Speaker Champ Clark, Americans were less supportive. Hi slogan was "An princedom leader for Necessary times", was not popular with the public, who regarded him as a cold, ghostly figure. The only support he had was from the traditional Democratic South. Clark, who blocked most of Taft's polices resigned his seat when he was nominated. It turned out to be a foolish move.

The election night was filled with several surprises. First, was Taft winning Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Perhaps the most shocking event of the night was the Socialist candidate Eugene V. Debs winning Utah.

The victory was considered the Ultimate Revenge for President Taft, who won another term while eliminating his greatest enemy in the house. In his later years, the President regards this election night as one of the greatest moments in his lifetime.
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Up Next: Taft's second term begins.

[Dancing with Myself]

Any thoughts , or comments?

[Bo]

I hope Taft gets into WWI sooner so the Russian Revolution doesn't occur. Good so far.

[Dancing with Myself]

1913:
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With Taft's new term starting, he had to reorganize his Cabinet.

Most of Taft's Cabinet stayed the same with the exception of Elihu Root as Secretary of State, and Philander C. Knox as Attorney General.





With His Cabinet Chosen, Taft is ready for the next term, but can he handle the upcoming events to follow?

[Dancing with Myself]

March 4th: President Taft is inaugurated for another term.

In his Second inaugural Speech he pledged to do a few things:

-Expand the average citizen to vote for the senators

-Create new departments for the Public to be in his Cabinet

-To create a Central Banking system

-To ensure the safety of every American

-Allow Women the right to vote
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Right away. President Taft lived up to his promises.

On March 10th, he separated the Departments of Commerce and Labor.  With the job of picking two new cabinet members, President Taft picked Former Speaker Joesph G. Cannon as His Secretary of Labor, and  Humanitarian Herbert Hoover as Secretary of Commerce. Both are approved by the Senate.





Another success occurs on April 8th, with the 17th Amendment to the Constitution being ratified by Connecticut being the state needed to ratify. This accomplishes Taft's first goal.
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With 1913 being halfway through, The President ha shad a successful half year. Can he follow up?