1904: TR vs. Cleveland

[PBrunsel]

In 1904 many “Gold Democrats” sought out former President Grover Cleveland (NY) to oppose Theodore Roosevelt. He was seen as a far better choice than Alton B. Parker, who was simply a Judge, and Cleveland was also viewed as more Conservative than Parker.

Had “Grover the Good” entered the race he would have easily defeated socialist Congressman William Randolph Hearst (CA) and Bryanite Senator Francis Cockrell (MO) due to the backing of the Eastern banking interests. At the Democratic Convention Cleveland is nominated on the first ballot and is paired with Senator Cockrell of Missouri to appease William Jennings Bryan.

President Theodore Roosevelt is once again selected by the GOP. His only opponent Senator Hanna of Ohio died of tuberculosis in 1903. He is paired with “Bearded Iceberg” Senator Charles Fairbanks of Indiana.

How does this race between “The Beast of Buffalo” and “The Rough Rider” turn out? Does a Bryanite or Silverite third party still arise? Can Cleveland become the only president to serve three non-consecutive terms?   

[PBrunsel]

I hate responding to my own topics, but here is my map:

Roosevelt/Fairbanks (R): 256 Electoral Votes, 52.3% of the Popular Vote

Cleveland/Cockrell (D):220 Electoral Votes, 44.1% of the Popular vote

Debs/Hanford (S): 0 Electoral Votes, 3.6% of the Popular vote

[Kaine for Senate '18]

TR: 242
Cleveland: 234

[gorkay]

It would have been a lot closer than the real election, but TR still would have won. He was immensely popular in 1904, and I doubt that anyone could've beaten him. Cleveland would have had anti-third-term sentiment to battle, too.