The
contest between Roosevelt and Taft also meant that the nomination of the
Democratic Party was all the more valuable. Denied the White House
in the elections of 1896, 1900, 1904, and 1908, Republican division made
it all the more likely that a Democrat would win in 1912. All the
signs were good for the Democrats. Their party had captured
control of the House of Representatives in the 1910 election, a victory
that augured well for Democratic prospects in 1912.
(Adapted from Puck September 4, 1912
These bright Democratic
prospects meant that there were several prominent politicians who sought
the nomination. The choice of a candidate in 1912 was not
obvious. William Jennings Bryan had thrice won the nomination and
lost the presidency. There was no other national Democrat of high
stature who seemed an obvious choice for the 1912 quest. The
seas were open
with the Republican split. What
direction would the Democratic Party take?
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