The Campaign

Roosevelt had hoped to be the only "progressive" candidate running in 1912. When the Democrats nominated Wilson, TR found himself at a real disadvantage. Wilson enjoyed a reputation as a "progressive" and a reformer. His nomination meant that Roosevelt would be unable to unite the nation's "progressive" voters, who would be split between him and Wilson.

Nevertheless, even after Wilson's nomination, Roosevelt continued with his quest. TR did not have a high opinion of Wilson as a person of insight or of leadership qualities, and he hoped that the New Jersey governor would make mistakes and perhaps allow the Bull Moose party to gain a victory. Roosevelt and his supporters, in any event, viewed the Bull Moose cause as a crusade, as a "pulpit" from which to convince the nation to change its ways.

THAT AWFUL MOMENT

When the man ahead of you tells exactly the same thing you were going to say.

By Hy Mayer in the New York Times