Theodore Roosevelt started the Progressive Party in 1912 and ran with this new party, as a 3rd party candidate when he did not get the GOP Nomination. That assured that Woodrow Wilson, the most leftist President in the 1900’s got elected.
T. Roosevelt reminds me of McCain. Had lots of money, was against Big Business, and sided with the Environmental Wackos.
From Wikipeadia:
“After two weeks, Roosevelt, realizing he would not be able to win the nomination outright, asked his followers to leave the convention hall. They moved to the Auditorium Theatre, and then Roosevelt, along with key allies such as Pinchot and Albert Beveridge created the Progressive Party, structuring it as a permanent organization that would field complete tickets at the presidential and state level. It was popularly known as the “Bull Moose Party,” which got its name after Roosevelt told reporters, “I’m as fit as a bull moose.”[63] At the convention Roosevelt cried out, “We stand at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord.” Roosevelt’s platform echoed his 1907–08 proposals, calling for vigorous government intervention to protect the people from the selfish interests.[64]
“ To destroy this invisible Government, to dissolve the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day.” - 1912 Progressive Party Platform, attributed to him[65] and quoted again in his autobiography[66] where he continues “’This country belongs to the people. Its resources, its business, its laws, its institutions, should be utilized, maintained, or altered in whatever manner will best promote the general interest.’ This assertion is explicit. ... Mr. Wilson must know that every monopoly in the United States opposes the Progressive party. ... I challenge him ... to name the monopoly that did support the Progressive party, whether ... the Sugar Trust, the Steel Trust, the Harvester Trust, the Standard Oil Trust, the Tobacco Trust, or any other. ... Ours was the only programme to which they objected, and they supported either Mr. Wilson or Mr. Taft... “
“He (Roosevelt) did win 4.1 million votes (27%), compared to Taft’s 3.5 million (23%). However, Wilson’s 6.3 million votes (42%)”
So thank you Theodore Roosevelt for giving us 2 terms (8 years), of Woodrow Wilson, one of the worst Presidents in History.
In many ways TR was a great man. However, it was he who popped the cork on Big Gubmint while President and it was he who opened the door to the loons forever by enabling Wilson. The greats often make mistakes. Too bad TR’s were so colossal.