“against the Bible-thumping antievolutionist William Jennings Bryan.”
He was an eternal “also ran” Democrat candidate. Much like Al Gore Junior, it was his final issue to gain the public spotlight.
Bryan was a Christian Socialist and the architect of 20th century liberal economic policy. His ‘Cross of Gold’ speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention was the keynote. He was a big influence on Woodrow Wilson and FDR.