In this edition of our presidential election series, we’ll delve into the Election of 1908, where Theodore Roosevelt stepped aside to support his friend, William Howard Taft. As Roosevelt exited the Oval Office, Taft faced a familiar adversary seeking one last chance at the presidency.
Teddy’s Exit and Taft’s Ascent
Since his victory in the Election of 1904, Theodore Roosevelt had built a reputation as the “Progressive President.” He pushed forward with reforms like the Hepburn Act of 1906, which gave the government power to regulate excessive railroad rates. Inspired by Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, Roosevelt also championed the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, both of which remain cornerstones of consumer protection today.
Despite his immense popularity, Roosevelt announced that he would not seek another term, honouring his earlier pledge not to run for three consecutive terms. Instead, he threw his support behind his Secretary of War, William Howard Taft, a close ally and trusted protégé.
Taft was not naturally drawn to the presidency—his true ambition was a judicial career—but Roosevelt’s endorsement, combined with strong support within the Republican Party, ensured his nomination. Taft’s running mate was James Schoolcraft Sherman, a Representative from New York who balanced the ticket with strong ties to the business-friendly conservative wing of the party.
Democratic Revival with Bryan
On the Democratic side, the party turned once again to William Jennings Bryan, who had lost to McKinley in both 1896 and 1900. Now making his third presidential run, Bryan was determined to finally secure victory. His campaign emphasised populist themes of direct democracy and government reform.
The Democrats paired Bryan with John Kern, a progressive Democrat from Indiana, as his running mate. But despite Bryan’s energy and the slogan “Shall the People Rule?”, his rhetoric felt dated compared to Roosevelt’s dynamic reform legacy that Taft promised to continue.
The Socialist Challenge
The Socialist Party of America also entered the fray, once again nominating Eugene V. Debs. His campaign, supported by running mate Ben Hanford, focused on labour rights, anti-capitalist critiques, and the plight of industrial workers. Debs embarked on an ambitious whistle-stop train tour, giving fiery speeches across the nation.
Although Debs garnered enthusiasm from workers and progressives disillusioned with the two-party system, his support remained limited compared to the Republicans and Democrats.
Campaign Strategies
The campaign of 1908 was a clash of style as much as substance.
- Taft ran a quieter campaign than Roosevelt had in 1904, relying heavily on Roosevelt’s endorsement and his promise to continue the progressive agenda. His team adopted the playful slogan: “Vote for Taft now, you can vote for Bryan anytime.”
- Bryan, as always, relied on his gift for oratory, travelling extensively and delivering hundreds of speeches across the country. But critics argued he was recycling old ideas that had failed to resonate in earlier elections.
- Debs sought to carve out space for a working-class movement, but he lacked the funding and organisational strength to compete nationally.
The Results
The Election of 1908 required 242 electoral votes to win.
- William Howard Taft won decisively with 321 electoral votes and 51.6% of the popular vote, carrying 29 states.
- William Jennings Bryan came second with 162 electoral votes and 43.1% of the popular vote, winning 17 states. This marked Bryan’s third and final defeat, cementing him as one of the most influential yet unsuccessful presidential candidates in American history.
- Eugene Debs and the Socialist Party earned 2.8% of the popular vote, a modest showing that nonetheless signalled the growing presence of socialist ideas in American politics.
Conclusion
The Election of 1908 cemented Republican dominance, giving the party its fourth consecutive presidential victory since 1872. Roosevelt’s chosen successor, William Howard Taft, entered the White House with high expectations to continue his mentor’s progressive reforms. Yet as history would show, Taft’s presidency would strain his relationship with Roosevelt, leading to one of the most dramatic elections in U.S. history in 1912.
And so, as the series moves from 1908 to 1912, we’ll see how Roosevelt’s decision to step aside set the stage for a three-way battle that changed the political landscape forever.
