1912

2001_067_36S1.jpg

Campaign Textile for Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 1912

Unidentified Maker

United States

Gift of Robert A. Frank, 2001.067.36

Photograph by David Bohl

2001_067_34DP1DB.jpg

Campaign Textile for Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 1912

Unidentified Maker

United States

Gift of Robert A. Frank, 2001.067.34

Photograph by David Bohl

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Campaign Textile for Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 1912

Unidentified Maker

United States

Gift of Robert A. Frank, 2001.067.35

Photograph by David Bohl

Despite his vow not to run for a third term in 1908, Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) did run for president in 1912 on the Progressive Party ticket.  The campaign textiles waved by his supporters show a number of well-known Roosevelt emblems: a stick, recalling his fondness for the proverb, "Walk softly and carry a big stick"; the elderly bear that he famously spared on a big game hunt; and his glasses, grin and cowboy hat.  The 1912 field also included Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) as the Democratic nominee and incumbent Republican William H. Taft (1857-1930).  Taft campaigned far less actively than his opponents, which was reflected in the results.  Wilson won with almost 42% of the votes, Roosevelt was second with 27% and Taft garnered 23%.  In 1916, Wilson won a second term over Republican Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948) with 49% of the vote.  This made him the only American president to be elected twice without achieveing a popular majority.

2001_067_37DP1DB.jpg

Campaign Textile for Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), 1916

Unidentified Maker

United States

Gift of Robert A. Frank, 2001.067.37

Photograph by David Bohl