Note 128 — Chapter XV · THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET

The delegates sometimes resent this attitude on the part of the leaders. They may make a strenuous fight in the convention or they may bolt altogether. Thus, in 1912, the leaders of the Republican convention decided to renominate President Taft and, after a hard fight, managed to get a majority of the delegates recorded in his favor. But a very strong minority desired to nominate ex-President Roosevelt, who was believed to be far more acceptable to the rank and file of the party throughout the country. When they failed in the convention they left the hall, formed a new party, and nominated Colonel Roosevelt as the Progressive candidate. But this merely split the Republican ranks wide open and made certain the success of the Democrats at the forthcoming election.