Fed up with the performance of his successor, William Howard Taft, former president Theodore Roosevelt mounted an aggressive effort to usurp the Republican nomination from Taft in 1912.

When Roosevelt's power grab proved unsuccessful, a contingent of his followers formed the Progressive Party, nicknamed the Bull Moose Party, so Roosevelt could challenge Taft in the general election. Roosevelt's campaign advocated womens' voting rights, an eight-hour workday, and legislation to protect workers.

The energetic, micromanaging Roosevelt did defeat his Republican rival, besting Taft in electoral votes (88 to 8) and the popular vote (27 percent to 23 percent). But Democrat Woodrow Wilson easily defeated both comers, winning nearly 42 percent of the vote and carrying 40 states.