The hand-picked successor of Roosevelt, Taft, an able administrator but poor politician, would not otherwise have been the Republican nominee in 1908. Despite having only nominal support from the party, he handily won over Democratic challenger Bryan. When in office, he bowed to the party establishment, appointing conservatives to key posts and blocking reform legislation. His actions alienated progressives, including Roosevelt, who would challenge Taft for the nomination in 1912, and by running as a third party candidate, deny him a second term.

A handsome chromolithograph design from 1908.