The animosity between William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt changed the primary process forever.
Share
In partnership with Politico
Lessons from the 1912 Republican Convention: Birth of the Modern Primary
Producer: Matthew Spolar
Editor: Amy Lee Hochman
The animosity between William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt – who were at one point in time good friends – was palpable, with insults like puzzlewit and honeyfugler being thrown about. Their battle transformed the primary process and American politics forever.
Transcript
Lesson PlanMore Like This
How Watergate and Citizens United Shaped Campaign Finance Law
The Watergate campaign finance scandals led to a landmark law designed to limit the influence of money in politics. Decades later, some say the scandal isn’t what’s illegal, it’s what’s legal.
Why Supreme Court Confirmations Have Become So Bitter
The defeat of Robert Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court in 1987 changed the way justices are confirmed today.
Presidents v. Press: How the Pentagon Papers Leak Set Up First Amendment Showdowns
Efforts to clamp down on White House leaks to the press follow a pattern that was set during the Nixon era after the publication of the Pentagon Papers.
Gerrymandering Tilts Political Power. Here’s How Redistricting Affects Democracy.
Both parties play the redistricting game, redrawing electoral boundaries to lock down power. Are you a teacher? Check out our teaching resources for this video.