They Made Him Vice President To Get Him Out Of The Way

 

By 1900, Theodore Roosevelt was a problem.

 

As governor of New York, he pushed reforms that angered party bosses. He attacked corruption, interfered with patronage, and refused to stay quiet. 

 

The political machine wanted him gone. So they promoted him.

 

Party leaders made Roosevelt vice president. It was widely considered the most useless job in American politics. Vice presidents had no actual power, platform, or influence. It was where careers went to stall.

 

Roosevelt accepted.

 

He campaigned hard, gave speeches, and then disappeared into the vice presidency exactly as planned. No one expected what came next.

 

In September 1901, President William McKinley was shot. Eight days later, he died.

 

The quiet office meant to neutralize Theodore Roosevelt made him president.

 

The men who tried to sideline him watched in disbelief.

 

They hadn’t removed a problem. They promoted it.