 Bryan 's announcement , after gaining the Democratic nomination , that he would undertake a nationwide tour by rail , something then unusual for presidential candidates , put pressure on McKinley to match him . Hanna especially urged his candidate to hit the road . McKinley decided against this , feeling that he could not outdo Bryan , who was a brilliant stump speaker , and that he would be foolish to try . " I might as well put up a trapeze on my front lawn and compete against some professional athlete as go out speaking against Bryan . I have to think when I speak . " . Furthermore , no matter how McKinley traveled , Bryan would upstage him by choosing a less comfortable manner . McKinley was unwilling to compete with Bryan on the Democrat 's terms , and sought to find his own way to reach the people . 
