 September saw Maine and Vermont go heavily Republican in their state elections , meaning the Northeast was likely safe for McKinley . Early in that month , dissident Democrats , who favored the gold standard and President Cleveland 's policies , formed the National Democratic Party , or Gold Democrats , meeting in Indianapolis . The nomination of Illinois Senator John M. Palmer for president and former Kentucky governor Simon Bolivar Buckner for vice president meant Bryan would have to overcome an electoral split in his party . Hanna applauded the selection , and predicted it would get large numbers of votes . There was no chance Palmer would win the election , and Hanna saw to it that the Gold Democrats were aided with quietly @-@ provided funds . 
