[149] The Roosevelt forces moved to substitute the delegates they supported for the ones they argued should not be seated. Root made a crucial ruling, that although the contested delegates could not vote on their own seating, they could vote on the other contested delegates, a ruling that assured Taft's nomination, as the motion offered by the Roosevelt forces failed, 567–507.[151] As it became clear Roosevelt would bolt the party if not nominated, some Republicans sought a compromise candidate to avert electoral disaster; they failed.[152] Taft's name was placed in nomination by Warren Harding, whose attempts to praise Taft and unify the party were met with angry interruptions from progressives.[153] Taft was nominated on the first ballot, though most Roosevelt delegates refused to vote.[151]

Campaign and defeat
Campaign advertisement arguing Taft deserved a second term
Alleging Taft had stolen the nomination, Roosevelt and his followers formed the Progressive Party.[o][154] Taft knew he would lose, but concluded that through Roosevelt's loss at Chicago the party had been preserved as "the defender of conservative government and conservative institutions."[155] He made his doomed run to preserve conservative control of the Republican Party.