At the start of the 1912 Republican National Convention , Roosevelt challenged the election of many pro-Taft Southern delegates , but the RNC overruled most objections . Roosevelt 's sole remaining chance to win the Republican nomination was through the election of a friendly convention chairman , but Elihu Root , by then a Taft ally , won election as chairman . Root made a crucial ruling that allowed contested delegates to vote on the seating of other contested delegates ; a motion to defeat this ruling was offered by Roosevelt forces , but it failed in a 567 — 507 vote . As it became clear Roosevelt would bolt the party if not nominated , some Republicans sought a compromise candidate to avert the electoral disaster to come ; they were unsuccessful . 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 . Taft was nominated on the first ballot , though most Roosevelt delegates refused to vote . Vice President Sherman was also nominated for a second term , making him the first incumbent vice president to win re-nomination since John C. Calhoun in 1828
1912 Republican National Convention
1912 Republican National Convention
Presidency of William Howard Taft