Borah opposed Taft over a number of issues and in March 1912 announced his support of the candidacy of Roosevelt over Taft for the Republican presidential nomination . Most delegates to the 1912 Republican National Convention in Chicago selected by primary supported Roosevelt , but as most states held conventions to select delegates , Taft 's control of the party machinery gave him the advantage . A number of states , especially in the South , had contested delegate seats , matters which would be initially settled by the Republican National Committee . Borah was Idaho 's Republican National Committeeman and was one of those designated by the Roosevelt campaign to fight for it on the RNC . As Taft controlled the committee , Borah found few victories . Borah was among those who tried to find a compromise candidate , and was spoken of for that role , but all such efforts failed
1912 Republican National Convention
1912 Republican National Convention
William Borah