La Follette retained influence in Wisconsin , and he led a progressive delegation to the 1920 Republican National Convention . Nationwide , however , the Republican Party had increasingly embraced conservatism , and La Follette was denounced as a Bolshevik when he called for the repeal of the 1920 Esch – Cummins Act . After the Republican Party nominated conservative Senator Warren G. Harding , La Follette explored a third-party presidential bid , though he ultimately did not seek the presidency because various progressive groups were unable to agree on a platform . After the 1920 presidential election , which was won by Harding , La Follette became part of a " farm bloc " of congressmen who sought federal farm loans , a reduction in tariff rates , and other policies designed to help farmers . He also resisted the tax cuts proposed by Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon , and his opposition helped prevent Congress from cutting taxes as deeply as had been proposed by the secretary of the treasury . In 1922 , La Follette decisively defeated a primary challenge from conservative allies of President Harding , and he went on to win re-election with 83 percent of the vote . Nationwide , the elections saw the defeat of many conservative Republicans , leaving La Follette and his allies with control of the balance of power in Congress . After the Supreme Court struck down a federal child labor law , La Follette became increasingly critical of the Court , and he proposed an amendment that would allow Congress to repass any law declared unconstitutional . La Follette also began investigations into the Harding administration , and his efforts ultimately helped result in the unearthing of the Teapot Dome scandal . Harding died in August 1923 and was succeeded by Vice President Calvin Coolidge , who was firmly in the conservative wing of the Republican Party
1920 Republican National Convention
1920 Republican National Convention
Robert M. La Follette