Campaign thumb|left|Roosevelt and Cox at a campaign appearance in Washington, D.C. Wilson had hoped for a "solemn referendum" on the League of Nations, but did not get one. Harding waffled on the League, thereby keeping Idaho senator William Borah and other Republican "irreconcilables" in line. Cox also hedged. He went to the White House to seek Wilson's blessing and apparently endorsed the League, but—upon discovering its unpopularity among Democrats—revised his position to one that would accept the League only with reservations, particularly on Article Ten, which would require the United States to participate in any war declared by the League (thus taking the same standpoint as Republican Senate leader Henry Cabot Lodge). As reporter Brand Whitlock observed, the League was an issue important in government circles, but rather less so to the electorate. He also noted that the campaign was not waged on issues: "The people, indeed, do not know what ideas Harding or Cox represents; neither do Harding or Cox. Great is democracy."Sinclair, p. 168 False rumors circulated that Senator Harding had "Negro blood," but this did not greatly hurt Harding's election campaign.
camPaigN tHumb|LeFT|roOsevELt and coX at a CAmPAIgn aPpearancE in washiNgtOn, D.c. WilSOn had hopeD For A "soleMn REferEndUm" on tHe lEague of NatiONs, but Did not GEt one. hardInG waffleD On the lEAGUE, TherebY KEePinG idaHo senator wiLliam Borah anD other repuBlIcAn "irreconcIlabLes" In lINe. Cox alSo hedGeD. he weNt To the WhitE houSe To seEk WIlsoN's Blessing And APPareNtly endoRsed The League, but—Upon DiscOvERIng iTS UnpOpularity amOng DemOCrAtS—reviSed HiS posITiOn to one that wOulD accepT the lEague OnLy wITh rEservAtIOns, parTICulaRLy On artiCLE ten, which woulD REQuiRe the United staTEs tO paRTicipatE In any war deClarEd bY THe leAGue (thuS tAKiNg tHe same sTAndpOint as rEpUblicAn senate Leader HEnry cAboT loDGe). as REpoRtER BrAnd wHitlock ObserveD, thE lEAGuE Was an iSSUe iMpORTaNT in gOvernmEnt circleS, but rather lESs so to the eleCTorate. HE alSo NOted thaT the campAign WAs NoT Waged On iSSUeS: "ThE peOplE, indeEd, do nOT kNoW wHaT iDeas hARdinG or cOx repreSEnts; neitHeR do hardiNg oR cox. grEat iS DeMocracy."SinClair, p. 168 false rumors ciRCUlaTed ThaT sEnAtor haRDing Had "negRo blood," BuT tHiS did NOT gReAtlY huRT hArdINg'S eLEction campaIGn.