Theodore Roosevelt should have been Vice President
“We must dare to be great! And we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage,” quoted by Theodore Roosevelt
During the election of 1899 for the Vice President of McKinley. Henry and many others begged Roosevelt to run for it. Roosevelt, though, didn’t want to be the Vice President. A famous phrase he once said “I do not want to be a figure head,” and claimed that he would rather be Governor again because he could do more for his country.
But while most people wanted Roosevelt as Vice President there was at least one person who didn’t. The President, William McKinley was running for his second term, told Roosevelt that he wasn’t even going to be considered to fill the spot of Vice President.
Everyone agrees that Theodore Roosevelt was wanted by the people to be the Vice President but there is some disagreement between whether Roosevelt should have been vice president or if he should not have been vice president. Roosevelt should have been vice president for three reasons; He would help McKinley win the election, he was popular in the west, and he wanted to accomplish something for his country.
The first reason Roosevelt should have been Vice President was that he helped McKinley win the election. He was from New York, a state that wasn’t voting Republican, who Roosevelt would bring over their votes. The people would rather Roosevelt than Brian, Roosevelt’s oppose. And if McKinley were to die or get impeached Roosevelt was who the people wanted to be president
The second reason Roosevelt should have been Vice President was that He was popular in the west. He was the leader of the Rough Riders, the first U.S. volunteer cavalry. He helped McKinley win the biggest victory since 1872. And the candidates voted ‘Draft R’ because he wasn’t planning on being Vice President at the time.
The third reason Roosevelt should have been Vice President was that he wanted to accomplish something for his country. He claimed that ‘I do not like to be a figure head’, meaning he wanted to be active while holding a great title. He genuinely wanted to help his country become great. He also said “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official.” because he wanted to stand by his country.
While many people believe Roosevelt should have been President there were still some, such as McKinley and even Roosevelt himself at first, saying Roosevelt should not have been vice president. Roosevelt thought he could do more as Governor and that he was still young and wanted to protect his country. This is inadequate because even though some thought Roosevelt shouldn’t be Vice President many of the people wanted him to.
Another reason Roosevelt should not have been Vice President was that He liked to work. He didn’t believe the position as vice president did enough for his country. He was still young and could fight for his country still. This is inadequate because he wasn’t just the vice president he became the president after McKinley’s death and did much for his country.
Roosevelt should have been vice president because he helped McKinley win the election, he was popular in the west, and he wanted to accomplish something for his country. This matters to the people of the United States because we wouldn’t have the respectable, courageous, and zealous 16th president we remember today.