March 1 Presidential Losers: Alton Parker

Alton Parker, 1904

In 1904 Teddy Roosevelt had already been serving as president for three years because anarchist Leon Czolgosz had assassinated McKinley.  Czolgosz’s master plan was to stand in a receiving line to shake hands with the president, and when he got to the front of the line, shoot twice at point-blank range.  Having no escape route, Czolgosz was immediately apprehended by witnesses, who beat him so badly, it was feared he would not live to stand trial. ¹ Anyway.  The election was a foregone conclusion.  There was very little difference on the issues, so the campaign was all about charisma.  Alton Parker, whom everyone seemed to agree was a swell guy, is the only presidential loser never to have a biography written about him.  Teddy Roosevelt was Teddy Roosevelt.  The southern states went to Alton but the White House went to Teddy.

Result

Teddy Roosevelt: 336

Alton Parker: 140

1. That's the problem with anarchists: no organization.