next poster add something to the story....1904.

[Lincoln Republican]

Republican Presidential nominee "Uncle" Joe Cannon tells the Republican National Convention "Theodore Roosevelt has no more use for the constitution than a tomcat has for a marriage license." (actual statement made by Cannon, though, not at the convention)  Why would the Presidential candidate take this occasion, of all times, to attack Roosevelt?, delegates are wondering.   

Roosevelt supporters are incensed and march out of the convention, singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."  They lift Teddy onto their shoulders, shouting "Teddy for President, Teddy for President."

Roosevelt supporters quickly convene a nomination convention of their own, form the "National Unity Party" and nominate Republican President Theodore Roosevelt for President.  Teddy reconsiders his earlier decision, and accepts the Presidential nomination of the "National Unity Party."

On this "National Unity Party" ticket, Roosevelt approaches former Delaware Democratic Senator George Gray to run on the ticket as the Vice Presidential candidate.  Roosevelt is impressed with Gray, a distinguished attorney, a graduate of Princeton who attended Harvard Law School, Attorney General of Delaware 1879-85, U.S. Senator from Delaware 1885-99, currently serving as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals, since 1899, and was in fact appointed to the bench by Republican President William McKinely, who was, in many ways, Roosevelt's mentor.

Democrat George Gray accepts the Vice Presidential nomination  to run with Republican Teddy Roosevelt on the "National Unity Party" ticket, stating, "It will be my honor to run with such a distinguished leader as you, Mr. President."       

[Lincoln Republican]

The nation is in a state of shock after learning of the death of President Teddy Roosevelt.

The Roosevelt family, suspicious of foul play, orders an autopsy on the body of the deceased President.  The doctor makes an astounding discovery.  "The cause of death of President Roosevelt is by a heart attack, but a heart attack brought about through poisoning" the report issued by the doctor states. 

A thorough investigation is therefore launched into the death of President Roosevelt.  The poison used is traced back to one Euripides Bodkins.  What is astonishing about this fact is that Euripides Bodkins is a top aide to Robert La Follette.

When confronted with the evidence, Bodkins makes a full confession, that he did in fact poison President Roosevelt, and that he acted alone, without the knowledge of anyone else.  He told investigators that when President Roosevelt decided to run for President, he feared this would be the biggest obstacle in the way of La Follette being elected, and that, therefore, he made the decision, on his own, to eliminate Roosevelt from the election.   

[Lincoln Republican]

In a show of unity, two weeks before the election, Democrats from the northeast, midwest, southwest, mountain states, and western states, comprising 100% of the Senators and Congressmen from these states, and all the Democratic Governors from these states, issue a statement.

"Under no circumstances do we support the racist and bigot Benjamin Tillman for President.  His policies, and those of the Dixiecrat Party, would move the progress of America back 50 years.  Likewise, we do not support the socialist Robert La Follette for President.  His policies and those of the Progressive Party would bankrupt the United States." 

"Under the current circumstances, we urge Democratic supporters in this election to vote for the Republican candidate, Joe Cannon.  He may not be perfect, but he is not a racist, and he espouses sound economic policies."

This statement is quickly issued into every part of America by the press.