Long Island's Hidden Past: Theodore Roosevelt's 1912 Presidential Campaign

With the elections just days away, News 12 Long Island's Danielle Campbell and Photojournalist Brian Endres look back on the 1912 campaign of Long Island's only president.
Roosevelt became the president in 1901 following the assassination of William McKinley. He was then elected to his own term in 1904. Roosevelt did not run for re-election in 1908, and William Howard Taft, his hand-picked successor, became president.
In 1912, Roosevelt re-entered the political picture and ran on the Progressive Party line - nicknamed the Bull Moose Party. Roosevelt, who lived in Oyster Bay at Sagamore Hill, knew this would be his toughest political battle and that he had to use all his political savvy.
He bypassed political parties and brought his message directly to the American people. According to Phil Blocklyn, of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, Roosevelt relied on imagery. He had buttons, posters, banners, the teddy bear and bandanas. 
Blocklyn says that Roosevelt was the first president who understood how to take advantage of the media and shape public opinion - developing a campaign strategy that is still used today.
Roosevelt's larger than life status was tested on the campaign trail in Milwaukee, when he was shot in the chest. A lengthy speech tucked into his coat slowed the bullet down. Bleeding, and with the bullet lodge in his ribs, Roosevelt went on to give the 95-minute speech.
After being shot, Roosevelt had to stay at Sagamore Hill and recover from his bullet wound which curtailed his campaign activities significantly.
Although Roosevelt lost that election, he is forever remembered for his charismatic service to the nation and his courage.