"Fighting Bob" La Follette: The Ultimate Progressive Republican
mikeholme.substack.com
The 1884 election produced a rather adverse outcome for the GOP in the election of Democrat Grover Cleveland to the presidency, the first Democrat to win a presidential election since 1856. In another development, Republican Robert Marion La Follette (1855-1925) was elected to Congress from Wisconsin’s 3rd district. Although he was from the get-go an independent legislator, he was not a staunch progressive either and was friendly with the GOP leadership. La Follette closely collaborated with Representative William McKinley of Ohio on the 1890 McKinley Tariff, which contributed to both men losing reelection in 1890. Both made their comebacks, with McKinley’s being the most famous, but La Follette’s one could argue was more lasting.
"Fighting Bob" La Follette: The Ultimate Progressive Republican
"Fighting Bob" La Follette: The Ultimate…
"Fighting Bob" La Follette: The Ultimate Progressive Republican
The 1884 election produced a rather adverse outcome for the GOP in the election of Democrat Grover Cleveland to the presidency, the first Democrat to win a presidential election since 1856. In another development, Republican Robert Marion La Follette (1855-1925) was elected to Congress from Wisconsin’s 3rd district. Although he was from the get-go an independent legislator, he was not a staunch progressive either and was friendly with the GOP leadership. La Follette closely collaborated with Representative William McKinley of Ohio on the 1890 McKinley Tariff, which contributed to both men losing reelection in 1890. Both made their comebacks, with McKinley’s being the most famous, but La Follette’s one could argue was more lasting.