Full Circle: The Return of Party Bosses

Repeating history because we did not learn from it.

Abstract

This article explores the historical and contemporary dynamics of political party governance, focusing on the rise and fall and re-rise of party bosses and the crucial reforms introduced by Theodore Roosevelt through the Bull Moose Party. It delves into the era of party bosses, their mechanisms of control, and their impact on democracy, highlighting prominent figures like Ohio Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna. The article then examines Roosevelt's efforts to combat corruption and democratize political processes, particularly through the advocacy of primary elections. It details the legislative efforts in Ohio and the national adoption of primary elections, which shifted power from entrenched elites to the electorate.

The article also contrasts the philosophies and practices of Establishment Republicans and Grassroots Republicans. Establishment Republicans are characterized by their reliance on wealthy donors, manipulation of party rules to silence dissent, and costly campaign strategies, often prioritizing the status quo and corporate interests. In contrast, Grassroots Republicans emphasize community engagement, ethical governance, and cost-effective campaigning driven by member participation and direct voter interaction.

Through historical insights and contemporary analysis, the article underscores the ongoing struggle between establishment and grassroots factions within the Republican Party. It advocates for continued reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and democratic representation, fulfilling Theodore Roosevelt's vision of a political party that truly serves its members. The article concludes with a call for grassroots engagement to counteract the resurgence of party bosses and maintain the integrity of democratic processes within political parties.

Introduction

Ever wonder how we got from the smokey back rooms where a few powerful guys called the shots to a system where your vote actually means something and now a return to those smokey back rooms where the rich and powerful call the shots? It’s a fascinating journey, one that involves corruption, reform, and a brash, mustachioed cowboy who shook things up. Let’s dive into the story of party bosses, the birth of primary elections, and the role Theodore Roosevelt played in making politics just a bit more democratic.

The statue of Marcus Hanna in University Circle was sculpted by the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens.  It is just North of Chester and West of Euclid. A wealthy business owner (he owned Cleveland Coal and Iron) he became the prototype for leadership led parties that were almost totally dependent upon the wealthy and corporations. Hanna was reputed to have poured more than $100,000 of his own money into William McKinley’s campaign. He raised an unprecedented amount of funds from wealthy individuals and corporations, the dynamic Hanna skillfully directed the $3,500,000 campaign—the costliest and best organized the nation had ever witnessed. At a rate of spending exceeding his opponents by 20 to 1, his 1,400 paid workers inundated the county with millions of pamphlets promising continuing prosperity with McKinley. Hanna succeeded in stunting Bryan’s grass-roots appeal with a continual barrage of posters, propaganda, and mudslinging the like of which the country had never seen. Once in office, McKinley helped to fulfill Hanna’s lifelong ambition by appointing Sen. John Sherman secretary of state, thus creating a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. Hanna was elected to fill the vacancy (March 1897) and remained in the Senate until his death.

The Era of Party Bosses

Picture this: a handful of guys in tailored suits, puffing on cigars, making all the decisions about who runs for office. These were the party bosses. They had the power, the connections, and the audacity to think they knew best. They controlled political nominations and elections through a system of patronage and corruption that sidelined the will of the everyday voter.

These bosses had their fingers in all the pies. They controlled party funds, handpicked delegates, rewarded loyalists with appointments to cushy jobs, and ensured friends and families got hired. This spoils system ensured that only those who played by the bosses' rules got ahead. It was a rigged game, and the house always won.

One of the big names in this shady business was Ohio Senator Marcus Alonzo Hanna. He was the puppet master behind William McKinley's presidential campaigns and a staunch defender of the party boss system. Hanna saw Theodore Roosevelt as a threat, a loose cannon who might just upset the whole applecart. Roosevelt was championing parties run by popularly elected political representatives due to his experience with Boss Tweed in his home state of New York.

In 1900 Hanna chaired McKinley’s successful reelection campaign, but he was no fan of the vice presidential nominee, Theodore Roosevelt. Just as Ohio Governor John Kasich was no fan of president Trump - Hanna worked tirelessly as a never-Roosevelt proponent to ensure he would not get a second term. “There’s only one life,” Hanna then the Republican National Committee Chair warned, “between that madman and the Presidency.” Within a year, McKinley was dead—assassinated—and “the madman” was in charge. Hanna publicly supported Roosevelt, while he quietly and secretively sought another candidate for 1904, but he never got the chance to run another campaign. Mark Hanna died of typhoid fever on February 15, 1904, just 67 years old.

This concentration of power in the hands of a few undermined the very essence of democracy Roosevelt argued. Regular folks felt alienated and disillusioned. The bosses’ grip on power made it clear that their interests, not those of the people, were the priority.

This history is forgotten by many because in many ways it was a movement much like how the Tea Party movement gained traction in 2009 - 2010. Establishment Republicans and Democrats despised the Tea Party movement and is one of the reasons that in another decade it is likely to be forgotten. Those who win the political wars get to write their own history.

For an overview of the era of party bosses, see History of Political Machines and Party Bosses.

Theodore Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party

Theodore Roosevelt, a man of boundless energy and a penchant for reform, got his start as Vice President under Ohioan President William McKinley. Roosevelt’s progressive ideas and no-nonsense attitude didn’t sit well with the establishment, particularly Senator Hanna, who saw him as a wild card.

When McKinley was assassinated, Roosevelt stepped into the presidency and took on the party bosses head-on. He became a very popular populist president that believed in order to have a government that represents the people you need to have parties that actually represent the people. He pushed for progressive reforms to cut down on corruption and make the government more accountable. But even after all his efforts, he was frustrated by the continued influence of the old guard in the political parties.

So, what do you do when the system fights back? You start your own movement. In 1912, Roosevelt founded the Progressive Party, better known as the Bull Moose Party. The term progressive back then in no way mirrors the communist, socialist-loving woke term we think of today. Its mission was to democratize the political process, advocating for the popular election of precinct committee members to wrest control away from the bosses.

For more on the Bull Moose Party, see Bull Moose Party History.

Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party was all about giving power back to the people. They championed primary elections, a radical idea at the time, where party members could vote directly for their candidates. This was a direct hit against the boss-controlled nominations.

For more on the impact of primary elections, see History of Primary Elections.

The Impact of Primary Elections

Roosevelt’s push for primary elections made waves in Ohio, where he helped pass critical legislation. This was a game-changer, reducing the power of the bosses and bringing transparency and accountability to the forefront. Now, party members had a direct say in who would represent them.

The success of these reforms in Ohio set the stage for a national movement. For if these reforms could be adopted in Ohio - a bellwether state - they could be adopted anywhere. Primary election legislation spread across the country after Ohio fell, fundamentally changing how political parties operated. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step toward making politics more about the people and less about the power brokers.

The party bosses were running ads and twisting arms to stop this legislation - but politicians knew it was very popular. Worried that opposing it would mean their downfall in the election - many establishment officeholders defected from the establishment position.

Full Circle: The Return of Party Bosses

We've come full circle, folks. It’s like a political déjà vu, and not the good kind. See, in many states, the rich history of political primaries and the fight against party bosses by Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party isn't part of the curriculum. This lack of education has allowed central committee members to unwittingly hand control back to the very establishment we once fought so hard to dismantle. We have good people who think they are doing the right thing only because they don’t know their history. They believe a party that gets one $50,000 donation is as popular as the one that gets 50,000 $1 donations. We are not the calorie counters of old who thought 300 calories of birthday cake was the same as 300 calories of ripe strawberries and was the same as 300 calories of steak.

Today, what do we see? Central committees are dominated by establishment Republicans who have a cozy relationship with wealthy donors and corporations. It’s no longer about promoting Republican policies, values, or education. It’s about maintaining power, and money talks.

Take a look around Ohio. Try to find a bottom-up, member-driven County Central Committee. Spoiler alert: you won’t find one. It’s all top-down management, where decisions are made by a few at the top, and everyone else just falls in line. This isn't how it was supposed to be. The whole idea of primaries and grassroots movements was to give power back to the people, to ensure that the party represents its members, not just a handful of elites.

So here we are, back where we started, with party bosses calling the shots, backed by big money, while the average party member's voice gets drowned out. It’s time to remember our history, reclaim our power, and make sure our party truly represents us again.

How to tell Establishment from Grassroots Republicans

Establishment Republicans

• Beliefs and Tactics: Establishment Republicans believe that grassroots members are too inept to run the party. They impose systems that allow the rich and corporations to have more influence over the party than its members. They prioritize maintaining the status quo and securing incumbent positions, often at the expense of democratic processes and party principles.

• Dependence on Wealth and Corporations: Establishment Republicans rely heavily on funding from wealthy individuals and corporations, which can lead to conflicts of interest and policy decisions that favor their donors over the party's broader membership.

• Control and Manipulation: Establishment Republicans tend to manipulate bylaws and party rules to maintain control. They create an illusion of fair play while heavily favoring certain candidates, making it difficult for other candidates to succeed.

• Campaign Strategies: Their campaigns often rely on very expensive media advertising and professional consultants rather than volunteer grassroots support. They are more likely to engage in negative campaigning and mudslinging to discredit opponents rather than focus on their candidates strengths or policies.

Grassroots Republicans

• Beliefs and Tactics: Grassroots Republicans advocate for a party that is truly representative of its members. They seek to engage and empower central committee members, promote transparent and ethical governance, and drive passion and excitement for the party.

• Community Engagement: Grassroots Republicans focus on expanding the party through registration drives, alliances with community organizations, and educating the public on Republican values. They build strong networks within their communities and encourage active participation from all members.

• Ethical and Transparent Governance: Grassroots organizations prioritize ethical behavior and transparency. They implement checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power and ensure that all voices are heard and considered.

• Cost-Effective Campaigning: Grassroots campaigns are often more cost-effective because they rely on volunteer support and word-of-mouth promotion. They emphasize direct communication with voters and building personal connections.

Conclusion

The battle between establishment and grassroots Republicans is ongoing, shaping our political landscape every day. While establishment parties often lean on corporate money and media campaigns, grassroots movements thrive on community spirit and principled leadership. Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy through the Bull Moose Party reminds us of the importance of the democratic processes of representative governance and the continuous fight against concentrated power.

Grassroots Republicans aim to keep Roosevelt’s vision alive, pushing for transparency, accountability, and a member-driven political party. It’s a tough fight, but as history shows, real change starts with real people standing up and making their voices heard.