Final answer:
William H. Taft served as the Secretary of War before his presidency, which was marred by internal party conflicts and a scandal involving Secretary Richard Ballinger leasing land in Alaska, illustrating the challenges Taft faced with political system reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
William H. Taft's job before becoming President was as the Secretary of War under President Theodore Roosevelt. His presidency was marked by struggles within his own party, especially regarding reforms and political decisions. An example of such struggles includes the controversy with Gifford Pinchot and Richard Ballinger, which demonstrated the internal conflicts within Taft's administration. While Taft attempted to engage in political system reforms, he often found himself at odds with the conservative majority of his party, leading to various failures. The scandal involving Secretary Richard Ballinger leasing federal land in the Alaska Territory is a reflection of these challenges. Taft's reluctance to confront his party's conservatives and the ensuing scandal notably tainted his administration's reputation.