Final answer:
Theodore Roosevelt was nominated for Vice President in 1900 by Republican leaders in New York State because they saw his progression and popularity as a threat and believed that the vice-presidency was a political dead-end that would contain his influence. This plan ultimately failed when Roosevelt became President after McKinley's assassination and proceeded to implement progressive reforms. Roosevelt's career was marked by a continual challenge to the status quo and the advancement of progressive policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the turn of the 20th century, Theodore Roosevelt emerged as a prominent figure in New York politics. After his election as Governor of New York in 1898, in which he demonstrated an ability to serve with distinction, the state's Republican leaders, including Boss Tom Platt, sought to capitalize on Roosevelt's popularity to distract from political scandals. Despite his success, Roosevelt's progressive ideas and appeal were seen as a threat to the traditional Republican establishment.
Many of the party leaders harbored a hope that by nominating him for the vice presidency, a role they considered politically insubstantial at the time, they could curb his influence. Their plan backfired when President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, and Roosevelt ascended to the presidency, deeply frustrating figures like Republican senator Mark Hanna. Roosevelt's energetic and reform-focused tenure as president reflected the progressive spirit sweeping the nation and fundamentally transformed the role of the president.
The Election of 1912 further evidenced Roosevelt's enduring popularity and the divisions within the Republican Party when Taft and Roosevelt split the Republican vote, leading to the Democratic victory of Woodrow Wilson. Throughout his career, Roosevelt's actions, whether via his war hero status, his legislative achievements, or his third-party presidential bid, were characterized by a willingness to challenge the status quo and advance progressive reforms.