Dear America,

Today, I invite you to join me on a journey through time as we revisit the life and post-presidential endeavors of Theodore Roosevelt, commonly known as Colonel Roosevelt. In a previous letter, we explored the remarkable achievements that marked his path leading up to and during his presidency. While for many, reaching the presidency would be the pinnacle of their life's story, this was not the case for Colonel Roosevelt. His post-presidential phase represents a third arc filled with a mixture of heroic and tragic events, illustrating the consequences of becoming a larger-than-life figure. Within this context, I believe Colonel Roosevelt's post-presidency holds valuable lessons applicable to today's political landscape.

Following his presidency, Colonel Roosevelt continued to add to his already remarkable legacy, particularly through his contributions as a naturalist. In 1909, one year after leaving office, Roosevelt embarked on a safari across East and Central Africa known as the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition. The purpose of this expedition was to collect specimens for the Smithsonian's newly established National Museum of Natural History. The team gathered a staggering 11,400 animal specimens, including insects, birds, reptiles, mammals of all sizes, and fish. Notably, the expedition documented, encountered, and hunted 18 lions, 3 leopards, 6 cheetahs, 10 hyenas, 12 elephants, 10 buffalos, 9 black rhinos (now considered extremely rare), and an astonishing 97 white rhinos (Morris 26). Furthermore, at the age of 54, Roosevelt embarked on the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition in South America. This expedition aimed to explore and survey a river known at the time as "The River of Doubt." The journey spanned 33 days and covered approximately 1,000 treacherous miles, During the expedition, Roosevelt suffered a severe leg injury and came perilously close to death. Although he managed to survive, the injury had a lasting impact on his health for years. As a testament to his bravery and endurance, the river was subsequently named the Rio Roosevelt in his honor.

However, Roosevelt's unwavering dedication to public service and his unyielding spirit meant he could never truly leave the political arena, no matter how hard he tried. Even after his presidency and subsequent expeditions, the allure of politics and the desire to shape the nation's course continued to beckon him. Roosevelt's post-presidential years were marked by his relentless efforts to influence the direction of the Republican Party and champion progressive reforms. As an influential figure in the Progressive movement, Roosevelt advocated for various progressive reforms to tackle social, economic, and political challenges. Through his program called "New Nationalism," he advocated for robust government intervention to regulate monopolies, protect workers' rights, and foster a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources. Roosevelt's progressive agenda was an extension of his rhetoric of righteousness which categorized the final year of Roosevelt's Presidency. 

Driven by his steadfast belief in the need for progressive policies, Roosevelt found himself at odds with his successor, President William Howard Taft, whom he felt had veered away from the path of progressivism. Although Roosevelt had previously denounced the idea of seeking a third term, he came to believe he was the only one capable of saving the Republican Party and pursuing the progressive agenda. However, his decision to run again caused a deep division within the GOP, leading former allies and friends, including Elihu Root and Henry Cabot Lodge, to distance themselves from him. Ultimately, Roosevelt failed to secure the GOP nomination, and he vehemently criticized the election process, claiming it was fraudulent.

Nevertheless, Roosevelt experienced a remarkable political resurgence in 1912 when he launched a third-party campaign under the banner of the Progressive Party, famously known as the Bull Moose Party. In his bid for the presidency, he attracted a substantial following and galvanized the progressive movement, bringing about significant political change. Although Roosevelt did not win the presidency, his campaign left a lasting impact on American politics, propelling progressive ideas to the forefront and influencing future policy discussions. More importantly, it kept Roosevelt in the spotlight and the minds of millions of people, but it also left the GOP in a difficult position to find a strong successor to lead the party. 

After the disappointment of the 1914 midterm elections, it became evident that the Progressive Party, despite Roosevelt's fervent efforts, did not possess the level of power and influence it had once aspired to. However, Roosevelt's unwavering dedication to his progressive ideals and ability to connect with a devoted voter base remained intact. His vision of a strong government, patriotic fervor, universal service, and unwavering support for the Allies resonated deeply with many Americans who shared his aspirations for a better future. However, to implement these policies and bring about the desired changes, a reconciliation with the Republican Party was necessary.

Despite his desire to regain leadership within the Republican Party for the 1916 elections, Roosevelt faced significant obstacles in reconciling with his former party colleagues. The division caused by his third-party campaign in 1912 left lingering tensions that were not easily overcome. Consequently, when the Republican Party nominated Charles Evan Hughes, a moderate candidate capable of bridging the various party factions, it became clear that many within the GOP were not ready to forgive Roosevelt for his past actions. Roosevelt, aware of the challenges, endorsed Hughes and urged his Progressive followers to do the same. He actively campaigned for Hughes, delivering passionate speeches at rallies supporting the Republican nominee. However, the question of who truly held the reins of the GOP remained unanswered as the influence of an unabashed Roosevelt continued to reverberate within the party and beyond.  

Much of this can be attested to Roosevelt’s post-presidential contributions towards the imposing war front in Europe. From 1912 to 1918, Roosevelt focused much on the Preparedness Movement, firmly believing in the urgent need for the United States to build a robust military, anticipating the country's involvement in the Great War sooner rather than later. Roosevelt openly criticized the Wilson administration for their inadequate efforts to prepare the army, often finding himself reacting to events that were difficult to rectify in a timely manner. While Roosevelt's vision ultimately proved to be correct, as he had forewarned in his 1910 address in Berlin, one cannot help but sense that the idea of war consumed him in his later years, that even his closest friends could tell (Morris 400). It is conceivable that Roosevelt maintained a strong romanticized view of war, reminiscent of his days as a Rough Rider charging up San Juan Hill. When America finally entered the war, Roosevelt repeatedly expressed his desire to raise multiple divisions, akin to the Rough Riders, and actively participate in combat, even with the expectation of himself succumbing to an honorable death (Morris 494-496). However, Woodrow Wilson and the Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker, prevented Roosevelt from doing so, arguing that America required a new generation of well-trained troops familiar with the nuances of modern warfare (Morris 494). In essence, this was a diplomatic way of suggesting that Roosevelt's mindset remained anchored in the past. Roosevelt's resentment towards Wilson for preventing his involvement in the war was evident through his numerous critical essays directed at Wilson. This particular event marked a turning point in Roosevelt's life, signifying that he had reached a stage where the younger generation would have to assume the responsibility of fighting and shaping the future. Individuals from the younger cohort, such as his own sons, would be called upon to fight. However, Roosevelt's strong desire for war carried severe consequences. Tragically, his youngest son Quentin, serving as a pilot with the American forces in France, was shot down behind German lines on July 14, 1918, at the tender age of 20. The loss of Quentin devastated Roosevelt to such an extent that he never fully recovered from the grief. 

Had it not been for Roosevelt's untimely death in 1919, there is no doubt that he would have emerged as a formidable contender for the GOP nomination in 1920 - whether he desired it or not.  However, Roosevelt's continued presence in the political arena might have prolonged the party's reliance on his leadership and delayed the necessary transition to new leaders. While his potential candidacy would have stirred excitement and loyalty among his supporters, it could have also hindered the party's ability to adapt to evolving political realities and explore fresh perspectives. History teaches us the importance of embracing new perspectives and fostering the growth of emerging leaders, ensuring the party's vitality and relevance in the face of evolving challenges.

Today, the GOP finds itself in a situation reminiscent of the Roosevelt era, facing critical decisions about its path forward. At the helm of the party stands a man who, for the past three years, has undeniably been its de facto leader, having also served as president for four years. This man commands a dedicated following of millions of supporters worldwide, regardless of his actions or whereabouts. His political rallies resemble large-scale concerts, drawing tens of thousands of enthusiastic attendees eager to hear his words. He remains one of the most divisive figures in the political arena, a larger-than-life presence akin to the days of Teddy Roosevelt. That man is Donald J. Trump.

Presently, Donald J. Trump appears to be the presumptive GOP nominee, pending any disqualifying factors or irregularities. Like Roosevelt after his presidency, Trump seeks to reclaim the power and influence he once held, finding it difficult to step away from the political stage after reaching its pinnacle. Strikingly, both Roosevelt and Trump have experienced similar post-presidency events. They have faced legal controversies related to their public and personal lives and have contributed to divisions and hostilities within their respective political parties, turning former allies into adversaries. Within the Republican Party, there exists a faction that seeks to distance itself from the MAGA movement, preferring to chart a different course for the party. Conversely, another faction within the party remains committed to continuing the movement, seeing it as crucial to their future direction. While Roosevelt went on to establish the Progressive Party, it remains uncertain whether Trump would follow a similar path. If Trump were to lose to Ron DeSantis, it would be intriguing to see if he would consider running as a third-party candidate. While such a move may lead to the creation of a new conservative party, it would also undoubtedly fracture the GOP, likely increasing the chance a Democratic candidate would secure the nomination.

Paralleled to Roosevelt's later years, Trump has persistently emphasized the same talking points since he left office, notably evident in his rallies. His unwavering focus on the 2020 election fraud, regardless of substantiation, raises questions about his ability to appeal to an independent base, as his reluctance to move forward becomes increasingly apparent. Moreover, his speeches frequently revolve around criticizing the Biden Administration while nostalgically portraying a bygone era before Biden's presidency. This resemblance to Roosevelt's post-presidential position is striking, as Roosevelt's speeches remained stagnant and often centered on criticizing the Wilson Administration, primarily focusing on preparing America for its involvement in World War I (Morris 541).  However, similar to Roosevelt’s criticisms of the Wilson administration, much of Trump's rebukes of the Biden administration have proven accurate. Trump's ability to foresee certain issues and highlight potential challenges stemming from the Biden Administration's policies parallels Roosevelt's knack for anticipating and voicing concerns about the Wilson Administration's approach. 

While Teddy Roosevelt's later political career can be seen as somewhat tragic, the unfolding of Donald Trump's third act remains uncertain. Will it be marked by tragedy or heroism? Unfortunately, Trump's recent political endeavors have been marred by continuous controversies, which have overshadowed his positive contributions to our country. At this juncture, Donald Trump faces two possible outcomes. On the one hand, he could reclaim the presidency, using his actions to restore his reputation and defining his third act as an underdog who refuses to give up. On the other hand, if he were to lose again, he would inevitably be remembered for his failures.

Irrespective of the eventual outcome, the events unfolding in our country were bound to happen. When you have political figures as influential and larger-than-life as Donald J. Trump and Teddy Roosevelt, they represent once-in-a-generation leaders who, in other countries without term limits, would have held power for an extended period. However, Donald Trump is now in the last act of his political career, and regardless of the outcome, the GOP faces the significant task of filling the leadership void he will leave behind. If the GOP is attentive to the lessons of history, it would be wise for them to collaborate with Donald Trump to facilitate a seamless transition of leadership within the party. By doing so, they can lay the foundation for a strong and cohesive future, ensuring that the party remains in capable hands for the years ahead. The passing of the torch to new leaders is an essential aspect of any vibrant political organization, allowing for growth, innovation, and the embrace of diverse voices.  The GOP, like any party, must recognize the importance of fostering a new generation of leaders to ensure its long-term success and relevance.

In assessing the present situation, it is crucial to recognize that Donald Trump intends to run on the platform of "Make America Great Again, Again," to restore a greatness that should not have been compromised in the first place. Instead of dwelling on nostalgia and longing for a bygone era, I challenge Donald Trump and all leaders to focus on innovation and progress for America. Nostalgia can be captivating, representing a past that cannot be resurrected. Instead, let us strive to construct a stronger, more resilient nation that continues to advance and flourish, eliminating the need for restoration and embracing a future of continual growth.

Signed,

G.S.P

References

Morris, Edmund. Colonel Roosevelt. New York, Random House, 2011.