President McKinley was easily renominated at the Republican convention in Philadelphia in June 1900. The major issue at the convention was who would be the Vice Presidential candidate. Despite his reluctance to give up the governorship to New York, Theodore Roosevelt accepted the nomination. At the Democratic convention, William Jennings Bryan was nominated again. The major issue at the convention was whether to maintain Democratic support for the silver plank. Many Democrats thought that with the return of prosperity it was no longer necessary.
The campaign itself was largely a replay of the race in 1896- with Bryan campaigning rigorously and McKinley not venturing from the White House. The issue of currency and silver was no longer relevant, and instead the campaign issues were whether the United States should give independence for the territories received in its war with Spain. Byran called for their immediate independence, while Roosevelt- who did most of the campaigning, claimed that the United States had a duty to civilize the lands first. The major issue was ultimately the issue of continued prosperity. The Republicans theme was a full lunch pail. The prosperity of the McKinley era ultimately decided the election and McKinley winning margin was higher than 1896.
Eligible Voter Participation: 73.2%
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