Robert A. Taft (PJW)

Robert A. Taft (September 8, 1889 - July 31, 1953) was an American conservative politician, lawyer, and scion of the Taft family. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Ohio in the United States Senate and briefly served as Senate Majority Leader.

After winning election to the Senate, Taft repeatedly sought the Republican presidential nomination, often battling for control of the party with the moderate faction of Republicans led by Thomas E. Dewey. After failing to secure the nomination in 1940 and 1948, Taft appeared to be the front runner in 1952. However, Dewey and other moderates convinced General Dwight D. Eisenhower to enter the race. When Eisenhower dropped out due to health concerns, Taft again appeared to be the frontrunner, but Eisenhower and the moderates refused to allow the non-interventionist the nomination.

The moderates and conservatives decided on a compromise candidate. They eventually chose John Wayne, an actor and national icon. Though Taft disagreed with the choice, he eventually relented to the compromise when his supporter Everett Dirksen would be selected as Wayne's running mate.

After an initial statement supporting the nomination, Taft failed to publicly endorse Wayne until October. After Wayne's election, Taft served as Senate Majority Leader in 1953 until his death from pancreatic cancer later that year.

Opinion on Taft remains split, and it largely depends on public opinion on interventionism at the time.