Explanation: By the standards of ~1900 AD USA, Theodore Roosevelt - then governor of New York - was a firebrand and a radical progressive. Not a socialist by any means - but dangerous enough to the profits and exploitation of corporations that the ‘pro-business’ wing of the Republican Party felt he needed to be removed, especially from a choice piece of property like New York state! Unfortunately for them, he was quite popular in New York. Fortunately for them, he was also ambitious and had a massive ego. So they offered him the ultimate “do-nothing ego boost” job - the vice presidency of a conservative Republican running for a second term - McKinley!

For those unaware of US politics (you have my envy), the vice presidency has very few roles of actual importance - but it’s very visible, which makes it commonly coveted by those who yearn for the presidency. Thing is, if the vice president doesn’t get their party’s nomination after the current president, that’s 4 years (or worse, 8) wasted with effectively no accomplishments to show for it - toxic to most political careers. Especially for a very ‘vigorous’ individual like TR, who was noted for a constant posture of activity and relentlessness. And at that time, neither party held primaries - both parties essentially picked their candidates in smoke-filled rooms by the vote of fellow politicians, not the rank-and-file, making blocking a popular candidate - like Roosevelt - still difficult, but far from impossible - especially if the popular candidate had a way of making foes with established politicians.

TR didn’t have to wait the traditional four years to make a try for the presidency, though - McKinley was assassinated only a few months later, and one of the roles of the Vice President is taking over if the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office.

Oops.

What’s fucked up is Teddy would still be considered a radical today…