As we saw last week, former presidents Martin Van Buren (in 1844) and Ulysses S. Grant (in 1880) tried unsuccessfully to gain the nomination of their respective parties for a return to the Oval Office.

In the early 20th century, two other former presidents likewise failed to secure their party’s nomination after their time in the White House had ended.

Theodore Roosevelt won election as vice president in 1900 on the Republican ticket headed up by President William McKinley. Unfortunately, McKinley was assassinated in September 1901, making Roosevelt president.

Roosevelt, consequently, served o...