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The original was posted on /r/askhistorians by /u/MerlynTrump on 2023-08-07 16:08:19+00:00.

I’m currently reading about Taft, particularly the tariff reform and the Pinchot Ballinger controversy. I get the impression that at the time Taft was seen as unsuccessful, and of course lost reelection, and was overshadowed by T.R. and Wilson who were sort of “bigger” in terms of personality and more willing to embrace an activist government. But I think Taft did faithfully execute his responsibilities, did try to follow Roosevelt’s footsteps, but was more respectful of separation of powers and the limits of the government’s authority than Roosevelt or Wilson. And from what I’m reading about the Pinchot affair, Taft gave Ballinger a fair hearing while the progressives (for instance, “Fighting Bob”) were more anti-Ballinger.