Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.

" Leaving the convention with his idealism disillusioned by party politics Roosevelt said he had no further aspiration but to retire to his ranch in the Badlands of the Dakota Territory which he had purchased the previous year while on a buffalo hunting expedition. Media
Theodore Roosevelt was one of the first presidents whose voice was recorded for posterity. Wiegand has portrayed Roosevelt in all 50 US states.

On the world stage Roosevelt's policies were characterized by his slogan "Speak softly and carry a big stick". He successfully energized the GOP base as a highly visible campaigner to reelect President William McKinley on a platform of high tariffs the gold standard imperialism prosperity at home and victory abroad. He attended Harvard University where he studied biology boxed and developed an interest in naval affairs.