Theodore Roosevelt and W. H. Taft, his hand picked clone that eclipsed him in more ways than one, started the progressive road to Socialism.
Ummm....dude, you need to learn a little history...Taft so alienated Roosevelt's followers and TR himself by caving in to the 'Rats that TR himself ran in 1912 with the unfortunate result that Wilson got elected. Had the GOP not stolen the nomination from him, he would have run and beat Wilson easily.
As far as TR goes, he was one of the most visionary and effective Presidents we have ever had. I would have followed him to hell and back.