Roosevelt would have run for another term as governor, but through the cagey machinations of New York political figure Tom Platt, he became the country’s vice-president. President William McKinley needed a vice presidential candidate for his run at a second term. Platt—who wanted Roosevelt out as New York governor because of his independent streak and zeal for reform—saw an opportunity to press for Roosevelt as the vice presidential nominee at the 1900 Republican nominating convention.