Republican frontrunner John McCain loves Teddy Roosevelt — the hard-charging president of a century ago who led the Rough Riders in battle, took on corporate interests in Washington, and fought for the American environment.

But “T.R.” may be an awkward hero in an era when mainstream Republicans now bow to the memory of “R.R.” — Ronald Reagan.

A new history of Roosevelt’s thinking lights up the progressive “warrior Republican” of 1900 and his would-be heir today.

This hour, On Point: high politics at the bully pulpit, with Teddy Roosevelt, and John McCain.

-Tom Ashbrook

Guests:

Joshua Hawley, clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and author of “Theodore Roosevelt: Preacher of Righteousness”

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst and senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly