Changes
/* Political career */
In 1920 he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker of the House in 1926. In 1930 he was elected to the State Senate, but was defeated for reelection in 1932. As an efficiency-oriented progressive, he worked to modernize the state's antiquated tax laws and supported mildly progressive legislation, such as limitations on child labor.
He was an outspoken opponent of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and supportive of civil rights, backing [[anti-lynching legislation]], an end to the [[poll tax]], and desegregation in the U.S. military.<ref>Edwards, Lee (October 29, 2020). [https://www.heritage.org/conservatism/report/the-political-thought-robert-taft The Political Thought of Robert A. Taft]. ''The Heritage Foundation''. Retrieved June 2, 2021.</ref> Taft particularly believed in a conservative-oriented approach to ensuring equality and tried to pass "voluntary FEPC" legislation, which ultimately was defeated by a Senate filibuster.<ref>[https://fascinatingpolitics.com/2019/04/30/robert-tafts-conservative-proposal-for-civil-rights/ Robert Taft’s Conservative Proposal for Civil Rights]. ''fascinatingpolitics.com''. Retrieved June 2, 2021.</ref> Throughout the 1920s and 1930s he was a powerful figure in local and state political and legal circles, and was known as a loyal Republican who never threatened to bolt the party.
Cartoonists loved his rimless spectacles and moonlike face, portraying him something like a grapefruit with eyeglasses. Taft was a boring poor speaker and did not mix well, but his total grasp of the complex details of every issue impressed reporters and politicians. (Democrats joked that "Taft has the best mind in Washington, until he makes it up.") His fans were strongly dedicated to him, while his enemies feared him as the strongest force in Congress.
