U.S. presidential election, 1844

[A18]

No hindsight.

As the election campaign opened, the familiar Clay was expected to easily defeat little-known Polk. But Clay hurt his chances in the South by coming out against Texas annexation. This was widely viewed as an attempt to stop the spread of slavery.

Polk was strongly in favor of annexation.

In the North, Clay was undercut by James Birney of Michigan, running on the Liberty-Abolitionist ticket. Because Clay, like Polk, was a slaveowner, Birney was able to capture much of the abolitionist vote, and enough to tip the election to Polk.

The Democratic platform called for annexation of Texas and "reoccupation" of Oregon. It opposed federally funded internal improvements, resurrection of the national bank, planned surplus in the Treasury, and federal interference with slavery.

The Whig platform supported a well-regulated currency, high tariffs, distribution of the proceeds from the sale of public lands, restrictions on the presidential veto, and a one-term president.