1844 Election: Battle of the Vowels

[SPC]

Unfortunately for Harrison, the war hero succumbed to pneumonia about a month into his term, leaving the ideological opposite John Tyler to take over the Presidency. Tyler vetoed many Whig economic proposals, including a Third National Bank and federal funds for internal improvements. Meanwhile, Whigs stalled Tyler's attempts to grant statehood to Texas, with many conscience Whigs and Barnburner Democrats concerned that Texas statehood would set a precedent for admission of more slave states in the Mexican Cession. Speaker Henry Clay had originally proposed a compromise solution to resolve the slavery issue in the acquired territories once and for all, but the proposal lost traction as Clay was passed over for a third Presidential nomination in favor of Mexican War hero Zachary Taylor. While Tyler launched a re-election bid, hoping to win over moderate Whigs and southern Democrats, 1840 nominee Lewis Cass wants a rematch after narrowly losing four years ago. Former President Jackson tried in vain to dissuade Tyler's candidacy, but Tyler obstinately refused to do so.

Will the Union survive four more years? Which candidate with little substantive ideological difference with one another will prevail. The choice is yours.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Birney and Liberty!

[TDAS04]

Birney and Liberty!

[Mr. Smith]

Taylor, and I highly doubt he'll end up dying midway this time and Birney would just end up causing a  huge divide maybe even starting the Civil War earlier.

[SWE]

Birney and Liberty!

[Goldwater]

Birney and Liberty!

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Taylor, and I highly doubt he'll end up dying midway this time and Birney would just end up causing a  huge divide maybe even starting the Civil War earlier.

Yes, because God forbid we abolish slavery.

[Mr. Smith]

Yes but Birney is no Lincoln, and lacks the same pull Taylor has.

Birney and Liberty would be steamrolled by Congress and it would lead to gridlock, or the Union could crumble.

But Taylor's record was hands down the strongest under the circumstances, why not vote for that?

[ElectionsGuy]

Birney and Liberty!

[TNF]

Birney and Liberty!

[Cranberry]

Birney and Liberty!

[Vega]

Birney and Liberty!

[SPC]

General Zachary Taylor / Congressman Millard Fillmore 51.0% 212
President John Tyler / Secretary of State John Calhoun 43.8% 63
State Representative James Birney / Senator Thomas Morris 5.1%

In spite of fears that the split Democratic vote would hand Taylor the election, the last-minute withdrawal of Cass (mediated by Jackson) proved insufficient to carry Tyler's re-election bid over the finish line.