The 1848 election would have been much simpler if James Polk hadn’t pledged not to run. Democrat Polk’s presidency had been remarkably successful, accomplishing the four goals he set for himself at its outset: to solidify the independent treasury system, to lower the tariff, to acquire California from Mexico, and to resolve the Oregon question with Britain. Had he not made the pledge to retire, he could easily have been reelected.
The problems in choosing a presidential nominee never seems easy as was shown in some recent elections. But this problem seemed particularly difficult in the decades before the Civil War. With th conclusion of the Mexican War and the sectionalisml that arose over the annexed territories, how would the political parties respond? The Democrats were already divided over slavery, and as Brand points out this split opened the chance for 3d parties. The Whigs went for Taylor and won the presidency.
It is worth reading Brands fine work on the earlier statesmen Clay and others as they struggled with what should the country do with the burden of slavery. Could a younger generation do better in confronting this problem? Lincoln, Douglas and others responded but a Civil War would come..
Quote: "As a career officer, he had no political baggage: no unpopular votes in Congress to explain, no slips of the tongue in political speeches to take back"
Yep- that worked for Eisenhower too. Not so much for Douglas MacArthur who was very public with his opinions.
The problems in choosing a presidential nominee never seems easy as was shown in some recent elections. But this problem seemed particularly difficult in the decades before the Civil War. With th conclusion of the Mexican War and the sectionalisml that arose over the annexed territories, how would the political parties respond? The Democrats were already divided over slavery, and as Brand points out this split opened the chance for 3d parties. The Whigs went for Taylor and won the presidency.
It is worth reading Brands fine work on the earlier statesmen Clay and others as they struggled with what should the country do with the burden of slavery. Could a younger generation do better in confronting this problem? Lincoln, Douglas and others responded but a Civil War would come..
Quote: "As a career officer, he had no political baggage: no unpopular votes in Congress to explain, no slips of the tongue in political speeches to take back"
Yep- that worked for Eisenhower too. Not so much for Douglas MacArthur who was very public with his opinions.