Election of 1808: Madison Defeats the Regional Federalists

Election Results:
Madison and Clinton: 122 electoral votes
Pinckney and King: 47 electoral votes
(six electoral votes from New York were cast for George Clinton as president, while one electoral vote was abstained)

Summary:
The historically conscious Thomas Jefferson decided to uphold the two-term tradition begun by George Washington, with whom he held great esteem. His chosen successor, James Madison, was Secretary of State the last four years and a close friend of Jefferson. The Virginia connection and the fact that Madison would surely forward the Democratic-Republican agenda over another term led to Jefferson’s active support. However, the nomination by congressional caucus was not a smooth ride for Madison, as a group of Democratic-Republicans were worried about Madison’s qualifications and how he would deal with a possible conflict against England. Jefferson kept these members in line and Madison was nominated easily along with current vice president George Clinton to maintain that position.

The Federalists, whose support was now solely in New England, chose the same ticket as in 1804, with Charles Pinckney and Rufus King selected informally to lead the opposition ticket. It would seem that the Federalists had a great deal to campaign about following Jefferson’s last term in office. In order to protect the United States from foreign influence, Jefferson actively supported the Embargo Act of 1807 which closed harbors to English and French trade. While this was seen as a strong measure by the Jefferson cabinet, it proved to be economically unsound to the fledgling nation’s businesses and caused an economic downturn. The Federalists were active in campaigning against Jefferson’s Embargo Act and dissident Democratic-Republican delegates nominated George Clinton (New York delegates) and James Monroe (Virginia delegates) for the presidency in protest of the Embargo Act’s consequences. As well, the Federalists struck at Madison’s connection to Jefferson, to a Virginia dynasty in the making, and to Madison’s favorable view of revolutionary France.

However, the Democratic-Republicans were simply too strong to be defeated by a crumbling regional party. The Federalists won five states in the New England Region, while Madison won the remaining twelve states across the nation. Madison had proven to be a strong force in the Democratic-Republican party, swatting down dissident members and nay saying Federalists left and right, with George Clinton’s inactive presidential campaign receiving only six votes and Monroe received no electoral votes. The election of Madison continued the Democratic-Republican dynasty and the nation’s love affair with Virginian politicians.