1852 Election (Third Time's the Charm)

[SPC]

Taylor interpreted his re-election as a mandate for unconditional admission of the Western states into the Union. However, fate had other ideas, and Taylor succumbed to cholera shortly thereafter. Newly-inaugurated President Fillmore was more conciliatory toward the sectional interests of the Union, and signed the laws granting admission to California, Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, and Iowa with the guarantee of popular sovereignty in the remaining Western states and a Fugitive Slave Act. This earned the ire of many Northern "Conscience Whigs," who bolted from the party in protest to form the Republican Party. Realizing his overstep on the slavery issue, President Fillmore has sought to divert attention by taking a tougher stance against the influence of recent immigrants to the United States from revolution-torn European countries on the American electorate. The formation of the Republican Party has revived separatist interests in the South, which both major parties have sought to placate by choosing Southern running mates.

I think everybody knows what the outcome of this is going to be...

[Mr. Smith]

Fremont it is.

[SPC]

At this point, I am just hoping that Fremont gets under 70% so that this can retain the veneer of plausibility.

[SWE]

Fremont is the only choice

[Cranberry]

Fremont is the only choice

[Goldwater]

Fremont is the only choice

[Vega]

Fremont is the only choice

[SPC]

Former Secretary of State James Buchanan / Governor John Quitman 37.8% 108
Senator John Fremont / Senator William Dayton 35.3% 138
President Millard Fillmore / Diplomat Andrew Donelson 26.9% 50

The Democratic House and Senate easily elected Buchanan and Quitman, respectively. Quite different from what I was expecting, given how badly Pierce lost in 1848.