1804 Party Caucuses (The Hearse at Monticello)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Four years after the "Corrupt Bargain of 1800" elevated Aaron Burr to the presidency, the nation's youngest chief executive is fighting for his political life. Having alienated many Republicans through his effort to defeat President Samuel Adams in the election of 1800, Burr further angered the party base by vastly expanding the size of the standing army, a move some say is evidence of his "imperial delusions". When Burr dismissed Secretary of State James Madison in 1802, Congressional Republicans effectively read him out of the party. The resulting split between pro-Madison and pro-Burr Republicans resulted in the Federalists taking over control of Congress in the 1802 midterm elections. When Burr decided to purchase the Louisiana Territory in 1803, Madisonian Republicans who believed he had no Constitutional authority to do so joined forced with Congressional Federalists (many of whom had voted to approve the funds to purchase the territory) to impeach him. Burr was ultimately acquitted in the Senate, with Senator John Q. Adams casting the deciding vote, but his split from the Republican Party was complete, and the stage set for a divisive campaign.
The Federalists gather for their nominating caucus in 1804 enthusiastic about their chances, convinced the split in the Republican Party gives them an excellent chance of taking the presidency. Many had hoped that Alexander Hamilton, who became vice president in 1801 after Samuel Adams refused to serve as Burr's lieutenant, would run as the party's nominee, but Hamilton has declined the honor on the grounds that the party needs a less divisive candidate to win the general election. Among those vying for the nomination are Governor Charles C. Pinckney, Hamilton's personal choice of the nomination, Congressman and former Vice President John Adams, the leader of the party's moderate wing, New Yorkers John Jay and Rufus King, and freshman Senator John Marshall. The front-runner for the Democratic-Republican nomination is James Madison, who has become a martyr in the eyes of his party and inherited much of President Adams' old base of support. Challenging him for the nomination is his successor as Secretary of State, James Monroe, who is widely recognized as a stalking horse for President Burr, and former Attorney General Levi Lincoln, who hopes the caucus will choose him as a compromise candidate to reunite the party. Additionally, a handful of supporters of President Burr have gathered for their own caucus and are expected to nominate the president on an Independent Republican ticket.
Due to the passage of the 12th Amendment, you have only one vote. Don't forget to nominate choices for VP!

[PPT Spiral]

James Madison/George Clinton

[SWE]

Why was the 12th amendment passed if there was never an electoral college tie?

Regardless, Burr.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Why was the 12th amendment passed if there was never an electoral college tie?

The fact that Jefferson and Burr tied in OTL 1800 was not nearly as important as the fact that Burr almost became president against the intentions of the Democratic-Republican Caucus. Most Republican electors knew there would be a tie; in fact, some actually encouraged electors to support Jefferson and Burr equally. The problem arose when Burr refused to step aside for Jefferson, the intended nominee, and so the 12th amendment was passed to eliminate the possibility of the VP nominee defeating the presidential nominee. That's really not that different from the course of events in TTL, except that Burr was successful in defeating Adams here. In response, the Madisonian faction in Congress passed the 12th amendment so that future upstarts would be unable to thwart the will of the party establishment by swaying a handful of electors. 

[ElectionsGuy]

Madison

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

John Marshall/Rufus King

[Potus]

John Jay (anti-slavery, pro-business, normal)

[Mr. Smith]

John Marshall/John Jay

[Murica!]

Burr 'cause nationalism.

[Intell]

James Madison.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

1804 currently has the highest turnout of any election in this series to-date.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Since the voting is at this point nowhere near close, I'm going to declare Burr, Madison, and Marshall the winners of their respective caucuses. On to the general election!