1844 United States Presidential Election

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

With official victory declared in the War of Secession in 1845 and passage of the 13th and 14th Amendments, a page would be closed on the era of slavery in the United States of America. Now, the national debate rages over the politics of the Reconstruction Era. President Van Buren stands behind the U.S. Army and its presence in the South, and has made clear that gradual withdrawal will occur beginning in his second term. The Nationals, now bolstered with the ranks of former Republicans, nominated the Republican Vice Presidential nominee Francis Preston Blair. A powerful newspaper man and political figure during their wilderness years and decline, Blair brings his media prowess to the ticket. However, while former Republicans attempted to nominate Senator Thomas Hart Benton for Vice President, eventually the Old Guard Nationals were able to secure the spot for Millard Fillmore. The National platform is much more moderate than in years past, aligning closely with that of the Union's on several issues. However, they differ on reconstruction, calling for a restoration of "full Jeffersonian Democracy" in the South, and are challenging the Unionists on the issues of internal improvements and immigration. Leader of the Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints Joseph Smith is running an independent campaign. While President Van Buren has been less hostile than past presidents to the "Mormons", Smith is seeking a more concrete form of protection for his flock, recognition of Nauvoo as an independent territory, and greater expansion Westward.

Three days.

[Senator Spiral]

Van Buren!

[TDAS04]

Van Buren!

[Deus Naturae]

And what are the respective immigration/internal improvements stances of the two parties?

[Donerail]

Long Live Navoo!

[Anna Komnene]

Long Live Navoo!

[Goldwater]

Van Buren!

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Mormon Party!

[Enderman]

GO JOE! GO JOE! GO JOE!

Yeah he's a Mormon, but...

Long Live Navoo!

[Donerail]

Can we butterfly away Romney if we have the first Mormon President in 1844?

[Senator Spiral]

Can we butterfly away Romney if we have the first Mormon President in 1844?

I second this motion.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Can we butterfly away Romney if we have the first Mormon President in 1844?

I second this motion.

Both Romneys, preferably.

[ElectionsGuy]

Van Buren!

[Cassius]

Blair, but damn me, those Mormon missionaries have certainly been busy.

[tmthforu94]

The Stormin' Mormons

[MATTROSE94]

Van Buren!

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Van, Van, he's still the man!

[Zioneer]

Huzzah for Smith! (Also in real life he supported a gradual emancipation in his presidential campaign and was pro-infrastructure, so he'd be great even if he weren't a prophet of my church).

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Cathy, would such a strong showing for Smith lead to a sort of Mormon Party?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Cathy, would such a strong showing for Smith lead to a sort of Mormon Party?

Either that or another civil war.

We'll see, as I threw him in a few minutes after opening the poll, remembering that in real life he'd run but died in June of that year. I can't resist throwing in candidates like Smith. I do have some plans for future parties, though how the Mormons figure in, I don't know.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The 1844 United States Presidential Election
Following resolution of the War of Secession, a new burst of national spirit emerged in the country, and with it, the want to push Westward. While the Van Buren administration had no problem continuing the sale of lands in the West, there had been little movement in D.C. to push the boundaries of the nation to the coast, or to accept Texas into the union. Because of this, Joseph Smith's radical independent campaign quickly caught fire. His calls for American annexation of the Oregon Territory was met with surprising support, especially in the North-Western states. Smith claimed pluralities in Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio, while winning majorities in Michigan and his home state of Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the Nationals collapsed utterly. Branded as the party of former Republicans, out of touch aristocrats, and politically and economically castrated former slave-owners, they went the way of the Federalists and Republicans, triggering an "Era of Good Feelings".

President Martin Van Buren (Union-New York)/Governor Marcus Morton (Union-Massachusetts) 213 electoral votes, 51.1% of the popular vote
Mayor Joseph Smith, Jr. (Independent-Illinois)/First Counselor of the Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints Sidney Rigdon (Independent-Missouri) 62 electoral votes, 37.8% of the popular vote
Mr. Francis Preston Blair, Sr. (National-Kentucky)/Congressman Millard Fillmore (National-New York) 0 electoral votes, 11.1% of the popular vote