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==The "Accidental Presidency"==

==The "Accidental Presidency"==

By 1840 the anti-Jackson Whig Party was stronger, and more clever.  To win its first presidential election, it ran the war hero William Henry Harrison (who had defeated the Indians much earlier).  The Whig Party also exploited the financial panic of 1837 and some clever slogans.  The Whig Party also pulled another trick:  it nominated the Democrat John Tyler for Vice President.  That is one of only two times that one party has nominated as its vice president a member of the other political party (the other time was when Abraham Lincoln picked Andrew Johnson as his vice president to try to avoid the Civil War).  In 2008, the Republican candidate John McCain reportedly wanted to choose the former Democrat Joe Lieberman as his vice president, but choose Sarah Palin instead at the insistence of others in the Republican Party.

By 1840 the anti-Jackson Whig Party was strong, and clever.  To win its first presidential election, it ran the war hero William Henry Harrison (who had defeated the Indians much earlier).  The Whig Party exploited the financial panic of 1837 and some clever slogans.  The Whig Party also pulled another trick:  it nominated the Democrat John Tyler for Vice President.  That was one of only two times that one party has nominated as its vice president a member of the other political party (the other time was when Abraham Lincoln picked Andrew Johnson as his vice president to try to avoid the Civil War).  In 2008, the Republican candidate John McCain reportedly wanted to choose the former Democrat Joe Lieberman as his vice president, but choose Sarah Palin when he learned that many within the Republican Party wanted a Republican vice presidential nominee.

Historians say that the outcome in virtually every presidential election can be predicted by looking at how the economy is doing.  When the economy is struggling, the incumbent loses.  When the economy is thriving, the incumbent wins.  Van Buren was hurt by a poor economy, with many voters out-of-work.  Watch out for all those farmers and unemployed factory workers on election day!

Historians say that the outcome in virtually every presidential election can be predicted by looking at how the economy is doing.  When the economy is struggling, the incumbent loses.  When the economy is thriving, the incumbent wins.  Van Buren was hurt by a poor economy, with many voters out-of-work.  Watch out for all those farmers and unemployed factory workers on Election Day!

William Harrison became the first Whig candidate to win the presidency.  But as an arrogant man, he insisted on participating in his inauguration in frigid weather, without a coat or hat, and on speaking for over an hour to an outdoor crowd.  He caught pneumonia and died a month later.   

William Harrison became the first Whig candidate to win the presidency.  But as an arrogant man, he insisted on participating in his inauguration in frigid weather, without a coat or hat, and on speaking for over an hour to an outdoor crowd.  He caught pneumonia and died a month later.   

The president had never died in office before, and uncertainty arose.  The Constitution states that "In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President."  "Devolve" the powers did to John Tyler, the Democrat opposed to what the Whig Party stood for.  (Only with the 25th Amendment in 1967 was it fully clarified that the vice president actually became president, rather than merely exercise the powers of the presidency).  

The president had never died in office before, and uncertainty arose.  The Constitution states that "In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President."  "Devolve" the powers did onto John Tyler, the Democrat who had long been opposed to what the Whig Party stood for.  (Only with the 25th Amendment in 1967 was it fully clarified that the vice president actually became president, rather than merely exercise the powers of the presidency).  

Tyler showed his true colors as a Democrat upon becoming President, and vetoed the national bank.  This infuriated the Whig Party, which was formed partly to establish a national bank after Jackson vetoed it.  In fact, Tyler vetoed the entire Whig agenda.  Within months the Whig Party retaliated by officially expelling him from the Whig Party, and referring to him derisively as "the man without a party" or "His Accidency."  Harrison's entire cabinet, except for Daniel Webster (who was finishing his negotiations of an important treaty with Canada), resigned.  Henry Clay from Kentucky was one of those who resigned in disgust.

Tyler showed his true colors as a Democrat upon becoming President, and vetoed the national bank.  This infuriated the Whig Party, which was formed partly to establish a national bank after Jackson vetoed it.  In fact, Tyler vetoed the entire Whig agenda.  Within months the Whig Party retaliated by officially expelling him from the Whig Party, and referring to him derisively as "the man without a party" or "His Accidency."  Harrison's entire cabinet, except for Daniel Webster (who was finishing his negotiations of an important treaty with Canada), resigned.  Henry Clay from Kentucky was one of those who resigned in disgust.