As the 1808 election unfolds, Charles Pinckney is once again attempting to take down a Democratic-Republican, this time in the form of James Madison, who is looking to become the next president. With the Embargo Act of 1807 casting a long shadow, this election is shaping up to be a critical moment in American history.
The Embargo Act of 1807
Incumbent Democratic-Republican President Thomas Jefferson decides to follow in George Washington’s footsteps by refusing to run for a third term, thus officially honoring the two-term tradition Washington started in 1796. While Jefferson remained popular within his party, much of the country was eager to see him leave the White House, largely due to the disastrous Embargo Act of 1807. The act, intended to punish Great Britain for its aggressive behavior towards American ships and sailors, ended up crippling the U.S. economy by halting all trade with foreign nations. Ironically, Britain was barely affected, while American merchants, particularly in New England, suffered greatly.
The Democratic-Republican Ticket
Despite the backlash from the Embargo Act, Jefferson’s popularity within the Democratic-Republican Party paved the way for his Secretary of State, James Madison, to step forward as the next candidate. Madison, often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” had a distinguished political career, including significant contributions to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the drafting of the Bill of Rights, and co-authoring the Federalist Papers.
However, not everyone was thrilled about Madison’s candidacy. Some within the Democratic-Republican Party resented what they saw as the emergence of a “Virginia Dynasty,” with yet another Virginian poised to take the presidency. Others were suspicious of Madison’s Federalist past, fearing he might be a D.R.I.N.O (Democratic-Republican In Name Only).
Madison faced challenges from within his own party, most notably from James Monroe, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, who opposed the rapid expansion of the U.S. under Jefferson. Additionally, Jefferson’s vice president, George Clinton, was suggested as a potential candidate by some discontented party members. Despite these challenges, Madison secured the nomination, with Clinton reluctantly agreeing to continue as his running mate.
The Federalist Party: Pinckney’s Comeback
The Federalist Party, seeing an opportunity in the widespread discontent caused by the Embargo Act, once again nominated Charles Pinckney as their candidate, with Rufus King as his running mate. Pinckney, with his appeal in the South, and King, with his Northern connections, seemed like a strong ticket. The Federalists hoped to capitalize on the anti-embargo sentiment, particularly in New England, where the economic impact had been most severe.
The Results
Despite the Federalists’ best efforts and a stronger showing than in 1804, James Madison won the election of 1808 decisively. Madison received 122 electoral votes, compared to Pinckney’s 47. In the popular vote, Madison secured 64.7%, while Pinckney managed only 32.4%. Although the Federalists managed to win a few states in New England and gain some votes in Maryland and North Carolina, it was not enough to overcome Madison’s broad support.
In a twist, six electors in New York refused to vote for Madison, instead casting their votes for George Clinton, who ended up with six electoral votes. This made Clinton the first vice president in American history to be re-elected to the position with a different president heading the ticket.
Conclusion
The Election of 1808 marked yet another victory for the Democratic-Republicans, despite the controversy surrounding the Embargo Act. However, as James Madison prepared to take office, he faced the looming challenges of the War of 1812 and the prospect of re-election in 1812. The Federalists, meanwhile, were left to regroup after yet another electoral defeat, as their influence continued to wane in the face of Democratic-Republican dominance.
