John Tyler: Entitlements

The Whig Party was a brand new national entity in 1840.

…And Tyler Who?

The Whig Party, originally formed around 1836, was an amalgam of sectional and factional differences, basically centered on their dislike for President Andrew Jackson, whether it be his policies or his personality. Knowing they were bound to lose in ‘36, they fielded four different Presidential candidates, depending on geography. Their reasoning was that perhaps a “front runner” might appear for 1840.

That front runner did appear, in the person of aging General William Henry Harrison of modest War of 1812 fame. His victory at Tippecanoe was “out west” – in the Ohio Territory – and could be considered mere skirmishes at that. Nevertheless, victory is victory, and Harrison’s name (and family history) was a known quantity. He was also very happy to accept the nomination.

The choice for Vice President was…