Old JQA has a confession to make. In the election of 1824, JQA lost both the electoral vote and the popular vote to Andrew Jackson. Despite this, JQA still managed to become president. With no candidate receiving the majority of the electoral vote, the election was thrown into the House of Representatives with the top three candidates being left to compete. Henry Clay, who had come in 4th place, detested Jackson and threw his support behind JQA. He also so happened to be Speaker of the House. In any case, JQA became president on the first ballot in the House. By coincidence, Henry Clay was appointed as Secretary of State (which was then the stepping stone to the presidency -- having been used by Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and JQA). The election was labeled by Jacksons supporters as a Corrupt Bargain.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 04:04:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015