Time to go back in the past, but much farther.
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Economic ruin, War without proper funding or training, and the capture of New York City lead to the a revival in the flagging and directionless Federalist Party
The Federalists, who had ran on a campaign of ending hostilities with Europe was exceptionally popular on both sides of the Atlantic. American's were surprised and horrified at how easily the British stomped through their defenses and how pathetic their militia's fared. The British up in Canada had no interest in trying to hold down America, they were too large and too troublesome while Napoleon towered over them. Out west the idea of being subjugated to Britain was enormously unpopular, but to those who had been expecting to roll over Canada, and instead were massacred, they were eager to salvage as much as they could.
And they did, in fact little was lost. All of the overtaken property was returned, New York worse for wear but still functioning, and a peace treaty was signed surrendering $10,000,000 in damages to be paid over the next 20 years. The Federalists used this slight, the one they signed mind you, as justification to create a new standing army and National bank for a future war. Many of the Jeffersonian Republicans who opposed these measures, including Jefferson himself, were split. Some merely wanted America as a planters republic without the fear of Britain and Canada over them, but if they could so easily over take them perhaps it was time to swallow their pride.
The Federalist Party was both rejuvenated and transformed by this experience. With the embarrassment of many siding with Britain, a lot of New Federalists would be even more Anglophobic then the Republicans. They'd rely on them for trade and still back the old ideals of banks and property, but the rhetoric would be one of expansion to the north and conquest over the whole of the Eastern Seaboard. Younger Federalists would try and liberalize the party view on suffrage and populism, and idea that would remain anathema among the higher ups.
The Republicans were badly hurt by the debacle. Their long standing policies on low debt and no standing military had them overrun by the same people they had escaped a generation ago. The Federalists, despite being upper-class wannabe Brits, were the ones who made the British leave, no territory lost, no exorbitant demands (aside from payment of damages), and now they were looking forward in terms of national defense. Many Western Republicans saw no reason to listen, they thought that there was no way the British or any powers could overwhelm them, but for years it would remain a fear that many in the East would take seriously.
A new era had begun in American history, one of paranoia and opposition to all things British...
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There really was no other runner up here then Chief Justice John Marshall. The Federalists didn't really back anyone officially, Clinton ran as a Democratic-Republican and backed by most Federalists. King ran as a minor ticket but didn't get much attention. Here I imagine if he ran after some embarrassing loses he (and the party) could end the war early and try and salvage most of what they have. The British didn't want to cause the US to be permanently hostile, no need to create more enemies when you can profit off them, especially with Napoleon causing trouble in Europe.
Thoughts?
Runner's Up Election List
2012
