Assuming Franklin Pierce isn't available for whatever reason, who becomes the nominee and what be the effects of them becoming President?
1852 Democratic nominee, if no Franklin Pierce?
- Thread starter Jabe Thomas
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- election of 1852
Lewis Cass was in the lead for the first 19 ballots as well as ballots 32-44 so he clearly had some serious support.
Marcy was the other candidate that gained support towards the end before everyone moved to consolidate around Franklin Pierce. If Marcy had won, the Presidential Succession Act of 1792 might've been triggered (William R. King dies in 1853, Marcy dies on July 4th, 1857 so he could die sooner due to the pressure of the presidency).
In 1852, you need a Doughface who is prominent enough but inoffensive to all the factions who hate each other, but is also willing to play ball with the spoil system to all factions. I think a good bet is Senator Isaac Toucey. He was a good party man and corrupt enough (as later events would show) to play ball with those who would put him there. His later term of Attorney General for Buchanan exposed his Southern sympathies. He would make the perfect dark horse acceptable to all sides.