Edgar Allan Poe Lives, Runs for President (1848)

Poe, by now a well-known author in the United States following the publishing of "The Raven" (1845), makes his political views known in his stories such as "Mellonta Tauta" and "The Devil in the Belfry." A fervent anti-Democrat, a friend of John Tyler, and supporter of Zachary Taylor (W - LA), he decides to throw his weight into the political realm. Since Taylor's opponent is Democrat Lewis Cass, Poe declares his candidacy as an Independent from Maryland. His running-mate is friend Dr. Joseph Snodgrass. He runs on the platform of being anti-Dutch, anti-Confederacy, and supposedly anti-abolitionist. His opponents, primarily Cass, attack him for being a drunkard, and for being "eccentric," and run-down, poor "essayist" who came from a "circus-family."

It is then, during his campaign, that Poe travels to Baltimore in 1849, a month before the election. There, while on a carriage-ride gathering support, a botched assassination attempt occurred, and he was left in a ditch on the side of the rode. He was rescued, and interned at a local hospital over-night, where it was found that he was high on alcohol. He was released, and allowed to continue to campaign. On Election Day, Poe won a razor-sharp victory.

Edgar A. Poe (I - MD): 50% of the vote.
Zachary Taylor (W - LA): 49% of the vote.
Lewis Cass (D - LA): 12% of the vote.

Obviously, this needs more work, so when I have some other free time, I'll update this.
 
Why would Poe who supports Taylor run against him in a Presidential election? Also considering that he was discharged from West Point for insubordination and a drunk I doubt he'd win or even get more than 1% of the vote.
 
Why would Poe who supports Taylor run against him in a Presidential election? Also considering that he was discharged from West Point for insubordination and a drunk I doubt he'd win or even get more than 1% of the vote.

Ok, so it was a dumb thread. Like I said, this needs more work and research. Give me some time. :)
 
i liked that short story in some AH anthology where he was nursed out of the gutter and went on to be a Confederate general...
 
How could Edgar Allan Poe run for President? He had no money, and more enemies than friends. He was also horrible when it came to speeches and public speaking.
 
You would need a POD earlier in his life. Maybe if for some reason in his upbringing he becomes less of a drunkard so his attempt at a military career is not short lived then you could have Poe becoming president at some point. However this would be a Poe completely different from the writer that we know.
 
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