Election of 1789

POD: November 1788. Washington is shot and killed by an insane man.

The Constitution has been drafted, Washington and the Colonies have won the war, and let's say that it quickens the ratification process by a few weeks. So the United States is (are) formed.

November 1789 approaches and the first Presidential election comes up. Candidates? Issues? What happens?
 
John Adams will likely be President, since 34 Electors voted for him.

Meanwhile, John Jay got 9 votes and six went to each of Robert Harrison (who?) and John Rutledge. John Hancock got 4 and George Clinton 3.

So..... if the assassination kept these candidates in the running, we might get John Adams elected with an actual majority (only 35 needed to win) and the House of Representatives choosing between Jay, Harrison, and Rutledge.


Now, the big thing here is that once the Federalist Party is fully founded, the Prez and VP will both be wholehearted members of it without the white tower nonpartisan aura of Washington. That could get ugly quick.
 
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