WI: 1848, Zachary Taylor runs as a Democrat?

Like with Eisenhower 100 years later, Taylor was a popular, moderate General from a recently finished war. Taylor was also courted by both parties, and both eventually choose the Whig/Republicans and won a fair margin against the incumbent Democrats who finished the war. But what if Taylor, a southern (Louisiana) Slaveholder decided for whatever reason to run as a moderate Democrat?

In such a case, who would be on the Whig ticket and lose (They Democrats were uber popular after the Mexican-American War and the Expansion, Taylor running as a Whig was the only way they could win)? More importantly, who would be his running mate, and President, when Taylor (an old man with a history of bad health) died? Who would run in 1852 on both Parties? Also: What would happen to Martin Van Buren's Free Soil Party, which only got 10% because of him running against Lewis Cass in OTL.
 
The Whigs would be SCREWED.

In 1848? Oh yes. In 1852? Maybe not, assuming that Taylor dies and his replacement is incompetent like Filmore was OTL(and back in the day the vice-Presidency was seen as a place to dump you off and a sort of 4 year vacation) the Whigs could make a powerful comeback in 1852 with someone like Winfield Scott, or a new Whig face. This could maybe even butterfly away the Whigs falling apart.
 
In such a case, who would be on the Whig ticket and lose

Probably Winfield Scott. That would be a real grudge match, as he and Taylor never got on.

Failing him, probably either Daniel Webster or a fourth nomination for Henry Clay. Not that it matters. They ain't going to win whatever.


More importantly, who would be his running mate, and President, when Taylor (an old man with a history of bad health) died?

Well, Taylor is from Louisiana (and before that Virginia) so his running mate is pretty certain to be from the North. They could keep thir present VP, George M Dallas, or go for the other Pennsylvanian, James Buchanan. Possible New Yorkers include the State's two Senators, Daniel S Dickenson and John A Dix, or even John Van Buren, son of the former President.

Stephen A Douglas was just barely old enough, but Illinois was a safe Democratic state, so he's unlikely.


Who would run in 1852 on both Parties?

Given their taste for generals, the Whigs might go for John C Fremont. For the Dems, if Taylor's successor wants an elected term, he quite likely gets it. Otherwise the field is as wide open as OTL.


Also: What would happen to Martin Van Buren's Free Soil Party, which only got 10% because of him running against Lewis Cass in OTL.

The old Liberty Party probably runs someone whom nobody has heard of, and comes nowhere.
 
To continue--Taylor likely alienates his own party by revealing after his election that he opposes the spread of slavery into the territories. Assuming he doesn't die as OLT, than his term is plagued by bitterness and infighting. He might actually not win a second term.
 
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