WI: Houston Becomes President in 1836

What if Sam Houston never married his first wife Eliza Allen and thus never sees his life fall apart in the 1820's? He remains close friends and allies with Jackson and in 1836, following the end of Jackson's presidency, he narrowly takes the nomination over Van Buren and becomes president. How does this effect American politics and the slavery issue over the next 4 (8?) years and beyond? In addition, Houston would have been only 51 in 1844, assuming he won re-election, and if anyone was likely to return to congress following a presidency in would be him. If Houston then does return to congress out of Tennessee, most likely as a senator, then how does that continue to effect the growth of American politics?

I'm thinking about making a timeline based on this but I'd like some feedback on plausibility and possibilities as to were to go with it.
 
He did become President of Texas in 1836. :p

Anyways, Texas was more self imposed exile for him since his political career went down the gutter. Heck, you might have just butterflied away Texan independence keeping him in Tennessee.

To be honest though, he really wasn't a big enough hero on his own before the Texas Revolution to win a bid for the White House, even as Jackson's protege. So he'd be running on his capacity as a statesmen which is less than inspiring.

If you want a Houston presidency, Houston was roughly involved in the Presidental conventions of several elections after Texas joined the Union. Heck, even as late as 1860 he could be seen as a compromise candidite for the Democrats being he was rather moderate on the slavery issue.
 
He did become President of Texas in 1836. :p

Anyways, Texas was more self imposed exile for him since his political career went down the gutter. Heck, you might have just butterflied away Texan independence keeping him in Tennessee.

To be honest though, he really wasn't a big enough hero on his own before the Texas Revolution to win a bid for the White House, even as Jackson's protege. So he'd be running on his capacity as a statesmen which is less than inspiring.

If you want a Houston presidency, Houston was roughly involved in the Presidental conventions of several elections after Texas joined the Union. Heck, even as late as 1860 he could be seen as a compromise candidite for the Democrats being he was rather moderate on the slavery issue.

Indeed I was thinking as much for 1860 but I doubt that would have made much of a difference as the south would have succeeded during his presidency anyway. On the other hand, prior to the collapse of his Tennessee career Jackson wanted him to be the next president (at least according to JFK's book).
 
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