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Election of 1808

James Madison was a supporter of a strong central government and naturally allied with the emerging Federalist faction in Washington's first administration. However, as time passed he pulled away and formed a more lasting bond with Thomas Jefferson. Madison's failure to back Alexander Hamilton's plan for assumption of the state debts, his lack of support for John Adams' vice-presidential bid in 1792, and his opposition to Jay's Treaty (1795) ensured an irreparable break with the Federalists. Having served Jefferson faithfully as secretary of state for eight years, Madison was rewarded with strong Republican backing in 1808. The electoral totals were not close.

Election of 1808
Candidate

Party

Electoral

Popular
Vote

James Madison (VA)
George Clinton (NY)
John Langdon (NH)

Democratic-Republican

122

*

C.C. Pinckney (SC)
Rufus King (NY)

Federalist

47

George Clinton (NY)
James Madison (VA)
James Monroe (VA)

Democratic-Republican

6

Not cast

1

*Popular vote totals were not retained until the Election of 1824. Three electors supported Madison for president, but voted for the New Englander Landgon for vice president. Six others cast presidential ballots for Clinton and gave three votes each to Madison and Monroe for vice president.