Derek Thompson

Is Texas the overriding issue or other broader economic issues that define this race?

Is Texas the overriding issue or other broader economic issues that define this race?

It's interesting because looking at it from sort of the 30,000 foot Wikipedia level, you think James Polk is not a dark horse. He's the only person in American history to serve as Speaker of the House and President. That sounds like somebody who would be very firmly in the political limelight.

It's interesting because looking at it from sort of the 30,000 foot Wikipedia level, you think James Polk is not a dark horse. He's the only person in American history to serve as Speaker of the House and President. That sounds like somebody who would be very firmly in the political limelight.

It's interesting because looking at it from sort of the 30,000 foot Wikipedia level, you think James Polk is not a dark horse. He's the only person in American history to serve as Speaker of the House and President. That sounds like somebody who would be very firmly in the political limelight.

But to both of your points, he had a bit of the stink on him because he had just lost in consecutive elections to resume his governorship of Tennessee. So He had that feeling of a loser about him until Jackson's people got behind him and pushed him over the finish line. So we have this election of 1844, and it's fascinating. It's one of the closest elections in American history.

But to both of your points, he had a bit of the stink on him because he had just lost in consecutive elections to resume his governorship of Tennessee. So He had that feeling of a loser about him until Jackson's people got behind him and pushed him over the finish line. So we have this election of 1844, and it's fascinating. It's one of the closest elections in American history.

But to both of your points, he had a bit of the stink on him because he had just lost in consecutive elections to resume his governorship of Tennessee. So He had that feeling of a loser about him until Jackson's people got behind him and pushed him over the finish line. So we have this election of 1844, and it's fascinating. It's one of the closest elections in American history.

Clay, in what is certainly his best chance to become president, fumbles the Texas question and loses support among immigrants and anti-slavery voters in the North. It should also be said this election is rife with fraud. both you point out, in the Plaquemines Parish near New Orleans, the Democratic vote is larger than the entire white male population of all ages, including toddlers and babies.

Clay, in what is certainly his best chance to become president, fumbles the Texas question and loses support among immigrants and anti-slavery voters in the North. It should also be said this election is rife with fraud. both you point out, in the Plaquemines Parish near New Orleans, the Democratic vote is larger than the entire white male population of all ages, including toddlers and babies.

Clay, in what is certainly his best chance to become president, fumbles the Texas question and loses support among immigrants and anti-slavery voters in the North. It should also be said this election is rife with fraud. both you point out, in the Plaquemines Parish near New Orleans, the Democratic vote is larger than the entire white male population of all ages, including toddlers and babies.

So historians are quite sure now that Democrats essentially boarded voters on a steamboat and just sent them down river to vote over and over and over again, a little riverboat tour of voter fraud.

So historians are quite sure now that Democrats essentially boarded voters on a steamboat and just sent them down river to vote over and over and over again, a little riverboat tour of voter fraud.

So historians are quite sure now that Democrats essentially boarded voters on a steamboat and just sent them down river to vote over and over and over again, a little riverboat tour of voter fraud.

But Walter, to you, before we dive into the meat of the show, which is Polk's presidency and what he accomplished in his four years, how do you think we should remember the 1844 election, the initial subject of your book project?

But Walter, to you, before we dive into the meat of the show, which is Polk's presidency and what he accomplished in his four years, how do you think we should remember the 1844 election, the initial subject of your book project?

But Walter, to you, before we dive into the meat of the show, which is Polk's presidency and what he accomplished in his four years, how do you think we should remember the 1844 election, the initial subject of your book project?

Incredible that something as significant as, is the state of California part of America or Mexico, part of Canada or Mexico, hangs on 5,000 votes cast 180 years ago. So... James K. Polk, heir to Andrew Jackson, dark horse candidate, miraculously becomes president. The world is aghast.

Incredible that something as significant as, is the state of California part of America or Mexico, part of Canada or Mexico, hangs on 5,000 votes cast 180 years ago. So... James K. Polk, heir to Andrew Jackson, dark horse candidate, miraculously becomes president. The world is aghast.

Incredible that something as significant as, is the state of California part of America or Mexico, part of Canada or Mexico, hangs on 5,000 votes cast 180 years ago. So... James K. Polk, heir to Andrew Jackson, dark horse candidate, miraculously becomes president. The world is aghast.