1808
The 1808 U.S. presidential election was won by James Madison (Democratic-Republican) with 122 of 175 electoral votes, defeating Charles C. Pinckney (Federalist). Electoral vote margin: 75 EV; turnout 36.8%. The cycle falls in the First Party System era of American electoral history.
James Madison and the 1808 map
James Madison, Jefferson's Secretary of State and chief architect of the Constitution, won the presidency with a comfortable electoral margin. Six electors voted for George Clinton instead of Madison. The unpopular Embargo Act of 1807 was a key issue, as it had devastated New England's economy while failing to change British or French behavior. Pinckney performed better than in 1804 but the Federalists remained a regional New England party.
Embargo Act and neutral trade rights amid the Napoleonic Wars
Madison won despite the unpopular Embargo Act; Federalists made modest gains in New England
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