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James K. Polk, 1795-1849
It is often said that James K. Polk was the first "dark horse" to claim a presidential nomination, and during his White House campaign of 1844, his opponents were fond of sneering, "Who is James Polk?" Once he was in office, however, the question quickly lost its sarcastic bite. A diligent worker who abhorred the thought of time unprofitably spent, Polk set four goals for his presidency -- reducing tariffs, creating an independent treasury system, settling the Oregon boundary dispute with Great Britain, and acquiring California. None of the four objectives was easily reached, and gaining California meant going to war with Mexico. By this administration's close, however, all had been accomplished. Unfortunately, Polk's success came at great personal cost. A spent man, he died within four months of retiring to private life.
George P.A. Healy, 1846 |